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.
I’m so pleased to review a recent read, The Thorn Bearer. Ever since I ran across Pepper Basham online, I’ve wanted to read her books. When she kindly offered me a copy to read, I leapt at the chance! And I’m so glad I did! Not only do I find Ashleigh relatable and lovable as a main character, I quickly fell for Sam, too. Why? Because they’re flawed and broken but striving to love each other…
What a setting Pepper has given this novel! Ashleigh spent several years in Asheville, NC–a place I can picture well since my best friend lives there and I’ve visited often. However, The Thorn Bearer opens on the decks of the Lusitania.
*insert history-buff-squeals here*
That’s not all! Pepper proceeds to carry her characters from the Lusitania to England, in the middle of WWI. All the while painting a picture of a love story that by all accounts should not be unfolding…I admit I was a bit disappointed in Sam’s reaction when he discovered Ashleigh’s secret, but the way Pepper brings it all about is poignant, tactful, and rich in mercy. Pepper’s way with words, especially in scenes where a spiritual awakening is occurring, is worth the read.
If you love historical fiction in uncommonly covered eras, rich settings, and tales of mercy, check out The Thorn Bearer.
Quick disclosure: there are some heavy subjects covered in this book, so I don’t recommend it for younger readers. But Pepper handles it all with tact and grace.
About the Author
Pepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she works with kids who have special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Find her online: Facebook // Twitter // Website
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