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 … 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.
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Basham writes in a way that you don’t see the words. You SEE the story. That is my highest praise for an author.
This is an amazingly powerful book! It’s a tough read in that it covers some difficult topics, but it is so well done. Every aspect and piece of the story is expertly and thoroughly woven together. It’s hard to even put into words just how well this author handles everything in this book from the difficult things to the romance to the healing and hope to the reminder that God is always there and we are never alone. It’s a tale full of redemption and hope and healing and the love story of a Savior for every single one of us no matter where we come from, what we’ve done, or what has been done to us. I highly recommend it!
The entire Penned in Time series is an inspiring story of redemption! From surviving the sinking of the Lusitania to the dark past that scars Ashleigh McDougal’s soul this story stirs the heart and reaches deep into the soul. It is a story of loss and redemption for many who fight to survive World War 1. An excellent series by author, Pepper Basham!
The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham is a powerful Christian historical novel and the first book in the Penned In Time series.
The book is set in 1915 with some of the action on the doomed Lusitania. Actual near drownings mirror characters drowning within themselves. “She was drowning. Oh, God, where are You?” The past can be a cruel master that blinds us to God’s love. “God remained … silent… All of that love? It was never meant for me.” God is never silent but in our pain we cannot always hear Him. Lies from the enemy whisper that we are unworthy. “I’ll not have you believing the lies from the shadows.” We need others to help to point us to God and to help us to stand on the word of God and know that we are loved.
God is the rescuer of sinners and we are all sinners in need of a Saviour. “God doesn’t want someone as ruined as me tainting His Heaven.” None of us are ever worthy to stand before God but His grace and love redeem us. Because of Jesus we can come to God just as we are. He will change us from the inside out.
A major theme in the novel is forgiveness. We must forgive. Withholding forgiveness will not just hurt the other person, we will poison our own lives if we become bitter. “Your bitterness is blinding you from seeing what God can do for a person who desperately needs forgiveness.” If we cannot forgive in our strength, we must God for His.
There is the theme of the prodigals returning. We may fear the reception we will receive but our Father longs to see us return home.
The theme of fathers looms large. Some fathers are downright evil, tainting and ruining those they are supposed to protect. In contrast we have our heavenly Father who loves us with an everlasting love.
Pepper Basham has created a wonderful set of characters who are realistic and easy to empathise with. I have loved The Thorn Bearer and enjoyed meeting ‘new’ friends. It’s on to book two for me now.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
This was my first crack at Pepper Basham’s historical work and I absolutely loved it! The content isn’t easy by any means, but Basham handles it in such a manner that it feels real without being vulgar. This read is packed with action, heart, romance, and a spiritual punch that stays with readers just as long as the characters do.
Speaking of characters . . . I loved Sam and Ashleigh! Infuriating little jellybeans that they are, they’re fantastic as friends and I loved the sweet-yet-complicated way their relationship grew and unfolded. I loved so many of these characters, and I even found myself caring about characters I originally didn’t like by the end of the book. Overall, this is just a great read. I highly recommend for fans of historical romances with a strong inspirational message.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions belong solely to me.