We’ve had several of my favorite people on the blog this week – Kimberley Woodhouse, Shelley Shepard Gray, and now the fabulous Laura Frantz! So excited to have her here today to talk about the characters in her new historical romance The Rose and the Thistle!
THE ROSE AND THE THISTLE by Laura Frantz
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: January 3, 2023
PAGES: 414
blythe & everard
by Laura Frantz, author of The Rose and the Thistle
When I begin a novel, I only have in mind the barest sketch of what a character looks like, at least physically. For The Rose and the Thistle I only knew our heroine was tall and pale and blonde, our hero tall and dark. The entire novel is mostly written from an intuitive knowledge of a character’s personality and what makes them tick though they often surprise me while writing.
Once I finish a novel I’m always asked by at least a few readers for photo inspiration or a real life celebrity lookalike. And I’m always surprised that my idea doesn’t match the hero and heroine in their head. Everyone has a unique vision. But it’s sure fun to compare!
Let’s start with our heroine…
Blythe Hedley or Lady Blythe, as far as the British peerage is concerned, is a Northumbrian aristocrat. Daughter of an English duke, Blythe is not a beauty, at least by early 18th-century standards. The ideal woman back then was voluptuous, even plump. Thin wasn’t in as it smacked of poverty. Poor Lady Blythe is not only slender but very tall, taller than most of her male contemporaries which helps seal her spinster status. Blythe is brainy, not beautiful, but clueless about men. She adores books, not buff gentlemen until– well, no spoilers for you😊Blythe’s strength is her compassion, her weakness pride.
There’s an actual British royal in existence today who nails Blythe’s look – Lady Gabriella “Ella” Windsor. Isn’t she lovely? Especially on her wedding day in 2019!

Next is our hero…
Everard Hume, the laird of Wedderburn. Laird is the Scottish equivalent of the English lord. He is new to his Lowland earldom, having been on the European battlefield for a decade or more away from Scotland. He is large and in charge, shrewd, brusque, and sums up someone in a trice. His strength is his decisiveness and an ability to see past appearances, his weakness a lack of vulnerability.
Reach back into the 1990’s to a longer-haired Michael Bergin who worked for Calvin Klein and you’ll see Everard’s twin. Just imagine him in 18th-century attire!

I’d love to hear readers thoughts about who they have in mind for Blythe Hedley and Everard Hume – you may differ from the author and that’s fun, too!
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.
Revell is offering a print copy of The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz to TWO of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz? If you’ve already read this book, how did your mental picture of the characters match or differ from Laura’s?
You’re the best for hosting, Carrie💛 Loved your questions & thankful to begin another bookish year with you❣️
always a pleasure, dear Laura 💛
There are so many reasons why I want to read this:
Laura Frantz!
Historical Christian Fiction!
Some romance!
Scotland!
I’m excited!!
exactly!! 🙂
I have not read a book set during the time period in a long time. I am excited about this book after reading an excerpt of The Rose and the Thistle. It is on my official wish list now.
YAY!!
I am new to her books but what I’ve read I love. I’m excited to get my hands on this one.
For the past several years there has been something I’ve looked forward to in January – a new book by Laura Frantz!! I have my copy and making myself finish what I’m reading before savouring (like that British spelling? 😘) what I know will be an instant favorite!! Love you dearly, friend!
This historical sounds captivating and meaningful. A real treasure to enjoy.
I love Laura Frantz’s novels and looking forward to read a book set in Scotland. I’ve not read very
many novels with that setting, which I find intriguing. I am always happy to see images that the author chooses for her characters. I don’t mind them a bit, as my mind can do some embellishing as I read. Thank you for a fabulous interview!
It’s such fun to see your character inspiration photos, Laura! They fit Everard and Blythe very well. I loved both of these characters! Such a fascinating and captivating story!
I want to read this book because it’s by Laura Frantz and it takes place in Scotland.
I would love to read The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz because it sounds like an enchanting story!
Sounds like a good story.
This sounds like a wonderful story with an intriguing premise!
Oh, I definitely would love to read this book, it is a Laura Frantz book! I love her stories, thank you for the giveaway.
Laura Frantz in one of my MUST read authors! I’m excited to read her newest masterpiece!
What makes me want to read The Rise and the Thistle? Laura Frantz wrote it=)
Great Author!
The author, the cover, and the genre make me want to read this book!
Sounds really great
haven’t read this author
I’ve heard so much chatter about this book and can’t wait to read it! I’m new to Laura Frantz’s work and can’t wait to read more, plus this cover is gorgeous!
It sounds like a really great book! I love all of Laura Frantz’s books and I know I’ll love this one!
I’m reading it right now & it’s delightful! 🙂