Blooming Through Adversity

I have to say, Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham blew me away. It’s the best book I’ve read all year, and that’s saying something! This was my first experience with Basham’s writing, and I’m already hooked. She’s officially one of my favorite authors of Christian historical fiction now.

The story takes us to the Appalachian mountains in the 1910s, where we meet Kizzie McAdams. Poor Kizzie can’t seem to catch a break. After an unplanned pregnancy turns her life upside down, her father disowns her, and the man she thought would support her proves to be unreliable at best. It’s a rough start, but what I loved about Kizzie is how real she feels—she’s flawed, she’s hurting, but she’s also determined to find a better path.

Thankfully, Kizzie finds kindness in a nearby family who takes her in. They don’t just give her a roof over her head; they give her a glimpse of unconditional love and a deeper understanding of God’s grace. Honestly, those moments were some of my favorites. You really feel Kizzie’s heart begin to heal, and it’s so satisfying to watch her grow stronger in her faith.

Then there’s Noah Lewis. Oh, Noah. He’s one of those quietly noble types who instantly wins you over. He’s got his own scars, but his heart for helping others—especially people like Kizzie who’ve been cast aside—is what makes him such a standout. Their friendship (and eventual romance!) builds slowly, but it’s so worth the wait. That said, they’ve got some serious hurdles to overcome, mainly Noah’s older brother, who’s as controlling as they come. Let’s just say, family drama and social expectations don’t make things easy for our couple.

One of the things I loved most about this book is the setting. Basham brings 1910s Appalachia to life in such a vivid way. You can almost feel the misty mountain air and hear the rustle of wildflowers in the wind. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story about finding hope and beauty in the toughest of circumstances.

Speaking of wildflowers, they’re such a beautiful metaphor in this book. Just like wildflowers can thrive in rocky soil, Kizzie learns to find strength and hope even when life seems impossible. It’s a reminder that even in our lowest moments, God is still at work, planting seeds of hope we might not see right away.

Basham’s writing is lyrical yet down-to-earth, and her characters feel like old friends by the end. I can’t wait to dive into more of her books.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

Hope Like Wildflowers is on Tour with Celebrate Lit.

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release date: October, 2024

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?

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.

More from Pepper

It’s pretty easy to overlook wildflowers.

I mean, until they show off all their pretty colors, especially in the middle of a barren place, then they’re noticed and usually appreciated but did you know there’s a lot more to wildflowers that…meets the eye?

Apart from providing food and shelter for smaller animals and/or insects or assisting bees in pollination, wildflowers can be used as an ingredient for healing remedies and contribute to soil health and reduce erosion.

Especially in places where other plants aren’t likely to grow. They’re known as “hardy” because they can survive all sorts of weather conditions, extreme temperature, animal damage, even drought.

So why am I talking about wildflowers??

Because, in lots of ways, wildflowers are a great example of what hope looks like.

Hope nourishes. Romans 15: 14 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” When we recall and reflect on what the Bible says about who we are in Christ, our hearts are encouraged and given the spiritual energy they need to remind ourselves of truth in the middle of hard times and wilderness-living.
Hope spreads – Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” A heart filled with the knowledge of the love of God is a heart filled and “overflowing” with hope…and that hope is contagious. When we know whose we are and what our future looks like because of the One who loves us, we live in joy…even when the storms come.
Hope restores and heals: “Isaiah 40:31 reads, “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Hope protects – Psalm 62:5-6 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Life is hard. Sometimes, bone-achingly, soul-shakingly hard. If we’re reliant on our own ability to protect our faith or mind or soul, we will fail. We’re not strong enough and neither is any of our human defenses, but God is amply able to protect us from the storms, trials, and droughts that mean to wither our hope. HE is the hero of our heart’s story and he is armed to overcome so we can trust Him with our hope and our futures.
And hope grows in the hard places. Hope does not consist of weak or wishful thinking, it grows out of nutrients squeezed from the soil it has. Hard-won, many times. Romans 5:3-4 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” A life with Christ doesn’t mean that pain is taken away, but there is a promise and purpose in the pain. The promise that God is with us and a purpose that He is making us more like Him.

Hope Like Wildflowers tells the story of hope, but the main character, Kizzie, isn’t relying on her own abilities to keep her hope strong. Oh no! She learned to trust in the only One who is strong enough to BE her hope. He nourishes her heart when her life has turned upside down and she’s been forsaken. He restores and heals her when she’s been broken and cast out. He protects her from dangerous men who try to hurt her, but also he protects her heart from choosing the wrong path. And through the hard places of life, Kizzie’s hope overflows in joy to touch the lives of those around her.

And it’s beautiful and unexpected.

Like wildflowers.

How has God helped bring hope to your life? What trials has His hope helped you through?