A Moment in Time [Unabridged] [Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1991

Young Wynne of Gwernach has no dreams of marriage. Innocent and pure of heart, she believes that love is an illusion. Instead, she devotes herself to managing the great family estate nestled in the raw beauty of Wales, vowing to protect it and her younger brother until he comes of age to inherit.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Veteran romance novelist Small ( The Spitfire ) is capable of better work than this mediocre fantasy with its rudimentary characters and over-elaborate plot. "Somewhere in time" Rhiannon of "the Fair Folk" relinquished her magic powers to marry a Welsh mortal, Pwyll. But he betrayed her trust and, as a punishment, he is to be reincarnated repeatedly, searching during every life for the soul of Rhiannon until he finds her and she forgives him. In 1060, Wynne of Gwernach (Rhiannon's soul) marries Madoc of Powys-Wenwynwyn (Pwyll's soul). In this life, Madoc somehow ends up with the magic powers. He concocts a brew to help Wynne remember their shared past life and, of course, she freely forgives him. But then Wynne (who is more compassionate than intelligent) resolves to patch up a feud between Madoc and his evil half-brother Brys. She visits Brys, who, true to form, seizes her, selling her and her unborn child into slavery. This puts Wynne into a snit, but her owner is kind and a terrific lover, so she adapts. But Madoc/Pwyll has lost his love yet again and sets out to track down Wynne/ Rhiannon.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Romantic twaddle that Small easily spins, with fantasy amid an airy narrative with the expected yodel of hyperventilating sex. Set in 1060 Wales, this details the adventures of a Welsh lass of high degree who will suffer various physical humiliations and have two husbands, one of whom changes shape when occasion demands. Quite beautiful Wynne has refused offers of marriage in order to remain at her castle to manage things for its heir, her young brother. But she narrowly evades marriage with one lord when another arrives--Madoc of Powys, who, she discovers, has been a companion all along, in the body of raven chum Old Dhr. Madoc sheds wings, and they marry; but when Wynne is pregnant, the dodo decides to visit her evil brother-in-law Brys to patch up the brothers' quarrel. Promptly popped into slavery, Wynne finds herself the property of a Saxon lord, Eadwine Aethehard. Madoc's son is born, and then, while Wynne discovers she loves the Saxon, she bears him a daughter. But Eadwine dies, and another nasty sends Wynne on the S&M road again. She and Madoc will reunite but...well, this time winging it just won't work. In between Wynne's trials, there's a prophetic drama involving the fairy Fair Folk, and, in the epilogue, dated 1805, the fate of two more lovers is sealed. More popular diddly-squat, quite popular, from Small (Lost Love Found, 1989, etc.). -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 516 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st edition (September 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345368630
• ISBN-13: 978-0345368638
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bertrice Small is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 34 novels in print. She lives in the oldest English-speaking town in New York state. Her website is bertricesmall.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A departure into the world of fantasy, June 15, 2000

By 

J. Austin "jodylync" (Dublin, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moment in Time (Mass Market Paperback)

Bertrice Small takes a new twist on her usual writing by adding a bit of fantasy and time travel to the mix. As usual, Mrs. Small weaves a web of vivid descriptions, exquisite detail, and exciting sexually charged love scenes. Her story within a story as Wynne and Madoc relive their past life together was stunning. Her rich, vibrant detail makes the book another triumph. Although I usually enjoy her heroine's adventures when they are parted from their true loves into the arms of others, I did not care for the part when Wynne was away from Madoc. The ending was not her usual either, but I appreciate Mrs. Small's departure from her norm to give us a refreshing look at her always spectacular stories.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and Exciting, January 18, 2000

By 

Alyssa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moment in Time (Mass Market Paperback)

This is probably my favourite book by Bertrice Small. Every time I read it it just gets better. The reincarnation/time travel aspect is unique, and the love story that goes with it is wonderful. Wynne and Madoc go through so much to be together, you find yourself hoping that they will overcome all the odds in their way. The descriptions of Wales are magical, you can almost smell the trees and see the castle. The villian is evil, and yet you hope that just maybe he can be redeemed. The ending is a bit sad and somewhat unexpected, but makes you believe in happily ever after.This book just gets better with each read. A must read for time travel fans and all lovers of romance!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow., May 6, 2000

By 

Erin (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Moment in Time (Paperback)

That's all I can say about this novel. Wow. I'm an avid Bertrice reader and I thought there wasn't another storyline to be covered. So, I was wrong. I understand some may find it difficult to allow themselves to just kind of go with the whole "suspension of disbelief"-thing, but if one can, it's worth it. This is a love story with a heart-breaking, bittersweet ending; the epilogue will make up for that, though. "A Moment In Time" is not about logistics of Madoc's Wizardry or even how strong Wynne may or may not be. Its about a love that goes beyond what we can see in the here and now. Its about finding strength to forgive and forget. I guess I feel "A Moment In Time" is a prime example of unconditional love. I would DEFINITELY recommend this to a fellow romance reader.