The Rose of York: Love and War is the debut novel of Sandra Worth. And what an outstanding debut! Sandra Worth's novel opens the door to Richard and his world, powerfully and unforgettably. It is not surprising her work gained awards even before publication.
Through the prose of this gifted author, we watch Richard grow from boyhood, ripped from what remains of his shreds of security, to manhood in a time of great unrest and bloodshed. Worth's Richard is a good man, living in bad times. Indeed, Richard's lodestar is honour during a time when dishonour contaminated so many. Exhibiting one of the strengths of historical fiction, the novel's parallels with our modern world are unavoidable.
From an often frightened and apprehensive boy, Richard develops into a deep-thinking man capable of great love, falling in love early in his life with his cousin Anne Neville - a woman proving to be his soul-mate. Worth skilfully etches their love story to touch our hearts, a love-story also aflame with hope in a time often so dark and despairing.
All Richard wished for was to remain faithful. But he soon discovered that his faithfulness meant heartbreaking choices, coming at a hard cost to himself. He can do nothing to prevent those he loves from being destroyed by ambition and pride, of themselves and others. Nor can he prevent his kin from battling it out for England's crown. He discovers he can only remain true to himself, and hold his loyalty to his heart like a shield allowing his true self to survive, but he is still tossed by the wheel of fortune into life he has no desire for.
Sandra Worth's novel brings Richard alive. We feel for him and the dilemmas he faces as he strives to live a good life, a life of honour. All Worth's characters are powerfully depicted, as too is their medieval world, made real and believable by a writer with an ability to weave a tapestry threaded with both colour and harshness.
This beautifully written novel touched my heart and made me weep.
About Sandra Worth:
Sandra Worth holds an honours B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Toronto and was first published at twenty-three by U of T Press. She is a frequent contributor of articles to The Ricardian Register, the quarterly publication of the U.S. Richard III Society and has been published by Blanc Sanglier, the publication of the Yorkshire, England, branch of the Richard III Society.
Sandra has been invited to teach the Wars of the Roses Course at Suite University, commencing in late 2003.LOVE AND WAR, her debut novel agented by Irene Kraas, Irene Kraas Literary Agency, is nominated for the 2003 Dorothy Parker Award, awarded by the Reviewers International oganization. Sandra is the winner of the following writing prizes:
The 2003 Bay Area Writers League Open Manuscript First Place Award of $1500.
The 2002 Gardenia Press AnnualFirst Novel competition
The Grand Prize in the 2000 Authorlink International New Author Awards Competition, judged by Thomas J. Colgan, Senior Editor, The Berkley Publishing Group (Penguin Putnam) and held in conjunction with the University of Georgia where she was flown by Authorlink to receive her certificate and $500 cash award.
The First Place Award of $100 in the Historical/Western category of the Authorlink International New Author Awards Competition.
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