Wednesday, September 1, 2021

THE MISTLETOE COUNTESS by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Paula and Winnie #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Tantalizing romantic story.

Your heart will be all a flutter with this new romantic couple from Pepper Basham.

Fredrick Percy has made a thorough mess of his life. Could the answer to his problems be marriage to an American heiress? Fredrick has found Grace again after a selfish start to life. “Where was God if not in everything? But I want to do right. You know I do. Help me become the man I am meant to be. He paused, doubt plaguing his prayer- guilt pausing his request. And would you help with this marriage too?”

In this tantalizing marriage of convenience story, Ms. Basham has outdone herself. Besides being a wealthy heiress, Grace is the perfect heroine. She is unique and larger than life. She is witty, intelligent, genuine, a bit naive, loves books and is a burst of sunshine wherever she goes. She thinks in literary terms: “Romance, mystery, murders, secret passageways, ghosts? She was living in a novel within only the first three weeks of marriage!”

This is the perfect Christmas book, or anytime for that matter!
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars, Strong faith thread

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“You are the hero of your own story.” “God has given you a life, and you’re the only one who can decide how to write it.” “And she would choose hope instead of despair, because she refused to be anything less than a heroine in her own life.”

When I pick up a Pepper Basham book, I know I’m in for a great read. The Mistletoe Countess is no exception. Set in 1913 in Virginia and England and populated with colorful, well-drawn characters, this story took me on a grand adventure. Grace Ferguson is delightful, charming, full of innocence, a bit naïve, and very wrapped up in her books of romance and mystery. When Frederick Percy, Lord Astley, finds himself engaged, and then married, to Grace instead of her sister, he’s not quite sure what he got himself into.

“My dear, if I didn’t know you had such a kind heart, I’d be terrified of you.”

Grace is determined to find who’s responsible for attempts to injure or kill Lord Astley, using ideas conjured up from her novel reading. Meanwhile, Lord Astley is trying to keep Grace alive and unharmed. Hilarity ensues as they try to solve the mystery.

“I wanted to remain your noble knight as long as possible, but I seem adept at falling off my steed.”

A stellar cast of secondary characters enlivens the tale. Lord Astley’s disagreeable mother takes an instant dislike of Grace and is particularly nasty to her, as well as to her son.

“Could someone die of dislike for a daughter-in-law? Would that be considered murder or suicide?”

With plenty of intrigue, suspense, romance, kisses, hope, and inspiration, this story is a charming and delightful read. Basham’s signature wit and humor shine through, and did I mention the kisses? There’s actually a little more passion and more innuendoes involved in this book than I’m used to in a Christian fiction story, although the couple is married and there’s nothing explicit. It did surprise me a little, though.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher and author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.

Barbour Publishing, September, 2021
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:


 

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