kavlovestoread

Inheritance of Secrets

“I didn’t do right by your mother. Find her and do what I never had the courage to do.”

Her father’s deathbed confession changed everything for Aspen Kincaid. The mystery of her mother’s disappearance was unsolvable, or so she’d believed.

Her dad had lied to her all her life.

After inheriting a house in New Hampshire—a house Aspen hadn’t known her father owned—she travels thousands of miles, desperate to fulfill his dying wish. But some residents of Coventry don’t want Jane Kincaid’s daughter digging into things they think should remain hidden forever.

Renovating the secluded old house on the mountain should be the next step in Garrett McCarthy’s contracting career, but Aspen’s arrival stirs up old animosities in Coventry that he’d known nothing about. All he wants is to complete the job, hoping it’ll open doors to new opportunities. But when he’s asked to keep an eye on Aspen’s activities, he feels he can’t refuse. How can he honor his beautiful, vulnerable client and remain loyal to the people who need his help?

Join Aspen and Garrett as they attempt to solve a thirty-year-old mystery–without becoming its latest victims.

My Review:

published in 2022

A thrilling romantic suspense with a Gothic flare. The unexpected inheritance of a secluded old house in a small town seething with secrets and Aspen’s arrival threatens revelations some folks want to keep buried. Cue the creepy mood music and buckle in for a compelling read.

Garrett is hoping renovating that old house will be the next step up in establishing a contracting career. He isn’t prepared for the malicious undercurrents that ricochet around the room whenever Aspen shows up in public. Stunned when he’s asked to keep tabs on her activities, Garret is torn between old loyalties and the unexpected attraction to the town’s lovely newcomer.

Eeeppp!! ‘Inheritance of Secrets’ is full of drama, mystery and page-turning goodness.

Love’s Rescue + Giveaway

random retro re-read

When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be. But nothing goes according to plan. Her crippled brother resents her, the servants do not obey her, and Rourke O’Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart. Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the upright man he appears to be.

As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to do her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.

From the first emotional page, author Christine Johnson throws readers into a world of impossible choices, hidden desires, and heart-melting romance in the steamy south. Readers will cheer for Elizabeth and Rourke as they battle the odds and the elements to secure their future.

My Review:

published in 2015

A compelling tale of forgiveness and redemption.

Truth be told I didn’t immediately connect with Elizabeth. Selfish might be the best way to describe her. Not in a deliberate, unfeeling way. She just doesn’t know any better. Her folly is part temperament and part upbringing. She’s so intent on what she wants she often fails to notice the needs of others…or even that her actions might have repercussions that involve other people. Time and experience provide her an opportunity to remedy all that. And that’s what make the story so good. We get to watch Elizabeth stretch and grow — and it’s a painful experience but also a rewarding one. She softens and matures through the course of the novel and I was cheering her on by the end. I love when an author changes my mind about a character. Now that’s talent!

Fascinating historical details add an extra layer of satisfaction to this read. Lush details and infuriating social norms engaged my emotions just as much as the riveting plot. And the Romeo and Juliet style romance — well, sublime doesn’t quite describe the thrill it gave me. An engrossing read from the tumultuous beginning to the soul-stirring end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love’s Rescue, 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 January 31 2026.

Every Deadly Suspicion + Giveaway

Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?

In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.

Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.

With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.

My Review:

A tautly intricate Police Procedural that kept me guessing. The plot twists have plot twists and that includes in Hanna’s personal life as well! And this is where I need to mention that not only does that include a dreaded Love Triangle (yikes!) but we get both men’s points of view as well. Talk about giving romance loving readers heart palpitations!

I appreciate the authenticity Cantore brings to the policing aspects of this suspense. As a former police officer, her inside knowledge shows and makes the suspense that much more compelling. It’s a complicated mix of different cases, including a cold case involving her father. Emotions run high and Hanna struggles to find a balance between her personal life and her professional one.

Full of raw emotion, living out tough truths and grappling with the real meaning of forgiveness and grace – phew! – Hanna is on an unforgettable journey and I was with her every step of the way.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– 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 Every Deadly Suspicion 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 January 31 2026.

Hearts on the Fly + Giveaway

Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey, but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister.

Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear out of compassion. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.

As Jabari navigates life off the ice and searches for a new purpose, he’s drawn to Val in ways he didn’t expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?

Delve into award-winning author Toni Shiloh’s sports romance for fans of Emma St. Clair, Pepper Basham, and Melissa Ferguson.

My Review:

Not many authors can lure me over to the dark side, aka sports romance, but Toni Shiloh is definitely one of them. I was so enamoured with the story, I didn’t even cringe at the hockey descriptions…and, shocker, I actually understood them and could see the game playing out in my mind. So, rest assured, you don’t need to be a hockey buff in order to enjoy contemporary romance.

And oh my, but does this author ever know how to write a swoonworthy romance! Hello, I’m looking at you, Jabari! Thud! Friendly reader alert: have a stockpile of smelling salts and fans next to your fainting couch to ensure maximum reading comfort.

And when I wasn’t swooning (on repeat) over our hero, I was completely immersed in Val’s family drama. One of the most memorable family dinner scenes I’ve ever read made me cringe, fume and burst out laughing in quick succession!

Shiloh has a talent for seamlessly switching from lighthearted moments to heart wrenching ones. So yes, her trademark banter and teasing (Jabari’s guy friend discussions are so much fun!) are on full display but her storytelling also takes on emotional depth with strong inspirational threads that took my breath away!

“God’s got you. I don’t know what your future looks like, but as long as He is in control you be can sure He’s with you in the trial.”

Both Val and Jabari have their own personal demons to conquer and I love the way that played out. They grew together, supported one another and, most importantly, talked things out! I loved every second of their journey!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Hearts on the Fly’ brilliantly narrated by AhDream Smith and Hassiem Muhammad. They brought the right mood to their performances — a lovely mix of lighthearted charm and emotional depth. Highly recommend the audio book to discerning listeners.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook, paperback 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 Hearts on the Fly 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 January 31 2026.

Whiteout + Giveaway

Brace yourself for a snowbound adventure in this 2-in-1 novella collection from your favorite romantic suspense authors as an avalanche forces two couples to face down their enemies in a ski resort shut off from the outside world.

In “Buried in Shadows” by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend’s destination wedding, praying her stalker didn’t follow her to Colorado. Also part of the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man Cassandra left at the altar to save his life. When an avalanche traps their skiing party in an abandoned lodge, it soon becomes dangerously clear Cassandra’s stalker has followed her . . . and he is willing to kill to make her his.

In “Snowbound Secrets” by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan fully intends to escape her past and finish planning a retreat for military veterans at the ranch she’s inherited. Unfortunately, her plans go sideways when an avalanche traps her in a Colorado ski resort. An unexpected reunion with her high school crush forces her to confront past wounds, but she soon realizes someone is targeting her, and their search for a shadowy enemy becomes a matter of life and death.

My Review:

Two exceptional romantic suspense authors join forces to deliver edge-of-your-seat reads guaranteed to keep the pages turning. Both novellas feature a closed-circle mystery which makes the suspense all the more thrilling. No one can get in and no one can get out…and that means the killer walks among them! Spine-chilling delight!

Be prepared for eerie stalker vibes galore in Dani Pettrey’s ‘Buried in the Shadows’. Shiver — very appropriate title by the way. A second chance romance featuring an almost bride who left her groom at the altar! Gasp! But she had a very good reason. One year later and family/friend obligations have them reunited…and stalked by a killer in avalanche country. Pettrey takes the whole stranded in the wilderness and fighting the elements tropes to a whole other level in this taut, sometimes creepy suspense. Includes brief, chilling villain POV that slowly becomes more revealing until the breath-snatching climax.

In Lynette Eason’s ‘Snowbound Secrets’, teenaged friends meet years later under unlikely circumstances. Both Maya and Gideon are seeking respite at a remote ski resort when their best laid plans are upended by a catastrophic avalanche. This friends to more romance is fraught with tension and plenty of action. Someone has targeted Maya and as the attacks intensify, the two grow closer as they look for answers…and a way to escape! Lovely emotional depth and expert pacing made this novella a consume in one sitting kind of read.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Whiteout’ narrated by Natalia Payne who did a wonderful job delivering all that tension and emotion which made for a thrilling listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– 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 Whiteout 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 January 31 2026.

Conversations with Kav – Olympics Readathon

Eeeepp!!! I’m so excited! ‘Tis the season for this decidedly non sports fan to get a little addlepated over the Olympics. I know, it makes no sense, but I’m all in when it comes to Olympic sports. Figure Skating is my favourite but I become a bit obsessed with all the Olympics coverage and willingly watch anything (well, except hockey …gasp, I know, and me a Canadian, but we just won’t talk about that. Shhhhh!)

So, anyway, I thought it would be fun to get into the spirit of the Games with a Reading Challenge. This one will last from January 26 2026 – February 26 2026. Prizes awarded – Gold, Silver and Bronze (of course) See the end of this post for those details. First off, here’s the Olympics Readathon Board:

And just for fun, I’m adding in two BONUS categories, each worth 5 extra points. They are:

Ice Hockey – read a book with a hockey theme, or at least one hockey scene (as spectator or player.)
Italy – read a book set in Italy (at least part of the time) to celebrate the location of the 2026 Winter Olympics!

How to play (and have a chance to win):

Bingo runs from Monday January 26 2026 Thursday February 26 2026 (midnight EST)
Read a book that fits a prompt (or prompts) to fill in a square (or squares)
So yes, that means, one book could fit multiple prompts.
8 chances at a Bingo – 3 rows across, 3 rows down, 2 diagonal rows
Your name will be entered into a draw every time you get a Bingo (so the potential for 8 times)
Bonus round: Fill your entire card to have your name entered 5 more times
EXTRA BONUS PROMPTS: Ice Hockey and Italy, both are worth 5 extra points
Once you’ve achieved a Bingo, submit the prompts and corresponding books to me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. using BINGO in the subject field
Technically, you have until midnight EST February 26 to submit all your entries, but it would be easier on me to have them trickling in throughout the month.
Winner will be announced on Saturday February 28 2026

The Giveaway Details:

Gold Medal – US – $20 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $20 Amazon gift card – Medalist will be chosen from all Blackout entries. Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

Silver Medal – US – $15 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $15 Amazon gift card – Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

Bronze Medal – US – $10 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $10 Amazon gift card. Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

More About the Prompts

Nordic Combined – a book featuring mixed genres (like history and mystery) OR a dual timeline novel
Speed Short Track Skating – a novella (can be just one in a collection) OR a short novel (under 300 pages.)
Luge – ‘Luge’ yourself in a good book 🙂 – a novel that carries you away from reality for awhile.
Biathlon – 2nd book in a series – this could literally be the second book in a series OR the second book you have read in a series (even if it’s #4) Hope that makes sense.
Curling – Curl up with a book that has been on your TBR since last year. This should be a book you actually own either in physical form or audio or Kindle, but just haven’t gotten around to read it yet.
Skeleton – Read a Mystery, Suspense or Thriller. For those of you who don’t read suspense, another genre that features a mystery as part of the plot would work as well.
Snowboard – a book that has snow on the cover or features at least one snowy scene
Cross-Country Skiing – a book that includes a journey, the physical kind. It could be a cross-country adventure or just one trip in the middle of the book or even a hero or heroine who is travelling somewhere else to start over (as long as there’s a travelling scene at the beginning of the story.)
Ski-Jumping – A book that gets your heart racing – could involve a swoon worthy hero or a high-speed chase or romance with a Gothic vibe etc.
And don’t forget the two BONUS PROMPTS (see above, just under the Bingo card.)

Phew! I think that’s everything. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Let the Games Begin!

January Giveaway – Week Four

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!

Tell-Tale Treats

Is Felicity to blame when a hotel guest drowns after eating her enchanted cookies? Felicity Jin returns in the third installment of the Magical Fortune Cookie series.

A group of high school alumnae reunite years later and reserve rooms at Pixie Inn for an extended retreat. As part of their pampering package, Felicity delivers a scrumptious assortment of enchanted pastries, including her new almond cookies.

But the queen bee of the group is soon found dead in her bathroom, drowned in the tub, and she recently sampled the delicious baked goods. Could Felicity’s almond cookies have set off a fatal nut allergy? The enchanted pastries are supposed to bring joy, not sorrow—and certainly not death.

Boyfriend, Kelvin Love, is eager to assist, although odd things have been happening to his senses ever since he baked with Felicity. Will his extra sensitivity help or hinder the investigation? Plus, special bunny Whiskers lends a magical paw to the detecting since Felicity can’t and won’t relax until she restores both order and magic to her world.

My Review:

A delightful foodie cozy mystery with a light touch of magic that makes for such a fun read! Love the diversity among the characters and the ethnic baking descriptions. Everything sounds so exotic and yummy! And Felicity’s little something extra makes for a special touch. As does her unusual bunny sidekick!

In this third ‘Magical Cookie’ mystery, Felicity and Kelvin become entangled in another suspicious death. Loved their teamwork and the way their relationship has grown over the course of the series. And this time Kelvin discovers a unique talent that pairs nicely with Felicity’s and adds to their sleuthing finesse.

The well plotted mystery kept me guessing thanks to the nice posse of potential suspects with motives. So many characters to love and some to…well, strongly dislike…kept me emotionally engaged. And that intense climax…phew! Way to keep an avid reader on edge until everything gets sorted.

I really enjoyed listening the audio book narrated by Catherine Ho. Her performance delivered all these characters in the best (and worst) light and she is excellent at adding touches of drama and humour at just the right places. Highly recommend the audio book for discerning listeners.

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

Night Bird Calling

random retro read

From award-winning author Cathy Gohlke, whose novels have been called “haunting” ( Library Journal on Saving Amelie ) and “page-turning” (Francine Rivers on Secrets She Kept ), comes a historical fiction story of courage and transformation set in rural Appalachia on the eve of WWII.

When Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.

Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek―with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.

With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.

My Review:

published in 2021

Books are meant to entertain but some manage to convict as well and ‘Night Bird Calling’ is that kind of novel. Gohlke is a talented wordsmith who captures the essence of character and setting through descriptive writing. That makes for an immersive story that I found so easy to lose myself in. My imagination was engaged from the very first sentence and my heart soon followed…and broke so many times over the course of the read. Not quite sure all the pieces ever got put back together again either.

So, be prepared for an emotional read, even a difficult one as the author tackles some tough subject matter. I cried, I seethed, I clenched my teeth and was consumed with uncharitable thoughts and then I cried some more. Honestly, my whole being ached by the end and I’m still a little shellshocked. But hopeful too because the author doesn’t leave us in despair

Hard-hitting and emotionally draining but hopeful too. It’s a story I had to take my time with, absorbing it in small parcels so I could sit with it for awhile before continuing on. A memorable read, well listen for me. Marguerite Gavin did an amazing job bringing all these characters to life. Her performance heightened the emotional impact for me and I’d definitely recommend the audio edition.

One Nine + Giveaway

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.

My Review:

Gotta love an impulse buy. KCRhoades mentioned this book in her comment on Sunday’s discussion. I ordered it on the spot, the book was delivered on Tuesday and read by Wednesday. Great book recommendations make me a happy reader! Thank you, Karen!

I was hooked by the first gripping sentence: “Brooke Turner lay on her back staring up at her fingers, dripping red in the glow of the dying sun.” Grab your defibrillator and settle in for an enthralling suspense with stalker vibes galore and the kind of hair-raising pursuit that takes your breath away.

Brooke is on the run with no real game plan. She knows she’s innocent, she even knows who set her up but proving it is impossible. Meanwhile Chase is on the case and he earned the nickname ‘the Pitbull’ for a reason; he never gives up on an investigation.

The angst ramps up as Brooke battles both Chase’s preconceived ideas and the very real threat toying with them. Add in the wilderness setting for a good portion of the ‘chase’ and, phew, you’ve got a riveting read! Love the drama that plays out in their relationship and the twists with the suspense. It all adds up to making ‘One Nine’ (you’ve got to read the book to understand the title) an unputdownable read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International – gently read paperback copy

US – ebook or gently read paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or gently read paperback — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of One Nine, 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 January 24 2026.