Customer Reviews

A Memory of Love

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The best thing about this new book by my favorite author is that it's not a sequel! We romance readers seem to be inudated with sequels and trilogies lately. Not that I don't like to revisit my favorite characters and their further adventures; however, sometimes a really good epilogue can answer many questions and give us satisfying closure. In A MEMORY OF LOVE, Ms. Small introduces us to Rhonwyn, the bastard daughter of Llywelyn who is the Prince of Wales. The book starts out in 1257 which is a wild and harsh time for Wales, and England for that matter. She becomes more warrior princess than lady of the manor, and during the whole story line she either revels in her military-like character or struggles to control it in order to appear to be a Christian noble lady. She is a strong and enjoyable heroine, and I wasn't trying to imprint Skye O'Malley's essence on her as I have, to be honest, Jasmine, India, and Fortune. The harem episode may be repetitive, but I found some new and different aspects of it in this book. I do have to say I wish we had been introduced to Rafe sooner in the story, and I also wish his character had been more developed. He seemed likable, but a bit weak next to Rhonwyn. The secondary characters of the abbess and Glynn were very strong and satisfying. I read the book very quickly and I was sorry when it was over. I would have enjoyed more of the story or one of those great epilogues. I would also like to add that I appreciate Ms. Small not going to expensive hard backs for her first editions. I really do like the over sized paper back style; and it's more consumer friendly to a romance-aholic like me. Thanks, Bertrice!

After I had read the last few books of Ms. Small, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed, but no more! Her newest book is one of the best that she has written in quite a while. The heroine Rhonwyn is a bit different from the usual females that she writes about, but that makes her all the more intereting. Bertrice Small is known for separating characters and then reuniting them but this time things go terribly wrong! I was actually angry that Rhonwyns husband commited such a despiciable act, but in the end it works wonderfully for the story. Long time readers know that Ms. Small loves placing her females in harems, yet this time the harem part of the story is quite short, and important to the conclusion of the story. I will say that this book is not very sensual, especially if you have read "Hellion" and "The Love Slave" but it is still spicy in some parts.I loved the fact that Wales was the setting for this story, and history comes alive with Ms. Small's skillful writing. This book is a bit reminiscent of "The Spitfire" in that just when you think you know how the story will end you are surprised and shocked at the way the book concludes.A definite must read,and it is wonderful to have Bertrice Small writing the style books that her fans have come to love her for!

Rhonwyn, bastard daughter of the Prince of Wales opens this story as a five year old sheltering and caring for her three-year-old brother. Her mother lay dead from a miscarriage when the children's father shows up and Rhonwyn's indifference to her sire demonstrates her independence and strength of character. Not knowing what else to do with his children and not wanting to be inconvenienced, he brings them to the closet place, a border fortress manned entirely by men and leaves them. Rhonwyn grows up more of a lad than a lassie, the darling of the fort, excelling in swordplay and hunting. By the time her father returns, 10 years later, and politically motivated, he has betrothed his daughter to one of the king's men. To his horror, Rhonwyn is unrecognizable as a lady and he brings her to his sister, the lady abbess, to mold into some semblance of womanhood before bringing her to her new husband.

Rhonwyn's early upbringing without another female to guide her in any womanly pursuits or knowledge of marriage, romance etc. made this quite a different read. Her only guide to behavior was to do her duty with honor and loyalty. It was accompanying her husband on the crusades that she would began to fall in love with him. Then she was captured and thrust into the harem of a caliph who would be her guide in releasing the demons that had, up until then, blocked her passionate nature and she would be schooled in erotic love. Rescued, escaping and finding her way back to Great Britain, she would find that she had been declared dead, replaced by another, and entering a new battle to repair her heart.

I loved this fascinating and compelling story! From the very beginning, this book was very exciting with an interesting story and an absolutely fabulous heroine. The historical details were plentiful, the dialog fresh and sassy, the heroine gorgeous, secondary characters fascinating, and the sensuality sizzling - all in all a most perfect read!

Rhonwyn and her younger brother Glynn are the illegitimate children of the Prince of Wales in 13th century Europe. When their mother dies, their father takes them to a nearby fortress "for a little while." The years fly by and Rhonwyn becomes a young woman adept at weapons, war, and a sense of duty. When her father comes for her to marry her off as part of a peace treaty with England, he is shocked to find a warrior rather than a princess. After lessons on how to be a lady, Rhonwyn is married to Edward. Unlike most of Small's heroines, Rhonwyn is not overly passionate and doesn't care overly much for lovemaking. Edward is concerned, but doesn't know how to handle it. Suddenly an opportunity comes up. The have been invited to join the crusades. Edward nearly dies from the filth, but is nursed back to health by his devoted wife. All too soon the inevitable happens and Rhonwyn is captured by the enemy and brought before the Emir of Cinnabar. With great care, he helps Rhonwyn discover a terrible secret which allows him to awaken the passion inside her. Although she enjoys the Emir's attentions, she plots for the day of her escape and her return to her husband's arms. Even though I had some expectations of the Bertrice Small formula: Boy meets girl, boy loves girl, boy loses girl to handsome stranger in a far off land, boy gains girl, I was completely floored by what happened to Rhonwyn upon her return home. At first, I wasn't sure of the direction this story was heading and then I was thrilled. A great story! And by the way, I enjoy the harem stories. They are part of the Small formula and no one else can write it like her.

Late in the thirteenth century, as part of a peace treaty with King Henry, the Prince of Wales Llywelyn of Gruffydd agrees to have his daughter wed an English knight. However, his daughter, Rhonwyn grew up amidst soldiers with no female presence. She is a fine warrior, but far from an acceptable lady.

Still Rhonwyn does her duty and marries Edward de Beaumont. He earns her trust and ultimately her love by his actions towards his people and her brother. When he goes to North Africa on a crusade, Rhonwyn comes too. When Edward becomes ill, she leads his men into battle only to become the prisoner of the Emir of Cinnebar, who teaches her sexual passion. As she learns how to please a man, Rhonwyn wonders what awaits her if she ever escapes and returns to England and her beloved Edward.

A MEMORY OF LOVE is an entertaining medieval romance filled with erotic love. The crisp story line centers on the relationship between Edward and Rhonwyn, but is interrupted by the author's trademark harem scene that adds nothing to the plot. Overall, Ms. Small writes a wonderful historical romance starring two exciting characters struggling to find an everlasting love.

Harriet Klausner

Set in a turbulent era in Wales and England's history, A MEMORY OF LOVE is the story of Rhonwyn uerch Llywelyn, the illegitimate daughter of the prince of the Welsh. When their mother dies giving birth to their younger sister, five year old Rhonwyn and her baby brother Glynn are taken by their father from the isolated cottage where they lived and placed for safekeeping in a fortress guarded by men loyal to the prince. For the next ten years, Rhonwyn is raised more like a warrior than a princess.

When Rhonwyn's father allies himself with the new English king, he cements the treaty by offering his long hidden daughter as a bride for an English lord. Ten years of living with soldiers has not exactly prepared Rhonwyn for marriage -- she doesn't even know what the word means! She does, however, know the meaning of duty and she proceeds to fulfill her father's bidding. A short stay with her father's sister, the Abbess of Mercy Abbey, introduces her to another world and she does her best to learn the gentler arts. The result of this unique upbringing and education is a beautiful woman more hellion than gentle damsel. Edward de Beaulieu is taken aback by his new bride's spirit but intrigued all the same. They slowly learn to love each other. Edward is soon called upon to join the Crusades and Rhonwyn accompanies her husband.

When sickness invades the camps and Edward falls ill, Rhonwyn leads his troops to fight the infidels. She is captured and taken to Rashid al Ahmet, the caliph of Cinnebar, who is enthralled by her beauty and warrior skills and promptly puts her into his harem and bed. Even as she learns to care for Rashid, Rhonwyn still dreams of being reunited with Edward. She gets her chance at escape and sails back to England only to find out that Edward believed her dead and has turned to another.

A MEMORY OF LOVE is Bertrice Small at her classic best. She weaves a tale of a woman who -- subject to the whims of the men in her life -- manages to create an identity and a life uniquely her own. Yes, there is the prerequisite harem episode but you know what? It actually does play a pivotal role in this story! Readers will find this story an exotic treat.

TheSchemer

Bertrice Small did it again. She came up with a character all women should look up to. She came up with a man all women should look for. Having read all of Small's past novels I would say she did a great job trying to top Skye O'Malley (the character). She must of kept a few hidden qualities aside for Rhonwyn! Just a splash of loving scenes (that all men should read and live up to) and intriguing characters! Check this book out!

This is the very first Small book I have read and it was excellent! The history between Wales and England was supurb, I have never read such acuracy before in a romance book. Small is so detailed she even brings to life the smells around you and the tastes. I was astounded. The love story was so different from what i was used to in other romances, Rhonwyn is the Welsh Prince's daughter and is used as a "bargaining" chip in the Prince's cooperation with the King of England. She is forced into a marriage with Edward, a mere Lord who has knowledge of Welsh language and culture. The marriage is a political one and the King feels assured the Prince of Wales will not give him trouble. Rhonwyn is a wild and spirited woman who was raised by her father's soldiers without a mother or female influence. Edward is not happy with this, but tries to make the best of a strange situation. Soon he is called to fight in the Crusades alongside (then) Prince Edward, son of King Henry. She begs to acompany him, because she wants to fight too. He relents and soon finds herself captured and given to the Lord in a harem. We as the readers learn alot about Rhonwyn's character in this time she is there and learn about a terrible secret she has hidden from her husband. After a year of longing for Edward, she escapes and finds her way home, only to learn of another horrible truth that she must now face. It was such a wonderful story and I loved how strong and independant she was. I agree with the other readers too, I wish Rafe were introduced much earlier. Besides Rhonwyn, he was my favorite character. The secondary characters, her brother and her aunt are wonderful, and I loved when they appeared, alos her devoted Welsh guards made me smile with their utter devotion to her. This is a wonderful story that should not be missed, and now I am going to read everything from this talented author that I can get my hands on!

I was a bit put off in the beginning of the book when Rhonwyn watched her mother rutting with the Welsh prince. Something very disturbing about adults having sex openly in front of the a 5 year old. Rhonywn seemed very precocious for a 5 year old when she told the prince "she would haven't died if you hadn't put a baby in her belly by your constant rutting with her." That doesn't sound like the speech of a 5 year old.

Since Rhonywn was an excellent solider I would have liked to see more of her battle skills showcased. I didn't expect Edward to turn out to be a cad. I was really unprepared by his quick change of heart. He searched for her a little while when she was captured and then grew angry. I know it was the custom back then to marry within one's family but I was very disgusted that he married his own cousin. I don't care that it's custom but to marry one's cousin is incestuous. I also found it disgusting that his cousin Rafe lusted after his cousin's wife and later married her. Talk about sharing the bedsheets. I don't care for the incestuous love play. If Rafe wasn't Edwards' cousin I would have liked him. His character was not very developed and seemed rather weak. I also found it unbelievable that his love making skills were on par with those of the caliph.


*sigh* the harem story was over much too quickly. I would have loved to have known how the caliph reacted to Rhonywn's "death"

WOW! I really liked this book. I would give it 4 1/2 stars. Much better than I thought it would be from the reviews. Bertrice is my favorite writer story teller. This book is the one to have your spouse/partner read if he/she needs to learn a little about pleasure and sex not only for himself/herself but for you. Now that said I would highly recommend this book. It has very good characters, very good story and good sexy romance.