February Giveaway - Week Four

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:

Murder, Simply Stitched

 

GIVEAWAY

 

ALAN, ISABELLA
MURDER, SIMPLY STITCHED

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone....
                     
Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt’s Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction, including some of her aunt’s most prized works.

The quilts promise to be a hit—but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller’s bakery table. Now Angie’s closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt’s quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.

My Review:

I'm in love with this series. Seriously, murder shouldn't be this fun. Alan's refreshing humour adds an extra zing to her cozy mysteries. As I mentioned in my review of Murder, Plain and Simple (two weeks ago), Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower who writes Amish mysteries for the Christian market. So, while not technically Christian Fiction, Murder, Simply Stitched is a clean read with some gentle faith messages courtesy of the Amish characters.

We're back in the Amish community of Rolling Brook and all is not as idyllic as it seems. Another murder has Angie in hot pursuit of suspects as she tries to clear her friend's name. She's an endearing busy body who just can't leave the investigation up to the police, much to Sheriff Matthews' chagrin. There's a sweet romance brewing between these two -- but it's just at the beginning stages.

And of course, my fav character is back and in full form -- Oliver the bird paranoid French bulldog. And, glory be, this time round he has a Nubian goat sidekick not to mention his very own kitten. A captivating read full of mystery and humour and the hint of romance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Murder, Simply Stitched 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Treasure of Gold

GIVEAWAY

HUGULEY, PIPER
TREASURE OF GOLD

Trusting in the One who orders her steps, Nettie Bledsoe is determined not to deviate from her route to the charity kitchen. Don't stop for anything, her sisters say. Pittsburgh isn't like Georgia, they warn.

Yet when low moans of unholy suffering drift from an alley, she can't help but investigate. It's a man. The most beautiful man she's ever seen. Despite his scandalous reputation, something within her responds to his sinfully rich voice.

Jay Evans is trying hard to stay on the straight and narrow, and doesn't want help from any church do-gooder. But until his wound heals, he needs help caring for his young daughter, Goldie. Especially since Nettie saw fit to fire Goldie's barely competent nanny.

Despite their mismatched backgrounds, Nettie and Jay fight a losing battle against their growing attraction. But it's only when Nettie is kidnapped that Jay realizes that if he doesn't get her back safe and sound, his heart will shatter into unaccountable pieces.

My Review:

Nettie has been stuck in the middle all her life. With two older sisters and two younger ones, she's the odd sister out. She takes comfort in her faith and the whole family believes that she is destined to remain unmarried so that she can serve the Lord with her spiritual gifts. And then she meets -- rescues really -- Jay and her whole world shifts. Suddenly the biddable, predictable sister develops a backbone and strives for independence. What a conundrum for her family!

Jay has reached a turning point in his life when he meets Nettie. Deep down he knows he's ready for change but that doesn't mean he's not ornery about it. Great dynamics between these two who spar more than woo their way through a rocky romance. And Jay's daughter, Goldie, is an endearing scamp -- a real scene stealer.

Faith-filled and heartwarming right to the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an EBOOK only.

If you would like an opportunity to win an e-copy of Treasure of Gold 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Ransom

GIVEAWAY

REED, TERRI
RANSOM

"We have your sister."

Liz Cantrell is terrified when she receives a call from a man holding her newlywed sister captive -- and she's convinced her sketchy brother-in-law's involved. Willing to pay any price for her sister's freedom, Liz flies to Niagara Falls with the ransom: an uncut diamond necklace worth millions. But the moment she lands, a handsome, world-weary Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes her into custody. Blake Fallon's determined to catch a ruthless diamond smuggler -- and the pretty antiques dealer trying to save her sister could be just the break his case needs. But as they team up to rescue Liz's sister and trap the criminal mastermind, a desperate standoff will threaten everything they hold precious -- including their lives.

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the US-Canada border safe

My Review:

Be prepared for fast action and lots of suspense when you open this book. It starts with Liz's desperate (and misguided) attempt to save her sister. Cue the stalwart and inscrutable ICE agent. Be still my heart. Seriously droolworthy. Liz doesn't know what to make of Blake Fallon at first. He possesses a relentless determination to capture the criminal mastermind who killed his partner so we can forgive him his tendency towards taciturn. And it makes for such delicious romantic tension.  The undercurrents between those two heighten an already tense read. And bonus -- Sami and Drew from Joint Investigation play a significant role in this story as well. Awesome from beginning to end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Ransom 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Plain Danger

GIVEAWAY

GIUSTI, DEBBY
PLAIN DANGER

Dangerous inheritance...

When Carrie York arrives at the house she inherited from her father in Amish community, she's shocked to discover a soldier's body on the property. Her neighbor, army special agent Tyler Zimmerman, starts investigating the murder, and Carrie fears it's related to her father's mysterious death. Tyler doesn't trust the pretty speechwriter or the suspicious timing of her arrival -- especially since her boss is responsible for his father's death. But when someone attacks Carrie, Tyler insists on protecting her. With his help, will Carrie be able to hold on to her inheritance and her life?

Military Investigations : Serving their country and solving crimes

My Review:

Giusti always handles the military aspect of her novels with such grace and passion. She honours the men and women who serve in each story. That's evident in this novel as well. And I love the addition of an Amish setting -- creates an interesting contrast.

Tyler arrives on the scene with a bit of prejudice against Carrie which creates some delicious tension as things heat up between the two. Both are burdened by issues from their past and that makes them wary of trust. Makes things mighty complicated when Carrie becomes the target of a killer. Trust needs to develop in order for them to deal with the imminent danger lurking around every corner, A stellar romantic suspense that will keep you on your toes right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Plain Danger 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Mermaid Moon

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
MERMAID MOON

Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.”

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.  

My Review:

Oh. Mercy. Oxygen mask required for this breathtaking read! Suspense on top of suspense and the romance...five star swoonworthy! This author never disappoints, but she outdid herself with Mermaid Moon.

So -- the mystery -- incredibly intriguing. Coble kept me riveted trying to follow all the clues. Love the clever way she lines the story with subtle hints that gradually come together as the tale progresses. I created one hypothesis after another in my armchair sleuthing attempts to figure everything out. I was successful in some cases but the author totally blew me away in others. Like I said, keep the oxygen handy.

And then there's the romance. Mallory and Kevin were much more than childhood sweethearts but it ended badly. The tension between the two is palpable. Hurt and anger -- even bitterness -- threatens their future. Mallory in particular is paralyzed by past mistakes. She's lived in the shadow of guilt for so long she doesn't know how to let it go. There's a powerful inspirational thread about forgiveness and what it can mean for second chances. A faith thread that is repeated among other characters in the book as well. Compelling stuff.

Another brilliant romantic suspense by an incredibly gifted author. You need to read Mermaid Moon. Really. Truly. Absolutely!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Mermaid Moon 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Refuge at Highland Hall

GIVEAWAY

TURANSKY, CARRIE
REFUGE AT HIGHLAND HALL

The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.

Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of  chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.

As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?

My Review:

If you are a Downton Abbey fan you will love Refuge at Highland Hall -- and the entire series for that matter. This is the third book but reads well as a standalone though the author has done an incredible job of concluding this series. I'm all agog over how Turansky incorporated favourite characters from the previous books into this one. I had so much fun catching up with William and Julie and Kate and Jonathan. Thrilled me to my toes to be able to visit with dear friends from previous books so I was happy dancing all the way through this one. :-)

Captivating from the very first page, Turansky spins an intriguing and angst-riddled story. The historical detail is fascinating and I learned some things about World War I that I didn't know before. Fiction is my favourite kind of history lesson!  And that war puts a damper on the first stirring of romance between Penny and Alex. They do a good bit of their courting through letters and as their feelings grow deeper times grow more desperate and suddenly a simple romance becomes impossibly complicated.

Brimming with love and laughter and faith (and more than a small amount of angst), Refuge at Highland Hall delivers the kind of story that brings the past to life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Refuge at Highland Hall 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 February 28 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!