Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Pepper Basham stops by the podcast this week to chat about her latest release, The Juliet Code. We talked about how she balances the romance and adventure in this book, how challenging it was to write a romance centered around an already-married couple, how she writes about Venice even though she’s never been there, and why she picked speech pathology as her day job. Patreons will get to hear how her Granny’s stories inspired her to write – and about a special book coming up!
The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham
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.
Get your copy of The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham.
Get your copy of The Cairo Curse
Get your copy of The Mistletoe Countess
Review of The Juliet Code
“I simply cannot get enough of Freddie and Grace! I want so many more books in this series! This newest installment gives us more of what we’ve come to expect from a Freddie & Grace mystery: faith, swoony romance, a fun adventure, humor, and fabulous side-characters! It is so refreshing to see a couple in CF that is married and navigating what that looks like. And getting to see them grow as a couple, as well as individually, is a treat.
The friendship between Freddie and Jack in this one was a delight – oh the sarcasm and teasing! So much fun! I do hope Jack gets a series of his own because I’d love to know what’s in store for him. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you should pick up this series!”
Meet Pepper Bashsam
I wrote my first story when I was a nine year- old, freckled-faced tomboy in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (my earlier writings wouldn’t have been considered “books”, more like short stories). Coming from a long line of oral storytellers, weaving a good yarn seemed a typical part of my life. It wasn’t until I finished college, had two children, and a full-time job before I began to study the ‘craft’ of writing (you know when I had plenty of time).
My music-director turned pastor husband took his first senior pastor position eight years ago, moved the 6 of us to Tennessee, where we added our fifth and final kid to the Basham crew. And now we’re in Asheville, NC. Yep, we love the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So…now I’m an older, freckled-faced mommy enjoying life, learning to write, and laughing often. My mom says that I must have a small bit of insanity because I don’t realize how stressed I ought to be.
I’m also a speech-language pathologist who spends her time hanging out with kids who have social communication and language difficulties! It’s a challenge and a blessing – and constantly teaches me about the importance of thinking outside the box!