The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz

Book description:

 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.

My review:
   This is the first book I have read by this author. I have heard a lot of good about her books, so when I had the chance to review this book, I took it.

  I had a hard time getting into the book at first, to be honest. Maybe it had a slow start, and maybe it was just me. Once I got into it, I did have a hard time putting it down.

 What I liked:

  The two main characters. Everard (where on earth did that name come from?!) and Blythe were extremely likable characters. He, the oldest of 7 sons, was laird upon his father's death, determined to do the right thing, and in charge of everything. Including his fatherless and motherless eight year old brother, Orrin. Also, a very enjoyable and likable character. And also in charge of his surprise guest, his father's goddaughter, Blythe. Blythe was also a great character, hiding out because of her father's Jacobite leanings and sympathies. She won not only the new laird's heart, but the rest of the household, including the youngest brother.

 The history. I knew pretty much nothing about the Jacobite uprising, so I used Google a few times to better understand that.

 The language. There are a lot of Scottish words and sayings that we do not use. The author included a handy glossary in the front of the book which I used a lot, and also found myself Googling some she did not define, along with other things I wondered about, such as foods. Haggis - I did already know about.

 For most of the book, the story was slow and sedate, but yet interesting as the day to day happenings of Wedderburn Castle and the inhabitants played out.

 Slight spoiler: things do liven up some towards the end of the book, leaning a little towards a little suspense, which I always like.

  So I did enjoy my first Laura Frantz novel. Yes, it took me a while to get into the book, but it was definitely and enjoyable read with a setting that I have not read much of or about. I liked her writing style, and she excelled at likable characters and their development. I enjoyed not only the plot and characters, but also learning more about the customs and rules of that day, especially of a place such as Wedderburn Castle.

 Of interest, if you read the "about the author", the author is a direct descendant of the real Hume family who lived in the castle in this story.

 I even bought a couple of the author's books on eBay. :)

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. A direct descendent of George Hume of Wedderburn Castle, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

The Rose and the Thistle is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.