The Bitter Rose and the Thorn

By: Molly Cutpurse

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

In 1969, Lara Everett’s quiet life is shattered by the arrival of a dangerously charming stranger. But as she falls under his spell, she must confront a painful past—and choose whether to surrender to love or fight for her own freedom.

If you’re after a nasty, smarmy womanising villain who could have been played by James Mason in his heyday, this novel has him in spades.

Lara Everett is a sensitive, childless widow of twenty years — settled, financially secure, and addicted to solitude. She wouldn’t call herself depressed, just quietly unhappy, resigned to a life without the dreams she once held dear.

Then William (Bill) Lee appears: shrewd, resourceful, and utterly unsuitable for any woman. Hypnotized by his charm and presence, Lara finds herself drawn into a dangerous dance, forced to confront the hardest truth — that what she once thought mattered most may not be what truly satisfies her soul.

Set in 1969 with memories reaching back to the shadows of World War Two, The Bitter Rose and the Thorn is a poignant story of heartbreak, resilience, and one woman’s journey to reclaim her life and find self-fulfilment.