The Beauty of Grace : Stories of God's Love From Today's Most Popular Writers

CAMP, DAWN
THE BEAUTY OF GRACE : STORIES OF GOD'S LOVE FROM TODAY'S MOST POPULAR AUTHORS

In this hectic life, we all need a little peace, a little quiet, and a little beauty. Combining heartfelt stories from some of today’s foremost writers and bloggers with stunning photography of God’s incredible creation, The Beauty of Grace is your haven of calm contemplation amid the chaos.

This uplifting collection includes moving stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, and more from popular writers such as Jessica Turner, Lisa-Jo Baker, Holley Gerth, Ann Voskamp, Bonnie Gray, Tsh Oxenreider, Leeana Tankersley, Emily Freeman, Margaret Feinberg, and many others. Each story is accompanied by an uplifting Scripture verse, and the book includes Dawn’s stunning photos. Foreword by Holley Gerth.

If you’re in need of a little peace, a little quiet, a little beauty, find comfort in this: you’re invited to experience them all within the pages of this soul-stirring book.

My Review:

Stories to savour and a great accompaniment to daily devotionals. Though short, each personal story makes a powerful impact. Love the accompanying scripture or quote provided at the end of each one. Something to carry away with you as you go about your day. Conveniently grouped under themes like Surrender, Trust, Hope and Encouragement, this is the kind of book you don't necessarily read from beginning to end. It's fun to hop around in search of something that speaks to your here and now. And a great resource for Sunday School teachers or Home Church leaders. Definitely the kind of book you want to keep within easy reach since you'll want to refer to it again and again.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Would-Be Wilderness Wife

GIVEAWAY

SCOTT, REGINA
WOULD-BE WILDERNESS WIFE

The Kidnapped Bride Drew Wallin's youngest brother is determined to see him married - so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she's a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn't have time for distractions - he's too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own. Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew's matchmaking family, she'll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it's time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn't know she wanted! Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged - and bound to be grooms

My Review:

I'm loving this series! Would-Be Wilderness Bride is the second Frontier Bachelors story. Readers who have read The Bride Ship will be familiar with Catherine and a few of the secondary characters. No worries, though, this book reads perfectly well as a standalone but it does continue the story of the Mercer Brides in Seattle.

The shenanigans of Drew and his brothers put me in mind of that epic film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. There's humour aplenty as the conniving Wallin family decide they want Catherine as a daughter-in-law with Drew as the perspective groom. Both are resistant to the idea, but not to each other. Such a conundrum! A slightly sinister side plot balances the levity and provides a bit of intrigue. A powerful combination that kept me turning pages. Another winning read from this wonderful author and I am thrilled that Drew has so many brothers because that means there will be plenty more to come.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Would-Be Wilderness Wife 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 March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Beyond All Dreams

GIVEAWAY

CAMDEN, ELIZABETH
BEYOND ALL DREAMS

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?

My Review:

I'm still in a tizzy of euphoria after reading Beyond All Dreams. To say I loved it would be a huge understatement. I adored it! Found it brilliantly funny and heart-stopping romantical. There's even a page-turning mystery to solve. Delicious from beginning to end.

First off, I went into a librarian's swoon over the setting -- the hallowed halls of the Library of Congress. Be still my heart! You might need to have studied library science in order to get the thrill of that but Camden captured my feelings perfectly when I got to see the library through Anna's devoted eyes. "Even after six years, there were times Anna loved to stand in the aisles, awed by the immensity of the books towering above her. It was magical and magnificent. Amazing and inspiring. (p.6) No need to explain why this librarian felt an immediate connection to this heroine. :-)

Anna might be a librarian and she might even think she is mild-mannered but there's something about Luke Callahan that sparks her temper. The dialogue between the two is hysterical. Luke is used to bending wills and getting his way but he hasn't run into anyone like Anna before. Prim. proper and exacting as she is, she won't give an inch when she feels passionately about something. It's like Luke is struck by a bolt of lightning when he first meets her and he never recovers (thankfully.) And oh, mercy, but is he a romantic! And he goes after Anna with as much bluster and tenacity as he does in politics.

And though there's plenty of humour in this engaging story, there's a sinister undercurrent that surrounds Anna's quest for historical truth. That made this a really compelling read for me. Add in a profound inspirational thread on forgiveness and this book ticks all the boxes. I can sum it up best by using Camden's own words (a little out of context.) Magical and magnificent.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Beyond All Dreams 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 March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Hidden Agenda

GIVEAWAY

BARRITT, CHRISTY
HIDDEN AGENDA

To Catch a Killer

Trusting the wrong person had gotten his father killed. CIA agent Ed Carter isn't about to repeat the mistake. Pulling a gun on nurse Bailey Williams may not have been the smartest idea, but the beautiful caretaker is Ed's only suspect in the murder. Problem is, her vulnerable brown eyes claim innocence and set off his protective instincts. The spark between them is undeniable, but Bailey could never trust her life—or her heart—to a man who thinks her guilty. But when the real killer returns and threatens not just her but her family, Bailey must place her faith in the only man who can keep them from being silenced forever…

My Review:

A spy thriller that left me gasping in delight. There's something so sinister about a good spy story, isn't there? Hair-raising scenes kept me on edge as the suspense grew tauter until I didn't know what to expect next. And Bailey and Ed? Great romantic tension. Both keeping secrets, both suspicious of the other but undeniably attracted too. Hidden Agenda is page-turning read you won't want to miss out on.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Hidden Agenda 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 March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Twisted Innocence

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
TWISTED INNOCENCE

Holly Cramer's past choices have finally caught up to her, but she never expected them to endanger her baby.

Though Holly's stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily's father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family---she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he's a person of interest in a drug-related murder case.

Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller-the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he's innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can't trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself.

Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

My Review:

Stunning conclusion to a page-turning series. Blackstock's masterful touch is in every nuance of this story. From the gripping suspense to the gnarly lives of flawed people, she spins a riveting tale liberally laced with an impactful inspirational thread. Kudos to this author for sharing spiritual truths through her stories. This is only the second book I have read by Terri Blackstock, but both reads have touched me deeply -- both heart and soul. And the inspirational aspect of the story flows naturally, in no way preachy or stilted as can sometimes be the case. It just added a glorious new dimension to an already incredible read.

Twisted Innocence is the third book in the Moonlighter series but I think it would read well as a standalone. Mind you, the over-arcing suspense conclusion might be a bit of a spoiler if you plan to backtrack and read the first two.  Blackstock does a really good job of catching new readers up with overlapping storylines.

My thanks to Zondervan and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a review copy of this book.

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Twisted Innocence 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 March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Celebrate the series' final release by entering Terri's Nook giveaway!



Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on the Litfuse blog.



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Sabatoged

GIVEAWAY

PETTREY, DANI
SABOTAGED

Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey’s search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light.

Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits. Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank’s daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper’s bidding or she will die.

Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

My Review:

Sob! The Alaskan Courage Series is over! I don't know how I'll cope without any McKenna escapades to look forward to! I wonder if the author cried as many buckets of tears as I did when she reached the conclusion of this epic series. Sniffle. I still feel slightly waterlogged. In fact, as eager as I was to devour this book in one sitting I made it last...and last...and last. Took my time savoring every scene, taking reflective pauses often, closing the book and leaving pages unread in a desperate bid to keep the McKennas in my life a little bit longer. Seriously, you know when an author has talent when you feel compelled to pray for her characters. LOL

And, honestly, Sabotaged is a wonderful grand finale. The suspense is solid, the burgeoning romance between Reef and Kirra absolutely delicious and Pettrey provides plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of favourite heroes and heroines from previous books. And, be still my heart, she provides an exquisite scene at the very end that is sure to bring emotional closure to fans of this series. I can't thank her enough for that.

No worries for the few souls out there who haven't read any other books in The Alaskan Courage Series -- Sabotaged reads really well as a standalone. Guaranteed though, that once you have read it you'll be determined to backtrack and catch up with the rest of the McKenna clan. I can't say much more except if you love romantic suspense all five books in this series belong on your keeper shelf.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sabotaged 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 March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

February 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:

The Preacher's Promise



GIVEAWAY

HUGULEY, PIPER
THE PREACHER'S PROMISE

1866 – Oberlin, Ohio/ Milford, Georgia

 Devastated by her father’s death days after her triumphant graduation from Oberlin College, Amanda Stewart is all alone in the world. Her father’s unscrupulous business partner offers her an indecent proposal to earn a living. Instead, to fulfill a promise she made to her father, she resolves to start a school to educate and uplift their race. Sorting through her father’s papers, she discovers he had carried on a mysterious correspondence with a plantation in Milford, Georgia. She determines to start her teaching work with the formerly enslaved. However, when she arrives, the mayor tells her to leave. There’s no where for her to go.

Virgil Smithson, Milford’s mayor, blacksmith and sometimes preacher man with a gift for fiery oratory, doesn’t want anything to do with a snobby schoolteacher from up North. On top of everything else, the schoolteacher lady has a will hard enough to match the iron he forges. He must organize his fellow formerly enslaved citizens into a new town and raise his young daughter alone. Still, his troubled past haunts him. He cannot forget the promise he made to his daughter’s mother as she died—that their child would learn to read and write. If only he didn’t have secrets that the new schoolteacher seems determined to uncover.

 To keep the preacher's promise, Amanda and Virgil must put aside their enmity, unite for the sake of a newly-created community in a troubling age, and do things they never imagined. In the aftermath of the flood that was the Civil War, God set his bow upon the earth to show love and understanding for humankind. To reflect God’s promise, these combatants must put aside their differences and come together--somehow.

My Review:

Amazing debut novel that takes an entirely different look at the post Civil War South. I learned a lot, including that this time period is called the Reconstruction Era. Loved the fresh perspective of a former slave and free Northerner. Virgil is so closed and prickly. Pride and insecurity battle for prominence as he buries his attraction to the unexpectedly female school teacher. As far as welcoming committees go, he's the least friendly of them all. But Amanda has nowhere else to go and she's desperate to carry out the work her father had a passion for. Clash of wills, barbed comments and a whole lot of fun ensue.

My ire skyrocketed while reading a number of historical plot points. Freedom didn't come easily. In a way it was more of a mockery then anything else. Huguley brings all the injustice and hope and raw determination of this era to life in a most spectacular way. A riveting read.


GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Important to note: -- paperback copy available in US only. Ebook version available for international winner.

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Preacher's Promise 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 February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Trouble With Patience

GIVEAWAY

BRENDAN, MAGGIE
THE TROUBLE WITH PATIENCE

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with the restoration of a dilapidated boarding house in order to support herself. Despite her desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local sheriff with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: Patience needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse, and Jedediah needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But Patience gets more than she bargained for as she explores the depths of the "hanging lawman"--and finds both betrayal and love.

My Review:

First off, I'm excited about the theme in this new series, Virtues and Vices of the Old West. So much scope for the imagination! And Brendan starts it off with an intriguing virtue/vice combination. There was enough foreshadowing early on that I was cringing by the time I reached the midway point. Nerve wracking doesn't begin to describe it!

Patience and Jed are coming at life from two very different backgrounds. Clashing of wills is putting it mildly. Jed is the West's quintessential 'man with a past' hero. Definitely rough around the edges and grappling to find some hope in his future. Ironically though, it is Miss Patience who...well tried my patience and, in the end, I think she has the harder lesson to learn. There's some wonderful inspirational fodder in this wild west tale . That, along with the excitement of star-crossed lovers and cattle rustlers made this a page-turning read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Trouble With Patience 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 February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Always On My Mind

GIVEAWAY

WARREN, SUSAN MAY
ALWAYS ON MY MIND

After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

My Review:

Another gut wrenching read from this incredible author. I have to admit that some aspects of this story were really difficult for me to read. I started and stopped a couple of times before I buckled down and persisted with full reader commitment. But oh, what a bumpy ride! I wept my way through pages. Sobbed buckets actually. Had a permanently blotchy complexion for several days, thank you very much, Ms. Warren. Yes, I knew it would be that angst-riddled and is it pathetic of me to acknowledge that I loved every minute of it? (Mostly.)

Raina is so broken and lost. I ached for her. And poor Caspar -- laying himself open for all kinds of emotional pain. Oy. I think my heart suffered a hairline fracture over this one. But I love the Christiansen family so much that I persevered though my heart will never be the same again.

Also love the way Warren set up the next book! But there are still ramifications from this storyline that will carry over into future books. Oh, the delicious agony of it all. I really am a glutton for punishment, aren't I?

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Always On My Mind 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 February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Bracelet

GIVEAWAY

LOVE, DOROTHY
THE BRACELET

The mystery surrounding Celia's home in Savannah threatens her family reputation . . . and her very life.

Celia Browning is counting the days until her childhood sweetheart Sutton Mackay returns to Savannah after two years in Jamaica looking after his family's shipping interests. She's certain he will propose marriage, thus joining two of the city's most prominent families. But just as Sutton returns, an unsavory newspaper reporter arrives in town, determined to revive interest in the secret tragedies that occurred in the Browning mansion on Madison Square when Celia was a child.

A series of mysterious notes arrives at the house, followed by an anonymous gift--a bracelet imbued with a sinister message. Is it merely a coincidence, or is someone out to harm her?

As war clouds gather over Savannah and her beloved father's health worsens, Celia determines to uncover the truth about what really happened all those years ago.

Inspired by actual events in one of Savannah's most prominent 19th-century families, "The Bracelet "combines romance, rich historical detail, and breathtaking suspense as one young woman embarks upon a dangerous quest to free herself from her family's tragic past.

My Review:

A fascinating setting and captivating time period blend together to create an unusual mystery. I found the pre-war Southern politics intriguing (though unpalatable). I have definitely read more books with the North's perspective so the historical details of this Southern time period really added to the reading experience.

The story is told exclusively from Celia's point of view which is definitely a switch from the more common hero/heroine viewpoints I'm used to reading. I found I missed that masculine POV, though, and as a result, Sutton felt more like a secondary character to me. I'll admit that is partly our fearless heroine's fault. She's so intent on protecting her family's name and solving the mystery herself she gives Sutton little opportunity to rise up to the hero challenge. And she confides in all the wrong people which set my heart into palpitations a number of times. Such an infuriating minx.

I really enjoyed the mix of history and mystery. Historical details really shone through in the suspense plot and brought an added dimension to my armchair sleuthing. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Bracelet 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 February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

To Save Her Child

GIVEAWAY

DALEY, MARGARET
TO SAVE HER CHILD

In Search of Her Son

When a young boy goes missing from wilderness day camp, Alaskan search and rescue worker Josiah Witherspoon is on the case. The brooding ex-marine promises to find the child and return him to his worried mother. But he doesn't know that Ella Jackson has a secret past. One that could put them all in danger. When tensions mount, Ella needs to tell Josiah the truth—but she can't set aside her fears enough to trust him. Ella and Josiah are ready to risk their lives to save her son, but will they risk their hearts, as well?

Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day

My Review:

There are so many twists and turns in this story that you will need your own search and rescue canine to lead you safely to 'the end'. Suspense lurks on every page and things aren't always what they seem. I shouted warnings until I was hoarse but did the hapless heroine listen to any of them? Of course not. She blithely went on her merry way. Thankfully Josiah wasn't keen on letting her out of his sight. Loved the slow build of romance in the midst of all that suspenseful tension. And loving this Alaskan Search and Rescue series. So much fodder for future books! I can't wait for more from this exceptional author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of To Save Her Child 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 February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

February 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:

Nightshade

KENDIG, RONIE
NIGHTSHADE

Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

My Review:

First published in 2010, Nightshade began the popular Discarded Heroes series and, yes, I'm just getting around to reading it now. So many books so little time!

Nightshade is the tough and uncompromising story of a man who has lost everything that has meaning for him. That loss of purpose leaves him adrift while fueling a destructive anger he can't always control. It isn't a pretty story, but it is a real one. Kudos to Kendig for baring true to life experiences that are all too common for many of our returning heroes.

But this is a work of fiction after all, and Max is recruited to serve in a covert group made up of like-minded men. Global missions, brutal combat scenes and a tense plot kept me cringing. Nightshade missions are not for the faint of heart. I found it to be a pretty intense read from beginning to end leaving me in a quandary. I couldn't put it down, but I wanted to read a lot of it with my eyes closed. LOL.

 There is a secondary romantic thread -- not enough for me to identify this book as a romantic suspense though, It too is as gritty and raw as the relentless danger dogging their heels. In the midst of all the strife, Kendig weaves an incredible redemptive thread. Such a contrast to the circumstances surrounding Max. A difficult message for him to grasp which made it even more touching.  All in all, a pretty compelling read, though it was a bit too graphic for my personal taste.

Hidden Agenda

GIVEAWAY

HARRIS, LISA
HIDDEN AGENDA

Michael Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

This nonstop chase from taut suspense writer Lisa Harris will leave readers breathless as they race to connect the dots before it's too late.

My Review:

An explosive conclusion to the Southern Crimes series. I was on pins and needles waiting for this one to be delivered by Canada Post. I near swooned when I unpacked the box and saw it's shiny, spanking new cover. And oh, the smell of new paper and ink! And the thrill of carefully lifting up the cover and peeking inside. Just to read the first sentence, mind you. I still had another book to finish before I could start in on Hidden Agenda. Well, that one sentence became two and then three and pretty soon I was pages deep in romance and intrigue.

Harris hurdles her readers into the middle of danger that grows more desperate with every turning page. A cat and mouse kind of read with a sizzle of romance. Subterfuge abounds and danger lurks every where. The odds are insurmountable as the author expertly weaves plot threads into a rich tapestry of greed and loss and the hope of new love.

A little friendly readers advice: I think Hidden Agenda reads best as the conclusion of a three book series. It would totally make sense if you read it as a standalone however there are some wonderful secondary character nuances that you'll miss out on if you haven't read the first two books. And there's some former book suspense spoilers in this one. So, do yourself a favour and start with Dangerous Passages and Fatal Exchange before starting on this one.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Hidden Agenda 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 February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Homestead Brides Collection

GIVEAWAY

CONNEALY, MARY
MILLS, DIANN
VETSCH, ERICA
Y'BARBO, KATHLEEN
FRANKLIN, DARLENE
GADE, CARLA OLSEN
HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HILLMAN, PAM
WITHAM, BECCA
THE HOMESTEAD BRIDES COLLECTION

Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.

 

My Review:

 

Yes, you counted correctly. Nine authors equal nine stories in this wonderful collection that celebrates the pioneer spirit. I understand that novellas aren't every reader's cup of tea but I love the opportunity to meet new authors in this unique way. So this was definitely a win/win read for me. Not only did I get to bask in the glory of tried and true authors I can always count on to deliver a spellbinding story, but I'm thrilled to have new authors to add to my 'must read' arsenal.  

 

I will confess to finding nine novellas a bit daunting -- I usually prefer novella collections to be four stories or under -- but I wasn't about to miss some of my favourite authors' stories so I braved it out and am glad I did.

 

It wouldn't be practical to review each individual novella so I'll just give my overall impression. Think the Little House books for grownups. Gave me the same kind of thrill and fascination with a lovely dash of romance added in. I'm amazed anew at the backbone and courage of pioneer women and these stories are a lovely tribute to that heritage.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Homestead Brides 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 . 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 February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Pieces of Granite

GIVEAWAY

ANDERSON, BRENDA S.
PIECES OF GRANITE

A distressing diagnosis, a retreating husband, a prodigal brother

Debbie Verhoeven is not your typical woman.
*She sacrificed a counseling career to be a full-time mother.
*She’d rather pound a nail than round steak.
*Oprah? No way! Give her ESPN any day.
*Nothing could be more stressful than scrapbooking.

 Nothing, except … A distressing diagnosis, a husband who is pulling away, and two older brothers who refuse to get along. When the counselor is caught in the middle, when she needs to be strong for those around her, who is left to be strong for her?

My Review:

Anderson thrusts her readers into the gritty underbelly of family life and she doesn't mince words or shy away from the difficulties that complicate relationships. No worries though, because she gives equal time to the joys of those emotional connections as well. In fact, this book is a celebration of the highs and lows of ordinary living.

I love the depth in this author's writing style. The way her words compile to create compelling images that will stay with me for a long time to come. I discovered some profound gems in unexpected places. Like when Debbie takes her young daughter to a play group and Kaitlynn suffers an asthma attack. After the crisis has passed she urges her daughter to go back to her friends but the little girl stays close, clinging to her mother's hand. Anderson writes: "If only adults would remember to cling to God's hand when life threw its own coughing fit. Why did adults insist on going through hardships on their own?"

My reading stuttered to a stop as my mind pondered that question. It's one that Anderson poses over and over again as various characters are faced with difficult circumstances. Impossible choices. Conflicting opinions. More often then not they take control and forge ahead, hoping God will have their back. How very true to life. Pieces of Granite explores the consequences and ultimate freedom that comes from giving the control back to God.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:


PLEASE NOTE THAT PAPERBACK COPY AVAILABLE ONLY TO U.S. RESIDENTS. EBOOK VERSION AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Pieces of Granite 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 February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Remember the Lilies

GIVEAWAY

TOLSMA, LIZ
REMEMBER THE LILIES

Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor's office. She memorizes the parts she must black out and delivers it to wealthy nightclub owner Rand Sterling. Before she knows what's happening, she's drawn into a web of secrets and danger.

Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to reopen his nightclubs once the war ends. But slimy Frank Covey wants his hand in the till---and has news that could threaten Rand's reputation if it became public. More importantly, beautiful and intriguing Irene Reynolds cannot discover this information if he expects to persuade her to become his wife.

When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, they must learn the true meaning of forgiveness---if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.

My Review:

I have been enjoying the host of Christian fiction World War II novels released recently and Remember the Lilies is another one going straight onto my keeper shelf. It's an absorbing look into a very different aspect of the war and I really appreciated the fresh perspective.

Tolsma has done her research and brings the past to life in all it's brutal desperation. This is a gripping read I found hard to put down...in places. Mind you, at other times I couldn't close the book quickly enough to shut out the atrocities that burned heartbreaking images into my mind. This novel showcases both the very best and the very worst of humanity. A stunning tribute to the courage and tenacity of internment camp survivors.

Rand and Irene's love story takes on a surreal quality set as it is against the stark background of a World War II internment camp. They come from extremely different pre-war worlds -- his steeped in wealth and privilege -- hers in a life of faith and service. They approach survival in the Santos Tomas camp in very different ways but as time passes, emotions and values shift and they find themselves gravitating towards one another. The incongruity of romance in the midst of such depravity sharpens the emotional impact of their story.

A beautiful celebration of courage and honour and commitment to a God who has plans beyond our own understanding.

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for my review copy of this book.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/ltolsma

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Remember the Lilies 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 February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Help Liz celebrate the release of Remember the Lilies with a Kindle Fire giveaway! 
  Winner will be announced at Liz's Remember the Lilies Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and WWII fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!   
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!

Falling for Texas

GIVEAWAY

LYNN, JILL
FALLING FOR TEXAS

Educating the Cowboy

Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn't easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister's grades and attitude, Cash realizes he's facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn't date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia's quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that'll last a lifetime?

My Review:

There's something about a cowboy hero, isn't there? And Cash is the epitome of all that is good in a cowboy. He's rooted in the land and small town life and dedicated to family. He's honorable and trustworthy and honest. Pretty hard to resist even for a woman like Olivia who is determined to avoid romantic entanglements. There's a sweet push/pull to their encounters as they try to resist the 'untimeliness' of their attraction. Lynn has crafted a fresh love story with a wonderful blend of laughter and drama and a poignant inspirational thread that really touched my heart. An amazing debut novel. Definitely looking forward to more excellent reads from this author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Falling for Texas 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 February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!