Kav's Best Reads

Threat of Revenge + Giveaway

A vendetta from the past puts a K-9 team in the crosshairs.

Following an anonymous tip about a gun-trafficking ring, patrol officer Jenna Morrow arrives in small-town North Dakota—and narrowly escapes the bomb that detonates in her car. Rescued by rancher Clay Miller, Jenna and her K-9 partner, Augie, take refuge at his remote property to continue her investigation. But even when she’s under Clay’s protection, an unknown assailant continues to threaten Jenna, making it clear someone wants her dead…and it’s personal. As the killer closes in, Jenna and Clay must unmask an attacker who won’t stop until a long-awaited revenge is complete…

My Review:

I’m not brave enough to read Jessica R. Patch’s thrillers but I do love these Love Inspired Suspense novels! The toned down edginess is just right for me, though I will admit to nearly hyperventilating during one scene! Just happens that one of my phobias matches with one of Jenna’s so we were both experiencing all the big feels only she had Clay to comfort her and I was all on my lonesome. So not fair!

Lots of action and danger! Lots!!! Along with a complicated relationship between two stubborn people who are wary of love and commitment which heaps on even more pressure as Jenna and Clay dodge bullets and try to stay alive! The kind of suspense that keeps you turning pages (or in my case, avidly listening) until everything gets sorted.

Loved the K-9 bits. Augie is an endearing mix of Kujo and Lassie and Patch writes the human/dog relationship with authority. Me thinks she is a dog lover and I love the authenticity that brings to the K-9 dynamics.

This is the sixth novel in the ‘Dakota K-9 Unit’ continuity series but reads really well as a standalone (has it’s own unique suspense plot) though I am getting anxious for the final resolution of the over-arcing gun-trafficking plot. We’re getting close, just two books away. And I enjoyed getting glimpses of the whole team working together.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Threat of Revenge’ narrated by Courtney Patterson. She is becoming a familiar voice in my listening experiences and I really enjoy her storytelling style. Definitely adds to my ‘reading’ enjoyment.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy 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 Perilous Tides, 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 August 9 2025

The Lost Girl of Astor Street + Giveaway

random retro reread

To most people, Piper Sail looks like a rich girl with little potential, but she surprises everyone, including herself, when she starts investigating her best friend’s disappearance. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson, The Lost Girl of Astor Street combines the allure of Jazz Age Chicago with a twisting mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Lydia has vanished. Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said goodbye.

Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation into Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper searches for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago. Did Lydia get abducted by one of the city’s most notorious gangsters? Or does the trail lead back to their own affluent neighborhood?

Piper must decide if she’s willing to risk her life to find out the truth.

My Review:

published in 2017

I read this book when it first came out and loooovvved it sooooo much! Was so hopeful for a long running series but then…nothing. For years. So imagine my extreme bibliophile ecstasy when I discovered that not only did the publisher reissue the book with a swanky new cover, but they also included a new audio edition and there’s a second book now as well. Eeeeeeeepppp! I can’t even….

—

Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars in this astounding Young Adult Mystery that can certainly be enjoyed by readers who have passed their teen years.

Love the mix of historical (roaring twenties in Chicago) and mystery. And I’m actually surprising myself by saying I also loved the first person, present tense point of view which is usually my least favourite POV. But it works here, catapulting the reader into Piper’s heart and mind as she navigates a complicated web of intrigue and secrets.

I love her spunk! And her fierce loyalty and dogged determination. She just doesn’t quit, much to the exasperation (and reluctant admiration) of a certain young police detective. But Piper’s stubbornness leads to danger as she exposes secrets and follows clues that lead her into the seedy side of town. And if the heart-stopping suspense doesn’t keep you frantically turning pages, the sweet romance certainly will. Praying this is the first of many cases for this new, intrepid female detective.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Megan Trout’s compelling narration. She did these characters justice – especially our indomitable heroine!

My thanks to HarperCollins Focus / Blink 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 Lost Girl of Astor Street, 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 August 9 2025.

Carol Award Finalist – Young Adult + 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 —Young Adult 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.

Young Adult Fiction Finalists

The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes – Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media) – Editor: Rebecca Reynolds – Giveaway options: US: print or ebook, Canada: ebook or audible, International: ebook with US Kindle account.

Some viruses go after the body. But the Nightmare Virus goes after the mind.

When dream technology goes wrong, a virus spreads across the globe, trapping people in a universal dreamscape. They call it the Nightmare Virus.

Cain Cross is determined to find a cure . . . if he can decipher his brother’s chicken-scratch formula notes. But when he gets infected, he has only 22 days until he’s trapped in the mental prison forever. Now, every time he falls asleep, he must fight in a Nightmare Arena until he earns his freedom to live in the “new world” that exists only in the mind.

Then he finds a way to manipulate the Nightmare–to change it by mere thought.

Forced to navigate a world of nightbeasts, mistblades, and half-truths, Cain turns his focus to survival. When the Emperor offers him a LifeSuPod–and access to a cure–in exchange for a dangerous favor, Cain thinks he’s found a way out. But Cain’s new power threatens to take him on paths that jeopardize his very soul.

Will he continue searching for a cure, or will he swear allegiance to the Nightmare? And the bigger question might be . . . will he even have a choice?

Rift by Steven James – Sky Turtle Nova (Oasis Family Media) – Editor: Rebecca Reynolds – Giveaway options: US: print or ebook, Canada: print or ebook or audible, International: ebook with US Kindle account.

Some doors were never meant to be opened. Some tales were never meant to be set free. When seventeen-year-old Sahara O’Saughnessy discovers a rift into the realm of lore, the most haunting stories she’s been telling her friends come to life, and she must find a way to stop them before they tear her world apart. RIFT explores loss, longing, and courage with spine-chilling suspense. Set within the Appalachian Mountains, it walks the boundaries between the known and the unknown.

Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs – Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media) – Editors: Sarah Grimm and Lisa Laube – Giveaway options: US: ebook, Canada: ebook or audible, International: ebook with US Amazon account.

They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night

Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.

The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.

When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.”

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 9 2025. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.

Conversations With Kav – Net Galley query, Hello August + Giveaway

First: the Net Galley Question:

I’m pretty new to Net Galley but I know that we’re supposed to read and review fairly quickly. At least 80% feedback being the goal. I’m always about 98% or more because, a) I’m a keener and b) I only review audio books in the Christian Fiction and Cozy Mystery genres. So, up until this summer it was easy to keep on top of things. Easy for me to listen and review efficiently. Usually the only lag time was because I had to wait for an opening for a blog post so it might be two weeks from the time I downloaded the book and then posted my reviews.

BUT everything changed the last week in July when I got approved for 10 books in quick succession. Ack, the organized bookish nerd in me had a mild panic attack. I don’t know which is more anxiety inducing – looking at my ‘start reading’ list or my ‘give feedback’ list. And some of the books don’t even release until October! So, I have questions, and you NG experts will hopefully have answers.

How soon are you supposed to review books with release dates several months away? Review immediately where you can and add online retailer reviews on the release date? Or do you wait until closer to the release date? You can tell from last week and this coming week that I opted to review right away because…that ominous ‘start reading’ list had me hyperventilating! 🙂
How promptly do you read and review Net Galley books? I tend to read them within a week but with ten books approved in two days that just wasn’t possible so I’m kinda panicking.

Which brings me to the reason we’re celebrating ‘Hello August’ on a Sunday. Literally every book I review this week (except for our Carol Awards day) is a Net Galley book. And I’ll still have two books left to carry over into the following week! Ack! So I decided to squeeze in our ‘Hello August’ here…I mean, it’s kinda conversational since we’ll be talking about what new releases we’re most excited about, right? For me it’s ‘Final Approach’ by Lynette Eason. I have that one preordered on Audible. Eeeppp! So excited! Anyway…

It’s Time for Hello August!

Why?

Because I recently discovered that a book’s success or failure is often determined by first month sales! (Though I bet preorders play into that as well.) Publishing houses look at those stats to determine whether they’ll add on to a series or accept the author’s next manuscript! All that literary goodness hanging in the balance but for a month’s worth of sales! (This was a cozy mystery author, but I imagine all traditional publishers use the same ‘system’.) So, I thought I should do my wee little bit to promote Christian Fiction.

How?

By hosting a special “Hello — insert month” giveaway. It’s easy to play along. You just have to choose one of the August 2025 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca.) If your name is drawn, that July release is the book you will win and we’re one book count closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE TO:

ebook for anyone anywhere who has an Amazon.com kindle account

US – paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice

Canada -paperback or ebook (in form of an Amazon gift card) or audible.ca audio book (if available) – winner’s choice

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 9 2025.

August Giveaway – Week One

LATE BREAKING NEWS! MY TOMATOES ARE TURNING RED!!!! I was in such a tizzy of joy I forgot to post the winners today! Oops. Spent most of it in the garden weeding and deadheading and cutting back – trying to get as much work done as I can before the next heatwave hits tomorrow.

won by Connie Saunders

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 – (Young Adult) 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.

Icing on the Murder

Influencer-turned-bakery-owner Maddy Montgomery has sold plenty of wedding cakes before, but before she turns one out for her and her fiancé’s wedding, she’ll have to solve a little case of murder . . .

Aunt Octavia would be so proud! Maddy has turned Baby Cakes Bakery—named for her 250-pound English Mastiff, Baby—into a runaway success, and she’s marrying the love of her life, veterinarian Michael Portman. #DreamWedding! Plus the timing couldn’t be the country’s biggest bridal expo has come to New Bison, Michigan, and Maddy has secured a spot for Baby Cakes to showcase their cakes. She’s also entered a contest for an all-expenses-paid wedding extravaganza offered by world-renowned wedding planner Serafina.

Unfortunately, supremely nasty Serafina truly takes the cake—she makes the worst bridezilla seem like a shy flower girl. But there’s one thing the wedding planner didn’t plan on—being impaled by one of the skewers Baby Cakes uses on their tiered wedding cakes.

While Maid of Honor Sheriff April Johnson rounds up suspects at the expo, Maddy and her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars, and even Baby join forces to unveil a killer hiding in plain sight . . . before wedding bells start to chime.

My Review:

I love everything about this series from the appealing covers to the pun-y titles and all the characters, especially English Mastiff Baby Cakes, Maddy’s drool worthy sidekick! And, honestly, when I started in on the first book, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to connect with a twenty-something social media influencer but Maddy won me over with her sass and heart. Even if she likes to throw in the occasional hashtag now and then. In fact just call me a #BakerStreetMysteryFan!

Burns knows how to keep a reader engaged with her carefully (and diabolically) crafted mysteries and winning characters. One of the things I have come to appreciate about this series is the tremendous character growth we see in Maddy and that is really highlighted in this fourth book. I found her struggles with insecurity achingly honest. And the way Michael supports her is totally swoonworthy! The romantic elements are divine, and fitting since it’s their engagement story. They just have to solve a pesky murder before their wedding plans can really get underway. And that means the Baker Street Irregulars are on the case!

A lovely blend of cozy and mystery with just enough light romance to keep my heart atwitter. Absolute cozy perfection as far as I’m concerned. Praying there are many more Baker Street Mysteries in my reading future!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Icing on the Murder’ narrated by Jasmin Walker who did an incredible job bringing all these characters to life with distinctive voices to match their personalities. Such a pleasure to listen to her performance. The audio books are definitely the way to go for this cozy mystery series.

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

Sense and Suitability + Giveaway

In this clean Regency rom-com, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love—until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong? Perfect for fans of Tessa Dare and Eloisa James looking for a low-spice, witty Regency romance.

After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she’d found her perfect match in Simon Reeves–charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel—until he vanished from her life without so much as a “farewell” or “my deepest regrets” (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson never fall for a man known for his charm.

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband–because she’s already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them?

But fate—or the misfortune of Simon’s reckless patriarchs—has other plans. Simon’s once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend.

Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She’ll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic—no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be.

There’s just one small the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she’s still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories–especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones–are worthy of a rewrite?

Filled with lively banter, adorable children, a frog named Blast, and swoony kisses, Sense and Suitability is the clean Regency romance you’ve been looking for. Basham brings her signature humor to the Regency era where social strictures keep the tension tight but the stakes low in this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance.

My Review:

Swoonaliciously delightful!!!! Pepper Basham’s versatility as an author astounds me. She does justice to her first foray into the Regency Romance genre and, while I’m not surprised, (she is a fave author for a reason, after all) I am sooooooo impressed! And, mercy, but let Pepper’s bantering talent loose in a Regency drawing room and….blissfully bookish swoons abound. Fainting couches are a must to get through this book unscathed!

The author’s signature humour shines throughout this story. So many laugh out loud moments! Often courtesy of a trio of unruly children, especially the youngest imp and her special frog friend. H-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.

And the second chance, enemies to more romantic tropes are played out to perfection. Lots of lovely tension and emotional layers. Along with the agonies of societal expectations of the day thankfully punctuated by some truly memorable toe curling scenes! Thud! I do so enjoy an impossible love story that triumphs in the end.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Sense and Suitability’ (love that pun-y title!) and thoroughly enjoyed the dual narration performed by Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman. The way they delivered all the emotion and humour made for an absolutely brilliant listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOOK DOESN’T RELEASE UNTIL OCTOBER 14 SO THERE WILL BE A BIT OF A WAIT TO CLAIM YOUR WIN!

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 Sense and Suitability, 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 August 3 2025

The French Kitchen + Giveaway

As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, one ex-pat uses the skills she learned in French kitchens during the war to bring long-held secrets to light.

Paris, 1952 — An ex-pat wife living in Paris signs up for a cookery class taught by an American chef with an indomitable wit and decidedly French airs–an instructor by name of Julia Child. Amongst classes of the L’Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, with pots and pans and prim Paris wives learning to sauté in the French way, Kat Fontaine learns much more than she bargained for.

Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, Kat soon finds a simple cookery class unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war and questions about the high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together–and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart–Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . .

Rue, 1943 — Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day–as a French chef at the famous Château du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list–and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter information to agents within the burgeoning OSS, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm–even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.

From the heights of culinary cuisine in 1950s Paris society to the underbelly of a WWII spy network embedded deep within Nazi-controlled Vichy France–and the spy backstory of the world’s most famous would-be French chef, Julia Child–The French Kitchen turns up the heat on the pasts of women whose worlds collide, and forces each to question what she thought she’d planned for a perfect future.

My Review:

I’m always a little gobsmacked and ferhoodled after reading one of Kristy Cambron’s dual timeline novels. How on earth does she manage to weave so many story threads together and keep everything straight? I’m in awe!

The start of the ‘The French Kitchen’ drops us right into the middle of a tense (understatement) resistance fighting scene in 1943 and leaves us hanging at a particularly precarious point. Then we’re whisked away on a breathtaking whirlwind of scenes both before that pivotal moment and then nearly ten years afterwards. Completely riveting and emotionally whiplashing!

Love the inclusion of Julia Child in the 1950s timeline. I haven’t read many novels that explore post-war Europe and I found the complexities of that time in France so fascinating. The author does an amazing job of bringing Paris to vibrant life through rich descriptive storytelling. And she kept me riveted (and my emotions in tatters) all the way to the end. Just…stunning!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and, whoa, her performance elevated my ‘reading’ enjoyment so much! She captured the essence of every character, including accents, while conveying the emotional depth of the story to absolute perfection. Highly recommend giving the audio edition a try.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook copy

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 French Kitchen, 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 August 2 2025

Perilous Tides + Giveaway

Three years after her mother’s suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder–and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother’s death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide to sweep them away before the truth can be revealed.

In this action-packed thriller, USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard serves up a complex plot and the sizzling romance readers have come to expect.

My Review:

The kind of suspense that leaves a reader delightfully muddled and on the edge of her seat right through to the heart pounding conclusion. So many gasp out loud moments with Cole and Jo battling natural elements while evading relentless danger as they try to stay alive long enough to figure out what on earth is going on! And that opening scene! Wowzers! No turning back for me after reading that!

Love that Jo and Cole have a bit of a history. He’s back working on regaining her trust while trying to explain what went awry months ago. Made for some lovely romantic tension that served to amplify the overall edginess of the story that much more. Definitely an inhale in one gulp kind of read!

Also love the way the author worked in a significant faith thread without overwhelming the story or making it feel forced. There are some stunning inspirational tidbits that a reader can carry away with her. I appreciate that so much!

This is the second book in the author’s ‘Hidden Bay’ series and, though it reads perfectly fine as a standalone, I enjoyed having inside Hidden Bay knowledge and seeing more of Hawk and Remi’s (Book #1’s hero and heroine) happily ever after.

As with the first ‘Hidden Bay’ book, I listened to the audible edition, narrated by Chloe Peiffer who did an amazing job conveying the tension and desperation and emotional angst in this story. Would totally recommend the audio book to people who enjoy a good listen as much as they enjoy a good read.

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.

Carol Award Finalists – Speculative + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

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—Speculative 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:

Speculative Finalists

The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger – Blue Ink Press – Editors: Christa Leonheart and Liz Sheth – Giveaway options: US: paperback or ebook, Canada: paperback or ebook, International: ebook with US Kindle account.

Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives.

Odette Durand moved to New Orleans for a fresh start. The coffee-addicted local bookshop manager never expected to be pulled into something supernatural and she certainly doesn’t believe in ghosts. But seeing a man no one else can see and hearing music that shouldn’t exist makes a girl question her beliefs–and her sanity.

With a mysterious and somewhat charming Southern gentleman thrown in the mix, Odette finds herself entangled in a century-old rivalry bound by a curse. If she’s the only one who can see Bastian, is she also the only one who can break whatever is keeping him stuck in the realm between the living and the dead? As Odette and Bastian navigate the shadows of Bastian’s past, they must grapple with the ultimate question: Will breaking the curse give Bastian his life back or take it away forever?

Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant – Quill & Flame Publishing House – Editor: Meghan Kleinschmidt – Giveaway Options: US and Canada: ebook, International: ebook with US Kindle account.

The coveted Shadowstone is finally his. But what will it cost him?

Empowered by his new role as Shadowman, Mason Grey has strengthened his resolve against the Steward Army and the prince he has sworn to kill. But his heart is torn between justice for his brother and desire for the girl who stands with his enemy. Determined to bridge the gap, he risks everything he’s worked for to try to win her over to his side.

Convinced there is still good in him, Seria Gayle makes up her mind to point Mason to the truth, even if it means betraying the Stewards she has befriended. When the dark Emperor Jader turns his sights on the Gateway between his realm and theirs, Seria makes a bold decision that takes her far from home and into enemy territory. But standing between light and darkness comes with a price, and she fears the cost for Mason’s salvation may be too high to pay.

As tensions heat up on both sides of the Gateway, Mason is given a challenging assignment that will strengthen his master’s army for years to come-but it could mean losing Seria forever. To make matters worse, his abilities as a Reader begin spiraling out of control. Will this mission of vengeance bring him the closure he needs…or destroy him from the inside out?

Drawn by Light by John W. Otte – Indie – Editor: Megan Gerig – Giveaway Options: US and Canada: ebook, International: ebook with US Kindle account.

Can they reunite to save everything they know?

After a staggering betrayal that felled her husband and captured his throne, Queen Everys retreated to the Cold Light Forest. She thought she’d be able to regroup and face her enemies–the invading Dalark Imperium and now King Brencis, who stole her husband’s crown. But the return of an ancient evil reveals what’s truly at stake. Everys is determined to overcome these challenges for both her kingdom and her Siporan people. But alongside these threats, the temptations of her power have never been so strong, and her grief and fear are suffocating after the loss of her husband.

Except Narius is still alive, hidden within the Dalark Imperium. His rescuers want his help with an audacious plan, one that could bring about peace between the Imperium and Narius’s Dynasty. But doing so would mean he can’t have the one thing he wants: Everys, safe in his arms.

Long-held secrets, old animosities, and difficult realizations threaten to reshape everything they know. If they want to stop their enemies, they’ll have to risk everything. To whatever end, between the power of Everys’s magic and Narius’s faithful determination, the Dynasty will never be the same.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 2 2025. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.