As I traveled for my first year in a new country (back in 2015), I met Pepper Basham through her first historical romance, The Thorn Bearer. I’ve always been a sucker for history and romance, but what captured my attention was Pepper Basham’s way of dealing with a difficult subject: abuse. Somehow, Pepper Basham developed a swoony romance while her heroine challenged her inner demons.

Fast forward a year, and I ran into Pepper Basham (find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. My heart could barely contain itself. Since then, I’ve been an avid fan (and friend?) of Pepper Basham so I’m pumped that she’s going to share what her favorite day would be like in the lovely North Carolina.

Buckle your seat belt, be sure to leave a comment to say hello to Pepper (and what chocolate you’d be looking for), and enjoy!

Author Pepper Basham Shares Her Favorite Day in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Hey Barbara!!! Thanks for letting me visit with you here on your site.

(Pepper, I always love having you, and I think you’ve created such a fun virtual travel for us!! I’m excited!)

I’m so excited to take you guys on a virtual tour that involves the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Biltmore, and some tasty treats along the way.

What I’m going to do is basically tell you one of my FAVORITE days, if I could plan it.

To no one’s surprise, one of my all-time favorite places to visit near my house is The Biltmore – but it’s not only an awesome daytrip, it also has some wonderful places to eat.

The Biltmore Estate

First things first, it has a CHOCOLATE SHOP!! I’m a dessert-first lover, so before we head to lunch or dinner, a sweet treat stop is a fantastic way to wake up those taste buds.

I’d start my morning, 8:30am is when they open, taking a tour of the late 19^th century chateau, stroll the gardens, and then step over to the Confectionery (as this little haven is called) for a sweet delight.

Step Over to the Confectionery

While you’re munching on your treat, you can take in the bookshop and the gift shop (I tend to look at the hats and teapots, particularly), and then mosey on over to the Stable Café.

Lunch at the Stable Cafe

Their pimento cheese dip is YUMMY – of course, everything I’ve eaten there is yummy!! A local favorite is the French Dip ?

After lunch, I’d probably visit a local bookstore. Our Barnes and Noble at Biltmore Park is FANTASTIC! They’ve been such great supporters of my books and other local authors.

Barbara: Pepper, you’ve mentioned the beautiful teas that the Biltmore a lot. I love that you share a picture of one of your daughters staring at the delicious food included with tea. I think her face sums up the goodness of the experience.

Next, I’d take a drive up on the Parkway, probably toward Craggy Gardens or Mt. Pisgah. The views are spectacular any time of day, but near sunset is especially beautiful.

I’d probably take my time enjoying the views maybe even a short hike, and then I’d drive back for a later supper at Carrabas for my FAVORITE dish – Pollo Rosa Maria. Oh YUM! My mouth waters even thinking about it! And…of course, if I didn’t care a whit about calories, I’d eat a dessert of some sort of chocolate configuration ?

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Asheville and the surrounding areas. There’s a new teashop in Hendersonville that just opened last year, but for a perfect day…this would probably be my list!

Barbara: Oh, what a day! Thanks for sharing the Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Mountains with us, and I think I’d probably be looking for something dark chocolate from the Confectionery. 🙂 Yummmm.

What do you think? What type of chocolate would you look for at the Confectionery?

[alert type=”notice” close=”false”]Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader’s Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, shortlisted for the Inspy Awards, and most recently a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times. The third book in the Penned in Time series, The Thorn Healer, released in December 2017 with a 4 1/2 star review from Rt and Top Pick rating.[/alert]