Pepper Basham's Blog, page 17
April 22, 2017
(Giveaway!) Swoony Saturdays – Michael Carrington
Swoony Saturdays are your opportunity to be introduced to a book hero who fits high quality hero characteristics. (okay, so he just makes us weak in the knees for all kinds of reasons, but you get the point)
The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.
Today we welcome Sarah Monzon to Swoony Saturdays to share with you the hero (well, ONE of the heroes) from her upcoming release All of You! Sarah has graciously provided an eBook copy of All of You as a GIVEAWAY! Make sure you enter via the Rafflecopter link at the end of this post!
Who? Michael “Finch” Carrington
Where can we find this dreamboat? All of You by Sarah Monzon (releases May 15, 2017)
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Personality summary: Michael is a man who had his whole life planned out down to the minute details. When he’s in a freak accident that leaves him a double amputee and stripped of everything he’s worked for, he’s left trying to make sense of the senseless. He’s careful with his words and thinks everything through first…which may leave some stomping their foot in impatience. While his challenges don’t cause him to turn his back on his faith, he does struggle with knowing what his purpose is now, with his identity. Self-sacrificing, he puts others needs before his own…even his perception of their needs. Loyal, honorable, and protective, he’ll do anything to help those he loves.
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What makes us swoon?
A man in uniform!
Compassionate
Protective
Self-sacrificing
Willing to dress up like a pirate to impress his lady.
Determined
Can communicate thoughts and feelings through a single kiss.
[image error]Kissing level of such swooniness: Michael is a kissing scale climber. He doesn’t give his kisses away to just anyone, so he has been mistaken for a #1. But don’t believe those rumors. When he’s ready, he’s been known to communicate all his thoughts and deep feelings into a single mind-blowing kiss that will leave the recipient more than a little weak in the knees.
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Basic hero type: Michael is 70% Wentworth and 30% Ferrars. Loyal, Honorable, and in possession of a deep sense of justice, he often makes sacrifices to put other’s needs ahead of his own.
How can I meet this swoony mister?
All of You is available for preorder on Amazon. (Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below.)
About the Author
Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.
Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, has finaled in contests such as the Inspy Awards and received a 4 star review from Romantic Times.
Connect
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Kissing Levels & Hero Types
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 20, 2017
Book Journeys – The Biltmore Series
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If any of you have been following my book journey for any amount of time, you know I LOVE LOVE the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. The house and grounds are a magnificent look at a ‘chateau’ of the mountains built at the end of the 19th century by millionaire George Vanderbilt.
George Vanderbilt (Pinterest)The story goes that George was traveling through Asheville in 1888 with his mother and fell in love with the land and the surrounding blue-hued mountains. Wasting no time, in 1889 he began constructing his 250-roomed French Renaissance style home. After six years, and the creation of a rail station and village to support the running of the estate, George opened Biltmore on Christmas Eve 1895. (The town of Best was purchased and became known as Biltmore Village – it grew under Vanderbilts hands. The servants lived here and even had central heat and plumbing, a BIG improvement in 19th century Appalachia.
With his great masterpiece, he hoped to make Biltmore a self-sustaining estate.
The home ushers in new opportunities for the small town of Asheville and the surrounding Appalachian community.
France plays an important part in George’s life, particularly a few years later when he meets, falls in love, and married Edith Dresser Stuyvesant. The two met while on a ship to France and then…after a brief courtship married in Paris.
Edith Vanderbilt (PinterestIt is said that when George brought Edith to Biltmore for the first time, the employees of Biltmore lined the street holding a tool from their trade in their hands. A large ‘horseshoe’ shaped bush wished the newlyweds toward their new home with good luck and…later that evening as the newlyweds watched from their balcony, fireworks lit the night sky.
The people of Biltmore must have thought George Vanderbilt had returned to the house with a princess.
Both George and Edith were generous of heart, mind, and money. Breaching the social divide, they believe in making a place better when they left than it was before, and their energies and kindness touched thousands. Edith was known for visiting servants’ houses without one hesitation. She was also a prolific letter writer.
George and Edith valued education. Within their lifetimes, they founded Biltmore Forest School (a school for forestry, George’s passion), and the School for the Domestic Sciences (a women’s school). They both encouraged and created adult literacy classes, particularly The Moonlight School, and developed internships to help created a culture of learning.
[image error]From all accounts, even though George and Edith had other grand houses, this one was their favorite. Over the next few months, we’ll take a deeper look at the beautiful house and history associated with it…and someday, I hope to bring this amazing home, couple, and story to life on the page.
– Pepper
Giveaway
[image error]Don’t forget to stop by HERE to enter to WIN a copy of my new release Just the Way You Are!
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April 17, 2017
Let’s Celebrate With a Surprise Giveaway!
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I am blown away by the incredible reviews that Just the Way You Are is receiving on Amazon! Over the weekend we hit 50 reviews. In celebration, I am offering 1 eBook a a prize! Enter via the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post. And keep those reviews coming because I will have another giveaway when we reach 100 reviews!
What are people saying about Just the Way You Are ? Well, I am glad you asked…
“A romantic comedy for the keeper shelf!“
By Amy Leigh Simpson on April 6, 2017
“Hilarious book readers will LOVE!“
By Singing Librarian Books on April 6, 2017
“This Book is SO MUCH MORE Than Just Five Stars!!!!“
By Becky Smith on April 7, 2017
“One Not To Miss!“
By Susan Snodgrass on April 10, 2017
“Page-turning mystery, heart-warming romance, with healthy doses of chocolate and humor“
By Amazon Customer on April 12, 2017
Thank you all for coming alongside me in this journey as I pursue the world of Indie publishing. I am so thankful for the support and love that is being shown for Wes and Eisley. If you are NEW on this journey, you can find out more about the book following the link below. (There is also a sample available)
Have you read Just the Way You Are yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. And if you haven’t already, would you consider leaving a review on Amazon? It can be SHORT! One or two sentences is all it takes. May you be blessed by Wes and Eisley’s story!
Thank you!
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April 15, 2017
Swoony Saturdays – Dr. David Ross
Swoony Saturdays are your opportunity to be introduced to a book hero who fits high quality hero characteristics. (okay, so he just makes us weak in the knees for all kinds of reasons, but you get the point)
The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.
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Who?
Dr. David Ross
Where can we find this dreamboat?
The Thorn Keeper by Pepper Basham (released February, 2016)
Personality Summary
PinterestLooking for a focused, driven personality? You’ll find it in our hero for today. Dr. David Ross is devoted to his work in helping WWI soldiers recuperate and heal, and he’s not above allowing anyone to help him in his cause, even if that means stepping outside of social convention and befriending an unwed mother. David has a tremendous wealth of compassion but also a strict moral compass, so when Catherine’s reformed life begins to push at self-imposed safeguards he’s placed around his life, he has to reexamine his faith…and his heart. Once he makes the decision to love her, his faithful pursuit and gentle wooing, break down the barriers of self-deprecation and worthlessness Catherine continued to struggle with. David’s focus, as a surgeon, takes a whole new precision when he makes the decision to love her. His faithful pursuit and gentle wooing break down all of her excuses of being unworthy and unlovable. Oh, what a romance!!!
What makes us swoon?
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#tasteslikeChristmas 
– Enough said, we can all go home now. As long as that includes reading The Thorn Keeper immediately….
His heart. His compassion. He is a doctor…. His capacity for love.
He doesn’t give his heart easily, but when he does choose to love, there’s no going back.
His tenderness towards Catherine. His ability to see past her “scars” to the woman she truly is.
He is undoubtedly one of Pepper Basham’s best characters, he is in all three books and his steady, calm demeanor is amazing. David’s conversation with Katherine about Jesus is one of my favorite book scenes ever. It’s not an easy thing to make something so intensely personal and internal, flow externally onto a written page. But Pepper did it. And those letters! He is a hopeless romantic when paired with the right woman. – Rebecca Maney
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On a kiss factor, David smolders. I needed a fan for the hallway scene. Peppermint, grins, refusing to be ruffled, his heart, compassion, wooing ability. Oh, and that dimple! As well as his pursuit of Catherine.
Swoony barely begins to describe him. You need a fan for his wrist-kisses alone. His strength, encouragement, and constant response of GRACE toward Catherine make him my favorite! Plus #tasteslikeChristmas & supply rooms & his fascination with Catherine’s hair.
(A huge thank you to the team for your collaboration!)
A Note from Rachel: For FUN…Check out this new song from Beauty & the Beast. Dan Stevens is quite swoon worthy as the Beast…and his VOICE! *sigh* I admit that I have had this soundtrack on repeat 24/7.
Kissing level of such swooniness
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David is a solid four, if not 4.9, but his sassy companion pulls him up to a 5 pretty quickly when they’re alone together. Their kisses are so memorable they even have their own hashtag…#tasteslikechristmas
“No one has ever touched my soul with a kiss.”
Basic Hero Type
Knightley’s description fits David perfectly, but his determination, slight stubbornness, and passionate nature are a lot like Darcy. Plus there’s a meddlesome aunt! (Thanks to Courtney for this lovely description!)
How can I meet this swoony mister?
Dr. Ross can be found throughout the Penned in Time series. However, his book is The Thorn Keeper. You can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Don’t forget to add it to Goodreads as well.
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Kissing Levels & Hero Types
Tagged: David Ross, Swoon Often, The Thorn Keeper
April 13, 2017
Book Journeys – Tyntesfield
There are some places that just Need to be in a book!
This gothic revival manor house is one that has found its way into many books as a model for its fictional counterpart. One of the authors whose book I’ve read most recently that used this beautiful estate as a muse is Carrie Turansky. In her novel, A Refuge at Highland Hall, Tyntesfield IS Highland Hall. (It is also featured in the previous two books, The Daughter of Highland Hall and the Governess of Highland Hall).
I’m sharing a few of Carrie’s photos from her trip to this estate, but also including some other photos so you can just appreciate the utter awesomeness of this home. I suppose, much like Haddon (the inspiration for Lornegrave Hall in Just the Way You Are), the allure of Highland Hall is its ‘feel’ of stepping back into time.
As I researched this amazing house for a book I’m currently writing, I fell in love with the ‘mystery’ of it, but in all honesty, it’s true history is fascinating in its own right. As a gothic revival house, the home was built later than the era its architecture emulates.
PinterestThe house was built in the early 1800s and at one point was owned for five generations by the same family. William Gibbs, the son of bankrupt trader in Madrid, rose out of obscurity and became one of the richest men in Victorian England. He was a family man devoted to his much younger wife, Matilda, and their seven children. Out of his riches, he purchased the country house and transformed it into the amazing castle-like structure it is today.
Within its myriad of turrets, stone, spires, and windows, are magnificent rooms and hundreds of told and untold stories. Christian faith was so important to the Gibbs family that William added a chapel to his country house along with other transformations.
PinterestThe library is my favorite room! And the gardens? Amazing.
As you read Carrie Turansky’s book, you’ll get some glimpses into how this house inspired her estate in her Highland Hall books. Her newest release, Shine Like the Dawn, is my favorite of Carrie’s books so far and reveals such a beautiful story of romance, courage, and hope. I’ll feature the manor house she used as inspiration for THAT book sometime soon.
In the meantime…
To learn more about Carrie’s books, check out her beautiful website HERE.
If you’d like to take a ‘virtual tour’ of Tyntesfield, check out this video. (Long video but so informative.)
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About Carrie Turansky
CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and was a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.
Tagged: Book Journeys, Carrie Turansky, Location, Travel, Tyntesfield 
April 8, 2017
Swoony Saturdays – Ray Deluca
The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.
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PinterestWho? Ray DeLuca
Where can we find this dreamboat? Herringford and Watts Mysteries by Rachel McMillan (Released 2016)
There are so many different kinds of swoony in this world.
Some people swoon for a Hemsworth brother or a plaid-claid lumberjack with a chiseled jaw. Others swoon for the dark and broody Rochester ( or the fair and broody Rochester as played by Michael “Swoony” Fassbender). I write a different kind of swoony in my heroes. I have always been attracted—since childhood—to heroes that were just a little bit outside of the box. I grew up on a steady diet of Jasper Dale from Road to Avonlea (if you recognize that name it is because I love Jasper so much I christened a character in my Herringford and Watts series in his honour), Neil MacNeill from Christy and Sherlock Holmes.
Also, Jughead Jones. But let’s not try to figure out what my 7 year old mind was thinking.
In White Feather Murders, Jemima DeLuca (nee Watts) admits that her husband Ray would never be “exactly handsome… she would have found him boring if he were.” Ray DeLuca is a creation painted greatly by Jemima’s perspective of him and the reader meets him through the filter of Jem’s twitterpated mind.
And when I say “Jem”, who are we kidding, I really mean me.
Because, like Pygmalion, I fell absolutely head over heels in love with my creation — Ray DeLuca makes me swoon.
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He makes me swoon from the first moment in The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder when Jem literally drops her pants in front of him and he hands her his coat in a swift act of gallantry (while trying not to laugh any louder at the faux pas of their “meet cute”). He makes me swoon when he brands her with his ink-stained fingers (always ink stained, like Jo March in Little Women), marking some kind of tentative claim on her. He makes me swoon when he takes the time to patch up a marital spat by making pots and pots of lemon jam.
He makes me swoon as a reflection of the Toronto I am trying to impart in the series: an immigrant desperate to scrape a life together for his sister and nephew, an outsider who symbolizes the wave of immigration that melded Toronto into the multi-cultural mosaic it is today. Ray — whether through his hyperbolic poetry, journal entries or muckraking pieces for the Hogtown Herald— allows me to speak for an entire population at once. It is his experience that represents so much of what is lacking in social progress, counterbalancing the hurdles that Jem and Merinda experience as women victim to a society intent on repressing their gender.
[image error]He makes me swoon, most of all, because he is real. This is not a hero to put up on a pedestal nor is he, I would argue, the kind of guy you would dream about marrying; but I do hope in his construction I have created a complex character who is a product of his time and very much informed by his circumstances. In White Feather Murders, we meet a Ray who is now beyond the flirtatious suitor who likes to steal Jem into a quiet theatre and embroider love in Italian phrases that tingle down to her toes. This is a Ray who has returned from a rather startling conclusion to a case in Chicago
(see: A Lesson in Love and Murder) having done some rather irreparable damage. For someone whose inherent pride is staked in providing for his family ( his sister and nephew and now Jem ), his (non-Edwardian term alert) PTSD puts things on edge. He cannot reconcile the independent woman with whom he fell in love with the woman who throws herself into danger away from his protection. It’s a contradiction! And it is infuriating! And it is FRUSTRATING — frustrating to write, frustrating, I am assuming, to read. And yet, with all of this difficulty, he still maintains what made him so alluring to Jem in the first place: as a vessel and spokesperson for radical social change and reform. Their connection cannot be severed by a world closing in on them. Nor by the new city regulations (very much rooted in historical fact) that found Italians reporting to authorities regularly as potential enemy aliens during the start of the First World War.
External forces test their relationship, but can’t break it. After all, (here I go quoting myself again —) “When God made a Jem, He must have made a Ray.” By having Jem be Ray’s pursuer in book one I hoped to immediately establish the reader’s good opinion of him. Our heroine thinks he pulls the tide in and makes the moon stop and the world tilt on its axis. There must be something amazing about him….
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I think the wonderful thing about book heroes is that we can always find those who meet our tastes — sometimes we want Mr. Tall, Dark and Colin Firth. Other times we want someone who has a more cerebral air about them. Or Gilbert Blythe. Or Barry from The Flash. Sometimes we want a rather temperamental Italian immigrant report from a third rate newspaper who curses in a hybrid of Italian and English and turns a bachelor girl detective’s world on its ear with his delightfully crooked smile. (Chris Messina is the closest I can think of that gives you a visual of the Ray in my mind— complete with delightfully crooked smile)
Kissing level of such swooniness: Ray is most definitely a #3 – May forget to breathe!
Basic hero type: Mr. Darcy
How can I meet this swoony mister? Rachel’s Herringford and Watts Mysteries can be found on Amazon & Barnes & Noble.
One of the amazing things about Ray is his super awesome crooked smile that surrenders fully when Jem is in view
Sometimes we want a compilation of all of these things with a little Cumberbatch thrown in for good measure
Photo: Agnieszka Smyrska **http://www.smyrska.comRachel McMillan lives in Toronto where she can usually be found writing Ray DeLuca’s name in a coil-bound notebook and drawing hearts around it. You can find her at www.a-fair-substitute-for-heaven.blogspot.com The White Feather Murders releases May 1.
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Kissing Levels & Hero Types
April 6, 2017
Release Day & Book Journeys
Since JTWYA is a culture clash between Britain and Appalachia, and since I’ve spent the last few Book Journey posts taking you on tour of various places in England, I’m going to give you a little glimpse into the “other” culture in JTWYA. The Blue Ridge Mountains.
[image error]Now, as many of you know, the Blue Ridge Mountains hold a special place in my heart because they’re home. So bringing a book to life in the middle of this beautiful world of rolling landscapes, narrow roads, and glorious vistas fits right in.
Eisley Barrett, my heroine in Just the Way You Are, lives on the mountainous border between North Carolina and Virginia. Basically, it’s where I grew up, so I know the landscape pretty well. It’s Andy Griffith country (truly…he’s my fourth cousin).
[image error]The Blue Ridge Mountains are a part of the greater Appalachian Mountains (for a native’s way to pronounce this word, check out my video here). The Blue Ridge mountains run from Georgia all the way up to Pennsylvania and appear to have a blue-ish hue to them when seen from a distance.
Settled mostly by Scots-Irish, the people of the Blue Ridge Mountains are a hardy, independent lot, who have managed the isolation the mountains provide and even cultivated a distinct sub-culture of the South.
My family and I have lived in three states of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was born and raised in Virginia. We lived in eastern Tennessee for eight years, and now we are in the western part of North Carolina. For those of us who were born here, there’s a special ‘love’ for these rolling hills and unique culture. It’s home – no matter where we go.
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In Just the Way You Are, there aren’t as many descriptions of this landscape where my heroine and her crazy family live, but as the Pleasant Gap Romance series continues, there will be more and more opportunities to brag about #mymountains
What place would you consider ‘home’ for you? Is there a special place in your past or present that calls your heart?
Join the Facebook Launch Party HERE and help me share the love of release day by using these hashtags #jtwya #britallachian
Excerpt
Here’s another little Sneak Peek for you!!
[image error]“Just as I expected.” Lizzie topped off her comment with a nod from the other side of the truck. “As charming and lovely as our ginger-headed friend.”
Wes couldn’t agree more. A brick box-style house appeared around the bend in the road, where branching trees bowed to meet overhead and create a tunnel of frosted green up to the white-columned front veranda. He smiled for the hundredth time since his drive from the airport. Reading about the Blue Ridge Mountains in Jonathan Taylor’s book painted a dim picture compared to the actual beauty of the surrounding landscape. Smooth, rolling mountains shaded with a misty hue welcomed his arrival into Virginia. Beautiful.
“Thank you for accompanying me, Lizzie.”
“I’m so happy to have come.” She adjusted her collar in the mirror and tossed him a grin. “Do you realize how long it’s been since I’ve traveled anywhere beyond Matlock? Ages.”
“A good place to start, I would think.” Eisley grew up in this cozy corner of the world. The openness, the far reaches of countryside, stirred a sense of belonging he couldn’t quite explain. The front garden stretched to the surrounding wood and the drive curved almost to the house’s steps. He tensed his fists against the steering wheel, preparing for one of the most important “auditions” of his life. As the truck slowed to a stop, two large dogs raced off the veranda in pursuit.
Lizzie patted his arm, one corner of her lips tweaked in mischief. “Ah, yes, time for the knight to prove his worth, isn’t it?”
[image error]“Your encouragement is somewhat underwhelming, Lizzie.”
“Humility is a fantastic teacher, my dear boy. I’m certain you’re in for a healthy dose of it here.”
Before Wes could respond, Lizzie slipped from the truck and slammed the door. Brilliant. Humility? What on earth could she mean? The two phone conversations he’d shared with Kay Jenkins to plan this surprise visit had been pleasant enough. Not one sign of trouble.
He ran a hand over his tight jaw, took a deep breath, and opened the door to join Lizzie around the front of the truck. A golden retriever bounded toward them. Wes stepped in front of Lizzie and took the full brunt of the dog’s greeting, a jump that nearly knocked him over. The shepherd followed suit. At his firm sit command, both dogs obeyed at once. He rewarded them with a scratch behind the ears. Well, that wasn’t so bad.
To find out more, you can order Just the Way You Are in e-book or paper here!
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April 1, 2017
Swoony Saturdays – August Reinhold
Welcome! Welcome! Swoony Saturdays are your opportunity to be introduced to a book hero who fits high quality hero characteristics. (okay, so he just makes us weak in the knees for all kinds of reasons, but you get the point)
The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.
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PinterestWho? August Reinhold
Where can we find this dreamboat? The Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham (released April, 2016)
Personality summary: Oh my! If you like a gentle, caring hero with a quiet strength, determined spirit, and a wonderful sense of humor, August is your man. With a past that left him wounded and a present that has left him a prisoner, August faces his life with an optimism born through trial. His easy confidence and observant nature gives him an advantage with fiery and furious Jessica Ross in a way that totally knocks down the steel-guard she has around her heart. With patience and kindness, along with some great skills on the badminton court, his steady pursuit tends her wounds and her spirit, helping her look beyond her pain to the beautiful opportunity he presents.
What makes us swoon?[image error]
His steadfastness
His gentleness
Proficient in swoon-worthy letter writing
His relaxed personality
His compassion
Quiet strength
Confident
Excellent with kiddos
A man of few words, but the ones he wields are powerful
Loyal heart
PinterestThere’s such a kindness to him that makes him beautifully attractive
Along with a dashing smile, the fresh scent of pine is with him wherever he goes
Author Barbara Brutt says this about our swoony hero, “I like how patient and gentle he was, especially with a fiery and headstrong woman…where most men might try to ‘tame’ her by force. He never did that.”
Kissing level of such swooniness: August is definitely a #4 kisser and by the end of the book, you get the sense he can quickly move to a #5 when given ample opportunity.
PinterestBasic hero type: August’s gentle, easygoing personality meets all the expectations of our Knightley hero with a little Wentworth thrown in. His letter writing skills and depth of feeling exhibit more of Wentworth’s and his humor, gentleness, and overall likeability (with a good dose of directness) matches our Knightley. His steadfast devotion to those he loves, particularly to wooing Jessica Ross’ wound-hardened heart into a malleable offering he longs to cherish. With his patience and perseverance, there’s a good chance he’ll win the desire of his heart…and end up transforming hers in the process
How can I meet this swoony mister? The Thorn Healer is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook
Kissing Levels & Hero Types
March 30, 2017
Book Journeys – Chatsworth
We’re continuing our virtual tour of the places my characters in my upcoming novel, Just the Way You Are, visit throughout the book! So far we’ve visited London and Derbyshire, and today we’re going to stay on-tour in Derbyshire except we’re visiting two different sites.
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[image error]First, let’s talk about Rose Hill Cottage, the house Eisley stays in (first) while she’s researching her family history at Lornegrave Hall. I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE going on British realty sites to find my ‘fictional’ houses. It gets me all day-dreamy 
March 25, 2017
Swoony Saturdays – Reese Mitchell
Swoony Saturdays are your opportunity to be introduced to a book hero who fits high quality hero characteristics. (okay, so he just makes us weak in the knees for all kinds of reasons, but you get the point)
The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.
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PinterestWho? Reese Mitchell
Where can we find this dreamboat? A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham (released April, 2016)
Personality summary: Reese is a good-hearted country boy who has been deeply wounded in the past and is now raising his two kids on his own. His mildly gruff exterior houses a quick mind, warm sense of humor, tender-heart, and forthrightness. Despite his wounds and his own avoidance of romance, he bears the spirit of a nurturer, and Dr. Adelina Roseland proves a woman in need of a patient pursuit. A big Appalachian family invades his life and holds him close with their idiosyncrasies and love, which is another aspect that not only helps Reese seek a relationship with the “citified” loner, but it is also a catalyst for keeping his opinions balanced when everything falls apart. He’s faithful—and when his focus is set on Dee, well, he’ll do about anything to sweep her off her feet and right into his arms.
What makes us swoon?[image error]
Fire lighting proficiency (if you’ve read the book, you understand. Thank you, Beth Erin!)
He’s a great daddy. Loves his kids. And let’s face it! Guys with their little girls or babies? Exponential swoon factor!!
Smart – always a bonus
Willing to sacrifice his pride to give his lady-love a swoony moment
As mentioned by ladies from my Street Team:
Sexy mountain man accent
Sexy mountain man muscles
Sexy mountain man sense of humor
He takes care of his family
He’s the right amount of ornery and flirty
PinterestKissing level of such swooniness: Reese is a solid #4 kisser, a smoldering sort of fire that causes the happy recipient to inwardly glow for hours later.
Basic hero type: Reese has been a tough one to place on the ‘hero’ scale. He’s a solid mix between Knightley, Darcy, Wentworth…and even Mr. Tilney. He can brood, when brooding is warranted, but for the most part he’s easy going. He has a fierce protectiveness about him and dedication to his family, but a quick sense of humor too. He’s hardworking, but not to the neglect of his family…or a few flirty moments.
How can I meet this swoony mister? A Twist of Faith is available on Amazon, B&N, and Christian Book Distributors.
Kissing Levels & Hero Types
