This is my new favorite by Laura Frantz! I enjoyed everything about it…the characters, the setting in Scotland, and the beautiful romance between Blythe and Everard.

I also listened to the audio book and fell in love with the story even more. The narrator did an amazing job!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 3 January 2023

The Rose and the Thistle is historical romance with the emphasis on historical more than romance. I knew very little about the time period when I started this book and it had me googling more about the Jacobites. The romance is a bit slow in the beginning and I was a bit confused as to why Everard was so distant with Blythe but enjoyed the way Laura Franz grew their relationship. If you enjoy books with a lot of history in them and some romance as well that doesn't feel thrown in this would be a great book for you.

I received a free ebook copy through netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review.

Very interesting historical fiction about Lady Blythe Hedley. In the 18th century, facing her political disgrace, Lady Blythe flees to Scotland and hides at Wedderburn Castle where she becomes entangled in the life of Everard Hume who must manage the estate after the recent death of his father. Wonderful writing and story with a beautiful setting. An enjoyable read. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for an advanced readers copy of this book.

The Rose and the Thistle
A Novel
by Laura Frantz
Pub Date 03 Jan 2023
Revell
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Revell and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of The Rose and the Thistle for review:


Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown in 1715 as a result of his Jacobite sympathies, causing her to flee her home in northern England. Located in the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits the announcement of who will be crowned king. A house with seven sons and numerous servants soon becomes aware of her presence.


Immediately following the death of Everard Hume's father, Lord Wedderburn, Lady Hedley arrives with her mistress in tow and the clothes on her back. His own troubles include a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother who is in need of comfort and guidance following the loss of his father. In the interests of everyone, it would be best if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.


Having been drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful who she trusts. She is in danger of losing her fortune, her future, and her life. There may be allies among those who appear to be adversaries, and enemies among those who pretend to be friends.


I give The Rose and Thistle five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Laura Frantz has written many novels, but I believe this one might be her best yet! This book is a excellently researched, and it is clear, as always, that Ms. Franz is a scrupulous historian alongside her authorship. Wonderful, captivating writing, intrigue during the always fascinating Jacobite cause, and original plot gives this novel the depth and ability to pull in any reader. The romance is both sweet and thrilling (and satisfying!). I highly recommend this author and all of her other books I have read have been nothing less than fantastic. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me.

This faith-filled historical fiction novel is set during the Jacobite Rising in the Scottish Highlands. The romance is very slow-burn and it feels strongly to be a grumpy-sunshine "fated love."

Lady Blythe must leave the protection of her father for her own safety and she is given into the hands of Everard Hume to live in his castle. "The Rose and the Thistle" is a slow-moving glimpse of life in a Scottish castle during a turbulent period in history, when trust was hard to find. The tale maintains a heavy focus on one's reliance on faith during challenging times and while the romance takes time to build, the emphasis on friendship and communication is evident throughout.

I give this 3.5 solid stars but am rounding up to 4 because I liked the faith and romance depicted in this novel.

Thank you to Laura Frantz, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advance reading of The Rose and the Thistle.

The Rose and The Thistle takes place in the early 1700’s. This is not normally a time period I read about but I couldn’t put this one down. The characters instantly drew me in and then refused to let me go!

Lady Blythe is Catholic. She and her family have never hidden that fact. But now it could get them killed. But she refuses to deny who she is or what she believes. Then everything changes. Her father sends her away and she has no choice in the matter. And worse yet she doesn’t know if he’s alive or dead.

What can she do? She’s only a woman. A pawn. Her life is decided for her. And it has been decided that she should marry.

BUT WHAT IF SHE DOESN’T WANT TO MARRY THE MAN SELECTED FOR HER?
Everard inherits his father’s estate. And then he seems to inherit Blythe through an agreement their fathers made. He didn’t count on this. Can he keep Blythe hidden so that no one knows she’s there? And more importantly, can he keep her safe?

Watching the interactions of the two was comical and yet also so sweet. I loved the dynamic between them as the novel grew and evolved. Their relationship changes and the country around them changes too.

You’re going to love this one. It’s amazingly written. The characters are riveting. The plot is something out of a history book but also fully fiction and made me want to read forever. Sadly it ended a little too quickly.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

The Rose and the Thistle

by Laura Frantz

How many times have there been royal overthrows in England and other parts of the British Isles? More than I can keep straight. Therefore, the first part of The Rose and the Thistle was a little confusing to me as I took the author’s brief historical note and tried to integrate the facts into the story she told. The historical backdrop is the Rising or rebellion in 1715 when the Jacobites, supporters of the now exiled Stuart dynasty, tried to reclaim the throne from the German George I. Add in to that strife a generous serving of discord of a religious nature (Catholic Scots vs. Protestant English), and you have quite a mess.

Lady Blythe Hedley of Northumbria has been living in the French courts during some of this conflict. When events turn more dangerous, her father, the Duke of Northumbria, sends her to take refuge at her godfather’s house. He is the laird of Wedderburn Castle and father of many sons. The Hedleys are Jacobites so Lady Blythe’s presence must be kept secret to protect her and them.

Marriage is a critical issue for women to ensure their safety and position in society and to men to safeguard their family wealth, maintaining it and hopefully increasing it. Thus, courting, relationships, and marriage are critical social, political, and financial concerns.

A few chapters into the book, I began really enjoying the characters and plot. My lack of familiarity with the political intrigue worked itself out as the historical context found its place as a backdrop to several romances in the novel. The protagonists are Lady Blythe, a Countess; and Everard, Lord Fast, who inherits all of his father’s assets on becoming the Earl of Wedderburn. There are many reasons for the pair to have conflicts and watching how they are resolved is fascinating. They are both characters of faith who find more commonalities than differences in their faiths.

Orin is a favorite character, an eight year old who is much loved by his family but has grown up motherless. He is very intelligent and yet whimsical. Once Lady Blythe is given the freedom to roam the castle and grounds, she and Orin take to each other immediately. Blythe and Everard’s mutual love for Orin is a factor in their growing admiration for each other.

The plot is full of romance and social jousting. Royal court and military politics play an important role. The book also includes servants in the household, positions taken by women who find themselves unmarried and without any family wealth, and the tenants who work the estate’s coal mines.

Hawking, horseback riding, inns, and traveling in the early 1700’s are part of the story as is imprisonment in the tower, owning family jewels, and having staffed, but little used, residences scattered around the country. I enjoyed The Rose and the Thistle and recommend it for those who like clean historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Religion,

Notes: 1. A clean historical fiction; a romance that is a standalone.
2. Includes a Glossary of Scottish words.

Publication: January 3, 2023—Revell

Memorable Lines:

“What news have you of the king o’er the water?” Everard could not keep his mockery at bay. “That the French court is in a chaos similar to that in Genesis before the creation of the world.”

Nay, when all was said and done, Blythe would never forget the way the new laird tenderly bent down and lifted his little brother, whose tears streaked his pale face, into his strong arms and carried him all the way home.

She waved her fan about again with practiced ease. Women and fans were not unlike men with swords, he decided. Hers seemed a blatant tool for coquetry.

In the Jacobite rising of 1715 Lady Blythe Hedley's father is a wanted man for supporting the previous Stuart King. In an attempt to keep Lady Blythe safe, she is secreted away to her godparent's in Scotland. A tower room in Wedderburn Castle with her faithful lady's maid, Elodie is now Blythe's home. Blythe's arrival, however, provides to be on the unfortunate day of her godfather's death, leaving her safety to the new Lord Wedderburn, Everard Hume. Everard does not mean to make Blythe's life difficult, but with his new duties, several brothers to care for and impending war, Blythe does not always feel welcome at Weddurburn. The tides turn for Blythe as Everard further disguises Blythe as a tutor for the youngest Hume, Orin and Blythe and Everard can enjoy each other's company. As tensions rise between the Jacobites and the British, Everard is pushed into service and Blythe is increasingly in danger. Now, their feelings for one another add another layer to their predicament.

The Rose and the Thistle is a sweeping historical romance that takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. I was immediately enamored by Blythe's character. I appreciated her distaste for the games of high society and her love of the outdoors, reading and learning. Blythe and Elodie's friendship was also endearing and true. I didn't previously know a lot about the Jacobite Rebellion and Blyth and Everard's points of view gave several insights into the feelings and motivations of the people and politics of the time. In addition, the author is a descendant of one of the Hume's exiled to America for his part in the Jacobite Rebellion. The writing reflected her passion for the characters, Weddurburn Castle and the upheaval that this time period caused. The romance between Blythe and Everard was sweet and took a natural progression as they were forced together, yet respected one another's boundaries and were able to get to know one another in a time of duress. With a surprising, suspenseful and exciting ending, I was captivated by The Rose and the Thistle.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review

Full of animosity, love, heartache, and hope, The Rose and the Thistle will keep your heart engaged until you turn the final page!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Rose And The Thistle is a fantastic historical novel about the Jacobite uprising in Scotland. I loved Lady Blythe and Everard. Both were very strong characters well suited to the story. I loved the suspense and adventure. I also enjoyed learning about the Jacobite uprising. there were many facts I didn't know before reading Ms. Frantz' story. I highly recommend this book.

so brew a pot of tea and settle back with a few scones to enjoy a great adventure.

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Incredible writing. Flowing, beautiful prose without being stilted. Historical detail is magnificent, and absolutely fascinating. The romance was sweet, a pleasant slow burn, but chaste and clean. The religious undertones were present but not intrusive, as they fit comfortably with the historical period. They got a touch more heavy handed in the end.

The downsides for me were that the ending was a little rushed. And I was deeply irritated by a few misogynistic undertones. Two women who were secondary characters were extremely one-dimensional. One’s entire personality was just: whore. The second, petty flirt. There was no nuance in these characters. Everard himself had to encourage Blythe to try and remember good things about her mother and not just the bad. Why so judgy, Blythe? Seriously. But other female characters had depth and were good supporting characters and plot drivers.

It also contained a couple of tropes I absolutely loathe: thwarted wedding and gets-pregnant-immediately-without-trying.

But those negatives aside, I’ve rarely read prose this gorgeously written and chock full of intricate historical detail. It looks like her other books are written primarily in colonial America which I have no interest in as a time period so I will likely skip, but I’d be willing to consider reading her again if she writes anything else prior to 1750 and in Europe.

When Blythe Hedley returns home from the French court, she discovers that her father, the Earl of Northumberland, is far more enmeshed in the Jacobite cause than suspected. With the new Hanoverian king installed in London, the Jacobites are agitating to bring back the Stuart king from over the water. Blythe’s father sends her for safekeeping to the Scottish castle of her godfather, the Earl of Wedderburn. But the only trouble is that the old earl has just passed away, and it’s his imposing son Everard who holds the title now.

Dismayed to be saddled with a strong-willed English heiress who is both Catholic and a Jacobite, Everard Hume insists on keeping Blythe’s presence at the castle a secret. But as she begins to tutor his young brother Orin, Everard begins to appreciate her learning, her elegance, and her wisdom. As feelings grow, he begins to consider Northumberland’s offer of a marriage alliance, but he must deal with Blythe’s doubts of his affection for her and the English king’s own doubts of his loyalty.

Throughout the story, Blythe must contend with insecurities about her appearance (she is considered plain by many) as well as insecurity about her mother’s shameful role as mistress to one of the previous English kings. The religious divide between her and Everard is far greater than one might suppose as a marriage between them would be impossible without one of them renouncing their faith to marry in the other’s church. Everard, gruff and intimidating, must learn to communicate with an English lady unused to his Scottish ways, discovering that a lady’s country of origin is perhaps far less important than her adherence to true principles, kind words, and godly action.

In true Laura Frantz style, this story is told with sophisticated and sometimes archaic vocabulary; however, a glossary is provided at the beginning to help with the Scottish phrases that pepper the dialogue. As is also common in Laura Frantz’s stories, the tale does not wrap up with a neat “happily ever after” once the hero and heroine declare their love for each other; the story arc requires continued grit and fidelity until the historical crisis is resolved. While most of Frantz’s books are set in early America, a few of her other books have taken place in Scotland–a setting I much prefer. This period of history, with the installation of the first Hanover king, is a relatively new one for me, and I found the politics of the time as fascinating as the personal interplay between the main characters.

A well-spun tale of courage and conviction, this book will delight fans of Laura Frantz’s work and those interested in an intricate romance that remains faithful the historical setting.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is my first read by Laura Frantz.
The cover is beautifully designed.
I really loved the Beauty and The Beast vibes in this book, and all the different elements that seemed to be a nod to Belle's classic tale.

-Pros-
Everard (the male lead) was a perfect beast or grump, but was more relatable as the story unfolded. The female lead, Blythe was nice and kind. But my favorite character in the story was Everard's little brother Orin. He was a sweet and spunky ray of sunshine in this tale.

The Scottish foods were pretty neat to read about, and I actually recognized a few including the cock-a-leekie soup and neeps and tatties!

Also, the descriptions of Scotland's scenery were lovely and made me want to visit there so bad.

-Cons-

There is a LOT of drinking in this book. A couple of side characters are the only ones who get absolutely smashed, but the others (Everard in particular) drink spirits every other breath it seems. I don't know how their water quality was back then, but regardless the alcohol was just mentioned way too often and became annoying.

Blythe's friend has a folly or temple to Flora, the false goddess of spring in her garden. The same is also known as Ishtar, Freya or Isis the goddess of love, reproduction and fertility.

Sexual Content

There's brief but non-detailed mentions of the scandal and infidelity that Blythe's mother was neck deep in, being a high class trollop (hussy) and all.

Poor Blythe flips through a book about court "ladies" (the king's harem) and is seriously embarrassed with the contents.

A girl from a neighboring estate flirts brazenly with Everard and is rumored to dally about with any man who will let her.

One of Everard's brothers is an abusive womanizer, and owned a copy of
"Edinburgh’s Complete List of Ladies of Pleasure" essentially a Yellow Pages for prostitutes.

There's a couple open door scenes, but the couple is only "seen" talking and kissing.

Foul Language
Hellish, Hades, "earl of hell's waistcoat"

I also didn't care for or agree with the Catholic doctrines and elements in this book. They were unscriptural, and I felt were unnecessary to the story.

I didn't really start enjoying the story until I was over halfway through the book cause it was so slowly paced. Overall, this was a decent read, but just not my favorite.

Thank you to Revell Books and the author for the complimentary e-book I received through Netgalley. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Wow! I'd heard about how good this one was, but I see why now! The writing, the characters, the setting. It was all magnificently woven into something that is not only an amazing story, but one that makes me want to look in to the history and the time-period more too! Well done!

author I love. How can it be more interesting when reading about the castles and the hiding away an heiress? I love the little details and can see the castles through the eyes of the author. The characters feel so real to me and I love reading this time period. Lady Blythe is in grave danger when she is sent to Lord Wedderburn’s castle and seemingly at the wrong time too. Her godfather has passed away and the new Lord Wedderburn has his hands full and doesn’t want the responsibility of Lady Blythe. Oh it gets really good now. Who does she trust now? She doesn’t know who are enemies or who her friends are. So much intrigue and things that need to be settled.
I haven’t forgotten the romance either. I loved reading about Everard & Blythe’s romantic interest in each other too.
All in all this book will keep you reading late into the night.
I received a copy from the author and publisher but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Wow….The Jacobite Revolution is not a period of history I know much about, and quite frankly wasn't much interested in which is what made me hold off on reading this book. Of course they say you should never judge a book by its cover, but perhaps I should make a not to also never judge a book by the time period is set in, because I would have missed out on an incredible rich and detailed story if I had done so. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rose and The Thistle is intriguing, captivating, and enthralling. I found myself absorbed in the storytelling as Lady Blythe and Edverard navigated a Jacobite insurgence while staying true to their families and faith. Both are on opposing camps but I love that they discovered that at the end of it all, they both had a deep faith in God that would carry them through. Laura Frantz crafted a masterpiece of a book that weaved history, faith, and fiction beautifully together as she set me right in the middle of the borderlands of Scotland. I couldn't get enough of her talent and I am sure I have found a new-to-me favorite author (I've never read one of her books just because of the length. I have been missing out.)

 And Amy Scanlon made it all better. 

Amy Scanlon offered a new level of enjoyment to this story that I have not yet experienced. Her shifting between proper English and thick Scottish brogue was a treat to my ears. Her slow timber when Edverard or one of the other men seeking to the pitchy tone of the youngest brother to the hurried words of the Scottish women brought me right into the room. And the way she read Lady Blythe with whistful and melodious. I really couldn't get enough. 

Now, I am off to buy a copy of The Rose and the Thistle in paperback.

The lead-up to the 1715 Jacobite Rising is the backdrop to Frantz’s latest Scottish romance. We fall easily into her 18th-century world, set in and around Edinburgh, where the tall, handsome Everard Hume, Duke of Wedderburn, and the willowy Blythe Hedley find romance more by accident than by design.

When their Northumbrian castle is attacked by an enraged mob, Blythe and her lady’s companion are secreted away at dead of night by her staunch Jacobite father, the Duke of Northumbria, to Wedderburn castle in the Scottish Lowlands. The Humes are mourning the recent demise of the old duke, and his heir, Everard, is far from pleased to have a Catholic Jacobite billeted upon his Protestant household (himself and five delightful brothers). However, Blythe is the late duke’s goddaughter, and Everard has a moral obligation to see to her safety.

Frantz does a terrific job of setting the scene, using Scottish dialect and employing archaic terms such as ‘milord’, ‘sennight’, and ‘auld’ to maintain the 18th-century flavour. This works well, and the descriptive detail is spot on, including interesting details about Scottish Lowland funeral customs. The year 1715 was a time of religious upheaval and dissention, when previously friendly families were suspicious of their neighbours. Everard is unsettled by having a known Jacobite under his roof and goes to great lengths to keep it secret, including from his brothers. This forms an integral part of the story, which peters out somewhat prematurely. David, Everard’s sixth and very wayward brother, comes and goes, and both his and Blythe’s father’s escapades might have been developed further. Several times I felt the tension mounting only to have the anticipated dilemma fade away. This is recommended as an enjoyable historical romance, but there was less of the broader picture of the historical times than I would have liked.

As a historical fiction buff, I had to have a go at this. Jacobite Uprising - always an interesting period in Scotland’s history. This book certainly has an interesting take on it. As per the author's note, this story is related to the author's family history - it is easy to spot the dedication poured into this story. The plot was well but quite interesting, however, it was a bit of a slower read for me. I did enjoy it most of the time. Religion in the story takes quite an important place, hence why some vendors put it on religion-related shelves. However, given that, especially back then, when Catholicism and Protestantism clashed to bloodshed and were extremely important in everyday life, one could expect to reflect that in the story as well.
Essentially it is historical fiction with a love story, which is exactly what I expected from this book. It is well-researched and shows a slightly different side of that part of history.
On the other hand, while the pacing in the book’s first half was rather slow, towards the end everything feels a bit rushed. As well, the very last chapter of the book was distracting to a point of questioning if there was really a need for it at all?