Book Review (+ Giveaway!): Charming The Troublemaker

14 Nov


About the Book

Title: Charming the Troublemaker

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 1, 2017

Troublemaking never looked so good…

When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looks as good as it does on Rainey Mitchell.

Rainey Mitchell doesn’t need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptations wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne.

When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again.

Click here to purchase!

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes novels inspired by her love for history and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her Penned in Time series has garnered recognition in the Inspys, Grace Awards, and the ACFW Carol Awards. Her contemporary romance novel, A Twist of Faith, received 4-stars from Romantic Times, and most recently, her newest release, The Thorn Healer, received a Top Pick from RT with 4 ½ stars. Her newest contemporary romance, Just the Way You Are, releases in April 2016. You can get to know Pepper on Facebook, or over at her group blog, The Writer’s Alley, or Instagram.

My Impressions:

Looking for a contemporary romance with wit, heart, and some swoon worthy moments? Then you need to check out Charming The Troublemaker, the second book in Pepper Basham’s Mitchell’s Crossroads series. This book has everything I look for in a romance — endearing and engaging characters, a plot that is not predictable, and smart and sassy dialog. It gets a recommended rating from me.

Rainey Mitchell is gun-shy when it comes to relationships and with good reason. So when the oh-so charming Dr. Alexander Murdoch becomes a part of the faculty at her regional university, she is skeptical about his interest. But the two can’t help but be thrown together. And despite her reservations, Alex seems to be more than a handsome face and charming personality. His sincerity and caring are the real deal. But of course, complications arise, and betrayal seems to be around the corner for Rainey once again.

I love the setting of Basham’s novels — small town Appalachia. I felt like I was right at home, especially when Mama Mitchell and the rest of the Mitchell clan gather. Alex is a hunky character with a big heart. Rainey is standoffish, but her past track record makes her a very believable character. Supporting characters are wonderful, including Rainey’s daughter Sarah. I loved the interactions between her and Alex. The romance is sweet, but there are definitely some rocky moments. And a bit of danger and suspense is thrown in to spice it up. All in all a good mix.

Although Charming The Troublemaker is the second book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone. But this is a great series, so be sure to check out Twist of Faith.  There are more Mitchell siblings, so I am looking forward to a few more great romances.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Guest Post from Pepper Basham

I have a thing for underdogs.

Misfits.

Lots souls who desperately need to find where they belong.

I can’t help it! Call it a ‘fix-it’ mentality or an awareness that God rescued me and now I want to rescue other people…even fictional characters, but I’m definitely a softy for those characters that people are less likely to root for. Catherine from The Thorn Bearer/Keeper became my first rescue…and I just HAD to find another.

I guess that’s how Charming the Troublemaker came into existence.

Dr. Alex Murdock desperately needed to be rescued.

In a bad way.

If you’ve had a chance to read my first book in the Mitchell’s Crossroads series, A Twist of Faith, you’ll know that Alex doesn’t seem to be made up of much hero material. He’s a flirt, a little arrogant, and…well, kind of like a lost puppy.

As book 1 grew and came to a close, I knew Alex and Rainey’s story would be next…but I immediately ran into a real problem.

Who in the world was Alex Murdock? We really didn’t get to know him very much in book 1. He zoomed in a few times, ruffling feathers and then finally showing off some interesting kindness/compassion in the end, but…he was still a big-time flirt.

So the question emerged: Can a flirt be a hero?

What is Alex hiding behind that ready smile and sense of humor? Why does he seem so lost?

The answers were surprising!! Just wait.

The Mitchell family draw him right in, as they did with Dee, and his world is forever changed.

And then there’s Rainey. Strong-willed and independent, she is deeply wounded by her ex-husband’s betrayal. Though she gives off all these ‘confident’ vibes, she hides her insecurities behind a tough exterior in a desire to keep people at a distance – well, everyone except her family.

Alex rocks her world with his ready charm.

And she sees beyond the plastic grin to recognize another wounded soul.

Throwing them together into a book has been a hilarious and heart-stirring adventure, I wasn’t prepared to encounter. They’re so much fun!

AND…he’s ADORKABLE!! Seriously!! He is SUCH a dork, but makes me grin. And…he looks like Armie Hammer 😉

Let me just give you a hint to some of my favorite scenes:

Anything with Sarah!

Underoos

All of the scenes in Rainey’s house

And those in Mama Mitchell’s

Okay, I like the WHOLE STORY…and I can’t wait to see what you think too.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, November 14

Avid Reader Book Reviews, November 15

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 15

Moments Dipped in Ink, November 15

Fiction Aficionado, November 16

autism mom, November 16

Fiction, Faith, and Fun, November 17

Inklings and Notions, November 17

Faithfully Bookish, November 18

Radiant Light, November 18

Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 19

The Power of Words, November 19

Cordially Barbara, November 20

Red Headed Book Lady, November 20

Smiling Book Reviews, November 20

Kat’s Corner Books, November 21

A Greater Yes, November 21

100 Pages per Hour, November 22

Splashes of Joy, November 22

Carpe Diem, November 23

Bookworm Mama, November 23

A Baker’s Perspective, November 24

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, November 24

Daysong Reflections, November 25

Rachel Scott McDaniel, November 25

Remembrancy, November 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 26

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, November 27

Karen Sue Hadley, November 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away a grand prize of a paper copy of A Twist of Faith, a mug from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one driftwood scented candle, one mango scented candle, and a Troublemaker snickers 😉 highly appropriate. Chocolate with a nutty personality :)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1f1

7 Responses to “Book Review (+ Giveaway!): Charming The Troublemaker”

  1. pepperbasham November 14, 2017 at 8:43 am #

    Beckie!!!! WOW!!! What an amazing review!!! I am THRILLED you enjoyed this story so much. I just fell in love with Alex…you know, like a lost puppy or something. He was SUCH fun to write!!

    I’m so glad you saw and enjoyed all the elements and…I LOVE writing dialogue!! Rainey and Alex’s dialogue was particularly fun to write. It felt so REAL to me!

    Thank you! Thank you!!

    • rbclibrary November 14, 2017 at 4:47 pm #

      You are very welcome, Pepper. What a fun book to read. I liked that the “misunderstanding” between Alex and Rainey didn’t drag on. I hate when that happens. I hope that at least two more stories are in the works. 🙂

      • pepperbasham November 14, 2017 at 6:00 pm #

        I have a few in mind 😉

  2. Suzanne Sellner November 14, 2017 at 9:03 am #

    Not having read A Twist of Faith or this new one–Charming the Troublemaker, I’d love to win the book, mug, candles, and candy bar. When we lived in Virginia, we loved going to the Blue Ridge Parkway over long weekends, staying in an inn, and hiking. It’s a beautiful area! Now I’m excited about reading both books!

    • pepperbasham November 14, 2017 at 6:00 pm #

      Suzanne, I LOVE my home in the mountains!! Isn’t the Parkway fabulous?

  3. 3rsthreers November 14, 2017 at 1:44 pm #

    This books sounds so good.

  4. Lori H November 14, 2017 at 8:27 pm #

    Nice review and I’m looking forward to reading this author ☺

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