Rating: 
Summary: The Flame and the Flower
Review: This was the first "adult" book I was given to read. Now at 41 years old, I cannot count how many times I have gone back to re-read the Flame and the Flower and all of the other Woddiwiss novels. I have never read stories with such descriptive settings as in these works, I am completely transported. Kathleen, you are the author by which I rate all other romance novels. Your characters always portray the dignity, honesty and emotion I would like to be able to see in myself. What a wonderful roll model you must be for your children and your grandchildren. Thank You.
Rating: 
Summary: Vomit-Inducing
Review: My constant mockery of romance novels prompted someone to recommend this one. Let me get this straight. The "hero" is a man who rapes a 17-year-old girl and then tells her it's her fault she was hurt? He informs her that she will be his mistress, regardless of her will; later he is enraged that she took away his free choice when she married him? People use this novel as a model for love and look upon this individual as a knight in shining armor, a paragon for all men? Ten pages after meeting him I wanted to jump into the novel and kill him. The fact that a woman wrote this horribly offensive trash just kills me. If you're into the genre at least find a novel whose hero is remotely tolerable.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Bag
Review: This was one of the first romance novels that I ever read and it immediately became one of my favorites. I reread it recently and found that it did not age well. The rape scene in the beginning is extremely disturbing, as is the fact that the hero never acknowledges how horrible his actions were. The vast age difference between the characters is also troublesome. The book is well written, but be warned that it is full of 70's romance purple prose. If you want to read a Woodiwiss, I would suggest The Wolf and the Dove and skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: MY FAVORITE WOODIWISS
Review: I read FLAME for the first time in high school and it stays my favorite book to this day. I love to read and I have most of Woodiwiss'books,but Flame will always be my favorite. I love the history and detail that goes into a Woodiwiss book have you been to the south lately ? Not only does the story take you over but you pray that Heather has the courage to endure Brandon until he can see the light...
Rating: 
Summary: Too long!
Review: This book was just too long. Towards the middle, the book seemed to slow down and I began to lose interest in the characters. The rape scene was bothersome. Equally bothersome is the fact that Brandon didn't even feel an ounce of remorse for his actions and yet, had the audacity to blame Heather for forcing him into the marriage. Heather had no backbone and seemed to back off every time they had a confrontation. As a heroine, she was disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: flame and the flower
Review: I can't tell you how many times i have read this book but each time is like the first. my favorite piece Kathleen woodiwiss has done. my second is wolf and a dove.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best romance novels ever written!
Review: The Flame and the Flower was the first novel by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss that I read and she had me hooked in the first chapter. For me, Captain Brandon Birmingham is "THE MAN"! He is the standard against which I judge all the other romance novel leading male characters. On my scale, he's a "10". This novel is a real classic not to be missed by any true romance novel fans. My only regret is that I didn't read it sooner. I've read about 7 of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss' novels in the last 6 months and they have all been great stories.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest romance novels yet!
Review: One of the best novels i have read yet! hope to read more about heather and brandon's family! i've read about jeff in Married at Midnight but i loved this one much better. woodiwiss has changed my whole perspective of the victorian times and has captivated my heart! a must read! although catherine coulter novels are also wonderful i just couldnt put this one down.
Rating:
Summary: This is the book that started it all.
Review: If you are new to romance, then this is the one book you have to read. I was first introduced to romance with The Flame and the Flower and after 25 years of reading wonderful romantic books, this is still the best one of all. My reading time is limited now due to a full schedule. But I still reread this one every other year. Have you ever wondered why so many young people in their early 20's have the name of Heather and Brandon. It's from this book. Treat yourself to a great read and buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully entertaining romance!!
Review: I've read all the reviews and respect all the varying opinions, but I think the ones that slam this book, criticize the grammar and the characterizations are really missing the whole essence of this book. How someone can read this and not fall in love with Heather and Brandon, even a little bit, is beyond me. The rape scene bothers some people, I can understand that. I don't want my daughter reading a book and thinking that is okay either. The hero makes a BIG mistake, yes, and he realizes that. He also grows a lot, too. As does the heroine, who I'm tired of everyone saying how whiney and pitiful she was. She was not. She was soft and sweet and niave, which is a refreshing change from the feminists definition of what a woman should be nowadays. I think Kathleen Woodiwiss has a gift for making her characters seem so real you feel like you know them personally and intimately. I've yet to read an author in any genre of fiction who can match her ability. I read romance for the light-heartedness and warm fuzzy feelings you get when they confess their undying love for each other, not to analyze every word, punctuation, or stero-typed character. If you are looking for an historical romance to sweep you away, try this. I loved it when I read 10+ years ago and still enjoy it each time I read it, at least once a year. The Flame and the Flower will make you laugh and cry and want more from Ms. Woodiwiss.
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