A Twist of Faith is a book I wanted to start over as soon as I finished it. I know you will enjoy meeting author, Pepper Basham and hearing about this fun, inspirational novel for the romantic reader. We want to hear your comments and hope you sign in on the Rafflecopter to earn more points toward winning a Reader’s Choice of either a Kindle or print copy of A Twist of Faith!

 

Fabulous Fridays

A Twist of Faith

Welcome, Pepper! You are one busy lady! Tell us a little bit about your family, job, and writing and how you balance it all.

Well, I’ve always been a little clumsy so I’m not sure how well I’m balancing things on most days. Thankfully God gives lots of grace J. I am the wife of a music minister, proud mom of five amazing kids, and a speech-language pathologist with a specialty in high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. Writing is a hobby that I hope will one day turn into more. My fourth book, since my first one released a year-and-a-half ago, released in December 2016. Right now I have a 3-book historical series out and the fun, contemporary, A Twist of Faith. I just turned in the second book in the Mitchell’s Crossroads which will be available November 2017, but in the meantime I have a novella coming out in March and a Romantic Comedy (my favorite book) releasing in April.

A Twist of Faith is not your first novel. Tell us something about your previous books.

The Penned in Time series is a WW1 romance that gives off a few Downton Abbey vibes with redemptive threads. From the sinking of the ill-fated Lusitania to armistice in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we follow three women through the triumphs and tragedies of a world at war and the men who win their hearts.

A Twist of Faith is one of the most fun romances I have read in a long time. How did you come up with the idea and how much of yourself did you write into the book?

Thanks for saying so! It was a really fun book to write too!! I can’t wait to see what people think of the next book in the series (in the hopes that I can keep the cuteness factor high J) I’m a big fan of the musical My Fair Lady – and since I’m also a speech-language pathologist, I wondered what the two of those might look like together in the middle of my home turf in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I really loved the outcome!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Well, I’ve been writing pretty much ever since I could – but when I was ten years old, my granny (and one of my best friends in the world) bought me a second-hand typewriter and said “because a writer needs one). She was the first call me a writer and her acknowledgment encouraged me to continue pursuing this dream.

If you could spend the day with a character from your all-time favorite novel, who would it be and what would you do?

From my own writing or someone else’s? I’d spend the day in England with Eisley Barrett from my upcoming novel, Just the Way You Are, if it was from my own novels. I would have a hard time choosing between a Jane Austen novel (preferably Lizzie Bennet), Anne of Green Gables, or Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. J

What do you want your readers to gain by reading your book?

My main wish is that people will see ‘hope’ when they read my stories, the hope of the Gospel written into the healing, heartache, ‘finding home, and romance of these books.

Some people have a problem with Christian romance, what would you say to them?

I can understand as a Christian writer my ultimate goal is to glorify God – yet, Jesus used stories to help teach greater concepts and God uses romance as a beautiful example of his love for his Bride. The closest relationships most of us experience are those of spouses and families and, for me, this is an amazing and poignant canvas on which to paint a picture of love and hope. I think the reason why fairytales call to our imaginations and our child-like wonder is because they hit at some of the deepest longings of our hearts. Rescue, good winning over evil, miracles, and a happily-ever-after. Fairytales teach deeper truths, and we love to learn from those. How much more beautiful to take our God-given imaginations and our understanding of His sacrificing love for us and show it through the guise and intimacy of a romance?

What are three things that have had the most influence on your writing process?

If you mean what ‘inspires’ my writing, I would say my love for story, the encouragement of others, and many times its scenery and/or music.  If you mean what influences my ability to write? Hmmm, probably time and how well I understand my story & characters.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

Hanging out with my kids. I LOVE being their mom and living in this world with them. I’m also a fan of walking/driving through these lovely mountains I call home. If I had the money, I’d travel…often! I LOVE traveling.

Please share a favorite passage from A Twist of Faith with us.

This was really hard! But I settled on this one. This is part of a scene where Dee has come to Reese’s house to find him sick. Reese is a single dad and Lou is his adorable little girl.

Excerpt from A Twist of Faith:

“Take a few of these.” She pushed the Tylenol into his mouth and lifted the water to his lips, her gaze thoughtful. “I thought Emma was just trying to—”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Dee kept her gaze from his and lowered the glass when he was finished.

Reese tried to sit up straighter. “What? Is she alright?”

Dee sat in a chair nearby, hand perched on the arm of his couch. “Yes, she’s fine. I just thought she was trying to trick me into coming up here.”

Reese squeezed his forehead with his fingers and kept his eyes closed. “Now why would she try to trick you into—” Reese peeked over at her from under his hand. “You think Emma’s matchmaking?”

“Silly, I know.”

“Let’s say she was. What do you think about that sort of thing?”

She folded her arms and gave him a direct look. “I think people need to mind their own business.”

Reese’s grin stretched wide and he closed his eyes again.

“Why are you grinning like that?”

“Like what?” It felt good to close his eyes.

“Like…like you know something I don’t.”

Reese yawned and rested his head against the back of the couch. “I know a whole lot of things you don’t know.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Her voice held a fighting edge, and fighting with her was a whole lot more fun than fixing his speech. “Stop grinning like that right now.”

Darkness hovered on the edges of his periphery. Sweet, warm darkness, scented with apples. A chill trembled up through his chest. “Dee, I’m a might bit cold.”

“That’s normal with a fever,” came her clipped reply.

He forced his words out on a whisper. “Will you do something for me?”

A shift in the weight of the sofa let him know she’d moved closer. She sighed and the blankets readjusted around his shoulders. “What do you need?”

He peeked through his lashes to get a glimpse of her reaction. “I need you to light my fire.”

Her eyes widened and then narrowed, even as her lips tilted ever so slightly to hide a laugh. With one fluid movement, she jerked the pillow off the couch beside him and hit him upside the head with it. “Not on your life, cowboy.”

Book Blurb:

Will a wager against her future steal her chance at true love?

Dr. Adelina Roseland has worked ten years in research as an accent reduction specialist to attain her dream job. But a secret wager to transform Appalachian cattle farmer Reese Mitchell into corporate material challenges Adelina in ways she never expected, threatening her new position.

For one, Adelina didn’t plan for the faith and friction of Reese, or the unexpected influence of his chaotic family. Now, drawn into a culture she’d tried to forget, Adelina finds the warmth of family, the hope of faith, and the joy of love melting away the deep wounds of her past.

But when Reese discovers that he’s a pawn in her climb up the academic ladder, will he forgive Adelina’s deceit or will their miscommunication end in two broken lives?

And the book blurb of Pepper’s newest release, The Thorn Healer:

Jessica Ross’ scars run much deeper than the wounds of a world at war. Determined to escape the ghosts of her past and the German influence on her nightmares, she returns home to the sleepy Appalachian town of Hot Springs, NC, only to find the renowned Mountain Park Hotel has been converted into a ‘prison’ for displaced Germans and, much to Jessica’s dismay, her grandparents have befriended one of them. August Reinhold has not only found kinship with Jessica’s grandparents, but as they share their granddaughter’s letters from the Front, he discovers a surprising bond drawing him toward the independent and beautiful woman. Displaced by a war and a painful history, he find Hot Springs and the intriguing, Jessica Ross, a tempting place to start over. Determined to scale the heights of her bitterness and show her the power of love, August faces more than just Jessica’s resistance, but a more devious design to harm the civilian sailors housed in Hot Springs. Will August’s tender pursuit show Jessica the healing and hope she needs, or will bitterness force her into the hands of a ‘true’ enemy waiting to destroy much more than her heart?

About the author:

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes novels inspired by her love for history and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her Penned in Time series has garnered recognition by finaling in the Inspys, Grace Awards, and the ACFW Carol Awards. Her contemporary romance novel, A Twist of Faith, received 4-stars from Romantic Times, and most recently, her newest release, The Thorn Healer, received a Top Pick from RT with 4 ½ stars. You can get to know Pepper on Facebook, or over at her group blog, The Writer’s Alley, or Instagram.

Connect with Pepper:

Website: https://pepperdbasham.com/

Book Trailer: www.wevideo.com/view/799108652

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pepperbasham/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13561411.Pepper_D_Basham

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

Book Links:

A Twist of Faith: https://www.amazon.com/Twist-Faith-against-future-chance-ebook/dp/B01B29QVOQ/

The Thorn Bearer: https://www.amazon.com/Thornbearer-Penned-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B00VZE0WB2/

The Thorn Keeper: https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Keeper-Penned-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B01AH59V1G/

The Thorn Healer: https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Healer-Penned-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B01N8SI4UT/

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