Jessica Ross’ scars run much deeper than the wounds of a world at war. Determined to escape the ghosts of her past and the German influence on her nightmares, she returns home to the sleepy Appalachian town of Hot Springs, NC, only to find the renowned Mountain Park Hotel has been converted into a ‘prison’ for displaced Germans and, much to Jessica’s dismay, her grandparents have befriended one … one of them.
August Reinhold has not only found kinship with Jessica’s grandparents, but as they share their granddaughter’s letters from the Front, he discovers a surprising bond drawing him toward the independent and beautiful woman. Displaced by a war and a painful history, he find Hot Springs and the intriguing, Jessica Ross, a tempting place to start over. Determined to scale the heights of her bitterness and show her the power of love, August faces more than just Jessica’s resistance, but a more devious design to harm the civilian sailors housed in Hot Springs.
Will August’s tender pursuit show Jessica the healing and hope she needs, or will bitterness force her into the hands of a ‘true’ enemy waiting to destroy much more than her heart?
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Wonderful series set in the aftermath of WW1. Jessica and August’s relationship and experiences were heart-breaking, tender, and had an emotional depth that had me thinking about this book long after I had closed the last page. This entire series would make a great movie or television saga.
The Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham is a historical romance. It is the third book in the Penned In Time series but can be read as a stand-alone, however I would recommend reading the previous books first for full enjoyment. Set in the final year of World War I, fact meets fiction in this epic read.
There is the theme of trust – trust in God and trust in men. An alien intern camp in the small American town is met with fear and dislike. People distrust the Germans because of their experience in war. Prejudice is rife but not everyone should be tarred with the same brush.
Jessica is a nurse from the front who finds it hard to trust God after all that she has seen. “How can You see what is happening and so silent?” She is focused on man and not God. Her heart longs to see God but He seems absent. “If You are in the middle of all this mess, show me.”
War breeds bitterness. Bitterness will eat away at a person. “The only thing bitterness does is change you, not Him.” Feelings of bitterness need to be handed over to God. Lives need to be surrendered to God and committed to His plans.
People returned from war changed. They had seen things they could not ‘unsee.’ They bore the scars of battle. “War left many scars. Unseen.” Not all scars were visible. Many returned with mental scars. Now we know it as PTSD but then it was called shell shock. People were broken but “Nothing is broken that cannot be restored.” God is the God of restoration. In Him all things can be made new.
There is a broken down chapel in the novel. This can be seen as a motif for the broken lives. Pieces need to be put back together. Each broken piece is a treasure whose beauty is restored when joined with other broken pieces.
The novel has the theme of taking care of the widows and orphans. There are some truly adorable children in the novel. Young Jude was particularly charming with his child-like observations.
This is a beautiful novel by Pepper Basham and what a treat it was to read. My emotions were twisted this way and that, particularly towards the end when I literally gasped out loud. The Thorn Healer is a poignant read that certainly gives God the glory for His steadfast faithfulness.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Emotion, passion, and devotion are a few of the expressions running through my mind when I think of Pepper D. Basham’s, The Thorn Healer; book three in the Penned In Time series. If you enjoy historical romance novels bursting with passion, fire, and drama, then this is the book for you. The Thorn Healer contains lovely tidbits of fashion, trends, politics, and lifestyle nuggets that mark the setting of this 1918 period piece. Pepper Basham’s first chapter opens with a gripping scene and sends the reader on an entertaining ride at full speed throughout the course of the novel. I was glued to the pages and had to keep reading!
Nurse, Jessica Ross (the heroine), returned home to Hot Springs, North Carolina after serving in England and France in what we now call WWI. I was a little taken aback by Jessica’s take-charge, sometimes abrasive attitude and personality. After awhile, as I kept reading, I liked her better and admired the author’s ability to make all three of the heroines in this series be different from one another; all people aren’t exactly alike in real life. Jessica is very competitive and confident, vocal and vivacious. One realizes that underneath her bold and dynamic outer layer, are physical and emotional war wounds to overcome. Jessica has to learn to depend on God and find out that He is sovereign and loving, even in dark, unexplainable circumstances. I like how kind and loving she is to the orphans in her life. Life has placed her in a situation outside of her comfort zone, but Jessica accepts the challenge and grows up as a result.
The heroine’s largest obstacle in her path to true love comes in the form of the great enemy of WWI— a German! The main pesky, problem with this German is—- nothing. He is perfect. August Reinhold, our hero, is so wonderful I just smile thinking about him. This man has an upbeat, loving, stable personality. He is a breath of fresh air in the middle of all the dark, moody, brooding heroes of some other Christian fiction novels I have read. August is witty in his own way, and loves to laugh. He spreads joy wherever he goes. I love that. We need more heroes like him in Christian fiction.
As always, romance in a Pepper Basham novel is top priority. Sparks fly between Jessica and August from their first meeting. Pepper Basham certainly knows how to write beautiful moments and swoon-worthy kisses. More than that though, is the author’s ability to write love and romance on a deeper level. I love the way August continues coming back and keeps pursuing Jessica even though she dislikes him. He knows they will be together one day and waits patiently for her to love him back. Her process of slowly learning what a treasure he is a joy to watch as the story unfolds. I was almost crying happy tears when she finally gives him her heart. Sigh.
Pepper Basham writes in an entertaining style and includes a cast of supporting characters with interesting stories as well. The Appalachian Mountain setting gives this WWI period story a unique flavor. I really enjoyed hearing the dialect and cultural traditions of the mountain people. It made me feel right at home. The mountains are calling me. Sigh.
So much story, drama, and emotion are packed into The Thorn Healer. It is difficult to describe this book in a few paragraphs. You will just have to read it for yourself. Pepper Basham has written another fine novel for your keep shelf that you will enjoy re-reading in the future.
* I received and Advanced Reader Copy of this book by the author for review purposes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.