Shadows of Swanford Abbey

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KLASSEN, JULIE

SHADOWS OF SWANFORD ABBEY

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance.

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favour: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumoured to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past -- including her own. For there she encounters Sir Fredrick -- magistrate, widower, and former neighbour -- who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Fredrick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Fredrick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something...

My Review:

Sqqquuuueeeeaaaaaapppppp alert!!!! I am in an ecstatic swoon of bibliophile delight! Regency! Atmospheric!! Julie Klassen!!! Definitely the kind of novel to sweep a reader off her feet, so have a fainting couch handy!

My first 'grown-up' reads were romances by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney and Mary Stewart...and that's when I fell in love with historical romance and this gothic-y, atmospheric kind of mystery style. I've been smitten ever since. 

Shadows of Swanford Abbey brought back that old delicious thrill of history and mystery that has left me feeling quite nostalgic. And enchanted because I'm overflowing with bookish euphoria -- the kind that comes from reading a story that speaks to your heart, engages your mind and just plain makes you feel good.

I love the leisurely pacing of a complicated plot that has so many intriguing elements to tie together, including stirring faith threads that have the power to change lives. I love the atmospheric vibe right from the start. Struggling orphaned heroine's dedication to her brother. The conflict that presents for her. The fraught moments of indecision and angst. Reuniting with a man she once loved and never forgot. And the spooky Abbey -- an inn that holds so many secrets! Including a mysterious figure that flits in and out of sight -- ghost, intruder or prankster?! And then...murder!!!!

That tag-line pretty much sums it up -- Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen! And what a divine pairing that is!

I listened tot he audible edition narrated by Elizabeth Jasicki who did a marvellous job of conveying the era and atmosphere to stunning perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- reader's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shadows of Swanford Abbey, 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 December 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

A Castaway in Cornwall

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE

A CASTAWAY IN CORNWALL

Laura Calloway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return this man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?

My Review:

Heavy sigh. I read too fast and now it's over and I have that unsettling post-immersive-read melancholy. :-( Honestly, 'coming to' in the 21st century -- especially in this COVID era -- has left me shell-shocked and aching for the simpler times of wreckers and smugglers and shipwrecks and spies. Bwahahahaha!

Every time I read a new Julie Klassen novel I think she can't possibly top it and then the next one comes out and she does! Part of her draw for me is her impeccable research. The author's notes at the back of the book are nearly as fascinating as the novel itself! And then, the way she weaves all those facts into spellbinding fiction sends me into a bibliophile ecstasy that puts me in a speed reading frenzy until it's over all too soon. Hence the aforementioned blues. 

A Castaway in Cornwall is an atmospheric masterpiece of beguiling storytelling. Suspense. Danger. Betrayal. Romance. Oh-la-la -- the way Klassen draws out the mystery of the castaway had me on edge all the way through. Who is he? What is he hiding? Friend or foe? The answers are anything but clear cut and Laura finds herself challenged at every turn. And then there's the romance -- tinged with a certain amount of desperation as it all seems so impossibly doomed. And complicated. 

The author also challenges her characters (and readers) to examine perspectives. Can anything every really be all black or all white? And when one man's loyalty is another's betrayal...how do we determine which one is right? Plus there's a magnificent faith thread woven throughout that deftly ties in with the castaway theme in the title. So many brilliant details that enrich the read and have left me with plenty to ponder.

Stunning. Breathtaking. Unputdownable. You'll feel compelled to rush through, but try to pace yourself and savor every blissful moment.

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 A Castaway in Cornwall, 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 26 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

An Ivy Hill Christmas

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS

Richard Brockwell, the youngest son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life -- unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.

But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing then he recalled...and determined to have nothing to do with him.

Will Christmas time in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart...and hers as well?

My Review:

I'm bedazzled. Best Christmas story ever. An Ivy Hill Christmas exudes all the warmth and cheer and heart-tugging moments found in all the classic holiday stories...and then some. Ivy Hill fans will be thrilled to get reacquainted with favourite characters from books past and meet some intriguing new ones. No worries, though, if you aren't familiar with the series, this can definitely be read (and enjoyed immensely!) by IH newbies. Just be prepared to be greeted by a barrage of friendly faces in the first few chapters and go with the flow. You'll feel settled in no time at all.

Unlike poor Richard who is decidedly unsettled by his mama's request to...gasp!...come home for Christmas! And his life continues to go all topsy-turvy from there. The social awakening of this spoiled gentleman is at the heart of the story. It's breath-takingly beautiful, and moving and uplifting. Absolutely everything I love to see in a Christmas tale delivered with exquisite precision by a gifted storyteller.

I loved all the historical details of Regency Christmas traditions. From decorating to partying to charitable works....I couldn't help but sigh over the naivete of a simpler time. We could all use this type of hearty Christmas cheer after this pandemic year!

And there's romance!!!! Multiples, in fact, which sent me into a swoony tilt-a-whirl of giddiness. Oh...and Wally, the dapper terrier!!!! He's worth the read alone. :-)

A charming, heartwarming, romantical celebration with the true meaning of Christmas at its very core.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a read copy of  An Ivy Hill 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 19 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

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RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch -- both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

My Review:

This is my second read through of this novel -- well, really a 'listen through.'  Love Elizabeth Jasicki's  narration. Julie Klassen writes the perfect 'read aloud' stories! 

I honestly don't know how Julie Klassen does it time and time again, but I am so grateful that she does. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is just as stunning as her previous books. Stellar in fact. Brilliant. The kind of novel you want to escape into and never leave. Seriously, I read this in one sitting and it's 410 pages.! It wasn't that I couldn't put it down, it was that I refused to! What a perfect way to herald in the New Year!

First and foremost, her research is impeccable and she takes her readers into the belowstairs world of Regency England. That alone was fascinating -- but that we saw it all through the eyes of the aristocracy (Margaret) made so much more of an impact. And what a clever way to throw the heroine way out of her element! Definitely made for a page-turning read.

And Margaret really comes into her own as the story progresses. She transforms from a self-centered young lady of means to a compassionate woman who learns to look beyond her own needs. A very satisfying personal journey.

Add in the suspense over the threat of discovery and the romantic angle (which I can't say much about so as not to give anything away) and you will find The Maid of Fairbourne Hall an incredible and extremely satisfying read. Just clear your calendar before you pick it up because once you start reading, you won't want to stop!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, 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 January 18 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Silent Governess

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

KLASSEN, JULIE

THE SILENT GOVERNESS

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything -- his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

My Review:

This is my third read through of this novel -- well, really a 'listen through' -- and I absolutely adored it just as much the first and second time. In fact, I might have enjoyed actually listening to it a wee bit more.  Elizabeth Jasicki did an amazing job with her narration. Felt like listening to a BBC mini-drama. 

Stunning! I get breathless just thinking about how good this is! I grieved when it was over.

Klassen has an exquisite command of the English language and she isn't afraid to use it. Rich descriptions paint a vivid picture and carry the reader away into an Austen-like setting. "The autumn air was crisp, the wood a colorful fresco of flaming brown and orange beechwood trees..." (p.96) Doesn't that conjure up a reaction in all your senses? I can smell the musty scent of decaying leaves, hear them rustling under the children's feet, see the brilliant colours in contrast to the blue sky...It's passages like these that elevate Klassen's writing into the sublime.

In case you haven't guessed by now -- I LOVED this book, as I have every other one this author has written. Her characters are richly developed, the plot is complex and full of surprises and the romance --- be still my heart! How can you resist a man such as this:

"She stretched her legs out before her, and Edward glimpsed a sliver of stocking and tapered ankle. He averted his gaze. He was not a man to sneak a look at a woman's leg." (p.177)

But the course to true-love is never straight and Klassen sends her hero and heroine along a very crooked, perilous road indeed! And every moment of their romance is to be savored and copious scenes to be read over for the sheer thrill of it!

Klassen's bio says that she loves "all things -- Jane -- Jane Eyre and Jane Austen" and I certainly got a feel for that and yet her own distinctive voice is not lost in similarities. Rather she has crafted a unique epic of her own that will be cherished by fans for years to come.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Silent Governess, 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 January 18 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Bridge at Belle Island

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE BRIDGE AT BELLE ISLAND

After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect -- a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.

When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.

My Review:

Squeal! Eep! Squeeppp!!! Regency with a Gothic flare! I'm swooning just on principle. :-)

Love the slow build to the mystery. Very atmospheric. The murder happens right at the start but the sifting through clues is delectably laborious. So many potential suspects, so many questions left unanswered. So many false trails to follow. And the secrets! Isabelle's safe island haven is anything but.

Though the mystery is an important part of the story, it doesn't outshine the luxurious Regency details -- the kind of scenes and dialogue that Klassen is known for. Or the intriguing relationships and community life on Belle Island. It's a far cry from the bustling London Benjamin is used to. Just as Isabelle isn't what he expected. The gentle attraction that shimmers between them is subtle and sweet, adding an understated charm to their love story. Truly sublime!

I'm still basking in a blissful happy reader after-glow!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Bridge at Belle Island, 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 January 18 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Bride of Ivy Green

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE BRIDE OF IVY GREEN

Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain -- and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.

Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill...

Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.

A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?

In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.

Don't miss this romantic, stirring conclusion to Tales from Ivy Hill.

My Review:

I am a frazzled mess of euphoric bliss and abject misery because, while this was a spectacular conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series, it is also the last book! Gulp. Ever. Like in never getting to armchair travel there again. And though this delectable, multi-romanced story charmed me into a flummox of heart-palpitating delight there's a niggling pain deep down inside my heart because it's really and truly over! Forever! Did I say that already? Sorry. I'm truly gutted...in a way that only true literary aficionados who have been forcibly ejected out of a fictional setting can understand.

I love Ivy Hill! I love all the villagers and especially the businesswomen who pull together and support one another no matter what the need! They came together magnificently in this last (sob) installment. And this book does read like an installment -- or third season in a spectacular BBC period drama. Think Cranford or Larkrise to Candleford. Because of that, I think it's best to read this series in order. You'll miss out on so many nuances in relationships and plot if you don't...and, honestly, why would you want to deprive yourself of starting at the very beginning anyway?

There is so much romance in this book that I'm still all aflutter. From married couples to courting couples to desperate-longing-but-slow-to-act-on-it couples, to the sweet-fresh-beginnings couples. Oh, this reader's anguish over the wicked twists and turns to their happily ever afters! Sensitive readers might require smelling salts and copious amount of chocolate to make their way safely through to the end.

A stunning conclusion to an exceptional series and I guarantee I'll reread it more than once over the coming years because I don't think I can go Ivy Hilless for very long!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Bride of Ivy Green, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahoo.ca. If you leave an email in 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 January 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE LADIES OF IVY COTTAGE

Return to Ivy Hill in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage as friendships deepen, romance blossoms, and mysteries unfold.

Living with the two Miss Groves in Ivy Cottage, impoverished gentlewoman Rachel Ashford is determined to earn her own livelihood...somehow. When the village women encourage her to open a subscription library with the many books she has inherited or acquired through donations. Rachel discovers two mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but will they find more than they bargained for?

Rachel's friend and hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and fills her days managing her girls' school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause.  Exactly what -- or who -- each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.

As the women of Ivy Hill search for answers about the past and hope for the future, might they find love along the way?

My Review:

published in 2017

Reading this series is like watching a British period drama -- very like Larkrise to Candleford and Crandford -- where we enjoy a real slice of village life and all the drama and romance that goes along with that. It's divinely captivating and utterly addictive.

Probably best appreciated if you've read the first book -- The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill -- as there are a lot of characters and relationships to sort out. If you haven't read Innkeeper, be prepared to feel a bit lost the first couple of chapters but stick with it and it will all come together. Kind of like starting to watch a TV series in the second season where it takes you a few episodes to get up to speed.

This is the kind of story you settle into and live right along with the characters.Three heroines face unique challenges as they make their way in the business world. All of them are gentlewomen whose circumstances have changed. Jane is the landlady of an inn, Mercy runs a small school for girls and Rachel embarks on setting up a subscription library (my favourite part of the story!) And that library becomes a catalyst for uncovering a number of secrets that have the potential to transform lives...or destroy them!

And we have no shortage of intriguing gentlemen to swoon over! That leads to the promise of romance -- not without despair, mind you! Heartache and misunderstandings and deep sorrows too. Because feelings are fragile and life can take the most unexpected twists and turns when you least expect it. Not everyone gets her happily ever after by the end of this novel. We'll have to wait until book three comes out this December to get full closure of the romantical kind. I can't wait!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 19 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE INNKEEPER OF IVY HILL

Welcome to the English village of Ivy Hill, where friendships thrive, romance blossoms, and mysteries await...

The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn.

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself never to marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?

As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With the help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?

My Review:

Opening up this book is like settling in for a binge-viewing of a British mini-series. It put me in mind of Larkrise to Candleford or Cranford. Has the same sense of community and village life -- including all the tension and drama that goes with it. Not to mention the strong women who make a place for themselves in a male dominated society. I made that BBC connection early in my reading so imagine my surprise and delight when the author mentions the same shows as a source of inspiration in her notes at the end of the book! Kind of tickled that I'm on the same wave length as a multi-published author!

The story unfolds with an unhurried grace as Klassen transports her readers into another time and place. It celebrates the unique connections found within a community. Every action has a reaction. I couldn't read fast enough to see how things played out -- even though I wanted to slow down and savor every descriptive word.

I love the sweeping multi-character approach Klassen uses. She writes from the viewpoints of very different women facing unique challenges. Exquisite detail and subtle nuances sparked my imagination and kept me desperate to for answers. Mind you, I didn't find them all...the author has left some loose ends to continue with in the next installment of the Tales of Ivy Hill series. But there is some closure and the story ends on a high note, for all that there are still questions left unanswered. But I'm fine with that. I'll bask in the glow of a story well told while eagerly anticipating what comes next in 'season 2'. Can't wait for The Ladies of Ivy Cottage to come out in December 2017!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publication Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill 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 29 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Painter's Daughter

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE PAINTER'S DAUGHTER

Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists -- including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.

Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but "marriage in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

My Review:

456 delectable pages guaranteed to carry a reader away to Regency England. I was very reluctant to resurface back into the 21st century when I finally reached the end. In fact, now that I know the whole story I feel like reading The Painter's Daughter all over again so I can enjoy all the crafty nuances within. High praise from me since I rarely have the urge to reread a novel. But, goodness, there is so much wonderment in this one I can't help yearning to savor it once more.

I love the way Klassen's descriptions plant me firmly in the setting. Her words conjure up a plethora of sights and sounds. I honestly thought I detected the scent of oil paints and turpentine. And the invigorating smell of the fresh sea air along the Devonshire coast. Scrumptious reading for sure!

Sophie's impossible situation, Stephen's gruffly gallant proposal -- be still my heart -- what happens next is utterly magnificent. Truly. I delighted in the way they slowly got to know each other, hovering on the precipice of hope as they gradually let down their guard only to have unforeseen events threaten it all. I fretted through the whole read. Seriously, my tummy hurt and I ground precious enamel off my molars. And some characters sent me into hissy fits of epic proportion.

I especially appreciate how the author wove an invigorating faith thread into the story. Definitely the best in Christian fiction right here. Has just become my favourite Klassen novel of all time...though I tend to say that with each one of her new releases :-) What can I say, I'm loyally fickle.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Painter's Daughter 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 6 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Lady Maybe

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
LADY MAYBE

In the new novel by the three-time Christy Award-winning author of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, a woman’s startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England… 

One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…

Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.

But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.

My Review:

First thought that comes to mind is, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive." And, oh my goodness, tangled doesn't begin to describe the state of the story threads in this plot. Klassen has a devious imagination! Enthralling and angsty and utterly astonishing. I was seriously shocked...yes, shocked...at one point. I didn't think my heart or my mind could take much more but I persevered to the end. This is the kind of read that steals your breath away and leaves you really and truly flummoxed. At least it did me -- and I enjoyed every blessed minute.

The perfect regency read --  a heroine in peril, not one but two dark and brooding heroes, and so many secrets to be solved...or discovered. Seriously spellbinding.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Lady Maybe 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 16 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Julie Klassen

GIVEAWAY

It's retro Saturday with a twist. Instead of reviewing one book, I thought it would be fun to highlight the retro work of one of my favourite authors. If you'd like to be in the draw, just leave a comment including the title you'd like to win. The choice is yours. How cool is that?

Klassen's Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first experience with Christian fiction and I've never looked back. I fell in love with her wonderful descriptive phrasing and her ability to transport me back to another time and place. Her characters always engage me and her plots keep me rabidly turning pages late into the night. I can't even name a favourite book, each one is sweet perfection in my eyes. So, I thought it was fitting to start my first 'retro work by a favourite author' Saturday with Julie Klassen. Leave a comment and the title of any of Julie Klassen's books published 2014 or earlier and you might just win that book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of one of Julie Klassen's books (published 2014 or before) leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Don't forget to include the title of the book in your comment. 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 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE SECRET OF PEMBROOKE PARK

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.

When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

My Review:

Gothic meets Regency in an spectacular tale full of intrigue and romance. Be still my heart. Klassen pulled another time travel marvel and I was all too eager to stay in western Berkshire -- especially now that the mystery is solved and all threat of danger has passed. Alas, 451 pages just wasn't enough for me and I am grieving my abrupt departure from Regency England.

Delicious from beginning to end. From thrilling descriptions to earnest dialogue to the carefully (and oh so slowly) placed clues that draw the plot together. Such twists and turns! And such a clever and complicated storyline. And the impossible romance! My heart dipped and tipped and spun out of control through the entire read. Impeccable pacing, memorable characters and words that drench a reader's senses in another place and time -- all combine to make this an indescribably good read. Mere words just don't do it justice. You must read this one for yourself.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park 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 14  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Dancing Master

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE DANCING MASTER

Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master--a man her mother would never approve of--but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village...and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

My Review:

Honestly, I'm always tongue-tied when it comes to reviewing one of Julie Klassen's books because she's such an incredible writer and I just know I won't do her justice. The Dancing Master is another memorable read.

Rich in historical detail and chalk full of riveting intrigue and plot twists,  Klassen's latest novel is the kind of book you won't want to put down. I just poured over it -- recklessly skipping over words only to slow my pace so I could bask in the ambiance of Regency England. Blissful sigh!...and fret over a complicated love story that seems doomed to a bad end. :-) 

Another stellar novel from a captivating author.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Dancing Master 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!

"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".

The Tutor's Daughter

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE TUTOR'S DAUGHTER

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her...

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

My Review:

Regency meets Gothic in this exciting historical romance. Klassen gives us the ambiance of Austen's England combined with the suspense of the New Gothic genre. Think Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt. It's a winning cominbation that made The Tutor's Daughter a speed read because I couldn't put it down.

Captivating characters add layers of interest to the complex plot that kept me guessing and second-guessing until the very end. As in all of Klassen's books, I was immediately drawn back in time and found myself living every moment right along with Emma. The author's ability to engage all of a reader's senses makes each of her books a memorable read. This one is a gem from start to finish and belongs on every historical fan's TBR list.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Tutor's Daughter, 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  27, 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".

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Giveaway!!!!

KLASSEN, JULIE
THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch -- both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

My Review:

I honestly don't know how Julie Klassen does it time and time again, but I am so grateful that she does. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is just as stunning as her previous books. Stellar in fact. Brilliant. The kind of novel you want to escape into and never leave. Seriously, I read this in one sitting and it's 410 pages.! It wasn't that I couldn't put it down, it was that I refused to! What a perfect way to herald in the New Year!

First and foremost, her research is impeccable and she takes her readers into the belowstairs world of Regency England. That alone was fascinating -- but that we saw it all through the eyes of the aristocracy (Margaret) made so much more of an impact. And what a clever way to throw the heroine way out of her element! Definitely made for a page-turning read.

And Margaret really comes into her own as the story progresses. She transforms from a self-centered young lady of means to a compassionate woman who learns to look beyond her own needs. A very satisfying personal journey.

Add in the suspense over the threat of discovery and the romantic angle (which I can't say much about so as not to give anything away) and you will find The Maid of Fairbourne Hall an incredible and extremely satisfying read. Just clear your calendar before you pick it up because once you start reading, you won't want to stop!

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  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 January 8. Good luck! Oh -- and offer open internationally -- which means US, Canada, overseas...anywhere a book can be mailed to you!

"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".

The Silent Governess

KLASSEN, JULIE

THE SILENT GOVERNESS

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything -- his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

My Review:

Stunning! I get breathless just thinking about how good this is! I grieved when it was over.

Klassen has an exquisite command of the English language and she isn't afraid to use it. Rich descriptions paint a vivid picture and carry the reader away into an Austen-like setting. "The autumn air was crisp, the wood a colorful fresco of flaming brown and orange beechwood trees..." (p.96) Doesn't that conjure up a reaction in all your senses? I can smell the musty scent of decaying leaves, hear them rustling under the children's feet, see the brilliant colours in contrast to the blue sky...It's passages like these that elevate Klassen's writing into the sublime.

In case you haven't guessed by now -- I LOVED this book, as I have every other one this author has written. Her characters are richly developed, the plot is complex and full of surprises and the romance --- be still my heart! How can you resist a man such as this:

"She stretched her legs out before her, and Edward glimpsed a sliver of stocking and tapered ankle. He averted his gaze. He was not a man to sneak a look at a woman's leg." (p.177)

But the course to true-love is never straight and Klassen sends her hero and heroine along a very crooked, perilous road indeed! And every moment of their romance is to be savored and copious scenes to be read over for the sheer thrill of it!

Klassen's bio says that she loves "all things -- Jane -- Jane Eyre and Jane Austen" and I certainly got a feel for that and yet her own distinctive voice is not lost in similarities. Rather she has crafted a unique epic of her own that will be cherished by fans for years to come.

The Girl in the Gatehouse

KLASSEN, JULIE

THE GIRL IN THE GATEHOUSE

Mariah Aubrey lives in seclusion with her secrets. Will an ambitious captain uncover her identity...and her hidden past?

Banished from the only home she's ever known, Mariah Aubrey hides herself away in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative's estate. There she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how -- by writing novels in secret.

When Captain Matthew Bryant leases the estate, he is intrigued by the beautiful girl in the gatehouse. But there are many things he doesn't know about the beguiling outcast. Will he risk his plans -- and his heart -- for a woman shadowed by scandal?

Intriguing, mysterious, and romantic, The Girl in the Gatehouse takes readers inside the life of a secret authoress at a time when novel-writing was considered improper for ladies and the smallest hint of impropriety could change a woman's life forever.

EXQUISITELY WRITTEN, KLASSEN'S WORDS SEEP INTO YOUR SOUL. I WAS SO IMMERSED IN THE STORY THAT I FELT LIKE I HAD TRAVELED BACK IN TIME. HER FLAWLESS DESCRIPTIONS, BREATHTAKING SETTING AND MEMORABLE CHARACTERS ALL HAVE THE FEEL OF REGENCY ENGLAND. IN FACT IT WAS JARRING TO RE-ENTER THE REAL WORLD WHEN NECESSITY DICTATED THAT I DO SOMETHING OTHER THEN READ!

THE GIRL IN THE GATEHOUSE IS THE KIND OF BOOK YOU SETTLE INTO SO YOU CAN SAVOR EVERY WORD. NO SKIMMING ALLOWED. NO SKIPPING TO THE LAST PAGE FOR A QUICK PEEK. THIS BOOK HAS TO BE READ FROM COVER TO COVER, WORD FOR WORD EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN.

IT WAS A COMPULSIVE READ. I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN...EVEN WHEN THE GNARLY BITS CAME UP AND I WASN'T SURE I REALLY WANTED TO READ THE ANGST. BUT I COULDN'T STOP. I COULDN'T COME UP FOR BREATH. I JUST HAD TO KEEP READING, SAVORING, LIVING EVERY PAGE!

AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS! READ THE FIRST SENTENCE...THEN READ THE LAST. MARVEL AT THE WAY KLASSEN WEAVES A MYRIAD OF PLOTS INTO ONE COHESIVE INCREDIBLY SATISFYING CONCLUSION. THIS IS A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN BOOK! AN INCREDIBLE READ! DEFINITELY BELONGS ON EVERYONE'S KEEPER SHELF!!!!

REMINDER: IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF THE GIRL IN THE GATEHOUSE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW OR EMAIL ME AT kavluvstoread(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca. MAKE SURE TO WRITE 'GIVEAWAY' IN THE SUBJECT LINE. FOR COMPLETE DETAILS SEE THE JANUARY IS GIVEAWAY MONTH BLOG POSTED ON JANUARY 5TH OR CLICK ON 'GIVEAWAY' IN THE LABELS COLUMN.

THE DRAWS FOR THE BOOKS REVIEWED BETWEEN JAN. 6 AND JANUARY 15 WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY JANUARY 16. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THE SAME DAY. THE DRAWS FOR THE BOOKS REVIEWED BETWEEN JANUARY 17 AND 29 WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 30.

The Apothecary's Daughter

KLASSEN, JULIE

THE APOTHECARY'S DAUGHTER

As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary shop, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond -- of travel and adventure and romance.

When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for -- the truth of the past and a love for the future?

I SLIPPED INTO LILLY'S WORLD THE MOMENT I OPENED THE APOTHECARY'S DAUGHTER. KLASSEN'S VIVID DESCRIPTIONS COMBINED WITH A RIVETING PLOT AND A MULTITUDE OF EQUALLY AS INTRIGUING SUBPLOTS KEPT ME IMMERSED IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY FOR THE DURATION OF THE READ.

LILLY IS BOTH A VEXING AND ENDEARING CHARACTER WHO GROWS INTO WOMANHOOD THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE BOOK . THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I GREW A BIT VOCAL IN MY PROTESTS AS I FOLLOWED LILLY'S 'ESCAPE' TO LONDON, KNOWING THAT SHE WOULDN'T FIND WHAT SHE WAS SEEKING THERE AMONGST THE PRIVILEGED AND WEALTHY.

AND SHE KEPT ME ON EDGE AS SHE DEVELOPED FRIENDSHIPS WITH VARIOUS GENTLEMEN. WHICH SUITOR WOULD SHE CHOOSE? AND WOULD HE BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR HER? KLASSEN DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF FLESHING OUT THESE FRIENDSHIPS, DEVELOPING VIABLE RELATIONSHIPS THAT EACH HAD MERIT. IT KEPT ME ON MY TOES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO SHE'D END UP WITH...AND THEN WORRYING OVER IT WHEN I'D MADE MY DECISION BEFORE LILLY DID!

IN FACT KLASSEN EXCELS AT CREATING MEMORABLE CHARACTERS THAT EASILY CARRY THE STORY...AND THE CONFLICT. THERE WERE SO MANY SURPRISES...AND ONE MOMENT OF STUNNED DISBELIEF ON MY PART (WHICH HAD ME SCANNING EARLIER PAGES FOR CLUES TO A MONUMENTAL DISCOVERY...I FOUND THEM AND SCOLDED MYSELF SOUNDLY FOR NOT NOTICING THEM THE FIRST TIME ROUND.)

KLASSEN INCLUDES FASCINATING DETAILS ON THE APOTHECARY TRADE AND METICULOUS HISTORICAL DETAILS WHICH ENHANCES THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE TIME PERIOD. DEFINITELY HIGH ON MY RECOMMENDED LIST.