The Virgin Widow

O'Brien (Compromised Miss) explores the Wars of the Roses in her first historical romance for NAL. When Richard Neville, earl of Warwick, plots to marry his daughters Anne and Isobel to King Edward's brothers, Richard and Clarence, Edward disapproves of the earl's ambition. Neville joins with Clarence to rebel against Edward; their failure leads the Nevilles to France and the exiled Lancasters. Anne's father promotes her as a possible bride for Edward Lancaster, though Anne's passion for her onetime fiancé Richard, now on the other side of the battle, is unabated. No matter how the rebellion goes, Anne is trapped with a husband she does not want and no way to reach the man she loves. O'Brien has excellent control over the historical material and a rich sense of characterization, making for a fascinating and surprisingly female-focused look at one of the most turbulent periods of English history. (Nov.)