Synopsis:~
Ashley Dougall has a terminal disease and forgiveness is the only cure.
Ashley Dougall’s father stole her innocence, her selfish fiancé stole her heart, and unforgiveness is slowly stealing her life. Drawn by the desire to help others, she tries to escape haunting memories and enlists her services as a nurse in war-torn Europe. Along with her childhood friend and fiance’s brother, Samuel Miller, the fragile threads holding Ashley’s life in place one-by-one begin to snap. From the deck of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of WWI, Ashley must choose between forgiveness of the past, life in the present, and a Savior who is willing to help her face them both.
My endorsement:~
Nothing engages my reader heart more quickly than a debut author who surprises me with an evocative and enthralling novel. Pepper Basham is once such author and her novel, The Thorn Bearer, harbours both sweet gems and gritty shale within its covers. Tender, unrequited love touches your heart, while the shame cloaking a young woman from childhood will rend your soul. Set against the epic backdrop of World War I and the sinking of the Lusitania by the German Navy, The Thorn Bearer is a story of survival and sacrifice that kept me turning pages well into the night. Readers of Elizabeth Ludwig, Elizabeth Camden, and Maureen Lang will be fascinated by this fresh voice.
With thanks to the author for my review copy
Relz Reviewz Extras
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April 30, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Great review, Rel. I loved this one as well. The story has stayed with me long after the last page was turned. I am looking forward to many more from Pepper.
April 30, 2015 at 11:01 pm
Rel,
Thank you for reading and endorsing this first book of mine. I am so thankful for people, like you, who’ve given their time, talents, and cyber-space to share the news and this story! Thank you!
April 30, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Beckie,
I’m SO glad you enjoyed the story!! Here’s hoping I can have the same positive impact with book 2 🙂
April 30, 2015 at 11:54 pm
Thank you so much for introducing new authors to me. I’m always a bit hesitant to purchase digital books by authors I am unfamiliar with, but I trust your endorsements. So, I purchased this book and really loved it. I love that the heroine’s name is Ashleigh because that is also my sister’s name, which gave me an extra attachment to this story. Can’t wait for the next one from Pepper!
May 1, 2015 at 6:41 am
Brittaney,
I am SO glad you enjoyed the book! Here’s hoping my next one meets the same expectations as the first. when in the middle of the writing process, sometimes I’m left to wonder about the grand outcome 🙂
May 1, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Rel
Another novel to add to my collection. Thanks, dear friend, can’t wait to read this one.
Pepper, congratulations on what sounds like a fascinating debut. When Rel specifically makes mention of a novel keeping her up even later at night (I think Rel is up late most nights reading) then I know it’s one to grab.
May 2, 2015 at 4:15 am
Ian,
Rel has been amazing! I love reading her reviews and trust them.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
May 7, 2015 at 12:21 am
What a beautiful cover – and what sounds like a beautiful story! I tend to prefer contemporaries, but I’ve seen this book floating around the internet and it has my interest piqued… after your review, it’s on my TBR list for sure!