The Guardian

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE GUARDIAN

When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow -- and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish -- in search of answers.

My Review:

A profound story that will reach beyond the pages and wrap itself around your heart. Lewis is a master storyteller and she has taken readers back to that magical place of her imagination, Hickory Hollow. I still feel the peace of the community settled over me. I love how the author manages to evoke 'memories' in my mind. I become so immersed in the story that I am convinced I know the people and places I am reading about.

Lewis moved me to tears at the end. Good tears -- joyful ones full of hope and the thrill of God's majesty. Jodi's journey touched me in a compelling way. A story revolving around a complex struggle that gradually simplifies as she is drawn closer to one special Amish family. There is such tenderness and care in the writing. And divine truths abound amidst two intriguing romances. Simply a brilliant read.

Giveaway Opportunity:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Guardian, 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 April 7 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Scorned Justice

GIVEAWAY

DALEY, MARGARET
SCORNED JUSTICE

Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun is with his parents in west Texas when an unexpected attack injures the brother of Rebecca Morgan, Brody's high school sweetheart. The local sheriff, a good friend, asks for Brody’s help. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case.

As Brody digs deeper, he realizes the attack may be related to an organized crime trial Rebecca will be overseeing. With Rebecca's help, he compiles evidence involving cattle rustling, bribery, and dirty payoffs that shatter the entire community and put Rebecca directly in the line of fire.

Brody expects to protect her. What he never expects is to fall for Rebecca all over again, or for a murder to throw the case wide open. Is Brody's faith strong enough to withstand not only deep-rooted corruption and cattle rustling, but also love?

My Review:

I think I held my breath through most of this read. I feel quite light-headed now. :-) Gripping suspense with so many twists and turns your head will be spinning and your heart will be pounding and you'll reach a point where you simple cannot put this book down until you've reached the hair-raising conclusion.

Daley knows how to spin a complex suspense with tantalizing clues and lots of action. Intense about sums it up -- and that includes the delicious romance that softens the tale and results in a whole different kind of tension.

In a word: superb.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Scorned Justice, 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 April 7 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

March Giveaway - Week Five

Congratuations ...
and my apologies for posting this late --
Internet woes. :-(

won by Debra E. Marvin

won by Maxie

won by pol
and
Diana Montgomery



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:

You're Made for a God-Sized Dream : Opening the Door to All God Has For You

GERTH, HOLLEY
YOU'RE MADE FOR A GOD-SIZED DREAM : OPENING THE DOOR TO ALL GOD HAS FOR YOU

We all long to live with more purpose, passion, and joy. Yet in the middle of our hectic lives, the God-sized dreams that have the potential to lead us into all God has planned for us are the ones that tend to get lost. With her intimate, approachable style and constant encouragement, popular blogger and author Holley Gerth invites women to rediscover the big dreams God has given them--and then dare to pursue them.

With the enthusiasm and honesty that we all want from our closest friend, Holley encourages women to overcome excuses--too busy, too late, too far out of my comfort zone--and believe that their God-sized dreams can become reality. She takes readers by the heart and says, "Yes! You can do this! Let's go!" and then guides them forward with a loving hand. A licensed counselor and certified life coach, Holley insightfully combines inspiration with practical application in this positive book.

My Review:

 Uplifting and inspiring.

Holley Gerth is the kind of mentor you want to have on your side. Gerth's personalized delivery comes across in an easy-to-read conversational style that made me feel she was right there guiding me along with her encouraging support.

This book helped me tune out the clamouring voices of doubt and fear so that I could more clearly capture the vision of  my God-sized dreams. The author's writing infuses warmth and laughter, courage and hope -- and the awe-inspiring concept that God is waiting to to share His dreams for my life with me.

I used this book as part of my studies during the month of March and found myself eagerly anticipating my morning devotionals. I felt bolstered up with a new confidence that helped me focus on the changes I needed to make in my daily life. Gerth's influence has made a difference in my overall ability to face problems and conflicts and, most importantly, to be courageous enough to dream those God-Sized dreams.

"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".

Unbreakable

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
UNBREAKABLE

Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.

When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.

My Review:

Mehl tackles a very controversial topic and does an admirable job of presenting varying viewpoints. Like Hope, I found myself caught between opposing sides all the way through the book. It really made me think and would be a great springboard for a book club discussion. There's lots of meat to this story.

There are multiple layers in the suspense -- including a romantic one. Not only is Hope caught up in the town's conflict, she also finds herself pulled between two men as well. The author has created two worthy heroes, both captured my reader's heart for different readers. I didn't know who would be the better choice for Hope and was relieved that the author had the job of figuring that one out! The reveal is a startling, climatic, aha moment (at least it was for me) and suddenly felt like the obvious choice. Loved living through that roller coaster ride.

Road to Kingdom fans (series) will be thrilled to reacquaint themselves with the town of Kingdom and its residents -- especially Lizzie, Noah and Charity. No worries if you haven't read the first book, Inescapable. Mehl knows how to set up a series so each book reads as a standalone.

Unbreakable is an exceptional read and a great choice for suspense fans who would like to be challenged by a thought-provoking subplot.


Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Unbreakable, 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 March 31 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Mending the Doctor's Heart

GIVEAWAY

Radcliffe, Tina
Mending the Doctor's Heart

A new job in Paradise, Colorado, seems like the perfect fresh start for Dr. Ben Rogers. Only problem is, Dr. Sara Elliott has been counting on getting the same job. Once they negotiate a shared trial run, Ben expects working with Sara to be less than pleasant. Instead, he finds himself drawn to her. She's dedicated and compassionate, exactly the type of woman he used to want—when family was an option. Yet Ben is surprised to learn that Sara's life is just as emotionally complicated as his own. And if there isn't room for both of them at work, how can they make room for each other in their hearts?

My Review:

Tense medical scenes bring a fresh dimension to this Love Inspired novel. Radcliffe grabbed my attention with an action-packed, emotionally charged opening scene that set the stage for the rest of the book. She excels at teasing her readers with enticing bits of backstory that add dimension and power to the her characters' storylines. But the reveal is slow, leaving me chomping at the bit to know it all right away! Ben's past in particular was artfully developed to a fulfilling resolution.

I loved how the author builds the romance between Ben and Sara. From fireworks to tenderness, my emotions raged right along with theirs. The obstacles in their path are believably complicated, the message that God is the answer to simplifying those complications comes across loud and clear without being forced. That inspirational message comes alive naturally during the course of the story and that made it a powerful one for me.

A contemporary medical romance well worth delving into.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Mending the Doctor's Heart, 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 March 31 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Home for Lydia

GIVEAWAY

CHAPMAN, VANNETTA
A HOME FOR LYDIA

A Home for Lydia, the second book in a new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, centers again on the Plain community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.

Aaron Troyer simply wants to farm like his father and grandfather before him. But instead he finds himself overseeing the family's small group of guest cabins nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek. That also means he must work with the cabins' housekeeper, Lydia Fisher.

Lydia is the most outspoken Amish woman Aaron has ever met, and she has strong opinions about how the guest cabins are to be run. She also desperately needs this job. Though sparks fly between boss and employee at first, when the cabins are robbed, nothing is more important to Aaron than making sure Lydia is safe.

Together they work to make the vacation property profitable, but can they find out the identity of the culprit before more damage is done? And is Lydia's dream of a home of her own more than just a wish and a prayer?

My Review:

A blessing of a read. Think Waltons with an Amish twist. And by that I'm referring to exceptional writing that delivers a heartwarming multi-generational story with so many touching moments that stirred my soul. I had to stop reading and just savor beautiful snippets of scenes that shot a thrill right through me even as they confirmed the blessing of family and the strength in friendships.

Gabe and Miriam and Grace Miller are back (A Promise for Miriam), this time providing support to the hero and heroine, Lydia and Aaron. No worries if you haven't met the Millers yet, Chapman does a wonderful job of settling old characters into new plots. But getting a glimpse into Gabe and Miriam's future is an enticing bonus.

Aaron and Lydia easily carry the story though -- right from their first fiery altercation. And there's so many layers to their tale, all of them liberally sprinkled with humour. A read that will fuel your spirits and warm your heart long after you finish 'the end'.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Home for Lydia, 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 March 31 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!