in this post: A Match for Emma
Happy February – official (according to me) KissingBooks month! And welcome to another Love Stories giveaway post! This LOVE STORIES giveaway series is thusly named for two reasons – first, because I love stories and second, because I love Love Stories.
Throughout the entire month of February, I’ll be spotlighting swoony Christian fiction & ‘clean read’ romances. Three cheers for KissingBooks!!! So… grab a fan or two, your trusty fainting couch, and maybe a freezer just to be safe and start making your KissingBooks tbr list! Oh… and did I mention there are GIVEAWAYS with EACH POST in this series??!! (Because authors are awesome!)
Today’s next book on this VALENTINE’S DAY is A Match for Emma by Pepper Basham – complete with a swoonified ‘kissing friends’ excerpt!
A MATCH FOR EMMA
SERIES: Mitchell’s Crossroads #3
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2019
PAGES: 340
Emma Mitchell may enjoy sprinkling romance into the lives of others, but her own plans involve a single first-class ticket to culinary school in Europe.
When her best friend, Jon Noble, suddenly moves back to Ransom, Emma’s fairly certain her life can’t get any better…until her matchmaking schemes nosedive, her culinary future falls flat, and a life-long friendship begins to teeter on the brink of something unexpected.
With a little inspiration from Jane Austen’s classic and a touch of Blue Ridge charm, will Jon and Emma discover that what they need the most may be the last thing they’re trying to find?
amazon affiliate link used
Also available to read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
I ADORE writing romance books!
And I love all the ways romance can be shown.
It’s important to me to try and make the romance as unique and varied as the characters who are growing in love with each other, so with each new book, it’s a challenge to bring about that romance in an authentic and unique way that fits ‘them’.
I know that romance comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the more nuanced build-up is more beautiful than the actual kissing, but I am a die-hard lover of kissing books, soooo…I’m going to share a sneak peek of a LEAD UP to a first kiss from my newest release, A Match for Emma!
Just as a set-up, this book is a friends-to-more romance between two lifelong buddies who slowly start to realize they’re the perfect match for each other. I hope you enjoy it!!!
Without a hitch, she skated her arms over his shoulders as his palms rested against her back, neither speaking at first. The air weighted with unspoken confessions. Unvoiced possibilities. They moved in comfortable synchrony, in contrast to the erratic rhythm of his pulse. He opened his mouth to say something, but she beat him to it.
“Is this the first time we’ve ever danced together?” Her words quivered on a whisper, those hazel eyes, searching his.
“Do elementary school sock hops count?”
Her curls bounced as she laughed, a sound no video call could emulate. Actually, he was enjoying every benefit of in-person interaction at the moment. Her animated expressions, how she fit in his arms, the way her eyes glimmered with wit and life. “Well, I have to say I prefer this sort of dancing with you over a sock hop.”
“Do you?”
His gaze trailed over her familiar face, a crushing tenderness deepening his voice. “Most certainly.”
A flicker of uncertainty sobered her countenance, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite get out the words. He straightened his shoulders and drew in a deep breath. Though eloquent speeches and flirtatious innuendos had never been his forte, perhaps he could bridge the awkward gap between friendship and more with a little gentle directness.
“Emma, I need to tell you something, and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”
One slender brow rose in response. “And the dancefloor in the middle of a wedding sounds like the perfect time for a serious conversation?”
His grin flared at her sarcasm. “You are pretty much my captive at the moment, so if I say something you don’t like, you’re less likely to leave me in the middle of the room with the whole town watching.”
A pixie glint lit her expression. “Well played, my friend.”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, about that friend thing.” He nodded, looking away. “Being in Ransom has clarified a lot for me. I’ve come to terms with my own grief, remembered how much I love small-town life—”
“Which is mighty smart of you.”
“Well, not so smart, since I’ve only just figured out something else I should have known a long time ago.”
“You have?”
His gaze found hers, ready to step into the unknown, to risk a shift one way or the other in their friendship. “I… I love you, Emma.”
Her attention drifted from his lips to his eyes, the pulse of her breath brushing against his chin with an increased pace and the scent of cake. Heaven help him, how much willpower would he have to exert before he internally combusted from the desire to kiss her?
“I know you do.” Her smile gentled and she squeezed his shoulders. “But, well, as a…little sister? Or, as just friends?”
Oh yes, she knew.
“Emma.” Her name breathed over his lips, bringing her gaze to his. He slid his palms up her back in a much-more-than-friend kind of caress and leaned in to tickle his lips by her ear. “I want to be your best friend ‘til death do us part. I want my best arguments, memories, and celebrations to be with you.” Her hands tightened against his neck with a hitch in her breath. “I want to have dinner with you every night and wake up with you in my arms in the morning. I want to be your friend—”
“In a kissing kind of way?” Her breathless interruption erupted softly against his cheek, right to the point—so very much like Emma herself—as her body melted against his.
His fingers curled into the fabric of the back of her gown, the simple question nearly propelling him into kissing her in the middle of the dance floor. He locked eyes with her, to ensure his words brooked no confusion. “Definitely the kissing kind of way.”
“Oh, I’m so glad.” Her smile bloomed so broadly he thought she might burst into another laugh. “It would be incredibly awkward to be one-sided on that topic.”
“You mean…”
She rose on tiptoe, her nose almost touching his, the glow on her face reflecting the relief in his chest. “Would you be my kissing friend, Jonathan Noble?”
Would he? Heaven help him, would he. And he had no intention of waiting any longer. He took one of her hands from around his neck and made determined steps off the dancefloor, weaving through the crowd with Emma trailing behind.
“Jon? Um, are you going to answer my question?”
Without looking back, he left the pavilion, searching ahead for anything private enough for his actions to speak louder than his words ever could. A stone walkway led to the back of the church. He followed it, a faint memory of childhood bringing a nice hiding spot to mind.
“Where are we going?”
“To a place where I can prove this kissing friendship thing is definitely not one-sided.” He tossed a look over his shoulder. “Or awkward.”
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 most recent historical romance, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, showcases her Appalachian heritage and family history, 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. Her upcoming release, A Match for Emma, is the third book in her popular Mitchell’s Crossroads series.
Pepper loves getting to know readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You may also learn more about her on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com
Pepper Basham is offering a print copy of A Match for Emma OR any other one of her books (winner’s choice) to one of my readers! (US only for print, ebook available for international winner. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What interests you most about A Match for Emma? Why do you like friends-to-more romances?
Hallo, Hallo Carrie and Ms Basham!
I happily have been hearing more about her stories for the past two years I’ve been participating in the Christian Fiction Reading Safair every July. I love reading INSPY Contemporary, Historical stories – either Romance or Suspense – and her stories speak to me to be read. I’ve struggled getting some of the authors I want to read through my local libraries – as our ILL (inter-library loan) services were a bit disbanded recently but my local library is encouraging more purchase requests – so on that note, I’ll be requesting more of the authors I’ve found in July like Ms Basham!
The reason this story spoke to me – is actually something the author wrote in her message to your readers? How there are many different ways of showcasing romance in the lives of characters – how each authentically told romance story is in a larger aspect part of the mirror which continiously reflects a composite of our own world and our lives? I love this – its a good message to sit on whilst your writing but also a truer truth about the kinds of romances I am drawn into reading myself. I want to feel the romance is organically shaping before me as I’m reading – you can spot one that is forced super quick and the writers who endear me the most give me an uplift of joy to read how their characters found their own happiness despite whatever else was going on in their lives.
In regards to what I love about friends to romantic matches? – the best foundation you can have IRL for a romance is to first befriend the person of whom you’ve become attracted too. The best way to falling in love is actually to find the one person who ‘gets’ you on a deeper level and understands you as only a best friend would. The one who can encourage you unconditionally as much as support you without conditions – and vice, versa of course as relationships thrive on equality. It is also how most of my family met and fell in love – plus I have a feeling it is the way it will be for me as well.
They make the best stories truly – then again, as Ms Basham stipulated – its how you approach ‘writing’ them and how you allow the reader to take that walk with you as a writer to believe in the romance and the couple’s connection as their story is being told. That is at the heart of any Romance being written and/or read; at least for me.
As an aside, I have only read Pride and Prejudice – which I’m correcting this year with a fellow book blogger to read through the canon of the stories I have missed out on reading – however, on that note, I’m definitely a girl who gets smitten by after canon variants of the originals! I have read several – and this one for Emma is definitely up my street because I love how its in that wheelhouse of Austen but also set in a place that just feels like an uplift to be visited.
What a lovely uplifting read for St Valentine’s!! Thank you to you both!
Hi Jorie! What a lovely, thoughtful response! I’m delighted that you’ll request Pepper’s books at your library!
Jorie, I mentioned this on twitter, but thank you so much for this beautiful note. It means so much to me that something I wrote touched your heart!!
And I LOVED bringing Austen to Appalachia 😉
I’m most interested in discovering how and when the two main characters discover that they want to be more than friends. And if the rest of the book is anything like the excerpt, I will need to forget about doing anything else until I finish reading the book.
I love friends to more romances because the characters really know each other, flaws and all.
LOL yep, Carolyn! Just carve out a nice chunk of time where you can read until done once you start this one 😉
This excerpt has me needing to read this book! I’ve heard of the author a lot lately in several reading groups, maybe it is time for me to read her books!
I like friends to more romance because of the foundation they build as friends. Thanks for the chance to win!
Me too, Amelia!
I agree with Amelia! A strong foundation is so important in relationships. I love the Queen of Swoon, Pepper!
Hear, hear!
Looks like a good book. I think true love should always have a strong friendship component. Sounds good to me anyway…lol.
I forget who said it, but passion is just friendship set on fire…And I love how true that is! Friends to lovers is such a fun genre to read, because there is such a depth to their relationship that surpasses the passion alone. And also, A Match for Emma is fantastic!
I love that quote, Teri!
that’s a fabulous quote, Teri!!!!
Most good relationships start with a good friendship. Love to read these stories.
Mine did 🙂
Beautiful cover!
nice cover
This story interest me because sometimes the things we want is right in front of us but it takes some time for us to be aware of it. We have to let go of our perceptions to see God’s perspective.
so true!
That’s definitely the case in this book, Sonnetta 🙂
This captivating story is meaningful and special. We have to value what is important and relationships which starts as friendship is wonderful.
It feels good to read about such themes.
I love any Austen retelling so I know I’m going to like Pepper’s book. I also love friends to lovers because it’s often a ah-ha moment. They all of a sudden get that what they’re feeling is more than just friendship. Friendship is a good base for a relationship.
definitely!
Sounds like another good one!
I love friends-to-more romances because I think friendship is beautiful foundation to romance. They know each other, deeply and probably better than anyone else – when it blossoms into love, it’s so beautiful. One of my favorite tropes!
I can’t wait to read this book! I like that it is Austen-inspired but with Blue Ridge charm and Pepper Basham flair. ?
anything by Pepper is amazing, right? 🙂
Yep, Chanel! That’s basically a sum-up of it. Austen-inspired with Blue Ridge charm and a little bit of spice thrown in 😉
Friendships are the best way to start.
agreed!
Pepper Basham books have been on my TBR list for too long! I need to move them up. Not enough reading time!
I loved this story! Jane Austen has been a favorite since I was a teenager.
I just felt after reading the blog that this is a sweet read that I would enjoy. I like the trope because they are often so reluctant to share what they are feeling, or oblivious to the fact it is really love. Thanks for sharing.