Category: Book Review

I’ll Be Home for Mischief

Innkeeper Holly White is decking the halls this Christmas season, but someone is on the naughty list when a body is discovered in the fifth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter. 

When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.

When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?

My Review:

Absolutely one of my favourite cozy mystery series and this fifth ‘Christmas Tree Farm Mystery’ is just as magnificent as all the rest!

Jacqueline Frost tackles murder and mayhem with a healthy dose of heartwarming and humour which makes me love these Mistletoe, Maine characters even more. I mean, who wouldn’t want Cookie and Theodore front and centre in their life?! And all the romance swirling around in this winter wonderland? Does my romantical heart so much good!

So, definitely a series that I think should be read in order — not only for the character arcs and relationship building, but for the sheer festive ambiance which the author makes fresh and exciting with each new book. Her Reindeer Games ideas are phenomenal and the way she portrays small town life with a Christmas-centric world view is sweet perfection.

And, while Frost is brilliant at infusing her stories with cozy vibes, she has an uncanny…and slightly disturbing (if you think about it too long)…way of introducing the murder. Let’s just say, ‘unique presentation’ and leave it at that! Bwahahaha!

Add in a solid mystery with enough suspects to keep this armchair sleuth on the edge of her seat, some very clever nods to the author, and the hint of Christmas magic (I’m a believer) and you end up with a holiday treat of a read.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Allyson Ryan — eeeeeeppppp!!!!! — one of my all time favourite voice performers. She brings such heart to these characters and I can tell she’s relishing their antics just as much as I am. It felt like I was reading a cherished Christmas novel with a kindred spirit. Enhanced my ‘reading’ pleasure that much more!

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

A Ransomed Grete + Giveaway

INDIE!

October 1939—What happens when you run from danger… and into a trap?

After the Anschluss, Austria becomes a place its citizens don’t recognize—especially its Jewish citizens. Whispers ripple through Jewish communities—whispers about a chalet where a woman protects Jewish children from discovery. She’ll keep them safe, fed, and far away from Nazis.

Parents are forced to make horrific decisions. Send their children away to safety, possibly never seeing them again, or keep their families together and risk their children’s lives?

Hans Hartmann arrives at the chalet with a chip on his shoulder and a little girl in tow. He found Grete waiting at the train station. Alone. But life at Chalet Versteck feels more ominous than the streets of Vienna. Children sometimes vanish, and before Hans can figure out what’s happening, a high-ranking officer appears—and is killed.

It’s a race to find out who killed the man and get himself (and probably that pesky Grete) out!

A Ransomed Grete is the bridge book between the 1920s and 1940s Ever After Mysteries, combining fairy tales with mysteries.

My Review:

A stunning retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Beautifully written, descriptive to the point of heartbreaking in places. And the way the author incorporates the Holocaust into the tale is both brilliant and chilling. Havig has really captured the desperation of the times, the ignorant prejudices, the varying degrees of compliance in an occupied country…it all just took my breath away.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Christa DelSorbo who did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Her heartfelt performance kept me entranced all the way through.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the A Ransomed Grete, 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 November 9 2024.

Margin of Error

RANDOM RETRO READ

Some secrets have deadly consequences. 

Brynlee Parker thought her biggest challenge would be hiking to Dead Man’s Bluff and fulfilling her dad’s last wishes. She never thought she’d witness two men being viciously murdered while on a mountainous trail. Even worse, the deadly predator is now hunting her. 

Boone Wilder wants nothing to do with Dead Man’s Bluff, not after his wife died there. But he can’t seem to mind his own business when a mysterious out-of-towner burst into his camp store in a frenzied panic. Something—or someone—deadly is out there. 

The killer’s hunger for blood seems to be growing at a brutal pace. Can Brynlee and Boone figure out who’s behind these murders? Or will the hurts and secrets from their past not allow for even a margin of error?

My Review:

published in 2019

This is me, slowly (like at a snail’s pace) catching up with Christy Barritt’s backlist. I read the first book in the Fog Lake Mysteries series about four years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. Loved the eerie vibe in that book and the way the author set things up for future books. So, why has it been on my TBR wishlist for so long? I have no idea! But here I am years later finally getting back to Fog Lake and in some ways it felt like I never left.

And I was really excited for Boone’s story. He’s the kind of tortured soul hero that makes my heart ache and my pulse spike. Taciturn and grumpy, he’s hoarding a world of hurt but he can’t dodge the knight in shining armour gene. Cue Brynlee’s frantic entry into his camp store with a tall tale that sounds preposterous but she’s clearly terrified…and, phew, we’re off on an incredible twisty turny ride.

Creepy stalker vibe all the way! Love the unusual twist to the suspense –made it all the more edgier. And Barritt kept me on my toes trying to figure out what was going on and who the murderer was.

And Brynlee and Boone! Swoony sigh. Loved the romance for all it’s angstiness and Brynlee’s secret threatens to pull them apart. So many dimensions to their relationship that made their hard won happily ever after so satisfying.

I listened to the audible edition of this book expertly narrated by Sandy Rustin. She brought these characters to life and delivered a thrilling listening experience.

Snow Angels + Giveaway

INDIE!

When Lisa Marsh is roped into serving Thanksgiving dinner at the local community center, she encounters hundreds of children, lively teenagers, stubbornly independent veterans, eccentric elderly people, and a particularly rude and scruffy homeless man named Pete. The evening ends in disaster, but when her best friend challenges her to reach out and help other people, Lisa decides to take on the project of reforming Pete – whether he likes it or not. 

Her plan is simple: Help him find a job and become respectable. All he needs is a helping hand and some guidance. And a shave. Definitely, a shave. 

Pete is willing to work, especially if it means spending time with the pretty volunteer, but her tactless determination to “reform” him makes him dig in his heels. Her creative ideas for employment become increasingly outrageous, but every time he tries to put an end to her meddling, she charms him with her good intentions and willingness to serve others. 

Lisa finds herself unaccountably attracted to her vagabond protégé and irresistibly entangled in the lives of the other people she meets at the community center. Before she knows how to stop it, her one small service project snowballs into an extraordinary Christmas ministry that just may change her life forever. 

Snow Angels is a companion novella and introduction to my upcoming Great Lakes series. I was a fifth generation Swedish Minnesotan before I married my military man and wandered for a while, finally settling in the land of Packers and bratwurst. In the Great Lakes series, I bring my readers to the land I know and love best – the most remote areas of Northern Minnesota and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as the small towns and big cities of the Midwest. The inhabitants of these places are a diverse and eclectic (sometimes eccentric) group – and usually very nice people. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

My Review:

Another new-to-me author and I am so thankful for bookish friend recommends!

‘Snow Angels’ starts out anything but angelic especially when it comes to Lisa’s bossy fix-it attitude. I was torn between laughing and cringing most of the read because….oh, I do so love a good case of mistaken identity and this one is definitely that. Still grinning over some of the situations Pete found himself in courtesy of Lisa’s bull-dozing ways.

BUT

There’s so much depth in her back story that kept me rooting for her to finally see the light and when she does…wowzer! Solid hallelujah moment that sent shivers up my spine!

And now I’m wrestling with what else to say since I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Let’s just say that Lisa receives so much more than she gives and that the ‘Snow Angels’ title is a brilliant tie in to the story.

Ten out of ten for inspirational content and ten out of ten for all the Christmas vibes. The two blend together beautifully to create an emotional and uplifting story that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read hardcover 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 Snow Angels, 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 November 2 2024.

His Christmas Salvation + Giveaway

On the road to recovery…can love lead the way?

With his service dog, Nemo, by his side, woodworker Fisk Wilkins vows to repair his reputation with his hometown—while remaining sober. But he’ll need Lauren Kantz’s financial expertise to make his new business a success. Except the divorced mother and her baby are a painful reminder of the family he lost. After learning of her ex-husband’s drinking, Fisk understands Lauren’s intent to keep her distance. But as the Christmas rush brings them closer together, can Fisk prove to Lauren—and himself—that he’s a changed man?

My Review:

An emotionally riveting Christmas romance. McClain has added complex layers to both Fisk and Lauren’s back stories that are heartbreaking and tough and plain hard to bounce back from. The more I got to know them, the more invested I became in their lives…and hoped for a timeless love story. And did the author ever deliver!

She touches on tough topics with compassion and heart without sugar-coating any of it. Fisk’s struggles in particular touched me because there was just so much stacked against him but he stoically overcame obstacle after obstacle.

While part of Love Inspired’s multi-authored K-9 companion series, it’s clear that the Wilkins family (Fisk has brothers!) have appeared in other books, perhaps a different series by the author? No matter, this one can definitely be read as a standalone but I’d love to read all the brothers’ stories as well.

I was thrilled to find ‘His Christmas Salvation’ featured on audible. And narrated by a favourite voice performer of mine — Tanya Eby. I thoroughly enjoyed every listening minute.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the  His Christmas Salvation, 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 November 2 2024.

A Kindness for Christmas + Giveaway

INDIE!

Jerry got caught up in a war he wanted no part of; one that left him paralyzed from the waist down on the day of Lee’s surrender. Now he stood the risk of losing his ranch if he wasn’t married by the deadline. But what woman wanted a man who may never walk again?

Leanne was left destitute as the war raged. Her hometown was now taken over by a wealthy criminal…and he had his sights set on her. She was given a choice…either marry this corrupt man, or she and her three friends would be forced into bondage as saloon girls. Not only did she desperately need a way to escape, but she had to take her friends with her.

Through an intense, dangerous scheme, the Lord answered her prayers but her chance at freedom came with a price…she had to become a proxy bride to a man who may never walk again.

The four Yankee hating women were temporarily relieved to find safety. But what will they do when they find out the man willing to rescue them is a decorated Union Officer? Can Leanne ever overcome her terrible memories of destruction, and strong hatred for Yankees, enough to live with this man, “til death do us part?”

My Review:

Woohoo! New-to-me author alert! Thrilled to have discovered Lynne Lanning and I will be looking for more of her books in the future. Her storytelling captured my imagination and my emotions and kept me riveted right to the end.

A heartwarming Christmas novella that begins in the springtime when both our hero and heroine find themselves in desperate situations that might just be alleviated if they work together. Eeeeeepp — not only a mail-order bride romance, but a proxy bride as well, which I don’t think I’ve read before.

While the majority of the story doesn’t have a holiday setting, the Christmas-y grand finale definitely earns this novella the right to be considered a holiday read.

Loved the significant faith content in ‘A Kindness for Christmas’ as Leanne and Jerry look to God for guidance and inspiration as they face difficult challenges. It’s never preachy — just bears a gentle testimony about the power of prayer, the healing forgiveness brings and the importance of living a God-centered life.

So grateful for bookish friend recommendations that led me to this inspirational fiction gem!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the A Kindness for Christmas 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 November 2 2024.

If For Any Reason

random retro read

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

My Review:

Woohoo! A Second Chance Summer Romance set on Nantucket Island! Love the contrast of carefree beachy vibes as background to the emotionally packed love story! And mercy, but Walsh wrung every last bit of emotion out of me by the end.

So, high drama, including a family scandal with Emily in the middle of it all. Oh, yeah, and her teenage crush is living next door. Who just happens to be an ex baseball star sidelined by a permanent injury. And he has his own personal issues he’s dealing with. So, pile on some more drama. This book was intense! But I loved the way Walsh lets her characters work through it all. Very realistic — and so emotional! My heart is still tender from all the pummelling!

And there’s even a bit of a dual timeline to the story. In the form of letters from Emily’s deceased mother as well as some ‘real time’ scenes from the past. Which include another love story! The way the author blends those two timelines and slowly builds towards the emotional climax — well, wowzers! Kept me completely immersed until everything finally got sorted.

A slow burn second chance romance with so much heart and hope!

Every Day is Christmas + Giveaway

INDIE!

Civil Engineer Landon Michaels’ grandmother’s memory is fading. All she wants for Christmas is a unique black angel ornament. The problem is it’s March. Will Granny Lonna know when it’s Christmas, or will she recognize her family by December?

Gina Christmas and her family of accountants founded Every Day is Christmas to bless youths living in a children’s home. It’s not an ordinary charity. The children help fund the charity by creating artwork for sale. Their specialties are black angels, ornaments, and sculptures.

When Landon crosses paths with Gina, she joins his mission to find the perfect black angel ornament that will bring joy to his grandmother.

My Review:

What a scrumptious Christmas love story with lots of scope for all kinds of emotional undertones.

First we’ve got the poignancy of Landon’s grandmother’s fading memory and the seemingly impossible quest she sends Landon on. Then there’s his lively ‘all in your business’ family who make things even more interesting. Not to be outdone by Gina’s determined (aka pushy) sister. Plus, poor Gina is in a constant state of fatigue due to difficult work circumstances and that makes her a titch grumpy. So, to say their meet-cute was ‘cute’ would be a lie …but that made it so much fun!

So, not quite an enemies to more trope, but definitely a strong dislike to more. Both make assumptions about the other which need to be ironed out and they are at opposite sides of a critical issue which seems to be a huge stumbling block. Argh — I simultaneously wanted to hug these two and thwack their heads together in hopes of shaking some sense into them. But, oh my, when Landon makes his move…be still my heart! Sizzles and sparks, pass me some mistletoe!

I so appreciated Landon and Gina’s eight month journey to their happily every after. The romance never felt rushed even though this novel is on the shorter side. Landon’s wooing and Gina’s capitulating was paced to sweet perfection. And I loved the focus on faith in both their lives and their relationship.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Every Day is Christmas’ (such a clever title tie in!). Susan Spain’s narration was excellent and made the story that much more memorable for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Every Day is Christmas, 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 October 26 2024.

The Christmas Singing + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?

Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.

Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

Experience the holidays with the Plain folk and discover the power of second chances in this touching story from the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Bridge of Peace .

Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when faced with unexpected circumstances, he makes up an excuse to end their engagement. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but he believes that telling Mattie the truth will be more hurtful.  

Brokenhearted, Mattie moves from Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania to Ohio, where she pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator. She finds a new beau—a man offering the secure relationship Gideon has denied her.  

When Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, she and Gideon must confront the suffering created by his dishonesty – and address the powerful emotions that continue to bind the two childhood friends.

My Review:

published in 2011

This slim little book packs a wallop and proves that Cindy Woodsmall can do concise without losing out on the depth and detail she is known for. Mattie is such a fun character — and very different from your typical Amish heroine. Love her dreaminess, her klutziness, the way she can turn disaster into something fun and light-hearted. Except for her broken engagement that is. She knows how to harbour a grudge and I honestly can’t blame her since she thinks one thing while the reality is far different.

I spent my time being alternately irritated and enamoured with Gideon. Honestly –he’s…he’s…just like a man!!!! Thinks like a man, acts like a man and believe me that isn’t always a good thing! So there’s fireworks at times, angst a plenty, but Woodsmall weaves it all together with some wonderfully heart-warming, light-hearted moments as well. A great combination for a Christmas read — though there’s not a lot of Christmas in the read. LOL. It’s not as seasonal as I thought it would be, but that didn’t detract from the story at all. In fact it makes it more universally appealing. Definitely not a book that has to be read only at Christmas.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read hardcover 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 Christmas Singing, 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 October 26 2024.

Specter in the Glass House + Giveaway

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron’s empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family’s Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian’s sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer’s ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past. 

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer’s quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold’s mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian’s great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?Renowned as a “trailblazer extraordinaire” (Booklist) of inspirational dual-time suspense, award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright weaves a haunting tale of mystery, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of truth across two distinct eras.

My Review:

Thoroughly Gothic and more than a little eerie. And I feel like that is practically all I can safely say about this book without giving away any spoilers.

Wright excels at this type of dual timeline mystery which includes stunning complexities in both character and plot. Our heroines, Marian in 1921 and Remy in present day, are faced with similar dilemmas yet both have very unique stories to tell.

Past and present are cleverly woven together with impeccable pacing. I hung on every word. I don’t know how the author manages to keep all the details straight! And the way she builds the suspense as well as the creep factor is phenomenal! (You might need some comfort chocolate and a security teddy to make your way safely through to the end.)

So, definitely an unputdownable read. The kind that keeps you scrambling for logical explanations in the midst of so many impossibilities. A spectacularly stunning read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Specters in the Glass House, 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 October 26 2024.