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Wyndham Saga #1
Blaze Wyndham
From the New York Times bestselling "resigning queen of romance" ( Literary Times ), comes a love story on a grand scale, featuring an innocent country girl who catches the eye of the most powerful man in England-and filled with all the sensuality, drama, and thrilling intrigues of Henry Tudor's glittering sixteenth century court...
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 1988
56 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,128 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 54 reviews
April 28, 2021
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.
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.
September 6, 2017
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.
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.
April 29, 2021
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.
Bertrice Small is unique and it's amazing that she has zero boundaries that she wouldn't cross.
April 25, 2017
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
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
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
September 19, 2010
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
April 3, 2011
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.
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.
January 17, 2025
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.
avoid
December 8, 2017NTS: See Karla and Rabbit’s reviews.
January 31, 2015
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.
October 29, 2010
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).
February 24, 2013
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.
June 5, 2018
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2014
This book started my passion for all things Elizabethan, but also all things British. I now read a lot of nonfiction books about royals.
April 17, 2015
There was a time when I was working through the Beatrice Small section of the Library...This was one gem I came across!
January 5, 2018
God's foot!
November 21, 2016
How did 50 Shades get so popular? If you want well written erotica, read Bertrice Small. She never fails to deliver.
December 5, 2023
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.
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.
October 23, 2023
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.
It was a story that just kept throwing things at you. It was not worth the time. Don’t bother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2023
📍"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.
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.
February 19, 2024
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.
March 9, 2025
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.
September 28, 2024
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!
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!
August 17, 2017
Its amazing... love love love it
April 17, 2019
Combining history and romance, Ms. Small once again does a fine job of weaving the two together.
March 11, 2023
One of my favorite books from the queen of historical romance.
wnr
November 18, 2023Have 1988 book club hardcover edition and soft cover version
March 6, 2025
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.
Bernice Small is a master at combining fiction with fact and romance. I love her books and never get tired of reading them.
its-a-no-for-me-dawg
January 9, 2026Not interested - plot
August 24, 2025
By and1515
Blaze was a young and charming miss from a well respected family that had fallen on hard times.
She was the oldest of her siblings and they all knew there was very little money for one dowry let alone enough for all of her younger sisters.
But low and behold one day a miracle arrives in the form of a very handsome titled man looking for a wife and after hearing about her family's good fortune he humbly requested an interview with her parents.
At first Blaze had been angry at the thought of being married off to a stranger she'd never meet.
However once she spent time in her family's chapel she knew there never would be another opportunity and she should be honored that he asked for her.
Edmund wanted children he of course had his nephew as an heir but there was still time.
his poor first wife had been a gentle woman he'd known his whole life but unfortunately they were not blessed with living children.
However when plans for her wedding have to be quickly changed she soon leaves her parents home married to Edmund with his nephew acting as his proxy.
Edmund truly didn't know how he got so lucky his new wife Blaze was absolutely beautiful.
And when she shyly asked for more time before he made her his wife indeed he agreed.
After all you catch more flies with honey and you catch more loving with plenty of wooing.
Edmund had never been so happy Blaze brought joy back into his life and once they'd gotten passed that dreaded first; she was more passionate then his first wife had ever been.
He hoped their honeymoon phase never ended he really looked forward to the spontaneity of their loving.
Tony never meant to spy on them but when he'd heard something he only wanted to check it out.
Never did he expected to see what he had and now she was all he could think of.
Life couldn't get any better two of her sisters had made respectable matches.She had a wonderful carrying husband and now a daughter.
It hadn't been the best days to really go out but they still went and when on the way home....
Blaze couldn't comprehend how she'd suffered not one but two tragedies all in one day and there was only one person to blame.
In her grief and anger Blaze turned to her sister Bliss and her husband joining them at the King's court.
Setting of a chain of events she'd never expected but appreciated while she had him.
And when her time was coming to an end Blaze could barely contain her temper but in the end there was only one acceptable answer.
That didn't mean she had to like it or be so free with her loving as far as she was concerned the man could wait until she was good and ready and not before.
Tony knew she was still angry with him but he wasn't going to take a chance of losing again.
He could tell there was plenty of discord in his home and he needed to put it to rights even as he and his lady finally discovered their own magic.
And when his father-in-law secretly returned to his home relaying a horrible tale his younger daughter told him.
Tony knew they needed to act quickly and quietly as to not upset Blaze and in the morning he would kiss his beautiful wife knowing she would always be safe.
Then came the day his own child decided to arrive as he'd sat patiently waiting with little Nyssa she might have been his Uncle's child indeed but she was his in heart and nothing would ever change that.
Tony wanted to forbidden her to go she'd just recently had a baby and the man does this but there was no talking her out of it.
He King called and she answered him he thought he was in love with another beauty and his aging wife wouldn't step aside.
Blaze knew she was going on a fools mission but all she could do was try.
However there journey home doesn't go as planned and when Blaze also gets sick Tony struggles to take care of her praying she didn't return to only lose her.
But the best gift he'd ever received were the sweetest words from her lips.
Blaze was a young and charming miss from a well respected family that had fallen on hard times.
She was the oldest of her siblings and they all knew there was very little money for one dowry let alone enough for all of her younger sisters.
But low and behold one day a miracle arrives in the form of a very handsome titled man looking for a wife and after hearing about her family's good fortune he humbly requested an interview with her parents.
At first Blaze had been angry at the thought of being married off to a stranger she'd never meet.
However once she spent time in her family's chapel she knew there never would be another opportunity and she should be honored that he asked for her.
Edmund wanted children he of course had his nephew as an heir but there was still time.
his poor first wife had been a gentle woman he'd known his whole life but unfortunately they were not blessed with living children.
However when plans for her wedding have to be quickly changed she soon leaves her parents home married to Edmund with his nephew acting as his proxy.
Edmund truly didn't know how he got so lucky his new wife Blaze was absolutely beautiful.
And when she shyly asked for more time before he made her his wife indeed he agreed.
After all you catch more flies with honey and you catch more loving with plenty of wooing.
Edmund had never been so happy Blaze brought joy back into his life and once they'd gotten passed that dreaded first; she was more passionate then his first wife had ever been.
He hoped their honeymoon phase never ended he really looked forward to the spontaneity of their loving.
Tony never meant to spy on them but when he'd heard something he only wanted to check it out.
Never did he expected to see what he had and now she was all he could think of.
Life couldn't get any better two of her sisters had made respectable matches.She had a wonderful carrying husband and now a daughter.
It hadn't been the best days to really go out but they still went and when on the way home....
Blaze couldn't comprehend how she'd suffered not one but two tragedies all in one day and there was only one person to blame.
In her grief and anger Blaze turned to her sister Bliss and her husband joining them at the King's court.
Setting of a chain of events she'd never expected but appreciated while she had him.
And when her time was coming to an end Blaze could barely contain her temper but in the end there was only one acceptable answer.
That didn't mean she had to like it or be so free with her loving as far as she was concerned the man could wait until she was good and ready and not before.
Tony knew she was still angry with him but he wasn't going to take a chance of losing again.
He could tell there was plenty of discord in his home and he needed to put it to rights even as he and his lady finally discovered their own magic.
And when his father-in-law secretly returned to his home relaying a horrible tale his younger daughter told him.
Tony knew they needed to act quickly and quietly as to not upset Blaze and in the morning he would kiss his beautiful wife knowing she would always be safe.
Then came the day his own child decided to arrive as he'd sat patiently waiting with little Nyssa she might have been his Uncle's child indeed but she was his in heart and nothing would ever change that.
Tony wanted to forbidden her to go she'd just recently had a baby and the man does this but there was no talking her out of it.
He King called and she answered him he thought he was in love with another beauty and his aging wife wouldn't step aside.
Blaze knew she was going on a fools mission but all she could do was try.
However there journey home doesn't go as planned and when Blaze also gets sick Tony struggles to take care of her praying she didn't return to only lose her.
But the best gift he'd ever received were the sweetest words from her lips.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews