Like a Lily Among the Thorns
5 Stars “A well-written fantasy/women’s lit novel that combines
About The Book
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Like a Lily Among the Thorns
5 Stars “A well-written fantasy/women’s lit novel that combines real-world events with myths and magic. Karen Bell’s writing style is engaging, the characters are well-developed and relatable. The book tackles the important issue of climate change and serves as a call to action for readers. ” Pro Book Review
2023 Honorable Mention BooksShelf Writing Contest
2022 Silver Medal Winner Global Book Award
RECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books
2022 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite
Literary Titan Gold Book Award
There are those who are born into loving families and then there are the less fortunate who must forge their own families through strong friendships.
At a local small library in New York City, one such family was born. And just like so many capricious happenstances in life, this family unit embraced newcomers and grew exponentially. But this clan was also charged with far more than spreading love and joy and a sense of belonging. This clan was formed by divine Providence to help save the planet.
Gabrielle Bernstein, the MC of Like a Lily Among the Thorns, is a woman in her twenties and has started her career as a librarian at a NYC public library. Abandoned by her father as a young girl and now orphaned by her deranged mother, Gabby longs for a family connection. Coincidentally, she finds this connection at the same time she inherits a B&B in Vermont from her estranged and now-deceased father. This enchanted inn is under the watchful eye of goddesses of myth and legend who have been tasked to save mankind from destroying itself and this planet. These goddesses will use their powers to try and stall the onslaught of the effects of droughts, floods, and rising temperatures. But as a safety net, they have collected human saviors all over the planet to erect safe havens at high altitudes away from flood waters and blistering temperatures.
Woven through this tale is Gabrielle’s inherent understanding that she must be grateful, mindful, and present in this journey called life.
🧐What readers say about the book
This is a fantastic book! Karen is really emerging as an author to watch in the fantasy/women's lit genre. Set in rural Connecticut, the book follows a young woman's attempt to start and B&B business and by so doing, start her life. The characters are extremely well written and come to life on the page - a hallmark of Karen Bell's work. The plot is fun and well paced, and as always, Karen gives you people you can love and root for. More importantly, Karen always gives you something to think about. In her previous work, it was greed - in Lily, the subject of concern is climate change. Although this is not an obscure topic in film and literature, Karen finds a way to take a fresh take on this global crisis, and she makes it feel very real to the story. I highly recommend this book for all readers of all ages. You will not be dissapointed!!
Jenafer Howard
About The Author
Karen S. Bell
I get so much satisfaction in the writing process. I take care to choose just the right word, to make sure each sentence has the right cadence. I appreciate other writers who respect the craft in this way, and I hope my readers do so with me. Writing is a need, a desire for expression, and springs from well within my subconscious mind. Thoughts rise up, scenes rise up and blend in with the over-arching story. These thoughts emerge whenever they want to and wherever I am and probably not when I am at the computer. The computer is for the craft, the technique. The thoughts come during walks, or while driving the car, or at the grocery store. I am the willing recipient of these thoughts and so they seek me out. It’s a mystery this business and art of writing and it keeps me enthralled.