Kav's Best Reads

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer Edition 2026 – Indie Fiction

Hellllooooo Summer and all the lazy days of lounging and reading ahead! Time to stock pile our TBRs with the newest releases so let’s take a look at what’s coming out in July, August and September 2026!

Here’s how this week’s giveaway works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION genre specific titles with release dates in July, August or September 2026 (up to 3 suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it’s a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

Newish Category – Indie Fiction Giveaway Day

I know this might be somewhat of a challenge since we often don’t hear about indie releases until very close to the release day, if we hear about them at all. So…FOR THIS CATEGORY ONLY…indie books released any time in 2026 up to the end of September can be included.

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the Indie Fiction genre you would like to win.

Indie Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas published independently by an author. Any genre, but must fit the Christian Fiction / Closed Door, Clean Read category.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES

Publication date must be July, August or September 2026

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

It’s helpful to include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments per day. If you choose not to include your email then it’s up to you to contact me if you are a winner.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON

Sunday July 12 2026

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon EST on Saturday July 11 2026 Winners will be announced the following day.)

June Giveaway – Week Four

won by Winnie

won by Paula S.

won by Pam K.

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 Next Few Weeks:

The blog will be closed from Thursday June 25 2026 – Saturday July 4 2026 while I move from house to apartment and then, when I get back online, it will be time for….tada!

Reader’s Choice Week – Summer Edition!

So excited to see what’s in store for us. If you’re new here, this is how the RCW giveaways work: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION (also Closed Door/Clean) genre specific titles with release dates in July, August or September 2026 (up to 3 suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it’s a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details posted each day before entering.

Sunday July 5 2026

Indie Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas published independently by an author. Any genre, but must fit the Christian Fiction / Closed Door, Clean Read category. This is a new category and might prove to be challenging since we don’t always get a lot of notice about indie book releases so, for this category only, books can be published any time between January and September 2026

Monday July 6 2026

Historical Romance/Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period before 1980. May cross genres such as YA, Suspense, Amish etc. and may include dual timelines.

Tuesday July 7 2026

Contemporary Romance/Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period after 1980. May cross genres such as YA, Suspense, Amish etc. and may include dual timelines.

Wednesday July 8 2026

Mystery/Suspense Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas where mystery is an important part of the plot. The hero or heroine (or both) are often in peril (more so in suspense.) Can be set in any time period and may cross genres such as YA, Amish etc. and may include dual timelines.

Thursday July 9 2026

General Christian Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas. Any genre including previous selections you made on other days this week as well as specific genres not covered yet such as Amish, Speculative, YA etc.

Friday July 10 2026

Goal Review – time to dust off those January 2026 reading goals and check in with how we’re doing. For 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.

See you on July 5th and in the meantime

Happy Reading!

Part of Your World + Giveaway

She saved him from the sea. He awakened her heart. Now a villainous scheme threatens to destroy them both.

Seawater runs through Muriel Quinn’s veins-a fact that has long concerned her father, who longs for his youngest daughter to abandon the waves and embrace the respectable life expected of a grown woman. Yet even when banished from her beloved sea, Muriel feels its pull upon her soul. Drawn to the shore, she witnesses a boating accident and dives in to save a man from drowning. As she brings him back from the brink of death, a dream stirs to life in her heart.

Despite his family’s wealth and social standing, Zane Erickson pursues a career in architecture, having no interest in cementing a match with any of the bridal candidates his mother foists upon him. Until a mysterious beauty saves his life and vanishes before he can learn her name. Determined to find her, he is stunned when the matchmaker his mother hired arrives with the very woman who has haunted his dreams. But he soon learns there are darker forces than romance at work in this meeting.

Entangled in a blackmail scheme that grows more deceitful and dangerous by the day, Zane and Muriel must fight not only for their love, but for the lives of those they hold dear.

My Review:

A captivating Little Mermaid retelling with an innovative Western spin. Loved spotting the similarities to the classic (Disney version) and am in awe of Witemeyer’s creative genius, especially when it comes to the villain. So clever.

The romance is full of tension and yearning – a bit of a love at first sight / star-crossed lovers kind of feel – that kept my emotions engaged and me anxiously devouring Muriel and Zane’s story. And I love the way the author blends humour into the mix too.

‘Part of Your World’ delivers all the elements I enjoy in a story – engaging characters (including some memorable secondary ones like Grampa Clem), a gentle faith thread and just the right amount of suspense to keep things interesting. Not to mention the sweet (and swoonworthy) romance!

I am thrilled that Karen Witemeyer is continuing these Texan Fairy tale retellings independently. She has a knack for mixing classic tales with the Historical Western genre which is all kinds of fun to read. Hoping for many more reimaginings in my reading future.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Part of Your World, 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 Wednesday June 23 2026.

2026 Carol Award Finalists – Novella + 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 Springfield, Missouri (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2026 – Novella 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.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Giveaway details may vary with each book (print, ebook only or winner’s choice of either, plus audible options for Canadians.) Edition availability will be noted in bold after the title/author/publisher of each entry. ALSO NOTE: Giveaway is for US and Canada OR ebook international if you have US Kindle account.

Novella Category Finalists

A Bible and a .44 (in From This Moment On : Two Kind Meadows Novellas) by Robin Lee Hatcher – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

BIBLE AND A .44 : A past to redeem, a love to reclaim, and a faith to guide the way.

Jesse Graham returns to Kings Meadow a changed man, determined to atone for the mistakes of his wild youth. He longs to rebuild his relationship with his widowed mother and make amends to those he wronged—especially Willow Foster, the pastor’s granddaughter who once loved him despite his wicked ways. Willow has spent years trying to forget Jesse, guarding her heart against the pain he caused. But his return stirs emotions she thought she’d buried, and she must decide if she can trust the man he’s become.

With a heart surrendered to Jesus, Jesse faces the consequences of his past while serving the community he once shamed. As he works to prove his transformation, he finds himself falling for Willow in a new and lasting way—and hoping for a future that holds more than her forgiveness.

The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White – Tyndale – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

In this charming World War II historical romance novella inspired by Jolabokaflod, Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood, an author falls in love with a man who doesn’t know he is her editor.

Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She’s determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn’t rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.

Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana’s love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he’s never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana’s attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can’t refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children’s book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.

As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher’s holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.

A standalone World War II historical Christmas novella. A sweet holiday romance with a friends-to-more trope. Features a bookish heroine and hero. Christian fiction great for fans of Lynn Austin and Sarah Sundin. https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/10/14/the-christmas-book-flood-giveaway/

A Star in the West (On a Midnight Clear Collection) by Karen Witemeyer – Bethany House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

Friendly correspondence with Stella Barrington evolves into something more when Harvard mathematics professor Frank Stentz arrives in Waco, Texas. As the two experiment with extending their relationship beyond letters, an impossible dilemma arises between love and logic. Will her wise man be able to calculate a way for them to be together?

Draw will be held and winner announced on Wednesday July 24 2026. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK

Conversations With Kav – Flood Books + Giveaway

What is a flood book, you might be wondering? If you assumed books with a flood theme like Dana Mentink’s ‘Raging Waters’ you’d be wrong. (Though that is a wonderful read and worthy of being somebody’s flood book.)

So, what exactly is a Flood Book?

I first heard the term waaaayyy back in my school librarian days when I was reading books on storytelling and kid’s lit collections by children’s librarian extraordinaire, Caroline Feller Bauer. I think she might have coined the phrase with the help of her daughter.

Basically, a flood book is an extra book you bring with you in case you are out and about and – horrors – finish the book you are currently reading before you can get home to grab another one. Like what happens if you find yourself confronted by an unexpected delay – trapped in an elevator, stuck in traffic, on the wrong side of a flood that blocks you from your home? A serious bibliophile will always be prepared with at least one (though not limited to only one) extra ‘flood book’ to ensure they will not fall short of reading material.

Clearly this idea started before ebooks (or audiobooks, for that matter) were a thing but the concept is dear to my heart and, frankly, I am feeling quite antsy without a single physical book available to me right now because of the move. Mind you, I do this with my audiobooks, making sure I have two books downloaded at all times, so that when one is finished I can immediately start the next one no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

The Conversation:

Anyway, since I’m an insatiably curious bibliophile I thought it would be fun to share what we are reading right now and then, for the giveaway, what book that you don’t own, would you like to add as your flood book. If your name is drawn, you’ll win your flood book title.

Here’s a glimpse into my current reading (listening) life:

Just starting the Manuscripts, Meows and Murder by Kathy Manors Penn. This is the 11th book in a super cute cozy mystery series ‘Dickens and Christie Mysteries’. Totally clean, Closed Door Romance (and quite romantical at times) about a fifty something American who moves to the Cotswolds with her loyal cat (Christie) and dog (Dickens). New friendships, found family and romance ensue over the course of the books as well as an alarming number of murders. Bwahahaha!

My flood book is A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer – getting a start on my Christmas in July reading…listening. 🙂

The Giveaway Details:

In a comment (or in an email to me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) let me know the title and author of the book you are reading and any thoughts you’d like to share about it

AND THEN *IMPORTANT*

add the title and author (Christian Fiction, Closed Door only please) of a book you would like to win as your ‘flood book’. Book must already be released.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Wednesday afternoon June 24 2026

June Giveaway – Week Three

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!

Monday

Carol Awards – Novella – 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.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Giveaway announcements as this will be a shortened week due to the fact that I’m moving in a week. Eeeeeepppp!!! I’ll be on blog hiatus for a week and a half and will be back in time for our Reader’s Choice Week – Summer 2026 Edition!!! Woohoo! Will share more details on Wednesday.

Series Spotlight – Homefront Sleuths

What I love about this series:

The WWII British Homefront setting
Diverse life experience and ages of the sleuths – a retired Scotland Yard detective, his police inspector nephew, village herbalist, young mum trying to make ends meet while her husband’s at war, wounded veteran school master and even an American ex-pat who did a stint working for the French resistance. Gotta love Evie.
Excellent characterization and so many gripping back stories!
Complex mysteries with clever plotting
War issues play a big part in most of the mysteries, including sabotage and spies!
Multiple POVs
light romance threads
Gives a real sense of what life was like for the average citizen during the war

I discovered this series last year – free on Audible Plus for subscribers (Canada) and that’s been the case for all the books so far. I’m amazed at how quickly the books have been released. They are all a decent length and so well written. Iona Campbell is the perfect choice as narrator for the series! Also available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback as well. While not Christian Fiction, all the books are closed door, no swearing and some of the stories have light faith threads.

Series Spotlight – Hope Harbor + Giveaway

What I love about this series:

Each book feels like the warmest homecoming
Full of that bookish hug kind of feeling
Memorable secondary characters that have become family to me
Stories filled with hope despite difficult circumstances
Exquisite storytelling
Captivating romances
Found family themes
Charley’s wisdom
Peppered with life lessons and nuggets of faith

The Giveaway

Winner’s choice of one of the books in this series. Please state the title in a comment or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. Please put the title in the subject area of your email. Also, please remember to take note of the formats available for different countries.

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026

Series Spotlight – Freddie and Grace Mysteries + Giveaway

What I love about this series:

The swoonalicious romance!
The banter that goes along with it!
Freddie’s devotion to Grace
Her absolute trust and faith in him
Grace’s penchant for reading and using books in her sleuthing
Solid faith threads throughout
Compelling mysteries
Engaging secondary characters

The Giveaway:

Winner’s choice of one of the books in this series, including the upcoming July release. Please state the title in a comment or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. Please put the title in the subject area of your email. Also, please remember to take note of the formats available for different countries.

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – Mistletoe Countess, ebook or audible, all the rest of the books, paperback, ebook or audible – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026

Series Spotlight – Checking Out Love + Giveaway

What I love about this series:

All the splendiferous bookishness!
The heroines are all librarians
The wonderful mix of heart and humour
Storytelling that sings
Diverse characters I don’t always see in my fiction
Inspirational faith threads

The Giveaway:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026.