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World of Hetar #4
The Sorceress of Belmair
A Past Awakened
Magic coursing through his blood, Dillon, son of Lara, Domina of Hetar, follows his mystical path to Hetar's brightest star. Belmair is a forgotten world. And, it turns out, his people's lost heritage. Summoned to marry the king's daughter and inherit the throne, Dillon discovers Belmair is beautiful, enigmatic and seductive�as is his strong-willed new queen, and the mystery lying at Belmair's heart.
A Love Unimagined
Cinnia, sorceress of Belmair, expected to claim her rightful place as ruler, not as the wife of a stranger chosen by Belmair's magical guardian. But the enchantment that seals a marriage of power and greatness soothes her wounded pride, allowing her to use her magical gift to uncover the darkest secret of a bright planet whose young women are inexplicably disappearing….
496 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
93 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,130 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 45 reviews
July 16, 2018
This book sucked. The prose sucked. The characters sucked.** The plot sucked. The pacing (aka the constant recapping) sucked. It was just BAD. Things finally picked up a tad when the villain appeared, but the overriding conflict was so lame that I didn't care.
And don't get me started on the Vartan-bashing. 🙄 Apparently this 'discard the first hero to replace him with an arbitrary upgrade' isn't new to Bertie Small's books (see also: Blaze Wyndham), but I wanted to scream every time Kaliq started his patronizing eulogies re: Vartan being such a good man but an inferior sperm-doner who could never have fathered someone as powerful or perfect as Dillon. Bitch, please. Apparently nobody without powerful, perfect magical skillz matters a damn in this nebulous battle against evil, so WTF is Vartan chosen as the exemplary whipping boy for inferior mates? UnMagical Magnus is a sorry excuse for alpha & he can go die in a hole for all his contribution to Hetar's happy ending -- why isn't HE inferior too? Beats me.
1.5 stars. Boring as hell & I'm done with the Lara books. #1 was entertaining in its cheesy, goofy way, but the sequels have all been varying degrees of FAIL.
**Excepting Nidhug the dragon & her faerie lover Cirillo, who shapechange at will to screw each other in different forms. It was so utterly random & stupid that I lol'd & loved them for it. (Also, aside from the horniness, Nidhug reminded me of Kazul in DEALING WITH DRAGONS. So there you go. A paltry reason to round up.)
And don't get me started on the Vartan-bashing. 🙄 Apparently this 'discard the first hero to replace him with an arbitrary upgrade' isn't new to Bertie Small's books (see also: Blaze Wyndham), but I wanted to scream every time Kaliq started his patronizing eulogies re: Vartan being such a good man but an inferior sperm-doner who could never have fathered someone as powerful or perfect as Dillon. Bitch, please. Apparently nobody without powerful, perfect magical skillz matters a damn in this nebulous battle against evil, so WTF is Vartan chosen as the exemplary whipping boy for inferior mates? UnMagical Magnus is a sorry excuse for alpha & he can go die in a hole for all his contribution to Hetar's happy ending -- why isn't HE inferior too? Beats me.
1.5 stars. Boring as hell & I'm done with the Lara books. #1 was entertaining in its cheesy, goofy way, but the sequels have all been varying degrees of FAIL.
**Excepting Nidhug the dragon & her faerie lover Cirillo, who shapechange at will to screw each other in different forms. It was so utterly random & stupid that I lol'd & loved them for it. (Also, aside from the horniness, Nidhug reminded me of Kazul in DEALING WITH DRAGONS. So there you go. A paltry reason to round up.)
September 19, 2010
This is, by far, my favorite World Of Hetar novel.
Upon purchase, I was scared that after the ridculous price I paid for it (can anyone tell me why this book ranges anywhere from $35 to $200+ dollars when it came out merely two years ago?) that it would end up being like A Distant Tomorrow; important to the overall plot of the series, but not one I would go back and read for fun. Fortunately, it turned out to be the best of them.
It would appear Bertrice Small seems to have a penchant for simple anagrams (Hetar, Terah, Thera, and I figured out Yafir about two seconds after looking at it) and occasionally corny rhyming spells, but these certainly don't take away from the amazing writing. The already full cast of magical characters managed to grow even more on Belmair, which I found to be a much more interesting and enchanting world than Hetar or Terah. And while it is fun to read about Lara's magical adventures and romances, it is even more fun to read about Dillon's.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps now, since Lara's adventures have come to an end, that Mrs Small will perhaps take us on more adventures with Dillon and Cinnia in the world of Belmair. Now that the Yafir have become a bigger part of Belmairian society, I'd like to see what kind of things could unfold.
Upon purchase, I was scared that after the ridculous price I paid for it (can anyone tell me why this book ranges anywhere from $35 to $200+ dollars when it came out merely two years ago?) that it would end up being like A Distant Tomorrow; important to the overall plot of the series, but not one I would go back and read for fun. Fortunately, it turned out to be the best of them.
It would appear Bertrice Small seems to have a penchant for simple anagrams (Hetar, Terah, Thera, and I figured out Yafir about two seconds after looking at it) and occasionally corny rhyming spells, but these certainly don't take away from the amazing writing. The already full cast of magical characters managed to grow even more on Belmair, which I found to be a much more interesting and enchanting world than Hetar or Terah. And while it is fun to read about Lara's magical adventures and romances, it is even more fun to read about Dillon's.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps now, since Lara's adventures have come to an end, that Mrs Small will perhaps take us on more adventures with Dillon and Cinnia in the world of Belmair. Now that the Yafir have become a bigger part of Belmairian society, I'd like to see what kind of things could unfold.
April 13, 2022
This series seems to get better with each book. I only gave the first book two stars, second book got three stars, and the third book got four stars. This one was four and a half, so rounding up to five.
I liked Cinnia so much more than I ever liked Lara. I've complained with the previous books that the characters didn't have much depth to them, and the sex scenes were not sexy at all, with the constant "man roots" and "her sheath" and his "love juices". But this one took a turn. Cinnia and Dillon are both well written, and I connected with them more than the characters in the previous books. And the sex scenes, though still not great, were a little better written than in the previous books, though still using all those same cringy terms. But also, the whole plot was more interesting and kept me a bit engaged.
I'm disappointed that the next book is about Lara again. I'd much rather stay in Belmair with Cinnia and Dillon.
I liked Cinnia so much more than I ever liked Lara. I've complained with the previous books that the characters didn't have much depth to them, and the sex scenes were not sexy at all, with the constant "man roots" and "her sheath" and his "love juices". But this one took a turn. Cinnia and Dillon are both well written, and I connected with them more than the characters in the previous books. And the sex scenes, though still not great, were a little better written than in the previous books, though still using all those same cringy terms. But also, the whole plot was more interesting and kept me a bit engaged.
I'm disappointed that the next book is about Lara again. I'd much rather stay in Belmair with Cinnia and Dillon.
May 30, 2008
This is a 4th book installment from World of Hetar by Bertrice Small. It is a historical romance/fantasy world where people like fairies, ancient being, giants, dragon, mermaids, flying horse, etc. exist. I absolutely adore this series for combining my two favorite, historical romance and fantasy stories. It is for adults due to the large amount of sex that exist in it. Beside that, it’s full of rich fairy tale fantasy and historical setting that literally take you to another world and just ‘wow’ you with all the being in it. This story follow the life of the heroine’s son Dillon where he was crown king of Belmair and has to figure out why and where the missing women are at to save the extinction of Belmair.
I recommend reading the first story, Lara: Book One of the World of Hetar, and then follow along because it would be so much richer than a stand alone. You can read it by it self but you will be missing so much. This book also reveal lots of secret that were hidden from the previous books that makes me go “Holy Cow!”. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I recommend reading the first story, Lara: Book One of the World of Hetar, and then follow along because it would be so much richer than a stand alone. You can read it by it self but you will be missing so much. This book also reveal lots of secret that were hidden from the previous books that makes me go “Holy Cow!”. I can’t wait for the next installment.
March 9, 2017
I can't get those damn hours back.
I wish I had not chosen to read this all the way through. It gets two stars because there was a trace of interesting plot between all the comanding servants, dreadful dialogue, and sex involving men releasing juices. Yay, juices.
I wish I had not chosen to read this all the way through. It gets two stars because there was a trace of interesting plot between all the comanding servants, dreadful dialogue, and sex involving men releasing juices. Yay, juices.
July 29, 2012
I love Bertrice Small's books because they are frothy, fluffy mindless fun - kind of like eating marshmallows - absolutely no nutritional value but they sure are yummy!\
This was no exception. Cinnia (the Sorceress of the title), the nubile (naturally), beautiful (well of course!) and willful (what fun would the book be if she was docile?) daughter of the dying King of Belmair is expected to marry the next King when Pops heads off into the great hearafter.
Oh did we mention that here in Belmair, the Kings are chosen by a female dragon who (I kid you not!) paints her claw-nails and bats her eyelashes while having affairs with fairy princes (alternating between him shape-shifting into a dragon, and her shape-shifting into a woman).
This time around the dragon breaks tradition and chooses someone from a completely different world because there are big, BIG problems here in Belmair, namely all the women keep vanishing and the gene pool is getting too small for comfort.
Although Cinnia would rather be Queen all by her lonesome, she falls in love with her new husband and King, Dillon who is also a magical being, and who is trying to solve the mystery of the disappearing women before Belmair dies out.
There are various and sundry magical beings some causing trouble, others fixing things, and all just generally cavorting around (although Nidhug the dragon in all her campy glory has to be my favourite!), lots of drama and crises to be solved, and, of course, the requisite sex scenes that are always a part of Bertrice's books. As long as you don't mind some fairly cutesy euphemisms for body parts (his manhood and her "pleasure jewel", etc.) this is a fun romp of a book. Perfect for the beach, or the holidays or a long, lazy Sunday.
This was no exception. Cinnia (the Sorceress of the title), the nubile (naturally), beautiful (well of course!) and willful (what fun would the book be if she was docile?) daughter of the dying King of Belmair is expected to marry the next King when Pops heads off into the great hearafter.
Oh did we mention that here in Belmair, the Kings are chosen by a female dragon who (I kid you not!) paints her claw-nails and bats her eyelashes while having affairs with fairy princes (alternating between him shape-shifting into a dragon, and her shape-shifting into a woman).
This time around the dragon breaks tradition and chooses someone from a completely different world because there are big, BIG problems here in Belmair, namely all the women keep vanishing and the gene pool is getting too small for comfort.
Although Cinnia would rather be Queen all by her lonesome, she falls in love with her new husband and King, Dillon who is also a magical being, and who is trying to solve the mystery of the disappearing women before Belmair dies out.
There are various and sundry magical beings some causing trouble, others fixing things, and all just generally cavorting around (although Nidhug the dragon in all her campy glory has to be my favourite!), lots of drama and crises to be solved, and, of course, the requisite sex scenes that are always a part of Bertrice's books. As long as you don't mind some fairly cutesy euphemisms for body parts (his manhood and her "pleasure jewel", etc.) this is a fun romp of a book. Perfect for the beach, or the holidays or a long, lazy Sunday.
June 17, 2025
I have always enjoyed the World of Hetar books by Bertrice Small. Very romantic and quite steamy, these fantasy books never let me down. Belmair, the new world that is introduced to the readers, includes a new cast of characters including a dragon and a group of mermaids. With the help of older characters, like Kaliq, and Lara's mother and brother, the magical team uses all their strengths and tricks to accomplish their goals.
Although the book was based around Lara's son Dillon and not Lara herself, I still enjoyed it. I hope that the next one brings us back to Lara and her destiny on Hetar.
Although the book was based around Lara's son Dillon and not Lara herself, I still enjoyed it. I hope that the next one brings us back to Lara and her destiny on Hetar.
July 11, 2012
Picked this up at wal-mart the other day because none of my fav author's have anything that came out, read the back and bought it, am half way through now, and I love this world, going to buy the first three in this series!!!
January 21, 2009
This was wonderful, I loved it.
April 9, 2013
Bertrice Small is always good. Sex and magic, dragons, fairies, & wizards! She has great attention to detail. This is #4 in the World of Hetar. Will have to look for the next one.
May 16, 2019
Place Holder
While still a great story, this segment felt a little stiffer than the first three. Maybe it was because the focus shifted off of Lara and onto her now grown son, Dillon. I loved Dillon as a child. The man lives up to his promise but I guess what seemed off to me was the way he held off so long having his Mother come to see his new place and position. They had such a tight relationship that it didn’t read true that Dillon would hold himself back like he did. Overall, I couldn’t help feeling like this story was just a place holder while the main story simmered in the background, waiting to come out the oven piping hot. Anybody else hungry for the next adventure?
While still a great story, this segment felt a little stiffer than the first three. Maybe it was because the focus shifted off of Lara and onto her now grown son, Dillon. I loved Dillon as a child. The man lives up to his promise but I guess what seemed off to me was the way he held off so long having his Mother come to see his new place and position. They had such a tight relationship that it didn’t read true that Dillon would hold himself back like he did. Overall, I couldn’t help feeling like this story was just a place holder while the main story simmered in the background, waiting to come out the oven piping hot. Anybody else hungry for the next adventure?
November 5, 2024
This book is what I would call early romantasy, as it was published in 2002 and has many of the features you'd expect in a Romantasy. World building, magical creatures and of course, super sexy book boyfriends.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I'll begin this review by informing you that I'm a huge Bertrice Small fan and I've read the first three books in this series. I'm not really a dark romance girlie by any means, but I could see how this book has dark and romantasy vibes from before trigger warnings were a thing. Yes, this book might need some trigger warnings but it's not dark or scary by any means. And I know, because I'm very easily frightened. It is pretty light and smutty.
In Belmair, the King's successor is chosen by a dragon, Nidhur, which infuriates the beautiful Cinnia, the King's daughter and a powerful sorceress in her own right. When her mate is chosen, the handsome and powerful sorcerer Dillon, she is resistant to his charms at first, but he uses his romantic wiles to get her to work with him to help solve the mystery of the missing women of Belmair and find the source of a old, dark and evil magic. This book is a bit cheesy, but I do see the beginnings of modern day romantasy in the electricity generating spice, dragons with lovers, powerful fae characters, mermaids and magical world building that we see and love in many great books today. These two are really put through the wringer and work hard to get their HEA. Pick up this book if you like powerful magic, frequent spice, interesting magical mysteries, people that look hot for hundred of years and want to witness a dragon romance sub-plot, which was actually the true love story in the book.
Favourite quote from Dillon:
"Life is vibrant, my lord, and constantly changing, evolving. Sometimes those changes come slowly, so slowly that we barely notice them, if we notice them then at all. And other times changes come so swiftly that we cannot keep up with them, and it frightens us."
See my full review @mimigunnbooks
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I'll begin this review by informing you that I'm a huge Bertrice Small fan and I've read the first three books in this series. I'm not really a dark romance girlie by any means, but I could see how this book has dark and romantasy vibes from before trigger warnings were a thing. Yes, this book might need some trigger warnings but it's not dark or scary by any means. And I know, because I'm very easily frightened. It is pretty light and smutty.
In Belmair, the King's successor is chosen by a dragon, Nidhur, which infuriates the beautiful Cinnia, the King's daughter and a powerful sorceress in her own right. When her mate is chosen, the handsome and powerful sorcerer Dillon, she is resistant to his charms at first, but he uses his romantic wiles to get her to work with him to help solve the mystery of the missing women of Belmair and find the source of a old, dark and evil magic. This book is a bit cheesy, but I do see the beginnings of modern day romantasy in the electricity generating spice, dragons with lovers, powerful fae characters, mermaids and magical world building that we see and love in many great books today. These two are really put through the wringer and work hard to get their HEA. Pick up this book if you like powerful magic, frequent spice, interesting magical mysteries, people that look hot for hundred of years and want to witness a dragon romance sub-plot, which was actually the true love story in the book.
Favourite quote from Dillon:
"Life is vibrant, my lord, and constantly changing, evolving. Sometimes those changes come slowly, so slowly that we barely notice them, if we notice them then at all. And other times changes come so swiftly that we cannot keep up with them, and it frightens us."
See my full review @mimigunnbooks
May 16, 2022
I do not know why I expect these books to be less bonkers. There is just too much to explain. If you need a book to make sense, then this is not for you. If you want a book where the author just dies what she wants, then happy reading.
August 24, 2022
This book was good. It was more of a departure from Lara's journey as this one is about her son's journey, which does figure into the whole structure of this epic journey. It was a bit lack luster and a very predictable story. Recommend.
January 11, 2018
Fantastic book
September 20, 2019
A wonderful book full of magic and a little bit of romance mixed with a little mystery. Small has a way of making the characters she writes about coming alive.
December 2, 2019
Book 4 hetar
I love all books Bertrice!!.The stories are relaxing and whimsical...the sex is nice and nasty-yum!! Simplicity at it's best just put your feet up.
I love all books Bertrice!!.The stories are relaxing and whimsical...the sex is nice and nasty-yum!! Simplicity at it's best just put your feet up.
December 12, 2019
It was a good book. I didn’t enjoy it though. Maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
February 27, 2020
I LOVED IT!!!
before you read this one, I urge you to read books 1-3 first. I prefer hardback books, but I was desperate to start this book... I will order book 5 through here now
before you read this one, I urge you to read books 1-3 first. I prefer hardback books, but I was desperate to start this book... I will order book 5 through here now
June 6, 2020
Highly entertaining. The writing style is not the greatest, but the story keeps you hooked. Nice to see Dillon grow into a great man.
November 24, 2020
Decent story, good to do something different for once. So dang repetitive, though. And retconning Dillon’s parentage was kind of annoying.
December 18, 2020
Totally enjoy this author's series and books.
March 16, 2021
this was a shocking turn of events you will meet lots of new characters.
October 26, 2021
Though I could figure out exactly where it was going long before I got there, there were some surprises. The author fills the book with explicit sexual descriptions which I could do without.
June 18, 2025
Love this series, don't like it as much as the rest in this series but still a good read
September 19, 2025
Nice to see other characters as the main characters but missed Lara and her adventures.
February 27, 2017
The Sorceress of Belmair
Bertrice Small is a fantastic author. The World of Hetar Book 4 has to be a fantastic series. I can't wait to finish this series. Dragons, fairies , and sorceress are in the story.
Bertrice Small is a fantastic author. The World of Hetar Book 4 has to be a fantastic series. I can't wait to finish this series. Dragons, fairies , and sorceress are in the story.
August 29, 2014
I loved how there were more multi-dimensional characters than in the last one, the third book of the saga Twiloght Lord where Lara was just a Mary Sue and Kaliq and her mother were just so annoying. The sorceress of Belmair follows the story of the other world Belmair from where Hetarians came from and the two leads are its Queen Cinnia and Dillon (Lara's son who it's revealed he's reallt Kaliq's son) who is elected King by the highest authority in Belmair, the female dragon Nihndrug. The tale has many twists and turns and it's not like its predecessors where everyone is holier than thou and their actions can easily be justified with the line "it is your destiny". Everyone here is gray, some with darker shades of grey than others but everyone has their own motives for what they are doing and for me that's what makes a good fantasy. One that's not purely focused on magic and fairies but on the human and emotional aspect in the cases of the non-humans creatures as well. And the book had one of the most unusual pairings I've read in fantasy so far, Cirillo and the dragon who thanks to his fairie magic cam shapeshift her into a woman or himself into a dragon. And for proof this isn't your typical it ends well everything that starts well. At the end of the novel the focus is not on the two main characters, King Dillon and Queen Cinnia but on the people who helped them throughout their terrible ordeal to bring peace to their world.
May 8, 2010
I like the hetar books and this one was good too. I liked Dillon and Cinnia. Cinnia was a good strong character and Dillon was a good Alpha Male. I did enjoy the little story of Nidhug and Cirillo. The story was interesting because once Dillon and Cinnia are married they have figure out where the women of Belmair are dissapearing too. Once Cinnia is abducted it is up to Dillon and her to make things work again. I have to say that I do miss Lara and I can't wait for her and Kaliq to finally get together. I have enjoyed these books and I hope that The Shadow Queen will not be the end of the Hetar books. We have Dillon's story here but I hope we can see stories for Anoush, Zagiri, Marzina and Taj. I like this series better than the Border Chronicles, although they are good reads Hetar is excellent too.
December 18, 2014
Dec. 2014 I picked this book up at the library book sale and enjoyed it this time.
I've really loved Bertrice Small over the years. Rosamund, Lara..so many of her books. I have many of them. This series is not holding my interest though, and I wish it would. Dragons, love, fairies..everything I love. I find it repeats information until I'm skipping pages as the same stuff is explained again to another member of the family, so we are to read the same information over and over.
I don't know. I just can't get into this series, even though I want to. I'm skipping through the book to see what is going to happen as it just can't hold my attention.
I've really loved Bertrice Small over the years. Rosamund, Lara..so many of her books. I have many of them. This series is not holding my interest though, and I wish it would. Dragons, love, fairies..everything I love. I find it repeats information until I'm skipping pages as the same stuff is explained again to another member of the family, so we are to read the same information over and over.
I don't know. I just can't get into this series, even though I want to. I'm skipping through the book to see what is going to happen as it just can't hold my attention.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews