Charming the Troublemaker Review & Giveaway

 

Engaging. This is just one word that describes Pepper Basham’s latest release Charming the Troublemaker. Oh, I have plenty more adjectives, but this one goes first because from the start, I was engaged by the snappy dialogue, enthralled with the small town setting, and captivated by the dynamic characters. Not forgetting, this story is stamped with true Basham flair which is her unique and mesmerizing prose.

About the Book

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!

My Thoughts

Dr. Alex Murdock surprised me more than any other hero Pepper Basham penned. It’s the honest truth. We get a vague glimpse of him in the first book of the series, A Twist of Faith, but this troublemaker takes center stage in this hilarious, hard-to-put-down story. Layered. That’s been my word for Alex since his first interactions with the heroine, Rainey Mitchell, and her daughter, Sarah. On the surface, he appears arrogant and shallow, but he’s anything but! He’s protective, caring, generous, and just what Rainey’s cautious heart needs. His character unfolds scene by scene in some humorous and other times intriguing ways.

Rainey Mitchell has been endeared to me since her appearance in A Twist of Faith. She’s a single mama, struggling to save her speech therapy facility while trying to maintain a stable life for her young daughter. Her previous marriage had left her self-image bruised and her heart guarded. Serious, responsible Rainey rebuffs any romantic relationship, especially if it involves flirty, super-swoony men. It was so much fun to read as Alex challenges her self-imposed defenses and awakens her heart to life and love. The sparks between these characters ignite the page, creating a fiery and fun romance.

This story is equipped with stellar secondary characters like Ma Mitchell. She’s quick to listen, but doesn’t hold back her opinion which is always flavored with wisdom and love. Couple this with a gripping plot line and you have the makings of a five-star read!

I feel it my duty to add a disclaimer. If by chance you’re out in public while reading this book, you may bust out laughing until tears gather in your eyes, and you may collect puzzled stares from those around you. Don’t ask me how I know this. 😉

In conclusion, Charming the Troublemaker has an incomparable lure which hooks your heart and infuses it with laughter, hope, and a beautiful thing called grace.

*I was provided a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

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.

 

Guest Post from Pepper Basham

I have a thing for underdogs.

Misfits.

Lost 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