The Thistle & The Rose Is Now Available for Preorder!

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

Starting Over: How I Reclaimed My Stories—and Myself

 

A few months ago, I did something that felt equal parts thrilling and terrifying—I got the rights back to all of my previously published romance novels, due to my publisher closing after more than a decade. Years of work, passion, and heartache were finally mine again. No contracts. No gatekeepers. Just me, my stories, and a blank page.

I thought it would feel like freedom. And it did… until the reality hit.

No cover designer. No editor. No marketing team. It was just me, staring at a to-do list that felt a mile long. But despite feeling overwhelmed, I knew I had been given a gift—a chance to reintroduce my work on my terms.

Rediscovering My Words

The first step was reading through every book. Some made me laugh, some made me cringe, and others made me fall in love all over again. I tweaked dialogue, cleaned up pacing, and in some cases, rewrote whole chapters.

It was like revisiting an old version of myself—an author who was still finding her rhythm, her voice. And while I wanted to honor that writer, I also wanted to elevate the work for my readers, old and new.

Learning to Design (and Learning to Breathe)

Next came the covers. I studied genre trends, color palettes, typography—I even got picky about font pairings and image resolution (who am I?!).  I already used and LOVED Canva, so it was an easy decision to use Canva to create my covers. (Not my first book, Wolf's Castle--too sentimental I guess)

There were moments I wanted to cry. But when I saw my redesigned covers—the ones that actually matched the mood and heart of each story—it felt like magic. Like I was finally giving my books the visual identity they deserved.

Becoming My Own Publisher

Once the edits were done and the covers were polished, it was time to figure out Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. Metadata, keywords, categories… ISBNs! I took notes, watched YouTube videos, read posts from other authors who'd met the same fate, and asked a million questions.

Uploading that first book was nerve-wracking. I checked it a dozen times before hitting “publish.” And when it went live? I danced around my kitchen like I’d just won a literary award.

What I’ve Learned

I’m still learning. I’m still tweaking blurbs, trying new marketing strategies, and figuring out what works. But here’s what I know now: reclaiming my books was never just about the business side of publishing—it was about reclaiming me.

Every revised chapter, every redesigned cover, every upload to KDP has been a reminder that I’m capable of more than I thought. That this journey is mine to shape.

So if you’re an author staring down a similar path, let me tell you this: starting over isn’t easy. But it’s powerful. And it’s worth it.

Because you’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from experience.

Madelyn Hill
Romance Author | Self-Published | Reformed Font Snob 💕

 

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