Running on Empty

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
RUNNING ON EMPTY

Anne Kellwyn has a secret. It's cost her everything to keep it, including her marriage. Now she may have to pay an even higher price to reveal the truth, but is she too late? Back home to care for her dying mother, Anne is faced with the past she ran from and a future she can't have, a future that includes Joe McIntyre and the happily ever after she'd dreamed of years ago.

Chief of Police Joe McIntyre takes his position seriously. A lead-by-example Christian, he's put to the test when his ex-wife appears with another man's child after eight years of silence. Anger and pride challenge his small-town-hero existence, driving him out of his comfort zone. Faced with choices he made eight years before, can he tackle the present to ease Anne's future so she's no longer "Running on Empty".

My Review:

Five Kleenex box warning. I found Running on Empty an emotional read. If I wasn't crying sad tears, they were happy ones. Herne attacks a sensitive subject with compassion and a depth of understanding. There's fodder for personal reckoning on both judgement and forgiveness in these pages.

And then there are the characters. Not your cookie cutter types by any means. They are walking, living, breathing people who are all too real and prone to any number of human foibles and all the more lovable for it.

Anne fascinated me from the very beginning -- such bravado in the midst of adversity. She managed to fool a lot of people -- even Joe -- but Herne allows us to see inside her fragile heart. I ached for her. I ached for Joe who never really knew her. I ached for the years they'd lost and yearned for a restitution that seemed impossible. Thankfully, the author knew better. Herne has crafted a compelling and unforgettable story that will touch hearts and open minds.

Giveaway Opportunity:

Please note: this book is available in ebook format only.

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Running on Empty, 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 September 15 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Bachelor Buttons

GIVEAWAY

MAHER, KATHLEEN  L.
BACHELOR BUTTONS

The daughter of immigrants who fled the Irish Potato Famine, Rose Meehan longs for a better life than the tenements of New York City. Courted by two men--a young doctor who represents material security, and a poor violin instructor who has captured her heart--she must choose between a life of advantage-grabbing or a life of faith. When Manhattan explodes in mob rule following Lincoln's unpopular draft, the heroic action of one suitor brings provision for those she loves, and reveals God's plan.

My Review:

What a sweet gem from a debut author! This novella packs a story of epic proportions. I'm amazed at the author's ability to convey so much in such a short word count. There's humour and angst and action set during a volatile time in U.S. History. And Maher makes it all the more personal by including some anecdotes from her own ancestor's life. Heroine Rose Meehan is based on her maternal great-great-great grandmother. What a wonderfully rich tribute and a fresh legacy for the author to leave her own family. Definitely a not-to-be-missed read that breathes life into nation changing historical events.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Bachelor Buttons, 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 September 15 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

September Giveaway - Week Two



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:

Into the Whirlwind

GIVEAWAY

CAMDEN, ELIZABETH
INTO THE WHIRLWIND

As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox's future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago's finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city's most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he's accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach.

In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack's character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line?

My Review:

Another masterpiece by one of my favourite authors. Camden has the incredible ability to breathe life into history. Fascinating details of 19th century Chicago and the great fire is an enthralling background to this fascinating story.  Rife with contrasting emotions, Mollie and Zack and a cast of intriguing secondary characters make this book memorable. I was committed from the very first page, anguishing over the gnarly bits, praying over the hopeful ones, and cheering at ending that left me cheering. An exceptional read for historical romance lovers everywhere.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Into the Whirlwind, 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 September 8 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

The Rosetti Curse

GIVEAWAY

RUSSO, TINA
THE ROSETTI CURSE

A Romantic Comedy of Italian Proportions...

She may look good in black, but Tessa Rosetti is not testing the family curse again. Three generations of women buried the men they love and confirmed Tessa’s belief in the Rosetti Curse.

Los Angeles cop, Thomas Riley, arrives back home in Silver Ridge, Colorado, to settle his grandmother’s estate, but while he's there he stumbles into trouble in the night. If his suspicions are correct, someone's cooking up more than biscotti at the local cookie factory.

My Review:

What a fresh new comedic voice in romantic fiction. Loved the dry humour found in the dialogue, in the ambiance of the small town and especially in Tessa's grandmother. I want to be adopted into the Rosetti family, curse and all!

Riley and Tessa's scenes are a riot. Their witty repartee had me laughing out loud even as I yearned for them to get on with their romance. But Russo knows how to leave her readers wanting more so she threw a lot of intriguing obstacles in their path. Some of them are hilarious, some hair-raising, some a tad heart-breaking -- all of them riveting. You won't want to pass up this light-hearted romance. It's a gem!

Note for gentle readers: mild language

Giveaway Opportunity:

available in ebook format only

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Rosetti Curse, 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 September 8 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Trapped

GIVEAWAY

HANNON, IRENE
TRAPPED

A runaway teen, a desperate sister, and an intrepid PI determined to discover the truth When Laura Griffith's sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned private investigator James Devlin to help. Dev knows time is of the essence with runaways--just forty-eight hours can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.

But the deeper he and Laura dig, the more Dev begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl's disappearance. And in the icy winter weather, the trail is going cold . . .

In her latest thrilling read, queen of romantic suspense Irene Hannon outdoes herself with a fast-paced tale of fear, deception, and just the right dose of romance.

My Review:

I knew I'd love this book so it is no surprise that Irene Hannon has done it again -- managed to create another breath-stealing, nail-biting, page-turning suspense. I spent most of the read screaming at the characters so excuse me if I'm a bit hoarse. Alas, they all proved to be reader-deaf so my "Stop!" and "Don't open the door!!!!" and "Look in the window!!!" and "Nooooo don't go out there!!!!!" etc were all in vain. I think I need a de-stressing massage after reading Trapped.

Hannon keeps the plot moving at a high powered pace while still managing to create incredible depth in relationships. It's an infuriating combination because you want to race ahead to keep up with the suspense but you also want to slow down and savor the friendships...and romance. A winning combination that is guaranteed to thrill the avid romantic suspense lover.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Trapped, 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 September 8 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". 

The Doctor's Family Reunion

GIVEAWAY

OBENHAUS, MINDY
THE DOCTOR'S FAMILY REUNION

His Instant Family 
Family means everything to Dr. Trent Lockridge. Growing up without a father, he always yearned for a family of his own. One long-ago  summer in Ouray, Colorado, he thought  he might build a future with beautiful  Blakely Daniels. But when he abruptly fled town, he broke her heart and left behind more than memories. Years later, Trent is shocked—and overjoyed—to learn he's a father. He'd like to earn back Blakely's love and trust— but it won't be easy. And the clock is ticking. He's got only a few weeks to prove that, this time, he's here to stay…forever.

My Review:

Stunning debut novel that is well-paced and chalk full of emotion and romance. I absolutely LOVED the 'first meet' scene. It packed a wallop and discombobulated me as much as it did poor Blakely. The author's expertly developed plot kept me riveted. Snappy dialogue, angsty musings, the crackle of attraction, an endearing boy and a couple of cute dogs -- what more can an avid reader ask for? How about an edge-of-your-seat resolution that left my heart thrumming! Can't wait to read more from this author!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Doctor's Family Reunion, 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 September 8 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!