Her Forbidden Amish Love

GIVEAWAY

MCCLAY, JOCELYN

HER FORBIDDEN AMISH LOVE

Choosing between her community...and the man she still loves.

Five years ago, Hannah Lapp walked away from Gabe Bartel, crushing their dreams of a future together. She couldn't break her parents' hearts by marrying a Mennonite man and leaving the Amish community. Now Gabe is back as her town's new EMT. And Hannah's heart is on the line all over again, because this time she can't imagine letting him go...

My Review:

There is something so delicious about a 'forbidden love' story and this one is a doozy because it's also a second chance romance. Hannah is literally torn between her Amish community and the love of her life. She walked away from Gabe once but can she bring herself to do it again?

This one delivers all the thrills and chills of a complicated love story. I was in torturous ecstasy 'cause I was emotionally pulled apart right along side Hannah and Gabe. Happy sigh. Love it when I get to feel my way through a novel.

And there's so much more going on besides the romance. The EMT angle was really interesting and there's even a bit of mystery. All kinds of wunderbar gutness! :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Her Fobidden Amish Love, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Braced for Love

GIVEAWAY

CONNEALY, MARY

BRACED FOR LOVE

Left with little back in Missouri, Kevin Hunt takes his younger siblings on a journey to Wyoming when he receives news that he's inheriting part of a ranch. The catch is that the ranch is also being given to a half brother he never knew existed. Turns out, Kevin's supposedly dead father led a secret and scandalous life.

But danger seems to track Kevin along the way, and he wonders if his half brother, Wyatt, is behind the attacks. Finally arriving at the ranch, everyone is at each other's throats and the only one willing to stand in between is Winona Hawkins, a nearby schoolmarm.

Despite being a long-time friend to Wyatt, Winona can't help but be drawn to the earnest, kind Kevin -- and that puts her in the cross hairs of somebody's dangerous plot. Will they all be able to put aside their differences long enough to keep anyone from getting truly hurt? 

My Review:

Bwahahaha! Sometimes a reader needs an explosion of choreogoraphed chaos to cleanse her literary palette and Mary Connealy fits the bill. Her droll humour and unconventional characters guarantee a rollicking good time.

This first book of her new series (Brothers in Arms) is going to be as wildly popular as all her others. And I love the quirky twist in that series title 'cause these brothers are literally in arms over their inheritance. 

Cue oodles of laughter and tons of action. Connealy even makes the tense life-or-death moments lighthearted. And, as usual, the bad guys are classic Wild West movie worthy. And despite (or maybe because of) the pandemonium, Kevin and Win manage to connect in a delightfully romantical way. 

Can't wait for July when book two, A Man With a Past releases. I'm really looking forward to Falcon's story.

I listened to the audible edtion of Braced for Love narrated by Barbara McCulloh. She has a kinda raspy voice which is a perfect match for these characters and her dialogue delivery and 'inner thought voices' are spot on. A joy to listen to.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Forgotten Secrets

 

GIVEAWAY

KIRST, KAREN

FORGOTTEN SECRETS

One woman abducted...another targeted. But he can't remember why...

Left with amnesia after he was attacked and the heiress with him kidnapped, Gray Michaelson has no clue why he's in North Carolina. As the only witness, Sergeant Catriona Baker could be the answer to everything -- if they can put the pieces together in time. But one thing is clear: the abductors will kill whomever stands in their way...and Cat is their next target.

My Review:

Unputdownable from the get go. Love the way Kirst catapults her readers right into the fray on the very first page. And she brings a unique twist to the amnesia trope that gives a sharper edge to the suspense. All kinds of page-turning, eyeball-hopping goodness here. There's great pacing between action scenes and intrepid investigating, including some startling revelations that had me gasping out loud. And the way the author weaves faith and romance into the mix as well makes Forgotten Secrets a compelling, read-in-one-sitting kind of suspense .

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Forgotten Secrets, 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 May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Last Bookshop in London : a Novel of World War II

GIVEAWAY

MARTIN, MADELINE

THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON : A NOVEL OF WORLD WAR II

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through backouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed -- a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

My Review:

First things first: this isn't a Christian Fiction book. I stumbled across it in my library's audio book collection and was beguiled by that alluring cover and the notion that stories help triumph over evil. That right there tugged at my bibliophile heartstrings! I'm happy to report that this is a clean read with the exception of a few (very few) mild expletives. So mild, that I'm guessing most readers won't even notice them or find them offensive if they do.

I waffled over including this title on my blog since we're all about Christian Fiction here but I know many of you are as enamored with WWII fiction as I am. Plus, the pivotal role the bookshop plays in the story and Martin's exquisite storytelling make this a 'Yipee, I just have to share this book!' kind of read. 

What I loved:

The way this story captures the heart and spirit of ordinary Londoners during the Blitz. Honestly, I wept in places and am in awe of the resiliency and courage these ordinary citizens possessed. We watch it all unfold from Grace's perspective and it's funny and sad and poignant and heartwrenching and there's even a wee bit of romance. Exactly what you'd expect from a WWII novel...but with books!!!! 

One of my favourite quotes:

"Reading is going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship. An unveiling of new incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything coloured by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures and how  best to succeed."

This whole story is a celebration of books and how they help and comfort us through the darkest times. I've experienced their healing power in my own life and watching Grace's journey of discovery shot thrills through me. Because...gasp...she starts out as a non-reader! And then she walks into this dusty old London bookshop and her life is forever changed.

The kind of spellbinding tale that leaves a reader euphoric by the end, weeping happy/sad tears and hiccup-sighing over the sheer beauty of it all. 

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Last Bookshop in London, 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 May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Winning the Gentleman

GIVEAWAY

HUNTER, KRISTI ANN

WINNING THE GENTLEMAN

Aaron Whitworth hasn't had control over most aspects of his life, but he's always taken pride in being an honorable businessman and better-than-average horseman. When both of those claims are threatened, he makes the desperate decision to hire the horse trainer of a traveling circus as a temporary jockey for his racehorses.

Sophia Fitzroy knows that most horsemen don't take her seriously because she's a woman, but she can't pass up the opportunity to get away from the tumultuous world of travel and performing. As she fights for the right to do the work she was hired for, she learns the fight for Aaron's guarded heart might be an even more worthwhile challenge.

As secrets come to light and past vulnerabilities are confronted, will Aaron and Sophia sacrifice their former dreams and forge a new on together?

My Review:

Let it be known that after reading the first Hearts on the Heath novel back in August I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on this second book. No surprise then to note that Winning the Gentleman didn't have to jockey for position on my TBR pile...it never made it that far. That's because I had difficulty reining in my excitement and raced right into reading...er listening...the second I woke up on release day. Alas, I galloped through with unbridled enthusiasm and it was over all too soon. Therefore, I suggest you approach your reading using a different tack by pacing yourself so the thrill lasts longer. :-)

Ahem, I shall put aside me long buried horse-mad tweenish self and attempt to come up with a proper review. Excuse me if intermittent squeals burst forth because...well, why don't I get the biblio-theatrics out of the way right from the start?

Sqqquuuuueeeealllllllll!!!!! (sorry for any pierced eardrums)

THUD! (no worries, fainting couch on hand)

and repeat, multiple times during the course of this read.

Because...

Aaron!!!! And not only Aaron but a bevy of previous Hunter heroes manage to gather on multiple occasions causing my delicate reader's heart to race in giddy euphoria. The banter and smirking and honorary brothers backing brothers when the chips are down! I'm still grinning.

And, of course, their heroines make appearances too, which is a little overwhelming for poor Sophia because that sisterhood is a force to be reckoned with. More banter and laughter along with gentle kindness and passionate support for the scandalous horsewoman. Honestly, just these friendly bonding scenes make this book a worthwhile read. But when Hunter puts Aaron and Sophia on the same page...more swooning and squealing and general fangirling ensues.

These two have chemistry! But they are in an impossible situation (a lot of which is their own doing Stringing words into sentences has the power to clarify issues, just sayin'.) But Sophia and Aaron are both battling feelings of inferiority for different reasons and finding a place for themselves within the strict confines of England's rigid class system makes it that much harder. 

The plot is delightfully complicated with enough twists and turns to keep me on high alert until the very end. Hunter deals with very real, raw emotions with grace and humour...and faith! This is truly an inspiring read and there's no doubt about Winning the Gentleman being Christian Fiction. But that doesn't mean it's preachy or stilted. Faith flows naturally and brings added depth to an already richly layered story.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Ann Marie Gideon and I enjoyed every delectable second.

Oh -- and no worries if you haven't read the first book in this series, Vying for the Viscount, or any other books by Kristi Ann Hunter (though I am worried over how much you are missing out on!) Winning the Gentleman reads beautifully as a standalone novel as well.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Winning the Gentleman, 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 May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Sea Rose Lane

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO ROAD DAY

HANNON, IRENE

SEA ROSE LANE

Two people starting over...in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor -- only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos -- and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who's invaded the house with her motely crew. As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to help Hope Harbor's older residents, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Come home to Hope Harbor -- where hearts heal...and love blooms

My Review:

published in 2016

Ii'm rereading this whole Hope Harbor series via audible editions and am loving Therese Pummer's narration so much! She breathes life into these characters and heart and humour into her interpretation of Hannon's exquisite words. 

I adore this series. Each book reads as a standalone but I love the continuity the familiar folks from Hope Harbor bring to each story. I especially adore Charley who crops up at the most convenient times with words of wisdom or silent acceptance as needed. There's something divinely inspiring about that man and his way with people...and critters.

So, as first meets go, this one is a bust. Well, it's fun for the reader but not so much for BJ and Eric. Talk about making a bad first impression -- on both sides. Kind of light-hearted with undercurrents of angst. Not to mention instant awareness. The words fairly crackle off the page as these two muddle through their first scene. Thing is, both have blinders on so their next meet and the one after that and...well, let's just say there are a lot of missteps before they sort out a wary truce. Scrumptious to read!

Told from multiple points of view, Hannon weaves together a compelling story of loss and heartache. There are some edge-of-your-seat moments where I hardly dared breathe as I watched events unfold before my eyes. I love how this author meshes diverse threads into a triumphant conclusion that celebrates the hope being in relationship with God can bring. And she's an expert at throwing out unexpected zings of humour that always catch me off guard and have me laughing out loud.

Sea Rose Lane is a slice of real life and the whole gamut of emotions that entails. Cue the Kleenex box and chocolate bonbons. You'll need a hefty dose of both as you navigate your way through the pages of this book. Besides -- how can you not want to read a book that features a belching seal named Caspar? Doesn't that little juicy tidbit have you salivating for more? :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sea Rose Lane, 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 May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

April Giveaway -- Week Four

 

WON BY CARYL KANE

WON BY TRACEY HAGWOOD

WON BY LIZ R

WON BY LUCY REYNOLDS

WON BY TERRILL

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 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:

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Hers for the Summer

GIVEAWAY

KEMERER, JILL

HERS FOR THE SUMMER

A family for the summer...or the beginning of forever?

Eden Page reluctantly agrees to babysit Ryder Fanning's five-year-old identical twin daughters -- but only for the summer. After that, she's taking charge of her own life, even if it means leaving behind her family ranch that Ryder now owns. But this cowboy, who's determined never to marry again, could give her everything she wants...including the family and childhood home she loves.

A Wyoming Sweethearts Romance

My Review:

Eden is such an interesting heroine. She's always willing to help out and support her friends but is often overlooked and taken for granted. Not in a mean or spiteful way, she just has that kind of personality that hangs back and leaves the limelight for others so they are used to her being on the sidelines. And then Ryder swoops into town and claims everything from her family's ranch to her heart...because he notices her.

It's definitely a rocky road to romance though, since both are intent on living their lives independent of a happily ever after. Ryder's struggling with a sharp learning curve in ranching and two a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e twin daughters to corral. And, while this divorced dad isn't nursing a wounded heart, it's definitely a wary one.

Kemerer knows how to weave a romantical tale full of heart and hope. This is the fourth (and last) book in her Wyoming Secrets series and I'm ashamed to say I've only read the first one. Since each book read wonderfully well as standalones there's no problem in reading out of order. But, readers who have been following the series will be thrilled to pieces by the way the author brings all the characters together at the end for one moving tribute. Absolute awesomesauce! Now to source out the two middle books I missed. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hers for the Summer, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

When Stars Rain Down

GIVEAWAY

JACKSON-BROWN, ANGELA

WHEN STARS RAIN DOWN

In When Stars Rain Down, Angela Jackson-Brown introduces readers to a small, Southern town grappling with haunting questions still relevant today -- and to a young woman whose search for meaning resonates across the ages.

This summer has the potential to change everything.

The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt senses a nameless storm brewing. She hopes this foreboding feeling won't overshadow her upcoming eighteenth birthday or the annual Founder's Day celebration in just a few weeks. She and her Grandma Birdie work as housekeepers for the white widow Miss Peggy, and Opal desperately wants some time to be young and carefree with her cousins and her friends.

But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal's neighborhood, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way possible. Parson's residents -- both Black and white -- are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests -- the son of her pastor, Cedric Perkins, and the grandson of the woman she works for, Jimmy Early Ketchums. Both young men awaken emotions Opal has never felt before.

My Review:

Heartbreaking and hopeful. I've been stunned into silence by the poignant beauty of Jackson-Brown's prose. Her words catapulted me into a world of blistering heat and aching sorrow and the loving warmth of family and friends as Opal navigates a difficult journey into womanhood.

I really am speechless since there's so much I'd like to say but am wary of posting spoilers so I can't. This would definitely make an incredible book club selection for older teens and adults alike. There is so much grit and faith and infinite wisdom within these pages. And an unflinching look at the harsh realities of racism. A timely reminder and wake up call for us in this day and age as well.

Simply stunning.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Stars Rain Down, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Under Surveillance

GIVEAWAY

BAILEY, JODIE

UNDER SURVEILLANCE

She might not be the criminal he thinks she is...

When his neighbor -- and suspect -- Macey Price is attacked and nearly kidnapped, army operative Trey Blackburn comes to her rescue. But this new development throws a wrench in his undercover assignment to surveil and befriend Macey. Is she a traitor selling government secrets...or is she being framed? The rules no longer apply, because in one night his mission changes -- from proving her guilt to saving her life.

My Review:

Whooeeee, but this was an exceptionally good read! Love the way the the story unfolds -- and gah, there are reasons I want to list but I can't because of spoilers. Let's just say that both the romance and suspense plots were unexpected in places and I appreciated that. 

Love that Macey and Trey have been friends for months and the complexity that comes from Trey having actually grown close to Macey in his undercover role and grappling with the insecurities that come from wondering if she is or isn't a traitor. And on the flip side, there's Macey living her life like an open book completely clueless about all the subterfuge going on around her.

And then, one day danger comes stalking and their lives are turned upside down. Limber up your fingers for the ensuing page-turning extravaganza that follows. And, eeep, stubborn squirrel-fixated husky alert! Kito is a handful of fluff and slobber...and the worst guard dog ever! :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Under Surveillance, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Edge of Peril

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

BARRITT, CHRISTY

EDGE OF PERIL

When evil descends like fog on a mountain community, no one feels safe.

After hearing about a string of murders in a Smoky Mountain town, journalist Harper Jennings realizes a startling truth. She knows who may be responsible -- the same person who tried to kill her three years ago. Now Harper must convince the cops to believe her before the killer strikes again.

Sheriff Luke Wilder returned to his hometown, determined to keep the promise he made to his dying father. The sleepy tourist area with a tragic past hadn't seen a murder in decades -- until now. Keeping the community safe seems impossible as darkness edges closer, threatening to consume everything in its path.

As The Watcher grows desperate, Harper and Luke must work together in order to defeat him. But the peril around them escalates, making it clear the killer will stop at nothing to ge what he wants.

My Review:

published in 2018

Cue the creepy background music and grab a comfort teddy bear to clutch during the more hair-raising moments and prepare to become lost in a page-turning marathon of suspense.

Nothing edgier than a stalker type story...unless it's a serial killer stalker type story. Bwahahaha! Barritt draws on every last nerve ending as she unravels clues and casts doubt on many secondary characters who might just be the suspect. I thought I'd clued in to who that was at one point but then she had me doubting myself until it was nearly too late to warn Harper. Not that she listened to me anyway when I screamed, "Noooo, doooonnnn'tttt....."

Enjoyed the dynamics between Luke and Harper -- from foes to allies to something so much more. And I loved the way the author set us up for future books in the series starring Luke's siblings who have all had complicated, angsty lives. Really looking forward to continuing with the Fog Lake Mysteries series.

I listened to the audible edition of this book -- narrated by Sandy Rustin who did a great job of bringing these characters to life and adding an extra thrill in the way she delivered the angsty parts. :-) 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Edge of Peril, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Captain for Caroline Gray

 

GIVEAWAY

WRIGHT, JULIE

A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY

Caroline Gray would rather be daring and intelligent than demure and insipid, which is why she is still unmatched after her third season in London. Her family's threadbare finances leave Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend is willing to consider an engagement to her.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the open sea as much as he despises the three-month, twice yearly trip his ship makes as he ferries young English girls across the ocean. He can't imagine what family would allow an innocent young woman to be matched up with the Englishmen of questionable reputation who work and live in India.

But when Miss Gray boards the HMS Persistence, all of Captain Scott's plans are upended. Miss Gray's fiery spirit can't be contained, and he is shocked and secretly delighted at her boldness -- and her beauty. But the rest of his passengers aren't so kind.

Caroline finds herself an outcast among her peers, but Captain Scott becomes an unlikely ally. They share the same passions and interests, creating an undeniable attraction. But they both know any relationship between them is impossible. After all, Caroline has obligations to fulfill in India.

Caroline has until the end of the voyage to decide if she is going to marry a man she has never met or be brave enough to love a sea captain who just might break her heart. 

My Review:

Sqqquuueeeaaaaapppppp! New-to-me author alert!!! And I'm in a swoonafied state of twitterpatedness over this discovery! Because...Captain Scott! 

Thud!

Warning: The potential for frequent swooning may be hazardous to your health. 

Reading Recommendations: Remain seated or in a reclined position for the duration of the read. Fainting couch and smelling salts essential. Comfort chocolate optional.

I had absolutely no idea that bride ships to India were a thing but trust those oh-so-proper Victorians to figure out a way to find matches for their unmatchable daughters. lol And what a brilliant backdrop for a historical romance!

We have a microcosm of the British Upper class on ship and all the drama that entails. Ladies vying for the attention of the limited number of gentlemen (well, one lady in particular), the veiled barbs couched in 'polite' conversation, the guarded glances and thrill of attraction between one specific lady and gentleman...as in Captain. Eeeeep -- it all thrilled me to my toes!

And then there's life at sea and the enthralling adventures Caroline finds herself in because a) she has the audacity to speak her mind and b) she acts sensibly instead of wringing her hands and waiting for a man to step in and take over. Snort! 

Poor Captain Scott. His love of all things shipshape is sorely threatened when Caroline invades his orderly life. This is a kinda frenemies romance -- where the first sparks come from combustible encounters as these two engage in a battle of wills. But it isn't long before the sizzle works up to fireworks of a very different kind. Cue the toe-curls!

A truly captivating thrill of a read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Captain for Caroline, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Hope Harbor

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

HANNON, IRENE

HOPE HARBOR

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms. Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. Now she's home again--with a floundering farm to run . . . a tragic secret . . . and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

My Review:

first published in 2015

I am so in love with this series that  I'm re-reading them -- well, listening this time round because I LOVE Therese Plummer's narration. So Hope Harbor is hijacking Sunday giveaways for the next two months. Here's a chance to jump on board with this series or fill the gaps if you missed some of the books.

So much more than a love story. In fact, I'd consider it the perfect example of the ultimate love story -- the one we each share with God. Honestly, I was moved to tears quite a few times during my reading experience. And even now, as I write this review I'm getting all teary eyed. How to convey why? Let me try to explain.

Told from multiple viewpoints, this is more than just Tracy and Michael's 'winds of change' story. Diverse characters, all harboring pain from regrets they can't seem to overcome, have important roles to play. Hannon does an incredible job of weaving their stories together, expertly building them into a crescendo of a climax that left me sobbing. The author's brilliance is evidenced by the way each character's story intersects. Story threads merge and blend and become something so much bigger than each individual triumph. I found it totally moving.

The inspirational thread is strong but not overbearing. It flows as a natural extension of characters who strive for relationship with their Heavenly Father. And there's this one character, Charley, who is pivotal to the whole plot though he really takes a backseat in the overall scheme of things. But I have my suspicions about Charley which has me grinning from ear to ear.

Hope Harbor dishes out hope and healing, not just to the characters within its pages, but to the readers on the outside looking in. Definitely one for the keeper shelf.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hope Harbor, 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 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

April Giveaway -- Week Three

 

WON BY ROXANNE 

WON BY LANE HILL HOUSE

WON BY MARK

WON BY RUBYNREBA

WON BY MARIA DB

WON BY SUSAN SNODGRASS

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 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:

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY