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Kadin #2
Любовь дикая и прекрасная
Шестнадцатый век. Шотландия. Прекрасная юная Катриона еще ребенком обручена с кузеном, графом Патриком Гленкерком. Но за три дня до свадьбы она убегает от жениха: гордая и независимая, горячо любящая будущего мужа, она желает, чтобы в ней видели человека. Венчание происходит, когда их первенец должен вот-вот появиться на свет... Как дальше сложится их жизнь? Сумеют ли они сохранить свою любовь?
576 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1978
109 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,125 followersBertrice 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 21, 2021
Fuck it. I'm breaking my personal rules on this one.
If I can persuade you to pick up one book-one(!)-by Bertrice Small, then this book is it. If you want to understand the madness that is this ripped bodice author, this book encompassed everything that is her usual trademark. However with a love story that I could finally rooted for and believe.
Watching these two people trying to be together was just frustrating and heartbreaking. I wouldn't kid you, everything is trying to separate these two people together.
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Mid-reading Mental Breakdown:
Have you ever felt so exhausted by a book, that you need to take a break before continuing it again? Which is weird since you do nothing but sit/lay down and read.
But I'm so tiredddd.
This one hits particularly bad. Everything is so hopeless right now and I'm only halfway through the book.
If I can persuade you to pick up one book-one(!)-by Bertrice Small, then this book is it. If you want to understand the madness that is this ripped bodice author, this book encompassed everything that is her usual trademark. However with a love story that I could finally rooted for and believe.
Watching these two people trying to be together was just frustrating and heartbreaking. I wouldn't kid you, everything is trying to separate these two people together.
--------
Mid-reading Mental Breakdown:
Have you ever felt so exhausted by a book, that you need to take a break before continuing it again? Which is weird since you do nothing but sit/lay down and read.
But I'm so tiredddd.
This one hits particularly bad. Everything is so hopeless right now and I'm only halfway through the book.
March 22, 2012
Story Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
Man I sure did love rereading this book. There were things that I totally forgot and despite having read it twice before I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time.
This book once again was an epic adventure that grabbed me and just would not let go. It amazed me where Bertrice took these characters and the way she weaved this story. This book had me so emotionally engrossed with it that I balled my eye's out for 3 day's while reading it. I'm sure I will reread it again in another 5 years but for now I'm happy to be finished so that I can get on with my every day life because my gosh I let things go around here because I just could not put this book down.
Warning, this book is not for everyone. If you have problems reading about rape and the H&h bedding others then this book is NOT for you.
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
Man I sure did love rereading this book. There were things that I totally forgot and despite having read it twice before I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time.
This book once again was an epic adventure that grabbed me and just would not let go. It amazed me where Bertrice took these characters and the way she weaved this story. This book had me so emotionally engrossed with it that I balled my eye's out for 3 day's while reading it. I'm sure I will reread it again in another 5 years but for now I'm happy to be finished so that I can get on with my every day life because my gosh I let things go around here because I just could not put this book down.
Warning, this book is not for everyone. If you have problems reading about rape and the H&h bedding others then this book is NOT for you.
March 19, 2016
This novel made me cry... but not in the good way.
I found this book utterly disgusting. Was the author trying to live out her rape fantasies through this novel? I am sure she must be a very sheltered women to find this appealing. I read this entire book through because I was overcome with a burning questions -- Why did the author write this? What was she trying to accomplish?
Let us ignore the fact that this book was entirely devoid of an overall plot and first focus on the catastrophe that is the message that it propagates.
This book has the feel of a tragic historical biography yet is written with the unrealistic heroin type and stormy "sex" scenes typically found in a romance novel.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good, emotionally charged, historically accurate tragedy as much as the next reader. I also enjoy a good steamy romance. I do not, however, enjoy the romanisation of rape or the justification of misogyny and mistreatment. Have I said "disgusting" yet?
Let me just add that, again, this had no real plot. It read like a biography which simply followed someones life. Except during the moments when there was a particular trouble that the heroin was experiencing, I felt that I could put the book down at any time and feel no loss. The end of each chapter felt like the end of the "story" (if you could call it that).
I will admit though, that if it was not for the steamy rape this would have been an okay, albeit unoriginal, story (but then again, how many romance novels are original). It was written well enough to tempt me to give it 2 stars. Also, the characters had depth.
I did cry. I cried about the time when I didn't cry because I sympathized with the heroin; I cried because I was reminded of the millions of women and children who were and still are being sold as sex slaves and whose pain is exploited by people who write this garbage. I also cried for the women who still believe that they are innately inferior to men and that they deserve to be property.
This book is a tragedy disguised as a romance and I won't forgive it. I normally donate books after I read them, but this one is going into the recycling.
I found this book utterly disgusting. Was the author trying to live out her rape fantasies through this novel? I am sure she must be a very sheltered women to find this appealing. I read this entire book through because I was overcome with a burning questions -- Why did the author write this? What was she trying to accomplish?
Let us ignore the fact that this book was entirely devoid of an overall plot and first focus on the catastrophe that is the message that it propagates.
This book has the feel of a tragic historical biography yet is written with the unrealistic heroin type and stormy "sex" scenes typically found in a romance novel.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good, emotionally charged, historically accurate tragedy as much as the next reader. I also enjoy a good steamy romance. I do not, however, enjoy the romanisation of rape or the justification of misogyny and mistreatment. Have I said "disgusting" yet?
Let me just add that, again, this had no real plot. It read like a biography which simply followed someones life. Except during the moments when there was a particular trouble that the heroin was experiencing, I felt that I could put the book down at any time and feel no loss. The end of each chapter felt like the end of the "story" (if you could call it that).
I will admit though, that if it was not for the steamy rape this would have been an okay, albeit unoriginal, story (but then again, how many romance novels are original). It was written well enough to tempt me to give it 2 stars. Also, the characters had depth.
I did cry. I cried about the time when I didn't cry because I sympathized with the heroin; I cried because I was reminded of the millions of women and children who were and still are being sold as sex slaves and whose pain is exploited by people who write this garbage. I also cried for the women who still believe that they are innately inferior to men and that they deserve to be property.
This book is a tragedy disguised as a romance and I won't forgive it. I normally donate books after I read them, but this one is going into the recycling.
October 12, 2021
I found the character of Patrick to be the definition of a deplorable, womanizing hypocrite! While cheating on Cat every chance he got, he rails against Cat even so much as innocently looking at, or speaking to, another man. What frustrated me the most, though, is at the end when he calls Cat a whore for marrying Bothwell and then, shortly thereafter, gloats to his own son about his 18-year-old whore/mistress waiting for him in another country and whom he has been seeing during his 5-year absence. This man, who claims to love his wife so much and apparently is saddened to know they are officially - finally - over, had spent 5-years living the life of a bachelor (aka womanizing) while his wife and children believed he was dead! No note of reassurance, no haste to get home... Truly, this man is deplorable!
May 29, 2019
There is just something about a Bertrice Small book that draws me in. I just can't read enough about these strong women and the men that love them.
Cat
At first, you might think that Cat is a spoiled brat. You may be right but I think she just wants what any woman wants. She wants to be loved for herself. She doesn't want to be someone's possession or used like she is nobody important. The more I read, the more I liked her. She is a strong woman who survived more than most women have. Characters like her are why I love reading. I love a strong heroine and I enjoyed this one.
Patrick
I first I really liked Patrick but then he did some really stupid, unforgivable things. I found that I liked him whole lot less afterward. I honestly couldn't feel sorry for him.
Francis
Now here is a hero that I can root for. He is kind and honorable and knows how to treat a woman.
King James
I found him utterly distasteful. He is spoiled and cruel. I found his machinations quite despicable and found very little to like about this character.
The Ending
As much as I enjoyed disliking some of the characters, I love others ones just as much. I loved the author's story telling. She takes a time period where women had it rough and she threw in some very strong characters. I love that Cat didn't break. She was determined to be happy with the man she chose to love. I can't get enough and I am sad that there will be no more.
Cat
At first, you might think that Cat is a spoiled brat. You may be right but I think she just wants what any woman wants. She wants to be loved for herself. She doesn't want to be someone's possession or used like she is nobody important. The more I read, the more I liked her. She is a strong woman who survived more than most women have. Characters like her are why I love reading. I love a strong heroine and I enjoyed this one.
Patrick
I first I really liked Patrick but then he did some really stupid, unforgivable things. I found that I liked him whole lot less afterward. I honestly couldn't feel sorry for him.
Francis
Now here is a hero that I can root for. He is kind and honorable and knows how to treat a woman.
King James
I found him utterly distasteful. He is spoiled and cruel. I found his machinations quite despicable and found very little to like about this character.
The Ending
As much as I enjoyed disliking some of the characters, I love others ones just as much. I loved the author's story telling. She takes a time period where women had it rough and she threw in some very strong characters. I love that Cat didn't break. She was determined to be happy with the man she chose to love. I can't get enough and I am sad that there will be no more.
March 27, 2018
the second half of the Kadin Series I read so much that I usually do not buy books to keep. I buy all the Bertrice Small
June 13, 2015
BEWARE!! Graphic abuse...if you're sensitive, stay away.
Let me start by saying that Bertrice Small is a fabulous writer. Her scenes are vivid, fascinating and, I suspect, very accurate depictions of life for Scots during that period of time. Her characters also really get to you...which is probably one of the main reasons I finally had to stop reading this one and give up reading Bertrice Small's books entirely.
My first book by Ms. Small was Border Vixen, which I absolutely loved. I loved the hero, the heroine was someone to admire, and while there were some sex scenes which were a little kinkier than what I usually read (I usually read standard historical romance, and didn't know Small writes erotic romance),those scenes were extremely well written and the sex was consensual, and smokin' hot, so...fine & dandy.
Then I read the Border Lord and the Lady, loved the writing and the characters, didn't like the ending so much, and, even worse, some of the kinkier sex wasn't consensual, and I felt that and a couple of other interactions were abusive.
Now, I'm not denying that the treatment of women back in the 1400's was frequently, and perhaps most of the time, undoubtedly what we would consider abusive. The times were pretty brutal. All I'm saying is that I personally find it very painful to read about abuse in excruciating, graphic detail. If that doesn't bother you, then I highly recommend Small's books, because what I have read is so brilliantly done.
But this book I had to stop reading about 1/3 of the way through, not only because the heroine was making ego-driven, TSTL-level mistakes, but also because the women were very badly mistreated, it was vividly described so I couldn't just skate over it, and because it involved people I'd come to care about. I was getting a baaaaad feeling, so I stopped to read all the reviews posted here ... and when I found out the heroine was gang raped by an angry husband and the king who caused the problem, I sadly said "I quit."
Just a caution for any more sensitive souls who might buy it. Get Border Vixen, and then stop there!
Let me start by saying that Bertrice Small is a fabulous writer. Her scenes are vivid, fascinating and, I suspect, very accurate depictions of life for Scots during that period of time. Her characters also really get to you...which is probably one of the main reasons I finally had to stop reading this one and give up reading Bertrice Small's books entirely.
My first book by Ms. Small was Border Vixen, which I absolutely loved. I loved the hero, the heroine was someone to admire, and while there were some sex scenes which were a little kinkier than what I usually read (I usually read standard historical romance, and didn't know Small writes erotic romance),those scenes were extremely well written and the sex was consensual, and smokin' hot, so...fine & dandy.
Then I read the Border Lord and the Lady, loved the writing and the characters, didn't like the ending so much, and, even worse, some of the kinkier sex wasn't consensual, and I felt that and a couple of other interactions were abusive.
Now, I'm not denying that the treatment of women back in the 1400's was frequently, and perhaps most of the time, undoubtedly what we would consider abusive. The times were pretty brutal. All I'm saying is that I personally find it very painful to read about abuse in excruciating, graphic detail. If that doesn't bother you, then I highly recommend Small's books, because what I have read is so brilliantly done.
But this book I had to stop reading about 1/3 of the way through, not only because the heroine was making ego-driven, TSTL-level mistakes, but also because the women were very badly mistreated, it was vividly described so I couldn't just skate over it, and because it involved people I'd come to care about. I was getting a baaaaad feeling, so I stopped to read all the reviews posted here ... and when I found out the heroine was gang raped by an angry husband and the king who caused the problem, I sadly said "I quit."
Just a caution for any more sensitive souls who might buy it. Get Border Vixen, and then stop there!
June 25, 2024
At 662 pages, Love, Wild and Fair, is one of Bertrice Small' s longer novels but quantity does not equal quality. This was a DNF for me about three quarters in, as the plot became more and more outlandish, and I found that I simply did not care to continue on the heroine Catriona' s journey to reunite with her, to borrow a favorite phrase of the author, very milk and sop lover Francis. The other main male characters in the book, Cat's first husband Patrick and an absurd rendering of the Scottish King James VI, were so despicable that I wanted to reach through the pages and do what the heroine should have done a long time ago and put a sword through them. In the end, I cannot abide by a heroine I do not respect or admire. The author goes to great length to drive the point that her heroine is free, independent, smart, beautiful etc just perfect, then has her actions completely contradicting it, as she passively succumbs time and time again to the will of a succession of men in her life. Despite all the horrible things that men have done to her, including multiple sexual and physical assaults, the author has her running from the embrace of one man to another, like she can't live her life without one, no matter how badly they treat her.
I like Bertrice Small a lot more when she is more contained and when she at least tries to infuse the historical fiction she writes with a modicum of realism. A novel like Love, Remember Me, while not saturated with swashbuckling adventures, was nevertheless a lot more satisfying in its realistic portrayal of a courtier couple in the era of Henry VIII, and the transition between his fourth and fifth wife, the bovine Anne of Cleves, to the stupid and tragic Rose without a Thorn.
I like Bertrice Small a lot more when she is more contained and when she at least tries to infuse the historical fiction she writes with a modicum of realism. A novel like Love, Remember Me, while not saturated with swashbuckling adventures, was nevertheless a lot more satisfying in its realistic portrayal of a courtier couple in the era of Henry VIII, and the transition between his fourth and fifth wife, the bovine Anne of Cleves, to the stupid and tragic Rose without a Thorn.
March 5, 2021
Wow, it's finally over. So the first 100 pages were a little weird...as it wasn't a romance but dealt with subject matter that should be romantic. I've never read anything like that to my memory.
I also thought to myself how Patrick couldn't be her HEA if they were together at the beginning of the book but there were 500 more pages to the story. While reading the first 100 pages, I thought to myself how her life seemed boring, but afterward, her life was the opposite of boring...in fact, maybe too much excitement.
In the beginning, I was wondering to myself why the author wrote this book because there didn't seem to be much point...
I think I liked the second half of this book better. I could have done without the whole Cat being captured and taken to Istanbul to be part of a harem and second wife to that guy who treated her like she belonged to him, without her ever giving her consent. By that time, Cat and Francis had suffered enough in their separation from one another and the story could have ended there in Italy.
Damn, I can't imagine being raped that many times & all these men feeling like I belonged to them without any say in the matter. I would be so angry and wanting my revenge...though it would be nice to be as beautiful as Catriona. Not that I've ever felt lacking in the looks department, but all these beautiful heroines are making me think to myself what do they have that I don't that every man wants them lol
It also seems to me a little crazy to have 9 kids and the thing is she didn't see some of them for all their childhoods...the younger ones she barely knew at first because she was so busy elsewhere, though she loved her kids. I really liked her eldest son Jemmie. Also, can a woman's body still remain so beautiful after 9 kids? like damn, I doubt she would have a flat stomach and no stretch marks afterward and her vagina probably wouldn't be so tight either...
Cat wasn't my favorite at the very beginning, but I came to really like her. I imagined her as quite voluptuous in my mind.
FYI: Patrick is her first husband, the man she was betrothed to since she was a child. Francis Bothwell is an earl and King James's cousin, one of the most important men in Scotland, "the uncrowned king" of Scotland. King James was also very interested in Cat. (He was such a selfish bastard, not letting Francis have her because he couldn't have her. He didn't want Cat and Francis to be happy together.) And finally, there was the guy in the harem.
So there are 4 love interests, though not all are "love" interests if you get what I mean.
"The Kadin" was much better, but I'm kinda glad I didn't miss this story. I've been on a Historical Romance binge lately it seems but with books that were written by bodice ripper authors.
I may continue reading Bertrice Small I'm not sure...I forgot her books were more historical fictions of a heroine's life with a romance tied in...I need to read something steamy soon.
Anyway, another series finished!
I also thought to myself how Patrick couldn't be her HEA if they were together at the beginning of the book but there were 500 more pages to the story. While reading the first 100 pages, I thought to myself how her life seemed boring, but afterward, her life was the opposite of boring...in fact, maybe too much excitement.
In the beginning, I was wondering to myself why the author wrote this book because there didn't seem to be much point...
I think I liked the second half of this book better. I could have done without the whole Cat being captured and taken to Istanbul to be part of a harem and second wife to that guy who treated her like she belonged to him, without her ever giving her consent. By that time, Cat and Francis had suffered enough in their separation from one another and the story could have ended there in Italy.
Damn, I can't imagine being raped that many times & all these men feeling like I belonged to them without any say in the matter. I would be so angry and wanting my revenge...though it would be nice to be as beautiful as Catriona. Not that I've ever felt lacking in the looks department, but all these beautiful heroines are making me think to myself what do they have that I don't that every man wants them lol
It also seems to me a little crazy to have 9 kids and the thing is she didn't see some of them for all their childhoods...the younger ones she barely knew at first because she was so busy elsewhere, though she loved her kids. I really liked her eldest son Jemmie. Also, can a woman's body still remain so beautiful after 9 kids? like damn, I doubt she would have a flat stomach and no stretch marks afterward and her vagina probably wouldn't be so tight either...
Cat wasn't my favorite at the very beginning, but I came to really like her. I imagined her as quite voluptuous in my mind.
FYI: Patrick is her first husband, the man she was betrothed to since she was a child. Francis Bothwell is an earl and King James's cousin, one of the most important men in Scotland, "the uncrowned king" of Scotland. King James was also very interested in Cat. (He was such a selfish bastard, not letting Francis have her because he couldn't have her. He didn't want Cat and Francis to be happy together.) And finally, there was the guy in the harem.
So there are 4 love interests, though not all are "love" interests if you get what I mean.
"The Kadin" was much better, but I'm kinda glad I didn't miss this story. I've been on a Historical Romance binge lately it seems but with books that were written by bodice ripper authors.
I may continue reading Bertrice Small I'm not sure...I forgot her books were more historical fictions of a heroine's life with a romance tied in...I need to read something steamy soon.
Anyway, another series finished!
September 19, 2010
I first read this as a fourteen year old girl, plucking it out of my mother's purse while she was in the kitchen and flipping through until I landed on an interesting looking paragraph. I've been a huge fan of Bertrice Small ever since.
Cat is the perfect fiery spirited Highland lass. Patrick, although a bit too much of a "man's man", still manages to be likeable. Francis, of course, is the bodice ripping, kilt wearing, dark haired man of any historical romance fan's dreams.
However amazing of a read, the big problem I had with this book was the lack of splendor once Catriona ends up in the household of Cica Pasha. Where is the wonderous, breath taking, detailed world I fell in love with in The Kadin? Granted, Cat's stay there is short, but I would have liked to have seen a world more akin to what Janet witnessed in the previous book.
If Mrs Small had thrown in another few hundred pages detailing Cat's life while in the household of Cica Pasha, this book would have gotten five stars. As long as I have The Kadin on my bookshelf, however, I can always visit the glittering, intrigue filled world of the reigns of Selim and Suleyman.
Cat is the perfect fiery spirited Highland lass. Patrick, although a bit too much of a "man's man", still manages to be likeable. Francis, of course, is the bodice ripping, kilt wearing, dark haired man of any historical romance fan's dreams.
However amazing of a read, the big problem I had with this book was the lack of splendor once Catriona ends up in the household of Cica Pasha. Where is the wonderous, breath taking, detailed world I fell in love with in The Kadin? Granted, Cat's stay there is short, but I would have liked to have seen a world more akin to what Janet witnessed in the previous book.
If Mrs Small had thrown in another few hundred pages detailing Cat's life while in the household of Cica Pasha, this book would have gotten five stars. As long as I have The Kadin on my bookshelf, however, I can always visit the glittering, intrigue filled world of the reigns of Selim and Suleyman.
August 19, 2018
Excellent read.
I've read this book time and time again; it's certainly an epic story! My favorite historical romance novel and a great introduction to Beatrice Small.
I've read this book time and time again; it's certainly an epic story! My favorite historical romance novel and a great introduction to Beatrice Small.
June 1, 2020
Cat and Bothwell
By far my favorite Bertrice Small book. I've read it countless times and still laugh out loud and cry quietly every single time.
By far my favorite Bertrice Small book. I've read it countless times and still laugh out loud and cry quietly every single time.
May 18, 2020
This book does not hold up. Reading this from a 2020 point of view, there are so many problematic things in this book. The child marriage, the romanticization of rape, the casual misogyny by the men, the total lack of character development and plot.
The book starts with a 15 year old getting married to a 24 year old and him stating that he'd been in love with her since she was 4 and he was 13. I'm pretty sure this was meant to be romantic and make you think they were fated to be, it just made me feel gross. But don't worry, she runs away from him because he doesn't see her as a person! If you thought this might lead into the character being a strong independent woman, you'd be wrong. It was really just a plot device to explain why she has money later in the book. Plus he catches up to her shortly after and forces her to get pregnant so that she can never leave him again.
After the child marriage, the book went downhill for me. I'm not sure why I kept reading it, but I kept thinking SOMETHING would happen, maybe a love story that I would champion, but it didn't. This book really felt like author found a historical person and tried to jam a romance story into historical events, but without any actual romance. There's a lot of mashing of mouths and mounting of the "protagonist", much of it without her consent. At times if feels like the author is just trying to jam as much sex in as possible without any of it feeling sexy. Even with the horrid treatment that Cat has been on the receiving end of, there's so little character development that it's hard to feel that much sympathy for her. She just makes a series of weird decisions and yells at people a lot.
The one good thing about this book for me is that it helped me understand how rape culture has been a thing in our society for so long.
The book starts with a 15 year old getting married to a 24 year old and him stating that he'd been in love with her since she was 4 and he was 13. I'm pretty sure this was meant to be romantic and make you think they were fated to be, it just made me feel gross. But don't worry, she runs away from him because he doesn't see her as a person! If you thought this might lead into the character being a strong independent woman, you'd be wrong. It was really just a plot device to explain why she has money later in the book. Plus he catches up to her shortly after and forces her to get pregnant so that she can never leave him again.
After the child marriage, the book went downhill for me. I'm not sure why I kept reading it, but I kept thinking SOMETHING would happen, maybe a love story that I would champion, but it didn't. This book really felt like author found a historical person and tried to jam a romance story into historical events, but without any actual romance. There's a lot of mashing of mouths and mounting of the "protagonist", much of it without her consent. At times if feels like the author is just trying to jam as much sex in as possible without any of it feeling sexy. Even with the horrid treatment that Cat has been on the receiving end of, there's so little character development that it's hard to feel that much sympathy for her. She just makes a series of weird decisions and yells at people a lot.
The one good thing about this book for me is that it helped me understand how rape culture has been a thing in our society for so long.
January 27, 2025
A prime example of the combination of out and out nuttiness, historical accuracies and anachronisms, triggery plots, and yet compulsive readability of its author, "Love Wild and Fair" is a companion to Bertrice Small's first novel, "The Kadin." Although in many respects a stand-alone, "Love Wild and Fair" tells the story of that heroine's great-grand-daughter, Catriona Leslie. Over nearly forty years, Cat marries a cousin, the earl of Glenkirk, before becoming involved nearly halfway through the novel with Francis Hepburn, the 5th earl of Bothwell. Bothwell was an historical figure and Small weaves the actions of the second half of her novel through many of the recognizable events of his life including his rivalry with his cousin James VI of Scotland. Once Cat and Bothwell meet, in true bodice-ripper fashion, Small spends three hundred pages bringing them together and tearing them apart in various ways, many of which involve her rape at the hands of admirers. With its rape and with Bothwell's cheerful promiscuity, this novel would be considering exceptionally triggering by contemporary standards. In the 1970s, it was par for the course. In terms of anachronisms, Small ignores all historical evidence and makes James VI not only handsome (he wasn't) but also rabidly heterosexual (he wasn't), with a passion for Cat that contribute to the complications. (There also is no way anyone in Scotland or Naples would have had a porcelain hip bath in the late 16th Century), nor would anyone have dressed "à la grecque" then, either. That being said, despite its flaws, the novel is a sprawling, engaging mess and a prime example of how wild and woolly first-generation bodice rippers could be.
June 9, 2024
I liked Kadin- so was ready to enjoy this second in the series. Love Wild and Fair was a disappointment. This book is really filled with violent sex/ bodice ripper - not soft and sensual like Kadin. I can buy in to a 16th century woman not being in control of who she is paired with her marriage partner, but the extent of how this poor woman is passed around is really absurd. I picked this as a historical fiction novel series - which is far fetched. The information of history is really narrow in the scope of the novel with information on regional history - but as characters go, Ms. Small takes great liberty in representation of characters. I wouldn't recommend to any younger reader due to the violent nature of the sexual encounters. I don't appreciate the victimized role that her females endure and really embrace. I didn't savor the book- but I sped through. I give Ms. Small a pass on her representation of women- as this was published in the 1970's - but in this day and age, would rather spend my reading time with stronger female characters like Janet/ Cyra in the first book that actually take control of their fate- The Kadin. #booksthatneedtobeshorter
February 17, 2025
I didn't actually finish this book because it was so bad. It's honestly just so heartbreaking over and over. The author is obsessed with young girls having hairless bodies their whole life and being raped, I just don't get it. I actually went to look at reviews to see if it would be worth finishing this book, and it did not seem like it. It's just gross how first she gets held captive and raped by her fiancé, then she gets held captive by the king and raped by him, then she gets raped by her husband and the king at the same time. Reading reviews let me know that this would not be the last time that she would be sexually assaulted or held against her will. It does not read like there's really a plot to this book it's just like it's someone's weird ass fantasy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2024
Mystery solved
All of the authors books are wonderfully written and full of her take on historical places and people. This book is a must read to tie together The Kadin and This Heart O ' Mine. The references made to the characters helps to clarify who everyone is and their place in the story.
All of the authors books are wonderfully written and full of her take on historical places and people. This book is a must read to tie together The Kadin and This Heart O ' Mine. The references made to the characters helps to clarify who everyone is and their place in the story.
November 13, 2025
Описує складну долю чарівної жінки, яку всі чоловіки хотіли і використовували.
В книзі є історія кохання і, як на мене, одна всього історія. А решта: дуже багато сцен насилля, згвалтування, нерівності. Хоча як на 16 століття, мабуть, так і могло бути.
А ще ця книга для мене про вибір, який щоразу усвідомлено робила головна героїня у різних складних ситуаціях.
В книзі є історія кохання і, як на мене, одна всього історія. А решта: дуже багато сцен насилля, згвалтування, нерівності. Хоча як на 16 століття, мабуть, так і могло бути.
А ще ця книга для мене про вибір, який щоразу усвідомлено робила головна героїня у різних складних ситуаціях.
June 28, 2020
Historical Romance is not my genre but this prolific author (now deceased) writes an excellent yarn that takes place in Scotland in the 1580's. For me, the too numerous sex scenes (our heroine is a virtual pin cushion!) tarnish this very good storyline.
January 6, 2025
huge Bertrice Small fan, as she was one of the first "Adult" Authors I ever read. I have read this several times but, the first bertrice Small book of the year. A great story so much happens to this poor woman and a happy ending woot!
October 11, 2020
Wonderful
I love her books they really hold your interest
I read all of her books she is a wonderful writer
I love her books they really hold your interest
I read all of her books she is a wonderful writer
September 11, 2025
This story was so good. Full story in one book that could have been broken up into a series.
I went through every emotion possible while reading this book. I cried, I hated some events, loved several. The book was fabulous. I was so caught up in the story line. A great weekend or vacation binge. I couldn’t put it down until I finished.
I rarely give 5 stars.
I went through every emotion possible while reading this book. I cried, I hated some events, loved several. The book was fabulous. I was so caught up in the story line. A great weekend or vacation binge. I couldn’t put it down until I finished.
I rarely give 5 stars.
November 16, 2025
Catriona is another favorite of mines and reading about Glenkirk.
March 18, 2018
I loved it. What else can I say? It dragged in a few places, but it was on the whole, a wonderful book!
June 4, 2016
Centuries ago, when I was much younger, I devoured Bertrice Small books like they were candy, esp the Skye O'Malley series. Maybe I've become a prude in my old age, but I quit reading this at page 44. Nothing but sex scene after sex scene.
I remember the O'Malley family as being large, and each member of the clan had a story of their own. Other family members were involved as part of the story line so it was like visiting old friends. It seems that the same is going on in this book -- it's part of a series and the older generations stories have already been told. Ms. Small is good at having each novel stand alone, but it does help to have read others in the series.
My tastes have changed and this style of writing is no longer my cup of tea.
I remember the O'Malley family as being large, and each member of the clan had a story of their own. Other family members were involved as part of the story line so it was like visiting old friends. It seems that the same is going on in this book -- it's part of a series and the older generations stories have already been told. Ms. Small is good at having each novel stand alone, but it does help to have read others in the series.
My tastes have changed and this style of writing is no longer my cup of tea.
December 22, 2011
This was... a really good book. I was genuinely surprised at how much I liked it. It was the story of Catronia, decendant of Janet from the first book, The Kadin. I find that, by reading some of Bertrice Small's older books I'm opening myself up to reading more of her newer books.
It was at the end of this book that I fond that I missed the characters when it was over. It's full of all the tropes of the period, everything built to make a woman in the 70's and 80's embrace her sexuality and become empowered in herself.
It was at the end of this book that I fond that I missed the characters when it was over. It's full of all the tropes of the period, everything built to make a woman in the 70's and 80's embrace her sexuality and become empowered in herself.
March 5, 2015
"Francis Stewart-Hepburn was a tall, handsome man with dark auburn hair, an elegantly barbered short beard, and piercing blue eyes..He himself had loved many women, married and unmarried, but he had never forced one as the king was forcing Glenkirk's wife. That she was being forced he knew instinctively, for he was sensitive to people.."
The hero is the nephew of the notorious Bothwell who'd carried off the Queen of Scots a generation before, and an alleged warlock.
I read Bertrice Small when I'm in the mood for 70s romance--that is to say--wicked and wanton romance.
The hero is the nephew of the notorious Bothwell who'd carried off the Queen of Scots a generation before, and an alleged warlock.
I read Bertrice Small when I'm in the mood for 70s romance--that is to say--wicked and wanton romance.
May 15, 2008
This is a rather long book, however, it is quite a story. It tells of a woman forced to live by the standards of her society, marrying as her family instructs. However, she falls in love with someone else. Through her life, she is known as being so beautiful that she is the envy of every woman, and the necessity of every man. Who does she end up with, and does she end up happy? You decide.
August 7, 2012
My first every Small Novel. This book is what got me hooked to her writing and her ability to weave stories together in such an intracate way. She made me appreciate the heroine and fall in love with her many lovers. Small is a master story teller and this book proves that without a shadow of a doubt.
April 10, 2013
This was a great read..I enjoyed the romance, I enjoyed the history that was included in the story...there was violence, (this is the type of violence that occured in historial romances years ago), but it made Cat a very strong woman, and you seen her fight for the man she loved. But Beatrice Small had me hooked from the first chaper, I wanted to know what happened to these people..
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