So this week I have been devouring the latest historical novel by Anne Easter Smith.  On the very day that I was reading about the birth of Richard the Third in Queen By Right, I heard an interview on the radio announcing that his remains (found last year under a car park in England) have been positively identified.  The news and the book prompted me to find out more about him and I was interested to learn there is a whole society dedicated to setting the record straight about his incredible life and family.  It would seem Shakespeare took some great liberties with his retelling and I encourage you to try out Smith’s novels if you are interested in being interested in the people and the history surrounding the Wars of the Roses.  Anne Easter Smith has certainly succeeded in igniting my interest in this long ago time and place, which is something my high school socials studies classes failed to do!

Try her books, I think you will be as interested as I am with her portrayal of this time in England’s history and I know that you will fall in love with the female protagonists that she weaves her stories around (this latest one revolves around Richard III’s mother, Cecily Neville).  I now have a picture in my mind of life for the women of that time and place and I have Smith to thank for that while I eagerly await her next book in the series!

P.S.  It has been over a year since I read her first book, A Rose for the Crown.  I am tempted to re-read it now as I am all fired up about learning more about the adulthood of Richard III where my current read leaves off.  Would you believe, I just finished some internet research on the subject?  This is a first for me and I now realize that the web is a fantastic place for a history lesson (something I never bothered trying before today).