[WAN]≡ [PDF] Free Roselynde Signature Select Roberta Gellis 9780373836550 Books

Roselynde Signature Select Roberta Gellis 9780373836550 Books

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Roselynde Signature Select Roberta Gellis 9780373836550 Books

Roberta Gellis opened her very intriguing series of 'Roselynde' novels with this one, 'Roselynde.' It is a very interesting, but steamy and never preachy, series by a historian which is set in the medieval era - starting in the early 1100s when King Henry II and Queen Eleanor ruled. What I particularly like is that the ongoing characters - the core family members - are developed and show how young adults mature into full maturity, and how both external circumstances (politics, war, social environments) and personal experiences play into what influences what happens. However, unlike some novels which are a struggle to catch up with unless one goes doggedly from the very beginning of the series, any reader could very much start with any of the books and not feel at all ill at ease or lacking necessary knowledge. In fact, there is at least one 'prequel' novel which is very good and adds additional richness to the family's ongoing story. But, please don't feel that the only way to enjoy this series is by reading them in strict order. Roberta Gellis does a fine job with this series, and I've also enjoyed several of her other medieval historical romances, too.


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Roselynde Signature Select Roberta Gellis 9780373836550 Books Reviews

I actually first read this shortly after its original publication. I was not a fan of historical romance, finding the history to be horribly inaccurate and the heroines often somewhat imbecilic. I read this novel simply because there was nothing else to read. Imagine my astonished pleasure to discover history made real and accompanied by a heroine both strong and realistic.

Ms. Gellis tells a gripping tale that draws the reader in. Her characters are belivable, likeable, and often moving. Although considered a bit racy for it's time, and she does not write sexually explicit material, it is still 'hot' and tintillating. When one reads a work of fiction, one enters into that unspoken agreement with an author the reader agrees to suspend disbelief. The author's side of the bargain is to never cause this suspension to break, that is, to write so well that the reader does not stop believing in the world and characters that the writer has created. Gellis keeps one's fascinated attention in the world she has created with meticulous research and craft. And it still holds up after all these years. What else can one ask for?
I tend to avoid HF put out by Romance publishers, being wary of stilted plotlines and poor research. But enough people had praised this book that I decided to give it a try.

I'm glad I did. Set in the high middle ages at the beginning of Richard the Lionheart's reign, it is very well-researched and not at all romance-y. Which is to say that the plotline follows the romance of the two protagonists, but Gellis skillfully puts her knight and lady smack in the middle of where it is all happening. Thus, instead of the history acting as mere `wallpaper' for the romance, the romance becomes the reason to paint a portrait of the history.

And it's a well-written romance, too. Alinor is nobly born, an heiress of the eponymous Roselynde estates and because of her wealth, great marriage bait. But this lady was well-trained by her grandfather to run her affairs. In a manner that is quite correct for the period, she uses everything at her disposal to get a husband suited to her taste. The model for her behavior, who is also a major player in the book, is the dowager Queen Eleanor (or Alinor, as Gellis spells it) of Aquitaine. The novel explains to the reader how a woman who had no `rights' as we would count them, in a male-dominated, force-dominated world, can still use her natural power to guide her own circumstances.

A good read. I'm probably on for the sequels.
This was a very difficult story to get into. The reason being that the majority of the book concentrated on King Richard, his mother Queen Alinor, and the political clime of the time. There was a great deal of intrigue, discussions that said one thing but meant another, and it was years, it seemed, before Simon and the young Alinor could simply kiss with permission from the Queen.

The history was written very well but I cannot call it the kind of historical romance that I've been reading in which the romance takes precedence and it takes place during a time of history.

For those that enjoy reading about history, and this time when King Richard was preparing for Crusade, you will find a rich world that comes to life on the pages as you read. I found the realism harsh but authentic.

The romance of Simon and Alinor takes place near the end of the story and moves smoothly from there.

This book and author was recommended by a friend.
Roberta Gellis opened her very intriguing series of 'Roselynde' novels with this one, 'Roselynde.' It is a very interesting, but steamy and never preachy, series by a historian which is set in the medieval era - starting in the early 1100s when King Henry II and Queen Eleanor ruled. What I particularly like is that the ongoing characters - the core family members - are developed and show how young adults mature into full maturity, and how both external circumstances (politics, war, social environments) and personal experiences play into what influences what happens. However, unlike some novels which are a struggle to catch up with unless one goes doggedly from the very beginning of the series, any reader could very much start with any of the books and not feel at all ill at ease or lacking necessary knowledge. In fact, there is at least one 'prequel' novel which is very good and adds additional richness to the family's ongoing story. But, please don't feel that the only way to enjoy this series is by reading them in strict order. Roberta Gellis does a fine job with this series, and I've also enjoyed several of her other medieval historical romances, too.