About the Book
Book: The Juliet Code
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Release Date: December, 2023
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving
Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late.
The Juliet Code is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess and The Cairo Curse.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts:
The continuing adventures of Grace and Freddie shows them just trying to fit in their honeymoon between all the mysteries. This time we find them in Venice, enjoying the sites as newlyweds when they get caught up in an adventure they didn't see coming. First, I think their relationship is adorable, as Grace keeps things interesting for Freddie, and Freddie grounds her.
Freddie is coming to realize that he and Grace may not have a normal honeymoon, and maybe not a normal life. But in the beginning of these chapters, he realizes that the gift of adventure and sleuthing is the best gift he can give to Grace. It pleases her so, and he loves her so. What's a guy going to do?
Their adventure consists of a secluded rich man's island and stolen artwork which may or may not hold a hidden message to a long-buried treasure. This was another fun addition to this series, though I do admit I felt for Freddie and his dreams of a quieter life. However, Grace is happy as can be as her reading adventures are coming to life and her life is much more fascinating than a fictional book.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
More from Pepper
The Ever After
I’ve always loved fairytales.
Especially the romanticized version (#romancewriter).
The wonderful sense of a two people meeting, overcoming obstacles to be together, and then the happily-ever-after?
Well, those are some of my favorite reasons to read and write fiction. However, I didn’t realize the challenge I took on when I agreed to write a second and third book with the main characters staying the same!
You know what I mean?
In most series, the main characters from book one become secondary characters in the consecutive books so that the secondary characters in book one can become the main characters in book 2 (everybody still following along? 🙂)
One of my favorite book series that do this so well is the Amelia Peabody series. I fell in LOVE with Amelia and Emerson in book one, but just loved watching their continued dynamic as a couple grow with each new book. I felt as if I got to know them so much better in their “ever after” while they engaged in all sorts of adventures together.
So…that’s what I hoped to accomplish with Freddie and Grace.
Where The Mistletoe Countess ends with a happily-ever-after, The Cairo Curse and The Juliet Code take over to show us more of the…ever after – my attempt at showing how two main characters continue to grow beyond the end of book one.
I didn’t realize what a daunting feat it would be. Watching two characters meet, fall in love, and show some growth in book 1 was what I was used to doing. But how was I supposed to continue that character growth in consecutive books?
Well, I had to grow myself as a writer to understand how small changes can make lasting differences especially when writing about a beloved couple.
I think The Juliet Code shows a little of that growth – of our Freddie and Grace have not only matured spiritually and, in Grace’s case, experientially, but also as a couple.
Do you have a series that you love where the main characters stay the same?
Blog Stops
The Sacred Line,
December 28
Book Reviews
From an Avid Reader, December 28
Bigreadersite,
December 28
Texas Book-aholic,
December 29
Devoted
To Hope, December 29
Mary Hake,
December 29
She Lives To Read,
December 30
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, December 30
Book
Butterfly in Dreamland, December 30
Locks, Hooks
and Books, December 31
Blogging with
Carol, December 31
For Him and My
Family, December 31
Where Faith
and Books Meet, January 1
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, January 1
Back
Porch Reads, January 1
Babbling Becky L’s
Book Impressions, January 2
Life on
Chickadee Lane, January 2
Connie’s
History Classroom, January 2
Book Looks
by Lisa, January 3
Aryn the Libraryan,
January 3
Girls
in White Dresses, January 3
Daysong
Reflections, January 4
Holly’s Book
Corner, January 4
Splashes
of Joy, January 4
Gina Holder,
Author and Blogger, January 5 (Author Interview)
Wishful Endings,
January 5
A Modern Day Fairy
Tale, January 5
Becca Hope: Book
Obsessed, January 6
Blossoms
and Blessings, January 6
Pause for Tales,
January 6
Tell Tale Book
reviews, January 7
Cover
Lover Book Review, January 7
Live.
Love. Read., January 7
Labor Not in
Vain, January 8
Mornings
at Character Cafe, January 8
Worthy2Read,
January 8
All-of-a-kind
Mom, January 9
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, January 9
The
Lit Lady, January 9
Lily’s Corner,
January 10
By The Book,
January 10
To Everything
There Is A Season, January 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/293d6/the-juliet-code-celebration-tour-giveaway
