Passionate and witty, this newest addition to my list of favorite authors delivers yet another swoon-worthy adventure in her second installment of the Penned in Time series, The Thorn Keeper by Pepper Basham!
about the book
The Thorn Keeper by Pepper Basham (Penned in Time book 2)
With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?
Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.
David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.
When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.
From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.
my thoughts
There are so many great elements that make this story wonderful. Tension filled setting of WWI England is the backdrop for a growing attraction between a quiet doctor and reformed debutante/nurse.
Our heroine, Catherine, is a new Christian seeking to grow in her faith while dealing with the consequences of her past transgressions. Her complete one-eighty from the vindictive, selfish debutante we met in the first installment is heartwarming and evidenced by her determination to embrace and empower social outcasts.
Dr. David Ross is a strong, quiet hero dedicated to serving others while maintaining proper and professional boundaries. I love those quiet heroes, they don’t waste time with idle chit-chat. Catherine’s resistance to their attraction just fuels his determination to win her over.
Pepper’s delightful storytelling immersed me in her world. Drama, romance, and suspense all unfold on a solid foundation of faith, scriptures, and God’s grace. I anxiously look forward to seeking out Pepper Basham’s future titles.
I won this title from the author through a giveaway on Sarah Rutt’s blog and requested the title through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
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
Who are some of your favorite authors?
If we have some in common, I’ll be sure to post a review of one of their titles.
Be sure to add The Thorn Keeper by Pepper Basham to your tbr!
Faithfully Bookish 
AHHH!! Beth, this is soooo great! Thank you!! I’m glad you enjoyed David and Catherine’s story. I LOVED how she changed…and…I have a tendency to like those quiet heroes too 😉 Right now I’m writing a saucier one and it’s breaking new ground for me 🙂
LikeLike
Oh boy! Pepper, I’ll take those heroes any way you cook ’em up!
LikeLike