Review & Giveaway: A Match for Emma by Pepper Basham

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Match for Emma by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Title: A Match for Emma
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 21, 2019

Emma Mitchell may enjoy sprinkling romance into the lives of others, but her own plans involve a single first-class ticket to culinary school in Europe.

When her best friend, Jon Noble, suddenly moves back to Ransom, Emma’s fairly certain her life can’t get any better…until her matchmaking schemes nosedive, her culinary future falls flat, and a life-long friendship begins to teeter on the brink of something unexpected.

With a little inspiration from Jane Austen’s classic and a touch of Blue Ridge charm, will Jon and Emma discover that what they need the most may be the last thing they’re trying to find?



PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository


MY REVIEW

3 stars / I liked it

It took me a while to get into this somewhat leisurely-paced story and connect with the characters, but by the halfway point I was invested and eager to see Jon and Emma finally realize what they have. The plot follows Jane Austen's Emma so it felt too predictable, but it was fun to match up the characters and see how the author put her own twist on the story with the details.  There is a strong sense of community in Ransom, and especially at Daphne's cafe, where Emma practices new recipes on unwilling locals. There is a nice balance of humor and heart, with Emma and Jon's friendly banter and teasing, but also holding each other accountable for their flaws. There is a unique level of loyalty and devotion in their friendship, and my favorite parts are when they began to be attracted to each other on a romantic level (this author excels at kissing scenes!) The supporting cast of family and friends gives depth to the story and I hope to see more of Liam and Kayla in future books! The inspirational message comes across pretty strongly in the latter part of the book, and Emma and Jon both encourage and support each other in overcoming their weaknesses.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, showcases her Appalachian heritage and family history, as well as her love for humor and family.

She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her upcoming release, A Match for Emma, is the third book in her popular Mitchell’s Crossroads series.

Pepper loves getting to know readers and other authors through social media. You may also learn more about her on her website!

CONNECT WITH PEPPER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Paris cube decorative tote, paperback copy of Jane Austen's Emma, paperback copy of A Match for Emma (or another one of the Mitchell's Crossroads books, if preferred), a 'love' ornament,  a mug that reads "You're my cup of tea", and Misty Mountain handcrafted soap (made locally) - the scent is Mountain Berries!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 9, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 16, 2019. Open internationally except where prohibited by law or logistics. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review & Giveaway: A Different Kind of Strong - Second Edition: Addiction & Adversity Leads To A 30-Day Fast & A Christ-Centered Life by Daniel L. Trotter

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

On October 14, 2011, Daniel Trotter began a forty-day fast. He was consumed by the question and desperate to know, what do I do? After thirty days in the wilderness, God sent him home with an answer. It was, “Come back to Me.”

For decades, Daniel was held in thrall to alcohol, drugs, porn, and depression. He had friends, but life had lost all meaning.

During a radical thirty-day fast, Daniel encountered God – and great temptation. Afterward, he lost his wife, and his home, but he gained a new perspective – God’s. He went back to school and graduated with honors. God blessed him with a remarriage to someone who understands his heart and shares his faith. He has found peace and purpose.

Daniel found freedom in God’s love and in following God and living according to his precepts. Daniel’s memoir will show you how God can heal every physical, mental and emotional hurt and help you to become whole.

My Review

Occasionally I like to read nonfiction books, and the description of this one appealed to me. It's a memoir of the time the author lived in a campground and fasted from everything but water, but the majority of the telling is flashbacks and memories of the experiences and mistakes in his life up to that point. It's real and gritty (though tastefully non-explicit). The narration of the author is voiced like he is sharing recollections, so I didn't feel connected to the experiences or emotions as if I was in his shoes. The realizations and visions he experiences during his fast lead him to fully embrace God and religion as his saving grace, but other than a brief epilogue, I missed learning about the healing part of his life. This book felt like a prologue to the story I expected. I think it would be especially valuable to those who need hope that no matter how dark their path in life has been, there is always a way forward and a special strength can be found through Jesus and repentance, as told by one who knows.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Review & Giveaway: The Duke's Second Chance by Jen Geigle Johnson

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Second chances often come from surprising places. Will the Duke find another chance at love when everything seems to be combining against him?

Gerald feels as though he’s lost everything when his wife takes her last breath.

Amelia’s world turns upside down when the Duke of Granbury steps into her tea shop and leaves with her heart.

But when a secret from Amelia’s past unveils possibilities, will the duke get a second chance at love from an unexpected source?

Buy this first book in a Regency romance series for a taste of deep loyal friendship, beautiful second chances, and the path to heal a heart. 




My Review

Such a sweet story! I loved Amelia's tea shop setting and how she had genuine conversations with a man deep in grief, something she has experience dealing with. Amelia is the gem in this story, caught between two worlds and not daring to dream. The duke is something else- I was getting whiplash from his mood swings and irrational choices. I would have loved this book to be longer with further character development and exploration of the various situations that came up. When the resolution came about I was surprised at how quickly things were wrapped up. There is so much potential with this story and characters for more depth and development.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Look for the other books in the Lords for the Sisters of Sussex series . . .
 
The Earl's Winning Wager (May 2020)
Her Lady's Whims and Fancies
Suitors for the Proper Miss
Pining for Lord Lockhart
The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace


About the Author

An award winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Jen Geigle Johnson discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager.
 

She once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. She knows all about the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love.
 

Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure. 

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE

Giveaway 

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Review: The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

A Corpse That Only Leads to Secrets.
An Old Flame with Danger Written all over Her.
Things Are about to Get Very Complicated.

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

The already volatile situation is complicated even further by the arrival of Gabby Rowley--Finn's boss's sister and an investigative reporter with unrelenting questions about the crime. Now that she's returned, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

My Review

There's plenty of action and suspense in this quick-paced novel that introduces us to a new team of agents, their friends and family. Gabby has a tough shell and is 100% devoted to her job and identity as an investigative reporter- and the risk to her life seems like an afterthought. I was surprised at how cavalier her attitude is about the safety of herself and others, but perhaps that's just her defense mechanism. She and Finn have had a relationship in the past but she left him behind to pursue a new job opportunity in another city. So in this book the chemistry and angst is already present in their interactions. Part of the story is told from Rissi's point of view as well, and I'm hoping the next book features her as the main character. She is the youngest member of the CGI team as well as the only female, and she also competes in various water sports competitions during the story with Gabby's brother Noah and Travis, another agent. The different loose threads and angles they are each investigating in the beginning tighten up as the plot progresses and the reading was full of tension as it drew closer to the climax. A great one for suspense fans!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: When Mountains Sing by Stacy Monson

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

When the truth cost her everything, she thought there was nothing left to lose.

Mikayla Gordon loves nothing more than sleeping under the stars, reeling in the “big one,” and long hikes in the wilderness. A medical crisis reveals a 30-year-old secret that turns everything she’s known and believed upside down, unraveling her dreams and her identity.

In search of answers, she follows a trail from Minnesota to Colorado and discovers more unwelcome secrets even as she falls in love with the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and a wilderness camp leader who shares the greatest secret of all.

Knowing her life can never go back to what it was, she must make decisions that will impact far more than just her future.

My Review

I'm torn on this book- there are things I liked about it, and things that bothered me. It was difficult for me to get involved in the story and invested in the characters at first, I think because there was a lot of mundane in the narrative. When Mikayla steals DNA from her family members for a DNA test I thought that was pretty unethical, and then her extreme over the top reaction was off-putting. I thought it was strange that she wanted answers but wouldn't listen to anything from the people who had the answers she was looking for. Once she was off on her adventure, calmed down, and got a job at the camp while she waited for someone to return to Colorado, I felt like the real character building began. I was interested in her friendship with Dawson and how he gently led her to a place where she could open up to her fears and turn to God with them. I didn't feel any romantic chemistry on her end- she seemed ambivalent about developing a long-term relationship with him because she had plans to leave. I appreciated the messages of faith and the way Mikayla enjoys her hands-on job of helping the youth fall in love with the outdoors versus writing about it for a magazine. Overall, I think with tighter content editing and more expression from Mikayla about her feelings for Dawson, this would be a fabulous book.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

“I suppose I can’t expect to keep you under lock and key. You’re hardly a criminal.  .  . are you?”   

It takes a criminal to catch one, and Nicholas Brentwood is just the man for the job. Reformed in more ways than one, the rough-around-the-edges Brentwood is a member of the Bow Street Runners, London’s early nineteenth-century fledgling police force. There’s none better than Brentwood at catching the felons who ravage the city’s streets, and there’s nothing he loves more than seeing justice served.  Beautiful and beguiling, Miss Emily Payne is not the sort of miscreant Brentwood usually hunts down. When he is assigned as her bodyguard, he vows to protect her from her father’s enemies, who will stop at nothing to carry out their mission fueled by greed and revenge.
       
All her life, Emily has longed for love, but it remains beyond her grasp. This season she’s determined to find a husband, which is quite the undertaking with a hound-dog guardian like Brentwood watching her every step. If he would just give her some measure of freedom, she is sure she could win the heart of society’s most eligible bachelor.

Emily’s headstrong persistence challenges Nicholas in ways he doesn’t expect but of one thing he’s certain—of all the cunning criminals he’s dealt with in the past, this time he’s met his match.

My Review

An exciting story with two characters who drive each other crazy... until they don't ;) I had a difficult time with Emily in the beginning because of her attitude, but as her past was slowly revealed, I grew to understand her a bit more. I enjoy stories set during the Regency era but delve into the lives of those not placed high in Society. It's always a little more gritty, but also interesting and eye-opening to the way of life back then.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the following books in the Bow Street Runners series . . .

Review & Giveaway: A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis


Molly O’Malley, lady’s maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life’s work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway’s charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly’s eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city’s slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them.

Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves.

Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.


My Review

There is amazing history in this book. The kind that I am so grateful for as a woman and try not to take for granted the sacrifices of those who paved the way for suffrage. I was glad to learn about the historical details that were new to me. Even though this book has a slow beginning as it introduces a bevy of characters, the action and suspense picks up the pace with quite a few dangerous situations- much of it due to Molly's naive recklessness. I had an overall feeling of anxiety and stress as I read, and had a difficult time connecting with the emotions of the main characters. The narrative is split between several characters, and I felt like it divided my focus. I thought the romantic moments between Molly and Thomas were wonderful, but the ones between Chloe and Annesley fell flat. Perhaps if I had read the preceding book, A Nobleman's Daughter, I would have been drawn in more.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Review: Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

My Review

A sweet story with a fun twist! Penny and Thomas don't meet until much later in the book than usual, which made me anxious for the story to get on with it. And then she doesn't tell him about her connection to him with the letters, which made me even more anxious for them to get on with it! I liked the small town of Azure Springs and the sense of community there, especially with the woman who runs the boardinghouse and helps the wanderers understand what they are searching for. I didn't feel much chemistry between Penny and Thomas, but I liked them both as individuals.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)