Anne Neville, the daughter of the mighty and powerful Earl of Warwick, is living in an era of blood, violence, and life threatening betrayal. It's the war of the roses, and two royal families (York and Lancaster) are engaged in a long standing battle for the throne of England.

Anne finds herself, a young teenager amongst all the bitter turmoil, falling madly in love with a boy she has known since she was a young girl; a strapping, ambitious and loyal young man, Richard of Gloucester. Over time, Anne's father works hard to help Richard's eldest brother to the throne, as King of England. This in turn leads to the Neville family being cherished and honored by the house of York and Anne's hand in marriage is thusly promised to Richard.

But happiness does not come easily for Anne and shortly thereafter her family is marked as traitors and cast out of favor of the king.

Shipped off to France Anne finds herself a mere pawn in her father's games to try and regain the power he once held.

With THE VIRGIN WIDOW, Anne O'Brien has given us a fascinating account of many well known (and some not so well known) characters from history. The story itself is wonderfully compelling and the prose is smooth and easy to get lost in.

The story of Anne Neville stayed with me long after I had finished the book and, in fact, lead to my eager consumption of anything else I could find on the subject of not only Anne but also, Richard. When a book leaves me sad that I've come to the end and also begging to learn more, as THE VIRGIN WIDOW did, it quickly becomes one I highly recommend.

Anne O'Brien is a supremely talented story teller and I believe THE VIRGIN WIDOW is sure to become a modern classic of an age old tale.