Vanished in the Mountains

GIVEAWAY

STOWE, TANYA

VANISHED IN THE MOUNTAINS

A search for missing women leads to a deadly pursuit.

When domestic violence counselor Dulcie Parker uncovers evidence of a human trafficking ring in the Four Corners area, she's determined to stop it or die trying. With corruption all around her and killers on her trail, Deputy Sheriff Austin Turner's the one person she can trust. But can they work together to expose the crime ring before she becomes the next victim?

My Review:

I don't what has me more rattled -- the rabid-over-the-shoulder-checking nail-biter of a plot or the fact that this is my first Tanya Stowe novel. Seriously, how did I miss her previous books? You can be sure I'll be back-tracking!

This is one intense suspense with a few interesting twists that bring a fresh perspective to this LIS. Like the Navajo nation setting. While neither of the main characters are Native American, Stowe has woven in details of the culture, history and geography which I found fascinating.

And I love that Dulcie isn't your typical kick-butting heroine (though I do love those ladies as well!) but I could relate to Dulcie's more timid nature and found her all the braver for battling past her fears in order to find the missing women. She might freeze up in terror on occasion but she is relentless in her pursuit of justice.

And then there's Austin. Disgruntled, overworked and not sure what to make of Dulcie's wild claims. You'll want to seat belt yourself in for this read 'cause there's tons of twists and turns and breath snatching moments. Along with some emotionally romantical ones as Austin and Dulcie learn to open up and trust each other. 

A page-turner from start to finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Vanished in the Mountains, 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 winners announced on Saturday April 3  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Beauty Among Ruins

GIVEAWAY

CIESIELSKI, J'NELL

BEAUTY AMONG RUINS

In Ciesielski's latest sweeping romance, an American heiress finds herself in Scotland amid the fallout of the Great War, and a wounded Scottish laird comes face-to-face with his past and a woman he never could have expected.

American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a "cure" for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming. 

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it's too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

My Review:

Well now, that was both expected and unexpected and I loved every second of this read, rejoicing in some familiar tropes even as they morphed in surprising ways. There's tons I'd like to say and lots I won't  because...spoilers. But there's lots of meat to this gritty WWI novel that would be fun to hash out in a book club chat.

There's a kind of Beauty and the Beast vibe to Lily and Alec's romance. She's a spirited, lively, savor-every-moment distraction that Alec doesn't need. He's...well...beastly in some ways. Taciturn, moody and gruff (seriously -- a brooding Scottish hero? I am so in!!!!) As Lily puts it: "Do you always wake up on the wrong side of pleasant?" Bwahahaha!

I wasn't sure about Lily at first -- she seemed flighty and self-absorbed and such a product of her heiress status, ready to defy authority just to be contrary. But I soon discovered there was so much more to her impulsive actions. She's quite naive, really, and eager to help, just not always in the way the stern Matron expects her to. There's some great humorous moments thanks to Lily's impetuosity. And plenty of reasons for Alec to become exasperated and even more surly...but intrigued as well. And that's where the magic happens, in all this tantalizing romantical tension. Toe curls are inevitable and keeping smelling salts handy advisable. 

But there's treachery and danger afoot along with drama galore and the author kept me in an agitated state right to very the last word. Mercy, but I nearly had conniptions multiple times!

The only thing missing is a faith thread, which I discovered is deliberate. Thomas Nelson is encouraging/supporting some of its authors to write for the general market. They still have fiction authors who will be writing Christian Fiction, but they also have a number who I'd label clean reads with no obvious inspirational content of which J'Nell Ciesielski is one. 

It's a win/win for the publisher as they can increase their sales by appealing to a broader market which will, in turn, provide them the funds to continue supporting their Christian Fiction authors. I just wish they would market the clean reads differently so consumers expecting CF aren't caught unawares. 

If you'd like to learn more about this or just hear a fascinating interview with J'Nell Ciesielski, check out this great Because...Fiction podcast hosted by author Chautona Havig:

https://becausefictionpodcast.com/episode-42-a-chat-with-jnell-ciesielski

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Beauty Among the Ruins, 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 winners announced on Saturday April 3  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Prince of Spies

GIVEAWAY

CAMDEN, ELIZABETH

PRINCE OF SPIES

Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington D.C. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.

But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented acces to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?

My Review:

Sigh, I fell a little more in love with every turn of the page -- with Luke, with the Delacroix family, with Marianne's indomitable spirit. Even with the angst (which is plentiful!) This has been a sublime series but Prince of Spies will always hold a special place in my heart. Because of Luke (my toe curls have pleats!) of course, but also because of the deeply layered story that held me enthralled.

So, here's what I LOVED about this book:

Doomed romance that has tragedy written all over it.

Dashing, devil-may-care hero who has a compassionate heart but wrestles with justice versus vengeance for all the right reasons.(Honestly, there were a couple of characters that I felt very vengeful towards right to the very last page! Gah!)

A clever heroine with an interesting career -- a maverick in her class and among her peers. 

A historical setting full of fascinating little-known-by-me details that makes me feel smarter for reading it. 

Enough emotional sucker punches to make me feel woozy in that good, giddy bibliophile way.

A bittersweet send-off courtesy of the epilogue. It's sweet perfection but sad, too, because now it's all really and truly over. Sob!!!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Prince of Spies, 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 winners announced on Saturday April 3  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Farm to Trouble

GIVEAWAY

FLOWER, AMANDA

FARM TO TROUBLE

Shiloh Bellamy cashed in her big city job and 401K to return home to Michigan to save the family farm, but turning Bellamy Farms into a sustainable, organic operation is no small feat. Especially when her new investor is found dead at the farmers market not long after the contract is signed, a contract that the whole town knows her father was wholeheartedly against.

Now, Shiloh must clear her family's name and track down the real killer before her farm dreams wilt before her very eyes. But with her father trying to stop any progress on his land, her cousin belittling her every effort, and the whole town believing her family at fault, Shiloh has to carry the investigation on her shoulders or risk all her dreams drying up before they begin.

My Review:

Hooray! A new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flower and I love the family farm setting -- cue the clever title because this author has some of the funnest tongue-in-cheek punny titles ever! 

This wouldn't be a classic Flower without a critter or two -- like a citified pampered pug named Huckleberry who is having a hard time adjusting to country life. :-)  Shiloh, on the other hand, is glad to be home...until murder and mayhem mar her return. 

Who knew that moving away for fifteen years would make her public enemy #1 in town, not to mention a suspect in a murder investigation?! If that's not enough to stress over, the rundown family farm piles on more angst. A great community of secondary characters (some to love and others of the love-to-hate variety) add to the overall cozy ambiance. All in all, a fantastic start to the Farm to Table series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Farm to Trouble, 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 winners announced on Saturday April 3  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

March Giveaway -- Week Four

WOOHOOO -- WHAT A FANTASTIC 

SEASON OF READING WE HAVE IN STORE!

Thanks for making this another fun week of delightful bookish fellowship! So lovely to talk books with people who get it. :-) Spring has finally sprung way up here in the North and I'm as twitterpated as nest building robins over the scrumptious reading heading our way! 

Before we get started on the giveaway announcements, lets reflect on the most requested book in each genre. Just a bit of nerdish bibliophile trivia, but I can't seem to help myself. :-)

Historical:

The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

Contemporary:

Let it be Me by Becky Wade

Suspense/Mystery:

The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White

Amish:

An Amish Barn Raising (novella collection)

tied with

The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston

Now, without further ado, 

here are our 

Spring Reader's Choice winners!

HISTORICAL WINNERS:

WON BY CARYL KANE

WON BY AGBOSS

CONTEMPORARY WINNERS:

WON BY MARIAN BAAY

WON BY BECKY

SUSPENSE / MYSTERY WINNERS:

WON BY DIANA FLOWERS

WON BY LIZ R

AMISH WINNERS:

WON  BY RUBYNREBA

WON BY KIM HANSEN

CHRISTIAN FICTION WINNERS:

WON BY MELISSA OLDAKER

WON BY PATTY

RETRO READ WINNERS:

WON BY WALTON FARM

WON BY LEA

And wait, it's not over quite yet. This Vanity Category has become a blog tradition -- where I chose my favourite cover in each genre and then draw from the names of the readers who entered them...a kinda draw within a draw. Hope that makes sense. Here are those cover-love winners.

HISTORICAL COVER-LOVE WINNER:

(I love the delicate detail in this cover 

and the way it fits perfectly 

with the first book in the series. It's beautiful and mysterious -- and see that sweet little flower band along the edge? This is going to be a book you want to place face forward on your bookshelf.)

WON BY JACKIE SMITH

CONTEMPORARY COVER-LOVE WINNER:

(It's the serenity of the blue, I think, that draws me in. I'm  landlocked and usually happily so, but this cover has me dreaming about sea and sand and salt in the air. And books, of course.)

WON BY CHANEL M.

SUSPENSE / MYSTERY COVER-LOVE WINNER

(Any time a dog is on the cover, I'm in! I love the sense of urgency and motion in this cover and the superimposed images. 

And all the shades of blue.)

WON BY TRACEY HAGWOOD

AMISH COVER-LOVE WINNER

(So...dog on the cover caught my attention again. I'm nothing if not predictable. And he has such a happy smile on his face -- we just have to get acquainted. Plus, I love that purple-y sky. It holds all kinds of promises.  And, hoorah, this isn't the stock image of the back of an Amish woman which has been so overused it makes me think I've already read a brand new book! lol)

WON BY LORI SMANSKI

And now it's time for our just-because bonus giveaway which is becoming a tradition as well. Last time I chose the 100th entrant in each genre category that went that high but this time we only hit 99 on two days so I tossed that number into random.org and it chose  lucky number 33. Does this make me sound a tad tizzy? It must be all the book tallying. Anyway, here are the winners:

HISTORICAL 33RD

WON BY KAY GARRETT

CONTEMPORARY 33RD

WON BY PAULA SHRECKHISE

SUSPENSE / MYSTERY 33RD

WON BY CC

Phew! That's another RC wrap...until the lazy days of summer roll around. I'll send winners an email stating their book win, publication and requesting a mailing address (or email addy if you prefer ebooks) so that I have everything ready for your release day. Then I will email you once again when the book has been ordered. 

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS: 

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Reader's Choice -- Retro Read Fiction

 

GIVEAWAY

Eeep!!! It's that time of year when an Avid Reader's fancy turns to New Spring Releases! And that means it's...

Reader's Choice Giveaway!

Spring Edition!!

So here's how this things works (pay attention, 'cause this day is a little different from the rest of the week): You recommend RETRO READ FICTION titles with release dates in 2020 or earlier (up to three suggestions today) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week :-(

It's RETRO READ FICTION

GIVEAWAY DAY

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Retro Read Fiction genre you would like to win.

RETRO READ Fiction -- a full length story or novella or collection of novellas published in the year 2020 or earlier. This is your chance to get that TBR wishlist title which has been eluding for what seems life forever. Any genre, an time period, just make sure it's Christian Fiction.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publications dates must be

2020 or earlier

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions 

per genre day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier to tally)

No email entries this week

(too hard to keep track due to

# of responses)

entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggyback on someone else's login)

Open to International Readers

(I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction far and wide)

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day). If you choose not to include your email

 then it's up to you to contact me if you're a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday March 27 2021

Reader's Choice -- Christian Fiction

 

GIVEAWAY

Eeep!!! It's that time of year when an Avid Reader's fancy turns to New Spring Releases! And that means it's...

Reader's Choice Giveaway!

Spring Edition!!

So here's how this things works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION titles with release dates in April, May or June 2021 (up to three suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week :-(

It's CHRISTIAN FICTION

GIVEAWAY DAY

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Christian Fiction genre you would like to win.

Christian Fiction -- a full length story or novella or collection of novellas. Any genre, including previous selections you've made on other days and also for specific genres not covered this week such as Women's Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction etc.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publications dates must be

April, May or June 2021

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions 

per genre day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier to tally)

No email entries this week

(too hard to keep track due to

# of responses)

entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggyback on someone else's login)

Open to International Readers

(I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction far and wide)

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day). If you choose not to include your email

 then it's up to you to contact me if you're a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday March 27 2021

Reader's Choice -- Amish Fiction

 

GIVEAWAY

Eeep!!! It's that time of year when an Avid Reader's fancy turns to New Spring Releases! And that means it's...

Reader's Choice Giveaway!

Spring Edition!!

So here's how this things works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION titles with release dates in April, May or June 2021 (up to three suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week :-(

It's AMISH FICTION

GIVEAWAY DAY

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Amish Fiction genre you would like to win.

Amish Fiction -- a full length story or novella or collection of novellas where the hero or heroine (or both) are Amish OR the story has significant Amish involvement through Amish secondary characters and Amish community. Can be historical or contemporary and cross genres such as YA, suspense etc and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publications dates must be

April, May or June 2021

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions 

per genre day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier to tally)

No email entries this week

(too hard to keep track due to

# of responses)

entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggyback on someone else's login)

Open to International Readers

(I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction far and wide)

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day). If you choose not to include your email

 then it's up to you to contact me if you're a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday March 27 2021

Reader's Choice -- Suspense / Mystery Fiction

GIVEAWAY

Eeep!!! It's that time of year when an Avid Reader's fancy turns to New Spring Releases! And that means it's...

Reader's Choice Giveaway!

Spring Edition!!

So here's how this things works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION titles with release dates in April, May or June 2021 (up to three suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week :-(

It's SUSPENSE / MYSTERY FICTION

GIVEAWAY DAY

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Suspense/Mystery  Fiction genre you would like to win.

Suspense / Mystery Fiction -- a full length story or novella or collection of novellas where mystery is an important part of the plot. The hero or heroine (or both) are often in peril. Can be set in any time period and may cross genres such as YA, Historical, Amish etc and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publications dates must be

April, May or June 2021

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions 

per genre day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier to tally)

No email entries this week

(too hard to keep track due to

# of responses)

entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggyback on someone else's login)

Open to International Readers

(I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction far and wide)

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day). If you choose not to include your email

 then it's up to you to contact me if you're a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday March 27 2021

Reader's Choice - Contemporary Fiction

 

GIVEAWAY

Eeep!!! It's that time of year when an Avid Reader's fancy turns to New Spring Releases! And that means it's...

Reader's Choice Giveaway!

Spring Edition!!

So here's how this things works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION titles with release dates in April, May or June 2021 (up to three suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it's a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

PLEASE NOTE: email entries are not eligible this week :-(

It's CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE / FICTION

GIVEAWAY DAY

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Contemporary Romance / Fiction genre you would like to win.

Contemporary Romance / Fiction -- a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period 1980 onward. May cross genres such as YA, suspense, Amish etc and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section each day and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publications dates must be

April, May or June 2021

Each day is genre specific so

only submit books from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to 3 suggestions 

per genre day

BUT

they need to be made in

three separate comments

(makes it easier to tally)

No email entries this week

(too hard to keep track due to

# of responses)

entrants must submit their own selections

(not piggyback on someone else's login)

Open to International Readers

(I'm all about spreading the good news

about Christian Fiction far and wide)

It's helpful if you include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments (per day). If you choose not to include your email

 then it's up to you to contact me if you're a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday March 27 2021