Blackberry and Wild Rose

Esther Thorel is an aspiring artist married to Spitalfields’ finest silk weaver. She desires a deeper purpose and to connect with her husband, but he spurns her—and her artwork—as silly and meaningless.

Sara Kemp is a country girl sent to London for a chance at life in service. She imagines wide, clean streets and elegance but instead finds herself in the talons of a notorious madam, Mrs. Swan. She has no escape until her path crosses Esther’s, and their lives will never be the same again.

Powerful, emotional, and moving, the narratives of Esther and Sara quickly reveal that nothing is as it seems.

Based loosely on the life of legendary silk designer Anna Maria Garthwaite, Esther dreams of becoming a silk designer. She tries to impress and connect with her husband over her creations, but he harshly brushes her off. Journeymen weaver Bisby Lambert enters the Thorel household to weave his masterpiece, and a friendship is born. Lambert not only sees Esther as an individual but helps her merchandise her masterpiece: Blackberry and Wild Rose.

As her beautiful artwork springs to life, the world around her implodes—the false veneer of perfection crumbles. Throw in unrest, riot, rebellion, a pregnancy, and death, and the plot thickens with many delicious twists and turns.
br> Sonia Velton instantly drew me into the world of the Spitalfields silk weavers in 18th century London. I loved the atmosphere, the multifaceted characters, and the unexpected plot twists. If you enjoy well-written, historical fiction, you’ll adore this novel.