I love the novel A Song of Ice and Fire.
I haven't yet read the epic fantasy novel by George R. R. Martin.
I highly recommend the series if you enjoy the fantasy genre.
Have you read the 5th and most recent volume in the series? It's "A Dance with Dragons."
I have not, I've only recently started reading the series due to the TV show. 
The author's inspiration for the series came from Wars of the Roses.