Happy Tuesday and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today TTT bloggers are sharing books with green covers. I am hitting the review archives and my TBR shelves to bring books featuring greens of all shades. Some of the covers have more green than others, but I felt that green is what first strikes the eye.
Today’s topic is fitting not only for the holiday, but because my yard is GREEN! It’s cold today (for central Georgia) but flowers are in bloom and the trees are full of new leaves. Such a beautiful day! I hope you have one too, plus some reading inspiration.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright (with Chloe Joanne) AND The Cinderella Plot by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Books
Title:Love and Baseball Author:Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne Publisher: MadLit Publishing Release Date: February 10, 2026 Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy
She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.
Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She’s happy with her book boyfriends–purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She’s also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that’s not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she’s happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.
There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he’s entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn’t. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle’s AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.
Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren’t quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?
It’s a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
Excerpt
“Are you cold?” Brooks dropped his gear bag and bent over it. Rummaging around, he tugged out his sweatshirt. It was navy blue with the name of his old high school on the front. Before I could say, “no” or “thank you” or “yes, please,” he had scrunched it up in his hands and tugged the hoodie down over my head. My baseball cap got stuck at the neck opening, and then it flipped off my head and onto the ground as he tugged. The sweatshirt settled on my shoulders, and he finally let go of it. “Put your arms in. You’ll get warm.”
It was so off-handed, so nonchalant, like it wasn’t anything any normal, decent human being wouldn’t have also done. But as Brooks bent to retrieve my cap that lay on the ground, I slid my arms into the sleeves and inhaled the smell of laundry detergent and . . . Brooks Mason. It smelled like what I imagined palm trees and ocean spray might smell like. To die for.
Title:The Cinderella Plot Author:Pepper Basham Publisher: independently published Release Date: March 19, 2026 Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy
Paisley Harper is invisible.
Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.
She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.
Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.
With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.
But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?
Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
Excerpt
It’s Homecoming Week, which means Spirit Days—a torture device designed by extroverts to terrify introverts on a daily basis by drawing attention to them through costumes. Jokes on them, though. They underestimate nerd-love of dressing up, which is definitely in my favor, because the fashion rules are not only spelled out but eccentric.
Monday: Favorite book/movie character day.
I don’t know how this is related to school spirit, but I’m totally here for it. Go Jayhawks!
With my blue 1930s-style dress (courtesy of Aunt Diane’s thrift shop expertise) hitting just below my knee, cinched at the waist with a thin belt, my hair straightened and flipped out at the ends—as close to classic Nancy Drew as I could manage without a time machine—and a magnifying glass tucked in my belt, I’m not only ready for Spirit Day.
I’m ready for crime-solving.
Which is an important factor this week.
But as I walk toward my locker, I stop dead.
Standing in front of it is Chris.
But not like I’ve ever seen him before.
Ever.
I almost whimper.
He’s full-on Regency. Complete with the long coat, vest, the works.
My poor little heart takes off on a marathon I was not prepared to run. He looks amazing, and he even styled his hair. I am so not prepared!
Chris looks up from his phone, a slow grin spreading across his face as he sees me and my knees make jelly seem sturdy. Forget about feet sweating. My whole body just erupted!
“Nancy Drew?”
Who? I blink and then look down at my outfit. Right. Me.
Of course he’d know. Because he knows me.
I’m still trying to find my voice beneath complete air-loss. Wow. He looks fantastic.
Dashing, even.
Last time I’d seen him he was loopy and drooling on a pillow. This is…different.
“Yeah.” I manage.
“Need a Watson?”
Dear heavens, I nearly melt to the floor on the spot. Who knew this Chris was hiding behind my best friend Chris? How did I not… How…
Clearly, my brain capacity was going the way of my oxygen supply.
“Wrong detective.” I gesture to where Molly is posing for photos in her own sleuthing costume, hoping my voice isn’t as high-pitched as it sounds to my ears. “And I think Watson’s already taken.”
“Fair enough.” He’s still smiling, gaze searching my face. Is there something different in those eyes? “Well, if you need backup on your case, Nancy… I’m around.”
Was he…flirting? Because, I didn’t come prepared for that today. Or ever.
“I would love that.”
Major fail. Still high-pitched. Cinderella’s mice have nothing on me.
I clear my throat. “But… we’ll have to time travel, because you’re—” I wave toward his ensemble and check him out all over again. “Mr. Darcy?”
“Knightley, actually.”
And there goes my airflow again. “Mr. Knightley?” I squeak.
“Yeah, I like him better than Darcy. He’s more my kind of guy.”
My mind stutters to a complete stop. How have we never talked about Austen before? Disney princesses? Yes. Star Wars? Yes. Lord of the Rings? Of course. But not Austen.
I feel as though I need to encourage this on a regular, self-torture-style basis.
Though it tracks. Totally. He is more of a Mr. Knightley than a Mr. Darcy.
My silence must push him to clarify. “Don’t get me wrong, Darcy’s great and all. But Mr. Knightley? He’s underrated.”
Jaime Jo Wright is a multi-award-winning author of gothic historical mystery novels that weave suspense through dual timelines. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill (2017), won both the prestigious Christy Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award, establishing her as a compelling voice in inspirational fiction. An ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Wright specializes in chilling mysteries stained with history’s secrets, drawing readers into haunting tales set primarily in turn-of-the-century Wisconsin. Her work has earned praise from Publishers Weekly for skillfully wrapping intricate mysteries around dual timelines with enough surprises to captivate lovers of gothic fiction. When she isn’t writing mysteries, she co-authors YA RomCom with her teenage daughter, Chloe JoAnne, with a passion to provide sweet and witty romance for teenagers with no apologies needed. Residing in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands with her husband and their two children, Wright is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast and lover of all of her rescued felines.
Connect with Jaime Jo by visiting jaimewrightbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a prize pack of Brielle’s Faves (an signed copy of Love & Baseball, a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, a Milwaukee Brewers lanyard, and a Brewers Christian Yelich baseball card) and Paisley’s Faves (a signed copy of The Cinderella Plot, a Cinderella carriage jewelry holder, and a beautiful copy of Emma by Jane Austen)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Happy Tuesday! Today TTT bloggers are celebrating all things romance with a Love Freebie! After many years of creating these posts it is a bit daunting to come up with something fresh. Today I am featuring romance novels — contemporary, historical, and suspense — that have part or whole of their settings on boats. You know, The Love Boat! 😉 Extra points for those whose characters cement their love on the open seas. Come aboard, they’re expecting you!
Happy Tuesday! Today TTT is featuring book covers with interesting typography. What is typography, you may ask? From Google AI —
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing.
There were a lot of different directions to go with this topic, but I finally narrowed it down to titles with two or more fonts. While some are more subtle than others, the visual interest really grabbed my eye. What do you think?
Happy first Friday of 2026. To go with the New Year, I have a new book to bring you for First Line Friday — ABrewed Awakening, a contemporary romance from the Queen of Kissing Books, Pepper Basham. This one looks like so much fun! Look for it in May 2026.
Here’s the first (at least the to me) line:
Ladies did not drool over cars.
Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?
In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She’s built her life–and her late grandmother’s tearoom, Tea Thyme–around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.
After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He’s looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn’t matter that she’s ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn’s heart is not open to being broken again.
But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled–Wisteria hasn’t seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.
When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship–and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.
Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?
Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories.
Happy last Tuesday of 2025! How is it the year is over?! I had a great year of reading and of course acquiring books. My physical, Kindle, and NetGalley shelves overflow. Today on my TTT post I am featuring the last books to hit my NetGalley shelf. I know, I need to get reading. Let me know what you think of the latests additions.
Happy Tuesday! This week’s TTT topic is Cozy/Atmospheric reads. When I see those two descriptors I think of very different types of books. Cozy makes me think of small communities, quirky characters, and a feel-good plot, regardless of genre. Atmospheric reads, to me, are ones in which the setting plays a big part of the plot, often setting the stage for spooky goings-on. I am going to focus on cozy books this week, and for next week’s Halloween Freebie, atmospheric novels.
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:Sense and Suitability Author:Pepper Basham Publisher: Thomas Nelson Release Date: September 23, 2025 Genre: Clean Regency Romance (Rom-Com)
In this clean Regency romance, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love–until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong?
After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she’d found her perfect match in Simon Reeves–charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel–until he vanished from her life without so much as a “farewell” or “my deepest regrets” (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson learned: never fall for a man known for his charm.
Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband–because she’s already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them?
But fate–or the misfortune of Simon’s reckless patriarchs–has other plans. Simon’s once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend.
Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She’ll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic–no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be.
There’s just one small problem: the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she’s still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories–especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones–are worthy of a rewrite?
Excerpt
“Young ladies?” Aunt Bean’s frown expanded her chin to three. “What do we care for other young ladies. We are here to discuss you, Emmeline.” She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes and attention with such intensity Emme’s throat tightened. “I give you my word, I will have you married before I return to Bristol to celebrate my first grandchild’s birth.”
All humor fled Emme’s body, replaced, instead, by a chill that ran up her spine at the determination emanating from Aunt Bean’s terrifying expression. Why did the prospect of marriage have to sound more like a threat than a promise? Emme was certain the original design offered much more joy and happiness than whatever gleamed in Aunt Bean’s pale eyes.
Thomas stepped in before Aunt Bean could elaborate further. “Mother, I know you are the preeminent expert on finding women husbands, if you do say so yourself.” He studied his mother, the gleam in his eyes in contrast to his complacent grin. “But must we discuss matchmaking upon our first arrival at Thistlecroft?”
“How can we not?” Aunt Bean’s entire body stiffened so fast her hat shook. “We have much to repair!”
Thank you for the reminder, Aunt Bean. Yet another barb to stick into Emme’s lingering incompetence. But she’d learned her lesson. Do not trust intelligence, handsome features, and a quick wit.
Or excellent dancing skills.
And delightful conversation.
Or a tender heart.
She nearly groaned. What on earth was left to rely upon?
“This is of utmost importance to Emmeline’s future and weighs heavily on her father’s mind.”
It was unlikely Father spent a great deal of time considering his daughters’ futures, but, of course, Father could be easily swayed into worrying about something or other, especially to ensure Aunt Bean’s speedy departure. How the woman winkled her way into an invitation in the first place probably involved a little bullying, a heavy dose of guilt, and a massive amount of sweets.
“You haven’t even met the prospects yet.” Thomas cast a sympathetic look in Emme’s direction. “There may not be a decent fellow in the lot.”
“We are in St. Groves, Thomas.” Her nose rose even higher, if that was possible. “Not some backwater country parish. There are plenty of eligible men who will do for Emmeline.” Her hawk eyes returned to Emme. “Whether Emmeline will do for them is why I am required.”
After another dramatic second of scrutiny, Aunt Bean released Emme from her gaze and stepped, cane in rhythm, to finally be poised in a chair. “Seated” was a much too relaxed word for Aunt Bean’s position.
“Whether Emme will do for them?” Both of Thomas’s brows rose in exaggerated mock horror before he turned. Cradling his chin with his thumb and forefinger, he examined Emme, his gaze glimmering like the mischievous boy he used to be. “Well, her eyes are tolerably large and her nose has an acceptable slope.” He waved a dismissive hand toward her, the dimple in one cheek the only mark of his teasing. “But there is the question of her chin.”
Emme nearly lost complete control of her laugh. Thank God for Thomas and his desire to keep the conversation away from the past. Oh, how she’d missed him. Apart from her sister, Aster, he’d been her dearest friend in all the world. “Ah yes, many a marriage have been ruined over an imperfect chin.”
“Chins are in fashion, I am told. And yours is suitable enough.” Aunt Bean squinted in focused study of the offending protrusion. “But your nose is rather fine too, despite being marred by those unsightly freckles. The waters in Bath would do wonders for your complexion, Emmeline.”
Emme bit her smile into submission. Thank the Lord she wasn’t wearing her spectacles to complete the ensemble of inadequacies. “I have heard similar tales.”
“She’s not too tall,” Thomas interjected with a lopsided grin. “And she does read devotionally.”
Emme rolled her eyes. Trust her cousin to weave such nonsense into her aunt’s relentless critique.
“I have every confidence we will secure an excellent match now that I am here to set things right.” Aunt Bean raised her cane like a pointer. “We start at a disadvantage, naturally, but despite the mishap of your first season, followed by an unfruitful second, your reputation has only been slightly tarnished. Mercifully, no true scandal has occurred, even if its stench remains.”
How reassuring. No true scandal—only mortifying humiliation and the lingering ache of a shattered heart. But what were those trifles when set against the towering edifice of matrimony?
“A woman grows wiser and stronger when thwarted in love,” Aunt Bean added, as though dispensing great wisdom. “And the further we stay from scandal, the better your prospects. A faded rose is still a rose.”
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
Connect with Pepper by visiting www.pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will receive a signed copy of Sense and Suitability (or winner’s choice of Pepper Basham’s books) and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Happy Tuesday! It’a finally fall, y’all! Although the temps in my part of the world would not be considered sweataweatha, there is hope in sight! To commemorate the change of seasons, this week’s TTT topic is book covers that give all the fall vibes — whether they feature autumn sights or have the rich colors of the season. I have a mix of genres, as well as new releases and older books. What do you think?
Pepper Basham does it again in her latest Freddie and Grace Mystery, The Highland Heist. The two daring newlyweds are embroiled in mayhem and intrigue as only they can be. History and mystery combine in a very fun read.
Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.
Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram.
I fell in love with Frederick and Grace in their first historical mystery, The Mistletoe Countess. The two have managed to fall into mysteries 4 times now, and their latest investigation is another fast-paced, fun romp from Virginia to the highlands of Scotland. For those who haven’t read the historical mysteries by Pepper Basham, Frederick and Grace are a newlywed couple whose marriage of convenience has turned into a very satisfying love match. Their first days of marriage through their extensive honeymoon have been filled with a growing love and a fearful amount of mayhem! In The Highland Heist, Grace and her sister have inherited a castle in Scotland. But nothing is easy where Grace and Freddie are involved. Stabbings, bangs on the head, hidden treasures, and sneaky villains keep the two on their toes. I really like this series, and The Highland Heist is a great addition. I recommend reading the books in order to experience all the fun!
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
I am an Amazon.com affiliate, which means that I earn a small percentage of the sales from products purchased through links on my site. I NEVER recommend a book in order to receive a profit. Proceeds from affiliate sales help to defray operating costs of the blog.
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