Truth Be Told

GIVEAWAY

COX, CAROL
TRUTH BE TOLD

Sometimes the truth can be dangerous...

When Amelia Wagner takes over her father's newspaper in 1893 Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper's commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have serious consequences. Her father's revealing articles about the Great Western Investment Company have caught the attention of the wrong people, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father's statements.

Determined to find out the real story, Amelia begins her own investigation. She's joined by Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who's been assigned to keep tabs on her for the good of the company, a man Amelia finds both perplexing and intriguing.

What they uncover stuns them both--and has far-reaching implications for not only Ben and Amelia but all of Granite Springs. Can they reveal the truth before the enemy finds a way to silence them for good?

My Review:

I'm all wrung out after finishing Truth Be Told. Sure, the whole racing heart thing has ebbed, but my tummy is still in knots and there's the slightest trembling still left in my hands. Phew! Seriously, at one point, page 297 to be precise I screeched "You stupid girl!" so loud that I set the neighbour's dog to barking (and I was inside the house!) Some might say I take my reading too seriously, but I say the blame can be laid at the author's feet. If she hadn't written such a riveting book, I wouldn't be the babbling mess I am right now.

See I have a thing for dastardly villains. I can't stand them. I get all worked up over them. Especially the snide, sly, sneaky, snakey kind. There are several of those in this book and they near drove me to despair! I wanted to read really, really fast so I could glory in their comeuppance, but no matter how fast I read I had to get through those gnarly bits to get to the end. Honestly I feel like I've run a marathon. I need chocolate. :-)

Can you tell I loved this book? Great characters -- Amelia is a heroine after my own heart. A bit brash, a whole lot stubborn, easy to blindside, quick to retaliate. A dynamo in calico. Of course Ben's smitten, how could he not be? But they are on opposite sides of a volatile situation and that's problematic. Of course that doesn't stop the chemistry from sparking and the romance igniting. But oy, it's complicated and apt to wear on a sensitive reader's nerves.

Awesome, awesome, awesome book! 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Truth Be Told 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!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A Match Made in Texas

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
CONNEALY, MARY
JENNINGS, REGINA
COX, CAROL
A MATCH MADE IN TEXAS

There's a secret matchmaker at work in frontier Texas!In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can't keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she's also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?

My Review:

Four wonderful stories told in four distinct voices. Kudos to Bethany House for pooling together such a rich resource of talent! I am a fan of each of these authors so I knew I was in for a powerhouse read. Loved the common thread that sifted through all four stories...just a barely there wisp in A Cowboy Unmatched that grew more substantial and increased my anticipation by the time I reached the last story, Meeting Her Match.  One of the best novella collections I have read.

Giveaway Opportunity

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Match Made in Texas 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 January 5 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Trouble in Store

GIVEAWAY

 COX, CAROL
TROUBLE IN STORE

Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he's not about to let an obstinate woman with newfangled ideas ruin all he's worked for. In hope of turning her interest elsewhere, he determines to get Melanie married off, and luckily, there are many single men in town quite willing to take her off his hands.

The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn't want her to marry any of them. He's drawn to her more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store offer unexpectedly positive results.

But someone doesn't want the mercantile to succeed, and threatening words have escalated into destruction and danger. Will Melanie and Caleb's business--and budding romance--survive the trouble that's about to come their way?

My Review:

A wonderful blend of humour, suspense and romance makes Trouble in Store a winning read. Cox does a really good job of highlighting the different gender viewpoints with hilarious results. I loved the verbal tussles while being party to both Melanie and Caleb's inner thoughts.  Such a fun way to connect a reader with both the hero and the heroine.

The suspense starts out slowly, but develops into something more sinister as the plot develops and the author kept me guessing (and suspecting) right to the very end. It adds an edgy dimension to their romance and pumped up my heart rate!

And amidst it all there is a wonderful inspirational thread that adds depth and hope to an already exceptional read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Trouble in Store, 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 14 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Love in Disguise

GIVEAWAY

COX, CAROL
LOVE IN DISGUISE

Can she solve the crime before they uncover her true identity?

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humor, and mystery for a can't-put-down read.

My Review:

Fresh and unique, this historical read has a clever twist that I found very entertaining. Who knew that Pinkerton employed women detectives? Carol Cox that's who, and she uses that knowledge to great advantage. Ellie's driving ambition mixed with desperation make her prime detective material and she's out to prove herself. What she doesn't need is to fall hard for a local miner, especially when she's in the guise of matronly Lavina. There are some wonderfully humorous scenes as a result!

And Steven -- earnest, kind, gallant, and just as desperate to solve the robberies -- that's why he requested assistance from the Pinkerton Agency and why he becomes more and more frustrated when an agent doesn't show up. Little does he realize he's escorting her around town! This cat-and-mouse game is priceless and the mystery is cleverly written. Definitely a great summer read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Love in Disguise 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 1 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".