Shields of Pride

Rating:
Summary: same book, different author?
Review: I have had this book for a number of years - it's on my keeper shelf, and probably is rising again to the top of the re-reads~

BUT MY copy, 1994, of "Shields of Pride" has Elizabeth Chadwick as the author of this Ballantine/Random publ. book - was this first done as a pseudonym? or is the name "Chadwick" the pseudonym?? or is this a mistake - however, to paraphrase, "a book by any other author" remains a good read.

Rating:
Summary: same book, different author?
Review: I have had this book for a number of years - it's on my keeper shelf, and probably is rising again to the top of the re-reads~

BUT MY copy, 1994, of "Shields of Pride" has Elizabeth Chadwick as the author of this Ballantine/Random publ. book - was this first done as a pseudonym? or is the name "Chadwick" the pseudonym?? or is this a mistake - however, to paraphrase, "a book by any other author" remains a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Roberta Gellis Fans-- Check This One Out
Review: Inside the back cover of my copy of this book there is a picture of the author engaging in a historical re-enactment of a Viking encampment. This is probably one of the reasons that this book has such a great period feel. The details, from the ditch running down the center of the stables to the trouble getting a hauberk (essentially a metal pullover) off a wounded man, all contribute to the feeling of reality.

Joscelin was the ... son of a great warrior. His mother died during his childhood and took his father's heart with her to the grave. Because his father has legitimate heirs, Joscelin had few prospects. He had run away from home to fight as a mercenary at the age of 15. Seven years later he had returned as the captain of his own troupe. Since then he had taken service where it was available and when it wasn't available he had rode the tourney circuit. Now he has returned home briefly before beginning employment with the Justiciar of England, who ruled while King Henry II was in France.

On his way home he encountered Linnet and her husband. Married at 13 to a brutal Lord, Linnet had one son she cherished and tried to protect from her husband's brutality. She suspects her husband is plotting treason. She knows that her husband is destroying her son's inheritance in futherance of his plans.

While the political background is important, the real driving force in this case is the dynamics set in force by Joscelin's father decades before.

This book definitely goes on the short shelf of books that manages to successfully combine a romantic sensibility and some semblance of real history.

Rating:
Summary: Roberta Gellis Fans-- Check This One Out
Review: Inside the back cover of my copy of this book there is a picture of the author engaging in a historical re-enactment of a Viking encampment. This is probably one of the reasons that this book has such a great period feel. The details, from the ditch running down the center of the stables to the trouble getting a hauberk (essentially a metal pullover) off a wounded man, all contribute to the feeling of reality.

Joscelin was the ... son of a great warrior. His mother died during his childhood and took his father's heart with her to the grave. Because his father has legitimate heirs, Joscelin had few prospects. He had run away from home to fight as a mercenary at the age of 15. Seven years later he had returned as the captain of his own troupe. Since then he had taken service where it was available and when it wasn't available he had rode the tourney circuit. Now he has returned home briefly before beginning employment with the Justiciar of England, who ruled while King Henry II was in France.

On his way home he encountered Linnet and her husband. Married at 13 to a brutal Lord, Linnet had one son she cherished and tried to protect from her husband's brutality. She suspects her husband is plotting treason. She knows that her husband is destroying her son's inheritance in futherance of his plans.

While the political background is important, the real driving force in this case is the dynamics set in force by Joscelin's father decades before.

This book definitely goes on the short shelf of books that manages to successfully combine a romantic sensibility and some semblance of real history.

Rating:
Summary: Shields of Pride is a Medieval Winner!
Review: This is the story of Joscelin de Gael, illegitimate son of William de Rocher, known as Ironheart. Joscelin has not had an easy life. His brothers knowing that they are the legitimate heirs of Ironheart give him no end of trouble, and as if that is not enough he must deal with a treacherous baron named Giles de Montsorrel. Giles mistreats the forthcoming love interest of Joscelin, Linnet de Montsorrel, however, his character is short lived.

To Joscelin's surprise he becomes the guardian of Linnet and her young son Robert. Many twists and turns are in store for this unlikely couple but triumph is but a swordstroke away. This is set in the period of Henry II, although while he is away in France, the Justicar of England rules in his stead.

Joscelin, Ironheart, and Linnet all have secrets to hide which eventally come out in the most entertaining and dramatic of ways. This is an edge of your seat read that never fails to disappoint! The descriptions and detail of medieval life jump off the page and give it a here and now reality. I read and own the hardcover edition in large print, which is out-of-print as I believe the paperback edition is...but find either one to read and you will not be sorry!

Rating:
Summary: Shields of Pride is a Medieval Winner!
Review: This is the story of Joscelin de Gael, illegitimate son of William de Rocher, known as Ironheart. Joscelin has not had an easy life. His brothers knowing that they are the legitimate heirs of Ironheart give him no end of trouble, and as if that is not enough he must deal with a treacherous baron named Giles de Montsorrel. Giles mistreats the forthcoming love interest of Joscelin, Linnet de Montsorrel, however, his character is short lived.

To Joscelin's surprise he becomes the guardian of Linnet and her young son Robert. Many twists and turns are in store for this unlikely couple but triumph is but a swordstroke away. This is set in the period of Henry II, although while he is away in France, the Justicar of England rules in his stead.

Joscelin, Ironheart, and Linnet all have secrets to hide which eventally come out in the most entertaining and dramatic of ways. This is an edge of your seat read that never fails to disappoint! The descriptions and detail of medieval life jump off the page and give it a here and now reality. I read and own the hardcover edition in large print, which is out-of-print as I believe the paperback edition is...but find either one to read and you will not be sorry!