Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper Basham

Hi, reader friends! Today, we welcome back our author friend Pepper Basham as part of a book tour for her latest release, Charming the Troublemaker!

 

my thoughts

Correct me if I’m wrong but I may have (frequently) mentioned how much I adore Reese Mitchell (leading man from Mitchell’s Crossroads book 1, A Twist of Faith and my favorite fictional hero). Therefore, y’all can imagine how very high the bar has been set for book 2’s hero.

When I learned our second Mitchell’s Crossroads leading man is not only a city boy but specifically the irritatingly arrogant flirt who nearly stood between Reese and Dee’s happily ever after, I was fairly certain Alex Murdock would fail to measure up…

I stand (humbly and happily) corrected! Since Dr. Murdock happens to possess the manners of a true southern gentleman, he won’t mind stepping aside for just a moment as we consider the ladies first.

Rainey Mitchell is mountain mama strong yet even the toughest ladies need to be resued every now and then. Can I get an amen, ladies?! She is heartsore and insecure over her ex-husband’s betrayal yet determined to protect her daughter Sarah’s heart… and hopefully her own heart as well! Rainey has more doubts about Mr. GQ than even I did while the rest of the Mitchell ladies quickly extend kindness, grace, and baked goodies to Alex.

Alex Murdock is hiding yet he doesn’t realize how lost he really is. Beneath his flirtatious facade, there is sweetness, gallantry, and vulnerability. Despite everything Alex has been through, he is willing to keep moving forward and seek answers to the questions that ache inside. Now THAT is hero stuff and the hot chocolate, pink ponies, and barely restrained kisses certainly don’t hurt his situation!

I’m convinced the world would be a better (albeit rounder) place if everyone had a mama like Grace Mitchell in their corner. Mrs. Mitchell seems to naturally gather folks up in a big hug, fill their bellies with delicious southern food, and make each person feel special, understood, and truly embraced. I can’t say enough about this series. If Ransom wasn’t fictional, I’d be packing my bags for a visit and if there happened to be a vacancy in the old Mitchell cabin… it might be time for a move! I highly recommend this book and eagerly anticipate future installments!

I borrowed this book through Kindle Unlimited. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

guest post from 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.

 

 

giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away a grand prize of a paperback 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!

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What say YOU, reader friends? Three cheers for the underdogs?!
Be sure to add Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper Basham to your tbr!