The Red Ribbon: Volume 8

4.5 STARS!!! Liquor soothed a lot of restless Appalachian men in winter. Some bore it better than others. Some loved their drink so much, they killed for it. That’s a pretty chilling thought. Tensions run deep ‘in them thar hills’. Basham has written a compelling narrative based on a true story. The Red Ribbon is a mystery with a dash of suspense, making it a quick and intriguing read. The author captures a disturbing essence of Appalachia back in the bootlegging days with such reality that the reader can’t help but be drawn into the family feuds and rivalries. The old saying, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” came to mind as I was immersed in the complexity of multiple murders, both past and present. Ava is traditional in many ways and yet quite avant-garde in others. She has a tenacity about her that gets her in some troublesome spots but Jeremiah is often present to rescue her. Their relationship is one built on friendship that turned to love and it is a sweet thing to behold. While Basham is known for her kissing scenes, the beautiful thing about each one in this book is that you know right off Ava and Jeremiah have a deep history and it is going somewhere…marriage. Not once is there anything lustful or inappropriate described and I appreciated that. One of my favorite characters is Granny Burcham. She reminds me of a woman I knew named Liza when I was growing up deep in Appalachia in my formative years. Wise words do not necessarily come from education but from experience and Granny has a lot of it. I highly recommend The Red Ribbon to those who like to learn facts encased in great fiction. The author also includes fascinating notes in the back of the book about the real people involved in The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912. I received a copy of the book from the publisher and author. My opinion is my own. No compensation received.

The Red Ribbon, written by Pepper Basham, not only continues the excellent True Colors crime series but continues it well. It is another gripping story taken from the pages of history, this history being the Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912. The author has crafted unforgettable characters. Ava, a spitfire with deep-rooted fears of becoming someone to shun. "Would her past always wait in the shadows of her present?" Jeremiah, protective, tender, full of quiet strength, and not afraid to show his love. Keen, a broken, black-hearted villain. The plot moves well with twists and turns to keep the reader's interest high until the edge-of-the-seat end of the story. The Red Ribbon, with its Appalachian mountain bootlegger clansmen and Ava and Jeremiah's sweet romance, is a perfect blend of intrigue and tender moments, and the result is an entertaining and satisfying historical romance. Readers who love historical fiction will not want to miss this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

The Red Ribbon reels you in and keeps you involved until the last page is turned. Although a work of fiction, the story is based on an event that happened in 1912 known as the Hillsville Courthouse Massacre. Using a lot of Appalachian wisdom and what is known about the events that led up to the shootout, the story is intriguing. It’s romantic suspense at its finest. The main characters are strong and well developed. If you don’t love Jeremiah Sutphin, I can only say something is wrong with you. Ava Burcham is spunky and prone to find herself in predicaments, which Jeremiah rescues her from on more than one occasion. He’s the voice of reason. She’s the picture of adventure. And Granny Burcham is the purveyor of wisdom. Combining all three, you have one funny and engaging story. The love story is sweet and the action builds to a dramatic conclusion. Finally, there is the beautiful story of Ava finding the faith tragedy had tried to steal from her. My final words when I closed the book were, “This was such a good book.” I received an ARC; however, I’ve pre-ordered the book to add to my collection.