Veil of Winter

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE

VEIL OF WINTER

She's hounded from every side by treacherous elements and foes, but her greatest enemy lies within.

In the mountains near France, the medieval Princess Elyce is being forced to marry, thus forming an alliance that will enrich her father but enslave her kingdom. Instead, she chooses to feign her death and flee to Prague to beg King Wenceslaus to help save her people.

In England, the young knight Sir Gerard has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce on her quest. When he arrives to find she has been near death for days, he manages to revive her. However, thinking the stranger was trying to kiss her, the princess immediately distrusts him. But her desperate situation forces her to accept his aid.

Pursued by her enemy's guards over mountainous terrain, they must also battle the deadly winter elements. Her greatest challenge may be to overcome the voices of disapproval and accusation from her childhood. Will her emotions lead her into her true identity, or will they undermine her ability to work with Gerard and to save her people, who desperately need her help?

In this dazzling and romantic story, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson takes the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale to satisfying new heights.

My Review:

A fun fairy tale retelling where the villains are the vilest and the hero the noblest and the heroine? Well, she's driven by demons from her past but led by a pure heart and the desire to provide the best for her people. It all makes for an enchanting mix of action, adventure, danger and intrigue. And romance, of course, because every good fairy tale needs a happily ever after ending.

Enjoyed Dickerson's take on the Sleeping Beauty angle, and how that becomes the pivotal springboard for the rest of the tale. That 'almost kiss' happens very early on in the story and provides a rocky start to Gerard and Elyce's relationship. A nice upside down twist to the classic tale. 

I enjoyed listening to Julie Mason's audio book narration courtesy of my library's Libby collection. She amplified my enjoyment of this read by bringing these characters and their story to life.

Goal Update: #7 Start new-to-me-series, #9 Read outside my comfort zone (YA)

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Veil of Winter 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 October 22 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Dearest Josephine

GIVEAWAY

GEORGE, CAROLINE

DEAREST JOSEPHINE

Caroline George sweeps readers up into two different time periods with an unexpected love story that prompts us to reimagine what it means to be present with the people we love.

2020: Chocolate and Earl Grey tea can't fix Josie De Clare's horrible year. She mourned the death of her father and suffered a teen-life crisis, which delayed her university plans. But when her father's will reveals a family-owned property, in Northern England, Josie leaves London to find clarity at the secluded manor house. 

While exploring the estate, she discovers two-hundred-year-old love letters written by an elusive novelist, all addressed to someone named Josephine. And then she discovers a novel in which it seems like she's the heroine...

1820: Novelist Elias Roch loves a woman he can never be with. Born the bastard son to a nobleman and cast out from society, Elias seeks refuge in his mind with the quirky heroine who draws him into a fantasy world of scandal, betrayal, and unconditional love. Convinced she's his soulmate, Elias writes letters to her, all of which divulge the tragedy and trials of his personal life. 

As fiction blurs into reality, Josie and Elias must decide: How does one live if love can't wait? Separated by two hundred years, they fight against time to find each other in a story of her, him and the novel written by the man who loves her.

My Review:

Wow!

Wooooowwwwwwww!

I mean, really, wwwwwwoooooowwww!!!!

That surpassed all expectations...not surprising since I went into this read not really knowing what to expect. :-) Is it romance? Contemporary? Historical? Epistolary? Dual Timeline? YA? Um...short answer: yes. But Dearest Josephine is so much more besides. 

This is the kind of novel that's easier to book club chat then review because of the way the story evolves and I need to be careful about not posting spoilers. So this is going to be a review made up of random impressions in indiscriminate order. Hope I make sense. 

That cover!!!!! Made me want to read it the second I saw it. It's kinda campy and I love the colour contrasts. I know we're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover but this one definitely sold me on a new-to-me-author.

The whole story is ingenuously told through correspondence -- letters, emails and text messages as well as an old manuscript. I listened to the audible edition which was largely fun but listening to the narrator recite each email address (to and from), time sent etc got to be annoying. It would have been just as clear (more so, really) if they'd left it at "to Faith, from Josie" and got on with the body of the email. Those other details are the kind of thing readers would skim over anyway. 

The way the author ebbs in and out of timelines is really well done. Amazing since it's all correspondence (punctuated by snippets of the novel manuscript), but each character's voice is unique. Brilliantly done.

A desperately beautiful love story ensues. But it's more than that. It's about finding a way out of grief and learning to be present and thankful in each moment with the people we love. Honestly, if I had been reading the book instead of listening to it I would have filled notebook pages with incredible 'life' and 'love' quotes. Seriously heady stuff.

And I'm going out on a limb here to say that one of my takeaways from this novel is that book boyfriends are crucial to our mental health. :-)

If you're looking for an absorbing read that will keep you on tenterhooks until the very last page, look no further. I've come away a little teary and slightly off-kilter because I'm still thinking...wait, what about...and how did...and does that mean....Yeah -- definitely the kind of story that lingers in your mind and heart for a while after you reach the end.

Please note: while this is a Thomas Nelson book, it's one of their general market selections so there isn't a faith thread, but there's tons of astute life wisdoms and it's a clean read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dearest Josephine, 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 May 8  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

When Stars Rain Down

GIVEAWAY

JACKSON-BROWN, ANGELA

WHEN STARS RAIN DOWN

In When Stars Rain Down, Angela Jackson-Brown introduces readers to a small, Southern town grappling with haunting questions still relevant today -- and to a young woman whose search for meaning resonates across the ages.

This summer has the potential to change everything.

The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt senses a nameless storm brewing. She hopes this foreboding feeling won't overshadow her upcoming eighteenth birthday or the annual Founder's Day celebration in just a few weeks. She and her Grandma Birdie work as housekeepers for the white widow Miss Peggy, and Opal desperately wants some time to be young and carefree with her cousins and her friends.

But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal's neighborhood, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way possible. Parson's residents -- both Black and white -- are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests -- the son of her pastor, Cedric Perkins, and the grandson of the woman she works for, Jimmy Early Ketchums. Both young men awaken emotions Opal has never felt before.

My Review:

Heartbreaking and hopeful. I've been stunned into silence by the poignant beauty of Jackson-Brown's prose. Her words catapulted me into a world of blistering heat and aching sorrow and the loving warmth of family and friends as Opal navigates a difficult journey into womanhood.

I really am speechless since there's so much I'd like to say but am wary of posting spoilers so I can't. This would definitely make an incredible book club selection for older teens and adults alike. There is so much grit and faith and infinite wisdom within these pages. And an unflinching look at the harsh realities of racism. A timely reminder and wake up call for us in this day and age as well.

Simply stunning.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Stars Rain Down, 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 April 24  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Dust

GIVEAWAY

SWANSON, KARA

DUST

The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real -- since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Clair'es desperate search points to London...and a boy who shouldn't exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan -- and herself.

My Review:

I'm flying high on pixie dust after this incredible read (well, listen.) Dust is brilliantly imaginative. An exceptional retelling...well, more like a carry on after the book ended. A flightless Peter Pan stuck in London. Along with his Lost Boys who are now foe. Even Captain Hook and his pirates are lurking about. And the pixies!!!! Some of my favourite parts feature the pixies!!! I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry, it's just that this book has me discombobulated. 

It's darker and edgier than a traditional Peter Pan story -- you might say a more grown up version since, away from Neverland, Peter is in peril of growing up. It's ironic and funny with so many clever twists and nods to J. M. Barrie's characters but still fresh and alive in its own right. 

This is more than the traditional battle between good and evil. It goes deeper -- finding a balance between light and shadow and learning to believe in yourself. Even that goes deeper -- to trusting in who you were meant to be, created for a glorious, unique purpose. Simply stunning. I got teary-eyed in places.

And then...it was over all too soon and...GASP!!!!...it ends with a cliffhanger!!!!!! And we have to wait until the summer to find out what happens next in Shadow. Now, normally I abhor cliffies, but this book was so captivating I'm not bothered at all. Yes, it's that brilliant. (I may be over using that word in this review but I can't help it because it's all so very...brilliant!)

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Natasha Soudek -- one of the best book performances I've come across.   

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook or paperback copy 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dust, 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 March 20  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Romanov

GIVEAWAY

BRANDES, NADINE
ROMANOV

The history books say I died.
They don't know the half of it.

Anastasia 'Nastya' Romanove was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family's only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them and he's hunted Romanov before.

Nastya's only chances of saving herself  and her family are either to release the spell and deal with the consequences, or to enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn't act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya has only dabbled in magic, but it doesn't frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might like her.

That is until she's on one side of a firing squad...and he's on the other.

My Review:

Whoa --- I didn't see that or that or THAT coming! Fantasy meets Historical fiction in this gripping YA novel. So many plot twists! At one jaw dropping point I literally had to put the book down so I could get my bearings. I can't even...still processing. :-)

So, first thing you need to know is that there is magic in this Christian fiction book and, yes, the two marry very well, I think, but I know some people aren't comfortable with that. If it helps, the spell masters are healers. So consider yourself forewarned.

The inspirational thread is both subtle and powerful -- how is that even possible? Artistic storytelling, that's how, with recurring themes of forgiveness and kindness, compassion and hope. Nastya's Papa is such an exemplary model of them all while she's brash and impetuous with a brazen impish streak and completely devoted to her family.

Zash was harder to connect with...until very close to the end, but as the story unfolded, I understood why that had to be. All I can say is -- call me gobsmacked!

There's danger (that includes some graphic violence) and a desperate quest to save a dynasty and Brandes builds the tension with impeccable pacing and so many can't-believe-I-just-read-that moments. A spectacular retelling of real historical events with some very unique twists.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Romanov, 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 18 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Dangerous Alliance : an Austentacious Romance

GIVEAWAY

COHEN, JENNIEKE
DANGEROUS ALLIANCE : AN AUSTENTACIOUS ROMANCE

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Jane Austen in this witty, winking historical romance with a dash of mystery!

Lady Victoria Aston has everything she could want: an older sister happily wed, the future of her family estate secure, and ample opportunity to while her time away in the fields around her home.

But now Vicky must marry -- or find herself and her family destitute. Armed only with the wisdom she has gained from her beloved novels by Jane Austen, she enters society's treacherous season.

Sadly, Miss Austen has little to say about Vicky's exact circumstances: whether the roguish Mr. Carmichael is indeed a scoundrel, if her former best friend, Tom Sherborne, is out for her dowry or for her heart, or even how to fend off the attentions of the foppish Mr. Silby, he of the unfortunately fashion sensibility.

Most unfortunately of all, Vicky's books are silent on the topic of the mysterious accidents cropping up around her...ones that could prevent her from surviving unto her wedding day.

My Review:

Okay -- first off -- love that campy cover! Definitely screams 'read me' (or listen to me which is what I did.)

Vicky is such a fun heroine -- fangirling over Austen before that became a thing. Such a great twist to all the Austen-centric novels out there. Vicky takes Miss Austen's novels very seriously -- like guidebooks to a gentlewoman's happily-ever-after. Only fact can really be stranger than fiction and she finds herself starring in her very own worthy-of-fiction drama.

This novel has all the Regency elements I like to swoon over:

Witty banter in spades! I was grinning like a fool on my walks around the neighbourhood as I listened to Morag Sims' narration.

A strong, opinionated heroine with an adventurous spirit.

A tortured hero who has a knack for making bad situations worse. :-) Vicky has her very own Mr. Darcy in that one.

Secondary characters I care enough about to hope they get their own books in the very near future.

And a cunning mystery with lots of daring action adds an extra zest to an already charming plot.

The perfect escape read for the discerning Austen fan OR a great introduction to all things 'Austentacious."

A couple of post notes:

While billed as a Young Adult novel, I am confident that any reader who enjoys Regencies will adore this story.

For those of you who know I usually read Christian Fiction, I'm happy to report this is definitely a clean read though there are a few instances of  mild oaths, including taking the Lord's name in vain.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Dangerous Alliance, 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 May 23 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Always

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HEDLUND, JODY
ALWAYS

A fierce elite guard. A loyal lady in waiting. They must work together to save three princesses from certain death.

On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felecia to save her infant daughters. With the the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf's invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year-old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.

Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes a plan to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn't need or want Lady Felecia's help.

With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felecia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives -- and hearts -- forever.

My Review:

"Sometimes, when we think we've come to a dead end, we've arrived instead at God's stepping-stone on the way to bigger plans."

Stunning cover delivers exactly what it promises. Knights and ladies; dire danger and plenty of action. And sweet, chivalrous romance. What a spellbinding start to Jody Hedlund's Lost Princesses series. The author sets the stage for the three enchanting tales to come in this novella. But don't be fooled by the shorter length -- Always is chock-full of page-turning delights. Love the fairy tale quality and medieval setting. While Lance and Felecia's part of the story comes to a satisfactory conclusion, the author leaves some dangling threads that will be picked up in future books -- three 'lost' princesses (actually they are just really well hidden) = the promise of three enchanting stories to come. And since Evermore, Foremost and Hereafter are already in print I'll be devouring them soon.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Always, 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 9 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Color of Lies

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LYONS, C. J.
THE COLOR OF LIES

When you can see emotions in color, motives become black and white. Even murder.

High school senior Ella Cleary has always been able to read people. And for good reason: she has a rare medical conditions called synesthesia that scrambles the senses, allowing Ella to see colors that reveal people's emotions. Everyone but Alec's.

Alec is a mystery to Ella, a handsome, enigmatic young journalist who makes her feel normal for the first time in her life...until he reveals the real reason he sought her out. He wants to learn the truth behind her parents' deaths. And Ella's world turns upside down when Alec tells her their deaths were not an accident.

After learning her entire life is based on a lie, Ella doesn't know who she can trust, or even who she truly is. With family secrets slowly revealed and the evidence mixing fact and fiction, the only way for Ella to learn the truth about her past is to find a killer.

My Review:

I'm really impressed with this publisher. All of the books I've read from them have been stunning! Blink is the YA division of Zondervan (Harper Collins Publishers) dedicated to bringing quality and clean literature to the teen market. So, while not Christian Fiction, definitely the kind of clean reads I enjoy. Honestly, I'd buy a book without knowing anything else about it other than it was published by Blink. A brilliant collection of books that span all genres.

This mystery has a fascinating edge to it because of the synesthesia angle. Makes for a frenzied-read-in-one-gulp suspense. And there are so many surprising twists in-store for the unsuspecting reader. The kind that have you gasping out loud.

Ella's world is turned upside down as she attempts to sort the truth from the lies. (Brilliant title tie-in, by the way, and the cover art is perfection!) Her two best friends get caught up in the drama as they try to figure out whether Alec is friend or foe.

An angsty romance brews alongside unraveling clues while the specter of danger hovers over them all. A truly spellbinding read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Color of Lies, 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 10 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Warrior Maiden

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE WARRIOR MAIDEN

She knows women are expected to marry, cook, and have children. Not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a Duke from discovering her secret?

When Mulan takes her father's place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this journey her whole life -- and that her life and her mother's, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, Mulan has little power in the world. If she can't prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death -- or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher.

Disguised as a young man, Mulan meets the German duke's son, Wolfgang, who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the new soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times -- or showing him up in embarrassing ways. From their rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets.

But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Can she be the son her bitter father never had? Or will she become the strong young woman she was created to be?

This fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of heart.

My Review:

Dickerson is back with another fabulous fairy tale retelling for the teen market (or for the young-at-heart YA fiction fan, regardless of a reader's actual age.) This time with an ingenious twist to the legend of Mulan. This feisty heroine is equal parts womanly compassion and warrior courage. There's lots of battle scenes in this action-filled story and Mulan is at the heart of most ot them. As is Wolfgang and I have to say it makes for an interesting romance when the hero and heroine bond over archery and sword fighting! lol Dickerson has kept many of the traditional elements from this Chinese legend while spinning her trademark Medieval European flare. A satisfying page-turner.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Warrior Maiden, 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 June 29 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Within These LInes

GIVEAWAY

MORRILL, STEPHANIE
WITHIN THESE LINES

Separated by war, injustice, and hatred...
they must find their way in a world divided.

Evalina Cassano's life in an Italian-American family in 1941 is everything it "should be" until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and the fact that interracial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find a way to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to an internment camp.

Degrading treatment at Manzanar Relocation Center is so difficult, Taichi doubts he will ever leave the camp alive. His only connection to the outside world are treasured letters from Evalina.Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out on behalf of all Japanese Americans, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home.

With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichi must hold true to their values and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds.

My Review:

Sitting here staring at a blank screen because I have no words to describe the impact this novel had on me. I think because I can see repeating patterns in history. It's like we just can't seem to learn from our mistakes which is one of the reasons I think stories like Within These Lines are so important. Reading about relatable characters, caring about them, immersing ourselves in their stories increases our capacity for empathy, and hopefully, the resolve to act instead of ignore as so many Americans (and Canadians) did during World War II.

In some ways this is a classical Romeo and Juliet love story -- only without that dire ending! Evalina is fiery and passionate and impetuous! I love how she's prepared to fight for social justice. She's just one voice in a sea of anger and fear but she's stubborn! And Taichi is much more easygoing, calm, measured -- a perfect complement to Evalina's intensity. Their love grows out of stolen moments until anti-Japanese sentiments after Pearl Harbor pull them apart when Taichi and his family are forced into an internment camp.

The conditions in the camp are horrendous  and Morrill does a fantastic job of bringing the atrocities of day-to-day life to light. My blood pressure is rising just thinking about it! Gah! There are so many senseless contradictions and it's clear the government hadn't thought things through. So, we get Taichi's POV from the camp and Evalina's from back home and the way their stories are woven together is sheer artistry!

A stunning novel that deserves every literary accolade it's eligible for!!!!!

Please note: this isn't a Christian Fiction selection though Blink is an imprint of Zondervan. It publishes clean Young Adult fiction across all genres. Really exceptional YA literature as a matter of fact so if you have a teen in your life (or just like YA) head to your library and check out some of their titles.

And just a little something to think about from the author's notes at the back of the book:

"History storyteller Dan Carlin talks about how dangerous it is to judge those who have come before us from our 20/20 hindsight, and he applied this statement specifically to the incarceration of Japanese Americans. That when modern Americans talk about WWII, we ask why so few Germans stood up to Hitler. Carlin makes the point that for Germans, speaking out had deadly consequences. In America even when it wouldn't have been deadly, and perhaps there would have been no real consequence at all, very few spoke out on behalf of the Japanese Americans." (from the author's notes: 'About the History' p 347)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Within These Lines, 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 May 18 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Fawkes

GIVEAWAY

BRANDES, NADINE
FAWKES

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father's plot to assassinate the King of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows in that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn't do something soon, he'll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot -- claiming it will put an end to the plague -- Thomas is in.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas's choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there's no turning back.

My Review:

History and mystery clash in a fantastical tale of magic and mayhem! Loved the historical setting and the ingenuous color magic that brings an interesting edge to 17th century England. And the allegory behind the White Light is sheer brilliance. Political intrigue provides a convoluted plot full of action and danger as Thomas struggles to find his place in a society that scorns him. His desperate desire to belong leads him on a treacherous journey of self-discovery. Fawkes is written completely from his point of view which was an interesting switch for me as it's not often I read a book from just a male point of view...especially an adolescent male!

I listened to the audio version courtesy of my public library and the narrator is fantastic! Like watching a play only with your eyes closed. (lol) And excruciating at times when I wanted to go faster over a particularly exciting part. One of the perils of listening versus reading -- someone else sets the pace for you!

This is the first book I've read by Nadine Brandes -- I think that makes three new-to-me-authors in the last two weeks! -- but I'be heard fantastic things about her Out of Time series so I'll be hunting them down next. I do love me some great Young Adult fantasy and this author seems to fit the bill!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Fawkes, 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 Sunday December 2 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Orphan's Wish

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE ORPHAN'S WISH

Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn's favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke's steward. But that isn't enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child -- or the fact that he's an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend, Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he's worked so hard to obtain?

An enchanting new version of the well-know tale, The Orphan's Wish tells a story of courage and loyalty, friendship and love, and reminds us wat 'family' really means.

My Review:

Only Melanie Dickerson could bring Aladdin to Medieval Germany and pull it off! Love the diverse aspect of an Arabian hero. Orphaned at a young age, Aladdin is rescued from a life of thieving and brought to a kingdom...er dukedom...that Dickerson fans are very familiar with. Love that the author included childhood details in this retelling and we get to watch both Aladdin and Kirstyn grow up -- and into deep friendship -- at the beginning of the story. And then, as in all good fairy tales, danger and mayhem threaten a budding romance as a nefarious villain seeks misguided vengeance.

The perfect summer read for the Young Adult in your life -- or the young-at-heart reader who still gets a kick out of YA literature (waves hand in the air enthusiastically.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Orphan's Wish, 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 22 2108. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Olivia Twist

GIVEAWAY

LANGDON, LORIE
OLIVIA TWIST

Olivia Brownslow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can't seem to escape her sticky-fingered past...or forget the teeming slums where children still scrape to survive.

Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London's East End to become the adopted 'nephew' of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, or that he and his aunt are 'robbing' them blind every chance they get.

Between plans for his next huge heist and the threat of rival street gangs, Jack encounters Olivia Brownslow in the strangest of places -- no place for a female, that's for sure. Why is an upper-class girl helping homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him of someone he once knew?

In a world of double-lives and double-crosses, each must make the most important decision they've ever faced. Is turning their backs on the posh lifestyles they have built for themselves worth it for one great love?

My Review:

This book makes me rapturously giddy! That's in a large part due to the toe-curling romantical nature of this tale. Be still my heart. Jack MacCarron is a rogue and a scoundrel with a heart three sizes too big beneath that sardonic exterior. And Olivia may present as a sweet and guileless debutante but she's as scrappy as any street kid. They are both playing roles and hiding secrets and when their worlds collide -- oh my stars -- fireworks of cosmic proportions! Serious sizzle and sass and enough toe-curling to be mildly painful (but oh, so worth it.)

And the characterizations are so brilliantly done! Love the twist (ha -- pun not intended but I'm leaving it in) of Oliver being an Olivia. This is a story inspired by the classic Dickens novel -- a re-imagining more than retelling, because really, how could you improve upon perfection? But taking the essence of the story and creating something new and thrilling and utterly captivating -- well that's more than doable and Lorie Langdon surpassed my expectations.

This is the kind of novel that is so much fun to read you try to slow down to make it last longer only it's so good you want to race ahead to find out what happens next...or actually, if I'm being completely honest...to get to all the swoony, heart-palpitating bits. Which there are a lot of. Like in every scene where Jack and Olivia appear together. Such a delicious undercurrent between these two. They honestly fight more than they kiss but they do both in a supremely satisfying way. :-)

And then there's the fast-paced plot packed with so many surprises even the most jaded of readers will find herself gasping out loud at frequent intervals. And that includes a moving portrayal of sacrificial love that sent goosebumps charging up my spine. Where passion pays tribute to love and the concept of faith is not only understood but embraced. Wow! Just...wow!

An extraordinary take on a literary classic (psssst....I like this one better than the original!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Olivia Twist, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 10 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Thing with Feathers

GIVEAWAY

HOYLE, MCCALL
THE THING WITH FEATHERS

Emilie Day believes in playing it safe: she's homeschooled, her best friend is her seizure doge, and she's probably the only girl on the Outer Banks of North Carolina who can't swim.

Then Emilie's mom enrolls her in public school, and Emilie goes from studying at home in her pj's to halls full of strangers. To make matters worse, Emilie is paired with starting point guard Chatham York for a major research project on Emily Dickinson. She should be thrilled when Chatham shows interest, but she has a problem: she hasn't told anyone about her epilepsy.

Emilie lives in fear her recently adjusted meds will fail and she'll seize at school. Eventually, the worst happens, and she must decide whether to withdraw to safety or follow a dead poet's advice and "dwell in possibility."

My Review:

An enthralling story of recovering from loss and finding the courage to accept new challenges. And Emilie doesn't always do it gracefully but there is such exhilarating hope in her story.

I can totally relate to Emilie because I struggle with change too and have had periods in my life where I've been sure that I'm the only one with problems -- that everyone else is leading a perfect life. I loved being a part of Emilie's awakening -- not only in coming to grips with who she is and how she can relate with the larger world, but in her growing awareness of the people in that world. Of their individual struggles and challenges.

Emilie has a great 'voice', punctuated with humour and drama and plenty of teenage angst. The opening line sets the stage perfectly: "My mother lost her mind today, and I'm going to prison."  That prison is high school and Emilie is suddenly thrust into a world she has been hiding from for years. I lived every awkward, terrifying, exciting and ultimately triumphant moment right along with her. Budding friendships, first love and the joy of finding a place where you can grow and thrive and make a difference -- all the stuff that makes for a fascinating story. Not to mention my hero, Hitch, seizure dog extraordinaire who has never met a stranger. An inspiring debut novel that will delight YA and older readers alike.

My thanks to the author for gifting me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Thing with Feathers, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 29 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Sketchy Behavior

GIVEAWAY

MANGUM, ERYNN
SKETCHY BEHAVIOR

Other than harboring a somewhat obsessive fondness for Crispix and completely swearing off boys after a bad date (don't ask), sixteen-year-old Kate Carter is about as ordinary as they come, except for her two notable talents: art and sarcasm. After an introduction to forensic sketching in her elective art class, Kate discovers a third and most unexpected gift: criminal profiling. Her photo-quality sketch helps the police catch a wanted murderer and earns her celebrity status in South Woodhaven Falls. But when that murderer appears to be using his friends to exact revenge. Kate goes from local hero to possible target. Will she manage to survive? Will life ever be normal again? And will local news anchor Ted Deffle ever stop sending her flowers?

My Review:

published in 2011
My thanks to my public library for keeping me piled high with excellent retro reads.

Another brilliant Young Adult novel told from the delightful (and sarcastic) first person point of view of Kate Carter. Her inner dialogue is so much fun to read. Especially the observations of her parents -- a scientific oriented engineer father and 'get-in-touch-with-your-feelings' psychiatrist mother. Such a hoot! And when she begins attending church -- oh my goodness -- the things we take for granted seem so odd from her fresh perspective. Definitely kept me chuckling.

But then there's this uncanny gift that Kate has. The ability to draw a photo-like-portrait based entirely on description. It's a talent that catches a killer and suddenly Kate is in the limelight...and in the crosshairs of one ticked-off murderer. And suddenly Kate's predictably boring life is anything but! I couldn't put Sketchy Behavior down. A fun, fast and engaging read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sketchy Behavior, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment be sure 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 October 22 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

It Started With Goodbye

GIVEAWAY

JUNE, CHRISTINA
IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE

Val-e-dic-tion 
1. the act of saying goodbye
2. something to agonize over when signing off an email to your estranged best friend, twenty-countries-away father, and/or potential crush

Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she's stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF's gone radio silent. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night, which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client. If Tatum is reading his emails right, her virtual Prince Charming is funny, smart, and talented -- and he seems to think the same about her. Too bad he's spending his summer across the ocean in Ireland...not that Tatum would be allowed to gon a date anyway.

But over the course of the summer, Tatum discovers she's not the only one in the house keeping secrets, and she might just get the chance to make amends with her family and friends. With the help of her step-abuela slash fairy godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even find her happily ever after along the way.

A modern play on the Cinderella story. It Started With Goodbye shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking all the rules.

My Review:

Cinderella with a 21st century high tech twist. I read this YA contemporary in one sitting -- it's that good. Told entirely from Tatum's 1st person point of view and I love her sarcasm. That's what made it such a hard-to-put-down read. Snappy and winsome and full of emotion. This is a story about looking past the facades people use as barriers and the powerful role forgiveness plays in breaking down those barriers. An exceptional debut novel.

And worthy of note -- this book is published by Blink -- a YA division of Zondervan (Harper Collins Publishers) dedicated to bringing quality and clean literature to the teen market. Ever since I discovered this imprint I've been hunting down their novels and haven't been disappointed yet. And I love how there are so many debut authors in their line up. This publisher is all about taking chances for the greater good and I definitely appreciate their efforts. If you have teens or just love YA fiction yourself definitely check Blink out. I'm pretty sure every public library will carry their books.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of It Started with Goodbye, 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 in the subject line so it's easier 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! 

Unraveling

GIVEAWAY

ELLA, SARA
UNRAVELING

What happens when happily ever after starts to unravel?

Elilyana Ember doesn't believe in true love. Not anymore. After defeating her grandfather and saving the Second Reflection, El only trusts what's right in front of her. The tangible. The real. Not some unexplained Kiss of Infinity she once shared with the ghost of a boy she's trying to forget. She has more important things to worry about -- like becoming queen of the Second Reflection, a role she is so not prepared to fill.

Now that the Verity is intertwined with her soul and Joshua's finally by her side, El is ready to learn more about her mysterious birth land, the land she now rules. So why does she feel like something -- or someone -- is missing?

When the thresholds begin to drain and the Callings, those powerful magical gifts, begin to fail, El wonders if her link to Ky Rhyen may have something to do with it. For light and darkness cannot coexist. She needs answers before the Callings disappear altogether. Can El find a way to sever her connection to Ky and save the Reflections -- and keep herself from falling for him in the process?

My Review:

This is definitely a case where you need to have read the first book in this trilogy in order to get the most out of this one. Sara Ella left  us with a doozy of a cliffhanger in Unblemished. Lots of dangling loose ends are picked up in Unraveling...and then promptly unravel again so yes...you can look forward to another cliffhanger and we'll have to wait until Unbreakable releases in May 2018 to finally get full resolution for this cast of intriguing characters. But this author weaves such an exceptional tale I can forgive her the nail-biting frustration of cliffie endings.

And goodness, but she has a scary clever mind! The intricacies of the plot! Every wall in her house must have been turned into a story board so she could keep all of it straight! It's a challenging read but not confusing (as long as you've read Unblemished!) So many twists and turns -- including the romance. Sob -- yes the dreaded love triangle continues on from book one and it's left me quite addlepated.

There is a fairy tale quality now that El is queen of a kingdom in grave peril and the battle of good vs evil is even more treacherous than ever. And, of course, the power of true love is challenged at every turn. I have to confess to being totally struck-dumb-stunned in places. So much so that I'd close the book in disbelief, take a few cleansing breaths before starting up again, only to find I'd read it right the first time! Sheer brilliance!

If you like TV shows like Once Upon a Time and kick-butt heroines on a quest to save the world(s) then Unraveling might just be your perfect literary match!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like the chance to win a copy of Unraveling, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to the 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 September 10 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

For Love and Honor

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
FOR LOVE AND HONOR

A wealthy noblewoman. A desperate knight. A dangerous secret that threatens their love...and their lives.

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger and damage her chances of making a good match. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?

Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman.

As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

My Review:

A spectacular YA romance with a fairy tale feel. There's even a knight in shining armor, though he's the one who needs rescuing from a desperate situation. Sabine has the power to come to his aid -- or, at least, her fortune does. Neither are keen on a marriage devoid of love, but when Bennet pays court to his lady, friendship ensues -- with the promise of more...if only Sabine didn't harbor such a desperate secret. A thrilling blend of danger and romance will keep readers glued to the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of For Love and Honor, 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, remember to 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 June 18 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Doon

GIVEAWAY

CORP, CAREY
LANGDON, LORIE
DOON

Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes?

When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months. But the Scottish countryside holds other plans. Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna\s great aunt -- and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation.

Doon seems like a read-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for...or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

My Review:

Deliciously romantical! Seriously swooning over this one. If you love the musical, Brigadoon, you'll be be over the moon with this exploration of the magical realm. Danger and action and handsome highlanders all nobly protective and weak-in-the-knees charm. Jamie and Duncan are an interesting mesh of  old-fashioned modern. And they've met their match with these 21st century girls. Feisty and stubborn and inexplicably drawn to the princes. But there's evil afoot and it begins to look like there is no such thing as happily ever after. That doesn't mean there aren't any number of toe-curling scenes,though. I had heart palpitations the whole read through.

A brilliant modern-day fairy tale with a bit of a cliffie that has me hightailing it to my library for book two...and three. Look for them in future Retro Saturday giveaways.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opporturity to win a copy of Doon, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email address in your comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so I can spot your entry easier. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 14 2017. Offer open to International readers. Good luck!