I remember reading most of this series YEARS ago, but I had never gotten around to reading the 1st installment. The writing is laughably bad, but I actually enjoyed the giggles I had while reading it, so who knows? I may read (or re-read) some other Bertrice Small books to lighten my mood.

(The world-building itself isn't terrible though, as some other reviewers have mentioned. Too bad the main character is such a Mary-Sue that I couldn't see past that.) ( )

Porn. This really doesn’t fall in the romance category; romance requires relationship and there are no romantic relationships here until page 377. I was about to totally dismiss this book when I noticed an odd little something: the inner voice the heroine hears. In 50 Shades of Gray (a comparable book) the inner goddess seems to be a symbol for listening to your gut. This inner voice (Ethne) is instead the inner God, saying “You are loved, you do not need to be afraid, no matter how bad it is, I am with you, I have a plan for your life, you are chosen, you are blessed, you are on a journey.”

The story line takes for granted a curious lack of bonding. Not romance, no. And it was so boring, I confess to skimming for ideas. That was not as inane as it sounds. There were some generalized ideas stated baldly: women find power in sex, men are soothed by sex.
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I couldn't even tell you how much I loved this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down! I swear I didn't even want to sleep because I just wanted to know where Lara's journey would take her next! Then once I finished I was desperate to get my hands on the next book. The locations throughout the book are beautifully described in detail in a way that makes you feel like you are there. Filled with lots of adventures and sex and it is only just the beginning! ( )

Did not finish. Even though it's not like her historicals, it still wasn't compelling enough to continue reading. ( )

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I prefer contemporary or Regency books in the romance genre, so please keep that in mind.

After reading much from Bertrice Small fans about how addictive the books are, I took a random stab at the genre with "Lara." The imagery was great and the romance steamy, but I just couldn't get past the fixations on destiny and the liberal use of the word'manroot.' I probably should have found a more accessible introduction to Small's books -- this one is best left to her fans. ( )