Cover of Rose Girl by Holly Lynn Payne

Rose Girl

From Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers author Holly Payne, Rose Girl is a spellbinding tale about the mesmerizing girl whose quest to find her mother reconnects the unparalleled poet Rumi to his muse, Shams of Tabriz. 

Rose Girl unravels the mystery about an orphaned girl saint in the 13th century. Named after the flowering rosa damascena, she 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 Turkey and undergoes a powerful transformation when she meets the great mystic Rumi and discovers the secret of her birth. The rose girl reminds us of our capacity to turn our greatest pain into love. An unforgettable story of resilience.

“She did not know what it felt like to save a life, or that her life might have needed saving, but she knew this woman had changed her life—and had asked nothing of her in return...”
— Holly Lynn Payne, Rose Girl

“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 of The Henna Artist & The Secret Keeper of Jaipur 

“Holly Payne is not only a writer of unparalleled prose, she's also a generous writer who, with Rose Girl, gifts us access to a world of magic, mystery, poetry, and above all, genuine love.”

Lee Kravetz, bestselling author of The Last Confessions of Sylvia P.  

“Rose Girl is a captivating read, with a beautifully satisfying ending. In her meticulously researched novel, Holly Payne’s expertly crafted prose captures not only the souls of her characters but the essence of Rumi’s wisdom: that life’s shattering experiences can break our hearts open, compelling us to receive the love intended for us. I loved this book—and so will bookclubs.”

Kristen Harnisch, internationally bestselling author of The Vintner’s Daughter Series

“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. Damascena is a dramatic tale of healing and transformation. Immersive and wise, this story will expand your mind and open your heart. 

Kate Manning,  author of Gilded Mountain