kavlovestoread

Conversations With Kav – Let’s Celebrate Valentine’s Day Week With Some Book Love! + Giveaway

Before we get started with the St. Valentine’s Day festivities, I have some great news! I can post reviews on Amazon again! I’ve been checking off and on over the past few months and suddenly, this week, it worked! Wonder if the bots heard me dissing them last week? 🙂 Anyway, that’s my good news…though I’m a bit peeved that they wouldn’t send me an email to say my community features had been reinstated. Lucky I kept checking!

I had fun searching my shelves and TBR pile for books with hearts on the cover or the word ‘love’ in the title for this week’s review lineup. It was harder than I thought it would be and I found more contemporary romances than historical which was interesting. So then I thought it would be even more fun to start the week off with…drumroll please….

BOOK LOVE TAG!

Tags are a Book Tube thing, where a booktuber creates a series of questions around a central theme and then tags other booktubers to participate by creating videos where they answer the questions. I discovered the Book Love Tag on Chautona Havig’s channel and thought I’d accept the tag challenge only do it on my blog.

Get ready to participate, ’cause if you answer one (or more) of the questions in a comment, I’ll enter you in a draw for a $10 Baker Book House Gift Card ’cause every reader’s Valentine’s Day should include new books, right?! So, here we go:

Friendship Love – name a book that includes a loving friendship
Sibling Love – name a book that features a strong sibling relationship
Parental or Guardian Love – name a book that has a main character who is a parent or guardian.
Pet Love – name a book that features a loyal pet or animal companion
Romantic Love – name a book that contains a swoonworthy romantic plot
Self-Love – name a book that includes the theme of self love (finding yourself, self acceptance, personal growth etc.)
Divine Love – name a book with a strong faith thread featuring a character who comes to understand God’s love for them.

There were so many different books I could have suggested for each question but I tried to stick with the one that came to mind first — and discounted my most recent reads to make it a little more challenging. Here are my answers:

Friendship Love

I know the prompt didn’t mean a book featuring a friends to more trope but the friendship between this hero and heroine is so delightful. Everyone should have a bestie like one of these guys!

Sibling Love

I could have picked any of the books in Sarah M. Eden’s Jonquil Brothers series because…these brothers!!!!!! What a swoonworthy lot! And in this book, shy quiet Corbin is earnestly coached on how to attract a lady’s attention. The brotherly banter and shenanigans are priceless! And now I think I have to reread the whole series.

Parental Love

Nicole is a single mother with the most precociously adorable child! Nicole is well intentioned but a bit too intense and serious while her love interest is the exact opposite. It’s the way the author fits Nicole’s motherhood into the story so seamlessly that makes this one so memorable for me.

Pet Love

There is a wolf with a very unique relationship with the heroine…and he’s very, very, very loyal!

Romantic Love

Maverick heroine. Brooding hero. Mystery and romance. Fainting couch essential. Romantical bliss!

Self-Love

This is a tough read — the beginning is brutal (it deals with domestic violence quite graphically) but Leah’s growth – her journey towards discovering her worth and her value as a child of God is phenomenal.

Divine Love

January’s faith journey is funny and tender and angsty. So true to life and inspiring.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Now it’s your turn: What book would you pick for one (or more) of these categories? I’d love to add some more titles to my TBR list because…well, I don’t really have a good reason. There are too many titles on that list as it is, but, the more the merrier I say when it comes to books!

Leave a comment to be entered in the draw for a $10 e gift card with:

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

February Giveaway – Week Two

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:

Please remember to check giveaway details (paperback, ebook, either/or, gently read etc.) each day as they will vary and check for the ‘+ giveaway’ notice added after the title . Titles without that addition are review only.

Side Note: I had fun searching for books with hearts on the cover or ‘love’ in the title in honour of Valentine’s Day. 🙂

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!

Southern by Design

Sweet Magnolias meets Fixer Upper in this delightfully refreshing debut about a woman bravely chasing her dreams, building a life on her own terms, and maybe even discovering a second chance at love.

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop is staring down the barrel at single motherhood–thanks to an unsolicited personal picture her husband texted another woman that quickly went viral among every mom group in town. But she’s determined to not let it distract her from the professional victory she’s inches away securing Charleston’s prestigious Historic Preservation Design Fellowship, the apple of every local designer’s eye.

But when the final house tour is undone by a host of calamities, Mack’s shot at the fellowship goes up in flames. Smelling blood in the water, Mack’s mother, the original Magnolia Bishop, breezes in with a project lead–strings attached. If there’s one thing Magnolia lives for, aside from maintaining her station atop the Southern social ladder, it’s to control Mack’s life . . . and that includes keeping the identity of the absentee father Mack never knew in the shadows.

While working for her mother is the professional equivalent of moving into one’s parent’s basement, Mack spots an opportunity to make it her own when a television network puts a call out for local designers. Pitching the home renovation TV pilot of her dreams–one with a historic preservation twist–might just be the way to finally prove herself. Still, she’ll have to do it covertly to avoid her mother’s interference.

Just when Mack finds her professional footing, at home she spots an impossibly familiar figure unloading his moving truck into the newly sold house next door. She is furious, floored, and regrettably flustered because Lincoln Kelly is the one who got away. Fifteen years earlier he was a summer romance she inadvertently fell in love with, and when he left, following his dreams to New York, Mack was broken-hearted.

Filled with characters who could step off the page and a reminder that nothing worth saving is beyond repair, this charming and delightful debut novel will resonate with readers of Southern women’s fiction by Mary Kay Andrews and Kristy Woodson Harvey.

My Review:

I didn’t know Southern Fiction was a thing until recently but I feel like this is the perfect example of what’s so good about it (says the Canadian who is clueless about all things Southern.) Maybe it was the subtle Southern twang Amanda Stribling brought to her narration (I listened to the audio book) that added to the charm. In any case, both words and performance drew me in and kept me riveted.

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop is an intriguing character. Spunky and tenacious in some ways and infuriatingly submissive to her mama in other ways. Are all Southern Mamas like Magnolia Sr.? I shudder to thinks so! I spent a large part of the read fuming over that woman! Gah! I so wanted Mack to grow a backbone and stand up to her mother once and for all. I wanted a colossal ‘take that!’ moment and instead, Walz humbled me with the surprising twist towards the end. Sigh. My righteous indignation bubble was burst…but only somewhat. I’m still angsting over lots and lots of Magnolia Sr. moments because, no matter what happened in her past, she still made choices that, well…you need to read the book and angst right along with me!

There’s a rocky second chance romance that plays out in two timelines which was really interesting. We get to see the summer romance of fifteen years ago unfolding oh so sweetly until the train wreck happens all while watching Mack and Lincoln warily reconnecting as single parents in present day. I really enjoyed their journey to reconciliation, angst and all!

Loved the interior design/house flipping backdrop to the story — and the clever title that fits it to perfection. If you are an HGTV fan, this is definitely the book for you. Great details on design and historical restoration and the thrill of reality TV as well.

My thanks to Harper Muse Audibooks and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Of note to readers of this blog: a wee bit of mild language and LGBTQ+ rep in a secondary character

Uneasy Street + Giveaway

Once upon a time Max Cirillo and Sloane Madison were close friends and business partners. But when their business relationship imploded, so did the friendship.

Now, four years later, Max is a rich CEO. Sloane’s a not-so-rich etiquette expert who returns to Maine to serve as her niece’s temporary guardian and help the girl search for her birth father. Sloane and her niece move into a darling garage apartment but Sloane’s joy in their accommodations soon turns to horror when she realizes their apartment belongs to Max. Thanks to an unbreakable lease, she’s stuck living right next door to him.

Max pulled strings to bring Sloane into his orbit because he needs closure on what went wrong between them. Quickly, though, his scheming comes back to bite him. The world might view him as a cold-hearted rake, but this one woman has dangerous power over his emotions.

They’ll have no choice but to confront their history—and the undeniable spark between them—while living side by side on uneasy street.

Discover witty humor, rich emotion, banter, and charm within the pages of this sweet enemies-to-lovers romance!

My Review:

Becky Wade’s books are always a treat and this last book in her ‘Sons of Scandal’ series is exceptional. A lovely mix of angst and humour with a gentle, but oh so profound, faith thread woven throughout.

While ‘Uneasy Street’ could work well as a standalone, I think reading the books in order will enrich your enjoyment so much more. This crazy, complicated family, the brothers and their personal love stories, all build to this grande finale featuring outcast Max.

Excuse me while I swoon, but Max is so…Max! Infuriating at times, yes, but, oh my, once he makes his mind up about Sloane…well, it’s all toe-curls and smelling salts. But oh what a journey! Wade kept me on tenterhooks right to the end with this unique friends to enemies to wary friends to more trope.

Sloane is such an interesting mix of fiery spunkiness and controlled etiquette expert. Love her profession! The way she leans into the structure in the rules of conduct like they are a security blanket. It’s funny and sad all wrapped up together. And makes a great contrast to Max’s laid back, easy going manner.

And, oh my, the banter between these two! Max knows just how to goad Sloane and no matter how outrageous he was, I couldn’t stop falling for him. I was definitely Team Max from the start, impatiently waiting for Sloane to catch up. So. Much. Fun.

And if all that romantical deliciousness wasn’t enough, the author also gives us two family mysteries to sort out and Max is in the middle of both of them. ‘Uneasy Street’ is the kind of emotionally compelling story you don’t want to come to an end. I could have done with a dozen more epilogues but even then, I’d be left wanting more.

I listened to the audio book and thrilled over the dual narration provided by Reba Buhr and Ryan Hudson. Brilliant performances that captured the essence of these beloved characters making this an emotionally satisfying listening experience. The combination of storytelling and acting talent ensures that ‘Uneasy Street’ will end up on my re-listen play list.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

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 Uneasy Street, 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 February 8 2025

Ambush + Giveaway

She’ll do anything to uncover the truth of her parents’ murder–even work alongside the man who once broke her heart.

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust–in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But on the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn’t responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father’s death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town’s moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

My Review:

Whoa! I’ve read a ton of Colleen Coble’s books (not all, but a lot) and this one might be my absolute favourite. I just loved everything about it. The way the suspense elements are evenly paced out – intense all the way through without being completely overwhelming. I was on edge, waiting for the next ‘thing’ to happen but still able to enjoy the quieter, thoughtful moments with these characters. And the emotional fireworks too, of course!

A second chance romance sparks from doomed puppy love fifteen years earlier. Both Blake and Paradise have coped with their share of trauma through the ensuing years, but they are stronger for it. And even more stubborn! Clashing wills, gnarly reckonings, and oh my heart hurt so much for Paradise when all is revealed! But they are soon united in their quest to save the wildlife refuge from an unknown threat.

And that sanctuary setting! Such an exciting backdrop for the story. It added even more intensity to the plot and was peppered with intriguing insights into the animals and their habitats and a very creative way to up the danger too!

Coble is a master at character development – and not just with the hero and heroine. Every secondary character is fleshed out in a memorable way and kept me emotionally engaged all the way through the read. Sometimes happy feels (Blake’s mother and little brothers…sooooo cute!); sometimes seething with rage (there’s one character in particular…) and the whole gamut in-between. I love feeling my way through a story and I did that with this amazing read. In a word: unputdownable.

I was blessed to listen to the audio edition of ‘Ambush’ and was thrilled with Karen Peakes’ performance. She brought distinctive voices to all the characters – especially loved the way she portrayed the little boys – and the way she used her voice to build tension was phenomenal. Highly recommend this audio book.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of ‘Ambush’.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

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 Ambush, 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 February 8 2025

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey + Giveaway

Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she’s about to uncover their secrets.

1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents’ tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection–she felt her twin’s death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.

Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul’s closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.

My Review:

Squuuueeeaaalllll!! I experienced all kinds of gothic-y shivers of delight while reading this stunning mystery! Kind of reminds me of Mary Stewart novels from way back in the day. I can picture Louisa thrilling to ‘Madame, Will You Talk?’ (Stewart’s 1955 debut novel) in the rambling old house she lives in with her aunt and uncle. And, of course, she has just as much gumption as any fictional heroine…wait, she is a fictional heroine only it didn’t seem that way when I was reading. Am I making any sense? Maybe not but I blame ‘The Burning of Rosemont Abbey’ for my discombobulated state.

First – love the 1950s time period. Long enough after the war for life to be getting back to some sort of normal but not quite modern enough to shun all those hoity-toity societal expectations Louisa’s aunt and uncle foist upon her. She is, after all, the orphaned niece living on their charity.

Caught between family duty and her desire to find justice for her bother, Louisa’s set on discovering the truth, even if it shakes their sleepy little village to the core….and infuriates a certain police inspector who used to be a childhood friend. Brilliant pacing, absorbing mystery, characters it’s easy to forget aren’t living, breathing people…well, ‘The Burning of Rosemont Hall’ contains everything I’m looking for in a historical mystery…and then some!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

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 Burning of Rosemont Abbey, 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 February 8 2025

February New Releases + Giveaway

It’s a new Best Reads blog tradition! Celebrating the month’s new releases the first week of each month.

WHY?

Because I recently discovered that a book’s success or failure is often determined by first month sales! (Though I bet preorders play into that as well.) Publishing houses look at those stats to determine whether they’ll add on to a series or accept the author’s next manuscript! All that literary goodness hanging in the balance but for a month’s worth of sales! (This was a cozy mystery author, but I imagine all traditional publishers use the same ‘system’.) So, I thought I should do my wee little bit to promote Christian Fiction.

HOW?

By hosting a special “Hello — insert month” giveaway. It’s easy to play along. You just have to choose one of the February 2025 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca.) If your name is drawn, that February release is the book you will win and we’re one book count closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE TO:

ebook for anyone anywhere who has an Amazon.com kindle account

US – paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice

Canada -paperback or ebook (in form of an Amazon gift card) or audible.ca audio book (if available) – winner’s choice

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 8 2024.

Conversations With Kav – Blog Biz., Authors as Booksellers + Giveaway

Hate to start out with a bit of a reality check, but here we go. With the onset of tariffs and the uncertainty around how that will affect both the Canadian and US economies (and the book and publishing industry specifically), I’m giving fair warning that giveaways on this blog will have to adapt. That means there might be fewer giveaways per week or more ebook giveaways or ecard giveaways instead of specific book giveaways. I’m just going to play it by ear week to week so it’s important for you to check the giveaway details (or lack of) each day.

What Giveaways Will Look Like:

A review that includes a giveaway will always include ‘+ Giveaway’ at the end of the title (see today’s title as an example.) If you don’t see the ‘+ Giveaway’ after the title, the post is just a plain ol’ review.

Another ‘giveaway’ indicator is the section in blue and red type that comes after the review. It starts out with ‘Giveaway Opportunity’ and includes specific details on the type of giveaway in RED. This is where you’ll want to pay particular attention to the editions available for where you live – US, Canada or International.

International giveaways are generally gently read paperbacks which I can mail anywhere in the world. Averages about one a week, sometimes more. It just depends on what I’ve been reading.

ebook giveaways are available to anyone with a US Amazon account OR to Canadians who will receive an Amazon.ca gift card for the amount of the ebook (because we can’t gift ebooks here. Strange, I know.)

Print book giveaways will usually be available to both US and Canadian readers BUT I’ve noticed the occasional waaaay over priced book up here. Recently spotted a current release that was $11.99 in the US and $34 here in Canada! Same company (Amazon) Now I know there’s a difference in our dollar value, but not that much!!! So sometimes print might not be an option in Canada. BUT Audible editions are depending on availability.

Sigh — I know this is kind of complicated and I’m sorry about that. I’ll try to make it as clear as I can for each Giveaway — just make sure to read the red print carefully so you know what you are entering for.

Author as Booksellers

This is me, seeking your wonderful collective knowledge as I look for alternatives to Amazon for giveaway books. They are still giving me a run-around about my reviews being ‘harassing’ etc. (insert eye-rolling emoji here) and I am steamed so I’m broadening by book buying horizons. Of course, I’ll still use them, especially for ebook giveaways, but I’ve noticed that more authors, especially indie authors, are starting up their own bookshops on their websites.

I just checked Becky Wade’s out and it seems straight forward and allows for gift buying which is an essential feature for me. But, of course, I have questions (because it’s Sunday and we need something to start the conversation going, right?!)

Have you ever bought a book from an author’s website? If so, which author?
Was there a credit card option? (I saw a few that featured some online thingy I’ve never heard of and assume it’s only available in the US so that wouldn’t work for me.)
Did it have a gift option (as opposed to only delivering to the purchaser?)
Did you feel like the transaction was secure?
What was the delivery turn around like?
Would you be open to giveaways coming from author stores even if it meant it would take longer for the book to reach you?

I know, a ton of questions, but I’d really love some input.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Leave a comment to be entered in a draw for a $10.00 Baker Book House gift ecard. Open to anyone, anywhere who is willing to shop at https://bakerbookhouse.com

February Giveaway – Week One

WON BY JACKIE

WON BY CARYL KANE

WON BY LUCY

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

HELLO FEBRUARY!

The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton

Random Retro Read

In her search for a rare gem, will Everleigh end up uncovering the true treasure of her heart?

Personal care nurse Everleigh Wheaton knows it only takes a few well-placed lies to ruin a reputation. She’s experienced it time and time again. But there’s a silver lining to repeatedly proving she’s confident and self-reliant.

When she loses yet another job and an enigmatic stranger offers her a potential way out, she’s game. After all, she loves a good mystery, and an invitation to visit the legendary Halstead Manor is irresistible. But she’s not about to let her guard down–especially with the other women who received the same invitation.

A strange voice on the phone tells them he’s gathered the three of them to work together as treasure hunters. The first assignment requires Everleigh to be a traveling nurse for retired FBI agent Gertrude Levine, who has one cold case she just can’t let go the Florentine diamond that went missing when the Austrian Empire fell.

With Everleigh’s keen ability to solve puzzles, Natalie Daughtry’s vast knowledge of history, and Brooke Sumner’s connections to the antiques world, they’re bound to track down the diamond. Except that Gertie’s nephew, Niles Butler, doesn’t trust Everleigh’s innocent act . . . even if he finds himself falling for her. Worse, Everleigh’s walls of self-preservation may doom the entire team.

Hints of real-life historical events combined with contemporary characters make this first book in the Treasures of Halstead Manor series a masterful blend of romance, mystery, and strong female friendships. Readers of authors like Denise Hunter and Nicole Deese who enjoy unfolding relationships and the organic discovery of God’s love will relish this new series.

My Review:

An international treasure hunt with all kinds of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ vibes! And it includes a slow-burn, enemies to more romance with lots of sniping and banter. Add in the historical mystery element along with the not quite dual timeline (More time is spent in the present than the past) and well, this quickly became an unputdownable read for me.

This is my first Susan L. Tuttle book and I have fallen for her storytelling style. Love the way she developed the characters – especially Everleigh. I didn’t quite like her at the start, and she frustrated me no end with some of the decisions she made, but she has spunk and tenacity and a gnarly past that explains so much. And there are two more women on the team who obviously have just as intriguing backstories so I’m hoping future books in the series will feature them.