Godwinks In Your Life

 Godwink: an event or a personal experience often identified as a coincidence that is so astonishing that it seems it is a sign of divine intervention, especially when it is perceived as the answer to prayers.

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Godwink: an event or a coincidence of divine origin that it offers a sign of hope or serves as an answered prayer -- it describes both real-life moments of synchronicity and also of answered prayer. 

I have many Godwinks in my life...the Lord has been with me all of my life. And as I look back on my life I see all the blessings He has bestowed upon me and how He has brought me through the fires of life. One of those fires of life are the deaths of my beloved great-grandmother, my mother, my husband, and recently one of my daughters. 

I'm still healing from my daughter's death, but steadily I'm learning how to cope with the tragedy. And the good news? She was saved and baptized, so I will see her again in God's Kingdom. Amen! 

Do you have any Godwinks in your life? I imagine you do if you look close enough. 

BOOK REVIEW: THE BACHELOR SPY: A Freddie and Grace Mystery by Pepper Basham

 

The Bachelor Spy 

About the Book

Book: The Bachelor Spy (A Freddie and Grace Mystery Book 5)

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release Date: July, 2026

Spies Infiltrate Havensbrooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake’s life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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 historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap 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.

 

Excerpt

Prologue

May 7, 1915

Stephen Blake had been trailing the presumed spy most of the voyage—first to secure his target, and then. . .to strike. Every clue pointed to the fact that the gregarious businessman Donald Leaman was none other than Albert Stein, a German informant ferrying English war secrets straight to the fatherland.

Unfortunately, every opportunity Blake had found to confront the man had been thwarted: too many watchful eyes, too much pomp and luxury for a clean cornering. With the Lusitania’s transatlantic voyage ending in less than a day, his time to complete this mission was slipping away.

Worse, he couldn’t shake the feeling he was being followed himself. Only a limited few knew of his operation to uncover a ghostlike informant who’d used their “ordinary” position to gain extraordinary intelligence—from transfer stations, casualty clearing posts, even a general’s bunker at the Western Front. The spy had proven madden-ingly elusive, slipping through every trap British intelligence laid with almost theatrical flair.

But what did they know? Stein was the spy’s last contact. And Blake was tasked with finding out what he knew.

The Lusitania was hardly Blake’s first ship, but certainly it was the grandest. It felt as though Claridge’s, the famous hotel in London, had taken to the sea, complete with its extravagant marble floors and its crystal chandeliers, with champagne in the air and ease all around. Just after luncheon, Stein had excused himself early and started down the grand staircase toward the lower decks. An odd choice for a first-class passenger, especially so near the end of the trip and with his companions urging him to remain for cards.

So, of course, Blake followed.

Deck by deck, corridor by corridor, until the music and chatter faded into the deep measured thrum of the engines. Occasionally, Stein cast a look behind him but never appeared concerned enough to stop his descent. This was certainly a planned meeting.

The elegance of the upper floors gave way to simpler decor, narrower corridors. Second-class accommodations. Stein stopped before a cabin door. His knock held an unnatural rhythm—three quick raps, a pause, two more. After only a beat of silence, a murmur from within responded.

Stein’s immediate whispered answer? “Octavia.” A code word, no doubt.

The door opened. Stein slipped inside, but before the door could click shut, Blake rushed soundlessly forward and caught it with his fingertips.

Perfect.

He released a self-satisfied grin and then pressed himself against the corridor wall, listening through the crack over the hum of the ship’s engine.

The cabin was small—voices carried easily in the confined space—and the faint scent of cigarette smoke drifted through the opening. “You’re late.” A man’s voice, crisp and impatient. Something about the cadence nagged at Blake’s memory, but he couldn’t place. English, certainly. Kentish?

Blake frowned. He could overpower Stein easily—the man was more socialite than combatant, the sort who’d probably never thrown a proper punch in his life. But this unknown fellow, clearly in charge and confident enough to smoke a cigarette while conducting treason? That suggested either experience or exceptional stupidity. Blake hoped for the latter but suspected the former.

“It was difficult to get away without raising suspicion,” Stein replied, his accent thickening into full German. “Blake is on this ship.”

Blake’s pulse quickened. So Stein knew he was being followed. “I know.” The other man’s tone didn’t waver. A long exhale followed, as if he were breathing out smoke. “We’ve been watching him to ensure he didn’t wreck things.”

We? Who?

Blake’s mind raced through the passenger manifest, through his team members, through every face he’d seen on this voyage. That voice. . .

“But with that in mind, we need to move quickly,” the Englishman continued. “What do you have for me?”

A rustle of papers. “The Midnight Angel’s next assignment. She’s to embed herself in a convalescent hospital—but not in France this time. There is too much interest in her there.”

Blake’s breath caught. She was called the Midnight Angel? The informant they’d been hunting for months. And she was a woman.

“Italy, then?”

“Nein,” Stein answered simply. “A place much closer to your front door, mein Herr.”

England? A convalescent hospital in England?

“Perfect,” the Englishman murmured. “Wounded officers talk too freely around nurses they think are angels of mercy.”

“Clever, no?” Stein’s voice held a note of pride. “No one suspects the nurses. They’re invisible, really. Moving between stations, tending to generals and privates alike. She’s already proven invaluable.”

“This is excellent information, Stein.” A pause. “And you’ve given it so freely. Too freely, I’m afraid.”

Blake froze. He knew that tone—the shift from curiosity to finality. The Englishman was finished with Stein. The German had served his purpose, been found wanting, and now. . .had become a liability.

He couldn’t wait any longer. Stein had to be taken alive—had to be questioned, catalogued, and wrung dry of every detail about the Midnight Angel and her network before—

He drew his revolver and pushed through the door. The scene materialized in a horrifying instant.

Stein stood near a narrow desk, documents scattered before him. And holding a gun already drawn, already aimed at Stein’s head with casual confidence, stood Evan Montgomery.

Blake’s breath squeezed closed in his throat.

Montgomery? His colleague. His friend. The man he’d trained with in Scotland, shared terrible army rations with in the trenches, trusted with his life on half a dozen missions across the Channel. The man whose sister Blake had been half in love with for six months but was far too professional to mention. The man who was, apparently, a traitor.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 30

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 30

Melissa’s Bookshelf, July 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 31

Texas Book-aholic, August 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 1

For Him and My Family, August 2

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 2

Sylvan Musings, August 3

Jodie Wolfe, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3

Where Faith and Books Meet, August 4

Connie’s History Classroom , August 4

Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

The Vine and The Branch, August 5

Stories By Gina, August 6 (Author Interview)

Betti Mace, August 6

Mary Hake, August 6

Min Reads and Reviews, August 7

Wishful Endings, August 7

She Lives To Read, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 8

Labor Not in Vain , August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 9

Lily’s Corner, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 11

Pause for Tales, August 11

The Sacred Line, August 12

Devoted to Hope, August 12

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, August 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/ovQ5J/the-bachelor-spy-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts: Once again Pepper Basham brings another Freddie and Grace mystery story to readers. Pepper's love for Christmas and the era in which she writes shines in the 5-book series. This ends the series and leaves readers happy for Freddie and Grace, their family, and their friends.        Frederick is away fighting in the Royal Engineers in 1915. He has left Grace to help run a convalescent hospital set up in their home at Havensbrook. The two youngsters, Zahra and Lily, are with Grace.      There is talk of the mysterious Midnight Angel who is passing along intelligence about troop movements, patterns, and locations - threats to the German operations. The Midnight Angel is building a kill list and people are out to find out who she or he is and end the game.     

Freddie's cousin, Stephen Blake shows up at the hospital wounded and discovers there are a lot of people coming and going in the hospital and people are not who they seem to be and moving about where they should not be with secrets they will not share.    I enjoyed Blake's new romance with the woman who is perfect for him. I cheered Blake and Evie on as they unravel their love for one another along with trying to catch the bad guys. I heartily give it a five-star review!       Pepper Basham writes great clean inspirational spy novels with fight scenes filled with action, humor, and intrigue. You won't want to miss the wonderful endearing surprise at the end of the story. It is the perfect Christmas gift for the Percy family! 

An eBook was provided through Celebrate Lit for an honest review. This is my opinion.

PAPER: WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT IT?

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

Have you ever stopped to imagine a world without paper? Take a moment and think about all the things that are made from paper.

Writing paper and books may be the first things that come to mind, but paper touches nearly every part of our lives. Food packaging, shipping boxes, school assignments, letters, workplace reports, official records, historical documents, birth/death certificates, legal papers--even the art world depends on paper in countless ways.

The first paper mill in America was established near Philadelphia in 1690. After centuries of innovation and improvement, paper evolved into one of the world's most valuable inventions.

Without paper, our would would be a very different place. Paper preserves our history, records, our memories, and helps us communicate. Even in today's digital age, many people still print important documents, proving that paper remains an essential part of everyday life.

Imagine our world without books or libraries. Libraries are more than places to borrow books--they are places to learn, reflect, gather, and connect with others. Printed books continue to have an important place in our communities.

Recycled paper also plays a valuable role. I save all of the scrap paper for jotting down story ideas and notes, giving it a second life before it heads to the recycling bin. If you've never explored the history of paper, I encourage you to do so. we've certainly come a long way from the stone age tables of ancient times!

One more discovery surprised me: there is no National Paper Appreciation Day. We celebrate newspapers, newspaper carriers, and even National Toilet Paper Day, but not paper itself. i think it's time someone recognized this remarkable invention by declaring a National Paper Appreciation Day.

Paper is the thread connecting our stories, history, education, creativity, and everyday lives. 

RESOURCES: 

https://lovepaper.org/where-would-we-be-without-paper/

https://poopoopaper.com/pages/history-of-paper#: https://hammermill.com/blogs/newsroom/where-would-we-be-without-paper