Roan Rose
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Books We Love, Ltd.
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: This book was given to by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
READ AN EXCERPT.
Loyalty Binds Her.
More like a gangland war for turf and loot than chivalry, the War of Roses disrupted the life of the English commoners for hundreds of years. Roan Rose is the story of one of them, a girl born on the Yorkshire dales. When the Countess of Warwick decides to take sturdy, gentle Rose to Middleham Castle to be companion and bed-time poppet for her youngest daughter, Anne, her fate is changed forever. Rose bears intimate witness to the passions, betrayals, battles and all the reversals of fortune which will shape her lady's life and her own. Anne Neville will briefly become a Queen, and Richard, Rose's secret love, will become a King, one whose name has become synonymous with evil. When her King is betrayed and slain at Bosworth Field, Rose returns to a peasant's hard life. She has one final service to perform.
My Review: Roan Rose tells the story of the War of The Roses from a unique perspective, that of Anne of York’s (queen to Richard III). Unlike most books of the Wars of the Roses, which focuses on the politics and machinations of the nobility, this novel shows how the war affected the peasants. Rose, who at ten, leaves her poor household and abusive father to become the servant of Anne of York. There she forms a bond between her and falls in love with the young Richard. The novel then continues to the rise and fall of Richard III’s reign.
Rose’s life before she came to Middleham was a hard life. Her father resents her, her mother and her family because they were not the sons he wanted. Because of this, he abused his family and treated them less than cattle. Her life changes when she goes to Middleham. There she learns about the hardships of her class. She treats Anne like a sister, yet she falls for Richard knowing that because of their class it cannot happen. She also learns life changing lessons from the servants that she foreshadows would help her when she has to go back to poverty after Richard III’s death. Rose is a strong heroine and she overcomes trials and hardships.
This book is sympathetic to Richard. Because Rose loves him, she sees his good qualities and defends his controversies, though sometimes she is suspicious of him. I found her love for Richard a bit uncomfortable. For she loves her best friend, Anne, yet she wants Richard for herself. That doesn’t seem to be fair to Anne. There are also some scenes of domestic abuse that I did not like. Yet, it is important to the novel because it shows the pressure that women had in that time.
Overall, this is a very human account of The Wars of The Roses for it shows Rose’s struggles, pain, joys, and triumphs. It is about friendship, love, choices, and hope. It is also about how to make the best of your situation. The novel is very well-written, and I like how we see the life of Anne of York and Richard III from the perspective of an average woman. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the War of The Roses, Longbourn, and fans of Downton Abbey.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Praise for Roan Rose
"a beautiful story of love and loyalty set during the tumultuous reign of Richard III"
"I loved the strength of this woman"
"This author has a powerful sense of Time and Place"
"Waldron certainly knows her history.Yet despite its accuracy. Roan Rose is ultimately a book about character".
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Hand-Me-Down Bride
Publication Date: October 26, 2013
Books We Love, Ltd.
eBook; ASIN: B00G8OYHFG
Genre: Historical Romance
To help her impoverished family, Sophie agrees to marry a wealthy older man in far off America. Less than twenty-four hours after she arrives in German's Mill, Pennsylvania, events have taken a far stranger turn than anything she could have imagined.
Set in Post-Civil War Pennsylvania, this tale of an arranged marriage gone wrong is as much family saga as it is a romance. Sophie is a sensitive young woman trying to make sense of her past and to understand the unfamiliar ways of her new homeland. Karl Joe is not only a veteran of the great war, but scarred by the secret violence of his privileged childhood. How they learn to trust each other and how they discover love is the beating heart of this old time story.
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Angel's Flight
Publication Date: September 9, 2012
Books We Love, Ltd.
eBook; ASIN: B0098CSH5Q
Genre: Historical Romance
READ AN EXCERPT.
Angelica is a Patriot heiress, stalked by a brutal, fortune-hunting British officer. Forced to trust Jack, the mystery man who pledges to take her on a dangerous war-time journey to her Albany home, she expects to encounter brigands, Tories and Indians. What she doesnít expect is to lose her heart along the way.
Praise for Angel's Flight
"It's quite a journey. If you like detailed historical novels, road romances, and war stories, then Angel's Flight is for you." -IRRS @ Amazon
"This story has heart." -Linda @ Romance Studio
"I found Juliet Waldron's attention to detail and historical accuracy refreshing and entertaining... a unique voice. Readers will be transported to a time of peril, divided loyalties and intrigue as Angelica triumphs over threats and danger." -Southern Gal @ Amazon
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About the Author
"Not all who wander are lost." Juliet Waldron earned a B. A. in English, but has worked at jobs ranging from artist's model to brokerage. Thirty years ago, after the boys left home, she dropped out of 9-5 and began to write, hoping to create a genuine time travel experience for herself--and for her readers. She loves her grand-girls and her kitties, likes to take long hikes, and reads historical/archeological non-fiction as well as reviewing for the Historical Novel Society. For summer adventure, she rides behind her husband of 50 years on his "bucket list" (black, and ridiculously fast) Hyabusa motorcycle.
You can find more information at www.julietwaldron.com or connect with Juliet on Facebook.
Juliet Waldron Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, October 6
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes
Monday, October 13
Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, October 29
Review at Book Nerd (Hand-Me-Down Bride)
Monday, November 3
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective (Roan Rose)
Monday, November 10
Review at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews (Roan Rose)
Saturday, November 15
Guest Post at Romantic Historical Lovers
Tuesday, November 18
Review at TeacherWriter (Roan Rose)
Monday, November 24
Review at Book Nerd (Roan Rose)
Tuesday, November 25
Guest Post at TeacherWriter (Roan Rose)
Thursday, November 27
Spotlight at Let Them Read Books
Giveaway
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Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on December 1st and notified via email.
Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
I assume that Juliet is from America, even though the themes seem to be spread between England and America. All the best with your writing, Juliet, and thank you, Lauralee, for some very interesting and insightful reviews.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Juliet. Wishing you all the best with your books and the tour.
ReplyDelete