Kiss

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

DEKKER, TED
HEALY, ERIN
KISS

Let me tell you all I know for sure. My name. Shauna.

I woke up in a hospital bed missing six months of my memory. In the room was my loving boyfriend -- how could I have forgotten him? -- and my uncle and my abusive stepmother. Everyone blames me for the tragic car accident that left me near death and my dear brother brain damaged. But what they say can't be true -- can it?

I believe the medicine is doing strange things to my memory. I'm unsure who I can trust and who I should run from. And I'm starting to remember things I've never known. Things not about me. I think I'm going crazy.

And even worse, I think they want to kill me.

But who? And for what? Is dying for the truth really better than living with a lie?

My Review:

published in 2009
Thanks to my public library for providing me with an audio edition of this book

Once again I'm wrestling for ways to define Ted Dekker's work. This time he is paired up with Erin Healy (Kiss is her debut!) Both authors are known for their edgy thriller style suspense with hints of supernatural elements -- which is what makes this book so indescribable. Absolutely riveting though.

Shauna's story is edge-of-your-seat compelling. So many twists and turns and puzzle pieces to try to put together! I binged listen to Pam Turlow's narration, my heart racing as each new scene unfolded. Loved the deep characterization, the subtle inspirational threads nimbly woven throughout the chaos.and the way these authors kept me guessing about most everything right to the end.

I'm the reader book blurbs are written for. I cannot start reading until I've studied that description. I might even read it a couple of times to absorb it (yes, I know that's weird) before starting in on the story. And sometimes I flip back and study that book blurb again during my read. I don't know what that says about me -- but I really can't read a book without knowing something about it.

That's why tackling a Ted Dekker novel is so bookishly brave of me. :-) Because no matter which book description I read it will never fully prepare me for the adventure I'm about to embark upon. It's like reading blind. Just letting go and allowing the story to take me places I've never dreamed of. And I always come away soul-searching some aspect of my faith. That's what happened when I read Kiss. I've been challenged and encouraged and highly entertained. A breath-snatching thrill of a read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Kiss, 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 November 16 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Never Let You Go

GIVEAWAY

HEALY, ERIN
NEVER LET YOU GO

Losing everything has Lexi clinging to her daughter. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

It's been seven years since disaster struck her family. Lexi Solomon has held it all together since then -- just barely.

But now Lexi is losing it. The husband who deserted her is back in town, wanting to see their daughter Molly. Her sister's shameless murderer is up for parole. An unsavory old friend is demanding payment for debts that Lexi knows nothing about and can't begin to meet.

And something else is going on -- something Lexi feels but can't explain. A dangerous shift is taking place between this reality and the next. Forces beyond her imagination are vying for control.

A rare novel that will satisfy a wide range of readers, Never Let You Go explores the high-stakes decisions played out in the thin spaces between heaven and earth. As the enemy's grip tightens around Lexi, she will have to decide what's truly worth hold on to.

My Review:

Published in 2010 - Thomas Nelson

Dark. Menacing. Mesmerizing. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Never Let You Go but Healy far exceeded my expectations! I was well and truly hooked and, though I had no intention of doing so, read this book in one sitting. It's that addictive.

Raw and real and angst-riddled. Lexi hasn't had an easy life and it seems like no matter what she does circumstances just keep getting worse. She feels like she's losing control -- and for very good reason. There are forces afoot with evil intent and she's at the heart of the battle. And yet there's a light shining in the midst of all that darkness. Lexi just has to find the courage to head for it.

A stunning suspenseful drama with an enthralling supernatural element.

Giveaway Opportunity:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Never Let You Go 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 easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 16 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Afloat

GIVEAWAY

HEALY, ERIN
AFLOAT

Architect Vance Nolan has crafted a marvel—shining apartments floating in the peaceful cove of a winding river. When the project is partially occupied and about to make investors rich, a sinkhole gives way.

Then torrential rains quickly flood the cove, leaving a handful of builders, investors, and residents cut off from the rest of the world.

The motley group is bitterly divided over how to survive.

Vance insists they wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single-mom Danielle Clement, obligated to each man and desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, isn’t sure which one is wiser.

Power failure, an unnatural daytime darkness, explosions, and then a murder slowly expose hidden intentions and dark histories. But Simeon has spotted something bright underwater—beautiful, shifting lights in the dark depths.

In this watery world, everyone’s secrets will eventually come to light. And deliverance may mean more than just getting out alive.

My Review:

Complex characters thrown into an equally complex plot creates an engrossing read that was hard to put down. Healy creates a desperate imagery with her words that brought a spine-tingling mood to my read. The supernatural element brings a subtle depth to this disaster story. Afloat is definitely a page-turner with all its twists and turns and also packs a few gasp-out-loud surprises that I did not see coming. A spellbinding tale you do not want to miss.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Afloat, 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 26 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

House of Mercy

GIVEAWAY

HEALY, ERIN
HOUSE OF MERCY

When Beth’s world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?


Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. The repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, and determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy.

My Review:

I was a reluctant reader when I started this book...in fact I confess that I put it down twice and read something else before picking it up again. Now, that's not because the writing was terrible or the characters shallow or anything technical like that. It's because Beth does something really, really, really...sigh...I hate to use the word but...stupid...in the very first chapter and I cringed every time I delved in. Of course the whole book is about mercy and Beth's journey towards finding it and extending it but still...it was a tough start for this reader who has a sensitive spot for animals...and fictional heroines...and well, my poor little heart just about leapt out of my body and onto the page and left me gasping for my literary equilibrium. :-)

However, House of Mercy was so intriguing and Healy writes so well that she kept luring me back and I started reading with hesitant little spurts which quickly stretched into marathons as I fairly tripped over the words on each page in my haste to get to the end...which came all too quickly for my liking. (And yes I know that makes me a contrary reader!)

I'm not even sure how to categorize this book. Deeply spiritual for sure, but somewhat fantastical -- dare I say mystical -- as well. The beginning emotional punch spirals tighter and tighter until scene after scene exploded in my mind leaving a myriad of impressions. Incredible plot twists, real (and flawed) characters and complex relationships have left a lasting impression. A satisfying, stirring read that has renewed my hope in mercy.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of House of Mercy, 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 19 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!