Kav's Best Reads

Hiding the Witness + Giveaway

Rescuing a child makes a killer’s target.

Racing into a burning cabin to search for survivors, firefighter Diana Cameron stumbles upon an unconscious child—and two bodies with bullet wounds. When a sniper targets their narrow escape, Diana has no choice but to team up with bodyguard Chase Mitchell to keep the little girl safe. Uncovering the identity of the murder victims is the only way to find the killer. But as they’re chased by gunmen into the mountain wilderness, can they protect a tiny witness from the unknown…when the truth is more sinister than they imagined?

My Review:

Whoa – what a compelling romantic suspense! I listened to the audio edition, and I have to say that narrator Alexis Vandom’s performance increased my appreciation of the storytelling that much more. The way she delivers the dialogue – especially when Diana and Chase are sniping at each other — just brilliant! She draws out the tension, infuses emotion into these characters and just made the story more engaging for me. Excellent narration.

And the story? Phew! High-octane intrigue from the get go. Excellent pacing. Even though the danger is relentless and Chase and Diana face endless obstacles, the author creates enough breathing space for a believable relationship to develop. And that sweet little girl they are protecting adds a poignant touch to the story. As does the inspirational thread the author has deftly woven throughout – even in the midst of uncertain peril.

I need to read more of Deena Alexander’s novels, including catching up on her backlist because it looks like this book is part of a series featuring Chase’s private security team. (No worries though – it reads well as a standalone.) But I’m intrigued now that I’ve met the whole gang and I need to know all their stories.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hiding the Witness, 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 March 8 2025.

An Overdue Match + Giveaway

If the covers of every romance book ever published hadn’t convinced librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection—even if it’s not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn’t surprise him when the town’s quirky new librarian does the same thing and believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can’t help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline’s secret matchmaking scheme, he’s not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can’t judge a book—or each other—by the cover.

My Review:

‘An Overdue Match’ will definitely make my ‘Top 10 in 2025’ list. It’s funny and flirty but hard-hitting too. I experienced a mash-up of emotions from snort laughing to teary-eyed and everything in between. I love feeling my way through a story and Monzon always delivers that for me.

Evangeline is a heroine after my own heart. She’s a kindred book nerd – “a book doesn’t have feelings but it has a soul.” This is one passionate librarian who ferociously guards her charges (aka books) from the perils of careless borrowers. Enter tattoo artist Tai and their tumultuous meet cute sets the stage for rom/com delight.

Loved the bantering, Tai’s teasing. He takes such pleasure in pushing Evangeline’s buttons. And when he starts trying out nicknames for her…be still my heart. I was constantly swooning into a puddle the rest of the read. He has this bad boy persona that is completely opposite to what he’s really like. Judged by a few youthful indiscretions, there are plenty of folks in town who see his return ( to open a tattoo parlour no less!) as Bad News. Of course Evangeline isn’t as immune to Tai’s rakish charms as she claims to be and a delightful game of cat and mouse ensues. Highly entertaining!

But while the comedic beats are measured out to perfection, it is the deeper inspirational threads that elevate Evangeline and Tai’s story to the ‘memorable, rereadable, keeper shelf’ status. So touching and poignant . And inspiring. I appreciate the autoimmune rep and the role it played in the drama and conflict…and ultimately triumph.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘An Overdue Match’ (cute title that totally fits!) narrated by Allyson Morgan. Loved the way she portrayed these characters and delivered dialogue. Listening to the story added to its emotional impact. I so appreciate these talented performers who bring beloved stories to life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Overdue Match, 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 March 8 2025.

Grace’s Pictures + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader.

A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her. Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

My Review:

published in 2013

Thomson had me at Irish immigrant and Ellis Island. My Irish heritage is always clamouring for more Irish heroes and heroines. Erin Go Bragh! In addition, this turn of the century historical has an incredibly unique twist that adds the spice of suspense to an already gripping tale.

The depth in characterization and the impossible but historically accurate situations made this a riveting read. It wasn’t long before I was lost in another place and time, riveted by emotions that leapt off the page and wrapped around my heart. Grace has a traumatic past to overcome and her unwillingness to trust brings her close to disaster more then a time or two.

Grace’s Pictures will evoke images and feelings you won’t soon forget. It is a moving tribute to the courageous immigrants who made their way across Ellis Island in the hopes of creating a new and better life. An exceptional read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Grace’s Pictures, 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 March 8 2025.

March New Releases + Giveaway

It’s a new Best Reads blog tradition! Celebrating the month’s new releases the first week of each month.

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 March 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 March 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 March 8 2025.

Conversations With Kav – Historical Eras + Giveaway

I’ve been thinking about Historical Fiction lately – specifically within the Christian Fiction genre. Thrilling over all the great reads out there but, also, lamenting a bit over the lack of variety offered when it comes to historical timelines.

And that got me wondering how authors and publishers go about deciding what’s hot…and what’s not…and how they predict which eras will be bestsellers. I mean, it’s a good two years between starting a book and finally getting it printed and available on bookshelves, so, what if that era is cooling off by release day?

Then I got to wondering if popular historical eras are only popular because that’s what is available to readers? And maybe publishers don’t realize we are a diverse group who might like variety in our fiction? And that includes settings away from North America for me. I guess I’m wondering if there’s a method to the madness that keeps some of my favourite historical time periods out of Christian Fiction.

Anyway — on to the conversational topic of the day. I have questions. You might have answers and, because we’re celebrating all things Historical today there’s a giveaway too. More about that at the end of this post, so keep your eyes peeled.

Historical Fiction Questions:

What are your favourite Historical Fiction eras?
What are your least favourite Historical Fiction eras?
What Historical Era would you like to see more of in Christian Fiction?
Oh — and will you follow a favourite author into an unfavourite era?

My Favourite Historical Fiction eras:

Regency. Really, is anyone surprised? I am addicted! Luckily it doesn’t look like it will go out of style any time soon. It’s easy to come by clean / closed door Regency Romances but a bit harder to find in the Christian Fiction genre. Laurie Alice Eakes comes to mind right away. She’s no longer writing in this genre but I have all of her Regencies on my keeper shelf.

And Julie Klassen too of course. Lady of Milkweed Manor was not only my first Christian Fiction Regency, but my first ever Christian Fiction Historical novel!

Depression era . These are harder to come by, but I’ve always been lured in by Depression era stories. I blame it on the Waltons and it’s idyllic down-home country charm! Sharlene Maclaren’ s River of Hope series is the perfect example of what I find so appealing in this timeline.

Late 1800s . Not sure why this time period appeals to me, maybe because things are starting to open up for women and there’s a bit more scope for independent heroines? Dawn Crandall has a fantastic series that I need to put on my reread list – The Everstone Chronicles. Four books that feature a complicated family – some brooding heroes, a hint of gothic flair and sinister subplots. Must refresh my acquaintance with the Everstones soon!

1700s – This time period doesn’t crop up that often and I usually think of Laura Frantz and Lori Benton as go to authors for this timeline BUT I recently came across Pam Hillman’s Natchez Trace series when I was organizing a book shelf and remembered how much I loved these books too. More books for my reread pile — and I’m thinking I should get to The Promise of Breeze Hill in March because there’s an Irish hero. Swoon!

My Least Favourite Historical Fiction Eras:

I’m almost afraid to say this but…the Civil War. I intensely disliked Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind and I’m afraid that experience has marred my enjoyment of this time period in fiction. 🙂 I will avidly avoid a Civil War era story with very few exceptions.

Also, the American Revolution. Not as unappealing to me as the Civil War, but not a huge interest for me either. Might be due to the fact that a lot of the historical books I read as a child and Young Adult were set during the Revolutionary War for some reason.

And Biblical Fiction isn’t hugely appealing to me either though I do make some exceptions and tend to like what I read in the genre but then still balk the next time one comes my way. I’m so contrary sometimes!

Historical Eras I’d like to see more of in my Christian Fiction:

Depression era
Middle Ages
War of 1812 from the British side (Bwahaha)
Vikings
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Easter Uprising (Ireland)
Australia colonies

Will I follow a favourite author into an unfavourite era?

Ugh…maybe…possibly? It would depend on the author. Like I would follow Irene Hannon anywhere! Otherwise maybe if the book included another genre or trope I really love — like a mystery mixed in with the history.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Answer any (or all) of these questions in a comment and include the title and author of a Christian Fiction Historical Novel set in one of your favourite eras and if your name is drawn, that’s the book you will win.

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

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

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

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

March Giveaway – Week One

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:

Please remember to check giveaway details (paperback, ebook, either/or, gently read etc.) each day as they will vary and check for the ‘+ giveaway’ notice added after the title . Titles without that addition are review only.

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 Healing Touch

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:

What a thrill to be back in Stoney Ridge and meet up with so many beloved characters from the author’s previous series. ‘A Healing Touch’ could be read as a standalone, but I think readers familiar with some of the Stoney Ridge books, especially the ones featuring Dok, will appreciate this story so much more.

Dok was raised Amish but left the faith and her community to pursue a medical degree. Circumstances have brought her back to Stoney Ridge where her brother is the Bishop and she has an interesting mix of Amish and Englisch patients in her thriving Family Medicine practice. Dok is the kind of physician we’d all love to have – old-fashioned enough to still make house calls, caring enough (aka bossy enough) to push for the best outcomes for her patients, whether they want her to or not! And she has a creative approach to meet the needs of some of her most stubborn patients!

Mind you, Dok, knows a thing or two about stubbornness — just ask her husband! Love the insights we get into her married life (he’s the sheriff!) as they work their way through some tough situations. I might have cried at one point.

This story is told from three different women’s points of view. Dok, of course, and her busy practice and challenging home life; her receptionist, Annie, a young Amish woman who yearns for something more in her life, and Bee, Dok’s recently widowed patient who has just been given an unwelcome diagnosis.

There’s love and laughter, frustrations and tears — all woven together with the promise of divine hope and faith shared. An emotional journey realistically depicting a slice of real life.

Her Part to Play + Giveaway

Desperate for extra income after her mother’s passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She’s working to save her parents’ legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.

John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he’s ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set–and definitely not a fan.

Sparks of tension–and could that be attraction?–fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John’s scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what’s right in front of them?

My Review:

Stunning debut novel that packs an emotional punch.

I’m usually not a huge fan of entertainment industry type romances (2nd least favourite trope after billionaires) but I’ve come across some really good ones recently so I’m learning never to say never.

Really enjoyed the Alabama setting for this enemies to more romance. It made for a nice mix of Hollywood angst (courtesy of John’s pushy manager) and the Southern charm of Adanne’s home town. Desperate to earn some extra money to help her family, she brushes off her make up artist skills and winds up being John’s exclusive MUA. Cue fireworks and complications because these two have back stories!

Right from the start we know that Adanne holds John responsible for her getting fired from her last job in Hollywood. We don’t know any of the details though, and it drove me crazy trying to figure it out! John has no clue either, so he’s confused…and intrigued…by Adanne’s aloofness.

Loved the way the author progresses the romance, deepening their relationship slowly as Adanne gradually lowers her guard and they have some meaningful conversations. And that includes talking about faith:

“I don’t understand how you can go through so much and still hold onto your faith…”

“It’s not me doing the holding.” (p 170)

I had to sit and think about that second line for a minute. Simple statement that makes a big impact. Faith is seamlessly interspersed throughout this story. Both John (a redeemed former bad boy) and Adanne seek out God’s will for their lives but they don’t always get it right which is so relatable.

A moving, multi-layered love story full of heart and hope and a swoonworthy happily ever after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Her Part to Play, 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 March 1 2025.

Surrender the Night + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

When British soldiers invade Baltimore amid the War of 1812, Rose McGuire, alone on her family farm, is easy prey for a brutal lieutenant. In the midst of the attack, she’s saved by 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Reed. Will she now have to heal, as well as hide, this wounded enemy soldier?

Alex hadn’t meant to kill his superior or get shot in the process. Now badly wounded, he’s at the mercy of this tomboy who obviously hates him. Can he trust her, or will she turn him over to the Americans?

Rose is having trouble keeping Alex hidden from her family, the townspeople, and the man intent on courting her. Will the discovery of Alex’s presence force her to accept an abhorrent proposal?

As their love blooms, trouble looms, for the British are on the move again. This time their target is the city of Washington. Will these young lovers at heart find themselves enemies at war?

My Review:

published in 2011

A gripping, page-turning romance set during a pivotal point in American history.

Tyndall starts things off with an impossible scenario, throwing her hero and heroine right into the middle of a volatile situation and – voila – immediate fireworks! The meet-cute is anything but – more like fraught with danger and loathing.

A relationship between Rose and Alex are doomed from the start which made for a deliciously anxious read for this romance lover. There are so many wonderful layers to their story. Both have struggled in their pasts and are now faced with an untenable situation. They need to learn how to trust – not just each other, but the God they feel has let them down.

A high action / high stakes adventurous love story with lots of tense moments but some comedic ones too which eased my romantical anxiety to a manageable level. 🙂

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Surrender the Night, 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 March 1 2025.

Within These Gilded Halls + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Hidden treasure and betrayal mingle with unexpected love within the walls of Avonthorpe Hall.

After studying art under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation.

Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish her work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. Determined to fulfill the promise she made to her beloved teacher to find the treasure, Phoebe also works to uncover the truth about Miss Drake’s death—and she must do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe, and soon enough Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person who knows about the clues. What’s worse, she needs Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she weren’t so attracted to him.

Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.

My Review:

published in 2022

Atmospheric. Mysterious. Oozes vintage Gothic charm aka classic Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Gave me all the bookish shivers and thrills I love. And it’s set in the Regency era which just thrills me that much more!

Beautifully written, Wilson has a knack for blending humour, banter and mystery in such an appealing way. I was on tenterhooks the whole read, soaking up the ambience, happy (and sometimes anxious) to go where the story took me.

We have an independent heroine with a traumatic past she’s trying to escape and an enigmatic hero who is brusque and brooding and oh so intriguing. Especially since he has a completely different side and peeling back those reserved layers to get a glimpse at the real man inside was so fulfilling!

Murder. Hidden treasure. Obscure clues. Secrets and betrayal. Encroaching danger. What a backdrop for a Regency romance! Enthralling right to the very last word!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Within these Gilded Halls’ narrated by Laura Kirman who has become the voice I associate with Abigail Wilson’s novels. Her measured delivery, the way she draws out the suspense, teases the romance and somehow manages to create the atmospheric mood at the heart of the story is spectacular.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Within These Gilded Halls, 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 March 1 2025