The Sea House

GIFFORD, ELISABETH
THE SEA HOUSE

Scotland, 1860.

Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child's fragile legs are fused together --- a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home --- but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.

Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.

 

My Review:

A raw and often gritty tale of survival, courage and, ultimately, hope.

Gifford is an exceptionally gifted wordsmith. She creates vivid scenes and heart wrenching emotions that compel a reader to enter her world and stay awhile. An intriguing story set in two different time periods, the author does a great job of blending past and present

The Sea House is told in first person narrative from three different characters' perspectives. Ruth, Moira and Alexander. All are connected to the mysteries surrounding the Sea House and I enjoyed the clever way the author meshed their stories together.

In present day Ruth struggles to suppress her tragic past, but the more she buries the horrors from her childhood, the more unpredictable and volatile she becomes. Irrational, consumed by fear, she hides a rash of insecurities behind a blustering bravado. I found a great parallel between Ruth's untamed spirit and the untamed land and sea that surrounds the Sea House. Just like Ruth, the house holds secrets and neither will be at peace until they are revealed.

While I found The Sea House to be a captivating story, I was disappointed to find profanity within its pages. A real shame because this talented author doesn't need to resort to swear words in order to convey emotion. Rather then upping the intensity, the swearing pulled me out of the story, I realize that this is a personal viewpoint and though others might feel differently, I am not comfortable doing a giveaway of this book.

I was given a review copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and the publisher.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/egifford

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

GIVEAWAY

GANSHERT, KATIE
A BROKEN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong.

 

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

My Review:

A Broken Kind of Beautiful is a rich testimony of God's everlasting, redeeming love. And it might just be a wake up call to many readers. Because Ivy is the kind of woman we like to judge. She's not particularly nice. In fact she's shallow, self-centered and uses her body as a weapon. Not an easy person to warm up too if you only look at the surface. Doesn't sound like a sympathetic heroine, right? Wrong!

Ganshert gives us glimpses into the reasons behind Ivy's brokenness from the very first time we meet her. And through the course of the book the author continues to peel away layer after layer of Ivy's protective façade, slowly revealing the lost child within.

Luckily Davis has a gift for looking beneath the glitz, glamour and games Ivy plays and what he sees is a desperate emptiness. An unsettled relationship develops between the two. Friends sometimes, wary adversaries most of the time. But though Davis is firm in his Christian convictions, he isn't perfect. He can't let go of past mistakes. There's a powerful scene about forgiveness that left me reeling. A huge 'aha' moment. I don't want to post spoilers so I won't say more but it's on page 240. Check it out when you're reading. (but don't skip ahead!)

A Broken Kind of Beautiful is so much more than just a love story between a man and a woman. It is also the redeeming love story of a Father and His beloved child. Honestly, I just wept through the last quarter of the book.

Ganshert has created a compelling story that would make an excellent read for a book club group. There is so much scope for discussion -- both literary and inspirational. A stunning novel that will challenge as much as entertain.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful 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 October 5 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

September 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 time frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Have a Happy Family by Friday

LEMAN, KEVIN
HAVE A HAPPY FAMILY BY FRIDAY

You really can have a happier home in just 5 days!Every member of a family plays a vital role in the health and happiness of the household. Everyone is important, deserves to be treated with love and respect, and needs to know that when they make mistakes they will still be loved unconditionally. And when every member of the family is pulling for each other and on the same team, everybody wins.

Is this kind of family life even possible?

Parenting expert and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman says it is, and he's ready to show you exactly how you can make it happen in your family--in just five days. He shows families how to

· communicate honestly and kindly
· prioritize the right things
· maintain great attitudes and behaviors
· determine the role each person plays in the family structure
· make family time count

As always, Dr. Leman's outstanding advice is laced with humor, great stories, and the wisdom that comes from a lifetime of experience.

If you've had it up to here with bickering, hurt feelings, and emotional exhaustion, Have a Happy Family by Friday is just what the doctor ordered.

My Review:

With his trademark sense of humour, Dr. Leman, tackles the often controversial subject of parenting. That well-known humour, partnered with compassion and wisdom make for an easy-to-read book packed with practical information.  He draws on his own personal experiences and includes numerous examples and scenarios that help illustrate each point. Dr. Leman breathes new life into sound principles. Presenting a fresh look at old-fashioned common sense, Have a Happy Family by Friday is a parenting guide that belongs in every home.

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

Lydia's Hope

Special Double Win Giveaway
 I'm celebrating my 1000th blog post this week!
Add the title of another Amish novel in your comment and if you win the draw you will win both books!

PERRY, MARTA
LYDIA'S HOPE

Three Amish sisters, separated when very young, know nothing about one another—until a long-held secret is revealed.
With no memory of her birth parents, or the tragic accident that took their lives, Lydia Beachy has always been grateful for the aunt and uncle who took her in and raised her as their own. Now a married woman with two sons, Lydia finds her life turned upside down when she discovers that she has two younger sisters: Susanna, who was adopted by an Amish family in another community, and Chloe, who was raised by their grandmother among the Englisch.

Angry and confused, Lydia first seeks out Susanna but stops short of telling her the truth. To track down Chloe, she enlists the help of a neighbor who has spent some years in the Englisch world. Meanwhile, Lydia’s husband, Adam, is keeping a secret of his own. Lydia yearns to be united with the sisters she has never known, but will revealing herself to them tear their lives apart…or enrich them beyond all imagining?

My Review:

What an excellent premise to build a story around. Such scope for emotional turmoil and there's plenty of it in Lydia's Hope. And I'm so thankful this is the first in The Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley series. Hoping that each sister gets her own story.

While Susanna and Chloe play significant roles in this book, it is really Lydia's story. She's the one who discovers she has sisters she didn't know about. She's the one who goes against counsel, including her husband's, to find her sisters. Such a tangled web of misunderstandings.

A compelling look into an Amish marriage. Adam struggles with the change he perceives in his wife. He wants to protect her from getting hurt and he's pretty sure that will be the end result if she finds her sisters. This is a love story inside the bonds of matrimony. Watching how Lydia and Adam navigate this rocky patch in their marriage and grow stronger in their faith and love because of it was truly inspiring.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Lydia's Hope 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 September 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Holiday Defenders

Special Double Win Giveaway I'm celebrating my 1000th blog post this week!
Add the title of another Christian novella collection in your comment and if you win the draw you will win both books!

GIUSTI, DEBBY
SLEEMAN, SUSAN
BAILEY, JODIE
HOLIDAY DEFENDERS

This holiday season, three military men of honor must do everything they can to save Christmas.

 

Mission: Christmas Rescue by Debby Giusti

 

On the run from a killer, Elizabeth Tate must accept U.S. Army captain Nick Fontaine’s protection for the sake of her young niece and nephew. Now her life is in the hands of the very man who broke her heart years ago.

 

Special Ops Christmas by Susan Sleeman

 

Researcher Claire Reed’s top-secret project is stolen, putting her at risk of being kidnapped to unlock it. Her undercover bodyguard—her former love, Green Beret Travis Chapman—is on his most dangerous mission yet.

 

 Homefront Holiday Hero by Jodie Bailey

 

When someone tries to kill the daughter of a military official, U.S. Army Major Tyler Rainey must keep Meredith Walters from harm...while guarding his own heart against very unexpected feelings.

 

My Review:

 

These authors have done an amazing job of creating three exceptional suspense stories in a short novella length. Tight plots, intense suspense and a spark of romance make for three thrilling reads. All of them packed with gentle reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.And I love the military theme that binds these novellas together. Perfect reading to herald in the season.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Holiday Defenders 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 September 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Prelude for a Lord

Special Double Win Giveaway
I'm celebrating my 1000th blog post this week!
Add the title of another Christian historical fiction book in your comment and if you win the draw you will win both books!

ELLIOT, CAMILLE
PRELUDE TO A LORD

Bath, England 1810

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief ’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument … with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo .

My Review:

I am in Regency Heaven! From the clever title to the gorgeous cover right through to the final word...sheer bliss. The kind of read that makes you giddy with anticipation and has you skipping over pages with glee as the real world fades into oblivion. You're so convinced that you are in Regency England that you ring for the maid to bring you tea and cakes only when she doesn't show you come crashing back to reality with such velocity it hurts. It's that kind of absorbing read.

Alethea is a captivating heroine. Enough of a maverick to make her interesting without losing those oh-so-proper ladylike qualities a woman of genteel breeding must possess. :-) Dommick is her brooding hero. He's surrounded by a darkness that keeps him alluringly aloof. And then there's the mystery. The danger. A host of amazing secondary characters including a slimeball villain. And the romance...a fainting couch is a necessity for this read -- you'll be swooning that much!

Stunning and brilliant and too good to miss.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Prelude for a Lord 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 September 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

His Montana Bride

Special Double Win Giveaway
I'm celebrating my 1000th blog post this week!
Add the title of another Christian contemporary romance book in your comment and if you win the draw you will win both books!

MINTON, BRENDA
HIS MONTANA BRIDE

The Cowboy Gets Hitched!

Wrangling fifty brides and fifty grooms is not rancher Cord Shaw's idea of fun. But somehow he's in charge of the World's Largest Old-Tyme Wedding in Jasper Gulch, Montana. Thankfully good-natured bridesmaid Katie Archer has agreed to help him with the details. Twice burned, Cord has vowed never to lose his heart again. And yet, picturing sweet Katie in vintage silk and lace makes him wonder…. When a couple suddenly pulls out of the festivities, Cord and Katie are roped in to tie the knot! It's all for show, of course, but Cord begins to wish his make-believe bride could be his for real.

BIG SKY CENTENNIAL: A small town rich in history…and love

My Review:

Organizing one wedding is difficult enough -- but fifty? All at one time?! What a brilliant plot twist for a romance. Add in a beguiling heroine who is used to playing second fiddle to her sister and a hero who has a checkered romantic past. Neither is willing to risk their hearts on something as illusive as love. So, of course, it's positively logical to turn them into wedding planners...for fifty couples! Fun and mayhem ensues.. Not to mention touching scenes where Cord and Katie are at their most vulnerable. Another stellar book in this continuity series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of His Montana Bride 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 September 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Hidden in the Stars

Special Double Win Giveaway
I'm celebrating my 1000th blog post this week!
Add the title of another Christian romantic suspense book in your comment and if you win the draw you will win both books!

CARROLL, ROBIN
HIDDEN IN THE STARS

Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.

Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?

My Review:

 Fast-paced action and an intriguing mystery had me riveted from the very first page. I barely had time to catch my breath. And what an innovative way to incorporate the quilt theme into the story! Not to mention the clever title tie-in. Love that attention to detail. The complex plot is steeped in suspense and romance and kept me on tenterhooks as I tried to stay a step ahead of the brutal killers stalking Sophia. Thrilling to the very last word.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Hidden in the Stars 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 September 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press for a review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/rcaroll



September 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 time frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Double Win Giveaway - Sept. 22 -26

Win a copy of the book reviewed AND a book of your choice (same genre). Here's how it works:

I'll be reviewing 5 genre specific books this week: historical, contemporary, suspense, Amish and novellas. When you leave a comment to enter a giveaway, include the title of another book in the same genre. If your name is drawn you will win both books.

For example: On Monday I'll be reviewing Robin Carroll's Hidden in the Stars. Just add the title of another Christian suspense book in your comment and if you win the draw, you will receive both books!

Easy Peasy -- right? Just remember that your 'add-on' book must be the same genre as the giveaway book I am reviewing. You may include books with release dates up to the end of October. And keep suggested titles Christian fiction.

Looking forward to having some fun this week as I celebrate my 1000th blog post. See you through the week!

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days

GERTH, HOLLEY
WHAT YOUR HEART NEEDS FOR THE HARD DAYS

We all have days that make us want to pull the covers back over our heads and eat a dozen cupcakes.

Thankfully, Jesus said we don't "live on bread alone"--that includes cupcakes--"but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). What we really need is truth.

If you're tired, discouraged, or feel a little empty inside, my prayer is that by the end of our time together, you'll be refreshed and nourished in a way that will sustain you through whatever the future may hold.

Remember, you're not alone, my friend.
In this uplifting book, Holley Gerth invites you to be filled with the strength, peace, and joy that come from God's promises. Each of the 52 devotions based on the Psalms will help you remember that God is good and we're all in this together.

My Review:

Holley has a gift for giving out reality checks. She does it with kindness and gentleness and compassion, but she doesn't pull any punches. She tells the truth with the reminder that God's love will always surround you. Simple words of truth that we all need to hear. Each devotion speaks to a real issue in a relatable manner while highlighting a scripture from Psalms. She also provides space for contemplation and prayer at the end of each devotion. This author is blessed with the ability to offer comfort and hope for those hard days we all struggle with. 

"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".

A Home for Her Family

GIVEAWAY

CARMICHAEL, VIRGINIA
AT HOME FOR HER FAMILY

The Millionaire and the Mechanic

Never in a hundred years does Sabrina Martinez expect to volunteer at the Downtown Denver Mission with someone like handsome businessman Jack Thorne--let alone become friends with him. She's grown up in a broken home and is even more surprised to discover an heir to a fortune is interested in a girl like her. But Sabrina can't let anything distract her--not even love. She's battling for custody of her nieces and there's nothing more important than that. Jack wants to help, but the divide between him and Sabrina seems impossibly wide. Can they learn to see past their differences, and give themselves a chance at true love--and a real family?

My Review:

An eye-opening reality check of a read. Carmichael has created a memorable setting in the Downtown Denver Mission. It creates lots of scope for thought provoking plots dealing with real issues like poverty and prejudice and how they affect families. But the Mission holds a lot of hope too -- in the people who live and work and volunteer there. This is the third book in the series and I loved catching up with characters from the first and second books. No need to have read the other two though, A Home for Her Family is a standalone read. I just get a kick out of catching a glimpse of old friends from previous books.

Jack meets his match when Sabrina walks into his life. They have a great opening scene. Fireworks and laughter. Absolutely perfect. But Jack is a bit too brash, too eager to leap in and fix everything. Sabrina's a whole lot wary and definitely prickly. If she were an animal she'd be a porcupine. Jack would be a cuddly ol' bear. So you can see how a romance between the two might be a wee bit complicated. :-) Luckily I like a healthy does of angst with my romance and that's what the author delivers in this heartwarming love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Home For Her Family 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 September 21 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Where Treetops Glisten

GIVEAWAY

GOYER, TRICIA
PUTMAN, CARA
SUNDIN, SARAH
WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime 
Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories,
filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In Cara Putman’s White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for a future?

My Review:

What?! I can see your minds whirling in confusion. A Christmas book already? It's only September. To which I say, it's never too early for Christmas fiction when it is as exceptional as this one! The collaboration of three talented authors of this calibre promises immense satisfaction. Rest assured,  they deliver in this stunning novella collection that celebrates the real meaning of Christmas.

I can't pick out my favourite story. In fact, each novella is so well meshed with the others that Where Treetops Glistens reads as fluidly as novel. The continuity in the Turner family and the town they live in is seamless. Gave me the feel of getting to read a three book series one after the other. Talk about reader gratification!

The Word War II setting brings a special poignancy to each story. I don't know if it's because so much of my Christmas traditions are anchored in classic movies from that era, but the hope of Christmas seems more magical somehow. The romance stirs me more. Life in general seems more vibrant because so many lives are in peril. Goyer, Putnam and Sundin deliver compelling stories that honor the season and the brave Americans who lived their lives to the fullest despite crushing odds. Where Treetops Glisten is the kind of read that will herald in the warmth of the season and leave you basking in its glow right through to Christmas.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Where Treetops Glisten 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 September 21 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Waterbrook Press for a review copy of this book.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/glisten

The Guy Next Door

GIVEAWAY

TIPPENS, MISSY
THE GUY NEXT DOOR

From Friend to…Fiancé?

Stalwart and steady, Darcy O'Malley has been by Luke Jordan's side since childhood. She has seen him through trials and tragedies, romances and breakups. They've been everything to each other—except boyfriend and girlfriend. Why ruin a good thing? What Luke can't explain, however, is why suddenly Darcy's presence is making his heart beat so hard. Something has changed since he left Appleton, and it's making him uneasy. Is it possible his best friend is meant to be something more? Dare he risk their perfect friendship in the hopes of finding his perfect wife?

My Review:

I get such a kick out of friendship-to-romance stories. There's such a depth to the relationship because they know each other so well. And it ups the angst factor because I know how right the hero and heroine are for each other but they are so afraid of messing up their friendship they keep hesitating. And that's pure reading torture which, of course, makes me keep turning pages.

The Guy Next Door is that kind of read. Delicious torment from beginning to end. :-) Darcy lacks confidence where her best friend is concerned. She's harbored feelings for him since high school but fear holds her back from doing anything about it. Dear, dunderheaded Luke is struggling in much the same way, but he's denying the attraction exists at all. Or at least keeps talking himself out of it. He's the kind of alpha male who wants to sweep in and fix everything. Only he doesn't always stop and consult with the people he's 'fixing'. Complications abound over some of his unfortunate conclusions.  An engaging read with enough twists and turns to keep a reader squirming until the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Guy Next Door 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 September 21 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The River

THE RIVER

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE RIVER

She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier . . . a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.
           
A line I can't move beyond...
The River

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo?

My Review:

Fascinating study of a fractured Amish family as they struggle to overcome past hurts. Tilly and Ruth are on the outside looking in, yearning for a close relationship with their parents and siblings without giving up their lives as Englishers. It's a delicate balance that few manage to achieve. Every member of the family reacts to the young women differently. Kindness and condemnation make their homecoming an emotional one.

Tilly has the most difficult time and I championed her from the very beginning. A tenuous relationship with her father continues to decline and culminates in an astonishing revelation. The author figuratively hit me over the head with a two-by-four. I'm still reeling. A spellbinding tale about family and faith and second chances.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The River 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 September 21 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.

A Light in the Wilderness

GIVEAWAY

KIRKPATRICK, JANE
A LIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS

Three very different women. One dangerous journey. And a future that seems just out of reach.Letitia holds nothing more dear than the papers that prove she is no longer a slave. They may not cause most white folks to treat her like a human being, but at least they show she is free. She trusts in those words she cannot read--as she is beginning to trust in Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant cattleman who wants her to come west with him.

Nancy Hawkins is loathe to leave her settled life for the treacherous journey by wagon train, but she is so deeply in love with her husband and she knows she will follow him anywhere--even when the trek exacts a terrible cost.

Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian, the last remnant of a once proud tribe in the Willamette Valley in Oregon territory. She spends her time trying to impart the wisdom and ways of her people to her grandson. But she will soon have another person to care for.

As season turns to season, suspicion turns to friendship, and fear turns to courage, three spirited women will discover what it means to be truly free in a land that makes promises it cannot fulfill. This multi-layered story from bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick will grip your heart and mind as you travel on the dusty and dangerous Oregon Trail into the boundless American West. Based on a true story.

My Review:

The kind of book that delves deep into your heart and urges you to make a difference.

Heroine Letitia is based on a real person and that makes this book all the more stirring. I was riveted from the very first page. Enraged, incensed, furious, disgusted...emotions seethed as I devoured her story. Freedom on paper meant very little to a black woman in the 1840s. My blood pressure is rising just thinking about it.

In fact, for all we like to romanticize the settling of the west, it was hardest on the women. They had very little choice but to follow their men. Submit and obey and don't complain. LOL. A 21st century woman would not have towed the line so complacently. Kirkpatrick gives a realistic, moving portrayal of what the westward trek was really like from a woman's perspective.

Letitia's story humbled me. Her unwavering faith in the Lord, her ability to persist despite unspeakable odds in order to achieve her dreams...well, she puts me to shame. A compelling story that will linger with you long after you reach the end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Light in the Darkness 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 September 21 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.
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September 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 time 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:

Aloha Rose

GIVEAWAY

CARTER, LISA
ALOHA ROSE

When Laney Carrigan’s adoptive parents encourage her as an adult to seek out her birth family, her only clue is the Lokelani quilt in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island, she battles fears of rejection from a family that abandoned her once before while her faith struggles to embrace God's love.

Along the path to her true heritage, she meets Hawaiian cowboy/helicopter pilot, Kai Barnes. Kai is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family against a woman he suspects of being nothing more than a gold-digger, but he finds himself drawn to Laney in spite of his reservations. He's spent his entire life seeking forgiveness from past mistakes and longs for a second chance at happiness. Laney’s painstaking journey to find restoration and a place to belong among the breathtaking allure of the Big Island will lead her closer to her past and maybe even something more.

My Review:

Lisa Carter has a gift with words that enables a reader to become totally lost in a story. It's in the rich descriptions which are never overdone but paint a vivid picture of people and places. It's in the  abundant dialogue so real and gritty and funny and even absurd at times. Just like real life. And it's definitely in the lush romance riddled with emotion of every conceivable kind. Honestly, I lived in Hawaii for a while. I love that kind of escape read.

This is a character driven story where Laney and Kai constantly struggle to find their footing -- not just with each other but with coming to terms with their individual pasts. Great fodder for conflict and there's plenty of that. Both are stubbornly clinging to old wounds which threaten their chance at happiness together. The heart of their story is finding -- and extending -- forgiveness and acceptance while moving forward in Christ.

A stunning read from beginning to end. Sweet perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Aloha Rose 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 September 13 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes

GIVEAWAY

ST. AMANT, BETSY
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND CUPCAKES

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself her is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana

My Review:

Lucas and Kat are friends. For years. You know -- easy relationship, lots of camaraderie. They can almost finish each other's sentences. Who wants to mess with that? The agony of knowing that Lucas is falling in love with Kat but doesn't want to tell her in case it wrecks their friendship and Kat is in love with Lucas but doesn't want to tell him in case it wrecks their friendship...oy...the tantalizing attraction zinging across every page. I was ready for them to kiss and declare undying love around page 18! What exquisite torture that it took nearly three hundred pages. Three hundred toe-curling, heart-palpitating pages.

I was an inanely blathering pile of mush by the end. Emotionally exhausted, with very few finger nails left and a permanent nervous twitch under my left eye. The lengths this reader will go to for a good book! And this book is more than good. It's if-you-don't-read-this-book-now-you-will-regret-it-the-rest-of-your-life good. I could say more. Wax poetic about complex characters, riveting plot, laugh out loud humour, emotional angst of every kind and a whole lot more but I'm not going to. Just. Read. The. Book.  'nuf said. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes 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 September 13 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Zondervan for my review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/alls-fair-in-love-and-cupcakes-betsy-st-amant