The Innocent

By: Bertrice Small

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Deceptively fragile-looking, Eleanore of Ashlin had promised her life to God...until fate intervened. With her brother's untimely death, Eleanore - known as Elf to those who love her - becomes the heiress of an estate vital to England's defenses. She is ordered by royal command to wed one of the king's knights rather than take her final vows. With resistant heart, but ever obedient to King Stephen's will, she complies.

Ranulf de Glandeville is all too aware that his innocent bride wants no man; yet his patience, gentle hand, and growing love for his spirited young wife soon awaken Eleanore to passions she never knew, or desired...until now.

But their love is not secure from the wicked schemes of an evil woman who hates Eleanore with all her black heart - and she will seek to destroy the innocent in a depraved plot that will put Eleanore's life in jeopardy and her faith in love to its greatest test....

Contains mature themes.

©1999 Bertrice Small (P)2021 Tantor

Worth the credit!

I really enjoyed this book. A little repetitive in parts but overall a good listen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What wonderful lovely story!
The author and narrator awesome talented!
The combination of love, betrayed and life challenges!also that more than likely.they didn’t get what they plan…

Great

Loved this book. starting as a nun and turns out to be a marrived women is quite an experience for her life. She becomes surprised about many things.

satisfied reader!

always loved this authors stories... great performance... loved the story line ❤️. need more stories from ms. small.

A Little Less Crappy than Many😆

Historical setting inaccuracies. (ex: there were no copper pennies in the 1100's or the word 'dildo') 😂
Better writing than most insubstantial fluff many authors produce these days but
slightly leans towards needing a good edit. Often got the feeling there were situations introduced purely for shock/nasty value directed towards bringing in a younger demographic. I wasn't impressed as it didn't authentically add to the story.
The narrator is one of my favorites and as usual did a good job.
I'm getting picky in my old (54) age...there's some real crappy historical medieval romances being presented. This one is at least a little less crappy than most.😉

Historical decent read

The characters were likable and the story line starts out really well but along the way I just started to lose interest.

Wonderful Story!

I really enjoyed this story once again by Beatrice Small. Narration was amazing. Without the whiny voice. I loved that male voices were all distinct. Great team!

Good story

Once again enjoyed Bertrice Small”s story telling! Looking now for the next one to read!

Well written!

I would have given this book a 5 star rating except the heroine is a child. I was uncomfortable with that, yet realize that this was the way for the time in which the story was written. Teenage girls were married to older men....
That being said, the book is excellently written and the performance is spot on.
I enjoyed both the historical backdrop and the characters themselves.
Elenanore is intelligent and wise beyond her years and is no doormat. I appreciate that Ms. Small did not make her weak and subservient. I enjoyed Ranulf as well. He is the kind of hero one loves. He is honorable, loyal and kind. Yet more than able to care for those he loves. The villains are truly wicked and I enjoyed one of them receiving her just due.
The book is long but not at all boring or tedious. The secondary characters are enjoyable as well.
It is a good story and is certainly credit worthy.

Did Not Finish

I couldn’t finish. Not because the writing, story or narration were bad because all of those were actually very good. It’s more because the story ratcheted my anxiety up to a level I couldn’t take. I came to know good and loveable and wholesome characters, and then a evil black heart threatens their serenity and peace. The author doesn’t hold back in her descriptions of depravity. She goes all the way. I did not finish because I worried what would happen to my beloved. I’d rather stop before the bad stuff happens so as not to risk the trauma. I’d rather just leave them softly so they remain forever alive and happy in my mind.