Tuesday, May 24, 2016

A TWIST OF FAITH - Pepper Basham - One Free Book

Welcome, Pepper. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Well, I think it depends on the characters. I know there is some of me in all of them, especially the heroines, but I find many more of my own personal thoughts and character traits in the ones who are a bit quirkier ;-)

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Aha, and speaking of quirky J Probably dress up as Gandalf to play LOTR with my kids in the backyard. I even made a cotton ball beard.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I feel like I’ve been story creating my whole life, but actual writing started when I was about eight. My sweet granny bought me a second-hand typewriter when I was 10 and gave it to me because she said, “A writer needs one.” She was the first person to call me a writer. It stuck.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love adventurous books with either intense romance, suspense, humor, or action. Usually I stick with any of the above if they have a good dose of romance.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
The grace of God! Definitely. And lots of laughter, music, prayer, family, tea, and chocolate. I’m a more relaxed personality, so it helps with juggling the crazy.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I use a baby names book with name meanings, but I also ask my brainstorming team for ideas and keep my ears open for other interesting names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My children. Hands down. Now, if you mean writing, I’m just so proud to have three books releasing this year – and I’m proud of all of them.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A golden retriever – probably.

When I was in high school and college, our family had a golden retriever. He rode in the back of Daddy’s pickup truck with his head hanging around the driver’s side edge of the cab. He loved the wind in his face. What is your favorite food?
Savory: Chicken Scaloppini   Sweet: Dark Knight Chocolate Torte

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Someone taking a chance on my writing. How did I overcome it? I kept submitting and submitting and submitting…until someone finally believed in the story enough to take a chance.

Tell us about the featured book.
Oh boy! A speech-language pathologist determined to move up the academic ladder and out of rural Appalachia makes a deal with her arrogant supervisor to change a thick-accented and big-hearted cattle farmer into corporate world material by Thanksgiving. An Appalachian twist to My Fair Lady                                             

Please give us the first page of the book.
PhD was not supposed to smell like this.

Adelina Roseland dropped a box of research articles onto the floor and stifled a deep breath as the strong aroma of naturally fertilized farmland wafted in from the open window. The small room, with apparently, no air conditioning, defied any prestige the brass placard on her mahogany desk could have given:

Adelina.N. Roseland, PhD
Assistant Chair
Department of Communicative Disorders, Blue Ridge University

She tossed her bag on the desk and contemplated closing the window, but a cool morning breeze blew in for a moment’s respite from the stuffy warmth in the room. Stale heat or the scent of country charm? She sighed in resignation to the irony of life and kept the window open. Country charm it was.

The view outside paused her turn. Blue mountains, a cascade of them, filled the horizon and stirred an almost irresistible pull. They shouldn’t draw her, or provide any comfort. The memories of her childhood should snuff any longing the fog-covered sea of mountains encouraged, but instead of pain, she heard the gentle hum of her granny’s voice. The soft song from the past threatened to awaken feelings and memories she avoided like black-eyed peas and family reunions. But it called her to remember. To soften the sadness, loss, and grief.
Her throat tightened as unbidden memories peeked into the present. She pushed them away, determined to leave her unsavory past in the place where all bad memories go: one-on-one intensive psychotherapy.

That piques my interest. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Best place is Facebook or my website, www.pepperdbasham.com I’m also on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram and can be found at my group writing blog, The Writers Alley – http://thewritersalleyblog.com

Thank you, Pepper, for sharing this book with us. I'm particularly eager to read it, because I have a drama background, and My Fair Lady is one of my favorite Broadway musicals.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Twist of Faith - Paperback
A Twist of Faith: Will a wager against her future steal her chance at true love? - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

27 comments:

Vera Godley said...

Ahhhh... set in the Appalachians. Should be interesting. Wonder if the transformation will be as successful as the one in My Fair Lady???

I'm in NC and I would love to win Pepper's book.

Unknown said...

I LOVED this book!!!!! It is funny, sweet, poignant. If you're on the fence, hop off and read this book.
~Amanda J. from FL

Elly said...

This sounds really great! Plus my sisters and I (and our brother's fiancé) all love My Fair Lady, so we're all sure to fall for this book straight off the bat!
J.C. -Indiana-

Anonymous said...

Vera,
I hope that the transformation is as successful! I really enjoyed writing this story and creating the family in this story. So. Much. Fun.

Anonymous said...

Amanda, Oh I'm SOOOO glad you liked :-)

Anonymous said...

J.C. I'm a big My Fair Lady fan so I loved incorporating both my love for Appalachia and My Fair Lady! I hope you enjoy it.

Pam Crist said...

I love the question-and-answer format! I always wondered how you chose your characters' names. Thank you for this little insight into your "quirky workings"! Keep writing and we'll keep reading.

Melanie Backus said...

Wow! What a book! Thank you for a great interview, Lena.

Melanie Backus, TX

Terrill R. said...

I have to confess that I already own this on my Kindle (like all of Pepper's books,) but it's one of those books that I want on my "physical" keeper shelf! :)

Terrill - WA

Mary Preston said...

A very interesting first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Cindy W. said...

I would love to win Pepper's book.

I live in Indiana.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

R Merr said...

This is a great read. As mentioned above, I'd like to own this one in paper. Loved it!

Rachael from Maine

Anonymous said...

Pam,
Thanks for popping by :-) I love picking out the right names to fit the characters. It's usually a fun excursion :-)

Anonymous said...

Melanie,
I hope you have a chance to read it :-)

Anonymous said...

Terrill!! YAY!!! And the cover is SOOO worth the physical copy :-)

Anonymous said...

Mary,
It was such a fun book to write :-)

Anonymous said...

Cindy,
Good luck with the drawing :)

kim hansen said...

I do enjoy pepper's books. North platte Nebraska.

Winnie said...

Hi Pepper! Thanks for the fun interview! I bought this in print specifically for the cover--is that shallow? Especially since I already had it on my Kindle. LOL As you already know, I loved this book!

Winnie T from Utah

Jackie Smith said...

I would love to win Pepper's book. Been following her on different blogs and good to hear more about her. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jackie in GA

KayM said...

Great beginning! You can't get away from the pull of the mountains. Thanks for offering a copy of your book.
Tennessee

Patty said...

Sounds like a really good read!

Patty in SC

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC.

Melissa Oldaker said...

Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the giveaway!

Melissa O. in NC

justcommonly said...

LOVE this@ Thanks Lena for having Pepper on! Love her books!
Annie (MD)

Jackie Tessnair said...

This book sounds great!Love the post.Jackie Tessnair N.C.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Loved the interview and after reading the comments, I know this must be a great book!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com