Gone to Ground

GIVEAWAY!

COLLINS, BRANDILYN
GONE TO GROUND

Amaryllis, Mississippi is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and the legendary ghost in its ancient cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its denizens are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it's named—bright and fragrant.

But the Amaryllis flower is poisonous.

In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within the town. All the victims were women. All were killed in similar fashion in their own homes. And just two nights ago—a sixth victim.

Clearly a killer lives and breathes among the good citizens of Amaryllis. And now three terrified women are sure they know who he is—someone close to them. None is aware of the others' suspicions. Independently, each woman must make the heartrending choice to bring the killer down.

But each suspects a different man.

My Review:

Brandilyn Collins, where have you been all my life?! I know, I know, I'm the reading sloth while you've been out there writing treasures like this and it's taken me way too long to uncover one! But I'm so glad I did!!!

Seriously, heart-stopping suspense. A complicated plot brilliantly woven together. Characters that leap off the page -- each with her own voice, clear, distinct and compelling. Cherry Mae Devine was my favourite. She certainly knows how to turn a phrase, and how to quote one!

Told in first person, from three points of view, Collins, spins a tale that kept me on the edge of my seat trying my hand at my own version of armchair sleuthing. I'm proud to say I got it...in the end! But not without switching suspects over and over again. As the conclusion drew near my heart actually about beat right out of my chest! I was oblivious to everything else around me, born by a compulsion to finish this book fast and find out whodunnit. But I didn't want it to end, either. I'm still thinking in my Canadian version of a southern drawl as Cherry Mae lingers in the corner of my mind. An unforgettable read!

GIVEAWAY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you email, please make sure to put the title in your subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 3 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Leaving Lancaster

GIVEAWAY!

LLOYD, KATE
LEAVING LANCASTER

Can a splintered Amish family reconcile?

More than anything else, thirty-something Holly Fisher longs for family. Growing up in Seattle without a dad or grandparents, she wonders what it would be like to have a heritage, a place of belonging. Holly is furious when her mother, Esther, reveals a long-kept secret: Holly’s grandmother and uncles are still alive and begging Esther to return. And Holly is shocked when she learns that the family she’s never known lives on a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, farm—as part of an Amish community her mother once abandoned.

Guilt-ridden Esther, terrified to see her mother and siblings, begs Holly to accompany her on a visit to Esther’s mother before she dies. But can their journey to a conflicting world heal their emotional wounds and finally bring them home?

Set in the heart of contemporary Lancaster County, Leaving Lancaster explores the power of forgiveness, family reconciliation, and love where least expected.

My Review:

Lloyd's writing is infused with strong emotion as she takes her readers on a journey towards one family's redemption. So many things struck me as I read! How the Amish, who preach non-judgement and forgiveness...don't always abide by those precepts. How difficult it is to undo a wrong the longer you wait to make amends. That old adage -- pride goeth before a fall...you'll find it in spades in this book. And while most mother/daughter relationships are complicated, Esther's and Holly's goes way beyond the norm.

Leaving Lancaster is an emotional study in relationships and forgiveness. Surprisingly I felt more empathy for Esther than I did Holly. Sometimes I just wanted to shake some sense into that girl! Of course, I wasn't the one raised in utter darkness about my relatives. Nor was I the one who always yearned to belong only to find she could have all along. Holly has reasons for the way she reacts, but I still felt dreadful for poor Esther every step of the way...right up until the explosive family reunion.

But Lloyd has managed to wrap the drama up in humour and warmth and even spread a little love along the way. A delicious mix that results in a spell-binding read!

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 8 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Trauma Plan

GIVEAWAY

CALVERT, CANDACE
TRAUMA PLAN

Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, nurse chaplain Riley Hale is determined to return to ER duties. But how can she show she’s competent when the hospital won’t let her attempt even simple tasks? Determined to prove herself, Riley volunteers at a controversial urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge.

Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he’s commander of the Alamo. He’ll fight the community’s efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale’s influential family name to make it happen.

As Riley strives to regain her skills, Jack finds that she shares his compassion—and stirs his lonely heart. Riley senses that beneath Jack’s rough exterior is a man she can believe in. But when clinic protests escalate and questions surface about his past, Jack goes into battle mode, and Riley wonders if it’s dangerous to trust him with her heart.

My Review:

Calvert is truly a remarkable writer. Her characters are multidimensional and so easy to relate to and root for. I love a good character-driven story, and this definitely is one. But Calvert doesn't skimp on plot either. There's a thread of suspense -- actually, a couple of them -- that she weaves together towards a cunning climax. And then there is the controlled chaos of the ER and other emergency situations that are peppered throughout the book. Fast enough to set my heart-pounding, detailed enough to bring images to mind, but not so technical that the average reader would get lost in the medical-jargon. She really has found the perfect balance in this medical romance.

Speaking of which -- Dr. Travis is the perfect enigma of a hero. His bedside manner is divine, his passion explosive and his past just a tad checkered. Larger than life and ready to do battle for what he believes in, he almost intimidates Riley, until she acknowledges her attraction to the maverick doctor. That's when she starts running for her life only Calvert doesn't let her get too far. There are some wonderful secondary characters, including a special needs dog, that fill out the cast and keep Jack and Riley in close proximity of each other.

With a multitude of surprises along the way, including a few dramatic twists I didn't see coming, Trauma Plan is a page-turning compulsion of a read. Bet you'll finish it in one sitting.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Trauma Plan, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Make sure to put the book title in the subject line of your email so that I can easily spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 3 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

May Giveaway -- Week Four

Happy Memorial Day to my American Friends!

 

won by Patty and Sylvia Miller



won by Na



won by KarenK



I'll contact the winners via email today, but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening please give me a shout at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time I have diffculties reaching winners so if we don't connect within two weeks, your win will be forfeited and I'll draw a second winner on another book draw to even things up.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

 

Heart's Safe Passage

GIVEAWAY

EAKES, LAURIE ALICE
HEART'S SAFE PASSAGE

It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped. 

Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.

When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?

My Review:

In my humble opinion you can't go wrong with a Laurie Alice Eakes book and this one is no exception! I love the way her words immediately catapult me into a different era. Her choice of descriptive phrases, dialogue and setting exude that Regency feel. I was swept away to the open seas, queasy with sea-sickness, stalked by the terror of enclosed spaces and immediately enamored by an intriguing privateer. I felt this book as much as read it. 


Eakes has fleshed out an intriguing plot involving perils on the high sea and enough swash-buckling to require a fainting couch at hand for the gentle reader. :-) Definitely a dream of a read!


 Giveaway:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in the subject line so that your entry is easier for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 27 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Travelers Rest

GIVEAWAY

TATLOCK, ANN
TRAVELERS REST

A YOUNG WOMAN determined to honor her commitment...
AN INJURED SOLDIER convinced life is no longer worth living...

A RETIRED DOCTOR certain it's too late to be forgiven...

Jane Morrow has a dilemma, and love alone may not solve it. Her faith has never been strong, yet somehow she hopes God will answer her prayers and tell her what to do. The answer she finds may not be at all what she expected...

My Review:

 Profound. The kind of book that makes you a better person for having lived within its pages for a few hours. This character-driven  story unfolds with a rich blend of drama and poignancy, but there's humour tucked in there as well.And life lessons well worth learning. Like the power to influence for good just by having the courage to try.

And, oh my, the characters! And the cunning way their disparate lives are woven together. A purely stunning, gorgeous book that has left me near speechless.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in the subject line so that I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 27 2012. Offer open to international readers. 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". 

My Stubborn Heart

Giveaway!

WADE, BECKY
MY STUBBORN HEART

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

My Review:

What a spectacular new voice Christian Fiction has in Becky Wade! Engaging doesn't begin to describe her style. Funny and light with a touch of sarcastic wit coupled with some of the most poignant and touching moments in my fiction reading experience. I read with relish and put the book down with great reluctance and only because I'd get fired for reading at work! Word to the wise: start this one on the weekend and make no plans until you are done.

Wade has the uncanny ability to project her readers into the story from the get go. I experienced an immediate connection with Kate. Loved being party to her private and all-too-often humourous thoughts. And her exuberance is contagious. She just leaps off the page smack dab in the centre of poor Matt's carefully guarded path. He's a challenge that Kate can't seem to resist, but she pursues him with measured amounts of grace, grit and gumption. Everyone needs an advocate like Kate in their life.

Of course, Matt doesn't realize it at first. I marvel at how Wade created such an opposite to her heroine. Where Kate is joy, Matt is despair. Kate's enthusiasm is only matched by Matt's reluctance. He's frozen in time and, in a way, so is she and that's their common ground at first, I think. Because Kate has taken three months off from a stressful work situation. It's under the guise of helping her grandmother but, in her own way, she's running too. Definitely not as far or as fast as Matt, but I think her own life experience gives her the kind of empathy Matt needs.

I won't even try to describe their love story. It's magnificent -- fueled by pain, soothed by tenderness. The way Kate draws Matt out -- sigh -- I reveled in that first half smile right along with her. Wade made Kate work hard and wasn't above taking everything away from her before the wisdom of God's path shines with incredible brightness. Stunning love story -- all the fuller for the beautifully detailed ups and downs along the way.

Seriously -- don't miss this one. It's an incredible faith-stirring, heart-warming read!

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of this amazing book, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 27 2012.

"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".

May Giveaway - Week Three



See how happy my computer is? That's because the nternet got fixed yesterday. She's got a brand new spiffy modem buddy too. After a two and a half hour major cable overhaul involving a rusted utility box at the back of the house and a harrowing climb up a hydro pole (cable guy -- not me) we're back in the cyber groove!!!! Yeehaw!!!




won by Mildred Colvin



won by Anna



won by Faye

 I'll contact the winners by email but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening, please send me an email with your snail mail address so I can send your book out to you asap. If we can't connect within two weeks your win will be forfeited and I'll draw a second winner in another giveaway.

Looking Ahead to Next Week:



I adore this author and she's swept me away again!




Vibrant, fresh, unique new voice in Christian fiction!



Timeless, deep, character driven -- Divine!

Just a Quick Note

I'm still having Internet issues at home. It started out being down whenever it rained -- that was a month ago -- but now it's down more than up so I'm not sure what the weekend will hold. In Canada we're celebrating Victoria Day on Monday so it's a three day weekend. If you don't see a post announcing this week's giveaways  on Sunday or Monday, please stay tuned and I'll post them as soon as I get to work on Tuesday! But here's praying my Internet gets fixed for good this weekend!

Ellie's Haven

GIVEAWAY!

MACLAREN, SHARLENE
ELLIE'S HAVEN



A courageous young woman seeking refuge...
Ellie Booth was never the type to run away. But she'd witnessed her stepfather commit a heartless crime, and, knowing he'll stop at nothing to keep her quiet, she has no choice but to flee. Soon, she finds herself in Wabash, Indiana, scrambling for a cover identity to evade her stepfather. For lack of a better option, she answers an ad for a wife/housekeeper/nanny, praying that her lack of experience won't be obvious.




A widowed father with no domestic skills to speak of...
Gage Cooper is reaching the end of his rope. With four children between the ages of three and ten, he needs a reliable nanny, yet each one he's hired has thrown up her hands and deserted her post. When an attractive, spirited young woman applies for the "job," he knows he should pray about the matter, but his desperation for help propels him headlong into a marriage of convenience.




A trial by fire of their wedding vows...
Ellie immediately falls in love with the Cooper children, and, not long after, with their father. Soon, the "marriage of convenience" becomes less of a business arrangement as husband and wife yield to an attraction neither one had expected. When secrets of the past and dangers of the present arise in their lives, their marriage is put to the test, and God alone knows what will become of their union.

My Review:

 I really enjoyed the first book in this series (Livvie's Song) and was thrilled with the chance to reacquaint myself with Livvie and Will and the rest of the gang that hangs out at the diner. When Ellie arrives clearly in need of help, Livvie is right there to offer a helping hand. Loved the two women's interactions and developing friendship even though I was shocked at what happened next. :-)

I'm not a fan of May-September romances as a rule...but MacLaren doesn't play by the rules so I tossed the handbook out and thoroughly enjoyed Ellie's Haven! And, honestly, if I'd known how young Ellie was and how much older Gage was, I likely wouldn't have picked up the book so that shows me, doesn't it? You can't judge a book by it's cover or your personal preferences. Sometimes you just have to take a chance and I'm glad I did.

Ellie is a unique combination of wise soul and wide-eyed ingenue. Poor Gage doesn't know what hit him or his home or his family. It certainly wasn't anything he could ever have conjured up in his imagination. No, thankfully he left that to the author and MacLaren knew what she was doing when she paired those two together. Of course, neither realize it right at the start. Their story is full of laughter, tenderness, heart-ache and a rather large dose of  suspenseful drama which comes to a totally unexpected climax that was the highlight of the read for me.

MacLaren has crafted another memorable journey back to the pre-Depression era and  I'm richer for the experience. Definitely add this to your TBR list.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Ellie's Haven please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easier for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 20 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Submerged

GIVEAWAY

PETTREY, DANI
SUBMERGED

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.


One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart...but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.
 
My Review:

It is easy to see why Lynette Eason and Dee Henderson have endorsed debut suspense author Dani Pettrey -- she writes like a pro! There's so much to recommend about Submerged I hardly know where to start.

The suspense is intriguing -- exotic even -- and totally different from anything I've read in a while. Loved the diving aspect, and the added edge of danger that lent to the plot.

Pettrey has created an incredibly endearing and complex clan in the McKennas. Siblings bound by loyalty and love but each with unique (and frustrating) personality quirks that will lend themselves to some exciting exploits when it's their turn to shine. (At least I'm hoping that's Pettrey's plan for the series.)

Cole is such a rock. An anchor for his family, his faith and Bailey if she'll let him. But Bailey is the victim of a troubled past -- one that she has since forsaken and sought redemption from through Christ. She knows she's saved but she's still wrestling with feeling worthy of that supreme sacrifice.

There's just so many rich layers to dive into (pun intended) that you really don't want to miss this stunning debut suspense!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Submerged, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the address line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 20, 2012. Offer open to international readers. 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".

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning

GIVEAWAY!

NEWPORT, OLIVIA
THE PURSUIT OF LUCY BANNING

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work and squeeze herself into the mold of the well-dressed wife who spends most of her time and money redecorating.

When she meets Will, an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

Get swept away into the lavish world of Chicago's high society as Olivia Newport brings to life an age of glitz and grandeur, stark social contrasts, and one woman who dares to cross class lines for what she believes.

My Review:

Wonderful debut novel! Loved the historical detail. Newport's research swept me back in time to an opulent world I can only imagine. A stunning backdrop for this coming of age story...or should I say coming into her own story?


Lucy remains surprisingly untouched by her wealth despite her upbringing. The expectations her parents and society place upon her are in direct conflict with her own desires. Her struggle to stay true to herself while placating those she loves makes for a tense read.  Lucy's actions are dictated by her heart and an innate ability to look beyond her privileged life. She takes up the cause of those less fortunate then she with a quiet dignity that belies her age. 


This is very much Lucy's story, but it is Charlotte, a secondary character and a servant at that, who stole my heart. I very much hope that the next book in the series will be about her because Newport has left many unanswered questions that are clamoring to be answered.


While I liked Will, I felt that I wasn't given much of an opportunity to know him. I think that some of his scenes were edited out to meet the word count demands of the publisher. In particular there is one 'scene' that isn't. It took quite some orchestrating to get the key characters (Lucy and Will) together at an event.  In fact the lead up to this event had me happily anticipating their first 'date' even if that word hadn't been coined yet. But the scene was skipped...the day glossed over and I was so flummoxed that I read back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything. I hadn't -- the event was covered in Lucy's personal musings later and left me feeling a tad cheated. Definitely a missed opportunity to draw on some romantic tension for this reader.


But there's a hint of mystery in this read and a great surprise ending so it definitely belongs on every historical lover's TBR list and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the Avenue of Dreams series which releases in January 2013...and yipeee! It is Charlotte's story! I can't wait!!!!


Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 20. Offer open to international readers.

"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".

May Giveaway - Week 2

Apologies for not getting this up on Sunday. My internet was down...a recurring problem I seem to have every time there's rain. Gah!!!!!

won by Wendy Newcomb and Pat Cochran

won by pwnmom

won by 5020genesis

Congratulations to the winners. I will contact you by email today, but if you don't hear from me by tomorrow evening, please send me a quick note with your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If we can't connect within two weeks, your win will be forfeited and I'll double up a future win to compensate. 


Please note: since I'm experiencing internet issues at home there may be a bit of lag time between my hearing from you and me being able to get your book ordered but I'll still strive to get it out in a timely fashion!

Looking ahead to next week's Giveaways:

Two debut novels and one all-time favourite!

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Stunning Debut historical from Revell Publishing

Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Wow...oh...wow...with endorsements from Lynette Eason and Dee Henderson, I just knew this debut novel would be a great suspense and I wasn't disappointed!

Ellie's Haven by Sharlene MacLaren

Another great historical -- sequel to Livvie's Song, which I also loved.

A Love Forbidden

GIVEAWAY!!!

MORGAN, KATHLEEN
A LOVE FORBIDDEN

Moved by the desire for adventure and a yearning to help the Ute Indians, twenty-year-old Shiloh Wainright impulsively accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado. The new job, however, isn''t what she imagined it would be, and Shiloh soon finds herself caught in the cross fire between the Utes, their unyielding Indian Agent, and the unrealistic demands of the US government. Her unexpected encounter with Jesse Blackwater, an embittered half-breed Ute and childhood friend, only complicates matters as they battle their growing feelings for each other amidst the spiraling tensions threatening to explode into a catastrophic Indian uprising. Set amongst the wilds of the Colorado Rockies in 1879, this is a tale of a forbidden love and a faith tested in the cauldron of intolerance and the harsh realities of life on the untamed frontier. Bestselling author Kathleen Morgan deftly explores themes of mercy, fidelity to one''s beliefs despite what others think or do, and compassion for those different from oneself as she plumbs the depths of the human heart and the healing power of God's love.

My Review:

Rife with complications and conflict, this historical romance set my heart on fire and my blood to boiling! With so much emotion in every page this one should come with a Kleenex alert -- at least for me.

First there is the setting -- the sweeping backdrop of one of North America's not-so-finest hours. I've always been both compelled and appalled by stories that center around the treatment of Native Americans in both our countries (I'm Canadian) and Morgan really captured some moments as I imagined them.

She set her characters in A Love Forbidden smack in the middle of historically accurate action which made the read all the grittier. The stark contrast between whites with an honest (if misguided) desire to help the Natives and the dishonest actions of the government serves to advance the tumultuous plot and pits Jesse and Shiloh against each other despite their attraction.

That forbidden love (perfect tie-in with the title) takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride right along with the hero and heroine. It seems, at times, that their coming together is simply impossible with all the daunting hurdles that have to be overcome. But there are tender moments too and along with sweet there's some lovely heated, toe-curling ones.

The powerful inspirational thread of forgiveness lends itself beautifully to the circumstances both Shiloh and Jesse find themselves in. Spiritual meshes seamlessly with romance and adventure in an unforgettable tale of surviving love.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Love Forbidden, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Remember to put the title in the subject line so that your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 13 2012. Open to international readers. Good luck!

Brides of the West

GIVEAWAY

BYLIN, VICTORIA
DEAN, JANET
NISSEN, PAMELA
BRIDES OF THE WEST

Josie's Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin


Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who'd left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for.

Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean

Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends' wedding, can she open her heart again?

Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen

As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry—until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it's Jeb's chance to show Lydia that now is the time for her wedding dreams to come true.

My Review:

This is one of the best novella collections I've ever read. Each story is well-written, filled with engaging characters and a heart-stopping plot. They may be shorter than the usual romance novel, but they still pack the same punch! That takes infinite talent to accomplish.

Most novellas I have read overlap characters and setting, each story feeding into the next one but the stories in Brides of the West aren't connected in any way, other than the recurring theme of a second chance at love in the West. It works really well, and I enjoyed the uniqueness of each story. And -- bonus for Janet Dean fans (of which I am one) because Last Minute Bride is a continuation of her Love Inspired historical novel, Wanted: a Family.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Brides of the West, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Please make sure to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 13 2012. Offer open to international readers.

An Uncommon Grace

GIVEAWAY!

MILLER, SERENA B.
AN UNCOMMON GRACE

Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war.

Levi Troyer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder. Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family’s rescue and saves his mother’s life. A deep attraction develops—even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden.

Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects—the Swartzentruber Amish. Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother—who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family.

Grace considers leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bann if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?

My Review:

Captivating from the very first page, An Uncommon Grace made me think as much as it entertained.

First things first -- you have to get past the misleading cover. I've never seen such a misrepresentation of a book before! Who is that woman looking off into the distance and why is she on the cover of Grace and Levi's story? LOL. Grace is obviously not Amish and this book is just as much about Grace and her family as it is about Levi's and his.  In fact, if you aren't into Amish fiction, I'd wager that you'd still find this a compelling read on so many levels.

One of the most fascinating part of this book is the glimpse Miller gives us into the strict Swartzentruber Amish order. The story is peppered with so many interesting facts and comparisons with the Old Order Amish that is usually featured in fiction.

The addition of a murder mystery along with the complicated relationship that slowly develops between Levi and Grace makes this  the kind of read you just won't want to put down. Miller's characters become living, breathing people with minds and hearts of their own. Grace's grandmother is an incredible rock for both of them -- a genteel lady with a quick sense of humour and deep understanding of the Savior's love.

As Levi struggles to make sense of the sudden upheaval in his life, Grace finds herself drawn into a chaos of her own. Both ardently support their families, willing to sacrifice anything for those they love. In a perfect world, they would be perfect for each other -- but perfection doesn't come in this life and their journey isn't an easy one. Miller has spun an emotional tale that I soon won't forget...and hopefully you won't either because you're sure to want to read it now too, right?

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of An Uncommon Grace, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 13. Offer open to international readers.

May Giveaway - Week One



CONGRATULATIONS!




won by Amy



won by Kara



won by Jen

Congratulations to the winners. Sure wish I could hand out books to everyone who enters! Ah, someday when I'm rich and famous!!!

As always, I'll contact the winners by email today but if you don't hear from me by Monday night, please send me an email with your snail mail address so I can get your book to you asap. Spam likes to play havoc sometimes with my emails coming in and going out and that's not playing fair, is it? Also, please note that if we can't connect within two weeks your win will be forfeited and I will select an additional winner for another book draw to even things out. Looking forward to hearing from you!

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:



Haven't started this one yet
but I love Kathleen Morgan!!!




In the middle of this one and have to
say that the cover is very mileading. :-)



LOVED this!!!! What a great combination
of stories. I just gobbled them up!