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| ISBN 9780800740672 Revell Books |
My thoughts: 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 torrental 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.
About the book: 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.
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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by author, publicist, or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
Laura visited Sir Walter Scott's Home
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Laura calls Kentucky her home but lives in Washington state. She's also a mom to an American soldier & a career firefighter.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting that Laura is a direct descendant of George Hume of Berwickshire, Scotland, who was in involved in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, resulting in his being exiled to the American colonies.
ReplyDeleteI applaud Laura for being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Laura likes to garden and cook.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Laura is passionate about history, and the 18th century is one she is partial to. She is an award winning best selling author (no surprise there)!
ReplyDeletePerrianne Askew
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) co,
She's worked hard to study history!
ReplyDelete