One of the things I love about Historical Fiction is spending time in unexpected eras and places.
With Lisa See, I explore ancient China.
With Kate Quinn, I visit Bletchley Park.
And thanks to Laura Frantz,
I've just spent a week in 1715 Scotland.
The Rose and The Thistle is immersive in the best kind of way.
It opens with a map, a piece of history, and a mini-dictionary of Scottish phrases. Yes, you have a bit of a learning curve to get into this world but trust me, it's worth it.
Our heroine is Lady Blythe Hedley, daughter of an English Duke. Her father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies. When their castle is attacked in the middle of the night, she flees to the home of her godparents: Wedderburn Castle in Scotland.
Our hero is Everard Hume, eldest son of the ailing Lord Wedderburn, Lady Blythe's godfather. At the passing of his father, Everard is burdened with his estate, a political uprising, a volatile brother, and now, a refugee Lady hiding in his castle tower.
The Rose and The Thistle is rife with secrets, political ambitions, family intrigue, and cultural divisions. But at its heart, it's also a passionate, slow burn love story. I'm sure many may simply categorize this as a "romance", but for me, this novel is so much more: it's historical, dramatic, and epic, with romance sizzling throughout.
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Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
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