Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

THE ROSE OF YORK: `Love and War' is the debut novel of Sandra Worth that reads a lot like a historical text or master's thesis on the life and times of the very much-maligned King Richard III (1452-1485). Richard III was King for only two years, and in this first novel of a planned trilogy, Ms. Worth chronicles brilliantly his all too brief childhood and the events and the people that molded him into the thoughtful and insightful young man he became. It is powerful; it is heartbreaking; and it is a beautifully told love story that depicts an often frightened man constantly torn by love and honor for family, friends and especially the one woman who was his hearts desire. The historical aspects will give you insights that the casual historical fiction reader has probably never thought of, as I can surely attest to. Whereas I can normally devour a book in a day, this one took me a longer as I had to keep referencing other sources on the lineage of royals. But, oh for the lovers of history, and for those looking forward to a most passionate story of love, this for you is a marvelous treat! The author shows us Richard as a lonely young fellow who idolized his cousin John of Montagu, who looked to the Earl of Warwick as a surrogate father and fell in love with the Earl's daughter, Anne Neville. It was a horrible age where brother went against brother as politics, greed, and marriages entered into the mix. Richard would have to make the heart wrenching decision to choose sides and it appeared that his love for Anne would fall victim to politics, and family loyalty. Richard is painted as a truly good, honorable and kind youth who became a pawn, used and abused by his brother, the King, Edward IV. The choices he made for honor and love of kin, at a cost to his own heartache will leave you shaking your head and wiping tears of sympathy for the injustices of that period - not only for him but also for Anne. Whether intentional or not, I found that the secondary romance between John Neville, Lord Montagu and his wife Isobel to be pure poetry. The love depicted between John and his wife, who was also such a special friend to Richard, was depicted so beautifully that it simply took my breath away. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this planned trilogy and if the tone and finesse imbued in this, her debut novel is any indication of what to expect we are all in for a marvelous treat. ---- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for [...]