The Thorn Keeper

This book is the second in a series and obviously so, but that doesn't detract from its allure. Pepper D Basham has worked in so much in the way of spiritual truth in her book that it is hard to put down, even though it is quite long.

The era is World War I, the scene is a manor house in Ednesbury, England, that is tripling as a hospital for the war wounded and an orphanage for the children left behind due to the war. The key players are David Ross, the doctor, and Catherine Dougall, the daughter of the owner of the manor house. Catherine is a new believer in Christ with a reputation behind her that is hard for her to overcome. David's great aunt has bought enough of the buildings in Ednesbury that she can dictate how the renters can do business, and that is a hard pill for Catherine to swallow.

One of the coolest aspects of the book is that Catherine's friend, a French dress designer, takes in some of Catherine's designs and hires some of the poorer women in town to come in and sew them. While David's great aunt tries to thwart Catherine at every turn, Catherine is able to come out on top with her servant's heart serving her well. Catherine has an eye for design and even allows using some of her older gowns to be remade into the newer designs.

With the hospital in dire need of newer equipment, more space, supplies, and just a general need for money, Catherine came up with the idea for a ball and a bazaar to let some of the disenfranchised to show what kinds of work they can do, given the chance.

All the while, David is falling in love with Catherine, and Catherine with David, but Catherine thinks David deserves better than she. He keeps trying to get closer to her, but she keeps pushing him away. It's quite the dance the two of them engage in, trying to be understood by the other, and yet not quite making it.

Here's my one and only criticism: the book has so much truth in it that I wanted my daughter to read it just for that, but the more intimate moments in the book would turn her so off, that she wouldn't be able to see the truth that's there. Pepper is just a bit too explicit in those descriptions.

Still, Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a new dress design for your next ball.

My thanks to Vinspire Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.