Kav's Best Reads

Last to Fall + Giveaway

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family’s exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she’s forced to call on the one person with the skills to help Mo Quinn, a former Army Intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can’t walk away–especially when it’s clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them is ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn and Mo must break years of silence to uncover who’s trying to destroy The Haven. They’ll have to risk everything–including their hearts–to expose the truth before it’s too late.

Lynn H. Blackburn skillfully draws you into a thrilling plot taut with gripping suspense and romantic tension that will have you turning pages long into the night.

My Review:

Seems like I’ve been waiting for Mo and Bronwyn’s story forever! I am totally invested in all the characters of this series but the author has been teasing us with Mo and Bronwyn from the very start. At least, it feels that way! And now it’s finally time for them to sort out their differences and see a way forward to a happily ever after…together! Only, of course, it isn’t quite that simple.

For starters they have been at odds for years after betrayal (on both their parts) severed their relationship while they were still in their teens. But they share this awesome found family made up of brothers/sisters/cousins of two feuding families so they can’t completely avoid each other. Ah – the delicious romantic tension that is finally released in this third Gossamer Falls novel. (Picture me doing my bibliophile happy dance all the way through to the end.)

So, third in a series which can be read as a standalone. The author does a really good job of involving multiple characters and sharing pertinent parts of the family dynamics so that it’s easy for Gossamer Falls newbies to follow BUT that comes with a few spoilers too. My recommendation is to read the books in order and bask in all the wondiferous glory that comes from Blackburn’s storytelling.

I really love the way the author develops both the romance and the suspense in ‘Last to Fall.’ It seems unhurried and yet every scene counts and builds on previous ones while foreshadowing catastrophic deception ahead. I was on the edge of my seat the entire read and sometimes, I honestly had to stop and take a breather – either to enjoy the respite of an especially tender scene or freak out over things I was putting together. (I was somewhat right, but not always and not about some important motives!)

Lynn H. Blackburn writes the kind of romantic suspense I adore! Gossamer Falls is a series I will definitely revisit – especially since I loved listening to Kate Forbes’ audio book narration. She’s become a familiar voice in my audio book collection and she’s particularly good at conveying the unique tension and pacing that comes with the romantic suspense genre.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Last to Fall, 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 March 14 2026

Conversations With Kav – How many books do you read at the same time? and DNFs + Giveaway

Today is a two part question day (because I am that nosy!) If I’m not talking about books, I’m thinking about the routines of avid readers in their natural habitat. 🙂 So, here we go!

How many books do you read at the same time?

I’m pretty boring — used to be I just read one book at a time but once I started listening to audio books it became two fiction books at a time. I just have to make sure that the physical book and the audio book are different genres. I tried reading one cozy mystery while listening to another cozy mystery (not at the exact same time, but you know what I mean) and it was so confusing!

In my booktube sojourns I’ve come across multiple content creators who read multiple books at the same time — like six, seven, eight! I was gobsmacked. Still am. To me that just means the books aren’t engaging enough and I would DNF them licektey split and move on to find something I couldn’t put down. Which brings me to the second topic of the day.

Are you a DNFer? If so, at what point to you give up on the read?

I am a firm proponent of DNFing. (Do Not Finish) Life is too short to waste my time with characters I don’t like or plots riddled with holes or a writing style that doesn’t call to me. And there are so many books in my TBR begging to be my next best read! How can I disappoint them by wiling away precious reading time on something that I’m not connecting with?

I have a three chapter rule (usually.) If I’m not hooked in three chapters then I give up. Even when people say – but the last half of the book is awesome! I shouldn’t have to slog through the first half to get there. Sometimes, I’ll DNF earlier. Like if there’s a coarse language issue or other content that I don’t want to read. Or if a trope or issue comes up that I’m not keen on. Sometimes it’s a mood thing. Those are soft DNFs and I’ll give the book another chance sometime in the future. Usually, though, I’m unapologetically decisive and don’t look back.

This year I’ve started keeping a DNF log, writing a ‘for my eyes only’ review explaining why I DNFed. It’s been eye opening and I’ve discovered I can be snarky sarcastic when my readerly sensibilities have been offended. Oops. Reason why I don’t post DNFs or reviews on GR. 🙂

The Giveaway

Let’s get the conversation started. Share your thoughts on multiple book reading and DNFing in a comment below and I’ll enter your name in a draw for a $10 bookish gift card – Baker Book House or Amazon – winner’s choice.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 14, 2026.

March Giveaway – Week One

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 THE REST OF THE YEAR:

Sunday

Conversations with Kav – a place for us to chat about bookish topics if anyone is so inclined. Sometimes there will be giveaways, sometimes there won’t. It will just depend on the topic of the day. Hope to see you there! Otherwise my inner book nerd and I will carry on by ourselves. Bwahaha!

Cold Fury

Random Retro Read

Five years ago tragedy tore them apart…

Forensic anthropologist Maggie Turner happily works as an assistant professor at her local university and lives a quiet life near campus. That is until Jackson Lockhart enters her classroom. Then a cyclone of emotions erupt as she remembers the tragedy that once tore them apart. She’s often thought of him, but they’d agreed never to see each other again and so far they’d kept their promise. But today…Jackson has a good reason for breaking his promise. Maggie’s life depends on it.

Will it now bring them back together?

In an ongoing investigation, Jackson has learned that university officials secretly videoed her classroom in a study on attendance. The recorder was supposed to run only during the class session, but it malfunctioned and recorded an entire week, which includes a shocking murder that has now put Maggie’s life in danger. Can Jackson unravel the lies surrounding this incident before the killer unleashes his fury on Maggie and takes her life?

My Review:

published in 2018

While Cold Fury is the third book in the Cold Harbor series, it can be read as a standalone. Sleeman does a super job of introducing the Blackwell Tactical members. Team building is something this author really excels at and I love the way she writes the camaraderie and banter. Great scenes that showcase the heart of these amazing men and women and makes each one lifetime friends material.

But — be prepared to have your heart skewered with Jackson and Maggie’s story. Their history is so devastating! They are both still overwhelmed by their past — burdened to the point of not being able to let it go.Though they are both successful in their chosen careers, they’ve closed themselves off from living life to the fullest. Their conversations are insightful and the way they grow in their faith is inspiring.

“God always gets things right and when we worry or question Him it’s like we think He’s gotten it wrong.” — “We thank Him for the good things and blame Him for the bad. God is consistent so we’re just tormenting ourselves by fluctuating as circumstances change.” (sorry I don’t have page references, but I was listening to the audbile version.)

And the suspense is action-packed and danger inducing! Absolutely love the details Sleeman has added to the various technical aspects of the story — from the forensics to the police procedural to the armed forces tactics the team use in their operations — all fascinating and add authenticity to the story.

I’m three books down with four more to go before I finish the series. I’m excited to get back to Cold Harbor and thrilled that I don’t have to wait long to do so. I have Cold Case in my sight-lines — Eryn’s story — double woot!!!!

Hearts Aweigh + Giveaway

Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

My Review:

This series has Golden Girls meets the Love Boat vibes and is so much fun. Who can resist septuagenarian matchmakers who carry around a ‘battleground binder’ and create dossiers on potential suitors while dabbling in a bit of mystery solving on the side? Because, “God gave her nosy bones for a reason.”

These ladies are a sweet/funny mix of audacious and vulnerable. They keep Spencer and Abby (and readers) on their toes. I loved watching their romance unfold through multiple points of view. Spencer is so unapproachable, stuffy, unbending, rule-obsessed…well, you get the idea. The Shippers were certain he was not a potential match and so was I! But he’s a man in the middle of transformation as he learns to live his new-found faith. He also has an adorable daughter he’s just getting to know now that he has full custody and watching his awkward attempts to reach the shy little girl is sweet and funny and emotional too.

This opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine romance delivers all the feels along with some pointed observations from the beloved ‘Shippers.’ Add in a side of light amateur sleuthing and you get a delightfully captivating read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro, 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 March 7 2026

Arise From Dark Places + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

A modern-day retelling of Sleeping Beauty

Finally free of the ten-year revolving hidden world in which she lived, Ari wants one thing before her life transforms for the final and most critical time—to see the young man who first brought her love. But he no longer lives in the beaten-down shack he’d once shared with his abusive, alcoholic father. Where could he be? Will Ari find him in time, or will those who want her dead find her first? She’d search to the ends of the earth, if only …

~Run, run, as through a maze. A spinning wheel will end your days.~

… her mother’s premonition hadn’t just come true.

Trying to absolve himself of his greatest sin, Manny seeks to help those in need, even if one of them is his very wealthy employer. But the memories still assault Manny with blows more powerful than his father’s fists.

Until he meets the woman who will change his life.

My Review:

published in 2017

What a stunning Sleeping Beauty retelling! So full of emotion and faith and even allegorical elements I found so inspiring!

As in Almony’s first ‘Dark Forest’ novel, this contemporary story is gritty in places. She deals with some tough issues, but does so with compassion and grace. And so much hope.

And the way she wrapped the classic fairy tale into her own uniquely imaginative retelling is quite brilliant. The sleeping spell part of this tale is particularly ingenuous. And the whole thing is written with such an air of mystery that sometimes I wasn’t sure if I actually understood what was happening. I pressed on though, slightly befuddled but eagerly snatching up every cleverly planted hint until I had enough pieces to send me into a gobsmacked tizzy of exciting revelations! Even some goosebumping ones!

‘Arise from Dark Places’ is the very definition of unputdownable!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and available to any reader anywhere so – yay- another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Arise From Dark Places, 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 March 7 2026.

Hello March + 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 March 2026 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) If your name is drawn, that March release is the book you will win and we’re one book closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 7 2026

The Highland Heist + Giveaway

Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister

Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.

The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.

With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.

My Review:

So excited to be back with one of my favourite book-centric heroines! Grace understands the power of story in a way I totally embrace. “With all the factual difficulties surrounding this particular situation, it helps to add a little fictional delight just to soften the ache of reality.”

And this particular mystery hits close to home since it involves her family. It isn’t long before Freddie sees “the curious and sometimes terrifying glint” in his wife’s eyes that means she’s on the case. Love their relationship – the tenderness, the banter, the toe-curling swooniness! Happy, happy sigh!

This time Freddie and Grace find themselves in the middle of a complicated mystery that starts with their visit to Grace’s home and stretches across the ocean to the shores of Scotland. There’s lots of action and danger and plot twists galore! All executed with the dramatic flare I’ve come to expect from Grace!

‘The Highland Heist’ is the fourth book in this series and, though it can easily be read as a standalone, you will get so much more satisfaction out of these characters and their stories if you follow them through their first, second and third adventures too.

I listened to the audible edition and thoroughly enjoyed narrator Pamela Klein’s performance. It feels like she relishes these characters and their shenanigans just as much as I do, which makes the listening experience extra fun.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Highland Heist, 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 March 7 2026

Conversations With Kav – Olympics Readathon Results

What a thrilling month full of Olympic excellence both on the track/rink/slopes and in the pages of all the books we read. And, as I mentioned before, I got a real kick out of seeing what all of you were reading. Even discovered some new-to-me authors to check out so thank you all for participating and sharing the book love.

And fun fact: a lot of us were reading the same books or authors! Jody Hedlund, Pepper Basham and Laura Frantz were quite popular. It looks like Historical is the favourite genre, no surprise there. 🙂 I’ve made an attempt at tracking all the books but I may have missed a few, so my apologies if I missed one of your Olympic Reads.

The Nerdy Stats

I know, I know, this is all really fascinating but what you really want to know is who the winners are, right? Well, here they are:

Olympian Readathon Champions!

Gold Medal Winner

won by Tammy O. (Cdn)

Congratulations, ladies and thank you to everyone who participated in the Readathon! May all our futures be full of Best Reads!

February Giveaway – Week Four

Note about the Oympic Readathon Winners

I’ve decided to post the winners separately tomorrow. I started compiling lists of the books we all read over the past month and the project got away from me. Plus it’s taking awhile to cross-reference my tallies before doing the actually draws. So….you will have to wait with bated breath one more day to find out who our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are!

Won by Winnie