Freedom's Song

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL

FREEDOM'S SONG

Fanny's voice made her a riverboat's darling -- and it's prisoner. Now can she sing her way to freedom?

Indentured sergeant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven years contract is over. So when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape -- an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty.

Widower Walter Kuhn is overwhelmed by his responsibilities to his farm and sound daughter, and now his mail-order bride hasn't arrived. Could a beautiful stranger seeking work be the answer to his prayers?

After the star performer of the River Peacock is presumed dead, Sloan Kirkpatrick, the riverboat's captain, sets off to find her replacement. However, his journey will bring him face to face with his own past -- and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be free.

Uplifting, inspiring, and grounded in biblical truths, Freedom's Song is a story for every reader who has longed for physical, emotional or spiritual delivery.

My Review:

published in 2021

An inspiring story about the kind of freedom only God can bring into our lives told from three points of view. One of them is, interestingly, the antagonist which brought a unique twist to the classic trope of good versus evil. Each character is at a different crossroads on their faith journey and I love the way this novel breathes inspiration and hope.

Excellent pacing, with just enough hint of danger to keep me glued to the page. This isn't an action thriller though. More of a thoughtful reflection on how God intrinsically weaves diverse lives together for a greater good. 

We follow Fanny on an impossible trek across the midwest in a desperate quest to reach the family she has been separated from for seven years. There's peril and triumph and the chance at an unexpected happily ever after...as long as Sloan doesn't find her.

The author showcases the desperate straits so many of our pioneering ancestors faced. It's especially evident in Walter's heartbreaking story. Love the air of expectancy and promise Fanny brings into his life! 

And Sloan...well he's still a work in progress...but then, aren't we all?

An inspirational romance filled with hope and heart.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Freedom's Song, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 June 4 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

Love and Lavender

GIVEAWAY

KILPACK, JOSI. S.

LOVE AND LAVENDER

A Mayfield Family Romance

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls' school.

When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance if she marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian's brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own accounting firm.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.

Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

My Review:

Gobsmackingly good and so very different from other Regency Romances! Neurodivergent hero paired with a physically disabled heroine makes for a unique love story. Touching and sweet and absolutely hysterical at times! 

The way Duncan takes things so literally and has no boundaries -- oh my, so many laugh out loud moments!!!! I love the way Hazel accepts him for who he is and quickly learns to adjust to his quirks while he is equally solicitous of her physical limitations. Acceptance plays a huge role in this romance and I love the way the relationship develops. There's a letter writing part in the beginning which was just delightful! And then, when they move in together....all kinds of fun and a wee bit of mayhem!

I really connected with Hazel since she has a disability similar to my own -- not quite the same, but the closest I've seen in fiction. So her struggles with constant pain, difficulty walking, the need for specialty footwear, the feeling of being 'broken' and the fierce push for independence resonated with me. I love the way Duncan finds practical ways to support her and how he introduces faith into her life. 

If you are looking for something a little different that celebrates the extraordinary with a unique perspective, this is the romance for you!

Goal Update: #2 Catch up on a series I'm behind in #5 Diversify my reading

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love and Lavender, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 June 4 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

Strength in the Storm

GIVEAWAY

BLOUNT, LAUREL

STRENGTH IN THE STORM

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other's arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected though -- especially now that a movie is being made about her family's loss. But then an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest -- and the strongest -- man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness -- Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won't let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt...and finds himself falling of her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam's strength -- and all their love -- to see them through.

My Review:

What an emotionally compelling premise to build a series around! And, sadly, timely. I do think it would be best to read the first book in the Johns Mill Amish series though before starting in on this one. Because while each story features one of the Hotchstedler siblings as they navigate the aftermath of their parents' brutal slaying, there's so much background to be gleaned from starting on the journey with them in Shelter in the Storm. 

Since this is the second book, I don't want to say too much about Emma's situation. She's on a unique path, struggling to find a place for herself in a community that used to be a haven. And as much as she doesn't want to rely on the strength and comfort of her once best friend, she finds that Sam is just the person to help her though the most difficult time in her life...until another tragedy strikes and the tables are turned and it's Sam who needs to rely on Emma's strength and fortitude. (And what a profound plot twist -- in so many ways! Brilliant!)

As in the first book, Blount explores  spiritual themes of forgiveness and trusting God in the hard places. And does she ever nail the myriad of emotions these characters are feeling! But she also brings hope to this beleaguered little community so a reader comes away feeling uplifted by the end. Heart battered and bruised, maybe, but tenderly optimistic just the same. :-)

I'm eagerly awaiting the third book in this series -- Courage in the Storm -- which releases in the spring of 2023.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, #6 Stay current with a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Strength in the Storm, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 June 4 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

May Giveaway -- Week Four

 

WON BY CONNIE LEE

WON BY KAREN RHOADES

 WON BY JACKIE SMITH

WON BY PERRIANNE ASKEW

WON BY TRIXI

WON BY ROXANNE CRUZ

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address in a comment, 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:

***IMPORTANT -- PLEASE NOTE GIVEAWAY EDITIONS 

AS THEY VARY***

Please read the giveaway options written in red noted under "Giveaway Opportunity" in each blog post as formats will vary.

Paperback or ebook -- winner can choose either format

Paperback -- I have a new physical book on hand to give away

Gently Read Paperback -- It's the actual book I read to review

ebook -- that's the only format option available, often because it's an indie book where a paperback copy is either unavailable or exorbitantly priced. Or when a physical edition is out of print.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

A Need to Protect

GIVEAWAY

DIETZE, SUSANNE

A NEED TO PROTECT

Protecting them is her priority. Is there room for love?

A safe, quiet life -- that's what shepherdess Clementine Simon wants for her niece and nephew. There's nothing safe or quiet about globe-trotting cameraman Liam Murphy. It's only right that life pulled them in separate directions. But when he returns -- temporarily -- old feelings resurface. Can she take the biggest risk of all...falling in love?

Widow's Peak Creek

My Review:

Safe and quiet versus daredevil life style -- talk about opposites attract! Love the premise for this reunion romance and how it looks at the very real problem of young love between two people who are looking for something very different out of life.

Fast forward a decade or so and Clementine and Liam 'accidentally' meet up again (a certain grandma might have had something to do with that) and they discover that their feelings have matured right along with them, but the same issues are still in the way.

There's so much to love about this contemporary romance! First and foremost, a shepherdess heroine! Love all the parallels to the Good Shepard Dietze brings out in the story. Definitely all about letting go of our fears and trusting God's leading in our lives. Profoundly beautiful.

Plus, there's cute kids, critters galore and a gaggle of secondary characters that will charm your socks off! And humour besides. Even a little bit of a mystery. Plus the kind of slow burn, toe-curling romance that makes my heart sing. In other words, sheer bliss in 217 pages!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Need to Protect leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

Hiding in Montana

GIVEAWAY

SCOTT, LAURA

HIDING IN MONTANA

A fugitive at large...

This K-9 on his trail.

To save a woman from being kidnapped, Officer Chris Fuller and his K-9 partner, Teddy, have no choice but to let the fugitive they're tracking get away. But when the escaped murderer returns to hunt tour pilot Lexie McDaniels again, Chris knows the attempted kidnapping wasn't a chance encounter. Lexie won't be safe until he catches the criminal...but are her secrets what is endangering them all?

Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit

My Review:

Classic 'she's keeping secrets (for a good reason), he's been hurt by women keeping secrets in the past' trope. I was on edge right through the read (er, listen) waiting for the big reveal. Ouch. It went as I expected and fallout ensued. Lots of emotional wrangling in this third Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit continuity series and I gobbled it up!

Of course, I love the K-9 angle and this time it's spaniel Teddy (totally cute name for police dog! lol) and his sensitive snout that takes the limelight. Love the little training details the authors include in these novels! Scott does an excellent job of relating what it's like to work with a tracking dog without bogging the action down.

So, if you're new to the continuity series concept it's basically a multi-authored series where there's one over arcing suspense thread slowly being worked out in the background to the unique suspense plot for each novel. Plus there's a new romance every month! All of which makes me so happy. (Each book can be read as a standalone though, so you can jump in any time.) 

And I absolutely love that this series is being offered in audible format as well. I really enjoyed Jennifer Jill Araya's portrayal of these characters.

Goal Update: #6 Stay current with a series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hiding in Montana leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

Nerves of Steele

GIVEAWAY

SLEEMAN, SUSAN

NERVES OF STEELE

One mysterious break-in...

As a middle child, Peyton Steele has always needed to find a way to standout. But coming to the attention of the head of security for her client's jewelry store when millions of dollars in jewels go missing is not the way to do it. She thinks the state-of-the-art cameras she'd recently had installed will make it easy to find the thief, but she's stunned when the video doesn't show the theft taking place.

Propels her into a level of danger she's never known.

The lack of video evidence is not acceptable to store security manager and former detective, Grant Logan. He's given up his law enforcement career to spend more time with his daughter and he's up for a promotion as security manager for the entire jewelry chain. To gain the job that will give his young daughter everything he wants for her, he has to prove his abilities by finding the thief at all costs. He'll out everything on the line to gain this new job, but how far will he go? Despite his growing interesting Peyton, will he risk both of their lives to succeed?

My Review:

It's time for me to do my Susan Sleeman happy dance because I get more than a tad shy of giddy whenever one of her books releases. :-) I love the way this author builds suspense while incorporating witty banter and family shenanigans -- in this case that would be the extended Steele family. Sisters and cousins run the show but they receive plenty of backup from parents and grandparents too. 

Like Sleeman's previous series, Nighthawk Security (eep, be prepared for some cameos from that clan), Steele Guardians celebrates the legacy of family while delivering topnotch suspense with a healthy side of faith. An all round winning combination for this reader!

This time it's middle child Peyton who is put through the paces as she grapples with a puzzling locked room mystery. And while she might be the security expert whose company installed the state-of-the-art camera equipment that didn't pick up a thing, she's forced to work with the store's security manager, Grant Logan, an ex-detective out to prove himself to his new employer. Woooo, talk about a great set up for some fireworks to go off. It's very much a case of opposites attract and I love the way they systematically work through all the stumbling blocks strewn in their happily ever after path. Never mind that pesky robbery that needs solving. :-)

High action, intense intrigue and thought provoking inspirational elements make this another five star read. Absolutely love this series and can't wait for the release of Forged in Steele this summer! (And don't you just love the clever titles in this series? So well thought out. I love that kind of attention to detail in my novels.)

I listened to the audible edition of this book narrated by Whitney Deckhouse and enjoyed every thrilling second.

Goal Updated: #6 Stay current with a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Nerves of Steeleleave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

To Tame a Cowboy

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY,

TO TAME A COWBOY

Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his should did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only other sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.

Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family's Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah's family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they've any hope to let love run free.

My Review:

"This week, watching you tame that stallion, I couldn't help but notice that you have the most patience for the wildest creatures. Maybe God has the most patience with the wildest of us too."

Seriously, does it get any better than a brooding cowboy, a runaway almost-bride and wild mustangs in terrible peril? Only if it's written by Jody Hedlund!!!!

This is the third in her Colorado Cowboys series and it might be my favourite. Love that Savannah is a veterinarian. She's conflicted between duty to family and the need to chase her own dreams. And she has a way with wounded creatures, which makes her the perfect match for Brody McQuaid.

Fireworks start sizzling the second they meet and you'll definitely need a fainting couch and smelling salts if you hope to reach 'the end' unscathed. A hankie or two wouldn't go amiss either, for those touching scenes where Brody claws his way back from the horrors of his wartime memories. This is very much his redemption story.

Of course, there's conflict from within and without before these two can make their way to a happily ever after. Lots of Wild West action and adventuring and tons of critter tending along with lovely cameos of the whole growing McQuaid clan. (No worries, if this will be your first book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.) Plus, the author includes a cliff hanger of a teaser for the next book coming out in October -- Falling for the Cowgirl, the lone McQuaid sister's story. And, eeepppp, there's going to be one more after that too. Yeehaw!!!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of To Tame a Cowboy, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

The Master Craftsman

GIVEAWAY

STUART, KELLI

THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Faberge, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history -- an unknown Faberge Egg that Peter Karl Faberge secretly created to honour his divided allegiance to both the people of Russian and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance -- and the consequences are greater that she could have imagined.

My Review:

A complex dual timeline story full of adventure and danger...and a chance to armchair travel! 

So, we have treasure hunting in present day and political unrest in the historical era and a host of complicated characters -- both real and fictional to follow. Talk about mind boggling, especially in early 1900s Russia. I have very limited (think practically non-existent) knowledge of Russian history so I'll admit to finding that part of the story a bit overwhelming. Some of it read like a fictional biography and I did get bogged down a time or two. I found it helpful to get key recaps in present day as Ava becomes invested in a treasure hunt with her estranged father and begins her own research.

I'm usually pretty good about finding a balance between both eras when I'm reading a dual timeline novel but this time round I connected with the present day story more. Ava isn't always a likeable character, but she does grow over the course of the novel. At times she seems much younger than her mid-twenties age, especially when it comes to her relationship with her parents. She definitely has a chip on her shoulder over her father's desertion when she was a young child. His terminal illness provides the catalyst that brings them back together but it starts off as an uneasy truce and there's all kinds of emotional undercurrents.

Since her dad is so ill, it's Ava who sets out on his last hunt -- in search of an unknown Fabrege Egg. She's accompanied by a motley crew of specialists -- 'muscle', tech nerd, Russian translator and, of course, her mother. 

Stuart weaves in and out of past and present as she draws the tension tighter and danger increases in both timer periods. And then we reach the end and I'm...wait, what??????? :-)

Please note: While published by Revell, a well known Christian Publisher, there is no faith content in this book. I found this really disappointing as I associate this publishing house with faith filled fiction so that is what I was expecting. It is a clean read...well that brings me to...

Second note: contains some mild cussing -- again, not what I expect from a Christian publisher

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

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Master Craftsman leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

An Uncommon Earl

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

BESSEY, SIAN ANN

AN UNCOMMON EARL

Alexander Allerton, the Earl of Bloxley's, greatest desire is to alleviate the suffering of the poor and less fortunate of England. So when his hackney carriage is involved in an accident that results in the death of one of those he is determined to help, he is devastated. Alexander vows to keep the promise he makes to the injured woman as she takes her final breaths: he will not rest until he finds her young son.

After a crippling accident years ago, Jane Hadford is accustomed to being largely ignored at social events. But being overlooked has allowed her to hone her observational skills -- and she quickly perceives that all is not well with the handsome Lord Bloxley. When an unexpected opportunity arises to talk to the earl, he surprises them both by sharing with her his fruitless search for the child. Touched by Lord Bloxley's story and by his desire to make things right, Jane determines to help him fulfill his promise. What she cannot anticipate, however, is that the quest she has chosen to undertake will bring into her life a small boy who will steal her heart and a gentleman who might well do the same.

My Review:

published in 2021

I am in a state of twitter-pated bibliophile ecstasy over this one! I'm calling it a Regency even though the series title is Georgian Gentlemen. From my pokey attempts at research it looks like the Georgian and Regency eras overlapped for a decade or so and this book has all the divine elements I've come to love in a Regency Romance.

Let's start with our hero, shall we? A very uncommon Earl so the title is spot on! Alexander is the rare kind of nobleman who cares about the plight of the poor and the rights of the working class. His work in parliament is concentrated on benefitting both. Absolutely loved the social justice elements of this novel.

Of course, he's highly sought after as husband material but the only woman who has caught his eye is Miss Jane Hadford but no one would consider her an advantageous match because...well, you have to read the book to find out. Just know that Jane isn't like all the other flighty females flitting about London's Season. She's compassionate and intelligent and eager to help the Earl on his quest to grant a dying mother's last wish.

What follows is a charming blend of bantering wits, oh-so-very-proper (mostly) letter exchanges and even a country outing or two. Along with the desperate search for an orphaned boy and the even more desperate bid to save him once found.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Jason Tatom and, while I prefer a female narrator if there is only one, I quite enjoyed Tatom's performance.

Goal Update: #2 Catch up on series I'm behind in, #5 Diversify my reading

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Uncommon Earl leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

May Giveaway -- Week Four

 

WON BY MARK

WON BY SUSAN FUCHIKAMI

WON BY PAULA S.

WON BY KIM HANSEN

WON BY PAM K

WON BY MELMO 2610

You know the drill: winners will be contacted if they left their email address in a comment, 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:

***IMPORTANT -- PLEASE NOTE GIVEAWAY EDITIONS 

AS THEY VARY***

Please read the giveaway options written in red noted under "Giveaway Opportunity" in each blog post as formats will vary.

Paperback or ebook -- winner can choose either format

Paperback -- I have a new physical book on hand to give away

Gently Read Paperback -- It's the actual book I read to review

ebook -- that's the only format option available, often because it's an indie book where a paperback copy is either unavailable or exorbitantly priced. Or when a physical edition is out of print.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Earning Her Trust

GIVEAWAY

MINTON, BRENDA

EARNING HER TRUST

How can she move on when the past is knocking?

Just when Emery Guthrie thinks she's put her childhood trauma behind her with the help of her beloved service dog, Beau Wilde returns to town. She can't believe her high school bully now has guardianship of two orphaned children. But Beau has changed. And with her help, he's determined to prove he can be a father...but can he convince Emery to become part of their family?

K-9 Companions

My Review:

Phew! What a compelling story! And it has a more serious tone than the usual Love Inspired novels. Minton really captures the heartache and trauma of two orphaned children which makes for an angsty backdrop to the romance between Emery and Beau.

Emery is no stranger to trauma. She has lived through her own horrific brand of it and now she's come out the other side determined to help children navigate through their difficulties. She's passionate and determined and totally empathetic to her young charges because she can relate to them.

Beau is out of his element as the unexpected guardian to two young girls and he needs Emery's help to bridge the gap...only he has a less than stellar history with her. The high school bully and his victim are reunited in this emotional romance which adds a whole other dynamic to their love story! 

And what great characterization! Minton digs deep into both hero and heroine's back stories and I winced over every painful discovery. So many levels to this inspiring read -- because, despite the heavy subject matter, the author manages to deliver a message of hope and resilience.

Oh -- and there's a dog! A lovable furball of comfort and calm. K-9 wonder dog Zeb brings his own special brand of something special to the story. Absolutely love this year long (Eeeepppp) K-9 Companions multi-authored series! I don't plan on missing a single one.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, #6 Stay current with a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Earning Her Trust leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 21 2022. Offer open to International Readers.