Courageous

GIVEAWAY

SLEIMAN, DINA L.
COURAGEOUS

Inspired by the vision of the young Lady Sapphira, Rosalind of Ipsworth joins a group of men, women and children as a defender of the cross, seeking to free captives near Tripoli. She'll gladly give herself to the cause, as she's haunted by a tragic mistake and feels she no longer deserves such joys a marriage and family might bring.

Sir Randel Penigree was reared to serve in the church but has always dreamt of protecting the innocent as a Templar knight. Joining a crusade to escape humiliation at home, he finds himself drawn to Rosalind as they partner to train and protect a group of adolescents. When faced with political intrigue and an unknown enemy bent on their destruction, they are forced to reconsider their priorities and the very nature of the God they serve.

My Review:

Book Three of the Valiant Hearts series and I'll admit to feeling forlorn now that the series is complete. I've really enjoyed these Medieval tales of adventure and romance. You don't need to have read the first two books in order to enjoy this one, though Rosalind played a prominent secondary role in Chivalrous, where we left her in a bad spot. So I am all kinds of thrilled over getting to share her journey in this book. And what a journey it is!

The Crusades is such a confusing and fascinating period in history and I think Sleiman did justice to this era. Her Historical Notes explain her connection with this part of the world and includes some interesting observations. And it certainly provides a tumultuous backdrop for a novel!

Rosalind is an unusual woman. A lady's maid, trained as a soldier. She can wield a sword and shoot an arrow as well as any man. And she has a heart for the Lord, but can't quite fully accept His gift of grace. Desperate to make amends for past mistakes, she tries to prove her worth through her actions.  She understands the concept of divine forgiveness but though she can apply it to others, she can't accept it for herself. Such an inspiring and exhilarating faith journey -- well worth the read.

I fell for Randel pretty quickly. I mean, seriously, a knight in shining armor -- what's not to love? He's fiercely protective, committed to the cause...and Rosalind. But he also has demons from his past to conquer. The kind that keep him at arms length from the woman he is developing deep feelings for. I do so love a tortured hero caught in an impossible love story!

And then there's treachery from within and threats from without. Not exactly a conducive backdrop for romance. Angst and action ensue as the story unfolds. Breathtaking and heart-tugging -- an exciting conclusion to a wonderful series.

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Courageous 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 2 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Chivalrous

GIVEAWAY

SLEIMAN, DINA L.
CHIVALROUS

Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles--along with twists and turns aplenty--await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.

My Review:

This Arthurian inspired story is a fitting sequel to the Robin Hood influences in the first book, Dauntless. You don't have to read the first book in order to enjoy this one, but if you have, you'll already be acquainted with Allen of Ellsworth. So glad he gets his own swashbuckling tale -- can you say swashbuckling in relationship to knights? Ah well, I did, and it's an apt description because there's plenty of action, a few nefarious characters and one truly reprehensible villain to be thwarted.

A good versus evil theme sets the backdrop for the inspirational thread about placing your trust in God. Now that doesn't mean you sit back and do nothing while waiting for a miracle to happen. Definitely not if you are a heroine like Gwen. She's determined to have a say in her future, despite the ominous grumblings of her domineering father.

Left to her own devices for much of her childhood, Gwen trained with her brothers and experienced untold freedom for a genteel female. That has shaped the woman she has become so is it any wonder culture shock ensues when her absentee father returns home with the intent of marrying her off to a most unsuitable suitor?

Talk about clash of wills. Mayhem ensues along with intrigue and dastardly deeds that threaten the fledgling love between Allen and Gwen. Remember what I said about placing your trust in God? What a challenge for this hero and heroine to desperately cling to. I love how the author conveys how they grow in faith and their determination to be true to it.

There are some darker threads in this tale as well. In particular, a secondary character, Rosalind faces a heartbreaking struggle which doesn't reach a conclusion in this novel. Thankfully, Rosalind is the heroine for the third and final installment in the Valiant Hearts series. Courageous comes out in July 2016. I can't wait!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Chivalrous 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 10 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Dauntless

GIVEAWAY

SLEIMAN, DINA L.
DAUNTLESS

Where Legend and History Collide,
One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent
Born a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village--a group that becomes known as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest." Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he's forced to reexamine everything he's known.

My Review:

What a great new series in the Christian YA genre. First off -- love the time period. There is something so alluring about the Middle Ages. Castles and treachery and knights in shining armour, oh my! Loved the historical details and the way the author carried me back in time with her words.

Merry leading a band of juvenile outlaws is sheer brilliance. She's tough and capable and so very, very brave but Sleiman shows the softer, womanly side through the inner yearnings of Merry's thoughts. A startling juxtaposition that makes this heroine deliciously complicated. And that makes things difficult for Timothy who is plodding through life with boring predictability. Meeting Merry stirs things up and makes him begin to question his views and goals. Lots of fodder for angst and mayhem which the author delivers with superb timing.

A captivating read full of adventure and romance.

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 Dauntless please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 8, 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!