Category: Book Review

More Than Friends + Giveaway

There’s nothing like teaming up to investigate your mother’s shady new boyfriend to make you see your best friend in a whole new light . . .

Jenna Greene has been very clear with her She is not ready for marriage. Too bad he didn’t listen. Turns out a rejected proposal is a sure way to lose a boyfriend—and a job. Because, yes, he’d also been her boss. But it seems the firing has come at the perfect time. Back on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Jenna’s widowed mother has returned from a cruise—with a new boyfriend in tow. Something isn’t right, and Jenna decides to return home to find out what’s going on.

Tyson Parker has a pretty great life on Chincoteague. He’s gainfully employed at his parents’ bed and breakfast—in the very home where he grew up with his three brothers, right across the street from his best friend, Jenna. He loves volunteering for the island’s illustrious fire company and being one of the saltwater cowboys who cares for Chincoteague’s wild ponies. If only he could’ve skipped the whole part where he’d married a two-timing woman. Still, he’s elated to have his best friend back when Jenna returns to the island, even if it is only temporary. And he’s happy to help her figure out what her mom’s suspicious new beau might be up to. But soon his feelings for Jenna begin to shift into. . . something different.

Jenna expected to enjoy visiting her mom, Tyson, and his whole family. She’d expected to feel closer to her deceased father on the island where the foal they’d named years ago now roams the wild salt marshes of Assateague like its ancestors have for hundreds of years. What she didn’t expect was for her feelings for her best friend to change. But she’s always sworn she’d never date a firefighter. Plus, Tyson is fresh off a betrayal. And also, there’s that teensy commitment problem she seems to have. Would she even have the courage to finally give her heart away? And should they really risk their beautiful friendship in the hopes they could someday be something more?

My Review:

First off, I have to fangirl over the setting! I have been fascinated by Chincoteague Island since reading Marguerite Henry’s ‘Misty’ series when I was a child so to discover that returning home for Jenna means Chincoteague, well, I might have squealed out of sheer bookish glee. And then to discover that our hero, Tyson, is a volunteer saltwater cowboy! I can’t even…happy sigh. Love all the details the author includes about the island, it’s history and the wild ponies. The next best thing to actually being able to go there myself.

This emotional slow-burn friends-to-more romance delivers just the right balance of humour and drama. Jenna and Tyson have always been best friends, and while they haven’t been as close since Jenna moved away from the island, they easily pick up where they left off when she comes back. Hunter writes this classic trope with such skill. Love the way their relationship develops. The dawning realization that their feelings are changing. The fear of risking their friendship for the uncertainty of romance. I agonized with them every step of the way. Thrilled when they got it right and groaned when the inevitable missteps occurred. I was completely invested in their love story!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘More Than Friends’ and really enjoyed Kim Churchill’s narration. She has become a familiar voice in my audiobook listening and I appreciate the way her performances enhance my ‘reading’ pleasure. Always a delight to listen to.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook copy

Canada – ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of More Than Friends, 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 April 4 2026

Love and Order + Giveaway

Family, Love, and Justice

Separated as children when they were adopted out to different families from an orphan train, the Braddock siblings have each grown up and taken on various jobs within law enforcement and criminal justice.

Pinkertons Callie Wilson and Joe Trenamen come to Cambria Springs to stop a killer. But when evidence points to a ghost from Callie’s childhood, she must choose between two men she loves.

Falsely accused, bounty hunter Rion Braddock vows to prove his innocence. Former flame Maya Fellows and dime novelist Lucinda Peters both offer help, but is either beauty truly on his side?

In her first solo case, attorney Andi McGovern defends Rion, but the infuriating prosecutor, Daniel Littrick, outwits her. Following a hunch could win her case—or leave Andi dead.

Can these couples stop the true culprit and right the greatest injustice of Callie, Andi, and Rion’s lives?

My Review:

What a captivating story! I’ve been ‘off’ Historical Westerns for a while now but ‘Love and Order’ (such a clever title!) has renewed my interest in the genre. Jennifer Uhlarik’s exquisite storytelling brings this time period to life in a fresh way.

Siblings separated on an orphan train reunite fifteen years later only to find themselves in a desperate fight for justice. Their unique professions -a Pinkerton Agent, a bounty hunter and a lawyer – prove extremely useful for the arduous journey ahead.

Loved these characters and their ‘Wild West’ challenges. Feisty heroines, long suffering heroes, a diabolical villain and enough sub-plots to keep me anxiously engaged right to the very end.

The book is divided into three parts with each sibling getting their own story while also playing roles in the over-arching suspense plot. Love the way the author bridged each section together, building tension with each story and culminating in an emotional courtroom scene that kept me on the edge of my seat! I might have shouted ‘I object’ more than once in the midst of all the drama. 🙂

And — eeeepppp — we get three times the romance as Callie, Rion and Andi find love in the midst of action and danger! The perfect literary escape read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love and Order, 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 April 4 2026

Not What We Pictured + Giveaway

This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

My Review:

Oh dear, I think I cracked a rib or two from laughing so hard over all the bantering bedlam. Whip smart and witty. Quips that are so clever you’ll want to take notes so you can use them in your life someday.

The comedic beats are brilliant and I think I enjoyed them all the more for having listened to the audio book expertly narrated by CJ Bloom. The way she delivers the rapid-fire dialogue is priceless…and she does it with a complete repertoire of voices so it’s easy to identify who is talking. Her performance elevated my overall appreciation of this wonderful story. Definitely recommend the audiobook to discerning listeners!

And the clever way the story unfolds right from the side-splitting opening scene! Kinzer artfully builds her plot through, well, controlled choreographed chaos! Indescribably good.

And I can’t forget to mention these characters! McKenna and Nate shine in their starring roles right from their inauspicious meet-cute. The enemies to more trope suits them to a T, especially as they hurdle their way through a series of unfortunate events with hair-raising hilarity. Throw in a crew of quirky seniors who manage to add even more muddled layers to a memorable summer and you get rom/com perfection with oodles of heart.

My thanks to Tyndale House Audiobooks and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Not What We Pictured, 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 April 4 2026

Sweet Tea

Random Retro ReRead

Southern traditions, family recipes, history, and hope come together in author Piper Huguley’s heartfelt romance from Hallmark Publishing.

Althea Dailey has succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. So why doesn’t she feel more excited about it? She’s about to become the only woman—and the only Black person—to make partner at her prestigious law firm in New York City. When she has to travel South for a case, she pays a long-overdue visit back home to Milford, Georgia. To her surprise, a white man she’s never met has befriended her grandmother.

Jack Darwent wasn’t interested in the definition of success dictated by his father and Southern high society. His passion for cooking led him to his current project: a documentary and cookbook about authentic Southern food. Althea’s grandmother is famous for her cooking at the historically Black Milford College, especially the annual May feast meal. But Althea suspects Jack of trying to steal her grandmother’s recipes.

Although Althea and Jack don’t have the best first impressions of one another, they discover they have more in common than they’d guessed…and even as they learn about one another’s pasts, they both see glimmers of a better future.

My Review:

published in 2021

I was so excited to discover Piper Huguley’s first contemporary romance on audible and I have to say I was entranced by Inger Tudor’s performance as narrator. Her rich tones and unique interpretation of each character elevated the story. Kudos to the brilliant collaboration of author and narrator! I enjoyed listening to Sweet Tea immensely.

And this story!!! First, loved the tie it has to the author’s Milford College series. That was such a fun surprise! Althea is a descendant of those earlier book characters and I got a little thrill every time they were mentioned. No worries if you haven’t read that historical series, Sweet Tea is definitely a standalone novel, I just get a bibliophile boost when I find fictional connections like that. Yes, I’m that book nerd. 🙂

While this has all the makings of a typical Hallmark movie, Huguley’s delivery is anything but. Her approach to the small town girl makes big in the city and returns home to find herself trope is fresh and exciting. And a lot of that excitement comes courtesy of Jack. (This is your cue to clear off your fainting couch.)

He’s a dream hero. Unflappable, creative, dedicated to living in the moment with zest and enthusiasm. He’s learned how to slow down and focus on what’s really important and when he sets his sights on Althea…oh my! (Might want to grab a couple of fans too.)

By contrast, Althea is uptight and driven — out to prove something — but why and to whom? I was itching to figure her out from the very first chapter. She is so distrustful of Jack even as she fights an attraction to him. And the man is so happy and content it makes her antsy! Such great dynamics between these two. Plenty of opportunities for verbal sparring and teasing banter which brings the romance sizzling to life.

But it’s Miss Ada, Althea’s grandmother, who steals every scene she’s in. I love that woman! Everyone needs a Miss Ada in their life, bossing them around and telling them what’s what and reminding them of where they come from and who God made them to be. If I’d had a book in hand I would have underlined a variety of Ada-ism to treasure after the reading glow has dimmed. Might just have to have a re-listen to appreciate Miss Ada some more.

This is a story about finding your place — in your family, in the world and especially in God’s kingdom. Althea’ journey of discovery is moving and uplifting and I appreciated the inspirational themes intrinsically woven into the heart of her story.

Brewed Awakening + Giveaway

A small-town tea shop owner with a sweet tooth and a devil-may-care Englishman with more savory tastes join forces to cater a British-themed wedding. Sparks fly in this sweet enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract rom-com perfect for fans of Emma St. Clair and Sarah Adams.

As a child, Daphne Austen fell in love with her grandmother’s stories of England, perhaps to the point of romanticizing them a little too much. Now, as an adult, she inherited Tea Thyme, the only English tearoom within a hundred miles of her Blue Ridge Mountain town. But keeping her tea and pastry shop afloat proves to be a continual struggle. Since losing her mother and then grandmother, Daphne’s clung to the need for routine, predictability, and beautiful order–and her tearoom shines as the epitome of her Anglophile and obsessive tendencies. But her perfect world spirals into madness when an Englishman moves in next door and shatters all her Darcy daydreams with his loud music, questionable manners, and highly American interests. With an off-the-charts swoon factor, he even tempts to shatter her heart.

Finnley Dashwood left England to start over somewhere his ex-wife’s parents couldn’t track him down and force their parenting techniques on him. It was as if they wanted to make up for their daughter’s neglect by suffocating him with control and unwanted affection. The unassuming town of Wisteria, North Carolina, provides the perfect place to start over and even remake himself as the dashing, English restaurant owner of his earlier days, instead of the somewhat-cynical recluse he’d truly become. With a shop ready for his use, an apartment for him and his daughter, and an acquaintance who owns the revered Wisteria Manor (now event planning center), Finn has everything he wants for a new beginning–except . . . maybe an understanding of the small-town Appalachian culture and the uptight, perfectionistic tea princess next door.

At first, Finn finds the whimsical and notoriously optimistic shop owner humorous and somewhat annoying, but as she begins to invest in the life of his daughter and he observes her authentic love for the people of the town, Finn’s heart opens to the terrifying possibility of a second chance at love. As they are forced to work together on a local-celebrity wedding, their differences clash, sizzle, and finally begin to simmer into a unique, complementary blend of sweet and savory. But just as hope blooms into possibility, a massive storm crashes into the little town, upturning all their plans and putting not only their budding romance but the resilience of the tight-knit community to the test.

My Review:

Quintessential Basham! Which means comedy with a whole lot of heart and plenty of quirky characters to fall in love with. While Daphne and Finn are clearly the main characters, I was charmed by so many of the secondary characters as well. I mean, how can you resist someone who shares bits of wisdom like, “…about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.”?! This author’s wordsmithing is always a delight – and she’s definitely in a league of her own when it comes to a clever turn of phrase.

I really like how the ‘enemies to more’ trope is handled in ‘Brewed Awakening‘. It never gets petty or nasty — just full of comedic charm. Like the chalkboard wars. And the games are on!

Finn, our British hero (eep!!!) arrives in Wisteria with adorable daughter in tow, determined to create the very best of new beginnings for them both and that definitely does not include romance. Especially not with with the prickly girl next door…well business owner next door. Their meet-cute is both cute and a disaster and things take off from there.

Daphne may have made some snap judgements. Finn may be harbouring old hurts a little too tightly. But there’s no denying the sparks flying and their banter…well, it goes way beyond banter into something much more delectable. And it’s so much fun! I’m still grinning over some of the zingers.

As in all of Pepper Basham’s books, there’s a stirring mix of emotional depth woven throughout the story. And, honestly, I was moved to goosebumps and tears by the end. Wow, I was not expecting that!

A moving celebration of hope and new beginnings.

I listened to the audio book and I loved every second of Ann Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman’s dual narration. They captured the rom/com vibes perfectly and really did justice not only to Daphne and Finn, but to the whole diverse cast of secondary characters as well. A brilliant listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please note: this giveaway is for an IOU since the book doesn’t release until May 5th, so you’ll get to enjoy a bit of bookish anticipation before you finally get a copy in your hands.

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Brewed Awakening, 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 March 21 2026

Deadly Conclusion + Giveaway

random retro read

In the thrilling conclusion of the “Deadly Secrets” series, dog trainer Keely Lambert breaks in Titan, a new shepherd, during a rescue mission to find little Conner Wells. Aided by childhood friend, Beau Gardner of the TBI and Conner’s uncle, Keely finds the boy deep inside Beaman Park.

But Conner is not all that Keely found. On the way back to the welcome center, she notices something sticking out of the dirt―the military dog tags of her father who disappeared more than two decades before.

The discovery sets Keely on a hunt to unearth her father’s killer, only to be thwarted by multiple setbacks…

Of note: I edited out the last paragraph of the synopsis found on Good Reads because it literally outlines major key points of the plot — major spoiler!! So don’t read it if you want to enjoy the plot twists as they come up during your read!

My Review:

published in 2022

A riveting conclusion to the aptly titled “Deadly Secrets” series. No worries if you haven’t read the first two books though, Deadly Conclusion reads very well as a standalone. There are some familiar faces from previous books that crop up in this one, but written in such a way that newcomers to the series won’t feel lost. And no spoilers, well other then the heroes and heroines of previous stories achieve their happily ever afters!

I love that the romance/suspense ratio is about fifty/fifty in this last book. Much more romance than the previous ones. Conner and Keely have a past (the teenage angst kind) but that is quickly sorted in a mature, we are a decade older and wiser kind of way that I appreciated. From there, renewed friendship grows into the hope of recapturing what they lost. Sweet and tender with plenty of friendly banter, their love story lightens the grim reality of the grittier suspense elements. Harris also creates an extra level of depth as both Conner and Keely grapple with real life faith issues that both challenge and convict.

Excellent tension building surrounding the cold case and the danger Keely faces. There’s a realistic sense of ‘hurry up and wait’ about the police procedural side of the investigation, which was refreshing and played into that aforementioned tension. And I loved the inclusion of the K-9s which always add an extra thrill to any suspense read (for me, anyway!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Deadly Conclusion 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 March 21 2026

An Irish Kiss + Giveaway

Aurora Fairall—Rory to her friends—loves her jobs working at the village bookshop and the family castle-turned-boutique hotel, even if she sometimes wonders if this is all God has for her life. She knows she has much to be grateful for—her family, her friends, her faith—but she wonders if the special Fairall legacy that sees its members struck by Cupid’s arrow has passed her by. Until she meets Aidan Quinn—not the actor, but an Australian guest on a genealogical mission to discover his ancestry—and sparks fly.

Aidan never thought his visit to Ireland’s west coast would result in meeting a redheaded firecracker with a bewitching smile and pixie-like laughter. But obviously God knew better. And his quest to find his kin brings him into the warm embrace of this loud and loving family has helped heal his heart and gives hope that his future might be different to what he’d imagined. Until a secret from the past threatens everything he holds dear…

Can these two opposites find a future even though their lives are worlds apart? And just what role does the Fairall legacy have to play in matters of the heart?

My Review:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I can’t resist a good romance set in Ireland and this one is excellent! Miller does a wonderful job bringing the Irish ambience to life in this enemies to more romance with a most unfortunate meet-cute (which means tons of fun!)

Rory and Aiden get off on the wrong foot (mostly Rory’s fault…well, all Rory’s fault actually) but even so she experiences the sizzling zing of family legend that is supposed to signify true love when she first lays eyes on Aiden. If you believed in that sort of thing and if you hadn’t muddled up introductions which Rory had. Her incorrigible sister doesn’t let her wallow in embarrassment though and pretty soon the hotelier and her Australian guest are starting to get along…until secrets from the past have the potential to sever their budding relationship for good.

Eeeeep!!! Such a lovely mix of sweet romance (including toe-curling kisses!) and the rigours of real life stresses, all wrapped up with a significant faith thread. Makes for an outstanding inspirational romance!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Irish Kiss, 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 March 21 2026

Raging Waters + Giveaway

As the dam crumbles and water sweeps across the terrain, their battle for justice and survival is just beginning.

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons she suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

My Review:

Another enthralling adventure/suspense from one of my fave authors. The addition of our hero and heroine battling the elements as well as relentless villains adds so much intensity to this romantic suspense. Mentink’s descriptions are phenomenal, made me feel cold and wet and bruised and ready to drop right along with Mackenzie and Gideon! This author is not always kind to her characters…at least, not until the very end, so you might want to grab a comfy blanket and a warm beverage before your curl up with ‘Raging Waters.‘ Just a friendly readerly recommendation. 🙂

Gotta love a wilderness survival expert hero who comes equipped with a Mary Poppins-esque backpack! As well as some personal history that’s adding extra weight to his load. I loved Gideon instantly…Mackenzie not so much. Her “stubborn, mercurial, maddening” personality took some getting used to. Obsession has clouded her judgement and she’s skirting the fine line between justice and revenge, but oh my, is her personal journey inspiring!

And that’s partly because of Gideon as he gently but unapologetically forces her to face some hard truths. These two have a history — non romantic — but the relationship was severed after the tragic death of MacKenzie’s brother. He was also Gideon’s best friend and these two dealt with their grief and the brutal reality of murder in very different ways.

Fast forward two years and their ‘chance’ meeting in the Washington wilderness triggers a series of events that throws them together no matter how hard Mackenzie tries to evade Gideon. Though reluctant, his innate protector radar is on full alert and he has every intention “to be a barnacle on her back” until the bitter end.

Action and adventure ensue and draw them together as they fight for survival and truth. All while a dangerous criminal king pin closes in. Buckle up for lots of tension and hair-raising, edge-of-your-seat moment, thankfully punctuated by Mentink’s trademark humour to relieve some of the stress.

A riveting addition to the “Elements of Danger” series (easily read as a standalone though) and now I’m wondering what’s next. Please say this series will continue!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Raging Waters 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 March 21 2026

Deadly Connection

random retro read

Will they uncover the secrets between them before it becomes deadly?

After fending off a would-be abductor, 27-year-old singer-songwriter Hannah Cassidy hides behind a car in the half-empty parking lot behind Pancake Pantry in Nashville. From there, she watches in horror as her attacker grabs another woman and pushes her into a nearby car. Within seconds, the vehicle speeds away.

TBI Special Agent Jake Matheson may have planned a quiet day off and a date with Shannon―the only name her online profile revealed―for an introductory lunch, but after pulling into a parking space on 21st Avenue South, he hears a scream. He races to the back of the building and finds a frightened young woman bent forward and gasping for breath.

Thrown together by uncanny circumstances and driven by the whys and what-ifs of secrets yet to be revealed, Hannah and Jake set out to find the connection between them before it becomes deadly.

My Review:

published in 2021

Fraught with danger, taut with emotion, ‘Deadly Connection’ takes off at a breakneck speed that set my heart racing. Gripping doesn’t begin to describe this romantic suspense!

The author is an expert at plotting and pacing, making her stories impossible to put down. I love the way she builds up the suspense with equal parts action/danger and police procedural. We even get some villain POV scenes which were eye-opening and gobsmacking!

Hannah and Jake’s developing relationship brings a nice respite from all that edginess. They are both cautious, even wary, and I loved watching them work through their own personal issues in order to be supportive to one another. Faith plays a part in their struggles, as Harris deftly weaves inspirational elements throughout their story.

A gripping romantic suspense that made an emotional impact.

The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall + Giveaway

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle’s and aunt’s murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle’s eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning her uncle’s paranoid motivations. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly–as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek–are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended on the property.
 
In present day Newton Creek, the whispers of a curse still cling to the century-old time capsule of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after the death of her parents, she is intent on solving the century-old mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still form the cornerstone of the manor. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My Review:

“People are the ones who create the darkness. Traeger Hall is just the place where they lock it up so it can’t get out.”

Jaime Jo Wright delivers another unputdownable read with her unique brand of thrilling dual timeline suspense. So much mystery! The Gothic flare! Plus, the emotional depth and inspirational insights add even more quality to the storytelling.

“She ached to move on. Jennie wanted God to make her messy beautiful. To infuse life with hope and peace.”

I was completely riveted and utterly confused more than once. The way Wright slowly (and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y) reveals the mystery elements leaves a reader with more questions than answers. And if you’re a reader with a runaway imagination like me, you’ll end up concocting umpteen potential scenarios in your head whenever your nose isn’t buried in the book. This story took on a life of it’s own and haunted me until I got to the final wrap up.

A little bit spooky, a whole lot intriguing with characters that grab your attention (and your heart) makes for a sensational read!

And. yes, this is me all caught up with Jaime Jo Wright’s books and eagerly waiting for her spring release.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall, 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 March 14 2026