Блез Уиндъм

Wyndham Saga #1

by Bertrice Small

Нещастието да остане без наследник от първия си брак събира граф Едмънд Уиндам с пленителната и умна Влез, една от осемте дъщери на обедняващ провинциален благородник. Олицетвореното женско великолепие възпламенява възхитителния мъж. Следва неудържимо търсене и преоткриване на любовта, безкраен пир на страстта. Успешният брак довежда и първата така желана рожба - дъщеря. Но леден откос на смъртта пречупва Едмънд. В последната му прегръдка е неуспелият да заплаче на бял свят бленуван син. За този обрат в своята съдба Влез обвинява племенника на съпруга си, ироничния и горд лорд Антъни Уиндам. Виновна ли е, че дори не усеща изгарящата го несподелена любов и влудяваща всеотдайност към нея...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Tudor Period, Fiction, Medieval

Paperback

First published May 14, 1988

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

[Rachel (BAVR) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have one thing to say to you, Blaze Wyndham:



Blaze Wyndham is a big-toed freak who fucks Henry VIII for England, thinks she should be sainted for it, and then calls other women whores for fucking Henry VIII for England.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have finished this book without any intention to.

Welp. What we have right here is another nutty historical drama. However, this time we have the infamous Henry VIII, beheader of wives, as one of the lovers.

That happened.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this breed-o-rama. Less of a romance, more of a family tree biography of an upstart family.
Bertrice Small is unique and it's amazing that she has zero boundaries that she wouldn't cross.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read & Review (4/25/17):

Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 simply because of the lolzy smut. :D

The best summary of this book is BABIES. So many babies. Too many babies. Remember ladies, your only worth is having babies and make sure they are sons.

Blaze had the depth of a flat piece of paper.

The best part of this book was the violet purple prose sex scenes. I had so many laughs. The smut was the only thing that kept me reading. Bertie is not afraid to go over-the-top, and I applaud her for that.

Sample: His excitement finally overcoming his control, the earl poured a libation of his love into his wife's golden cup.



Also King Henry called his penis, Big Boy. I died.



Pre-Read (2/6/17):

This will be my first Bertie. I don't know if I should be scared or excited. Both maybe?



I have a feeling there is gonna be a lot of this:



I wonder if they have a Bertie drinking game? I shall investigate and report back. :D



I've been watching a lot of Beavis and Butthead lately, because they increase my self-esteem. :P

After I finish my current bubble bath book Crown of Passion, this one is next in line.



ETA (2/6/17): I couldn't find specific Bertie drinking games or historical drinking games, but I found two contemporary ones. I should make a Bertie one tho.

Drinking game one and two

Honestly, if your google-fu is better than mine, let me know of anything you found. lol

[Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read. The beginning was like cotton candy, it was so sugary sweet, it was making me sick. In addition, it wasn't believable. Blaze, a 15 year old virgin becomes this little horny sex goddess after one night of love making, yeah right.

The rest of the book- besides it jumping time periods at random places (one minute she is announcing her pregnancy, the next she is like almost due to give birth), it wasn't bad.

Overall- read it, enjoyed it but nothing to think twice about.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book started out, I thought, "Oh great, a book about a perfect family, marrying their perfect husbands and living happily ever after." And then Blaze's life is turned upside down and her sisters aren't as perfect as we thought. The book ended up being really good and I enjoyed reading it. 3.5 stars

[Naksed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun romp set during the reign of Henry VIII. Blaze Wyndham is a noblewoman who is born and bred in the countryside but is forced to leave her beloved country manor behind to go live at the Royal Court, and comes to the attention of the notoriously lecherous King. Don't worry, her story does not end in tragedy. Henry VIII always killed his wives, not his mistresses! Overall, it was very entertaining.

[K.G. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

More historical than romantic. Blaze and her numerous sisters all go through trials and tribulations in order to obtain matches that somehow suit them perfectly, but it is less romantic than it sounds. The part with Henry Tudor was quite fascinating, I must admit, having recently watched the Tudors on HBO myself I quite liked to element of historical re-imagining.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

NTS: See Karla and Rabbit’s reviews.

[Kit★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit surprised at how well I liked this book. I'd never read any of Bertrice Small's books before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. There was actually a lot I liked about this book. The characters were interesting to me, especially the girls and how they acted as a family. I liked how they were young, because that's pretty realistic I think to the time period in which the book takes place. Edmund was a great character, he was sweet and gentle and patient, and I was really sad when his part in the story ended. Blaze's problems at court I think too were realistic, because back then, if you were a woman, you pretty much had to obey the men who were the authority over you, and even more so if it's the king. I think the relationship between Blaze and Anthony came a little too easily, but it wasn't terribly unbelievable, and it did take time for her feelings to be realized. Now, this isn't a romance in the sense of the more recently published ones, because the story takes place over a longer period of time, and there's more than one main man, but it was an almost epic kind of historical novel with love scenes (scenes which got mighty purple in places). Other than the purply parts, I liked Small's writing style, and I'll pick up more of her work if I chance to find it for 25 or 50 cents (which is how I got this one).

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

God's foot!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh man. Where do I start with this book? I like historical romances, but this book was like talking to my grandmother about genealogy while eating stale Oreos. It was slightly interesting, but awkward and I wanted an excuse to get away. There were times when I was confused, in disbelief, or didn't get the point and wanted to fast-forward. There were long, boring descriptions of clothes and lists of the food they ate. There were cheesy, exclamation-ridden declarations of love, and some of the goofiest sex scenes that made me laugh out loud. I'm not talking about the trite weapon/sheath analogies, though there was plenty of that, too. I'm talking about euphemisms like he "released his tribute into her waiting body" and he "poured a libation of his love into her golden cup." How can you not giggle uncomfortably at that?! The writing reminded me of a fairy tale or wannabe Shakespeare, but the plot was more like a historical novel, following Blaze through a bunch of husbands/lovers, and children. (But without the payoff of learning anything.) It was also strange because the heroine starts off as a 15-year-old getting married to a 35-year-old and losing her virginity and having two babies by 18. I understand that it took place in the 16th century when that was normal, but as a modern reader, it was a little uncomfortable. It also irritated me how Blaze and her sisters and all her men were described as being so beautiful or handsome, but the servants were old and bent or had big, tombstone-shaped teeth. I read this book because it had high ratings and was fascinated with the Kindle edition costing $16, but it was entertaining and amusing in the wrong way. Maybe it's out of date or I'm just too young to appreciate this book. Nevertheless, I'm assigning this book "hot mess" status. I'm moving on and not looking back.

[Kim Schellin-Rog · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have many things to say about this book, not one of them good. First a girl of 15 having to marry a man of 35, to save her family (gag how many times has this been written), but is married by proxy to his nephew first who was 31. By proxy what the. Then the nephew falls in love with her and treats her poorly. Then the husband dies and she goes off to court where she is raped by the king and then threatened that she will lose her daughter if she doesn’t become his mistress. Then she is forced to marry her late husbands nephew who she hates and blames for his death. Then she has to ask the kings wife to agree to the “divorce” so that he can marry someone else who can give him a son. Oh and I didn’t even mention the plot line of the wife’s sister being so madly in love with her second husband that she and a friend plotted to kill her so that they could step in.

It was a story that just kept throwing things at you. It was not worth the time. Don’t bother.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book at least 5 times. The story of all that Blaze endured and overcame to find love was riveting. One of the things I liked most was how discriptive Bertrice Small was about the costumes and the characters. I was able to imagine what every gown and character looked like. It truly brought them to life. I also liked the history she added to the story.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance encompasses not just this couple but several of Blaze's sisters. She's the daughter of a impoverished lord who life changes with the Earl comes seeking a bride. This story reminded me of another I've read but I couldn't recall the name.

[Raven Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started my passion for all things Elizabethan, but also all things British. I now read a lot of nonfiction books about royals.

[Lorelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a time when I was working through the Beatrice Small section of the Library...This was one gem I came across!

[Tracie Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did 50 Shades get so popular? If you want well written erotica, read Bertrice Small. She never fails to deliver.

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot that happened in this book. There is death, miscarriages, and rape.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER

She gets married, her husband dies, she gets sent to Court to distract her because she miscarried her son when she heard the news her husband was dead. She was not handling her grief well.

The entire time her husband's nephew and heir to the estate loved her. He loved her from the moment he met her. She hates him. She thinks since he demanded her husband go hunting and his horse threw him that she caused her beloved husband's death.

While at court the king gets intrigued because she slaps men who try to have sex with her or take a kiss. The king rapes her. He also threatens her 2 year old daughter and says he can assign a guardian (who is not her).

The king then falls in love with a different women and wants to marry her off so she will leave court. Enter the nephew. She does not want to marry him and tells the king. The king doesn't care.

Anthony is finally married to Blaze. She refuses him her bed. She says they have to wait 3 months so they know if she carries the bastard of the king. He agrees this is a good idea.

He courts her and they get to know each other. She finally admits that all of the witnesses agree it was an accident. A deer came out of the woods suddenly, a bunch of horses bolted, and her husband was thrown. He didn't kill her husband.

But all this time Blaze's younger sister Desire was in love with the nephew. She wants Blaze's husband. She comes up with a scheme to kill her with poison (helped by the nephew's french cousin, who also wants her dead so the cousin can become his wife). Desire confesses right before they plan to give the poisoned nightgown to Blaze. Her husband saves her and never tells Blaze (Blaze is pregnant again and he doesn't want her to miscarry the baby).

Desire is married off to an Irish nobleman to get her away from Blaze and the nephew. Blaze delivers a son and now they are happily married with many children.

[Natalia Cazac · Rating 2 out of 5]

📍"The key to overcoming fear, she knew, was a complete knowledge and understanding of what you were to face."

I choose this book as a result of the 2023 marathon and a particular instruction to read a book which my mother chose. As my mum does not read recently and could remember only this author I find this series with only 2 books and decided to have a go.

Maybe years ago this would be a summer book and could work, maybe if I were way younger this would please me, not sure, but as of now, I didn't like it.
Well yes, I understand that it is a book where actions are in a different time but still.
There were words repeated excessively like "Aye/Nay" in mostly every dialogue, which was annoying. Again, repeated ideas like the fact that she, Blaze, has to produce boys to secure Wyndham's inheritance.
Annoying behaviour and thinking of characters like: "He wanted to clasp her tightly within his arms, but dared he? Not yet.", "How could she not love him back? -yet she did not."
The book is unnecessarily big. With plenty of description and the same thoughts which could be easily removed and still get the point. In the end, I just kept skipping pages and still got the idea. Will definitely not continue with the second book from the series or any other book by this author.

[Kathy Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so, it's an old school romance novel and the writing can be clunky at times. For what it is, five stars. Flip by the graphic sex scenes if you must and savor Ms. Small's exquisite historical details. I think she nailed the character of the young King Henry VIII. This is just who he was. If you have enjoyed Philippa Gregory's Tudor novels, this is definitely worth your time.

[Blueglass · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just an okay read as the heroine, Blaze had multiple relationships, including with Henry the 8th. Her first romance with Edmund was good, but her ultimate romance with Edmund's nephew, Anthony was just ho-hum. Being Bertrice Small, there was a lot of craziness, including a poisonous dress. Entertaining book, but not too romantic.

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Miss This Kind of Story!
It was a thrilling drama about a family, their children, their choices in life and how their lives played out. It is sensual and passionate in its telling and kept me turning pages to find out what was going to happen to each of them and I loved it all!

[Cyndy David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its amazing... love love love it

[Charice Lind mehring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combining history and romance, Ms. Small once again does a fine job of weaving the two together.

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 2 out of 5]

fun.

[Jill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from the queen of historical romance.

[BlueBootedBiblioGirl]

Have 1988 book club hardcover edition and soft cover version

[Mark Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent read

Bernice Small is a master at combining fiction with fact and romance. I love her books and never get tired of reading them.

[CB]

Not interested - plot