Kav's Best Reads

Rodeo Witness Protector

While stopping an attack near the rodeo grounds, bullfighter and part-time deputy Daniel Sinclair is stunned to see his high school sweetheart attempting to save a stabbed undercover deputy. As a witness now in possession of crucial evidence about a narcotics investigation, new rodeo doctor Annie Davis needs Daniel’s protection—for her and her missing four-year-old daughter. And the stakes only grow higher when the girl’s babysitter is found murdered and the recovered child refuses to speak. To safeguard the targeted family, can Daniel uncover who is behind it all…before a drug ring silences them for good?

My Review:

Whoa! This is one twisty-turny suspense with enough romantical angst to keep a reader on edge right through to the end. And the child in peril element adds to a sensitive reader’s emotional turmoil! Riveting from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book and Tanya Saari did a wonderful job of capturing all the emotion and angst in her narration. Her performance added an extra thrill to an already exciting story.

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

Forevermore + Giveaay

Random Retro Re-Read

There’s no one quite like Hope Ladley.

A veritable dandelion in the wind, she blows from one farm to the next, roaming the Texas countryside as an itinerant cook. When she rides her mule, Hattie, onto the Stauffer farm, Hope knows this is the place the Lord wants her to be.

Jakob Stauffer, though grateful for a cook to assist his pregnant sister and young daughter through harvest, is baffled by Hope’s unconventional methods as she gets things done around the farm. Yet he can’t deny the way her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind…even within his own heart.

My Review:

published in 2008

Hope has to be one of the most innovative characters I have ever met in the pages of book! Part of her charm is the way she mangles idioms on a regular basis. And I’m in awe at how many idioms the author came up with and then found ways to twist them into hilarious faux pas that ironically make sense and Hope blithely spews them throughout the whole book. Absolutely brilliant! Not only funny and endearing, but such a clever way for a reader to connect with a character.

I love the whole premise of Hope bringing healing change. She’s a ‘magical’ character, kind of like a Mary Poppins on a grander scale. And maybe a fairy godmother with common sense. Not to mention Amelia Bedevil for the older set. 🙂 I don’t think my descriptions can do justice to Hope. She’s exceptionally unique and you just need to meet her for yourself.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! This giveaway is for a gently read copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Forevermore, 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 August 1 2026

The Lost Story of Via Belle + Giveaway

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

My Review:

What a compelling dual timeline novel! And impossible to review because of the intricate details in both timelines and how they slowly weave together. So many ‘aha’ moments as the story progresses. So many twists and turns and the most infuriating character that kept me seething all the way through!

If you are looking for a complex, atmospheric novel with shades of suspense and rich characterization that makes an emotional impact, then ‘The Story of Via Belle’ is definitely the read for you!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook

Canada – 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 The Lost Story of Via Belle, 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 August 1 2026.

A Token of Love + Giveaway

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for love and justice.

In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two eras bridged by the quest for love and truth.

My Review:

Carrie Turansky is a phenomenal storyteller and the way she wove the dual timeline elements together made ‘A Token of Love’ unputdownable. (By the way, the tie-in to that title is heartbreaking and a perfect reflection of the story within.) I was equally invested in both timelines and love the way the Foundling Hospital has turned into a museum in present day.

The historical details are riveting on their own, but make a huge emotional impact when seen through the lives of these characters. Even our twenty-first century heroine, Janelle, is touched by the stories of the past as she fiercely strives to uphold the reputation of her beloved museum.

Controversies arise in both the Victorian and modern day era and it’s up to Lillian and Janelle to take a stand as they advocate for vulnerable women and children. And, oh my, the mystery and suspense is intense in the Victorian timeline! There’s a magnificent ‘stand up and cheer and then go have a good cry’ moment towards the end. And Turansky weaves significant and meaningful spiritual elements throughout the entire story. Nothing over the top preachy; more quietly steadfast and thoughtful. And so impactful.

All this and there’s even two romances as well! A reader can’t ask for much more than that. Unless she’s looking for an audio book narration to deliver an extra thrill. And yes, that means, I added ‘A Token of Love’ to my audible library and thoroughly enjoyed Susan Lyons’ performance.

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 A Token of Love, 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 August 1 2026.

2026 Carol Award Finalists – Short Novel + 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 – Short Novel 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.

Short Novel Finalists

One Nine by Sara Davison – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Detective Chase Washington knows Brooke Turner is guilty of murdering her best friend. What he can’t comprehend is how she has managed to elude capture for six months. With Lenora Chambers’ blood calling out to him from the ground, Chase will stop at nothing to find Brooke Turner and bring her to justice.

When he finally tracks her down, nothing is as black and white as Chase thought. Lost in the wild with no way to communicate with the outside world and another possible suspect on their trail, Chase and his prisoner have become the prey in a desperate quest to survive.

Fans of riveting, edge-of-your-seat suspense with clean romance and spiritual truths will love this fast-paced offering. https://kavsbestreads.ca/2026/01/21/one-nine-giveaway/

To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback, ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US kindle account.

She came seeking adventure. He never expected her to find him.

Lady Amanda Whitcombe dreamed of the untamed beauty of the American West from the moment Buffalo Bill’s Wild West dazzled her during the Queen’s Jubilee. But nothing could prepare her for the rugged wilderness of Yellowstone—or the man who would change her life forever.

When Amanda is swept into the icy currents of a park river, game scout Isaiah Coltrane rescues her. Used to solitude and determined to avoid entanglements—especially with a woman as refined as Amanda—he’s eager to return her to civilization. Yet her courage and quick wit soon prove there’s more to her than the polished exterior of an English lady.

Bound by circumstance and danger, Amanda and Isaiah must navigate the perils of poachers, rustlers, and a growing affection he is not ready to admit. Isaiah believes Amanda belongs in the world of fine society, not the remote mountains he calls home. But Amanda’s heart has already chosen him—and she’s willing to fight for the man who believes he’s unworthy of her love.

A romance of courage, love, and an unbreakable bond forged in the wild.

To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

In a desperate attempt to find her missing brother, Victoria Castleton leaves behind the comforts of Boston for the wild beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Her search leads her into the path of Roger Bernhardt—a gifted British artist with a guarded heart. What begins as a chance meeting soon becomes a journey neither expected.

Roger came to America seeking inspiration, not entanglement. But from the moment he sees Victoria’s determined gaze, he’s drawn to her quiet strength—and the mystery of the brother she’s willing to risk so much to find.

As their path leads from the wonders of Yellowstone to an Idaho ranch called Eden’s Gate and the small town of Gibeon, Victoria and Roger discover that God’s plans often look nothing like their own. When danger threatens the town and hearts are tested by fear and longing, they must decide if the love growing between them is only temporary—or the home they’ve both been searching for.

A story of second chances, steadfast love, and the courage to follow where God leads.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 1 2026. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK

Conversations With Kav – Celebrating Indie Authors Day + Giveaway

It’s the fourth Sunday of the month and time for a new blog tradition – celebrating our independently published authors! I’m trying to read more indie books and have been thrilled to get all kinds of great recommendations from you guys so I thought it would be fun to set aside one day a month where we can chat about indie books as a way to support these hardworking, often overlooked authors.

what we’re reading
new release alerts
recommended authors

Here’s a snapshot of some of the indie books I’ve read this summer.

I’ve had fun sourcing out some great indie suspense and my beloved cozy mysteries. Along with a few Christmas books as part of my participation in Christmas in July .

Now for some indie books that have been languishing on my TBR for way too long. Will August be the month they finally get read?

And the August Independently Published Release I am looking forward to:

And now it’s time for a chat. What indie books have you been reading this summer? Already on your TBR just waiting to be noticed? New Indie Releases you are looking forward to? Share in the comments AND LEAVE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR OF AN INDIE BOOK (CHRISTIAN FICTION OR CLEAN ROMMANCE) THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO OWN AND IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN, THAT’S THE BOOK YOU WILL WIN.

Giveaway Opportunity:

US – paperback or ebook (check to make sure the book you choose has the edition you want, some seem to only be in ebook format.)

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible (if available) and also confirm that the book comes int he format you want

International – ebook if you have a US kindle account

You suggest an independently published Christian Fiction (or Clean Romance) already in print and leave the title and author in a comment and you will be entered in the giveaway. If your name comes up, then that’s the book you will win. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 1 2026.

July Giveaway – Week Four

won by Stephanie

(pssst, Stephanie, you mentioned the fourth book in this series but the title of the third book in your comment. I’m assuming you mean this book, which is the fourth, since you’ve already reviewed the third (The Elite Seat) on GR….if I’m wrong you can let me know. Either way, you won one of the Elita Brown books. )

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

Reader’s Choice Week – 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 – Short Novel – 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.

Probable Caws

Meg has finally found time to get some blacksmithing done when a call from her dad interrupts her—can she come out to Ragnar’s right away to help with the horses? Their friend Ragnar Ragnarsen, who is gradually turning the enormous house on his nearby estate into an authentic moated castle, has agreed to shelter nearly fifty horses for Hoof and Hearth, an equine rescue organization that has lost access to the farm where the horses have been living. The owner of the farm recently died without leaving a will, and while his older son Abel would be happy to let the horses stay, younger brother George wants to sell to a developer . . . and is suspected of sending a thug to harm the horses as part of his efforts to evict Hoof and Hearth.

That night, while Meg and her family are camping at one of Ragnar’s barns, to keep an eye on the horses, they discover that the thug has been murdered. Unfortunately George is alibied . . . but his horse-loving brother Abel is not. Neither are the hot-tempered founder of Hoof and Hearth or the passionately protective ex-jockey who serves as its stablemaster. Meg juggles helping keep the horses safe and doing what she can to help the chief solve the thug’s murder . . . all the while hoping that the killer won’t turn out to be one of the dedicated horse rescuers she has come to like and respect.

My Review:

This series is my absolute favourite of any series — cozy or otherwise. I’m such a huge Meg Langslow fan that I read all the books every year and I might have listened to ‘Probable Caws’ more than once just because…I’m fanatical like that about these characters and the town of Caerphilly in general. Plus, this story features one of my favourite secondary characters, Ragnar Ragnarsen, former heavy metal rock star turned benevolent benefactor with a distinctive Gothic flare!

And rescue horses! Absolutely loved the way Andrews built the entire mystery around the displaced horses and the farm setting and the way the town rallies around to help the floundering equine rescue centre. This author has a talent for combining the absurd with heartwarming all while delivering a gripping mystery and she does a brilliant job with the plot and pacing in this book. Such a fun, captivating read…

…well, listen, since I enjoyed the audio edition of ‘Probable Caws’ (love that pun-y title!) narrated by the incomparable Bernadette Dunne who has been the voice of Meg Langslow since the very beginning (that’s 39 books and counting!) She does such an incredible job bringing distinctive voices to an ever growing cast of characters. Dunne is the reason my entire Meg Langslow collection can be found in my audible library. Highly recommend the audio books to discerning listeners everywhere.

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

Code of Valor + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend’s cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn’t trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don’t share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

My Review:

published in 2019 – I noticed I had two copies of this book when I was unpacking after the move. Have no idea how I missed that fact all these years! I noticed the double copy as I was organizing my bookshelves in my new apartment, placing books in author order of publication date and in series order (as one does, bwahahaha!) and that’s when I noticed the double copies.

Whoa — my head is still spinning! You might need a healthy dose of caffeine (in the form of rich, dark chocolate, of course) to keep your brain sharp and ready for some serious convoluted story threads that gnarl into one colossal tangle before our hero and heroine manage to smooth it all out. Perfectly perfect for intrepid armchair sleuths everywhere. 🙂

And it all starts with a gripping edge-of-your-seat opening scene. Poor Brady, in need of a relaxing vacation and getting anything but! (And this is where I go all fan-girling over the St. John family — especially those brothers!) Because, of course, they’re not about to leave Brady floundering on his own. Love that connection between the books (this is #3 in the Blue Justice series.) Code of Valor reads wonderfully as a standalone though — so no worries if you haven’t read the the first two books and the novella. Eason does such a great job of making returning readers feel like they’ve come home while welcoming new readers to the family.

A fast-and-furious plot with lots of action and gasp-out-loud moments buffered by sibling rivalry and teasing make this an inhale-in-one-gulp kind of read. Not to mention the heavenly toe-curling romantical scenes that provide a buffer between all the angst!

This right here is why Lynette Eason is a best-selling author — she knows how to weave a spellbinding tale that won’t let you go — even after you’ve reached the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! – I have a brand new copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway! (it’s been a while!)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Code of Valor, 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 July 25 2026

Bookmarked for Love + Giveaway

When children’s librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library’s children’s programs, she’s determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library’s behalf. The bad news? She swore she’d never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family’s publishing empire, and now he must prove he’s ready to take the helm by turning around the company’s languishing children’s imprint. That wouldn’t be a problem, except he doesn’t know the first thing about children’s literature. But when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can’t refuse. He’ll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a best-selling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they’re forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.

In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon presents a story that will delight fans of bookish-themed reads and forced-proximity romance.

My Review:

“Happily Ever After isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.” Isn’t that the absolute bookish truth! And I love taking that journey with Sarah Monzon’s characters! Guaranteed to be a rewarding read – the perfect mix of humour and emotion with the kind of dialogue that switches back and forth from banter to heartfelt soul sharing which keeps a reader compulsively engaged.

And in a Sarah book, setting is just as important as characterization. I mean, yes, Martha and Julien are clearly at the heart of the story, but what’s happening in the background, and evolving around them, plays such an integral role in their personal lives and that journey towards their HEA.

Absolutely loved getting a glimpse into the publishing world and authorship in this third ‘Checking Out Love’ novel, particularly one phenomenal aspect that plays a huge part in their story but I can’t say what exactly that is because it isn’t mentioned in the book blurb and I don’t want to post a spoiler. But, oh my goodness, eeeeeppppp, I was as enamoured with that setting as I was with Martha and Julien. All kinds of giddy bibliophile goodness. 🙂

I listened to the audio edition of “Bookmarked for Love” (kudos for the clever title! – the whole series is brilliant) and really enjoyed Allyson Morgan’s narration. Her ability to enhance these characters’ personalities through her performance brought the whole story to life in a different way. Monzon’s words and phrasing, especially her dialogue, is amazing, but being able to hear it directly from Julien and Martha really added to my ‘reading’ .

My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – 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 Bookmarked for Love, 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 July 25, 2026.