Holiday Hideout

GIVEAWAY!

EASON, LYNETTE
HOLIDAY HIDEOUT

All Dr. Abby Sullivan wants for Christmas is to escape her guilt. Yet no matter how far and fast she runs, she can't leave behind her past or the grim secret she carries. Then a stalker's threats send her on a chilling journey to Rose Mountain, North Carolina, where she's forced to rely on a stranger's protection. But her reliance on handsome cop Cal MacIvers puts him and his family in danger. To survive a deadly showdown, Abby will have to choose: flee again or fight for her life—and for love.


My Review:
 
A unique blend of thrilling suspense, burgeoning romance and the wonder of the Christmas season. The name Lynette Eason conjures up the words 'compelling read' and her latest Love Inspired is no exception. I appreciate the author's detail-oriented suspense -- written in a taut and fast-paced style, it kept me turning pages right to the end. But this time I figured out the whodunnit ahead of the hero and heroine. :-)

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win your own copy of Holiday Hideout leave a message below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to add the title to the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 4. Open internationally. Good luck!

Naomi's Gift

GIVEAWAY!!!!

CLIPSTON, AMY
NAOMI'S GIFT

Naomi King has been unlucky in love. Longing for marriage and children, she pursued love full tilt, disregarding traditional courtship. Now, at the ripe old age of twenty-four, Naomi has been burned twice, certain she'll spend her life helping with her mother's quilt business and caring for her eight siblings.

As Christmas approaches -- at time of family, faith, and hope for many others -- Naomi is resigned to what she believes is God's will for her, and she throws herself into tending the quilt booth at the farmers market. Even so, she longs for love.

Enter Caleb Schmucker, a young widower with an eight-year-old daughter. Visiting family for the holidays, Caleb is dealing with his own guilt, uncertainties, and longings.  As he and Naomi find themselves together at social gatherings and holiday events, both treasure their budding, relationship.

Caleb finds the friendship awakening feelings he's suppressed since his wife's death. Naomi begins to experience emotions deeper than any she's ever felt. Slowly, cautiously, Naomi finds the courage to open her heart to this thoughtful, faith-filled man.

With her belief in love already shaken, Naomi must once again reconsider her hopes and dreams and reexamine her faith.

My Review:

I was transfixed by this novella. Read it in one sitting as a matter of fact. Poor Simba missed another walk on account of a good book. I have to stop doing that or both our waistlines will suffer! Clipston weaves a tight plot line with surprising depth and characterization that makes this a rewarding read. Her pacing is impeccable, nothing drags, rather each scene builds seamlessly to the climax. I think it's more difficult to write a really good short novel but Clipston has certainly mastered the art. I felt as satisfied as if I'd just finished an epic Amish trilogy. Speaking of which -- readers who have read The Kauffmann Bakery Series will be excited to catch glimpses of old friends. I haven't read the series (but certainly will now!) but didn't feel anything lacked in Naomi's Gift because of that. A lovely Christmas read that captures the essence of the season.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Naomi's Gift, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the address line. Draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday December 4. Offer open internationally. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week Four

Congratulations!!!!!



won by Bluerose



won by Betsy



won by Amber



I'll contact the winners today but if you don't receive my email by Monday evening please send your snail mail address to kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. I want you to be able to read these Christmas stories before Christmas!!!!

Looking ahead to next week's Giveaways:

Holiday Hideout by Lynette Eason

a taut and thrilling Christmas suspense!

Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

Ach! But I love a good Amish Christmas novella!

A Harvest of Hearts by Laura V. Hilton

What can I say -- I love Amish books!!!!

Christmas in Sugarcreek

Giveaway!

Gray, Shelley Shepard
Christmas in Sugarcreek

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she's watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family's store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and under appreciated this holiday season.

But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.

Ben is the "bad boy" of Sugarcreek. Though he's never considered jumping the fence, he's certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumours circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.

Now he's back and working side by side with Judith.

As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben's spell. Ben, on the other hand,  wants Judith to realize there's more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he's back, he wants a fresh beginning.

Could this Christmas season bring  love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?

My Review:

Shelley Shephard Gray has rapidly made her way to the top of my favourite romance author list! I love the way she develops a relationship. The way she builds attraction and tension and then shatters it with conflict. Over and over and over again. LOL. But her angst is never for naught. She delves deep insider her characters and brings their fears to light...and sets them free. In Christmas in Sugarcreek, that results in a story that turns despair into hope during one of the most sacred seasons of the year. A beautiful book that will bless your Christmas season.

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas in Sugarcreek, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 27. Open internationally.  Good luck!

Wonderland Creek

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

AUSTIN, LYNN
WONDERLAND CREEK

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Longing to run from small-town gossip, Alice flees to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn., a place with no running water, no electricity, and where the librarians ride ornery horses up steep mountain passes to deliver books. When Alice is forced to stay in Acorn far longer than she planned, she discovers that real-life adventure, mystery -- and especially romance -- may be far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.
 
My Review:
 
How's this for an opening line: "If my life was a book, no one would read it." Told in first-person, Alice goes on to prove herself wrong in this funny and poignant and completely spell-binding story. I bonded with Alice on the very first page -- I mean how could I resist a passionate bibliophile with a penchant for getting into trouble? Alice may live in the pages of her beloved books when we first meet her but she quickly begins writing her own absorbing story when life happens...in a really big way.

This book is full of surprises and priceless gems of wisdom and humour and tender romance, not to mention the deeper kind. It's Alice's journey out of fiction and into the real world and it's a marvel to watch her eyes open as she sees reality for the first time. She fights it tooth and nail, of course, feet dragging as petulantly as any self-centered young woman might. But her adventures along Wonderland Creek leave her transformed.
 
This coming-of-age story put me in mind of The Waltons. Same depression era and small-town life. Austin descriptions are rich and set the tone and setting of the rural south. Even more importantly, she manages to capture the desperation of the Depression while capturing the strength of the people. Lillie, a secondary character drew me in page after page. It's a marvel how Austin wove seemingly separate threads into a beautiful tapestry of words and emotions.

Wonderland Creek is a book of substance and beauty and well worth the read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win your own copy of Wonderland Creek leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 27. This offer is open to international readers.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Yuletide Hearts



Giveaway!!!!

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
YULETIDE HEARTS

When Matt Cavanaugh returns to his Allegany County hometown, he's not as rough around the edges as he used to be. The former marine is a successful contractor, a man who now believes in the Lord and old-fashioned hard work. But when he buys a bankrupt subdivision, he discovers he's stepped on single mother Callie Burdick's dreams for her family. And when Matt learns about Callie's troubled past, he's determined to rebuild her trust—plus an entire community—in time for Christmas.


My Review:
 
Herne is a maestro of words! And she's created a symphony of them in this compelling Christmas read. I'm not quite sure how to describe her writing style -- she definitely measures her words, but each one counts and together they create an explosion of emotions that carry me away every time. I ended up reading this in one sitting because it was impossible to put down. She hooked me and reeled me in chapter after chapter and before I knew it I'd read the morning away. (My poor dog was not happy about the missed walk!)
 
There's a wealth of incredible characters that give such depth to this Christmas story. Her supporting cast provide humour, counsel and a good kick in the pants when required. Love that! Herene really excels at writing relationships -- the give and take, the warmth, angst, humour  -- the whole gamut of emotions that come with the territory of a developing romance. I love how it builds between Callie and Matt -- the attraction hits them between the eyes, but Herne takes them on a slow and cautious journey that makes for an incredibly satisfying read. This is one Christmas story you don't want to miss!
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
If you would like a chance to win your own copy of Yuletide Hearts, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in your subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 27.

November Giveaway - Week Three

Happy Thanksgiving Week
and
Congratulations to the winners!

 

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist
won by Marjorie/cenya2



A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher
won by Anne Payne


I will contact the winners by email today but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Sometimes my emails go to spam. :-( 

Looking ahead to next week's Giveaways:

Yuletide Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne

My Love Inspired order finally arrived and I couldn't wait to dive into this one. Blissful sigh.

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

A book to warm any librarian or booklovers heart!

Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray

Another heart-warming Amish Christmas story!

Love on the Line

Giveaway!

GIST, DEEANNE
LOVE ON THE LINE

It's a battle of wills...and love is on the line!

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world...which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over he shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

My Review:

Catchy title for a fetching, light-hearted romance. The comedy was prevalent in nearly every scene. From subtle humour to out-loud belly laughs, I smiled my way through this one. (Which was a little embarrassing since I do most of my reading on the bus.)

Gist is meticulous in her characterization and that's what builds this into a memorable read. From Georgie's obsession with birds (there's a hysterical scene where she sums up Luke's appearance as if he were one of her bird sightings. So funny, I'm chuckling just thinking about it.) And Luke just happens to be the exact opposite to Georgie in all the wrong ways! They're a disaster waiting to happen.  And it's that contrast that really sparks the humour over and over again.

That doesn't mean there isn't drama in Love on the Line. There are a few grim scenes (and one in particular that made me cringe and I didn't fully understand until the end.) Doesn't that just make you want to read this book more? :-) I hope so, because this is romantic comedy at it's best.

Giveaway:

If you would like to win a copy of Love on the Line, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in your subject line. The draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday November 20. Offer open internationally.  Good luck!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

A Lancaster County Christmas

Giveaway!!!!

FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
A LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTMAS

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband, Sol, the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big Amish family isn't likely to become a reality. Will those empty chairs at the table ever be filled?

Then a winter storm raging outside blows an impatient young woman and her husband into the Riehl home on Christmas Eve--and into a much slower pace of life.

Both couples are about to find out if they can weather the storm--and if miracles still happen at Christmastime.

My Review:

 A stirring story that all takes place in just a few days' time but made an impact on both the characters and this reader. Expertly told from varying viewpoints, Fisher succeeded in drawing me in quickly and keeping a hold of my attention until the very last glorious page. There's a timeless quality to this tale -- filled with heartache and peppered with gentle humour. In fact, I was profoundly affected by Mattie's epiphany towards the end of the book. My 'aha' moment paralleled hers. I love it when a book speaks to me like that. It's a precious gift from author to reader.

Fisher has done an amazing job of conveying the spiritual magic that is Christmas. A definite must read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win your own copy of A Lancaster County Christmas, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 20. Offer open internationally. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

November Giveaway - Week Two

Whhhheeeeeeeee, we have winners!!!!!



Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long
won by Gwendolyn Gage

  

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh
won by Cheryl Barker



The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson
won by Jen

I'll contact y'all via email today but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening can you please email me your snail mail address to kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Thanks!!!!

Looking ahead to this week's giveaways:

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist 

 Reading this one right now and it's peppered with so much humour I have a silly grin on my face all the time.

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher 

 Wonderful Amish story that really touched my heart and got me thinking.

And if my Love Inspired shipment comes early enough in the week, I'll be offering a Love Inspired title as well so cross your fingers for the efficiency of Canada Post.

The Christmas Shoppe

GIVEAWAY!!!

CARLSON, MELODY
THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPE

The small town of Parrish Springs is not ready for Matilda Honeycutt. A strange older woman with scraggly gray hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matilda is certainly not the most likely person to buy the old Barton Building on the town's quaint main street. When it becomes apparent that her new shop doesn't fit the expectations of Parrish Springs residents, a brouhaha erupts. After all, Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life and healing.


Once again, Melody Carlson delivers a Christmas story that will touch hearts and delight the senses. Sure to be a classic, The Christmas Shoppe is filled with the special magic the best Christmas stories share--that intangible mixture of nostalgia, joy, and a little bit of magic.
 
My Review:
 
Carlson delivers a dose of Christmas hope in this whimsical celebration of the holiday season. This is a touching, feel-good tale that tackles life's challenges with a gentle, heavenly nudge in the right direction.  A simple, inspiring story that will put a smile on your face and hope in your heart. We all need a Matilda Honeycutt to sprinkle some sacred magic in our lives!
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Christmas Shoppe, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahoo.ca. Remember to put the title in your subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 13. Offer open internationally.
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Remembering Christmas

GIVEAWAY!!!!

WALSH, DAN
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls begging him to come home after his stepfather has an aneurysm, Rick is more than a little reluctant. What was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and dealing with the homeless guy who keeps hanging around the store. The one bright spot is the lovely and intriguing young woman who works at his side each day.

As Christmas nears, Rick's old life beckons, the hurts from his past loom large, and the decisions he makes will determine more than just where he spends Christmas Eve.

My Review:

Remembering Christmas is destined to be a holiday classic, I'd love to see this story played out on the big screen! I guarantee it would become an annual favourite. Somebody call Hallmark!

Walsh writes with a measured clarity that evokes images. Vivid, heart-wrenching and definitely heart-warming, the author has penned a story that shows us the powerful difference one constant follower of Christ can make in many lives. Have a Kleenex box handy and be prepared for more than just a few goosebump moments. This is a timeless tale you'll want to immerse yourself in. I read it in one sitting because I simply couldn't stop.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to add the title to the subject line. Offer open internationally. Draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday November 13. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Lilly's Wedding Quilt

GIVEAWAY!!!!

LONG, KELLY
LILLY'S WEDDING QUILT

Handsome, headstrong Jacob offers Lilly his hand in marriage, but his heart belongs to someone else.

While Lilly Lapp has loved Jacob for years, she wouldn't compete with Sarah King, the woman Jacob was determined to marry. But when Sarah marries another, Jacob spontaneously agrees to wed Lilly.

Lilly divides her time between teaching the local Amish children and caring for her widowed mother who suffers from depression. Lilly's faith comforts her, but her heart still longs to be the sole object of Jacob's affection.

As the days slip by, Lilly decides that hoping is too risky and vows to protect her heart. But God is subtly as work, and as winter turns to spring, their hearts awaken.

The furthest thing from Lilly's mind is her Amish wedding quilt, a traditional gift for new brides. And the person she'd least suspect is the one making it. Like stray pieces of fabric quilted into a new design, Jacob and Lilly's marriage begins to bind them together in ways neither expected

My Review:

I think Long fried my brain with her sizzling passages so I'm not quite sure I can make this review a coherent one. It was emotionally engaging from the very first page. We hurdle into Lilly and Jacob's story in a powerful way. Long doesn't ease us into their story, she catapults us into the middle of it! And from then on it's an emotional roller coaster ride with an incredible deep layer of faith to support it.

What will melt your heart (and a good number of your bones as well) is the interplay between Lilly and Jacob as they get to know each other. I have never read anything quite like it! Their growing desire goes deeper than mere physical need. They strive for an intimacy of both heart and mind surrounded by a solid faith structure and that's what increased the emotional rewards of this read for me. I'm near speechless over how good it was. In fact, I read the last bit twice! Let's just say that Jacob is a romantic with a capital R!!!!!!

Masterfully told, Long has captured every nuance of a developing relationship while peppering her story with wonderful comic relief along the way. I particularly adored the play-by-plays between Jacob and his brother, Seth! And I'm desperately hoping that she's sown the seeds for the next book which will hopefully be Seth's love story. He definitely deserves one!

So if you want your toes curled and your hair frizzed, don't hesitate to grab a hold of Lilly's Wedding Quilt anyway you can and one of those ways can be:

Giveaway Opportunity:

Here's your chance to win a copy of Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long. Just leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday November 13. Offer open internationally. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week One

Happy Fall Back Day -- I used my extra hour productively. Finished one book and started another!
Here's this week's winners.



The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall
won by Charity



A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray
won by Jo



Happy reading, ladies. I'll email you today but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening please contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca with your snail mail address.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

Okay, I know this isn't a new release but it is such a heart-palpitating, toe-curling, muscle-melting romantic read that I can't not offer a copy of this one!

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

Another classic Christmas gift from this amazing author.

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

Can you believe that I haven't read any of Carlson's books? Well that's about to change when I delve into this lovely Christmas read. I can't wait.

A Texan's Promise

GIVEAWAY!!!!

GRAY, SHELLEY
A TEXAN'S PROMISE

Past promises will be tested as new ones are given...


When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant is the victim of her stepfather's advances, Clayton knows he must protect her honor and move her far away from the ranch -- and from the man she fears.

As they make their way West, an unexpected, deep bond develops between Vanessa and Clayton -- far more powerful than a mere friendship or his sense of duty to her. But Vanessa's stepfather won't let her go so easily. As Clayton and Vanessa place their faith in God and their trust in each other, will they find healing and hope for the future together?
 
My Review:
 
Well I'm sure glad I didn't give up on cowboys after all my swooning over a Scottish hero with a brogue last week!!!! Because Clayton is the epitome of perfection right down to his exasperating hard-headedness.  And he wouldn't be much of a cowboy without that mile-wide stubborn streak, would he? Luckily it's off-set by copious amounts of tenderness and the endearing quality of addressing Vanessa as sweetheart and sugar and darlin'...(and just so you know, a shiver goes up my spine when a cowboy starts dropping his 'g's!)
 
This is a classic Western, with a dastardly villain and trail rides and even a run-in with a 'working girl'. If that isn't enough to pique your fancy, Gray has charged her story with emotional angst that will keep you turning pages long after 'lights out'. The aftermath of the civil war has marked each character's life in some way and the author has done a superb job of developing that common, tragic thread. This is a story about surging forward out of your past and finding hope in a new future. Gray has written some beautiful, thought-provoking truths that span time and generations. That alone makes this a must read. The toe-curling romance and all that action and angst is just an extra bonus.
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
If you would like a chance to win A Texan's Promise please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to add the title to your subject line. The draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday November 6. Good luck!!! Oh -- and it's open internationally!