Pepper Basham's Blog, page 21

Stirring a Child’s Dream to Life

Words are powerful things – and words forged into encouragement produce remarkable results.

I think that’s why I’ve always wanted to provide positive influences into my kids lives through words. I’m not saying that we don’t have hard conversations, that I don’t lose my temper, or that I fail to use ‘no’ or ‘wrong’ in my vocabulary, I’m simply stating that the power of encouragement soaks deep in children.

Can you think of someone who spoke into your life at an early age? Someone you respected who took the time to help rustle your dreams to life?

I do.

I’ve mentioned before about the influence my Granny Spencer has had on my life and writing. She exuded a gentle charm, kind of like a welcome fire on a chilly night complete with a cup of hot chocolate. Just sitting by her brought a comfort and warmth all the way through your skin to your heart. She had the ability to draw stories out of people and spark your thinker without you even knowing.

When I was almost ten, she bought me a second-hand type writer because she said “A writer needs one.” WRITER. That’s what she called me. She spoke into my dream and breathed another breath of life into it.

When I started middle school, I was not only introduced to a new school and new kids, but I met a new teacher. Mrs. Utt. From the first class with her to my last, she encouraged my love for writing by constantly urging me to stretch myself. She believed in me. She told me “I plan to see your books in the bookstore some day.” And another breath of life swelled my little dream.

There are others who, in large quantities or small, breathed into this dream to bring it to life – and it took a lot of breathing, because there were years when all that kept this dream alive was the faith of others and the raw belief that God wanted this dream to come true one day.

But it took a whole lot more than me. It took others taking time to not only to look, but SEE a gift and then use words to give that encouragement power.

Have you done this for a child? Have you had someone in your childhood breathe a dream to life in you?

The Author’s Love in CFOM

If you’re looking for some encouragement and a beautiful reminder, for both authors and nonwriters, check out my article this month in Christian Fiction Online Magazine!

I hope it will remind you of how great the Father’s love is for his kids.

http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/brilliant_well.html

 

Visiting Home and Signing Books

If you’ve had a chance to read my new release, A Twist of Faith, you can probably guess that I love the Blue Ridge Mountains. I grew up in a very small place called Lambsburg, VA – which neighbored Hillsville, Va and Mt. Airy, NC (Andy Griffith’s hometown).

For most who’ve grown up in these mountains, or who have lived here for a generous amount of time, the blue-hued horizon means home. For me, the site brings comfort and a sense of belonging, and the views…beautiful, and a constant reminder of God’s great creativity.

I’m thrilled that this weekend I have the wonderful opportunity to head home for a book signing in Mt. Airy, NC.

Is there a place that gives you a sense of home? Some location you enjoy reading or would like to read?

 

An Edited Life

A few months ago I hired someone to do a line-edit on my work-in-progress, The Thornbearer.It’s always a bit unnerving to become vulnerable to someone else’s critique, offering my infant-manuscript to be sliced, diced, and redressed (just kidding, actually she was very kind).

But the truth still remains. I paid her to edit my work. I paid her to provide constructive criticism. I paid her to point out myweaknesses. (I can think of a few people who do all those things on a regular basis and dont’ get paid one cent

One Year – 3 Books

A little over a year ago a dream of mine came true. My first novel, The Thorn Bearer, became a reality in print. Vinspire Publishing not only believed in this novel, but offered a 3-book contract.

Around the same time as I signed the contract with Vinspire (fall 2014) I also signed a contract for a very different story. A contemporary romance novel set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A Twist of Faith.

It’s been a busy year – obviously. Lots of writing, learning, carving out time. After work, then family stuff, I’d write and write and write. Deadlines proved a new challenge, but I learned (with God’s help) I could meet them.

It’s been a rewarding year – PEOPLE have made this year rewarding. I’ve met some of the most wonderful readers and authors along this journey of publication. New friends who’ve become active participants in my writing journey (Street Team & Brainstorming Team) and older friends who’ve continued to provide their support garnered through time (AlleyCats).

It’s been a year of growth – for me, I’ve not only learned so much through the challenges of marketing and meeting deadlines, I’ve learned how to trust God  more. Time when inspiration seemed very far from the page or when time became too short or when the needs of others trumped my writing needs, all forced me to release control of ‘my plans’ and trust in God’s greater good.

So, it’s been a year!

May 7, 2015 – The Thorn Bearer arrived and has garnered a great deal of good publicity.

Feb 28, 2016 – The Thorn Keeper was published, becoming my favorite historical novel I’ve written.

April 6, 2016 – A Twist of Faith released, introducing readers to my contemporary writing (which I hope they’ll enjoy as much as the historicals)

But that’s not the end – I hope it’s the beginning of a very long journey. In November 2016 my final Penned in Time historical arrives, The Thorn Healer.

And 2017? Well, that’s a story for another day.

Thank you all for helping make this journey so much more fun with your support, reviews, encouragement, prayers, celebrations, and friendships!

Blessings,

Pepper

 

God’s Story in The Thorn Keeper

Today is the release of my second novel, The Thorn Keeper, and I’m so thankful for the reviews that have come out so far. Here’s why. The main focus for most of the reviews is not the history or the beautiful romance, but the amazing love of a rescuing God.

Catherine Dougall  made choices that branded her as a flirt and ultimately left her expecting a child outside of marriage. Now redeemed, she takes her tenacity and determination and turns them toward serving others, especially outcast women. In the middel of a war-torn country and a class system that leads to desperation and death for many ‘fallen women’, Catherine brings the same hope she’s come to know through God’s grace.

And since romance isn’t in her future, she’s ready to find a way to help rescue others in a similar situation as herself. However, God’s plans are quite different as he places the upright and distinguished Dr. David Ross in her life. His kindness, generosity, and ability to see beyond the stains of her past, bring them together and challenge the social systems plaguing on every side.

At the heart of this story is the truth that God is in the business of rescuing lost people. It’s what He sent Jesus to do over 2000 years ago, but is at the very heart of who God is. A rescuer. He doesn’t just give us second chances, he takes all of our mistakes, missed chances, and failed chances, and places them on his Son – so that He bears the brunt of our failures. It’s a beautiful love. A life-changing love.

An eternal, unfailing love that takes the remnants of our lives and fashions them into something beautiful.

You can read about the adventure, romance, humor, and redemption of The Thorn Keeper at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Tagged: christian fiction, Downton Abbey, edwardian era, inspirational fiction, Pepper Basham, world war 1

Let’s PARTY!!!

Come join me and Singing Librarian Books as we celebrate the upcoming release of The Thorn Keeper, my second historical romance book in The Penned in Time series.

 

Learn more about it here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/926757144106308/

 

Let’s Hangout!!

This MONTH, my second book in the Penned in Time series releases!! YAY!
To help kick off the exciting release of The Thorn Keeper, here’s a wonderful opportunity for you!

If you’ve pre-ordered a digital copy of my book, you’re invited to hang out with me on February 28th at 8:00 p.m. EST For an hour, we’ll chat about my book. I’ll answer questions, and I’ll be giving away some prizes.

Once you’ve pre-ordered, email me with proof, and I’ll put your name on the list to issue the invite on February 28th. After that, all you have to do is show up!

The Thorn Keeper

I finished my first ‘second’ book in October 2015.

What do I mean by that? Well, when I received ‘the call’ to publication I had 5 novels completed, but all of those were ‘first’ novels in potential series. So when Vinspire bought a 3-book historical series from me, after I turned in all the edits for book one, I had to write my very first book 2…in four months!!

The only time I’d ever written a book that quickly was the last time I had a summer break – and I finished my absolute favorite contemporary romance (Just the Way You Are). But…I was off work and could write during kid naptime and evenings. Very unique.

Now, I am NO Susan May Warren, who can have a draft finished in a month. Nor am I a Carol Moncado who pumps out 10K words in a day. After a full day’s work, then an evening with the fam, writing time takes place about an hour or two right before bed. And I was supposed to write a book two in four months?

90K words?

A historical? With all of that research?

Well, on Feb 28th, The Thorn Keeper arrives and…it’s my FAVORITE historical I’ve ever written (okay, I’ve only written 3…but that’s still an important detail to remember ;-)

I am quick to admit that without God inspiring my creativity, The Thorn Keeper would NOT have arrived. And it certainly wouldn’t be my favorite historical romance I’ve written, but somehow this beautiful story of redemption emerged from the craziness and busy-ness of my every day life.

In the end, the novel turned out to be 127K words and I had to slice it down by 25K-ish words, so not only did God help me finish, he helped me exceed what I ever imagined I could do.

So, if you read my debut, The Thorn Bearer, and want to find out what happened to the ‘fallen’ eldest sister, Catherine….OR if you just want to read a story with beautiful romance, fun banter, strong characters, and  breathtaking redemption, The Thorn Keeper might be a great option!

It’s up for preorder now on Amazon and Smashwords and will be available on Feb 28th.

Wanna hear a little about it?

With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?

Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.

David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.

When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.

Follow this link to find out what others are saying about The Thorn Keeper.

One Word: Joy

Tis the season of ‘newness’ each time one year flips into another, and as many authors know, we have this little tradition of choosing a ‘one word’ for our new year.

I haven’t seen it celebrated as much this year as it has been in the past, but, for me, it was a good reminder of my focus. My perspective. So for the past month I’ve been trying to figure out my One Word for 2016.

Last year (sounds weird to think of yesterday as LAST YEAR!) 2015 my word was Change…and boy, oh boy, was it! Our family was still recuperating from a tough move (still are in some ways), I was trying to find out what God wanted for me professionally (still am), we were adjusting to a new town, finding friends, struggling through mismatched schools, and missing the familiar.

Change happened over and over and over again – each time filled with its own difficulties and rewards.

So when it came to my word for 2016, I prayed about it with a little trepidation. Battle weary from 2015, I desperately wanted a healing word.

Then I realized…. I’d let circumstances and pain, my disappointments and struggles, define my vision. I’d released some of the hope and truth I know from God’s word and allowed wounds to cloud my vision from Christ’s promises.

Not to minimize the grueling transition of my family, or the loneliness that accompanied such a drastic shift – Our grief was a part of our healing. Our wounds clear markers of God’s continued movement in our lives. But those hurts and struggles should not redefine the truth:

God is in control and He loves His kids. I mean He REALLY loves his kids!!

A super, amazing, transforming, dark-vanquishing, wound-healing kind of love.

And he created 2015 :-) with every day inside of it.

So…

Where was God in the move? In the nights I held my weeping daughter because she ached for her friends? Where was He when my 2nd-born son retreated into his room, his happy-heart trying to cope with his new loneliness? Where was God when my kids had to switch schools all over again and step away from another set of friends to feel the sting of loneliness all over again? Where was He as I scrambled to place jobs together to help make ends-meet? Where was he in the desperate longing for the familiar comfort of deep-set friendships and the companionship of the everyday?

Where was He?

Right in the middle of all of the mess, shaping the moments and my heart to grow ever closer to Him. He was cradling each one of my children in their sadness and urging them to rest in Him. He was bending wills and instilling ‘new’ vision to help me gain a better perspective. He was teaching me, and my family, more about who he was so we could see him with clearer eyes.

He brought some awesome things in the middle of the difficulties. My first book came out in April and through that I made some amazing new friends. I applied to become an independently contracted speech-language pathologist (a choice I wouldn’t have made unless forced by circumstances) and I’m enjoying learning this new dynamic of my career. My children have a greater compassion for others and have learned to grow stronger in their faith.

So…this year, regardless of the crazy that 2016 brings, my word is Joy. Intentional Joy. The only kind that remains, even when all other lights appear to go out.

Joy that holds to truth regardless of circumstances. That whispers hope over bruised souls.

Super-Sized Joy.

And, of course, I won’t always remember this word – I’ll fail just like every other human, but the greater truth remains: He will NOT fail.

Keeping Joy at the forefront of my mind and heart this year will draw me closer to the Ultimate Joy. Christ.

May your 2016 be filled with Joy.

Super-sized Joy.