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

Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers Romance Collection

GIVEAWAY

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN TEXAS RANGERS ROMANCE COLLECTION
VETSCH, ERICA
BARRATT, AMANDA
DAVIS, SUSAN PAGE
MCDONOUGH, VICKIE
MEYER, GABRIELLE
SEILSTAD, LORNA
Y'BARBO, KATHLEEN

7 Rangers Find Love and Justice on the Texas Frontier
No one is too tough to be loved...

Seven Texas Rangers -- tough, smart, and ready for danger -- are totally unprepared when love sneaks in and makes off with their hearts. Aided by their commanding officer and his matchmaking wife, each one is paired with a seemingly unsuitable bride and in the end, each man may be more than willing to be found guilty of love.

But first, they will need to face the Cass Markham Gang as it makes its way through eastern Texas, stealing and kidnapping as they go. Will romance be a distraction or just the thing to inspire each Ranger to courageous feats?

My Review:

Another stellar novella collection from Barbour. Love the theme of this one because, really, who doesn't swoon just a teensy bit at the mention of a Texas Ranger?! And there's a great prologue and epilogue that anchor these stories in a very satisfying way. These Rangers are under the direction of Captain Sterling who oversees their work routines but it is the captain's wife, Etta, who has the final say on 'her boys' personal lives. And that means these Rangers are about to meet their matrimonial matches! This is just reading goodness all 'round.

The Ranger's Reward by Gabrielle Meyer --  A routine check on an isolated widow turns into anything but for Texas Ranger Griffin Sommer when the Markham gang show up at the ranch. Griff suddenly finds himself undercover. playing the role of husband to Evelyn and pa to young Harrison . Cue toe-curling kisses as tensions rise and danger threatens. Woot! A heart-pounding read-in-one-sitting kind of novella.

More Precious Than Rubies by Lorna Seilstad --  Hearts collide when schoolyard sweethearts Violet Tatienne and Texas Ranger Whit Murray reconnect on the train during a robbery. He's sworn to bring the robbers to justice but Violet has a vested interest in hunting the villains down too -- they stole the gems she was transporting to her father's jewelry store. Cue the fireworks as this exasperated ranger  tries to curtail Violet's inexperienced sleuthing while doing his own. Great blend of humour and danger and sweet romance.

Jesse's Sparrow by Amanda Barratt -- Sara Byrne has escaped a life of prostitution and has finally saved up enough money to rescue the girls she left behind in captivity...until she becomes the victim of a stagecoach robbery. Left stranded and penniless, Sara has no choice but to accept the help of Texas Ranger Jesse Rawlings. Her past has made her wary of men and trust for the ranger doesn't come easily. Luckily Jesse has a compassionate heart and the patience of Job. This story has a more serious nature than the others and the author has included a heartfelt note appealing to readers to take a stand against human trafficking in all its evil forms.

The Countess and the Cowboy by Kathleen Y'barbo -- Classic star-crossed lovers with nefarious villains thrown in. Ava Becker and Texas Ranger Ezra Creed were an item once upon a time. Now they are thrown together again when a horse thief connected to the notorious Markham gang pays a visit to the Becker ranch. Heated emotions unmask a deeper yearning as these two set out to find justice...and lost love.

Simple Interest by Susan Page Davis -- Ranger O'Neal Brewster has a thing for pretty bank teller Augusta Ferris. He flirts and she deflects but O'Neal is sure she's destined to be in his future...until the bank is held up and Augusta is taken hostage. Now it's up to the intrepid Ranger to track the Markham gang and rescue his damsel in distress. Only there's a whole lot of feisty buried beneath the bank teller's prim exterior and O'Neal is in for some surprises. Humour and action make this a super fun read.

Partners in Crime by Vickie McDonough -- Micah McCullough is working undercover as a member of the notorious Markham gang. The Texas Ranger has a plan that runs to ground when the gang kidnaps a young woman who they believe can create counterfeit money plates. But though Laurel Underwood is a prize winning silversmith she knows she will be unable to deliver on the Markham's demands. Suddenly Micah's mission switches from information gathering to rescuing the lady hostage. Tension and fear heighten emotions and Laurel and Micah soon discover that escaping to freedom holds untold promises if they can spend it together.

Guard Your Heart by Erica Vetsch -- Branch Kilborn is the last bachelor Texas Ranger in Hartville and he aims to keep it that way. And then Constance Spanner witnesses a murder and he's tasked with keeping her safe until she can testify. Tough ol' rough-around-the-edges Branch is suddenly intrigued, But he finds that Constance is a guarded woman whose grit and determination are more than enough to keep him at bay. Which, oddly enough irks him to no end. Subtle humour add to this action-packed conclusion to the Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers Romance Collection.

My thanks to author Lorna Seilstad for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like the chance to win a copy of Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers Romance Collection, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in 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 and the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Seven Brides for Seven Texans

GIVEAWAY

VETSCH, ERICA
BARRATT, AMANDA
DAVES, SUSAN PAGE
GWYN, KELI
MCDONOUGH, VICKI
MEYER, GABRIELLE
SEILSTAD, LORNA
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN TEXANS

Time is running out to find love...

George Washington Hart is tired of waiting for his seven grown sons to marry, and now he may not live long enough to see grandchildren born. So he sets an ultimatum for each son to marry before the end of 1874 or be written out of his will to inherit a portion of his extensive Texas ranch. But can love form on a deadline?

Each of the Hart brothers -- Austin, Bowie, Travis, Houston, Crockett, Chisholm, and Hays -- attempts to fulfill his father's wishes in his own stubborn way. Adventures await these handsome bachelors, but will each quest lead to true love?

My Review:

One of the most enjoyable novella collections I have ever read. Each story compliments the others and there's a great flow between them all. And I loved the prologue and epilogue which neatly bookends the collection of stories. And the play on the movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is so much fun. Only here we have cowboys on a matrimonial deadline -- let the games begin!

First Comes Love by Gabrielle Meyer : There's something about a brash, determined cowboy with marriage on his mind. Thud. Hays is smooth, friendly and all too popular with the ladies. But he's sincere and kind and falling hard for Emma. She has marriage on the mind too --- how to avoid it. These two clash from the get-go and this light-hearted romance kept me smiling right to the end.

The Heart of Texas by Lorna Seilstad :  I do so love a lawman with dimples. Swoon. And Chisholm has an easy-going nature and plenty of reasons to flash those dimples -- especially in Caro's direction. But she's too busy plotting against him to notice...much. The more put out Caro acts, the more Chisholm is amused. Love me some laughter with my romance. And a bit of suspense gives this story an extra kick.

The Truest Heart by Amanda Barratt : A moving starry celebrating the joy of second chances. Annie is burdened by a guilt she doesn't need to carry and it's Travis who gently reminds her that God doesn't bestow blessings because we deserve them but rather, because He chooses to bless us through His love. A truly uplifting inspirational romance.

A Love Returned by Keli Gwyn : The importance of commitment to family shines through in this touching historical romance. A miscommunication in their youth pulled Houston and Coralee apart and broke both their hearts. Wounded and wary, Coralee spurns Houston's attempts to rekindle their romance but he's not a man easily deterred.  A sweet romance that's sure to satisfy.

For Love or Money by Susan Page Davis : Crockett is a serious contender for cowboy hero of the month. He's a man of action so it's no surprise that when Jane's family home is burnt to the ground, Crockett is the man who orchestrates the rebuilding effort. And much to this reader's delight he ends up falling for his tenacious cowgirl neighbour in the process.

Mail-Order Mayhem by Vickie McDonough : I do so love a good mail-order bride story and this one definitely fits the bill -- with a unique twist that kept me grinning. And wincing. Poor Austin's clever plans to meet his father's inheritance requirements go awry when two ladies step off the stagecoach in Hartville. One is his intended, the other her chaperoning sister. Doesn't sound complicated, right? Wrong! Things get all twisty turny before they even out and I loved every minute of it.

Love at Last by Erica Vetsch : Bowie caught my attention in the prologue and I couldn't wait to get to his story. Disfigured in the war, Bowie has become somewhat of a recluse, working on the ranch and avoiding town and people in general.  Finding a wife within the year time limit set by his father seems like an impossible task...until he latches onto the idea of contracting a marriage of convenience with his former nurse. What follows is a heart-tugging story of accepting one's worth and the power of love.

My thanks to author Lorna Seilstad for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 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!

Rancher Under Fire

GIVEAWAY

MCDONOUGH, VICKIE
RANCHER UNDER FIRE

Sabatoge at AngelFire Ranch

Jackson Durant would go to any lengths to protect his young daughter and his ranch. He knows the puzzling incidents on his homestead are no accidents. Someone is after him…but who? And why? Reporter Mariah Reyes is determined to find out. She never expected her pursuit of a story on the reclusive rancher would endanger her life—nor that she'd fall for the cowboy. But when Jackson's daughter is kidnapped, she'll do anything to help save the little girl—even if it means becoming a target herself.

My Review:

While not a debut novel for this author, it is her romantic suspense debut and all I can say is may she continue with this genre for a long time to come!

This character-driven story engaged my emotions from the very first chapter. Suspense and mystery seeps through every page but I love how the author takes the time to build the relationship between the hero and heroine. The romance never seems hurried, made all the more edgy by the ever present   danger that escalates as the story progresses. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough but I also wanted to slow down and savor all the delicious nuances of this heart-stopping read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rancher Under Fire 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 24 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!