Mini Review: “Jane by the Book” by Pepper Basham

A couple months ago, Jane by the Book by Pepper Basham released as a part of the “Once Upon a Laugh” novella collection. I’m still reading my way through that one — it’s very fun! BUT NOW, Pepper’s novella is available on its own in paperback! *happy dance* If you’re looking for a cute and tender romcom, look no further that the adorably quirky Titus and Jane.

Four years ago, Jane Warwick escaped the shame and heartbreak of being jilted at the altar by becoming a housekeeper at the secluded Inn at Simeon Ridge. Predictable and quiet, the inn helps Jane find a place to heal and celebrates her strengths, where she is promoted to head housekeeper. But an unexpected visit to Bath, England, upsets Jane’s plans and sends her out of her comfort zone, directly into the harrowing path of historical detective author, Titus Stewart.

The only plans Titus sticks to are family holidays and the ones that send him careening into his story worlds, but when an uptight and nervous innkeeper stumbles into his life – and his latest novel – nonfiction begins to take on a much more interesting gleam.

As the unlikely pair delve into the mystery behind a one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old letter, will they both uncover a romance that stands the test of time?

Goodreads | Amazon

List of the reasons you should read Jane by the Book ASAP:

• Pop culture and Sherlock and mysteries and general bookishness. Oh, and BATH, England!
• A super-relatable heroine — whose cluelessness is realistic and sets up growth and personal realizations women of the world need to hear!
• A wonderfully bookish and nerdy hero with an internal monologue that will make you giggle. He definitely earns the nickname #terrificTitus!
• An intriguing family mystery with smart parallels to Jane’s own heart-journey
• Simply put, CORGIS!
• And, last but not least, a sweet and charming romance that will have you rooting for the happily ever after!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR + Mood Reads

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Today’s official topic: Books on Your Fall TBR

Let’s talk FALL! I’m all about this getting-cooler season. Where I live, it still feels like summer, but I am planning for all things pumpkin, apple, and spiced very soon. This, of course, puts me in the mood to read (or reread) stories with fall settings. Today I’m sharing a list of books that make me feel all the autumn or fall coziness plus a few from my TBR!

Fall “Mood” Reads

The “Walker Family” series by Melissa Tagg | Specifically, books 2-3, Like Never Before and Keep Holding On make me feel cozy and crave all things APPLE (because book 3 has an orchard!)

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton | I’ll reread this book for ANY reason, but really, I remember its setting being vividly described and part of it evoking that crisp “chill” of fall air.

Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh | Apple cider doughnuts, anyone???? Oh, and there’s a great little mystery in this one! I feel a reread coming up soon…

Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes | This sweet little novella explores the landscape of the Pacific Northwest during an autumn season — a season of change for the characters, too! (HEY! This one is FREE on ebook platforms through Sept. 20!)

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund | A historical romance that makes the harvest unforgettable!

My Fall TBR

My actual TBR pile is insane. So , here are just a few of the new books that mostly release this season I plan to read!

 

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Amy Matayo | I’m reading this one now! Amy’s stories are always the best balance of thought-provoking and emotional.

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay | A new cover on an older classic! I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book.

Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood | OK, I know this doesn’t release til 2019, but I am doing a happy dance on the inside because I got my hands on an ARC! I LOOOOOVED book 1, Impossible Saints.

All Made Up by Kara Isaac | This sounds like such a cute story! I might have to catch up on Kara’s backlist before I read it, though, because I know Kat is a secondary character in some of her stories. that will be such a hard thing to do.

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson | Two words: Liz. JOHNSON! I cannot wait to see what she does with a southern mansion, a mystery, and opulence!

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White | I have no doubt this long-anticipated series conclusion will be amazing.

Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh | A new indie from Courtney that’s a spin on romance and women’s fiction – YES, please!

When You Look At Me by Pepper Basham | Music + Cupcakes + introverts + Pepper’s heart = a story I’ve been anticipating for a while!

Your turn! What’s on your Fall TBR? Do you have fall reads recommendations? Books you reread each fall? Let me know in the comments!

First Line Fridays # 20: “The Cost of Betrayal” Novella Collection

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

Happy weekend! Today’s First Line Friday feature is an almost-released (new as of next Tuesday) novella collection by three well-known authors: The Cost of Betrayal romantic suspense novella collection by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason. This is a TBR title for me, one I think I will enjoy because I’m a fan of Dani and Lynette. I don’t think I’ve read anything be Dee just yet, but her books are highly read in the genre. Read on to see THREE first lines and share yours in the comments!

First Lines:

Betrayal by Dee Henderson

Ann Falcon eased toward the front of the crowd.

Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey

He waited, lurking against the buoy’s cold, rusty body, awaiting her.

Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason

“Get him to surgery, ASAP! OR number four.”

 

Your turn! Find the book closest to you and share your first line in the comments! Then, head over to Hoarding Books for the linky and visit other FLF posts!

Cover Reveal: “Lies We Tell Ourselves” by Amy Matayo

I’m happy to be sharing in today’s cover reveal for a BRAND NEW novel from author Amy Matayo: Lies We Tell Ourselves. This is her tenth (!) novel, releasing on September 20th.

Before the COVER fun, let’s talk more about the story:

Lies We Tell Ourselves

Presley Waterman is a rescuer: of animals, of businesses, of people. Like the stray cat she’s allergic to, but continues to care for. Like her small-town newspaper, a business that’s been dying a slow death for the better part of a decade. And like Micah. Her best friend and the man she has loved since they were kids, back when no one else cared.  

As for him…

Micah Leven loves Presley. She’s the girl who’s always been there to help, the one who knows all the ugly things about him and makes him believe he can be a better man, the one who will never leave because she’s promised over and over. 

But he also loves Mara. 

Mara is his ideal. She’s the dream he conjured up as a boy and never wavered from. She’s beautiful, ambitious, driven, a fellow newscaster at his Atlanta station, and the perfect asset for the life he’s always wanted. Together, they could conquer the world and their respective careers. Even better, with Mara he could prove that he did—in fact—finally amount to something. Maybe then his father would be proud.  

There are just a few things Presley and Micah have both forgotten. One, just because you rescue someone doesn’t mean they’ll love you for it. Two, some dreams disappear when reality wakes you up. Three, the only way to silence lies is to face the truth head-on.

This is the story of the man torn between two existences, the woman who finally took the choice away from him, and what happens when you stop listening to lies once and for all.

Even if the biggest liar is you.

 

Coming September 20th

Preorder on Amazon now!

What do you think about the cover? I think it is gorgeous and just a tiny bit whimsical! It clearly hints at the contemporary story inside. 

Book & Movie Thoughts: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Fans of romantic period dramas are probably well aware of the recent book-to-screen adaptation of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, now available on Netflix here in the US. Having read the book AND watched the adaptation, I have thoughts!!!

Book thoughts…

I first heard about this book through another epistolary book-for-book-lovers, Dear Mr. Knightley. The quirky title was enough to have me googling and seeing other reviews that made this sound like something I would like! I’ve since read it twice, most recently with friends discussing in a read-along on Twitter with #GBral. (Shoutout to the #bookbesties who made this super fun!)

I adore the book! I am now and forever a fan of the epistolary (letter) format, and a huge fan of WWII era stories. This combines the best of both worlds, with a gradual romance that keeps you guessing (who is the ultimate hero?). The colorful characters keep the story humorous and balance the more serious moments of the harsh reality of German occupation.

 

Content note: there are a few instances of mild to moderate language, a child born out of wedlock, and suggestions that one character is homosexual.

Movie thoughts…

Courtesy of IMDB.com

I appreciate book adaptations. Really. I know they cannot be the original story that plays out in your head, and they cannot possibly be so detailed within a shorter time frame. With that in mind, I really, REALLY enjoyed this one!

I thought the casting was perfect (except for Markham… he was a little more charismatic in my head). Lily as Juliet captured all the emotions and growth so well. Isola was quirky and lovable. Adelaide has a slightly different role but was brilliantly and emotionally played. And Michiel as Dawsey!!!! *heart eyes* He’s wonderfully straightforward and shy and just so genuine. Little KIT was my favorite! She was precious.

The scenery was wonderful. Having a visual of the beauty of the island will be great when I want to revisit the book. Everything from the set design to the costumes and cinematography were wonderful and helped build a picture of the story world.

Let’s talk story! I appreciated the parts that were reserved, and mourned some characters that were missing. Given the shorter time frame, I understand the parts that were abbreviated. I DO wish we had just a bit more time with the characters near the ending! And, I wish they had featured Kit a little more in the way her role with Juliet blossoms. But I loved the time with the society, the stories of Elizabeth, and especially the pigs!

Overall, this was a great adaptation that made me appreciate the root story even more — and is likely very enjoyable as a period drama for anyone who hasn’t read the book.

If you have seen and/or read this little gem, what did you think? Do you feel they did it justice with the adaptation? What was your favorite scene?

First Line Fridays # 19: “When Fall Fades”

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

It’s a special edition of First Line Fridays, featuring a book from an author you haven’t read yet! It was actually a bit of a challenge to pick a TBR book from a new-to-me-author because there are SO MANY books out there I want to read from authors I love or have recently discovered! (I’m seeing this as a really good thing.)

I picked When Fall Fades by Amy Leigh Simpson. It sounds like my cup of tea: romantic suspense. And, the reviews and praise I’ve been hearing from author and reader friends convinced me I need to read the whole series!

First Lines:

Chapter 1

This can’t be good. Pulling up to the scene and slipping behind his FBI agent mask, or rather an expression as impenetrable as Kevlar, Archer Hayes removed himself from his Suburban and set to the task at hand.

Your turn! Find the book closest to you and share your first line in the comments! Then, head over to Hoarding Books for the linky and visit other FLF posts!

Cover Reveal: “When You Look at Me” by Pepper Basham ~ Just Read Tours

Welcome to the official COVER REVEAL blitz for When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! When You Look At Me is the 2nd book in the Pleasant Gap Romance series and releases in October 2018.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An unexpected mother-to-be

A romance-leery composer

And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures.

When Julia Jenkin’a great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. Following her aunt’s cryptic journal, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate͛s newest film. The Jenkin’s family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

But her broken past and his family’s expectations build a wall much greater than the cultures that separate them. As they work together to solve a musical mystery from the grave, will an unlikely romance from the past inspire their hearts to trust in a God who’s written the perfect melody for their lives?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance novels with grace, humor, and culture clashes. She’s a Blue Ridge Mountain native and an anglophile who enjoys combining her two loves to create memorable stories of hope. Pepper is also a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of Jesus and chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.

CONNECT: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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Ready…..

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Set…..

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Reveal!!

Yay!! It’s so sweet and pretty! I have no doubt the story inside will be just as wonderful 🙂

Available October 25

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

Enter for your chance to win:

• print copy of Just the Way You Are (book #1 in the series)
• a cute ‘Britallachian’ mug – “We go together like tea and biscuits”

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 15, 2018 and last through 11:59pm August 22, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow along with the tour at JustRead for a full list of stops!