Ray of Light

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
RAY OF LIGHT

When two hearts connect on a beach in Florida, is it a brief romance . . . or the start of a lasting love?

After family secrets come to light, causing an uproar, Roman Keim is taking a much-needed vacation to Pinecraft, the Amish snowbird community in Florida. The warm weather is a welcome break from the bleak Ohio winter, as is a week off from all his family's drama. But Roman's own drama begins when he meets his next-door neighbors: Amanda Yoder, a beautiful young widow, and her adorable daughter, Regina.

In the two years since her husband died, Amanda has never looked at another man. She certainly doesn't intend to get married again. But she can't deny that there's something special between her and Roman. As his week in Pinecraft comes to a close, Amanda knows that, in spite of her attempt to remain distant, she's given Roman a piece of her heart. And her daughter seems to have fallen in love, too.

Is there hope for a second chance at love for Amanda? Or will duty call Roman home first, far from the two women who have captured his heart?

My Review:

The Keim family is back and this time it's Roman's chance to find some happiness. A sequel to Daybreak, Ray of Light easily reads as a standalone novel even though events and circumstances from book one carry over into book two. Gray handles those transitions very well so new readers won't be left floundering in sub-plots. But this book really shines as a sequel to Daybreak in my humble reader's opinion.

I love this family -- it's complexities and dysfunction and idiosyncrasies! The Keims aren't your typical Amish family...or maybe they are. Gray doesn't sugarcoat relationships and struggles and that was the big lure that reeled me in. Even Amanda Yoder's struggle to find her footing two years after her husband's death is achingly real. Particularly in relation to her in-laws.

And then Roman shows up on the scene and sparks fly and neither knows quite what to do about it. I mean, long distance relationships are difficult enough in the Englisch world -- imagine the complications involved if you are Amish! Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride!

A bonus to The Day of Redemption series fans: we get an exciting sub-plot involving Viola and Ed in the mission field. And thank goodness this series isn't over yet -- we still have more Keim secrets to uncover, a couple of weddings to attend and a single daughter who needs a beau! Can't wait for the next book. And hallelujah, Gray and Avon Inspire usually don't leave us in suspense for long. I'm anticipating the next book to be out sometime in the fall.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Ray of Light, 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 2 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Plain Admirer

GIVEAWAY

DAVIDS, PATRICIA
PLAIN ADMIRER

Love Is Only A Letter Away

So what if Joann Yoder's Amish community deems her a spinster? She's content to stay single. In the meantime, she's working hard to finally buy her dream house. So it's problematic when she's fired from her job to make room for the owner's nephew, Roman Weaver. His blue eyes aside, she simply can't stand him! Good thing she has the secret letters she's been exchanging with a mystery man to keep her going. But who is writing her letters? And could she possibly fall for him in real life, too?

My Review:

Very clever plot twists make this a unique Amish read. I haven't read a book by Davids before, but now I know why this comes highly recommended. It's funny and angsty and twisty and turny and just a plain ol' excellent getaway read.


Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Plain Admirer, 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 2 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

The Tempted Soul

GIVEAWAY

SENFT, ADINA
THE TEMPTED SOUL

Carrie Miller longs for children, but after ten years of marriage, that blessing eludes her. So she fills her days with caring for her home, making artistic gifts and fancy cakes, and caring for her flock of chickens, every one of whom has a name and who under no circumstances will go in the soup pot. Carrie also finds support in the friendship she shares with her two best friends Amelia and Emma, and relishes the weekly afternoons they share working on their quilts.

Carrie and her husband Melvin love each other, and together have survived many lean years. If not for the kindness of their church community, they would have had to miss more than one meal a day. But now, Melvin has found work that finally provides a good living. Carrie hopes that having more to eat will finally allow them to start a family. Yet month after month, they remain childless. So when Carrie overhears two English women talking in the fabric store one day about medical options available to non-Amish women in her situation, she takes it as a sign from God. Melvin and the bishop see it differently, however. Is it really God's will that she pursue this, or is her longing to be a mother tempting her to stray from her Amish beliefs?

My Review:

A soul-satisfiying conclusion to the Amish Quilt series. You don't need to have read the first two to enjoy The Tempted Soul, but readers who have will delight in catching up with Amelia and Emma who play prominent secondary character roles in this novel.

This is an emotional read and I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying the different male and female viewpoints on infertility. There were times I wanted to shake Melvin until his teeth rattled, he was such a dunderhead! I ached for Carrie, felt her pain at the impasse she reaches and felt overwhelmed by the impossibility of her dilemma. How could God turn such anguish into joy?

An incredibly moving testament to faith and friendship and forever love. An truly outstanding read.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Tempted Soul, 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 May 26 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Plain Pursuit

GIVEAWAY

STONE, ALISON
PLAIN PURSUIT

Danger in Amish CountryWhen her brother is killed in a small Amish town, Anna Quinn discovers she's an unwelcome outsider. But the FBI agent investigating the case is right at home—because Eli Miller was born and raised in Apple Creek's Plain community. Eli left his Amish faith behind long ago, but his heart is rooted in a local cold case he can't forget—a mystery with strange connections to Anna's loss. Desperate to uncover the truth, Anna and Eli are faced with stony silences and secrets…secrets that someone wants to keep buried in the past.

My Review:

Great debut novel combining two of my favourite genres -- Amish and suspense. Stone scribes a fresh plot into a delicious blend of suspense and mystery that kept me guessing. Add in the Amish local and a healthy does of romance and I was hooked from the very first page. Stone is definitely an author I will keep my eye out for now.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Plain 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 June 2 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

May Giveaway - Week Four

CONGRATULATIONS!

won by Amy Campbell

won by Rosie

won by rubynreba

As always, I will contact the winners by email however thanks to the nefarious ways of the internet my email might land in your spam folder so keep your eyes peeled! :-) If you haven't heard from me by Monday evening please email me your snail mail address at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. From time to time winners and I don't seem to connect, so I have a month frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited and I will add an extra win to a future draw to even things up.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Are you sensing a theme? I didn't do it on purpose!

A recommended read from Harlequin
and I can see why!

Great new romantic suspense author for the LIS line!

The concluding story in
the Amish Quilt series.

The Keim family is back and this
time it is Roman's chance at romance.

Revealing Jesus

ZSCHECH, DARLENE
REVEALING JESUS: A 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL

Darlene Zschech has led millions of Christians in worship as she's written and performed such songs as "Shout to the Lord" and penned bestsellers Extravagant Worship and The Kiss of Heaven. This collection of all new thought-provoking devotions has been designed to accompany her upcoming live album, which will be produced by four-time Grammy award winner Israel Houghton, and will include guest performances by Kari Jobe and Michael W. Smith.

Each devotion will reflect on grace given to the reader through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This beautifully packaged book will be released in conjunction with the album. Perfect for Christians looking for fresh readings on the passion and resurrection of Christ, or as a thoughtful seasonal gift.

MY REVIEW:

This beautifully styled devotional is filled with treasures of truth just waiting to be discovered. Each day of the year is represented in a page -- the devotion sandwiched between a scripture and a prayer. I liked the way Zschech got to the heart of the scripture and brought it into a 21st century reflection.  She is direct and encouraging and each day I was left with a fresh resolve on a biblical truth. I liked the way she connected the past to the present and related it to our lives. And each devotion ends with a prayer that motivates change. Definitely an encouraging way to start or end a day.

"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".

Love's Miracle

LEESMITH, SANDRA
LOVE'S MIRACLE

Dr. Margo Devaull came to Dominic Zanelli's mountain retreat confident that she could help this Vietnam veteran overcome the torment that kept him apart from the world. But her training as a psychologist had not prepared her for the tragic, explosive contradictions brewing inside him. For here was a sensitive artist who could be gentle – and a man whose eyes flashed with violence and pain when he told her to leave and never come back. Yet Margo did come back, slowly gain his trust, and awaken the sleeping needs of his heart. Only by reliving her own wounded past and helping Zane confront a terrible memory from the war could she set them both free – and save their last chance for love.

My Review:

Leesmith tackles the subject of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with reverence and respect in Love's Miracle. It makes for a compelling and emotional read that will keep your stomach in knots and your heart palpitating right to the very end.

The author visits the horror of war and the struggle to find peace in the aftermath. Impeccably paced, Leesmith reveals Zane's past in snippets of flashbacks that directly relate to what he is experiencing in the present. A clever technique that kept me voraciously reading so that I could put all the pieces of this complex hero together. Zane is every inch the taciturn, stalwart warrior but the author affords us glimpses of his humanity as well. He is a paradox that Margo is determined to solve.

And Margo isn't without her own issues which drive her professionally and personally. What starts out as a need to rescue turns into something much deeper and things get a whole lot more complicated as a result. Leesmith writes their romance with simmering passion and stark emotion.

A moving tribute to the heroes of a war everyone wants to forget. Leesmith reminds us that their sacrifice was heartbreakingly real and they deserve our utmost respect.

Love's Miracle (Kindle e-book) is being offered FREE Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27). Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Miracles-ebook/dp/B00CVFZEVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368994615&sr=8-1&keywords=Love%27s+Miracles+by+Sandra+Leesmith

Special Giveaway for U.S. residents:

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