The Thorn Bearer by Pepper D. Basham - Review and Interview

I received this book  in exchange for a fair and honest review

The Thorn Bearer by Pepper D. Basham

Penned in Time #1

E-Book only

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 review:

I don't normally read e-books as they are not my thing but this story drew my attention so I thought I would give it a shot. I am glad I did as this was a great book. This book takes you on an emotional journey from beginning to end. It deals with a sensitive subject but it is done with finesse. Sexual abuse is oftentimes swept under the rug but Pepper brings it front and center and how Ashley dealt with it. She does it in a way that is tasteful and not "dirty" as most people think of this issue. You will follow Ashley through her journey of healing. The author did a good job with her research to make the historical aspects of this book come to life. There is history,romance,faith, and forgiveness in this book which makes the story move right along. The characters are very well developed and I connected with Ashley right from the start. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out. 

About the author:

Pepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she works with kids who have special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. She is represented by Julie Gwinn, and her debut novel, The Thorn Bearer, arrives on May 7th 2015

Interview:

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing?

Well, I've always been interested in stories - as long as I can remember, but I think my Appalachian culture of 'storytelling' really impacted my passion all the more. My grandmother was the first person who called me a 'writer' and bought me my first typewriter when I was ten years old.

2. What do you do to help you get over writer's block?

I usually switch to another book that I'm working on at the time and then go back to the current novel once I'm over the 'block'. Brainstorming with friends helps too.

3. Do you have scheduled writing time or a certain amount of words you write each day?

I shoot for 1000 words a day, but this doesn't always work out. Most of my 'big' writing happens after all my kids are asleep at night, but I try to sneak snippets of time throughout my day - lunch break, carpool line...etc

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Oh my goodness! So many places - and usually unexpected. Some come from family stories, some from research, and some just pop into my head as I daydreaming.

5. When you are not writing what do you like to do?

Spend time with my kids! Oh my goodness, I love them so much. I also enjoy hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

6. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring writers?

Keep writing! It took me 10 years to get my first contract - which may sound daunting, but I kept dreaming, praying, and writing. I'm so thankful to see the end result!

7. Who is your favorite author or book that you would like to recommend to your readers?

Anything by Laura Frantz! I love her writing for its lyrical quality, excellent characters, and beautiful descriptions. The setting is amazing

8. If you could meet any famous person dead or alive who would it be and why?

Tough question! I'd absolutely love to meet The Samaritan Woman Jesus spoke to in the Bible. I can't imagine the wonder she felt at meeting him! Changed life! Wow! A wonderful lady who recently passed is Kara Tibbet, a mom who battled cancer for two years before going Home on 3/21. Her love for the Lord, her faithfulness and authenticity in the middle of her pain was inspiring and heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

9. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you like to visit?

Scotland! If I could choose Great Britain as a whole, I would. My ancestors are from that neck of the woods and I'd love to spend a month touring Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales

10. 5 interesting facts about yourself

Pepper is my real name

My mom's name is Ginger (so we're the original Spice Girls ;-)

Andy Griffith is my fourth cousin

My oldest son *17 years old* wrote is first novel last year - 75K words!!! So proud of him.

I do NOT like black-eyed peas. Ugh.