I didn’t mean to fall in love with Pepper Basham and her closet kisses and hilarious scenes, but I did. Head over heels in love. So much so, that every time I get wind that she’s releasing another book, I’m scrabbling for first in line to read. And you know, Charming the Troublemaker did not disappoint at all.
Once again, I’m partnering with Celebrate Lit to bring this goodness to you!
About the Charming the Troublemaker
Title: Charming the Troublemaker
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2017
Troublemaking never looked so good…
When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looks as good as it does on Rainey Mitchell.
Rainey Mitchell doesn’t need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptations wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne.
When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again.
Click here to purchase!
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 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. Her newest contemporary romance, Just the Way You Are, releases in April 2016. You can get to know Pepper on Facebook, or over at her group blog, The Writer’s Alley, or Instagram.
Cordially Barbara’s Review
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper D. Basham is a Dirt Cake Brownie Trifle. Layered chocolate pudding, whipped cream, brownies, crumpled cookies make a mess of deliciousness. The gummy worms wiggling across the top seal the deal of fun.
[free copy receive. opinions my own]
Rainey, single mother of Sarah, has no time for men, especially smarmy-charm-y men like Dr. Alex Murdock. From all appearances, he’s just like Rainey’s cheating, secret-keeping ex-husband. Just when Rainey’s certain that she’s figured out Alex Murdock, he shows that all her assumptions about him were wrong. But, he’s keeping a secret, too. Will this secret push them apart?
Pepper Basham delights again with book #2 of Mitchell’s Crossroads. My impressions of Alex Murdock from book #1 were not good, but Pepper Basham flipped those thoughts right over. And that hashtag #adorkablealex floating around? Yeah, it’s true. I didn’t think Alex would be such an adorable dork, but he really was. Also, I want to say that both Rainey and Alex did their fair share of saving each other. Rainey fought for herself, too. I loved watching this couple navigate mudslides, scary fathers, and little daughters.
If you’re looking for an darling romance with strong characters and hilarious moments, Charming the Troublemaker needs a place on your bookshelf.
Words from Author Pepper Basham
I have a thing for underdogs.
Misfits.
Lots souls who desperately need to find where they belong.
I can’t help it! Call it a ‘fix-it’ mentality or an awareness that God rescued me and now I want to rescue other people…even fictional characters, but I’m definitely a softy for those characters that people are less likely to root for. Catherine from The Thorn Bearer/Keeper became my first rescue…and I just HAD to find another.
I guess that’s how Charming the Troublemaker came into existence.
Dr. Alex Murdock desperately needed to be rescued.
In a bad way.
If you’ve had a chance to read my first book in the Mitchell’s Crossroads series, A Twist of Faith, you’ll know that Alex doesn’t seem to be made up of much hero material. He’s a flirt, a little arrogant, and…well, kind of like a lost puppy.
As book 1 grew and came to a close, I knew Alex and Rainey’s story would be next…but I immediately ran into a real problem.
Who in the world was Alex Murdock? We really didn’t get to know him very much in book 1. He zoomed in a few times, ruffling feathers and then finally showing off some interesting kindness/compassion in the end, but…he was still a big-time flirt.
So the question emerged: Can a flirt be a hero?
What is Alex hiding behind that ready smile and sense of humor? Why does he seem so lost?
The answers were surprising!! Just wait.
The Mitchell family draw him right in, as they did with Dee, and his world is forever changed.
And then there’s Rainey. Strong-willed and independent, she is deeply wounded by her ex-husband’s betrayal. Though she gives off all these ‘confident’ vibes, she hides her insecurities behind a tough exterior in a desire to keep people at a distance – well, everyone except her family.
Alex rocks her world with his ready charm.
And she sees beyond the plastic grin to recognize another wounded soul.
Throwing them together into a book has been a hilarious and heart-stirring adventure, I wasn’t prepared to encounter. They’re so much fun!
AND…he’s ADORKABLE!! Seriously!! He is SUCH a dork, but makes me grin. And…he looks like Armie Hammer 😉
Let me just give you a hint to some of my favorite scenes:
Anything with Sarah!
Underoos
All of the scenes in Rainey’s house
And those in Mama Mitchell’s
Okay, I like the WHOLE STORY…and I can’t wait to see what you think too.
Blog Stops
By The Book, November 14
Just the Write Escape, November 14
Avid Reader Book Reviews, November 15
Reading Is My SuperPower, November 15
Moments Dipped in Ink, November 15
Fiction Aficionado, November 16
autism mom, November 16
Fiction, Faith, and Fun, November 17
Inklings and Notions, November 17
Faithfully Bookish, November 18
Radiant Light, November 18
Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 19
The Power of Words, November 19
Cordially Barbara, November 20
Red Headed Book Lady, November 20
Smiling Book Reviews, November 20
Kat’s Corner Books, November 21
A Greater Yes, November 21
100 Pages per Hour, November 22
Splashes of Joy, November 22
Carpe Diem, November 23
Bookworm Mama, November 23
A Baker’s Perspective, November 24
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, November 24
Daysong Reflections, November 25
Rachel Scott McDaniel, November 25
Remembrancy, November 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 26
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, November 27
Karen Sue Hadley, November 27
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away a grand prize of a paper copy of A Twist of Faith, a mug from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one driftwood scented candle, one mango scented candle, and a Troublemaker snickers 😉 highly appropriate. Chocolate with a nutty personality :)!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1f1
Pepper Basham says
BARBARA!!!!
I’m so glad you fell in love with me and my people 🙂
Thank you for this review. And the rating? Dirt Cake Brownie Trifle? Perfect! Especially with the gummy worms
Barbara says
I fall in love very cautiously, but once I’m in, I’m ALL in. And I’m so glad to be just one of the many people who have joined your book journey. And, it’s my favorite thing to compare books to food…it’s all so subjective after all! 😉