kavlovestoread

July Giveaway – Week Three

WON BY PERRIANNE

WON BY TRYDY

WON BY MELISSA ANDRES

WON BY JO RUTH

WON BY WINNIE

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:

Welcome to an entire week of Christmas in July where the review/giveaways are a selection of Christmas fiction, some retro reads, some new-to-me this year. Since I had so many books I wanted to highlight (and have stockpiled a bunch more for later in the year!) Conversations with Kav will be preempted and replaced with a book giveaway. This week is all about celebrating Christmas Christian Fiction – Sunday – Friday. Oh, and the neat thing is that this Monday’s Carol Awards Finalist selection has two Christmas selections! Couldn’t have planned that better if I tried. 🙂

SUNDAY

MONDAY

2025 Carol Award Finalists – (Short Novel) I can’t believe it’s that time already but the finalists were just announced this week and the winners in each category will be announced on September 6 at the ACFW Conference Gala. Soooo exciting. This year especially because 40% of the finalists are indie authors! And most of the rest are from small publishing houses. Tons of new-to-me authors listed and books I’ve never even heard of.

So, while all that is exciting, I’ve discovered it can be a little be tricky when it comes to sourcing all editions of the books. I’ve noticed that small press books seem to carry hefty price tags in print format for a while now, but some of these were crazy! One 300 page book is $80 in Canada! And a $10 US book is $32 in Canada while another book was $7 here and $40 in the US. All kinds of crazy — so, all this to say pay particular attention to the giveaway options for each Carol Award Finalists title in the coming weeks. They will be listed in bold after the title/author/publishing info statement and will be divided by US, Canada and International.

The Christmas Gathering

A CHRISTMAS REUNION by Shelley Shepard Gray: Tricia Troyer is thrilled when Brandt Massey, her cousin’s English friend, joins the Troyers’s holiday gathering for the second year in a row. When Brandt asks Tricia to be his girlfriend, they both know she’ll have important choices to make about her future. But the two aren’t as different as some believe-and with open hearts and understanding, their very own Christmas miracle just might be possible . . .

WE GATHER TOGETHER by Lenora Worth: When Lucas Myer meets Kayla Hollinger on the shores of Lake Erie, he’s smitten. The two plan to meet again-but soon enough they discover a problem: their relatives are locked in a longtime feud and forbid them to socialize. Fortunately, Lucas and Kayla are old enough to make their own decisions-and they decide to create a Christmas miracle of forgiveness and love . . .

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES by Rachel J. Good: Years ago, Andrew was banished by his Amish family when he chose a career in music. And now, just before Christmas, he and his band find themselves stranded after their manager absconds with their money. Desperate, Andrew is offered a job teaching piano-but that’s just the first miracle. His work will not only bless others in need, but a longtime fan might just capture his heart-and even lead him home . .

My Review:

Three heartwarming holiday novellas that share one common thread: Christmas family reunions, Amish style.

Shelley Shepard Gray’s classic storytelling creates drama and hope around a forbidden Amish/Englisch romance that seems doomed from the start. That forbidden love theme continues when Lenora Worth’s hero and heroine are thwarted by feuding families. And the love of forbidden music complicates the lives of one Amish couple looking for a Christmas miracle in Rachel J. Good’s novella.

Simple details of Amish holiday traditions bring a gentle festive touch to these stories. A lovely addition to any library’s Christmas collection.

The Girl From the Hidden Forest + Giveaway

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.

Enjoy another Gothic Style Regency from Hannah Linder.

Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.

That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.

When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?

As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

My Review:

All kinds of gothic-y goodness. So atmospheric! The kind of mysterious ambience that holds a reader captive. And oh my, the secrets revealed…I..just…didn’t anticipate most of it! Major or minor plot twists! Phew!

And that first chapter! Felton was certainly no hero and I was positive that he would never make my book boyfriend list but he did end up charming me. It took a while but I definitely became twitterpated a time or two. And the journey to get to that point! Epic drama full of heartbreak and betrayal. A classic tortured brooding hero! Incredibly good reading!

Eliza is so out of her depth in her new surroundings after her simple upbringing in the forest. Talk about culture shock! So many plot twists and ‘aha’ moments and divine amateur armchair sleuthing. Encroaching danger, growing bolder with every attempt on her life. And Felton…friend or foe? Can he be trusted or should he be feared? This is one mystery I couldn’t figure out until the gasp-out-loud revelations. Took my breath away, they did.

Hannah Linder’s exceptional storytelling held me captive until the very last word.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — 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 Girl From the Forest, 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 19 2025

Snowed in at the Castle + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Indie!

A light-hearted holiday romance about an orphaned woman who gets snowed in with a prince for Christmas.

What if you were snowed in far away from home with a prince…

But you thought he was just a normal guy?

A normal guy who spoke beautiful words and snuck you into the ballroom in the middle of the night just so he could hold you close?

Avery Rossi’s had a rough year. She took a dream European vacation to push a restart button on her life, only to end up stranded in the airport. Her tour group is directed to temporary lodging in the castle–every girl’s dream come true. When she meets a royal advisor with brooding eyes and broad shoulders, she’s tempted to tear up her return ticket.

Prince Matteo de Luca must announce his engagement at the Christmas Eve ball. There are several problems.

1. The women his parents want him to marry is a troll.
2. He doesn’t want to get married at all.
3. He’s met an adorable American who makes him believe in things like love at first argument and the joy of Christmas.
4. She doesn’t know he’s a prince.

Pulled apart by centuries of tradition and loyalty to God and king, it’s going to take more than a royal rebellion for these two to be together.

Find out if Christmas truly is a season for miracles in this new holiday romance today!

My Review:

published in 2020

Such a festively fun discovery! McConnell delivers classic Christmas charm with a bit of a fairy tale feel. Loved the castle setting! I mean, if you’re going to be stranded in a snowstorm that’s the place to be! And the author includes some lovely details that made me feel like I was right there with Avery.

She’s been on an emotional journey over the past year, culminating in the first Christmas without her parents. A European tour between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed like the perfect distraction. Meeting a prince in disguise even more so.

Loved the way the hidden identity trope played out! Matteo is swoonworthy hero material. The romance develops quickly but somehow it never felt rushed and I loved the way the author incorporated Christmas traditions into the story. This is very much a holiday read. Heartwarming and hopeful with a dollop of Christmas whimsy to make your season brighter.

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 Snowed in at the Castle, 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 19 2025.

Shadowed Witness + Giveaway

Murder–that’s what photographer Allye Jessup knows she witnessed as she departed her studio one evening. Waking with bruises on her neck and a foggy memory, she believes she survived an attack, but everyone seems to think she simply sustained a head injury from falling down the stairs of her studio. Plagued by an undiagnosed health condition, she is torn between the haunting reality of what she may have seen and the possibility that her mind is playing tricks on her.

Without proof the other victim ever existed, Detective Eric Thornton can hardly declare the area a murder scene. Still, he adds Allye’s report to his already full caseload. But when new evidence surfaces to support her claims, Eric must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer and uncover the truth before the suspect closes in on Allye again.

Angela Carlisle once again presents cutting-edge romantic suspense laced with danger, deception, and justice.

My Review:

Angela Carlisle is back with another riveting romantic suspense and I am making it official – she is now a read to zero author and, since she only has two books out so far I am totally caught up. 🙂 Planning to stay that way too because this author can write!

Attention grabbing opening scene put me on edge and the situations Allye finds herself in…hello, stalker vibes! She’s all muddled up – what’s real, what isn’t and how can she get anyone to believe her?

Seriously sinister low-life bad guys, a police detective who wants to believe her but is short on evidence. So many twists and turns along with a few creepy, heart-in-throat hair-raising scenes. Phew, this one kept me on edge right to the very end.

Carlisle is really good at slowly building tension as she weaves seemingly unrelated plot threads into a cohesive whole. I figured some things out, but not enough to keep me from being blindsided a time or two!

And adrenaline rush of a read with just enough romance to make things interesting…and complicated!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shadowed Witness, 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 19 2025

Carol Award Finalist – Romantic Suspense + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2025 finalists are books published in 2024. 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 September 6 2025 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 2025 —Romantic Suspense Category you would like to receive. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy.

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.

Romantic Suspense Finalists

Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen – Indie – Editor: Julie Agen – Giveaway options: US and Canada: ebook International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them.

Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk.

Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped.

Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others—including God—to survive?

Lethal Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1 ) . (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn – Revell – Editors: Kelsey Bowen and Robin Turici – Giveaway options: US: paperback or ebook, Canada: paperback, ebook or audible, International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up.

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family’s construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He’s loved–and lost–someone like her before.

When Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger–but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them.

My Review: https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/06/19/never-fall-again-giveaway/

Double Take by Lynette Eason – Revell – Editors: Barb Barnes and Andrea Doering – Giveaway options: US: paperback or ebook, Canada: paperback, ebook or audible. International: ebooks with US Kindle account.

She survived a murder plot and her attacker is dead–isn’t he?

Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he’s rooming with his good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it’s not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who exactly is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

My Review: https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/02/12/double-take-giveaway/

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 19 2025. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.

Conversations with Kav – AI in Publishing + Giveaway

My Technologically stunted brain has a really hard time comprehending all the AI chatter around books and publishing making it’s way around social media. I feel like I’m always joining in the middle of a conversation and I can never catch up. So…I thought, who better to turn to then all you clever Best Readers?

I know a lot of you follow authors on FB and through newsletters and I’m thinking you’re getting a more complete picture of the issues around AI and books so here we are! I’m going to share the little bit I know and you can fill in the blanks for me, okay? Here we go! 🙂

AI and Plagiarism

I stumbled upon a huge controversy online about a general market indie author who was accused of using AI to plagiarize another author’s work. From what I can grasp, she used some kind of AI platform that actually took an original story from another author and tweaked it to be just different enough for the plagiarizing author to pass it off as her own. I can’t grasp how this could even be possible! It must be so scary for authors because it seems like it would be impossible to protect their copyright. I mean, it would be so random to even discover that your work has been stolen.

The other angle I read about is where an author can use AI to beef up their own story by requesting the AI to make it more like another author’s writing style! Whaatttt???? How is that even possible? That seems so futuristic!

AI Authored Novels?!

This one really blew my mind. There are actually books being ‘written’ by AI. From what I can understand, a human feeds in a few general plot points like a rough outline and the computer does the rest. I became aware of this when I began reading weird (to me) messages on Instagram from authors reassuring followers that they actually write their own stories – no AI authorship involved! I have a really hard time wrapping my mind around this concept!

AI in audio books

This one really irks me because I got roped into buying a book that was actually narrated by AI. I know some of you use a text to speech app to iisten to kindle books and I can see how that might be beneficial though I’ll admit to being a bit of an audio snob and really love talented voice performers. 🙂

It’s one thing, though, to go into a listening experience knowing you’re listening to an AI production, but to actually pay the same amount you would for real live narrated book is truly irksome.

AI Generated Book Covers

It just occurred to me that maybe that’s why the faceless and cartoony covers have become so prevalent. They must be AI generated, right? And likely a huge financial savings in book productions. But I hate the idea of computers taking over the artistic design of talented artists and photographers.

AI Search Help(Not!)

This one really irritates me. You know, when you go to search an online store and AI keeps ‘helpfully’ correcting your ‘typos’ so you never get the result you want? Soooo annoying.

Example: Northargyle Abbie by Janelle Leonard. No matter how many times I type that title on Amazon, it corrects my ‘mistakes’ the second I click ‘search.’ Northargyle Abbie automatically becomes North Argyle Abbey and, of course, I don’t get any results. Gah! That happens a lot with quirky titles, like the puny-y ones unique to cozies too. So frustrating!

Well, that about sums up all I know about AI Controversies and the book industry. Do you have any deeper insights? Heard more online chatter about this topic and how ti is affecting authors? I’d love it if you would share in the comments.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Contribute to the conversation in a comment and you will be entered in a draw for a $10 Baker Book House gift card. (or Canadians will receive an Amazon.ca gift card)

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 19 2025.

July Giveaway – Week Two

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!

monday

2025 Carol Award Finalists – (Romantic Suspense) I can’t believe it’s that time already but the finalists were just announced this week and the winners in each category will be announced on September 6 at the ACFW Conference Gala. Soooo exciting. This year especially because 40% of the finalists are indie authors! And most of the rest are from small publishing houses. Tons of new-to-me authors listed and books I’ve never even heard of.

Tracing Killer Evidence

A string of unsolved kidnappings…a K-9 team out for justice.

Forensic artist Isabella Whitmore narrowly escapes an abduction attempt in the Dakota Badlands, only to find herself targeted by a mysterious assailant. With the help of FBI special agent Liam Barringer and his K-9, Guthrie, Isabella must uncover the identity of her would-be murderer. Is the culprit the elusive kidnapper turned serial killer who’s targeting Isabella because she matches his victim profile? Or has her secret past finally caught up with her? As the attacks escalate, Isabella and Liam must find the truth and stop the danger before it’s too late.

My Review:

An angsty second chance romance gets off to a rocky start in an intense opening scene that sets the stage for this compelling page-turner. And, mercy, this couple’s back story! There’s lots to unpack and I really felt for Liam – torn between duty and all that emotional turmoil! The suspense is full of plot twists including a few gasp-out-loud moments. Relentless pursuits, desperate attacks and danger at every turn. Makes for a winning combination that is sure to keep avid readers on high alert until the very end!

This is the fifth book in the multi-authored continuity ‘Dakota K-9 Unit’ series and things are heating up with the over-arcing suspense plot which is really exciting. We still have three more books to go before that case will be solved though. I’m so impatient! No worries if you aren’t current with this series, each book reads well as a standalone with a unique romance and suspense plot that are both resolved by the end. And the authors do a great job of catching readers up on team antics and investigations so you won’t feel lost jumping in here.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Tracing Killer Evidence’ and really enjoyed Cindy Kay’s narration. She did a great job conveying all the emotions and tension in the characters and plot. So happy that Love Inspired Suspense is making some of their books available in audio format now!

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

Holly’s Homecoming + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

A Christmastime Novella of Restoration and Sweet Romance

It’s the end of 1897 and Christmas approaches. It’s been years since Holly Moore has seen her father, a well-known lumber baron, but she has heard he’s come back home to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Having lived with her aunt and uncle since the age of ten, Holly holds mixed feelings about seeing the man who once abandoned her.

When the opportunity comes for Holly to slip into the household of Grapevine Lodge—her childhood home and the seat of the Moore Lumber fortune—virtually unnoticed, she takes it.

While at Grapevine Lodge, Holly encounters Matthew Peterson, the son of a business associate of her father’s. She quickly develops a friendship with Matthew, but when she finds out just who he really is and what he’s come to the lodge for, Holly questions their relationship.

Will Holly’s father recognize her? Can she move past all that has kept her and her father apart and finally be able to truly come home? Can Holly keep her feelings for Matthew and still step into her role as the heiress to a lumber fortune?

Find out in this short and sweet, Christmas-themed novella with a surprise twist. Readers of Christian historical fiction, Christian or clean romance, and Christmas fiction will experience a heart-warming story of all that makes Christmastime magical.

My Review:

published in 2021

A heartwarming Christmas story featuring reconciliation and romance.

Holly is on a quest to discover more about her estranged father and a past she doesn’t understand. Love the atmospheric setting and the unexpected way Holly’s arrival at Grapevine Lodge gets turned around, giving her an opportunity to seek answers through stealthy means rather than confrontational ones.

The author’s storytelling style sets the tone beautifully. A little bit haunting, a wee bit mysterious and very intriguing. I felt for Holly and her desire to know the truth…even if she isn’t prepared for it! The gentle romance brings a sweet reprieve to her inner turmoil. And the frosty ambience of a house left neglected for much too long is the perfect setting for a story that is as much about forgiveness and mercy as it is about love.

This is the first book in the‘Botanical Seasons Novellas‘ collection as well as the first book I’ve read by Jenny Knipfer and I definitely intend to continue with this series and this author . I’m extremely excited over her new ‘Retold Fairy Tales’ series she has releasing this year. Eeeeeppp!

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 Holly’s Homecoming, 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 12 2025.