To Steal a Heart

 

GIVEAWAY

TURANO, JEN

TO STEAL A HEART

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend -- until he abaondoned her.

After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the names of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but the newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.

My Review:

Bwahahahaha...just rollicking-snort-laughingly good! My absolute favourite Jen Turano novel yet and it's the first in her new Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series and woohoo but there's a passel of quirky characters waiting at the sidelines for their turn to shine in their very own series and I can't wait!!!

Turano's unique blend of humour and faith shines through in this page-turning historical romance with surprising twists of intrigue and danger. It's mayhem and chaos punctuated with sharp truths and sweet romance. And a hundred thousand giggles.

Gabrella is all fiery spirit and stalwart practicality while Nicholas is on the verge of making a really wrong decision for the most nonsensical of reasons but he's as driven as Gabriella is -- just in opposing ways. At first. But there's so much more to this social climber than meets the eye and watching him grapple with trying to merge his past with his present in order to create a hope-filled future was pure romantical bliss.

And then there's the boarding house full of independent ladies with unique talents...and endearing oddities. I'm beyond curious about their backstories! Love the way they work together to form an indomitable force of good.

The fast-paced plot is propelled by witty dialogue and so many one-line zingers that I left off reading with a perpetual smile on my face. Yes it's zany and over-the-top at times but that just adds to the overall charm. 

I enjoyed the audible edition of To Steal a Heart. Andrea Emmes did justice to these lively characters and all their shenanigans!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook (Amazon.com account) copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of To Steal a 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 December 5 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Home Made Lovely

 

ACHESON, SHANNON

HOME MADE LOVELY

Create the Home You've Always Dreamed Of

Everyone wants a home that is beautifully decorated and clutter free, but most of us are unsure how to get there without breaking the bank. In Home Made Lovely, popular interior designer Shannon Acheson takes the overwhelm and guesswork out of styling and organzing a lovely home.

Home Made Lovely is a mind-set: Decorating your home should be about those who live there, rather than creating a magazine-worthy spread. Shannon will help you.

• decorate in a way that suits your family's real life
• declutter in seven simple steps
• perform a house blessing to dedicate your home to God
• be thankful for your current home and what you already have
• brush up on hospitality with more than twenty actionable ideas that will make anyone feel welcome and loved in your home

In Home Made Lovely, Shannon meets you right where you are on your home-decorating journey, helping you share the peace of Jesus with family members and guests.

My Review:

When I'm not reading fiction I can often be found with my nose buried in decorating books and magazines so i was excited to discover Home Made Lovely with it's uniquely Christian elements. 

I appreciate the way the author opens the dialogue on the differences between current trends and creating a 'showy' home versus creating one that is both beautiful and welcoming while comfortably lived in. And that includes decorating choices that reflect my beliefs. There's a great chapter featuring ways home decor can actually embrace our faith by incorporating scripture as art. Acheson includes a pretty nifty list of bible verses (sorted by room and theme) that has me itching to get creative!

The book is chock-full of professional interior decorating know-how parsed out in digestible bite-sized pieces. The author is a blogger and that concise, list approach is reflected here. And she covers every topic imaginable from discovering your decorating style to room dimensions and furniture placement and everything in between. There are also a multitude of worksheets to help a reader discover and prioritize their decorating needs. 

My only disappointment in this coffee-table sized book is the lack of of significant illustrations. There are some, both diagrams, sketches and photographs, but not nearly as many as I usually see in home decor books of this caliber. It was particularly frustrating where a decorating idea was described in word only. In this age of Pinterest and Instagram, I've come to expect the before and after shots to provide a visual that helps me understand. 

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

November Giveaway -- Week Four

 

WON BY CARLY KANE

WON BY NICOLE SAGER

WON BY CONNIE LEE

WON BY BECKY

WON BY PATTY

WON BY LINDA MOFFITT

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address in the comments, otherwise it's up to the winner to contact me at it's up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  (Please note it's ca as in Canada not com)

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 AN EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU!

Books will be ordered within a week of receiving your mailing address (or email address for ebooks) and I'll email you to confirm your book is on its way. Give it a full month before inquiring on the status of an order to allow for processing and shipping times.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Giveaways this week will be Monday through Friday. I will be reviewing a non-fiction book on Sunday (without a giveaway) -- Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

The Texan's Unexpected Holiday

GIVEAWAY

NAVARRO, JOLENE

THE TEXAN'S UNEXPECTED HOLIDAY

Temporary shelter...or new forever home?

Driven to get her sister and baby niece out of a dangerous situation, Lexy Zapata brings them with her to her new job near Damian De La Rosa's family's ranch. Now they can stay hidden through the holidays while Lexy plans their next move. But when she starts to fall for Damian, can his ranch become her family's safe haven for good?

A cowboys of Diamondback Ranch book.

My Review:

Everything I love in a contemporary romance times ten. Rich characterization, strong plot, even stronger connection between hero and heroine (it zings!) and all kinds of humour, from oh-so-subtle to hearty-laugh-out-loud. And a cute baby! (Best cover photo op ever!!!!) And a touch of danger just to spice things up. Oh -- and there are animals. A Belgian Malinois pair aptly named Hansel and Gretel. And a cantankerous horse who matches Damian in the strong, brooding silent type category. And I love that Lexy handles them both the same way! I'm still grinning and swooning. Outstanding!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Texan's Unexpected Holiday, 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

A Haven for Her Heart

 

GIVEAWAY

MASON, SUSAN ANNE

A HAVEN FOR HER HEART

Homeless after being released from a women's reformatory in 1939 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love -- until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He'll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he's immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion.

Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia's secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

My Review:

Wow-oh-wow-oh-wowzers!!!! This book has all the feels to put a reader through the emotional ringer over and over again. I spent much of the time fuming over injustices and prejudice. In a sputtering rage, really, ranting at a number of reprehensible characters that I think should have been placed in the reformatory instead of Olivia! Gah! But I cheered as she overcame them all - not without heartbreak or sorrow but with a steely resolve and inspiring courage. 

And that Darius! I'll admit there were times he gave me conniptions but I will give praise where praise is due and he's a man who learns from his mistakes and isn't afraid to stand up for his convictions (though he gave me quite a few scares along the way!) And his sweet little daughter and large opinionated family made me smile and sigh...a lot. :-)

Hallelujah -- there's significant faith threads woven -- no, deeply embedded -- into the lives of these characters. About forgiveness and redemption and the value of every soul. About having the courage to embrace the blessings a loving Father bestows, not because you're worthy but precisely because you're not! Made me tear up more than a few times. God bless Christian authors who are keeping Christ at the heart of their stories!

In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm kinda a book nerd and one of the things I pay attention to are titles and how they fit with the story. I get especially excited when the actual title is plucked right from a sentence in the book. And get downright over-the-moon giddy when a title phrase is perfectly placed within the story to tie it all together. A Haven for Her Heart does that beautifully and gave me thrills and chills! And yes, that certifies me as a rabid-bibliophile-with-out-filters, but really, are any of you surprised?

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Haven for her 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Covert Cover-Up

GIVEAWAY

GODDARD, ELIZABETH

COVERT COVER-UP

Rescuing a neighbor lands her in a killer's sights...

Private investigator Katelyn Bradley rushes to help when she suspects a burglary at her neighbor Beck Goodwin's house -- and arrives just in time to save him. The widowed dad is convinced the attack is linked to his wife's mysterious death, and now Katelyn is a target too. Trapped in someone's crosshairs, can Beck and Katelyn uncover his late wife's lethal secrets...and keep each other alive?

A Mount Shasta Secrets Story

My Review:

Goddard catapults her protagonists (and consequently, her readers) into danger on the very first page and the tension just doesn't let up. Mystery and intrigue and wily assassin types have an agenda and Beck and Katelyn are on their hit list. But why? You'll spend the entire read trying to figure that out! And so will they...while also trying to stay alive. 

Intense suspense and a complicated romance -- sometimes I wanted to slap them both upside the head and other times I just had to roll my eyes and chuckle. These are two stubborn people with enough pain in their pasts to make them wary of allowing someone in. I don't know what they fought the hardest -- the uber bad guys' relentless pursuits or falling in love! lol

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Covert Cover-Up, 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

The Protective One

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD

THE PROTECTIVE ONE

From a "skilled storyteller who reminds the reader that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life" (RT Book Reviews), Shelley Shepard Gray weaves a moving and unforgettable exploration of love and friendship.

The tragic and untimely death of an old friend has made Elizabeth Anne rethink not only her priorities but her courtship with David, her longtime neighbor and suitor. Though he is Mennonite like herself and has her parents' approval, she feels that a spark is missing. Desperate for a change, she breaks things off -- wondering if, perhaps, she's the one who's missing a spark.

When her family becomes upset with her decision, E.A. turns to her friends for support. One of them is Will, a man with a good heart who has always been there for her. As the two bond over their shared struggle to navigate a future that everyone else seems to have figured out, they are surprised to realize that they have feelings for each other.

But E.A.'s world takes a sudden turn when she realizes that she's not the only one struggling -- Marta, one of her sewing students, is in desperate need of protection. With the aid of Will and several other friends, Elizabeth Anne begins a journey that is more difficult and rewarding than she could have ever imagined...one that ultimately enables her to find everything she's been searching for.

My Review:

There's an understated power in this poignant story about friendship and love and the courage to embrace change. I'm finding it hard to find words to explain the impact it had on me. That's because this author knows how to bring heart and depth into what, on the surface, might appear to simply be a sweet Amish romance. Well, it is that -- but so much more!

The Protective One is the third book in Gray's Walnut Creek series which centers around seven friends who vow to stick together after the tragic suicide of a dear friend. Each book manages to give some quality page time to all the friends as a group, even while focusing on one hero and heroine's love story. And things are always complicated because that's life. Love the realism the author brings into the plot through sensitive issues and struggles. 

In this story, it's the various forms of domestic abuse. And while that topic is heavy, Gray approaches it with compassion and hope. The big takeaway for me was how our personal faith journey can prepare us to act with discernment when offering friendship and support to someone dealing with abuse...and even enable us to recognize more subtle forms in our own lives.  

Having said all that, this isn't in any way an oppressive downer of a book! There's plenty of humour, and friendly shenanigans as E.A and Will navigate their way to a happily ever after future of their own.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Protective One, 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

The Gentleman and the Thief

GIVEAWAY

EDEN, SARAH M.

THE GENTLEMAN AND THE THIEF

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day -- and a thief by night.

LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Anna Newport, he's smitten. Even though he's from a wealthy, established family and she isn't, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father's successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduces his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the "Phantom Fox." She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis's brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief? 

My Review:

Sqqqquuuueeeaaaalllll!!!!

Eeeeeeeeppppp!!!!!

Sqqquuueeeeeeeppppp!!!!

I am in a twitterpated state of giddy bibliophile euphoria because this book is sooooooooo brilliantly clever and tons of fun as well as being exquisitely romantical!!! And it's made me  a sputtering ditherer so excuse me while I gush. 

First off -- The Gentleman and the Thief (lovely title, even lovelier cover) is the second book in the Dread Penny Society series. I haven't read the first one, The Lady and the Highwayman (hanging my head in shame, because how could I have not?) and I didn't have any issues delving into book two. All you need to know is that there is a secret society made up of Penny Dreadful authors who are dedicated to assisting the downtrodden. The story starts with Hollis heading off to a secret meeting so if it seems a bit confusing at first, don't worry, it will all make heaps of delightful sense soon.

And this is the point where I have to admit to being in a near swoon over the meticulous way the author has woven this story together because we not only have the main plot involving Ana and Hollis and friends, but there's also two full penny dreadful novels woven within. Each story is distinctive but there are parallels...so pay attention as you dodge in and out among the three plots. One of them is so beyond-my-wildest-dreams witty and smart that I think the author should create an entire children's  series featuring those characters and that setting.

I do so love a clever turn of phrase, and this book is chock-full of them! It's amusing and entertaining and just a little bit out-of-the-box crazy and I grinned and guffawed my way through Justine Eyre's incredible narration.

Romance, mystery, larger-than-life characters (who all need their very own stories told in future books!) make for a lively, rabid-listening (or reading, depending on your choice of edition) delight!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Gentleman and the Thief, 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Christmas in Winter Hill

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

CARLSON, MELODY

CHRISTMAS IN WINTER HILL

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas, due to bad memories of the holiday season during her childhood in multiple foster homes. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, which is coordinated by the city manager. 

As Krista tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, she wonders if this move was a mistake. She doesn't always feel welcomed in the close-knit town. Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista's Christmas spirit before the big day?

My Review:

published in 2019

First off -- love this cover! It's definitely beckoning me to settle in and spend some time in Winter Hill! Picture postcard perfect, especially since this is a town that does Christmas in a very big way. It's idyllic, really...unless you aren't a big fan of all the seasonal hohohoing. And Krista isn't. She's not a Scrooge though, just a wounded soul who has a stockpile of rotten Christmas pasts in her arsenal which tends to colour her present day holiday experiences. But she tries valiantly to get her jingle on for the sake of her eight-year-old daughter.

New job, new town. Fresh start. It's the perfect opportunity for this single mom to get a second chance at life...and love. If only the whole pesky Christmasville celebration would just go away! :-)

Carlson works her own special brand of holiday magic that's sure to please ardent Hallmark movie fans -- in fact, come to think of it, this would make a perfect Christmas special! Charming town, eclectic townsfolk, a little drama courtesy of the town Grinch and the sweet innocent hope of a young child at Christmas. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill, 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 November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

November Giveaway -- Week Three

 

WON BY MELISSA ANDRES

WON BY HEIDI READS

WON BY NANCY M

WON BY JANA LEAH

WON BY RUBYNREBA

WON BY MELANIE BACKUS

WON BY TRIXI

WON BY KAY GARRETT

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address in the comments, otherwise it's up to the winner to contact me at it's up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  (Please note it's ca as in Canada not com)

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 AN EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU!

Books will be ordered within a week of receiving your mailing address (or email address for ebooks) and I'll email you to confirm your book is on its way. Give it a full month before inquiring on the status of an order to allow for processing and shipping times.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAY:

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

The Christmas Courtship

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

MILLER, EMMA

THE CHRISTMAS COURTSHIP

An Amish single mother with a secret past...searching for a fresh start at Christmastime.

Caught up in a scandal in her Amish community, Phoebe Miller moves to her cousin's farm in Delaware hoping for forgiveness and a second chance. The last thing Phoebe expects is to slowly fall for bachelor Joshua Miller. But Joshua doesn't know the secret that made her leave her old life behind. Can their blossoming love survive the truth? 

My Review:

published in 2019

This is one of the Christmas books that got away last year. I couldn't keep up with all the stunning holiday fare Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense offered up so I had to tuck this little beauty away for another holiday season. Well, she's seen the light of day at last and blessed me with her sweet message of forgiveness and the hope of second chances...all while tying my tummy up in knots from angst and belly laughs.

Loved Joshua's gregarious nature, quick wit and penchant for keeping up a running commentary on absolutely everything and anything. "I talk when I'm nervous and when I'm not. I talk when I'm happy and when I'm sad. When I was little my mother used to say that she put me to bed talking and I picked up on the sentence come dawn the next day." (p 16) 

Phoebe doesn't know what to make of him at first since since he -- and the entire Miller clan for that matter -- are very different from the repressive environment she is used to. In a chaotic, lively, welcoming way, of course. She has arrived in Hickory Grove looking for a second chance...at life, at love. And, mercy, but Phoebe is deserving for all that and more! To understand why you need to read her story, but be prepared for an emotional onslaught of epic proportions because...gah!!!!! There's a great message within these pages about what forgiveness really means and how judgement doesn't have any part of it.

A heartwarming and hope-fueled Christmas love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Christmas Courtship, 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 November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Delayed Justice

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

DELAYED JUSTICE

A closed case brings a new threat.

Detective Bradley McGregor and his K-9 partner, Kind, come to the rescue when journalist Sasha Eastman's targeted by a shooter who looks just like her mother's murderer. But that killer supposedly died years ago in a shootout with police. Now it's up to Bradley and King to protect Sasha...but how can they stop a killer who's already dead?

The thrilling True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series conclusion.

My Review:

Why, yes, this is me mooning over the noble King, Belgian Malinois extraordinaire! The perfect protector and run buddy and a bit of a goofball on the side. What's not to love? Oh, sure, his two-legged partner is mighty fine too...for someone lacking a keen sense of smell and the ability to detect danger before it's too late to do anything about it! 

Bradley makes up for his lack of K-9 abilities by being finely tuned to King's every mood and willing to trust in the dog's uber spidey senses. :-) They make a formidable team and are just the officers to help Sasha figure out who is gunning (quite literally) for her. Only Sasha isn't a slouch and she has some cunning investigative skills and isn't afraid to use them.

There's a bit of a more serious tone to this LIS as both hero and heroine have lost parents to violence. Bradley has coped by holding himself aloof and pouring all his time and energy into his policing as a way of making a difference. Sasha's approach to healing is more subtle, but effective. "She prayed for small successes. That God could use her to touch a heart, to ease a burden, to lift a spirit -- those were the things she wanted." (p 23) Love this contrast between these two and the dynamics it creates. 

This is the grand finale of the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn continuity series and I'm thrilled to have all the t's crossed and the i's dotted on that seven month hunt for a killer! You don't need to have read the first six books to enjoy this one as Sasha's mystery takes precedence and the author does a great job of neatly catching readers up with the over-arcing suspense thread backstory so it all makes total sense. 

And there's a really sweet epilogue featuring the entire K-9 team and their significant others (including dogs!) celebrating Thanksgiving. And we still have two Christmas novellas to look forward to next month. Count me one happy reader.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Delayed Justice, 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 November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Nine

 

GIVEAWAY

DEKKER, RACHELLE

NINE

Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe words, everything changes. Now, against her better judgement, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.

My Review:

An impossible to pigeonhole thriller. Is it speculative? Maybe a bit. Or Dystopian? Kinda but not quite. Suspense? Definitely! Action-packed? In spades! However you want to classify Nine, it's definitely a page-turner.

Equal parts creepy and intriguing and baffling and head-spinning-wait-what-just-happened?! I was enthralled and compelled -- even through the gnarly bits and reader beware: there is a significant amount of violence, including torture scenes. I found some of it really disturbing so if you are sensitive to that kind of content this might not be the right book-match for you.

The three unique points of view really fleshed out the tale and brought a sharper edge to the storytelling. I had issues with one protagonist -- he plays a pivotal role and has a complicated backstory that feeds his motivation but -- wowzers...just no. I was on tenterhooks the entire read because of that one character!

There's a light connection to The Girl Behind the Red Rope though there isn't any indication this is part of a series. There's sure to be a sequel at least, because the conclusion is somewhat open-ended. There's enough closure so that a reader can heave a sigh of relief and let her heart rate simmer down but Zoe and Lucy's journey is far from over and I'm anxious to see how it all plays out.

The one thing I found disappointing was the lack of a faith thread -- definitely a clean read, though with quite a bit of violence. It touches on forgiveness at the end but that isn't fully developed enough for me to consider it a Christian Fiction read. Anticipating a sequel, I'm wondering if this book has laid the groundwork for some inspirational aspects to come? I'm eager to find out because Dekker has me hooked despite my misgivings on the amount of violence in this book.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Nine, 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 November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!