Alinor

The Roselynde Chronicles #2

by Roberta Gellis

She Lived In The Sweet, Restless Torture Of A Smouldering Love.

A woman alone, trapped in a maze of treacherous power plays and volatile liaisons, Alinor Lamagne is irresistibly swept into an intoxicating, breathless passion for the darkly sensual man whose forbidden love promises only pain and peril.

Swirling from the bloody battlegrounds of France and England to the rich pageantry of the king's court, Alinor's passionate adventures weave a breathtaking tale of danger and desire -- and a beautiful woman's desperate quest for love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Medieval Romance, Fiction

558 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1978

About the author

Roberta Gellis has been one of the most successful writers of historical fiction of the last few decades, having published about 25 meticulously researched historical novels since 1964. She was married to her husband Charles for over 50 years and they lived together in Lafayette, Indiana with a lively Lakeland terrier called Taffy. She has one child called Mark.

Her page at the Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase

Reviews

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I have been reading and re-reading for years, it is really quite unique. I have chosen the blank cover version because my copy is old enough that the cover is not on GR, and the covers that are available are idiotic.

While this is an old book, and yes, a historical romance, in that the two main characters are in a romantic relationship, and it is set during the reign of King John in England, it is not at all what people expect from a historical romance.

It is not a bodice ripper. There are no dewy eyed, lash fluttering maidens and no he-men.

The history is meticulously researched, and sourced and interpreted at the end. These books were the first I ever encountered where the history was written as actually interesting and the military matters are fascinating. I love the descriptions of taking the keeps, of military campaigns and the description of the Tournament and the Melee the next day are awesome. For the history and the military history I have still not encountered a lot of books to beat this series, especially this novel.

The lead female, Alinor, is depicted as a strong, capable, intelligent woman and can I just say how unique that actually was at the time it was published. As a novel it has not dated that badly at all, though I am sure younger people who have grown up with the wide variety of novels now available will be less tolerant than me.

[Vleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book but there were a lot of details about Medieval English and European politics which made my head spin at times. On to the next one!

[Meredith Galman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was taken with the historical accuracy and characters in Gellis's Magdalene la Batarde mystery series, so I thought I'd try one of her straight romances. Big mistake. Her attention to period detail is as meticulous as ever, but she takes pretty big liberties with some historical personages, especially King John. It's a big leap from "imposed oppressive taxation; slept with his barons' wives" to "conspired to murder his vassals; tortured and killed whores in his spare time."

More to the point, I truly hated Alinor. I don't care how fiery and tempestuous you are, babe, pull a knife on a guy during a perfectly rational argument and we're done. I also disliked how the author frequently uses minor viewpoint characters to comment on Alinor's actions so they can observe how clever (i.e., manipulative) she is without her having to say it herself (and believe me, she would; she's not shy). Ian is a little better, but his reluctance to speak about his feelings leads to a tedious "I love him/her but I can't say so because [insert bogus reason here]" situation on both sides, leading to contrived and unconvincing misunderstandings.

And not even any hot sex to make up for it.

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very nice follow up to Roselynde, with Alinor mourning the loss of her beloved (and much older) Simon, who for protection against King John marries Simon's former Squire Ian, who always loved Alinor from afar. There are many (almost too many) misunderstandings between the two as are afraid to admit their true feelings for another, but some WONDERFUL arguments as well! Oh, the names they call each other and then make up.

I did think the characterization of the evil King John a bit over the top, but otherwise very pleasant and entertaining reading.

[Krystal Urquhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never gets old

I read this book and the rest of the series more than 30years ago. And I enjoy it more when I read them every few years. I do hope many others will join me in the great reading pleasure they are

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Roberta Gellis novel I read back in the 80's - I loved this series then. I should reread it now.

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, I read "Rope Dancer" by Roberta Gellis and was enthralled. Immediately, I sought out more books by this author. "Alinor" is the star protagonist in the Roselynde series. There's a section in this book where the male protagonist, Ian, is riding along with his squire and Alinor's young son. Ian looks back and surmises that the child is pretending to be the squire and the squire is pretending to be the Knight and concludes that males pretend themselves into adulthood. I found Roberta Gellis to be a very learned individual and I always appreciate this. I will admit that I often woke my husband up while I was reading these books to explain to me where the story was placed in the history of England. (Husband is a history buff.) I've read thousands of books in my life and it's difficult to rate just one author as my most favorite. Roberta Gellis is definitely a contender.

[Diana L. Stipo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two paperback versions of this book since the first one wore out from reading it so many times. I love all Roberta Gellis books and this is one of my favorites. The history is accurate, the relationships compelling and the storyline doesn’t require a lot of suspension of believe as it’s pretty realistic. I have no idea why it is not available in ebook format since the rest of the series’s is.

[Kora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this is my vacay hotel library and i couldn’t keep going like 2/3 through. too much dialogue of characters talking to other characters about their thoughts on other characters. and not in an interesting lit fic way. Personally not in love with the whole submitting to my violent husband lord king because it is my duty trope. Something tells me the medieval girlies weren’t into that either.

[Polivanova Yuliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised by the book and historical line authors describe in the book. Two decent people survived in hard times when King John ruled the countries England and Scotland
They saved many lives including children Alinor and Ian de Vipont living with. The incredible fights described between King John I with his allies and clans of Alinor keep

[Margaret Slusser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love These Books

Always always a wonderful read. I read these books over twenty years ago and I am enjoying them yet again.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these historical novels.

[Hillari DeSchane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading 'Alinor' again after some ten years reminds me how very good Roberta Gellis's work can be.

'Alinor' is the second book in Gellis's medieval 'The Roselynde Chronicles.' Recently widowed, Alinor, Lady of Roselynde is besieged by problems on all sides, not least of which is King John's lethal enmity. Ian Lord Vipont, Simon's former squire, now a power in the land, offers Alinor a solution: marry him. Each believes the other is marrying for expediency. Can they discover their love for each other before war, politics and deadly threats separate them forever?

Gellis's works are more accurately called 'historical fiction' than 'historical romance.' A biographical note says she began writing historical fiction after being disgusted by the historical inaccuracies in popular fiction of the time. While the working out of the relationship between the protagonists is central to the story, it is played out against and amidst historical events and a network of family relationships.

Gellis's medieval works are chock full of the details of everyday life in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Want to know what people ate, how they dressed, how a jousting lance was held or how a squire was trained for knighthood? You'll find out here, the details skillfully worked into the story as a rich tapestry to create a living world rather than as information dumps. As an example, Gellis's description of a jousting tournament is the most detailed and gripping I have ever read.

If you enjoy being immersed in a long ago period, you'll likely enjoy 'Alinor' and the other volumes in 'The Roselynde Chronicles.' If you prefer more of a costume drama, meaning modern-seeming characters and situations with a few horses and 'my lord's for color, these books be too detailed for you.

Even better is Gellis's ability to get inside the thoughts and emotions of her characters. This means the emotional conflicts between Alinor and Ian make sense. Rather than the usual romantic convention of a silly (and often selfish) dispute between lovers that could be solved if only they'd spend five minutes in conversation, these conflicts grow out the weaknesses, vulnerabilities and psychology of real emotion. They draw the reader into the story because they are so relatable.

For example: the supremely confident and always in control Alinor finds herself uncertain and unconfident in her dealings with Ian, leading to complex misunderstandings and even a separation. Gellis supports these events by showing that as happy and successful as Alinor's first marriage had been, because of their age difference, 'there was as much of father and daughter between us as of husband and wife...I love you, Ian, as a young woman loves a young man--and for me it is the first time of such loving.' Love makes fools of us all, even masterful Alinor.

In another passage, Ian watches his squire imitate his master in carrying out the duties of a good knight and master. Ian reflects on men 'imitating and imagining, we imitate ourselves into manhood.' There is a touching authenticity and understanding of the human psyche here that makes these characters more than paper dolls in armor.

'Alinor,' book two of Roberta Gellis's 'The Roselynde Chronicles' receives my highest recommendation.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the Roselynde series by Roberta Gellis. If you are a fan of historical fiction don't let the fact that this book was published by Harlequin scare you off. This is a well written work of historical fiction.

If you haven't already read 'Roselynde' this review may have *.*.*.*SpOiLeRs*.*.*.

Gellis reunites us with the headstrong Lady Alinor Lemange, recently widowed by the passing of her husband Simon. Alone Lady Alinor finds herself once again vulnerable to the avaricious motivations of King John. She soon marries Lord Ian de Vipont only to find that the king has turned his animosity toward their union.

Gellis does an excellent job of creating battle scenes with sometimes crude but realistic details. She has painted a frightening picture of a greedy and powerful king and an interesting and taut story surrounding Alinor and Ian.

I like the inclusion of the author's note where she explains that she made King John the villain of her story though he is not viewed that way by historians. I also liked the glossary of medieval terms.

This is not an historical fiction where the author uses the known record of events and inserts motivations and dialog. Gellis creates fictional characters and inserts them into history while using artistic license with her characterizations of historical figures. If you dislike that type of historical fiction you may want to choose something else.

I love the details of the boar hunt, Alinor's wedding and the preparations required, the battles during the tournament and the siege at one of Alinor's keeps. I enjoyed the characters Gellis created, I especially enjoyed the relationship between Ian and his squire Geoffrey. The romance between Alinor and Ian was a little bit stretched at points but I liked the characters and the writing so much that I didn't let it bother me.

I would recommend this to readers who like lots of medieval details and a healthy dose of fiction in their historical fiction. I will be reading the next in the series.

[SirenBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alinor by Roberta Gellis is a unique view of the courts and life in England during the rule of the infamous King John, Lackland. While this book is promoted as a passionate romance, I believe it should be seen more as an historical novel with some romance woven into it. This in no way detracts from the tale of the Lady Alinor and Sir Ian. However, Alinor is more the story of the English courts and politics during the rule of King John, Lackland.

In Roberta Gellis’ novel, the premise is taken that King John was actually a very astute and intelligent ruler. In the many versions of Robin Hood, Prince John is often seen as a usurper who only wants tax monies. Here, in Alinor, he is portrayed as a king who was left a bankrupt kingdom and while still rather lecherous, was certainly not the worst that England had to offer at the time.

The romantic scenes between Alinor and Ian are few and far between. What fills the pages of Alinor is the pageantry, deceitfulness and corruption of the English courts during the rules of Kings Richard and John. This is a story of knights, bandits in the woods and licentious court followers. Roberta Gellis has created a love story of the ilk of Robin Hood, set just a few years later, under the rule of the loathsome King John. Read Alinor if you are looking for a story along the lines of the Sherwood Forest tales and you will be pleased.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author's writing is very similar to that of Bertrice Small. In fact, I often forget I'm *not* reading a book by Small when reading the Roselynde books. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just a little weird.

I liked this book better than Roselynde. I'm still not entirely sure I like Alinor, but at least in this book, she showed some jealousy, although she still has the attitude that sex is just like any other bodily function, so she doesn't care if her man has sex with someone else as long as he doesn't love the other woman. Um, no.

I know it was typical in that time period to foster children to other families, but it still blows my mind that at one point, her concern with leaving the country is her children's safety, not that she'll be leaving them for who-knows-how-long.

I'm not sure I like the ending of this book, but at least it's a HEA, for the most part and no major characters die during the book. (Simon is already dead when the book opens.)

[Lady of the Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Roberta Gellis who has Masters Degrees in both BIO-CHEMISTRY and MEDIEVAL LITURATURE has done a remarkable job on Alinor..the ONLY thing I can say that drove me a bit to distraction with this book was her portrayal of Isabelle De Clare Marshal (The GREAT William Marshal, earl of Pembroke's wife) I don't understand why she would but she wrote her up as a religious fanatic of sorts, a timid wife and woman who blindly follows her husband without a word..she wrote the lead character Alinor as saying she would not let her daughter Joanna go and foster in Isabelles household because she doesn't want Joanna imitating the weak Isabelle in her ways of not taking intrest in her household and taking all her time with sewing..or some such stupidity. It is a well known fact that William Marshals wife was strong willed and independant she ruled as Queen on her Irish land for heavens sakes! I liked the writing and the history that Gellis put into this Romance/Historical novel but I can't shake that one huge negative of the story in my eyes.

[Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had great expectations from this book. The premise is that the heroine is marrying for the second time and because the husband was the hero of the prequel she must have loved him truly. So could she find the same happiness with the second man? I am sorry to say that the book fell short of the expectations. The heroine's concept that the sex is in the same category as eating or drinking begins to grate on your nerves after a while because she continuously harps on it. My major gripe is that the author is determined to turn Ian into a mere shadow of Simon. Its as if she is trying to console the book 1 fans that the heroine is only marrying a younger and more beautiful version of Simon while Simon is cheering on from the grave. And the book is like taking a history lesson and somethings like talk of the upstanding members and bride and groom doing a striptease for the guests on the wedding night made me uncomfortable!Okay it was not really striptease but they stripped down!

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Roselynde Chronicles.

This series is about a family in the medieval age. Alinor is a widow with two small children to raise. She is also the heiress to Roselynde. Since this book was written in the 1980's it is a bit of a bodice ripper. Man meets woman. Man dominates the woman and is chosen by the king to take over the barony. The woman dislikes the man. The woman falls in love with the man. Another man wants the woman and kidnaps her, man rescues the woman. Everything turns out right in the end.

What saves this book is the way the author writes. You actually care about Alinor and Ian. Even the two children are brought to life by the way they are written. Even though you know how it's going to turn out, the writing is such, that you just can't help to keep reading.

[Hilcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the historical details in this book and Gellis' attempt to capture the medieval mindset. And I still love Alinor. I was as saddened by Simon's loss during this REREAD as I was the first time around. The romance between Alinor and Ian is plagued by one too many misunderstandings and lack of real communication. There is a heavy contrast here between Ian's youth and Simon's maturity. Regardless, this is my second favorite book of the Roselynde Chronicles.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has everything I don't like in a romance: lack of communication and trust, seething hurt, too much description of things that should be private, and I truly can't read things like "upstanding member" without just cringing. Somehow, that feels dirtier than just giving the body part its proper name.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a vacation read and I truly enjoyed it. Its really not a romance because that is secondary to the plot, its more historical fiction. I enjoy reading a well researched historical fiction and its makes you think about King John. This book portrays him as a decent King, but a lousy person and I tend to feel that history supports this portrayal.

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the first book in the series, Lady of Roselynde, but this one was boring. Gellis spent way too much time on jousting, tourneys, beseiging castles and not enough time on building the relationships in this story the way she did in the first one.

[Lindig · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gellis' writing style improves with her second book, but still just a readable, not a memorable, book. Book 2 covers Alinor's second marriage to Ian at the time of King John.

[Jan Sample · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am spending my time in medieval England with the Roselynde Chronicles - a good summer reading project

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alinor continues from the first book in the series with another worthy hero. The history is absolutely fascinating.

[Roub · Rating 1 out of 5]

the book had great potential but too many matters of state spoiled it 4 me !

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lot sludgier than I remember it being when I was a kid, but still enjoyable

[Vanessa.Willetts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second time I've read this and it was not as I remembered. It is too slow to get going and not as good as the first.