Customer Reviews

Love, Remember Me

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed this historical novel that has something for every fan of historical romance--true love, sex, adventure, political intrigue, infidelity, royalty, and rich historical detail--yet still lacks a certain balance.

The story begins as 16-year-old Nyssa, daughter of Blaze Wyndham, sets out with her two brothers to make their fortunes at the court of Henry VIII. Nyssa's hope is to marry for love. Though she is anxious about her new life, Nyssa enjoys serving as a royal maid to Anne of Cleves, Henry's fourth wife, but even daily life at court is fraught with political, social and religious intrigue. The royal marriage, of course, is a signal lack of success, and Henry publicly seeks to end it before it even begins. This sets the various factions at court to scheming on how to provide Henry a new wife who will represent their own religious beliefs and political leanings. Unfortunately, the king's fatherly interest in Nyssa convinces the conniving and ambitious Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, that Nyssa is a contender for the position of Queen No. 5. He decides to remove her as a supposed rival to his own niece, Catherine Howard, for the king's affections.

Norfolk's plot to disgrace Nyssa is unwillingly but actively supported by his grandson, Varian, Earl of March, who has been in love with Nyssa for some time. Because of Varian's unsavory reputation keeps him on the edges of society and beyond marriageability, Nyssa has kept her distance despite her attraction to him. Though Varian's actions will ruin her socially and lose her the king's favor, he genuinely wants to save her from a fate that will be far worse if he isn't complicit in his grandfather's conspiracy. This is a deliciously repulsive twist that adds even more tension as the plot unfolds relentlessly and the Tudor-Howard marriage races to its shattering conclusion.

So why only four stars? It's hard to say what the author intended. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that this novel spends too little time with its protagonists. Although the story is completely absorbing, it reads as though the author really wanted to center her novel on the disastrous marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine Howard. And I almost wish she had. History comes alive in Love, Remember Me as it too rarely does in the standard bodice-ripper. Henry Tudor and Catherine Howard come vigourously to life, in strong contrast to the romantic hero, Varian, Earl of March, who has little to do except adore his bride, Nyssa, and show reverence to his lofty but unworthy grandfather. Other historical figures are also superbly rendered: the Duke of Norfolk, Archbishop Cranmer, and Anne of Cleves, among many supporting characters, are well-rounded. They stand out in bright relief against the less vivid fictional characters.

Not to say that this doesn't work somewhat in the novel's favor. Contrasted with the soaring, ruthless ambition of Henry's courtiers and advisors, Nyssa and Varian are not intended to be history-makers, but hapless innocents swept against their will by the course of historical events. The precarious balance between life and death is a constant, foreboding presence. And yet the wonderful historical backdrop, the characterization, the detail, are out of proportion, overshadowing the rest of the story and reducing Nyssa and Varian to supporting roles.

I just re read this book after a long time.

Nyssa Wyndham goes to court as a maid of honor to the soon to be queen, Anne Of Cleves. She's appointed to her position by Henry the Eighth, as a favor to her mother, who was the king's mistress for a brief time. Now, Nyssa becomes embroiled in the intrigues of court. The king, displeased by the fact that Anne is not exactly as her potrait rendered her, seeks an annulment of his marriage. When powers beyond Nyssa's control believe her to be a possibility as the new queen, they see to it she is immediatly out of favor.

She's married off to Varian De Winter, a man who's ben in love with her since he saw her at Hampton Court. Due to a scandel in his past, hes been unable to find a family who'd let him pay court to any of their daughters. His and Nyssa's marriage has a VERY unusual beginning, but they are eventually happy. However, they are called back to court!

This is a wonderful book. Detailed, like all of Ms. Smalls works. Just a great read. I wish there had been more books in the Wyndham family.

Normally I loathe Bertrice Small's romance novels. But this, this was no simple romance novel. This book is a historical novel of the top flight. Yeah, okay, there's (great) romance in it, but it isn't the pivot of the plot. The intrigues between Henry VIII, his "Flanders mare" Anne of Cleves, his adulterous fifth wife Catherine Howard, and the over ambitious Duke of Norfolk are the true players in this historical tale. We are given the chance to see Anne and Catherine from a point of view much more sympathetic than most history books would offer. In short, if you prefer history to romance, this might be a good book to investigate.

I really enjoyed this book! If you are an avid historian, love wild sex scenes, and love a sense of spicy danger this book is for you! It's interesting to see Henry VIII in this light. Good book!

I enjoyed reading this story. I am a fan of Bertrice Small. I think BLAZE was better but this was well worth reading if you like history and romance and a little sex (A LOT Of SEX). The way Bertrice writes just keeps you interested and the story moves in many directions at times. Her characters are usually very interesting and easy to visualize. Other people tell you about the story but I just tell you why I liked the book and let you know that I would recommend this book to read if you like a good solid story mixed with a little bit of history.

Ms. Small's tale of love in Henry Tudor's court was wonderfully entertaining. I have always enjoyed Ms. Small's work since reading Skye O'Malley and have become fascinated with Elizabethian history because of it. This author is able to weave characters that we truly care about into very accurate accounts of history with such finesse. Her readers become one with the novel and and truly care what happens to each character. Though this book may not be as erotic as some of her other novel (i.e., Hellion and the Love Slave), this book is a true romance. Nyssa learns to love her husband, and will do anything to ensure that this loves survives. She is faithful, discreet and loving. The title is appropriate and yes, though it all, love remembered Nyssa and Varian. This book warmed my heart and I hope that Ms. Small will continue to create such strong, vibrant characters.

Absolutely the very best book I've ever read. With a deep love for history, Bertrice Small, weaves a wonderful tale of romance and courtly intrigue. WOW! The historical characters come alive and it's almost like being there. Poor Cat. This is one book that should be included in every romance reader's library. NOT TO BE MISSED.

Love, Remember Me
I usually like Small's stories and I do skip most of the sex scenes, but this one went way overboard. I did not finish the book.

Now here is the kind of book Ms.Small used to write--a blend of history, romance, and steaming sensuality that isn't too trite, holds my interest and features characters I like and even care about. It is funny and exciting and even has a few heart tugging moments--a cornucopia of fine romance!

The only reason I didn't rate it higher? It was a little slow in the beginning--too much history about Anne of Cleves. And the ending was kind of abrupt. All in all--a great read--I consumed it one afternoon!

This is the first book that I have read from Small. It was a little hard to get into in the beginning, and I thought that she used way too many characters with the same names, So that made it a little difficult to follow.

I didnt care for the ending.