The Flame and the Flower

Rating:
Summary: Not the best KEW but still good
Review: Along with all of KEW's early books I read this book years ago and have re-read it over the years. I just finished re-reading it yet again and I still enjoyed it but not as much as "Shanna" or "The Wolf and the Dove". I'm not one for political correctness, but I really hated Brandon in the beginning. Let's be blunt, he pretty much rapes Heather those first times. I guess that's the reaction you're supposed to have to him - just as Heather does. And she is a bit wimpy but, as other reviews have pointed out, she's a very naive 18 and he's a wordly 35!

But Brandon starts to redeem himself pretty early on displaying some humor and caring to go along with all the anger and impatience and the reader starts to fall for him slowly as does Heather. But I must say, once they finally get together, I lost interest. The background story of the murdered women and the man from Heather's past wasn't as strong as the background stories/mysteries in some of KEW's other books.

But I did think this one had some great supporting characters. Brandon's brother Jeff was funny, mischievous and so charming! I would have dumped Brandon for Jeff in a heartbeat! Hatti was the truth-teller and mother figure for both Heather and Brandon - think "Mammy" from "Gone With the Wind".

Not KEW's best, but still a great read and as others have pointed out, though written in 1972, it still holds up.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I was never a reader of romance novels. That all changed when I read The Flame and the Flower! I was looking for historical fiction, and this book filled that desire while offering up a tantalizing love story, as well. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Woodiwiss is one of the best
Review: The Flame and the Flower was the first historical romance that I read as a teenager. I am now 42 and still love it. I read all the books about the Birminghams and loved them all. I read all of the bad and good reviews and all the things about the rapes.The only thing I can say is that this book is fiction. I read a book for enjoyment not to analyze it. Yes Brandon raped Heather but they fell in love and lived happily ever after. If we take everything as true then I feel sorry for the children reading Cinderella & other childrens clasics.This is a fictional story and for the time frame the 1800's that's the way things were. Right or wrong marriages were arranged and the young girls married older men, there were slaves and that was how it was. I think the book would have been very boring if Brandon had met Heather at a party and was a complete gentleman, courted her, married her and then got her pregnant. I think if you read this book you won't be disappointed. In fact I think I'll read it again after I finish The Reluctant Suitor.