Kav's Best Reads

Conversations with Kav – AI in Publishing + Giveaway

My Technologically stunted brain has a really hard time comprehending all the AI chatter around books and publishing making it’s way around social media. I feel like I’m always joining in the middle of a conversation and I can never catch up. So…I thought, who better to turn to then all you clever Best Readers?

I know a lot of you follow authors on FB and through newsletters and I’m thinking you’re getting a more complete picture of the issues around AI and books so here we are! I’m going to share the little bit I know and you can fill in the blanks for me, okay? Here we go! 🙂

AI and Plagiarism

I stumbled upon a huge controversy online about a general market indie author who was accused of using AI to plagiarize another author’s work. From what I can grasp, she used some kind of AI platform that actually took an original story from another author and tweaked it to be just different enough for the plagiarizing author to pass it off as her own. I can’t grasp how this could even be possible! It must be so scary for authors because it seems like it would be impossible to protect their copyright. I mean, it would be so random to even discover that your work has been stolen.

The other angle I read about is where an author can use AI to beef up their own story by requesting the AI to make it more like another author’s writing style! Whaatttt???? How is that even possible? That seems so futuristic!

AI Authored Novels?!

This one really blew my mind. There are actually books being ‘written’ by AI. From what I can understand, a human feeds in a few general plot points like a rough outline and the computer does the rest. I became aware of this when I began reading weird (to me) messages on Instagram from authors reassuring followers that they actually write their own stories – no AI authorship involved! I have a really hard time wrapping my mind around this concept!

AI in audio books

This one really irks me because I got roped into buying a book that was actually narrated by AI. I know some of you use a text to speech app to iisten to kindle books and I can see how that might be beneficial though I’ll admit to being a bit of an audio snob and really love talented voice performers. 🙂

It’s one thing, though, to go into a listening experience knowing you’re listening to an AI production, but to actually pay the same amount you would for real live narrated book is truly irksome.

AI Generated Book Covers

It just occurred to me that maybe that’s why the faceless and cartoony covers have become so prevalent. They must be AI generated, right? And likely a huge financial savings in book productions. But I hate the idea of computers taking over the artistic design of talented artists and photographers.

AI Search Help(Not!)

This one really irritates me. You know, when you go to search an online store and AI keeps ‘helpfully’ correcting your ‘typos’ so you never get the result you want? Soooo annoying.

Example: Northargyle Abbie by Janelle Leonard. No matter how many times I type that title on Amazon, it corrects my ‘mistakes’ the second I click ‘search.’ Northargyle Abbie automatically becomes North Argyle Abbey and, of course, I don’t get any results. Gah! That happens a lot with quirky titles, like the puny-y ones unique to cozies too. So frustrating!

Well, that about sums up all I know about AI Controversies and the book industry. Do you have any deeper insights? Heard more online chatter about this topic and how ti is affecting authors? I’d love it if you would share in the comments.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Contribute to the conversation in a comment and you will be entered in a draw for a $10 Baker Book House gift card. (or Canadians will receive an Amazon.ca gift card)

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 19 2025.

July Giveaway – Week Two

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 – a place for us to chat about bookish topics if anyone is so inclined. Sometimes there will be giveaways, sometimes there won’t. It will just depend on the topic of the day. Hope to see you there! Otherwise my inner book nerd and I will carry on by ourselves. Bwahaha!

monday

2025 Carol Award Finalists – (Romantic Suspense) I can’t believe it’s that time already but the finalists were just announced this week and the winners in each category will be announced on September 6 at the ACFW Conference Gala. Soooo exciting. This year especially because 40% of the finalists are indie authors! And most of the rest are from small publishing houses. Tons of new-to-me authors listed and books I’ve never even heard of.

So, while all that is exciting, I’ve discovered it can be a little be tricky when it comes to sourcing all editions of the books. I’ve noticed that small press books seem to carry hefty price tags in print format for a while now, but some of these were crazy! One 300 page book is $80 in Canada! And a $10 US book is $32 in Canada while another book was $7 here and $40 in the US. All kinds of crazy — so, all this to say pay particular attention to the giveaway options for each Carol Award Finalists title in the coming weeks. They will be listed in bold after the title/author/publishing info statement and will be divided by US, Canada and International.

Tracing Killer Evidence

A string of unsolved kidnappings…a K-9 team out for justice.

Forensic artist Isabella Whitmore narrowly escapes an abduction attempt in the Dakota Badlands, only to find herself targeted by a mysterious assailant. With the help of FBI special agent Liam Barringer and his K-9, Guthrie, Isabella must uncover the identity of her would-be murderer. Is the culprit the elusive kidnapper turned serial killer who’s targeting Isabella because she matches his victim profile? Or has her secret past finally caught up with her? As the attacks escalate, Isabella and Liam must find the truth and stop the danger before it’s too late.

My Review:

An angsty second chance romance gets off to a rocky start in an intense opening scene that sets the stage for this compelling page-turner. And, mercy, this couple’s back story! There’s lots to unpack and I really felt for Liam – torn between duty and all that emotional turmoil! The suspense is full of plot twists including a few gasp-out-loud moments. Relentless pursuits, desperate attacks and danger at every turn. Makes for a winning combination that is sure to keep avid readers on high alert until the very end!

This is the fifth book in the multi-authored continuity ‘Dakota K-9 Unit’ series and things are heating up with the over-arcing suspense plot which is really exciting. We still have three more books to go before that case will be solved though. I’m so impatient! No worries if you aren’t current with this series, each book reads well as a standalone with a unique romance and suspense plot that are both resolved by the end. And the authors do a great job of catching readers up on team antics and investigations so you won’t feel lost jumping in here.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Tracing Killer Evidence’ and really enjoyed Cindy Kay’s narration. She did a great job conveying all the emotions and tension in the characters and plot. So happy that Love Inspired Suspense is making some of their books available in audio format now!

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

Holly’s Homecoming + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

A Christmastime Novella of Restoration and Sweet Romance

It’s the end of 1897 and Christmas approaches. It’s been years since Holly Moore has seen her father, a well-known lumber baron, but she has heard he’s come back home to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Having lived with her aunt and uncle since the age of ten, Holly holds mixed feelings about seeing the man who once abandoned her.

When the opportunity comes for Holly to slip into the household of Grapevine Lodge—her childhood home and the seat of the Moore Lumber fortune—virtually unnoticed, she takes it.

While at Grapevine Lodge, Holly encounters Matthew Peterson, the son of a business associate of her father’s. She quickly develops a friendship with Matthew, but when she finds out just who he really is and what he’s come to the lodge for, Holly questions their relationship.

Will Holly’s father recognize her? Can she move past all that has kept her and her father apart and finally be able to truly come home? Can Holly keep her feelings for Matthew and still step into her role as the heiress to a lumber fortune?

Find out in this short and sweet, Christmas-themed novella with a surprise twist. Readers of Christian historical fiction, Christian or clean romance, and Christmas fiction will experience a heart-warming story of all that makes Christmastime magical.

My Review:

published in 2021

A heartwarming Christmas story featuring reconciliation and romance.

Holly is on a quest to discover more about her estranged father and a past she doesn’t understand. Love the atmospheric setting and the unexpected way Holly’s arrival at Grapevine Lodge gets turned around, giving her an opportunity to seek answers through stealthy means rather than confrontational ones.

The author’s storytelling style sets the tone beautifully. A little bit haunting, a wee bit mysterious and very intriguing. I felt for Holly and her desire to know the truth…even if she isn’t prepared for it! The gentle romance brings a sweet reprieve to her inner turmoil. And the frosty ambience of a house left neglected for much too long is the perfect setting for a story that is as much about forgiveness and mercy as it is about love.

This is the first book in the‘Botanical Seasons Novellas‘ collection as well as the first book I’ve read by Jenny Knipfer and I definitely intend to continue with this series and this author . I’m extremely excited over her new ‘Retold Fairy Tales’ series she has releasing this year. Eeeeeppp!

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 Holly’s Homecoming, 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 July 12 2025.

The Soldier’s K-9 Companion + Giveaway

The chance to finally heal…with the help of a four-legged friend.

Struggling with PTSD, retired Navy SEAL Luke Adams hopes getting a service dog will help him finally get his life back. Fortunately, his best friend’s sister, Destiny Johnson, runs a K-9 farm where she trains service dogs. When Destiny pairs him up with an Alaskan husky named Java and teaches him how to bond with the sweet pup, he realizes that he and Destiny have more in common than he thought. With their friendship growing into something deeper, can a dedicated K-9 help them both face their trauma…and come out stronger together?

My Review:

An intensely emotional, hope-fuelled story that gave me all the feels. With dogs. Can it get any better than that?

The author tackles some serious subject matter through both Luke’s and Destiny’s backstories, but she does so with grace and compassion. So appreciate this realistic view of life after severe trauma and the ensuing struggles to overcome.

The friends-to-more trope plays out to perfection after a rocky start. Great dynamics between Luke and Destiny but, oy, the complications! I could really relate to the way they both held back even though the reader in me was screaming at them to just open up already! Love getting that emotionally invested in a fictional romance!

Calhoune knows how to bring depth and authenticity to her characters and that includes the secondary ones. So, add in the kind of friends who won’t let you go it alone, along with an epic small town atmosphere and you have the perfect recipe for a romance that triumphs despite impossible odds.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘The Solider’s K-9 Companion’ and thoroughly enjoyed Aure Nash’s narration. Her beautifully modulated voice was a pleasure to listen to and I love the way she breathed life into these characters. A brilliant listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Soldier’s K-9 Companion, 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 July 12 2025

Fire Mountain + Giveaway

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she’s suddenly in possession of someone’s baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he’s the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn’t want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he’s in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby’s missing mother–all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

Experience the explosive start to this nail-biting series from USA Today bestselling author Dana Mentink!

My Review:

Well now. I’m flabbergasted. And gobsmacked. And pretty much unable to create a cohesive sentence, let alone a whole review! But I’m gonna try!

This is Dana Mentink storytelling on steroids! All that familiar charm and humour cloaked in extreme wilderness survival and intense danger. Labeling ‘Fire Mountain‘ a page-turner doesn’t come near to doing it justice. Spellbinding. Riveting. Unique. So many gasp-out-loud moments! And every time we got some breathing space I couldn’t relax for fear of what was looming on the horizon. And all those action scenes are written in wonderful, taut detail guaranteed to raise a reader’s blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Cullen and Kit make such an ornery pair. They both have grit and determination and a whole lot of attitude. Loved their sniping and banter. Two lost souls struggling to find their way in an impossible situation. And the sarcasm and dry humour! Even in the direst situations. And the scenes with the baby — equal parts hilarious and tender (and raised Cullen clear up to the top of my swonnability meter! Thud!)

Am I making any sense? Likely not. Let’s just say that this one goes beyond unputdownable and into the realm of inescapable reader immersion. This story grabs hold and doesn’t let go so clear your calendar and be prepared for a marathon read…

Or listen. Emily Durante does a magnificent job relaying the push/pull of Kit and Cullen’s relationship and the edginess of their situation. Made for a compelling listening experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Fire Mountain, 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 July 12 2025

2025 Carol Award Finalists – Romance + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2025 finalists are books published in 2024. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

Carol Award Winners will be announced on September 6 2025 at the ACFW Gala in Springfield, Missouri (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2025 —Romance Category you would like to receive. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy.

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.

A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Revell – Editor: Andrea Doering – Giveaway options: US: choice of paperback or ebook, Canada: choice of ebook or audible edition, International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients’ physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok’s world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.

A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.

My Review: https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/02/28/a-healing-touch/

The Heart of Sugarcreek by Serena B. Miller – Indie – Editor: Brenda Kallner – Giveaway options: US: ebook Canada: choice of paperback or ebook. International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

In the heart of Sugarcreek, Ohio, as an icy blizzard bears down on the rural community, four unlikely strangers seek refuge at Lydia Troyer’s Amish Inn on Christmas Eve.

As they spend a makeshift Christmas together, secrets unravel, hearts are laid bare, and the unyielding power of love begins to work its magic, weaving a tapestry of redemption and renewal that will forever alter their lives.

“The Heart of Sugarcreek” is a tale of loss and longing, forgiveness and faith, where the unlikeliest of companions find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and second chances in the enchanting embrace of Sugarcreek’s winter wonderland.

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner – Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins) – Editors: Leslie Peterson and Laura Wheeler – Giveaway options: US: paperback or ebook, Canada: paperback or ebook or audible, International: ebook with a US Kindle account.

Cole and Laila have been inseparable since they could crawl. And they’ve never thought about each other that way. Except for when they have. Rarely. Once in a while, sure. But seriously . . . hardly ever.

Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet have been best friends their entire lives. Cole is the only person (apart from blood relatives) who’s seen Laila in her oversized, pink, plastic, Sophia Loren glasses. Laila is always the first person to taste test any new dish Cole creates in his family’s restaurant . . . even though she has the refined palate of a kindergartener. Most importantly, Cole and Laila are always talking. About everything.

When Cole discovers a betrayal from his recently deceased grandfather that shatters his world, staying in Adelaide Springs, Colorado, is suddenly unfathomable. But Laila loves her life in their small mountain town and can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. She loves serving customers who tip her with a dozen fresh eggs. She loves living within walking distance of all her favorite people. And she’s very much not okay with the idea of not being able to walk to her very favorite person.

Still, when Cole toys with moving across the country to New York City, she decides to support her best friend–even as she secretly hopes she can convince him to stay home. And not just for his killer chocolate chip pancakes. Because she loves him. As a friend. Just as a friend. Right?

They make a deal: Laila won’t beg him to stay, and Cole won’t try to convince her to come with him. They have one week in New York before their lives change forever, and all they have to do is enjoy their time together and pretend none of this is happening. But it’s tough to ignore the very inconvenient feelings blooming out of nowhere. In both of them. And these potentially friendship-destroying feelings, once out in the open, have absolutely no take-backs.

If When Harry Met Sally had a quippy literary love child with Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai, you’d get Cole and Laila. Just . . . don’t tell them that.

My Review: https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/06/04/cole-and-laila-are-just-friends-giveaway/

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 12 2025. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.

Conversations with Kav – Indie Summer Releases + Giveaway

I got to thinking that in all the Reader Choice Week flurry we don’t spend a lot of time looking at indie books. A few were mentioned last week, most by hybrid authors like Laura Frantz and Jody Hedlund, but I knew there must be more out there so I went on the hunt and came up with a few that caught my fancy. I’ve shared them below and I thought it would fun if today’s conversation could be about Indie Summer Releases – books releasing in July or August. Mention as many as you like, but highlight one that you would like to win in the giveaway. If your name is drawn, that will be the book you will receive.

The Start of my Indie Summer Reading List

Riding By Faith (Iron Grace Brotherhood #1) by Susan Lyda – motorcycle club of redeemed men who have a ministry to help people. Strong found family vibes. Sounds really different. Has anyone read this author before? Release Date: July 4

It’s been an age since I’ve read anything by Myra Johnson so this one caught my eye. A rancher and a widow with a young son, looks like the meet-cute is a rescue situation which always draws me in and leaves me in a puddle of swoons! Some complicated family dynamics too. Release Date: July 7

Jo Grafford’s name has come up a number of times in Bingo entries (looking at you, Tracey!) so this one caught my eye. Plus, the tagline says: “A cowboy allows a friend to arm-twist him into serving as a bodyguard to a princess in hiding.” Count me intrigued!

I have heard of Amy R. Anguish but I have never read any of her books…yet. This one is a Cinderella retelling, first in a new series and it has some clever twists. The heroine is an aspiring artist, her stepsister steals one of her drawings and passes it off as her own. The ball is replaced by a contest at an art gallery and the hero is the owner of the gallery and his last name is Prince. Right now it’s only listed as ebook but I’m hoping it will release in paperback as well. Release Date: July 22

The summer is the perfect time for a rom/com and this one looks fun. I’ve read Nicole Lam’s Love Inspired novel but haven’t tried any of her indie books. This one is a best friends to more trope which I love. The heroine makes a perfect boyfriend list and then sets about looking for The One while her best friend eggs her on with a dare. If she doesn’t find the guy in two month, she has to be his date to his sister’s wedding. Release Date: August 8

I got really excited when I found this one because I’ve read the first two books in this series and somehow lost track of it. And it’s set In Prince Edward Island! This one features a fake dating trope which is always fun. Can’t wait to see what the author does with it. Release Date: August 25

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Your turn! Are you anticipating an Indie Releases in July or August – Christian Fiction or Closed Door only please! Share some titles in a comment and indicate which one you would like to win if your name is drawn.

Giveaway Options: Canada and US: Paperback or ebook, International: ebook with a US Amazon kindle account.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 12 2005

July Giveaway – Week One

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Sunday

monday

2025 Carol Award Finalists – (Romance) I can’t believe it’s that time already but the finalists were just announced this week and the winners in each category will be announced on September 6 at the ACFW Conference Gala. Soooo exciting. This year especially because 40% of the finalists are indie authors! And most of the rest are from small publishing houses. Tons of new-to-me authors listed and books I’ve never even heard of.

For Duck’s Sake

Donna Andrews returns with her latest charming addition to the bestselling Meg Langslow mystery series.

Meg is in the backyard of the house her brother Rob, Delaney, and their new baby have moved into, supervising some workmen who are using a bulldozer to start digging out a duck pond. She wants to get away from her own house, which has become the staging site for Caerphilly’s first Mutt March, which will be held the next day. Meg thinks it will be more peaceful at Rob’s house–and it is until the bulldozers uncover a skeleton whose skull has a hole and a bullet rattling around inside.

Meanwhile, Chief Burke begins searching the police records to see if he can identify any missing persons who would fit the bill. He doesn’t turn down Meg’s offer to help with his identification efforts, and she begins looking in the library and talking to old-timers. She’s all the more eager to help because Iris Rafferty, who sold the house to Rob and Delaney and still lives in the mother-in-law suite, disappears the morning after the finding of the body… does her disappearance have anything to do with finding the body? Was it voluntary? Or was she kidnapped–possibly by the prowlers who are spotted lurking around the half-finished duck pond at night? Or do the prowlers have sinister designs on one or more of the dogs who will be marching in the parade?

Written with her classic cozy and investigative style, Donna Andrews is sure to delight in the latest in her Meg Langslow mystery series.

My Review:

Classic Donna Andrews brilliance! Full to brimming with characters who are charming and humorous and even exasperating! All backed by the cozy small town ambiance that has made Caerphilly my absolute favourite fictional setting ever! In fact, I reread (well, re-listen) to the whole series every year and each book is just as memorable and captivating as the first time I read it. This 37th Meg Langslow instalment is a perfect example of why.

Madcap mayhem and town hijinks, in this case the altruistic Mutt March’s bid to rehome countless numbers of dogs…who all need costumes for the parade. Of course. It’s absolute chaos at Meg’s house so she sets off on the relatively blissful pursuit of a cold case murder. What could go wrong? If Donna Andrews is writing the story, plenty! Bwahahaha!

I’m still giddy and grinning over all the shenanigans and plot twists galore. Still thrilling over getting to spend time with characters who have become as dear to me as my own family. I love watching the twins grow up while key older characters remain eternally ageless because they are so integral to the series – a bit of fictional magic that makes me so, so happy!

And the ultimate thrill is listening to Bernadette Dunne’s narration. Her performances highlight these characters perfectly and I get the feeling that she is relishing the story just as much as I am. Love the connection that brings to my listening experience. Highly recommend the audio editions for the entire series!

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