The Hope

GIVEAWAY

DAVIDS, PATRICIA
THE HOPE

Home isn't just a place...

Amish widow Ruth Mast wants nothing to do with the handsome man from her past who just returned to Cedar Grove. Ruth learned the hard way that Owen Mast's restlessness always causes trouble. But when a little Amish girl appears on Owen's porch, lost and afraid, Ruth has no choice but to help the man who only ever causes her heartbreak.

All Owen wanted was to make amends with Ruth and  her family. He never imagined that little Grace -- or the strange mystery surrounding her -- would bring him closer to Ruth. Or that a tender and unexpected attraction would quickly take hold of them both. But even a wandering heart can grown roots...when there is hope for love.

My Review:

Second chance Amish romance with a touch of mystery! Love the way Davids spun out this tale. Lots of day-to-day sheep farm life, Amish style, including a big old bear of a dog who appoints herself guardian of all the lost lambs -- including one very traumatized human one. Little Grace steals every scene she's in -- sometimes funny, often sad and always surrounded by mystery.

Owen and Ruth have a rocky past -- one that Ruth has never let go of. Owen has always been the man she couldn't count on and, honestly, she really started to annoy me in the first third of the book. She was so mean to him! Uncharitable. Judgmental. Quick to find fault. And he just took it, as if he deserved it. Gah, I wanted to throw something but then, gradually Ruth begins to take responsibility for her thoughts and actions and she starts to change. Adversaries become friends with the potential for so much more. Such great character development and layered storytelling!

I am a huge Patricia Davids fan. I'll buy a book just because her name is on the cover (and for someone who absolutely, positively needs to read the back cover book blurb before buying a book, that's saying something.) She has a gift for creating a captivating community, intriguing characters and page-turning plots that make it hard to put her books down. I found this one especially thrilling because of the mystery sub-plot that made all the rampant emotions zinging around all the edgier.

This is the second book in The Amish of Cedar Grove but it can easily be read as a standalone. Mind you, the hero and heroine and many other characters from The Wish are woven into Owen and Ruth's story which made it all the more fun to read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Hope, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

On Wings of Devotion

GIVEAWAY

WHITE, ROSEANNA M.
ON WINGS OF DEVOTION

All of England things Phillip Camden a monster -- a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed 'Black Heart' every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.

Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to live that Arabelle inspires in him.

But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.

My Review:

Eeep! Squeal! Eeeepquealll!!! I have permanent creases on my face from all the nose-dive swooning onto my fainting couch. Phillip Camden is not a monster, y'all! Tortured soul? Yes. A bit sullen and brooding? Definitely. Running from God? You bet. But none of that makes him a monster and Ara knows that right from the start...and, of course, so did I. :-) Hence all the swooning. Honestly, I'm thinking of turning it into a form of cardio exercise for bibliophiles because you use all kinds of muscles to heft yourself up from a prone position. Over and over again. I could start rating books by cardio-swoons. Beginners. Intermediate. Advanced. On Wings of Devotion would be at an Olympic level, though. What a workout!

So -- yes -- while I'm crazy rambling in my befuddled post-read haze I might as well step onto my soap box and holler praise through a megaphone in the hopes of getting the attention of Christian publishers everywhere. Yes, folks, it is absolutely possible to deliver a heart-pounding, page-turning, history-steeped romance with lots of sizzle and sparkle that also includes a significant, life-altering faith thread! Faith. Mercy. Forgiveness. Complete surrender to God's will. It's all here, provocatively challenging characters and readers alike.

Ahem...stepping off soap box now, feeling mildly embarrassed but also distracted because if I turn the box on its side -- voila -- I have the perfect shelf for books. Yes, I might have lost my mind in 1918 London. Hence this slaphappy review. I'll try to pull my thoughts together.

So...Ara is...unexpected. She's everything she appears to be with a whole lot more crackling beneath the surface just waiting to get out. She's dutiful daughter and dedicated nurse and kind and generous. Her faith drives her. The Spirit guides her and she's not just being led to the 'Black Heart', she's being thrown into his path! I'm breaking out in goosebumpish chills just thinking about it.

There's masterful storytelling here. From historical details to pacing to quips and banter and heart-to-hearts. And there's so much that is unexpected. Ara is a genteel young woman...until she burst-out-loud-laughing isn't. The mystery that surrounds Camden -- I thought things were going in one direction...until they veered off course. Every twist, every turn led me deeper into the story -- immersing me in intrigue and emotion and surprising me over and over again.

Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Oh -- I listened to the audible version narrated by Susan Lyons. Totally captivating and even though I was tempted to speed up the audio at times because the waiting was such excruciating agony, I restrained myself and enjoyed all 15+ hours of storytelling wonder  at 1.25 speed.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  On Wings of Devotion, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Finding the Road Home

GIVEAWAY

RADCLIFFE, TINA
FINDING THE ROAD HOME

Can they find their fresh start with roadblocks around every corner?

To care for her orphaned nieces and nephews, Daisy Anderson moved to a small town for a new deputy position -- but now her job could be eliminated. With potential budget cuts looming, her only hope is to work with police chief Mitch Rainbolt to save their department's funds. But can their fight for her job lead to something neither dared wish for: a future together?

Hearts of Oklahoma

My Review:

"Maybe, just maybe, living in Oklahoma would help them remember the good times, ease their pain and remind them all that God had his hand on their tomorrows." (p 17)

Well, my heart definitely belongs in Oklahoma as long as Mitch is there. :-)  I fell head over heals on page 21 and there's no looking back. Move over, Daisy, I'm after your fella! He's a fixer and a planner with a sideline in trying to micro-mange God though that's not working very well -- especially after Daisy enters his life (and his heart, though there's no way he's going to admit that!) But, oh that stubborn man has to work on his obstinate streak. Especially when it comes to living in the past. As one coworker puts it: "...once he figures out that the future ain't the past, he'll be ready to handle today." (p 124) Which is a pretty profound concept I'm still mulling over.

So now that we've established I'm one of Mitch's groupies (he has many fictional and otherwise!) I guess I should mention the heroine (and my arch rival for Mitch's affections) Daisy. A city girl gone wide-eyed with wonder over country life. Suddenly becoming guardian to five (yes, five!) orphaned nieces and nephews as put her personal dreams on hold as she struggles to rebuild their lives. Small town Rebel is their new start and hunky police chief Mitch Rainbolt is there to roll out the welcome wagon and guide her through the intricacies of small town living. :-)

This is the first book in Radcliffe's Hearts of Oklahoma series and she has done an amazing job of introducing the town and a host of secondary characters but also has given readers a peek into the Rainbolt siblings' lives -- hellooo -- Mitch has two brothers and a sister and they are all going to get their very own stories! And one of them -- Tucker (book three) is a vet who rescues animals! Eeeeep -- yes, this is me fangirling over Mitch's brother after just declaring he's the man for me, but then I'm fickle like that when it comes to book boyfriends.

Finding the Road Home is the perfect mix of funny and teary and exasperating and utterly satisfying. I'm super excited about this series!!!!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Finding the Road Home, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

GIVEAWAY

LADD, SARAH E.
THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can't she steal her gaze away from his younger, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818

Julia Twetheway needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall's mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It's not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home's ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner's younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father's legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother's careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood -- and that of the people around them -- the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can't deny his attraction to the man's charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing. Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren't keen to surrender.

My Review:

Poldark meets Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South, Cranford, Wives and Daughters -- novels and BBC miniseries) with a distinct Gothic flare. Dust off those fainting couches and grab your smelling salts and a fan or two and settle in for a mystery-steeped Regency that will have your heart performing somersaults and your tummy doing loop-de-loops. I'm a tad shy of giddy after finishing this one.

Beautifully written -- Ladd's word choice enhances the Regency vibe and her descriptions bring layered depths to the story. And her characters! Loved Julia right from the start (and adore that last name -- Twetheway -- so much fun to say!) She has honor and backbone and such a giving heart. But, goodness her Aunt Beatrice! I might have bald patches from tearing my hair out over her histrionics! The perfectly imperfect character-I-love-to-hate in a novel!

Two suitors -- but rest assured because one is definitely not really in the running so this isn't quite a love triangle. More like a stumbling block which kept me rabidly reading so I could get to the part where all things romantical are put to rights. Phew! The author put me through my paces though.

The mystery brings some Gothic ambiance to the story. A cursed house with mysterious goings on. Thievery and threats and all things sinister. Cue the creepy organ music and keep some comfort chocolate on hand as you mull over all the diabolical possibilities.

An incredibly wonderful read -- clean and wholesome but not in the inspirational genre (though the publisher is Christian publishing giant Thomas Nelson. At least it's not tagged as Christian Fiction on Amazon.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Honorable Heir

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

EAKES, LAURIE ALICE
THE HONORABLE HEIR

An American heiress and widow of a rakish English earl, Catherine has returned to New York high society determined to make amends for the scandal she caused when she crossed the Atlantic to elope with her best friend's suitor and win the title of Lady Bisterne. But a ruined reputation isn't the only thing that's followed her home: Lord Tristram Wolfe, the rightful heir to the Bisterne estate, has vowed to track down his family's stolen jewels -- gems he's certain Catherine stole.

Catherine has more to think about than charming, handsome Tristram and his accusations, even if he's beginning to change her mind about never returning to England. Back at her family's Tuxedo Park estate, she resolves to restore her honor by earning the forgiveness of her best friend and protecting her younger sister from other fortune-seeking Englishmen with dubious titles, all while abiding by the etiquette of the Gilded Age.

Yet when Tristram's quest takes a dangerous turn, she must decided whether to follow the rules or save her accuser's life.

My Review:

Eep!  Eeep! Eeeeeep! I'm in a dithering frenzy of reading bliss! This might be an American Gilded Age historical romance but it has all the feels of a Regency. Societal rules and expectations. Cutting dialogue. The thrilling glance across a crowded ballroom. The occasional breaching of class rules. The battling of wills between familial expectations and following ones heart. Just...eep, eeep, eeeeep!!!

Excuse my hyperventilating state while I wax poetic over Tristram. A misunderstood hero wrestling demons from his past. Estranged from his father, desperate to prove his worth on an impossible quest: retrieve the stolen jewels and expose the thief. Such noble turmoil! He's so haughty and condemning in the beginning as all the evidence points to Catherine but the more he gets to know her, the harder it is to hold onto his condemnation of her character.

Catherine has learned from the foolish mistake she made in her youth. She's paid a high price for her folly and now she only wants to make amends. She's got a grit and spirit that complement her gentle, nurturing nature. But she's not about to let Tristram get the upper hand. Cue the sparks and rapier wit!

Sublimely divine!!!!!

(I listened to the audible version which made the read all the more exciting courtesy of narrator Saskia Maarleveld.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Honorable Heir, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

January Giveaway -- Week Four

WON BY PAULA SHRECKHISE

WON BY ROXANNE CRUZ

WON BY CARYL KANE

WON BY RUBYNREBA

WON BY LIZ R.

WON BY TERRILL

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address. Otherwise it's up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca with your mailing address. From time to time a winner and I do not connect so I have a one month time frame on giveaway wins. If I haven't been able to reach you within 30 days of your win, it will be forfeited. This has happened a few times now so, please, DON'T BE SHY -- CONTACT ME IF YOU DIDN'T LEAVE YOUR EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU. Books will be ordered within a week of receiving your mailing address and I'll email you to confirm your win is on its way. Give it a full month before inquiring about the status of an order to allow for processing and shipping time. Thank you!

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

A Rancher to Trust

GIVEAWAY

BLOUNT, LAUREL
A RANCHER TO TRUST

Suddenly a husband...and a father? This bachelor is ready to claim his instant family.

After learning his ex-wife isn't so ex after all, rebel turned rancher Dan Whitlock is determined to prove her's a changed man...but Bailey Quinn is just as set on finally ending their marriage. When tragedy makes Dan the guardian of little orphaned twins, he and Bailey are drawn back together. But can she forgive the past and open her heart to the family she's always wanted?

My Review:

An emotional second chance romance...with a mischievous calf named Lucy Ball who thinks she's a puppy. What's not to like, right?!

And, hello! Cowboy hero alert! A broken man who has worked hard to put the pieces of his life back together. A prodigal returning home to make amends, Dan has an inner core of strength that comes from his faith and he's unshakable even when he faces tough critics and backbiting gossips. Grrr...I wanted to slap some folks! But Dan's  mentor has prepared him with a solid foundation of life-lessons. Practical cowboy advise like this:

"Sometimes you gotta go back a few fence posts, son, and fix a crooked one before you can go forward. Ain't no fun, but it's the right thing to do. Every man makes his share of mistakes, but they ain't nothing to be ashamed of unless you leave 'em standing." (p 14)

Loved the realistic way the romance developed. Forgiveness plays a huge role in getting Dan and Bailey to their happily ever after. Lots of emotional highs and lows that kept me yearning for them to get it right. A liberal dose of humour (calf/puppy Lucy!) provided comic relief respites that still have me grinning. (I wonder if my landlord will let me have a cow?)

A supremely satisfying read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  , 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Never Let Go

GIVEAWAY

GODDARD, ELIZABETH
NEVER LET GO

As a forsensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent -- and Willow's ex-flame -- Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.

In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

My Review:

I think my brain has whiplash. This plot doesn't have twists -- it has so many sharp turns that a reader might just need a seat-belt for her sleuthing armchair.

Great pacing between romance and investigative work and full out action. Love the forensic genealogist angle -- such an intriguing approach to a suspense. The mystery is layered so thickly it's a gnarly mess that was fun to pull apart and try to make sense of. Once it was all over, I actually had to sit there and rehash some of it. "Wait...what about...ohhhh!!!! I get it now." Took my poor addled brain a bit of time to unscramble. :-) Wickedly clever.

And I do so love a second chance romance! Willow and Austin's is fraught with heartbreak which makes victory all the sweeter...when it finally comes. They have chemistry right from the start -- it's almost like they were never apart at times but then reality comes crashing back and...oy...my heart hurt for them. Especially Austin who carries a heavy burden from his past.

This is the first book in Goddard's Uncommon Justice series and I'm thrilled to pieces because Austin isn't the only hero in the McKade clan. He has...eeeep!...two brothers which means there is more McKadeliciousness in my reading future. Always Look Twice is out now and Don't Keep Silent comes out in June.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Never Let Go, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Danger in the Deep

GIVEAWAY

KIRST, KAREN
DANGER IN THE DEEP

When buried secrets surface, she's caught in a criminal's crosshairs.

Aquarium employee Olivia Smith isn't sure why someone wants her dead -- but Marine Corps pilot Brady Johnson knows a secret that could explain it. Brady vowed he'd tell no one that Olivia's husband had been on the run from his own mob family before he died, but he also promised he'd keep Olivia safe. With danger running deep, they'll have to work fast to stay alive.

My Review:

Whoa -- two oxygen tanks plus a spare definitely required for this non-stop action of a read! Karen Kirst has a diabolically clever mind and she's not afraid to use it! She offers a great balance between gripping suspense and toe-curling romance, If I wasn't swooning, I was ducking! lol

Brady comes off all judgmental and brooding in the beginning. He has preconceived ideas about Olivia that puts him on guard. She's not surprised -- it's always been that way between them, though she can't figure out why. It was so much fun to have a front row seat to their working things out! Lots of tension and angst and sizzling sparks!

And I loved the aquarium setting. So much scope for the author to unleash the dastardly side of her creativeness. Bwahahaha! Definitely a read-in-one-sitting romantic suspense!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Danger in the Deep, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Prize of My Heart

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

NORATO, LISA
PRIZE OF MY HEART

Massachusetts, 1815.

Three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis's late wife abandoned thier son, leaving no clue as to the boy's whereabouts. After searching relentlessly, Brogan discovers his son was adopted by a New England shipbuilder. And the man's daughter, Lorena Huntley, acts as loving guardian to the child.

Lorena, who hides a truth finds herself falling for the handsome captain and ex-privateer who's come to secure ownership of one of her father's ships. She's unaware of Brogran's own secret when another's deceit has her sailing toward Europe against her will.

Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is compelled to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.

Will his love endure once he learns her secret?

My Review:

published in 2012

Warning to avid readers who make a New Year's Resolution to reorganize their bookshelves:

 Don't empty out an entire bookcase, making piles on every conceivable flat surface including your floor because you're inevitably going to start reading, and then it will be bedtime only you won't be able to find your mattress for the books burying it!

This is my second read through of Prize of My Heart. Honestly, this book has haunted me. I still get a delicious thrill remembering the biblio-phoria of it all. Best first meet ever! I mean, I still remember it vividly eight years later! 

Rich language evokes such incredible images that I swear I can still smell the tangy scent of salt  in the air! Norato's descriptive writing will send you back to a time when heroes were larger than life just like ex-privateer Brogan Talvis. (Insert collective sigh here!) A tortured soul filled with the grim determination to right a wrong on his own terms. Is there anything more swoonworthy than a reluctant hero in navy dress? The kind that has a keen sense of justice and the gall to set out administering it as he sees fit? Only to be laid low by the likes of a baking-diva heroine with a backbone of steel? (Insert another collective sigh...or two or three.)

Lorena makes a captivating heroine. Feisty but gentle, stubborn but compassionate, a lady as comfortable in the role as kitchen maid as she is entertaining her father's elite guests. What a a wonderful paradox! And one that Brogan finds all too hard to resist.

Of course their love story is fraught with peril -- both physical and emotional. And tickled with humour. Often poignant. And hope-fueled even in their darkest hour! Prize of My Heart is definitely a delight to read and not one that historical fans dare miss.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Alas, this book is no longer available in print format on Book Depository so this giveaway is for an ebook only.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of  Prize of My Heart, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Serving Up Love

GIVEAWAY

PETERSON, TRACIE
WITEMEYER, KAREN
JENNINGS, REGINA
TURANO, JEN
SERVING UP LOVE

A collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.

In Karen Witemeyer's "More Than a Pretty Face," a young woman works her hardest to escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers "A Flood of Love," where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings's "Intrigue a la Mode" delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano's "Grand Encounters" heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself.

My Review:

Excellent collaboration from four dynamic historical fiction authors. The only link between each novella is the Harvey Girl theme and I was surprised to discover that they existed well into the 1900s. (I always thought it was a pre 1900s fad.) Loved all the interesting details about what life was like for a Harvey Girl! Each author brings her own unique spin to her story - from second chance love to intrigue and danger!

A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson -- 1929, San Marcial, New Mexico. A second chance love story chock full of interesting historical tidbits. Peterson is an excellent researcher and she has even included a couple of real life characters who play a pivotal role in this novella. Angst and romance and a precocious little girl made this a fun read.

More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer -- 1902, Gainsville, Texas. If you've read More Than Words Can Say you will be thrilled to know that this is Rosalind's story. It isn't necessary to read that book first in order to appreciate this sweet novella, but if you have, it'll up the edge factor a bit.

Rosalind is running from her past but Caleb is tempting her to stand fast. I spent the whole read waiting for the other shoe to drop and once it did -- whoa! Tumultuous and sigh-worthy. And I so enjoyed fuming over a certain secondary character. Love being righteously indignant on behalf of a heroine I've come to adore. :-) Witemeyer has packed all the delicious goodness of a full length novel into this shorter read.

Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings -- 1898, Emporia, Kansas. A surprising mystery brings an extra thrill to this historical romance. A dashing railroad tycoon goes undercover to expose a smuggling operation and catches the eye of a hardworking Harvey Girl. Action and intrigue and some mighty fine toe-curling romance sent me into a biblio-licious spin of giddy delight.

Grand Encounters by Jen Turano -- 1908, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Eep! A runaway heiress and a self-made businessman bond over books -- can it get any better than that?! Jack is a bit bumbling -- an admirer from afar until his gregarious brother sticks his oar in. But Myrtle has sworn off men and is all about independence...still...there's something about Jack that makes her want to forget about both resolves. Of course, with Jen Turano at the keyboard, their road to a happily ever after isn't exactly smooth sailing. No worries, thought, it's all sorted out in the delightful chaos that only this author can contrive.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Serving Up Love, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Heart Restored

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

MADDREY, ELIZABETH
A HEART RESTORED

She renovates old houses. Can he restore her heart?

Deidre McIntyre didn't exactly purchase the gorgeous old home in the Shenandoah Mountains on a whim. The building had seen seen better days, but she had the skills -- and the time -- to fix it up. And maybe it would provide the fresh start she was looking for.

Local handyman Jeremiah Crawford has a soft spot for Peacock Hill. When someone from out of town purchases it, he swings by to offer to help fix it up...and investigate the new owner's plans for the property. The pixie-like Deirdre isn't at all what he expects, but he's happy to hand around and enjoy the view.

When Deirdre's ex-boyfriend, a popular TV house flipper, shows up demanding a piece of the action, Jeremiah must decide if Deidre  -- and Peacock Hill -- are worth fighting for. Falling in love wasn't on the blueprints, but it might just be worth the change in plans.

My Review:

published in 2017

Short and sweet and fun and sassy. I love the way the cover so aptly reflects the story inside. Deidre is smart and capable and reno savvy. Jeremiah's the very smitten local handyman. They are both adorably bumbling when it comes to romance which kept me grinning all the way through. Great quips and touches of humour throughout. (Deidre's inept texting is hilarious!) But even with that lighthearted vibe, Maddrey has provided openings for some profound faith discussions as well. A thought provoking and amusing escape read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of A Heart Restored , 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

January Giveaway -- Week Three

WON BY JACKIE SMITH

WON BY WENDY NEWCOMB

WON BY CC

WON BY CHANEL M.

WON BY BROOKE C.

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address. Otherwise it's up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca with your mailing address. From time to time a winner and I do not connect so I have a one month time frame on giveaway wins. If I haven't been able to reach you within 30 days of your win, it will be forfeited. This has happened a few times now so, please, DON'T BE SHY -- CONTACT ME IF YOU DIDN'T LEAVE YOUR EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU. Books will be ordered within a week of receiving your mailing address and I'll email you to confirm your win is on its way. Give it a full month before inquiring about the status of an order to allow for processing and shipping time. Thank you!

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

The Twin Bargain

GIVEAWAY

CARTER, LISA
THE TWIN BARGAIN

A mutually beneficial temporary arrangement...but can they keep it strictly professional?

Nursing student Amber Fleming couldn't be more stunned when ex-marine Ethan Green makes an offer: he'll babysit her twin girls if she cares for his injured grandmother. Amber knows it's temporary. Ethan isn't one for roots -- or their hometown. But his steadfast caring has her wanting more than friendship. And with help from Amber's mischievous twins, can they risk becoming a forever family?

My Review:

Wit and humour blend with a firestorm of emotion which makes this a rollicking roller coaster of a read.

Sooooo much to love about this story! Like ErmaJean, GeorgeAnn and IdaLee -- the Double Name Club whose favourite civic duty is matchmaking. These grannies have spunk and they are not afraid to wield it. lol "Your generation does not have the market cornered on technology or intelligence. Don't forget, it was my generation that sent a man to the moon." (p 37-38)

And if you enjoy swooning over fictional boyfriends, you might want to make sure your fainting couch is primed and ready because..."Ethan Green really ought to come with warning labels." (p 62) Oh my, yesssss, she says fanning herself furiously, consider yourself warned. Charisma and charm and a wicked sense of humour and he has a soft spot for his granny! I'm melting by degrees here. And the scenes with Amber's twins -- be still my heart...I can't even....I feel faint.

Amber about tore my heart out and made me want to slap her silly sometimes. She's lost herself in past failures (not all of her own making) and she can't seem to get unstuck. And then her whole world is turned upside down when Ethan returns home. Her brother's best friend and her unrequited love.  He associates Truelove with broken endings, shattered dreams but the town is her haven in a storm. It's all kinds of complicated but readers needn't worry -- the matchmaking posse's got this.  :-)

And if all that isn't enough to send a reader like me into a state of biblio-phoria, the shout out to a favourite classic picture book about did me in! All round awesomesauce from start to finish.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  The Twin Bargain, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 18 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch -- both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

My Review:

This is my second read through of this novel -- well, really a 'listen through.'  Love Elizabeth Jasicki's  narration. Julie Klassen writes the perfect 'read aloud' stories! 

I honestly don't know how Julie Klassen does it time and time again, but I am so grateful that she does. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is just as stunning as her previous books. Stellar in fact. Brilliant. The kind of novel you want to escape into and never leave. Seriously, I read this in one sitting and it's 410 pages.! It wasn't that I couldn't put it down, it was that I refused to! What a perfect way to herald in the New Year!

First and foremost, her research is impeccable and she takes her readers into the belowstairs world of Regency England. That alone was fascinating -- but that we saw it all through the eyes of the aristocracy (Margaret) made so much more of an impact. And what a clever way to throw the heroine way out of her element! Definitely made for a page-turning read.

And Margaret really comes into her own as the story progresses. She transforms from a self-centered young lady of means to a compassionate woman who learns to look beyond her own needs. A very satisfying personal journey.

Add in the suspense over the threat of discovery and the romantic angle (which I can't say much about so as not to give anything away) and you will find The Maid of Fairbourne Hall an incredible and extremely satisfying read. Just clear your calendar before you pick it up because once you start reading, you won't want to stop!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 18 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!