The Thorn (The Rose Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

Beverly Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2010

Lancaster County, with its rolling meadows and secret byways, may seem idyllic, but it is not without its thorns. THE ROSE TRILOGY is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters on the fringes of the church, and the unforeseen discoveries that change their lives.

Rose Kauffman, a spirited young woman, has a close friendship with the bishop's foster son. Nick dresses Plain and works hard but stirs up plenty of trouble too. Rose's sister cautions her against becoming too involved, but Rose is being courted by a good, Amish fellow, so dismisses the warnings. Meanwhile, Rose keeps house for an English widower but is startled when he forbids her to ever go upstairs. What is the man hiding?

Rose's older sister, Hen, knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man. Unable to abandon her Amish ways, Hen is soon separated from her very modern husband. Mattie, their young daughter, must visit her father regularly, but Hen demands she wear Amish attire--and speak Pennsylvania Dutch, despite her husband's wishes. Will Hen be able to reestablish her place among the People she abandoned? And will she be able to convince Rose to steer clear of rogue neighbor Nick?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Impulsive and self-absorbed Hen, who left her Old-Order Amish family to marry a man of the world, and sweetly obedient Rose Ann, the younger sister upon whose slim shoulders falls responsibility for their crippled mother’s care, are both troubled in spirit. Hen now has a four-year-old daughter and yearns for a romanticized version of the Plain life she left behind, thus forsaking her husband for her parents’ house. Rose Ann finds solace in currying and riding her father’s driving horses, accompanied only by her dear childhood friend Nick, the rebellious now-grown foster son of their bishop who refuses to join the church. Suspicion, melodrama, and misdirected passions are the order of the day in best-selling, Christy Award-winning Lewis’ newest Amish romance, the first in a trilogy set in 1985 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and introducing the two Kauffman sisters, one struggling to reconcile her background and beliefs with her obligations, and the other innocently unaware that not one but two young men want to claim her. --Lynne Welch

About the Author

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country, is a former schoolteacher, an accomplished musician, and an award-winning author of more than eighty books for adults and children, many of which have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today and the New York Times. Six of her blockbuster novels have received the Gold Book Award for sales over 500,000, and The Brethren won a 2007 Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their three grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764205749
• ISBN-13: 978-0764205743
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Thorn, September 7, 2010

By 

Knowlton Nest - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thorn (The Rose Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

The Thorn by Beverly Lewis is the first novel in The Rose Trilogy, her newest Amish fiction series. Young Rose Ann's best friend is a young man named Nick who was adopted by the bishop's family nine years ago. They are neighbors and Nick employed by Rose's father, but Nick is not Amish and does not want to be. Rose Ann's sister, Hen, who married an English man now wants to be Amish again despite her husband's protests and their poor daughter Mattie Sue is caught between them. Rose Ann's employer is hiding something and Rose Ann is interested in being courted by Silas Good. Will Nick leave the Amish and will Hen return to her rightful place with her husband? How does Rose Ann handle all of these changes?

I was very intrigued by all of these forbidden situations among Rose Ann's family. I felt as I read through this novel that things were very unsettled and actually it didn't seem like there was a conclusion to many of these situations which is why I'm really looking forward to the next book. I thought Beverly Lewis did an excellent job developing characters and creating conflict. She really captures the spirit of the Amish and weaves a very entertaining novel with plenty of drama and a few surprises.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance at It's Finest, August 26, 2010

By 

JoesetteH - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thorn (The Rose Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is one of those books that grabs your interest and refuses to let it go!! More than once I thought "oh I know where this is going" only to be pleasantly surprised. I loved the insight into the Amish ways and loved reading about real life places that I've seen in my travels. I loved everything about this story!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for anyone contemplating marriage, January 6, 2011

By 

The Book Lover "Lou" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thorn (The Rose Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

I think this is the best book of any that Beverly Lewis has written because it shows how important it is that people really take a long look at the things they share and respect before they get married. This book tackles some of the list that people must discuss: values, views on everything from what is acceptable behavior from their children to what religion their children will be taught.

Not because it is the most interesting, although it is a very interesting book. And I think that it is very realistic.

But the reason it should be required reading for all people thinking of getting married is because it shows what happens when the "newness" of married life wears off and what happens when children are born.

I am not talking about falling out of love, but when a couple becomes very comfortable with each other and they are actually themselves. Everyone is a product of his/her background.

And when people age this background always seems to come out in people.

For better or worse we all have a past and that past does help determine who we are. I can't be anymore specific about how these issues are handles in the book, because I don't want to spoil the book for others.

THEN the differences really matter. Everyone presents their best and agreeable side when dating. It is just the way it is, but this book shows the downfall of that very thing. And of not thinking through decisions. That is the reason I think it is Beverly Lewis' best work.