Relentless: The Unpublished Works and Journey of Bertrice Small

by Bertrice Small, Thomas Small

She was like her heroines, RELENTLESS. These are the unpublished works and journey of the Queen of the historical romance genre, Bertrice Small, including a recently unearthed and never before seen late 80’s novella, “Purple Passion”. From being told she would never make it, to becoming a New York Times bestselling author many times over, her determination made her a writer who, despite being knocked down many times in the beginning, came back stronger and forged a 40 year career.

This collection also contains poems, short stories, vintage ads for her novels, research notes for her bestseller “Skye O’Malley”, photos, correspondence with her publishers and reviewers, and more. Put together with love and purpose for her fans and new readers alike, the entirety of the collection is threaded together through the down to earth voice and memories of the one who knew her best – her son.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2025

About the author

Bertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.

Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.

Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.

Reviews

[Anna Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing I can say about Relentless is that I stayed up until 2AM, inhaling it in one gulp. The first new Bertrice Small release in the decade since her passing, and oh what a treat it is. Her own story, told in the words of her son, radio personality Tom Small, (if you've heard him, please read his portions in his radio voice) it's an intimate look into one of the founding mothers of the historical romance genre as we know it, with bonus gifts.

Included in this collection are examples of where the author her fans call Lady Small came from; early poems, short stories, and, most deliciously, Purple Passion, a delightful roman a clef of the romance industry as only she could know it, twined with the friendship of an author and a publisher who share the same birthday, and the same passion for romance fiction. If you know, you know. There are love stories within, a few real life names mixed in with their fictional counterparts, and all of the detailed description one would expect from this queen of historical romance.

This book is not, however, historical romance, but it is a must-read for fans of Bertrice Small, the world of 70s-90s romance publishing, or those curious about the same. I could easily see this as a Dynasty-style nighttime soap opera miniseries, and oh boy, would I watch that on repeat.

[Danielle McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure and treat for true fans

As lady small’s fan of her work this book is a treasure and a treat .
Huge thanks to her son for putting this together for us .
It is definitely something completely different from what we are used to her but still an enjoyable read.

[Mary Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Thomas Small for giving us this last gift from your Ma. The marvelous Bertrice Small. What a tribute!

[Sara Nicosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Not as sensual as her other books, but really good. I truly enjoyed it. Thomas's insight was really good. Thank you