Before 50 Shades of Grey there was the Skye O’Malley series

Skye O’Malley by Beatrice Small is available via Booktopia for $18.50

Disclaimer here first…  Bertrice Small is my absolute favorite author!  I have everything she has written in paperback (mostly sourced from the US) and e-book.  And, admittedly, I do enjoy a steamy historical romance.  Last time I counted, I think she has done about 52 books.  I have read them all.  Some better than others but I love them all.  Consider this more of a “group” recommendation rather than an “I am reading at the moment” review.

If you have never heard of her then let me suggest that you start with the first of the Skye O’Malley series   “Skye O’Malley” to be followed, in order, by “All The Sweet Tomorrows”, “A Love For All Time”,  “This Heart of Mine”, “Lost Love Found” and “Wild Jasmine”

These are not for the faint hearted.  They are pretty descriptive and full on.  They do incorporate a fair amount of historical fact (albeit around a fictitious family) regarding the English and Scottish monarchs in their times.  There is a bit of “creative” license in the books but Ms Small footnotes real instances, which she has incorporated in her books.

The books tell the tale of the O’Malley clan through the years and their interdependent relationship with the powers that be.  In those times, the monarchs were a law unto themselves and rarely allowed anything or anyone to stand in the way of what they wanted.

Women were a commodity to be taken full advantage of, however, the O’Malley females had as much intellect as beauty.  This begins the first of the series with Skye O’Malley who is forced into a position she would not have chosen on her own.  She will do whatever needs done to position and protect herself and all of her children to come.  She will fight with a Queen and give herself to reach these goals and come out with more power than those around her.

The next book sees Skye finding love and what she thinks will be some stability and peace.  Despite having children, she is called upon once again to put it all on the line for King and country.  Finding herself overwhelmed by emotions that she should not feel.

The remaining books bring her daughters into situations similar to their famous Mother but with their own twists and turns and passion. Each generation discovering themselves and more about the Mother they underestimated.

These books are highly erotic while throwing in enough facts to be able to pass off to your family as “historical reading”.  No, really!

These are just some of the books in her bookshelf.  From harems to more modern situations, you will want to read them all.

Would love to hear back from anyone that reads these, with your thoughts.

Skye O’Malley by Beatrice Small is available via Booktopia for $18.50