Kav's Best Reads

Conversations with Kav – Middle Grade March – How Children’s Books Influenced Our Adult Reading Choices + Giveaway

March is the month bibliophiles celebrate Middle Grade books thanks to a readathon created by some clever booktubers / bookstagrammers, aptly called Middle Grade March. There are a few prompts, a group read and some reading sprints, but mostly they encourage readers to rediscover their first bookish loves and meet some new MG books during the month of March. I’ve participated for a few years, often revisiting some old favourites but also discovering what’s new and popular in the middle grade genre.

Anyway, this year, I got to thinking about how my reading tastes haven’t really veered from my childhood loves. I can actually trace almost all of my most read genres to books that sparked a life long interest from waaaaaaaayyyyy back when I was a young bookworm. 🙂 I started making what we call in the biz ‘text-to-text’ connections between the children’s lit I devoured as a preteen and early teen and the books I gravitate towards as an adult.

So, I thought it would be fun to share our reading foundations. Are we still attracted to the same type of books? Or have our tastes changed as we have matured? Mostly I’ve just switched from MG to ‘grown-up’ books in the same genres and covering the same themes. I am consistently loyal (or perhaps boringly predictable?) in my reading habits, I guess.

I’ll go first (obviously!) so…tada!…here are some of the Middle Grade books that shaped my reading future:

Historical Romance

My love of historical novels began with The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett but my love of historical romance started with Kit’s experiences in a Connecticut Puritan colony. She was raised in the Caribbean, but orphaned and shipped off to relatives she’d never met. Talk about culture shock that leads to her being suspected of witchcraft! Of course there’s a young sailor friend and, voila, I discovered the joys of historical romance!

World War II Fiction

The Silver Sword was my first experience with WWII fiction. It’s based on a true story about four displaced children banding together to survive in occupied Warsaw and their quest to find their parents after the war. This made such an impact on me and began my emotional connection to WWII and Holocaust novels.

Mystery

Santa left this book at the end of my bed one eventful Christmas and created a mystery reading monster! When I found out this was the third book in a series about kids who solve mysteries, belong to a secret club dedicated to good works, “ride, swim, go to parties with the best friends in the world” well, I needed to read them all! We were a financially struggling immigrant family but my dad managed to buy me one Trixie Belden book a month. I still have them. Still read them. Still hug them and smell them and pour over the sweet pictures. Happy sigh. Haven’t stopped reading mysteries since.

Mystery with a Gothic Flare

My love of Gothic mysteries in exotic settings started with the mysteries Phyllis A. Whitney wrote for children. I still remember the thrill that shot through me when I discovered that she wrote similar mysteries for adults when I was in my late teens! I still get a thrill when I come across Gothic mysteries today.

K-9 Centric Stories

I have been dog obsessed since I fell out of my pram trying to reach a dog. My mum had to harness me because I’d lunge after every canine that crossed our paths. Personally I think my being leashed naturally bonded me to all the dogs who were also on leashes. So it was only natural that the first novel I read on my own was a book about a girl and her dog. I still have my battered old library discard copy with this exact cover.

Rom/Coms With Heart

I’m sure that Ramona has made an impression on millions of girls across multiple generations by now. Her antics never get old and the rich family dynamics are so comforting. Her personal dilemmas so relatable. The perfect blend of humour and heart and my stepping stone into my current appreciation for rom/coms.

Fantasy

I was a huge fantasy reader as a child sparked by my discovery of E. Nesbitt – Five Children and It is still my favourite. Set at the turn of the century where children discover a sand fairy who grants wishes only the wishes never go as expected. This book opened my reading world to the fantastical – Narnia (of course!) Edward Eager’s droll magic books, Catherine Anthony Clark’s Canadian Native legends, Carbonel and the Kingdom of Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh…oh, there were so many! I read fantasy for years and then…well, I didn’t! I’m just now getting back into the genre thanks to some Best Reads encouragement! and It feels like getting a bit of my childhood back!

I could talk books all daybed now it’s your turn…and time for the Giveaway Announcement!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Share a book from your childhood that has influenced (for good or bad!) your adult reading choices. Then share the title of a book you would like to add to your toppling TBR pile and, if your name is drawn, that is the book you will win.

Remember:

Books must be Christian Fiction or Clean, Closed Door Fiction
Books must already be released
Remember to check availability — I’ve noticed some older books are no longer in print (if it’s a physical book you’re after.)

Winner announced on Saturday March 21 2026

March Giveaway – Week Two

won by Connie Saunders

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!

Deadly Connection

random retro read

Will they uncover the secrets between them before it becomes deadly?

After fending off a would-be abductor, 27-year-old singer-songwriter Hannah Cassidy hides behind a car in the half-empty parking lot behind Pancake Pantry in Nashville. From there, she watches in horror as her attacker grabs another woman and pushes her into a nearby car. Within seconds, the vehicle speeds away.

TBI Special Agent Jake Matheson may have planned a quiet day off and a date with Shannon―the only name her online profile revealed―for an introductory lunch, but after pulling into a parking space on 21st Avenue South, he hears a scream. He races to the back of the building and finds a frightened young woman bent forward and gasping for breath.

Thrown together by uncanny circumstances and driven by the whys and what-ifs of secrets yet to be revealed, Hannah and Jake set out to find the connection between them before it becomes deadly.

My Review:

published in 2021

Fraught with danger, taut with emotion, ‘Deadly Connection’ takes off at a breakneck speed that set my heart racing. Gripping doesn’t begin to describe this romantic suspense!

The author is an expert at plotting and pacing, making her stories impossible to put down. I love the way she builds up the suspense with equal parts action/danger and police procedural. We even get some villain POV scenes which were eye-opening and gobsmacking!

Hannah and Jake’s developing relationship brings a nice respite from all that edginess. They are both cautious, even wary, and I loved watching them work through their own personal issues in order to be supportive to one another. Faith plays a part in their struggles, as Harris deftly weaves inspirational elements throughout their story.

A gripping romantic suspense that made an emotional impact.

The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall + Giveaway

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle’s and aunt’s murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle’s eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning her uncle’s paranoid motivations. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly–as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek–are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended on the property.

In present day Newton Creek, the whispers of a curse still cling to the century-old time capsule of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after the death of her parents, she is intent on solving the century-old mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still form the cornerstone of the manor. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My Review:

“People are the ones who create the darkness. Traeger Hall is just the place where they lock it up so it can’t get out.”

Jaime Jo Wright delivers another unputdownable read with her unique brand of thrilling dual timeline suspense. So much mystery! The Gothic flare! Plus, the emotional depth and inspirational insights add even more quality to the storytelling.

“She ached to move on. Jennie wanted God to make her messy beautiful. To infuse life with hope and peace.”

I was completely riveted and utterly confused more than once. The way Wright slowly (and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y) reveals the mystery elements leaves a reader with more questions than answers. And if you’re a reader with a runaway imagination like me, you’ll end up concocting umpteen potential scenarios in your head whenever your nose isn’t buried in the book. This story took on a life of it’s own and haunted me until I got to the final wrap up.

A little bit spooky, a whole lot intriguing with characters that grab your attention (and your heart) makes for a sensational read!

And. yes, this is me all caught up with Jaime Jo Wright’s books and eagerly waiting for her spring release.

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 Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall, 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

Embergold + Giveaway

Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last.

Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.

Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.

This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.

My Review:

Look at me, moving out of my comfort zone and becoming thoroughly enchanted by Rachelle Nelson’s loose reimagining of Beauty and the Beast! And with a dragon hero no less!

Evocative descriptions, engaging characters, imaginative world building and a plot that moves along at just the right pace. There’s time to savour tender scenes in between the action and adventure ones. I loved watching the friendship gradually build between Gilde and the dragon. Gives new meaning to the enemies to more trope too!

I really enjoyed the mystery elements as well. Around Gilde’s story and the dragon’s origins and the way their worlds collide. So many delicious story layers for a reader to lose herself in! There’s grit and drama and villains to thwart and things get quite dark in places. I about passed out from holding my breath a time or two! And, whoa, the way the author builds tension and emotion to an epic scene that needled me with an onslaught of goosebumps! Truly inspirational! I need a sequel. Immediately!

I listened to the audible edition of Embergold and was absolutely captivated by Aimee Lilly’s narration. Her portrayal of every character is spot on – especially the voice she gives the dragon! Highly recommend the audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – 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 Embergold, 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

A Horseman’s Gift + Giveaway

random retro read

Filipa Beltran is tired . . . sick and tired of living out her parents’ dreams. After years of guitar lessons and the seemingly endless string of part-time jobs to pay for them, Filipa makes a drastic decision to leave New York and the hope of becoming a professional musician behind and return to her hometown, to move forward with her life–on her terms.

For Nathan Cross, the past year has been nothing short of crazy. Once set on becoming a big business mogul, Nathan’s plans derail following his father’s untimely death and then his mother’s remarriage. Now he’s headed back home to carry on his father’s legacy running an equine therapy program . . . and trusting God to sort out his future.

When Nathan discovers childhood friend Filipa is also back in town—to stay—he finds it hard to swallow. Maybe she wasn’t the girl he thought, or else she wouldn’t sacrifice everything her parents dreamed of for her.

Can Nathan and Filipa find contentment in their God-given gifts?

My Review:

published in 2024

This second Horsemen of Cross Roads Farm book is just as emotionally satisfying and spiritually uplifting as the first! No worries if you haven’t yet read Kip and Sheridan’s love story (book one), ‘A Horseman’s Gift’ can easily be read as a standalone. Mind you, I was thrilled to see them play important secondary roles here. Nathan was definitely out of his element at times and could use the support (and tough love) from his big sis and brother-in-law.

A friends to more romance with just the right mix of lighthearted teasing and emotional angst. Both Nathan and Filipa are at crossroads in their lives, struggling to find their way amidst family responsibilities and expectations. Emotions run high, insecurities surface and the quest to find the right path – the one God is directing them to – is fraught with a myriad of emotions and uncertainties. Loved how relatable these two are and how inspiring as they figure things out, both separately and together. Made for such a compelling read!I

Well, listen for me as I chose the audible edition of this book which is expertly narrated by the author. Myra Johnson brings her characters to life in the kind of way only the person who created them can. Such a novel experience to be able to sit down and have the actual author read aloud to me! Thoroughly enjoyable listening experience and one that I highly recommend.

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 Horseman’s Gift 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

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

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE REST OF THE YEAR:

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!!!!