The Kadin

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Summary: The Kadin
Review: I started reading Bertice Small with Love Slave. But I thoroughly enojoyed reading The Kadin. The author has a way with words, that transports you to the era. I "lived" with Cyra, Firousi, Zuleika, Sarina, Lady Refet. So much so, that I finished reading the book on a Sunday afternoon. Loving it, crying, laughing, enojoying it tremendously. The Kadin explained so much about the Sultan way of life, not known today. So much so, that I re read certain parts of the novel today, and looked up on the internet all that I could find on Sultan Selim. I strongly recommend reading this book if you wish to get away from your world for a few hours. I cried when Lady Refet passed away, as did Haji Bey. Via the author, you can understand their way of life and view yours as in need of change or review. Trust me, you must read this!

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Summary: The best book I've ever read.
Review: This book is the first romance novel I've read. I was looking for a book to read and a lady came up to me and asked if I'd read anything by Beatrice Small- I said no and was introduced to this book. Since then I have read every book by Ms. Small. I like the idea of the women being very heroic and adventurous and the fact that they stand up for what they believe in. The men are strong, brave and very masculine. Too bad they don't exist in this day and age. My heart went out to Cyra. Selim was her first love. His first wife and concupines were very jealous of her beauty and knew that Selim was very much in love with her.

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Summary: A Perfect Blend
Review: I found this book to be a perfect blend of history and romance. While I agree that the idea of a 13 year old girl being sold into slavery is completely repulsive by today's standards it wasn't uncommon for girls this age to be married and expecting thier first child back in the era that the book is set in. I thought the characters were well thought out, the women were strong and intellegent and in fact the relationship between the four main women in the harem very well may have overshadowed the romance between Cyra an Selim. If you aren't much into history this book is probably not what you'd want to pluck from the shelves first, however if you like a well written story with lots of good history, definately pick this one.

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Summary: A Great Book Best Left Unread
Review: This is a great epic novel. The story of Janet Leslie from youth to death. I am giving it three stars because it is not what I expect from a romance novel. I must worn anyone who is a romance novel reader that this is one sad story. I cried all the way through the last 100 pages and even in some of the earlier ones. Romance is a very minor part of this story and none of the sex scenes were described in any detail - they just happened. I cannot really recommend this book unless you can stand the pain of the story. Some may see it as one woman's triumph over whatever life threw at her, but it was more than I could handle. I don't mind some unpleasant moments in a romance novel, but for the most part of want to be happy when I close the book. I'm sure it's going to take me a long time to get over this novel. Hopefully, I can find other romance novels to read that will uplift my spirits. Some may love this book, as is obvious from other reviews, but I for one wish I had been warned about its content. Beatrice Small is a great writer and her sense of history is fantastic, but I am a romance novel reader not a history buff, and I do hate to be left with a great feeling of sadness when I am finished reading. BE FORWARNED.

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Summary: A Classic
Review: Janet Leslie is a young Scottish girl who travels with her brother and widowed father to a small Mediterranean duchy where her father will serve as ambassador to Scotland. One day she is betrayed and kidnapped only to be sold is the slave markets of the East. She arrives in Ottoman ruled Turkey and meets 2 other young woman who will be embroiled in a plot with her. Their role will be to become the favorites of the current sultan's beloved son Selim. Janet, now named Cyra, makes a vow with the 2 other women Firousi and Zulieka that they will remain true to each other and survive their ordeal. This book tells the unforgetable tale of a remarkable woman who must learn to live in a culture completely foreign to her own, a woman who falls in love with Selim and remains true to her friends, a woman who would be mother to one of Turkey's greatest sultans, Suleiman the Magnificent.

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Summary: Absolutely Enchanting!
Review: Wow. The historical detail in this novel was excellent, rivaled only by the love story between Cyra and Selim. For those who point out that they can't imagine sharing one man, please open your minds! This happened regularly during that time period, and it still goes on today in the Middle East. I vastly prefer this book over all of Small's other books, because there is none of the overwhelming eroticism like in "The Love Slave" or "All The Sweet Tomorrows". The book did fall apart in the end, however, when Cyra Hafise returned to Scotland to once again become Janet Leslie. How am I to believe that the wise Cyra Hafise would leave the Ottoman Empire in Khurrem's hands? Overall, this was an excellent book, worth reading because of the historical detail and in-depth definition of the characters. Small actually makes the reader hate Khurrem, and wonder at Suleiman's weaknesses.

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Summary: the very best of bertrice
Review: I never liked romance novels until i read a Bertrice Small book. The Kadin is so much more than a romance novel,its a story of janet/cyras life. I laughed and cried my way through the entire book. This is definitely a book I can read over and over again and would reccommend to anyone. Everyone of Mrs Small's books are great but this is by far the greatest.

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Summary: The best!
Review: In my opinion, this is the best of all Small's works. Even tho they left the last chapter out of the original paperback it is an outstanding read. The historical information is accurate and very informative. The female characters are unusually strong. Just sit back and enjoy.

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Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is the best one of Bertrice Small's books other than the "Skye" series. I have probably read this book 10 times or more. If you've never read any of Bertrice Small's books before, I recommend this as your first one. Once you read it you'll be hooked for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Summary: ONE OF THE BEST !!!
Review: I thought this book was absolutly fantastic. Even though the years in the book went by rather fast I still enjoyed it. When reading this book I really got involved in the character of 'Cyra', we follow her life from the very beginning ang then when she passes away. I found myself a bit emotional when coming to the end because I new that she was going to die but it still effected me. Throughtout the book she shows such heart and such strength that a person would find it very hard not to conect to her in one way or another. I would highly recomend this book to any Bertrice Small fans, you won't be disapointed!!!