Undeniably Yours

GIVEAWAY

WADE, BECKY
UNDENIABLY YOURS

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who's determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their relationship--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?

My Review:

A gut-wrenching, realistic read on so many levels. I just love the way Wade isn't afraid to create flawed characters that readers can easily relate to. Meg is so determined...so contained...trying desperately to be something she is not while visions of her true self burst out in incredible ways. I love her story arc -- the way her destiny unfolds as she puts her trust in God. This is a captivating story about reaching your potential in unexpected ways.

Bo fills the page in true heroly fashion from our very first meeting. His determination to  change Meg's mind about closing the Thoroughbred racehorse farm provides a palpable tension that is constantly tugging at their romance. Wade has created an impossible scenario with which to share the power of love's triumph.

The author keeps her readers on their toes by filling the plot with surprising twists that keeps this romance fresh and beautiful and left me uttering a huge sigh of pure contentment at its conclusion.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Undeniably Yours, 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 May 12 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

May Giveaway - Week One

CONGRATULATIONS!

won by chaplaindebbie

won by Marissa

won by Abbi Hart

It was an enlightening week for me! My email was hacked. Thanks to those who alerted me and just a reminder to everyone -- never open a link in an email you are uncertain of. Usually, the link is the only text in the body of the email. I would never send any links that way. If I wanted to share a cool website or something of that nature I would share it here in my blog. Anyway -- I think the situation is fixed now but just to be on the safe side, remember, the only time I'll send you an email is alert you of a win and there won't be any links involved!

The other thing I've become aware of is that I missed ordering some wins in March. I was in my post-pneumonia-and-in-the-middle-of-Speedbo-writing-brain and I fear my record keeping went awry. Looks like a few of the books didn't get ordered. If you were a winner in March and haven't received a book yet, please drop me a line at the email below and we'll sort it out.

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:

When a Secret Kills

GIVEAWAY

EASON, LYNETTE
WHEN A SECRET KILLS

She's come home to put a killer behind bars.
But the killer plans to put her six feet under.
Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--find the truth and expose it. And the truth is that Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn't she?

Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to this explosive series.

My Review:

Spellbinding. The conclusion to the Deadly Reunion series starts out smooth and calm...for all of two pages and then BAM don't expect to catch your breath until page 345! If you've read the other two books in the series, When the Smoke Clears and When a Heart Stops, you will be thrilled to know that Jillian is finally coming home but those of you who aren't familiar with the series will be just fine reading this one as a standalone.  I just love the way Eason ensues a smooth transition between books in a series.

Heart-palpitating suspense propels a second-chance love story into a dream of a twisty, turny read. But be forewarned: there are enough speed bumps in the plot to give you whiplash. You might want to clear your calendar before delving into When a Secret Kills because you won't be able to put it down once you start reading.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When a Secret Kills, 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 May 5 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Jennifer : an O'Malley Love Story

GIVEAWAY

HENDERSON, DEE
JENNIFER : AN O'MALLEY LOVE STORY

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.

The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.

My Review:

 Such a bittersweet, beautiful love story! I was in tears through most of it because I 'know' the O'Malleys and I knew where Jennifer's journey would lead. Dee Henderson certainly knows how to develop a romance into a nurturing, soul-satisfying read.

Tom Peterson is a worthy hero and I get goosebumps just thinking about what he started by sharing Christ with Jennifer. Over the course of six books  in the O'Malley series we are blessed to see the fruits of that first witness made by Tom as one by one each sibling comes into the fold.

If you are an O'Malley fan, you need to read this book to complete the series...with a tissue warning alert. If you haven't read any of the previous books...helllloooo, what are you waiting for?! I'm not sure when this book would best be read -- as the first or the last. Either way though, it must be read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Jennifer : an O'Malley Love Story, 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 May 5 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

When Love Calls

GIVEAWAY

SEILSTAD, LORNA
WHEN LOVE CALLS

When romance calls, will she choose to answer?Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list does not include following rules. So when she must apply for a job as a switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won't be easy. Hello Girls must conduct themselves according to strict-and often bewildering-rules, which include absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training.

Hannah doubts it will be difficult to keep that rule-until a handsome young lawyer starts getting under her skin.

With historic details that bring to life the exciting first decade of the twentieth century, Lorna Seilstad weaves a charming tale of companionship that blossoms into sweet romance.

My Review:

First, take a moment to soak in that cover. Isn't it delectable? Doesn't it beckon you to flip through the pages? And when you do, you'll be well and truly caught up in the chaotic lives of the Gregory sisters.

This is the first book in Seilstad's new Gregory Sisters series and it's a grand introduction. I have to admit that all the sisters grabbed hold of my heart, but it is the youngest, Tessa, that I'm looking forward to reading about the most. Alas, she is only fourteen in this novel, so I guess she has some growing up to do before she gets a romance of her own.

Seilstad researches her books thoroughly and I'm always thrilled to discover the bizarre snippets of history she loves to include in her stories. The Hello Girls angle is absolutely fascinating! They had such rigid (and ridiculous) rules and when the author pits a rule-breaking heroine against them...well, magic happens.

Seilstad turns a deft hand at combining drama and comedy along with a sweet inspirational thread that makes this a memorable and rewarding read. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When Love Calls, 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 May 5 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"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".

Finding God in the Dark : Faith, Disappointment and the Struggle to Believe

KLUCK, TED
MARTIN, RONNIE
FINDING GOD IN THE DARK : FAITH, DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE

An That's hard to remember in the face of disillusionment or heartache. Unbelief and doubt are buried deep within us, especially when we question God's goodness in the face of loss and abandonment. Ted Kluck's world was turned upside down after experiencing a failed adoption, where he found himself propelled into a year of doubt and disillusionment. Ronnie Martin struggled with the kind of identity and idolatry issues that come with being a well-known recording artist, before the unexpected death of his father allowed those sins to be brought to the surface of his heart. It is in the midst of these and other everyday stories that we learn how God reveals His boundless grace to every one of us.

Whether you've lost someone you loved, suffered career failure, or simply been let down by a fellow Christian, it's natural to wonder whether God has forgotten about you. You're not alone. But as a believer, you can trust that overcoming individual challenges will prepare you for a greater purpose. Kluck and Martin's raw revelations about their mistakes and disappointments will help you on your own journey to finding God when you're standing in the dark.

My Review:

A challenging subject to be sure and kudos to the authors for being authentic in their sharing of personal stories to illustrate their point. I found myself startled at times, by sweeping statements, judgements really, about an individual or a group of people which weren't always resolved. That left me feeling unsettled and looking for the light in the message.

Both authors have distinctive contrasting writing styles, which I felt a bit jarring as the perspective yoyoed back and forth. While I feel that it is extremely important to acknowledge that Christians do struggle with faith in the midst of affliction and I appreciated the authors honesty, I found there wasn't a solid enough counter point of view to balance their dark memoirs.  As a reader, I empathized with the authors, feeling their pain and hopelessness and was encouraged by the scriptures and comments, especially in the second half of the book. I just wish the authors had taken it deeper.

A slim volume, Finding God in the Dark could definitely be used as a springboard for discussion but I would hope that participants would be able to add more insights towards solutions that might help those struggling in dark places.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

April Giveaway - Week Four

Congratulations!

won by fredamans

 

won by Warrior Princess

won by Faith F.

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:

Great new series by a favourite author!

Breathtaking supsense!

The perfect read for O'Malley fans.