I'm a huge fan of historical fictions, and was curious to read about Isobel Ingoldesthorpe, who had married into the Neville family during the War of the Roses period.

I was....slightly disappointed at the interpretation of Isobel's life throughout the War of the Roses. While there are no evidence to suggest the type of person she may of been, this version of what she may have been was a little much. While marrying for love, is very sweet and almost unheard of during that time period, I didn't know it was necessary to stress repeatedly that Isobel had married John for love and everything they endured was because of that love. I mean look at all the other well known females during that time, Cecily Neville, Margaret of Anjou, etc., who had all endured a lot, not only for love but also for duty. So I don't see why Isobel would be the exception. Sure all the loving moments are nice, especially given all the conflicts and fighting throughout the book, but it gets a little much. For the most part, Isobel was very simple minded and oblivious to most of what is happening aside from her own family, which gets a little annoying as the story of the War of the Roses is told from her point of view. Plus, Isobel randomly galloping off to search for help or ask for help gets really repetitive and just feels like the author wants to make it seem like she is doing something of importance instead of being a secondary character devoid of much character development or personality.

Also, I did not think everyone would really call Margaret the "bitch of Anjou" repeatedly, that got a little too much. While Margaret certainly wasn't popular, calling her that repeatedly by various key figures gets old really fast.

I did like how Edward IV wasn't idolized incessantly, unlike other books. Because all kings have their flaws, and he certainly wasn't the god like king everything had initially believed. Also, we get to see Warwick from a completely different view, in terms of being a leader and ambitious person who sought to change the ruling of England for the better and not just as a power hungry man. ( )

Love the historical fiction! This was a good one. ( )

I enjoyed this novel; this period of the War of the Roses is a period I'm very familiar with; from other books I'd read I had already developed a high regard for John Neville, and that was the reason I wanted to read this book. Most of the historical details were already familiar to me, the love story was okay, perhaps a bit overdone.

Toward the end of the novel, we read a very touching letter from John to Isobel, written on the eve of the battle where John loses his life. This letter draws heavily from a letter written during the American Civil War by a soldier named Sullivan Ballou; a beautiful rendition of the reading of the letter is a part of the Greg Burns PBS Civil War series. Ms Worth gives credit in her author's notes; but I wish she had created a letter of her own. The beautiful, touching phrases which make me cry belong to Sullivan Ballou, and it seems a shame to borrow them for someone else. ( )

Lady of the Roses is the story of Isabel Ingoldsthorpe who was married to John Neville, brother of Warwick "The Kingmaker".

While I am by no means an expert in British History, from what I know, this account of this chapter of the Wars of the Roses is historically accurate.

But to me this was a trite and predictable love story with a little murder, mayhem and political intrigue thrown in. In my mental bookstore this goes in Young Adult Historical Romance. ( )

THE LADY OF ROSES is a true love story of the medieval ancestors of both Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. What makes the book even more fascinating this love story is based on actual facts. It centers around 15th-century England, on the brink of civil war. In the middle of this political turmoil, Isobel Ingoldesthorpe, a Lancastrian, and John Neville, a Yorkist fall in love and against all odds, marry.

King Henry is mentally and physically ill. Queen Marguerite is left to rule, but the Yorkist are unsettled under her leadership.John Neville’s brother is the Earl of Warwick is rich, powerful, and mistrusts the French queen. Warwick unseats Henry with Yorkist Edward of March.

Not too long after Edward takes the crown, he marries Elizabeth Woodville in secret, against Warwick’s wishes. Woodville demands land and titles for her relatives. She proves more vicious than the previous queen and war breaks out again.

Throughout, John and Isobel strive for peace. This isn’t possible as the War of the Roses rages around them. Sandra Worth threads together the most bittersweet love story since Romeo and Juliet. Her love for this time period shines through with her carefully sketched characters.

Be sure to stay tuned to the next installment, The King’s Daughter, a novel on the life of Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII. After reading LADY OF THR ROSES, you won’t want to miss it.

In the meantime, don't miss the ROSE OF YORK TRILOGY: LOVE & WAR, CROWN OF DESTINY, and FALL FROM GRACE.

Note: A copy of this will be raffled off at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/ ( )