CelebrateLit Tour: Review: The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham

About the Book

Book: The Juliet Code

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release Date: December, 2023

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving

Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late.

The Juliet Code is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess and The Cairo Curse.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 I've been avidly following Freddie and Grace since their debut appearance, and you can't know how thrilled I am to follow a married couple into their continuing life. It seems like my favorite authors aren't writing series that follow the same couple the entire time, and I really miss that ability to know characters deeply over several books. Grace is the same old adventurous sweetheart that you already love if you've been keeping up with them, and Freddie, well, he's trying to keep up, the poor dear. I find that each book in this series has something special to keep me enticed, and The Juliet Code was no different. Having recently read And Then There Were None, the mysterious happenings on an island with no immediate escape was thrilling me, but there was just enough humor to keep it from being scary. The romance/honeymoon vibes were just a tad strong for me, but I'm still waiting on tenterhooks for book four, which I know will be a masterpiece. If you're ready for a flurried gondola ride, clues in paintings, a remote island, and the beauty of Italy seen through the eyes of our favorite red-headed heroine, what are you waiting for?

I received a copy of this to review, but all opinions are my own. 

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 historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, 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.

 

More from Pepper

The Ever After

I’ve always loved fairytales.

Especially the romanticized version (#romancewriter).

The wonderful sense of a two people meeting, overcoming obstacles to be together, and then the happily-ever-after?

Well, those are some of my favorite reasons to read and write fiction. However, I didn’t realize the challenge I took on when I agreed to write a second and third book with the main characters staying the same!

You know what I mean?

In most series, the main characters from book one become secondary characters in the consecutive books so that the secondary characters in book one can become the main characters in book 2 (everybody still following along? )

One of my favorite book series that do this so well is the Amelia Peabody series. I fell in LOVE with Amelia and Emerson in book one, but just loved watching their continued dynamic as a couple grow with each new book. I felt as if I got to know them so much better in their “ever after” while they engaged in all sorts of adventures together.

So…that’s what I hoped to accomplish with Freddie and Grace.

Where The Mistletoe Countess ends with a happily-ever-after, The Cairo Curse and The Juliet Code take over to show us more of the…ever after – my attempt at showing how two main characters continue to grow beyond the end of book one.

I didn’t realize what a daunting feat it would be. Watching two characters meet, fall in love, and show some growth in book 1 was what I was used to doing. But how was I supposed to continue that character growth in consecutive books?

Well, I had to grow myself as a writer to understand how small changes can make lasting differences especially when writing about a beloved couple.

I think The Juliet Code shows a little of that growth – of our Freddie and Grace have not only matured spiritually and, in Grace’s case, experientially, but also as a couple.

Do you have a series that you love where the main characters stay the same?

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/293d6/the-juliet-code-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Sacred Line, December 28

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 28

Bigreadersite, December 28

Texas Book-aholic, December 29

Devoted To Hope, December 29

Mary Hake, December 29

She Lives To Read, December 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 30

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, December 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 31

Blogging with Carol, December 31

For Him and My Family, December 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 1

Back Porch Reads, January 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 2

Connie’s History Classroom, January 2

Book Looks by Lisa, January 3

Aryn the Libraryan, January 3

Girls in White Dresses, January 3

Daysong Reflections, January 4

Holly’s Book Corner, January 4

Splashes of Joy, January 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 5 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, January 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 5

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, January 6

Blossoms and Blessings, January 6

Pause for Tales, January 6

Tell Tale Book reviews, January 7

Cover Lover Book Review, January 7

Live. Love. Read., January 7 (You are here!)

Labor Not in Vain, January 8

Mornings at Character Cafe, January 8

Worthy2Read, January 8

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 9

The Lit Lady, January 9

Lily’s Corner, January 10

By The Book, January 10

To Everything There Is A Season, January 10

My Top 5 Reads of 2023!

 It's that time again. The time when I completely lose my mind in the impossible task of choosing just five favorites out of the over 100 books I've read this year. Thankfully, rereads are disqualified, so that narrows it just a bit, but sheesh, this is going to be a hard one, because I branched out and read a lot of new and different things this year that really stuck with me. This may be the most difficult year so far...

First, the honorable mentions, in absolutely no particular order. By the way, I adore all of these!!! 

The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron,  A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White, In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer, A Mark of Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse, The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, Crossfire by Lynette Eason, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M White, The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theatre by Jaime Jo Wright, The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron 

These were all amazing books! I even pre-ordered the sequels to some of them. 

Now... top five begins...

In fifth, this story had me laughing the entire time, while also keeping me invested in the characters. This duo never fails to challenge me spiritually and write a book that God wants me to read in the season of life that I'm in. I'm ever grateful for this book, as well as completely captivated by Marvella. If that didn't give it away, I'll go ahead and let you know... It's

The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Fourth place this year goes to the sequel to last year's winner. When I tell you I read this book twice this year, ordered copies for all my friends, and shared quotes on my Instagram stories for weeks. This book impacted me hard. (Also had me in tears... I'm still not over having my heart yanked out like that!) It's

The Looking Glass Illusion by Sara Ella

Third place, sitting comfy on the podium, is by an author I had never read before. Not just another war story, this book had me reading constantly, even on lunch breaks at work. I love a good "spies whose cover is a married couple even though they don't even like being in the same room as each other" trope, and this book gave by exactly what I wanted! It's 

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

Second, a book from another new to me author. That I reread the parts I loved the most. That I bookmarked and highlighted and used quotes from as my phone lockscreen. That helped me understand the prophets just a little better. It's

Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

And my favorite book of the year, another new to me author. I didn't think this would be my type of book, but let's be honest, I fell for the cover. This first place book had me literally sobbing my heart out. I tried listening as an audiobook, but got so invested that I had to read with my eyes so I could go faster. I've already pre-ordered the newest book in the series. It's

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Spotlights! New To Me Authors in 2023!

 Hey all! I branched out just a smidgeon this year and found some new-to-me-authors. Not saying I recommend everything by these authors, but here's a list of folks that I just found, some contemporary, and some classic, and even a few translated works.

1. Kate Breslin

2. Mesu Andrews

3. Hannah Linder

4. Yoko Ogawa

5. Yukito Ayatsuji

6. Gaston Leroux

7. Wilkie Collins

8. Denise Weimer

9. Sarah E. Ladd

10. Gabrielle Meyer

11. Olivia Newport

Who have you discovered this year?

Spotlights! Books That Got a Re-Read in 2023

 Hi there! A bit of a different post today, but I'm sharing books that I read in 2023 that were rereads. (AKA captured my heart and mind enough to push them to the top of my ever-growing TBR pile of shiny new books...) Since re-reads aren't eligible for the Top 5 post, I thought they should get their own special time.

In no particular order...

1. The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright (my second time)

2. Fawkes by Nadine Brandes (I think my fourth time?)

3. The Striking a Match trilogy by Tracie Peterson (Third... or maybe fourth? time. It's my favorite non-Alaskan series she's written)

4. Fraying at the Edge and Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall (Third time... maybe fourth, now that I think of it.)

5. Books 1-8 of the Jennie McGrady series by Patricia H. Rushford (At least the fifth time... maybe more. These were an obsession in my high school years...)

6. The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (Fourth time)

7. A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason (Second time)

8. Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (At least the third time)

9. Vow of Justice by Lynette Eason (Second time)

10. Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas (Second time)

11. Not My Will by Francena H. Arnold (Ninth time...)

12. The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella (I know it came out this year... I read it twice...)

13. Christy by Catherine Marshall (Fourth time)

14. House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson (Second time)

15. Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White (Third or fourth time...)

16. Yukon Quest trilogy by Tracie Peterson (I've literally lost track of how many times I've read this series...)

17. Alaskan Quest trilogy by Tracie Peterson (Again... no clue...)

18. Song of Alaska trilogy by Tracie Peterson (Third time, I think)

What books do you come back to over and over again?