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Summary: Re-release Alinor and all of Roselynde their time has come!!
Review: A strong woman her family became my family her loves mine Gellis fans unite. Call, Write, Email, draw forth swords to bring another printing of these remarkable books to us. To the author way to go...! Have you ever wondered how a modern Alinor would have faired thru the centuries perhaps her great great granddaughter could become heir to Roselynde. We readers need more Ms Gellis. Catherine
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Summary: "Engaging Historical Romance"
Review: Alinor (The Roselynde Chronicles), by entertaining storyteller, Roberta Gellis, is an engaging historical romance. The characters are easy to connect with and the plot for the lack of a better word just plain FUN...If you are a reader that enjoys historical romance with bite then this is one book you won't want to miss! I had a lot of fun reading this one!
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Summary: The book that made me want to write medieval fiction too!
Review: Alinor is perhaps the best medieval historical I have ever read. In no other book have I met characters who have been so real that they have almost walked off the page and into my room. The jousting scene is a true masterpiece. Her hero, tall dark and handsome could have been a stereotype in less skilled hands, but she turns him into a wonderfully rounded character, complete with human flaws. I'm still in love with him more than twenty years after reading the novel! Alinor too is superbly characterised. I love the way she gets the better of King John. Roberta Gellis's grasp of Medieval politics is masterly, as is the way she brings them to life so that a reader can understand them without feeling they are being lectured at. I write historical fiction myself under the pen name Elizabeth Chadwick - see The Conquest, The Champion, The Love knot. I am aware of owing a tremendous debt to Roberta Gellis for showing me the way. I wish she was more prolific. I'd buy every one!!
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Summary: The absolute BEST historical,romantic series I've ever read!
Review: I began with Bond of BLOOD and Knight's Honor and quickly whizzed through the Roslynde Chronicles.It is wonderful to see a strong sexy woman in a position of power in an interesting age.I wonder if anyone picked up that Ranulf of Sleaford and the Lady Catherine were the grandparents of Alinor of Roselynde. I've been haunting the bookstores for another set, hard bound preferably but even paperback as my copies are falling apart. Roberta, keep on writing!!!!
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Summary: I enjoyed the writing style of Roberta Gellis!
Review: I enjoyed the writing style of Roberta Gellis. When it comes to historical romance novels it is hard to win me over--so many have tried but most writers fall short in winning me over. I don't exactly know what I am trying to say but I found this writer had what it took to snag me as a fan! I will look for more books by this fun writer!
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Summary: I enjoyed the writing style of Roberta Gellis!
Review: I enjoyed the writing style of Roberta Gellis. When it comes to historical romance novels it is hard to win me over--so many have tried but most writers fall short in winning me over. I don't exactly know what I am trying to say but I found this writer had what it took to snag me as a fan! I will look for more books by this fun writer!
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Summary: A Lavish Tournament Of History And Romance!
Review: I have now completed the first two novels in Roberta Gellis' "Roselynde Chronicles," and am beginning book three. Warning!! It is difficult to put these books down, and continuous reading, especially in the evening, can cause insomnia! Ms. Gellis, along with Sharon Kay Penman, are the long reigning monarchs of historical fiction. Gellis' work is golden - her plots riveting, the research meticulous, and her writing elegant."Alinor" begins at Roselynde Keep, England, in 1206 AD, seven years into the reign of King John (Lackland). Alinor's story actually starts in Book One, "Roselynde," but you do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one. Alinor Devaux Lemagne is widowed at 29 years old. She had married her much older and beloved ward, Simon Lemagne, after finally obtaining King Richard's permission, while accompanying him, along with Simon, on Crusade. They have two children, Joanna, age 9, and Adam, age 7. Like Queen Alinor of Aquitaine, who she is named for, Alinor of Roselynde is a fiercely independent, well-educated, courageous chatelaine of vast landholdings. She had been trained since childhood by her grandfather to rule, and her vassals and serfs obey her with respect. When she and Simon married, her independence was not curtailed. This was a most unusual situation for women in medieval times, where their position was largely ornamental, when they were not breeding. Simon's squire of old, Ian de Vipont, is now a seasoned warrior, and a landed Knight and Lord. He has known Alinor since she was a girl of seventeen, and has always loved her, in a pure and courtly manner, knowing she belonged to his Lord and mentor. Now Ian visits Roselynde to mourn Simon, pay his respects, and persuade the widow to marry him. He wants to protect Alinor and the children, especially since King John has no love for her. She once thwarted John heartily when he tried to force himself on her. Ian fears that she will either be forced to marry a scoundrel who will abuse her and the children, or that John will take her land for the Crown. He does not need to work hard to convince Alinor. She is practical and understands his reasoning. He adores the children. And he is also an incredibly handsome and noble man. A wedding is held at Roselynde, with many of the aristocracy in attendance, including three bishops and John's illegitimate half-brother. Although Alinor deeply loved her first husband, he was much older and at times was like the father she never had. Her own parents died when she was a baby. Now she has a chance to make a life, filled with love, with a husband her own age. John is outraged at the marriage, even though he had given permission to Ian to wed whom he pleased, after serving the Crown well in the wars with France. The King had indeed plotted to hurt Alinor and take her holdings. Now he plans a greater revenge...on both newlyweds and their children. England was a country with severe problems during this period in history. John had received a kingdon deep in debt, owing to King Richard's Crusade, the ransom paid to free him from prison, his lavish spending, and his lack of concern for England. Richard's continent holdings, of Normandy, Anjou, Poitiers, etc., were his priority. John had greatly increased the taxes which, along with his nefarious political and personal intrigues, earned him the enmity of his barons. The taxes and poor crops had impoverished and bankrupted small farmers, many villeins and some of the lesser squirearchy. Many had been forced from their homes, destitute. Some joined gangs of lawless reavors, (like the legendary Robin Hood). There was much unrest and violence in the land, not to mention problems with France, Ireland and Wales. The novel is filled with pageantry and wonderful historic detail, including a tournament where Ian is named the King's champion. The jousting and melee on the following day is actually a setting where John plots to have Ian murdered. The events that occur during this tourney, are like a separate mystery within the novel. The suspense is thrilling. The love story is so realistic, with the happiness of the newlyweds and also the confusion, misunderstandings and insecurities common when a man and woman begin a life together. This is an extraordinary novel. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: A True Historian
Review: Roberta Gellis is often hidden in the romance genre when in fact she is a wonderful historian. This book will draw you into Medieval literature and politics. Gellis holds a doctorate but is able to bring the layman to terms with the tangled web of intrique in the aristrocracy that took place at this time. If you are a history buff or love a good tale her attention to detail is not to be missed!
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Summary: Re-release Alinor and all of Roselynde their time has come!!
Review: Roberta Gellis is probably one of the best authors I have ever read; her facts and logistics and history seem to be fairly close to actual and her tale-telling is unsurpassed, in my opinion. Since I enjoy reading everything from military history to fictional best sellers, feel I am qualified to give this analysis. All of her books have been just wonderful, but this series is the best and should be read in order, since they do reference back to the previous. I'm glad I waited for #2 before reading the rest!! END
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Summary: The best series of books I have ever read.
Review: Roberta Gellis is probably one of the best authors I have ever read; her facts and logistics and history seem to be fairly close to actual and her tale-telling is unsurpassed, in my opinion. Since I enjoy reading everything from military history to fictional best sellers, feel I am qualified to give this analysis. All of her books have been just wonderful, but this series is the best and should be read in order, since they do reference back to the previous. I'm glad I waited for #2 before reading the rest!! END
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