Tag Archives: Pepper Basham

Top 10 Tuesday — Destination Titles

12 Nov

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT prompt is Destination Titles (books with the names of places in their titles). I didn’t anticipate how quickly I could come up with 10 books! My list includes books with cities in the title. The cover art reps the cities as well. Take a close look at A Shadow in Moscow‘s cover! I have a variety of genres and time periods represented — I hope you find one to love!

For more virtual travel, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Destination Titles

The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

Embers in The London Sky by Sarah Sundin

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

The Paris Betrayal by James Hannibal

A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

Book Review: Hope Like Wildflowers

21 Oct

Pepper Basham has been a favorite author for a long time. With her newest historical romance, Hope Like Wildflowers, the feeling is reinforced. This is a sweet romance that does not shy away from messy life situations, but rather shines a light for God’s truth, love, and care. You do not want to miss this book!

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
 
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose? 

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.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at http://www.pepperdbasham.com.

My Impressions:

Hope Like Wildflowers, the third book in Pepper Basham‘s My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge series, is a sweet romance. The characters are real and relatable, and this reader could not help cheering them on towards their HEA! And like others of Basham’s novels, this book does not shy away from showing life in all of its messiness including the follies and flaws of its characters. The overarching message of God’s truth, love, and care shines like a beacon and reminded me yet again how good God is. Main character Kizzie is young and naive and looked for love, attention, and affirmation in the wrong place. Her mistake is costly as she finds herself pregnant and abandoned by her family. This may be shocking to modern readers, but the setting is early 1900s Appalachia, so her circumstances ring true. The first chapters of the book really are heartbreaking, but Kizzie soon discovers what real love looks like. Kizzie is a formidable character — her vulnerability and weakness are strengthened by her faith and hope. Yes, hope is a strong theme in the novel — something unseen but knowable in its certainty. As Kizzie grows in her faith and finds a place of purpose and belonging, she finds that God is a true provider, father, friend, and husband. A hefty dose of suspense kept the pages turning as well.

While Hope Like Wildflowers is a standalone novel, I really want to visit the first two books in the series. My heart yearns for more of that Blue Ridge experience!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

First Line Friday — Hope Like Wildflowers

4 Oct

I’ll let you in on a big secret — Pepper Basham will be attending the Turning A New Page Book Festival in January 2025. Squee!! To say I am excited is an understatement. I cannot wait to meet her!

Today I am featuring Pepper’s newest historical romance, Hope Like Wildflowers which released this past Tuesday. Pepper and her family live in Asheville, NC, and as you may imagine are facing some tough days ahead. Their power has been restored, but it will be weeks until they have water again. Please pray for Pepper and all those who are facing such a daunting future. And if you like the sound of this book and want to help her out, put it on your Goodreads TBR list and/or order a copy to read. Sassafras on Sutton is a fabulous indie bookstore with three locations, including Black Mountain, and Waynesville, NC. You can purchase a copy from their online store, not only helping out Pepper, but a bookstore that has suffered a big loss. Click HERE to order.

Here’s the first line:

A high-pitched howl split through the shadowed dusk, echoing against the towering pines of the forest.

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
 
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose? 

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.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at http://www.pepperdbasham.com.

Happy Release Day — Hope Like Wildflowers

1 Oct

Happy Release Day to Pepper Basham! Hope Like Wildflowers, a historical novel set in her beloved Appalachia is now available!

Pepper and her family live in Asheville, NC, and as you may imagine are facing some tough days ahead. Their power has been restored, but it will be weeks until they have water again. Please pray for Pepper and all those who are facing such a daunting future. And if you like the sound of this book and want to help her out, put it on your Goodreads TBR list and/or order a copy to read. Sassafras on Sutton is a fabulous indie bookstore with three locations, including Black Mountain and Waynesville, NC. You can purchase a copy from their online store, not only helping out Pepper, but a bookstore that has suffered a big loss. Click HERE to order.

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong

Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose? 

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.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website athttp://www.pepperdbasham.com.

Top 10 Tuesday — Fall TBR

24 Sep

Is it really Fall already? Unfortunately, it is still hot, hot, hot where I live. I hear cooler temperatures are coming, along with a developing hurricane! That I can do without. We will hope for a needed rain event and the ushering in of Fall weather. As to my Fall TBR List, well, as always, it is excessive. It includes books I had high hopes of reading in the summer, review books, and book club books. I need to knuckle down and get some reading done! Let me know what you think of my list.

For more TBR lists to inspire you, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books on My Fall TBR List

70 North by Kimberly Woodhouse

Between The Sound And Sea by Amanda Cox

The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham

Maria: A Novel of Maria Von Trapp by Michelle Moran

Of Gold And Shadows by Michelle Griep

Over The Edge by Irene Hannon

A Place to Land by Lauren K. Denton

Something Borrowed by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Allison Pittman, and Susie Finkbeiner

Water’s Break by Sophia Hansen

Spotlight on Contemporary Romance: Loyally, Luke

15 May

Loyally, Luke JustRead Takeover Tour

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Loyally Luke

Title: Loyally, Luke
Series: Skymar #3
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad. . . and even the impossible.

Dear Reader —

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, that I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly lookalike who is annoying. . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way–I’m going to need it.

Loyally, Luke

Excerpt

Luke turned to find Ms. St. Clare standing a few feet away from the doorframe where he’d been leaning. “And a genuine one?” She followed his gaze to the girls disappearing around the corner of the hall, those eyes flicking back to him with a hint of curiosity in them. “I didn’t realize you possessed one.”

Her gaze was softer today. Not quite as . . . unwelcoming. The loose curls that had escaped her bun and framed her face probably helped. It was hard to look mean with a halo of curls around someone’s face. He inwardly groaned. Halo of curls? Where on earth did that thought come from?

“I reserve smiles for friendly people.” He finagled the cookies into his coffee cup hand and tugged the papers from beneath his arm. “I emailed a copy of this estimate to Mr. Holton per his request, but here’s a paper copy I planned to leave for your review.” 

She hesitated, as if caught off guard, and then took the proffered paper. “Thank you.”

He nodded, keeping to task. “I took some of the material costs from market prices, but I bet you could get a sizable discount if buying bulk. Do y’all have a contractor’s discount at some of your building supply stores? I reckon the orphanage is tax exempt.”

For the first time, Grace Kelly lost a bit of her posture. “I . . . I’m not certain about bulk purchases, but yes, the orphanage is under a special tax bracket.”

“Well, both will save you some money. The more you can save, the more the school can put back into these kids.” He took a sip of his coffee and gestured with his chin in the direction Faye and Amara had disappeared. “I’m wondering if you ought to have someone inspect the heating system too. Make sure it’s in good working order.”

“I know these types of buildings aren’t as insulated as newer structures.”

He sent her a look, but her attention was focused down the hallway. She had a delicate nose too. He pinched his eyes closed. “I’d imagine so.”

Quiet stirred greater temptation to look her way again, so he decided right then and there, he should probably leave. “The estimate has a detailed inventory of what’s wrong, so whoever you get to do the work, you at least have knowledge about what needs to be fixed so another team won’t try to take advantage of Cambric Hall.”

Her attention flashed back to him. “Are you not interested?”

His brows flew skyward. “Interested?”

“In the job,” she clarified, and he wanted to go hit his head against one of the stone walls, if for no other reason than to remove the memory.

“I figured you’d probably want to get someone else.”

One of her golden brows rose. “Because of your ogling me in the coffee shop?”

“Ogling?” He turned to face her. “I can assure you I wasn’t ogling, Ms. St. Clare. Ogling implies I had disrespectful thoughts or intentions, but that’s not the case.”

Her gaze searched his and some sort of itching feeling he couldn’t reach buzzed in his chest.

“And exactly what sorts of thoughts were you having?”

“Human ones.” Her stare held him, and his throat started to close up. Heat climbed his neck and started scorching his face. Even his beard started tingling. That stone wall was sounding better and better all the time. “You’re nice to look at. Like the view from these windows or the architecture of this building. That’s as far as my imagination went. Nothing but simple admiration.”

Silence followed again and he took such a large drink of coffee, it hurt to swallow.

“I think we may have gotten off to a poor start, Mr. Edgewood, and I’m afraid I’m to blame for that. And I’m sorry.” Her words drew his attention back toward her, those blue eyes examining his face, searching. “Would you allow me to start over?” She offered her hand, a hint of a smile on her lips. “I’m Ellie St. Clare.”

Red lights started flashing in the back of his mind at her sudden gentling. Unkind and demeaning proved an easy person to dislike and avoid.

But a woman who took responsibility for her actions and attempted to rectify them? Nope. Beam me up, Scotty! He didn’t need any reasons to like Grace Kelly, because then things like emotions started crowding in on solid good sense.

And Luke was a big fan of solid good sense and few emotional tangles.

In fact, he didn’t like any sort of tangles.

The same golden brow rose higher, waiting.

Ridiculous. Silly. He’d just treat her like anybody else he worked with. No problem.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

Authentically, Izzy Positively, Penelope


About The Author

Pepper Basham

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 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.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of the book, tool pens, and $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive a signed copy of the book!

Loyally Luke JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 15, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 22, 2024. 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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Top 10 Tuesday — Books That Made Me Google!

5 Mar

I confess that I use “the Google” when reading. Mostly it occurs when I read historical novels, but it can strike at any time if there is something I just have to know or see. In the past few months I have looked up recipes for food that was mentioned in a book, dresses by a a famous dress designer, buildings/landmarks that books are set in and around, and characters that lived in real life. Sometimes I can stray down rabbit trails, but I eventually return to the book until another Google-fancy hits me. This week I am featuring the last 10 books that caused me to Google. I hope one piques your interest.

For more Google-inspired lists, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

These Books Made Me Google!

By Her Own Design by Piper Hugely (Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown)

Hope Beyond The Waves by Heidi Chiavaroli (treatment of leprosy)

The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham (sites in Venice, Italy)

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure by Angela Bell (food specialities of Amsterdam and Prague)

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (Grasse, France)

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley (Marie-Louise Christophe)

The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by Amanda Wen (people who survived scalping)

A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay (American’s who spied for the USSR)

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt (pictures from the Warsaw Ghetto in WWII)

Whiskers, Wreaths, And Murder by Kathy Manos Penn (sites in the Cotswolds, UK)

Book Review: The Juliet Code

10 Jan

About The Book

Book: The Juliet Code

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release Date: December, 2023

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving

Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late.

The Juliet Code is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess and The Cairo Curse.

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions:

I loved the first two books in Pepper Basham’s Freddie and Grace Mystery series. With unique settings, charming and often hilarious characters, sizzling sweet romance, and twisting mysteries, what’s not to like?! The Juliet Code continues the honeymoon travels of Lord and Lady Astley as they visit the romantic city of Venice. But Grace can’t seem to help stumbling into an investigation. This time Frederick is wholeheartedly along for the ride. They join their friend and professional investigator Detective Jack Miracle in uncovering the missing Juliet paintings. Really, nothing is as it seems, and I enjoyed puzzling out just what was going on and who was actually who 😉 . A treasure hunt, a curse, secret rooms, and dead bodies are the thrilling elements of this historical novel. Basham does a great job of bringing Venice to life. Her creation of a fictional island in the Lagoon is wonderfully done as well. As always Grace brings just the right amount of humor to balance tense situations, making her a favorite amateur sleuth. Her love of books and the references found in The Juliet Code will delight bibliophiles as well. Basham weaves spiritual threads naturally throughout the narrative. The broken world and God’s care are compared — there’s is always grace that accompanies hurt; hope that overshadows loss.

You’ll find well-written historical mystery and romance in The Juliet Code. Recommended!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)





About The Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

More from Pepper

The Ever After

I’ve always loved fairytales.

Especially the romanticized version (#romancewriter).

The wonderful sense of a two people meeting, overcoming obstacles to be together, and then the happily-ever-after?

Well, those are some of my favorite reasons to read and write fiction. However, I didn’t realize the challenge I took on when I agreed to write a second and third book with the main characters staying the same!

You know what I mean?

In most series, the main characters from book one become secondary characters in the consecutive books so that the secondary characters in book one can become the main characters in book 2 (everybody still following along? )

One of my favorite book series that do this so well is the Amelia Peabody series. I fell in LOVE with Amelia and Emerson in book one, but just loved watching their continued dynamic as a couple grow with each new book. I felt as if I got to know them so much better in their “ever after” while they engaged in all sorts of adventures together.

So…that’s what I hoped to accomplish with Freddie and Grace.

Where The Mistletoe Countess ends with a happily-ever-after, The Cairo Curse and The Juliet Code take over to show us more of the…ever after – my attempt at showing how two main characters continue to grow beyond the end of book one.

I didn’t realize what a daunting feat it would be. Watching two characters meet, fall in love, and show some growth in book 1 was what I was used to doing. But how was I supposed to continue that character growth in consecutive books?

Well, I had to grow myself as a writer to understand how small changes can make lasting differences especially when writing about a beloved couple.

I think The Juliet Code shows a little of that growth – of our Freddie and Grace have not only matured spiritually and, in Grace’s case, experientially, but also as a couple.

Do you have a series that you love where the main characters stay the same?

Blog Stops

The Sacred Line, December 28

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 28

Bigreadersite, December 28

Texas Book-aholic, December 29

Devoted To Hope, December 29

Mary Hake, December 29

She Lives To Read, December 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 30

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, December 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 31

Blogging with Carol, December 31

For Him and My Family, December 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 1

Back Porch Reads, January 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 2

Connie’s History Classroom, January 2

Book Looks by Lisa, January 3

Aryn the Libraryan, January 3

Girls in White Dresses, January 3

Daysong Reflections, January 4

Holly’s Book Corner, January 4

Splashes of Joy, January 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 5 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, January 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 5

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, January 6

Blossoms and Blessings, January 6

Pause for Tales, January 6

Tell Tale Book reviews, January 7

Cover Lover Book Review, January 7

Live. Love. Read., January 7

Labor Not in Vain, January 8

Mornings at Character Cafe, January 8

Worthy2Read, January 8

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 9

The Lit Lady, January 9

Lily’s Corner, January 10

By The Book, January 10

To Everything There Is A Season, January 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/293d6/the-juliet-code-celebration-tour-giveaway

If You Liked . . . Better Watch Out

30 Dec

I loved this month’s book club pick, Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters! It had all the things I could want in a Christmas-y romantic suspense — action and danger, sizzling romance, and all things Christmas. The NYC setting brought back great memories of a trip my husband and I took one December. Plus it added to my bucket list (IYKYK).

If you are a fan of Christmas cheer, mystery/suspense, and/or sweet romance, here’s some more reading recommendations:

Last to Know by Brandy Heineman

All she wants for Christmas . . . is an end to this terrible year.

Silver bells are ringing, but family drama and flaky finances have Nadine Notaro wrung out. The only bright spots this holiday season are her job at the Blissford Historical Society and her cheery, dependable co-worker, Chase Garren—until the City Council cuts their funding. The lost income will be bad enough, but what about Chase? Though quick to remind everyone they’re just friends, she can’t stomach losing him, too.

While packing up the Society’s record collections, Chase and Nadine discover a journalist’s cache of negatives pointing to a decades-old scandal and cover-up. Entanglements with the City’s biggest power players pull their strings, but every clue brings them closer to the truth—and each other—until Nadine finds evidence of a betrayal she never thought possible.

Casting light on the lies may ruin Christmas and their friendship, but it stands to cost them much more.

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future. 

Whiskers, Wreaths, And Murder by Kathy Manos Penn

If it were up to her, they’d be singing carols and baking cookies. Instead, they’re stockings-deep in a murder investigation…

Leta Parker is looking forward to her first holiday season in the Cotswolds. Prepping for the town’s tree-lighting ceremony, the village is enraged when the new American earl announces plans to develop his family’s estate into a resort. And when the brash successor is found dead in a ditch, it’s obvious this car crash was no accident.

Determined to unwrap the truth behind the tragedy, Leta enlists the help of the Little Old Ladies Detective Agency and her talking dog and cat. But with everyone in the charming hamlet a suspect, it’ll be tough to discover who’s not on Father Christmas’s naughty list.

Will Leta and friends deliver the gift of justice?

Whiskers, Wreaths & Murder is the third book in the delightful Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like clever senior women, deep friendships, and animals of the talking variety, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s yuletide whodunit

First Line Friday — The Juliet Code

29 Dec

I am so excited to read the Juliet Code, the third book in the oh so fun Freddy And Grace Mystery series by Pepper Basham. These books are full of historically, romantic, mysterious goodness! My review will be posted in January, but for now here’s the first line (it’s so Grace!):

Grace Percy had always dreamed of being part of a dashing pursuit of some villain; she’d just never imagined doing so in a gondola with a complete stranger.

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving
 
Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late. 
 
The Juliet Code is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess and The Cairo Curse.

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.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at http://www.pepperdbasham.com.