This author's writing is very similar to that of [a:Bertrice Small|67038|Bertrice Small|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1268081041p2/67038.jpg]. 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 [b:Roselynde|27931|Roselynde (The Roselynde Chronicles, #1)|Roberta Gellis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298419066s/27931.jpg|2271104]. 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.) ( )

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

A good story, but much more a medieval romance than a historical novel. King John's machinations provide background and impetus to the story, but there's nothing specific about it - he could be any ruler with a grudge against the protagonists. I doubt the actual battles mentioned in the story happened, though doubtless similar ones did - unlike in Roselynde and Joanna, the choices made by and about the protagonists don't seem to have much historical effect. It's a very good romance, though - some nicely-handled misunderstanding (a trope I usually hate), solid obstacles of various sorts, and actions entirely in character for every character. Good book. Now I want Gilliane even more. Hope I get it soon. ( )

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. ( )