When You Look at Me (2018) — A JustRead Blog Tour + Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: When You Look at Me

(Pleasant Gap Romance #2)

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Woven Words Publications

Release Date: October 25, 2018 (TOMORROW!!!)

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

An unexpected mother-to-be

A romance-leery composer

And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures

When Julia Jenkins’ great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. As she goes through her aunt’s treasured possessions, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate’s newest film. The Jenkins’ family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

But her broken past and his families’ expectations build a wall much greater than the cultures that separate them. As they work together to solve a musical mystery from the grave, will an unlikely romance from the past inspire their hearts to trust in a God who’s written the perfect melody for their lives?

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance novels with grace, humor, and culture clashes. She’s a Blue Ridge Mountain native and an anglophile who enjoys combining her two loves to create memorable stories of hope. Pepper is also a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of Jesus and chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.

CONNECT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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My Thoughts

When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham is an excellent novel! I am so blessed to have been allowed to read and review this book. I was immediately swept into Julia and Henry’s romance and loved every moment of their sweet story.

Julia is one of the strongest, most courageous characters I’ve read in a long time. She experiences an awful, soul-crushing, physically devastating trauma. I know for a fact that if I had been in Julia’s shoes I would have struggled on a daily basis with just getting out of bed each day. But Julia fought her villain, sought counseling and medical attention, and used her faith in God to see her through to a real place of physical and emotional healing. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more in awe of a fictional character before. What I really love is that Julia has not been written as a “Super Woman” figure. She is a very realistic character. Over the course of this story she deals with anger, frustration, anxiety, doubt, insecurity, and a small bit of “I can do all of this on my own” pride. What saves Julia from her own self time and time again is her constant reliance on her faith in God. Going to God with everything is Julia’s default. Of the many things I liked and respected about Julia, her constant need for and reliance on God to see her through is the best takeaway I received from reading this book.

Henry Wright is my new most favorite hero ever! I’ve not swooned this hard over a fictional hero in a LONG time. Yes, he is handsome. Yes, he is a musical prodigy who uses his fantastic music to express his deepest feelings. And yes, he has a refinement born out of his British background. All of this coalesces nicely into a great Contemporary Christian fiction hero, but what makes him the BEST hero ever is his ability to see. Henry pays attention to details and then he follows through. Nothing is more romantic to me than a man who notices the small details, who anticipates his loved one’s needs, and who follows through to meet those needs. Add to this a deep, real faith in God and Henry is as perfect as a man can be in a fictional setting. And, as far as being Julia’s hero, Henry is the God-made partner who delicately, respectfully, and honorably loves Julia to her core. The way he loves Julia because he is the one God made for her is just perfect, and I could not help but root for Henry the entire time!

My most favorite message in When You Look at Me is the notion that love destroys fear. Julia struggles hard with fear. I struggle hard with fear. Most all of the female friends I have battle in some way with fear. I think it is safe to say that most all women on earth deal with some level of fear. But no matter how hard we all struggle, we have to remember that God created love to combat fear. This reminds me of the beautiful words found in 1 John 4:18, “There is NO fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Julia comes to this understanding with Henry. Julia’s fear stems from her traumatic incident. Her fear is 1000% understandable and justifiable. But as her relationship with Henry grows, and Henry continually shows her Christ-like love, patience, kindness, and understanding, Julia realizes that “it [is] easier to fight [scary feelings] as love [grows] larger than fear.” What a fantastic reminder for me! Every time fear rears its ugly head I must remember that God’s love is stronger than any fear I could possibly have because God is bigger than fear!!!

When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham is a story that will stick with me long after I’ve turned the last page. Henry and Julia have endeared themselves to my heart for sure! I found this story to be honest, realistic, romantic, and timely. I highly, highly recommend this beautiful read. It was quite the blessing to me.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Just Read Tours. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• print copy of Just The Way You Are (Pleasant Gap Romance #1)
• print copy of When You Look at Me (Pleasant Gap Romance #2)
• a plaque which says: Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life…. love comes along and brings you a fairy tale

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 22, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 29, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!