Kav's Best Reads

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House + Giveaway

It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions–and a couple of nephews intent on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.

My Review:

The first sentence that sparked my curiosity:

“It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when the woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop.”

And from there I was hooked. Often confused, but completely absorbed. Even the secrets have secrets! Sometimes it felt like I’d been dropped on my head and I was reading everything upside down! Kafuffled doesn’t begin to describe my bibliophile state…but also intrigued!

Sydney is my kind of heroine – “That was what novels were for – having adventures without any of the discomfort.” She is a clever, quirky young woman who loves her books but likes the security of reading them in comfortable surroundings. And then, suddenly, she’s catapulted into a novel-worthy adventure of her very own…complete with a ‘pirate’ hero. (Her man of mystery inspires untold swoons and toe-curls for both Sydney and me!)

Blakely House and its inhabitants are as surprising and confusing and mysterious as you’d expect to find in this kind of thrilling atmospheric read. Adventure, romance and amazing curiosities abound. Politano is a gifted storyteller with an unsurpassed imagination and she has delivered a stunning inspirational historical romance in ‘The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.’

“God had a rather unexpected way of saying “yes” to little girl prayers, slipping his answer into the fabric of everyday life.”

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook

Canada – ebook or audible — 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 Curious Inheritance of Blakely 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 November 1 2025

Christy Award Finalists – Historical Romance + Giveaway

What are the Christy Awards?

The Christy Award is destined to nurture creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres. These 2025 finalists are books published in 2024.

How does this Giveaway work?

You select ONE of the Historical Romance finalists you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in a comment. If you win that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the finalists. (I have provided links to my reviews of the books I have read.)

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Giveaway details may vary with each book (print, ebook only or winner’s choice of either, plus audible options for Canadians.) Edition availability will be noted in bold after the title/author/publisher of each entry. ALSO NOTE: Giveaway is for US and Canada OR ebook international if you have US Kindle account.

As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle – Tyndale House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Once she denied everything she believed in. Now she’d give anything to choose differently. But in the shadow of the Roman Empire’s persecution and the shame of her past, she fears that what she wants most will be forever out of reach.

Eastern Roman Empire, AD 310. In the shadow of Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts, Demitria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who turns a blind eye to her faith. By night, Demi goes upriver with her brother, Theseus, to obtain provisions for fellow believers in the port city of Myra. While willing to risk her own life to ensure others are safe and fed, Demi lives with a desperate fear for those she loves and carries secret shame over her greatest failure. When Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help.

Arriving in a sinking boat, Nikolas is burdened by guilt over his older brother’s tragic death. Though the wealth he inherited from a prosperous shipping business now rests at the bottom of the sea, as the new pastor in Myra, he is determined to recover it and use it for good. As the violence against Christians increases, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and distribute it to those in dire need.

Despite wondering if she can ever be worthy, Demi is drawn to Nikolas and longs to trust in his belief that freedom can be found in forgiveness. Then one terrifying night, everything changes as the Roman Empire’s fury rains down. Demi has no other choice but to decide if she has the courage to do what she once failed to . . . and if the faith she calls her own is sure enough to carry her.

Stand-alone Christian historical romance novel set in ancient timesFor fans of historical fiction by Francine Rivers and Tessa AfsharIncludes discussion questions for book clubs

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano – Revell/Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit–and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story–and the sapphire–Peter employs Lily’s help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen – Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Option: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light. . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a “respectable female partner” in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he’s hiding and if he’s any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the picturesque Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel – Kregl Publications, Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

“A tangled web, a sleuthing adventure, a rekindled romance . . . Walking on Hidden Wings has it all.”
–Rachel Fordham, author of The Letter Tree

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes’s marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband’s plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer–and to prove it wasn’t her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva’s guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend’s cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 1 2025 (after 12 pm) REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!

Christy Award Finalists – Short Form + Giveaway

What are the Christy Awards?

How does this Giveaway work?

You select ONE of the Short Form finalists you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in a comment. If you win that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the finalists. (I have provided links to my reviews of the books I have read.)

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

all three of the novellas in the Something Borrowed collection published by Kregel are among the finalists! Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account.

“A Heart in Disguise” by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Clara Westlake loves her job as a seamstress in the US “Camouflage Corps,” sewing suits for snipers and contributing to the war effort. But when she overhears a threat against her beloved New York City, the Great War comes too close to home–except no one believes her forewarning. She must recruit Marcus Reeves, a childhood friend searching for his purpose after suffering a devastating war injury. As they search for answers together, they may also uncover a love that lasts.

“A Letter to Eli” by Allison Pittman

Bette and Alice are lifelong friends, trying to make a good life for themselves in New York City while World War II rages. It’s never far away from their thoughts–not with Alice’s fiancÃ© serving at sea, in danger every minute. That’s a worry Bette doesn’t envy. Then a secret letter reunites her with her soldier ex-boyfriend, now wounded and back in the States. But can the innocent love these two had before the war be rekindled in the face of tragedy?

“A Daffodil in the Dress” by Susie Finkbeiner

Kate Becker and Ike Finch have worked together at his family’s bookstore since Kate’s husband died in the early days of the Vietnam War. She has her daughter, Eloise, to take care of and bills to pay, and this job was a godsend. A second love is not in the cards, especially not with the world still teetering on the edge of insanity. But when Ike brings little Eloise special flowers one spring day, Kate begins to look at him as more than an employer. Is falling in love again worth the risk? https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/08/25/something-borrowed-giveaway/

Forgiving the Cowboy by Tabitha Bouldin – Love Inspired – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account.

heir past stands between them

But is a second chance in reach?

Planning to take his orphaned niece back home to Chicago, K-9 police officer Malcolm Mitchell encounters an unexpected obstacle—his ex-fiancée, Tenley Jacobs. Six years ago, she jilted him at the altar without explanation. Now the equine therapist has shared guardianship with him. Refusing to give up custody of her late best friend’s daughter, Tenley knows she must regain Mac’s trust—even if it means revealing the secret that ended their engagement. But as old feelings reignite, will the truth lead to forgiveness…or give Mac a reason to walk away with her heart forever?

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 1 2025 (after 12 pm) REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!

October Giveaway Week Four

Winners will be contacted if they left their email address, otherwise it’s up to the winner to contact me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca (please note it’s ca as in Canada, not com.) From time to time a winner and I do not connect so I have a one month time frame on giveaway wins. If I haven’t been able to reach you within 30 days of your win, it will be forfeited. This has happened a few times now, so please, DON’T BE SHY — CONTACT ME IF YOU DIDN’T LEAVE AN EMAIL OR IF I HAVEN’T BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING YOU!

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Sunday

Conversations with Kav is being preempted for the next two week in order to get all the Christy Award Finalists covered before the winners are announced on November 7. Today will be the Short Form Category.

Monday

Christy Award Finalists – Yes, it’s that time again. The Christy Award Finalists have been announced and we’re going to check them out by category every Monday. This week it’s Historical Romance

A Wonderful Christmas Crime

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list.

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

My Review:

What would Christmas be without some heartwarming murder and mayhem involving the ‘Christmas Tree Farm Mystery ‘crew?! This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series for so many reasons and this sixth book is a perfect example of why.

First — the cozy to mystery ratio is superbly written. While the investigation (both official policing and amateur sleuthing) is centerstage, Frost seamlessly incorporates exquisite cozy elements that provide an anchor of humour and heart to the story. The result is me alternately chuckling and swooning and feeling all nostalgically Christmas-y while trying to solve the mystery before Holly ( or at least keep up with her!) Makes for an incredibly captivating read.

Well, listen (again!) for me because narrator Allyson Ryan has become the voice I hear in my head when I think about these characters. She’s brilliant at giving everyone distinctive voices, including Holly’s disgruntled semi-feral cat Miss Cindy-Lou Who. And I always have the feeling that she is enjoying the story just as much as I am, which makes it feel like I’m buddy reading with a kindred spirit.

This is definitely a series I think should be read in order – not only for the character development, evolving friendships and slow-burn, toe-curling romance – but also for the sheer brilliance of all the holiday festivities. The author has an exceptional imagination and I love the mix of old favourite ‘reindeer games’ along with new traditions that appear in each book. This series breathes Christmas and, in fact, might just contain a hint of special Christmas magic on the side. I might be gloating a wee bit after reading that ending because, well, I knew it all the time!

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

Toils and Snares + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

A riveting tale of love, betrayal, and long-buried secrets, set in the heart of Alaska.

Daphne’s life takes a sharp turn when she becomes engaged to the love of her life, a beloved pastor in Anchorage. But joy is short-lived as she is thrust into the upscale world of her fiancé’s wealthy and influential family.

As the news of their engagement spreads, peculiar incidents start to unfold, leaving Daphne questioning whether there’s a sinister force at play. Haunted by her own family’s dark past, she begins to suspect that her secrets might be intertwined with those of her fiancé’s family—secrets that could shatter not only her own future but also the lives of everyone she holds dear.

From the bestselling USA Today author Alana Terry comes a gripping tale of danger, romance, and faith, set against the backdrop of the rugged Alaskan countryside.undefined

My Review:

An intriguing read and a little hard to define. Not quite a suspense, but there is a mystery, only it’s the kind that happens to Daphne rather than her trying to solve it. As a reader, I could see the pieces pulling together so there was still a bit of an armchair sleuthing component to the read which kept me turning pages.

Engaging characters with an interesting relationship – Daphne’s backstory is particularly compelling. And that’s about all I can say without posting spoilers due to the writing style and the shorter word count. A great read to go in blind and just let the story unfold.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Toils and Snares, 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 25 2025.

Love Finds You in the City at Christmas + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Love comes to the big city in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present.

“Red Kettle Christmas”
It’s 1946, and police officer Mike Wolzak has inherited his family’s home . . . and the custody of his younger sister, who is in trouble with a problem he doesn’t know how to fix. While on patrol during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mike makes the acquaintance of a lovely Salvation Army bell ringer, Karen O’Leary, who is struggling to support herself and her young daughter. As their paths cross during the festive holiday season in Manhattan, Karen teaches the tough World War II veteran how to support and love his family. In the process, he just might gain a new one.

“Manhattan Miracle”
A war-weary soldier who has served three tours in the Middle East, Max Wolzak has come home to New York City to celebrate Christmas with his family in the Manhattan brownstone where he spent much of his childhood. There Max reconnects with Sarah Peterson, his sister’s old schoolmate who now organizes relief missions for the United Nations. Sparks fly as the pair gets reacquainted over various holiday events, but when Max realizes that Sarah will leave for the Middle East the day after Christmas, he has a decision to make—convince her to stay, wait for her to return, or go with her to the one place to which he never thought he’d return.

My Review:

published in 2013

Be still my heart — I’m sure I heard the Hallelujah Chorus in the background as I finished this book. It is that good. That’s moving and uplifting and down-home Christmasy good. Both stories start with Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and that sets the mood perfectly. Both stories have adorable little girls who know the true magic of Christmas and how to share it. Another excellent way to set that special mood. But though there are similarities in these two novellas, each author’s distinctive voice creates a unique and heart-warming read.

In Red Kettle Christmas, Herne’s characteristic writing style swept me into the heart of post World War II New York City from the very first page. I love the way characters come to life at her fingertips. And I love how she portrays life and loss realistically, but always laced with hope. This novella has all the makings of a classic Christmas read.

Fast forward to present day and we get to read about the next generation of Wolzaks in Schmidt’s Manhattan Miracle. Interesting to jump decades and land at the very same place and the very same time. Love that link between the two stories. This is another touching read that gave me goosebumps at the Hollywood worthy finale.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy of this book so – yay – International Giveaway. Available to readers everywhere!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love Finds You in the City at 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 25 2025

Winterset + Giveaway

Northern England, Late Fall, 1820

Katherine Lockwood is hiding for her life in the most unlikely of places: the forgotten priest holes in the abandoned Winterset Grange manor house. When Kate learns that Winterset’s long-absent owner, Mr. Oliver Jennings, is about to return, she is desperate to find a way to make him leave, even if it means “haunting” him from behind her protective walls.

After a grand tour of the Continent, Oliver returns home to England determined to make the most of his inheritance. But from the moment he arrives, nothing is as he expected. His manor is in disrepair, the steward hired to care for his estate is a thief, and to top it all off, Winterset is haunted. Undeterred, Oliver resolves to reclaim his life, piece by piece.

When Oliver discovers the hidden rooms, he’s shocked and pleased that his “ghost” is actually a beautiful young woman. Captivated by Kate and her story, he invites her to stay at Winterset under his protection.

Yet, danger persists as the man who threatens Kate’s safety learns of her ruse and attempts to exact his revenge. Kate and Oliver find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of cat and mouse against a powerful opponent while also trying to untangle their blossoming feelings in this enthralling gothic Regency romance.

My Review:

Delightfully atmospheric! I love the way the story unfolds, unhurried but always moving forward so there was plenty of time to savour each scene. And, oh my, the meet-cute!!! Not quite a ‘meet’ and definitely not ‘cute’! Ingenuous!

Kate is audacious with an imagination to rival Anne Shirley (Green Gables reference.) The situations she puts Oliver through are diabolically clever. And the poor man is just beginning to find himself while trying to get comfortable with his new home and community.

Cue some shivery foreshadowing and I was frantic to warn Oliver and Kate of something ominous lurking ahead! What a completely immersive read! Well, listen for me since I enjoyed Helen Day and Thomas Judd’s excellent narration.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook

Canada – ebook or audible — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Winterset 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 25 2025

Christy Award Finalists – Historical Fiction

What are the Christy Awards?

How does this Giveaway work?

You select ONE of the Historical Fiction finalists you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in a comment. If you win that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the finalists. (I have provided links to my reviews of the books I have read.)

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee – Tyndale Publishing House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account.

She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.

1969. When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a locked trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.

1942. Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.

In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.

Includes discussion guide for book groupsStandalone Southern, historical family drama about enduring hope amid personal tragedyClean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner or Lisa WingateDual timeline set during the Vietnam War and WWII.

Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes – Bethany House / Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account.

When newcomer Mercy Windsor arrives in Mercy Peak in 1948 after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood–an abandoned estate with a haunting history–and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of that mountain’s lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal, Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Engine No. 8, which vanished years ago, along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention another fabled treasure that–if found–could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.

The Queen’s Cook by Tess Afshar – Bethany House / Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback, ebook or audible, International: ebook if you have a US Kindle account.

In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire’s Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of a once-privileged but now impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news. Her father sees this edict as a stroke of good fortune, an opportunity to settle his mounting debts by killing the Jewish physician, Adin, and seizing his belongings, but instead he meets his own untimely end, leaving Roxannah destitute and adrift. Desperate and determined to support her mother while settling the debt, Roxannah approaches Adin–the man whose kind eyes still haunt her–to help her find employment in Queen Esther’s kitchens.

In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah strives to overcome prejudice and adversity as she ascends through the ranks in the royal kitchen. Her culinary talent earns her the trust and mentorship of Queen Esther herself, a woman of grace and wisdom, who is navigating treacherous palace politics and whispers of her inability to produce an heir after six years of marriage. Amid this unfolding connection, Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king’s most powerful wife and Esther’s archenemy. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Amestris and Esther’s reign hang in the balance.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 25 2025 (after 12 pm) REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!

Conversations with Kav – Genre Chat + Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to talk about our favourite genres and how they came to be our favourite. Have your reading tastes changed over the years or have you always been a stalwart *insert genre here* fan?

For some strange reason, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe because I’ve been shifting books and bookshelves again (I swear my bookshelves are shrinking! Like a shelf or two vanish with alarming regularity. Where do they go? It’s a mystery!) Anyway, I always get nostalgic and a tad contemplative when I’m organizing my shelves. Every book I touch has a story beyond the one inside – the history of how it came into my house, an author’s signature, the way just touching it can bring on the emotions I felt during the read. Okay, that sounds kinda strange, but I’m sure fellow bibliophiles will understand what I mean. 🙂

Anyway, then I got to thinking about genres and which one I’m most drawn to (hint: it’s a multiple tie) and how my preferences really haven’t changed a ton since childhood. Does that make me boring? Dependable sounds better, I am a dependable genre reader…with the exception of one. Stay tuned to find out which one.

So, I thought I would share my first ever (as far as I can remember) genre read in childhood and then when I discovered Christian Fiction….which was around 2009. If you feel like sharing your thoughts on genre preferences and first books read, I’d love to hear all about it. Bookish talk delights me! And be sure to check out the giveaway instructions at the end of this blog – it’s uniquely genre specific.

Historical Fiction

I’m thinking that my first ever historical novel has to be The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Followed closely by The Little Princess and then all of Louisa May Alcott’s books! My first Historical Romance was Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman. I remember my first swoon and toe-curls fondly. I was fourteen. The book is about a woman who falls in love with a Mountie and the challenges of following him to his postings in Northern Canada. Set in the 1800s. I remember feeling soooo grown up reading it!

My first ever Christian Fiction Historical novel was The Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen. Such exquisite storytelling. I was charmed and have read almost all of Julie’s books since. Just have the latest two Sea view Sisters books to read and I’ll be all caught up.

Contemporary Fiction

My first contemporary novel was Junket by Anne H. White. Of course, it was about a dog! And now it would be considered historical fiction because it was published sometime in the 1940s! I always loved dogs but this book brought me to a whole other level. I was officially dog crazy from the age of eight and always looked for dogs in my fiction since I never had my own until I was in my late twenties.

I’m finding it harder to exactly remember what my first Christian Fiction Contemporary novel was but one that sticks out is The Cubicle Next Door by Siri Mitchell. Humorous, great witty sarcasm but lots of emotion too. Borderline rom/com, but goes deeper.

Suspense/Mystery

Oh, my, there are so many and I really don’t know which book came first. I’m definitely a born mystery reader! I read a lot of Phyllis A Whitney’s mysteries for kids which led me to her gothic adult novels when I was in my teens. And of course, I read, reread and reread again all my Trixie Beldens! And yes, while I did read Nancy Drew and even some of the Hardy Boys and Dana Girls too, I will always choose Trixie as the best girl sleuth ever!

Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series was my introduction to Christian Fiction Suspense and I never looked back. This is truly my favourite genre, I think, since a lot of my Historical novels have elements of mystery in them as well.

Amish Fiction

I discovered Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen in my school library when I was in grade five and I was utterly fascinated by the story of an Amish girl forced to attend public school and the challenges she faced. It was first published in the 1950s before the Amish were able to create their own school system.

I actually read quite a few Beverly Lewis Amish novels before I even realized there was such a thing as Christian Fiction. I’m pretty sure The Shunning was the first one I read. This is now my least read genre. I still enjoy a good Amish story and my library is great about getting all the big name authors’ books but I don’t reach for them as often as other genres.

Speculative Fiction

When I was a kid, Fantasy was my most read genre! Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis kicked things off, then I discovered E. Nesbitt and Five Children and It etc, and all of Edward Eager’s magic books starting with Half Magic and Canadian author Catherine Anthony Clark wrote a series of books featuring every day children entering a magical world of uniquely Canadian Indigenous myths and legends. The Golden Pine Cone was the first one. Oh and Pierre Berton’s campy, tongue-in-cheek children’s fantasy The Secret World of Og, about a group of children who tunnel their way into a secret world underneath their playhouse. Sigh, I’m getting quite nostalgic. Oh — Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising series with it’s Arthurian legends. Oh — Oh — Carbonel and The Kingdom of Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh about a girl who finds a witch’s broom and a talking cat. 🙂 I could go on…but clearly, I was fantasy driven in my childhood.

But now…it’s not a genre I gravitate to anymore and that makes me sad. I think I need to find my fantasy groove again. I don’t have many Christian Fiction fantasy books on my shelves. Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series might be the first I read.

Time for a chat and a giveaway!

Share your thoughts about fave genres, past and present and include one title (and author) of a book from your favourite genre that you would like to win. Your name will be added to the Random Wheel of Names and if the spinner chooses you, that’s the book you will win. Of Note: Books should already be published.

Giveaway options:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

International – ebooks if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 25 2025