My husband bought me the best gift for Valentine’s Day, a book! Specifically, he purchased the I devoured The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham! Eeep!
about the book
The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham (Penned in Time book 1)
From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all.
When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman?
In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.
Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friend’s former fiancé and his own childhood companion.
As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.
When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her betrayal and past will crush her life forever.
my thoughts
The Thorn Bearer is an epic, breath-taking journey from North Carolina, across the turbulent waters of the Atlantic, and finally to WWI England. One of my favorite aspects of historical fiction is it often sparks my interest in a historical event or person. When a talented author gets hold of history and makes it an interesting story, it makes me want to dig deeper and discover what really happened.
A broken engagement and a dark secret from Ashleigh Dougall’s past have left her feeling unloveable and abandoned by God. I hope this story is an encouragement to abuse survivors like Ashleigh, what incredible pain and suffering. Sam Miller (Ashleigh’s friend and her sister’s fiancee) examines his relationship with each of the Dougall sisters. Sam and Ashleigh’s inner dialog is especially entertaining while they are initially fighting that mutual attraction.
Pepper Basham kept me on the edge of my seat with drama, suspense, and swoon-worthy flirtation. I didn’t want to put this book down!
My husband earned major brownie points by purchasing this book for me for Valentine’s Day.
about the author
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards.
Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, showcases her Appalachian heritage and history, as well as her love for humor and family.
She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
Penned in Time series
If you had to choose between visiting North Carolina and England, where would you go?
Be sure to add The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham to your tbr!
Faithfully Bookish 
England. EVERY TIME! 🙂 But I do love my mountains of the Blue Ridge!
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Closest I’ve been to either is Smoky Mountains National Park. I think we were right on the NC border when we hiked up Clingman’s Dome! As far as England goes, I’d want to go in “Penned in Time” fashion and take the big boat!
Thank you for stopping by, Pepper!
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