Suddenly a Frontier Father

GIVEAWAY

COTE, LYN
SUDDENLY FRONTIER FATHER

His Ready-Made Family

Mason Chandler is home to meet his mail-order bride -- six months too late! Little wonder Emma Jones wants to honor his letter releasing her from their agreement, especially when Mason has returned from his father's deathbed with two adopted girls in tow. And the dark secret he's hiding makes the homesteader feel unworthy to woo anyone.

As the new schoolteacher in Pepin,Wisconsin, Emma can support herself without a husband. Yet she's touched by Mason's kindness to his half-sister and her orphaned companion. Taking the little girls under her wing comes naturally to Emma -- and they dearly want her for their mama. Can Mason break free of his past to fight for their surprise family?

Frontier Brides: Finding love -- and a fresh start -- on the frontier

My Review:

Tough homesteader doting on his little girls. Sigh. Trying to fuss with their hair and press their pinafores for school. Double sigh. Mason had my heart the moment he stepped back into Pepin even though I knew he stood up Emma six months earlier. Because I was there for Emma's sister's story in Frontier Want Ad Bride when they got off the ferry to discover only one groom was waiting on shore. Asa's and Judith's story is wonderful but not necessary to have read in order to enjoy this one.

Emma has found her place -- and a way to make a living-- working as the community's schoolteacher. Consequently, she is no longer in need of a husband -- especially one who has stayed away so long.  But then she meets Mason. And Birdie and Charlotte and feels her heart tugging in a direction she'd vowed she wouldn't go again. Besides, Mason runs alternately hot and cold and she can't figure him out. Except little bits of her heart keep melting every time she sees him with his girls. (And so did mine!) Wary romance, choice tidbits of frontier life and a surprising plot twist make this an incredible read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Suddenly a Frontier Father, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday Feb 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Love So True

GIVEAWAY

JAGEARS, MELISSA
A LOVE SO TRUE

Evelyn Wisely loves working at the local orphanage, but her heart can't ignore the women of Teaville who are also in need. Her boss is willing to help build a shelter for them, but only if she gains the cooperation and financial support of other local businessmen.

While David Kingsman plans to stay in Teaville just long enough to get his father's business back on solid ground, he's intrigued by Evelyn's cause and finds himself more invested with each passing day.

Will their plans and partnership fall apart when confronted with all that is stacked against them, or can they trust in God's plan despite it all?

My Review:

"Was a pair of beautiful eyes and a cheeky smile all that was needed to keep her discombobulated?" (p 39) Definitely all that's needed to keep this reader in a discombobulated state, that's for sure! David is serious swoonworthy hero material and he has the power of reducing me into a "pile of ridiculousness" (p 40) right along with Evelyn. And it's so much fun because Evelyn is absolutely not the fainting couch kind of heroine. The whole town knows she spurns any suitor's advances for her own mysterious reasons which about drove me crazy, by the way -- trying to piece together why Evelyn is so determined to avoid romance. Lots of tension and angst as David tries to figure that out too.

And while the romance is sublime,  A Love So True addresses some serious issues as well. Not everyone in town supports Evelyn's charitable works with the less fortunate in town. Prejudice fuels judgment as she struggles to find a way to help women in desperate need. I love the way the author addresses the complexities of charity. It's infuriating and invigorating and not everything ends up all wrapped up in a bow because that kind of fairy tale ending just wouldn't be realistic. Lots to stew over long after the you read 'the end.'

A faith-fueled romance full of heart and spirit and enough toe-curling to send me into a giddy reading frenzy.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Love So True, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

The Promise of a Letter

GIVEAWAY

FULLER, KATHLEEN
THE PROMISE OF A LETTER

A letter brings him back to his Amish family. But it will take someone truly extraordinary to make him stay.

Roman is on the verge of leaving the Amish ways. Feeling confined by the strict rules, he longs to do something more with his life. But when things don't go as planned, Roman's prospects outside of the community dwindle. Upon learning that his beloved grandmother has died and left a letter urging him to reconcile with his brother in Birch Creek, Roman decides to return home. But he doesn't plan to stay for long.

Leanna Chupp has always made her own way in her small community of Birch Creek.Though some may call her unconventional -- strange even -- Leanna is happy. Especially since Roman Raber moved away, and she no longer has to work with him. Her unique outlook on life has meant she's never had many suitors pursuing courtship, which Leanna doesn't mind. She is content being single.

But when Roman and Leanna find themselves working together again everything changes. Though neither fit squarely within the strictures of the Amish faith, their differences could be the very thing to help them form a deeper connection to their community and to each other. The question remains: will this strengthening bond be enough to make Roman stay for good?

My Review:

"Roman was a mystery wrapped up in an enigma and tied with a baffling bow." (p 44) And so begins an unusual courtship...well, more like a hesitant alliance that grows into a wary friendship that finally develops into something much more fulfilling.

I absolutely loved these unorthodox characters. Both way too individual for their Amish roots. Leanna -- tall, athletic and a hopeless cook and housekeeper who has a gift for fixing mechanical things. She works in a repair shop and roller-blades are her chosen mode of transportation. Definitely not your typical Amish heroine!

Which makes Roman her perfect match because he doesn't fit into the standard Amish hero mode either. He's made mistakes in the past -- chosen to run from them rather than face them head on and the ensuing fallout is substantial. He's questioning his standing in the community and place in his family. Striving to earn the trust of his only brother. What a complicated family! And, honestly, Roman isn't the only one stubbornly clinging to past behaviours! Gah -- these brothers are teeth-grindingly infuriating!

Fuller weaves a riveting tale of forgiveness and grace. It's tender and funny and exasperating in turn! The kind of read to relish with sublime bibliophile glee.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Promise of a Letter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

January Giveaway - Week Four

WON BY SUSAN FLETCHER

WON BY MERRY

WON BY VAN G

WON BY ABBI HART

WON BY KAREN HADLEY

WON BY MARYANN SKARITKA

You know the drill -- I'll email winners if they left an email in their comment. If not, it's up the winner to contact me with their snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca .If I can't connect within a month, the win is forfeited. Books are usually sent out within a week of receiving a winner's mailing address, but give it a month before inquiring about deliveries to allow for processing and delivery times.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

When the Bishop Needs an Alibi

GIVEAWAY

CHAPMAN,VANNETTA
WHEN THE BISHOP NEEDS AN ALIBI

A terrible secret hides in the bulrushes

Amish bishop Henry Lapp eagerly awaits the annual arrival of 20,000 sandhill cranes to the San Luis Valley of Colorado.  But his visit to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge reveals more than just a miracle of God's creation. Hidden among the bulrushes and cattails is the deceased body of a young woman.

As the local authorities attempt to unravel they mystery, Henry feels God's calling to use his extraordinary talent to aid in the investigation. His ability to draw from memory in photographic detail could help the puzzling case.

Henry's closet friend, Emma Fisher, has always urged him to embrace his gift. As their relationship deepens, Henry realizes his involvement could put him and those he loves in the direct path of a killer, one who is willing to do anything to cover up a brutal crime, including framing the bishop.

When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is a compelling story of faith, friendship, and finding courage only God can provide.

My Review:

Okay, so this isn't technically a retro read since it was published in September 2017 but the next book is coming out in a month and a half so I needed to play catch-up. I love this series!!!!

There is something spectacularly delicious about an Amish Bishop Super Sleuth! And Henry's unique gift makes the mystery unraveling all the more intriguing. The kindly bishop wants nothing more than to shepherd his flock and pursue a certain widow who has caught his eye but his love for bird watching propels him into an all too familiar scenario -- one where he becomes the prime suspect in a murder. It's clearly a setup -- which also suggests that someone in law enforcement must be involved. Things don't look good for Henry, but his friends and community -- both Amish and Englisch rally around the beloved bishop.

A heartwarming cozy filled with humour, faith and intrigue.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When the Bishop Needs an Alibi, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in a commnet, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 11 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Her Secret Daughter

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HER SECRET DAUGHTER

Josie Gallagher has plenty of reasons to be wary of Jacob Weatherly -- considering he's working for the hotel chain that's forcing her restaurant to close. But when he shows up there with a little girl by his side -- her little girl -- she's dismayed. How has this bachelor wound up with custody of the baby Josie placed with a married couple six years ago? The handsome hotel executive has no idea that Addie is Josie's biological child, and Josie can't afford to tell him. As he helps save her business, Josie and Jacob unexpectedly grow closer. But will her secret stand in the way of their happily-ever-after?

Grace Haven: A town full of heart, happiness and home

My Review:

An emotionally consuming story that celebrates the depths of a mother's sacrificial love. Honestly, my heart was in my throat the whole read. I just couldn't...even now I can't...because I was so furious on Josie's behalf. But then Cruz came on the scene and said everything I wanted to say and then some and delivered it with just the right amount of bite and compassion (which I wouldn't have done.) And if you're wondering who Cruz is -- he's the hero from book three of this Grace Haven series and what can I say? Once a hero always a hero. Cruz proved that here. I literally broke into my full Team Cruz cheer mode. Wooohoooo.

But that doesn't mean I'm not on Team Jacob too. Because I am. Wholeheartedly.( I'm fictionally fickle that way.) Jacob is kind, decent, hard-working and the most devoted Dad on the planet. Sweet perfection, right? Not if you're Josie because Jacob's little girl is the baby Josie gave up for adoption six years ago --- to a married couple. How'd that happen?! From the devious mind of Ruth Logan Herne, that's how. She's a wickedly conniving plotter so be prepared for copious twists and turns and a healthy dose of heart-wrenching.This author makes her hero and heroine work for their happily-ever-after and if you're not given to nail-biting and teeth-clenching you will be by the end of this book!

Talk about angst-riddled. But let's heap on a little more. Like the fact that Jacob's purpose in town is to close down Josie's restaurant. And if that isn't enough turmoil to go around, we have Josie trying hard to leave behind a past she's not proud of. And she's done a great job of creating something positive out of her life but, like so many of us, she has a hard time letting go of mistakes she knows God has already forgiven her for. It takes a hero with a pure heart and the ability to (finally) listen to God's prompting before she can finally let go and let God. And then, oh glory be, the blessings come pouring in!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Her Secret Daughter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 28 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

The Austen Escape

GIVEAWAY

REAY, KATHERINE
THE AUSTEN ESCAPE

Falling into the past will change their futures forever.

Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuninely enjoys her job and her colleagues -- particularly a certain adorable and intelligent counsultant. But something is missing. When Mary's estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen's Bath.While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversations, work out their lives and hearts.

My Review:

An entertaining romp through all things Austen. If you're a Jane fan you will be in full swoon mode by the halfway point in this novel. If you're not a Jane fan, you will still be swooning because Nathan thrills Mary with an 'odd sense of excitement-meets-comfort' (p 34) that keeps her (and readers) in a discombobulated state.

Mary is quirkily scientific and trying to keep up with her clever and crazy mind is...delightfully confusing at times. Nathan is a solid hero who isn't sure how to read the mixed messages Mary is giving out. Have to give him bonus points for persevering to the bitter end!

The whole notion of an authentic Austen getaway complete with costumes and role playing is quite intriguing and crazy fun to read about. But this isn't just a lighthearted love story -- though there is some of that. This is also a complicated look at past and present and the human need to escape when reality becomes too much to handle.

The only thing missing (for me, anyway) is the absence of an inspirational thread and since The Austen Escape is published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publisher, I was hoping for one. Still, a great story, enjoyable read but more of a mass market novel than Christian Fiction genre.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Austen Escape, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 28 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Mountain Refuge

GIVEAWAY

VARLAND, SARAH
MOUNTAIN REFUGE

Alaskan Refuge

When someone tries to grab Summer Dawson on a secluded mountain path, she escapes -- but soon discovers she's a serial killer's latest target. Her brother's friend, ex-cop Clay Hitchcock, promises she won't become the next victim, though, even if it means putting miself at risk. Clay though he was done with law enforcement, but after finding Summer running for her life off a mountain trail, he's back in cop mode. Determined to protect her, Clay shadows the brave, beautiful mountain runner. Now if they want to stay alive, Clay and Summer must work together to bring down the crazed killer lurking in the wilderness.

My Review:

I didn't even know that mountain running was a thing until I read Mountain Refuge! And the Alaskan settings adds an overall ambiance to the suspense. Be prepared for an accelerated heart rate the moment you start to read. The gripping opening scene promises spine-chilling perfection. 

"There was nothing remarkable about the knife except that it was large, four or five inches. Shiny. Sharp against her skin as he pressed just hard enough to leave the smallest of scratches. 'This is how it begins.'"  (p 9) Seriously, cue the creepiest music you can find and turn on every single light in your house and cuddle up under your biggest security blanket before losing yourself in this hair-raising tale.

A perfect balance of romance and suspense that includes some pretty interesting secondary characters.I'm hoping they are going to feature into future stories (Summer has three siblings) even though there's no indication that this is the first in a series. A reader can hope, though, right? Definite must read for the discerning romantic suspense aficionado.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Mountain Refuge, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 28 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Death at Thorburn Hall

GIVEAWAY

DEERING, JULIANNA
DEATH AT THORBURN HALL

Investigating a suspicious accident leads Drew on a path that points to international intrigue and ever-growing danger.

Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield, hoping for a relaxing holiday with his wife, Madeline, and friend Nick. But death meets him once again when Lord Rainsby, their host at Thorburn Hall, is killed in a suspicious riding accident -- only days after confiding in Drew his fears that his business partner was embezzling funds.

Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each appears tohave dark motives for wanting Rainsby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

My Review:

A note to those who aren't period cozy mystery fans -- you'll be relieved to know that this is last book in the Drew Farthering series (to date) so I'm all caught up -- finally! So thankful for a public library that purchased the series and for the oodles of readers putting holds on them. That"s why I had to read them in quick succession -- I got them all on the same day and you can't renew a book that has holds on it. So,without further ado, here's my last Drew Farthering review for awhile.

Just when I thought the Drew Farthering Mystery series couldn't get any better -- it does! Drew and Madeline are in fine form as they battle an intrepid killer and some surprising political intrigue -- this is Britain just years before World War II after all. As always the romance between Drew and Madeline makes me giddy and loyal friend Nick finally gets his chance in a secondary love story. Nothing like giving this reader exactly what she wants! The mystery is twisty, turny with plenty of unexpected bumps along the way and just the right dose of humour to lighten even the most tense scenes. Fans of BBC period mystery series will adore Drew Farthering and I think we all need to start up a petition to get them to turn these books (six to date) into their next blockbuster success.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Death at Thornburn Hall, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadAT yahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title int he subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 28 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

A Plain Leaving

GIVEAWAY

GOULD, LESLIE
A PLAIN LEAVING

Leaving was the hardest thing she'd ever done...until she had to return

Three years ago, Jessica Bachmann walked away from everything:  her family, their beloved farm, her Amish community, and Silas Kemp. After clashing with the new bishop and her brother about her role in her family and the future of the family farm, anger and restlessness wouldn't allow her to stay.

When she is forced to return home because of her beloved father's death, her arrival stirs up all kinds of emotions -- sorrow, grief, and yearning alike. Jessica knows things can't regret to the way they were, but, especially upon seeing Silas again, she can't help wonder what might have been -- and what still could be. The stakes grow higher when she learns that her brother, Arden, is still pursuing potentially hazardous fracking on the family's land.

As Jessica wrestles with her next step, she learns the cautionary tale of Ruby Bachmann, a Revolutionary War-era ancestor who faced similar struggles. Will Ruby's decisions motivate Jessica to leave her family, the land, and her community forever? Or is there healing, love, and belonging yet to come for her in Lancaster County?

My Review:

An emotionally sucker-punch kind of read....and I so love it when I really feel a story! In this case -- two stories, because this is a dual timeline plot which I didn't realize when I started reading but was a delightful surprise! I honestly don't know whose story I enjoyed more -- Jessica's or Ruby's.

Have to say I was consumed by righteous indignation over situations in Jessica's story. Living in relationship isn't easy and family dynamics are complicated but no matter how you look at it, Jessica was hard done by. Gah! Honestly, there were moments when I said some very unkind things to certain characters. I bet you will too when you meet Mamm, Marie and Arden. But there's so much grace and wisdom and growth too. Which made me feel guilty over being so harsh...in fact I was as harsh to them as they were to Jessica which is totally ironic. And yes, I know I'm talking about fictional characters but I still apologized to them...well not to Arden if I'm truthful and maybe a bit grudgingly to Marie. Sigh. Clearly I needed the message of faith and forgiveness that Gould included in this compelling story.

And the American Revolution from the eyes of Jessica's Amish ancestors -- truly riveting. It's told by Jessica's Aenti Suz and that lady knows how to draw out a story with plenty of cliffhangers. A clever way to keep Jessica around longer than she planned. But both of us were clamoring for more every time Aenti Suz left off. I was as captivated by Ruby and her romantic dilemma as I was with Jessica's.

Two incredible, faith-filled stories twine together in a celebration of family, tradition and hope in the future.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publication and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Plain Leaving, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 20 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck. 

January Giveaway -- Week Three

WON BY PAULA

WON BY PAM K.

WON BY KIM HANSEN

WON BY PATTY

WON BY KELLY BLACKWELL

WON BY LUCY REYNOLDS

WON BY TERRILL

You know the drill -- I'll email winners if they left an email address in their comment. If not, it's up to the winner to contact me with their snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If I can't connect with a winner within a month, the win is forfeited. Books are usually sent out within a week of receiving a winner's mailing address, but give it a month before inquiring about deliveries to allow for processing and delivery times.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Racing the clock to get on church on time so I'll have to post images later today.

A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould
Death at Thorburn Hall by Julianna Deering
Mountain Refuge by Sarah Varland
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
Her Secret Daughter by Ruth Logan Herne
When the Bishop Needs an Alibi by Vannetta Chapman

Into the Free

GIVEAWAY

CANTRELL, JULIE
INTO THE FREE

A simple girl with anything but a simple story

In Depression-era Mississippi, Millie Reynolds longs to escape the madness that marks her world. With an abusive father and a "nothing mama," she struggles to find a place where she really belongs.

For answers, Millie turns to the gypsies who caravan through town each spring. The travelers lead Millie to a key that unlocks generations of shocking family secrets. When tragedy strikes, the mysterious contents of the box give Millie the tools she needs to break her family's long-standing cycle of madness and abuse.

Through it all, Millie experiences the thrill of first love while fighting to trust the God she believes abandoned her. With the power of forgiveness, can Millie finally make her way into the free?

My Review:

published in 2012
My thanks to my public library for providing awesome retro reads like this one.

A gripping coming-of-age-story that held me spellbound. It's a hard read in places. So much loss and pain in Millie's world. But there's beauty there as well. To be discovered and cherished. Something to hold onto in the dark times -- which are many. Cantrell tackles difficult subject matter -- abuse, neglect, mental illness. But Millie is a survivor. She's a fighter, determined to create a future that will ultimately free her from her past. Beautifully written and emotionally charged. The kind of book that makes you think and assess and praise God.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Into the Free, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 21 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Sacred Rest (Non-Fiction Review) + Reader's Choice of any Christian Fiction Novel in Print

Today I'm reviewing an intriguing non-fiction book about what it means to find sacred rest. Now, since I'm a fiction fan, I thought it would be fun to host a Reader's Choice Giveaway of any Christian Fiction title in print (already released.) Scroll down to the GIVEAWAY graphic beneath this review to get full details.

DALTON-SMITH, SAUNDRA, MD
SACRED REST : RECOVER YOUR LIFE, RENEW YOUR ENERGY, RESTORE YOUR SANITY

How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity, and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures, and the stress of everyday life?

In Sacred Rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, reveals why rest can no longer remain optional.

Dr.Dalton-Smith shares seven types of rest she has found lacking in the lives of those she encounters in her clinical practice and research -- physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, creative -- and why a deficiency in any one of these types of rest can have unfavorable effects on your health, happiness, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Sacred Rest combines the science of rest, the spirutality of rest, the gifts of rest, and the resulting fruit of rest. It shows rest as something sacred, valuable, and worthy of our respect.

By combining scientific research with personal stories, spiritual insight, and practical next steps, Sacred Rest gives the weary permission to embrace rest, set boundaries, and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame, or fear.

My Review:

An eye-opening look at what rest really means. And it's not just getting adequate sleep. In fact, Dr. Dalton-Smith is quick to point out that sleep is not the same thing as rest. You could sleep eight hours a day and never feel rested.

"A well-rested life is a secret hidden in plain sight. It is a life at one with God, self,and others. It's life strengthened by winding down the expectations of others and charging up your expectations for yourself." (p 118)

I kept thinking of the scripture "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) as I read through this book. And I think that ultimately, that is the key -- to feel God, to see Him in every aspect of our lives. It's only then that a sacred rest is truly possible.

My favourite section of this book is Part II -- The Gifts of Rest.There's a lot of meat to this part of the book and it really got me thinking...and marveling over all the gifts available to us. And not the ones you'd automatically think of -- at least I wouldn't have. Like the Gift of Boundaries, of Acceptance, of Permission and so many more. Dalton-Smith has encouraged me to explore each of these gifts and how they relate to me. This isn't the kind of book you just read through. It's the kind that makes you pause and ponder and want to come back to time and time again.

Book provided courtesy of Faith Works and Litfuse Publicity Group.

http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/sacred-rest-saundra-dalton-smith

GIVEAWAY

WINNER'S CHOICE OF ANY CHRISTIAN FICTION NOVEL IN PRINT (ALREADY RELEASED)

State the title and author of the book you want to win in the comment section

-- up to 3 suggestions per person

BUT

each title/author must be in a separate comment

(makes it easier for me to tally)

MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION ALREADY RELEASED

Remember to add your email address in one of your comments

(no need to do it each time)

but remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers

Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 20 2018 

Offer open to International Readers

Where We Belong

GIVEAWAY

AUSTIN, LYNN
WHERE WE BELONG

Join two incomparable sisters on adventures that span the decades and cross the globe.

In the city of Chicago in 1893, the rules and expectations for Victorian women are strict, their roles in life limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents have taken them out of society ballrooms and delivered them to the Sinai Desert -- and into the teeth of a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a plucky street urchin learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest across the desert, chasing rumors of an important biblical manuscript.

At the expedition becomes ever more dangerous and uncertain, all four travelers sift through memories and adventures of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the journeys and providence that brought them to this very time and place.

My Review:

An epic tale about two invincible sisters who refuse to be confined by societal expectations. And while a work of fiction Where We Belong reads more like a memoir since it is a collection of memories. In fact, the largest portion of these 470 pages is spent in past decades -- and told from the point of view of four different characters whose stories all interconnect -- the sisters, Rebecca and Flora and their two charges, Kate and Soren.

The story begins with a trek across the Sinai Desert in 1890. These forty-something sisters have led rich, colourful and unorthodox lives and the holy quest they are on provides them with time to reflect on the past decades that have led them to this point. The sisters compliment each other beautifully --- Rebecca is brash and fearless while Flora is more thoughtful and cautious.  And both sisters live their faith deeply. Their love of Jesus shines in everything they do. They are true disciples, acting as the hands and feet of Christ to all those around them. A truly inspiring and fascinating story.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publications and Graf-Martin Publications.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Where We Belong, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooCA. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 20 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Shattered Lullaby

GIVEAWAY

SCOTT, LAURA
SHATTERED LULLABY

Safeguarding the baby

Overhearing the murder of her sister, Lacy Germaine grabs her baby nephew and flees for their lives. But not before she's seen by the killer -- who she's certain is her lawman brother-in-law. Now an instant mom on the run, Lacy will protect the baby at all costs, and she trusts nobody. Not even her rescuer, K-9 cop Matt Callahan. Despite the police alert issued for the missing little boy, Matt believes that Lacy is innocent of kidnapping. Keeping them safe soon becomes his top priority. But no matter how deep they hide, danger finds them...until Matt is all that stands between the beautiful woman, the vulnerable baby and a desperate killer.

Callahan Confidential: Facing danger and fighting for justice is all in a day's work for this family.

My Review:

So, clearly I've been missing out on something good since this is the fourth book in the Callahan Confidential series and I'm just discovering it now. I don't know how my romantic suspense spidey senses went so askew but, thankfully, the gorgeous cover on Shattered Lullaby screamed 'buy me' so I did! Now I'll have to check out the other stories involving Matt's siblings.

I can't resist a good K-9 story and this one is tremendous! That's Duchess on the cover and she's Matt's loyal partner who can double as a babysitter in a pinch. :-) She gave me plenty of gray hairs during this read though because she's fearless! And yes, there are some pretty cool humans in this story as well. You gotta love a dog lovin' hero dedicated to his calling in law enforcement but not afraid to trust his gut in touchy situations. Like the one Lacy finds herself in. Cue nerve wracking action and edgy suspense as Matt and Lacy dive through mayhem to solve an impossibly complicated case. Four paws up for this K-9 heroine and two-legged sidekicks!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shattered Lullaby leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 20 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Bringing Maggie Home

GIVEAWAY

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
BRINGING MAGGIE HOME

Decades of Loss, an Unsolved Mystery, and a Rift Spanning Three Generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year-old Hazel momentarily turned her back on her three-year-old sister, Maggie, and the young girl disappeared

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved, and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter, Diane, who can't understand her mother's overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother's inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan -- a cold case agent -- cherishes her grandmother's lavish attention and affection.

When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-weak leave of absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel's painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative powers to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that's been lost?

My Review:

A timeless story that explores the ripple effect a tragedy causes across generations. It's a rich, multi-layered tapestry of emotion that really made an impact on me. Told from the multiple view points of Hazel (grandmother), Diane (daughter) and Meghan (granddaughter) with the occasional flashback, it really illustrates the power a parent's words and actions hold. And how they shape the future generations beyond the moment they are said or done. This was an eyeopening read for me.

I adored Hazel. Closing in on eighty, we get the benefit of her memories first so it's easy to see how the disappearance of her sister shaped the rest of her life. But since she's buried that secret for decades, her daughter and granddaughter don't have the same insight the reader does and that makes family dynamics complicated. Especially between Hazel and her daughter.

True confession: Diane irked me from the very start. My least favourite character, I was bordering on hostile for most of the read. But Sawyer does an exceptional job of weaving a tale of grace and forgiveness and  the patience it takes to live both truthfully so that was a huge takeaway lesson for me. :-)

Meghan is easy to love. She's has a unique relationship with her grandmother and it's that bond that catapults these three women onto a journey of discovery and healing.

One of my favourite quotes from the book is courtesy of Hazel -- a woman of faith paired with a wry sense of humour. "God, not to be irreverent, but sometimes I wonder if You listen to me at all." (p. 52) I can totally relate to that sentiment and might be guilty of saying the same thing from time to time. :-) Unfortunately, Diane has had a very different experience with religion which has left her contemptuous of anything to do with faith while Meghan is quietly questioning thanks to the gentle but direct encouragement of a friend. Loved the insights that come from the realistic mix of characters at different stages of their faith journey.

A page-turning family drama with the hint of romance and plenty of mystery.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Bringing Maggie Home, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 21 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!