Vendetta

GIVEAWAY

HARRIS, LISA
VENDETTA

No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.

With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.

My Review:

What a compelling read! Intrigue and action explode off the page and it's hard to believe that everything happens in only a few days. Anyone remember the TV show, Without a Trace? Well reading Vendetta was like watching an episode. From conflicting clues that have to be tracked down to the camaraderie amongst the team to the nerve-racking moments when you're afraid to look. This one literally kept me reading into the wee hours. I'm feeling a bit slap happy this morning as a result. Yawn. But it was worth every sleep deprived moment.

This is the first book in The Nikki Boyd Files series and it looks like the romance is going to develop gradually throughout the three books. In Vendetta, Nikki and Tyler are friends bound together through mutual grief. The intimacy of their friendship is breathtaking and I can see it developing into a powerfully deep love story by the time this series winds up. Really looking forward to that.

A stirring faith thread winds its way through the plot as both Nikki and Tyler grapple with a sense of failure in their pasts and the age old question 'Why do bad things happen to good people?' Profound wisdom leaps off the page in various scenes. Like this:

"But I'm starting to realize that as much as I've battled with God, nothing that happens here on this earth changes who God is." (p. 276)

Soul-satisfying and heart-pounding from beginning to end.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Vendetta 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 November 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

November Giveaway - Week Two

Two winners thanks to Julie Lessman's offer to provide one ebook and I matched it with another.

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 time frame. If I can't reach you within four weeks your win will be forfeited.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS:

Maid to Match

GIVEAWAY

GIST, DEEANNE
MAID TO MATCH

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled—by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid.

But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.

My Review:

Published in 2010, this is just one of the many Deeanne Gist books I have to catch up on.

A fascinating look at the below stairs life of the famous Biltmore Estate owned by the Vanderbilts. The vivid details piqued my interest so much that I had to check it out online. My jaw dropped. No wonder it took 66 servants to keep the place running. Tillie is just as mesmerized by the estate and the lifestyle which causes some skewed priorities. Especially when Mack arrives on the scene. Rough around the edges, plain-spoken, he's the one risk that might just interfere with Tillie's ambitions to climb the 'downstairs ladder'. There's plenty of humour, tons of romantic tension culminating in a number of toe-curling scenes. Blissful sigh. And the sweet faith thread about making sure your priorities match God's is just icing on the cake. A sensational read for the discerning historical romance lover.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Maid to Match 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 November 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

High-Caliber Holiday

GIVEAWAY

SLEEMAN, SUSAN
HIGH-CALIBER HOLIDAY

Caught in the crosshairs

Held hostage on a train, ex-lawyer Morgan Thorsby finds her powers of persuasion failing her for the first time. Former marine sniper Brady Owens is her only hope—but his split-second hesitation on the trigger leaves her wounded. Yet when an obsessed stalker threatens Morgan, Brady steps up. Protecting someone so tough and beautiful is hardly a chore, but Brady pulls back every time they get close. Morgan isn't ready for the connection forming between them, either, but she knows she needs his help. Can Brady capture the culprit in time for Christmas?

First Responders: Brave men and women alert and ready for danger and love.

My Review:

There's something so spine-chilling about a stalker story. Shades of sinister with plenty of twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. And plenty of potential villains to choose from. Sometimes I was ahead of the game and desperately tried to get Morgan and Brady to listen to me, but in true hero/heroine fashion they paid this reader no mind. Other times I was just as shocked as they were when something went awry. Sleeman balances romance and suspense beautifully along with a dash of Christmas cheer.

This is the third book in the First Responders series -- I read the first book, but somehow missed the second one. I'll definitely be correcting that oversight! Each book works well as an independent read but what I love about the series is the way the author has created a memorable First Responding team. Love the care and teasing amongst them all. It will be a thrill to read each of their stories as the series progresses.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  High-Caliber Holiday 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 November 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Lost Heiress

GIVEAWAY

WHITE, ROSEANNA M.
THE LOST HEIRESS

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

My Review:

Loved loved loved loved LOVED this book!!!! It's long -- over 400 pages but I didn't want it to end. White pulled me into this Downton Abbeyesque world and I wanted to stay there forever. A seamless blend of suspense and romance in a historical setting makes this the perfect read.

Brook is an exquisite heroine -- a unique blend of daring and demure. And Justin -- be still my heart -- a divine hero, Brook's best friend who wants to be more but he can be a little dense when it comes to the romance department (an unfortunate trait of many toe-curling heroes.) Loved the give and take in their friendship -- they can finish each other's sentences in some cases while being complete communication dunderheads in others. And oh la la, when they argue! Sublime.

Intrigue casts a dark shadow over Brook's homecoming where layers of betrayal place her in danger. But while the suspense is gripping, White manages to punctuate the darker parts of the story with some light-hearted comedic moments. Makes for a startling contrast and a truly enjoyable read.

An overlapping theme of trusting God in the midst of fear brings an added dimension to the story. And not just the fear of danger but more simple, everyday fears like not being accepted, the fear of change, of trusting your heart to someone else's keeping. Realistic struggles brought into perspective by a strong faith element.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Lost Heiress 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 November 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Bishop's Son

GIVEAWAY

IRVIN, KELLY
THE BISHOP'S SON

Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him at his father’s store, but she can’t make sense of his intentions. One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them.

Jesse may be the bishop’s son, but his faith has been wavering of late. If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there’s Will, Jesse’s cousin. He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret, but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith. Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest or simply serving his own selfish desires?

Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future. But when her heart speaks, it’s Jesse’s name she hears. When will God make His will known to her? Could leaving everything she knows—even her own faith—be a part of God’s plan?  

My Review:

A bittersweet love story. My heart was tugged in so many different directions during this read. I felt like I was actually Leila and chafed over some of her decisions and though there's a happy ending, it isn't an all encompassing one. Intrigued? Well, you'll just have to read The Bishop's Son to find out what I mean. This is a hard book to review because there's so much to say about different aspects but I don't want to post any spoilers. It's best to discover things like Jesse's secret and which suitor Leila favours as events unfold. Obviously, both Will and Jesse can't win the fair maedel's hand and that's part of where the bittersweet comes in. But only part.

There's tons to discuss once you've read the book. Deep soul-searching and faith-reaching. It would make a great book club selection for that very reason. And if anyone has read the book (or once you do) I'd love to get a dialogue going. There's some things I just have to get off my chest. LOL

  Oh -- and worth noting -- this is the second book in The Amish of Bee County series and I love the unusual setting -- a struggling Amish community in Texas . They face unique challenges in a drought-stricken land that's difficult to farm which brings an extra edge to everything that happens in the story. It's almost as if Bee County is the catalyst stirring up a tempest that propels the plot along.

The kind of rich read that seeps right into your bones.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Bishop's Son 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 November 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Amish Midwife

GIVEAWAY

DAVIDS, PATRICIA
THE AMISH MIDWIFE

An Unexpected Family

Amish midwife Anne Stoltzfus is used to late-night visitors—but she's shocked to find reclusive bachelor Joseph Lapp on her doorstep with a baby in his arms. Their neighborly quarrels are pushed aside when Joseph explains that his sister has left her daughter in his care—and Joseph needs Anne to be her nanny. Soon they're bonding over baby Leah, and the love they feel for her is healing them both. When Joseph makes an offer of marriage, Anne's painful past resurfaces and she's unsure of what to do. But taking a chance could mean love—and family—are waiting just across the fence.

Lancaster Courtships: Life and love in Amish country

My Review:

I love a good goat herding romance. Yes, you heard me right -- it stems from my first literary crush -- Peter in Heidi (I was ten). So even though Joseph is a bit of a recluse and socially challenged he won my heart because of the goats. How can you not love a hero who takes the time to name an entire herd of goats? And the animals clearly adore him. Anne, not so much. At first. Though they put their differences aside when Joseph becomes sole caregiver of his infant niece. Loved Anne's independent spirit -- capable midwife with a garden produce business on the side. She's constantly surprising Joseph and it isn't long before he's smitten. Their love story isn't without complications though. Heartache and laughter blend together to make this an endearing Amish romance.

*This is the third book in a multi-authored series -- Lancaster Courtships. It reads beautifully as a standalone though we do get glimpses of characters from the previous two books which I really enjoyed.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Amish Midwife 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 November 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!