Interview with Pepper D. Basham #4

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader's Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, shortlisted for the Inspy Awards, and a finalist in ACFW’s Carol Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times. You can get to know Pepper on her website, Facebook, Instagram, or over at her group blog, The Writer's Alley.

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The Interview

​1.What do you want readers to take away from reading The Thorn Healer?
The Thorn Healer is really a book of hope – hope for healing, in particular, and peace. Life is not easy. It’s a broken place filled with broken people who all need to know there’s a love much bigger than our suffering – a Savior who can mend our brokenness in a way nothing else can.
 
2. Do you ever travel for research?
Oh YES! I would at every chance I could get if I had the money J In this case, the setting for TTH is only an hour away from my house, so I did get to travel to Hot Springs for my research.
 
3. What type of research did you do to write the Penned in Time series?
Lots of reading! I have several books, both fiction and non-fiction, related to the history of this little town in Western North Carolina’s history, but I also did lots of interviews with people in Hot Springs as well as the authors of some of the research books. Of course, using the same time period as the previous two books in the series helped with basic information and also being a product of the Blue Ridge Mountains helped with culture J
 
4. I know you have a season pass to the Biltmore.  What makes you love the Biltmore so much?
Oh goodness, I’ll share pics of the Biltmore ANY TIME! :) There is something truly magical about being able to step back into time in a place that celebrates such time-travel. Not only is the Biltmore beautiful and a surprising find in these Blue Ridge Mountains, but it also holds a unique and heartwarming story about a couple who truly touched the lives of the Appalachian people in this community – something very close to my heart.

​5. What are you currently reading?  What drew you to or inspired you to read this book?
I’m actually reading two books for two reasons. I’m reading Such a Hope by Sondra Kraak and I’m also reading my crit partner’s, Amy Leigh Simpson, newest book. Sondra’s I’m reading to influence, and such a great, brooding hero! Amy’s I’m reading for fun – and wowzah! GREAT romance and suspense – as usual. She does such snappy and fun dialogue.
 
6. When you are not writing or working as a Speech Language Pathologist, what do you like to do?
Hang out with my kids! I also enjoy spending time in the mountains, walking and looking at the amazing scenery. Research is super-fun too. And, of course, I read. :)