Highland Sanctuary

GIVEAWAY!!!

TAYLOR, JENNIFER HUDSON
HIGHLAND SANCTUARY

Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass, who captures Gavin's heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.

The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well, and when a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. Then, as Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God's love is more powerful than any human force on earth.

My Review:

What a refreshing read! And Gavin MacKenzie is a welcome diversion from the plethora of cowboy heroes parading through Christian Fiction these days. Not that I have anything against cowboys, you understand -- oh my heaven's no! (she says, fanning herself vigorously at the images that come to mind from recent reads.) BUT there is something about a warrior hero with a brogue, isn't there? Be still my wildly beating heart! Gavin is the perfect candidate for the role too. Level-headed, strong, compassionate, kind, knows his own heart...it just gets better and better -- or it would if Taylor didn't keep throwing literary daggers his way!


I loved the village of outcasts. Each character is so unique and Taylor uses them in a powerful way to carry Christ's message of hope -- a central theme carried throughout the book. If you love a solid medieval romance with lots of action, toe-curling romance (I feel a swoon coming on just thinking about a scene or two) and a strong inspirational thread then look no further. Highland Sanctuary definitely fits the bill.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win your own copy of Highland Sanctuary please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to add the book title to the subject line. Draw will take place on Sunday October 30 and will be posted on the same day. Offer open internationally. Good luck!

Attracted to Fire

GIVEAWAY!!!

MILLS, DIANN

ATTRACTED TO FIRE

Special Agent Meghan Connors' dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president's rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he's also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn't the work of a single suspect-it's part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it's too late.

My Review:

Mills deftly combines romance, action, suspense and drama into a riveting read. The intricate details of this suspense build into a page-turning frenzy by the end. I particularly loved the slow-burn of the romance angle. Ash is just so anti-woman at the beginning and it was great fun to be inside his head as his preconceived notions slowly unravel. And Meghan is so cool and collected! It definitely provided a bit of comic relief in an otherwise angst-riddled plot. This is the kind of book you'll want to finish in a day because you just won't want to put it down!
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
First off, I apologize for posting my giveaways up late in the week. Computer and Internet problems at home and a frantic pace at work have effectively muzzled me this week!
 
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Attracted to Fire please post a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Make sure to put the book title in the subject line. This offer is open internationally. Draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday October 30. Good luck!

October Giveaway - Week Four

Giveaway Winners Announced!



Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer
won by Diana Flowers



House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson
won by Esther

Congratulations to the winners. I will contact you by email for your snail mail address. If you don't hear from me by Monday evening please email me so I can get your book to you in a timely manner.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills

Wow!!!! Talk about suspense!!!! You'll wear out your index finger turning pages so fast!

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Just getting into this now. I'm in the mood for a swoonworthy Scottish hero and I'm sure Taylor won't disappoint!

Along Wooded Paths

GIVEAWAY!

GOYER, TRICIA
ALONG WOODED PATHS

All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . .

But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.

As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.

Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.
 
MY REVIEW:
 
Rich, vibrant, descriptive writing and a profound depth to the storyline make Along Wooded Paths an incomparable read. This is the kind of book you can happily lose yourself in and I certainly did. It packs an emotional punch too and I admit to reading with trepidation at times. I was as torn as Marianna was between Ben and Aaron and I ached for both men who obviously loved her. Goyer had me squirming a time or two and I'd love to participate in a book club chat about the romantic angles in this book since I can't here without posting spoilers.

What touched me the most though was Marianna's spiritual growth -- her awakening to a deeper understanding of her relationship with the Lord. It's definitely something any Christian could parallel in their own life and for that reason I'd say that this is more than an Amish romance. I still loved the Amish setting though, and the way Along Wooded Paths shows a community of Englisch and Amish who interact more than in most.

Goyer has posted a teaser from the next book in the series that has me on edge and anxiously waiting the its release. I'm glad she isn't through with Marianna and the Sommer family!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of Along Wooded Paths, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to add the title to the subject line. The draw will be held and the winner announced on Sunday October 23. Good luck! Open internationally.

A House of Secrets

GIVEAWAY!!!

PETERSON, TRACIE
A HOUSE OF SECRETS

When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters, Geena and Piper, quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.


Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago...of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. They vowed, as children, to be silent--but one sister believes the truth must now be revealed. Yet can they trust their memories?

Mark Delahunt arrives in the wake of this emotional turmoil. Determined to win Bailee's affection, Mark becomes the strong fortress for her in this time of confusion, and what was once a tentative promise begins to take root and grow. Caught between the past and an uncertain future, can Bailee let God guide her to heal the past and ultimately to embrace love?

My Review:

Emotionally riveting and powerful, this book consumed me. Peterson has created a believably flawed family struggling to overcome the secrets of their past. The Coopers are as dysfunctional as they get and each daughter is clearly a product of that dysfunction. Peterson's strength is in her detailed characterizations. The sisters, Bailee, Geena and Piper, in particular, had solid reasons for behaving the way they did and Peterson eases us beneath layers and layers of confusion, coping strategies and fear until we come to the startling heart of the matter.

Add in Mark Delahunt -- stalwart, dependable, patient and kind -- he's almost too good to be true, but exactly what Bailee needs during this tumultuous time. He provides an anchor of stability to the whole family in the midst of their crumbling secrets. And he's in love with Bailee. Has been for a long time. But her past hinders her future and witnessing her struggle to come to grips with it all is heart-wrenching. Peterson's use of first person narrative makes it all the more poignant.

This is a tale about survival and growth and the goodness of God. It's about not giving up even when you have to let go and it will haunt you long after you read the last word.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson, leave a comment below. Or you can email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 23. Good luck! Offer open internationally.

"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".

October Giveaway - Week Three

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!



The Captain's Mission by Debby Giusti
won by Shaz



Oklahoma Reunion by Tina Radcliffe
won by Hannah

 

The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller
won by Ashley Roberts





I'll contact you today via email but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening, please email me your snail mail address so I can send out the books.

Looking ahead to next week's giveaways:

House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

Powerful and Moving -- a real contrast to her historical pieces. What a talented lady!

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

Just picked this one up at the bookstore last night and started reading on the busride home. Divine -- but guaranteed to be angst-riddled. I'm fighting the urge to skip to the last page so I can put myself out of my misery.

The Measure of Katie Calloway

Giveaway!

MILLER, SERENA
THE MEASURE OF KATIE CALLOWAY

Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. But will trouble find her even here?


The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home, conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a north woods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.

With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the rowdy shanty boys to the warm cookstove and mouth-watering apple pie, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting you to a time of danger and romance.

My Review:
 
Utterly captivating! Miller has gone to great effort to get her historical facts right and it certainly shows in this sweeping saga. I loved the unique setting and the author used it to the best advantage in this gripping plot. Miller's vivid details made each scene jump off the page and it was very easy to lose myself in the wealth of this story. In fact, I was very reluctant to give it up when I reached the conclusion.
 
Stunning passages, endearing characters and a stellar plot will engage any reader's emotions. Katie's struggles with an abusive past are particularly poignant and just when everything seems hopeless...well...Miller doesn't leave it there. She crafted an incredible, page-turning conclusion that left me breathless. This one should definitely have a place on your Keeper shelf.
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
If you would like to win a copy of The Measure of Katie Calloway, please leave a comment below. Or you can email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please include the title in the subject line. Offer open internationally. Draw and winner announced on Sunday October 16. Good luck!
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".