Explosive Revenge

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.

EXPLOSIVE REVENGE

A ruthless enemy is out for vengeance...

and it's up to a K-9 team to stop him

Sergeant Tyson Wilkes is determined to protect his Rocky Mountain K-9 unit -- especially against an unknown assailant with a taste for explosives. Fortunately, Denver detective Skylar Morgan has the toughness and smarts to help Tyson and K-9 Echo find answers...even if she's stepping into the crosshairs with them. But can they disarm this volatile killer before the next bomb goes off?

Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit

My Review:

I absolutely love this series and am wavering between excited and in the depths of despair over its looming conclusion. Excited because we will finally get closure on the over-arcing series suspense (and my brain is in overdrive imagining all kinds of plausible scenarios) and despair because I don't want the fun to be over. Such a bibliophile quandary!

'Explosive Revenge' is the seventh (and second last) book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit continuity series but don't be alarmed, it can easily be read as a standalone. While all the books in the series share a common suspense thread, each book has it's own suspense and romance plot as well. The series' suspense is gradually building to a conclusion, but each book solves its own unique mystery and, of course, delivers a happily-ever-after for our investigating couple. Plus the authors do a great job of delivering details on the over-arcing suspense developments in a way that is both a gentle reminder for series fans and a casual update for newbies. Makes for satisfying reading all the way around. :-)

Have to say Echo, K-9 extraordinaire, stole my heart and grabbed my attention with every head tilt, ear flop and probing stare. Black knows how to write 'dog' and I might have swooned more over Echo than Tyson (rabid dog lover that I am.)

I was excited to get Tyson's story since he's been in the background throughout the series, directing his team while struggling with works of sabotage within their facility. He's been operating on the mistaken idea that being a leader means fixing everything for everybody. Loved his personal journey which has him realizing that letting go of control and accepting assistance from both his team and Detective Skylar Morgan will not only lead to better results, but set him free in so many ways. But, oh my, what a journey that is!

Then we have Skylar, succeeding in what still might be considered a man's world, and maybe over compensating sometimes because of that. She's ready for Tyson to try and wrestle control of her case from her, but he keeps surprising her which leaves her discombobulated. Great dynamics between these two that leads to the kind of taut romantical frisson that kept me engaged.

Awesome suspense, with a nice mix of investigative work and action added to the page-turning-ness of this read. Cannot wait until 'Rescue Mission' by Lynette Eason releases later this month!

Oh -- and I listened to the audible edtion of this book narrated by Kelli Tager who did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life. Absolutely ecstatic (and that's putting it mildly) that this series is available in audio format. 

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  Explosive Revenge , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 8 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Christmas K-9 Protectors

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WORTH, LENORA

BLACK, MAGGIE

CHRISTMAS K-9 PROTECTORS

Danger awaits in the icy winter shadows in two Alaskan K-9 Unit Christmas novellas.

Forensic scientist Tala Ekho and K-9 state trooper Ian McCaffrey investigate a thief whose deadly agenda begins with jewels...and ends with murder in Maggie K. Black's Holiday Heist. And in Lenora Worth's Alaskan Christmas Chase, criminal psychologist Mallory Haru, tech whiz Eli Partridge and a traumatized K-9 must keep a teen out of the hands of a robbery gang.

Alaska K-9 Unit

My Review

I'm all about the cover love when it comes to this book. I mean, really, what's better than one dog on the cover? Two, that's what! And I was super excited to see that these novellas feature two members of the support team we've encountered in the other books. While these novellas bring us to the end of Alaska K-9 Unit series, they can easily be enjoyed as standalone reads so if you're looking for something short and snappy during these hectic festive times this would be a good fit.

Tala rocks in Holiday Heist -- Black did an amazing job of capturing all the idiosyncrasies that make Tala so great at her job as a forensic scientist. I was yo-yoing between hearty guffaws and stunned admiration all the way through. Cadaver dog Aurora (perfect Alaskan name but almost too pretty for a dog who finds dead people.lol) makes for a stalwart secondary heroine who definitely won my heart with her dedicated K-9 zeal and winsome fluffy empathy. And, of course, Ian, dunderhead though he might have been in high school, definitely screams hero material now. So -- eeepppp -- an almost second chance romance because Ian and Tala were best friends from kindergarten until that fateful day their senior year in high school....

Solid suspense, a stuttering romance and a light touch of Christmas makes for a satisfying read.

Then we have Alaskan Christmas Chase - Happy sigh, there's something about a nerd hero with hidden depths that ups my heartbeat every time. :-) Eli rocks as a tech whiz and a wilderness survivalist and both talents come in handy when he and Mallory wind up on a villainous gang's hitlist. Loved the unique twist of both hero and heroine not being law enforcement officers and even their K-9 partner is 'on leave' as he recovers from a traumatic incident so Worth upends the usual tropes in this nail-biting suspense. There's tons of action, lots of danger and some nifty twists as Eli and Mallory face down relentless adversaries with quick wit and quirk...and a little help from the Alaska K-9 team. Very light on the Christmas angle, so could easily be read as a cozy winter read too.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas K-9 Protectors, 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 December 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Undercover Protection

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE

UNDERCOVER PROTECTION

Something's hidden on her family farm...and it could get her killed.

When Leia Dukes is kidnapped at her family farm, the last person she expects to resuce her is the farmhand who broke her heart. With Leia's  life on the line, Jay Brock reveals his secret: he's an undercover police officer hunting a serial killer -- and there's evidence in her childhood home. Jay might be Leia's only hope of staying alive, but can she trust him again?

My Review:

What a rollicking wild ride, especially since most of the story takes place on the farm. The way Black keeps amping up the tension and danger and the way Leia and Jay survive on wits and nerve -- well, wow, makes for one frenzy of a page-turner! 

And the puzzling out the mystery part is very unique! Plus, there's tons of action which feisty Leia takes in stride with instinctive aplomb....and there's a reason for that, but you're gonna have to read the book to find out.

And if the stellar suspense isn't enough to whet your bibliophile appetite, the reunion romance sweetens the deal. It's not without its own pitfalls though, and I really loved the way this couple bonded again while working together.

Fast-paced and original with a significant faith thread that made me one very happy reader.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Undercover Protection, 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 September 11 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Wilderness Defender

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.

WILDERNESS DEFENDER

Innocent lives are on the line...

Can an officer and her K-9 partner save them?

With murderous poachers targeting rare blue bear cubs, Alaska trooper Poppy Walsh and her K-9 partner, Stormy, will do whatever it takes to to stop them. But having to team up with her ex-fiance, park ranger Lex Fielding, will be Poppy's biggest test. When the pachers go after Lex's young son, can Poppy and Lex overcome their unresolved past...and survive a killer's sights?

Alaska K-9 Unit

My Review:

Eeeeppp -- another K-9 suspense!!! Double eeeeeepppp -- the second in the Alaska K-9 Unit continuity series so there's lots more doggish goodness in store. 

First things first, though Wilderness Defender is the second book in this series, it can easily be read as a standalone. There is an over-arcing major crime that the team is working on which will carry on through each story until it's solved at the end of the series BUT each book also has it's own suspense (and romance!) with a complete resolution. And Black did an excellent job of covering the 'continuity' suspense so as to catch new readers up to speed while still making it fresh and exciting for those of us who have read Alaskan Rescue.

One of the things I find really exciting about this series (aside from the Alaskan setting -- eeeeppp) is the wide range of breeds represented in the K-9 officers. Like Stormy the Irish Wolfhound heroine! Ferocious wilderness defender and kitten whisperer. :-) My favourite dog breed ever (my apologies to all the shelties I have known and loved) but Irish Wolfhounds rock! 

Stormy's two-legger partner is pretty cool too. Poppy is a dedicated officer with plenty of drive who is bound and determined to approach the unexpected partnership with her park ranger former fiance with professional dignity. Sqqquuueeealll -- cue the Reunion Romance toe curl happy dance! 

The rugged Alaskan wilderness provides a breath-taking backdrop and brings a unique angle to the suspense as well as plenty of opportunity for riveting action scenes. Unputdownable pretty much sums it up. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Wilderness Defender, 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 June 19 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Witness Protection Unraveled

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
WITNESS PROTECTION UNRAVELED

Witness Protection gave him a new start -- and a family. But now his past is calling him back...

Living in witness protection won't stop Travis Stone from shielding two orphaned children whose grandmother was just attacked. But when his former partner, Detective Jessica Eddington, asks him to help bring down the group that sent him into hiding, agreeing could put them all at risk. Can he watch Jessica's back and protect the children?

A Protected Identities Novel

My Review:

Maggie K. Black delivers another edge-of-your-seat thrill of a read. Lots of drama, tons of danger and even a bit of the fantastical in true action thriller form. Reunion romance, cute kids (little Willow steals the show!) and a kick butt RCMP detective heroine who always gets her man...in this case both personally and professionally. :-) It doesn't get much better than this.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Witness Protection Unraveled, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 23, 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Runaway Witness

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
RUNAWAY WITNESS

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

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

Protected Identities.

My Review

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

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

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

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

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Runaway Witness leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 2  2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Christmas Witness Protection

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
CHRISTMAS WITNESS PROTECTION

A witness targeted...and on the run. The first Protected Identities novel.

When key witness Corporal Holly Asher is abducted Detective Noah Wilder risks everything to rescue her. Now they're undercover as an engaged couple, hiding from a sinister hacker group -- who plan on exposing every witness in protection on Christmas Eve. But can Noah and Holly stop a deadly conspiracy...without tipping off those who want to kill her?

My Review:

Woohoo -- another mountie series from Maggie Black with a couple of carryover characters from previous series as an extra bonus! Can't wait to get more of their stories.

Black creates a sense of urgency from the very first page and pulls that tension taut right through to the very end -- both with the suspense and the romance! All while introducing us to an unorthodox team of "rogue RCMP agents" who will be featured in future novels...I hope!

And I believe Black is the queen of writing kick-butt heroines. Holly is a trained soldier and acts like one. Better yet, Noah respects her for it and treats her like an equal even when his protective instincts threaten to take over a time or two.

An intricate plot, tons of action and a great cast of characters makes Christmas Witness Protection a stellar start to a new series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas Witness Protection, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 19 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Cold Case Secrets

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
COLD CASE SECRETS

The Canadian wilderness can be deadly
A gripping True North heroes romance

Solving his sister's murder is Mountie Jacob Henry's only priority -- until his daring helicopter rescue of Grace Finch leaves them stranded in the Canadian wilderness. Now with a storm raging and escaped convicts in pursuit, Jacob and Grace must rely on each other for survival. But when Jacob discovers Grace's deadly secret, can he look past it in the fight for their lives?

My Review:

Woohoo!!!! This was such a fun read!!! Kinda like Constable Benton Fraser (remember TV show Due South about the RCMP officer in Chicago?) meets Lois Lane and stuff happens. A lot of stuff! I was bouncing off my couch in delighted euphoria, snorting and guffawing all the way through.

Opening scene -- Grace is in a spot of trouble but she's handling it and then our swoony hero comes rappelling out of a helicopter to save the day. Only our scrappy award winning crime journalist isn't impressed with his take charge attitude. These two are a riot together! I love how she saves his hide as many times as he saves hers! They make the perfect team when they stop fighting it. Who knew being stranded in the wilderness while evading three escaped convicts could be so much fun?

Jacob has noticed Grace at crime scenes and the attraction is there though he's definitely not in the market for romance but he would have enjoyed "a new professional and collegial friendship." ( p 33) Snort -- yes, he's the kind of guy who can use collegial in a sentence. But that's not happening since Grace is a reporter and Jacob thinks "they're like carrion birds picking over the lives of others." (p 83) A little bit of a chasm to bridge between these two, eh?

Lots of action and adventure and creative take-downs! And, since this is the last book in the True North series, Black has provided a fitting blockbuster series wrap-up that brings all the Henry brothers (and their lady loves) together in a very fitting salue to the spirit of these heroes and heroines.

Other random things I loved about this book. Grace is biracial -- Afro-Carribean Canadian mother and German Canadian father. Jacob and Grace are a little bit older than the usual LI/LIS heroes and heroines. He's just shy of forty and she's mid thirties. And there are lots of inspirational quotes a reader can apply in her own life. Like:

"Mom always told me that forgiveness has a lot of layers," she said."That it was a process and not something that happened all at once. She says sometimes you have to forgive the same person for the same sin, over, and over, and over again in new and deeper ways." (p 122)

and

"Sometimes prayer doesn't change the world around us. It just changes us." (p 92)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of Cold Case 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 winner announced on Saturday August 31 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Amish Hideout

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
AMISH HIDEOUT

She must survive to testify...
The first exciting Amish Witness Protection thriller!

With a price on his witness's head, U.S. Marshal Jonathan Mast can think of only one place to hide Celeste Alexander -- in the Amish community he left behind. As a computer expert, leading a life off the grid isn't easy for Celeste. But will staying in Jonathan's childhood home save her...and convince them a future together is worth fighting for?

My Review:

The first book in an exciting three book multi-authored series -- Amish Witness Protection. As far as I can tell there aren't any over-arcing suspense plots -- just the connection of hiding witnesses in plain sight so to speak.  Kind of like that Harrison Ford movie, Witness. I'm excited to see what the next two books have in store for us after reading Maggie K. Black's tense page-turner.

The first nail-biting scene in Amish Hideout had me hooked and I actually read this book in one sitting, because, really, how could I put it down? Relentless pursuits and multiple threats keep the suspense plot hopping while the romance gently develops through heartfelt dialogue and is sharpened by the desperate edge danger brings. Like I said, page-turning stuff! A great start to a new Amish series!

Sidenote:  Jacob refers to his father as Pa which sounds more pioneer than Amish to me. I've read a lot of Amish novels....a lot!...and I've come across Dat, Daadi, Father, Dad, Vater but never Pa. I know different communities have different dialects so I'm wondering if anyone else has ever come across this form of Father.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like to win a copy of Amish Hideout, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Standing Fast

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
STANDING FAST

Framed! 
A Military K-9 Unit Story

Suspected of aiding a serial killer, single dad Chase McLear is desperate to prove his innocence. However, someone's determined for him to be found guilty -- and now they're forgetting Chase's little girl. Preschool teacher Maisy Lockwood's father was one of the killer's victims, but Maisey believes Chase has been framed. Can Chase's K-9 beagle sniff out the evidence to clear his name before the killer makes them his next victim?

My Review:

Squeeaaalll! Love this continuity series and this just might be my favourite Military K-9 Unit book so far. Which might have something to do with the cute beagle and even more to do with the charming preschooler both pictured on the cover. And I loved the pacing in this story. A great balance of mystery, danger and romance. And those daddy/daughter scenes are stunners! Standing Fast kept me reading fast! And faster. Finished it in one sitting because it was that good!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Standing Fast, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 Sunday August 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Littlest Target

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BLACK, MAGGIE K.
THE LITTLEST TARGET

Nanny and baby on the run...

When her boss's wife is murdered before her eyes, nanny Daisy Hayward flees with her infant charge. But she can't escape danger. Someone wants the baby and will kill Daisy to get him. In the Canadian wilderness, a paramedic saves them, but when Daisy is framed for murder and labeled a kidnapper, will Max Henry help her...or turn her in?

A taut thriller in the True North Heroes series

My Review:

Is this not the cutest cover ever?! That little fella is going to keep books flying off the shelves, he's that irresistible! And so is this page-turning romantic suspense. Take a deep breath and maybe make sure your oxygen tank is full before you dive into this heart-pounding adventure. The taut, hair-raising opening scene sets the pace and intensity for the rest of the story.

Daisy is in desperate straits -- thrown into an unthinkable situation that unravels with alarming ferocity. Trust doesn't come easy -- even for the kind and compassionate paramedic determined to help her. It isn't in Max's DNA to walk away from someone in need and even though he isn't sure what to think about Daisy's claims, he's determined to stick by her side. And if dodging villains and cops isn't enough to keep a reader on the edge of her seat, the gnarly romance sure is! It's all a perfect blend of complicated crazy!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Littlest Target, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . 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 Sunday April 1 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Rescue at Cedar Lake

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
RESCUE AT CEDAR LAKE

Snowbound with a killer

Called in to work with a patient, therapist Theresa Vaughan didn't anticipate being held hostage by a killer in a snowbound lake cottage...or rescued by her former fiancé. But now bodyguard Alex Dean is the only thing standing between Theresa and certain death, and her patient -- who was supposed to be under Alex's sister's protection -- has disappeared. Alex can't fail on this mission, or in the eyes of the woman he once loved, so he has to convince her to trust him. With sister's client missing, a blizzard raging and a killer closing in, he must make a choice. Will he look to the future and focus on locating the missing charge...or remember the past and save Theresa?

True North Bodyguards: Keeping Watch

My Review:

A chilling winter suspense. I read this in the middle of a ferocious blizzard and I kept jumping every time I heard the wind howling around my little house. Perfect ambiance even though it made the read creepier. Theresa and Alex are thrust together in a relentless game of cat and mouse as they battle the elements to stay a step ahead of their pursuers.

Love the solid romance -- both haven't forgotten their love...or the crushing pain of their break up. And both have very different memories of how their perfect world imploded. A realistic second chance love story rises from the ashes. Sweet and tender and full of promise.

Nail-biting suspense, a gripping mystery and the rush of love rediscovered make this the perfect blizzard read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rescue at Cedar Lake please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 12 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Kidnapped at Christmas

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
KIDNAPPED AT CHRISTMAS

Her holiday bodyguard

When journalist Samantha Colt finds herself tied up and dumped on a landmine outside her bosses country house, she has no memory of how she got there. And her only clue is an ominous note warning her to quit before it's too late. Fortunately, the quick-witted soldier who's house-sitting for her boss rescues her...and agrees to become her bodyguard until the danger ends. Joshua Rhodes might be protecting Sam as a favor, but the spark that immediately sizzles between him and the determined, lovely reporter can't be denied. If the puzzled pair can't swiftly outsmart Samantha's tormentors, though, their brimming holiday romance will be snuffed out...along with Samantha's life.

My Review:

Gripping from the very first sentence: ''A fierce, biting cold that seemed to dig right into her skin was the first thing journalist Samantha Colt felt as her groggy brain swam back into consciousness.''  Brrrrr...this story chilled me to the bone between it's frosty outdoor scenes and sinister suspense. Definitely a read worthy of hot chocolate and comfort cookies.

I love Samantha's analytical mind. She's all about processing facts and finding patterns in random events. She's quite brilliant at what she does and Joshua can't help but be impressed. These two make an instant connection in the midst of impossible circumstances; an attraction that neither is prepared for.  There's angst piled upon angst in this taut thriller. Black feeds her reader's clues and it was fun (in a heart-pounding kind of way) to try to fit the pieces together right along with Samantha and Joshua.

If you like a little sinister with your holiday cheer than this is the perfect festive read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Kidnapped at Christmas please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September  25 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Christmas Blackout

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BLACK, MAGGIE K.
CHRISTMAS BLACKOUT

No way out!

The last thing Benjamin Duff needs is to be stranded at his friend Piper Lawrence's bed-and-breakfast with a dangerous intruder. But when he stops to say goodbye before moving across the world, he finds a masked man attacking Piper. Benjamin rushes to save her, crashing his truck and trapping them during a winter storm in the process. With no power or cell phones and time running out before his trip, he'll have to work fast to catch the killer. As they fight for their lives and their feelings for each other grow, Benjamin must decide if he's really willing to leave Piper behind.

My Review:

All hail to kick-butt heroines who wear glasses! I can seriously relate to a woman who only sees misshapen blobs without her glasses on. I'd love Piper just for that endearing fact, but there's so much more that makes her a winning heroine in my book. Dedication and loyalty to family for one. A giving nature. The steely determination to overcome whatever obstacle is placed in her path. Not to mention her keen sense of self-preservation. It's no wonder Benjamin is drawn to her at a time when he can't possibly be. They are set on two difference paths -- destined to be continents and oceans apart. So not the time for romance!

The plot is all a suspense lover could want -- twisty and turny and convoluted. The real keep-you-on-your-toes-until-the-very-end kind. I did not have a clue regarding some things. Not. A. Clue. Made for a voracious reading spell. Good luck putting this one down before you've reached the last page!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Christmas Blackout please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 29 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Headline Murder

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
HEADLINE MURDER

Witness to Murder

A gang of masked gunmen murder a man right in front of reporter Olivia Brant. Now they're after her—the newswoman witness who won't rest until she gets her story. She's rescued in the nick of time by a six-foot-four former bodyguard, but Olivia hardly feels safe. She's certain Daniel Ash is connected to her investigation into the dead man's business dealings, but how? With no one left to trust, Olivia accepts Daniel's offer of shelter at his abandoned country house in rural Ontario. But the killers are not far behind, and determined that Olivia takes the evidence she's uncovered to her grave.

My Review:

This suspense put me into a tailspin! Starts out hard and fast and just keeps picking up the pace until the no-holds-barred ending. A truly unique premise with plenty of twists and turns made this a page-turner for me. And in the midst of all the chaos, there's a sweet, albeit uncertain, romance brewing between Olivia and Daniel. A breathtaking read for the discerning romantic suspense lover.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Headline Murder please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 12 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Silent Hunter

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
SILENT HUNTER

Edge of Survival

Trapped on a deserted island and targeted by a deadly hunter, camp director Nicky Trailer must turn to the one man she vowed never to forgive. Luke Wolf abandoned her without a word years ago and crushed her girlhood dreams. When he suddenly returns to help her save her beloved summer camp, she doesn't want to forgive and forget. But with the mysterious hunter picking off campers one by one, Luke is the only one who can help her get off the island. With danger stalking their every move, can Luke and Nicky move beyond their past and work together to survive?

My Review:

A hair-raising read full of intrigue and action. This one is a page-turner for sure. Never mind the awkward reunion between Nicky and Luke which kept me on emotional tenterhooks, it's the sinister danger stalking them that made this a not-to-be-put-down read. I was right there with the hero and heroine, trying to outsmart a stalker intent on playing a lethal game of cat and mouse. Diabolical mayhem ensues with a host of potential suspects that made it next to impossible to figure everything out. A gripping read that went by much too quickly.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Silent Hunter please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Deadline

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
DEADLINE

The perfect crime

No one but reporter Jack Brooks believes three seemingly unrelated deaths are the work of a clever serial killer. Not even the woman he's convinced is the next victim—beautiful wedding planner Meg Duff. Even when he tracks her to her remote Canadian island home in time to save her life, Meg can't—and won't—help the maverick reporter. But time is running out, and as a record storm threatens the island, a killer grows desperate. Only Jack can stop him from getting away with murder. And he must, because now not only is Meg's life at stake, but so is his heart….

My Review:

A clever, intricate plot left me with whiplash by the end! The tension kept building and there were enough suspects crawling out of the woodwork that I nearly threw up my hands in defeat and hung up my armchair sleuth membership badge. But I'm no quitter so I persevered and got things thoroughly wrong before I got them half right. Chalk one up for the ingenuous author.

Loved the fact that Jack and Meg are plain ordinary folk caught up in a whirlwind of murder and mayhem. Jack's gritty journalistic background gives him a daredevil persona which Meg perceives as reckless and dangerous. This hero and heroine are living examples of the adage 'opposites attract'. A fiery read cover to cover.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadline please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 17 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Killer Assignment

GIVEAWAY

BLACK, MAGGIE K.
KILLER ASSIGNMENT

Front page news: Murder!

Journalist Katie Todd wanted her name as a byline on the front page, not in the obituaries. When an assignment goes very wrong, she finds herself pursued by ruthless kidnappers. Her only hope is the enigmatic and handsome Mark Armor. All clues point to him being the enemy of her enemy, but is he a friend—or something much more dangerous? Every move Mark makes to help Katie brings him closer to the life he left behind, but he can't say no to the beautiful writer. Will the secrets of his past put Katie in even more danger?

My Review:

This is the first book I've read written by Maggie K. Black, but it won't be my last! Gripping from the very first page, this author knows how to build spine-tingling suspense in tense, desperate scenes. And the pace doesn't let up! My heartbeat still hasn't settled back to normal yet!

A really appealing aspect of the Killer Assignment is that neither the hero or heroine are in any kind of law enforcement. That brought a fresh perspective to this thrilling suspense. Katie's journalism background gives her a gritty, never-say-die attitude and Mark's numerous ventures into third world countries to give aid has prepared him for the unexpected. They make an unbeatable team. And their rocky romance is just as thrilling as the suspense. Great read from a new-to-me author.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Killer Assignment, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 1 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!