The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Pepper Basham is offering fans of her Freddy and Grace Mysteries another delightful mystery along with some special surprises along the way. This fifth book has multiple mysteries going on at once, frequently becoming entangled with one another. Basham keeps both her characters and her readers on their toes. Sorting the good guys from the bad guys is a frequent challenge. Humor, challenges, and life lessons are well-balanced. There is plenty of lightheartedness to act as the sugar to help the medicine, or in this case the morals to the story, go down. The ending is satisfying and pleasing on several fronts. I highly recommend The Bachelor Spy, but suggest reading the Freddy and Grace Mysteries in sequence in order to get maximum comprehension and reading pleasure. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Bachelor Spy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. This is a series that I will likely reread one day. 

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

   

Are you in the mood for a lively rom-com? Pepper Basham has just the thing in her newest book, A Brewed Awakening. He is a coffee lover who is the new owner and chef of an English pub located in Wisteria, North Carolina. She is a lifelong resident of that quaint town, and is the owner and baker of her late grandmother's tea shop located next to his pub. While loving all things English, Daphne Austen thinks she needs to amend that to almost all things after meeting her new neighbor, Finn Dashwood. You know how rom-coms go, and likely anticipate an enemy to lovers trope. Everything follows the typical pattern with lots of humorous verbal jabs back and forth, a slow-burn romance, an adorable child, and a snuggly dog; until, around eighty-five percent into the book, things change and become much more serious when a tropical storm appears on the scene. The author's personal experience of weathering the storm and its aftermath when Hurricane Helene caused an enormous amount of damage in North Carolina in 2024 is certainly apparent in the final chapters of the story. She not only focuses on the devastation, but rejoices in the care and concern of neighbors for one another.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Brewed Awakening from Thomas Nelson without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Set in the early 1800s in St. Groves,England, Miss Emmeline Lockhart, a gentleman's daughter, is entering her third season in society with a still tender heart, no great motivation to attend parties or balls, and a secret. Simon Reeves, the new Viscount of Ravenscross, must find a wife whose dowry can save the floundering estate he has inherited. This means giving up the woman who his heart truly belongs to in order to provide for his family. Fans of Pepper Basham, and sweet romantic fiction of the Regency era can easily guess how this story will end, but getting there is so much fun! While there are periods of tension and disappointment, humor and good will carry the day in this lighthearted story. Emmeline's willingness to demonstrate compassion rather than hold tightly to hurts leads to many good things, even though getting there was quite bumpy. While we as readers enjoy the humor, perhaps some consideration of how we might do likewise would be beneficial.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Sense and Suitability from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

While Hurricane Helene may have pushed back the deadline of The Highland Heist, it was well worth the wait. This fourth book in Basham's Freddie & Grace mystery series is every bit as delightful as all the rest. Lady Astley might not be the most adept at demonstrating the manners of a well-bred lady, but she is quite adept at solving crimes, especially with the assistance of her husband. This time the crime is her brother-in-law's murder with her sister being a prime suspect. Things are complicated further by the clock's ticking on the discovery of a hidden treasure.

The Highland Heist is a lighthearted read. The protagonists' reliance on God is a testimony to the other characters as well as to the reader, yet the faith-based element is tastefully done and not heavy-handed. While it will work well as a stand-alone read, the book will be best enjoyed by reading the series in sequence.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Highland Heist from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. I highly recommend Pepper Basham's historical novels. 

Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

My prayers go out to author Pepper Basham and her fellow North Carolinians as they are working to recover from the devastation brought on by Hurricane Helene. The book itself is set in this state in the early 1900s. It is the story of the redemption of a teenage mother-to-be who doesn't truly understand what love is intended to be. I was most touched by the ways in which her older and more mature Christian friend ministered to her in such a winsome way as to profoundly impact the young woman's life. While all this may sound a bit preachy, the book does not have that feel at all, especially adding in the family drama and romance that are central to the story. While the events that move this story along create the emotions of anger, angst, and concern, those emotions are overwhelmingly overridden by joy and hope. If those are things you need in your life, or if you just enjoy an encouraging historical read, I highly recommend Hope Like Wildflowers.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Hope Like Wildflowers from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

The Juliet Code is the third book in Pepper Basham's delightful Freddie and Grace Mystery series. Fans of Jen Turano will also be fans of this book and series. Like Turano, Basham is able to add romance and humor into an exciting detective story involving quirky, lovable characters. They both build strong female characters who are supported by men during times in history when women were expected to stay within strict social boundaries. Most importantly they both develop plots that honor God and honor living a life that is pleasing to Him without sounding judgmental. The Juliet Code is the perfect example of all of these wonderful characteristics. I would highly encourage readers to read the series in order even though this book will work as a stand-alone read.

In case you are wanting just a little peek into The Juliet Code... We join Lord and Lady Astley on their honeymoon in Venice. While there, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, pulls them into a case he is investigating concerning stolen paintings. An investigation that seems fairly safe as investigations go, quickly turns dangerous. Lord and Lady Astley must learn to trust God with their health and safety while doing what they feel Him calling them to. Readers may learn something about trusting in the goodness of God as they too join the investigation.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Juliet Code from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. I am hoping that there are more books coming in this series in the future.

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Please do yourself the favor of reading The Mistletoe Countess before plunging into The Cairo Curse. Getting to know Lord and Lady Astley from the beginning of their relationship will be a treat that will make the second book all the more delicious. Lady Astley dreams big and loves big. Being an avid reader of fiction, especially of detective stories, along with her impulsive nature, leads her into many an adventure. Her husband is one to embrace her enthusiastic approach to life rather than to squelch it with expectations of lady-like behavior. As I read this book, it seemed as if I were meeting someone akin to Mrs. Marple in her twenties. I do believe Agatha Christie would have been a delighted fan of this series.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Cairo Curse from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Authentically, Izzy is an epistolary novel, one of only two or three that I have read. I must admit, it is not my favorite book structure, but it worked for this fun, contemporary novel. The book is largely made up of digital communication between Izzy, her cousins, and a book-loving guy she met through an online dating site. While this grandma of four didn't relate to many things in this story of contemporary dating, I could relate to the love of books, reading them and sharing them. I also related to the importance of being true to oneself, and the wonder of falling in love. Pepper Basham infuses this story with a lot of humor, largely in the banter between siblings and cousins.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Authentically, Izzy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a lighthearted love story. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

   

Pepper Basham's books set in Appalachia are always a treat. She very respectfully portrays an historical Appalachian lifestyle without shying away from the difficulties inherent in that lifestyle. She shines a light on the good and loving hearts while acknowledging the hearts that are hardened by adversity. Basham's characters are frequently quirky and easy to love; the characters in this book are no exception. The only thing that troubled me a bit about this book was the timeline. It wasn't the speed with which relationships were built, but the unrealistic speed with which furniture was built! I know, that won't make sense until you read the book, and you will want to read this book. As in her other books the characters have a great deal of wisdom to share.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Heart of the Mountain from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Wow! This book has all of the elements we love in Pepper Basham's books: a great historical setting, romance, quirky characters, lots of humor, an original plot, and wonderful dialogue. In The Mistletoe Countess Basham is channeling her inner Julie Lessman with passionate scenes that just stay within the bounds of Christian fiction. Avid readers will meet a kindred spirit in Grace. She will make readers want to see the world through her eyes. The mystery in this book allows her to hone her sleuthing skills learned from some of her favorite fictional characters. There are just too many reasons to like this book to include each of them in a book review.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

   

My heart is full. Hope Between the Pages will capture the heart of most every book lover, especially those who have a love of fairy tales and stories that bring to mind historical England. It whispers tales of true love and sweet romance, the kind that are orchestrated in the heavens. Readers will be reminded that God truly does work all things for good for those who love Him, and of the power of love. Pepper Basham has crafted a truly magical story; unfurling oneself from the pages as it draws to an end is difficult. Closing the covers for a final time will remind you of the importance of continuing to write the story of your own life, and recognizing that which truly holds value.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Hope Between the Pages, the first book in Barbour Publishing's new Doors to the Past series, from the publisher via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

 

     I was so happy to see that the most recent addition to Barbour Publishing's True Colors series was written by Pepper Basham. This particular fictionalized version of the American true crime known as The Courthouse Massacre was a perfect fit for Basham as it took place in her hometown of Carroll County, Virginia. Her stories set in Appalachia are wonderful, including The Red Ribbon. Her characters in this book, especially Ava and Granny Burcham and the chivalrous Jeremiah Sutphin, are endearing. Readers will likely have mixed feelings about Sid Allen, who seems to be a caring citizen while having one foot outside of the law. Of course, given the genre, there are characters whose feet are firmly planted on the side of evil. I especially liked the quotes of homespun wisdom from Granny Bercham or Granddaddy Sutphin at the beginning of each chapter.

     I am grateful to have received a copy of The Red Ribbon from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

    

I so love to discover new-to-me authors whose books immediately captivate me. Pepper Basham's tale of Laurel McAdams, her family, and the new teacher who has come to the Blue Ridge from far away England is endearing, and leaves the reader anxious for more, which Basham promises in her acknowledgments.

Basham honors the people of Appalachia by describing the truth of their circumstances in the early 1900s, by celebrating the beauty of their language and spirit, and by upholding the worth of their culture. Yes, change is inevitable, but salvaging and holding on to what is best is equally important. Basham, through her well-developed characters, offers great insight into the heart of God and the wisdom of trusting Him with each day.

This is a book that will linger long after the final page. I most highly recommend it to those who love books of all kinds because Laurel and Teacher Jonathan Taylor do as well, and they will remind others of the true gift reading is. I appreciate receiving this copy from Barbour Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.