I absolutely adored this book! This was my first Laura Frantz novel and now I'm anxious to get my hands on her entire backlist. This is a Christian historical romance set in the 1700s in England and Scotland. Lady Blythe was a Catholic Jacobite who was sent away by her father to Protestant Scotland for her protection due to political/religious tensions in England. Her godfather agrees to take her in; however, he dies before she arrives - leaving her in the care of his eldest son, Everard, instead. Let's just say he is NOT happy with this turn of events and promptly moves her into the castle tower, hiding her away from the rest of the family. So begins this beautiful enemies to lovers romance.

The historical detail included in this story was exceptional. The writing is beautiful, and I truly felt transported to Scotland in a different era. All the characters were well developed, and the dialogue was wonderful. The love story develops slowly as they learn more about one another. I listened to the audio while reading along in the ebook, and the narrator was fantastic! She flipped between the British and Scottish accents seamlessly and did a great job at differentiating all the different characters. There is also a short glossary at the beginning of the book, defining various Scottish terms - I do recommend taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with some of those words before jumping in.

I appreciated the faith element throughout the story. It was evident that both main characters truly loved God and wanted to honor Him in their lives. The author handled the religious conflict of the time period delicately as well, showing respect to both sides.

I received a free ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I actually loved it so much and wanted to support the author, so I also bought a copy as well (the first time I've ever done that!). Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this beautiful book.

The Rose and the Thistle by author extraordinaire, Laura Frantz, is a Christian historical novel. Set in Scotland in the 1700s, you’ll find a map and glossary of Scottish words to help you navigate this lovely tale. It is truly captivating, but aren’t all of her works?

This is the story of feisty Lady Blythe Hedley. Her father has Jacobite loyalties. He sends Blythe to Scotland’s Wedderburn Castle to keep her safe. It is also the story of responsible Everard Hume, oldest son and now in charge of Wedderburn since his father has just died. He has a lot of responsibilities and does not want Blythe to be one of them.

Rich in history this is an epic tale that took me to England, France, and Scotland. I learned some new things. The characters were just amazing the romance between Blythe and Everard was a slow flicker that would ignite into a blazing flame. Both are surprised when she arrives at his castle for protection one night.

Author Frantz has certainly done research on the era, political climate, weather, and region. With her skillful writing, I could picture everything as I read. I loved reading about the food and teas. The landscape was unfamiliar to me, but she brought it to life with her vivid words.

This book is filled with danger, intrigue, history, and a slow romance. Faith in beautifully woven throughout this tale. I was invested within the first few pages and stayed mesmerized throughout this page-turning masterpiece. The fight for power was brutal at that time in history. Many lost their lives for supporting the wrong King. Religion played a big part in those times as the King decided the religion the entire country would follow.

Any history buff will love this book. It would provide a lot of topics to discuss for a reading group. I highly recommend this lovely novel. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Net Galley but these are my honest words.

I was absolutely transported as I read this book with the vibrant characters, rich historical details, and suspenseful plot. I only knew vaguely of the Jacobite rebellion, so it was fascinating to be immersed in the middle of the politics and how it personally affected the lives on both sides. Blythe is both caught in between and stuck in limbo as she hides in the home of Everard who struggles to remain neutral- disliking the king, yet not willing to be caught up the rebellion. I loved how she develops a relationship with the youngest of the brothers, and slowly learns of Everard's layers beneath his gruff surface. The pace of the book picks up as political tensions rise and nobody is able to remain uninvolved in the inevitable battle. I couldn't put the book down as the romance burned brightly and the action became more intense. One of my favorites from Laura Frantz!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Laura Frantz never disappoints with her historical fiction novels.
This one was no exception!
This story is set during a time in history that has always fascinated me, but which I knew very little about.
The story goes back and forth between Northumbria, England, and Scotland.
I was so intrigued with all the beautiful little details Ms. Frantz included. Details about the settings, telling us about the castles, the flowers, the landscape, and more. And then also, their meals, the teas, their clothing, their homes, and really, I could go on and on....
It is very easy to see that this story was extremely well researched. The historical facts included were informative and interesting to read.
The characters. These are not necessarily my new favorite book characters, but I did enjoy meeting & getting to know both Everard and Blythe. There is, of course, romance mixed into this story, but it is by far not the main part of the story.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This novel displayed the wonderful talent of the author in bringing alive Scottish and English history in vivid detail. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of the Scottish words and clever dialogue and being transported back in time. It was refreshing to read about a couple whose love evolved based on faith, genuine friendship and respect.

During 1715, the Jacobite risings were of real concern to England and their new German king. Being caught on the wrong side could have you branded a traitor and not only losing all your land, but possibly your head too.

Lady Blythe Hedley has a father who has Jacobite leanings, and he has put a plan into place for her protection. She is sent to Scotland, to Wedderburn Castle. When she arrives, she is secreted away to the tower. She has come at a time of mourning for the new Lord Wedderburn, Everard.

Everard has a lot on his shoulders especially taking the place of his late father as he is the oldest of his brothers. In fact, most of his brothers still live at home except for the one who is causing problems. He also wants to bring the estate up to date so it can be profitable for generations to come. He does not want to be responsible for Blythe.

As their tenuous relationship develops under circumstances neither can control, both realize the qualities that each other possess. Their romance is a slow burning one, but one that shows the traits of true love. If only there was not a war brewing that threatens to tear them apart.

This is another epic historical romance by author Frantz that takes the reader from France, England, and to Scotland. It is not a story that I will soon forget as Everard shows his very romantic and sacrificial love for Blythe.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Slow burn romance as per usual in the Laura Frantz book universe :) I was delighted that we didn’t have to wait until the end. Set in early 1700s Scotland during the first Jacobite rebellion. I loved the attention to historic detail and the descriptive language that painted the picture of the landscape. I think this is one of the earliest time periods I’ve ever read as I am typically drawn to the late 1700s and 1800s but the fact that Laura Frantz is one of my favorite authors, of course I had to read it.
At one point I’m almost wanted to throw it across the room HA! But how could I do that to a Laura Frantz book?!? So I kept going and glad I did! Any Poldark or maybe even Outlander fan (sorry no time travel, but there is a Sassenach and a Laird) would enjoy this with Scotland as a main character. Delightful winter or all year round read!

I have no idea how she does it, but Laura Frantz has once again completely mesmerized me with her latest book! This story takes us to the Scotland of the 1700s to the land and home of her ancestors, and there’s no question that she is in her element from the very first page. The book is complete with a lovely drawn map and a helpful glossary of Scottish words – both of which I used on more than one occasion.

No one does slow burn romance as well as Laura, and the love story between Lady Blythe and Everard is one of her best yet. These two are destined to be at odds against each other because of their respective family heritage, but with each slow look and pass in the dark hallways of Wedderburn Castle, they are like magnets slowly being drawn together. When they finally give in to their feelings for one another, heaven and earth cannot keep them apart (although, both definitely try!)

I have yet to read Laura’s other Scottish tale, but after reading The Rose and The Thistle, I know that I will soon find myself between the pages of A Bound Heart which also contains some history of the Humes and their exile in America.

If you are a fan of Outlander, historical fiction, or a glorious slow burn romance, you need to get your hands on this beautiful novel! You will not regret it!

Oh, how I love a good Scottish tale!! And Laura Frantz delivered in spades with her newest book, The Rose and The Thistle. Her imagery and prose were outstanding, as always, leaving the reader to feel as if they’ve stepped into that beautiful world. And the history that she included was incredible, giving a glimpse into yesteryear. Oh my, the love story was magical. A fairy tale to be sure. This story is a must read!!

I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love how this author brings history to life as she sweeps readers into the early 1700s, during a turbulent time when religion was determined by who sat on the throne. The setting was beautifully depicted from France to England and in the Lowland of Scotland.

I liked that Lady Blythe was an intelligent, strong yet graceful woman, who has so much to lose if she makes the wrong move. I enjoyed watching Everard and Blythe as they face very difficult challenges as their faith is tested on many levels. I enjoyed this complex, historical romance story that tugs at your heart strings and makes you think about your own life and its struggles.
This is a great escape and one that would work for your next book club pick. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This book transported me back to 1715. I loved the way the author wrote it. The characters, time and setting seem to jump off the page. And honestly, it left me wanting to read more.

I loved Blythe. The reader felt her confusion as she was driven from her home in the middle of the night, wondering why. And what would happen to her father without her. I loved her spunk. She was basically a prisoner in Everard’s home, yet she asked the hard questions. And she continued her work in translating. She would have been an amazing woman in her time.

Lady Blythe arrives at a trying time for Everard. He’s dealing with his father’s death, as well as his brothers, one of them very defiant. And he’s planning a huge, grand funeral for his father. I was kind of amazed at the funeral festivities the book describes. They were very different from anything I’ve ever known or heard of.

I love the way Lady Blythe begins slowly to fit herself into Everard’s life. As well as that of his family.

This book was one I did not want to put down. I will be reading more by this author. Hopefully very soon!

I'll have to admit I have read every book by this author, except one. And I need to remedy that.
I call this author the Queen of historical fiction and it shows in how well researched her books are.
As soon as I see she has a book coming out I have to read it.
The beautiful description of Scotland makes me want to visit it from its moors to its historical depth. The plot is set during the 1700's and the Jacobite rebellion. It was wonderful being transported back in time to the eighteenth century and discovering Lady Blythe and Everard's characters and seeing their interactions. I did not expect some of the turn of events that happened in the story. Starting off slow the book does pick up. This is a slow burn clean romance with intrigue, great historical descriptions, wonderful characters and a fascinating plot.
I also found it interesting that the author is related to a character in the book and as she delves into her family history, she brings us with her and shares this history with us.
Do not miss this wonderful historical romance.

Pub Date: 03 Jan 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I love romantic historical fiction. Add to that a tale of Scotland, and the Jacobite uprisings...
This book is an amazing combination of so many things - and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Excellent well developed characters.
Interesting and engaging dialogue - including that wonderful Scottish brogue
Clean romance with intense attraction.
Gorgeous settings - castles... in Scotland... yay!
A beautiful element of Christian faith, yet not overdone.
This author has a talent for weaving all these great things together for an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, but am not required to leave a review.
I loved this book and will definitely read it again!
I highly recommend it!
💜 💜

At the finish of this novel, I was doing all of the sighing. There were so many things I loved about it. I loved the hero-- certainly swoon-worthy. Brave and honorable, he was the perfect counterpart to the heroine, Blythe. While described as plain and highly intelligent, I love that Frantz expertly wove the two opposites into a beautiful--believable--love story, with the backdrop of political intrigue that was happening in 18th century England, France, and Scotland. 

Laura Frantz' has an amazing ability to create and build tension. While the first half of the novel was a little slower than the last half, it was setting the scene of the building rebelling between the religious and political groups of the day. It was intriguing to gain a little understanding of all that was happening historically. Add two fictional characters caught in the middle of it all, trying to navigate how to survive and live peaceably, it added another layer to the plot. Laura also expertly wrote the slow burn romantic tension that I love! Using beautiful descriptive language, it had all of the romantic feelings without venturing behind closed doors. That is quite a feat and I enjoyed every moment of it! While I love the history, I'm really here for the romance! : )

I received a complimentary of this book from the publisher in order to share my honest review, which I did. I highly recommend this beautifully written novel by Laura Frantz!

Laura Frantz writes the most beautiful books! She always manages to captivate me with her characters and little Orin Hume stole my heart from the start. Her settings are always so stunning and feel like their own standout characters. I could imagine standing in the amazing Scottish Lowlands. The romance builds quietly, and I relished every moment of it. My emotions went through the wringer with this book, I laughed, cried, worried and was outraged at times. Laura Frantz has been a must-read author for me for a while now and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

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

Once again, thank you to Laurel for reaching out to me about my participation in another blog tour! Per the usual, I love getting to collaborate on projects like this and promote books that may not be getting the attention they deserve. I was also excited when I read the book description for this one. I think “Outlander” has really sucked up a lot of the public’s awareness of the Jacobite period of history, so it’s always exciting to see a different and new version of this time period brought to the page.

When Lady Blythe finally returns to her father’s home after an extended stay in France, she’s excited to pick up the reigns of her quiet country existence, leaving behind the excesses of the French court. But when her father comes under suspicion for being a Jacobite sympathizer, she is once again forced from her home. And this time she lands in the home of Everard Hume, a man who is already consumed with problems of his own and has no time for another in the form of a lonely young woman. With tensions running high within the country and no one knowing whom they can trust, will Everard and Lady Blythe find comfort or danger in one another?

I don’t read more straight-forward historical fiction very often, but that’s been something these blog tours have really helped with. Yes, they often have a romantic component, but they aren’t bodice rippers ala “Bridgerton” which is its own sort of subgenre of historical romance. Instead, this book, like the others, is equally focused on the details of this piece of history as it is in the main characters themselves.

And here, we have a different insight into the Jacobite rebellion seen through the eyes of two different perspectives. As I alluded to, “Outlander” really zeroed in on this point of history, but that story only gets at a few aspects of this tumultuous time. For one thing, it doesn’t get into the religious dynamics at play, which was a major factor for many of the regular people who supported one king or line of kings over another. Here, the massive swings of religious persecution and power are highlighted, and the author really dives into the struggles that existed for those whose leader and religion were not currently holding the reigns. Given the prominence of general Christianity as a major worldwide religion, it’s easy to forget that it has had its own bloody history of internal fractions and strife. And that England was ground zero for much of it.

Beyond this, I enjoyed the detailed descriptions that really paint a picture of life in this time period, particularly the depiction of Edinbourgh. I was really impressed by the authors obvious dedication to research, and it was apparent in every meticulous scene. There’s an interesting author’s note at the end of the book that explains the author’s own family connection to this story, so that does shed some light on the personal importance of this research. But it’s always a pleasure either way to read a historical novel that proves an author did his or her work.

I also liked Lady Blythe and Everard well enough, though I will say that they weren’t my favorite parts of the book. While they are both competently drawn characters, I never felt myself truly invested in their stories or their characters as a whole. From the very beginning, each felt just the tiniest bit flat. In some ways, this could be due to the very realistic manner in which they are portrayed, which, again speaks to the author’s commitment to creating a believable and true-feeling story. This is definitely a very subjective take, however, and I’m sure these characters will jump off the page for many other historical fiction fans.

Rating 8: A fresh look at a fairly familiar portion of British history, this book will likely appeal to many historical fiction fans, particularly those who enjoy a sweet love story at its heart.

A fantastic read that keep me smiling as I read it. The storyline, though started out a bit slow, became very enjoyable. The conversations and characters really capture your heart. I loved them. I recommend this book as it will warm your heart as it did mine.

If you love a beautifully detailed historical romance that pairs the daughter of a leading English Aristocrat jacobite with a Scottish Earl supporting The English king then pick this one up. Immediately, you know their path won't be easy but Frantz makes the journey very enjoyable with a bit of romance, intrigue, and interesting characters.

Reading The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz made me want to visit Scotland. The descriptions of the beautiful scenery and the historical details immersed me into the story. I could picture the fog over Edinburgh, Everard riding on his mount, the garden at Canongate townhouse. The combination of the setting and historical elements created an absorbing plot and revived some history I’d forgotten. I googled for information about King George I and everything I read confirmed that Laura Frantz researched this story well.

Both main characters of The Rose and the Thistle, Everard and Blythe, interested me from the start, but I do wish they had met sooner in the novel. Once Blythe arrives at Everard’s estate, sparks start appearing and I enjoyed their slow-burn romance. The blossoming of their love allowed them both to grow individually and in the relationship. I especially liked how Everard’s love for Blythe helped her overcome her certain issues.

The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz is a stand-alone novel for historical romance fans who enjoy slow-burn romance, historical detail, and beautiful prose. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

The worst part of this story is that it had to end. Laura Frantz is an incredible storyteller and I wanted at least another 400 pages involving these wonderful characters. I appreciated the introduction to the two main characters before they meet and the changes that happened to each once they did. There was also an adorable 8 year old boy who merits a special mention because his true youthful nature added smiles and humor to a difficult period of history. The other characters were creatively placed which added to the fullness of this engaging story. No parts of this epic novel dragged. Instead I was enthralled with the romance, adventure, and the well researched history. I highly recommend this book and my friends are going to hear about it. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.