Book Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway: Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham

 

About the Book

 

Book: Hope Like Wildflowers

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release date: October, 2024

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts:

This is a stunningly beautiful story! I’ve been eagerly anticipating Kizzie’s story since first hearing about her in Laurel’s Dream when I read it back in 2021, and wow did it exceed all my expectations! 

Kizzie is an amazing character, and it was a joy to watch her bloom into the woman God created her to be. Seeing her give her heart to Jesus and discover her God-given worth and value was absolutely beautiful, and seriously touched my heart so deeply! 

Noah is my favorite type of hero: smart, honest, kind, trustworthy, and breath-stealingly tender! If you ask me to describe my dream man, my answer would be: any of Pepper Basham’s heroes. I feel like every time I read one of her books my list of favorite heroes gets longer, and Noah definitely has a spot on that list! 

And I would be remiss if I did not mention my love for the secondary characters (especially Nella, I just love her to pieces!) 

Every book Pepper Basham writes becomes a favorite of mine, but Hope Like Wildflowers is truly a favorite among favorites! This book is a masterpiece of the Christian fiction genre, and in my opinion it’s right next to Redeeming Love as one of the most powerful and impactful Christian fiction books of all time! 

Y’all this book wrecked me, in the best way! I almost never cry at books, but the last few chapters of this one had tears of joy pouring down my face, and I kept having to wipe my blurry eyes so I could finish reading this splendiferous gem of a story! I was this emoji: 😭

There truly aren’t words to describe just how deeply this book ministered to me! 

Please treat yourself to the blessing that is Hope Like Wildflowers. This book can be read as a standalone but it would be most meaningful if you read Laurel’s Dream and The Heart of the Mountains first! 

I totally and completely loved every second of this book and it will always hold a special place in my heart! 

I wish I could rate it higher than five stars, because this book deserves every star in the sky! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher.

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent 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

It’s pretty easy to overlook wildflowers.

I mean, until they show off all their pretty colors, especially in the middle of a barren place, then they’re noticed and usually appreciated but did you know there’s a lot more to wildflowers that…meets the eye?

Apart from providing food and shelter for smaller animals and/or insects or assisting bees in pollination, wildflowers can be used as an ingredient for healing remedies and contribute to soil health and reduce erosion.

Especially in places where other plants aren’t likely to grow. They’re known as “hardy” because they can survive all sorts of weather conditions, extreme temperature, animal damage, even drought.

So why am I talking about wildflowers??

Because, in lots of ways, wildflowers are a great example of what hope looks like.

1. Hope nourishes. Romans 15: 14 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” When we recall and reflect on what the Bible says about who we are in Christ, our hearts are encouraged and given the spiritual energy they need to remind ourselves of truth in the middle of hard times and wilderness-living.
2. Hope spreads – Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” A heart filled with the knowledge of the love of God is a heart filled and “overflowing” with hope…and that hope is contagious. When we know whose we are and what our future looks like because of the One who loves us, we live in joy…even when the storms come.
3. Hope restores and heals: “Isaiah 40:31 reads, “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
4. Hope protects – Psalm 62:5-6 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Life is hard. Sometimes, bone-achingly, soul-shakingly hard. If we’re reliant on our own ability to protect our faith or mind or soul, we will fail. We’re not strong enough and neither is any of our human defenses, but God is amply able to protect us from the storms, trials, and droughts that mean to wither our hope. HE is the hero of our heart’s story and he is armed to overcome so we can trust Him with our hope and our futures.
5. And hope grows in the hard places. Hope does not consist of weak or wishful thinking, it grows out of nutrients squeezed from the soil it has. Hard-won, many times. Romans 5:3-4 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” A life with Christ doesn’t mean that pain is taken away, but there is a promise and purpose in the pain. The promise that God is with us and a purpose that He is making us more like Him.

Hope Like Wildflowers tells the story of hope, but the main character, Kizzie, isn’t relying on her own abilities to keep her hope strong. Oh no! She learned to trust in the only One who is strong enough to BE her hope. He nourishes her heart when her life has turned upside down and she’s been forsaken. He restores and heals her when she’s been broken and cast out. He protects her from dangerous men who try to hurt her, but also he protects her heart from choosing the wrong path. And through the hard places of life, Kizzie’s hope overflows in joy to touch the lives of those around her.

And it’s beautiful and unexpected.

Like wildflowers.

How has God helped bring hope to your life? What trials has His hope helped you through?

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 30

Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Devoted To Hope, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

Wishful Endings, November 4

Book Looks by Lisa, November 4

Sylvan Musings, November 5

For Him and My Family, November 5

lakesidelivingsite, November 6

Blossoms and Blessings, November 6

Connie’s History Classroom, November 7

Labor Not in Vain, November 7

Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

An Author’s Take, November 8

Back Porch Reads, November 9

Inklings and Notions, November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

Just Your Average reviews, November 11

To Everything There Is A Season, November 12

Vicky Sluiter, November 12

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5482

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Road to Chidarra by Keith B. Perrin

About the Book

 

Book: The Road to Chidarra

Author: Keith B Perrin

Genre: Christian Fiction/Fantasy

Release date: December 14, 2016

The Road to Chidarra, is a Christian fantasy novel based in an age when men worshipped at the altar of their cruel masters the gods, and feared the monsters and strange beings who plagued their lands with malice and terror. The cries of the people are heard, and a stranger is sent from afar to guide, protect, and bring peace to the lands. This however, comes at great cost, for the dark powers do not give in so easily, and the struggle for freedom as always, is paved with blood and sacrifice.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts:

If you’re a fan of fast-paced Christian fantasy novels this book might be the perfect fit for you! 

I’m not a big fantasy reader but I do enjoy one every once in a while, and when I read the description of The Road to Chidarra I was immediately intrigued! 

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I just didn’t connect with it the way I wanted to. As someone who doesn’t often read fantasy I realize that I’m probably not the target audience, so perhaps that was part of why I struggled with this book. 

This author definitely has talent, but there was a lot of telling rather than showing, and that combined with the perspective often changing back and forth between present tense and past tense really pulled me out of the story. 

I realize this book is set in a fantasy world that may have its own timeline or perhaps this book is meant to be set during the time of the Old Testament? I’m not sure. But anyway, while I loved how we saw God work through the characters when they put their trust in Him, I found it problematic that Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection were never mentioned in this story, this left me a bit uncertain as to how this book will introduce the reader ro Jesus when He is never mentioned. 

But even though this book was a miss for me personally, please don’t just listen to my opinion and give this one a try if the description sounds interesting to you. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher.

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

About the Author

Keith Perrin, is a Christian Author who loves to tell biblical truths in an entertaining imaginative way, without compromising the reality of the scriptures, which will inspire people to discover the Bible and The Lord Jesus Christ for themselves. Growing up he watched tons of super hero cartons, Saturday afternoon science fiction and monster movies, plus reading marvel comics. His day dreaming and wild imagination would have him experience all sorts of adventures. Soon he would put those adventures to paper, drawing and writing stories of all sorts. By far his biggest inspiration was reading the bible and bible stories at a young age that drew him closer in his relationship with this awesome God who worked might miracles and showed redemption and forgiveness to the flawed people in those stories. Flawed people just like himself. Keith’s calling is to love God, share the Gospel to all who would hear and use his talents to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God!

More from Keith

I am so excited to have readers experience my book. If you are a fantasy, sci-fi, quest or supernatural lover of fiction like myself, this should be a treat, and it is topped off with biblical under and overtones to boot. Creating this world and its characters is fun and rewarding as it helps to bring my imagination alive for others to hopefully experience it in a fun , interesting and thought provoking way.  The Prophet Feneer is faced with many trials on his journey through strange lands. He must rely on the faithful invisible hand of God to guide him through heartache, uncertainty, and terrors that await him. Like all of us he has his faults, doubts and sins he must overcome to complete his assignments. The question is, will he survive long enough against the forces set against him and the inner doubts that plague him to bring the light of God to lands held in the grips of horrific darkness!

Blog Stops

[Insert Blog Stops Here]

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Keith is giving away the grand prize of a $150 Amazon card and a copy of the book in winner’s choice of format!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5472

Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway: Crack the Stone by Emily Golus

About the Book

Book: Crack the Stone

Author: Emily Golus

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: September 22, 2023

I am Valshara, the black stone born of fire. Break me, and my edges turn into knives.

Condemned to a slave camp for her crimes, goblin convict Valshara Sh’a makes a death-defying escape to freedom. But navigating Vindor’s treacherous cavern system is only the beginning of her troubles. An encounter with a rogue king turns her world upside down, and a bargain with fairy tricksters leaves her with a human child she doesn’t know how to care for.

As she tries to smuggle the boy through the walls of a barricaded city, Valshara can’t let down her guard. Because somewhere in the darkness behind her, a bounty hunter rises—relentless as nightfall and merciless as death itself.

Emily Golus re-imagines Victor Hugo’s beloved Les Misérables as an epic fantasy adventure about suffering, redemption, and the extraordinary power of love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts:

Wow, what an awesome story! I’m not a big fantasy fan, but when I saw that this book is a reimagining of Les Miserables I knew I HAD to read it! The author did a fantastic job retelling this classic, while also making it very much its own original story with some twists and turns I was not expecting! 
When I started this book I wasn’t sure what I’d think of it, but I was immediately drawn into the story of Valshara the goblin and couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what would happen next! 

Kozi was absolutely adorable! He brought so much joy to this story and I just loved him to pieces! 
I loved how fast-paced this story is, the pages flew and the story never lagged! 
Emily Golus is a new-to-me-author, but I loved her writing style and will definitely be checking out more of her books! 
I really enjoyed Crack the Stone and highly recommend it! 
If you love fantasy books with some magic and fantastical creatures you will love this book! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher.

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

About the Author

Emily Golus is an award-winning fantasy author with nearly 20 years of professional writing experience. Golus aims to engage, inspire, and show how small acts of courage and love create meaningful change. Her books feature diverse cultures, authentic characters, and cinematic fantasy settings.

Her first novel, Escape to Vindor, won the 2018 Selah Award for Young Adult Fiction, and a spin-off novel, Crack the Stone, won the 2024 Kudos Award for Fiction. Golus lives in Greenville, S.C., with her husband, Mike, who is her greatest supporter. They have two active little boys and enjoy hiking, making Thai food, and exploring small towns in the Carolinas.

 

More from Emily

Crack the Stone is a fantasy re-spinning of Victor Hugo’s redemptive masterpiece, Les Misérables. I’ve taken the major themes and characters of the original novel and recast them within the fantastical world of Vindor. The heart of the story is the same—a stone-hearted convict on the run from the law finds unexpected redemption—but there are new twists and turns along the way.

The Jean Valjean character—now a fierce goblin warrior named Valshara Sh’a—finds herself fleeing through treacherous caverns, an ensnaring forest, and a West African-inspired city under siege. Her pursuer, an expert bounty hunter who has never failed to catch his quarry, is dead-set on returning her to slavery.

Complicating everything is the human boy Valshara rescues from a fairy ring. The precocious and chaotic child not only jeopardizes the goblin’s escape, but starts to melt her obsidian heart.

Crack the Stone focuses primarily on Hugo’s themes of scandalous redemption, legalism, and the transforming love between a mother and child. Other elements of the novel—lovesick Éponine, the red revolution flag, the barricade, the Elephant of the Bastille—have been remixed in unexpected ways to support the redemption arc.

If you’re a fan of the book (or the musical!) you’ll enjoy the fun Les Mis “Easter eggs” throughout. But even if you’re not familiar with the original, you can still get swept up in Crack the Stone’s epic story of suffering, love, and light in the darkest places.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 21

Vicky Sluiter, September 22 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 24 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 25

For the Love of Literature, September 26 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 27 (Author Interview)

Through the Fire Blogs, September 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, September 29

Guild Master, September 30 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, October 1 (Author Interview)

Back Porch Reads, October 2 (Author Interview)

Just Your Average reviews, October 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 4 (Author Interview)

Denise L. Barela, October 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Emily is giving away the grand prize of a paperback copy of Crack the Stone, an obsidian arrowhead pendant, two Vindor stickers, a Vindor mini-map, a Vindor bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5447

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch

 

About the Book

Book: The Garden Girls

Author: Jessica R. Patch

Genre: Thriller

Release date: April 23, 2024

On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer collects his prized specimens. And to stop him, an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past.

FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s also the unsettling connection to the woman Ty once loved and to the shadowy cult they both risked everything to escape.

Bexley Hemmingway’s sister has gone missing, and she’ll do anything to find her—including teaming up with Ty. That may prove a mistake, and not just because Ty doesn’t know he’s the father of her teenaged son. It seems the killer is taunting Ty, drawing everyone close to him into deeper danger.

As the slashing winds and rain of a deadly hurricane approach the coast of North Carolina, the search leads Ty and Bex to an island that hides a grisly secret. But in his quest for the truth, Ty has ignored the fact that this time, he’s not just the hunter. Every move has been orchestrated by a killer into a perfect storm of terror, and they will need all their skills to survive…

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts:

Wowzers! What a wild roller coaster ride! This was my first book by Jessica R. Patch and it most definitely will not be my last! This author is immensely talented and she completely sucked me into the story on page one and did not release me until I reached the end! 

I find the concept of the FBI Strange Crimes Unit absolutely fascinating (they are called in to solve crimes with religious undertones) 

Even though I haven’t read the two previous books, so I didn’t already know Ty, as soon as I met him my heart went out to this broken man who so desperately needed a come to Jesus moment. No spoilers but this book did not disappoint in that regard and it was a joy to watch Ty come to faith in Jesus Christ! 

Bexley was an awesome heroine and I am blown away by her bravery and determination! 

I love me a good second chance romance and this one was great, though if I’m being honest I would have loved a few more kisses between them, but that’s just personal preference. 

This book is INTENSE with a capital I! The crimes were heart-wrenching and the villain absolutely made my skin crawl! If you like Criminal Minds I think you’ll love this book. There are no on-page murders but if you’re a sensitive reader who prefers not to read the POV of a serial killer this may not be the book for you. 

I highly recommend The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch and I cannot wait to read more of her books! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher.

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

About the Author

Jessica R. Patch is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her dry wit, signatures twists, and complex characters. She loves reading true crime books, discussing cold cases over chips and salsa with her girlfriends, and hunting down serial killers in her romantic suspense novels and psychological thrillers.

Jessica loves to encourage and inspire people to forward living devotionals through her monthly email newsletter. You’re invited to join the Patched In community at her website: www.jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller, Nobody Has to Know.

She resides in the Memphis area with her husband and her spoiled tri-color Shetland Sheepdog since becoming empty nesters. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

More from Jessica

Does Dark Subject Matter Belong in Inspirational Thrillers?

Spoil alert! Yes.

I am often asked why I write thrillers with darker subject matter and should I? My answer is easy and it’s biblical.

In the Bible, you’ll find all sorts of twisted, dark subject matter. Simply read the book of Judges. God didn’t sanitize the Bible or the people, which include sexual immorality, murder, gruesome violence against women and even cannibalism and child sacrifice (you won’t find child sacrifice in my books, so rest assured). He didn’t approve of these things nor did He condone them, but He also didn’t edit it out for easy reading pleasure. It was important to reveal the dark human condition and what happens apart from God; many heinous things were perpetrated by God’s people as they edged away from their faith into disobedience.

Reading this darker subject matter is hopeful because it reminds us of who we, too, can become apart from God actively in our lives and that God can still accomplish His redemptive purposes in the midst of that darkness. Light shines and is a beacon of hope. Of salvation.

So I don’t shy away from the underbelly of humanity whether it’s through an unbeliever or a believer who has run off the rails and needs brought to repentance and restoration. Light always shines in my books—God rescues, redeems, reconciles and redirects. I’m willing to go there in my stories because I know that it doesn’t stay dark. It doesn’t stay hopeless because we are never without hope.

In The Garden Girls, I wanted to explore that darkness but not with pointy horns and pitchforks. I think we all run from blatant evil that isn’t hiding or masking itself. But what about when evil masquerades as an angel of light? What about when it’s charming, smells good, offers pleasure, and seems harmless? Like a shiny lure that is attractive but when bitten, hooks and binds the unsuspecting victim. Biblical principles and truths weave through the story and in at the heart, it’s a redemptive story. One that takes hurricane force to bring a man to Truth, and choice to bow his heart and yield to sacrificial love.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, September 5

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 6

Inspired by Fiction, September 7

Stories By Gina, September 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 9

Texas Book-aholic, September 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 13

Simple Harvest Reads, September 14 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Blogging With Carol , September 15

For Him and My Family, September 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 16

Holly’s Book Corner, September 17

Just Your Average reviews, September 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jessica is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of Her Darkest Secret, a paperback copy of A Cry in the Dark and a $35 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5432

Review: Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp

 

If you’re looking for a book to take you on an enthralling and powerful journey, then you need to check out Darkness Calls the Tiger! Janyre Tromp is an exceptionally talented writer and she pulls the reader right into WWII Burma alongside Kailyn and Ryan! 

If you’re a history nerd like me you’ll love learning about the forgotten and lesser known parts of history featured in this book. 

This powerful and incredibly moving story of forgiveness, trust, and hope is certain to become a favorite for fans of sweeping historical fiction. 

I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own