Category: Book Review

Exposing Lethal Secrets + Giveaway

This bodyguard and his K-9 will do anything to uncover the truth.

Stumbling upon a burning car and rescuing an injured woman wasn’t on bodyguard Caleb Miller’s vacation itinerary—nor were the gunmen who open fire on them. But Olivia Delaney has no memory of who she is or how she got there, only that she is under threat. Vowing to protect the woman in danger, Caleb and his K-9 go on the run with Olivia. As they work to stay a step ahead of her pursuers, they must untangle her past together…before her family’s deadly schemes bury them both.

My Review:

So, amnesia isn’t my favourite trope when it comes to suspense, maybe because it’s become so popular in recent years and it’s kind of getting old…until I stumble upon a thrill of a read like this one. A+to the author for including all the favourite ‘feels’ of this trope while creatively crafting it into the story in a unique way.

In the first chapter, we meet Olivia pre-accident, memory intact, in a nail-biting scene that catapults her into a desperate fight for her life…and her memories. We know a bit more than she does, but not enough to figure everything out which made the suspense so intriguing.

And there’s Caleb, ready for some well deserved R&R with his K-9 bestie but suddenly they find themselves in the middle of a ‘situation’ – hello, flaming car, flying bullets and a damsel in distress. And the race is on – to stay alive while figuring out the answers. Of course, it helps that Caleb is part of an elite private security team who can pool their resources and come to their aid.

Thrilling action scenes punctuated by calmer ones as Caleb and Olivia regroup and get to know each other. Love the way their romance develops in the midst of all the chaos around them. And I enjoyed being back with the team too. While not tagged as part of a series, the author has written several books featuring this team. No worries though, ‘Exposing Lethal Secrets’ can easily be read as a standalone.

I listened to the audio edition of this book and narrator Teri Schnaubelt did a fantastic job bringing these characters (and their action-packed adventures) to life.

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

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 Exposing Lethal Secrets,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 21 2025

The Double Play + Giveaway

I have no business falling in love with Emmett Foster. 

The man is an incredibly wealthy professional baseball player who’s ten years older than me and has a daughter.

But when he hires me to take care of said daughter, I find myself catching feelings for the star pitcher.

He’s gruff, but sweet, and has a big heart that he shows in small pieces. Pieces I’d like to collect and call mine.

Unfortunately, he has no plans on marrying again after his ex-wife cheated on him then abandoned him and June.

So even though I think there’s a hint of chemistry between us, nothing will ever come of it. I’ll be stuck crushing on him in silence until we part ways.

The Double Play is a grumpy/sunshine romcom for fans of sweet sports romance. It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, without any of the explicit scenes. Check out the fourth book in the More Than a Game series, an interconnected standalone series based around four men in four different sports.

My Review:

Swoon. Sigh. Swoon…aaannnd repeat until the very last word. This is the kind of grumpy/sunshine romance I am crazy for! Every delicious detail plays out to perfection. It’s funny and emotional and heart-palpitatingly romantical. Emmett and Hazel sizzle every time they are on page together and their inner conflicted musings are the kind that wrap a sensitive reader up in knots.

Love the way the story unfolds as their relationship slowly develops and I so appreciate the way the author avoids using cliche conflict to stymie the romantic progression. Every bump along the road is thoughtfully deliberate and understandable but not impossible to overcome.

And, oh my, but there is something so toe-curling about a grumpy, gruff, bear of a guy who is completely besotted with his pint-size pixie of a daughter. I melted so many times! And when Emmett goes into full protective mode – whether on behalf of his daughter or Hazel – well, hand me a fan and clear off my fainting couch!

Superb secondary characters including an all guy friend group for Emmett add depth and humour and occasional sage advice. This is the fourth book in Conwell’s ‘More Than a Game’ series but reads fine as a standalone. (I’ve only read one of the other books.) They each feature a different sport and the guy friends are all athletes. Oh — and no worries if you’re not a huge sports fan, the technical details are light and easy for a novice to grasp. And Hazel is just as clueless about baseball as I am, so that evened out the playing field (ha, see what I did there?!)

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Tim Paige and Charlotte North. They captured the personalities of Emmett and Hazel and enhanced my ‘reading’ pleasure.

Sheer bibliophile bliss from start to finish!

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

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 Double Play,  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 June 21 2025

Cold Case Peril + Giveaway

An unsolved crime. A K-9 team on the case. Unexpected danger is closing in fast…

When someone tries to run dog trainer Micah Landon off the road, Officer Lucy Lopez and her K-9 partner, Piper, show up just in time to make a rescue. Someone wants Micah dead — but why? Is this connected to Lucy’s weapons smuggling case, in which she’s investigating Micah’s younger half brother? Or was Micah attacked because he started looking into the cold case murder of his stepmother? As threats against Micah escalate and secrets are revealed, it’s clear someone will stop at nothing to keep an unsolved murder buried. Can they uncover the truth before it costs them their lives?

My Review:

Woot! Puppies galore! Not only do we have an incredible K-9 centerstage, we also have an eclectic mix of therapy/guide dogs in various stages of training courtesy of our dog trainer hero. Absolute bookish heaven for this dog loving reader.

The tense opening scene starts off a sequence of nail-biting events that leave Micah stymied and Lucy suspicious. Are they case related or something more personal? Love the balance between suspense and slow-burn romance along with a healthy dose of canine shenanigans thrown in.

Once again the Dakota K-9 team pool their resources to sort through fact from fiction. Lucy’s in the lead as she develops a special rapport with Micah but the team always has her back. This is the fourth book in this multi-authored continuity series but reads well as a standalone. The over-arcing suspense plot is beginning to take shape and I’m excited to see where new leads take the team but I also enjoyed getting full resolution to the suspense unique to this book as well as a delightful happily ever after.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Cold Case Peril’ narrated by Patrick Zeller. So happy to see more of the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines available in audio format.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio 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 Cold Case Peril,  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 June 21 2025

The Lies We Believe

Riley Bishop is a single mother, working at home as a security analyst to provide for her two children, Sadie and Oliver. But something is very wrong. Riley starts forgetting things—like appointments, where she put her keys, and where she parked her car. And then she thinks she sees her deceased ex-husband while out shopping. But as Riley begins to question her own sanity, her twelve-year-old Sadie goes missing. Soon Riley finds it harder and harder to know what is truth and what are lies as she is forced to question her own reality while she searches for her daughter.

Apprehending fugitives as a part of the SOG team gives Tucker Shaw the purpose and drive he needs to fight the demons from his past. When he’s called out on a mission, Operation Jackal, to track down a group of endangered children, he has no idea how drastically his life is about to change. It’s a frantic hunt as Tucker and his team race to save thirteen children, including Sadie. But when Sadie’s mother comes to him with credible evidence on who is behind the girls’ disappearances, the situation quickly spirals out of control with a final twist that has Tucker questioning everything he knows to be true.

My Review:

published in 2023

Whoa! Intense and riveting! I was totally sucked in from the very first sentence: “There are seventy-two unbroken white tiles on the floor of the intake lobby of the psychiatric hospital.” Major thriller vibes all the way through as Riley is faced with a tsunami of impossible situations. Has she lost touch with reality or is someone trying to make it look that way? Super suspenseful. I non-stopped listened to the entire book. Just couldn’t tear myself away. And while some things are sorted in this first ‘Shadow Stalkers’ novel it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which makes me think this is going to be a continuous sort of series featuring Riley every step of the way. Eeeep. Can’t wait for more.

Of Silver and Secrets + Giveaway

In 1889 England, Eva Inman finds herself overwhelmed with responsibility. Haunted by guilt over her parents’ deaths, Eva struggles to care for her blind sister and manage her family’s crumbling estate. With the threat of overdue taxes looming, Eva’s situation grows dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on her property. Despite local superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva’s need for funds forces her to consider the potential of more buried relics. She turns to Bram Webb, a Cambridge professor of Roman antiquities, for help—only to be reminded of a past she would rather forget.

Bram Webb is under immense pressure to find proof of a legendary Christian Roman settlement in an attempt to conceal his uncle’s deteriorating memory from the Trinity College disciplinary board and save both of their jobs. When Eva steps into Bram’s office, old sparks fly, rekindling memories that are both fond and painful. The excavation is fraught with challenges from the start, and as Eva and Bram work together with time running out, they must confront their pasts, face the growing attraction between them, and decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome the buried truths that threaten to tear them apart.

Award-winning author Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian-era England with a gripping romance.

My Review:

Happy sigh. Do you ever open a book and immediately get swept away by the sheer artistry of the storytelling? ‘Of Silver and Secrets’ is that sort of book for me. The second I started listening (fave audible narrator Sarah Zimmerman added to my bookish delight!) I felt myself physically and mentally relaxing into the story and in this care-worn world, that is such delightful decadence for an avid reader to experience!

Once again, Griep blends history and mystery to weave together a captivating story full of intrigue and drama. This time it centres around Roman archaeology on British soil. A discovery on Eva’s crumbling estate that might be her saving grace…if she can get past the fact that the one man who can help her is part of a past best forgotten!

Loved the second chance, friends-to-more romance struggling to blossom amidst the background of treachery and betrayal. Eva and Bram make an unforgettable team — when they can leave off sniping (Eva, I’m looking at you) long enough to realize they are better work together. And the plot twists! This author knows how to keep a reader anxiously engaged right to very end.

This is the second book in the ‘Times Lost Treasure’ series but reads wonderfully well as a standalone. However, if you have read the first book, you will be thrilled to see some familiar faces here.

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 Of Silver and Secrets,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 14 2025

Alaskan Police Protector + Giveaway

To save a child, he has to risk his own life.

When a minivan slides off the road into an icy lake, Officer Samuel Miller narrowly rescues a woman and child from certain death. Only, Rachel Harding insists the crash is no accident — it’s eerily similar to how her sister and brother-in-law recently died. As the unexplained attacks escalate, Samuel is determined to protect Rachel and her orphaned niece at all costs. But when they make a shocking discovery, their investigation becomes even more dangerous, and survival may be impossible.

My Review:

Whoa! An amazing debut written with the classic nail-biting flare much loved in this genre. Honestly, the action and tension was through the roof! Constant danger, relentless pursuit, intriguing predicaments, all lead our hero and heroine along a treacherous trail of devastating destruction and hair-raising near-death experiences. Not sure when my heart rate will get back to normal!

I listened to the audio edition expertly narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya who is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators. And with good reason. She manages to capture the personalities of each character through tone and inflection. Makes a listener feel like she’s right there in the midst of all the chaos right along with Samuel and Rachel. Highly recommend the audio edition of Alaskan Police Protector for discerning listeners.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio 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 Alaskan Police Protector,  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 June 14 2025

Echoes of Darkness + Giveaway

A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare…  

My Review:

Look at me, getting all brave and venturing out of my comfort zone! Serial killer stories usually aren’t my go-to suspense genre but this one intrigued me. It might have been that beguiling cover, actually, so deceptively serene with only a hint of mystery in the way the heroine is glancing back over her shoulder.

So, was it creepy? Definitely. Over the top? Not so much…quite tame for seasoned readers I would imagine. There’s an eerie stalkerish vibe that sent chills up my spine all the way through. The suspense is riveting with exceptional storytelling skill. It was easy to get swept away into the grit and grime of a particularly nasty case…I just didn’t read this one after dark. Bwahahaha!

Intense in both the investigation and the personal lives of our hero and heroine. Oaklynn in particular is wrestling with some really heavy stuff that’s left her distanced from God. Loved the way the author seamlessly wove a significant faith thread throughout the story without it coming across as heavy handed. Very organic to the story and the lives of these characters.

There are some brutal scenes (though not overly descriptive) and a host of heavy subject matter which sensitive readers might find difficult to read about. Though, again, not overly descriptive and no over-the-top gratuitous scenes. Turner manages to breathe grace and hope into even the direst circumstances. This isn’t a light, escape read though, so keep that in mind when you settle down to lose yourself in this gripping romantic suspense.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Lenor A. Woodworth. I really liked the way she portrayed these characters, delivered their dialogue and even gave voice to the creepy villain POV scenes (eeeek!) Made for some thrilling listening!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

  • US: ebook
  • Canada: ebook or audible edition
  • International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Echoes of Darkness,  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 June 14 2025.

Hero Debut

“Another sparkling feel-good romance, brimming with perfect doses of heart and heat!”– Bethany Turner, award-winning author of The Do-Over

Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen’s Safety Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, a rom-com with a police officer as the hero. And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, who can blame her for wanting to spend evenings with the man she swooned over months ago when he responded to a call at her apartment?

Karson already has his fair share of problems before Gemma shows up, and he’s not exactly a fan of the ditzy blonde who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs is a damsel in distress to rescue; there are plenty of people in real need of his help. The fact that she seems to think his job makes him a superhero is just one more strike against her. This isn’t a movie, and he feels like the furthest thing from a leading man.

Gemma can’t seem to stop doing the worst, most embarrassing things at just the wrong time. And as time goes on, Gemma begins to realize that the scripts for a perfect screenplay and a real-life happily-ever-after are two very different things. Can she step out of her own way to find the hero her story needs?

My Review:

Fun and flirty with hidden depths.

I do so love a good grumpy sunshine romance and this one is excellent. Gemma is an accident waiting to happen whenever Karson is around and I loved all the comedic action in this rom/com.

Snappy dialogue, a great friend group egging Gemma on and poor, long-suffering Karson trying to keep a straight face at the most inopportune moments. I grinned my way through this read (well, listen) but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any emotional depth. There is. I really love the way Strong tackles dysfunctional family relationships with the seriousness the topic deserves, along with a light touch of humour.

The Citizens Safety Academy setting is absolute perfection! So much scope for mischief and mayhem. Straight-laced, by-the-book Lieutenant Zellner has no idea what he’s in for when Gemma and friends enrol in his training sessions. So. Much. Fun! And informative too! Gemma’s quirkiness is the perfect foil to Karson’s staid professional demeanour.

This is the second book in the author’s ‘Love Off Script’ series and it’s just as delightful as the first (though it could easily be read as a standalone too.) Engaging characters (and that includes secondary characters) and a cleverly paced plot kept me enthralled from start to finish.

I enjoyed listening the the audio edition of Hero Debut. Jeannie Sheneman and Mike Lenz teamed up to deliver stellar performances which increased my ‘reading’ enjoyment that much more.

The Hunted Heir + Giveaway

After a tragic loss, private investigator Nona Taylor swore off romantic entanglements and distanced herself from the world. Once a year, on New Year’s Eve, she attends church to beg God for forgiveness, haunted by the guilt of driving her twin sister to her death.

Attorney DeMarcus Johnson is determined to climb the ladder to partnership by winning high-profile cases at his Los Angeles law firm, harnessing his ADHD hyperfocus to excel. He’s everything Nona knows to steer clear of–an overconfident ex-jock willing to do anything for success.

Their worlds collide when Nona’s pastor receives a mysterious letter claiming he’s the sole heir to a substantial estate. Desperate for answers, Nona infiltrates a lavish charity ball, only to be found out by a suspicious stranger–so she latches onto DeMarcus and concocts a fib about being his fiancée.

Now bound by a false engagement, the pair reluctantly join forces to discover the truth about the inheritance. But when an unseen enemy strikes, they realize the stakes are higher than they thought. Can Nona and DeMarcus overcome their differences to keep the pastor safe, secure DeMarcus’s partnership, and preserve a future for themselves?

My Review:

“My G’Mama used to always tell me, ‘God gives everybody a basket of gifts and a basket of challenges. He wants us to serve him with both.” (p 94)

DeMarcus’s grandmother’s pearls of wisdom really tied this story together for me. She’s rarely on page but her presence is felt through the faith lessons she’s taught her grandchildren. Love that legacy and the clever parallel in the genealogical mystery which is another kind of family legacy. And the way the author weaves the two together along with a feisty ‘fake dating’ romance is sweet perfection.

Nona has plenty of attitude and a whole lot of buried pain which sometimes makes her snippy and unapproachable which adds some spice to their meet-cute. DeMarcus is intrigued, Nona is not…until her quest to help an elderly pastor discover the truth about his past catapults her into DeMarcus’s high-stakes legal world. Oooooohhhh, but do the sparks ever fly! Loved the sparring and the banter and DeMarcus’s gentle determination to turn the ‘fake’ in their relationship into something real. Happy swoony sigh!

I really enjoyed the way the mystery played out. There’s actually two and the intriguing details of Nona’s PI work kept me turning pages. A good balance between the almost leisurely slow-burn romance and the increasing urgency of the investigation.

This is the author’s debut novel and it is brilliant! She is a lawyer and I was afraid the ‘legal-eeze’ might be too confusing for me, but that wasn’t the case at all. Details are kept to simple layman’s terms and never overwhelm the story. I was completely captivated from start to finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Hunted Heir,  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 June 7 2025.

Following the Clues + Giveaway

A search-and-rescue mission reveals a lethal secret

After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?

My Review:

I am so enjoying the Security Hounds Investigation series by Dana Mentink because….the hounds! They are a brilliant combination of noble goofballs! This time it’s Millie, the blind bloodhound who has her very own guide dog! And I love the way Mentink writes the dogs into the story as important secondary characters. I might have fangirled more over this intrepid pair than our hero. Oops.

Mind you Beau comes a very close second. 🙂 He’s back home after a challenging time recovering from a debilitating injury that has altered his life and left him questioning his future. Unfortunately, he cut himself off from friends and family as he struggled to come to grips with his new reality.

Kara’s mourned the loss of her friendship with Beau. She’s never understood why he cut her off and she certainly doesn’t understand why he’s pretending he doesn’t know her when they finally meet up again. He has a very good reason, as it turns out, and it is fascinating and contributes to the emotional intensity of both the romance and the suspense. Such an enthralling read!

Quintessential Mentink humour lightens even the most intense scenes while thoughtful inspirational moments bring hope in the midst of trauma. A deliciously lethal combination that makes this a not-to-be-missed romantic suspense.

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 Following the Clues,  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 June 7 2025