Beneath Montana Skies

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
BENEATH MONTANA SKIES

This cowboy is back home to start over...but two adorable surprises wait at Mustang Ridge.

After one wild ride too man, rodeo star Tyler Wilkins is back to his Montana hometown starting from scratch. But he sure didn't expect to find that he and Morgan Whittaker -- the feisty rancher he left behind -- have two adorable daughters. Can this reckless cowboy become a man Morgan will trust enough to earn the title of daddy...and possibly husband?

My Review:

A second chance romance that packs a punch. I felt for Ty -- rough upbringing, impulsive youth, wounded rodeo star...it seems like he can't hold on to anything good for very long. He may look like a tough cowboy but deep down he's afraid. And fear has been the impetus for a lot of his mistakes. I can totally relate to that! But he keeps on fighting and he's back in his hometown, stripped of everything he thought made him special and looking for a way to start over...and maybe reconnect with the girl he left behind.

Morgan is fierce and proud and not about to forgive and forget. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Gah! Sometimes she was so hardheaded and mean towards Ty...gah! And he just took it and then that steamed me too! lol Definitely a rocky-road-to-a-happily-ever-after romance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Beneath Montana Skies, 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 12 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

His Two Little Blessings

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
HIS TWO LITTLE BLESSINGS

Can he find love again -- with two adorable helpers? A Liberty Creek romance

When the school board threatens to cut her art program, Emma Calhoun plans to fight for the job she loves. And with her student's father, banker Rick Marshall, on board to help, she might just succeed. But even as the handsome widower and his sweet little girls burrow their way into her heart, will he allow himself to love once more?

My Review:

There's something about a devoted dad that sets my romantical spidey senses on high alert! Rick is just such a father and his two little girls are adorable! And doesn't that cover art convey all that? I love it when the insides of a book totally deliver what the cover promises. :-)

So we have a straight laced, by-the-book, predictable hero who finds the caring and keeping of two little girls just about stretches his capacity for spontaneity. And then we add a stop-and-smell-the-roses, free spirited kind of heroine and...wooosh...let the fun begin!

He's a number crunching banker and she's a joie de vivre artist. They are drawn together at the best -- and worst -- of times. There's an understated elegance to the way Rick and Emma's love story unfolds. A gentle combination of love and laughter and faith that will sustain the uncertainties of the future.

This is the last book in Mia Ross's Liberty Creek series and though it reads fine as a standalone, fans of the Calhoun family will be happy to meet up with all the clan again in this heartwarming conclusion.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of His Two Little Blessings, 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. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 29 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Mending the Widow's Heart

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
MENDING THE WIDOW'S HEART

The Widow's New Beginning

Spending the summer with her son in a quiet New England town will give military widow Holly Andrews much-needed breathing space. But that peace is quickly disturbed! From her first meeting with Sam Calhoun, a contractor working her aunt's house, there's a surprising kinship. The handsome veteran is capable, smart and charming -- and fighting a battle with pain and loss that Holly can easily understand. Working on a youth baseball league with the plucky Southern single mom rekindles dreams Sam had all but abandoned. He knows Holly hadn't planned to stay, but in Liberty Creek, temporary has a way of turning into forever...

Liberty Creek: Love takes root in a New England town

My Review:

Do you want to know the kind of dedicated reader I am? The kind that's willing to start a new series by a favourite author even though she knows her heart will be broken into a zillion pieces when the series is over and she has to say goodbye to small town perfection and beloved characters. That's the kind of dedication and sacrifice I put into this reader calling. And Mia Ross is an author who beguiles me into thinking the small towns she creates are actually on the map and possible vacation destinations whereupon I can set my sights on certain swoonworthy heroes. Sigh, of course it's all fantasy but it feels so real! And now, here we are, at the start of something special in this first Liberty Creek novel.

There's something about a quaint New England town that screams Rockwell paintings and Christmas movies and Ross doesn't disappoint in her depiction of Liberty Creek. It's just the place of solace Holly needs as she tries to figure out her future. It's where Sam has come home to wallow in his past as he's all but given up on looking ahead. These two meet and I can't say sparks fly right off the page but there's definitely a connection. A stirring that makes them both uncomfortable in a deliciously thrilling way (well, for the reader anyway.)

Sam is a wounded soul grappling to dig his way out of a dark place. I love how Holly relates to him -- accepting, patient, allowing him to set the pace in everything from simple conversations to more serious commitment stuff. This is a slow burn kind of romance that gently unfolds with the help of a small town that believe in happily ever afters.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Mending the Widow's Heart, 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 for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 1 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Hometown Holiday Reunion

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
HOMETOWN HOLIDAY REUNION

Falling for the girl next door

Returning home to take care of his ailing mother, Cam Stewart reunites with his best friend's little sister. And while Erin Kinley is still a firecracker, she's grown from an annoying tagalong to a beautiful woman and devoted foster mom. She and Cam still drive each other...until Erin turns to Cam for comfort during a stressful adoption process. Cam's fractured family had him convinced he'd never be a dad, but suddenly he's considering two things he never thought he would: having a family and staying in Oaks Crossing. Could Erin and her son be everything he's long for?

My Review:

Think back to your high school days: The nemeisis who shoved you in your locker -- the guy you had a crush on and had to watch from the sidelines while he dated all the popular girls. If he wasn't ignoring you, he was teasing you unmercifully. Yeah that guy. Now he's back in town. Not only is he your business neighbour but your landlord as well. Talk about conflict!

Love the way Erin and Cam start out right where they left off -- bickering and sniping and trading insults. Amusing and frustrating and so much fun to read! Erin's foster son, Parker, becomes the unexpected bridge between these two sparring 'lovebirds' and what results is a story that embraces the very heart of what family means.

This is the third book in the Oaks Crossing series, but like all Love Inspired books, Hometown Holiday Reunion reads wonderfully as a standalone. Though, as always, it's fun to catch up with the happenings in this little Kentucky town and a few favourite characters. I love the way Ross brings a setting to life and Oaks Crossing is the perfect backdrop for the Kinley clan to shine.

And a little sidenote -- don't be fooled by the cover. This isn't actually a Christmas story. It takes place right after Christmas and into the new year so it's the perfect read for any season.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Hometown Holiday Reunion 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 September 18 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rescued by the Farmer

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
RESCUED BY THE FARMER

Her country hero...

Searching for a safe haven in the Kentucky hills, city girl Bekah Holloway encounters the unexpected -- a handsome country boy who offers her help. Drew Kinley gives her a job working with wounded animals, but on the run from an abusive boyfriend, Bekah needs more than employment. She needs a hero. Instinct tells Drew he's the perfect man for the skittish beauty. But he's spent a lifetime saving his family farm and now it's his turn to see the world outside of Oaks Crossing. As Bekah finds her forever home, will Drew leave...or stay and embrace a future together?

Oak Crossing: A small Kentucky town with a big heart

My Review:

Woohoo -- back in Kentucky with the Kinley clan! This is the second book in the Oak's Crossing series. Four siblings get their chance at romance. Love the banter and teasing that comes from a close-knit family. And really enjoyed catching up with Mike and Lily (from the first book).  Rescued by the Farmer reads well as a standalone though, and it is middle brother Drew's turn to have his life turned inside out by a female. There's so much that tickled me about this book.

My animal loving heart was in a constant state of flux over the rescue center setting. Puppies and baby goats and injured hawks...oh my! They captured my heart just as much as the hero did. But I'm fickle that way -- it's easy for cute critters to upstage even the most compelling hero in my eyes. No worries though, Drew got my attention, and, for the record, I trusted him way before Bekah did. But that's not her fault. She has plenty of reasons for being wary.

In fact, Bekah seems as fragile as some of the center's skittish animals. There are some interesting parallels there. And I think it's very fitting that Bekah finally breaks free from her past at a center dedicated to the healing and release of injured and orphaned animals. 

Drew's relentless determination to break through her reserve plays an important role in Bekah's transformation. He's hard to resist -- a charming flirt with a compassionate heart. Tenuous friendship develops into sweet romance but not without complications!  Gotta love those bumps in the road that keep a reader avidly turning pages.

A heartwarming romance that celebrates the joy of new beginnings.

IGIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Rescued by the Farmer please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . 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 June 19 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Her Small-Town Cowboy

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
HER SMALL-TOWN COWBOY

Book 1: Oaks Crossing--A small Kentucky town with a big heart.

Lily St. George dreams of marriage and a family of her own. But as a temporary kindergarten teacher, she can't get too attached to anyone in Oaks Crossing. When a student brings in her single father for show-and-tell, Lily is drawn to charming cowboy Mike Kinley. Working overtime to save his struggling horse farm, Mike claims to have no room in his life for love. But when they team up to start a riding school for children at his ranch, Lily knows she'll have to help Mike see their partnership is meant to be permanent.

My Review:

I kind of went into a major sulk after I finished Mia Ross's Barrett's Mills series. They were serious perfection and I didn't want to leave the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Barrett family. And even though I knew she was working on a new series I still suffered reader melancholy something fierce. Happy to say I'm out of my blue funk now that I've become acquainted with the Kinley clan and Oaks Crossing, Kentucky.

Seriously creative first meet. I'm grinning just thinking about it. In fact -- hold on a sec while I go and reread a few pages 'cause it's that good. Okay, I'm back and still grinning. It's just as good as I remembered. Why? Damsel in distress (sort of), cowboy gallantly comes to the rescue (sort of) and a team of horses with 'tude.

Speaking of which -- this book is full of stellar animals. From old Sarge the terrier whose story brought tears to my eyes, to the young upstart pup, Charlie. Then there's patient Gideon the Belgian draft horse and Chance the troubled Thoroughbred. And did I mention there's an animal rescue centre on the ranch? My animal loving heart is full to overflowing.

Okay, back the humans. Mike is a little gnarly (maybe more than a little...at times), but even so, Lily's smitten though she hides it well. Not. Mike's daughter, Abby, brings them together in some surprising ways and a sweet love story ensues.

Of course there are a few bumps in the road on the way to happily ever after. Ross delivers angst in measured doses resulting in nail-biting bliss. And a poignant faith thread on forgiveness rounds out the tale and makes Her Small-Town Cowboy a pretty near perfect read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Her Small-Town Cowboy 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 13 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Ribbons & Roses : Heartwarming & Sweet Contemporary Romance Duo

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
ROSS, MIA
RIBBONS & ROSES : HEARTWARMING & SWEET CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE DUO

No matter where you live, or what time of year it is, romance brings its own special brand of warmth to any occasion, so join multi-published authors Ruth Logan Herne and Mia Ross as they treat you to smaller helpings of what they do best: write sweet, feel-good fiction, the kind that makes you say "aww...". The kind where dreams really do come true!

My Review:

For the Love of Sophie June by Ruth Logan Herne -- A case of mistaken identity makes for a rocky start to this special romance. It doesn't take long for Deputy Wade Prescott to figure out that single mom Carrie Sullivan is a force to be reckoned with -- a beautiful force of kindness and light and a huge dose of spunk. And little Sophie June is just like her mama. A matching set of feminine wonder that draws Wade close. An upbeat romance filled with love and laughter and an abundance of Ruthyisms.

Sweet Home Carolina by Mia Ross -- Football hero Luke Morrow returns to his small-town roots to recover from an injury and to rethink his life. He doesn't expect to find his high school sweetheart, Carolina Jean (CJ) right where he left her over a decade ago. CJ is the perfect antidote for his jaded psyche. She's funny and compassionate and refreshingly blunt. A sweet second chance love story that will leave your heart aflutter.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
Please note: available in ebook format only.

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Ribbons & Roses 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 November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Loving the Country Boy

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
LOVING THE COUNTRY BOY

A city girl's second chance

City girl Tess Barrett hopes her move to Barrett's Mill, Virginia, will give her a fresh start. As she gets to know the family she's never met and begins work at their sawmill, everything starts falling into place. Until she meets Heath Weatherby. After narrowly escaping an oil rig explosion, Heath won't waste his second chance at life. He's committed to starting a family—and he wants Tess for his wife. Tess refuses to give in to her feelings for Heath, convinced they're just too different. But when the rugged mechanic is hired to fix her family's mill, her heart begins to recognize the charming country boy as her one true love.

My Review:

First things first -- cutest cover ever! If that picture doesn't make you want to read the book maybe my review will. :-)

Ross has taken us back to Barrett's Mill -- a fictional town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that seems so real I tried googling it (that's how I know it's fictional!) The author has captured the charm of small town life to perfection with characters that could have climbed out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

In Loving the Country Boy the author explores the strength of family as long lost cousin, Tess, discovers what it means to be part of the multi-generational Barrett clan. Small town life and rowdy know-it-all cousins are a foreign entity to her and it takes some adjustments for this only child who is estranged from her parents to find her place.

Tess's cultural shock is evident to Heath.  She's prickly and wary and a little too highfalutin for the likes of him. But he's intrigued too and has the uncanny ability to cut through Tess's façade to reveal the real woman within. And that's unsettling -- for both of them. There are some exceptionally entertaining spats, cutting dialogue, mischievous teasing and earnest soul-bearing that goes on between the two. And somewhere along the way they fall in love...and so does the reader. A love story that will leave you smiling.
 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Loving the Country Boy please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 12 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Finding His Way Home

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
FINDING HIS WAY HOME

Book 3-Barrett's Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love.

Prodigal son Scott Barrett is back home in Barrett's Mill with plans to atone for his past mistakes and restore his future. But the quiet Virginia village feels like a different place since his return. The old cottage and chapel are crying out for repair--much like Scott himself. Luckily, sensitive artist Jenna Reed offers to help. Jenna sees Scott without judgment, though she reveals little about her own troubled past. As they work together to renovate the chapel, Scott begins to earn her trust, and soon he's envisioning life with the beautiful Jenna. Can the love of a good woman finally make him whole?

My Review:

True confession: I read this book in one sitting even though I couldn't afford to lose the sleep. Sigh. I just couldn't bring myself to put it aside and start counting sheep! I love the Barrett family, love this wonderful community Ross has created. Lots of southern charm and brotherly shenanigans. But there's sorrow too, and anguish over pasts that can't be undone. Ross weaves a bright thread of hope through that darkness and brings resolution in the form of redemption and forgiveness. That's what  made this an unforgettable read for me.

I really loved Jenna. Thinking she's right up there on my favourite heroines list. Direct and upbeat and just a little bit fragile, the residual fallout from a rough past. She was full of surprises. I couldn't believe some of the things she said, the courageous ways she faced off with Scott. Sometimes I held my breath to see how he would take it and then let it out in a whoosh of relief when he reluctantly admire her straightforwardness. The give and take between these two was a delight to read. Ross delivers an amazing love story liberally laced with realism. Awesome read.

Oh, and though this is the fourth book in the Barrett's Mill series, you don't need to have read the other books. If you have though, you'll enjoy catching up with Scott's brothers and his extended family. Love the feeling of coming home when I read one of Mia Ross's novels.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Finding His Way Home 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 February 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sugar Plum Season

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
SUGAR PLUM SEASON

Season of Love

Amy Morgan is determined not to let her injury affect her love for dance. Moving to the tiny town of Barrett's Mill, she takes over her aunt's dance studio and begins to organize a children's Christmas ballet recital. She just needs a little help from handsome lumberjack Jason Barrett. Charming and an all-around good guy, Jason volunteers to build the stage sets. Working together with the pretty ballerina forges a connection he never expected. But is Amy really ready to leave the limelight behind? It'll take a few dancing candy canes—and a whole lot of faith—to bring them together in joy and love.

Barrett's Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love

My Review:

Ross takes us back to Barrett's Mill in this second book in her new series. You don't need to have read Blue Ridge Reunion in order to enjoy this one...but honestly, you should because it's so good. :-) If you have read it you will enjoy a glimpse into the married life of Paul and Chelsea. And the joy of getting reacquainted with some wonderful secondary characters.

One of this author's strengths is her ability to create the unique dynamics of small town life that make it so appealing. Such an incredible anchor for this heartwarming story. Love the Nutcracker theme and the wonderful contrast between a ballerina and a lumberjack. It might seem like a doomed love story but Amy finds Jason's appeal hard to resist...and so did I. Ross mixes things up by throwing a curve ball at some 'predictable' plot lines that are anything but. Love the fresh twists and the depth they bring to the inspirational theme. A magical Christmas story that manages to convey both the warmth and hope of the season.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sugar Plum Season please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 26 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Blue Ridge Reunion

GIVEAWAY

 ROSS, MIA
BLUE RIDGE REUNION

Book 1-Barrett's Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love.

Chelsea Barnes never expected to see her high school rival, golden boy Paul Barrett, again. But when Paul applies for a loan to renovate his family's historic mill, it's Chelsea who the bank sends to her tiny hometown to assess the property—and Paul. It's her chance to prove herself to her boss, and Chelsea won't let Paul stand in her way. Paul would do anything to restore the mill for his ailing grandfather. Even allow the lovely Chelsea to help. Together, they just might build something beautiful…a happily-ever-after.

My Review:

Another promising series from a wonderful author. I found the idea of restoring an old mill steeped in history really appealing. And Ross does a wonderful job creating a viable small town community. So realistic I want to arrange a vacation there. Alas Barrett's Mill is a figment of the author's very active imagination and I can only travel there through stories.

The read is smooth and sweet and would easily translate well into a made for TV movie script. I could see everything playing out in my mind in such vivid detail. A great host of characters in a town with a unique character all of its own. Loved the dynamics of big city success versus small town charm. A wonderful read with an uplifting romance that made my heart sing.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Blue Ridge Reunion 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 17 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Seaside Romance

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
SEASIDE ROMANCE

Safe in His Arms

Running away from her troubled city life, Lauren Foster never thought she'd find herself in small-town Maine. But Holiday Harbor is everything she's looking for. The townspeople are welcoming, her job at her friend's toy store is going well and, most important, she's safe. Meeting contractor Ben Thomas soon changes all that. With his good looks, easygoing nature and kind heart, he's turning her peaceful new life upside down. She's quickly falling for the local hero, but when her past catches up to her present, is she willing to face her fears for the future she's always dreamed of?

Holiday Harbor: Where love is just around the bend

My Review:

I'd seriously put Holiday Harbor into my vacation plans if I could find it on a map! Ross has created a community that I not only want to visit, but that I could happily live in. I can smell the salty air, hear the crash of the waves against the shore. I want to trudge on up to the lighthouse and chat with Mavis now that I know all I have to do is fuss over her pot-bellied pig to get past that gruff crusty exterior. And think of the fun I'd have getting a first hand view of all those burgeoning romances! A matchmaker's paradise, I'd say. They should do bus tours. :-)

Ben and Lauren's romance reads like a fairy tale. There's lots of angst, a villain from the past and a knight in shining armor who knows it is better to encourage the damsel in distress rather then rescue her out right. Loved that about Ben.  And really, what romance is not complete without a Shakespeare quoting macaw?

A truly delightful read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Seaside Romance 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.

Jingle Bell Romance

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
JINGLE BELL ROMANCE

Falling For Scrooge

Julia Stanton loves Christmas—almost as much as she loves the home she's made in Holiday Harbor. So when her beloved pastor's prodigal son returns for a brief visit, she hatches a plan to keep Nick McHenry in town. Growing up as an ambassador's daughter, she's charmed countless dignitaries and surely she can get the brooding bachelor to see how much joy there is in a family-filled holiday. Julia never expects to feel the spark of something more for Nick. But it will take more than attraction to turn this handsome scrooge into her hometown hero.

Holiday Harbor: Where love is just around the bend.

My Review:

We’re back in Holiday Harbor with the second story in the series. No worries about not having read the first, Rocky Coast Romance (other than that you didn’t!), this book reads well as a standalone.

Jingle Bell Romance is a heartwarming read that explores the depth in the true meaning of Christmas. We see the miracle afresh from the eyes of the jaded hero, Nick. I love the way the author gradually opens his heart to all the wonder the season has to offer…and that includes toy shop owner, Julia.

Their romance would play out well on the big screen and I find myself yearning to watch their love story unfold in a movie. It has all the elements of that kind of classic Christmas tale – the kind that pulls at your heartstrings and offers hope. An excellent Christmas read.

Giveaway Opportunity

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Jingle Bell Romance 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 8 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Rocky Coast Romance

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
ROCKY COAST ROMANCE

A Place for Redemption

Journalist Bree Farrell heads to the village of Holiday Harbor to salvage her career. And walks straight into the arms of handsome young mayor Cooper Landry. Cooper's fighting to keep his sleepy Maine community from the clutches of big-city developers. And Bree knows it's a major scoop. But the longer she's in town, the more she's won over by the quirky townsfolk—and the charming Cooper. Will Bree ever follow her heart instead of a story and make Holiday Harbor her permanent byline?

Holiday Harbor: Where love is just around the bend.

My Review:

Sigh -- I can still smell the tangy sea air! Love how the author transported me to coastal Maine. Loved the quirky town folk even more. What a riot of secondary characters! They brought the story to life -- especially Sammy. I mean who can resist an oversized Newfoundland? Not me, that's for sure. I drooled over Sammy. :-) In fact he almost took the lead away from the hero.

Almost.

Luckily I fall hard for a man who loves animals so Cooper managed to edge Sammy out by a smidgen.  Well, he had other redeeming qualities too -- like a fierce protectiveness for what he loves which includes his sleepy town. There is something very appealing about a stoic Easterner who digs in his heels when it comes to change -- especially where matters of the heart are concerned.

And Bree is just the woman to convince Cooper that change can be a good thing...maybe. But she's embroiled in her own turmoil, trying to salvage her career and her conscience over a past mistake. The Holiday Harbor assignment is a fresh start but she doesn't intend to end her new career there. Conflict and angst abound as both hero and heroine try to figure out what they want in their future.

I'm thrilled to say this is the first in a new Love Inspired series and I'm anxious to get back to Holiday Harbor for so more reading fun. 

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rocky Coast Romance, 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 10 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

A Place for Family

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
A PLACE FOR FAMILY

Hometown Girl Returns…With A Secret

One suitcase is all Amanda Gardner has to her name when she ends up back in Harland, North Carolina. No one knows how the high-powered ad exec, the girl who couldn't leave town fast enough after high school, lost her glamorous life in California. Everyone's curious—except John Sawyer. He's done enough wondering about his childhood best friend over the years. Why she never called…or wrote…or visited. But John's instinct is to protect Amanda, and something tells him she's in deep trouble. Will she feel safe enough to trust him—and lean on his strength?

MY REVIEW:

A heartwarming story about one of my favourite fictional families. While this is the fourth book about the Sawyer clan you can easily read it as a standalone though fans will be thrilled to get reacquainted with Lisa, Matt, Marianne and their spouses. And Ruthy -- we can't forget about her!

Ross writes a tangible tale about love and forgiveness and what being a family is all about. Her writing warms me to my toes. And she managed to gobsmack me! Blindsided doesn't begin to describe my surprise at a shocking plot twist! My intrepid reader's radar must be askew because I didn't see it coming. At all!

John Sawyer is an exceptional hero. Salt of the earth and close to God, his strength and unconditional love are exactly what Amanda needs at this time in her life. Love the way Ross developed their romance, from lifelong friends to something much more.

This is a stellar romance guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Place for Family, 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 March 10 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Gift of Family

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
A GIFT OF FAMILY

A man with secrets, ex-soldier Seth Hansen comes to the small town of Harland, North Carolina, to heal. The last thing he wants is to get involved -- with the community, or with lovely waitress Lisa Sawyer, who has big dreams of leaving Harland. When a massive storm hits, it will take a dramatic rescue, and Lisa's unshakable belief, to wake a part of Seth he thought he'd lost forever. Suddenly one reluctant hero finds himself captivated by Christmas spirit. If only he can help Lisa discover the place she really wants to be…. 

My Review:

Hallelujah, we're back in Harland with the Sawyer clan! You don't have to have read the author's previous books to enjoy this one, but if you have you'll be thrilled to meet up with some of your favourite characters...including Ruthy! Absolutely loved the dynamics between Seth and Lisa. Such contrasts -- but that made them compliment each other all the more. Ross tackles the difficulties in the life of a returned soldier with compassion and understanding. There is plenty of emotion in this read. Life at its grittiest...but sweetest too.This is the kind of feel good Christmas story that gets to the heart of the real meaning of the season. A heart-warming holiday read.


Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Gift of Family, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 25 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Circle of Family

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, MIA
CIRCLE OF FAMILY

With his leather jacket, aviator sunglasses and restored WWII plane, pilot Ridge Collins has everyone in tiny Harland, North Carolina, talking. Especially single mother Marianne Weston's impressionable young kids-who think Ridge would make a fine father. But shy Marianne is afraid to open her heart to the handsome pilot with a harrowing past. For one, he's in town only temporarily. And Marianne is all about roots and Sunday dinners, while Ridge is into seeing what's around the bend. But two sweet kids are set on showing him there's no greater adventure than family.

My Review:

This novel is aptly named. Ross does a wonderful job of illustrating the enduring love of family. Love the imagery of the never-ending circle. This is her second book in her series about the Sawyer family and enjoyed the antics of these siblings just as much this time round. And bonus -- we get to see Matt and Caty married. Love when an author is able to ease characters we've grown to know and love into the next book.

Ridge Collins makes one of the most spectacular entrances I've ever 'read'.  And Marianne's reaction is priceless. Just a tad uptight and way too wound up for the likes of Ridge. Loved witnessing their reactions to one another. The sparks fly from that first fateful meeting. And as foot-loose and fancy-free as Ridge appears to be, there is a core of stability inside of him just looking to take root in the right place -- and for the right reason. 

Great family interactions. Ruthy is back with sage advice and Marianne's children steal scene after scene. This is an all-round good romance that will leave you smiling.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Circle of Family, 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 September 16 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Hometown Family

GIVEAWAY!

ROSS, MIA
HOMETOWN FAMILY

Since when is prodigal son Matt Sawyer a small-town farmer surrounded by kin? Since the terms of his late father's will demand he stay in Harland, North Carolina. Terms that attorney and hometown gal Caty McKenzie has to ensure are carried out. Matt left Harland years ago and never looked back. But running the farm and spending time with Caty brings out a caring, faithful side of Matt that he didn't know existed. And Matt's soon to discover the real challenge: convincing love-shy Caty to stay right there with him.

My Review:

What an amazing debut novel! Practically read it in one sitting it was that good.  Hometown Family was such a pleasure to read. The characters are engaging -- and I'm hoping that Matt's large family will provide the impetus to create more than a sequel or two. Ross has also created an incredible town full of neighbourly folks and I'm not ready to say goodbye to any of them -- especially Ruthy.

This book is pure romance and I love how Ross took the time to develop it. There's nothing artificial or forced about Matt and Caty's story. They are real people experiencing the real pitfalls of falling in love. And they are both facing their own inner battles as they come to grips with past relationships. Each story arc is moving in its own way but when they intersect it's pure magic! I just gobbled this one up and if you're a romance fan, I bet you will too!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hometown Family, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 29 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!