In the Company of Others

Father Tim and Cynthia arrive in the west of Ireland, intent on researching his Kavanagh ancestry from the comfort of a charming fishing lodge. The charm, however, is broken entirely when Cynthia startles a burglar and sprains her already-injured ankle. Then a cherished and valuable painting is stolen from the lodge owners, and Cynthia’s pain pales in comparison to the wound at the center of this bitterly estranged Irish family. 

In the Company of Others is a moving testament to the desperate struggle to hide the truth at any cost and the powerful need to confess. Of all her winning novels, Jan Karon says this “dark-haired child” is her favorite-a sentiment readers everywhere are certain to share.

Another stirring page-turner about Father Tim—this time set in County Sligo—from the bestselling author of At Home in Mitford, Somebody Safe with Somebody Good, and other books in the Mitford Series.

My Review:

published in 2010

Somehow the entire Mitford series has eluded me all these years but it just seemed so daunting to try and catch up. However, when I discovered that this eleventh book is set in Ireland featuring only two of the main characters (Father Tim and his his wife Cynthia) I figured it might be the perfect place to jump in. Plus I was looking for Irish themed reads for St. Patrick’s Day and this fit the bill.

I loved the way the author brought Ireland to life — from physical descriptions to the culture and history — I could almost hear the fire crackling and feel the moisture of a a grand soft day on my face. Definitely made me homesick.

Father Tim arrives on holiday but somehow becomes embroiled in multiple family dramas at the inn they are staying at. It must be the clerical collar. 🙂 I quite enjoyed the rambling feel of the story. Not one that I felt needed to be rushed through, but one I quietly enjoyed for a half hour or so each evening. There’s a bit of mystery complete with an old journal from the 1860s and a slew of interesting characters (which were sometimes hard to keep track of. ) Overall, an excellent introduction to the author’s storytelling style and her beloved Father Tim. I’m intrigued enough to back track and – shock! – start with the first Mitford book sometime later this year.

Falling for Grace + Giveaway

Grace Logan has taken a lot of tumbles in life, but she works hard to bounce right back. Dreams shattered and hope for reconciliation gone, Grace needs a place where she can pick herself up now that her ex is marrying her former best friend. Her boss’s beach house in Santa Rosa seems like the perfect getaway, but stumbling into the attractive-but-damaged handyman next door isn’t part of the plan. 

After losing his infant son—and his marriage—Seth Gibbs is left with smothering grief and guilt. Bad memories make it difficult to find a new normal, so he escapes to his family’s vacation home. Three years later, he’s still in Santa Rosa with no plans to leave. That is…until Grace falls into his life.

My Review:

published in 2018

I can’t believe I’m just ‘discovering’ Janet Ferguson now! And what an introduction! This novella packs all the heart of a full length novel. My emotions were engaged from the very first page and I do so love to be emotionally pummeled by my fiction! Talk about gut-wrenching and hope-soaring!

Grace and Seth are both recovering from painful losses. Their chance encounter on the beach pulls them into each other’s arms (literally) and sets in motion a breath-taking second chance love story. Raw and real and achingly sweet. And sometimes funny. All the elements that I enjoy in a romance.

I’m amazed at the way Ferguson packed so much into this shorter word count. Exquisite word choice and impeccable pacing propel the story along and turned Falling for Grace into an unputdownable read for me. Devoured it in one sitting and now I’m on the hunt for more.

Irish Meadows + Giveaway

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My Review:

published in 2015

Double the romance doubles the reading pleasure. 

Brianna and Colleen are as different as night and day and I will readily admit to bonding with Brianna way before Colleen started to chip away at my reserve. Colleen is…challenging…at the beginning of the this story…and quite awhile thereafter. In short, she made my blood boil. But Mason weaves her magic and Colleen’s storyline becomes a beautiful testimony of the power of redemption. 

And the heroes? Be still my heart. In a word: swoonworthy. But both have to battle internal demons before they can come to grips with their pasts. Gilbert is near perfection — noble, trustworthy, a man of integrity…except when he isn’t. LOL Mason has created a flawed hero who struggles with misplaced loyalty. And Rylan is a delightful surprise. I adored his wit and ability to find joy in everyday things. And his first meet with prickly ol’ Colleen is sweet perfection. There’s plenty of scope for the imagination when it comes to these captivating heroes.

As we all know, the course of true love never runs straight and in the case of the O’Leary sisters it’s a big old curvy, tangled mess. Which makes for a blissfully emotional read. I’m still feeling kind of gutted now that it’s over. The kind of read you want to gallop through because it’s that good, but you also don’t want to reach the end because…well…it’s that good. 

Fans of Julie Lessman will find a lot to love about Susan Anne Mason’s first book in the Courage to Dream series. Highly recommended.

Summerlin Groves + Giveaway

Elizabeth Camden’s first Contemporary Romance!

Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings of flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny’s heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime.

The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon they awaken a fifty-year old mystery involving Cold War espionage and a forbidden romance. Will resurrecting the old secrets endanger the survival of her grove and everything she holds dear?

My Review:

Wow, this story delivered so much more than I expected! The emotional depth, the complex layers, the seemingly impossible chasm between the hero and heroine. Whoa, compelling stuff! I’m kinda gobsmacked by how good Elizabeth Camden’s first contemporary romance is! And I really shouldn’t be since her historical novels are just as amazing. Maybe it’s the deceptively serene cover that lulled me into a false sense of cozy security? While we do reach a happily ever after there’s plenty of angst (including some gasp out loud moments) before we get there.

So, meet Jenny, an overcomer to the nth degree. Her back story! Her determination! Her ability to keep getting up when life knocks her down! She’s in no way perfect, but she’s so likeable! Even when she’s her most tenacious, stubborn self. Wyatt can’t even resist her though he has a lot of solid reasons too.

Which brings me to their doomed Second Chance / Enemies to More Romance. There is so much I want to say but I can’t without spewing major spoilers which I would never do. But when you meet Wyatt and Jenny and see what they are up against you’ll totally understand why my sensitive reader’s heart had conniptions. And the way Camden brings redemption into their relationship is sheer masterful storytelling. I might have teared up a time or two.

I really enjoyed the look at the real life struggles for a farmer’s life (not an occupation for the faint of heart!) and I could feel Jenny’s desperate tie to the land of her ancestors and their way of life. Again…so much to talk about here but not in a review! This would make a great book club selection for all the talking points.

There’s even a cold case mystery that’s revealed in the first chapter of the book when a decades old skeleton is discovered in on Jenny’s land. Enter Captain Wyatt Rossiter and the sparks start flying. Loved the way the author wove the mystery throughout their day to day lives and the significance it plays in the restoration themes of the story. Brilliantly done.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition of this book narrated by Lisa Larsen. She did a great job creating distinctive voices for these characters and conveying the emotional depth of their story. Definitely recommend the audio for discerning listening readers like me.

Castle on the Rise + Giveaway

A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

When Laine Forrester travels to France to attend her longtime friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find a bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks–a devastating diagnosis, a castle restoration put on hold, and the emergence of deep-seated family dynamics that threaten to derail the new couple’s fledgling marriage–it seems the storybook life Laine had imagined for her friend–and once, for herself–is suddenly crumbling before her eyes.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending for one of them, Laine throws support behind her friend and agrees to accompany the couple to the groom’s family home in Ireland, where the merging of a mysterious inheritance, long-buried wounds, and a fractured family set out to upend the trip from the start. It’s in the unlikely corners of a historic Dublin pub, and across the wide-open moors bordering Ireland’s majestic Wicklow Mountains, that Laine is slowly drawn in by the land and the people, sparking hope for something she never imagined possible: the courage to heal. But with secrets of her own–and a heart afraid to trust again–Laine must determine how much she’s willing to risk in mending the broken places within herself, and whether she believes that even through the depths of our pain, a beautiful story can emerge.

Set in three time-periods–the revolutionary era of the late eighteenth century, Ireland’s turbulent Easter week of the 1916 Rising, and present day–Castle on the Rise weaves a story of legacy, conviction, and redemption against the backdrop of Dublin’s storied streets, and the stretch of Ireland’s stunning emerald shores. It raises the question: given the choice between the fairy tale or a life of truly anchored faith–which legacy would you choose?

My Review:

published in 2019

“Ireland has a million stories and if you stay long enough you’ll learn them all.”

Heartfelt, shivery sigh. Followed by some muffled sobs and inelegant hiccups. I need a moment…or a week…to recover from this splendiferous read.

Heart-breaking. Awe-inspiring. Hope-lifting. Sure and Kristy Cambron must have kissed the blarney stone, her words are that eloquent. And greatly enhanced by the narration of Amy Rubinate. I listened to the audible version of this book and I’m so glad I did. It created an evocative mood that heightened Cambron’s storytelling prowess. This is one book I think ‘reads’ best when you listen.

And the story! Well, stories, really — three distinct time periods at pivotal points in Irish history. Magical and spellbinding. I had no trouble jumping between centuries and connected with each hero and heroine. Honestly — each timeline story could easily have been published as a standalone novel…but the way Cambron weaves them together! Impeccable pacing — and the way she stops one story at a heart-plummeting moment and then picks up with the next…wow — I’m still experiencing reader whiplash. There were times I had to hit pause and collect myself. Pace madly around my house while wringing my hands and moaning…”no, no, NO!” And then wonder if I’d have the courage to press play again.

Castle on the Rise made me homesick (I’m an Irish born Canadian.) It celebrates the courage and conviction and abiding faith of a complex people. There were so many inspirational passages that I’d have jotted down if I’d been reading a paperback copy. I guess I’ll have to buy one for my keeper shelf as well. 🙂

An emotional masterpiece that quite literally took my breath away.


Conversations with Kav – Book Cover Makeovers + Giveaway

True Confession: I’m a cover snob. I’ve been known to ignore a book because I didn’t like the cover. Shallow, I know, but cover eye candy is part of what draws me to a book. A few weeks ago, Tracey mentioned older books getting makeovers – kind of a new and improved rebirth of an older title — and how she much preferred the book’s original cover. And that’s what got us thinking that this might be a fun Conversations with Kav topic so, here we are! Plus, I want to talk about overall cover appeal. What we love. What we don’t. What sells and what sends us running screaming out of the bookstore. 🙂

First: the book Tracey mentioned liking the original cover better than the ‘new and improved.’

I like the Original cover too. As far as makeovers go, this one isn’t bad at all, but there’s something more dramatic about the original. I think the heroine’s personality shines through much better. She’s daring me to read her story.

Two series immediately came to mind when Tracey and I had a mini discussion in the comment section of that previous Sunday post. And I much, much, much, prefer the originals in both cases. So much so that I am ecstatic to have the originals in my collection. There just isn’t any contest, as far as I’m concerned. Here they are:

I’m going to be brutal here. I LOVE the original covers for both these series. They are vibrant and alive and so unique. Real standouts. The makeover covers are, well, blah. Like every other romantic comedy cover out there. And I don’t like how there’s less emphasis on the heroines. You can really get a feel for their personalities in the originals but you can barely see them in the new covers.

Why do authors / publishers reissue books with new covers?

The only reason I can think of is if an author gets the rights back to a traditionally published work and maybe there’s something in the contract that says they can’t market the original cover? But I’m just guessing. And that doesn’t explain why an indie author would switch covers. That must be a costly undertaking. Anyone have insider knowledge or other insights? Inquiring minds want to know. 🙂 There must be a marketing angle in here somewhere.

What do you like/dislike in a book cover?

  • I like original. I love colour. Texture. Details. Something that creates an ambience to match the story.
  • I definitely want to be able to read the author’s name on the cover.
  • Bonus if it’s a series and that’s indicated along with the series number.
  • I’d prefer a simple, nondescript cover to a poorly designed one. I totally understand that indie authors don’t have the finances to fund graphic artists or create cover photo shoots the way publishers can. BUT, simple is way better than an amateurish attempt to create cover art. (is my cover snob showing?!)
  • I’m in the middle of the road about faceless covers. Don’t mind as much when the figures on in the distance, it’s a little more jarring when the whole cover is a faceless hero or heroine. 🙂 But it helps when there are other elements on the cover that hint at the story. I’m thinking of the Sweater Weather series with it’s bright colours and fall themes. Clearly, now that I think about it, I’m attracted to colour.
  • I love the fashion on historical covers!
  • And one thing I’m totally not a fan of is Disneyish cartoon covers. Like this one:

I feel like this should be the cover of a graphic novel for preteens. 🙂 Just not a fan. I’m wondering if it’s becoming a trend in order to attract new adult readers? By the way, this book is releasing in September and it’s set around a Regency themed singles retreat which sounds fantastic! Hopefully it will be available in audible so I won’t have to look at the cover. Bwahahaha!

Okay, now it’s your turn. Share your cover loves/hates and opinions in a comment below and I’ll put your name in a draw to win a $10 Baker Book House ecard.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 22, 2025.

March Giveaway – Week Three

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!

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!

Where Trees Touch the Sky

Some secrets have shadows as long as the redwoods are tall.

In the early 1920s, the accelerating destruction of the California redwoods is more than nature-loving Marion Baker can bear. Throwing herself headlong into the work of the Save the Redwoods League, she is shocked to learn that Frank Duncan, a man she’s grown to love, is the son of one of the area’s worst timber barons. Though devastated by the betrayal, she realizes this could also be an opportunity–if only she can convince him to help preserve her favorite grove from his father’s greedy grasp. Is her love strong enough to persuade him to save these precious trees? Or will Marion choose to sacrifice her beliefs to keep Frank by her side?

Nearly fifty years later, in 1972, polio survivor June Turner is deeply proud of the legacy her great aunt Marion has left as a redwood warrior. And despite her disability, June is determined to prove herself capable as a ranger at the recently established Redwood National Park, even if it means taking to the trails with her crutch in hand. What better way to carry on the family tradition of preserving God’s magnificent creation?

When aspiring film student Adam Garner approaches June to help make a documentary about Marion’s life, she swiftly grabs the opportunity to spread her aunt’s worthy reputation. That is, until they unearth a secret that might shatter the family legacy. In the scramble for answers, June may lose not only her family pride but also her own dreams.

Karen Barnett’s beautifully crafted split-time novel, set against the majestic backdrop of a beloved national park, immerses the reader in history that feels as fresh as if it happened yesterday.

My Review:

A multifaceted faith-infused dual timeline historical novel that has left me a wee bit discombobulated. Some things went exactly as I thought they would while others sent me into a tailspin. Wow. Just. Wow.

Barnett did a wonderful job with her historical research for both timelines (1920s and 1970s) and I loved being in at the beginnings of a National Park. I especially appreciated the inspirational perspective on what it means to honour God’s creation through the way we care for the natural world. A refreshing viewpoint to find in Christian Fiction, especially at this particular time in world history.

Both our heroines face unique challenges and I love the personal connection between the two. Marion is an environmentalist fighting to save the majestic redwood forests from lumber barons in 1923. Decades later, her great-niece becomes one of the first female park rangers. Their stories are unique and yet contain some uncanny parallels. The author expertly weaves the two timelines together until the point where they finally overlap and then — kapow – fireworks! Made for such a captivating read!

Searching for Justice + Giveaway

A cold-case reopened. A K-9 in pursuit of the truth.

When a teen goes missing from the same place where her own foster sister disappeared, K-9 handler Brynne Taylor is on the case…until she’s caught in a lethal trap. Someone doesn’t want her or her Saint Bernard, Fergie, snooping around, and they’re willing to kill to keep their secrets. Saved by rancher Jace Jackson, Brynne reluctantly accepts the single father’s help solving both cases. But they’re under fire every dangerous step of the way—and eluding this killer may be as impossible as outrunning Brynne’s past…

My Review:

Wow! This is the 15h K-9 Search and Rescue book from Love Inspired Suspense and I hope they keep them coming. I’m always on board for good K-9 mystery and this one is fantastic. How could it not be with Fergie leading the way?! A St. Bernard who has a lot to prove along with human partner, Brynne, since they are the newest hires in this small Texas town. Especially since Brynne has history that seems to be all tangled up in the latest missing teen case.

I really enjoyed the way Queen strikes a balance between the romance and the suspense. The Second Chance trope plays out realistically. Past traumas – especially for Brynne – make things extra challenging. Loved the way the past is gradually merged into the present and there were so many ‘aha’ moments that made the suspense even more thrilling for me…and left me on tenterhooks regarding the happily ever after outcome. I knew it was coming…this is a Love Inspired novel, after all…but just how satisfactorily would it be wrapped up? Splendidly, I’d say!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Cyndi Stark. Her performance complimented these characters and drew out the tension at just the right moments. An excellent listen that I’d recommend to audio ‘readers’ like me.

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

Deadly Revenge + Giveaway

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That’s where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

My Review:

Phew! A gripping police procedural that turned this into an unstoppable read. Absolutely love the investigative aspects to this suspense. It’s the focus of the plot though there is also a creepy undertone simmering in the background. Sent delicious chills up my spine a time or two. And when it comes time for action, it explodes off the page in a breath-snatching fury. I’ve just now managed to get my heart rate down.

Max and Jenna worked together before in another police department and there was definitely a smouldering attraction between the two until…well stuff happened. Fast forward a few years and they have both experienced enough grief in the romance department to be wary of rekindling an old flame. The tension between these two is palpable from the onset – equal parts awkward and anticipatory. All while they’re grappling with a complicated case that seems to stretch into the past.

‘Deadly Revenge’ is riveting on so many levels. Love the way the author develops the relationship between Max and Jenna. It’s slow and measured and built on respect. And believably sidelined (most of the time) in deference to the case they are working on. And there are so many intricate layers to the suspense plot that kept me on the edge of my seat and frantically trying to put the pieces together before Max and Jenna did. I was right…some of the time…but wrong a lot more. Love when a suspense gives my mind a good workout!

This is the third and last book in the Pearl River series but works fine as a standalone. We do get to see a lot of Alex (heroine from book one) as a secondary character though, in her role as sheriff. And there’s a wonderful epilogue that brings all the series’ heroes and heroines together for one final ‘hurrah’ for readers.