The Thorn Chronicles Series by Kimberly Loth

Trapped in a dark cult, sixteen-year-old Naomi Aren has lived a quiet, albeit unhappy, life nestled deep in the hills of the Ozarks. With uncut hair, denim skirts, and only roses for friends, Naomi seldom questions why her life is different from other kids at school. Until the day her abusive father, who is also the cult’s leader, announces her wedding. Naomi must marry Dwayne Yerdin, a bully who reeks of sweat and manure and is the only one person who scares her worse than her father... moreTrapped in a dark cult, sixteen-year-old Naomi Aren has lived a quiet, albeit unhappy, life nestled deep in the hills of the Ozarks. With uncut hair, denim skirts, and only roses for friends, Naomi seldom questions why her life is different from other kids at school. Until the day her abusive father, who is also the cult’s leader, announces her wedding. Naomi must marry Dwayne Yerdin, a bully who reeks of sweat and manure and is the only one person who scares her worse than her father. Then she meets Kai, the mysterious boy who brings her exotic new roses and stolen midnight kisses. Kisses that bring her a supernatural strength she never knew she had. As the big day approaches, Naomi unearths more secrets of about her father’s cult. She learns she has power of her own and while Kai may have awakened that power, Naomi must find a way to use it to escape Dwayne and her father—without destroying herself. less

In an ideal world, Naomi would still be living in Vegas with Ginny and Alejandro, kissing Puck whenever possible, and becoming a Guardian. But Naomi’s never lived in an ideal world. Instead, she’s stuck back in Arkansas with Father, Kai, and the Destroyers. Plus, her mother's power lives on inside of Naomi and she has no idea how to get rid of it. As Naomi struggles to understand the destructive power and help Kai with his role as the Master Destroyer, a new threat arises... moreIn an ideal world, Naomi would still be living in Vegas with Ginny and Alejandro, kissing Puck whenever possible, and becoming a Guardian. But Naomi’s never lived in an ideal world. Instead, she’s stuck back in Arkansas with Father, Kai, and the Destroyers. Plus, her mother's power lives on inside of Naomi and she has no idea how to get rid of it. As Naomi struggles to understand the destructive power and help Kai with his role as the Master Destroyer, a new threat arises. Destroyers are killing Guardians and now all of Naomi’s friends are risk. Everyone thinks that Kai is the only one who can stop it. But Naomi knows better—she alone can end it all. But how? less

Sixteen-year-old Sunday is a powerful Shade who is itching to use her power. But her mentor, Naomi, won’t let her go on jobs with the Guardians so she spends most of her time kissing boys behind the greenhouses, showing up late to lessons, and swimming with her cat. When Naomi asks Sunday to do a job for her, Sunday jumps at the chance only to find out it’s in Tombstone, Arizona—where adventure sounds as likely as the town’s name... moreSixteen-year-old Sunday is a powerful Shade who is itching to use her power. But her mentor, Naomi, won’t let her go on jobs with the Guardians so she spends most of her time kissing boys behind the greenhouses, showing up late to lessons, and swimming with her cat. When Naomi asks Sunday to do a job for her, Sunday jumps at the chance only to find out it’s in Tombstone, Arizona—where adventure sounds as likely as the town’s name. Once there, Sunday pokes around and she finds an organization that threatens not only her, but all female Shades. Determined to prove herself to Naomi, Sunday goes after the group on her own only to discover that Tombstone might live up to its name after all. less