The Stranger I Love + Giveaway

When both attempt to flee their past, can love’s pursuit catch them?

Estelle Lowry has traded her privileged life for anonymity, running away to become Miss Estelle Lewis—governess and companion. But her carefully laid plans unravel when she discovers a man beaten and left for dead. Defying every rule of propriety, she rescues him, bringing him to safety. A connection sparks between the two strangers, yet his injuries keep his face obscured. Before he fully recovers, she is forced to leave in search of employment—without a name, a past, or any way to find him again.

Six months later, Estelle arrives at Rosemont Manor, determined to guard her heart—and her secrets. But her resolve falters when she finds herself drawn to the last man she should want: the brooding and unpredictable Lord Camden.

Atlas Camden has no time for distractions. Due to his complicated past, he is determined to shoulder his responsibilities and keep his family safe. The arrival of his sister’s new companion sets him at odds with himself. Miss Lewis is as headstrong as she is captivating—and far too often at the center of trouble, drawing both his attention and concern. His mother would be scandalized if she knew he was even entertaining romantic notions about a woman in service, let alone one who is half-Irish. Besides, a man with his history has no right to offer his heart—and even less to hope for one in return.

When secrets are revealed and trust crumbles, running from their past is no longer an option. Estelle and Atlas must choose between the new paths they’ve forged or the broken history to which they are still bound.

The Stranger I Love is full of longing, redemption, and courageous love. It is the first book in The Runaway Brides series and is a clean Victorian romance without explicit content.

My Review:

Swoonaliciously toe-curling and this romance reader’s idea of a dream story. Definitely the kind you need to savour. From the characterization to the banter (be still my heart, when Atlas turns on the charm!) and all the delicious descriptions that set every scene, Walker’s storytelling is infused with exquisite details that kept me earnestly engaged all the way through.

And…eeeeppppp….the first in a new series aptly titled ‘The Runaway Brides’ and the author has done a magnificent job of setting up the next book with some delightful foreshadowing.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audio edition’s dual narration. Lola Jones and Eli Thorne did a fantastic job bringing all the characters to life and I got the sense that they were enjoying the story as much as I was, which always add an extra thrill to my listening experience.

2026 Carol Award Finalists – Romantic Suspense + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2026 finalists are books published in 2025. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

Carol Award Winners will be announced on August 29 2026 at the ACFW Gala in Memphis, Tennessee (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2026 – Romantic Suspense Category you would like to receive. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. 

Romanctic Suspense Finalists

Failed Protocol by Cindy Bonds – Scrivenings Press – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

Olivia Lloyd left the U.K. to work in Texas as head of security for a tech firm. Her training in the British Army gave her a chance to get into the SAS—Special Air Service. But she washed out, with the help of her uncle and his contacts. Now, here at her uncle’s request, she’s lonely and miserable after running away from her last life-altering loss.

Kenton Matthews’ recon days are over. He now works as a detective in Dallas, offering assessments for security when high-value targets come to town. But a request from an old friend has his heart pounding, as the threat to the large tech firm holds more than just a breach of security.

Kenton is determined to battle the failed mission from long ago and will do everything he can to protect Olivia from facing the same torturous man her uncle faced. But can Olivia trust the one man her uncle deems more than worthy?

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong – Scrivenings Press – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8178522686

I Can’t Hear You by Vikki Kestrel – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

TWO SCENES, TWO WOMEN, two separate deaths, yet neither death suspicious in and of itself. What confounds Detective Richard Hawke and his partner Dov Mayer is the blood left at both scenes . . . blood that does not belong to either of the deceased.

The mystery surrounding the two deaths and the inexplicable “blood ritual” found with both bodies grows when Grace Warner, a local physician and psychiatrist specializing in hearing disorders, receives a scrawled note and brings it to the homicide I dint meen to skare her.

Was the note written by a juvenile or by an adult with a patchy education?

Hawke and Mayer’s working theories fall apart when the city experiences a third death, a definite homicide this time, complete with the same strange blood ritual found with the first two bodies. Worse, the grisly murder is followed by another . . . and another and another.

As panic takes hold of the city, pressure on Hawke and Mayer to find the killer and end his killing spree intensifies. At the same time, the commonalities between the first two deaths and the ongoing string of murders cannot be ignored.

Hawke begins to realize that something much deeper is in play, something hidden yet intensely sinister. Can Hawke and Mayer outthink the killer and capture him before they or those close to them become the hunted?

Protecting You by Robin Patchen – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback, ebook or audible, International – ebook with US Kindle account.

In a high-stakes game of deception, two rivals must work together to bring down a ruthless terrorist network.After Alyssa’s dream of working in US intelligence is thwarted, she leaves her mundane profession to pursue a career as a cyber investigator. Though she aces every case she gets, securing enough customers to pay her rent proves challenging. When a lucrative commission comes along, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. But this client isn’t the British entrepreneur he claims to be. And then her old nemesis interrupts their meeting with a startling move.

NSA agent Gideon Todd is floundering in his new role as a single father to a surprise daughter, but he still has a job to do. He follows a tip about a terrorist, only to be shocked when he finds his old college adversary dining with the notorious killer. Maybe there was a better way to step in than by posing as Alyssa’s fiancé, but it was the best excuse he could come up with to insert himself into their meeting.

Gideon once stole the job Alyssa coveted, and now the last thing she wants is his help. But when he explains who her client actually is, she realizes she’s in way over her head. Dariush Ghazi knew exactly what he was doing when he targeted her. She’s trapped. She must go along with a dangerous scheme, pretending to help him while working with Gideon…or end up dead.

In their quest to dismantle Dariush’s network of evil, Gideon and Alyssa risk sacrificing each other—and everything they hold dear.

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer 2026 Edition – Goal Review

So, to enter this giveaway, just share anything goal related in the comments. Then, in the same comment, list a book that will help you reach your goal. So it looks like this:

“I want to catch up on some suspense series. Night Prey by Susan Sleeman.”

NOTE: BOOKS MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION OR CLOSED DOOR

You can enter up to three times in three separate comments — and you can use the same goal or a different one each time, but a different title for each entry.

Books can be published any time up to and including September 2026. Currently published books will be ordered this coming week for winners, otherwise it will be an IOU for a title releasing later.

WINNER’S CHOICE OF PAPERBACK OR EBOOK FOR US AND CANADIAN ENTRIES. EBOOKS ONLY FOR INTERNATIONAL READERS WHO HAVE A US KINDLE ACCOUNT.

I haven’t been focusing on two of my other author goals – 1) authors I’m keeping current with, and 2) read to zero authors.

I have only listed two keep current authors (and I am up to date with them) but I think I might just scrap this goal for the year and organize it better for 2027.

I’m having some success with the read to zero authors only I chose prolific writers and have quite the catching up to do. I’m really close with Hannah Linder, just have one book left to read, The Red Cottage. The other authors on my list: Sara Davison (15 left), Anna Conwell (4 left), Irene Hannon (9 of her Encore novels left), Gracie Ruth Mitchell (11 left), Toni Shiloh (17ish – a lot of these are from her early backlist and I’m still figuring out what’s available in print. I think some of the novella collections are ebook only), Courtney Walsh (9 books), Eryn Scott (32 books!)

I’m more or less on track with my 26 in 26 goals though I have only read four books this past quarter. I have twelve to go and I own almost all of the books or can borrow them from my library so I just need to apply my mood reading whims to this list! 🙂

Serious About Series – this goal has been a little less structured than I usually do. I have nineteen series on the list and am caught up with nine of them and am making progress on six more. Some are really long series – 10-20 books – so I’m not sure if I will manage to complete them all by the end of the year, but I’m gonna try!

July Giveaway – Week Three

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:

Reader’s Choice Week – Catchup with Goal Reviews – a chance to share how we are doing with our reading goals and, for the giveaway, suggesting books that will help us achieve a goal, or two, or three. Full details will be posted on the blog.

Carol Awards – Romantic Suspense – Yes, it’s that time again. What are the Carol Awards, you ask? They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. We’ll be looking at the finalists for each category every Monday through the summer. I’ll share the book titles and you get to choose the one you’d like to win if your name is drawn.

Fugitive Manhunt

A hunt for escaped prisoners
becomes a deadly K-9 mission.

After a prison break, K-9 officer Lizzie Reynolds is ready to join the search for the criminals—but one of the escapees finds her first and ambushes her. She’s rescued by Deputy US Marshal Walker McCane, her high school crush, and they’re forced to work together to find the fugitives. Soon they realize that one of the prisoners has a personal vendetta against Lizzie. As they face persistent attacks, Walker and Lizzie must rely on each other to survive a dangerous game with a convict who wants to complete his deadly plan…no matter the cost.

My Review:

Taut and tense and full of action and suspense, a reader barely gets a chance to catch her breath before the next harrowing scene. Lizzie’s on somebody’s hit list and she doesn’t know why. Enter Walker, her high school crush (which ended badly) to the rescue. Their unexpected reunion is fraught with emotion as they navigate their professional and personal lives. One edge-of-your-seat scene follows another right to the gasp-out-loud conclusion. (I figured out the villain waaaaaayyyyy before Walker and Lizzie did but that didn’t diminish my reading enjoyment…made it even more edgier actually.)

This is the fifth book in the ‘Colorado K-9 Unit’ continuity series which features and overarching suspense plot as well as one particular to this story. Lizzie’s mystery is solved, but there are plenty of dangling threads to tie up for the series suspense. No worries, though, ‘Fugitive Manhunt‘ can easily be read as a standalone as well, though I am enjoying this series tremendously. Might be my favourite Love Inspired Suspense continuity series yet.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Mac Folder whose performance added to the high drama and tender moments too . A captivating listen that I’d definitely recommend to audio enthusiasts.

My thanks to HarperCollins, Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Ambushed in Yosemite + Giveaway

A murderer will stop at nothing
to keep secrets buried.

Park ranger Skylar Jansen’s morning hike turns into a nightmare when she witnesses a man burying a body—and then the killer chases her through the wilderness. She’s saved by Special Agent Bode Tucker, a devoted single dad, who suspects a serial killer is at work. Soon it becomes clear that the killer may be connected to the cold case disappearance of Sky’s father. With targets now on both of their backs, they team up to investigate, but outrunning danger could be beyond their reach. Can they outwit a deadly enemy…or could one wrong move be their last?

My Review:

What a riveting romantic suspense! I was hooked right from the start. Love the way the author brings the wilderness to life with her descriptive phrasing and there are some rock climbing scenes that are…well…gripping (ha!) I felt a renewed appreciation for God’s creation through the outdoor elements to the story. Plus they add a whole other survival element to the suspense!

Speaking of suspense, this one is diabolically stalkerish. Loved the pacing between investigative and action scenes, the author struck a really nice balance with enough breathing room to allow for relationship development.

The slow burn romance is filled with trepidation as both Skylar and Brode struggle with letting go of past hurts. But, oh my goodness, I could feel the pull between them and I love the way VanHorn built up the tension by agonizingly slow degrees. Sheer romantical bliss! And Brode’s sweet little girl adds the perfect touch of levity (as well as some hair-raising moments!)

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Ambushed in Yosemite’ and thoroughly enjoyed Dominique Salvacion’s interpretation of these characters. She captured all the emotional nuances and high tension scenes perfectly which increased my ‘reading’ satisfaction all the more. Great collaboration between author and narrator.

My thanks to HarperCollins, Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Don’t Upstage the Body + Giveaway

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family’s services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she’s tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker’s body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation. 
 
Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort’s estate–with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father’s wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort’s charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be. 
 
Concealing her family’s true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta’s life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls. 
 
With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem. 

My Review:

Very much a classic cozy mystery along the lines of Agatha Christie and brilliantly executed. I was enchanted from the very first line, “The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be.” A bit of fine foreshadowing there since the second body was exactly where it wasn’t supposed to be!

The 1950s British setting adds all kinds of ambience to the mystery. As does the notion of a family of professional mourners! And in true Golden Age Mystery fashion a host of intriguing characters are stranded at a mansion…and one of them is a murderer. Bwahahaha!

There’s also some light romance with the most charming witty banter. I mean, really, can you ask anything more of a cozy mystery? Oh, yes, there’s also a cat! 🙂 Loved this to pieces and am hoping that Naomi Stephens has many more mysteries in her future (and ours!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Hello July + Giveaway

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

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.

By hosting a special ‘Hello – insert month’ giveaway. It’s easy to play along. You just have to choose ONE of the July 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 July release is the book you will win and we’re one book closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

2026 Carol Award Finalists – Romance + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2026 finalists are books published in 2025. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

Carol Award Winners will be announced on Saturday August 29 2026 at the ACFW Gala in Memphis, Tennessee (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2026 – Romance Category you would like to receive. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. 

Romance Finalists

Before Grace by Anna Daugherty – Black Rose Writing – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Young mother and widow Katie Kaminski is chasing happiness at any cost—even to her children. When her in-laws ask her to photograph Grace Church’s fall festival, Katie reluctantly agrees to spend a week in her late husband’s hometown. But where she expected to find ghosts of his past, she instead finds her own.

Standing next to her in-laws is former flame Isaac Torres. The soldier-turned-police officer isn’t at church for God, though. He has no need for religion or women—especially the ones who have lied to him, like Katie.

As the past and present collide, a week on the Texas coast turns into two when an accident forces Katie to stay. The pain she runs from is catching up to her, threatening what remains of her family. For two people who know the high cost of love, will it be worth the risk?

An inspirational, second-chance story, Before Grace is the stand-alone prequel to the best-selling Grace Church Series from award-winning author Anna Daugherty. For realistic stories with a Biblical worldview and clean romance, grab a copy and enter the world of Grace Church today.

Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

She chased her dream. Now her marriage is paying the price.Ezra Falconer always took the lead—onstage with his brothers’ Christian band, and at home with his quiet, dependable wife, Martha. But everything changed when Martha found her voice. Dropping 100 pounds, she ditched her frumpy style and emerged as the sultry, powerhouse star known as “Morgan.”

Now her music career is soaring. Ezra’s is stalling. And the marriage they once relied on is quietly burning down behind the scenes.

When they’re asked to record a charity duet, the studio becomes a battleground of buried resentment and lingering love, forcing them to face the growing silence between them. How can they rediscover harmony while they’re singing in different keys?

Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon – Bethany House – Giveaway Options : US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback, ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

Little Creek’s bookmobile is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights, and circulation librarian Haley Holt is afraid it’s going to careen down a mountainside with her in it. Yet she sees it as a way to serve her community and be worthy of the liver transplant that saved her life as a child. However, her fears come true when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her in the small hollow of Turkey Grove.

Reclusive mechanic Levi Redding lives in tiny Turkey Grove to get away from people. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touch from the vibrant librarian leaves him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren’t contained within the bindings of a book.

Sarah Monzon pens a charming story for fans of books about books, the forced-proximity and grumpy-sunshine tropes, and pen-pal romances. https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/11/17/hearts-in-circulation-giveaway/

Meant for Me by Betsy St. Amant – Sunrise Publishing – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

He was her best friend. Still is. But when her beloved beignet shop burns down, he’ll have to be more if she hopes to start over. But will friendship survive the dangers of a marriage of convenience?

Lincoln “Linc” Fontenot enjoys working out, running his crawfish business, and the company of approximately three people. Zoey Lakewood has been at the top of that short list for years, the only bit of sunshine he ever allows to part his comfortably cloudy sky. But when Linc’s steady, quiet world is rocked by the unexpected guardianship of a teen girl, his friendship with Zoey becomes even more crucial. He needs help, bad…but maybe not as bad as Zoey.

Zoey’s never had a problem manifesting joy. But having just lost her home and her beignet business to an uninsured fire, for once she struggles to find the silver lining. She and Linc arrange to help each other out—as just friends, of course. She’ll provide teen-parenting assistance while he provides a place for her to get back on her feet. But one thing her friendship with Linc has never had to navigate is close proximity.

Tension—and chemistry—mount as they attempt to manage this sudden insta-family. But Zoey just lost everything, and she can’t risk losing her best friend, too. Will her friendship with Linc go up in flames like her beignet shop? Or will Linc and Zoey finally realize they were meant for each other?

Reader’s Choice Week – Summer Edition 2026 – Winners

Phew! What a week! I fear I wasn’t an attentive hostess this time around but I sure appreciate you all for participating in RCW and providing me with lots of wonderful soon-to-be-releases that I’ve added to my TBR book. I’m already plotting a summer reading strategy based on this new intel. 🙂

And now it’s time to announce the this week’s winners! Woohoo! Here we go….

First, I had to satisfy my inner book nerd and tally up all the titles in each genre to find out the popular pick for each one and here they are:

AND NOW FOR THE GENRE DAY WINNERS!

But wait, it’s not over yet. The Vanity category has become a blog tradition. It’s where a book is actually judged by its cover and I choose my favourite cover art per genre and then draw from a pool of readers who requested that title. Here are the COVER LOVE winners!

I think nostalgia is the appeal for me, along with the sense of movement captured on the cover. I expect them to waltz right out of frame!

I like the way my eye is drawn out the window to the scenery beyond. And I do love a window framed with plants! Plus the old-fashioned typewriter front and centre adds interest and stirs up questions.

Atmospheric. A simple cover but the colour choice draws me right down that path along with the heroine.

WAIT! Don’t go away ’cause we’re not through yet. We have another Reader’s Choice tradition of picking a random number which becomes a ‘just because giveaway’ on the genre specific days. If that doesn’t make sense, all you need to know is that it means more book giveaways. Woohoo! This time the number is 7!

Version 1.0.0

And that’s another wrap on a glorious Reader’s Choice Week. Thanks for participating and growing my wishlist! 

I’ll start contacting winners tomorrow, but if you haven’t left an email or if you are so inclined, you can send me an email listing your preference of either paperback or ebook and your contact info. kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca 

Looking ahead to next week:

Carol Awards – Romance – Yes, it’s that time again. What are the Carol Awards, you ask? They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. We’ll be looking at the finalists for each category every Monday through the summer. I’ll share the book titles and you get to choose the one you’d like to win if your name is drawn.

Hello July!  Time to take a look at July releases now that they are fresh on our minds!