Hear Sandra's interview  on Houston Public Radio.
(Scroll to the bottom of the HPR webpage for the link).


Read  the  May 2007 Romantic Times article  about
the Rose of York Series. (You'll need Adobe Reader
to view the pdf file. Get the free download here).


For more interviews, go to  About the author  page.

For more reviews, see the  Reviews  page.



HOUSTON PRESS
Arts & Entertainment
Sandra Worth
A historical novelist with an expertise in feudal England
comes to Borders
By Nick Keppler
Published: January 10, 2008

The Wars of the Roses isn’t one of the more History Channel-worthy conflicts, but its passionate lords and ladies, who undergo constant tests of loyalty and carry out delicate espionage missions, have made it fine fodder for the historical romances of Sandra Worth, a University of Toronto--educated expert on medieval England. She’s coming to Borders today to sign copies of Fall from Grace, the newly released conclusion to her multiple award-winning Rose of York cycle. The saga is about a battle within the kingdom’s royalty during a violent, dangerous era. (Did Richard III really kill the young princes? Did he really poison his wife so he could marry his niece?) The series has been applauded for its fine research, well-rounded characters and deviance from Shakespeare’s over-the-top portrayal of Richard III. Worth signs today at 2 p.m. 3025 Kirby.
For information, call 713–524–0200  or visit www.sandraworth.com. Free.
Sat., Jan. 12, 2 p.m., 2008



By PATTI CARMACK
News Lifestyles Editor
The Ponca City News
December 5th, 2004



Although The Rose of York Love and War is a fictional book written by Sandra Worth, it is based on reality. The situation existed. The War of the Roses, and the people portrayed were major players in world history. The book is written so well that one can believe the characters, their feelings; their very lives are indeed truth, not fable.

As the story evolves, the reader finds herself enmeshed in the grim realities of life in the mid 1400s, the politics that created kings (and queens) or led to their downfall. It is a love story (that of Richard III and Anne Neville) but not the material ordinarily found in a romance novel. The book makes each person familiar, someone you have known a long time. When the kingmaker, also known as the Earl of Warwick, struggles to ensure his family's position and wealth, you feel you know his reasons, and his deep-seated need to create a viable kingdom. You may disagree, but there is no doubt as to his sincerity, and you can review the history of the times as though you were actually there, such is the writer's skill.

The names of Cromwell, Marguerite d'Anjou, King Edward IV, the Lancastrians and the Yorkists, the Woodvilles and the Greys are familiar to the student of history. Shakespeare's rendering of Richard as a villain provides an additional window into the history of early England, and until now was the primary characterization of Richard.

Previously nominated for a Dorothy Parker award, the book is published by End Table Books. If you enjoy history, romance and a good read, this book is for you.



THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
July 7, 2004
Author Taps into British History
By Deborah Fletcher
Chronicle Correspondent


Sandra Worth's fascination with a portrait of England's King Richard III in London's National Gallery catapulted her into a career she never anticipated.
Ten years later, the Memorial-area resident has just published her first book on the 15th century monarch, has a second book due out later this year and has completed a third.
“I never planned to write a book,” said Worth, who has made Houston her home for 20 years.
“But I was drawn to him. He was a handsome young man with sad eyes and a gentle face that didn't fit with the image I had of him.”
When she returned home, Worth went through every book in the Houston Public Library about Richard III, then scoured the librairies at Rice University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas. She spent the next year researching libraries all over the United States, made several trips to England, and the next nine years writing.
The result was “The Rose of York,” a three-book series chronicling the life of the legendary king, who was characterized as a villain by William Shakespeare. Her first book, “The Rose of York: Love & War,” is a tale of the love affair between Richard III and his wife, Anne Neville.
Worth says her books portray Richard as a soulful, warrior king, who loved beauty and was dedicated to justice.
“Shakespeare said he met, married and murdered his wife, Anne Neville, in six weeks, but that wasn't true,” Worth said.
“Shakepeare was a prime example of the victor writing history. He wrote for the Tudors.”
It was Henry Tudor (King Henry VII) who killed Richard III in 1485, and claimed the throne.
Worth's experience writing and researching the books has also spilled over into her life in Houston.
She was so affected by her ability to research 14th century documents in the Manuscripts Room of the British Library in London that she became involved in the movement to preserve Harris County's historic documents.
The Houston Bar Foundation Preservation Project seeks to protect old Harris County documents.
“Holding in my hands books that Richard III held in his hands over 600 years ago was thrilling,” Worth said.
“I know what it means to have access for future generations to be able to see the documents that were part of their heritage.”
But, some things, she said, never change.
“A lot of the themes and values that I've encountered are displayed in (Richard III's) life,” Worth said.
“One of them was greed, and greed unleashed a lot of heartbreak and devastation over the country.”
She said, “I've seen the same thing happen here with the behavior of our corporate leaders.”



For more reviews, see the  Reviews  page.
For interviews, go to  About the author  page.



THE WIMBERLY VIEW
February 1, 2004
FEATUREVIEW
By Mary Elizabeth Davis
with the View
BOOK STRIVES TO CORRECT HISTORY


Houston novelist Sandra Worth firmly believes people have gotten the wrong idea about England's King Richard III.
Worth was one of more than 20 authors featured in Katherine Anne Porter's Writers Round-Up Jan. 14.
Many readers get a notion about Richard through William Shakespeare's famous play. The public's perception is Richard III was so hungry for power that he stole the English crown, murdered his two nephews and neglected his queen.
Worth theorizes Richard's reputation was maligned by propaganda installed by the Tudors, the king's bitter enemies.
“In an age of beheadings and torture he (Shakespeare) was trying to please the Tudors," Worth said. “The Tudors perfected propaganda and Henry VII perfected the art of torture. I had a sense he (Richard) was nothing like his portrayal. It's an injustice.”
In her historical novel, “The Rose of York: Love & War,” Worth sees the 15th century king in a different light. He instituted changes in the judicial system. He jeopardized his political support to bring justice to the common man. He was so much in love with his wife, Anne, that he tore down a castle wall so she could enjoy the scenery.
“Richard's brief reign held greatness and bright promise for the future. He was a justician. He gave us bail, the presumption of innocence and “Blind Justice,” Worth said. “He is known as the ultimate villain, but he was the hero.”
Worth's first book, published last November by End Table Books, will be followed by two more novels: “The Rose of York: Crown of Destiny” and “The Rose of York: Fall of Grace.”
“This is the love story of Richard and Anne Neville, who is the daughter of a traitor. They were cousins who were brought together by love, but were swept away by war,” Worth said. “It's all true. It's all based on fact.”



For more reviews, see the  Reviews  page.
For interviews, go to  About the author  page.

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