The Rose Amongst the Thorns
After her brother’s sudden death, Lady Katherine Turner unexpectedly becomes Countess of Leicester and is thrust into a dangerous world of ambition, suitors, and betrayal. As she falls for Lord James Stanford, the ruthless Lord Henry Tyrell grows obsessed with claiming both her fortune and her hand, forcing Katherine to fight for her freedom before her voice is silenced.
Laura Johnson-Smith’s debut novel is set during the reign of Richard III, an intriguing and refreshing historical backdrop for a gripping and often tumultuous story populated by vivid characters. The author acknowledges the liberties taken with the portrayal of women, particularly Lady Katherine, whose strong advocacy for women’s rights in the 15th century occasionally feels anachronistic and somewhat distracting despite the evident depth of historical research. Katherine’s determination and spirit are appealing, Tyrell emerges as a convincingly obsessive villain, and Stanford as his moral counterpoint, though the rendering of Stanford’s accent with the repeated “ya” in place of “you” proved somewhat irritating.
If you are looking for a historical romance with all the satisfying tropes of an independent woman looking for love with a villainous man thrown in, lots of heaving bodices, and treacherous servants and relatives, this is as good a read as any and the fact that its set in an undervalued period enhances it.
