An Uncommon Protector

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
AN UNCOMMON PROTECTOR

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict -- a man who's just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving. Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he's in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn't pay a few fines. Laurel's offer might be his only ticket out. Though she's everything he ever dreamed of in a woman -- sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong -- he's determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he's free again.

But when cattle start dying and Laurel's life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn't long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former solider. He's a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom -- he needs her love and care too.

My Review:

Three words have the power to send me racing to my nearest bookstore or online vendor. Shelley. Shepard. Gray. There is something so special about her stories and I just can't resist living through every emotionally charged moment right along with her characters.

I inhaled An Uncommon Protector. Couldn't get through it fast enough and now I feel mighty disgruntled because it's all over until the next book in A Lone Star Hero's Love Story series releases. I love the background for this series -- a self-made band of brothers who survive being prisoners of war together vow to continue to support one another even after the war is over. As the men settle in various parts of Texas they each come upon a time when they need to call on that brotherhood..

Thomas Baker has run into some complications on that front.  His smart mouth and quick temper have the potential to trip him up and he finds himself in a sorry mess. Until Laurel Tracey breezes into his life and tilts his world upside down. She has need of a protector. He needs a get-out-of-jail-free card. The perfect partnership.

The romance is achingly tender and and oh so tenuous. Honestly, I was swoony through most of their story. Thomas and Laurel have so much potential -- they just have to find the courage to acknowledge that. But they are so good together and Thomas is a hero to crush on. Be still my heart. There are some truly delicious romantical scenes.

And then there are the villains. Devious. Sneaky. Relentless. When the danger escalates, Thomas knows he needs to bring in help. Cue every rousing Western movie/TV series theme song as the brotherhood rides in. I actually squealed my way through this part I was so excited.

Superb action and adventure paired with sublime romance and a whole lot of heart for God. Sweet perfection to the very end.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of An Uncommon Protector please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sewn With Joy

GIVEAWAY

GOYER, TRICIA
GORE, SHERRY
SEWN WITH JOY

Sometimes dreams come together one piece at a time

Joy Miller wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mother -- especially now that her relationship with Matthew Slagel, the bishop's son was deepening. But when a television crew rolls into Pinecraft, Florida, to film a new show about the Amish, tension threatens to rip apart their relationship...and the entire Amish community.

Joy is initially hired to sew costumes for the show, but she soon finds herself becoming increasingly involved in the production -- a fact that upsets Matthew and his father. Yet the more Joy befriends the Englisch production crew, the more she senses God working in their lives through her. Can she turn her back on this opportunity to share God's love? Will she and Matthew somehow be able to stitch together their dreams for the future?

Experience love, heartbreak, and hope in this sweet story of two worlds uniting in unexpected ways.

My Review:

I adore this series and I sure hope that there are more novels to come because there are still two Miller sisters who need to have their stories told. No worries if you haven't read the first two books in The Pinecraft Pie Shop series -- this reads well as a standalone though, of course, there are carry over characters that I was thrilled to get reacquainted with. Like seventy-year old quilt shop owner, Elizabeth who contributes snippets of simple wisdom that rocked my world. Like this: "If God brings me a person who needs a taste of God's Word, I'm not going to send them away hungry." (p 210) She's such a source of strength to Joy as her carefully ordered world spins out of control in unexpected ways.

Life is good for Joy. She's working at a job she loves, enjoying the excitement of the pending weddings of her two sisters, and it looks like she will be following in their footsteps as her courtship with the Bishop's son progresses. Joy knows exactly what each day will bring...until the film crew rolls into town and she somehow ends up in the middle of a hotly debated controversy among the close-knit Pinecraft Amish community.

What follows is a captivating look at community, the intricacies of human nature and how living ones faith affects it all. This story is chock-full of inspirational wisdom -- so many great quotes that I had to stop reading and take notes. Like when Joy tells Englischer friends, "God's Word is often called a light, and sometimes when light shines into places that have been dark awhile, it's hard to face what's hidden there." (p.217)

A delectable companion to Made With Love and Planted With Hope and like the first two books, this one includes some authentic Amish recipes interspersed throughout the story.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sewn With Joy please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadAT yahooDOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 26 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

March Giveaway - Week Three

WON BY JANKA

WON BY MARK

WON BY MARIAN BAAY

WON BY KIM HANSEN

WON BY KIM HAMPTON

WON BY LUCY REYNOLDS

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 the 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:

PLUS AN EXTRA NON-FICTION GIVEAWAY

Megan's Hero

GIVEAWAY

GILLENWATER, SHARON
MEGAN'S HERO

Megan Smith doesn't think things can get much worse -- and then they do. Stuck on the road without shelter when a tornado appears, Megan barely escapes with her life. And when Will Callahan comes upon her on the road, her life will never be the same.

While staying at the Callahan family ranch, she finds herself daring to love again. Can Will convince her that her past doesn't mean a thing when it comes to love?

Filled with the easy charm and warmth of Texas, Megan's Hero will have you believing in the power of love and forgiveness.

My Review:

I try to vary my retro reading so I can offer a variety of genres in my Saturday giveaways. For that reason I tried my hardest to resist the siren call of this last book in The Callahans of Texas series. I only lasted two weeks. If you've read any of this series, you'll understand why I caved. Seriously, who in their right mind can ignore a swoonworthy cowboy hero? Not me! And Sharon Gillenwater writes the swooniest! 

This story has a heart as big as Texas. It's showcased in the sweet small-town community vibe and in the characters I've come to love. Will, the oldest Callahan brother, is a born fixer. His siblings will tell you that he's plain ol' bossy but really, it's just that he has a heart for service and can't stand to see anyone hurting. The proverbial knight in shining armor riding to Megan's rescue in a worn pickup truck. And her life will definitely never be the same again.

Because something profound happens to Megan on the road heading into Callahan Crossing. A small seed of faith takes root and Will is the cowboy determined to nourish it. Megan's all prickly and wary at first -- and she has good reason for that but Will is one patiently determined cowboy which supplies lots of swoony reading opportunities. Blissful sigh.

A profoundly satisfying conclusion to the series. It reads great as a standalone, but it was so much fun to get more than a glimpse of all my favourites and the author includes a divine epilogue that brings Callahan fans even more happily-ever-after joy.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Megan's Hero please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Winning Over the Cowboy

GIVEAWAY

VANNATTER, SHANNON TAYLOR
WINNING OVER THE COWBOY

The Rancher stakes his claim

When sh inherits half a dude ranch after losing her best friend, Landry Malone is determined to see Eden's legacy flourish. That is if her friend's broad-shouldered cowboy brother will give her the chance. Chase Donovan isn't happy that his sister left their family business to an outsider -- and he's determined to test Landry's mettle, hoping she'll give up her claim. Soon Chase is impressed by Landry's ability to rise to every challenge he puts in her way -- and worried that his attaraction to the perky spitfire seems to know no end. Finally working together to ensure the ranch's future, will their business partnership be the foundation for something more?

Texas Cowboys: Maverick hearts find their match

My Review:

Perfect blend of humour and angst. Chase is so grumpy when Landry first arrives at the dude ranch and his attempts to scare her off turn comedic as Landry shows him up every time. Love her confidence and determination in the face of such blatant disregard. Anger turns to grudging respect as the days go by and Chase has to admit that Landry's not only fit for the job but has a lot of innovative ideas that could help the business. He just can't figure out her angle -- sure she's a gold digger or con-artist. I loved watching Landry prove him wrong and then their hearts become entangled and the sparks start flying and Vannatter leads these two on a merry chase before their happily ever after becomes a reality. Awesomesauce from beginning to end!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Winning Over the Cowboy 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Her Secret : the Amish of Hart County

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
HER SECRET

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray begins a new series -- The Amish of Hart County -- with this suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who moves to a new town to escape a threatening stalker.

After a stalker goes too far, Hannah Hilty and her family are forced to leave the Amish community where she grew up. Now they're getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky. But Hannah has become afraid of trusting anyone -- even Isaac Troyer, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she'll ever return to the easygoing woman she once was.

For Isaac, the beautiful girl he teasingly called "The Recluse" confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he's misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God's gifts and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there's always more to someone than meets the eye.

My Review:

Compelling. Chilling. Inspiring.

Shelley Shepard Gray knows how to dig deep into the hearts of her characters, exposing weaknesses and strengths in equal measure as she forces them along a complex path of self-discovery.

Her Secret reveals the raw grittiness of every day people.  Yes, this is an Amish story -- but not the typical kind. The Hilty family is as naturally dysfunctional as any Englisch equivalent. Each family member faces common challenges in unique ways. None of them do it perfectly. There were times I wanted to box ears and rattle teeth. And just as often I wanted to hug them tight and whisper comforting platitudes. It's the kind of story that seeps into your bones until you become a part of it.

Thriller-style suspense tempered by tender romance promises a page-turner of a read.

My thanks to Avon Inspire and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/SGray

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Her Secret : the Amish of Hart County please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Never Forget

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
NEVER FORGET

June 1880 -- Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island -- Will she betray his trust to stay on the island she loves?

Abbie Watson is content to spend her days clamming, crabbing and tending Rose Island Lighthouse. Her grandpa is the head light keeper, but his senility may lead to their eviction. Since leaving the island would kill her beloved Gramps, Abbie will do anything to keep him in the one place he knows and loves.

Wealthy Nathaniel Winthrop III's wild living has gained him a reputation as the 'bad boy' among the elite social circles of Newport. After a blow to the head in a yachting accident washes him up on Rose Island, Nathaniel has no memories of his past.

Abbie tends the wounded stranger in her home only to realize he assumes they're married. Although she knows she needs to correct Nathaniel's mistake, his presence calms Gramps and provides a way to prevent eviction from the lighthouse.

The longer the charade continues, the harder it gets for Abbie to tell Nathaniel the truth, more so as she begins to fall in love. Everyone she's ever loved has abandoned her. Will Nathaniel leave her too, since he discovers he's not really her husband?

My Review:

A resounding conclusion to the Beacon of Hope series. I love the way the author honoured female lighthouse keepers in these books. Such an unusual angle for a historical romance. And there's something so alluring about life in the old lighthouses!

Abbie and Nathaniel's story is fraught with sorrow and complications that seem insurmountable. Just when I felt a glimmer of hope it would be dashed as sure as the waves against Rose Island's rocky shoreline. And, oh my goodness, but Hedlund kept me on tenterhooks the entire read.

I admire Abbie's gumption when it comes to eking out a living while tending to her ailing grandfather. Her dedication is both commendable and alarming. And that's because it clouds her judgment and infringes on Nathaniel's rights. He washes up on shore, injured with no idea of who he is or how he got there. Yes, Abbie rescues him, but in a sense she holds him hostage by allowing him to believe he's her husband because it plays into a wild and desperate scheme to help her grandfather. I had such a hard time justifying her actions the longer the pretense went on and that made it hard for me to cheer on their blossoming romance. To be fair to Abbie, she tried to keep her distance but Nathaniel isn't easy to ignore. :-)

He has a vague disquiet about the kind of man he once was and grasps this opportunity for a second chance to be the kind of man Abbie can be proud of. He reconnects with his faith and there's a beautiful inspirational thread that celebrates the power of forgiveness and God's loving grace.

And then it all comes tumbling down as I knew it would and things get a whole lot worse before they get better and there were twists that truly gutted me so I'm a bit of an emotional wreck now that I've reached the end. An emotionally charged conclusion to an awesome series.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Never Forget please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!