Forgiven : a School Shooting, a Mother's Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace

GIVEN

ROBERTS, TERRI
WINDLE, JEANETTE
FORGIVEN : A SCHOOL SHOOTING, A MOTHER'S LOVE, AND A STORY OF REMARKABLE GRACE

After a son does the unthinkable, how can a mother go on?On October 2, 2006, a gunman entered an Amish one-room schoolhouse, shooting ten girls, killing five, then finally taking his own life. This is his mother's story. Not only did she lose her precious son through suicide, but she also lost her understanding of him as an honorable man. It was a trauma that none should ever have to face.

But the biggest headlines came when her Amish neighbors did the unimaginable, reaching out to the family of the shooter with comfort and forgiveness. Today Terri lives in harmony with the Amish and has built lasting relationships beyond what anyone could have thought possible. From the grace that the Amish showed Terri's family from day one, to the visits and ongoing care Terri has given to the victims and their families, no one could have foreseen the love and friendship that have been forged from the fires of tragedy.

My Review:

From bitterness comes grace. A gut-wrenching account of what happened before and after the horrific shooting that changed so many lives. This compelling read portrays forgiveness the way God meant it to be. It is by no means an easy thing -- for the person extending forgiveness or even the one receiving it. In fact, when you take in the dire circumstances this Amish community experienced, it's next to impossible to comprehend such an all encompassing act of forgiveness.

With unfailing courage, Roberts bears her soul in order to share the power that came from this remarkable grace. It broke through unspeakable pain and deep sorrow, bringing the light of Christ-like love -- a healing balm that brought hope to all touched by this tragedy. And now, this book, spreads that message out into the world.

A transforming read that challenged me to take a deeper look at what forgiveness means to me.

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  Forgiven please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rancher for the Holidays

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, MYRA
RANCHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Her Could-Be Cowboy

Downsized from his corporate job, Ben Fisher's donning boots and a cowboy hat to try ranching through the holidays on his uncle's spread. The handsome city slicker turns heads wherever he goes—but he soon begins to fall for one special redhead. Marley Sanders has the work-obsessed bachelor doing the unthinkable—volunteering in the community and dreaming of wedding bells and babies. But his sweet country girl insists she's never leaving Alpine, Texas, and he's set to ride out
with the first job offer. Unless Marley can convince him to take the job of her forever cowboy.

My Review:

You know that moment in a book when a character does something so infuriating you want to shriek and box his ears? Yeah, well there's one of those moments in this book. And I'm pointing my finger right at Ben. He's lost his faith and his purpose in life. Alpine is just supposed to be a place to hang out until he gets things sorted out. But fate conspires against him and it soon becomes clear that maybe God has other plans and they might just involve a vivacious and somewhat reticent photographer. A tentative friendship has the potential to develop into something so much more -- if both Marley and Ben have the faith to accept the challenges along the way.

And faith is the key to the compelling inspirational thread. Faith to extend forgiveness, to resist the temptation to judge and most of all, faith to believe in the healing power of Christ's atonement. All seamlessly woven into a captivating love story that makes the perfect holiday read.
             
 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Rancher for the Holidays please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Respectable Actress

GIVEAWAY

LOVE, DOROTHY
A RESPECTABLE ACTRESS

When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

My Review:

Sheer brilliance! I love the mix of historical romance and suspense and Dorothy Love has done a superb job of blending the two.  The plot twists have plot twists and the surprises don't stop until the very end. A breathtaking tale of intrigue -- both past and present -- kept me riveted the whole read through. There are even some Gothic elements to this story. Definitely an abundance of delight for suspense lovers.

Fascinating historical details make the read all the richer -- many of them inspired by real life incidents. The author has definitely done her homework and brings history to life in a captivating way. I especially enjoyed the insights into the early days of theatre life. And for fans of courtroom dramas, A Respectable Actress has some compelling courtroom scenes.

I have to admit to being surprised to find the absence of any kind of faith thread since this book was published by Thomas Nelson. One of the reasons I read Christian Fiction is for the uplifting inspirational threads expertly woven into the stories. I find I am continuously being disappointed by this publisher in this regard. That being said, I do feel that A Respectable Actress is a captivating read though I wouldn't classify it Christian Fiction.

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

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dlove

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Respectable Actress please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Dangerous Tidings

GIVEAWAY

MENTINK, DANA
DANGEROUS TIDINGS

Searching for the truth...

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Brent Mitchell wants only one gift for Christmas: to find his sister. When he discovers that her disappearance is tangled with the death of private eye Bruce Gallagher, he joins forces with Bruce's daughter Donna to investigate. Grieving Donna is as tough as the determined military man, and both will stop at nothing to find the truth. But the duo soon discovers that a murdered father and a missing sister merely top a looming pyramid of secrets on Coronado Island. Deadly secrets. These unlikely partners have vowed to stick together until their most important case is closed, but they may pay with their lives.

My Review:

A captivating suspense that kept me guessing right to the end. Incredibly well paced, Mentink delivers tantalizing clues that don't quite come together...or do they? I was making reckless accusations by the end -- pretty sure every character mentioned and a host of others were all villains. LOL

Raw emotions sharpen the developing romance. Donna is grieving the loss of her father. Brent is worried about his sister's disappearance. Thrown together to solve the mystery, they are drawn together on an almost elemental level. There's some great faith discussions and a lot of pain-riddled angst to work through though and that, along with the aforementioned stunning suspense, made for one page-turner of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Dangerous Tidings please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Ribbons & Roses : Heartwarming & Sweet Contemporary Romance Duo

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
ROSS, MIA
RIBBONS & ROSES : HEARTWARMING & SWEET CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE DUO

No matter where you live, or what time of year it is, romance brings its own special brand of warmth to any occasion, so join multi-published authors Ruth Logan Herne and Mia Ross as they treat you to smaller helpings of what they do best: write sweet, feel-good fiction, the kind that makes you say "aww...". The kind where dreams really do come true!

My Review:

For the Love of Sophie June by Ruth Logan Herne -- A case of mistaken identity makes for a rocky start to this special romance. It doesn't take long for Deputy Wade Prescott to figure out that single mom Carrie Sullivan is a force to be reckoned with -- a beautiful force of kindness and light and a huge dose of spunk. And little Sophie June is just like her mama. A matching set of feminine wonder that draws Wade close. An upbeat romance filled with love and laughter and an abundance of Ruthyisms.

Sweet Home Carolina by Mia Ross -- Football hero Luke Morrow returns to his small-town roots to recover from an injury and to rethink his life. He doesn't expect to find his high school sweetheart, Carolina Jean (CJ) right where he left her over a decade ago. CJ is the perfect antidote for his jaded psyche. She's funny and compassionate and refreshingly blunt. A sweet second chance love story that will leave your heart aflutter.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
Please note: available in ebook format only.

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Ribbons & Roses please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Secrets She Kept

GIVEAWAY

GOHLKE, CATHY
SECRETS SHE KEPT

The secret a mother was forbidden to share . . . the consequences a daughter could not redeem—but will risk everything in her attempt.

All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah unlocks secrets of her mother’s mysterious past, including the discovery of a grandfather living in Germany.

Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father, ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, demands a marriage for his daughter to help advance his career. But Lieselotte is in love—and her beloved Lukas secretly works against the Reich. How far will her father go to achieve his goal?

Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who hides wartime secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past, and how their legacy will shape her future.  

My Review:

Magnificent. Shocking. Mesmerizing. I'm stunned, grappling for words to describe the breadth and depth of this story. The emotional impact it has made on me. The spiritual awakening that has stirred my soul. I blink back tears and swallow against the lump in my throat as my heart burns with equal measures of untold sorrow and joy-filled hope.

Hannah and Lieselotte's stories are told in a canny two part harmony until the moment the past and present collide in a crescendo of a climax.  Impeccably paced, the author slips back and forth in time, leaving me hanging on every word. And I think I felt every emotion imaginable during my reading journey. I feel rather shell-shocked at the conclusion. The kind of worn-out peace that comes after a good long crying-jag.

This is not a book to read lightly. It is the kind that makes a powerful impact. Leaves a lasting impression. Compels you to examine the state of your heart and your faith. Simply stunning.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Secrets She Kept please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

October 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:

Surviving the Storm

GIVEAWAY

WOODHAVEN, HEATHER
SURVIVING THE STORM

High-stakes reunion

After witnessing her boss's murder, Aria Zimmerman isn't sure she'll make it to safety. She would already be dead if it weren't for her ex-boyfriend David McGuire. Now she and David are in a race for their lives on the rugged Oregon coast. If their enemies don't get them, the elements will. With a lethal tsunami bearing down on them, Aria has no time for regrets and little hope of reconciliation with her former love. Her only wish is that they live long enough to avenge an innocent man's death…  

My Review:

A *MacGyverish flare brings an extra zest to this page-turning romantic suspense. Fraught with danger, each page brings a new surprise. There's action aplenty, a rekindled romance and subtle hints of humour. All conspire to make this gripping story an unforgettable read.

*For those of you who aren't familiar with the MacGyver reference -- it's from a series by the same name which aired in the late eighties, early nineties about a special agent who had an uncanny knowledge of the physical sciences which he used to create devices out of ordinary items to help him get out of dangerous situations.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Surviving the Storm 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 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Two Roads Home

GIVEAWAY

RANEY, DEBORAH
TWO ROADS HOME

Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans’ son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington’s friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless—and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk. With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?

My Review:

Book Two in the Chicory Inn series continues the Whitman family saga with the emphasis on oldest daughter Corinne and her husband Jesse. You don't need to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one but it sure was fun to renew acquaintances with the whole extended family.

When I saw this title I immediately thought of Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken. You know the part where it says two roads diverged in the woods and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference? Well, that so aptly applies to Corinne and Jesse's journey in Two Roads Home.

This is the incredibly complex love story of a married couple. Raney portrays the harried stress of day-to-day family life with exacting precision. But these two have to face much more than the typical stressors of our fast-paced world and that makes this an utterly compelling read. Their trust in each other is sorely tested.  Emotional, funny, exasperating by turn, I didn't want to put this book down.

A rollercoaster of a read with plenty of emotional turmoil but Raney manages to wrap it all up with love and laughter and the renewing hope that comes from an abiding faith.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Two Roads Home 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 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Now & Forever

GIVEAWAY

CONNEALY, MARY
NOW & FOREVER

Matthew Tucker survives a grizzly attack by jumping over a cliff into a rushing river. Unexpectedly, Shannon Wilde takes the plunge with him. Going through a series of waterfalls and rapids turns into a bonding experience.

By the time they battle their way back to civilization, Shannon has been thoroughly compromised, and only a wedding will do. A mountain man who loves to wander in the wilderness far from other people finds himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As they learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone evil clearly wants to drive them off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even Matthew never expected.  And the tongue-in-cheek chapter endings made it impossible to stop reading.

My Review:

Mary Connealy is in a league of her own when it comes to spinning tall tales of epic proportion. The action-packed opening scene in Now & Forever grabbed my attention and sent me careening on a wild and sometimes whacky adventure right along with Shannon and Tucker.

Let's pause a moment and exude a few swoony sighs over this hero. A blustering, tough-as-nails mountain man who has the capacity to utter sweet love words made all the sweeter because it's so uncharacteristic for him. His wonder over discovering what romantic love can bring to his secluded lifestyle is oddly sweet and so very endearing.

Shannon's a little leery of attaching herself to any man -- but this one in particular? Well, you might say their whirlwind 'courtship' is just that -- a whirlwind! Connealy humour at it's finest.

Incredible actions scenes had me alternately cringing and laughing out loud. Makes this the kind of book you just can't bear to put down. And if all that isn't enough, Connealy weaves in some stirring faith talk and tender nuggets of sheer poetry like this:

Tucker seemed to gather her up. That was all she could think of to explain it. She felt like she was falling apart, and he held her together so she wouldn't shatter. (p.260)

An exceptional read from one of my favourite go-to authors.

*This is Book Two of the Wild at Heart series. It reads perfectly fine as a standalone, but does contain carry over characters and overall set-up from the first book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Now & Forever 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 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Intertwined

GIVEAWAY

SLATTERY, JENNIFER
INTERTWINED

Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator finds herself in an altercation with a doctor. Now she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters an old flame facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, they soon discover their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance....or is it? This could this be where life begins again.

My Review:

Slattery sure knows how to put the real into realistic fiction. This book packs more than one emotional wallop that left me gasping for breath a time or two. And spitting-nails mad. My tummy was tied in knots the whole read. A gritty novel that explores some pretty harsh realities. But the story isn't without hope and the author does an exceptional job of sharing the power of Christ's redeeming love. Never preachy, there is still a relentless witness woven into every scene. And what I really love about this book is that while Tammy and Nick are Christian they are by no means perfect. They struggle with their own brokenness and sometimes it's messy. Watching them stretch and grow helped me assess and even re-evaluate some issues in my own life. An intense read that has the potential to spark great discussions in a book club.

My thanks to the publisher and author for supplying me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Intertwined 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 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Heart Full of Christmas

GIVEAWAY

GIUSTI, DEBBY
HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
RADCLIFFE, TINA
LEESMITH, SANDRA
TIPPENS, MISSY
A HEART FULL OF CHRISTMAS

There's no time like the holidays to fall into romance with some of the best-known inspirational romance authors around! No matter what part of the country (or world!) you're from, these tender, holiday themed romances make you feel the joy of a faith-filled Christmas and the tender spirit of angels with every page you turn! Join these authors as they transport you to a "Joy-to-the-World" type happy-ever-after, the kind of joy every couple deserves!

A Miracle For Christmas by Debby Giusti -- Nurse Brigid O'Grady refuses to open her heart to NYPD Detective Tony Calabrese, knowing she could lose him to the gang violence that killed her dad. But, while working to save a patient on Christmas Eve night, Brigid is confronted by the very danger she most fears. Can Tony save Brigid -- or do they both need a miracle to make the darkness turn merry and bright.

Home to His Heart by Ruth Logan Herne -- Being in Ashton, Pennsylvania at Christmas time holds nothing but bad memories for Dr. Tess Cosgrove. Jake Karralis is at a tough professional crossroads. When Tess meets her high school nemesis living across the street with his twin sons, the stakes suddenly change. Can the timing of a young angel and the glory of a newborn king bring peace and happiness to two troubled souls? It can, with a little help from baklava and hand-rolled cannolis!

Under the Mistletoe by Tina Radcliffe -- Wrap your heart around a cozy little romanced that starts with a red wool scarf, an angel or two, and ends with Ben Logan and Lucy Fielding under the mistletoe.

Holiday Homecoming by Sandra Leesmith -- Debbie fell in love with surfer, David Martin. Against her parent’s wishes, she married her first love. Would the help of an angel and the influence of the Christmas season bring forgiveness and redemption?

Snowflake Kisses by Missy Tippens -- Unlucky in love, police deputy Hardy Greenway has spent his life in the friend zone. But now he’s fallen hard for the girlfriend of his nemesis. Dori Blanchette has been waiting for a proposal. But how can she say yes when she has feelings for Hardy? With Christmas tree ornaments playing spontaneously and secrets being revealed, there’s no telling who will end up together at Christmas!

My Review:

These diverse stories share an angel theme that evokes the special wonder of Christmas. It was fun becoming acquainted with angels in different guises. Uplifting tales of heart and faith.

A Miracle For Christmas by Debby Giusti -- Filled with tension, fraught with danger and cloaked in the magic of Christmas. This one gave me goosebumps. A classic Christmas tale laced with the kind of hope only an angelic messenger can bring.

Home to His Heart by Ruth Logan Herne -- The pain of emotional childhood scars play a pivotal role in this heart-tugging Christmas tale of loss and hope. Realistic in its naked honesty, this novella has the power to heal even as it entertains and includes a five star toe-curling kiss. Melted in a puddle on the floor. Tender. Passionate. Soothes away a world of hurts. Thud.

Under the Mistletoe by Tina Radcliffe -- Sharp and snappy with more than a touch of Christmas magic. Ben and Lucy have been friends since childhood and it doesn't look like anything will come of Ben's unrequited love until an angel (or two) get involved.  Heartwarming and smile-inducing.

Holiday Homecoming by Sandra Leesmith -- A beautiful story of family and forgiveness. It's told from the perspective of an older woman telling her friends about her first love. A unique angle for a romance and I loved the snippets of old friends gathered together as much as the romantic memories. Made it more poignant somehow.

Snowflake Kisses by Missy Tippens -- A touching love story that's not without its share of complications. Hardy hasn't chosen an easy path to romance. I was fuming on his behalf more than a time or two and cheering Dori on once she begins to see the light. The angelic presence is more subtle in this novella, but makes a huge impact nonetheless.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please note -- available in ebook format only

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Heart Full of Christmas 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 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

October 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:

Always the Baker Never the Bride

GIVEAWAY

BRICKER, SANDRA. D.
ALWAYS THE BAKER NEVER THE BRIDE

Thirty-six-year-old Emma Rae Travis has been baking specialty cakes and melt-in-your-mouth pastries at The Backstreet Bakery in historic Roswell, just outside of Atlanta, for the last six years. But here s the rub about her job as a baker Emma is diabetic. When she tastes her creations, it can only be in the most minute portions. Emma is considered an artisan for the stunning creme brulee wedding cake that won her the Passionate Palette Award last year, but she s never even had one full slice of it.

When Jackson Drake hears about this local baker who has won a prestigious award for her wedding cake artistry, he tells his assistant to be sure and include her in the pastry tastings scheduled at his new wedding destination hotel the following week. And for Jackson, that particular day has started out badly with two workmen trapped in a broken elevator and a delivery of several dozen 300-thread-count bed linens in the wrong size abandoned in the lobby. But when the arrogant baker he met a week prior in Roswell stumbles into the dining room with a platter of pastries and a bucketful of orders, he knows for certain: It s going to be a really rotten day.

Can these two ill-suited players master the high-wire act and make a go of their new business venture? Or will they take each other crashing downward, without a net? And will the surprise wedding at The Tanglewood be theirs?"  

My Review:

Published in 2010, this novel is my first introduction to Sandra D. Bricker and I'm grinning from ear to ear. Romantic comedy at it's absolute best. Campy and so much fun. Pay attention so you don't miss any of the zingers. Loved all the characters from Emma's unlikely assistant to Jackson's Southern Belle sisters and a host of quirky individuals who sashayed through the story leaving mayhem and laughter in their wake. The snappy dialogue between Jackson and Emma is pure delight as is their slow slide towards romance. I may be a late bloomer where Sandra D. Bricker's books are concerned, but I'll definitely be making up for my slow start. Can't wait to read more by this author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Always the Baker Never the 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 October 18  2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Love's Dream Song

GIVEAWAY

LEESMITH, SANDRA
LOVE'S DREAM SONG

Autumn O'Neill came to Arizona on an archeologist dig hoping to find out what happened to the ancient Anasazi tribes, but her true desire was to discover her own Navajo roots. It didn't help that the dig was located on Jess Barron's ranch and that the handsome rancher scorned his Native American heritage and believed Autumn was part of a drug ring operating on his land. When the dig is compromised and danger threatens their lives, Jess and Autumn can no longer fight their attraction for each other. They both come to understand that finding answers means listening to the voices of their ancestors and the longings of their hearts.

My Review:

Fascinating on so many levels. Leesmith knows how to bring a location to life and her breathtaking descriptions of the Arizona desert take on a character all its own. I also enjoyed the unusual archeological setting -- it added a whole new edge to the intrigue. And I love the way the author has incorporated Navajo folklore and culture throughout the story. All combined to make a riveting read.

And then there's the romance. Autumn and Jess have shared a relationship in the not too distant past that ended badly. Thrown together on the archeological dig just pushes that attraction back to the forefront and it sizzles in every scene. (Gentle readers who normally read Christian Fiction, please take note that some of the romance scenes are more sensual than you are used to reading though it never gets too graphic.)

 Leesmith has created a number of barriers to their happily ever after, not the least of which is the way they deal with their dual heritage. While Autumn yearns to embrace her Native American roots, a bitter experience in his past has Jess all too willing to deny his. Both struggle to come to grips with who they are and what their future holds.

A complex suspense plot, full of action (and so many potential villains that I nearly didn't get it right) kept me on my toes right to the very end. A real page-turner of a read

*Just a side note to readers of Christian Fiction who follow my blog and/or reviews -- aside from the above mentioned sensual scenes, this book contains some cussing as well.

My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like an opportunity to win an ecopy of Love's Dream Song 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 18 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Daddy for Christmas

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FORD, LINDA
A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS

Cowboy to the Rescue Summoned by two little girls to help their mother in distress, Blue Lyons rushes to rescue widow Clara Weston. When the cowboy discovers the fatherless family has nowhere to go, he offers them food and shelter. But widower Blue won't get too close to the needy trio. He's lost too many people he's cared for, and he isn't about to set himself up for loss again.

For Clara, any dangers she may face on the frontier are preferable to staying with her controlling father. Although she's determined to keep her independence, Blue's kindness and tenderness are hard to resist. Can two pint-size matchmakers help Clara and Blue open their guarded hearts in time for Christmas?  

My Review:

The perfect recipe for a winning Christmas love story -- two adorable little girls with stars in their eyes, a brooding cowboy who can't seem to let go of the hurts from his past and an independent heroine determined to make her own way. Add in measured amounts of peril and risk and top with some pretty profound faith talk. Stir in a dollop of humour and set aside for the reader to savor. For the most satisfying results serve with hot chocolate and sugar cookies. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Daddy for Christmas 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 18 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Love's Every Whisper

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RAWLINGS, NAOMI
LOVE'S EVERY WHISPER

Victoria Donnelly simply wants to do something right, at least once in her lifetime. With five years of failed courtships behind her and the calendar inching closer to another birthday, she's determined to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed's enemy.

Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.

He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?

My Review:

I'm beginning to think I need to don boxing gloves before I read one of Naomi Rawlings' books because I know I'll be called upon to defend beloved characters. She certainly puts her poor hero and heroine through the paces. Conflict abounds and I adored every angsty minute.

Rich in characterization and plot, this story hums with tension of every kind. Victoria and Elijah's unspoken attraction pulls story threads taut as their romance progresses to toe-curling satisfaction. Not before being mired in the depths of hopeless despair, mind you. My emotions churned my insides out as I devoured each page.

The author excels at conflict -- in fact she is downright mean to her hero and heroine which exasperates and thrills me all at the same time. How can I both hate and love reading all those angsty bits?! They certainly keep me riveted and anxious for more.

Being 'fearfully and wonderfully made' is a touching refrain that echoes throughout the book and applies to so many of the characters. It is particularly hard for Victoria to grasp since she comes from a very emotionally abusive family. She struggles with finding her voice and the courage to speak her mind.

Eagle Harbor series fans will be thrilled to find Mac and Tressa play a prominent role in this book as well. So satisfying to catch up with them three years later -- even if angst abounds in their lives as well.

A compelling read that you'll want to consume in one sitting.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Love's Every Whisper 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 18 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Plain Threats

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STONE, ALISON
PLAIN THREATS

Amish target...

Rebecca Fisher's life was turned upside down when her husband was accused of murder and died in prison. Now, more than a year later, someone is reminding the Amish widow that all hasn't been forgiven. But Rebecca isn't about to pay for the sins of someone else's past. So when the threats escalate and her rebellious stepson starts keeping secrets, Rebecca turns to former army ranger Jake Burke for help. She knows the Englisher is an honorable man, but being around him rattles her traditional community. Before long, Rebecca senses Jake is the only person she can trust with her safety…and with her fragile heart.

My Review:

A subtle yet relentless suspense creates a looming sense of foreboding that lingers on every page. In her quest to help her stepson, Rebecca unwittingly starts a chain of events that threaten not only their safety but their already rocky standing in the community as well. Tension exudes from a forbidden romance as Englischer Jake's involvement throws the two together amidst danger and mystery. The plot twists that ensued made for a pretty compelling read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Plain Threats 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 18  2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Imposter

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FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
THE IMPOSTER

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy
for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check.

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

My Review:

Squeeeeeallll! Fisher takes us back to Stoney Ridge in her new series, The Bishops Family. There are some carry over characters from The Inn at Eagle Hill series, but no worries if you haven't read any of those books, The Imposter works perfectly fine as a standalone story. If you have though, you'll get a tickle out of connecting with some familiar and oh-so-lovable quirky characters -- like Hank and Fern.

There's an unhurried charm to the way Fisher tells this story. It's so easy to slide right into the thick of things and forget that you have a life outside of Stoney Ridge.  And it feels like you have all the time in the world to explore and discover. Talk about overflowing on the reader contentment meter!

Love the multiple viewpoints in this read -- and the way seemingly diverse plotlines connect in some truly amazing ways. The Imposter is filled with all the true to life drama and humour that you find anywhere people gather as a community. I was especially challenged by the inspirational thread. As in the case with many Amish fiction I read, I was able to parallel solid gospel truths with my own faith journey and this one packs quite a punch.

The Imposter is chock-full  of surprises. Seriously -- I did not see that coming. Or that. Or the other thing either. Completely blew my mind...and has left me eager for the next installment because this story isn't over yet. Yes some threads have been neatly tied up in a bow but many others are just waiting to take on a life of their own. I can't wait.

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 Imposter 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 18 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!