A Moment in Time »

Young Wynne of Gwernach believes love is an illusion. She devotes herself to managing the great family estate in Wales, vowing to protect it and her younger brother until he comes of age to inherit. Then Madoc of Powys enters her life, and all her beliefs are turned upside down. For Wynne and Madoc have been lovers in another time, another place. And an unfinished destiny lies between them . . .

Publishers Weekly

Veteran romance novelist Small ( The Spitfire ) is capable of better work than this mediocre fantasy with its rudimentary characters and over-elaborate plot. ``Somewhere in time'' Rhiannon of ``the Fair Folk'' relinquished her magic powers to marry a Welsh mortal, Pwyll. But he betrayed her trust and, as a punishment, he is to be reincarnated repeatedly, searching during every life for the soul of Rhiannon until he finds her and she forgives him. In 1060, Wynne of Gwernach (Rhiannon's soul) marries Madoc of Powys-Wenwynwyn (Pwyll's soul). In this life, Madoc somehow ends up with the magic powers. He concocts a brew to help Wynne remember their shared past life and, of course, she freely forgives him. But then Wynne (who is more compassionate than intelligent) resolves to patch up a feud between Madoc and his evil half-brother Brys. She visits Brys, who, true to form, seizes her, selling her and her unborn child into slavery. This puts Wynne into a snit, but her owner is kind and a terrific lover, so she adapts. But Madoc/Pwyll has lost his love yet again and sets out to track down Wynne/ Rhiannon. (Sept.)