Blood of Roses: Edward IV and Towton

The Falcon and the Sun: The House of York #1

by J.P. Reedman

Richard Duke of York lies dead outside the walls of Sandal Castle, lured to his death by false talk of a Christmas truce. His second son Edmund, aged just seventeen, is murdered by Butcher Clifford, his blood staining the cobbles of Wakefield bridge outside the chapel where he had vainly sought sanctuary. The House of York has fallen...but not for long. The Lancastrian army of Margaret of Anjou has reaped the whirlwind with the treacherous slaughter at Wakefield. Edward of March, Duke Richard's heir, is coming after them, tall, handsome, young and a fearsome warrior...and he wants vengeance for the death of his father and beloved younger brother. He fights his foes at Mortimer's Cross, where Three Suns mysteriously appear in the sky as an omen, and then fares on through an unseasonal snowstorm to the field of Towton...and victory in the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. The prize--the Crown of England. From the author of the I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET series A novella of 25,000 words

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, British Literature, Royalty

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2018

About the author

Born in Canada, J.P. Reedman has been a UK resident for over 30 years. She has been writing since the age of 5, and preferred genres are fantasy and historical (or a mixture of both.) Interests are British history and prehistory, especially the neolithic and bronze ages, archaeology, anthropology and features of the countryside. She is author of the STONEHENGE SAGA a novel that places the legends of King Arthur back into the bronze age, and a number of works about King Richard III, including the epic, I RICHARD PLANTAGENET, which, with both parts combined, is over 250,000 words long and written from Richard's first person perspective. She is also the author of the bestselling medieval novel, MY FAIR LADY, about the little known Queen, Eleanor of Provence which is first in an ongoing series about lesser-known medieval noblewoman. 13 SO FAR!

Reviews

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"crown is on the head of the wrong man,” smirked the soldier, “but not for long I’ll warrant."

Three Suns shone in the sky near the village of Mortimer’s Cross upon that Candlemas morning…

“God is sending us a sign that the day will be lost. These three suns are an evil omen! An omen of death!”

Three Suns caught on the edge of the great blade and turned it to lambent flame.

there were three sons of York for their leader had two younger brothers, George and Richard.

One of the bloodiest but lesser known battles in English history

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read!

While some history textbooks are interesting and quite easy to read, it is also fair to say that many are written by historians who do not seem to mind that their works are either lofty, dull, or both.

The beauty of historical fiction is that it has the power to make history accessible to those who otherwise would know little of the events presented in its pages, and to create interest in those men and women who made history through their words, actions and achievements.

Reedman’s historical fiction is both very readable and enjoyable.

‘Blood of Roses: Edward IV and Towton’ tells the story of the events during the Wars Of The Roses that resulted in the coronation of Edward, Earl Of March as King Edward IV. The author has brought history to life on these pages, transforming historical figures into vividly portrayed characters and the reader into an onlooker during those pivotal moments in English history.

As one who has read and studied the history of this period in detail, I found the fictionalised story to be interwoven seamlessly with the account of historical events. Reedman’s narrative is smooth and fluent, and the plot and action of the story are well paced and exciting.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood and Gore abound in this dark period drama

The Cousins War had degenerated into a cruel and hateful business, marking the end of the Age of Chivalry that marked the Middle Ages. Edward, a lusty and handsome teenager, receives the worst possible news - that both his father, the Duke of York, and older brother, Edmund, have been tricked and cruelly slain during a Christmas truce. A young man could crumble in grief and horror, and fear for his own life, but not Edward. This is a truly fascinating and remarkable chapter in English history, all the more so for the horrific slaughter that follows at Towton, still the biggest loss of life in a single day of any battle on British soil. A well researched and written account that keeps you gripped from start to finish, in mortified and grizzly fascination.

[Suzanne Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, but not great

Even before I had read 20 pages, I had counted 6 typos. By the time I was at 25%, I counted about 15 more.

The story is basically good, but it needs a good proofreader and/or editor. I have enjoyed many books by this author. Each has been a very solid story, without all the typos. I figure this book fell through the cracks!

My favorite period of time is when Edward IV and Richard III reigned. And this book was during that time. I like all her books, but the story of Eleanor, Prince Author's sister, has to be my most favorite. So touching, I just teared up in several places.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a very bloody time in English history! The bulk of the novel is about the battles that were between the Lancastrians and the Yorks. They were all about revenge and who would take over as King of England. A lot of this is based in fact or at laast what the author took as the facts--According to her there were several renditions of a couple of the battles!

If you like historical novels you will love this book!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved it! Despite a few grammatical and spelling errors, this is a great account of Edward IV's road to becoming King. I typically don't like to read battle scenes, as I tend to find them boring, but not with this. It's an amazing novella and highly recommended for any fan of the war of the roses. I will also mention that I am a fan of the author.

[Lis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The historical accuracy and research is top notch! But unless you're into "just" battles, there's not much to this very short book. It reminded me of a movie that's about 10% story line and 90% car chases.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a story as a recounting of the battles when Edward IV first came to the throne, showing just how awful and bloody they were, not shying away from both the violence and how deeply personal and grudge-filled the War of the Roses was.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great the story of Edward IV and the battle of Towson

[Patricia Luxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

I rate this book for its strong characterisation and historical accuracy. Very entertaining, I recommend this to any history lover

[Jennifer Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love history and this book.

Empowered my understanding and knowledge. An interest in this era and history itself makes it a joy to read. Great.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella about the early battles—Mortimer’s Cross, second St. Albans, and Towton—of the young Edward IV after the death of his father and brother at Wakefield. Interesting depictions of him, his friend Hastings, and particularly Warwick, the ‘Kingmaker.”