The Thorn by Beverly Lewis

Written by The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Beverly Lewis, The Thorn is the first in a three book series called the Rose Trilogy.  As of today only the first and second books have been released.  The third is set to be released in September 2011.  

The main characters are Rose Ann Kaufmann and her sister Hannah (Hen).  When Hen was twenty-one, she married an “outsider” or English and left the Amish church.  Her younger sister Rose remained to care for their mother who had been paralyzed in a buggy accident a few years earlier.  

This story follows the life of Rose as she must choose between the man she has always loved and the Bishop’s wild, adopted English son, Nick, who cannot accept or embrace the Amish way of life.  Meanwhile, Hen is regretting her decision to marry an outsider and lately is wanting more for her four year old daughter that is being defiled by the many snares of the English world.  Throughout the story you see Hen reach back for the simpler times of life within her Amish heritage while Rose reaches out and wonders if Nick may be the one for her despite his English roots.  

This book weaves an intricate story of forgiveness, love, and hope. I reached the last page and immediately wanted to go to the next book to find out what happens. Beverly Lewis was raised in Pennsylvania near the Amish. If you like books about the intricacies of Amish life, this is a must read! 



You can buy this book here.