Lost &Found : Finding Hope in the Detour of Life

JAKES, SARAH
LOST & FOUND : FINDING HOPE IN THE DETOUR OF LIFE

Like every girl, Sarah Jakes dreamed of a life full of love, laughter, and happy endings. But her dreams changed dramatically when she became pregnant at age thirteen, a reality only compounded by the fact that her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was one of the most influential megachurch pastors in the nation. As a teen mom and a high-profile preacher's kid, her road was lonely. She was shunned at school, gossiped about at church. And a few years later, when a fairy-tale marriage ended in a spiral of hurt and rejection, she could have let her pain dictate her future.

 Instead, she found herself surrounded by a God she'd given up on, crashing headlong with Him into a destiny she'd never dreamed of. Sarah's captivating story, unflinchingly honest and deeply vulnerable, is a vivid reminder that God can turn even the deepest pain into His perfection.
More than a memoir, Lost and Found offers hope and encouragement. Perhaps you, like Sarah, find yourself wandering the detours of life. Regardless of how lost you feel, you, too, can be found.

My Review:

A fascinating read. Jakes is transparent; her raw honesty serves to bring the most profound gospel truth to life. Grace. In all its glory. Jakes personal story bears a powerful testimony of how the lost can be found. That no matter what happens, Christ can redeem our circumstances. It also made me think about how we (individuals and society)  can set kids up to fail without realizing it. Peer pressure is a powerful force but so is the keen desire to fit in. And outward judgement. An excellent book that will get you thinking.

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 Rescue

GIVEAWAY

FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
THE RESCUE

He’s taking a chance on love . . . and there’s no plan B.

Will Stoltz has returned to Stoney Ridge with a clear plan. He’s opening a wild bird rescue center and is determined to rekindle his fizzled romance with Jackie Colombo, the veterinarian who stole his heart. But nothing is working out as Will planned. The leased building for the rescue center is a disaster, his funding is rapidly dwindling, and Jackie Colombo has disappeared without a trace.

When an injured eagle is found in a pasture near the Inn at Eagle Hill, Will is desperate to prove to himself, to his skeptical father, and to everyone else that his mission has not been in vain. But even the best laid plans are no match for fate.

My Review:

Fans of The Inn on Eagle Hill series will appreciate this sweet glimpse into the life of secondary character, Will Stoltz. While not an Amish story, The Rescue features some of my favourite Amish characters from the series.

Short in word count but not in quality, this novella celebrates the hope that comes with wholeheartedly inviting God into your life. A beautiful story expertly told by a gifted storyteller. It tugged at my heartstrings and left me smiling.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK FORMAT ONLY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Rescue 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 1  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

No Place to Run

GIVEAWAY

LAIRD, MARION FAITH
NO PLACE TO RUN

"DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT."

Just when she started to feel safe, small-town librarian Lorie Narramore begins receiving threatening notes. They prove that her worst fears have come true—her dark past has followed her to Arkansas. And someone wants her to pay for what she's done. As the threats turn into full-scale attacks, Lorie has no choice but to rely on deputy sheriff Matt MacGregor's protection. But after her harrowing ordeal with the law, can she truly trust a cop? And can Matt trust her to tell him the truth when the threats claim she's gotten away with murder?

My Review:

215 pages of breath taking awesomeness! Brilliant debut novel and I'm praying there are many more to come. There's nothing creepier than a stalker who leaves malicious warnings. Like a cat playing with it's prey before closing in for the kill. And there's Lorie trying to keep it together and Matt trying to keep his distance while solving the case. Because he's attracted to Lorie, but wary as well. And Lorie's not about to give her heart to anyone in law enforcement. She has too many bad memories. That push / pull creates a deliciously taut romantic thread. And the case just keeps getting more and more complicated...and dangerous. Cue ominous music, grab some comfort food and start reading!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of No Place to Run 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 1  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Full Steam Ahead

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
FULL STEAM AHEAD

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?

 Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?

My Review:

Another stellar read from this fantastic author. Her dry wit is so engaging! So many subtle layers to it. I especially enjoyed the inner fumings of the hero and heroine. So much fun!

Nicole is a strong, spunky heroine -- she does her pirate ancestors proud! She rushes head long into her own swashbuckling adventure, certain that only she can save the day and her family's heritage and earn her father's respect all in one fell swoop. Luckily she meets up with Darius who is engaged in his own self-absorbed mission, all for the greater good, of course.

Their first meet is priceless. Nicole's stubborn backbone is a perfect match for Darius's obsessed scientific absorption. And he's equally stubborn by the way. They clash their way to grudging respect which develops into attraction that both are reluctant to acknowledge. But when they do...on my! Thud. Swooning couch a must for this read!

A tender love story liberally laced with hijinks and action that will ensure you won't be able to put Full Steam Ahead down.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Full Steam Ahead 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 1  2014. 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.

Second Chance Summer

GIVEAWAY

HANNON, IRENE
SECOND CHANCE SUMMER

Restoring Hearts

When Rachel Shaw and Jack Fletcher meet on a sunny Georgia beach, it seems like the perfect start to a romance. There's just one problem—neither one is the least bit interested in falling in love. They're just looking for peace, and time to work through their losses. But Rachel's aunt Eleanor and Fletch's Gram have other plans. Their meddling matchmaking would drive Rachel and Fletch nuts if they weren't busy restoring a house for one of Gram's charities. Yet as they repair the house, it's their hearts that begin to mend. Soon Rachel and Fletch realize they might be able to build a second chance at a great love.

My Review:

What an exquisite read! A compact love story with all the substance of a longer novel. Hannon has created some winning characters -- and not just the hero and heroine. I grew particularly fond of the elderly conniving matchmakers. Both funny and poignant at the same time.

Of course, Fletch and Rachel's hesitant foray into romance is at the heart of Second Chance Summer. Both trying to shake off  collateral damage that life has dished out, neither certain they are ready for any kind of commitment. Hostility turns to tolerance and then reluctant interest as they creep closer towards a relationship. Their love story kept me turning pages right to the end. This is a read-it-in-one-sitting kind of book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Second Chance Summer 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 1  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

May Giveaway - Week Four

 

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:

Family on the Range

GIVEAWAY

NELSON, JESSICA
FAMILY ON THE RANGE

A Second Chance

A quiet ranch in the Oregon desert gives Mary O'Roarke the solace she craves after a painful childhood. Concealing her growing feelings for her boss, government agent Lou Riley, is a small price to pay. Then an abandoned little girl is placed in Mary's care, awakening dreams she's all but forgotten.

In all the years Lou has known her, how could he not have noticed Mary's courage and warmth? Seeing her care for a child is a bittersweet reminder of the lonely widower's loss. But if Mary won't give up on young Josie—not even when real danger approaches—then Lou can't give up on bringing this unlikely family together for good.

My Review:

What a riveting read! I was pleasantly surprised by the strong element of suspense in this novel as well. I love the combination of historical and suspense. Nelson kept me on edge trying to figure it all out.

Both Mary and Lou are products of painful pasts. They've coped for years, sustaining each other as friends in a carefully constructed employee/boss relationship. But their well plotted lives shift dramatically by a series of seemingly unrelated events. Fantastic story arc! And I love how the author reveals the heart of both hero and heroine by slow degrees. Frustratingly delicious!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Family on the Range 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 25 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Trail of Secrets

GIVEAWAY

ROBBINS, SANDRA
TRAIL OF SECRETS

"Call Seth."

After a brutal attack, that's all that Callie Lattimer's uncle Dan, a former police officer, can say. Callie knows that Memphis cop Seth Dawtry will help, even if it means working with the woman who rejected him. The attack seems tied to a decades-old unsolved murder Dan could never let go. New evidence must have gotten him uncomfortably close to the truth. Now it's up to Seth and Callie to follow the clues. But as they uncover answers, they discover the real threat is closer than they ever thought possible….

The Cold Case Files: Uncovering secrets of the past

My Review:

Romantic tension abounds in this second chance at love story. It kept me on edge the whole read. I could feel Seth's frustration and Callie's despair. And in the midst of all that there's this pesky problem that turns life threatening really fast. Both the suspense and the romance will keep you frantically turning pages. Excellent read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Trail of Secrets 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 25  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Hannah's Courtship

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMMA
HANNAH'S COURTSHIP

Second Chance At Love

Amish widow Hannah Yoder never intended to marry again. Yet when her friendship with veterinarian Albert Hartman begins to bloom into something more, Hannah wonders if perhaps she's finally ready for a new love. Albert waited his whole life to find the right woman, only to realize Hannah was there all along. But there's more than their friendship to consider. Albert is a Mennonite, born-and-bred, and Hannah cannot—will not—leave her Amish faith, not even for him. Does Albert have the courage to give up his modern life for Hannah…and will Hannah have the courage to let him?

Hannah's Daughters: Seeking love, family  and faith in Amish country

My Review:

A celebration of family and faith.

This is such a satisfying read on so many levels. The gentle romance is captivating -- a friendship that unexpectedly grows into something more. But it is Hannah's full, rich family life that really charmed me. A wonderful mix of happy and sad, joy and yearning. And there are many touching moments as Hannah grapples with the realization that her Downs Syndrome daughter is growing up. At twenty-one Susanna is an exasperating mix of child/woman. I ached and worried right along with Hannah over Susanna's antics.

I've only read two other books in the Hannah's Daughters series but plan to catch up on the others this summer. There are eight in total! You don't need to have read any of the others to enjoy Hannah's Courtship though Miller does a wonderful job of giving loyal readers a glimpse into the married lives of all the Yoder Girls. A lovely tribute to a great series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Hannah's Courtship 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 25  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Sincerely Yours : a Novella Collection

GIVEAWAY

KIRKPATRICK, JANE
CABOT, AMANDA
EAKES, LAURIE ALICE
SHOREY, ANN
SINCERELY YOURS : A NOVELLA COLLECTION

Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.
Spanning a century and a continent, these romantic novellas will lead you on a journey through the landscape of love. Four young women find their lives altered after each receives a letter that sets her on a new path. From a Hudson River steamboat to a lush drawing room, from a carousel carver's workshop to a remote hospital, you'll be swept into the lives of women who are making their way in the world and finding love where they least expect it.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
Camilla Renfrew is a highborn English lady fleeing false accusations when she runs smack into love on a steamboat bound for the new Erie Canal. But can this unexpected attraction survive the treacherous journey?

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
Marigold Montgomery Bentley writes marriage advice for Kipler's Home Weekly even though she is single. Everyone assumes from the initials that "M. M." is a man. When the editor asks to meet Mr. Bentley, can Merrie come up with a ruse to keep her writing job?

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Lorraine Caldwell will lose her family fortune to a reckless cousin if she doesn't marry quickly. When she learns her long-lost brother is alive, she hopes she's found the answer to her problems. What she finds instead is a mysterious carousel carver who turns her life upside down.

A Saving Grace by Jane KirkpatrickGrace Hathaway must rescue a dear friend from a remote and notorious clinic that promises healing but delivers only heartache. In a place laced with deceit, where lives hang in the balance, whom can she trust to help her?

My Review:

A classic novella collection. Great authors deliver timeless stories brimming with delightful historical details and captivating romance.

While I enjoyed the letter angle that binds these stories together I was struck by another similarity that resonated with me even more. Each story explores the historical expectations placed on women. The heroines chafe against the restrictions of the day in order to make their way in the world. It's mind blogging when contrasted to our modern day viewpoints. As much as I love to read historical fiction, I wouldn't want to live there!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sincerely Yours : a Novella Collection 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 25  2014. 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."

---

May Giveaway - Week Three

 

 

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:

Until I Found You

GIVEAWAY

BYLIN, VICTORIA
UNTIL I FOUND YOU

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life: “God, if you’re real, I want to know you.”

It’s Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate’s rescue. Nick is handsome, confident, and seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She’s not planning to fall in love with one of the locals.

Nick Sheridan is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn’t expect to be swept off his feet by the car’s occupant. He’s made a vow: no dating for a year. And it’s a vow he intends to keep in spite of his attraction to Kate Darby . . .

My Review:

Relatable characters in the midst of realistic struggles anchor this incredible story. If you like Real with a capital R in your fiction, this is the book for you. The action packed opening (which is also symbolic of Nick and Kate's relationship) took my breath away.

I love the way their stories unfold -- gritty, raw, but inevitably hope-filled.  By the time we meet him, Nick has made a radical life change and he's making valiant attempts to prevent a repetition of past mistakes. Loved that about him. Absolutely flawed, but knowing he can be better by the grace of God. Kate, on the other hand, is a lost soul, yearning to fill the emptiness inside with all the wrong things. We live her struggle right along with her and get to break out in the Alleluia chorus when she finally 'gets' it...but not without a lot of angst-riddled moments along the way.

Probably the most authentic fictional 'coming to Christ story' I've ever read. These are real people with messy lives and conflicting desires. Kate in particular, wants absolute control in everything. She's scared of letting go, trusting God. I can totally relate to that. The inspirational thread doesn't dominate the story though, rather it lifts it up as it completes diverse lives.

And a side note: Loved Kate's grandma, Leona. Her story is honest and triumphant in the midst of all manners of affliction. She's the epitome of "I have fought a good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith." And there's more realism there because as faith-filled as Leona is, she hasn't met all her challenges with complete grace and trust.

Simply an awesome read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Until I Found You  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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 18  2014. 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". 

Treasure Point Secret

GIVEAWAY

VARLAND, SARAH
TREASURE POINT SECRET

Perilous pursuit

It's been five years since Shiloh Evans encountered the murderous gold hunters seeking Blackbeard's hidden stash. After they killed her policewoman cousin, Shiloh left town to regroup, and earn her own police badge. Because she would see this case solved—someday. She just didn't expect the killers to attack her new home in Treasure Point, Georgia…on the same day her ex-fiancé arrived in town. Adam Cole has tried to overcome his love for Shiloh. But he won't just sit by when she's in danger. Working together, they plan a trap. But springing it requires getting to centuries-buried treasure before the killers get to them.

My Review:

Who can resist a story about buried treasure? And pirate treasure at that! Spice it up with a delectable romance and enough danger to keep you looking over your shoulder for the duration of the book and you get a winner of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Treasure Point Secret  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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 18  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

One Perfect Spring

GIVEAWAY

HANNON, IRENE
ONE PERFECT SUMMER

Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.

My Review:

Magical. There's something so appealing about a story that revolves around a child's innocent request. Hannon's ability to develop vivid characters that leap off the page make this the kind of read you want to linger over. Masterful storytelling expertly knit diverse lives together in a powerful way. It's a thrilling plot that left me stunned by an unexpected revelation. I laughed, I cried and I worried over Claire and Keith and David and Maureen and young Haley who started it all.

A charming tale that will linger with you long after you've read the last word.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of One Perfect Summer 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 18  2014. 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."

May Giveaway - Week Two

 

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:

Wyoming Promises

GIVEAWAY

MOUNTAIN, KERRI
WYOMING PROMISES

A Place to Call Home

Traveling through the Wyoming wilderness, all Bridger Jamison wants is a job and a safe haven for his brother. Finding work with the lovely Lola Martin solves at least one of his problems. And the charming town of Quiver Creek seems like the perfect place to start a new life.

A string of mysterious deaths has the town—and Lola—on edge. She isn't sure what to make of the new man in town. But she can't help trusting the handsome carpenter who shows such tenderness toward his brother. When secrets come to light, Lola must put her faith in the man who's stolen her heart, or risk letting a perfect love pass her by….

My Review:

Absorbing read. I really liked the twists the author created to bring a fresh perspective to this frontier romance. Lola's unusual occupation and secret desire give this story an interesting spin. :-) And Bridger isn't without his own secrets. Sure does complicate things. Add in an intriguing mystery with a truly slime ball villain and you end up with a page-turning read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Wyoming Promises 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 11  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Meant to Be Mine

GIVEAWAY

WADE, BECKY
MEANT TO BE MINE

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

My Review:

Astonishingly good! Mind boggling, actually. I about devoured this book in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. Wade has such a way with characters. They are real, flawed and completely relatable.

I really empathized with Celia. I felt like I was right there, in her skin, feeling absolutely everything from outrage to hurt to desperation. And I actually joined her in a good crying jag. I still have the stuffy nose to prove it!

Ty is the most frustrating/adorable hero I've ever met. He's totally incorrigible. A major flirt. Completely self-absorbed (when we first meet him) in a generous kind of way...if that makes any sense. If it doesn't, you just need to read the book to understand. But he hurt Celia terribly...really, really, really hurt her. I felt the knife plunge through my heart so I know. Watching him grow was both exasperating and euphoric.

Meant to Be Mine has one of the best inspirational threads I've ever read. Honest and raw and uplifting all at the same time. This should definitely be on your summer reading list and be sure it makes its way to the top of your TBR pile lickety-split. It's was so good I might just read it again.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Meant to Be Mine 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 11  2014. 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".

Family in Hiding

GIVEAWAY

HANSEN, VALERIE
FAMILY IN HIDING

Till death to us part?

When her estranged husband Dylan's inadvertent dealings with a crime ring bring danger to her doorstep, Grace McIntyre has no choice but to follow him into the witness protection program. To safeguard her children, they must all go into hiding as one big happy family. Grace doesn't know what's worse—having to pretend she's in love with the man who betrayed her trust or keeping ahead of the killers. In hiding, Dylan is all that stands between their safety and certain death. Now more than ever, he wants to be the man that Grace once loved. Keeping his family alive is his only hope—to be a hero and a husband.

My Review:

This is second to last book in this continuity series and it really sets the stage for the big reveal in the last one. We need to bust this baby snatching ring in the worst way! :-)

Family in Hiding explores the day to day reality of being in the witness protection program. I found that part really fascinating. How Grace and her children have to give up everything and start over with absolutely no notice. Their lives change from one minute to the next. And being stuck living a 'fake' life with your estranged husband just adds insult to injury. It does provides lots of fodder for developing an angst-riddled romance though! Loved the tension between those two. I also loved the inspirational thread -- forgiveness is intricately woven throughout the story in so many different ways.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Family in Hiding 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 11  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Silenced

GIVEAWAY

PETTREY, DANI
SILENCED

Jake Knew Something Was Wrong.
But He Never Guessed How Wrong.

A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened sheriff Landon Grainger, he turns to Jake Westin for help. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the mystery will take him.

Kayden's climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.

My Review:

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do when this series is over and there is only one book left! One brother's story left to tell. Sniffle. I feel a mourning period coming on. I am so attached to the McKenna clan that I can't bear the thought of losing touch with them. Am I crazy? Probably, but happily so.

For readers who have not read any of the Alaskan Courage series, no worries that you'll feel left behind. Silenced reads well as a stand alone. However, die-hard fans will be thrilled to learn that they get to attend two McKenna weddings in this book. Two! Be still my giddy heart!

I have to confess that I have been waiting for Kayden and Jake's love story since...forever! Honestly, there were such choice bits between them in the other books that I was sure their story would be next and it never was. Talk about amping up the suspense! I found myself in the delectable dilemma of wanting to read slowly so I could savor every word and wanting to read like a speed demon because I just couldn't stand not knowing what was going to happen next!

Rich characterization drives this story. These characters live and breathe and bleed. I care for them more than my own family (slight exaggeration). I want to be adopted into their family (no exaggeration). A solid suspense plot with so many twists and turns I have whiplash put Kayden and Jake and the rest of the McKenna's through their paces until the explosive, nail-biting conclusion. This is the kind of book you feel bereft after finishing because you simply don't want it to end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Silenced 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 11  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this incredible book.

May Giveaway - Week One

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: