Red Headed Book Lady: The Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham

Series: Penned in Time
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Publication date: December 6, 2016
Number of pages: 327

Jessica Ross' scars run much deeper than the wounds of 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. To Jessica's dismay, her grandparents have befriended one of the treacherous internees.

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 finds 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 bring 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?

I loved this story! I didn't want to leave them!!!

Pepper has penned another amazing story to which I will have to go back and reread the other 2.

I love her writing style. She has definitely opened my eyes to the many blessings that God bestows upon us every day. Sometimes we are too blind to see them.

There are some favorite sayings of mine throughout the entire book. One of my favorite is I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

To be reminded of this brings me great joy. I know He is there every day waiting for us to come to Him.

Jessica Rossi has a lot to learn and one is that. She has a lot of hurt from the war to health from. She's also most certainly stubborn and refuses to believe that God does love her and He has never left her.

It takes one very special man and family to help her uncover what she has lost. I love August. He's proof of God's unjust love and forgiveness. He's always has a ready smile for everyone and anyone. He has a great outlook for everything because he has Jesus in his heart.

He's kind and witty and a solid rock and my oh my he's has the good looks oh my !!!!!

I'm glad the author has brought David and Catherine back in for Catherine does give Jessica some sound advice on love and plus an evil no gooder who is prejudice against certain ppl.

I love this story because it also has given me a new family to love and cherish.

I like how the Carter family helps those in need and reaches out to share their love.

Grandpa Carter is full of wisdom and love. Just like my own Grandpa was. (My how do I miss him but I will see him again someday)

Granny was pretty special to me too!! She had some sound advice as well. I think it is amazing what our older generations have lived through and the stories they can tell!!!

I really hate to say goodbye to these ppl.

It makes me want to cry!

I did laugh in some places. Pepper does put humor in all the right places where it's needed!

I loved the setting in which the story takes place. Ww1 has many heartaches and sometimes there is joy if we only look in the right place.

The Lord has reasons for what He does.

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader's Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, shortlisted for the Inspy Awards, and a finalist in ACFW’s Carol Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times. You can get to know Pepper on her website, Facebook, Instagram, or over at her group blog, The Writer's Alley.