The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham
MY REVIEW:
I do love Pepper Basham’s Freddie and Grace Mysteries and sincerely hope she will continue to add new adventures for the couple in the future. I enjoy Grace’s unending curiosity and impulsiveness and the way Freddie’s stability manages to keep her somewhat in check.
So it’s off to America where Freddie plans to surprise Grace with a visit to her family but he never planned on the actual surprises in store for them when they arrived. The family home has been sold and they discover that Grace’s sister has possibly just stabbed her husband to death. In the midst of it, a solicitor shows up with details about a castle the sisters have inherited in Scotland but they have very little time to claim their inheritance. So it’s back off across the Atlantic to Scotland to claim the inheritance and to attempt finding the sister who has disappeared.
So Grace and Freddie are up to their ears in another adventure, complete with multiple surprises and more than enough danger for comfort. If you’ve read any of the previous books in this series, you know how much fun is in store in this new installment. If you haven’t read any of the books, you NEED to start at the beginning of the series with The Mistletoe Countess. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.
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.
EXCERPT:
June 23, 1914
Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Astley, had married the real-life equivalent, she was certain.
“I still cannot believe this surprise, Frederick!” Grace’s shock had continued all the way from the harbor, where her dear husband had announced that they’d arrived in America instead of England. “I thought the terrain looked different than England, but I never suspected we’d go anywhere else except your beloved Havensbrooke.”
“Our beloved Havensbrooke, I hope?” he corrected, turning from his place in the front seat of the hired touring, next to a rather somber driver.
Her smile immediately responded. At nearly seven months married, Grace still found her thoughts paused on occasion at the idea of his English estate being her home. But how could she help it? They’d only lived in the estate a few months before they’d taken off on their honeymoon tour. But oh, what a delightful introduction to her new home, complete with a murder mystery and a ghost hunt.
She sighed. Married life certainly kept proving to be wonderfully exciting.
She sent him another grin before tipping her head out the window just enough to take in the familiar lane leading to her father’s house. “How did you even know where to go? Harrington is such a small place outside of Richmond, and I know I’ve never given you exact directions.”
His low chuckle warmed the already heated June air, skittering a familiar welcome of tickles up her bare neck. “I’ve written my own letters to your father, darling.” His voice, so smooth and English, carried such delicious tenderness that Grace turned to find him shooting a wink to their adopted daughter, Zahra.
Zahra’s lips tipped. She rarely showed great affection, but who could blame her? After losing her family and living on the streets of Cairo, the little girl still had plenty of healing to do. So every smile came extra special.
Poor Miss Cox, the young English maid Frederick had hired in Italy to accompany them through the remainder of their trip, blushed at Frederick’s wink and smile. After all the overt affection Grace lathered on her darling husband, it was a wonder Miss Cox hadn’t gotten used to it yet, but perhaps the trouble lay more in how very handsome her husband was.
Grace thought about that idea for a moment. She supposed if she wasn’t married to this wonderful man, she’d find herself a little awestruck too.
Truth be told, he was so handsome, he might fit the description of a dime-novel villain, but she was very glad fiction didn’t get it right on that score either.
“Besides, it may be a while before we can travel again.” He continued, turning back to face the front of the car. “I know it’s a few months earlier than we’d originally planned, but it seemed a waste not to take advantage of being at sea. And I know you’d love to see your family.”
Grace would have kissed his cheek if she hadn’t been sitting in the back seat of the touring with Zahra between her and Miss Cox. “You are the most wonderful man.” She turned to Zahra and Miss Cox. “Don’t you think so?”
Miss Cox’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked away, but Zahra’s grin stretched enough to show off her teeth. The simple white dress she wore brought out the depths of those endless gray-green eyes. Grace still couldn’t stop smiling at the very idea that the little girl belonged to her and Frederick now.
“He has all his hair and teeth.” Zahra nodded, the tiniest twinkle in her eyes alerted Grace that the little girl might be finding her humor. “That is a help.”
Frederick’s laugh burst out. “Indeed it is, Zahra. And I’m glad to still possess both of them.”
Grace studied his thick dark hair for a second longer, her fingers twitching to push through his locks, but the very idea could send poor Miss Cox through the car window. Grace drew in a deep breath to keep her show of admiration to a more appropriate public display and leaned toward Zahra. “The gardens at Rutledge House are lovely, Zahra. They were my mother’s gardens, and I’d often spend time with her there. Hopefully, when we return to our dear Havensbrooke”—she emphasized, sending her dear husband a look to ensure her noted her correction—“you and I and, perhaps even Lily, can work to restore those gardens together. Then we can make our own special place too. Gardens are very creative places in stories as well as in real life.”
BLOG STOPS:
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 30
The Sacred Line, July 30
Where Faith and Books Meet, July 30
Pens Pages & Pulses, July 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 1
Jodie Wolfe, August 1
Worthy2Read, August 1
Texas Book-aholic, August 2
Devoted To Hope, August 2
Book Looks by Lisa, August 3
For Him and My Family, August 3
Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 4
Min Reads and Reviews, August 4
Stories By Gina, August 4
Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Daysong Reflections, August 5
All-of-a-kind Mom, August 6
Blogging With Carol, August 6
Betti Mace, August 7
Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 8
Mary Hake, August 8
Blossoms and Blessings, August 9
Labor Not in Vain , August 9
Holly’s Book Corner, August 10
An Author’s Take, August 10
Lily’s CornerLily’s Corner, August 11
Cover Lover Book Review, August 11
She Lives To Read, August 12
Just Your Average reviews, August 12
Pause for Tales, August 12
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than 50 mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. Winner of two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, Dana lives in Northern California with her husband.
With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she’s a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, “Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.”
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Burning Hearts by Lisa Phillips hosted by
Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 90 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her puggle, Watson. She’s authored over fifty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.
