Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Thorn Keeper by Pepper D. Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Thorn Keeper
Series: Penned in Time #2
Author: Pepper D. Basham
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Release Date: February 28, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance
With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?
Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.
David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.
When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.
From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
PENNED IN TIME SERIES
EXCERPT
Ednesbury, Derbyshire England September 1915
There is a distinct difference between a heroine with a promised happy ending and a prodigal who must design her own.
As Catherine Dougall stared across Ednesbury’s crowded Main Street at Madame Rousell’s Boutique, the French tulle lace and promises of romance taunted her with paper-thin hopes. Used goods and white lace? Her lips quirked downward. Definitely out of fashion.
Besides, Rousell’s tempted Catherine’s weakness for the beautiful and extravagant. An old dream, limping beneath the past and reality. Extravagant dreams have extravagant costs. And her purse stood empty. She turned away from the daydream and pushed open the door to Branson’s. The mercantile’ s welcome scents of coffee grounds and hard candies usually encouraged a sampling, but today, the aroma curled her stomach. She stifled a groan. Pregnancy proved as unpredictable as this prolonged war.
Catherine unhooked the buttons of her coat and visited the small ready-made section of the store. The variety couldn’t compare to Lakes down the street or Rousell’s with their handmade designs, but the less expensive clothes fit the budgets of so many in Ednesbury. Catherine smiled. The women who were thrust into the workforce could look stylish without the additional cost. She skimmed a hand over the trip cut of a sleek daysuit, envisioning a bit more embroidery on the sleeves for her tastes.
“Ah, Miss Dougall, I see you’ve ventured out early.”
Catherine closed her eyes and exhaled before turning to the sound of Patterson Dandy’s nasal voice. The notorious owner of the local newspaper dabbled in gossip like an epidemic. So adept at sniffing out a story, he often left grown men near tears.
Catherine offered her most dazzling smile to the obnoxious man. “Mr. Dandy, what a delightful surprise this morning.”
He shoved his thick-rimmed glasses up on his nose and eyed her with his usual suspicion. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Miss Dougall.”
“I find those are the only socially acceptable responses I have for you.”
His sneer twitched his sleek moustache. “Flattery will only increase my interest in you.”
“Flattery?” Her hand went to her chest. “How clumsy of me. I meant to insult you.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, showcases her Appalachian heritage and history, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
Pepper loves getting to know readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You may also learn more about her on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com
CONNECT WITH PEPPER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive all three Penned in Time novels in print or ebook format plus a stained glass dragonfly!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 14, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 21, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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This sounds really good. Love the cover.
Thank you so much!!!
I liked the excerpt.
Thank you for sharing! – JustRead Tours
Rafflecopter not working today, 4/15/20, 7:45EST.
Try again. The link was good when I checked.
These sound like great books. I really enjoy Pepper’s contemporary romances but haven’t read her historical novels.
I really enjoy reading books about WWII and especially those that take place in England. This book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win!
I read the first one a while ago. I got my library to purchase the set. Time to catch up!