Category: Book Review

Garden of Her Heart + Giveaway

random retro read

Can forbidden love amid the constraints of war?

A sweet World War II romance from USA Today best-selling Author Shanna Hatfield.

The moment the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, life shifted for Miko Nishimura. Desperate to reach the Portland Assembly Center for Japanese Americans, she’s kicked off the bus miles from town. Every tick of the clock pushes her closer to becoming a fugitive in the land of her birth. Exhausted, she stumbles to her grandparents’ abandoned farm only to find a dying soldier sprawled across the step. Unable to leave him, she forsakes all else to keep him alive.

After crashing his plane in the Battle of the Atlantic, the doctors condemn Captain Rock Laroux to die. Determined to meet his maker beneath a blue sky at his family home, he sneaks out of the hospital. Weary and half out of his mind, he makes it as far as a produce stand he remembers from his youth. Rather than surrender to death, Rock fights a battle of the heart as he falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman who saves his life.

A poignant, sweet romance, Garden of Her Heart proves love can bloom in unlikely places, even under the most challenging circumstances.

My Review:

published in 2016

This tender and poignant love story made for an emotional read. From Miko’s heart wrenching opening scene to Rock’s equally tumultuous introduction, I was engaged and invested and committed to them both.

And, oh my, their journey highlights both the best and the worst humanity has to offer at a time when the whole world was on edge. The historical details of wartime America are enthralling (and infuriating) but the haven Miko and Rock manage to create in the midst of the chaos is utterly captivating.

His brash confidence balances her shy reticence as their two worlds merge into something unique. And forbidden. The gardener in me rejoiced in the familiar rhythm of planting and harvesting and finding hope in God’s bounty. Miko and Rock grow closer as they work together even as the harsh realities of America at war threaten everything they hold dear.

A cast of secondary characters including a devious interloper as well as a rambunctious nine-year-old neighbour add extra zest to this sweet romance. Still grinning over Petey’s colourful turns of phrase and his high energy antics.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Michael Rahhal who did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. A stunning performance for a stunning story!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – 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 Garden of Her Heart, 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 11 2026

Searching the Truth + Giveaway

A K-9 on a gunman’s trail
will uncover a sinister scheme.

Officer Autumn Riley and her K-9, Bear, are jolted awake in the middle of the night by an intruder—and just barely escape the shots fired their way. When rancher Jordan Clarke, who has been searching for his missing sister, gets caught in the crossfire, he becomes a target too. Is the gunman a vengeful convict that Autumn sent to jail, or is it someone linked to her mother’s unsolved murder? With the attacks against them unrelenting, they’ll have to put everything on the line—including their own lives—to take down this criminal.

My Review:

So excited that a K-9 continuity series has become an annual Loved Inspired Suspense tradition! My absolute favourite series in the line and Laura Scott has created a stunning introduction to this year’s offering, the Colorado K-9 Unit.

The tense, action-packed opening scene sets the stage for the story that follows. This time a special K-9 Unit has been created to expose a diabolical crime ring and Autumn spends her time working leads on that case as well as a more personal one of her own. Only she’s not sure if they are connected or how Jordan Clarke fits into the mix. Lots of intriguing layers to delve into here.

Of course, she has Bear and his unique K-9 skills to help her along the way. Scott does a wonderful job portraying the strong bond between these partners and the way they work together in the field.

Then there’s Jordan, a neighbouring rancher who adds his own measure of intrigue as well as sparks of attraction. I enjoyed the progression of their romance in the midst of sheer bedlam! If my heart wasn’t racing because of the suspense it was skipping beats over their love story.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Searching the Truth’ and was thrilled to hear the familiar voice of Jennifer Jill Araya narrating the story. She always delivers a well-paced performance that catches the essence of the story and the spirit of the characters.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy

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 Searching for Truth, 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 11 2026

Never Forgotten + Giveaway

random retro read

All He Wanted was Justice. All She Wanted was His Heart.
 
Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice.
 
Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife’s horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father’s unexpected will by marrying Georgina—the last thing in the world he wants to do.
 
Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life—and her reputation—to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her?

My Review:

published in 2024

‘Never Forgotten’ was unexpected in so many ways but absolutely gripping nonetheless. A Gothic Regency with a darker tone and such romantical yearning that my heart ached for Simon and Georgina all the way through.

Desperation and danger dog Simon’s steps as he seeks justice for a horrific crime…or is it revenge? His actions put both his children and Georgina in peril which results in a page-turning frenzy of exquisite torture until everything is righted.

Loved the slow burn romance that blossoms from a decidedly enemies to more start. And there are some delightfully tender scenes featuring Simon and his children that totally melted my heart (Georgina’s too!) But, oh, the plot twists, both with their love story and the mystery! An atmospheric historical romance that rivals any of the classics.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – 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 Never Forgotten, 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 11 2026

Crossed Off

random retro read

Collin Wells is relentless and ruthless, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he his foster sister, the girl who always manages to slip through his fingers.

Holly’s foster brother has haunted her footsteps for years—taunting her, toying with her—and until recently, she never dared to stop running and build a life for herself. Now, everyone she loves is in danger. How can she protect the people she loves when her foster brother comes to collect?

My Review:

This series has been intense but this third book is, well, brutal! I’ve been putting it off for months now because I knew from reviews that this story is very hard to read in places and I was honestly dreading it. But, I love Holly and all these characters (well, except for…) and I knew I just had to brave my way through this one so I could continue on with the series. Sound ominous? It really is!

So, first thing to know: the Holly series needs to be read in order, both for the developing suspense plot (all kinds of freaky stalker vibes) and the relationships. Honestly, for me, Crossed Off’s saving grace comes from the deep friendships and strong sense of found family that forms a buffer between Holly and untold brutality.

I basked in those bonding scenes. Holly’s fierce loyalty, the teasing among her friends, the pranks she plays on Marx, the wary friendship she has with Jordan. All these characters have become real people to me and I savoured every second with them.

The flip side is that the suspense goes way beyond gut-wrenching. Almost unbearable. Definitely pushed me way past my comfort zone in places. Tough situations, serious crimes, Holly’s backstory is heart breaking and she’s facing the worst of it all over again. I honestly had to read this book in stages, giving myself a reprieve with a lighthearted read before picking it up again and I’ve never had to do that before in my eons of reading!

So, not for the faint of heart, but a rich, satisfying, if emotionally draining, read that left me loving Holly and company all the more!

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