Kav's Best Reads

May Giveaway – Week Two

WON BY PATTY

WON BY TRACEY

WON BY SANDY AVERY

WON BY CAITLIN

Winners will be contacted if they left their email address, otherwise it’s up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca (please note it’s ca as in Canada, not com.) From time to time a winner and I do not connect so I have a one month time frame on giveaway wins. If I haven’t been able to reach you within 30 days of your win, it will be forfeited. This has happened a few times now, so please, DON’T BE SHY — CONTACT ME IF YOU DIDN’T LEAVE AN EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN’T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU!

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Please remember to check giveaway details (paperback, ebook, either/or, gently read etc.) each day as they will vary.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Time to pick from the May Love Inspired Suspense releases!

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Dog-Gone Deadly

Dog-Gone Dead is the second book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series.

Who’d have thought mulch could cause such a stink?

Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is happy to score some free mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until she discovers the dead body buried beneath the bark.

Worse, her brother’s landscaping tools were used to commit the murder. Once the police arrest her brother and seem happy to have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice but to track down the real killer. She’ll risk everything to prove her brother’s innocence. Even if it means turning over every rock in town.

If you love small-town coastal life, dogs, and strong heroines, you’ll love Dog-Gone Dead.

My Review:

This cozy mystery series ticks all the boxes for me. Overcomer heroine, intriguing mystery that was difficult to figure out, awesome secondary characters (including the critters) and there’s even some romance. Oh — and I love the light touches of faith sprinkled throughout.

Like most cozy mysteries, this series would be best read in order. The first book covers some important backstory about Andi Grace and her family and gently introduces the romantic element. It’s also a great introduction to this small coastal town and Andi Grace’s dog walking business.

‘Dog-Gone Dead’ takes off where ‘Bite the Dust’ left off. It’s some months later and Andi Grace and her best friend are getting ready to launch their new business venture when a dead body shows up in the mulch (of course it does!) 🙂 And since Andi Grace’s brother becomes a suspect, she’s all in for solving the crime.

One of the wonderful things about this heroine is her fierce loyalty to her family and friends. It makes her a tenacious amateur sleuth who doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit.’ She’s relatively smart about her investigating though and works with the police…Well, that mostly means they get crazy frustrated by her sleuthing and read her the riot act while taking her ‘clues’ under consideration. I’ll admit, this mystery stumped me. I was waffling between three likely suspects and finally settled on the wrong one!

I listened to the audible edition of this book narrated by Meg Price and loved it! Hoping the rest of the series becomes available in audio format as well.

Aloha Rose + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

When Laney Carrigan’s adoptive parents encourage her as an adult to seek out her birth family, her only clue is the Lokelani quilt in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island, she battles fears of rejection from a family that abandoned her once before while her faith struggles to embrace God’s love.

Along the path to her true heritage, she meets Hawaiian cowboy/helicopter pilot, Kai Barnes. Kai is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family against a woman he suspects of being nothing more than a gold-digger, but he finds himself drawn to Laney in spite of his reservations. He’s spent his entire life seeking forgiveness from past mistakes and longs for a second chance at happiness. Laney’s painstaking journey to find restoration and a place to belong among the breathtaking allure of the Big Island will lead her closer to her past and maybe even something more.

My Review:

published in 2013

Lisa Carter has a gift with words that enables a reader to become totally lost in a story. It’s in the rich descriptions which are never overdone but paint a vivid picture of people and places. It’s in the abundant dialogue so real and gritty and funny and even absurd at times. Just like real life. And it’s definitely in the lush romance riddled with emotion of every conceivable kind. Honestly, I lived in Hawaii for a while. I love that kind of escape read.

This is a character driven story where Laney and Kai constantly struggle to find their footing — not just with each other but with coming to terms with their individual pasts. Great fodder for conflict and there’s plenty of that. Both are stubbornly clinging to old wounds which threaten their chance at happiness together. The heart of their story is finding — and extending — forgiveness and acceptance while moving forward in Christ.

A stunning read from beginning to end. Sweet perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Aloha Rose , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 11 2024.

May Love Inspired Giveaway

Since I’m finding it difficult to read the print in the Love Inspired lines and I don’t do well with ebooks either, I’m reduced to enjoying my LI and LIS books whenever they appear in audio editions. Unfortunately, that means the number of LI and LIS books I read has dwindled.

I still want to support the authors though, so I have started a Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense monthly new releases giveaway. Separate days for each line. I’ll list all the books and synopsis in a post and you can choose which book you would like to win if your name is drawn.

FOR THIS GIVEAWAY: Choose ONE of the *May Love Inspired books listed below, add the title to a comment (or in an email – kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) and if your name is drawn, that’s the book you will win.

*Just to make things complicated, these books have June as their release month but they actually become available in stores and online on May 21 so I’m calling them May releases?!

May Love Inspired Releases

Falling for Her Best Friend by Lisa Carter — A friends only pact…until they say ‘I do.’ Ten months ago, Mollie Drake agreed to marry her best friend, but only to care for his infant son. Now Colton Atkinson is back from his army deployment to end their charade…until their hometown surprises the newlyweds with a calendar of romance. From date nights to family dinners, soon the couple’s marriage of convenience begins to feel real. But will they risk their friendship for a chance at love?

Her Son’s Faithful Companion by Jill Weatherholt — Her son needs love and friendship, now she’s found the answer to her prayers. Former barrel racer Caitlyn Calloway wants her son with epilepsy to have everything—even if it means selling her family home. Problem is, the place is in disrepair. Her former crush, service dog trainer Logan Beckett, offers to help. But letting Logan and his dogs into their lives makes the past almost impossible to leave behind…especially when it opens the door to love.

Her Summer Refuge by Gabrielle Meyer — She needs his help to start over…but can she earn his trust? Jobless and alone, mom-to-be Jessa Brooks returns to the resort she once called home—only to find the man she left a decade before. New owner Will Madden offers his pregnant ex a cabin, a job…and a silent vow to keep his distance. But working together makes it impossible to stay away. As old feelings resurface, could they find the refuge they both need in each other?

Sunflower Farms Redemption by Stacie Strong — His return is a threat to her future…and her heart. After leaving home a decade ago, Jesse Cooper returns with one goal in mind: sell the family farm. But longtime manager Rose McFarland is not about to let the man who broke her heart risk her future. Working side by side for the Sunflower Festival, Rose sets out to prove Jesse can leave the property in her capable hands. But when forgiveness turns to love, will she convince him to stay?

The widow’s unexpected suitor by Lenora Worth — She thought she’d never find love again…until he built a foundation for it. Amish widow Lilah Mehl wants to make sure her daughter has the wedding she’s always dreamed of—even if it means building a new gazebo. Hiring widowed carpenter Noah Lantz to work on the project is easy, but ignoring their attraction proves more challenging than expected. As the gazebo takes shape, so do new feelings…but is love more than they bargained for?

The Secret Amish Arrangement by Lucy Bayer — Their fake courtship…is beginning to feel all too real. When contractor Henry Barrett arrives in Hickory Hollow, his plans to renovate a house and mend the relationship with his estranged brother go awry. But a fake courtship with shy baker Clara Templeton might just solve both their problems. She’ll help clean up the house and he’ll teach her how to date. There’s no risk of heartbreak since an Amish girl and an Englischer could never share real love…could they?

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook (in the form of an Amazon gift card for the amount of the ebook) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the June Love Inspired Releases, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 11 2024.

A Winter by the Sea + Giveaway

When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.

My Review:

If I had to describe Julie Klassen’s writing style in one word it would be ‘layered.’ Characters with layered backstories — and not just the MCs but secondary ones as well. Historical elements layered through the story in exacting detail. A plot with enough layers to keep a reader riveted right to the end.

And all that means ‘A Winter By the Sea’ was an immersive read for me. Kinda felt like I was binge-watching a BBC period drama like ‘Larkrise to Candelford’ or ‘Cranford.’ And wouldn’t it be wonderful if some enterprising producer decided to put some of Julie Klassen’s novels on the screen?!

The character-driven plot leaves plenty of time to explore relationships in this quaint seaside village. And, of course, there is romance — a delicious one despite a brief nod to the dreaded — gasp — love triangle! But it was gently done and almost painless. 🙂 And…eeeeepppp!!!…our hero is a man of faith who loves to read! Be still my heart!

‘A Winter By the Sea’ is divinely captivating and utterly addictive.

Of note: This is the second book in the ‘On Devonshire Shores’ series and, while it could be read as a standalone, I think it would be better to read the books in order. You’ll understand the Summers sisters circumstances better and some of the ‘whys and wherefores’ in this story. Would still make total sense as a standalone, you’d just have a richer read if you start with ‘The Sisters of Seaview.’

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

WINNER MAY CHOOSE BETWEEN BOOK #1 SISTERS OF SEA VIEW OR BOOK # 2 WINTER BY THE SEA — PLEASE STATE WHICH BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN A COMMENT OR IN YOUR EMAIL. THANK YOU.

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the On Devonshire Shores novels, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 11 2024.

May New Releases Giveaway

It’s a Best Reads blog tradition! Celebrating the month’s new releases the first week of each month.

WHY?

Because I recently discovered that a book’s success or failure is often determined by first month sales! (Though I bet preorders play into that as well.) Publishing houses look at those stats to determine whether they’ll add on to a series or accept the author’s next manuscript! All that literary goodness hanging in the balance but for a month’s worth of sales! (This was a cozy mystery author, but I imagine all traditional publishers use the same ‘system’.) So, I thought I should do my wee little bit to promote Christian Fiction.

HOW?

By hosting a special “Hello — insert month” giveaway. It’s easy to play along. You just have to choose ONE of the May 2024 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca.) If your name is drawn, that May release is the book you will win and we’re one book count closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE TO:

ebook for anyone anywhere who has an Amazon.com kindle account

US – paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice

Canada -paperback or ebook (in form of an Amazon gift card) or audible.ca audio book (if available) – winner’s choice

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 11 2024.

May Giveaway – Week One

WON BY LANE HILL HOUSE

WON BY LUCY

WON BY CC

WON BY ELIZABETH LITTON

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Please remember to check giveaway details (paperback, ebook, either/or, gently read etc.) each day as they will vary.

MONDAY

Time to check over your TBR lists and choose a May Christian Fiction Release!

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Your choice of any of the Love Inspired May Releases

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

An Eye For an Eye

Random Retro ReRead

After he accidentally shoots a teenager at a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press starts to settle. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico to resume his work on the HRT, Mark has a chance encounter with an old flame, Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he tries to strike again. But what is his motive–and who was his intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe, and rekindle a long-dead relationship at the same time?

A fast-paced tale of romance, suspense, and intrigue, An Eye for an Eye is the exciting second installment in the Heroes of Quantico series.

My Review:

published in 2009

I’m really enjoying the pacing and plotting of these ‘retro’ suspense novels. There’s more breathing space for a relationship to develop and the slow build in the mystery feels more suspenseful.

A sniper takes a shot at two people out for their morning run — but which one is the target? We get the occasional villain POV which gradually reveals all, but full disclosure takes a while and I was on tenterhooks trying to figure it all out. And what a high stakes meet-cute — and reunion of teenage sweethearts! A random meeting in the park that nearly turns deadly. The set up for this novel is soooooo good!

The solid suspense plot doesn’t move too quickly and we’re party to the inner workings of an FBI investigation — some of it ho hum tedious and very true to life. (Not that the reading was tedious — but this isn’t a series of relentless attacks kind of suspense which is more typical of today’s plots.) Love the give and take among the investigative team — especially the good-natured ribbing which lightens the darker moments.

And the romance — a second chance twenty years later that starts with friendship. So many wonderful getting reacquainted moments which include some frank discussions on faith and feelings and expectations. Reminded me of early Dee Henderson novels (O’Malley’s.)

Thrilling from start to finish. I enjoyed this second read of ‘An Eye for an Eye’ as much as the first.

Loyally Luke + Giveaway

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad…and even the impossible.

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

My Review:

My heart is full is full to bursting with bibliophile rapture! I. Can’t. Even….

My brain is scrambled and my tummy hurts from laughing so hard and my knees are still buckling in preparation for a swoon every time I stand. Because Luke is the hero of my heart. The best of all book boyfriends.

I’ve anticipated this book since first meeting Luke in ‘Authentically Izzy’ to the point I was almost nervous to read it because my expectations were so high. Happy to report that Pepper Basham did not disappoint and neither did the stellar cast of performers who narrated the audio book. Seven narrators!!! Christopher Ashman, K.C. Sheridan, Kathleen McInerney, Natalie Duke, Gary Furlong, Caitlin Davies and Mhairi Morrison. They all did a brilliant job of bringing these characters to life and I think avid audio ‘readers’ will be thrilled with their listening experience. I sure was!

So…if you’ve been following this series, ‘Loyally Luke’ delivers exactly what you’d expect…times a billion! So much fun! The meet-cute! Snicker. Cue the banter that doesn’t let up the whole read through. And let me tell you, I was already in love with grumpy Luke, but flirty Luke about did me in. My fainting couch needs new springs!

One thing I found interesting is that the author mixed up the format in this third book where the emails and messages are interspersed with ‘live action’ scenes. If you’ve read one of the other books in this series, this will make sense (I hope) but if you haven’t, I’ve likely totally confused you. Explanation: The first two books are written in epistolary format for the first half and then switching to a combination of emails/texts and ‘in the moment’ POVs for the rest of the story. In this one, there’s definitely less emails and texting and the book starts on in real time with Luke just off the plane as he arrives in Skymar. I enjoy both styles, but I know some people aren’t a fan of epistolary novels so this strikes a happy medium.

We still get enough Izzy and Penelope (and even Josephine) input (Luke’s sisters/cousin) through their correspondence, which kept me grinning, because they go all Disney Princess on him in a big way much to his consternation. There are so many wonderfully clever movie references which become quite hysterical because it’s Luke realizing he’s caught in the snare of one of his sisters’ romcoms. He kept needing to watch Rambo to centre himself. Bwahahaha! But there is no getting away from all those romantic tropes!

And his princess’s story? Heartbreaking and inspiring. The paparazzi — Gah! We occasionally get the point of view of a gossip columnist which set me off every time. (And scary to contemplate, but Pepper Basham would make an excellent tabloid reporter!)

Gah — there’s so much more to gush over but this review is way too long. You just need to read this book — the whole series, really — and then we can form a Luke fan club and gush to our hearts content.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A SERIES BEST READ IN ORDER, THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR THE WINNER’S CHOICE OF BOOK 1,2 OR 3

BUT

PLEASE NOTE THAT EDITION OPTIONS VARY SO CHECK BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHICH BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN. ONCE YOU’VE MADE YOUR DECISION, PLEASE INCLUDE THE TITLE IN YOUR COMMENT (OR EMAIL).

Authentically Izzy OR Practically Penelope — This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice. Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice. International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

Loyally Luke — ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com) Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win a one of the Skymar books, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 4 2024.

DON’T FORGET TO MENTION THE TITLE OF THE BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR COMMENT (OR EMAIL)

Bite The Dust + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.

Proving her innocence could be a tall order. The local police never solved the hit-and-run that killed her parents; Andi Grace isn’t sure they’ll solve this crime either…not when they have a convenient suspect—one caught with the possible murder weapon in her hand. She’ll have to follow every clue and call in every favor, even if that puts her in danger.

If you love strong heroines, coastal small-town life, and dogs, you’ll love Bite the Dust.

My Review:

Published in 2020

Eeeepppp! How did I not know about this series? It’s both a cozy mystery and Christian Fiction! And there’s even a romance! That’s my reading dream, right there. Plus the whole series just became available on audible so guess what I’ll be binge listening to?

Absolutely love the way Layton sets the stage for this series. The cozy part of this cozy mystery is sweet perfection. Vivid descriptions of the SC Low Country made me feel like I was there and Andi Grace’s dog walking profession is my dream job! I appreciate the depth in character back stories — especially Andi Grace — and her personal mystery is just as compelling as the murder mystery.

Fabulous meet cute with an enemies to more vibe and an intriguing list of suspects kept the plot moving and me riveted. Plus, there’s light touches of faith interspersed throughout. So excited to dive into book #2 of the ‘Low Country Dog Walker Mystery’ series soon!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Bite the Dust, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 4 2024.