Announcing the Arrival of: The Thistle & The Rose

 

The Thistle & The Rose

Now Available - Amazon Buy Link

Where the Legend Began...

There are some stories that arrive quietly.

And then there are the ones that refuse to let go.

The Thistle & The Rose has been that story for me.

From the moment Claire Ashford looked out through the mist-covered carriage window and first locked eyes with Highland laird Lachlan Cameron, I knew this wasn't simply a romance. It was the beginning of a legend—a story of two people whose lives collide in the wild Scottish Highlands, forever changing not only each other, but everyone around them.

This novel is about choices.

Claire has spent her life believing her future belongs to everyone but herself. Raised to be dutiful, obedient, and politically useful, she never imagined she would find her greatest strength in the last place she expected—the rugged Highlands of Scotland.

Lachlan has sacrificed everything for his clan. Honor. Peace. Even the hope of love. As laird of Raven's Berry, every decision he makes carries the weight of generations. Taking Claire was never part of his heart's plan—it was an act born of necessity.

Yet sometimes destiny has plans of its own.

As enemies gather, betrayals are uncovered, and old wounds are reopened, Claire and Lachlan discover that love isn't something that weakens them.

It becomes their greatest strength.

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What You Can Expect

If you've followed my books before, you'll recognize my love of layered characters and emotional journeys. With The Thistle & The Rose, I wanted to create a romance that sweeps readers into the Highlands and refuses to let them leave.

Inside you'll find:

• ❤️ A slow-burn romance filled with longing and unforgettable chemistry

• ⚔️ A fiercely protective Highland laird

• 🌿 A heroine who discovers her own courage and chooses her destiny

• 🏰 Ancient castles, mist-covered glens, lochs, waterfalls, and breathtaking Scottish landscapes

• 🔥 Family betrayal, clan loyalty, and epic battles

• 💚 A love story built on trust, sacrifice, and choosing each other again and again

At its heart, this is a story about finding home—not in a place, but in a person.

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A Story Years in the Making

Writing this novel has been an incredible journey. I wanted readers to feel the wind sweeping across the Highlands, hear the crash of waterfalls beneath Raven's Berry Keep, and experience every stolen glance, every hard-fought battle, and every moment Claire and Lachlan begin to realize they are no longer fighting only for survival—but for each other.

Their story demanded bigger emotions, richer landscapes, deeper friendships, and a romance that unfolds one heartbeat at a time.

I hope you'll fall in love with Raven's Berry as deeply as I have.

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Be Among the First to Read Their Story

I'm thrilled to announce that The Thistle & The Rose is now available!

Whether you've been with me since my earlier Highland romances or this will be your very first visit to Scotland with me, I cannot wait to introduce you to Claire and Lachlan.

Because every legend has a beginning...and this is theirs.

Thank you, as always, for your incredible support. Every order, every review, every recommendation, and every message means more than I can ever express.

I'll be sharing behind-the-scenes inspiration, character features, deleted scenes, and sneak peeks in the coming weeks, so be sure to follow along.

See you in the Highlands.

With gratitude,

Madelyn Hill

The Thistle & The Rose Is Now Available for Preorder!

 

Amazon Buy Link

I am thrilled to announce that my newest historical romance, The Thistle & The Rose, is now available for preorder!

This story has been living in my heart for quite some time, and I cannot wait for readers to journey into the Scottish Highlands with Laird Lachlan Cameron and Lady Claire Ashford.

When Claire is taken from the familiar safety of England and brought beneath the shadowed walls of Raven’s Berry Keep, she is determined not to surrender to the stubborn Highland laird who claims he is protecting her.

Lachlan Cameron has no time for an infuriating Englishwoman with a sharp tongue, an unyielding spirit, and an unsettling ability to slip past every defense he has built around his heart. Yet as danger closes in and loyalties are tested, Claire and Lachlan are forced to rely upon one another.

What begins with mistrust, heated arguments, and undeniable attraction slowly becomes something neither of them expected—and something both may be willing to risk everything to protect.

Filled with:

• A fierce Highland laird

• A spirited English heroine

• Sharp banter and slow-burning attraction

• Rival brothers and divided loyalties

• Highland danger and adventure

• Emotional tension, passion, and a love worth fighting for

The Thistle & The Rose is a sweeping Scottish historical romance about trust, belonging, sacrifice, and two people who discover that love can bloom even in the most unforgiving places.

Preorder Your Copy Today

Be among the first to experience Lachlan and Claire’s story when The Thistle & The Rose releases on July 1st.

Preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/Thistle-Rose-Madelyn-Hill-ebook/dp/B0H42RGV9D/ 

Preordering is one of the best ways to support a new book. Every preorder helps the story reach more historical romance readers—and ensures the book will be waiting for you on release day.

Thank you for continuing to support my stories, my Highland heroes, and the strong women brave enough to challenge them. I am so excited to finally share The Thistle & The Rose with you.

Until then, may your days be filled with romance, adventure, and just a touch of Highland magic.

With love,

Madelyn 

Writing by the Seat of my Pants - It's All About The Spark

 

 

 

 

Creating engaging characters takes time, inspiration and a hell of a lot of work. My first published novel Wolf's Castle is filled with drama and romance with a mix of Gothic elements on the side. Enjoy meeting my characters below and if you haven't read Wolf's Castle, give it a chance. 

 

Lord Galen Maclean — The Beast of Lomarcan Castle

Title: Lord of Lomarcan Castle
Vibe: Brooding Highlander with a soft center (when coaxed out)

Personality Snapshot

Galen is the classic tortured hero — fierce, stubborn, and sworn to guard his isolation at all costs. He’s known as the “beast” of the castle because of his temper and fearsome reputation, but deep down he’s loyal and passionate.

Hobbies (when he’s not glaring at intruders)

• Whiskey at dawn — nothing says “ruler of the Highlands” like a man deep in his cups before he breaks his fast.

• Sculpting stone gargoyles for the castle ramparts — artistic outlet meets intimidation factor.

• Midnight walks through foggy moors — he claims it’s “for the fresh air,” but really it’s just dramatic.

Favorite Food

• Smoky Highland stew with roasted root vegetables and thick, buttered bread (a meal worthy of fueling epic brooding).

• He secretly adores haggis — don’t tell anyone, especially the sheep.

Ideal Mate

Galen’s ideal match is someone who is:

• Bold enough to lock eyes with him

• Unafraid of castle corridors at night

• Quick with a laugh and a sharp retort
  In short: someone who can turn his growls into grins.

 

Vivian Stuart — The Uninvited Light

Title: Wandering Woman with Courage to Spare
Vibe: Intrepid, compassionate, and unshakably curious

Personality Snapshot

Vivian is the spirited heroine who stumbles into Galen’s gloomy world — and refuses to be cowed by his cold exterior. She’s brave, warm-hearted, and fiercely determined to be heard.

Hobbies That Fit Her Spirit

• Directing fanciful plays — she knows it will anger the beast, but the isle inhabitants deserve to have a bit of dramatic fun.

• Journaling by candlelight — vivid descriptions, elegant sketches, and many unsent letters to Galen’s softer side.

• Meddling in castle affairs — if she's stuck on the isle, she might as well make herself useful.

Favorite Food

• Honey-herb scones with clotted cream — a touch sweet, a touch wild, perfectly balanced (like her personality).

• She loves fresh berries with cream picked straight from the hedgerows at her home, alas, no berries at Wolf's Castle.

Ideal Mate

Vivian dreams of someone:

• Strong but emotionally honest

• Loyal even when the path is hard

• Capable of protecting her world without trying to control it
  She’s not looking for perfection — just a heart that’s brave enough to love hers.

Why These Two Spark

Galen and Vivian are a classic tale of fire meeting flame — a gruff guardian meeting a bright spirit who refuses to be confined by his past. Their dynamic isn’t just about passion; it’s about growth, courage, and finding unexpected companionship in a haunted castle’s shadowed halls.