Tapestry of Dreams

My Opinion:
*sigh*
This cover does not do this book justice as this is not a "bodice ripper." In fact had I seen this book in a book store I would have walked on by and that is a shame as I would have denied myself a very good book.

Our heroine, Lady Audris weaves tapestries of outstanding beauty. But her tapestries have, at times, foretold the future. Whether this is because Audris is psychic or just very aware of what is going on around her you will have to read the book to find out.

She is living in a highly defensible keep known as Iron Fist which is being held for her by her Uncle until she marries. She is the rightful heir but she fears if she marries a man strong enough to manage the place he will displace the Uncle she loves so much. Therefore Audris has vowed not to marry at all. But then Hugh Licorne comes into her life as part of King Stephen’s entourage and all bets are off as they say. But Hugh is landless and not even a knight so how can he possibly even be considered as a suitable husband for the Lady Audris?
There is much Hugh does not know about his parentage as he was raised as a foundling by the mighty Archbishop Thurston and then passed to Earl Walter for training. As Hugh works hard to gain some land for himself so he can be deemed worthy for Audris he learns of his past and finds out the secret of his birth.

This was a truly enjoyable book with a strong love story and well developed characters. There is a strong bit of history too with the battle for control of Britain between Stephen and Matilda. The Scottish invasions play a vital role in the tale as well - there is a bit of gore but there cannot be war without it. Despite the cover the book is more historical novel than anything else. The sex scenes are there but don’t dominate the book. I would love to follow these two on further adventures.

A Tapesty of Dreams is available at Sourcebooks where it is on SALE (as of 5/17/11)
A Tapestry of Dreams is available at Amazon.com


First off I have to say that the story description above does not do this wonderful book by Roberta Gellis justice. In fact, after having read and thoroughly enjoyed A Tapestry of Dreams I’d venture to say that the blurb dry and flat with no hint to the fascination of the story inside. But it was enough to intrigue me and introduce me to characters that far outshone my expectations.

Medieval historicals are not typically at the top of my list of favourite historical romances, but when I discover—belatedly I know—the enthralling storytelling of an author such as Ms Gellis it really doesn’t matter the genre. The story is all, and I found myself locked into Hugh and Audris’s world.

There are plenty of moments where action reigns supreme, and it’s all incredibly detailed; enough so that I often got a more than a little taste of the rough-and-tumble, to put it tamely, way of life way back when. I definitely prefer my history in a book and far removed from my nice comfy reading space. *grin* But it’s the gradual, yet sure, way in which we are led through the story. There’s an inevitability to the romance—and what a romance it is!—and a strong dose of mystery—just who is Hugh, where does he come from?—that, combined with the historical elements, brings a realness and a surprising immediateness to A Tapestry of Dreams.

The story itself is fantastic but the characters, especially Audris and Hugh, are the linchpin. I realise that this is to be expected, but these two, and the unswerving attraction and devotion they have for each other, is where my mind turns, always. They are far more than just fictional characters; they come to life and it is their story with which I found myself, time and again, enthralled and completely enamoured.

Audris is a woman who not only knows her own mind and whose loyalty is unquestioned, but she’s the kind of woman one finds throughout history. Someone who is ahead of their time, and yet content to live her life, but she’s always true to herself and to those she binds herself.

Hugh is a very heroic figure, but he’s much, much more than that. He’s a man dedicated to those he loves and he will always be true to them and to what is right. When, and where, he gives his heart, it is forever. And he’s a man who is more than capable of working long and hard towards his goals.

But it’s together where these two shine and it is their romance, the love they have for each other that adds that touch of… magic that weaves its way throughout the story. And Roberta Gellis has won a new fan; her storytelling itself is magic and I am looking forward to making the acquaintance of other characters whose lives, like Audris and Hugh, capture not only my interest but my imagination. A Tapestry of Dreams is a long book, but it is worth every single page and one to be savoured.

Rated 4½ Delightful Divas by Kathy!



In twelfth century England, Lady Audris, an orphaned heiress, is able to weave visionary tapestries. She has been raised by her Uncle Oliver, not out of love, but because he thought it was the right thing to do for his niece. Oliver’s mother died giving birth to Hugh Licorne, but the father’s identity was never known. When Lady Audris meets Hugh, she does not plan on falling in love with him, but fate has other plans for them.

To Lady Audris, having a husband would mean giving up her home, property, and wealth to a man. Her Uncle Oliver takes care of her estate, and this would leave him homeless. However, after falling in love with Hugh, she is contemplating her future. Hugh Licorne is just a common squire, without land or lineage. He is a warrior who will defend Lady Audris against any enemies. He obtains the King’s blessing, along with Oliver’s, to marry Lady Audris.

Lady Audris and Hugh pledge their loyality to each other, even though he feels unworthy. They immediately begin a search for Hugh’s father, hoping that it will raise him to a higher level in the feudal system. Lady Audris has seen a vision indicating that her love for Hugh would be the downfall of her home and all the people who depend on her. Audris is now facing the challenge of going against her foresight for love. Can she do this to herself and her family?

Tapestry of Dreams is rich in medieval history and fast paced. Against all odds Hugh and Audris search for love. Audris is courageous, and Hugh is honorable. Lose yourself in a romantic love story.

Just like Demoiselle Audris does with her gift, Roberta Gellis has weaved a beautiful historically accurate tale with a sweet love story intertwined within it. The story takes place during a time of English and Scottish history that is full of contradictory documentations of events that took place. This story takes place between 1136 and 1138 along Hadrian’s Wall.

The back of the book description is a little misleading. Hugh did not develop his determination to have Audris until after he was knighted and discovered that Audris shared his affection. Until then Hugh was very well aware that she was above his station and he was not worthy of her. It is obvious from their first meeting that there was an attraction, but both knew that it wasn’t appropriate. I am glad that Ms Gellis maintained that societal constraint of the time.

Not only is the book a beautiful love story, it is a beautifully written story. The author has done an amazing job placing the reader in to the locations of the tale. At one point Audris and Hugh are traveling past a burned village, I swear I could smell the charred wood and flesh that they were exposed to. When Hugh is at the Battle of the Standard, I could feel and understand his disgust at fighting men who were ill-armed or even unarmed. Even the quiet, tranquil parts of the story were beautifully written.

If you are a lover of historical novels or of novels that are well written, I would highly recommend this one. You will not be disappointed.

A Tapestry Of Dreams is a reissue that was originally published in 1985 by Jove Publishing.

I give A Tapestry Of Dreams a 4 Horseshoe rating!!!



Set during in the 12th century, A Tapestry of Dreams takes place in the northern marches where English landowners, caught up in the rivalry between Matilda and Stephen, engage in a bloody struggle against their Scottish neighbors. High atop a rock promontory, Jernaeve is the only English fort unassailable from without. There Lady Audris works at her loom in safety, weaving tapestries prized for beauty and uniqueness. Sometimes, however, she weaves a story of danger yet to come. To avoid accusations of witchcraft, Audris denies foreknowledge. She believes her gift
comes from God; and her people revere her ability to protect them.

Audris is content with her life. She has no wish to marry but when the story of a handsome unicorn begins to develop beneath her shuttle, the lady realizes that neither her heart nor her castle will be impregnable from within.

This fine historical novel was originally published in 1985. This should not deter readers in search of a well-written, thoroughly researched, medieval romance. A Tapestry of Dreams is one to savor.


Score: 5.00 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick

Review:
A Tapestry of Dreams is my introduction to the writing of Roberta Gellis (I had seen her books on different store shelves and book racks before, but have not taken the opportunity to read any of them to date) and I must say that it is a very good introduction indeed.

While the story is a romance, and I enjoyed reading the book for that aspect of it, it is the rest of the story that drew me as well. Ms. Gellis paints a wonderful picture of the time and place she is writing about - both the beauty and the brutality - as well as how different people react to different situations.

All of the characters (Audris, her Uncle Oliver and aunt Eadyth, Hugh, Walter, Thurstan, Ralph) are multi-dimensional and their interactions reflect their personalities and the times they live in.

Good book to put on a keeper shelf!


Putting an interesting spin on the war-torn historical romance, this novel takes the revolutionary step of refusing to choose sides. Caught in the 12th-century English succession war between the Empress Matilda and King Stephen, Lady Audris and her family don’t actually care who wins. They simply want to protect the city of Wark and their subjects from the messy civil war. Similarly, Audris is entirely sympathetic to her uncle’s desire to keep control of her land; rather than branding him as a selfish tyrant, she resolves not to marry rather than dispossess him. Despite this vow, Audris is immediately attracted to dashing suitor Hugh Licorne, but the two are divided by issues of illegitimacy, family loyalty, and wartime expediency. A set of prophetic tapestries and Hugh’s mysterious origins contribute to an enjoyably rich story crammed full of plot. This epic is perfect for readers who like an extra dose of history in their romance.

Format: Paperback

Dimensions
Length: 8 in
Width: 5 in
Weight: 12.00 oz
Page Count: 496 pages