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Conversations With Kav – a few catch-ups and the End of the Year Book Tag + Giveaway

First the Catch Up:

Just a reminder that we are closing in on the last day to get Bingo entries in. The closing date is Thursday November 27 – American Thanksgiving (sorry, I said Friday in previous posts but your Thanksgiving is always Thursday, for some strange reason. Can someone explain why? It would make more sense to have it on the Friday so you’d get a long weekend.)

We already have 8 Bingo Blackouts and lots more that are pretty close so woohoo, lots of great reading this autumn! And I’m getting lots of great books to add to my TBR because it clearly wasn’t long enough before! 🙂

Remember that interesting discussion we had about AI and the publishing industry a few months ago? Well, I’ve recently noticed a new disclaimer being added at the end of my audio books now. It says something to the effect of: “No part of this audio book may be used or reproduced for training artificial intelligence technologies or systems.” And I’ve also heard the phrase ‘text data-mining’ which I think refers to using an author’s work to train a AI to write books! Ack! This whole topic gets my dander up and I’m inwardly fuming that publishers need to add this kind of disclaimer at the end of any creative work. It should be obvious – don’t steal anyone’s intellectual property! Gah! But I guess these disclaimers make it easier to pursue legal action if necessary.

Price of ebooks: I was listening to an author chat (cozy mystery) about a month ago. Apparently bestseller lists are only compiled from sales of physical books in brick and mortar stores. So the theory is that publishers match the ebook price to the paperback price for the first few weeks in order to encourage people to buy the print book so that sale can be counted for the bestseller lists. They were talking about how that criteria needs to change and that ebook sales should also be counted but that’s not happening yet. I’d say audiobooks should be counted as well. A sale is a sale no matter the format, right? Anyway, that explains why the ebook price will go down after a couple of weeks to where it should be.

End of the Year Book Tag

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

This is the book I am reading with a church non-fiction group. We cover a chapter every two weeks so I’m not sure if I’ll finish by the end of the year. But this is the only book unfinished at this time from my TBR. I choose a book, read it all the way through or DNF it and move on. No fictional malingering for me!

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

This is the second book in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series which has an autumn setting. I keep pushing it aside for Christmas reads but I really need to read this one because the author has just released #3 which is a Christmas book!

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

Eeeeppp!!! I have this one on preorder and I’m anxiously awaiting the call from the bookstore to say it’s finally arrived! Just a couple of weeks to go.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

Argh! I have way more than three but here we go…these ones are on my TBR right now:

Net Galley

Audible

library book

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become a favourite of the year?

This one grabbed my attention the second Cindy mentioned it on our Hello November day. Thankfully it came out in paperback closer to the release date and I might have ordered it right away. The tagline is: “Blizzard Outside. Banter Inside. Sparks Inevitable.” Blizzard. City girl with a pampered pet in force proximity with a brooding cowboy. I have high hopes for this one!

The Giveaway

Now it’s your turn. Feel like answering one or more of these questions? If so, share in a comment, along with the title and author, of one of the Christian Fiction books you would like to end the year with (that you don’t already have.) If your name is drawn, that is the book you will win! Easy Peasy!

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 15 2025

November Giveaway – Week Three

won by lucy

won by Nora St Laurent

won by Roxanne

won by becky

won by Lori Smanski

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 NEXT WEEK:

sunday

Conversations with Kav – a place for us to chat about bookish topics if anyone is so inclined. Sometimes there will be giveaways, sometimes there won’t. It will just depend on the topic of the day. Hope to see you there! Otherwise my inner book nerd and I will carry on by ourselves. Bwahaha!

Deadly Christmas Trap

The holidays take a threatening turn…
in this riveting Dakota K-9 Unit novella.

With a bounty on tech analyst Cheyenne Chen’s life, officer Jack Donadio and his K-9 partner safeguard her from hired assassins in Lynette Eason’s Deadly Christmas Trap. Only, when their hideout is discovered, they must uncover the mastermind—and a lethal holiday plot.

My Review:

Classic Eason. She manages to pack so much into this novella that it has the same kind of impact as one of her full-length novels. There’s depth in characterization and an intense plot that kept me engaged right through to the end and I consumed it all in one compulsive listen!

Cindy Kay is a veteran audio narrator and it shows in the way she delivers Cheyenne and Jack’s story with intensity and emotion. A thoroughly enjoyable and attention grabbing performance.

This novella comes at the tail end of the Dakota K-9 Unit multi-authored continuity series but it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone. While members of the team do play supporting roles, this is very much Jack and Cheyenne’s story – a friends to more romance that has been percolating on the back burner for months. It takes a diabolical villain and a few near death experiences to shake some romantical sense into this hero and heroine which makes for an exhilarating read!

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

Side note for blog followers: ‘Deadly Christmas Trap’ is part of a two novella collection releasing in paperback at the end of November (Christmas K-9 Patrol, which includes a novella written by Lenora Worth.) I’ll be reviewing that book next week. It looks like Christmas K-9 Patrol is being released in paperback, ebook and audio editions while each novella is also being released independently as an audio book. Kinda strange but also interesting. 🙂

The Christmas Handkerchief + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

A Christmas Novella
Historical Christian Romance

Duxbury, Massachusetts 1825
Grandmother Hart gifts Tuppence with a very special handkerchief of handmade lace to be carried on Tuppence’s wedding day along with a promise God shall provide the man of her dreams. But how can that be, when the man of Tuppence’s dreams is marrying another, and Tuppence must assist her grandmother in baking a fruitcake for the couple’s wedding?

My Review:

published in 2019

Lisa Norato is an author I’ve wanted to play catch-up with for awhile and this novella reminds me of what an incredible storyteller she is. Her descriptive writing evokes images that bring the story to life in such a satisfying way! This one is short and sweet but intense! A friends to more trope with unrequited love thrown in for good measure. Oh, and let’s not forget the ‘kinda sorta’ love triangle. Ack! It’s a mild one as far as LTs go so…phew!

It’s also the kind of storytelling a reader likes to savour. Rich characterization bring even the secondary characters to life and I’m particularly fond of Tuppence’s grandmother and her solid faith and innate wisdom.

An exquisitely beautiful heartfelt Christmas love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Christmas Handkerchief 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 November 15 2025

Trail of Mountain Secrets + Giveaway

A case of mistaken identity.
A K-9 to the rescue.

Park archaeologist Violet Hoyt’s wilderness search for a missing family’s remains takes a deadly turn when a gunman mistakes her for someone else. The discovery of a grave of skulls reopens a cold case, and someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. With the help of K-9 handler Maverick Shaw and his human-remains-detector dog, Wolf, Violet must find the final family member—and evade the masked man who has targeted her. Soon Violet learns a shocking secret. She has a presumed dead twin sister who may still be alive, and now they’re both in danger. Can Violet and Maverick expose a conspiracy before this Christmas becomes their last?

My Review:

A thrilling game of cat and mouse through the snowy Alberta wilderness is just the kind of adrenaline rush of a read I was looking for as I hunker down for the first winter storm of the season. Talk about atmospheric inside and out!

Turner knows how to plot a tense suspense and this one holds more than a few surprises. I had my suspicions about suspects and accomplices but only one of them came true. Love when a suspense keeps me on my toes all the way through to the end!

I enjoyed the ‘kinda’ second chance romance aspect of Violet and Maverick’s love story. They were friends in college, though both were harbouring secret crushes, but a tragic incident shattered their world before either could make a move. Now, years later, they meet again in a high stakes situation and it’s time to face the past and look toward a future…if they can just evade Violet’s lethal stalker!

As always, the K-9 aspects of the story thrilled me. Wolf is a human-remains detection dog but easily doubles as a fearless protector and comfort cuddler too! Plus he has some nifty tricks he gets to show off during the course of a tense few days which made the take-down scenes all the more exciting!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Trail of Mountain Secrets’ and Lenor A. Woodworth’s engaging narration added an extra dimension to my enjoyment of this riveting romantic suspense.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook

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

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Trail of Mountain Secrets, 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 November 1 2025

I Heard the Bells + Giveaway

Four authors, four Christmas novellas of peace, joy, love (and red pickup trucks)

A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner

’Tis the season for deadly secrets.
Photographer Adelaide Fox thought she had the perfect assignment—capturing the winning shot at a high-profile Yukon wedding. But when the bride vanishes and a guest is found dead, holiday cheer turns to mystery. As a blizzard approaches, Adelaide teams up with the bride’s rugged brother, tracker Declan Stone. With danger closing in, suspicious guests, and threatening messages, Adelaide must unravel the truth—and maybe open her heart—to find peace on earth this Christmas.

Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek

Past meets present. Two hearts, WWII secrets, and a Christmas of second chances.
Past and present entwine in a story of love, loss, and second chances. In the shadows of WWII, a fragile romance is tested by sacrifice and distance. Decades later, in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Faith helps at her grandmother’s sweater shop, while next door Joseph acquires a charred WWII Bible marked with a red ribbon. Despite their rocky first encounter, will Faith and Joseph give their budding relationship a chance—and uncover the hidden story within the Bible’s pages?

Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson

A broken engagement, a broken rib, and a broken heart.
Author Laurel Bennett hadn’t planned to spend Christmas this way. Her escape to Banff was meant to avoid her ex-fiancé’s wedding, not land her in recovery at the Banff Springs Hotel. But when she crosses paths with Dr. Ethan Pine—the charming stranger who saved her on the slopes—everything changes. A whirlwind of magical days sparks undeniable chemistry, and they must decide if love can bridge both the distance and the wounds that threaten to keep them apart.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison

He thought he knew exactly what he wanted.
Jack Miller is determined to make it big in the Big Apple. So why does he keep getting dragged back to the place—and the woman—he’s trying to leave behind? Playing the lead in his tiny Nova Scotian town’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life gives Jack a glimpse into the life that could have been his. Good thing it’s not the one he wants, since it’s clearly too late for him to get it back.

My Review:

Woohoo! Greatest impulse buy ever. I saw the pretty cover on Instagram and discovered that the collection is written by four Canadian authors with four different Canadian settings! Sold!

The novellas vary greatly, from mystery to dual timeline to rom/com but they all feature a Canadian Christmas and each story cleverly features a red truck and a classic Christmas Carol. Loved spotting those little connections in each novella.

In A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner, two cases of unrequited love meet up again in the Yukon wilderness. A Christmas wedding dissolves into mystery and mayhem, though there are plenty of cozy vibes that keep this from being a traditional suspense. Loved the fast pace and the eclectic secondary characters (a few who are truly dreadful!) I love feeling righteously indignant on behalf of a hero and heroine! I got a real sense of a Yukon winter which added an atmospheric element to the story.

Season of Forever by Helena Smreck is set in the scenic town of St. Jacobs Ontario (present day) and in England during World War II, so, yay, dual timeline novella style! I’ll admit to being drawn to the WWII romance (it made me cry) but I enjoyed the contrasts in the contemporary romance as well and the way the timelines fit together by the end wrapped things up nicely.

If you enjoy a good rom/com, Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson is the perfect fit. It’s super cute and playful with great comedic beats. The Banff, Alberta setting is a bonus. The author’s descriptions of the resort and the town made me feel like I was actually there. Romantical and funny with a bit of festive toe-curls thrown in to heat things up!

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is one of my favourite holiday movies and it takes centerstage in Sara Davison’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Angst abounds in this second chance romance that features two actors reunited in a small town theatre production of the classic movie. The Nova Scotia backdrop added an extra thrill to my maritime loving heart! And the way the author weaves elements of ‘It’s a Wonderful Live’ into Jack and Kali’s situation is masterfully written. A stunning way to end a stellar holiday collection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the I Heard the Bells, 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 November 15 2025.

The Cupid Chronicles + Giveaway

Some love stories are written . . . this one is magically delivered.

Iris Ellington isn’t looking for love. Not even a little bit. With a long list of failed relationships behind her, she’s decided to reinvent herself as a person who doesn’t fall head over heels on the first date.

New town, new job, new Iris.

But someone—or something—has other plans.

When her neighbor’s newspaper lands in front of her door, Iris has no choice but to return it. And when she does, she comes face to face with a ridiculously handsome but very grumpy chef who all but slams the door in her face.

Matteo Morgan just wants to be left alone. He’s loved and lost and has zero interest in ever doing that again. Which is why it makes no sense that The Serendipity’s magical newspaper has decided to turn him into an unwilling Cupid. Matchmaking is hardly in his wheelhouse.

And yet, for the last three years, that’s exactly what he’s done. And he’s always done it alone.

Until now.

When the newspaper pulls his bubbly neighbor into its matchmaking schemes, Matteo has no choice but to go along with it, hoping that maybe—finally—he can pass Cupid’s bow and arrow on to her.

Thrown together by fate, they must navigate the newspaper’s increasingly absurd demands while trying to resist the undeniable spark between them.

Will Iris melt the ice around Matteo’s heart and embrace the magic? Or will Matteo scare her off with his grumpy demeanor and ruin any chance of happiness? In a building where anything is possible, Iris and Matteo might just find that the greatest magic of all is finding love when they least expect it.

My Review:

Quirky and whimsical and sooooo much fun! I want to move into the Serendipity! Love the subtle (well, honestly, often not so subtle) scheming matchmaking of the building! Yes, you read that right — Walsh has ventured into a whole other realm of busybody matchmaker ‘characters’ and I love it!

Magical realism at its best. Along with an emotional love story that slowly builds from a definitely awkward meet-cute that is anything but cute. Gotta love a brooding hero (he has reasons) who hovers on the grumpy side…a lot. But Matteo is no match for impetuous and enthusiastic Iris. Love the snark and banter and the characters’ inner dialogue is priceless. Especially Iris has she struggles to come to grips with an opinionated magical building.

You might think this kind of romance is out of your comfort zone, but do give it chance. It’s classic Courtney Walsh with her trademark blend of emotional depth and lighthearted humour only this time she’s added a touch of magic to the mix…and can’t we all use some magic in our lives now and again?!

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Stephanie Rose and Lee Samuels and, honestly, if you are an audio book fan this is the way to go with this book. The Dual narration is brilliant – especially Stephanie Rose’s portrayal of Iris. Enjoyed listening to this one so much. Will definitely be a book I’ll revisit again.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Cupid Chronicles 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 November 15 2025

Conversations With Kav – ‘If I Owned a Bookshop’ tag + Giveaway

I’ve always dreamed about owning a bookstore. I think every reader has a variation of that bookish fantasy…at least I hope so, otherwise this is going to be me being weird again. 🙂 I came upon this book tag on Chautona Havig’s Youtube page and thought it was too fun to pass up.

So, today, let’s chat about bookshops…specifically the kind we’d own. Money’s no limit, and, of course all our bookshops will be mega successful so let your imagination run wild. (And remember to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post.)

If I Owned a Bookshop…

Well, of course, I’d be over the moon and I would never want to take a day off! I’d order books and shelve books and make pretty display books ! Oh and I’d get to talk books all day long! Happy sigh. Of course, I’d have to be practical too and that’s where this book tag comes in.

Oh, and I should say what kind of bookstore. I have two dream ideas and they are exact opposites. One is a huge multi-storied bookstore with lots of reading nooks and craft corners and large spaces for book signings. The Hudson’s Bay Company (Canadian department store) has recently gone out of business and whenever I go to the mall and see that huge three storied empty space at one end of the mall I think, “that would make an amazing bookstore!” So that’s one of my bookshop dreams.

But the one I’m going to use to answer the questions for this book tag is my other dream — making over an old school bus into a travelling bookstore that I could take to out of the way places where people are hours away from a bricks and mortar bookstore. So, here we go!

Operating Hours – They would vary depending on my destination so I’d have to be very flexible. And the season would play a part as well. Tough to be on the road in the middle of winter (mind you being stranded in a mobile bookshop in a the blizzard might be cozy!)
Music Playing – I don’t think I’d do music but it would fun to play ambient sounds to suit the location and time of day. So waves crashing on the beach for a seaside town, a crackling fire and night owls hooting for an evening opening in the mountains…that kind of thing.
Coffee and alcohol? – Definite no to the alcohol. Maybe I could have an awning across one side of the bus with a few cafe tables and chairs and I could serve simple coffee or juice. It would depend on how much room I’d be willing to sacrifice from my books!
Set up of store – I’ve kind of described this already. A bus outfitted with shelves and a couple of cozy reading nooks. I’d have some clever storage set up so I could pull out a bookshelf and set it up outside on good weather days. OH – just had a brilliant afterthought. A double decker bus bookstore!!!
Live entertainment and community events – welllll, that’s kinda hard, though I could partner with small towns and we could host something together. I’d bring the books and they could supply a meeting place for a book club or crafting event. That kind of thing.
Store Location: Wherever the road takes me!
External appearance: I’d definitely want to paint it with books and characters — kind of like the Magic School bus only book themed. 🙂
What kind of books would you sell? – Everything. It would be fun to tailor my collection to the different communities. People could send it requests and interests beforehand so I could stock up. That means I’d need a warehouse in my home base….oh wow, a whole warehouse full of books! Thud!
Name of the store:Novel Journeys.

The Giveaway

Now it’s your turn. Share a bit about the kind of bookstore you would like to own in a comment below and I’ll enter you in a draw to win:

US – $10 Baker Book House gift certificate

Canada – $10 Amazon or Indigo gift certificate

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 15 2025.

November Giveaway – Week Two

won by Melissa Andres

won by Kay Garrett

won by Trixi

won by Jolene

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Final Approach

The suspect list is growing…
Can this K-9 team unmask a killer?

Investigating a gun smuggling ring leads ATF Special Agent Daniel Slater to a murder victim’s house—and right into a drive-by shooting. With his K-9 partner, Dakota, he helps save crime scene investigator Aurora Martin from flying bullets. But there are no clues as to why Aurora is a target. Suspecting a case of mistaken identity, Daniel insists she will be safe hiding out at his home—until gunmen infiltrate the property. Now, to protect Aurora, Daniel must hunt down their attacker. But can he catch the culprit in time…or will this case be Aurora’s last?

My Review:

Woohoo! Epic takedown and superb ending to the Dakota K-9 multi-authored eight book series! Loved the way everything all comes together in ‘Final Showdown’ – and what an apt title! I’m totally a fan of a Great Dane K-9 officer! Dakota is equal parts committed guardian and fierce protector. And the instant attraction between Daniel and Aurora satisfied my romance loving heart. They are thrown together under extraordinary circumstances and there’s some fun snark (courtesy of Aurora) and banter and a whole lot of intrigue and danger before they can even dream of a happily ever after.

I’ll be honest and say that I do feel this story reads best if you are familiar with a few of the earlier books since it brings almost the whole team together as they finally bring a difficult case to a successful close. You could read it as a standalone but I think you’ll appreciate this ‘grand finale’ so much more if you have been with the team for at least part of the journey.

I really enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Sharon Schnaubelt. She did a great job with all these characters and keeping pace with the exhilarating plot!