{"id":30560,"date":"2025-08-05T01:14:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T06:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=30560"},"modified":"2025-07-31T12:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T17:16:09","slug":"the-highland-heist-by-pepper-basham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=30560","title":{"rendered":"The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MY REVIEW:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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ABOUT THE BOOK:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Book:\u00a0<\/strong>The Highland Heist (A Freddie and Grace Mystery Book 4)<\/p>\n

Author:\u00a0<\/strong>Pepper Basham<\/p>\n

Genre:\u00a0<\/b>Christian Fiction\/Historical Fiction<\/p>\n

Release Date:\u00a0<\/strong>July, 2025<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to get your copy!<\/td>\n

\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband\u2019s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister\u2019s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother\u2019s inheritance.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With a ghost from Frederick\u2019s 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.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”ABOUT THE AUTHOR” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Pepper Basham<\/strong> 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 <\/em>and The Red Ribbon<\/em>, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell\u2019s Crossroads<\/em> and Pleasant Gap<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

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EXCERPT:<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 23, 1914<\/p>\n

Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Astley, had married the real-life equivalent, she was certain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still cannot believe this surprise, Frederick!\u201d Grace\u2019s shock had continued all the way from the harbor, where her dear husband had announced that they\u2019d arrived in America instead of England. \u201cI thought the terrain looked different than England, but I never suspected we\u2019d go anywhere else except your beloved Havensbrooke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur <\/em>beloved Havensbrooke, I hope?\u201d he corrected, turning from his place in the front seat of the hired touring, next to a rather somber driver.<\/p>\n

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\u2019d only lived in the estate a few months before they\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n

She sighed. Married life certainly kept proving to be wonderfully exciting.<\/p>\n

She sent him another grin before tipping her head out the window just enough to take in the familiar lane leading to her father\u2019s house. \u201cHow did you even know where to go? Harrington is such a small place outside of Richmond, and I know I\u2019ve never given you exact directions.\u201d<\/p>\n

His low chuckle warmed the already heated June air, skittering a familiar welcome of tickles up her bare neck. \u201cI\u2019ve written my own letters to your father, darling.\u201d His voice, so smooth and English, carried such delicious tenderness that Grace turned to find him shooting a wink to their adopted daughter, Zahra.<\/p>\n

Zahra\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Poor Miss Cox, the young English maid Frederick had hired in Italy to accompany them through the remainder of their trip, blushed at Frederick\u2019s wink and smile. After all the overt affection Grace lathered on her darling husband, it was a wonder Miss Cox hadn\u2019t gotten used to it yet, but perhaps the trouble lay more in how very handsome her husband was.<\/p>\n

Grace thought about that idea for a moment. She supposed if she wasn\u2019t married to this wonderful man, she\u2019d find herself a little awestruck too.<\/p>\n

Truth be told, he was so handsome, he might fit the description of a dime-novel villain, but she was very glad fiction didn\u2019t get it right on that score either.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, it may be a while before we can travel again.\u201d He continued, turning back to face the front of the car. \u201cI know it\u2019s a few months earlier than we\u2019d originally planned, but it seemed a waste not to take advantage of being at sea. And I know you\u2019d\u00a0love to see your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grace would have kissed his cheek if she hadn\u2019t been sitting in the back seat of the touring with Zahra between her and Miss Cox. \u201cYou are the most wonderful man.\u201d She turned to Zahra and Miss Cox. \u201cDon\u2019t you think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Cox\u2019s eyes widened, and she quickly looked away, but Zahra\u2019s 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\u2019t stop smiling at the very idea that the little girl belonged to her and Frederick now.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has all his hair and teeth.\u201d Zahra nodded, the tiniest twinkle in her eyes alerted Grace that the little girl might be finding her humor. \u201cThat is a help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederick\u2019s laugh burst out. \u201cIndeed it is, Zahra. And I\u2019m glad to still possess both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cThe gardens at Rutledge House are lovely, Zahra. They were my mother\u2019s gardens, and I\u2019d often spend time with her there. Hopefully, when we return to our <\/em>dear Havensbrooke\u201d\u2014she emphasized, sending her dear husband a look to ensure her noted her correction\u2014\u201cyou 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

BLOG STOPS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BLOGGER LINKS #1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Babbling Becky L\u2019s Book Impressions<\/span><\/a>, July 30<\/p>\n

The Sacred Line<\/span><\/a>, July 30<\/p>\n

Where Faith and Books Meet<\/span><\/a>, July 30<\/p>\n

Pens Pages & Pulses<\/span><\/a>, July 31<\/p>\n

Debbie\u2019s Dusty Deliberations<\/span><\/a>, July 31<\/p>\n

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy<\/span><\/a>, August 1<\/p>\n

Jodie Wolfe<\/span><\/a>, August 1<\/p>\n

Worthy2Read<\/span><\/a>, August 1<\/p>\n

Texas Book-aholic<\/span><\/a>, August 2<\/p>\n

Devoted To Hope<\/span><\/a>, August 2<\/p>\n

Book Looks by Lisa<\/span><\/a>, August 3<\/p>\n

For Him and My Family<\/span><\/a>, August 3<\/p>\n

Happily Managing a Household of Boys<\/a> <\/span>, August 4<\/p>\n

Min Reads and Reviews<\/span><\/a>, August 4<\/p>\n

Stories By Gina<\/span><\/a>, August 4<\/p>\n

Simple Harvest Reads<\/span><\/a>, August 5 (Guest Review from Mindy)<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BLOGGER LINKS #2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Daysong Reflections<\/span><\/a>, August 5<\/p>\n

All-of-a-kind Mom<\/span><\/a>, August 6<\/p>\n

Blogging With Carol<\/span><\/a>, August 6<\/p>\n

Betti Mace<\/span><\/a>, August 7<\/p>\n

Melissa\u2019s Bookshelf<\/span><\/a>, August 7<\/p>\n

Locks, Hooks and Books<\/span><\/a>, August 8<\/p>\n

Mary Hake<\/span><\/a>, August 8<\/p>\n

Blossoms and Blessings<\/span><\/a>, August 9<\/p>\n

Labor Not in Vain<\/a> <\/span>, August 9<\/p>\n

Holly\u2019s Book Corner<\/span><\/a>, August 10<\/p>\n

An Author\u2019s Take<\/span><\/a>, August 10<\/p>\n

Lily\u2019s Corner<\/span>Lily\u2019s Corner<\/span><\/a>, August 11<\/p>\n

Cover Lover Book Review<\/span><\/a>, August 11<\/p>\n

She Lives To Read<\/span><\/a>, August 12<\/p>\n

Just Your Average reviews<\/span><\/a>, August 12<\/p>\n

Pause for Tales<\/span><\/a>, August 12<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”GIVEAWAY” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\n

GIVEAWAY:<\/strong>\"\"<\/p>\n

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!<\/p>\n

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.rafflecopter.com\/rafl\/display\/00adcf54262<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0 So it’s off to America where Freddie plans to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30560"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30560"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30586,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30560\/revisions\/30586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}