Stuff & Nonsense: August 2016

Welcome back, Pepper! Rebecca and I are excited share with our readers a little more about you and your Penned in Time series!

Which character was the easiest to write? Which character was the most difficult?
Oh my, what a tough question. In the entire series, I suppose the easiest character to write was either Catherine or Madame Rouselle. For some reason I clicked with them fairly quickly (even though I didn't even know there was going to be a Madame Rouselle until she popped up on the page).
Most difficult? Jessica. Jessica struggles with resentment and suspicion, two emotions which aren't as common struggles for me. Delving deep into her personality for book 3 was probably the most difficult of the 3 books.

How much “period” research was involved in what will be a three novel series?

As you can probably imagine, I spent a lot of time trying to make sure I had information as accurate as I could, so I spent lots of time studying clothing of the era, historical details (such as Lusitania or in book 3 - the German internment camp of North Carolina). The clothing research and the Lusitania were probably the most intricate. I LOVED doing hat research ;-) but I have a natural fondness for those anyway.

Is there an authentic historical character that influenced with your story lines or your characters?

Do you mean a true person in history? I can't think of any. They were all original - of course, there are some 'real' people in history that popped up in book 3 because I was using a very specific place (small town).

Who was the first person that you told about your desire to write this series?

I love this question! My Mom, followed very closely by my Dad. They've always been my first cheerleaders from when I started writing as a little girl, and since I started creating this series (book 1) about 12 years ago, it seemed a natural thing to do - tell them first.

Are you a “fashionista” . . . . like Catherine?

Oh goodness, NO! Maybe only with the hats ;-)
Where would you go, and whom would you invite, on a dream writer's retreat?
I'd go to the highlands of Scotland or the coast of Ireland and I'd invite my Alleycats, my Brainstorming Team, my mom (because it would be all ladies and my dad wouldn't want to be in the middle of that much girl-power), my friend, Jessica, and Laura Frantz. :-)

As for favorites:
Beach or Mountains? Mountains - always
Biking or hiking? Hiking
Flipflops with or without bling? Haha, I don't wear flipflops because I don't like things between my toes. But I'd probably go for no bling...but bright colors ;-)

About Pepper:
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, and has already garnered its first award with Readers’ Favorites International Awards. Pepper’s second and third books in the series arrive in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in April.

To connect with Pepper: www.pepperdbasham.com,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-D-Basham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperbasham.

About The Thorn Bearer:

Title: The Thorn Bearer

Series: Penned in Time, Book 1

Author: Pepper D. Basham
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, LLC

Release Date: May 7, 2015

When Ashleigh Dougall’s fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. In an attempt to escape her shame, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.

Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help his childhood friend, Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and companionship as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in the love of his childhood friend.

Neither are prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.

To Purchase The Thorn Bearer: https://www.amazon.com/Thornbearer-Pepper-D-Basham/dp/0990304272

About The Thorn Keeper:

Title: The Thorn Keeper
Series: Penned in Time, Book 2

Authors: Pepper D. Basham
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing

Release Date: February 28, 2016

With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?

Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.

David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.

When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.

To Purchase The Thorn Keeper: https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Keeper-Pepper-Basham/dp/0997173211

Pinned in Time Scavenger Hunt Prize:
Basket filled with English goodies!

Pinned in Time Scavenger Hunt Rules:
1. Each blog hop stop contains an image clue, with a link to a Pinterest Board filled with pictures related to the Penned in Time series.
2. Using the image clue, find the corresponding answer image.
3. Create a Pinterest board, titled "Penned in Time," and pinned the answer image to your board, and hashtag #pinnedintime.
4. Enter your pinned (answer) image link on the Rafflecopter entry form, correspond to the stop on the Blog Hop.
5. Check out the other blog hop stops for more entries!

GIVEAWAY Rafflecopter Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NzQyNWQzOGU3ZjUyYTUwZTMyOWJkYTMwMzNiMmY2OjQ1/?