Pepper D. Basham, Cecelia Dowdy, R.A. Giggie | New Novel News

The Thorn Keeper
by Pepper D. Basham

Released: February 28, 216
From: Vinspire Publishing  
Purchase: The Thorn Keeper

With her newfound faith, Catherine Dougall hopes to take the remnants of her threadbare life and make something beautiful, even if society shuns every choice she makes.

Dr. David Ross must save his war hospital from ruin, but when his notorious aunt makes an offer he can’t refuse, he must choose between his surprising affection for a reformed flirt or his dreams.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who never forgets his children and fashions beauty out of the most broken things.

Get to know Pepper...

Who is your favorite secondary character? 
Oh my goodness, that’s a very tough question. In The Thorn Keeper, I absolutely fell in love with Madame, but my overall trio of favorite characters are the three kids in my yet-to-be published novel, Just the Way You Are. Madame has a tremendous about of pizazz. The kids are some of my best writing of giving each child a unique personality. I absolutely love them.

What are you reading right now? 
Two books. Amy Leigh Simpsons’s upcoming release, In His Grip, and JoJo Moyes historical novel, The Girl You Left Behind. Very different books but great writing.

Which of your characters do you secretly have a crush on? 
Christopher “Wes” Harrison from my yet-to-be-published novel, Just the Way You Are. He has a Mr. Knightley likeability with a touch of the Mr. Darcy aloofness, and his own swoony-worthy charm.

Shades of Chocolate
by Cecelia Dowdy

Released: February 23, 2016
From: Indie Published
Purchase: Shades of Chocolate


Toni enjoys making chocolate treats in her bakery. Haunted by her abusive past, she struggles with her faith in God. Her world changes when a handsome stranger arrives, reminiscing about his childhood. Jason Matthews misses his days of working in his family's pastry shop. Estranged from his father, he longs to rediscover the joy and comfort from baking. When Toni's life is threatened, Jason realizes how deeply he cares for her. Can Toni and Jason overcome their pasts and learn to trust one another?

Get to know Cecelia...


Favorite season? 
Summer! I guess I’ve always thought about summer time as vacation time. School is out, the weather is hot and summer just reminds me of fun times!

Would you rather go to the future or go to the past? 
That’s easy, future. I’ve often wondered what my life will be like in the future. I’ve often wondered if I’d ever be able to have a full-time writing career. I also wonder what my son will be like as an adult.

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning?
I must have a huge cup of coffee first thing in the morning! I drink mine with honey, cinnamon and creamer.

Emma's Prayer
R.A. Giggie

Released: February 17, 2016
From: Indie Published
Purchase: Emma's Prayer

A teen pregnancy. A couple desperate for a family. A baby awaiting adoption. When the opportunity presents itself, will Emma Leigh Roberts take back what’s rightfully hers, or will she come to terms with the consequences of her decision?
 
When Cynthia Manning, a small town speech therapist, suffers another miscarriage, she and her husband Logan turn to adoption. They’re delighted when a baby boy is placed in their home.

Is heartbreak inevitable?

Get to know R.A....

  If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters? 
Emma Roberts to play the part of Emma, and Ken Bevel (from Fireproof) as Austin.

Favorite season? 
Spring.

What's your favorite chore? 
Writing! You have to admit, it IS quite a chore but a great one.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

::WINNER::

First off, I wanted to let you all know I'm having some issues with my blog and comments. *Ugh* It's not just me and they've got people working on it, but still it's pretty frustrating. Your comments aren't lost--I promise--and I can still see them when I'm not signed into Google. But...when I am, they are gone. It makes it impossible for me to reply to you all - though I have been reading the comments and appreciate them SO much!

All of that to say, I went and double checked that I got everyone's name who entered last week's giveaway so even if you can't see your comment on the post, I saw you (in a not creepy way).

Thanks for your patience! I may just start using Rafflecopter exclusively to make it easier...I know that some who don't have Goggle may enjoy this better :)

Anyway, here is the winner of Annette's book from last week's post:

Cheryl Baranski

Contact me using the "Contact the Thinker" form to the right of this blog so we can get you your copy!

Pepper Basham | Spread the Christmas Joy

I cannot think about Christmas without envisioning a little bit of happy chaos. You see, I’m from a large, loud, joyful Appalachian family who rival the crazy bunch on My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The only two ‘quiet’ moments in our Christmas get-togethers involved the prayer before the meal and one of my uncles reading the Christmas story from the book of Luke. And although we could have sung Silent Night in eight-part country twang, we rarely experienced much silence in between the laughter and noise of Christmas fellowship.
You see, my family gathered together at my Granny’s house on Christmas Eve every year. My granny was the matriarch of our family, a woman of incredible spiritual strength who raised six kids on her own after her husband died of cancer. She carried with her a general warmth and welcome, making newcomers to our clan feel at home and opening her arms to strangers. In so many ways, she exemplified the heart of the Christmas message by offering a place to belong to those who might not have a place.

Out of the abundance of such a heart and faith, she raised her six children, who had children of their own, and so on…until the little two bedroom ranch overflowed with 40 or more people on Christmas Eve. Good food lined the table, guarded by a swarm of aunts, uncles navigated the maze-like surroundings while discussing football scores, and a herd of children kept the constant question of ‘how long until presents’ alive and well in the adults’ ears.

Then everyone would gather in the living room to hear one of my uncles read the Christmas story. Some stood at the threshold of the room, others snuggled close on couches and chairs, while many of the children nestled on the floor surrounding the present-laden tree. And for that brief ten minutes, the chaos stilled to the sound of a miraculous story that touched every heart in the room and bled down from our ancestors in a scarlet thread of redemption.

And, of course, the quiet gave way to the wild emotions of gifts, as one of my uncles (and his designated helper) handed (or tossed) presents to the correct (sometimes) beneficiary.

You know, I can’t remember any of the gifts I received from that time as a child. Truly. But the thing I remember with sweet recollection is the joy packed as tightly as the people in that little house, with laughter shaking the walls and love binding it all together.

I hope my children and (future) grandchildren feel the same bond of God’s love and joy in our Christmas get-togethers as I knew growing up. The beauty of it lingers for years in memory and stories.

____________________________________

-->As a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pepper Basham enjoys sprinkling her Appalachian culture into her fiction. She’s an award-winning author of both contemporary and historical romances, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family and is often lurking around her group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her historical debut, The Thorn Bearer, released in April 2015 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, releases in December. You can connect with Pepper on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com, Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-D-Basham or Twitter at https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

 Winner gets their choice of one of these amazing books (digital copy). 

Pepper D. Basham {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Pepper...

As a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pepper Basham enjoys sprinkling her Appalachian culture into her fiction. She’s an award-winning author of both contemporary and historical romances, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family and is often lurking around her group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her historical debut, The Thorn Bearer, released in April 2015 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, releases in December. 
How to connect with Pepper...

Website: www.pepperdbasham.com 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13561411.Pepper_D_Basham  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pepper-D-Basham-104179697000/timeline/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperbasham
Purchase: The Thorn Bearer 

Author Interview | Pepper Basham

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing? 
...Well, Emilie, my life’s a pretty crazy place, which usually inspires all sorts of creativity, whether it stems from managing my schedule as a full time SLP with 5 kiddos or trying to manage these new writing deadlines. :) I love hats, chocolate, dressing in costume, and hanging out with my kids.

...I also come from a long line of Appalachian storytellers, so I grew up listening to my Granny give oral history back 5 or 6 generations. I think that was one of my early influences to writing, but I also believe God planted this desire for story-creating in my heart.

...I have my first ‘long’ story I wrote (and poorly illustrated) when I was 10 years old, and I have to tell you, I just love writing stories. I love seeing how characters are challenged, how they grow and change, and being a part of that ‘creative’ energy!

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why? 
...Each of my stories are special to me in different ways, but I guess if I had to pick a favorite it would be an unpublished novel called Just the Way You Are. I put all of my favorite things into that novel, mystery, humor, romance, a hilarious heroine, a dashing hero, hilarious kids, The Blue Ridge Mountains, and England!

If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...Easily the most difficult thing has been the marketing aspect. It’s hard to fit it into the many other things of life. Second on that list would be meeting deadlines, but I’m hoping that’s just a part of the learning curve.

The easiest? 
...Daydreaming :)

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book. Why are did you write it? 
...The Thorn Bearer is the first book in the Penned in Time series. It’s a World War 1 era novel about a young woman’s journey of forgiveness for an atrocious pain of her past. The hero and heroine are childhood friends, but the heroine has romantic feelings for the hero….one secret (among a few) she takes with her as the two of them board the ill-fated Lusitania.

...I’m also finishing up book two in this series and LOVE how the heroine has completely rocked my world. She’s become such an amazing character to write.

...I’m also beginning promotions for my first contemporary novel, A Twist of Faith, which is coming out in December! Very excited about it. It’s a modern day version of My Fair Lady set in The Blue Ridge Mountains. Speech-Language Pathologist meets cattle farmer :)

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why? 
...I really enjoyed the hero in this book…and the heroine’s best friend, Jessica.

...Sam is just a great guy and good friend. I love that he’s flawed but so gentle. Jessica is a spitfire.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...God’s love heals, even when we don’t have answers for all the wounds of this life.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...I think it’s difficult to not be inspired by ‘real life’ when writing fiction, and I’m glad of it. I love bringing influences from the ‘real world’ into the imaginary because I think that makes the stories more relatable – whether it is through characteristics of the characters, struggles they face, or challenges they overcome.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I truly hope my stories help people understand God’s love and truths better. Of course, I hope to write an entertaining and interesting story, but at the heart of why I love story is to give ‘hope’…something we all desire at our cores, you know?

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing? 
...Patience is a necessity…patience, positivity, and perseverance. I pursued publication for 11 years before publication, and I’d been writing my whole life. Being consistent with this dream, enjoying the journey, giving the dream to God’s care are vital to stay the course.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat? 
...Homemade applesauce. Easy and delicious.

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be?
...A pediatrician, so I could be called Dr. Pepper :)

__________________________

Thanks so much for being on the blog Pepper! I too love handed-down stories. How exciting that you've also got a contemporary coming out too. Plus you work full time and have 5 kids. I'm in awe ;) I'm right there with you on the homemade applesauce - apples in fall are the BEST! Thanks again and I hope to see you back on the blog soon!

Pepper Basham + GIVEAWAY | New Novel News

The Thorn Bearer
by Pepper D. Basham

Published May 7th (hard copy) but available now in ebook form
Vinspire Publishing
Purchase:The Thornbearer (Penned in Time Book 1)
 
A wounded woman with a past to hide and an unpredictable future to salvage struggles to keep bitterness from stealing the hope of a romance with her best friend while nursing the wounded of WWI.

In short, it is about the beautiful power of forgiveness.

Get to know Pepper...

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
Fying! I’ve always wanted to be able to fly! What an amazing experience that would be…and it would really cut down on travel time :)

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie?
A rom com person for sure. Maybe Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock or Amy Adams (I’d hope for Amy Adams….I just love her)

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Derbyshire England! BEST! I can’t wait to go back to the UK some day. It felt like home.

Annnddd... Make sure to check back later today because I'll be posting the winners of Melissa Tagg and Catherine West's books!