Livvie's Song

Giveaway!

MACLAREN, SHARLENE
LIVVIE'S SONG

A young widow trying to keep her business and hopes afloat...

Life is far from a breeze for Olivia Beckman, owner of Livvie's Kitchen, a favourite of locals in Wabash, Indiana. The widowed mother of two is struggling to make ends meet -- no simple feat, especially when her cook resigns. Yet she's determined to pull through on her own, just as she did when God failed to save her beloved Frank.

An ex-convict ready to make a fresh start...

Newly released from a ten-year prison sentence, Will Taylor is ready for a fresh start. With harmonica in hand -- the only possession he values, aside from his bible -- he makes his way to Wabash, where a late-night meal at Livvie's Kitchen turns into a job opportunity when the outgoing cook learns about his restaurant experience. What he doesn't know is that the his restaurant experience. What he doesn't know is that the "restaurant" was a prison cafeteria.

An unlikely recipe for romance...

But Will became a new man behind bars, thanks to a Christian friend, and he credits God's providence with landing him a job he loves. Soon, he cooks and bakes his way into the stomachs of his customers -- and the heart of his employer. Both are hesitant, though, still healing from past hurts. A recipe for love between them will require sharing secrets, braving dangers, and believing God for a bright future.

My Review:

There is an air of unhurried charm about this book. The story unfolds with gentle, deliberate care and it captivated me from the very first page. There's definitely drama and a plot rife with unexpected twists but I delighted in the unpredictability of what otherwise might have been a predictable story.

The inspirational message is embedded so deeply that it feels natural even as it testifies. MacLaren doesn't preach but she makes an impact nonetheless. And the scriptures that head each chapter are worth the price of the book. I've never seen such convicting passages laid out in sequential order like that. They made me pause and ponder and then eager to read on so that I could see how they applied in the character's lives.

And oh, what characters! Will Taylor, bent on change and a future of promise, delighting in the simplest things after being incarcerated for ten years. Everything is a wonder to him, including the faith he has embraced. He's the perfect foil for Livvie, who has buried herself away beneath the cloak of her mourning. Reading their love story was like watching an old black and white movie gradually changing into colour until it becomes a vibrant kaleidoscope by the end.

This is the kind of book that not only entertains, but it makes you think. A definite keeper shelf edition.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Livvie's Song, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Make sure to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 18. Good luck!

The Merchant's Daughter

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.


My Review:

Delightful. I love this genre and Melanie Dickerson is proving to excel at it. She has taken the bare bones of a popular fairy tale and fleshed it out into a satisfying read of substance. Loved the subtle little details that reminded me of the original story. I got such a thrill over spotting them and making the parallels. But Dickerson has created a memorable romance of her own, complete with tortured hero and desperate heroine. I love how she draws them together; the gentle way that Annabel comes to tame her 'beast'. A lovely tale that deserves to be read and cherished by teens and adults alike.
 

Giveaway Opportunity:

 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson leave a comment below. Or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in your subject line so your entry is easier for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 18.Good luck!

December Giveaways - Week Two

Congratualtions!



won by Marissa




won by TracyS



I'll email the winners today but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening can you please email me your snail mail address so I can get your books out to you? kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.

Looking ahead to next week's giveaways:

The Merchant's Daughter

by Melanie Dickerson

Nearly finished and loving it. It's a retelling of a classic fairy tale. Love this genre so much and Melanie is making a name for herself in it.

Livvie's Song

by Sharlene MacLaren

New-to-me-author but she comes highy recommended so I'm excited to dig into this historical!

Under a Desert Sky

GIVEAWAY!!!

MILLS, DIANN
UNDER A DESERT SKY

A race from danger...straight into the arms of love.

In 1936, socialite Eva Fortier witnesses her grandfather's murder and must flee New York to ensure her safety. Leaving behind a life of wealth, she seeks refuge in the secluded high desert area of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

Navajo doctor Tahoma Benally has his hands full caring for his people's medical needs. He certainly doesn't have time to fall in love. But when Tahoma's father asks him to help fulfill a vow he'd made to Eva's father. Tahoma has no choice but to oblige his father's request. In the process he finds himself drawn to the woman he's promised to protect.

With an elusive killer stalking Eva, and barriers of race and culture standing between her and Tahoma, does love stand a chance of blooming in the desert?

My Review:

Rich text and lush descriptions like the one below made Under a Desert Sky an unforgettable read for me.

Rather than hurl any more questions his way, I wrapped my frustration around the lantern's handle and vowed not to be in the dark about anything. Ever again.

Doesn't reading that cloak you in emotion and resolve? It's this kind of writing that makes this read an exceptional one. And what a different 'voice' Mills has compared to her other books. It's as if she bored right under Eva's skin so that her first-person account resonates with truth and passion.

Eva captivated me from the very first paragraph -- in fact this book has an amazing opening hook! I've never met a heroine who grew with such grace and wisdom. I enjoyed every minute I spent with her.

And Tahoma -- well, we all I know I'm not one to shirk from the tall, broody, protective type. :-) Again, though, Mills has dug deep and fleshes out his character with such care that I feel like he's a real person. And oh -- all that lovely, angsty romance! Mills doesn't give Eva and Tahoma an easy time of it, but that makes the read all the more rewarding.

The suspense is cleverly woven throughout the pages -- it crests and wanes and took this reader by surprise over and over again. And it doesn't ease up until the very last page.

Under a Desert Sky is definitely going on my keeper shelf and hopefully yours as well...

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of Under a Desert Sky, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure that you add the title to the address line to make it easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 11. Open internationally. Good luck!

Love Finds You on Christmas Morning

 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!

 

 

MAYNE, DEBBY
PERRY, TRISH
LOVE FINDS YOU ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

Two romantic stories---one common thread! In 1925, wealthy William Tronnier is smitten with penniless Lillian Pickard and plans to Deck the Halls with a proposal she can't refuse! And in 'Tis the Season, Nikki Tronnier plans to buy the home her great-grandfather built for his bride---but Drew Cornell's offer is accepted first! 288 pages, softcover from Summerside.

My Review:

I've only read Trish Perry's novella, 'Tis the Season so far (It's the ACFW Book Club's pick for this month) but I wanted to post this review now to give time for the Giveaways. My internet has been wonky at home which is why I'm late posting them this week. Anyway, I really enjoyed Perry's holiday tale. It's the right mix of comedy and angst with a few refreshing surprises thrown in for good measure.

Drew isn't the confident hero I am used to reading about. Perry shows his vulnerable side, allowing him to be embarrassed a time or two and a little bit awkward with tendencies towards bumbling. Completely endearing and definitely appealing. It made the story all the more believable for me.

There's great interaction between Nikki and her sister, Hannah and an outrageously funny secondary character, Gigi, who adds spice to the tale.

Another unique twist to this tale is that the hero and heroine don't connect immediately. Perry takes time to set the stage and let's her readers get to know Nikki and Drew first. We get to watch their attraction to each other from afar, anticipating every moment that brings them closer to discovering each other. This brought a very realistic feel to their love story.

A wonderful, cheery, feel-good kind of Christmas read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like the chance to win a copy of Love Finds you on Christmas Morning, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please add the book title to the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 11. Offer open internationally. Good luck!

December Giveaways - Week One

Congratulations!!!!

won by Bethany S

 

won by Merry



won by wfnren



I'll be contacting the winners today, but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening, could you please email me your snail mail address? kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Thanks!

Looking ahead to next week's Giveaways:

Under a Desert Sky

by DiAnn Mills

WOW!!!! Riveting. Spellbinding. Page-turning....Brilliant.

Love Finds You on Christmas Morning

by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry

I'm just starting Perry's novella and am really enjoying it. It's the December read for the ACFW book club.

A Harvest of Hearts

GIVEAWAY!

HILTON, LAURA V.
A HARVEST OF HEARTS

A Participant in a swap of Amish men, independent yet kindhearted Matthew Yoder was glad to leave the vast farmland of Lancaster County and make a fresh start in Missouri, where he's living with the Stoltzfus family until he finds a place of his own.

Strong-minded yet filled with compassion, Shanna Stoltzfus always dreamed of becoming a nurse, despite her father's threats to shun her. Determined to follow her heart, Shanna ran away and enrolled in college. But when her classmates embark on a medical mission trip that Shanna can't afford, she must turn to the last place she wants to go for help: home.

Even though Shanna still flirts with the people and practices of her Englisch life, Matthew is fascinated by the Stoltzfuses' prodigal daughter, and a close friendship soon blossoms between them. Amid mounting tension with her father and growing attraction to Matthew, Shanna must ask herself some tough questions and decide where her true home is.

My Review:

Emotionally charged and positively riveting, A Harvest of Hearts will touch your heart and stay there long after you read the last word. Hilton digs deep, uncovering layers of pain and misunderstanding in her characters. The family relationships in this book are so real! It made my heart ache to watch her characters struggle.

The contrast between Shanna and Matthew is profound -- like oil and water they shouldn't mix, but they do, though not without difficulty. I love how Matthew's steadfast calm is a perfect foil to Shanna's volatile, reactive nature. And how sometimes that calm sets her off even more. But his constancy is swoonworthy -- quiet, unyielding, but oh so gentle and compassionate...oops, excuse me while I slide into a puddle. He's that delectable a hero!

The inspirational thread is strong and resonated with me. Hilton may have set out to entertain readers with a story but she's managed to include plain truths that we would all do well to remember. A touching, tender, thought-provoking read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Harvest of Hearts leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Please remember to include the title in your subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 4. Offer open internationally.  Good luck!