Kav's Best Reads

A Weary World Rejoices + Giveaway

With nothing going as planned, will Christmas be a complete disaster this year?

The people in these stories are tired, weighed down by the struggles and cares of life. In the midst of their challenging situations, each receives an unexpected letter.

❅ The Christmas Kiss – Stacy Monson
❅ Unremarkable Sue – Eleanor Bertin
❅ Love, Christmas – Johnnie Alexander
❅ Gifting Christmas – Angela D. Meyer
❅ The Back Door Christmas Tour Company – Sara Davison

Songs like “O Holy Night” are filling the airwaves and promising hope for a weary world, but what will it take for the men and women in these stories to experience true joy this Christmas?

A Weary World Rejoices is a collection of five stories about discovering joy in the midst of life’s challenges—at Christmas and every day of the year.

My Review:

An eclectic collection of short stories and novellas that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Each story focuses on discovering love, generosity and hope in the midst of troubles during the holiday season.

The Christmas Kiss by Stacy Monson – Warning: chocolate cravings guaranteed if you read this story! Piper’s new chocolate shop is a bustling success, until disaster strikes and threatens her business. Property manager Finn is eager to come to her rescue and a sweet, awkward, hesitant romance begins to blossom.

Uremarkable Sue by Eleanor Bertin – A short story featuring a young woman who is often overlooked as she quietly serves others until her true worth is finally recognized.

Love, Christmas by Johnnie Alexander – Another short story that illustrates the beauty of giving. A grieving widow plays secret Santa to a struggling college student and the mystery gift giving snowballs through the town.

Gifting Christmas by Angela D. Meyer – Weary innkeepers who have closed their inn for the holidays (and a much deserved rest) welcome in a diverse mix of stranded travellers in the middle of a snowstorm. Chaos ensues and everyone one very nearly misses out on the spirit of Christmas!

The Back Door Christmas Tour Company by Sara Davison – Christmas in Tahiti! This novella has a mysterious air, an almost magical (supernatural) element which set the mood beautifully. A group of strangers are gathered together to create a memorable Christmas holiday that somehow meets all their varied needs. It features a significant inspirational thread that is seamlessly woven throughout the story and includes a light romance.

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 A Weary World Rejoices, 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 September 20 2025

Conversations with Kav – the Christmas Books that Got Away + Giveaway

It’s not too early for Christmas books, right? I’ve even had my first hot cocoa of the season already so it must be time! And there are so many Christmas books I missed out on last year and the year before and the year before that and…

The Conversation

So, I thought it would be fun to find out what Christmas books slipped past you in years gone by. Or are you even a Christmas fiction reader at all? And, if you are, how early in the season do you start reading Christmas stories?

I can read Christmas books any time of the year. Like, if I’m working my way through a cozy mystery series and a holiday book comes up I’ll happily read it even if it’s April. But I seriously start craving Christmas fiction once the weather starts getting cooler, so, mid September up here. And then I’ll read them all the way through to Christmas. I know that sounds way too early for some, but I want to give enough time for Christmas book giveaways to reach winners in time to be enjoyed during the holiday season. BUT it’s highly unlikely that I’ll read a Christmas book in January or February…I’ve reached my saturation point by then and I need a break! 🙂

The Giveaway

Share your thoughts about Christmas reading in a comment and include the title of a CHRISTIAN FICTION or CLOSED DOOR Christmas book that has evaded you so far that you would like to win. Books must already be published. If your name is drawn, then you will be one Christmas book closer to your Season’s Readings goals!

US winner will have a choice between paperback or ebook .

Canadian winner will have a choice between paperback, ebook or audible (where available).

International winner – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 20 2025.

September Giveaway – Week Two

Quick question before we get to the winners: Have you noticed your reviews disappearing on Good Reads? I keep stumbling across books I know I’ve read and positive I reviewed but GR says otherwise. Just noticed a Net Galley book review I posted recently wasn’t there and yet, when I checked my ‘feedback sent shelf,’ on NG there’s a GR reads link so obviously the review was up for a time. I’m so confused. And does this mean my number of books read is skewed now? Ack!

Okay, back to the business of the day:

won by Sarah

won by Angie Adams

won by Mark

won by Nora St. Laurent

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!

A Murder Most Fowl

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. Relying on their assistant-turned-friend Rylie for help, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.

My Review:

So much to love about this new cozy mystery series! The food truck theme is a stroke of genius and, in this first book, Beth has entered them in a cooking competition for a new food truck reality show which brought a whole lot of likely suspects into our sphere once the murder happens. I had a lot of fun armchair sleuthing right along with Beth and Rylie (and a reluctant Seth.)

Of course there’s the classic handsome detective who might just become a love interest for Beth, plus a secondary romance for her bestie Rylie which makes my romantical heart so, so happy. The mystery is well plotted with clever twists and turns and even a few gasp out loud moments. Beth is impulsive and tends to speak first, think later, which gets her into some interesting situations. Let’s just say she’s not the most subtle amateur sleuth out there! And I loved the twin dynamics – lots of sibling bickering and teasing while stoic best friend, Rylie tries to stay neutral.

The author has achieved a wonderful balance between cozy and mystery and it’s all delivered with her special brand of humour that included more than a few laugh out loud moments for me.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘A Murder Most Fowl’ narrated by Tina Wolstencroft. She did a brilliant job delivering the snappy dialogue for a variety of characters and her comedic delivery was spot on too which really added to my listening enjoyment.

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

Stealing Magnolias : Love is Always in Bloom in Magnolia Bluff + Giveaway

When Wren Frazier heads south to honor her grandmother’s final wish, she finds five unexpected challenges, one grumpy (but handsome) neighbor, and maybe—herself.

Although an artist, Wren packed away her brushes and paints and sought a practical career as an interior designer in Chicago. She’s always put herself last, happy to please everyone around her. But with a team of dedicated co-workers and a small town of quirky characters supporting her, she’s forced to give herself a little attention. As her artistic heart starts to awaken, Wren finds herself rediscovering the joy of creation and living authentically.

But while she’s exploring the enchanting Georgia Low Country, creating beautiful paintings, and taking a chance on love, she uncovers a secret that shakes the foundation of her newfound happiness. With the revelation threatening to ruin the delicate balance Wren has only begun to realize, will she give up her fairytale and return to her reality?

Book 1 in the Magnolia Bluff series. Love is always blooming at Magnolia Bluff

My Review:

Eeeeeppp!!!! I’ve just discovered a new favourite author and this is her debut novel!!!!! I am beyond excited and full on ecstatic because I loved every second of my listening experience. Yes, another audio book for me! Narrator Julie Rogers is the perfect voice for Wren and the way she captures a certain gentleman’s swoony drawl is divine! Happy sigh. I devoured this audiobook and am tempted to start it all over again. Definitely a book I will re-read (re-listen) in the future.

And colour me surprised because there’s actually a love triangle involved in this rom/com with a whole lot of heart! That I loved every second of this story despite the dreaded LT is a testament to the author’s storytelling prowess. It helps that it’s clear practically from the start just who Wren’s happily ever is going to be with…if she doesn’t mess things up! So, low level angst on that score, just enough to make a sensitive reader squirm. 🙂

Love the Georgia setting! This story is infused with Southern charm despite the questionable introduction to our brooding reclusive hero. He’s harbouring a pretty big secret and has reasons for being cautious but Wren’s pretty impossible to resist so…prepare for slow burn friends to more until the fireworks explode off the page!

I enjoyed Wren’s interior design occupation and all the Designing Women references were fun too. But I was especially drawn to her long buried artist side that gets resurrected during her time in Georgia. And that’s thanks to her Grandma’s quirky inheritance game.

Loved, loved, loved those challenges and the way they helped Wren find herself again after spending years trying to be the person everyone else expected her to be. Her family is a little…over the top and opinionated and I wanted to throttle her mother more than once! Wren’s work trip to Georgia is also a freedom journey of sorts, as she finally come to peace with who she is and how she can still serve God with her unique talents, even if that looks different from her family’s traditional ways.

What a stellar debut novel! A captivating romance brimming with emotion, humour and faith.tfirst in a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

Canada – paperback, 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 Stealing Magnolias, 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 September 13 2025

Sidenote: this is the paperback cover. I much prefer the audio book one, this doesn’t reflect the mood of the story at all but…if you win the paperback, this is what you will received.

Escaping the Wilderness + Giveaway

On the run through the mountains—
with only each other to trust.

Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

My Review:

Carrie Stuart Parks’ ability to create sensational suspense plots is unparalleled. Her second Love Inspired Suspense novel has as much depth and complexity as her longer ones and I am a HUGE fan! This one is a classic page turner (or avid listener, in my case.)

Amanda is tough and sarcastic and sometimes even caustic. Boone is a born protector and epic ‘mountain man’ survivalist. Sparks ignite when these two collide under desperate circumstances…and then the fun really begins (for us readers, anyway.)

Great banter and tons of snappy dialogue heat things up and kept me grinning, even in the midst of danger! There’s plenty of dramatic action to keep a reader totally immersed in the story. The plot twists even have plot twists! And a certain loyal Bernese Mountain dog adds just the right amount of warm fuzzy to soften the story (though Cookie is a fierce protector too!)

I listened to the audio book in one sitting, party because Samantha Desz’s narration is so captivating. She brought an extra edge to Amanda’s snarky sarcasm that was so much fun to listen to. And the emotion she put into the tense actions scenes was incredible. Highly recommend the audio edition of ‘Escaping the Wilderness.’

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

Canada – paperback, 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 Escaping the Wilderness, 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 September 13 2025

Jacob’s Well + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

As newly appointed small-town Sheriff Angus Reid settles into Weyport, it doesn’t take him long to discover just how corrupt his new town is. With a desk full of suspicious open cases and too much to prove, he is determined to rid his town of crime and win the hearts of his people.

But when two teenagers suddenly go missing, it lays bare sinister secrets and emotional ties that threaten to derail his investigation.

And as the case untangles, the secrets buried deep within the coastal borders of the tight-knit community slowly bubble to the surface.

Determined to find justice for the missing boys and their families, he races against the clock to find them. Unbeknownst of the dark forces that rage against him.

Then he gets a call that a body has been found…

If you enjoy suspenseful, twisty secrets and lies mystery novels that are rooted in faith and leave your heart in your throat, you will have a hard time putting down this page-turning Christian mystery and suspense novel.

Get ready to be taken on an emotional journey through a town where it seems everyone has a secret.

My Review:

published in 2023

I have bookish friend Diane to thank for my introduction to new-to-me author Urcelia Teixeira. Friend recommendations are the best, aren’t they? Now here I am at the start of some epic reading because ‘Jacob’s Well’ is the first book in a gripping suspense series and now that I’ve started, I’ve gotta read them all!

The series centres around Angus Reid, who has just accepted a Sheriff position in a town known for its corruption. In fact, the previous Sheriff was crooked. So Angus has a lot of suspicious open cases to work his way through and it seems like half the town is harbouring secrets.

Like young Jake. We meet the teen in the opening chapter and follow him through an overwhelming web of treacherous secrets. Oh, the folly of youth! And then there’s his mother, desperate to do whatever she must to save her boy which involves even more secrets. And that leaves Angus trying to blindly put the pieces together all while under the pressure of searching for two missing teens.

Phew! This was a page turner! I read it in one sitting because there just wasn’t any other choice if I wanted to keep my sanity! I appreciate the way the multiple points of view offered different perspectives and amped up the suspense. As a reader, it was intriguing to know things Angus didn’t. But there were other times that I was just as much in the dark as the Sheriff which added to the drama and intrigue.

The author has a canny way of incorporating faith into the lives of these characters. It’s seamlessly done, never preachy, but sometimes pointed and very thought provoking.

I really enjoyed my first visit to Weyport and am anxious to get back there soon and see what’s in store for Angus next. Plus, there are some secondary characters that I think will be playing an important part in the good Sheriff’s life as he acclimatizes to his new position and the town in general. I can’t wait of find out more!

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 Jacob’s Well, 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 September 13 2025.

A Lesson in Propriety + Giveaway

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she’s inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences–walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors–arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family’s safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

In this entrancing series starter, Turano presents a tale of laugh-out-loud adventure, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age.

My Review:

I always embrace a new Jen Turano book with giddy delight. Her combination of wit and wisdom is so unique. Madcap mayhem from start to finish and the knack she has for writing absurd dialogue that actually (eventually) makes sense is priceless! I always know I’m in for a rollicking good read and ‘A Lesson in Propriety‘ is exactly that.

A jilted heroine whose fortune has been stolen. A benevolent aunt’s gift of a haunted manor. The inkling of a plan to create a finishing school in said manor…after vanquishing the ghosts, of course. Throw in some sinister underworld types who will stop at nothing to obtain her property. Oh, and I mustn’t forget the swoony neighbour always willing to dash to the rescue (as if Drusilla needed rescuing…pfffft!) Mix them all together and, voila, a crafty, hilarious fantastical story is born. Delightfully unputdownable!

I listened to the audible edition of this novel narrated by one of my favourite performers, Tavia Gilbert. She has the perfect voice and energy for the zaniness of Turano’s storytelling.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

Canada – paperback, 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 A Lesson in Propriety 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 September 13 2025

Conversations with Kav – Exposing My TBR

Just a fun little book tag wherein I reveal some hidden truths about my TBR pile(s)

How do you come across books to add to your TBR?

Well, I’m always happy to take suggestions from bookish friends. 🙂 And our Reader’s Choice Week keep my wishlist well-stocked. I’m always finding Instagram a great resource since I get to see what other people are reading and all the announcements for new releases. Plus Closed Door Romance is brimming with new-to-me authors to try out.

Social Media shout out to book tuber, bookstagrammer, blogger etc who adds the most to your TBR.

Narelle Atkins’ YouTube channel. Should have mentioned her in the first question. She reviews one book a week and I find her reviews really helpful and insightful. https://www.youtube.com/@NarelleAtkinsAuthor

Narelle also has a blog where she reviews books and does a weekly ‘Preorder Roundup’ which is a great way to get a look at upcoming releases. https://www.narelleatkins.com/blog/

Book that has been on your TBR the longest.

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem. I don’t know why I’m always passing it by for something else. The Hollywood setting might have something to do with it, even though it’s historical. I’m determined to read it before the year is out!

Most recently added book?

All’s Fair in Love and Blackmail by Gracie Ruth Mitchell. She’s on my read-to-zero list so I best get to it!

Which book will you read next?

Ummm….I just started a book and I usually don’t plan ahead. I just pick whatever I’m in the mood for. I have a feeling it will be Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills. I have it on preorder and it comes out on Tuesday.

Most anticipated book and why you haven’t read it yet?

This seems like a trick question because, logically, the most anticipated book should also be the one I’d read next but….The Best Kept Secrets by Sarah M. Eden. It’s obviously been on my TBR longer than Canyon of Deceit but I’m in a suspense-y mood sooooo…..

Book that you added to your TBR because of the hype?

The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar. I’m scared – it’s biblical fiction!

Book that you added even though you knew you weren’t going to read it?

Ha! Probably The Queen’s Cook!

Any books that you will be removing from your TBR without reading?

You Were Made For This World : Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People. It’s a lovely book – the illustrations are stunning and I’ve read some of the stories/poems but not all of them. It’s more of a coffee table book that I’d pick up and read a story or two from time to time. I borrowed it from the library and there are lots of holds on it so I’m going to return it, though I’ve added it to my ‘for later shelf’ and will definitely check it out again.

How many books are on your TBR?

Oy – counting them up makes me anxious but here we go:

Chirp audio books – 6

Audible audio books – 4

Library books – Christian Fiction – 13

Library books – Cozy Mysteries – 13

Print books I purchased – 5

So, how about you? Feel like exposing some of your TBR secrets with all your book besties? Inquiring minds want to know how many books are on your TBR. I’m kinda hyperventilating at my 41. When you add them all up it makes it seem so daunting!

September Giveaway – Week One

Before we get started on the giveaways we have some Blog Business to cover so, skip to the winners if you must, but then come back and take note of some changes coming up.

Thanks to Perrianne for an update about Baker’s Book House online changes. For some reason I did not get the email announcement but maybe you all did. Just in case you’re in the dark like me, here’s the details: Their website is getting an upgrade which is supposed to provide a ‘smoother shopping experience’ (YAY!) Unfortunately the new interface won’t carry over previous account history (kind of a drag for me) so make sure you save any receipts you still need before September 10th. Preorders will now need to be prepaid at checkout (I like this change – easier for me since I do so many preorders after RCW.) On September 11 when you go to sign in (hopefully the glitch is fixed and all of us can actually sign in!) you’ll get an email with a verification code which you’ll need to enter. As far as I understand, that will only be a one time thing.
Possible changes in giveaway options. Due to tariffs and the US de minimis exemption having been suspended as of August 29th, there’s a chance I won’t be able to continue mailing my gently read books to the states. Right now it’s still duty free for gifts under $100 but my post office has told me everything is still evolving. For now, I can still mail them but – oy – I have to fill out an online duty claim ticket for each item. They’ll no longer do it at the post office. It’s a new system and there were glitches and no one seemed to have any answers (might be just that my phone is too old to work with the app.) Anyway – I managed to mail last week’s wins this morning thanks to a postal worker taking pity on me and inputting my info into her phone in order to get the QR codes necessary, but I won’t be able to do that again. I’m going back to the post office on Monday when a techie guy is going to be there and he might be able to trouble shoot my old phone problem. Anyway, all this to say that it’s more important than ever to take note of what edition the giveaway is available in for your country. It’s always written in red under the Giveaway Opportunity title. Also, remember to make note of the + Giveaway after the blog book review title – that’s the indicator that there will be a giveaway. Also, due to the increasing cost of books including ebooks, there might be fewer giveaways some weeks.

Phew! Now that’s out of the way let’s get on to the super fun stuff!

We have a Best Reads Summer Book Bingo Winner! Woohoo! Thanks to everyone for making this such a success. I was worried there wouldn’t be much interest – who knew there were so many book nerdy kindred spirits out there?! I had so much fun seeing what books everybody was reading over the summer and added quite a few of your reads to my TBR – so thanks for sharing the book love!

We had 14 blackouts and oodles and oodles and oodles of bingos. My brain is still whirling after tallying everything up BUT we have a winner!

Congratulations to:

Bridget – who wins a $25 Baker Book House gift card (though I’m going to wait until September 11 to order it which is when their new and improved website is up and running.)

And now for the usual weekly Giveaway results:

won by Elly Cox