Rodeo Song

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VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
RODEO SONG

Jenna Wentworth found the man of her dreams

But when silken-voiced Garrett Steele set out for stardom, he left Jenna—and his cowboy past—far behind. A chance encounter at one of his concerts propels him back into Jenna's life. But, once burned by love, Jenna must guard her heart against the captivating singer.

Once upon a time, Garrett vowed he'd be a success, no matter what. But that path shattered his soul. His reunion with Jenna makes him long for things he once took for granted. Now he must show her that he's found what he was looking for all along…right here in his hometown.

My Review:

Crackles with a romantic charge from beginning to end. This read is pure romance at its best. I vote Garrett and Jenna best chemistry in a contemporary romance. To say I loved this read would be a gross understatement. And the opening scene -- priceless. It made me as giddy as my school girl days. :-)  Vannatter has tapped into nearly every woman's secret fantasy and brought it to light with humour, tender passion and a great inspirational thread . If you don't melt over Garrett's earnest pursuit of a love once lost you don't have a pulse. Seriously.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rodeo Song 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 May 4  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Falling for the Farmer

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ATKINS, NARELLE
FALLING FOR THE FARMER

KATE LAWSON IS A RUNAWAY BRIDEAnd she's incredibly grateful when Jack Bradley offers her a job on his apple farm. Working side by side in the orchards with her best friend's brother seems like the perfect way to get over her disastrous engagement. Until Kate finds herself falling hard for the handsome farmer.

Jack Bradley knows city-girl Kate isn't here to stay. Yet suddenly he's imagining a life with her in the country. When Kate considers going back to the city, can Jack find a way to show her that her real home is here on the farm, by his side?

My Review:

Another amazing debut novel! And I love the Australian setting. Kudos to Harlequin for finally venturing out of North America in a Christian contemporary romance. Atkins writes a universal love story that can be enjoyed by any reader, but I loved the subtle nods to another country and culture.

This sweet romance features a runaway bride and I loved the action-packed opening. It really got my attention. Also loved how the author gradually reveals the reason behind Kate's flight by slow degrees throughout the story. Really looking forward to Atkins next release which is coming out in May. I love finding new fave authors...especially when they are prolific writers!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Falling for the Farmer 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 16 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

The Widow's Suitor

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ZEDIKER, ROSE ROSS
THE WIDOW'S SUITOR

CORA ANDERSON ISN'T LOOKING FOR LOVE 

The young widow is just trying to make a life on the prairie for herself and her newborn son. When handsome newcomer Luke Dow shows up at her cabin door, she soon relies on the man's help with her homestead…and dares to dream of the future.

Luke came to the small South Dakota town to build a hotel and make his fortune. But he never expected to care for anyone, let alone the beautiful Cora and her baby boy. When Cora's land claim is challenged by a neighbor, Luke will do all he can to protect her and her home—and claim her heart.

My Review:

A wonderful pioneer love story. Zediker captivated me with her words right from the gripping first scene -- and oh my what a hero/heroine first meet! It kind of felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder all grown up. I loved the Little House books as a child and The Widow's Suitor has the same feel for historical detail. What an exciting -- and desperate -- time to be alive. Cora faces an uncertain future with grit and determination but a vulnerability that pulls at Luke's heartstrings. And the author has created a truly vile villain to up the angst factor just in case trying to eke out a living as a widow with a newborn babe isn't enough. :-) A powerful inspirational thread completes the plot and made this a great read from beginning to end.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Widow's Suitor 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 9 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Ozark Sweetheart

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GRAY, HELEN
OZARK SWEETHEART

Callie Blake can't afford to fall in love

She's too busy helping her family survive the Depression. When she returns home to their Missouri farm, she sees her childhood crush, Trace Gentry, and it stirs up old dreams she tries hard to ignore. Trace is kind, handsome and wealthy. He'd never be interested in a poor girl like her—would he?

Successful businessman Trace is crazy about Callie, and he knows she thinks she's not good enough for him. But he's clueless how to woo her. Until he devises a plan that will prove his love to Callie and make all her dreams come true.

My Review:

Fantastic historical romance from a debut author! Honestly, I just loved the ambiance of this read. Gray has managed to convey both the desperation and the hope of the depression era. Ozark Sweetheart has a 'Waltons' feel to it. Through the grit of poverty Gray shines a spotlight on the sense of community that helped folks cope in a bleak period of American history.

I loved the contrast between Trace and Callie's circumstances. He is every girl's dream -- a ticket out of desperate conditions but Gray's intrepid heroine has more backbone then that, even if her pride is partly to blame for that stiff spine. Torn between loyalties, Callie struggles with her attraction to the successful businessman. The author has created some beautifully tender scenes that slowly reveal the strength of new love and there's nothing quite so toe-curling as a hero determined to woo his lady love.

A very special debut novel from an author who definitely has a promising future in inspirational romance.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Ozark Sweetheart 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 February 23 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Rodeo Queen

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VANNATER, SHANNON TAYLOR
RODEO QUEEN

Caitlyn Wentworth loves being a rodeo...

Until she starts receiving threatening letters from a stalker. The good news is, the Texas Ranger assigned to her case is none other than her former sweetheart Mitch Warren—the man who chose his career over love.

Mitch vows to focus on protecting the woman he's never forgotten. But Caitlyn stirs up memories best left in the past. When Mitch insists on hiding Caitlyn away on his family's San Antonio ranch, will he keep things professional or seek out a second chance?

My Review:

I love a heroine with 'tude and Vannatter knows how to write them! Caitlyn is strong-willed and stubborn and feisty and that's a volatile combination in a romance novel.  :-)  But she has a vulnerable side too, especially when it comes to her former sweetheart. Her stubbornness in that department near drove me insane before the end of the book! How she could resist Mitch for that long is beyond me! The romantic tension between the two is palpable and kept me turning pages while writhing in agony because, well, Mitch is just as stubborn as Caitlyn. A fantastic contemporary romance from a tried and true fave author.


Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rodeo Queen please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, 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  19, 2014 Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rodeo Regrets

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VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
RODEO REGRETS

Natalie Wentworth's past is about to catch up with herNatalie once dreamed of finding true love. Then Lane Gray broke her heart. After running wild to fill the emptiness inside her, she heads back to her hometown to heal. But when she sees the cowboy she once loved so much, she finds him hard to resist.

Lane Gray is a changed man. The handsome cowboy wants Natalie's forgiveness—and more. Natalie has made plenty of mistakes in her life, but so has Lane. Could falling for each other again be the worst one yet? Or the path to redemption?

My Review:

Vannatter challenges her readers with the unlikely heroine in her latest Heartsongs Presents release. Natalie has made plenty of mistakes in her past...repeatedly...until a catalytic event causes her to rethink everything. She's determined to change for all the right reasons, but her past is proving hard to live down.  The author has skillfully given depth to this complex character. Natalie fascinated me.

And the hero, Lane -- well, who can resist a cowboy? Especially this converted bad boy seeking Natalie's forgiveness. The romance is complicated by oh so rewarding making Rode Regrets a great summer read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rode Regrets, 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! 

Wedding on the Rocks

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ZEDIKER, ROSE ROSS
WEDDING ON THE ROCKS

Jennifer Edwards is back home again…

When she traded small-town life for the bright lights of Chicago, Jennifer Edwards yearned to discover a world beyond Faith, South Dakota. So when her father's illness calls her home to run their cattle ranch, she tells herself it's temporary. Then why is she even thinking about a future with archaeology professor Brett Lange—the boy she left behind—whose life's work is digging up the past?  Twelve years ago, Brett had a crush on Jennifer the size of the T. rex that put his hometown on the map. Now she's a citified magazine editor who prefers designer duds to dungarees. Except that's not the real Jennifer. Brett needs to make her see how a little faith can go a long way in uniting two perfectly in-sync hearts.

My Review:

First off -- clever title. It suggests one thing but is actually tied to the hero's profession. Love that twist and the surprise of delving into a story that wasn't what I thought it was. :-)

Zediker has a real gift for delivering a tight, emotionally packed story. I'm in awe of these authors who write such depth in such a short word count. That's real talent!

I really connected with Jennifer's journey. She's making good choices in her life but finds herself at a a crossroads as she begins to realize good choices aren't always God choices. That's something I have to relearn over and over and over again. 

Brett is a complicated mix of laid back confidence and endearing vulnerability. Jennifer has no idea of the power she holds over him and he is reluctant to reveal the depth of his feelings for her. Unrequited love is pretty potent stuff -- especially when it is from the hero's perspective.

A solid plot and captivating romance with plenty of emotional thrills kept me satisfied to the very end.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Wedding on the Rocks, 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 May 12 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

A Horseman's Hope

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, MYRA
A HORSEMAN'S HOPE

Grace Lorimer is too busy for a relationship...

And love is definitely out of the question while she works her way through college to earn her occupational therapist certification. Besides, her mother's string of failed relationships and broken promises proves romance is not worth risking her heart -- even when she begins to care deeply for single dad Ryan O'Keefe.

Four years after his girlfriend, Shana, became pregnant, Ryan still can't believe he's a father...and can't believe being anything else. His daughter is the light of his life. Now if only Shana could embrace motherhood and the three could become a real family...

Then Ryan receives shocking news about Shana, a his world is torn apart as he faces losing his daughter. Suddenly old feelings for Grace resurface, but is a whirwind marriage of convenience the answer?

My Review:

The third book in a series centering on a therapy horse ranch, Johnson had me riveted from the get go. A Horseman's Hope reads well as a standalone but will make for a richer read if you are familiar with the characters from A Horseman's Heart and A Horseman's Gift.

Ryan's devotion to his daughter is incredibly appealing from the very first page. And little Christina transforms every scene she is in. The two-person O'Keefe clan is a force to be reckoned with, which is lucky since Johnson throws plenty of plot angst at them.

I loved the easy-going friendship between Grace and Ryan that's hovering on the edge of so much more. This is where the author really excels -- drawing emotion out of her characters and directly into her readers. Their story tugged at my heartstrings right to the joyful end.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Horseman's Hope, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, 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 December 23 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rodeo Ashes

GIVEAWAY

VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
RODEO ASHES

Lacie Gentry, a young widow and mom, is struggling with the aftermath of her husband's tragic death. When she bumps into former classmate Quinn Remington, her future is undecided. She accepts a job teaching kids to ride at Quinn's neighboring ranch, hoping to revitalize her life with an old pastime but soon sees in Quinn a chance to move forward with new love…if she's ready.

It's been years since Quinn has seen lovely Lacie Gentry—the girl he always admired in high school but never came close to dating. By the time they met, Lacie was engaged to rodeo star Mel Gentry then happily married. Now Lacie's closer than ever. The attraction is still there, but so is a secret that might end any chance of romance.

Can they rise from the rodeo ashes?

My Review:

I've never gotten inside the head of a heroine so quickly before. Within just a few pages I felt like I really knew Lacie and we bonded instantly. That's an amazing feat for an author.

Quinn is a cowboy after my own heart. Watching him wrestle with emotions from his past, which act as a stumbling block to his future is just agonizing.  Especially the way the author feeds tantalizing bits of  information that slowly build until we get the whole picture. Loved Quinn's tenderness and the gentle way he watches out for Lacie. And Lacie's stubborn attempts to resist, to be independent as she grapples with widowhood and being a single mom. So much emotion is packed into this read.

Vannatter has woven together a clever and moving story about love and forgiveness and God's ability to carry us through it all.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rodeo Ashes, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, 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 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Carpenter's Inheritance

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EAKES, LAURIE ALICE
THE CARPENTER'S INHERITANCE

Lucinda Bell wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps and practice law. But in 1893, the state of Virginia won't allow a woman lawyer. So she leaves her family and fiancé and buys a dying practice in Massachusetts, determined to prove herself capable of succeeding at the profession—if she can find acceptance and safety as Loveland's sole lady lawyer first.

Quiet, handsome Matthew Templin, a local carpenter with a questionable past and a potentially dangerous need for a lawyer, is captivated by Lucinda. But he also knows she's above his touch—and that a hidden truth may destroy her career and possibly his own life.  As ambitions collide, Lucinda faces a choice whether to give up her dream—or give up the love of her life.

My Review:

I am enamoured with Laurie Alice Eakes' longer historical novels but have never read her novella length ones so I was excited to delve into The Carpenter's Inheritance. Eakes delivered the same quality, tension and drama that I am familiar with -- all in a shorter word count. Now that takes talent!

Loved the impossible scenario -- educated Lucinda of good social standing versus the simple town carpenter with a questionable past. Lucinda finds herself fighting the attraction, all too aware of the havoc that would play in her business plans. Matthew just won't further her cause and she's already fighting prejudice because she's a female. Matthew, with a tendency to internalize his past, has placed Lucinda on pedestal and he has no intention of taking her down. Thankfully Eakes has other ideas and she weaves an intricate story of betrayal and love and the saving grace of the Lord beautifully.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Carpenter's Inheritance, 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 October 21 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!