The Red Ribbon (True Colors Series) by Pepper Basham - Reviewed

Title: The Red Ribbon

Author: Pepper Basham

Series: True Colors

In Carroll County, a corn shucking is the social event of the season, until a mischievous kiss leads to one of the biggest tragedies in Virginia history. Ava Burcham isn’t your typical Blue Ridge Mountain girl. She has a bad habit of courtin’ trouble, and her curiosity has opened a rift in the middle of a feud between politicians and would-be outlaws, the Allen family. Ava’s tenacious desire to find a story worth reporting may land her and her best friend, Jeremiah Sutphin, into more trouble than either of them planned.

​The end result? The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912.

Goodreads || Amazon 

About Pepper Basham

I love a good romance, whether it’s set in an Edwardian era manor house or a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Readers enjoy my fun, dramatic, heart-warming, and inspirational novels with the certainty of a happily-ever-after.

Though some of my contemporaries have a Britallachian twist, others are Mayberry-esque, while others bring about the elegance and struggles of the Downton Abbey era. If any of these story ideas sound good to you, take some time to peruse my cyber corner of the world. “Sit a spell” as we’d say in my neck of the woods and let me ‘spin you a yarn’ filled with a few of my favorite things.

You can find Pepper on the following social media sites. Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter 

My Thoughts

There is something about a Pepper Basham book that gives you all the feels. I had the privilege of proofing this book as I ended my first editing course so it will hold a very special place for me. 

The feuding in this book makes the Hatfields and McCoy's look like child's play. 

Everything about this book was spot on. The setting, Appalachian diction, the historical fact, and most of all the way Ms. Basham wove in faith in God. 

I adored everything about this book so I can't just point out one specific thing. I loved how Ava and Jeremiah's sweet love story rose above the crime revolving around them.

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes.

Bitterness is a wicked poison. Fogs up the head and sickens the heart till folks call wrong right and right wrong.

God ain't sittin' up in heaven watchin' a show down here on earth. He don't mind gettin' His hands dirty. Else, He'd never sent the Savior. ~Granny Burcham

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

The Pink Bonnet: True Colors; Historical Stories of American Crime by Liz Tolsma Reviewed

About the book:

Title: The Pink Bonnet
Author: Liz Tolsma
Series: True Colors; Historical Stories of American Crime
Publisher: Barbour Books

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime.
Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives.
How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

Purchase a copy HERE!

About Liz Tolsma:

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She's married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.

CONNECT WITH LIZ: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

My Thoughts:

A roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Barbour Publishers has created a series of historical crime novels based on real crime that happened here in America. This is a story you will not want to believe is based on a real person and real events.

Two year's ago I got my first introduction to the sickening world of Georgia Tann when I read the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. As an adopted child, I see Georgia Tann as nothing short of Satan in the flesh. She took advantage of vulnerable parents, and young mothers only to make a buck.

Within the 256 pages of this book Ms. Tolsma weaves a mystery that keeps you turning the pages. Her historical research of not only Georgia Tann, but the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society is clearly evident on every page.

Cecile, Percy, and Millie as well as the supporting character's are real, and believable, as well as the situations they're put in. All of the children's actions throughout the book were something you would expect a child to do.

This is a horrible mark on America's history. And if we don't learn from our history we're bound to repeat it. With human trafficking so prevalent today I wonder if we don't have some of this repeating today. If you've ever seen Mommie Dearest you've seen how badly Joan Crawford treated her children. What's not shown in that movie is how she gets her kids. Georgia Tann sold them to her and other celebrities.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Yellow Lantern: True Colors; Historical Stories of American Crime by Angie Dicken Reviewed with Giveaway

About the book:

Title: The Yellow Lantern
Author: Angie Dicken
Series: True Colors; Historical Stories of American Crime
Publisher: Barbour Books

Josephine Is Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
In Massachusetts in 1824, Josephine Clayton awakes on the table of the doctor she's assisted all these months. She was presumed dead by all and has become the doctor's next corpse for his medical research. Frightened, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. A deal is struck--Josie will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, she'll await her true mission--posing as a mourner to help his body snatcher procure her replacement. At the mill though, Josie is praised for her medical remedies among the mill girls, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager Braham Terrance. Yet, when Braham's own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all.
What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel?

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || Christian Books || 

About Angie Dicken

I love history and Faith and storytelling. Thank you for joining me on this journey and I cannot wait to see what is ahead!
Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in Cambridgeshire, England. Now living in the U.S., she's an ACFW member, a blog contributor to the Writer's Alley, a baseball mom, and a self-proclaimed foodie.

You can visit Angie Dicken on these social media platforms.

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

You can read my interview with Angie Dicken HERE!



My Thoughts:

This book took me back to 1824 when medical science was archaic and grave robbing was popular. As I started this book I had a chill going up my spine. I had no idea grave robbing was a real thing let alone it was something that was done for research. I felt like I was reading a Gothic romantic mystery.

Ms. Dicken writes a mystery like Agatha Christie. I was on pins and needles the entire time. I kept turning pages late into the night attempting to figure out the mystery.

Josie and Braham were a great hero and heroine and the cast of characters that Ms. Dicken placed around them at the cotton mill complimented them and the story. Liesel the little bobbin girl is adorable and I could just see her running around the mill when called.

I loved watching Josie use herbs in caring for the girls at the mill. She'd learned about herbs at her mother's knee so it was enjoyable to watch her come into her own as a healer.

Overall this is book is exciting, suspenseful, romantic, and has everything that I love in a historical romantic mystery. I learned about cotton mills, grave robbing, and the beginning of our medical sciences.

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