In Honor's Defense

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WITEMEYER, KAREN

IN HONOR'S DEFENSE

He's faced countless perils on the battlefield, but nothing so dangerous as falling in love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life -- for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

My Review:

Alternate title: The Domesticating of Luke Davenport. :-) Happy, swoony, heart-palpitating smile. Excuse me while I grab my smelling salts and clear off my fainting couch...just incase. 

Sooooo, Luke.....definitely book boyfriend material. Tenderhearted meets broody in a juxtaposition of delicious contradictions. This scripture quoting horseman has earned the nickname Preacher yet he wrestles with demons from his past that tell him he's worthless, inadequate, unlovable. Resigned to living a life alone, he's trying to find his place in the shifting dynamics of the Horsemen brotherhood. His friends have all married, their attentions homeward bound with wives and babies on the way. And that leaves Luke the odd man out, watching (and aching) from the sidelines at the kind of life he knows he can never have. So he takes a solo job tracking a group of rustlers. Which is how he meets Damaris and her troubled nephew.

The boy is acting out after the sudden (and mysterious) death of his father. He's fourteen and ornery and citified Damaris has her hands full trying to cope with Nate's recalcitrant ways and her own grief. Not to mention settling into the Wild West. She's fiercely protective of her nephew even though she knows she's lost control of the boy.

And, wowza, the way Luke and Damaris meet -- equal parts funny and tense and electrifying. And it isn't long before the two are united in their quest to help Nate. And then...well all kinds of stuff happens that I can't mention or I'd spoil the read for you. Let's just say lots of action and adventure, danger and treachery. Some cameo appearances by horsemen and their wives and...the best part of all, toe-curling romantical stuff. Swoon and thud. And repeat.

If the series has to end, this is the way to do it.

Goal Updates: #6 Stay current with a series

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  In Honor's Defence, 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 July 16 2022 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Heart's Charge

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN

THE HEART'S CHARGE

Members of Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he'd nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. From mixed ancestry, illegitimate, and female, Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her with his courage and kindess, but there are secrets behind his eyes -- ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

However, when a handful of urchin children from the area go missing, a pair of Horsemen are exactly what the women need. Working together to find the children, will these two couples find love as well?

My Review:

Mercy! I've been struggling to compose a coherent review for days now but I'm in such a gobsmacked stupor that I'm just going to gush all over this book in random awkwardness. :-)

So...that cover! Mark and Jonah riding to the rescue, mirroring looks of grim determination. Be. Still. My. Heart. The art department has outdone themselves with this cover. Definitely matches the tone of the book.

Love the premise to this series: battle scarred warriors who have dealt with all kinds of hardships form a brotherhood that lasts beyond their cavalry days. While The Heart's Charge is primarily Mark and Jonah's story, we are treated with a Hanger's Horsemen reunion along the way which is all kinds of awesomesauce if you've read the first book, At Love's Command.

TWO romances!!!!! This is likely the reason I'm so addle-brained. Double the toe-curling and swooning and hyperventilating is bound to do that to an avid reader. And both Mark and Jonah get equal billing and I was invested in both.

Mark and Katherine -- Reunion Romance at its best. They were very young (teens) when they nearly married the first time but now that they are older and wiser with quite a few life lessons behind them, well, the timing of their reunion seems foreordained. Witemeyer portrays the yearning and wariness of a rekindling love to perfection. And when that spark finally ignites into an all consuming fire -- whooeee, readers beware, your fingertips might get singed.

Jonah and Eliza -- true confession...their story is my favourite part of the book. And that's because of the way spunky Eliza always seems to be able to put Jonah in his place. Or, at least, he lets her think she can. That man has his own wiles and he's not above using them to win the lady's heart. And these two can go from lighthearted banter to serious soul searching in a nanosecond. I laughed. I cried. And then laughed some more.

These heroes!!!! It's almost too much to bear. Mark with all his polished manners and easy going nature. Open and gregarious where Jonah is more sober and watchful. The way they have each other's backs and are just as quick to tease as to lend a hand. Great dynamics.

So many stunning faith moments! This is my idea of Christian Fiction -- where the inspirational threads are so embedded within the story that you couldn't remove them without the whole thing collapsing. So many stark truths and moved-me-to-tears moments. I'd have underlined half the book and shared copious quotes except I listened to the audible edition and I couldn't bear to take the time to stop and write every second sentence down. :-)

Speaking of the audible edition: Jeanine Bartel did an incredible job bringing unique qualities to so many different characters. I was completely enthralled. One of the best performances I've listened to.

And, finally, speaking of bests, The Heart's Charge is definitely going on my top ten best reads of 2021 !!! I thought At Love's Command was Karen Witemeyer's best when I read it last year, but this second book has surpassed the first in faith, romance and even the mystery!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is available in paperback or ebook format -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Heart's Charge, 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 winners announced on Saturday June 19 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Kissing Tree

GIVEAWAY

JENNINGS, REGINA

WITEMEYER, KAREN

DYKES, AMANDA

DEESE, NICOLE

THE KISSING TREE

In this Texas-sized romance novella collection, courting couples, decades apart, leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

In Karen Witemeyer's Inn for a Surprise, two opinionated collaborators with conflicting visions must turn a doomed business venture into a successful romantic retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance about the groundskeeper of a historic inn who's reunited with someone from her past while she fights to save the town landmark.

My Review:

Unique voices linked together by a common theme make this a stunning novella collection. Absolutely love the generational aspect where the kissing tree is highlighted throughout the ages. And i also love the way the first and last novellas bookend the collection. Giggles to start and a tear or two shed at the end. :-) Brilliantly done.

Broken Limbs, Mended by Regina Jennings -- Has a great comedic start and that thread of humour is woven throughout the inevitable angst as the hero and heroine find themselves on opposing sides of an impossible challenge. A nice mix of love and laughter with a few toe-curls on the side.

Inn for a Surprise by Karen Witemeyer -- That great play of words in the title promises exactly what this novella delivers. Readers will be 'in for a surprise' over just how much fun and swoony-ness the author packs in a concise word count. Barnabas and Phoebe's story of practicality versus romance thrilled me to my toes.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes -- Lyrically exquisite. Such a tender, moving love story spiked with humour and that desperate yearning we all have to belong.

Heartwood by Nicole Dees -- Sniffle. I'm still misty eyed now that it's all over and Dees closes things out with a heart-thudding, tummy-swirling reunion romance that has me happy/sad sighing. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Kissing Tree, 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 winners announced on Saturday January 30 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

At Love's Command

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
AT LOVE'S COMMAND

He's fought through ruthless outlaws and injury, but with her, he's tempted to surrender.

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when her brother is abducted, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything -- even his team -- to save her.

My Review:

Eep! Eeeeep!!! Eeeeeepppp!!!! I'm super excited about this new series. I think it might be Karen Witmeyer's best if book one is any indication. Because, while I love Matthew Hanger, I am equally invested in the other three Hanger's Horsemen to the point I will be utterly devastated if they each don't get their own story! Love the comrades-in-arms vibe -- a brotherhood honed on the battlefield. They can be deadly serious one second and tossing out quips the next. And, oh, how they love to tease Matthew about his lady love. So much fuss and fun and I can't wait until Jonah, Luke and Mark get their own romantical comeuppance. :-)

Have to say the prologue had me wondering what on earth I was getting myself into. Smack dab in the battlefield during a horrible time in American history. Absolutely gut-wrenching. But necessary to understand these men and their mission. But then we move on three years later when Matthew meets Dr Jo for the very first time...under dire circumstances. Only he thinks he's going to see a Dr. Joe. Great first meet!

"She stole a peek at the still fellow who had yet to reanimate after suffering rapid-onset paralysis. A condition commonly brought on by the pronouncement of her medical expertise. Josephine shook her head. The poor male brain. So susceptible to gender-oriented shock." (p 30)  Bwahahaha!

There's a kind of Dr. Quinn-ishness about this action-packed adventure romance which I loved.  The Wild West, a notorious gang of villains, danger and betrayal all woven together with brilliant flashes of humour. And Matthew and Josie falling in love in the midst of it all. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next Hanger's Horsemen novel to release!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  At Love's Command, 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 August 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Serving Up Love

GIVEAWAY

PETERSON, TRACIE
WITEMEYER, KAREN
JENNINGS, REGINA
TURANO, JEN
SERVING UP LOVE

A collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.

In Karen Witemeyer's "More Than a Pretty Face," a young woman works her hardest to escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers "A Flood of Love," where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings's "Intrigue a la Mode" delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano's "Grand Encounters" heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself.

My Review:

Excellent collaboration from four dynamic historical fiction authors. The only link between each novella is the Harvey Girl theme and I was surprised to discover that they existed well into the 1900s. (I always thought it was a pre 1900s fad.) Loved all the interesting details about what life was like for a Harvey Girl! Each author brings her own unique spin to her story - from second chance love to intrigue and danger!

A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson -- 1929, San Marcial, New Mexico. A second chance love story chock full of interesting historical tidbits. Peterson is an excellent researcher and she has even included a couple of real life characters who play a pivotal role in this novella. Angst and romance and a precocious little girl made this a fun read.

More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer -- 1902, Gainsville, Texas. If you've read More Than Words Can Say you will be thrilled to know that this is Rosalind's story. It isn't necessary to read that book first in order to appreciate this sweet novella, but if you have, it'll up the edge factor a bit.

Rosalind is running from her past but Caleb is tempting her to stand fast. I spent the whole read waiting for the other shoe to drop and once it did -- whoa! Tumultuous and sigh-worthy. And I so enjoyed fuming over a certain secondary character. Love being righteously indignant on behalf of a heroine I've come to adore. :-) Witemeyer has packed all the delicious goodness of a full length novel into this shorter read.

Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings -- 1898, Emporia, Kansas. A surprising mystery brings an extra thrill to this historical romance. A dashing railroad tycoon goes undercover to expose a smuggling operation and catches the eye of a hardworking Harvey Girl. Action and intrigue and some mighty fine toe-curling romance sent me into a biblio-licious spin of giddy delight.

Grand Encounters by Jen Turano -- 1908, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Eep! A runaway heiress and a self-made businessman bond over books -- can it get any better than that?! Jack is a bit bumbling -- an admirer from afar until his gregarious brother sticks his oar in. But Myrtle has sworn off men and is all about independence...still...there's something about Jack that makes her want to forget about both resolves. Of course, with Jen Turano at the keyboard, their road to a happily ever after isn't exactly smooth sailing. No worries, thought, it's all sorted out in the delightful chaos that only this author can contrive.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Serving Up Love, 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 25 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Christmas Heirloom : Four Holiday Novellas

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

WITEMEYER, KAREN
HUNTER, KRISTI ANN
THOMAS, SARAH LOUDIN
WADE BECKY
THE CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM : FOUR HOLIDAY NOVELLAS

Four festive and heartwarming romance novellas that celebrate the magic of Christmas.

Perfect for the Christmas season, four beloved authors bring their bestselling, award-winning talents to a multigenerational collection of romantic holiday novellas. In stories ranging from 1820s Regency England to present-day Washington state, readers will be treated to Christmas tales of an heirloom brooch passed from from mother to daughter for almost two hundred years. Will the family legend claiming the brooch brings love to its recipient hold true for these women separated by the years but bonded together by the ties of family?

In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job...and introduce her to the woman's grandson. While he may be far above her station, she can't help but notice that his desire to make this Christmas special for his grandmother matches her own.

In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love as the holidays draw near.

In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her mother's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance one December.

In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

My Review:

published in 2018

One of my favourite Christmas reads so far this year (and yes I know I'm a year late to the party.) I don't read a ton of novellas but I'm fond of Christmas collections and these stories do justice to that beautiful cover. I love the heirloom brooch connection to all four stories and the way we get to follow it through the generations.

Loved the opportunity to time travel with four of my favourite authors, savoring spectacular love stories that span centuries. Each one reads like a full length novel with all the complexities of character and plot. Think toe-curls and swoons time four! Leaves a romantical reader kinda breathless! And you can't beat four happily-ever-after Christmas themed love stories to get you in the holiday spirit! A perfect pre-Christmas gift for any avid reader on your list (including you!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Christmas Heirloom, 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 November 16 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

More Than Words Can Say

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY

After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the bake of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament...or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution...if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoick lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.

When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?

My Review:

Eeeeepppppp! Marriage of Convenience romance alert! And that aspect of the story is swooniferously well-done!

Zach makes my pulse race too! He's the strong silent type with a checkered past and a heart of gold. If you read the first book in this Patchwork Family series, you'll know that Zach and two other orphans created their own little family unit after their orphan train derailed. In the wake of the tragedy, Zach, as the eldest and most streetwise, became the head of their ragtag household. He wasn't much for talking then and his gruff demeanor hasn't improved over the years either. Finally, now that both his siblings are happily married and situated in their own households, Zach is  free to live the solitary life he's been craving...

Until Abby audaciously propositions him! All flashing dimples and as sweet as her famed breakfast buns. Of course he'll say no. Absolutely. Positively. There's no way he'd ever consider agreeing to a marriage of convenience until...well, he finds himself saying yes. But he has some conditions of his own...like taking the 'convenience' out of the marriage though Abby is stubbornly wary on that score. What's a husband to do but woo his lovely wife? Scrumptious sigh. Toe-curls and heart palpitations ensue so don't say I didn't warn you!

But there's also the kind of secondary character I love to hate! Gah, but my blood pressure got a workout over that one's shenanigans! Family, faith, forgiveness and the glorious hope that comes from trusting God no matter what,  make this a breathtaking, hallelujah-cheering, sweet perfection of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of More Than Words Can Say, 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 July 6 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

More Than Meets the Eye

GIVEAWAY

WITEMYER, KAREN
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

When her family is threatened, she doesn't expect falling in love to be their best defense.

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatching eyes -- one bright blue, the other dark brown -- Evangeline has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Evangeline has two -- Seth and Zach, fellow orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. And when Hamilton's unique sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time they cross paths, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

My Review:

Everything that is perfection in fiction wrapped up in one beautiful story.

I'm pretty much gobsmacked over this one. My favourite Karen Witemeyer novel for sure....and she's left me yearning for Zach's story so much so that I've searched the web trying to find a release date -- or anything about the next book in her Patchwork Family series -- but I've come up empty. Mournful sigh.

Thankfully I'm still giddy over More Than Meets the Eye so that's some comfort. Especially when I think about Zach...wait...Logan is the hero in this novel and he is scrumptious but, clearly Zach has caught my attention and I need his story right now!!!!

Okay, back to Logan -- Evie sums him up early on when she compares him to a snapping turtle! "Solitary. Hard shell to protect all the vulnerable areas. Adept at camouflage." Yep, that's Logan. He's a man driven to see justice served...or is it really revenge? He's spent years working on a plan to put things right...and then he meets Evie who helps him see that he's got it all wrong.

She's  all sunshine and light and the promise that happily ever afters are possible. Feisty and independent but so open and trusting and Logan quickly falls under her spell which complicates all those well-laid plans. For such a gnarly romance there's plenty of humour and tender moments too. I alternately laughed and swooned my way through to the end. (Wait until you meet Evie's pet -- wild boar Hezikiah!)

And Evie's relationship with her brothers -- the way she 'manages' them is hilarious. Love the idea for this series and the concept of creating a patchwork family. Add in a perilous mystery and an unexpected secondary love story and I am one euphoric reader. Characters you care about, a compelling plot and just enough toe-curling kisses to make a fainting couch a necessity to get through this read safely -- sweet perfection!

"People might try to hide their broken places and pretend to be whole, but the truth is that we all have failings. That is why we need each other."

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of More Than Meets the Eye, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you ladd 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!

All My Tomorrows : 3 Historical Romance Novellas of Everlasting Love

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
HEDLUND, JODY
CAMDEN, ELIZABETH
ALL MY TOMORROWS : 3 Historical Romance Novellas of Everlasting Love

Stories of love that will last through every tomorrow

Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund and Elizabeth Camden are among the most acclaimed authors in the historical romance genre -- their novels have won a RITA award, a Christy Award, A Christian Book Award, and multiple Carol Awards. These beloved writers offer for the first time in print three unforgettable historical novellas that celebrate true love.

Karen Witemeyer's "Worth the Wait" takes readers to the Harper's Station women's colony where a single mother must overcome pain and fears of the past in order to trust a gruff but kind freighter who has helped the women expand their business.

Jody Hedlund's "An Awakened Heart" follows a young woman into the shadows of New York's tenements where she and a newly appointed minister spar over the best way to car for the poor and orphaned.

Elizabeth Camden's "Toward the Sunrise" finds a female medical student trying to overcome the ramificiations of a decision that leaves her at the mercy of a stubborn but handsome attorney.

My Review:

Toward the Sunrise published in 2015
Worth the Wait published in 2017
An Awakened Hearat published in 2017

Sqquuueeeeaaaalllll! I'm so excited that these novellas are finally available in paperback!!!! Since I don't read ebooks I've been missing out on some of my favourite series. So, yes, you might have read these stories, but here's a chance to get them in hard copy for your Keeper Shelves...I mean, with these stellar authors, how can you resist?!

We've got spunky heroines who know how to frustrate their heroes to no end. There's lots of drama and angst sweetened with laughter and warmed with toe-curling romance. What more can you ask of your fiction?

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of All My Tomorrows, 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 July 15 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

With All My Heart

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KATE
HEDLUND, JODY
JAGEARS, MELISSA
TURANO, JEN
THOMAS, SARAH LOUDIN
WITH ALL MY HEART

Take a Journey Across America and through time in this heart-warming collection of novellas from your favourite historical romance writers.

Originally released only as ebooks novellas -- moving, fun, faith-filled, and always deeply romantic -- now find print for the first time.

My Review:

While this collection was published in 2016, the actual copyright dates of each novella range from 2012-2015. From what I can figure out, each novella was an ebook introduction to a new series by each author. So though you might recognize some of these stories, this is a chance to have these wonderful novellas all in one print collection.

Karen Witemeyer's Love on the Mend -- The central theme of forgiveness gives this novella a deeply thought-provoking quality. Of course, it's also laced with humour, we're talking Karen Witemyer, after all. And action. And a toe-curling romance between a broody hero and a plucky heroine who isn't afraid to speak her mind. The perfect blend for reader satisfaction.

Jody Hedlund's Out of the Storm --  The first lighthouse story in the Beacons of Hope series! Henry is a worldly irrepressible rogue and Isabelle is a very sheltered young woman who lives in her over protective father's shadow. Secrets threaten to keep these star-crossed lovers apart unless they can find the faith to face an uncertain future together.

Melissa Jagear's Love by the Letter -- There's definitely a BIG twist to this mail-order bride story! Perfect blend of comedy and drama. Dex is a wee bit bumbling in the romance department. Rachael is worn out from pining over an impossible love. Cue the fireworks when these two are thrown together in an unexpected way. A tender and funny love story guaranteed to make your smile.

Jen Turano's Gentleman of her Dreams -- Charlotte and Henry have been best friends since they were in the schoolroom -- only when feelings blossom into love for both of them neither is willing to make the first move. Talk about wanting to knock some heads together! :-) She's a force to be reckoned with even though she doesn't always think things through which leads to disastrous -- and hilarious -- results. Stalwart Henry is her longsuffering wingman. Love + Laughter = Happily Ever After...eventually!

Sarah Loudin Thomas's Appalachian Serenade -- Robert and Delilah have both nearly given up on love when circumstances throw them together. A gentle story that explores the concept of placing trust in God's hands and thereby learning to 'think outside the box' when it comes to what family means. Love matters. Sharing matters. Trusting God matters most of all.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of With All My Heart, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your 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 in order to make it easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 27 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Heart on the Line

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
HEART ON THE LINE

A Ladies of Harper's Station Novel

When Danger Arrives, it's more than just her heart on the line

Grace Mallory is tired of hiding. She hungers for a normal life, perhaps even a suitor like two of her friends in Harper's Station have found. But when the man she believes responsible for her father's death discovers her whereabouts, survival takes priority.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His fellow telegrapher, the mysterious Miss G, has been the ideal companion. For months, their friendship -- dare he believe, courtship? -- over the wire has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intends for him. However, when he intercepts an ominous message and discovers her life is in peril, Amos must shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

My Review:

Witemeyer has a flair for romantic comedy and it really shines in this novel. The kind of story that induces grins and giggles while a reader basks in the warm glow of all that humour and romance.

Speaking of which..Amos Bledsoe!!!! An unconventional hero. Tall and lanky. A bespectacled telegraph operator who prefers bicycles to horses. A man of intellect, not action...unless the woman he loves is in danger! And the fact that Grace and Amos begin their romance courtesy of the telegraph wires! Online dating in the 1890s -- so much fun!!!!

I love the mix of Historical and Suspense so the danger and intrigue upped my reading pleasure to euphoric levels. :-) Amos comes charging to the rescue on an unusual steed which results in a huge mix-up that can only be sorted out by Morse Code (of course!) Honestly, the way this story is put together is sheer brilliance.

Grace and Amos match wits and intellect to bring resolution to Grace's desperate dilemma as a sinister villain closes in on them. Page-turning stuff of the highest caliber.

An abundance of love, laughter and danger combine to make this an exciting addition to the Ladies of Harper's Station novel. (And there's even a bonus secondary romance to swoon over!)

Please note: Heart on the Line can be read as a standalone novel, though you'll want to read the first book in the series, No Other Will Do, because it's sooo good. And the author has two Ladies of Harper's Station novellas as well.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Heart on the Line, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 16 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

With This Ring? : a Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
CONNEALY, MARY
JENNINGS, REGINA
JAGEARS, MELISSA
WITH THIS RING? : A NOVELLA COLLECTION OF PROPOSALS GONE AWRY

Love doesn't always go as planned, but sometimes the best stories are the ones that are the most unexpected. In The Husband Maneuver, Marietta Hawkins grabs the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. When a dangerous stranger arrives, friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds in Her Dearly Unintended. A Texas Ranger rescues a Runaway Bride fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage, and a young woman is forced to assist the man she's often sparred with in Engaging the Competition.

My Review:

Published in February 2016 -- and there is a different cover as well. I'll post it at the end of my review. Not sure which cover will be on the winner's book, but all the stories will be the same. :-)

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer

Sweet romance with the intensity of unrequited love (or so both hero and heroine think.) Marietta's dreams of a happily ever after are in dire jeopardy. She no longer has the luxury of waiting for Daniel to make the first move. With her future happiness at stake, she takes matters into her own hands with comedic -- and toe-curling -- results.

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings

Be prepared to be plunged straight into disaster in this fast paced romantic comedy. Love the bickering banter between this incorrigible couple. Once friends and neighbours, Katie Ellen and Josiah hit a rocky patch in their early teens and it's been gloves off ever since. No wonder it takes a natural disaster and some divine intervention to get them back on the straight and narrow. Delightfully funny.

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy

Texas Ranger John Conroy is the stuff tall tale legends are made of. Just the man to come to the aid of a damsel in distress. I ducked and dived my way through this action-packed love story, dodging every bullet right along with Carrie and John. Connealy's trademark comedic timing creates some side-splitting-laugh-out-loud moments and provides relief from all the tension. Wild West perfection.

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears

Jagears mixes things up with her sharp-shooting rancher heroine and her bespectacled scholarly hero. Childhood friends and would-be sweethearts, a breakdown in adolescent communications has left 'Charlie' and Harrison at odds right into adulthood. But then the subject of marriage comes up and the games begin! Be prepared for lots of twists and turns before this hero and heroine manage to make their way to the promise of a happily ever after.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of With This Ring? please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 30 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

No Other Will Do

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
NO OTHER WILL DO

She trust him for the job, but can she trust him with her heart?

Men are optional. That was the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts taught her and why she established Harper's Station, a woman's colony that offers a fresh start to females in need. But when a dangerous and shadowy assailant tries repeatedly to drive the women out, Emma is forced to admit they might need a man after all. One who can fight. And there is only one man she trusts enough to ask.

Malachi Shaw has finally earned the respect he's always craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's telegram arrives, he rushes back to Texas to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, Emma, Mal, and the ladies of Harper's Station must choose safety or whether to risk everything to fight for their future.

My Review:

 No Other Will Do is the perfect title because 'no other book will do' when it comes to a rip roaring read that had me chomping at the bit and all riled up on behalf of Emma and her ladies. Witemeyer knows how to stir up drama and comedy with a healthy dose of romance that doesn't let up until the very last page.

Seriously love stoic Malachi. "Her shoulders trembled with the force of her tears. She needed comfort. Needed someone to soothe her. Why in the world had she chosen him? A rock probably knew more about comforting than he did." (p. 105) Bwahahaha -- and that aptly describes our hero. A big lug who doesn't think highly enough of himself. Honorable to the bitter end, he'll do anything to protect Emma from his traitorous heart - one that is encased in stone, by the way. Only a woman with as much tenacity as Emma possesses has a hope of blasting through that wall. And it takes the whole book to accomplish that feat. Which is absolutely fine by me since that just gave the author free rein to pen numerous swoonworthy 'almost kissing' scenes. Plump up the fainting couch, readers, it will get a workout once you pry open the cover of this novel.

Emma is spunky and opinionated and determined to live out God's call on her life. She's kind and forgiving and idealistic. It's those qualities that bring Harper's Station into being. Love the notion of a town of mistreated women creating a new life for themselves. Tons of scope for future stories, I hope, as I've become quite attached to Emma, 'the aunts' and all the women who stand their ground and fight to keep their dream alive.

The villain is dastardly, cruel and made my blood boil from his very first appearance. I spent most of the read fuming in righteous indignation thanks to that ne'er do well. Not good for the blood pressure but there's something to be said for being fueled with vim and vigor. Housework gets done in a jiffy, for instance, and rug beating proves to be therapeutic.

A rollicking good read that will leave you cheering at the end.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  No Other Will Do 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 9 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Worthy Pursuit

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
A WORTHY PURSUIT

A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

My Review:

This is my kind of math: Witemeyer's stellar wit + action galore = one very happy reader!

Where do I begin? Stone Hammond leaps to the forefront of my mind. The epitome of a cowboy hero straight from the pages of young Lily's action-packed dime novels. Charlotte can't help but admire the gruff  tracker. Especially when he rushes to the rescue a time or two -- well constantly throughout the story actually. Sparks fly between Charlotte and Stone even with all that danger afoot. Important to note: if you laugh and gasp at the same time it gives you the hiccups. That happened to me a lot during this read. Who knew action scenes came with 'punch' lines?

And it isn't long before a smitten Stone applies his exceptional retrieving skills to pursue Charlotte. Prepare the fainting couch now, please. A retriever with an impeccable record, he isn't about to fail when it comes to this romantic pursuit. Talk about a great title tie-in. Not only is it a worthy pursuit, it's a toe-curling one as well!

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 A Worthy Pursuit 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 5 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Full Steam Ahead

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
FULL STEAM AHEAD

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?

 Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?

My Review:

Another stellar read from this fantastic author. Her dry wit is so engaging! So many subtle layers to it. I especially enjoyed the inner fumings of the hero and heroine. So much fun!

Nicole is a strong, spunky heroine -- she does her pirate ancestors proud! She rushes head long into her own swashbuckling adventure, certain that only she can save the day and her family's heritage and earn her father's respect all in one fell swoop. Luckily she meets up with Darius who is engaged in his own self-absorbed mission, all for the greater good, of course.

Their first meet is priceless. Nicole's stubborn backbone is a perfect match for Darius's obsessed scientific absorption. And he's equally stubborn by the way. They clash their way to grudging respect which develops into attraction that both are reluctant to acknowledge. But when they do...on my! Thud. Swooning couch a must for this read!

A tender love story liberally laced with hijinks and action that will ensure you won't be able to put Full Steam Ahead down.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Full Steam Ahead 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 June 1  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.

A Match Made in Texas

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
CONNEALY, MARY
JENNINGS, REGINA
COX, CAROL
A MATCH MADE IN TEXAS

There's a secret matchmaker at work in frontier Texas!In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can't keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she's also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?

My Review:

Four wonderful stories told in four distinct voices. Kudos to Bethany House for pooling together such a rich resource of talent! I am a fan of each of these authors so I knew I was in for a powerhouse read. Loved the common thread that sifted through all four stories...just a barely there wisp in A Cowboy Unmatched that grew more substantial and increased my anticipation by the time I reached the last story, Meeting Her Match.  One of the best novella collections I have read.

Giveaway Opportunity

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Match Made in Texas 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 5 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Stealing the Preacher

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
STEALING THE PREACHER

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

My Review:

The perfect combination of passionate romance liberally laced with humour! I was chuckling and swooning from beginning to end. And a warning to people who read on public transit -- there are enough laugh out loud moments in Stealing the Preacher that your fellow commuters will start looking at you oddly. Bonus though, you'll get a seat all to yourself!

Boasting one of the most innovative opening scenes I've ever read, Stealing the Preacher is peppered with surprises throughout the book. One of the most compelling ones, is the solid inspirational thread born of heartache and humour.

A delectable read that will leave you smiling days after you reach the end.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Stealing the Preacher, 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 9 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".

Short-Straw Bride

GIVEAWAY

WITEMEYER, KAREN
SHORT-STRAW BRIDE

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.


Years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

My Review:

You know how Amazon and Christianbook.com have star ratings for books? And how five stars are the best? Well, Short-Straw Bride is a 5 Toe-Curler! Oh la la, but Witemeyer knows how to build romantic tension, how to tantalize her reader, how to deliver the most spine-tingling, goosebump-raising interludes that call for the fainting couch to be brought up from the basement! What? You don't own a fainting couch? Well then read this book while lying on the ground or it could be injurious to your health!

Purely enchanting -- the author manages to create an almost magical bond between Travis and Meredith from their youthful encounter and then builds it into a crescendo of emotions. It's funny, touching, dramatic, frustrating, endearing, faith-promoting...all the good things that make a story more then just a good read. This is one awesome book filled with characters you'll come to love (and hate) and a fast-paced story that you'll want to slow down lest the ending come to soon. A don't miss read for every romance lover's list.

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Short-Straw Bride 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 1 2012. 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".