Rose Girl: A Tale of Resilience and Rumi

From Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers author Holly Payne,Rose Girlis a medieval thriller that unravels the mystery surrounding an orphaned girl saint in the 13th century. Named after the floweringrosa damascena,the rose girl grows up in a monastery under a tyrannical monk but flees his wrath and soon develops a mysterious gift‚ turning roses into rose oil and is exploited as a saint for performing miracles. Determined to unburden herself of her servitude, the rose girl escapes to medieval Turkey and undergoes a powerful transformation when she meets the great mystic Rumi and discovers the secret of her birth. The rose girl is a potent reminder of our capacity to turn our greatest pain into love."Disarmingly powerful—a nuanced story of female resilience that reaches across the ages."KIRKUS (starred) review“With confidence and elegance, Payne guides the reader through mysterious and mystical 13th century Bulgaria and Turkey. Riveting, gorgeous, engrossing! I raced to the end.”Alka Joshi, NYT bestselling author ofThe Henna Artist &The Secret Keeper of Jaipur“Holly Payne is not only a writer of unparalleled prose, she's also agenerouswriter who, withRose Girl,gifts us access to a world of magic, mystery, poetry, and above all, genuine love.”Lee Kravetz, bestselling author ofThe Last Confessions of Sylvia P.“Meet the astonishing Damascena. She begins life orphaned, a mystery to herself, and grows to become a sainted figure, acquainted with miracles, schooled by one of the greatest and most beloved poets of all time, Rumi. In lush prose, with deep wisdom and knowledge, Holly Lynn Payne’s wonderful novel captures the extraordinary life of a young woman seeking truth through the transcendent spiritual practices of 13th century Turkey.Damascenais a dramatic tale of healing and transformation. Immersive and wise, this story will expand your mind and open your heart.”Kate Manning, author ofGilded Mountain“ROSE GIRL is a captivating read, with a beautifully satisfying ending. In her meticulously researched novel, Ho