Roselynde (The Roselynde Chronicles, Book One)

Rating:
Summary: To read again and again
Review: This series of books is amazing. The historical detail and excellent character development make this entire series a must read. I think these books appeal to me because I love both history and romance! I did note that in the reprinted version of Alinor - (Ian and Alinor's story) the author chose not to murder the king's messenger!

Rating:
Summary: Your one-stop shop for entertainment, action, love, history.
Review: This, the first of what would become the "Roselynde Chromicles", introduces us to Alinor, named after Alinor of Aquitaine, whom we also spend time with, and Alinor's nely appointed warden, Simon. Alinor is a 21st century woman in a 12th century setting, as far as independence and intelligence goes. She sees a man she can trust, who her men can also trust, and she works to make him her own. We follow the court of Richard the Lionheart as he marries and leaves on crusade. We see the lengths Alinor will go to to remain near and perhaps win the hand of the man she has chosen. We see a queen mother who, while undoubtedly fiercely loyal to her son, is equally loyal to the man who remained steadfast to her during her years of imprisonment. A truly delightful book, with truly delightful characters, some of whom were real people, although this book does not attempt to portray their every flaw or quality truly. But an enjoyable read, allowing for that literary license.

Rating:
Summary: Alinor of Roselynde
Review: With Roselynde Roberta Gellis launched in the late seventies her Roselynde Chronicles. A magnificent series which chronicled the lives of a fictional medieval family. Roselynde introduces us to the family matriarch, heiress Alinor Devaux of Roselynde and several other holdings, aged sixteen. In the field of Historical Romance Ms. Gellis set the standard! Roselynde shows the best of her qualities as a writer immaculate historical detail (but no history lesson), great story and plot, unforgettable characters and fine humour. Because her heroine Alinor is so well defined and vividly drawn, she became immediately a favourite character of mine. Intelligent, strong, flexible, hot-tempered and thus certainly no docile maid, Alinor has since the death of her grandfather managed her own estates (her parents drowned and Alinor was raised by her loving grandparents) very well. Although when her namesake Queen Alinor of Aquitaine visits Roselynde, her loyal man Simon Lemagne is made warden of Alinor's person and holdings. Simon up till then has always been devoted to Queen Alinor, but when he meets Alinor things change. They fall deeply in love. As said before Ms. Gellis characterization is magnificent and as Alinor's first great love Simon is a wonderful character. Ms. Gellis sublime insight makes the age gap and love between Simon and Alinor work (he is thirty years her senior). In lesser hands this could have been a very different or mediocre story. The characters of Alinor and Simon, are so intensely brought to life on the page, and very dear to my heart! Alinor and Simon do indeed everything to stay together even if this means going on crusade with King Richard Coeur-de-Lion eventually resulting at last in their wedding. Certain events will earn Alinor the emnity of Richard's brother John.

See for the story of Alinor's grandparents Catherine and Rannulf The sword and the swan.

I cannot but recommend very highly this first volume of a superb series!

by stardustraven