The Last Way Home

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ

THE LAST WAY HOME

Even broken things can be made beautiful again

When Eli Ross left Prince Edward Island to join the NHL, he left a broken family behind. More than a decade later, he's headed home to an uncertain welcome. He wants to make things right with the family he wronged, but his mom's business partner isn't making it easy. To top it off, the coaching job he takes turns out to be more of a challenge than he anticipated.

For years, Violet Donaghy has put everything she had into making Eli's mom's ceramic shop a success, and she's not eager to forgive the man who's hurt the family that's taken her in as one of their own. But when the kiln in the shop starts a fire that nearly destroys the studio, she'll need all the help she can get to save the business and their summer income. 

When Eli and Violet come together, they must find the strength to mend the broken pieces of the Ross family -- and to heal their own hearts.

My Review:

Between this calibre of writing:

"But it was her eyes that convinced him. He'd have remembered that strange shade of brown -- half intensity, half serenity, nearly amber." (p 11)

and the kind of inspiration that pierces hearts:

"Maybe God doesn't always fix what's shattered. But he can make something new and beautiful out of what's been broken." (p 326)

'The Last way Home' was a captivating, compelling read from start to finish.

So much depth and angst and heart-soaring hope! A prodigal son story with all its rough edges, but smoothed out into sweet perfection by the end. And oh, what a reading journey!!!!

And of course, the Prince Edward Island setting is a major hit with me. Ever since I read 'Anne of Green Gables' as a kid, PEI has been my fictional haven so I'm always thrilled to find a book set there.

This is the second book in Johnson's 'Prince Edward Island Shores' series but can be read as a standalone. If you have read the first book though, you will be thrilled to meet up with the Ross clan again -- especially Oliver and his now fiancee Meg! And, eeeppp, there's even a sneak peek at the next book which features brother Levi. Can't wait for that release!

An emotional redemptive story centered around family, faith and forgiveness.

Goal Updates: #5 Diversify my reading, #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  The Last Way Home, 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 15 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Beyond the Tides

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ

BEYOND THE TIDES

When Meg Witaker's father decides to sell the family's lobster fishing business to her high school nemesis, she sets out to prove she should take it over instead. Though she's never had an interest in running the small fleet -- or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness -- she can't stand to see Oliver Ross in charge. Not when he ruined her dreams of a science scholarship and an Ivy League education ten years ago.

Oliver isn't proud of what he did back then. Angry and broken by his father walking out on his family, he lashed out at Meg -- an innocent bystander. But owning a respected fishing fleet on Prince Edward Island is the opportunity of a lifetime, as well as a way to provide for his mother, and he's not about to walk away just because Meg wants him to.

Meg's father has the perfect solution: Oliver and Meg will work the business together, and at the end of the season, he'll decided who gets it. Along the way, they discover that their stories are more similar than they thoughts...and their dreams aren't what they expected.

My Review:

Eeeeepppp!!!! This is me fangirling over another chance to armchair travel to Prince Edward Island with Liz Johnson! I swear I could smell the salty brine in the air and hear the gulls swooping and the water lapping along the shore. Nearly as good as an actual real live visit -- maybe even better since I didn't have to gag over the fishy smells. Which is kinda funny, since my imagination seems to conjure up all the nice scents while conveniently leaving out the foul ones. :-)

And I love, love, love the Canadian setting and the way the author brings this charming part of my country to vibrant life. Even using notable landmarks to share inspirational insights like this one:

"This bridge must have taken thousands of people to build it. But if God gave some guy an idea for how to span thirteen kilometres of open water, then I figure he can probably show me a way through whatever I'm facing. The bridge reminds me that even if I don't have a plan, God can figure it out." (p 94)

Honestly, I got a kinda Anne Shirley / Gilbert Blythe vibe from Meg and Oliver which still has me giddy. I'm not sure if that was in the author's mind as she wrote or if my childhood L. M. Montgomery bingeing has forever clouded my mind for any other notion of island romance. :-) 

But they have that same enemies to more thing going on after a falling out in high school has left them at odds ever since -- which is saying something since they live in the same small town. Well, Meg went away to university, but since she's been back they've managed to avoid speaking to each other. And, like Anne, Meg knows how to hold a grudge and work it into a knot of fury and resentment. Unlike Gilbert though, Oliver did do something pretty rotten when they were in their teens. But, hello, ten years have past, it's time to let go of past hurts and move into the happily-ever-after future that just might be theirs if only....

Sigh. The 'if only' part is pure magic. This is a love story about overcoming hardships and heartache and learning to work side by side in order to create something lasting and meaningful. You can learn a lot about someone during long days of lobster fishing. 

I feel a little windburned now that the season is over and story has come to an end. Blissfully satisfied too. And -- hooray! -- Beyond the Tides is the first book in Liz Johnson's Prince Edward Island Shores series and Oliver has brothers whose stories need telling. I cannot wait!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Beyond the Tides, 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 October 23 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

A Dazzle of Diamonds

 

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ

A DAZZLE OF DIAMONDS

Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues -- until her ex-fiance walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot -- and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors.

To clear his mane, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job -- and falling helplessly in love.

My Review:

Squueeeeepppp!!! I'm bedazzled by this friends-to-sweethearts romance!!! Besotted over Tucker. Besties-wannabe with Penelope and over the moon smitten with the way their story plays out. Plus there's a subplot via journal entries from one of Tucker's ancestors that leads to some genealogical intrigue and a potential treasure hunt. I mean, can it get any better than this? Only if the story lasted longer!

And this is the kind of romance you get to feel your way through because my emotions were on hyper-drive for the duration. Between Tucker's misguided idea that he has to prove himself in order to be worthy of love and Penelope's deep-rooted fears of being left behind -- well, these two had my tummy tied up in knots. And there are enough cantankerous sorts spewing angst along their path to keep me happily seething and eagerly looking for more than one comeuppance. :-)

But there's tons of lighter moments too. The easy camaraderie  between these life long friends made my heart sing. And their inner dialogue as they become romantically enlightened is hysterical. Oh, the nerves and wariness and hope and botched moments. When I wasn't snickering I was swooning. 

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley who did an amazing job of conveying emotion and humour and the unique personalities of each character.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook (Amazon.com account) copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Dazzle of Diamonds, 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 December 5 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

A Joyful Christmas

GIVEAWAY

HICKEY, CYNTHIA
JOHNSON, LIZ
MCDONOUGH, VICKIE
TOLSMA, LIZ
TURANSKY, CARRIE
VETSCH, ERICA
A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

A Christmas collection to warm the heart.

Grab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations.

A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey -- Married by proxy in Missouri, Annie Morgan sets off for Tombstone, Arizona, to join her new husband as a cattle rancher. But too soon she finds herself a widow with an unexpected daughter and butting heads with her handsome neighbor.

A Star in the Night by Liz Johnson -- Wounded within Confederate territory, Union officer Jedediah Harrington finds refuge at the tiny cabin of Cora Sinclair and her grandfather. Still haunted by what she saw as a battlefield hospital volunteer, Cora finds that only Jed can understand. But, though she longs to give him her heart, the risks to both of them are too great.

An Irish Bride for Christmas by Vickie McDonough -- When Jackson Lancaster's brother and wife die, he takes his three-year-old niece home. But a meddling busy-body makes the judge give her custody "because an unmarried man shouldn't raise a little girl." Now Jackson has until Christmas to find a bride or lose his niece forever. Larkin Doyle is grateful her employer took in the orphan and believes Jackson abandoned his niece. When her heart says otherwise, will romance blossomm?

Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma -- Adie O'Connell, orphaned and left alone in a dangerous Wisconsin logging camp, seeks the stability she once knew when both her parents lived. Despite the compassion and friendship offered by Noah "Preacher Man" Mitchell, she refuses to consider marriage to a man always drifting from one job to another for God.

Shelter in the Storm by Carrie Turansky -- The daughter of a wealthy Tennessee doctor, Rachel Thornton begins nursing James Galloway, a wounded artist-war correspondent. As James recovers, their hearts draw closer together. Having already lost one sweetheart to the war, Rachel is hestiant to reveal her feelings for James, who insists on returning to the front lines. Would she be safer in the arms of another man?

Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch -- Beth Sorensen has been put in charge of the Christmas pageant at the little log church, and this year she wants something different. But she didn't count on a Minnesota blizzard paralyzing the whole town. Can the blacksmith teach this preacher's daughter about what it means to serve one another in love through the storm?

My Review:

A Christmas lover's dream collection. Six fantastic authors have created novellas full of heart and faith steeped in the spirit of Christmas. Each story has all the elements of a full-length novel and packs the same kind of emotional punch. Each author brings her own unique perspective to these rushing-into-love-under-dire-circumstances romances.

Cynthia Hickey's heroine walks into a a homesteader's nightmare when she arrives in Tombstone and discovers her married-by-proxy husband is dead and has left her a struggling ranch under siege and an unexpected step-daughter! This is the wild west at it's best, and worse. I loved the romance between feisty and determined Annie and her gruff but knight-in-shining-armorish neighbour and the way they draw together to save the ranch from the dastardly villains. :-)

I'm not a huge fan of Civil War stories but Liz Johnson and Carrie Turnasky beguiled me with their very different approaches to finding love in the midst of war. Both involve wounded Union soldiers and the women who nurse them back to health. Loved Johnson's cabin in the woods setting where Cora lives with her grandfather. By contrast, Turnasky's heroine enjoys status and wealth as the daughter of a prominent doctor. And her British hero is a war-correspondent artist which was really interesting to read about. But both Cora and Rachel have to decide whether they dare risk giving their hearts to men who will continue to risk their lives for the cause they believe in.

I was steaming over the meddling busy-body in Vicki McDonough's An Irish Bride for Christmas right from the very start. There's grieving Jackson having just buried his brother and sister-in-law trying to do his best by his four year-old niece when Mrs. Hoity-Toity Persnickety Mayor's Wife comes waltzing in claiming he's unfit to raise the child. Gah! Luckily sweet Irish lass Larkin is on hand to care for the little girl because Mrs. HTPMW thinks children should be seen (and not often) and definitely never heard. Meanwhile, there's poor Jackson fighting just to have rights to see his niece while searching high and low for a woman he can marry by Christmas or he'll lose any chance of regaining custody of his niece. Uh, Jackson, meet Larkin and get married already! This one kept me discombobulated right to the end.

Adie and Noah in Liz Tolsma's Under His Wings gave me fits too. These two were so intent on following through on their own plans they neglected to notice God's Grand Plan right in front of them. There's a truly vile lumberjack with designs on Adie and enough tension and drama to satisfy this thrill seeking bibliophile. Angst aplenty with the promise of a Christmas miracle conclusion.

I howled my way through Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch. This is like the adult version of the holiday classic The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever. And just as funny. With an infuriatingly reluctant-to-court-the-blacksmith heroine. But oh my, that blacksmith. Thud! I want to shake some sense into Beth. Chaos and hijinks abound for this doomed couple who desperately need a Christmas miracle!

I listened to the audible edition of A Joyful Christmas narrated by Carolyn Molloy and she did an amazing job of capturing all the distinct accents -- from British to Irish to Southern drawl -- not to mention the creaky voice of an old grandfather and the sweet yammering of young children. A lively reading that enhanced my enjoyment of these stories all the more.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  A Joyful Christmas, 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 September 12 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

A Glitter of Gold

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
A GLITTER OF GOLD

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.

Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task.  And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication -- and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world -- love.

My Review:

Squeealll!!!!!! Pirates and shipwrecks and mystery, oh my! Along with the best ever occupation for a heroine -- pirate tour guide! (Insert crazy wide Cheshire grin here.) And there's a dual timeline! Double Squeeeaalll!!!! I'm still in a tizzy from the just-finished-all-this-literary-awesomeness after-glow. Happy sigh.

Contemporary heroine Anne is so intriguing! Wounded and wary and so on guard -- she about broke my heart! And I love the way Johnson draws out her backstory. My heart hurt a bit more with each new revelation. She's a woman who desperately needs to understand the healing power of grace. She was a believer once, and understood the concept but now she has the opportunity to actually live it...if she can summon up the courage to trust again. Such a powerfully moving inspirational thread.

And Carter is everything you can hope for in a somewhat nerdy, history-lovin', pirate obsessed hero. :-) He has his own past hurts to overcome and an 18th century diary that has driven him to defy family and future in order to solve an impossible mystery. Their worlds collide and suddenly they find themselves in a cautious partnership that could benefit them both.

The historical timeline is told in first person POV in the form of journal entries. Adventure and danger and a doomed romance! Breathtaking stuff! And the way Johnsons blends both stories -- meshing them into a triumphant and heart-pounding conclusion is sheer poetry. Absolutely riveting.

I listened to the audible version of this book and savored every second of Melissa Bentley's narration.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Glitter of Gold, 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 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Sparkle of Silver

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
A SPARKLE OF SILVER

Uncovering the past can lead to an unexpected future...

Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of a palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where her great-grandmother was a real guest ninety years ago. When Millie learns of a lost diary that may contain the location of a hidden treasure on the estate and reveal the identity of her great-grandfather, she sets out to find the truth of her heritage -- and the fortune she desperately needs. But it won't be easy.

When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. Still, her story seems too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up.

Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight.

My Review:

Eeeeepppp!!!! Contemporary romance with a historical mystery! Not quite a dual timeline since the past is revealed through the passages in Millie's great-grandmother's journal, but I was as invested in discovering Ruth's secrets as I was in Millie and Ben working their way to a happily ever after. These two are facing some impossible personal challenges which makes the idea of romance all the more fleeting. And there came a point where my tummy did a nose-dive while my heart lurched and I thought..."nooooooo!" Love it when a book rattles my reader sensibilities. 

Some great inspirational insights help bring closure to real life struggles and inspired me as much as the characters involved. And really, who can resist a treasure hunt? That plot point alone rallied my younger self's true Trixie Belden super sleuth persona. I had so much fun trying to fit the pieces of the past into solid clues that would solve the mystery before Millie and Ben did. Captivating from start to finish.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Sparkle of Silver, 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 March 9 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Christmas Captive

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE

Sabotage at sea

On his cousin's Christmas cruise wedding, navy SEAL Jordan Somerton anticipated having the typical best man duties -- not facing down criminals boarding the ship. But when the luxury liner is infiltrated  by men determined to kidnap the flower girl, he's plunged into an unexpected mission. Maid of honor and DEA agent Amy Delgado hasn't forgiven Jordan for a misunderstanding in their pasts. But with her young niece targeted, she must draw on Jordan's skills as a protector. Signs point to an inside job. With a traitor in their midst, can they ensure that every passenger returns home safely for the holidays...even as they find love amid deepening danger?

Men of Valor: These navy SEALs were born to excel...

My Review:

Taut. Tense. Breath-snatching.Adrenaline rushing. Page turning perfection. And that's just the romance. Seriously. You'll want to order some toe braces to prevent chronic toe curling when you read scenes like this one: "...she tried to look away, but there was nothing but him. Up and down. On each side. He surrounded her. Big and broad and ever the protector." (p 105) Thud!

And the suspense is pretty compelling as well. There's something incredibly edgy about limiting the action to the confines of a cruise ship -- and despite those restrictions there is plenty of action! Lots of cat-and-mouse chases and danger around every corner. Oh -- and macabre humour at the most inopportune times. Loved that the most....though I choked more than once when I tried to gasp and laugh at the same time, so be forewarned.

A heart-stopping romantic suspense that belongs on every reader's keeper shelf. It's that awesomesauce good.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas Captive, 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 5 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

On Love`s Gentle Shore

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
ON LOVE`S GENTLE SHORE

Natalie O`Ryan had no plans to return to Prince Edward Island. But when her fiancé books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Red Door Inn, she sets out to plan the perfect wedding. Yet she can`t possibly plan for a run-in with Justin Kane -- the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin has never forgotten Natalie. He`d been prepared to follow her off the island until tragedy struck, leaving him to run the family dairy farm. He`s done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him -- but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he`s been missing.

After Natalie`s reception venue falls through she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin`s property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin may discover that there is more between them than broken promises and old friendship.

My Review:

True confession: I really don't like love triangle romances. And I really, really don't like it when either the hero or heroine is engaged to one person while developing a relationship with someone else. So I hesitated reading On Love's Gentle Shore since Natalie is engaged and is getting married in her hometown where her first love just happens to still live.

Angst Alert!

But, here's the thing -- I adore this series and I trust Liz Johnson to deliver an impactful story so...I took a deep breath and dived in...and loved every emotionally gut-wrenching minute. (Not to mention the Prince Edward Island location softens the blow somewhat.)

Johnson has such an exquisite way with words that she lulls me into a reading stupor even in the gnarly parts. Like this: "Russell's words hung out there like underclothes on the line, too embarrassing to take down after someone else pinned them up for the whole town to see." (p.40) I mean, if you're going to read a tumultuous story you might as well enjoy the prose!

Natalie and Justin reunite after fifteen years of misunderstandings and bitterness. They were seventeen when their respective worlds shattered and acted with as much immaturity as you'd expect teenagers to. I had to keep reminding myself of that as the story unfolded. Especially where Natalie was concerned.

She might have fled the island but the emotional damage she endured as a child stayed with her. She just buried the hurt and uncertainty under a polished facade. Her life is a charade and it starts to unravel the second she sets foot on the island. Justin has allowed bitterness to take hold of his heart. Resentment and anger surface when he lays eyes on Natalie for the first time since they were kids. These two have a lot to work through before they can finally be free to see hope in their future.

Painful and thought-provoking and uplifting. This isn't just an exceptional love story -- it's a cautionary tale on the power words play in our lives. Both words spoken to us and by us. On Love's Gentle Shore would make an excellent book club read because of the depth of discussion starting points.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Ltd.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to read a copy of On love's Gentle Shore, 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 23 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Where Two Hearts Meet

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
WHERE TWO HEARTS MEET

In her kitchen at Rose's Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen - and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful.

Journalist Adam Jacobs is forced is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in  love with the island's red shore and Caden's sweets.

When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chance for survival -- it might almost break her heart.

My Review:

Be still my Anne-girl lovin' heart -- we're back on Prince Edward Island and at the Red Door Inn! Ever since I read book one in the Prince Edward Island Dreams I've been anticipating the release of this one. You don't need to read The Red Door Inn before diving into this but it's so awesomely good I don't see why you wouldn't. :-)

I think what stands out the most for me is Caden's vulnerability. A talented chef, she pours her heart into every culinary creation. Hard to imagine that she's actually hiding a load of insecurities that stem from an awkward childhood and adolescence in a small town.  And most of her friends and neighbours have a tendency to pigeon-hole her as gauche, frumpy and easily-overlooked. They made my blood boil!

Cue the handsome, mysterious and attractively rumpled Adam. He sees Caden with fresh eyes and there are so many jumping-out-of-your-skin nervy scenes where Caden can't believe Adam might be interested. Her self-talk is hysterical and poignant all at the same time. I tell you my tummy was in knots on her behalf the whole read.

Johnson has created a host of secondary characters that enrich the story. So many layers and parallels -- very true to life. But tensions rise as complications ensue and I was on tenterhooks to the very end. And sweet bliss, there's still book three's summer 2017 release to anticipate. I can hardly wait.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Where Two Hearts Meet please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email addres, 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 1 2017. Offer open to International readers. Good luck!

Hazardous Holiday

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
HAZARDOUS HOLIDAY

Protecting his family

Just in time for the holidays, navy SEAL Zach McCloud returns home from deployment -- and discovers someone wants his family dead. When he married his cousin's struggling widow, he vowed to help her and her seriously ill son, and now he'll risk everything to protect them. Even if their arrangement is only temporary. Kristi's certain an unhappy client from the law firm where she works is determined to hunt her down. But when a sniper bullet wildly misses it's target, they begin to question whether it's really her someone wants dead. Working together, can they figure out why they've been attacked...and keep little Cody from the nefarious forces dead set on making this Christmas their last?

Men of Valor: These navy SEALs were born to excel...

My Review:

Intrigue upon intrigue. Seriously riveting stuff. Because Zach and Kristi can't figure out who is targeting them. So we've got murderous attempts with no clear reason why. Suspense and mystery combine to make this a truly compelling read. Twists and turns galore. And the romance? Well...um...Zach? Phew! Focused. Honorable. Protector. And he fantasizes about this in-name-only marriage becoming a real one. Cue the toe-curling kisses. Oh my! Kristi is a little slower on the uptake but she gets there...when it's almost too late! A page-turner of a read with a warm fuzzy Christmas ending!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Hazardous Holiday 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 December 4 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Red Door Inn

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
THE RED DOOR INN

Marie Carrington is broke, desperate, and hoping to find sanctuary on Prince Edward Island while decorating a renovated bed-and-breakfast. Seth Sloane moved three thousand miles to help restore his uncle's Victorian B and B -- and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart. He wasn't expecting to have to babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just tow months will take everything they've got -- and they have to find a way to work together. In the process, they may find something infinitely sweeter than ever imagined on this island of dreams.

My Review:

Wow...just...wow. My Anne-girl lovin' heart is all a twitterpated over the Prince Edward Island setting but when I discovered that heroine Marie also has an affinity for Anne and even carries around a dog-eared copy of Anne of Green Gables? Well that's book nirvana right there.

Marie is such an intriguing character -- she's a mystery right from the start. It's clear that she is a wretched shell of herself but why? Johnson draws out that answer with an intermittent slow reveal. Utterly riveting. I didn't want to stop reading until I knew it all and then, when I did, my eyes leapt over the words on the pages anxiously searching for the point when Seth discovers the answers as well. Of course that meant I just couldn't put The Red Door Inn down until I reached the end...and had a good cry.

Seth's plain mean from the start. Yes, he's carrying a world of hurt after a brutal betrayal but he's using Marie as a scapegoat. He's quick to judge and unwilling to trust and I just wanted to smack him upside the head a time or two...or maybe three. They are on shaky ground for quite a while until a tenuous truce develops. And when the stirrings of romance begin to unfurl...be still my heart. Reader delight!

An engaging plot, a solid inspirational thread and the magic of PEI all conspired to hold me spellbound. And, oh happy day! This is only the first book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. The next one comes out in September.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Red Door Inn 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 March 20  2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Navy Seal Security

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
NAVY SEAL SECURITY

Anything to protect her...

Wounded navy SEAL Luke Dunham's only goal is returning to active duty...until her rescues his physical therapist from a lethal attack. Now he'll risk everything -- even his recovery -- to keep Mandy Berg's attacker at bay. Mandy's been burned before when she trusted the wrong man. And she knows better than to develop feelings for one of her patients. Yet how can she help falling for a man who does not hesitate to put his strength, his skill and his very life in harm's way to keep her safe? Relying on anyone feels dangerous...but turning away Luke's protection could be deadly.

Men of Valor: These navy SEALs were born to excel...

My Review:

There's something about a wounded navy SEAL that has me all twitterpated! Luke is the perfect hero -- slightly brooding, a little bitter but completely unable to turn his back on a damsel in distress. Even if that damsel tries to brush off his help. But as the danger increases, Mandy comes to rely on Luke and he's determined to protect her.  Sinister suspense, an intriguing romance and a captivating romance all combine to make this one very exciting page-turner of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Navy Seal Security 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 March  6 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Stolen Memories

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, LIZ
STOLEN MEMORIES

If only she could remember...

Attacked and left for dead, "Julie Thomas" has amnesia, and doesn't know why anyone would want to hurt her. But when surveillance video of that night shows Julie holding a baby—a baby nowhere to be found—she panics. Is the child hers? Where is she now? With no answers and no place to go, Julie accepts Detective Zach Jones's offer to help her solve both mysteries. The handsome, loyal cop makes her feel safe. But someone is trying very hard to make sure her memories stay buried forever.

Witness Protection: Hiding in plain sight

My Review:

I am loving this multi-authored series -- especially as new books are released each month. Each reads well as a standalone though, but there is an over arcing suspense thread that is woven through each book. Looking forward to finding out where that finally leads.

Loved the instant connection between Zach and Julie. As a homicide detective, Zach isn't used to having a living victim. His reaction -- and sense of responsibility -- towards Julie really builds up the romance. Love how he hovers on the border of professionalism a time or two. And his sense of protectiveness spun me into a twizzle more than once. :-)

Really liked the amnesia angle. It could have been cliché but Johnson uses the plot device really well. Julie's slow recovery and reactions to a world she doesn't remember is believable and plays a huge part in drawing out the suspense. It also leaves her vulnerable hence her attachment to Zach. My pulse speeds up just at the thought of some of their interactions!

A riveting romantic suspense sure to satisfy lovers of this genre.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Stolen Memories 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 2 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.