C is for Christmas

WIERSBE, DAVID W.
WIERSBE, WARREN
C IS FOR CHRISTMAS : THE HISTORY, PERSONALITIES, AND MEANING OF CHRIST'S BIRTH

The real meaning of Christmas from A to ZThroughout the centuries so many traditions have woven themselves into the celebration of Christmas that it can be difficult to understand just what the season of Christ's birth is all about.

In C Is for Christmas, David and Warren Wiersbe cut through the fancy wrapping paper and pretty bows to give the background of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. They also explain the reasons for our various Christmas symbols and beliefs. From angels and Bethlehem to yuletide and Zechariah, the authors shed light on a wide variety of Christmas-related topics.

If you feel like something has been missing from your celebration of Christmas, the information in this unique collection is sure to deepen your appreciation for this beautiful season.

My Review:

One of the most exhaustive compilations of the religious observance of Christmas that I have ever read. Arranged in an easy dictionary format you literally have all the facts at your fingertips. Concise definitions have the depth necessary to bring the Christmas story alive in a completely new way. Perfect for personal reflection as well as teaching Sunday School or participating in a pageant, C is for Christmas will bring you closer to the real meaning of the season.

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

Real Life Real Miracles

WALL, KEITH
GARLOW, JAMES. L
REAL LIFE REAL MIRACLES : TRUE STORIES THAT WILL HELP YOU BELIEVE

Is God Still Doing Miracles Today? Absolutely!

These real-life, credible stories of miraculous experiences, gathered by the authors of Miracles Are for Real, reveal that God is still very active in the world. Each gripping story is sure to encourage and inspire, offering hope and a sense of wonder.

• When Steve rolled his car, he should have been killed. Why didn't he die that day?
• Caleb and Penny moved to a poor part of town to serve their community. But when one group of neighbors makes and sells drugs, will God's angels protect them?
• Bob's MS was getting progressively worse. Could God heal such a debilitating disease?

Whether you've experienced God's miracles or aren't sure if you believe in them, explore fascinating true stories like these and many more. You'll be in awe of God's power as you get a glimpse of how he personally cares for each of his children--including you.

My Review:

This inspiring, easy to read book will keep you riveted. Garlow and Wall have used the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul format to share real life testimonies guaranteed to give you goosebumps. The important message here is that miracles still happen. Period. People might try to justify them away, call them happenchance or pure luck, but Believers everywhere will recognize the hand of God at work in the lives of a myriad of people. It's the kind of book you can race right through or take your time and savor and reflect on each story. A beautiful vehicle to praise God and His abundant love.

"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". 

When a Heart Stops

GIVEAWAY

EASON, LYNETTE
WHEN A HEART STOPS

Spunky and outgoing, nothing much bothers medical examiner Serena Hopkins--except for the thought of falling in love again. But when a serial killer is picking off her former classmates, Serena's life becomes intertwined with her old high school crush, FBI agent Dominic Allen. Is the secret she's keeping putting her next on the killer's hit list? Can she trust Dominic with the truth before it's too late?

Intense, emotional, and fast-paced, "When a Heart Stops" will have readers up late as they race to the finish to find out what happens.

My Review:

Wow, I'm gobsmacked! Eason grabbed me on the first page and I didn't manage to shake loose until the very last and I still have unanswered questions which will undoubtedly be answered in the next book of the Deadly Reunion series. She's a master at building suspense, jumping from one open-ended scene to another, leaving me desperately trying to put the puzzle together without all the pieces.

Bonus! I figured out the killer early on -- and felt right smug until Eason threw a few last-minute twists at me! When a Heart Stops is aptly named -- reading with a defibrillator is highly recommended.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When a Heart Stops, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 December 2 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Christmas Roses

GIVEAWAY

CABOT, AMANDA
CHRISTMAS ROSES

Celia Anderson doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a traveling carpenter finds lodging at her boardinghouse, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle, though, to find roses during a harsh Wyoming winter.

But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

My Review:

What a beautiful Christmas novella. The story is tight, but it doesn't lack in plot or characterization or emotional impact. This has the feel of a great Hallmark movie in the making! I loved the simplicity of the story with all its complex undertones. And Christmas Roses boasts one of the most romantic endings I've ever read. Sweet, heartwarming and romantic -- the perfect cozy Christmas read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Christmas Roses, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 December 2 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 Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Christmas Pony

GIVEAWAY

CARLSON, MELODY
THE CHRISTMAS PONY

With Christmas around the corner, the Turnbull family is in need of a few small miracles.
It is 1937, and Lucy Turnbull knows better than to wish for a pony this Christmas. Her mother has assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony is the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they need at their boarding house are the paying kind. Then an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, and Lucy's world changes forever.

My Review:

 A beautiful Christmas story told in a timeless, traditional fashion. It has the substance and drama of an old classic Christmas movie. The kind you know you will enjoy over and over again for years to come. I think the fact that the story is told from a child's point of view makes it all the more magical. And watching the romance develop from Lucy's perspective makes it even more special. Unique in that the story would appeal to young girls as well as adults, The Christmas Pony celebrates the warmth and true meaning of the holidays.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Christmas Pony, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 December 2 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 Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

November Giveaway - Week Four

CONGRATULATIONS

WON BY TAMMI

WON BY CHERYL BARKER

WON BY KAREN K



As always, I will contact the winners by email however thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time winners and I don't seem to connect, so I have a month frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited and I will add an extra win to a future draw to even things up.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

A heart-warming story for the whole family!



Beautiful Christmas love story!

My heart stopped the very first page!
I'm still recovering!!!!

A Gift of Family

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
A GIFT OF FAMILY

A man with secrets, ex-soldier Seth Hansen comes to the small town of Harland, North Carolina, to heal. The last thing he wants is to get involved -- with the community, or with lovely waitress Lisa Sawyer, who has big dreams of leaving Harland. When a massive storm hits, it will take a dramatic rescue, and Lisa's unshakable belief, to wake a part of Seth he thought he'd lost forever. Suddenly one reluctant hero finds himself captivated by Christmas spirit. If only he can help Lisa discover the place she really wants to be…. 

My Review:

Hallelujah, we're back in Harland with the Sawyer clan! You don't have to have read the author's previous books to enjoy this one, but if you have you'll be thrilled to meet up with some of your favourite characters...including Ruthy! Absolutely loved the dynamics between Seth and Lisa. Such contrasts -- but that made them compliment each other all the more. Ross tackles the difficulties in the life of a returned soldier with compassion and understanding. There is plenty of emotion in this read. Life at its grittiest...but sweetest too.This is the kind of feel good Christmas story that gets to the heart of the real meaning of the season. A heart-warming holiday read.


Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Gift of Family, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 25 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Love Surrendered

GIVEAWAY

LESSMAN, JULIE
A LOVE SURRENDERED

She's hoping to find her first true love.
He's hoping to forget his.
Will her secret come between them?
Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy has moved to Boston and is embracing the city life, with a new name and a wide-open future. When she gets involved with a fast crowd at Ocean Pier--one that includes the handsome Steven O'Connor--she is pulled deeper and deeper into a world of rule breakers and mischief makers. She finds herself drawn to Steven and the whole O'Connor family. But a secret Annie is keeping has the power to destroy her best-laid plans. 

Will Steven ever see her as more than a sweet country girl who needs protecting? And will he break her heart when he finds out who she really is?

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and the emotional twists and turns Julie Lessman fans have come to expect, A Love Surrendered will ignite your senses and inspire your spirit.

My Review:

I savored every word and closed this book with the greatest of reluctance and then wept because I will miss the O'Connor clan so much. I can't help but feel that there are so many more untold stories and don't think I'll be able to stop myself from begging the author for the next generation's love stories! Writing this review is very bittersweet.

I love the heart Lessman put into her books. The way she transforms characters into people -- real people with real struggles that I can relate to. I love how she is not afraid to approach supposedly taboo subjects while making sure that Christ is in the centre of each one. And I really appreciated reading about the spiritual battles waged by the characters in A Love Surrendered. Lessman speaks truth with a passion and power that stirs my emotions and my resolves. Reading her books never fails to bring me closer to God. Bless her for that!

I loved Annie's story -- loved the twists in her tale that surprised me a time or two. Love when a book looks like it's heading one way and then makes a right turn to somewhere else. And I adore Annie's faith mentor. Won't reveal more for fear of posting spoilers -- but it was so appropriate -- bringing the two series full circle. It's little details like this that bring such depth and satisfaction to a read. 

Though A Love Surrendered is definitely Steven and Annie's story the author managed to incorporate the whole O'Connor clan in such a wonderful way. My heart is full after reading the last page. Like I said, bittersweet but so worth the read. 

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Love Surrendered, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 25 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Christmas Countdown

GIVEAWAY!

HINZE, VICKI
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

A simple trip home for the holidays is all former FBI profiler Maggie Mason wants. But a serial killer has other plans. Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Maggie finds an ally in Lost, Inc. with private investigator Dr. Ian Crane. The handsome widower is reluctant to love again, and the last thing Maggie wants is to put Ian in the line of fire, too. Love could cost them everything…unless they can find their way to each other, in time for Christmas.

My Review:

What a deliciously sinister way to countdown to Christmas. This suspense is a totally gripping page turner. I kept  nervously looking over my shoulder as I read. Brilliant, spine-chilling plot! But that's not all that makes this a stellar read. I loved the way Hinze developed the romantic relationship between Maggie and Ian. It felt like we had all the time in the world to become immersed in their story. Not quite sure how the author managed to achieve that given the shorter word count in a Love Inspired Suspense but I'm glad she did. And she delivers one of the most amazing kissing scenes that I've read (and I've read a lot of them!) If goosebumps aren't tracking up your spine from the suspense they will be from the romance!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Christmas Countdown, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 25 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week Three

...to my American friends. Enjoy the week and
especially a love-filled day with family.

My aplogies for not reviewing The Christmas Pony by Melody Dobson. I had anticipated the delivery to come early in the week so thought I would have plenty of time to read and review. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet. :-( So I drew twice for A Light in the Window instead.

won by Deanna Mundy
and
Rosie

won by Jamie Adams

As always, I will contact the winners by email however thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time winners and I don't seem to connect, so I have a month frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited and I will add an extra win to a future draw to even things up.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:



Just finished this one and loved it!
I can't get enough of the Sawyer clan!

A Sinister twist to counting down to Christmas!!!!

An emotional rollercoaster ride and
I'm still hanging on for dear life!!!!

 

A Light in the Window

GIVEAWAY

LESSMAN, JULIE
A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW

One Woman. Two Men.
One stirs her pulse and the other her faith.
But who will win her heart?

Marceline Murphy is a gentle beauty with a well-founded aversion to rogues. But when two of Boston's most notorious pursue her, she encounters a tug-of-war of the heart she isn’t expecting. Sam O’Rourke is the childhood hero she’s pined for, the brother of her best friend and a member of the large, boisterous family to which she longs to be a part. So when his best friend Patrick O’Connor joins in pursuit of her affections, the choice seems all too clear. Sam is from a family of faith and Patrick is not, two rogues whose wild ways clash head-on with Marcy’s—both in her faith and in her heart.

While overseeing the Christmas play fundraiser for the St. Mary’s parish soup kitchen—A Light in the Window—Marcy not only wrestles with her attraction to both men, but with her concern for their spiritual welfare. The play is based on the Irish custom of placing a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family, and for Marcy, its message becomes deeply personal. Her grandmother Mima cautions her to guard her heart for the type of man who will respond to the "light in the window," meaning the message of Christ in her heart. But when disaster strikes during the play, Marcy is destined to discover the truth of the play’s message first-hand when it becomes clear that although two men have professed their undying love, only one has truly responded to “the light in the window.”

My Review:

Fans of Julie Lessman's work will find lots to rejoice about in this angst-riddled but inspirational Christmas tale. Rabid fans will also notice some wonderful personal touches in this story as well. :-) They made the read so much fun!

Lessman's gift of storytelling culminates in this last book about the O'Connor clan. Ironically, it is the prequel and the story that started it all. I appreciated the opportunity to discover Marcy and Patrick's romantic beginnings. Their solid, sometimes volatile and always passionate romance was the glue that bound the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series together for me. But fear not -- you will love this book even if you haven't read any of the others. But, if you have, you'll love A Light in the Window that much more.

Lessman uses the Irish Christmas custom of keeping a lighted candle in the window to welcome the Christ child as the basis for the inspirational thread in the story. Love the imagery of that and how she uses her characters to illustrate that we can all be a light unto the world by reflecting Christ's love and forgiveness. A moving Christmas message that will make my celebrations deeper and more meaningful this season.


Giveaway Opportunity:

NOTE: THIS BOOK COMES IN E-BOOK FORMAT ONLY. I DON'T HAVE A KINDLE BUT IT WAS SIMPLE ENOUGH TO DOWNLOAD ONTO MY LAPTOP. If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Light in the Window, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 18 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

His Mistletoe Family

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HIS MISTLETOE FAMILY

When two orphaned boys and their aunt arrive for Thanksgiving supper at church, retired army colonel Brett Stanton feels his heart tugged. Despite having her hands full, young businesswoman Haley Jennings handles her nephews with a smile. Still, Brett can't get too close to the needy trio. He lost his son and brother to the uniform, and isn't about to set himself up for loss again. Soon sweet Haley and the boys remind him of old dreams—and teach him that new dreams provide the greatest hope for a perfect family Christmas.

My Review:

I fell hard for Brett Stanton -- so much so that I'm more than a little jealous of Haley, sweet though she may be! In a way this is a Sleeping Beauty story - the twist being that Brett is the one who has been slumbering and Haley and her adorable nephews are the heartwarming force that awaken him. But while Brett might have withdrawn from life, Haley has filled hers with a frenzied business drive. Accepting custody of her nephews has put her in a tailspin and it is Brett and a loving community of memorable secondary characters that help her find a healthy balance. Herne has created a stunning Christmas love story that will touch your heart and leave you savoring the taste of hope in happily ever afters.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of His Mistletoe Family, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 18 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week Two

May we all take some time this Remembrance Day
to reflect on all those who have sacrificed their
lives so that we can have freedom in ours.
May we never take that for granted.

won by Melody

won by Liz R.

won by Jo

won by Darlene

As always, I will contact the winners by email however thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time winners and I don't seem to connect, so I have a two week time frame. If I can't reach you within two weeks your win will be forfeited and I will add an extra win to a future draw to even things up.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:



I haven't read this one yet,
but I know it is destined to be
a Christmas classic given the author!

I've been eagerly awaiting the release
of this e-book! It's all I hoped it would be
and more!

I've fallen hard for the hero --
so much so that I'm almost jealous of the heroine!

 

Rodeo Ashes

GIVEAWAY

VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
RODEO ASHES

Lacie Gentry, a young widow and mom, is struggling with the aftermath of her husband's tragic death. When she bumps into former classmate Quinn Remington, her future is undecided. She accepts a job teaching kids to ride at Quinn's neighboring ranch, hoping to revitalize her life with an old pastime but soon sees in Quinn a chance to move forward with new love…if she's ready.

It's been years since Quinn has seen lovely Lacie Gentry—the girl he always admired in high school but never came close to dating. By the time they met, Lacie was engaged to rodeo star Mel Gentry then happily married. Now Lacie's closer than ever. The attraction is still there, but so is a secret that might end any chance of romance.

Can they rise from the rodeo ashes?

My Review:

I've never gotten inside the head of a heroine so quickly before. Within just a few pages I felt like I really knew Lacie and we bonded instantly. That's an amazing feat for an author.

Quinn is a cowboy after my own heart. Watching him wrestle with emotions from his past, which act as a stumbling block to his future is just agonizing.  Especially the way the author feeds tantalizing bits of  information that slowly build until we get the whole picture. Loved Quinn's tenderness and the gentle way he watches out for Lacie. And Lacie's stubborn attempts to resist, to be independent as she grapples with widowhood and being a single mom. So much emotion is packed into this read.

Vannatter has woven together a clever and moving story about love and forgiveness and God's ability to carry us through it all.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rodeo Ashes, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Jingle Bell Bride

GIVEAWAY

HART, JILLIAN
JINGLE BELL BRIDE

Finishing medical school at the top of her class, Chelsea McKaslin always achieves her goals. Now back home in Sunshine, Wyoming, her Christmas goal is to succeed as a pediatrician. In no way do her plans include Dr. Michael Kramer, despite the fact that he's everywhere she turns. The standoffish widower keeps his distance from her, as if to protect his adorable daughter and himself. Yet the spirit of the season prevails. Soon Chelsea is bonding with little Macie—and her handsome daddy. Will these three hearts thaw in time for Christmas?

My Review:

Seriously, Jillian Hart can do no wrong in my book! This has all the elements of a holiday classic. The kind of read I can visualize being turned into a Hallmark special. A heartwarming romance with enough roadblocks to slow down the process in a tantalizing way and draw out the tension, but not enough to frustrate this reader. Perfection tied up in an inspirational bow.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Jingle Bell Bride, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Dangerous Melody

GIVEAWAY

MENTINK, DANA
DANGEROUS MELODY

Stephanie Gage's father has been kidnapped - by a dangerous man who wants to make a trade. Her beloved dad for a multimillion-dollar family heirloom that's gone missing. Either Stephanie finds the valuable violin or her father dies. But to trace it down, she must rely on Tate Fuego -- the man who broke her hear years ago. Stephanie knows that Tate's reasons for helping have nothing to do with her. And that the handsome demolitions expert knows more about destroying things than saving lives. But trusting Tate is all that stands between Stephanie and a madman's ultimate revenge.

My Review:

The Treasure Seekers series is a wonderful twist to the Love Inspired Suspense line. This isn't the first in the series but I dived right in and gobbled it up anyway and LOVED it. It's a great standalone read but now I'm itching to devour Victor and Brooke's story in the first book, Lost Legacy.

So -- what has me so enamoured with this new series? Because it's unique. No police, navy seals or FBI in sight. Not that I'm averse to reading about men in uniform (batting eyelashes furiously) but it was so refreshing to read a suspense based around ordinary people -- well as ordinary as treasure seekers can be!

Also loved the pacing and tension. Mentink revved it up right from the start and kept me breathless the whole delicious read. She kept throwing harrowing twist after harrowing twist until I thought my whole world had tilted on its axis! I was dizzy by the end.

Also loved the way she managed to mesh all the characters together -- secondary ones maintained prominence without overpowering the story. And Stephanie and Tate were the perfect combination of a love lost and doomed forever...not! Between emotional turmoil and suspenseful tension, I was a goner and read Dangerous Melody (brilliant title by the way) in one sitting.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Dangerous Melody, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Lovelier Than Daylight

GIVEAWAY

ELLIOTT, ROSSLYN
LOVELIER THAN DAYLIGHT

Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving.

In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel’s children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel’s alcoholic husband knows more than he’s saying and she vows to uncover the truth.

Johann Giere is heir to a successful German-American brewery in Columbus, but longs for a career in journalism in New York City. When Johann signs on as the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville, his and Susanna’s paths cross and sparks fly. A fiery temperance crusader, Susanna despises Johann’s profession, but she cannot deny the attraction.

When Susanna learns that Rachel’s children have been indentured to orphanages in the city, she despairs that her family will be fractured forever. But Johann makes Susanna an offer she can’t refuse—pitting her passion and her principles against one another.

If she can find a way for her head and her heart to be in harmony, a future lovelier than daylight awaits her.

My Review:

Book Three in the Saddlemaker's Legacy series reads well as a standalone but will tug at the heart strings of Elliott fans who have read the first two books. (Kleenex alert for readers who become attached to fictional characters.)

There is so much depth in this book and Elliott poses some really tough questions through her story. It's about fighting for what is right and true, but to what cost? Does battling for truth give us the right to go to any lengths to win? What if our truth differs from that of others? Who has the right to be right? There's a whole lot of philosophy wrapped up in the plot of Lovelier Than Daylight which makes this a great choice for a Book Club read. Especially since the topic can easily relate to world issues today.

The author engaged me from the very first page with the element of suspense and Susanna's desperate search for sister and the outcome of that search was nothing like I imagined it to be. A fast paced plot steeped in historical fact made this a real page-turner.

And what a conundrum for poor Johann and Susanna -- at such opposite ends of a fiery subject. Their coming together seems an impossibility and Elliott kept me on tenterhooks right to the last page. Wonderful characterization -- the author goes deep and allows her characters to grow over the course of the novel. That brought a special connection for me and made this a fulfilling and memorable read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Lovlier Than Daylight, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email 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 November 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week One

 

HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING YOUR
EXTRA HOUR OF READING!

won by KayM

won by Sara

won by Books are a Blessing

won by Jody

 

As always, I will contact the winners by email however thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time winners and I don't seem to connect, so I have a two week time frame. If I can't reach you within two weeks your win will be forfeited and I will add an extra win to a future draw to even things up.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Completely different from any
LI supsense I've read!
Seriously good!!!

Christmas perfection!



Stunning!!!!

Really looking forward to this one!