Pepper Basham's Blog, page 3
March 17, 2021
Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt – Stop 21
If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!
• The hunt BEGINS on 3/18 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.
• Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
• There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 3/21 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.
• Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!
Hey Y’all! So glad to have you visit my site and enjoy the fun of this Scavenger Hunt! My name is Pepper Basham and I am an author of contemporary and historical romance. My books are “peppered” with grace and humor and are usually sprinkled with some of my Appalachian heritage too. You can learn more about me by perusing this site or touching base with me on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, MeWe, and/or Pinterest.
My newest release, Hope Between the Pages, celebrates all things BOOKISH!!! Oh yes, you got that right. Stories GALORE! Bookshops. Libraries. Classics. Here’s a little about it!
Clara Blackwell can’t lose her family’s one-hundred-year-old bookshop, but with the deed missing, there’s a chance her father’s legacy could fall into the hands of her greedy uncle. In a n attempt to locate the missing deed, Clara uncovers an unusual love note which leads to the discovery of a long-lost romance. Forced to step outside her predictable bookish world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great grandmother’s unknown history. From the beautiful North Carolina Vanderbilt estate to a hamlet in The Lake District, England, can Clara put the pieces of an ill-fated romance together in order to save her bookshop…and maybe even find her own bookish happily-ever-after in the process?
If you’re interested, you can order Hope Between the Pages here or here or in about any of your online bookshop communities.In Hope Between the Pages “stories” play a vital role in two romances a century apart. You know what I mean. Stories matter.
The Stories that Shape Us
The earliest books I remember were the hardback, blue Bible storybooks my parents kept on a bookshelf in the living room. Each book had a smooth cover with a scene depicting some Bible story and promised pages filled with surprising revelations about what God did for his people. My parents read a Bible story to me and my little brother each night before bed, but stories were an integral part of my early childhood. I’m from Appalachia, so, besides the Bible stories, many stories were “told” not “read”. I would say that my love for stories started with that hardbound Bible book, but was inspired and encouraged by the oral tales my granny shared of our family history. Encouraged by my love for storytelling, reading became a natural passion and I was often found carrying a book around which led to the discovery of many other wonderful tales. The Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew were the first sets that drew me to such an extent, I felt I needed to write sequels. “Mysteries” suddenly emerged around every corner of my imagination and though I couldn’t draw very well at all, my first “story” ended up being a mystery inspired by my love for those book series. (note the photo of my daughter holding a copy of my poorly illustrated first story) 
In my late elementary years, I learned the value of traveling outside of the U.S when I read The Secret Garden followed quickly by A Little Princess. It was then that I began my deep and abiding love affair with “all things UK”. With that shift in reading, growing my little Appalachian world, even more,
I began to devour as many stories as I could find. I held a fascination for Abraham Lincoln in middle school and John F. Kennedy in early high school. I would read as many books as I could get my hands on about the English landscape and history, particularly royal history. Then I read Jane Eyre followed quickly by some of Austen’s classics and I was a goner.
College introduced Frankenstein and Dracula, along with Gawain and the Green Knight, Dickens, and Canterbury Tales. Each story feeding a different interest within my imagination, a fun conglomeration which likely encouraged my rather “eclectic” writing style now But…at this time, the only fiction with an overtly Christian influence that I’d read was Grace Livingston Hill books- and though they were sweet and gentle, they didn’t hold my interest as much as some other fiction did.
In my early twenties, I made two fascinating discoveries.
Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings (I finished both series within a week each as a new mom. AMAZING! Nursing moments really add up.)When I picked Siri Mitchell’s book, Kissing Adrien, followed immediately by Mary Connealy’s book, Petticoat Ranch, I realized I’d “found” the Christian influence, intriguing stories, and quality of writing I was looking for, not only in reading but also in writing. Add to that the powerful depth of Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love, and, somehow, I found my “writing” family.
All along the way, stories not only entertained me, but each one contributed to growing my education, my imagination, and my appreciation of people, history, worlds, hardships, and triumphs that I may never experience (and may never WANT to experience) in the real world. The point is, they GREW me.
I learned and loved through books. They made me a better person, reader, and writer. They broadened my world and gave me a better understanding of others. Stories matter.
“Their” stories matter and our stories matter. That’s why “book folks” enjoy each other’s company so much. We share stories and the love of stories. We build community, so, not only to stories teach and entertain us, they also bring us together (Hmm….maybe that’s why Jesus used them so much 
So, now it’s your turn.
What fiction inspired you? Either early on in your reading journey or later? We’ve all grown through stories. Some of mine were written down and some were told to me from a family member, but they all influenced me and my imagination in different ways.
What about you?
Leave your answer in the comments to have an opportunity to win a copy of Hope Between the Pages – a story inspired by the love of books!!
ALSO…..Here’s the Stop #21 Basics:
Clue to Write Down: DIVE
The Next Stop on the Loop: the AMAZING Kara Swanson’s site!
March 10, 2021
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy
Do you reread books?
I do! An
d I rewatch movies. Love to!!
So it was fun to pull out my copy of Mary Connealy’s books, Montana Rose, and take a second journey into the Wild West of Mary’s even wilder stories.
Have you heard of this book before? Here are my thoughts:
With the hope of rescuing newly-widowed and pregnant Cassie Griffen from a fate worse than death, Red Dawson volunteers to marry the young woman and sweep her out of embittered Wade Sawyer’s harmful path. But Wade’s wrath may not be Red’s biggest concern. His obedient, demure little wife might accidentally kill him before Wade can ever get the chance. Forced into subservient insecurity by her former husband, Cassie responds to Red’s gentleness with suspicion and surprise. The more she realizes his genuine goodness, the more she wants to give to him – but her former husband never taught her how to be a rancher’s wife, so her attempts nearly burn down the barn, knock off Red’s head, or drive him to such distraction he loses his herd.
Like a baby bird, Cassie finds freedom to fly in the security and encouragement of Red’s love. Whereas her thoughts, feelings, and personality were stifled by the tyrannical rule of her first husband, Red’s consistent coaxing (sometimes goading), quick forgiveness, and ready laugh bring out the Cassie who has been hiding underneath years of abuse.
If Red can survive the antics of his incompetent wife and Wade Sawyer’s schemes, will he find the love he’s been looking for? With humor, gentleness, and poignant spiritual depth, Mary Connealy weaves a beautiful tale about the freedom found within true love. Mary opens the reader’s eyes to the transforming power of God’s love and how our security in Him helps us to become the people He’s called us to be. Never a slavemaster, but ever the gentle Lover, God pulls us from our preconceived hurts and notions to bring out the REAL us – and bloom the hidden talents he’s designed within us.
Red Dawson’s constant example of God’s love to Cassie gives her strength to become the woman God’s called her to be. Along the way, there is laughter, heartbreak, and a breathtakingly beautiful bond that develops between the young couple. Mary’s description of the labor and delivery of Cassie’s baby was all the things that make up a good story: touching, hilarious, frightening- with enough reality to make it believable.
As with all of Mary’s books so far, I highly recommend Montana Rose. I’ve always said that Petticoat Ranch is my favorite novel she’s written, but Montana Rose is quickly vying for first place. I can’t repeat it enough. Get this book, sit back, enter a world of lassoes, spurs, strong women, vicious pigs, perfect scoundrels, gentle cowboys, and a God who can use them all for His glory.
March 1, 2021
Inconventiently Loved
My daughter and I were having a conversation recently about relationships.
It’s not the first time we’ve had such a conversation, of course. She’s a young lady who is trying to navigate all the “new” stuff of life as an adult in a world of new relationships. But one thing she brought to my attention is that when someone really cares about you, then you’re important enough to be “inconvenient”.
Now, at first glance, that may sound a little selfish, but for the romantic I am, it made perfect sense. Loving someone and showing that love is often inconvenient. It requires extra time (sometimes, when we don’t feel like we have it). It may include making tough choices usually at our own expense. It is usually a dozen tiny decisions to say “no” to ourselves and “yes” to that person we care about.
I’ve known this concept for a long time, but never considered her wording of it before and it really hit home. We all want someone to care enough about us that we are (at least) a little inconvenient. To “distract” him/her within their daily activities by just a thought, to be worth a schedule readjustment or a surprise date even though they’re busy. Or to have someone take time to listen to us, or watch a movie WE like, even if it’s not their favorite, or go out of the way to bring us a special treat…or however that “caring” may look.
(now, I don’t mean being self-focused and requiring someone to consistently drop everything to be with you- I just mean those moments where you know someone took extra time, extra thought to show they care in tangible ways…especially when it wasn’t an easy choice to make).
Right now, while the world seems all topsy-turvy, and we’re tempted to draw inward and turn insular, the small, simple ways of showing we care for others leave a lasting touch and residual gratitude behind. We’ve had to learn to be extra creative in a Covid-world, but the heart of loving is still here and possible…and maybe even more beautiful in the middle of such times as these.
I know a couple where the woman left her job, home, and friends to be with a man she loved. She started over to begin with him. Her love for him wasn’t easy. It was terribly inconvenient, which made her now-husband, all the more grateful for her love. He responded by finding ways to show his appreciation for her display of love.
Hearts of gratitude and love are contagious.
So, of course, I am reminded of the most beautiful example of Inconvenient Love ever known. Christ, the king, left the splendor and beauty of Heaven where every creature worshipped and served him, to take on the frailty of human flesh. He struggled through childhood bumps and bruises, felt the pangs of hunger and chill of the evening air. He who had been adored was shunned, betrayed, and beaten. The Lord of glory was humiliated, scourged, and killed.
Love in practice became terribly inconvenient for Jesus (understatement of the century).
But, we were worth it to Him.
Think about that just a moment. Let it sink into your weary or lonely heart.
If you are looking for perfect love that outshines ANY romance movie or fairytale book, look no further than the Son of God.
And may the knowledge of his love fill our hearts with gratitude and teach us how to love others…even if it’s inconvenient.
February 17, 2021
Writerly Thoughts & a Giveaway
I’ve heard people often say that writing is a solitary experience. And, I can imagine that before the internet, in many ways it could have been! There are some who may prefer the isolation (and that is TOTALLY fine – we all create differently), but I’ve found that I thrive on the interaction both outside my own head and inside it
For me, this wonderful interaction comes in two different forms:
The marvelously supportive external group of authors and readers who cheer on me and my stories like the very best cheerleaders on the planet. There are so many amazing folks. From ones I’ve met online, to conferences, to in-person…and even those that started online and have become dear in-person friends. I’ve said this to my fabulous street team (The Pepper Shakers…they voted on their own name), I cannot imagine this writing journey without them!! The amount of encouragement, ideas, pick-me-ups, and, even being talked off figurative ledges at times (you know who you are), daily blesses and overwhelms me. It’s a remarkable byproduct of story creating and reaching out to folks beyond my little imaginary world. I have met SOOOO many wonderful people over the years!!!
2. Unlike my fabulous flesh-and-blood encouragers (who don’t overcrowd their welcomes), my internal visitors sometimes DO. (Has anyone watched The Man Who Invented Christmas? It gives a glimpse of this very specific sort of madness). My mind is full of more imaginary friends than I can count. I know plenty of authors who are constantly mulling around 2, 3, ….10 (or more) stories at the same time, all with characters who are determined to make it out of our heads and onto the page. (And those characters can be quite bossy and insistent too).
I think nowadays, the connections we can make through online formats such as social media outlets and Zoom, has broadened the world for many authors who may have felt more isolated and sought connectivity beyond their own worlds. I’ve been incredibly thankful for the connection in so many ways, but particularly in the way it helped me build relationships and community.
Have you enjoyed connecting with authors and/or other readers? What about this online ability to connect have you enjoyed most?
In the spirit of celebration and gratitude, I’m sharing this wonderful GIVEAWAY!!! This particular prize is a fun one! FIVE prizes, to be exact. Check out the link below!!
February 13, 2021
New and Improved!!
Hello WONDERFUL readers!!
I’m so excited to welcome you to my revamped site and I’m happy to be able to get back to blogging again!
Since it’s Valentine’s Weekend, I thought I’d introduce myself by chatting about a few things that I LOVE as well as a few books I’m currently reading.
REAL people that I love: My family, which means hubs, 5 kids, parents (who are adorable, btw), my bro and his fam, my huge Appalachian family, and some amazing author/reader/church/long-time friends God’s been so kind to bring into my life. (and, of course, I love God and am learning to love him (and others) betterIMAGINARY people that I love: It’s really hard to pick favorites from my characters. Super hard. But a FEW of my favs are Eisley Barrett, Alex Murdock, Titus Stewart, Catherine Dougall, Laurel McAdams, Reese Mitchell, and, from my upcoming September release, Frederick & Grace Childhood books I love: Again, it’s hard to pick favorites, but a few honorable mentions are the Nancy Drew series, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Eyre, and Frankenstein.Books I’ve read as an adult and loved: A few honorable mentions are…Kissing Adrien by Siri Mitchell, Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy, Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz, Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews, Wings of Devotion by Roseanna White, Lord of the Rings by Tolkein
Latest fiction book I LOVED: Beauty Among the Ruins by J’nell CiesielskiLatest nonfiction book I LOVED: Gentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlandCurrent books I’m enjoying: The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark, Clanlands by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, and Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie.Dessert I love: Carrabbas’ Chocolate Dream (I could die happy having that as my last meal I’m also a big fan of Preacher Cookies.Places I love to visit: Can you guess? Anything UK!!! (but I love my #blueridgemountains (oh, and bookshops)Time period I love to write about: Contemporary or Edwardian!!!Your turn!
Tell me some of your newest bookish discoveries that you’ve LOVED!!
Do you have places you LOVE to visit?
Are there any of my books you’ve “loved” the best?
