A rare true love contrasts with the awful sadness and brutality of the time

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	• Lady of the Roses: A Novel of the Wars of the Roses Sandra Worth Berkley Trade, 2008 - 416 pages average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Love Transcends Violence

A charge in Queen Marguerite's Lancastrian court, fifteen-year-old Isobel has many suitors for her hand, but she loves only Sir John Neville, a Yorkist. In the 1400s, during the Wars of the Roses, the rules of the day forbid such a pairing.

Isobel must overcome adversities of pressure from an arrogant suitor who thinks he is entitled to her, manipulation of a rival in the Queen's court, and the transformation of her kindly uncle into the Butcher of England. All this and more takes place in a background of knights and soldiers coloring acts of war as attempts to make peace.

If Isobel and John's romance is to survive they must overcome being miles away from each other, longing for the day weeks or months away when they will again speak, kiss, touch.

Lady of the Roses is written for the reader who wants a historically-correct powerful romance. Educated in Toronto, Worth's expertise is rewarded as a frequent lecturer on The Wars of the Roses.

Fierce emotion brings history to life. The dialogue is reminiscent of the time, m'lady. Good pacing between love and war keeps you turning the pages.
You may fantasize about the passionate time when lovers kissed goodbye not knowing whether the man would return from the Wars of the Roses.

I'd like to see the story optioned for a movie!

Review by Shara Smock author of book titles including Hooking the Reader: Opening Lines that Sell. [...]

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Review for "Lady of the Roses..."

Beautifully researched, exquisitely played out and described. I've read Sandra Worth's three other books, "Rose of York: Love & War", "Rose of York: Crown of Destiny", and, "Rose of York: Fall from Grace", but this is my favorite by far. Reading "...Crown of Destiny", I knew John Neville's fate, but this did not ruin the experience for me, it only made me more anxious to read the moments before.

Isobel Ingoldesthorpe is, at 15, recently orphaned and is taken under Queen Marguerite d'Anjou as her ward, making Isobel virtually Lancastrian. She falls in love with John Neville, the Earl of Warwick's brother, a staunch Yorkist. He and his family aren't just Yorkist, they are the Yorkists. When Isobel asks for Marguerite's consent, she obliges, with a large fee, milking the Yorkist family.

John and Isobel's love survives poverty, war, and feud, making it one that can truly capture the senses. If you're a reader who loves historical accuracy and fiction weaved through without impugning the purity, this is truly a book you are not soon to forget. You might need prior knowledge of this era to understand some themes and occurrences, albeit [Sandra Worth]'s literary talent.

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Amid the Turmoil of the War of the Roses

Sandra Worth's Lady of the Roses tells the historically factual story of Lady Isobel Ingoldesthorpe, heiress of a Lancastrian house, and her love for and marriage to Sir John Neville, Yorkist son of her family's political enemy. Anyone familiar with the War of the Roses will recognize that this was an unusual situation; this was a love match that was allowed despite political misgivings, and it flourished throughout a tempestuous period when family loyalities were of the utmost importance. Ms. Worth has taken the facts and brought them to life and given us insight to probable motivations and actions in the process.

The story opens as Lady Isobel meets Sir John and almost instantly falls in love, as teenagers are wont to do. Though there are many obstacles to their union, Isobel and John are at last allowed to marry, and by all accounts, had a truly happy and loving marriage. Narrated by Isobel, we follow the couple through the births of their children, John's battles, the political maneuverings, and the subsequent rise and fall of the House of York. Worth does a fine job of helping us to see how helpless Isobel feels as she's left behind while her husband leaves for battle, and the theme of family loyalty is driven home relentlessly as the story moves to its inevitably sad conclusion.

Overall I enjoyed this novel very much, and I appreciate Worth's ability to breathe life into cold historical facts. I enjoyed the tale as told from Isobel's point of view; I definitely feel that it balanced the story to see her as a Lancastrian married into the heart of York. Having read many books of the period based on either Edward IV or Richard III, I was glad to get a different perspective on events. I did have a few problems with the story, however. At times Worth tends to be too "flowery", particularly when having Isobel and John express their love for one another. I also felt Isobel had a bit too much freedom for a titled young woman of the times; for example, though I liked the idea of her dressing as a nun to warn the Yorkists of a trap, I know that there was no way she could have escaped for an overnight jaunt without causing a disturbance, particularly as one of the queen's ladies. Finally, I found it highly unbelievable that Isobel would dress seductively and dance in front of a group of men, albeit to entice her husband. While Worth is a wonderful storyteller, moments like those pulled me out of the story immediately and gave the tale more of a "romance" feel than an historical one.

Ultimately, though, Worth has a gifted way of taking English history and not only bringing it to life, but giving it a sense of immediacy and relevance. This is a gem of an historical novel, and a rare look at crucial events in England's history from someone who actually lived through them. Ms. Worth continues to give us quality historical fiction that is accessible and enlightening. Recommended.

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History is never more alive

History is never more alive than when explored through a fictional accounting. With extensive research and a passion for an era, an author can enlighten readers and pay homage to the past. Sandra Worth does so in her novel "Lady of the Roses." This intense work of art brings life to English history during the times of the War of the Roses with as much rich vibrancy as the castle tapestries that are woven into the tale.

A classic love story, and one that was likely the inspiration for many others that we know and cherish, Sir John Neville and Lady Isobel Ingoldesthorpe's tale is exquisitely bittersweet. At fifteen, Isobel was orphaned and became a ward of Queen Marguerite and King Henry VI. Her marriage would bring a decent price for the queen, but Isobel boldly requested that she be married for love instead. Such a thing was truly rare in the days of arranged marriages. Isobel was drawn by fate to meet John, and her heart would not be happy until they were wed. Favors do cost when bequeathed by royalty. During the struggle for marriage greater struggles were occupying the lands. Battles raged and many lives were lost. The red rose rivaled the white as brother fought brother, cousin slay cousin, and friends became foes. Treason was the common crime for those in dungeons and for those beheaded. How it came to be that Isobel and John were able to wed and live life through it all is a great tale.

Titles changed with the blowing of the wind and the troubles this caused, and heartache it inspired are worthy of a modern day soap opera. With such changes the futures of the young heirs changed as well, with marriages being arranged at birth and carried out at even the age of eight. The king's throne being the highest in ruling the land, many questioned the sanity of a queen's influence. The lifetime of this novel shows the insanity of two queens who essentially ruled the throne and subsequently caused many deaths and sorrows. The years of 1456 through 1476 are played out in "Lady of the Roses" with the intensity of battle and the decadence of pure love.

Sandra Worth has brought to life Sir John Neville, of whom no biography has yet to be found, but much is accounted to and admired for. Her research of his deeds and character are plain to be seen. Dear Isobel, our narrator, becomes a cherished companion to the reader. Seeing the times and strife through the eyes of first a young girl of fifteen and then as a young woman in love, and later as a mother and dedicated wife truly opens a window into the past. The writing is rich with precise details, lush scenery, and blunt bloodshed. Weaving in the authorship of the unparalleled tales of King Arthur and Sir Lancelot is a delightful inclusion. I look forward to further reading of this accomplished author.

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A rare true love contrasts with the awful sadness and brutality of the time

This latest novel by Sandra Worth tells the story of the tumultuous time in English history known as The War of the Roses. The conflict between the Lancaster and York houses is told from the viewpoint of Isobel Ingoldensthorpe, a Lancastrian and ward of Queen Margarite of Anjou. Isobell lays eyes on John Neville, a prominent Yorkist, and it's love at first sight...for both of them.

In a time of so much sadness and loss, fate allows the love between these two to grow and flourish. In another kind twist of fate, Queen Margurite actually allows these two to marry, athough it was helped along by John's Father, Isobel's Uncle, and a ridiculously huge bride price. The fact that two lovers from these warring families were actually allowed to wed was rare indeed and I can't help but think, although historically not much is known about their marriage, it must've indeed been true love or they wouldn't have moved heaven and earth to marry.

This, however, is not a happy ending fairy tale. After all, it was a time of war!! As the country is torn apart by what just may be the biggest and bloodiest family fued in history, their love and marriage is tested time and again. John shows prowess as a military commander so is constantly involved in one battle after another. Betrayals by the ruthless and power hungry are common place and sides are switched so many times it'll make your head spin. All this, of course, takes a toll on women, children, and the common people who have little to do with the fueds of the nobles.

The author does a great job describing the tension and conflicts of the time. From the elation at the promise of peace at last to the let down when yet another fued, and the ensuing battles, flares up. Warwick, the Kingmaker, was brilliantly portrayed as were most of the secondary characters. Also, Isobel's uncle "The Butcher of England" is portrayed as a man who loves to read poems and love stories yet is capable of torture and inflicting unimaginable pain all in the name of peace.

There were two characters whose portrayal I wasn't too sure about though. Elizabeth Woodville, is portrayed as being so evil that there's practically no redeeming quality about her whatsoever. I realize this is pretty common depiction of her but I can't help but wonder was she really that bad or was she, as women often are, merely a scapegoat for the horrible brutality of the times. Also Somerset initially was a evil would be rapist who suddently 2/3 of the was through the novel turns into a sweet sentimental man who only wanted to be with Isobel. Huh? How'd that happen? It wouldn've been nice to have some explanation of what caused that total 180.

Overall this was an enjoyable novel and I appreciated all the historical research that went into it. I like how the author used the premise of a romance to craft a great novel that is essentially a tale of The Wars of the Roses. The love between John and Isobel is really just a context or background. I thought it was a great story and would recommend it. 4/5 stars.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

During her short time as a ward in Queen Marguerite's Lancastrian court, fifteen-year-old Isobel has had many suitors ask for her hand, but the spirited beauty is blind to all but Yorkist Sir John Neville. It is nothing short of a miracle when the Queen allows Isobel's marriage to the enemy, albeit at a hefty price. All around Isobel and John rages a lawless war. It is only their passion that can see them through the bloody siege of London by the Duke of York, the violent madness of Queen Marguerite, and the devolution of Isobel's meek uncle into the Butcher of England. For theirs is an everlasting love that fears not the scratch of thorns, from either the Red Rose or the White.

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