Customer Reviews

A Moment in Time

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

A story of a young girl in Wales, in the early eleventh century, who is caring for her family and their estate. Beset by a suitor she does not want and cannot refuse, she is swept away by a prince with magical powers -- the prince who has been her love since time began. But their life together is interrupted by an evil force, the prince's brother, who has tried hard since time began to keep them apart. The girl is kidnapped by the brother. sold into slavery, and fights hard to get back to her prince and confront the evil brother. As the confrontation ends, the prince is struck down by an accidental arrow and leaves his princess to live until they meet again

Things change from moment to moment; Time constantly surprises us.
So learns Wynne in A Moment in Time, set in 11th century Wales. She goes from being an orphan taking care of the family estate until her brother comes of age ... to a sought-after potential bride... to the bethroed of the loving Prince Madoc. From there, she travels backwards in time and back again.
When she tries to mend a rift between brothers, she learns that, from one moment in time to the next, one's world can turn upside down, never to right itself.
Historically, this novel echoes much of what I learned in high school. As literature, it's incredibly well-written. Even at times in which the plot is predictable, the story travels well. This is one of the better historical romances that I've read. I recommend it highly, and I plan to read other books by Bertrice Small in the near future.

I found this book packed away amongst all my other books and couldn't resist the urge to sit down and read it! I love the way Ms. Small delves into reincarnation---by taking us back to when Wynne and Madoc first met. Another thing that I found fascinating was the way she described Wales and England. I have to admit that I was a little lost in all the different pronunciations for the characters in this book----but once I figured them all out, it was very easy reading.

I love books like this--and have found only a paltry few that made me feel so swept-away as this magical novel. A departure from Small's usual books, this was magical, mystical, exciting, romantic and thoroughly satisfying--in spite of the ending--which I will not give away except to say that it was both happy and sad--bittersweet at best. (And the one thing that stopped me from rating this higher)

The love scenes were okay--I kind of glossed over them--the story was that good!

The villain was a bit over the top--but it was a fantasy so I could run with it.

And the hero was one of my all time favorites--could Ms. Small write another book with another hero like Madoc?

I purchased this book in a bulk lot of 400 I won on eBay several years ago, and had to travel four hours into the forest to collect (a story for another time). Having had to cull many books around six months ago, I decided to hold on to this one simply for its cover and vague promise of trashiness. I'm glad I kept it stored on my shelf.

But, seriously. Perhaps it's because I'm not a romance reader, especially not romance of this kind. One-dimensional characters not withstanding (it's a romance after all), this book is most assuredly entertaining! Our heroine is taken on a journey from the nurturing world that is her home, and thrust into the arms of Madoc - our hero. Only for her to become lost to him at the hands of his evil brother, and sold into slavery. Whereupon she appears to have more fun with her master than her husband. Her husband, coming from a family of sorcerers has a hard time trying to locate her.

I think the author has written a commendable story that takes us with our heroine (Wynde? Wynne?) throughout her maidenhood, womanhood, motherhood and penchant for masochism (which is, after all, one of the mainstays of the romance genre). I would have loved to have the story explored in more depth, with the characters coming to life a lot more and I think it certainly had the potential to do just that. However, there were a few moments I had to LOL at:

-Nether lips?
-Why the hell couldn't her husband find her, being such a rich and powerful sorcerer?
-I can't believe she forgave him so readily for the pain he caused her in their past lived. That really, really irked me.

Overall, I will keep this on the shelf - cover decidedly hidden from view - to read again on a rainy day, if only for the absolute absurdity of the story. A decent bodice ripper, with the 'no means yes' factor, perhaps to a fault as when she's actually saying 'yes' to her husband the passages are somewhat dull compared to her other ravashings!

Actually about a 4 1/2 star book for me. I wasn't sure about this book from some of the reviews but I am so glad that I read it. I loved the mystical part of the book. It actually has 2 stories within one story. Not the typical Bertrice Small story but fairly close. I thought the characters were good with a good story but it did catch me off guard at the end. This is one you would need to read yourself. It does have some brutal moments and of course sex. Bertrice always has the sex. She is one of my favorite writers. I am also enjoying Jennifer Horsman which writes wonderful stories also. Anyway I am glad I read it and wish I could find more Historical Romance books with just a bit of the magic stuff in them. I really liked the raven part.

I am a fan of Bertrice because her novels are not your "typical" HS, and she did not disappoint with this one. I love a good historical romance as much as the next person, but every once in a while a book comes along that's different. This would be one of those books. I liked the change of pace, for once there was a love triangle, and you don't see those too often in historicals.

There was also a certain appeal to this book that's kind of hard to explain, there are different angles coming in from all over the place, enough to keep you suspensful, but not so much to make you feel lost.

She keeps it fresh throughout, and even though the book doesn't have the best ending, it is sastifying enough and it leaves the rest to the imagination, although it could have been a little bit better. If it weren't for the ending I would have given it five stars.

It's nice to have variety out there (and get away from all the cliche'), and Bertrice provides plenty of it.