More Than We Remember

GIVEAWAY

NELSON, CHRISTINA SUZANN
MORE THAN WE REMEMBER

One night changes everything...

When Addison Kilbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. After a traumatic brain injury, her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She once thrived as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Kilbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been for too long.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

My Review:

More Than We Remember is an artfully written novel that's easy to read -- and by that I mean the pacing is smooth, the words just flow, seeping under a reader's skin and making her a part of the story. Riddled with profound thoughts that made me pause and think. Hard. Like this:

"But it's a dangerous thing to make decisions out of fear. Fear can stop us from seeing the wonderful adventures and people who are waiting for us to show up." (p 75)

And these three women -- Emilia, Brianne and Addison -- are all battling fears. It manifests itself in different ways in each of them, but it's there, dictating their thoughts and actions. And so the tale unfolds, linking these three women and their broken lives to bring about healing and peace.

"This was where the healing could begin. Not in the secrets and regrets, but in the moving forward, trusting, and truth." (p 337)

The story is told in three voices, each perspective seamlessly twinning with the others to create a gripping tale of despair...and of hope. It's real and gritty and a tough go in places. Definitely not a lighthearted read, though there are humourous moments. With a bit of romance thrown in, because that's definitely part of life too.

A memorable read that has earned its place on my keeper shelf.

"She says we're too big for our britches when we take responsibility for things that are ultimately out of our control. If we trust God, we trust that He can work through even the most upside-down situation." (p 290)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graph-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  More Than We Remember 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 May 2 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Runaway Witness

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
RUNAWAY WITNESS

There is no safe place -- not even in witness protection.

On the run after her witness protection location is exposed, Iris James trusts nobody -- until the return of an undercover detective she thought was dead. Mack Gray was once Iris's protector -- and the man she was falling for -- but he was forced to fake his death and go into hiding. Now with a killer's henchmen on their trail, can he keep her alive long enough to testify?

Protected Identities.

My Review

Love, love, love this scrappy heroine! She's kinda like a kick butting Pollyanna. lol Iris has a heart for homeless teens and, as a social worker, she serves them with equal doses of tough love and kindness. So when someone threatens her kids, she goes into attack mode...and ends up in witness protection.

When her location is exposed, she heads off on her own, toting that poor tattered trailer behind her. But did I mention that Iris has a stubborn streak? Lots of pluck? And a tremendous sense of justice that has her also hunting for some of her lost kids. This girl has grit!

Cue the undercover RCMP detective who is supposed to be dead. Mack spent four months with Iris working at the homeless shelter and they were well on their way to becoming something more then friends when Mack was 'killed'. Now he's back, determined to keep Iris safe...if she'd just stop interfering and saving him! Hah!

I love these two together. There's angst and banter. Deadpan humour. And they're all about not leaving the other one behind no matter how crazy things get. Black has perfected the balancing act between romance and suspense. I enjoyed having my toes curled while frozen in fear. :-)

Fast-paced action, intense suspense and a soul-stirring romance make this a not-to-be-missed read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Runaway Witness 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 May 2  2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Book of Lost Friends

GIVEAWAY

WINGATE, LISA
THE LOST BOOK OF FRIENDS

A new novel inspired by historical events: a story of three young women on a journey in search of family amidst the destruction of the post-Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who rediscovers their story and its connection to her own students lives.

Lisa Wingate brings to life stories from actual "Lost Friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold off.

Louisiana, 1875 In the tumultuous aftermath of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Lavinia, the pampered  heir to a now-destitute plantation; Juneau Jane, her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister; and Hannie, Lavinia's former slave. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following dangerous roads rife with ruthless vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before.

For Lavinia and Juneau June, the journey is one of inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and eight siblings before slavery's end, the pilgrimage westward reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the seemingly limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.

Louisana, 1987 For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to cancelling her hefty student debt -- until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town.

Augustine, Louisiana seems suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled oaks and run-down plantation homes lies the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.

My Review:

A profoundly moving novel with a raise-the-hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck, goosebumping ending.

I'm really stymied over how to review this one so I think I'm just going to list some random thoughts and hope it makes sense.

First -- both timelines are based on some very hard truths. Yes, the author has fictionally embellished certain aspects of the story but, really, all of this happened to real people. Past and present. I marvel at the courage and the tenacity that keeps us moving forward anyway. Be sure to read the author's notes about how this story came to be. I'm gobsmacked.

Yay -- dual timeline! This one is a bit different because I felt like the majority of time was spent in the past. I'm not sure if that's true -- I didn't count pages :-) -- but I felt more anchored in Hannie's story. And the way the author brings in the contemporary line and then accelerates switching back and forth towards the end to that grand finale 'aha' moment was stunning! Made such an impact.

I think the book description is a little bit misleading. It sounds like there will be multiple POV from the historical timeline but it's all Hannie telling that tale. And, of course, it's Benedetta's (Benny) perspective in the contemporary timeline. I really enjoyed digging deep into both women's experiences. And I especially liked Hannie's perspective because she has the ability to see multiple truths in a single situation. She's insightful and compassionate and spunky. And brutally honest. A true survivor.

This book deals with a lot of tough subject matter. From slavery and how its effects are still felt to this very day. Racism. Dysfunctional families. Poverty. Social and educational inequality. All the stuff we have tried to push back into the past without dealing with it first. But there's hope born in the remembering. In the acknowledgement of past wrongs. Hope for a different future. For all the pain and anguish, this story is infused with hope.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Lost Book of Friends 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 May 2 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Socialite

GIVEAWAY

CIESIELSKI, J'NELL
THE SOCIALITE

Glamour, treachery, and espionage collide when an English socialite rushes to save her sister from the Nazis.

As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has a certain set of responsibilities. But chasing her wayward sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Now accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle that her Nazi boyfriend provides, Ellie has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate for them -- but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

Arrested for simply trying to defend himself against a drunken bully, Barrett Anderson is given the option of going to jail or serving out his sentence by training Resistance fighters in Paris. A bar owner serves as the perfect disguise to entertain Nazis at night while training fighters right below their jackboots during the day. Being assigned to watch over two English debutantes is the last thing he needs, but a payout from their father is too tempting to resist. Can Barrett and Kat trust each other long enough to survive, or will their hearts prove more traitorous than the dangers waiting around the corner?

My Review:

I'm always amazed at the different approaches various authors bring to one topic. I'm a huge fan of World War II fiction and I don't think I've ever come across a novel with this unique approach -- the war, in occupied France no less, from the perspective of the upper class. Displaced English socialites who get an up close and personal look at life among the Nazi elite in Paris. Fascinating and chilling.

There's such a disconnect -- especially for Ellie who is so self-centered that she's willing to look the other way while living out her fantasies with her Nazi lover. Have to say, I'm not a fan. I just wanted to smack her upside the head...a lot. :-) (And, if I was her sister, I'd have left her there and hightailed it back to England when the going was good.)

So, Ellie is the catalyst that sets a series of events in motion and brings Kat running to the rescue -- only little sis doesn't want to be rescued. Spoiled brat! Gah, but that girl had me fussing and fuming! (Can you tell? I've talked more about her than the main characters! Taking a deep breath and focusing cohesive reviewer thoughts.)

This is Kat and Barrett's (squeeaaalll -- we'll get to him in a sec.) story. She's the eldest daughter of nobility. She always does what is expected, tamps down her individuality in order to abide by her father's dictates. And then she meets Barrett in the middle of occupied France and he challenges her to start thinking for herself. To open her eyes and see what is happening around her. Their relationship is volatile. Charged with passion and clashing wills and blocked by a chasm of class distinction. An emotionally sucker-punch kind of romance.

And now we come to Barrett (giddy, fan-girling sigh.) A rakish Celt with a Scottish burr? Yes please! Kat might be the one of noble birth but Barrett is the noble one. He's overcome a lot in his life and now he's charged with extracting two spoiled rich girls out of Paris. What starts out as a mission turns into something so much more complicated. And makes for a compelling read.

This is another Thomas Nelson (Christian publisher) that doesn't have any faith content. I would definitely not categorize it as Christian Fiction. It is clean, though there are some pretty steamy kissing scenes and some graphic violence.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Socialite 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 May 2 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

April Giveaway : Week Four

WON BY LORI SMANSKI

WON BY PERRIANNE 

WON BY SUSANLULU

WON BY MJSH

WON BY MARK

WON BY BOOKS ARE A BLESSING

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:

Veiled in Smoke

GIVEAWAY

GREEN, JOCELYN
VEILED IN SMOKE

The flames took so much. She can't lose her father as well.

Meg Townsend and her sister, Sylvie, seek a quiet existence managing the family bookshop. Meg feels responsible for caring for their father, Stephan, whose spirit and health are both damaged from his time as a prisoner during the Civil War. Her one escape is the paintings she creates and sells in the bookshop.

Then the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago's business district. The fiery explosions and chaos stir up memories of war for Stephen as he runs from the blaze and becomes separated from his daughters. Days later, when the smoke has cleared, Meg and Sylvie manage to reunite with him. Their home and shop are lost, and what's left among the ashes may be even more threatening than the flames, for they learn that a close friend was murdered the night of the fire -- and Stephen has been charged with the crime. After he is committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum, where they cannot visit him, Stephen feels as lost to them as the show that now lies in rubble.

Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life but prove the truth of what happened that night, before the asylum truly drives her father mad.

My Review:

I admit to being a cover snob and this one completely draws me in. The sepia tones and the haze of smoke shrouding the city's ruins...just wow...totally sets the mood. And with the heroine standing on the edge -- visual imagery of the precipice she's teetering on as her whole life tumbles down around her. Whew! What a powerful lure to the unsuspecting reader. (And I might be a tad giddy over the embossed lettering on the cover. I'm tactile nerdy that way.)

This is the first book in The Windy City Saga series and, wowsers, saga is right! It reads like an epic classic with rich descriptive prose and an involved plot that carried me away to another time and place. Jocelyn Green is known for her impeccable research and the historical details in this novel add such rich layers to characterization and plot.

Drama, mystery, intrigue and even a touch of romance -- my bibliophile senses are still swimming. This is the kind of book you lose yourself in. Seriously, I barely came up for air and lost sleep because I couldn't leave these characters to sort out their lives without me there to encourage them on. :-) It's kind of left me tongue-tied, actually. Definitely the kind of multi-sensory delight a reader needs to experience for herself.

Gobsmackingly good!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Veiled in Smoke 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Cowboy's Secret

GIVEAWAY

KEMERER, JILL
THE COWBOY'S SECRET

He's secretly worth millions of dollars...but is he worthy of her trust?

Dylan Kingsley has learned to hid his millionaire status from strangers. So it's no wonder Gabby stover -- his infant niece's guardian -- thinks he's just another drifter. To prove his worthiness, Dylan takes on a job as a ranch hand...and accidentally finds the purpose he's been seeking his whole life. But could the truth steal Dylan's chance at a happily-ever-after with Gabby and the baby?

Wyoming Sweethearts

My Review:

Uber cute cover alert! There's just something about a doting cowboy snuggling a baby, isn't there? And watching Dylan fall for his wee little niece is a pretty swoonworthy way to spend a freezing cold winterish-spring afternoon.

This scripture -- "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) is at the heart of this second chance romance. Both Dylan and Gabby come from dysfunctional families and have suffered both loss and betrayal in their lives. Definitely not the foundational stronghold required to build a new relationship...unless they invite God in to heal their brokeness.

This is the second book in Jill Kemer's Wyoming Sweethearts and if you've visited Rendezvous, Wyoming you'll be delighted to greet some old friends and bask in all the small-town gossipy goodness. No worries if you haven't read Her Cowboy Till Christmas (yet), you can still enjoy The Cowboy's Secret. It makes a great standalone read as well.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  The Cowboy's Secret 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Silent Shadows

GIVEAWAY

WALTERS, NATALIE
SILENT SHADOWS

Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her.When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally -- her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer -- and more deadly -- than they realized.

With this suspenseful new story, Natalie Walters welcomes you once more to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name -- but no one knows your secret.

My Review:

Whoa -- this romantic suspense was so good I've been stupefied into a state of dumbfounded speechlessness. But, since I can't end my review here, I'll try to rally a few words. :-)

First -- the profound message that is woven into every nook and cranny of this story. "...when we face hardships, whether by our own making or through circumstances beyond our control, that's when we have to turn everything over to God -- because only he has enough grace to turn our messes into blessings." 

This is Colton's struggle as he tries to come to grips with his new reality. He's so focused on his disability that he's allowed it to define him from the inside out. And, oh, but that man is stubborn! Watching Pecca work her magic on him was fainting couch swoonworthy! Cue the fans and ready the smelling salts because there are some delightfully toe-curling scenes that are read-over-again-and-again perfection.

Despite the intensity of the suspense and the relationship complexities, Walters has included a healthy dose of humour to lighten things ups. Like the first time Pecca and Colton meet. Hilarious! And there's some sweet banter and fumbling try-not-to-show-I'm-attracted moments that still have me grinning. And some other I-am-definitely-attracted-and-I-don't-care-who-knows-it moments that left me weak in the knees.

Love that this story takes place over a matter of weeks rather than the intense few days blitz that's usual in romantic suspense. Lot's of time to develop the romance and build relationships in the community while still building the suspense up in the background. And then, just when I was lulled into a sense of security -- wham -- something creepy happens! I enjoyed the armchair sleuthing workout -- got a bit right, more wrong with one major twist I didn't see coming until it hit me between the eyes. Hence my stupefiedness. :-)

Walters impresses again. A blockbuster ending to a fantastic series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Silent Shadows 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Amish Protector

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
AMISH PROTECTOR

In River Haven, a mysterious visitor brings two lonely hearts together...

Joanne Kohler treasures the independence her Amish quilt shop provides. She rarely leans on others, yet finding an injured woman on her property makes her grateful for the store owner next door, Noah Troyer. Calm and unflappable, Noah offers support. He also points out the strong resemblance between Joanna and the unconscious stranger...

Noah may admire Joanna, but the bishop's daughter is out of reach. Though he's made a good life, Noah still feels shadowed by the shame his father brought on the community. But it's his duty to aid his lovely neighbor, especially when danger draws close. As he and Joanna unearth answers about her past, Noah will have to confront his own if he's to have a chance at building a future with the woman he'll love forever.

My Review:

I shivered with readerly delight right through this compelling second River Haven novel. Perry knows how to spin out a suspense and there's a Gothic-y feel to this one. Eeep! That paired with a complicated Amish romance has  me free-falling into a full swoon. :-)

Love the depth this author brings to her characters and the communities she creates. No worries if you haven't visited River Haven before, Amish Protector reads wunderbaar-gut as a standalone novel too. But if you have, you'll be happy to meet up with some familiar faces. These are real (to me) people with everyday struggles. They may be Amish but that doesn't mean everything in their lives is serene. There are negatives to balance out the positives. Complicated families, enduring friendships wrapped up in a foundation of faith. The stuff that keeps a reader glued to the page.

And the mystery is divine. Eerie and confusing and sometimes sinister. From the hair raising scene where Joanne discovers the injured woman to the breath-snatching reveal-all-ending and everything in between, it's all sheer poetry to a romantic suspense lover like me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Amish Protector, 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Lulu's Cafe

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

LOWE, T.I.
LULU'S CAFE

When a damaged young woman is given a chance to reclaim her life in a small South Carolina town, she must reckon with the dark secrets she left behind in order to accept the love she deserves.

On the run from a violent past, Leah Allen arrived in tiny Rivertown, South Carolina, battered and broken, but ready to reinvent herself. By a stroke of fate, Leah is drawn to the Southern hospitality of a small cafe, looking for a warm meal but finding so much more. Lulu, the owner, offers her a job, a place to stay and a new lease on life. Through Lulu's tenacious warmth and generosity, Leah quickly finds herself embraced by the quaint community as she tries to put herself back together. Given she's accustomed to cruelty, the kindness is overwhelming.

Soon Leah meets Crowley Mason, the most eligible bachelor in town. A lawyer and friend of Lulu's, Crowley is wary of Leah's sudden, mysterious arrival. Despite his reserve, something sparks between them that can't be denied. But after all she's been through, can Leah allow herself to truly love and be loved, especially when her first urge is to run?

Exploring the resiliency of both the heart and the spirit, Lulu's Cafe gorgeously illustrates how old scars can finally heal no matter how deep them seem.

My Review:

published in 2014

"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed.; save me, Lord, and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14

What a mesmerizing read! Deeply profound. Moving. Devastating. And hopeful. And the way the reader gets to connect the dots and see the way God is pursuing Leah when she can't see it herself is so inspiring. This stories show how we can be God's hands and feet in this broken world.

Lulu's Cafe is a hard read at first. Domestic abuse is vicious and Lowe shoves us into that darkness right away. She doesn't mince words or shy away from a brutal portrayal of the evil and its aftermath. But, reader take heart because Leah's story is laced with hope and when she hits Lulu's Cafe...well, the story takes a whole other turn.

A word about Crowley Mason. He can stand proudly on my Book Hero pedestal. His heart. His faith. His honor. That Southern charm. All while being a devastatingly handsome flirt. Definitely worthy of an ugly cry ending. Sniffle. My heart is so full.

I listened to the audible edition of Lulu's Cafe, narrated by Natasha Soudek and I really enjoyed the Southern atmosphere she conjured up.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Lulu's Cafe, 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Cat About Town

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY

CONTE, CATE
CAT ABOUT TOWN

The first novel in a frisky new mystery series set in a small New England town, where an unlikely citizen is called in to solve the purrfect crime...

Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts, eager to settle down and start her own business -- and maybe to even fall in love. When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she's inspired to open a cat cafe. But little does Maddie know that's she's in for something a lot more catastrophic when her new furry companion finds the dead body of the town bully.

Now all eyes are on Maddie: Who is this crazy cat-whisperer lady who's come to town? If pet-hair-maintenance and crime-fighting weren't keeping her busy enough, Maddie now has not one but two eligible bachelors who think she's the cat's pajamas...and will do anything to win her heart. But how can she even think about happily-ever-after while a killer remains on the loose -- and on her path?

My Review:

published in 2017

That mysterious cat steals the show in this first Cats Cafe Mystery making the cover art absolute purrfection. Really catches the New England small town vibe with an air of mystery.

Maddie's return for her grandma's funeral is bittersweet. Of course, saying goodbye to her grandma was hard but her precious grandpa is struggling in the aftermath of his loss. Rumours are circulating and a particularly vile excuse for a 'friend' seems bent on destroying her gramps' good name. That gets Maddie's ire up and she faces off with the bully in a very public way. Then the guy is murdered and the new detective has both her and her grandpa in his crosshairs. What's a retired police chief's granddaughter to do but embark on her own investigation?

This my first ever Cate Conte book and I love her style -- the way she builds the small town community with plenty of interesting (and sometimes quirky) secondary characters. Love the way she wove Maddie's backstory into the plot. It was easy to connect with her and her irascible grandpa! A solid mystery kept me happily armchair sleuthing right to the end. The only thing I'm not keen on...the dreaded love triangle raises it's ugly head. Gah! :-)

Please note: some mild language

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Cat About Town, 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 April 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

April Giveaway -- Week Three

WON BY PAM W.

WON BY CARYL KANE

WON BY KIM HANSEN

WON BY NICOLE SAGER

WON BY LINDA MOFFITT

WON BY PAM K.

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 Cowboy's Unexpected Baby

GIVEAWAY

DEES, STEPHANIE
THE COWBOY'S UNEXPECTED BABY

First comes baby, then comes...love?
Now this cowboy is in over his head.

Rancher and lawyer Garrett Cole wants a family -- eventually. Until he finds a sweet newborn abandoned on his doorstep. If it weren't for Abby Scott, the social worker temporarily working in his office, he'd be lost. But when their attraction grows deeper, can this cowboy dad risk his heart on a woman who might not be in town for good?

Triple Creek Cowboys

My Review:

First -- let's all give in to a collective sigh over that cover. Is that cuteness overload or what? Meet Garrett Cole and wee Charlotte. She showed up on his doorstep one morning -- and no, she isn't his baby! Watching Garrett fumble through his intro to all things pink was so much fun! Kinda melted my heart, in fact. Abby's too -- though she's determined to keep her distance. Ha! Like she could resist for long. I was a goner on page two.

This is the second book in the Triple Creek Cowboys series but it reads fine as a standalone. However, if you read The Cowboy's Twin Surprise, you'll be be happy to catch up with Devin and Lacey and their brood while enjoying more brotherly banter and hijinks. And there's still one more brother to go. Happy sigh.

And did I mention Elvis is in the building? In the form of a golden retriever therapy dog. And there's goats and kittens and lots of heartwarming. laughter-inducing, emotion-rallying moments that make this such a memorable and enjoyable contemporary romance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  The Cowboy's Unexpected Baby 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 April 18 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Falsely Accused

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
FALSELY ACCUSED

Proving her innocence means running for her life.

Framed for her foster brother's murder, FBI specialist agent Wren Santino must clear her name -- but someone's dead set on stopping her from finding the truth. Her estranged childhood friend, Titus Anderson, comes to her aid...but standing by her puts him in the killer's crosshairs too. And unraveling a conspiracy may be the only way for either of them to survive.

My Review:

What a hair-raising opening scene! Desperation from the get go and so many questions without any answers. My heart rate skipped along as fast as my eyes skimmed the words because this is the rabid-read kind of suspense. So many twists and turns with stop reading and gasp out loud moments!

Love the friends to lovers vibe of the romance. They haven't seen each other for nine years yet they fall right back into the teasing comaraderie of their best friends days. "It was the same. The verbal sparring. The quick exchanges of ideas and plans. The compromising and the challenging. It all felt as natural as breathing."  (p 27) Only there's a new and interesting vibe zinging between them now. And I do love some good verbal sparring in a romance. :-)

Shirlee McCoy is one of my absolutely-buy-if-her-name-is-on-the-cover authors and after finishing Falsely Accused, I'm reminded why. Unputdownable.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Falsely Accused 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 April 18 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Flights of Fancy

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ

TURANO, JEN
FLIGHTS OF FANCY

Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she's always known and finds herself an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely through traditional hard work. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he's unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when a chain of mysterious incidents on the farm point to a larger threat, they'll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at a happy-ever-after.

My Review:

published in January 2019

Bwahahahaha! Snort! Guffaw! My wits have been scrambled by mirth after listening to another Jen Turano rom/com masterpiece. Quirkiness that's almost scary. Slapstick that's burst-out-loud laughable. Not to mention the critters who don't act like they should. Buttercup, the expert tracker cow who also thinks she should live inside the house with her human herd. Elmer, the maniacal hen who just wants to be loved. Chortle. I was in reader heaven.

Izzy is a riot -- the proverbial pampered miss who finds herself in all kinds of unexpected situations once she talks her way into a job on a farm. There's a sweet naivety about her that makes her likable despite her definite class disconnect. And her innate kindness draws folks to her and lets her inner light shine.

There's a great quote that I can only paraphrase because I listened to the audible version of this book and I was walking at the time. But it went along the lines of how God puts obstacles in our path in order to show us who He knows we can be. And that's definitely the kind of faith journey both the hero and heroine are on in this story.

Ian has gotten so caught up in being a success that he's almost forgotten what's really important. And then Izzy bursts into his life and turns everything upside down. Loved this hero and his quest to stay true to the values he was raised on.

There's even a bit of a mystery and more than one diabolical villain to conquer before we reach the stand-up-and-cheer happily ever after. The perfect mood lifting escape for these trying times.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Flights of Fancy, 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 April 18 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!