Christmas at Star Inn

 

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

BROWNLEY, MARGARET

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN

CONNEALY, MARY

Cozy Christmas Collection

In classic Christmas sytle, bestselling authors Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy and Ruth Logan Herne offer readers three holiday romance treats with these heartwarming novellas.

Set at the base of Mt. Hood, snow-weary travelers find rest, romance, and even reconciliation at the beautiful Star Inn, an iconic B&B in the quaint village of Heywood, Oregon.

Grab your cocoa and fuzzy slippers and lose yourself in the warmth of Christmas at Star Inn.

My Review:

pulbished in 2019

An incredible collection of Christmas stories destined to spark good cheer in every reader.

Do You Hear What I Hear by Margaret Brownley -- A heartwarming reunion romance. Stranded not-so-strangers Sally and Rick are complete opposites. That's the reason they broke up the first time round but there's Christmas magic in the air and an innkeeper named Angel who knows how to wield it. There's tons of rom/com references which were fun to spot, an earnest Nativity play narrator determined to deliver his lines to perfection and tons of melt-your-heart, feel-tinsely-good Christmas moments to warm a reader with Christmas joy.

Silent Night, Star-Lit Night by Ruth Logan Herne -- Well, Ruthy made me cry. Again. What a moving story about coming to grips with the past and having the courage to move forward in hope. Mia and Jed were childhood friends in a small town that treated them very differently. Now Mia's living far away, widowed and pregnant and Jed has come to bring her home for Christmas. Only home means very different things to each of them. Be prepared for some emotional sucker-punches and a sweet Angel innkeeper who provides sanctuary when they need it most. Brimming with holiday goodness.

Room at the Inn for Christmas by Mary Connealy --  Misunderstandings and hurt feelings kept Mandy away from the inn she used to call home. Now she's back with the intention of settling her father's estate and selling the inn -- until a specter from her past gets in the way. Full time rancher and part-time handyman, Cart, had been her best friend once. But distance has definitely not made their hearts grow fonder. Anger and angst abound until a traditional Star Inn Christmas gets in their way. And then peace and goodwill turn into a very satisfying seasonal happily ever after. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Christmas at Star Inn, 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 10 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Calico Spy

GIVEAWAY

BROWNLEY, MARGARET
CALICO SPY

Pinkerton Detective Katie Madison makes a lousy Harvey House waitress...but it's the only way she can get close enough to the scene of the murders of two of the restaurant's servers to solve the mystery. Between having impeccable posture, a perfect Harvey Girl smile, and memorizing menu specials of the day, not tomention dealing with the temperamental French chef, her mind might be too full to make any headway in the biggest case of her career.

Sheriff Branch Whitman knows there's something fishy about the pretty new Harvey girl with her flaming red hair, but he never would've guessed her to be a Pinkerton! And he's never met a Pink he liked -- but there is something intriguing about her.

Soon a tornado hits town, and a shadow from the past puts Branch's eight-year-old son in danger. Now the sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie -- or chance losing everything he holds dear. Tracking a murderer is dangerous even for a man, and he fears for Katie's safety. But as they get closer to the killer it becomes abundantly clear: protecting Katie is one thing; protecting his heart is something else.

My Review:

Witty and clever and so much fun to read! Katie is "as stubborn as a sore tooth" and is quite the conundrum for Branch. She has two strikes against her as a detective -- one, she's a woman and two she's a 'Pink' and he's not about to share sleuthing rights with either. Luckily, Katie isn't a pushover and doggedly persists with her investigation. It isn't long before Branch sees the error of his ways and the two join forces. A solid mystery that spirals into much more than they bargained for kept me glued to the page...when I wasn't blinking back tears from laughing so hard. And then there's the bumpy romance that makes the tale all the sweeter. A winning combination  that makes this a must read for the romantic comedy aficionado.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Calico Spy 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 April 10 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Four Weddings and a Kiss : A Western Bride Collection

GIVEAWAY

BROWNLEY, MARGARET
CLOPTON, DEBRA
CONNEALY, MARY
HATCHER, ROBIN LEE
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS : A WESTERN BRIDE COLLECTION

In 1885 five western preachers sit around a campfire talking about unlikely couples they’ve seen God bring together.

“Spitfire Sweetheart” by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

“Love Letter to the Editor” by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper’s owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He’s resolved to change Molly’s mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

“A Cowboy for Katie” by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Thad Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Thad change Katie’s mind?

“Saving Grace” by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn’t interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My Review:

Squeeeeaaaalllll! I got my hands on an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) of Four Weddings and a Kiss and couldn't wait to dive in. What a treat! Better than chocolate...almost. :-)

Four dynamic authors combine their considerable talent to create a fantastic read. I really enjoyed the introductory scene with all the preachers gathered around the campfire trying to out do each other with unlikely matrimony tales. What a clever thread to pull these four different stories together!

All hail to 'true grit' heroines of the wild west. There's nothing as inspiring as the women who helped settled the West. These authors do our pioneer ancestors justice with vivid tales of courage and love.

And the heroes -- as diverse in temperament as they are in looks, each one swoonworthy in his own way. Stubborn, irritable, and sometimes rough around the edges perhaps, but all set my heart a pitter-patter as I read their stories.

I'm amazed at the ability of these authors to deliver such a rich, satisfying read in a novella length story. Each one is pact with action, romance and humour -- a lethal combination! Four Weddings and a Kiss belongs on every TBR pile -- but you'll have to wait until June to get your hands on a copy but I promise, it's worth the wait.

My thanks goes to Mary Connealy who provided me with an advanced reader's copy of this book.

Giveaway Opportunity:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS BOOK DOESN'T RELEASE UNTIL JUNE. YOUR BOOK WILL BE PREORDERED FOR YOU.

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss : a Western Bride Collection 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March  30 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

A Bride For All Seasons

GIVEAWAY

BROWNELY, MARGARET
CLOPTON, DEBRA
CONNEALY, MARY
HATCHER, ROBIN LEE
A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue…

Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

“And then Came Spring” by Margaret Brownley

Mary-Jo has traveled halfway across the country to meet her match, arriving just in time for his funeral. Returning home seems like her only option until her would-be brother-in-law proposes a more daring idea.

“An Ever After Summer” by Debra Clopton

Ellie had no idea she’s not what Matthew ordered. And what’s wrong with being a “Bible thumper” anyway? She’s determined to show him she’s tougher than she looks—and just the girl he needs.

“Autumn’s Angel” by Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn’t come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. ­ The trouble is, there’s no money to send them back . . .

“Winter Wedding Bells” by Mary Connealy

David’s convinced he’s not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he’s gone—nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?

My Review:

What a powerhouse group of authors! So absolutely no surprise that this compilation of novellas makes for an amazing read! And what a clever twist to the mail-order-bride angle! Ol' Hitch certain plays havoc for the couples in these stories and I loved every confusing minute of it! And yes, I just noticed that every sentence so far ends in an exclamation mark, but honestly, each one is warranted. A Bride for all Seasons is an incredible read filled with humour, inspiration and romance! Therefore exclamation marks are a given. :-)

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Bride For All Seasons, 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 7 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Dawn Comes Early

 GIVEAWAY!

BROWNLEY, MARGARET

DAWN COMES EARLY

Looking for a woman of good character and pleasant disposition willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona Territory.

Must be SINGLE and prepared to remain so now and forever more.

Will be given ownership of ranch.

Eleanor Walker

Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest book for a fresh start at a cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory. She hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.

But what awaits her is a much harder life.There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch in 1895, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life She quickly learns that dawn comes early...every day. But she is tenacious.

Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn't expect to meet Luke Adams either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn't recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.

Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.

My Review:

Western comedy at it's best, but Dawn Comes Early will pull at your heartstrings too. Kate heads into Cactus Patch with a lot more baggage than the single trunk she brought from Boston . It takes a run-in with an outlaw and repeated associations with the local blacksmith to begin shaking that baggage loose. And all the while she's learning the rigorous work of ranch-life through hands-on experience. Let's just say there isn't a lull in this action-packed, emotionally-fraught and side-splitting historical novel.

As always, Brownley's characters shine. Sub-plots involving secondary characters are by turns humourous and touching and add extra spark to an already dazzling story. A definite delight to read.

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like to win a copy of this book please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in your address line so that it's easier for me to spot. Offer open to international readers. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 8. Good luck!

A Vision of Lucy

BROWNLEY, MARGARET

A VISION OF LUCY

Trouble follows Lucy wherever she goes; so does a vision of second chances...and love

Lucy Fairbanks dreams of working as a photographer at the Rock Creek newspaper. Her deepest hope is that her father will see her as an artiist, the way he though of her deceased mother, whose paintings still hang on their walls.

But disaster follows Lucy on every photo assignment: a mess of petticoats and ribbons, an accidental shooting, even a fire.

When Lucy meets David Wolf -- a rugged, reclusive man who lives on the outskirts of town -- she thinks she can catch the attention of the town with his photograph. She doesn't count on her feelings stirring whenever she's near him.

Two things happen next that forever change the course of Lucy's life. But will these events draw her closer ot God or push her further away? And how will David accept this new vision of Lucy?

My Review:

If you like Mary Connealy and Cathy Marie Hakes, you'll adore Margaret Brownley. This is her third in the Rocky Creek Romance series, and it's packed with comedy and action and a wallop of romance as well. It's the one-liners that kept me laughing -- even in the middle of the angst. And poor, klutzy Lucy, so determined to make a new name for herself  other than by taking on a husband! The slapstick comedy is priceless, but there's still an undercurrent of drama and some thought-provoking moral issues that bring an appealing balance to the story. And Brownley followers will be delighted to renew aquaintances with the townful of unique characters they met in A Lady Like Sarah and A Suitor for Jenny. An enjoyable read for anyone who likes their Westerns with a dash of comedy...or should that be their comedy with a dash of Western?

A Suitor for Jenny

BROWNLEY, MARGARET

A SUITOR FOR JENNY

Jenny Higgins is certain falling in love and finding a husband are matters of the mind. Her heart has other plans.

After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well-taken care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two sisters and then start fresh somewhere far, far away.

Jenny believes that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they'd taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.

But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old-fashioned way -- with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn't living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshal Rhett Armstrong stirs up emotions in her that weren't part of her plan.

To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she'll need to give up her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.

I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE NEXT RELEASE FROM MARGARET BROWNLEY. IT FELT LIKE AN INTERMINABLE WAIT SINCE I ENJOYED A LADY LIKE SARAH SO MUCH. BUT MY IMPATIENCE WAS WORTH IT! A SUITOR FOR JENNY IS JUST AS CAPTIVATING AND THERE'S THE ADDED BONUS OF GETTING REAQUAINTED WITH SARAH AND JUSTIN WITHIN THE PAGES OF THIS SECOND NOVEL.

BROWNLEY HAS A REAL TALENT FOR BLENDING HUMOUR AND DRAMA. SHE FOUND THE PERFECT BALANCE THAT KEPT ME BETWEEN ANGST AND LAUGHTER THE ENTIRE READ!

I LOVE HOW SHE SET UP EACH CHAPTER WITH A QUOTE FROM "MISS ABIGAIL JENKINS", 1875 -- HELPFUL HINTS ON COURTING. SUCH SAGE ADVICE THAT IS AS SOUND TODAY AS IT WAS THEN. GEMS LIKE:

WOMEN WHO FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT OFTEN WISH THEY'D TAKEN A SECOND LOOK.

OR HOW ABOUT

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT TO KISS A HANDSOME MAN, GIVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

JENNY IS A COMPLICATED WOMAN AND BROWNLEY HINTS AT A DIFFICULT PAST THAT HAS TEMPERED HER JOY IN LIFE AND HAS LEFT HER WITH VERY LITTLE HOPE FOR HER OWN FUTURE. SHE IS WEIGHED DOWN BY GUILT AND HAS TURNED AWAY FROM GOD BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES SHE DOESN'T DESERVE HIS ATTENTION.

RHETT (SIGH, ISN'T THAT A LOVELY NAME FOR A HERO?) ALSO HAS A TRAGIC PAST AND THOUGH HE HAS TURNED TO GOD TO SEE HIM THROUGH IT, HE HASN'T ALLOWED ANY HEALING TO TAKE PLACE. IN SPITE OF THEIR HURTS, RHETT AND JENNY ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER AND THEN CONFLICTED OVER THAT ATTRACTION. BROWNLEY PULLS THE ROMANTIC TENSION TIGHT AS THEIR STORY PLAYS OUT AND IT DEFINITELY KEPT ME TURNING PAGES.

BROWNLEY ALSO EXPLORES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'GRIEF' AND 'GUILTY GRIEF' AND WEAVES A POWERFUL MESSAGE AND WITNESS OF GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE BOOK.

I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MY TIME SPENT IN ROCKY CREEK, TEXAS IN THE COMPANY OF JENNY AND RHETT AND THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS IN A SUITOR FOR JENNY. IT HAS DEFINITELY EARNED A SPOT ON MY KEEPER SHELF!

A Lady Like Sarah : a Rocky Creek Romance

Brownley, Margaret

A Lady Like Sarah : a Rocky Creek Romance

I never did cotton to being called miss. Makes it sound like I’m missin’ out on somethin’ just cuz I ain’t got me no husband.”

Sarah’s lived a rough and tumble life. Orphaned at six and raised by her outlaw brothers, trouble stuck to her like a shadow. We first meet her handcuffed to a U.S. Marshall who is taking her back to Rocky Creek to hang for murder. Oh – did I mention that someone shot the Marshall and stole his horse leaving both Sarah and the lawman lying unconscious, close to death when…

Okay, this is the part where you’re anticipating the ruggedly handsome cowboy riding to the rescue, right? Sorry to disappoint, but Justin Wells is a Boston preacher and he’s reluctantly heading to his new parish in Rocky Creek on the heels of a scandal back home.

Justin has a bible story for every occasion. Sarah hasn’t set foot in a church since they buried her parents. Justin favours long-winded prayers and sees miracles at every turn. Sarah has never had a prayer answered and doesn’t believe in miracles. You know the old adage, opposites attract? Well, it definitely applies here. There’s sizzle from their first meeting and it leads to their unexpected first kiss which Sarah initiates.

“Great sand and sagebrush! How come no one ever told her that kissin’ a man was more fun than fightin’ a bear?”

Of course the road to true love is never an easy one and Brownley makes it even harder for Justin and Sarah by throwing a few little obstacles across their path to true happiness. Things like a dead marshal, renegade Indians, outlaws, an orphaned baby and…oh yeah…that dang hangman’s noose. Luckily Sarah receives some “divine interruptions” along the way and Justin discovers that the blessings God had in store for him far outweigh the loss of the Boston church he loved.

Margaret Brownley has expertly combined humour and drama and the unexpected to give this historical Western a unique twist. This is a must read…even if you don’t like Historicals or Westerns…because once you’ve read this one you will.

In Sarah’s words, “You have to play the fiddle you have.” and Margaret Brownley has created a masterpiece with hers.

ABSOLUTE DELIGHT TO READ.