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!
Book Review
After following Grace and Frederick in The Cairo Curse, I was excited to go on another adventure with them–this time, taking place in Italy and involving paintings based on Romeo and Juliet that contain a secret code–and danger.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. It was Nancy Drew-esque. And as someone who lived and breathed Nancy Drew growing up, I very much appreciated that. And in true Drew fashion, Basham keeps us on the edge of our seats and turning the pages, needing to know what happens next, needing to know who is stealing The Juliets and why.
I also loved Basham’s characters. They are colorful and unique, as well as fun, witty, and sarcastic. They definitely made the story that much more interesting.
Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction and a light mystery, I would recommend this novel. It could technically be read as a stand-alone, but I would highly encourage to read the first two books before it, as some parts of Frederick’s and Grace’s plot-line rely on them.
I had received a copy of the book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.
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.