A Temporary Family

GIVEAWAY

SHACKELFORD, SHERRI
A TEMPORARY FAMILY

Make-Believe Marriage

When Tilly Hargreaves and her three nieces are stranded at his small stagecoach station in an abandoned town and threatened by outlaws, Nolan West must protect them. And the only way he can do that is by pretending he's married to Tilly. But can the former soldier, whose only wish is for solitude, stop himself from growing attached to his temporary family?

Tilly knows the charade is necessary to keep her and the girls safe, but now her heart is in danger. The longer she pretends the stoic station agent is her husband, the more genuine their union feels. Nolan believes he's better off alone, but Tilly's certain that if he'd only open his heart to his make-believe family, he'd want to claim them as his real.

Prairie Courtships : romance on the range

My Review:

I got such a chuckle out of this mix-matched pair. Nolan is such a recluse he's almost forgotten how to hold a conversation and Tilly is a chattering magpie who notices everything. Including Nolan's odd idiosyncrasies -- the compulsions that settle his war-ravaged nerves and the reason he's a recluse in the first place. 

So when Tilly and her nieces make an unexpected layover at his station,  he can't wait until the next stagecoach comes along to take them off his hands because Tilly makes him more than a little nervous. "She kept staring at him as though he was a knot she wanted to unravel."  Poor Nolan, Tilly has his knots tied up in knots and he knows if she stays any longer he's going to trip up and start talking about things better left unsaid.

And then the outlaws ride into town and things get even more interesting. Nolan finds himself the sole protector of three precocious children and an independent heroine with winsome ways. There's subtle humour, outrageous bad guys, plenty of turns in a twisty plot and the hope in a future neither every dared to dream about.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Temporary Family please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Shine Like the Dawn

GIVEAWAY

TURANSKY, CARRIE
SHINE LIKE THE DAWN

Can faith and love reunite childhood friends separated by an inconceivable tragedy, and light the way to a bright future?

In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother's millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible event shattered their idyllic family life and their future prospects. Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister, Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weights heavily on her heart as she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake...might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie's estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father's vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father's engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll, and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.

Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate -- and reconciling with God? Will the search for the truth about her parents' death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts?

My Review:

An interesting mix of Downton Abbey and North & South with a bit of Larkrise to Candleford thrown in. :-) Love how all the classic elements blend together to make a riveting read. Turansky has created an emotional period drama that carried me away to another time and place and now that I've finished I find I'm feeling rather homesick!

A sweet and tender romance between one-time friends is fraught with difficulties. Maggie's modest village life can't compare to Nathaniel's wealth and prominence. But that isn't the only thing keeping them apart. A past tragedy results in a slew of misunderstandings that seem insurmountable.

Maggie is having difficulty rallying from a profound loss and she struggles with trusting God in the midst of her sorrow. Luckily she has the benefit of her grandmother's unwavering faith and wisdom. Not that Maggie always listens. She's frustratingly stubborn about nursing grudges and coddling her grief. There were times that girl had me in conniptions! Especially when it came to Nathaniel.

Poor man never knows where he stands when it comes to Maggie. He'd like to get past the rift that has separated them for years. A stint as a naval officer has bought him some fresh perspective. A man of faith, dedicated to duty. Classic hero material if every there was one.

But goodness, Turansky doesn't make it easy for these two! There's mystery and danger and some truly reprehensible characters determined to wreck havoc. A deliciously nerve-wracking page-turner!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Shine Like the Dawn please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Dangerous Testimony

GIVEAWAY

MENTINK, DANA
DANGEROUS TESTIMONY

Last witness standing

Four weeks before she's set to testify at a gang murder trial, someone is determined to make sure that Candace Gallagher Andrews never takes the stand. When nowhere is safe for the private investigator or her little girl, Candace turns to the only person she can trust -- longtime friend and former navy SEAL Marco Quidel. For Marco, protecting Candace is not just another duty. As the trial date nears and the killer stalks every closer, Marco knows fear for the first time -- the fear of losing Candace and her daughter. But while Marco begins seeing Candace as more than just a friend, her late husband's memory is never far from her mind. So he must keep Candace alive -- and not get emotionally involved -- long enough to put away a killer.

Pacific Coast Private Eyes: Sisters fighting crime

My Review:

This has been another great LIS series. Each book reads well as a standalone but they have carry over characters so it's been fun to keep tabs on former heroes and heroines. Marco has been an intriguing secondary character in each book and I was hoping he'd get his own story. And -- yay -- here it is though I'm totally gobsmacked that Candace plays his 'leading lady.'  I never thought about Marco with a Gallagher sister so this was a deliciously delightful surprise.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- there is something so swoonworthy about an alpha hero in hyper-protective-overdrive. May I introduce former navy SEAL, Marco Quidel? Clear off the fainting couch and have the smelling salts handy. Marco has vowed to protect "his girls" (Candace and her daughter) -- be still my heart. This is a match made in heaven if either of them would see reason (which they don't until the very end!) But I can't really blame them -- not with the uber bad guys relentlessly attacking them at every turn.

Tense suspense, impossible romance and great character dynamics bring this story to life and provide a resounding conclusion to the Pacific Coast Private Eyes serie.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Dangerous Testimony please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Just a Kiss

GIVEAWAY

HUNTER, DENISE
JUST A KISS

Riley Callahan's  plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he's officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley's tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend's heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he's heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that's left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he's hiding. to make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she's poured her heart into has lost its funding and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on, Paige's feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

My Review:

Stunning conclusion to the Summer Harbor series. Such a bittersweet read. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the Callahan brothers or this lovely small town in Maine but Hunter blesses her readers with plenty of Beau and Zach and Miss Trudy not to mention Lucy and Eden. Reading Just a Kiss felt like a family reunion in some respects. No worries if you haven't read Falling Like Snowflakes or The Goodbye Bride because this book reads really well as a standalone too.

So I'm a bit of an emotional basket case now that I've said my goodbyes to the Callahans. There are so many highs and lows in Riley and Paige's story. My tummy is still doing back flips and my toes haven't quite uncurled yet. Because when this hero and heroine are on they are really, really on. Thud. Tender. Passionate. Yearning. All the glorious ingredients of a great romance story. Unfortunately, Riley and Paige are most likely to be off -- out of sync, running scared, afraid to 'fess up. In other words -- delightfully infuriating.

The kind of novel you eagerly race through and then lament coming to the end much too soon.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Just a Kiss please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstore read AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and leave your email address use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Recruits

GIVEAWAY

LOCKE, THOMAS
RECRUITS

It's a world they've seen only in their dreams -- until now.

Twins Sean and Dillon Kirrel have dreamed about a world beyond their own since they were children, but it has always been a fantasy. Not long before their eighteenth birthday, however, the arrival of a mysterious new neighbor and the revelations he shares bring that far-off world within reach.

When Sean and Dillon learn they share a unique gift -- the ability to transfer instantly between worlds -- they are offered an opportunity to prove themselves as recruits to the planetary Assembly. But unlocking their abilities awakens an enemy beyond anything they ever imagined, thrusting them into an interplanetary conflict that could consume the entire human race.

My Review:

I'm cautious when it comes to reading speculative fiction because I either love it or hate it. Never anything in between. I'm not sure that I can articulate what connects me with this type of story but I could rattle off a list of what I hate. Luckily I don't have to do that in this review because I loved Recruits. Enough to devour it one sitting! And it kind of reminds me of my all time favourite YA author, Madeleine L'Engle (think A Wrinkle in Time).

A complex plot with plenty of action makes this a real page-turner. Sean and Dillon are typical teens going through the motions of attending classes two weeks before graduation. What they don't realize is that they are on the cusp of something so grand and fantastical that even their collective imaginations can't prepare them for what's to come. Love the dynamics between these two. Their twin connection is strong, but they both have unique strengths and talents that set them apart as well. And they really stretch and grow through the course of the novel.

There's a great cast of secondary characters that really flesh out the story and help the twins shine, including a couple of love interests which came as a surprise. And while a lot of the story takes place on Earth there's some intriguing planet hopping for an extra reader thrill. Locke's imagination knows no bounds and he successfully delivers a compelling tale of good versus evil and all the nuances in between.

Book provided by Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Recruits please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

March Giveaway - Week Four

WON BY SUSAN FLETCHER

WON BY CINDY W.

WON BY DEANNE PATTERSON

WON BY SUSAN P.

WON BY JENNIFER

WON BY DIANE BLASER

WON BY PAM K.

As always I will contact the winners by email, however, thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet, my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening, please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time the 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:

Tying the Knot

GIVEAWAY

WARREN, SUSAN MAY
TYING THE KNOT

Anne Lundstrom is running from her past. But it's about to catch up.

Anne thought she'd escaped her painful memories when she left her job as an EMT and moved out of the city into the quiet town of Deep Haven. She certainly never expected to get roped into helping Noah Standing Bear run his summer camp for inner-city kids. Yet Noah has a charisma she can't ignore, and romance is in the air.

But when the very danger she was trying to escape threatens her peaceful haven -- and her life -- Anne must find the courage to face her fears and embrace the one man who can help her understand her past.

My Review:

Originally published in 2003.

I think this is one of the earliest Christian Fiction novels I've read so far and I noticed a few differences in the genre now that more than a decade has passed. The most obvious is the solid inspirational thread that boldly shares faith and scripture throughout the read. It's not overdone or preachy, but it is deeply embedded in the text. There is no way you can mistake this for anything but a Christian novel. One of my favourite takeaways in that respect is this gem of wisdom: "God doesn't deal in fair. He deals in hope." (p 277)

And despite some dire circumstances and painful pasts, that's what Anne and Noah's story delivers. Hope. And goodness, are they ever in need of it. This hero and heroine are definitely heading in opposite life directions. They are miles apart on all the important stuff. Made me wonder how on earth are these two going to come together for their happily after? Well, Warren makes them work for it, let me tell you!

An emotionally-charged roller coaster of a read that will leave you blissfully satisfied by the end...if a little worse for wear :-)

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Tying the Knot please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Words of Grace

GIVEAWAY

GRACE, JACQUI
ARRAND, DEE
WORDS OF GRACE

Be amazed by God's grace!

Bring new joy to your time in God's Word by incorporating beauty and creativity. As a gentle tonic for the busyness and worries of your life, this travel-sized coloring book devotional will help you focus your attention and calm your hurried soul.

Each page spread includes scripture, devotional thoughts, and images to color that are all designed to reconnect you with the God who knows your every need. Grab your colored pencils, crayons or markers and set yourself free to create. But most importantly; relax, have fun, and be blessed by God's grace.

My Review:

I'm a word person. I collect them and display them and, of course, read them! I love word art and my walls are peppered with what I call 'power' words. Faith. Joy. Believe. Hope. And phrases like 'Prayer changes things.' So a devotional coloring book that features words is tailor-made for me and this one is a real gem.

It's a small little book -- 6 1/2 " x 6 1/2" but the devotionals are packed with scriptures and encouraging words. Points to ponder. And accompanied by exquisite word art that reinforces the devotion's theme. Some of the images are really intricate so you definitely need a finely sharpened color pencil for them. Others are more loose and free flowing. And the designs are beautiful. I'm thinking of framing some of my 'masterpieces' and adding to my wall art collection -- if I can bring myself to rip a page out of a book! Ack!!

A sweet little book that would make a great Easter gift or just add some creativity to your personal time with God.

Book provided courtesy of Baker's Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications

Giveaway Opportunity:
  If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Words of Grace please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Final Verdict

GIVEAWAY

PATCH, JSSICA R.
FINAL VERDICT

Fatal Justice...

When Aurora Daniels becomes the target of someone seeking their own twisted justice. Sheriff Beckett Marsh is the only one who can rescue her. As a public defender, Aurora has angered plenty of people in town -- and in her past. And while Beckett constantly clashes with the feisty lawyer professionally, it's his duty to protect and serve. Guarding her 24/7 is now his sole assignment. He may not have been able to save his fiancée from a dangerous felon, but he'll do whatever it takes to keep Aurora alive. Even if working with her to catch and convict this ruthless killer puts his heart in the crosshairs.

My Review:

Man, I love how this author pulls me into a literary chokehold! Suspense, romance and faith threads all seamlessly blend together and drive me into emotional overload. That`s just plain awesomesauce!

And the hero! I got a glimpse of him (and Aurora) in Concealed Identity. and was so hoping they would be featured in the next book because their scenes sizzled. And, woohoo, here they are stirring embers into flames and curling my toes in the process.

Intriguing suspense with enough twists and turns to give a dedicated reader whiplash! Sinister danger, relentless mystery and swoonworthy romance made this a read-in-one-sitting kind of book.

Giveaway Opportunity:

  If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Final Verdict please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Portrait of Emily Price

GIVEAWAY

REAY, KATHERINE
A PORTRAIT OF EMILY PRICE

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can't fix -- until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter...

Emily Price -- fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist -- dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo's relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle's faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well -- inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben's proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben's tightly knit family. Only Ben's father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily's life and art begin to blossom, and Italy's beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben's world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has show her are possible?

My Review:

Rich. Decadent. Meant to be savored. A profoundly beautiful story! Reay brings the complexities of human relationship to life with such intriguing emotion!

 A head-over-heels whirlwind romance anchors the story even as it sends the characters into a tailspin of discovery. As an art restorer, Emily spends her days painstakingly uncovering damaged layers to reveal the truth hidden beneath. Meeting Ben becomes the catalyst for discovering real life truths hidden beneath layers of pain and loss. Such an interesting career/life parallel brilliantly delivered through the author's exquisite word choice. There were times I just had to stop and sit with a scene a spell.

Best book quote ever comes from Papa Lucio who has a penchant for selecting books to teach a lesson. "Literature teaches us empathy." (p.245) And that's exactly what this story does on so many levels. High recommended.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Portrait of Emily Price please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rebecca's Bouquet

GIVEAWAY

BAKER, LISA JONES
REBECCA'S BOUQUET

Three young Amish women, gifted with hand-carved hope chests to hold their treasures and their dreams for the future, find the inspiration they need to help them reconcile love and faith in the most unexpected ways.

The last thing Rebecca Sommer dreamed her plan to wed would bring is a heart-wrenching choice. She thought she and her betrothed, William, would spend the rest of their lives in Illinois' heartland, raising a family in their close-knit Amish hometown. But when he must travel far out of state to save his ailing father's business, Rebecca braves her relatives' disapproval -- and her own fears -- to go to work by his side. And though she finds herself ever more in love with the dedicated, resourceful man he proves to be, William's growing interest in English ways may be the one challenge even her steadfast faith can't meet...

William knows he couldn't ask for a more loyal wife-to-be. And the bravery that helps Rebecca tackle every obstacle makes her even more admirable. He simply won't ask her to sacrifice her deepest beliefs, no matter how right they are for each other. But the patience and care that crafted Rebecca's hope chest is somehow showing them there's more than one way prayers can be answered -- and hearts brought together forever...

My Review:

Thanks to my library, I discovered this wonderful debut novel -- and a new-to-me inspirational imprint -- Zebra Inspirational Romance -- from Kensington Books. Double win heading for a triple because the next book in the series comes out in the spring. And I love the premise of this series -- the handcrafted hope chests that will hold special treasures unique to each heroine.

Rebecca is anchored in her faith as an Amish woman which gives her wisdom beyond her years. If I had to describe Rebecca in one word it would be 'steadfast'. She's immovable in her faith and in her love for William...but can she have both? That's what this story explores as Rebecca is thrust out of her comfort zone, far from home in an English world.

Love the continuous faith threads woven throughout this novel. So many gems to cherish. Like this one that comes from Old Sam: "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet." (p 12)

Sweet, tender and rife with strife -- a great blend for an Amish romance.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rebecca's Bouquetplease leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

An Uncommon Protector

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
AN UNCOMMON PROTECTOR

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict -- a man who's just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving. Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he's in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn't pay a few fines. Laurel's offer might be his only ticket out. Though she's everything he ever dreamed of in a woman -- sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong -- he's determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he's free again.

But when cattle start dying and Laurel's life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn't long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former solider. He's a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom -- he needs her love and care too.

My Review:

Three words have the power to send me racing to my nearest bookstore or online vendor. Shelley. Shepard. Gray. There is something so special about her stories and I just can't resist living through every emotionally charged moment right along with her characters.

I inhaled An Uncommon Protector. Couldn't get through it fast enough and now I feel mighty disgruntled because it's all over until the next book in A Lone Star Hero's Love Story series releases. I love the background for this series -- a self-made band of brothers who survive being prisoners of war together vow to continue to support one another even after the war is over. As the men settle in various parts of Texas they each come upon a time when they need to call on that brotherhood..

Thomas Baker has run into some complications on that front.  His smart mouth and quick temper have the potential to trip him up and he finds himself in a sorry mess. Until Laurel Tracey breezes into his life and tilts his world upside down. She has need of a protector. He needs a get-out-of-jail-free card. The perfect partnership.

The romance is achingly tender and and oh so tenuous. Honestly, I was swoony through most of their story. Thomas and Laurel have so much potential -- they just have to find the courage to acknowledge that. But they are so good together and Thomas is a hero to crush on. Be still my heart. There are some truly delicious romantical scenes.

And then there are the villains. Devious. Sneaky. Relentless. When the danger escalates, Thomas knows he needs to bring in help. Cue every rousing Western movie/TV series theme song as the brotherhood rides in. I actually squealed my way through this part I was so excited.

Superb action and adventure paired with sublime romance and a whole lot of heart for God. Sweet perfection to the very end.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of An Uncommon Protector please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sewn With Joy

GIVEAWAY

GOYER, TRICIA
GORE, SHERRY
SEWN WITH JOY

Sometimes dreams come together one piece at a time

Joy Miller wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mother -- especially now that her relationship with Matthew Slagel, the bishop's son was deepening. But when a television crew rolls into Pinecraft, Florida, to film a new show about the Amish, tension threatens to rip apart their relationship...and the entire Amish community.

Joy is initially hired to sew costumes for the show, but she soon finds herself becoming increasingly involved in the production -- a fact that upsets Matthew and his father. Yet the more Joy befriends the Englisch production crew, the more she senses God working in their lives through her. Can she turn her back on this opportunity to share God's love? Will she and Matthew somehow be able to stitch together their dreams for the future?

Experience love, heartbreak, and hope in this sweet story of two worlds uniting in unexpected ways.

My Review:

I adore this series and I sure hope that there are more novels to come because there are still two Miller sisters who need to have their stories told. No worries if you haven't read the first two books in The Pinecraft Pie Shop series -- this reads well as a standalone though, of course, there are carry over characters that I was thrilled to get reacquainted with. Like seventy-year old quilt shop owner, Elizabeth who contributes snippets of simple wisdom that rocked my world. Like this: "If God brings me a person who needs a taste of God's Word, I'm not going to send them away hungry." (p 210) She's such a source of strength to Joy as her carefully ordered world spins out of control in unexpected ways.

Life is good for Joy. She's working at a job she loves, enjoying the excitement of the pending weddings of her two sisters, and it looks like she will be following in their footsteps as her courtship with the Bishop's son progresses. Joy knows exactly what each day will bring...until the film crew rolls into town and she somehow ends up in the middle of a hotly debated controversy among the close-knit Pinecraft Amish community.

What follows is a captivating look at community, the intricacies of human nature and how living ones faith affects it all. This story is chock-full of inspirational wisdom -- so many great quotes that I had to stop reading and take notes. Like when Joy tells Englischer friends, "God's Word is often called a light, and sometimes when light shines into places that have been dark awhile, it's hard to face what's hidden there." (p.217)

A delectable companion to Made With Love and Planted With Hope and like the first two books, this one includes some authentic Amish recipes interspersed throughout the story.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sewn With Joy please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadAT yahooDOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

March Giveaway - Week Three

WON BY JANKA

WON BY MARK

WON BY MARIAN BAAY

WON BY KIM HANSEN

WON BY KIM HAMPTON

WON BY LUCY REYNOLDS

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 the 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:

PLUS AN EXTRA NON-FICTION GIVEAWAY

Megan's Hero

GIVEAWAY

GILLENWATER, SHARON
MEGAN'S HERO

Megan Smith doesn't think things can get much worse -- and then they do. Stuck on the road without shelter when a tornado appears, Megan barely escapes with her life. And when Will Callahan comes upon her on the road, her life will never be the same.

While staying at the Callahan family ranch, she finds herself daring to love again. Can Will convince her that her past doesn't mean a thing when it comes to love?

Filled with the easy charm and warmth of Texas, Megan's Hero will have you believing in the power of love and forgiveness.

My Review:

I try to vary my retro reading so I can offer a variety of genres in my Saturday giveaways. For that reason I tried my hardest to resist the siren call of this last book in The Callahans of Texas series. I only lasted two weeks. If you've read any of this series, you'll understand why I caved. Seriously, who in their right mind can ignore a swoonworthy cowboy hero? Not me! And Sharon Gillenwater writes the swooniest! 

This story has a heart as big as Texas. It's showcased in the sweet small-town community vibe and in the characters I've come to love. Will, the oldest Callahan brother, is a born fixer. His siblings will tell you that he's plain ol' bossy but really, it's just that he has a heart for service and can't stand to see anyone hurting. The proverbial knight in shining armor riding to Megan's rescue in a worn pickup truck. And her life will definitely never be the same again.

Because something profound happens to Megan on the road heading into Callahan Crossing. A small seed of faith takes root and Will is the cowboy determined to nourish it. Megan's all prickly and wary at first -- and she has good reason for that but Will is one patiently determined cowboy which supplies lots of swoony reading opportunities. Blissful sigh.

A profoundly satisfying conclusion to the series. It reads great as a standalone, but it was so much fun to get more than a glimpse of all my favourites and the author includes a divine epilogue that brings Callahan fans even more happily-ever-after joy.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Megan's Hero please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Winning Over the Cowboy

GIVEAWAY

VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
WINNING OVER THE COWBOY

The Rancher stakes his claim

When sh inherits half a dude ranch after losing her best friend, Landry Malone is determined to see Eden's legacy flourish. That is if her friend's broad-shouldered cowboy brother will give her the chance. Chase Donovan isn't happy that his sister left their family business to an outsider -- and he's determined to test Landry's mettle, hoping she'll give up her claim. Soon Chase is impressed by Landry's ability to rise to every challenge he puts in her way -- and worried that his attaraction to the perky spitfire seems to know no end. Finally working together to ensure the ranch's future, will their business partnership be the foundation for something more?

Texas Cowboys: Maverick hearts find their match

My Review:

Perfect blend of humour and angst. Chase is so grumpy when Landry first arrives at the dude ranch and his attempts to scare her off turn comedic as Landry shows him up every time. Love her confidence and determination in the face of such blatant disregard. Anger turns to grudging respect as the days go by and Chase has to admit that Landry's not only fit for the job but has a lot of innovative ideas that could help the business. He just can't figure out her angle -- sure she's a gold digger or con-artist. I loved watching Landry prove him wrong and then their hearts become entangled and the sparks start flying and Vannatter leads these two on a merry chase before their happily ever after becomes a reality. Awesomesauce from beginning to end!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Winning Over the Cowboy please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Her Secret : the Amish of Hart County

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
HER SECRET

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray begins a new series -- The Amish of Hart County -- with this suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who moves to a new town to escape a threatening stalker.

After a stalker goes too far, Hannah Hilty and her family are forced to leave the Amish community where she grew up. Now they're getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky. But Hannah has become afraid of trusting anyone -- even Isaac Troyer, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she'll ever return to the easygoing woman she once was.

For Isaac, the beautiful girl he teasingly called "The Recluse" confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he's misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God's gifts and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there's always more to someone than meets the eye.

My Review:

Compelling. Chilling. Inspiring.

Shelley Shepard Gray knows how to dig deep into the hearts of her characters, exposing weaknesses and strengths in equal measure as she forces them along a complex path of self-discovery.

Her Secret reveals the raw grittiness of every day people.  Yes, this is an Amish story -- but not the typical kind. The Hilty family is as naturally dysfunctional as any Englisch equivalent. Each family member faces common challenges in unique ways. None of them do it perfectly. There were times I wanted to box ears and rattle teeth. And just as often I wanted to hug them tight and whisper comforting platitudes. It's the kind of story that seeps into your bones until you become a part of it.

Thriller-style suspense tempered by tender romance promises a page-turner of a read.

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

http://litfusegroup.com/author/SGray

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Her Secret : the Amish of Hart County please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Never Forget

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
NEVER FORGET

June 1880 -- Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island -- Will she betray his trust to stay on the island she loves?

Abbie Watson is content to spend her days clamming, crabbing and tending Rose Island Lighthouse. Her grandpa is the head light keeper, but his senility may lead to their eviction. Since leaving the island would kill her beloved Gramps, Abbie will do anything to keep him in the one place he knows and loves.

Wealthy Nathaniel Winthrop III's wild living has gained him a reputation as the 'bad boy' among the elite social circles of Newport. After a blow to the head in a yachting accident washes him up on Rose Island, Nathaniel has no memories of his past.

Abbie tends the wounded stranger in her home only to realize he assumes they're married. Although she knows she needs to correct Nathaniel's mistake, his presence calms Gramps and provides a way to prevent eviction from the lighthouse.

The longer the charade continues, the harder it gets for Abbie to tell Nathaniel the truth, more so as she begins to fall in love. Everyone she's ever loved has abandoned her. Will Nathaniel leave her too, since he discovers he's not really her husband?

My Review:

A resounding conclusion to the Beacon of Hope series. I love the way the author honoured female lighthouse keepers in these books. Such an unusual angle for a historical romance. And there's something so alluring about life in the old lighthouses!

Abbie and Nathaniel's story is fraught with sorrow and complications that seem insurmountable. Just when I felt a glimmer of hope it would be dashed as sure as the waves against Rose Island's rocky shoreline. And, oh my goodness, but Hedlund kept me on tenterhooks the entire read.

I admire Abbie's gumption when it comes to eking out a living while tending to her ailing grandfather. Her dedication is both commendable and alarming. And that's because it clouds her judgment and infringes on Nathaniel's rights. He washes up on shore, injured with no idea of who he is or how he got there. Yes, Abbie rescues him, but in a sense she holds him hostage by allowing him to believe he's her husband because it plays into a wild and desperate scheme to help her grandfather. I had such a hard time justifying her actions the longer the pretense went on and that made it hard for me to cheer on their blossoming romance. To be fair to Abbie, she tried to keep her distance but Nathaniel isn't easy to ignore. :-)

He has a vague disquiet about the kind of man he once was and grasps this opportunity for a second chance to be the kind of man Abbie can be proud of. He reconnects with his faith and there's a beautiful inspirational thread that celebrates the power of forgiveness and God's loving grace.

And then it all comes tumbling down as I knew it would and things get a whole lot worse before they get better and there were twists that truly gutted me so I'm a bit of an emotional wreck now that I've reached the end. An emotionally charged conclusion to an awesome series.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Never Forget please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!