The Rose and the Thistle

Written by Laura Frantz

Narrated by Amy Scanlon

In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley’s father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Blythe quietly
awaits the crowning of a new king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.

No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with her maid in tow. He has his own problems—a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in
need of comfort and direction. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.

In this whirlwind of intrigue, ambitions, and shifting alliances, Blythe yearns for someone she can trust. But the same forces that draw her and Everard together also threaten to tear them apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705083888

Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz is an award-winning bestselling author who is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th century. She writes her manuscripts in longhand, and her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. A direct descendant of George Hume, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying, she lives in the heart of Kentucky. For more information, visit www.laurafrantz.net.

Reviews for The Rose and the Thistle

[Shannon Schultz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful story! Thankful for the Scottish glossary in the front of the book! Loved learning a bit of the history of the Protestant and Catholic conflict in the early 1700’s.

[EG · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was by far my favorite of all the many I have read/listened to in the past year on Scribd.
I relistened to it again a second time and loved it just as much. Finding things I had missed the first time.
Laura is one of my favorite authors I have discovered in the last year. Her heroes and heroines never disappoint.
Rich in history, faith, beautiful landscapes, and love, this book is the first novel I have listened to that I just HAD to own in paper format.
Can't wait to read it when it reaches me in Latvia.
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your faith through your books and characters ❤️

[Nancy McLeroy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent book by author Laura Frantz. She has such a way with words. Her unique style is always a joy and an artistically written word. This book was no exception, set in Scotland during a troublesome time, the beauty of the land and people shines through. I highly recommend this book and the audio version is well done as well. Listening to it read with the accents makes it that much more of a delight.

[Lorrie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What great characters and a truly engaging story. Laura Frantz is definitely one of my favorite storytellers when not reading the classics. This novel is certainly one of my favorites from what she has written. A wonderful reading weekend!

The audio version was very well done.

[Berly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I can see why some have rated this with 5 stars. It is well researched and well written. The author is top notch. The narrator for the audiobook is also excellent.

To love this book, you need to be drawn to slow moving, history heavy romances. The audio for this story is just shy of 14 hours. I found myself getting bored on occasion and sometimes had trouble keeping characters straight.

I think I needed more romance. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters and never really felt their story or their love. So, for that reason I gave it the 4 stars. It is an excellent book in general and most will probably love it. I just liked it okay. I doubt it will stay with me in days to come. But if Scottish historical Christian romances are your thing... You will love this. And I can recommend the audio for this. Maybe I should have tried it sped up just a tad.

[Dove family · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fantastic!!! I love the story, the Biblical relationship, strong primary and secondary characters, the historical accuracy....I am adding this to my short list of books I will read at least twice. Also, the reader is fantastic. Love her style.

[M. Malcolm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent! The narration added value to a good book, except for a few instances when the narrator's tone didn't match the description given.

[veragodley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a delight when I saw that Laura Frantz had a new book - The Rose and the Thistle - coming into print. I could hardly wait to get my hands on a copy. Her writing is luscious, skillfully weaving a thread of story with history embedded into the very core. I delighted in anticipation for this book because it is set in Scotland (mostly) and involves rivaling royalties during the Jacobite uprising in the early 1700s. It also is part of the author's family history drawn from her Scottish roots, family history, and castles.As with probably many of the readers, I also have Scottish roots. I can't truly trace mine back as specifically as Ms. Frantz but it's there and my roots are Houston "clan." What a joy it would be to be able to really make a connection. Back to the book.....I love how even though the two main characters are from opposition sides of the Jacobites, there is also a connection the predates the current conflict. I love the scene where Blythe has escaped armies attacking her family home and fled using the perilous back roads amid a torrential rain and ensuing muddied roads to arrive in the middle of the night, personally drenched and shivering cold. She is greeted roughly and rudely by the "laird" of the castle and escorted to an isolated tower room.The story is long. The characters deftly woven and fleshed out. The political tumult (closely tied to the religious conflict between ruling Catholics and Protestants) frightful. The danger breathtakingly frightful.I totally enjoyed the book and congratulate Laura Frantz on another treasure and glimpse into history. Well written. Clean. Delightful. I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[amybooksy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Laura Frantz is among my top five favorite authors to read. I jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to read her newest release, The Rose and the Thistle. I was far from disappointed. I loved the vivid historical details that made me feel as though I was part of the story. It was great being transported back to the eighteenth century and meeting Lady Blythe and Everard. I was instantly sucked into the suspense, danger and mystery. This is not one of those books that can be easily predictable and I never knew what would happen next. I was intrigued from the start and could not put the book down until the end. I loved it.The Rose and the Thistle will be receiving a very well deserved five plus stars from me. Readers and fans of clean historical romance will most definitely want to snatch this one up. It is being placed on my limited keeper shelf to read again and again the future.I received a paperback copy of The Rose and the Thistle from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[celticlady53 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz is a story of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 in Scotland. When Lady Blythe Hedley finds herself in shaky circumstances due to her father being declared an enemy of the English Crown. Lady Blythe finds herself at the mercy of Everard Hume, Lord Wedderburn. Everard's father, deceased, and his late mother were godparents to Lady Blythe and had promised her safe haven, unbeknown to Everard. She comes to him with the clothes on her back and her companion. He doesn't actually welcome her with open arms and hides her away in the castle's tower. He eventually comes to know her and soon feelings start to creep into their relationship.A brother to Everard, Davie, has Jacobite sympathies which causes unrest between the brothers, Everard has a young brother also, about 8, who steals Lady Blythe's heart. So along with an estate to run after his father's death and his obligation to his brother's and Lady Blythe, Everard is hard pressed to want anything to do with the current politics.I found this book to be very interesting, the time period a must read and the gentle love story that develops between Lady Blythe and Everard to be very readable. The research is impeccable, I found it interesting once I finished the book and read the part by the author on how she was related to the Humes. It is always fun to see why an author writes what they do, especially if they are related to the characters. I really recommend this book if you love historical fiction as I do. I give it 5 stars of course!

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel was so well written with fantastic descriptions that I felt myself swept away to eighteenth century Scotland and immediately immersed in a culture of religious uprisings, daring romance, and threats of war. I was so impressed with the amount of history the author poured into this novel; a bonus is knowing the author is distantly related to the characters and events in the story. I was also impressed with her ability to weave Scottish Gaelic and other phrases authentic to that time period flawlessly into the plot. I did reference the glossary at the beginning several times but I did not find that this detracted from the story but only made it richer. I loved Blythe from the first page, her steadfast compassion, kind mannerisms, smart intellect, and unshakable courage made it easy to me to feel invested in her story. Everard is initially mysterious but soon becomes the perfect hero to compliment Blythe’s personality. I loved the unexpected twists their story took and I also had a hard time putting the book down. I hope there is a future novel with more of Blythe and Everard as there were a few details I would love to know more about, but I don't think this detracted from a satisfying ending. I cannot recommend this book; I absolutely loved it!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of LibraryThing Early Reviews. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Rose and the ThistleAuthor: Laura FrantzPages: 416Year: 2023Publisher: RevellMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Lady Blythe Hedley is the heiress to one of the richest fortunes in England, but her Catholic faith makes her a target for the new Hanoverian monarch of England as he is Protestant. In 1715, Catholicism did not support the new King of England, so rebellion is fomenting across the country. Blythe’s father is a large contributor to the rebels, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. He fears for Blythe’s life, so he sends her to the Lowlands of Scotland to her godparents to keep her safe. She departs England in the middle of the night as an angry mob attacks Bellbroke Castle, her home. After days of travel, she arrives in Berwickshire, Scotland at Wedderburn Castle. Her unexpected arrival is greeted with less than enthusiasm by the eldest Hume brother.Lord Fast, Everard Hume, has spent the last ten years fighting for England, even though he is Scottish. With the rebel cause gaining ground, he just wants to be let out of the fight. His ailing father makes him aware of a potential situation with this goddaughter, but Everard wants nothing to do with the problem. He has his hands full running the estate and their other varied interests. His surprise upon meeting Blythe appears in his ungracious welcome. What is he, a Protestant supporter of the new king, going to do with a Catholic Jacobite supporting woman beneath his roof?This was an enthralling love story with history interwoven in the plot. I am a big fan of this author’s writings and wait excitedly for her books to be released. She has the skill of drawing the reader into the pages so easily. I love stories that use witty conversation to enhance the budding romance. The characters were easy to like, and little Orin was a gem. The bird, singing Catholic hymns was a great touch! It was an enjoyable and entertaining story. I learned some things about the Jacobite rebellion and English history. I now have to wait another year for the author’s next adventure, but her books are worth the wait.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Silk and fire dinna mix well.”“Neither do we, milord.”“Good things come to those who wait.” This summarizes my thoughts on The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. First of all, I (and many other Frantz fans) have been waiting over a year for this latest offering from Frantz, a highly skilled author who writes excellent, authentic historical romantic fiction.I had to wait in another regard. This is one of the few Frantz novels that I have not been enamored with from the start. However, as I kept reading, I eventually got so caught up in the intrigue of the divided loyalties and the beauty of the impossible romance that I give this book five stars. I tend to rate books by how completely sated my reading soul is when I finish. Let me say, I am well-satisfied with the faith factor, enemies-to-lovers romance and political suspense. Don’t forget the appeal of a child!!Which brings me to my last point. Frantz, through Lady Blythe Hedley and Lord Everard Hume, teaches me several things through Scripture and its application. I used one quote last night in my own life. “Prayer may be the best weapon we have.” What an immense relief as I relax my own troubled mind and realize “God’s got this” as I pray for my personal heartache. God is indeed in control. Thank you for the reminder, Ms. Frantz!!And as I talked to a person dear to me today, I referred to another quote. “Tell me something good about her…Surely there are praiseworthy things about her, as she was made in the Lord’s image.” Sometimes we can only see the negatives in another person, and yet, even the worst person is made in God’s image. If we look hard enough, we can find good in almost all people. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, plus I bought a couple of copies to share. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once again Laura Franz has written a beautiful, historical novel covering a period in history after the kingdoms of Scotland and England were united in 1707. It was 1715 and the Jacobites were determined to reinstate the Stuart dynasty to the English throne after George I became the monarch. The novel centers on real people, the Humes and the Hedleys, the author's ancestors, and the time's history. Ms. Franz has all the requirements for a genuinely entertaining story: romance, laughter, wit, wisdom, suspense, true love, familial relationships, and a sovereign God who is called upon in times of trouble and praised throughout as the giver of all things, both good and bad. Part of the plot included regrets about the past, but the Earl of Wedderburn said it best when he replied: "Then think on those things. You cannot change the past, only how you regard or respond to it. Nor should you dwell on it." Great advice for everyone.I wish to thank Revell books and LibraryThing for the free ARC through a giveaway. The opinions expressed are my own.

[grammy57 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I started reading this book and it was a bit hard for me. It was a slow start. But, I continued reading and am glad I did. I really enjoy historical fiction and this was a part of history that I had not read much about. I was interested also by the geography and my ancestors are from England and Scotland.I felt that the two main characters were nicely filled out. The sub-characters were also easy to identify with if not as fully rounded out. The story flowed quite well and kept my interest once I got past the beginning.What I did not like was the ending felt rushed. There were also a couple of things that did not get tied up. I wish there had been an epilogue to address a couple of issues left dangling.Overall I give this 4 out of 5 stars. I was given an ARC of this book through the Revell Reads program. And even with this being an ARC, the editing was very well done.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this historical fiction romance. I loved Lady Blythe and Everard. I loved reading about the Jacobites during this unsettled period of time. I loved the intrigue in this story. I also loved the romance as Blythe and Everard got to know each other. I enjoyed that this took place mainly in Scotland. I could not put this book down. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[claudia.castenir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am sure the intensive research required by a novel of this quality was pure pleasure for author Laura Frantz as she visited France and Scotland, including Wedderburn Castle, the home of her Hume ancestors. The Rose and the Thistle includes a great deal of Hume history combined with Frantz's flair for creating a wonderful historical romance. The story is set in the time leading up to and including the Jacobite uprising of 1715, a time when families were sometimes split by their loyalties. Lady Blythe Hedley's Jacobite father works to protect her from the repercussions of his political leanings, imposing on an old family connection with the Hume family, much to the consternation of the new laird, the Earl of Wedderburn. Readers will be intrigued by the power, responsibility, and function of the hierarchy of nobility's role in this story. They will be captivated by the grandeur of the castles and landscapes, and they will be charmed by many of the residents of Wedderburn Castle. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Rose and the Thistle from Revell via LibraryThing without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[mishker-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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. 

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a captivating, and interesting read! From beginning to end, I was immersed in this book, but also learning of things I never knew.Can you imagine being in the midst of grieving and having a young woman arrive for sanctuary at your door, her father sent her for refuge, she is your late father's goddaughter!There are so many interesting facts here, and it sure was hard to be a Catholic at this point in time in the United Kingdom. Be sure to read the authors notes at the end of this read, and we see how personal this page turner is to her.This is a story of sweet romance, but add in the turmoil happening at this time, you will not know until the end whom will survive!I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

[sbmc-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“You are still my English rose. While I remain your Scottish thistle.”My favorite Laura Frantz novel to date! I loved returning to Scotland through the author’s captivating storytelling and learned a great deal about the Jacobite Rising in 1715 through Blythe and Everard. Lush details of Scottish country life and swirling political unrest, unforgettable characters, heart-stopping romance, strong faith thread that overcomes denominational barrier, and gripping plot all make this book a worthy read and one of my favorites this year. Everard is a classic Laura Frantz hero - gruff but tender, loyal to the core, a fierce warrior and an innovative leader. Blythe is an educated intellectual, daughter of a duke, and compassionate. Their meeting is under distressing circumstances but their blossoming relationship is fun and witty and shows a side of them that others rarely see. I know the author doesn’t usually write sequels but I would love to see books that follow Everard’s younger brothers. If you enjoy historical romance that will transport you to a different time and place with action and depth, you will absolutely adore this book. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

[ang709 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an OK read. I found most of it to be rather slow going, but the setting was well described. I liked Blythe but at first didn't much care for Everard as he didn't seem very compassionate. He seemed to change, though, and I liked the couple together. I still had a couple questions at the end. I might try another book by this author.Thank you LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for the early read.

[jaymewill-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read most of Laura Frantz's books and really liked them! So I was glad to receive The Rose and the Thistle from LibraryThing. I thought it was one of her best novels yet! I didn't want it to end! Her plot line and characters are top notch. Her descriptions read like you are really there experiencing the same things as the characters themselves.Lady Blythe Hedley is enjoying all that the royal court in France has to offer, but she still misses her home in Northumberland. She is delighted and a bit confused when her father writes telling her to come home. When she arrives, she realizes just how dangerous her and her father's position is. Her father is a Jacobite sympathizer and in danger of being arrested as a traitor to the crown. When their home is attacked, Lady Blythe is quickly sent away to her godfather's estate in Scotland for safe keeping. She arrives to a house in mourning as her godfather has just died. The heir, Everard Hume, plans to keep his father's promise and keep Blythe from harm. Sparks fly between Everard and Blythe, but they realize they share a growing attraction with each other. Everard has his hands full managing his estate, overseeing five brothers, and keeping an English heiress safe from the King's men.I loved the character of the youngest brother. He and Blythe develop the cutest relationship in the story. I found the Scottish language a bit hard to keep up with in the beginning, but I got past it. This is a great story that I highly recommend you to read!

[eccl-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Rose and the Thistle, by Laura Frantz, is a standalone story set in England and Scotland in 1715. While this is not a genre I read a lot, once I got into the book it became very hard for me to put it down. I enjoyed the characters in this story very much. Their faith and strength is very evident for them as they go through some of life’s hardest struggles. For Lady Blythe, she was taken away in the secret of the night and waits to hear of her father’s safety. For Everard, his father passes away and he is now left to take over as Lord Wedderburn.This is a well written story that is filled with suspense and mystery with the perfect touch of romance. I enjoyed Blythe’s character as she kept herself busy helping others, even while locked away in the castle tower. I especially enjoyed the Hume brothers, they are all so different and Everhard is left to care for them. I appreciated how the two characters worked together during their struggles and how they both clung to their own religious beliefs and faith. The author has written a wonderful story of two families with a past that are there for each other when needed.I voluntarily received a complimentary ARC copy of this book, this is my honest review.

[tabrowne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was great. I always appreciate historical fiction and this one has the added appeal of being about her ancestors. It felt well researched and the extra characters she added were lovable, engaging and I was interested in what was going to happen to her. Highly recommend and I plan to look for her other book as sell. This one sucked me in and I read it in only two days.