Hometown Reunion

GIVEAWAY

CARTER, LISA
HOMETOWN REUNION

A single dad starting over. Is this his second chance at love?

Widowed former Green Beret Jaxon Pruitt comes home to face his toughest battle: reconnecting with his toddler son. He also makes an unwitting enemy of childhood friend Darcy Parks when he takes over the kayak shop Darcy hoped to buy! For little Brody's sake, she'll stay until summer's end. But could a growing connection turn their temporary truce into an unexpected forever?

My Review:

Blissful sigh...I'll never think about lightning bugs in the same way again after reading Hometown Reunion. Sometimes it's those simple, precious scenes that touch this seasoned reader's heart the most. Lucky for me, Lisa Carter excels at those kind of story moments.

My heart's a ball of moosh right now -- not only over Jax but over his son as well. I think Brody wins the most adorable kid ever in a contemporary romance award! Poor little guy is adjusting to the stranger-that-is-actually-his-father taking charge of his young life. Jax wasn't an absentee father due to neglect though -- he was overseas serving his country. His story helped me understand the depth of sacrifices soldiers and their families make. I am truly humbled.

So Jax has missed out on a lot of his almost 'thwee' year-old son's life and it's a hard adjustment for both of them. Heading home to Kiptohanock to raise Brody among family and friends makes sense -- and also provides a buffer between this single dad and his toddler son. "As a former Green Beret, he'd always known what to do on any given mission, but Jax didn't know how to fix things with the son he barely knew." (p 7)

Watching this big, tough guy blunder his way into his role as full-time father is shear heaven. It's funny and heart-tugging and sigh-worthy-sweet all on it's own but when Darcy is added to the mix -- oh-la-la -- toe-curling times are ahead! They have a history as friends...and were almost, maybe sorta on the verge of something more but Jax went off to boot camp and that was that. Sparks fly the first time they meet up and I couldn't get enough of these two (well, three if you count Brody.) They sent me into full romantical reader delirium!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hometown Reunion by Lisa Carter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 17 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

You're Gonna Love Me

GIVEAWAY

HATCHER, ROBIN LEE
YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should -- measured, deliberate and safe. After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn't count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn't want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha's warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he's so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.

Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother's hospital room...Nick.

With the charming backdrop fo small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disatrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle -- and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

My Review:

"None of us knows what the future holds. Much of what happens in life will never make sense to our mortal minds. But nothing is random or by accident. Our God still reigns, and He still has a plan for every one of us." (p 143)

I adore Gran! Love her wisdom and her patience and the way she opens her heart to everyone. She lives her faith, even as she sweetly conspires to see her granddaughter into a happily-ever-after. Gran and her friends may be secondary characters but their support is pivotal to the story. Love how Hatcher writes 'real' -- makes you feel like you are stepping into an actual town with the kind of folks you'd want for neighbours and friends.

Sam comes home to help her grandma, but the tables are turned when Gran helps her work her way through some crippling life choices. Because Sam lives in fear. She holds on to it and nurtures it to the point she hardly has a life at all. Such a contrast to Zach who lives loud and exuberantly...or he did until circumstances changed. Now he carries around his own fears, different from Sam's but just as incapacitating. Theirs is a moving second-chance love story and it doesn't come easy! Their struggles are relatable and there were times my faith in the outcome actually wavered. Because fear can be a bully that's hard to stand up to. Loved the faith aspect in this book as much as I did the romance!

And fans of the Thunder Creek series (this is book two) will be thrilled over the page time Derek and Brooklyn (You'll Think of Me) get in this one. Mind you, don't despair if you haven't read the first book because You're Gonna Love Me reads fine as a standalone (but I bet you won't be able to resist getting the first book after you read this one!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of You're Gonna Love Me, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 24 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Dying to Remember

GIVEAWAY

PARKER, SARA K.
DYING TO REMEMBER

Her missing memories could expose a killer.

After a gunshot wound to the head, Ella Camden turns to the only man she knows will believe she's being targeted, ex-love and security expert Roman DeHart. Trouble is, amnesia keeps her from remebering why someone might be after her. Roman let her go once. This time he'll do whatever it takes to make sure she stays alive -- and his -- forever.

My Review:

Eeep Alert! This is a suspense that generates unnatural bibliophile shrieks of reader joy so apologies for any shattered eardrums. Super enthralling and edgy and kind of hair-raising, but not in the usual sense. It's more a subtle, mess-with-your-mind kind of creepy. Paired with blatant murder attempts and...well, let's just say I read it all in one sitting.

And I guess I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't issue a Swoon Alert as well. Roman DeHart is all that is sublime in a romantic suspense hero. Driven by a tragedy in his past, he's created Shield Protection where security specialists like himself do everything in their power to protect desperate clients who require their unique services. People like Ella. (insert a second chance love story mini squeal here.)

Roman is an appealing contrast of tough and caring. His relentless pursuit of the truth, his desire to believe Ella when no one else will, the deeply buried longing that breaks through the surface at the most inopportune times...Phew! The stuff curled toes are made of. BUT what really captured my heart is that he is a man of faith. There's this one scene...so unexpected and endearing and spiritually powerful...well, I fell head-over-heels.

Dying to Remember (clever title tie-in, by the way) isn't marked as a series, but I think it might just be the first book in one. Parker has introduced her readers to some intriguing security specialists and I simply have to know their stories so there better be more books!!!!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win Dying to Remember, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 17 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

The View from Rainshadow Bay

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY

Her photographs capture the beauty of Puget Sound. Do they also expose a darkness that someone would kill to keep buried?

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing accident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she's in danger too. But where can she turn?  Zach Bannister was her husband's best friend and is the person she blames for his death.She's barely spoken to Zach since. But right now he seems to be her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack's death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna's childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

In The View from Raindshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amidst the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

My Review:

There's nothing like a Colleen Coble romantic suspense to send a reader into a tilt-a-whirling tailspin of frenzied delight! Because the villains are diabolical and not always easy to spot and the heroine comes with emotional baggage and the hero wrestles with past decisions and there's murder and mayhem at ever turn and there is hope (however unrealistic it seems at first) in a happily-ever-after...if everyone can stay alive long enough to enjoy it!

Complex characters (and I DID NOT like Shauna at first!) I had to keep reminding myself that anger is a grieving stage but she is so over-the-top hard on Zach in the beginning! Gah! I wanted to throw my book, I was that steamed (but of course, I didn't because, contrary to these broiling emotions, I am, at heart, a gentle reader.) Phew! But she does figure things out and draws closer to the Lord in the process so I've forgiven her. And Zach -- oy -- constantly beating himself up over his friend's death because Shauna won't let him forget...wait, I'm not going there because I have forgiven her...I think. Maybe. Well, it's a process. My heart's in the right place even if my feelings are still a bit messed up. :-) Okay, we can tick the box that says this story is an emotional read! My favourite kind! Add in the twisty turn suspensey bits and you get the kind of page-turner that will keep you on edge right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The View From Rainshadow Bay, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 24 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Who the Bishop Knows

GIVEAWAY

CHAPMAN, VANNETTA
WHO THE BISHOP KNOWS

What you don't see might hurt you.

Every year, residents of the small Amish community in Monte Vista, Colorado, look forward to the Ski Hi Stampede, the state's oldest professional rodeo. The rodeo is always good, clean entertainment for the hardworking farmers of the San Luis Valley. But this year, the Stampede turns deadly for one Amish man. Did rodeo fans see an unfortunate accident? Or was it something more sinister?

Amish bishop Henry Lapp is known far and wide for his uncanny ability to remember and draw the smallest details of anything he's seen, talents that have served him well in past investigations. He was at the rodeo that day. The problem? He didn't see Jeremiah Schwartz's death.

With a murderer on the loose and members of his community being threatened, Henry must act fast. But can he solve a crime he didn't see? This time around, Henry will have to rely on his knowledge of human nature and keen obeservational abilities, skills he's honed in his role as bishop, if he hopes to crack the case.

Who the Bishop Knows is a story of accepting our talents, putting others first, and trusting God will care for His children.

My Review:

"Messing with the Englisch police was one thing. Pushing an Amish grandmother to the end of her kapp strings was quite another. Both were dangerous." (p 302)

The perfect blend of humour, mystery and trademark Amish wisdom. I've really enjoyed this series and am sad to see it come to a close. But, if it has to end, this is a fitting grande finale!

Henry's back with yet another murder to solve. And, as in the previous books, his sweetheart Emma is right there at his side, helping to decipher clues and make sense of the senseless. In fact, the whole Amish community gets involved -- including Lexi, Henry's 'mostly beagle'. I'll admit, the mystery had me stumped and I went down a whole rabbit warren of false trails before finding out the truth...right along with Henry. I was soooo sure the murder was someone else! Very clever writing, Ms. Chapman!

I read this in a day because I couldn't put it down no matter how hard I tried. 'Just one more chapter' I'd tell myself, and then, because the chapters are short, I'd convince myself to read another. And another. Pretty soon I gave up all hope of getting anything else done until Henry, Emma and I solved the mystery once and for all!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Who the Bishop Knows, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstroreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If  you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 24. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

June Giveaway -- Week Three

Phew! This has been one busy and exciting week! I am so into my listmaking that I've started a new wishlist book wherein I am colour coordinating the books I intend to buy, the ones I want my library to order and the ones I get to review. It's fantabulous! And now I have lots of titles to list...and more to come when autumn rolls around...not that I'm greedy or anything. :-)

So, here they are....the winners of the Summer Edition of Reader's Choice Week:

HISTORICAL FICTION DAY WINNERS:
CC
AND
CARYL KANE
RELEASES SEPT. 4

CONTEMPORARY DAY WINNER:
KATHLEEN (LANE HILL HOUSE)
RELEASES SEPT 24

CONTEMPORARY DAY WINNER:
PAULA
RELEASES JULY 3

SUSPENSE/MYSTERY DAY WINNER:
HEIDI ROBBINS
RELEASES JULY 31

SUSPENSE/MYSTERY DAY WINNER:
DIANA FLOWERS
RELEASES JULY 24

AMISH DAY WINNER:
ELLY
RELEASES SEPT 25

AMISH DAY WINNER:
SAVINGS IN SECONDS
RELEASES JULY 3

CHRISTIAN FICTION DAY WINNER:
ALISHA
RELEASES AUGUST 7

CHRISTIAN FICTION DAY WINNER:
DIANE ESTRELLA
RELEASES JULY 31

RETRO DAY WINNER:
KAY GARRETT

RETRO DAY WINNER:
KATE

If you left an email in one of your comments this week, I'll notify you of your win (though I guess if you're reading this you already know...snicker.) I'll request that you send me your mailing address NOW so that my records are complete and it's easy peasy for me to order your book on release date. I'll email you once I order it to jog your memory and let your know to expect delivery. 

IF YOU DID NOT INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL IN A COMMENT, IT'S UP TO YOU TO CONTACT ME WITH YOUR MAILING ADDRESS. kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 

If I don't connect with a winner within one month of the release date of their book their win is canceled so keep bright-eyed and busy-tailed, fellow readers! 

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

(and I'm preening because I've read them all and even have the reviews scheduled! Woot! That hasn't been the case since April. This makes me super happy 'cause I don't like reviewing on the fly.)

Reader's Choice - Retro Reads

GIVEAWAY

The best part of summer is the hot new releases publishers are sending our way! SQUEEEP!!! I'm so excited! And I know you are too so here's a chance for you to win a book from your summer wishlist.

Here's how it works: You recommend Christian Fiction with release dates in July, Auguat or September 2018 (up to three a day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week. :-(

IT'S RETRO READ DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Historical Romance/Fiction genre you would like to read.

Retro Read

Any Christian Fiction novel published in 2017 or earlier. Here's your chance to catch the one that got away! Just make sure it's still in print or email format if you're okay with that.  

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication dates must be

2017 or earlier

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions a day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier for me to tally)

No email entries this week

(to hard to keep track of 

due to # of responses)

IMPORTANT: entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggback on somebody else's login) IMPORTANT

Open to International Readers

I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction

all over the globe!

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day.) If you choose not to include your email then it's up to you to contact me if you are a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Sunday June 17 2018