Kav's Best Reads

January Giveaway – Week Four

WON BY STEPHANIE

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 Death in Diamonds

The royally brilliant fourth book in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates mystery series!

1957 – The young Queen is finding her way in a challenging world as the United Kingdom adjusts to being a country without an empire, without a place in post-war Europe, and without a reliable friendship with America.

As she travels the world to try and build bridges, she is advised by the ‘men in moustaches’, as Philip calls them – her father’s old courtiers, who may or may not have her best interests at heart. One of them is trying to sabotage her: that much she is sure of.

And then two bodies turn up, horribly murdered, in Chelsea, and the Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her.

She knows she can’t face these challenges alone. She needs the help of someone clever, discreet and loyal, someone she can trust. Then she meets ex-Bletchley Park code breaker, Joan McGraw …

My Review:

In a word: brilliant! This coming from a decidedly non-Royal watcher. But there’s just something about Queen Elizabeth and the way the author has captured her and life as a royal in general that is so engaging. And I love the clever way she has incorporated the amateur sleuthing while staying true to the reality of the Queen’s obvious logistical limitations.

The first three books in the series are contemporary novels but this fourth one takes us back to 1957 when a much younger Queen Elizabeth is juggling royal duties, family life and finding her way in a new post-war / Cold War world. Fascinating historical details and insights into what it must have been like for the young queen to gently break away from her trusted but oh so stuffy staff. Lots of pompous, moustached gentlemen who would prefer to remain in the past, keeping the Queen as a figurehead while they ‘wisely’ guide her path.

Only, there seems to be a saboteur in the palace and the astute Queen has her suspicions but lacks the freedom to find the evidence. And that’s where beleaguered typist (with an interesting war history) Joan comes in. She’s Watson to the Queen’s Sherlock.

Argh — there were times I wanted to scream over the insufferable chauvinism and backward 50s ideologies. But then I’d be chuckling over how the Queen deftly works around all those well-meaning men to solve not one, but two mysteries and all with them none the wiser. I dearly wished she could stand up and shout “Ta da! I figured it all out for you!” and take the credit instead of cleverly orchestrating the investigations behind the scenes.

A complicated mystery with lots of complex layers and multiple points of view kept me invested in the read right to the end. And left me hoping that we won’t have long to wait for the next ‘Her Majesty the Queen Investigates’ book to release.

Of note: Some mild language.

I listened to the audio edition, narrated by Samantha Bond who did a tremendous job with all these characters. From a young Queen to all the stuffy gentlemen and everyone in between. She made an already stellar story that much more engaging. Highly recommend the audio book if you are a listening kind of reader.

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

Wonderful Lonesome + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

“Without church for over a year, this is a wonderful lonesome place to be.”

In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain in 1914, Abbie Weaver fights for the life of the church she cherishes. Hail, wind, drought and coyotes are daily enemies to the farming Amish, and some families are giving up and returning east. But the loss the community feels most deeply is the lack of a minister. Visiting bishops have stopped coming – a mystery that demands explanation.

Even Abbie’s closest friends aren’t much comfort. Ruthanne is pregnant and afraid her husband will die. Rudy is lonely and weary. Willem is fiercely determined to succeed at any cost. Their unfolding responses to daily challenges press Abbie to confront the convictions that form the backbone of her dreams for the settlement. Though Abbie loves Willem, his choices put a wedge between them. She turns her gaze to Rudy as a blessing that just might save the settlement.

When Abbie discovers the root of the unspoken spiritual divide that runs through the settlement, she finds herself questioning her own father’s faith. Will a collision of loves and values cost her Willem forever?

My Review:

published in 2014

A different kind of pioneer story. It is 1914 but Colorado is still a wild, relatively unsettled part of the country. Land is cheap but not without challenges as a small group of Amish settlers soon discover. This whole story fascinated me on so many levels. The historical facts for one — the author based the settlement on actual Amish endeavors in the area at the same time and she deals with a lot of ‘big’ questions. The conflict that stems from those concerns — both personal and as a group — compelled me to keep reading.

No worries if you are not an Amish fiction fan. This isn’t ‘that’ book. If you like pioneer stories with a good dose of grit, you’ll like this novel. It’s about living a dream — willing a dream actually and what you do when that dream starts crumbling right before your eyes. Do you let it go or hang on for all you are worth? And at what cost? Not just to you, but to those you love.

Told through multiple viewpoints ‘Wonderful Lonesome’ is a sombre tale that will haunt you long after you close the book.

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 Wonderful Lonesome, 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 January 25 2025.

K-9 Alaskan Defense + Giveaway

A K-9 stand guard while a killer closes in.

Discovering a dead body in the woods turns into a fight for survival when Lily Peterson is attacked by an unknown assailant. Rescued by her retired police K-9, Timber, Lily calls the one man she trusts for help—her late fiancé’s partner, former officer Travis Beckett. Only, the danger proves to be far from over when Lily’s house goes up in flames. Someone wants her dead, and all clues lead to a connection to her departed fiancé’s final case. Investigating the past is the only way to stay alive…but can they elude a killer neither expects?

My Review:

I so enjoy these Love Inspired Suspense K-9 series – such amazing variety in all these stories! ‘K-9 Alaskan Defense’ is an example of all that is good in this kind of romantic suspense.

First — the setting. I am so enamoured with stories set in Alaska particularly when it’s a romantic suspense. And the opening scene with Lily stumbling upon a dead body in the middle of nowhere. Phew! Cue the ominous organ music and buckle up for a rocky ride to her happily every after! Really loved the pacing — the way the author builds up the tension but includes enough breathing space for the relationship between Lily and Travis to grow.

So — second chance romance trope written with just the right amount of angst and redemption. Loved the way these two communicate, even when it comes to the hard to hear stuff. And the rich emotional layers in both their back stories add extra depth to an already riveting read.

Then there’s Timber – retired K-9 officer who hasn’t forgotten any of her training and is still all about serving and protecting. Love me a good fur-buddy bodyguard!

The suspense grabbed my attention from the very first scene and I found the mystery so compelling. I could feel my anxiety levels rise as I tried (along with Travis and Lily) to figure out why Lily seemed to be a target and then I got to an ‘aha’ moment waaaay before they did and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to catch up with me…or prove me wrong. Absolutely love how engaged I was with these characters and their story.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Dominique Dibbell. Her performance matched the tension and action of the story and enhanced my ‘reading’ pleasure that much more. Such a blessing to have so many of the Love Inspired books being made available in audio format now.

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

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 K-9 Alaskan Defense, 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 January 25 2025

But He’s My Roommate + Giveaway

I’m being forced to move in with my brother’s best friend.

After my life falls apart, the last person I want to face is my childhood crush. Much less live with him.

Unfortunately for me, my overprotective brother and his equally overprotective best friend show up on my doorstep and don’t take no for an answer.

I put up my best fight, but it’s no use. Soon enough, I’m boarding a plane with them and my newborn son.

All I want is to pick up the pieces of my life alone, but everywhere I turn it seems like Maverick Carter is there waiting to help.

He makes it difficult to keep my distance, but I know I have to. Because he deserves so much better than me.

But He’s My Roommate is a single mom, brother’s best friend romantic comedy for readers who like to feel all the emotions. It’s a closed-door romance, with all the sizzling chemistry you love, minus the explicit scenes. It’s the final book in the But He’s a Carter Brother series, a series based around four strong, protective brothers finding love.

My Review:

Well, now that I’ve read the first and last book in the ‘But He’s a Carter Brother’ series, I’m committed to reading books #2 and 3 asap. Because…these brothers!!!! Some of the best scenes in the book include their playful banter and brotherly concern. And the text messages! Bwahahaha! So. Much. Fun!

Each book works well as a standalone, so no worries if you are new to the series. Though all the brothers and their significant others take up some page time in this book, it’s still easy to follow along. There’s also a sweet epilogue for each couple at the end which was a neat way to finish off the series.

So…Maverick and Evie…swoon, thud, and swoon some more. You’ll definitely want to have your fainting couch handy for the duration of the read. This is a slow burn romance (brother’s best friend, friends to more tropes) that’s taut with emotional tension. Love the way their relationship evolves over time. A lovely mix of gentle heat and laugh out loud humour. And, oh my, when the kissing starts! Toe-curls all the way!

A lighthearted romantic comedy with characters who captured my heart

I listened to the audio edition of ‘But He’s My Roommate’ narrated by Kim Churchill and John William Maddux. Loved the dual narration and these performers teamed up to create a memorable listening experience. Highly recommend the audio book.

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

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 But He’s My Roommate, 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 January 25 2024.

Defending the Child + Giveaway

Caught in a mountain blizzard…with a child to protect.

After Marielle Coleman’s foster son witnesses his mother’s murder, he becomes a killer’s next target. Escaping into a raging Montana snowstorm, Marielle and her little boy hide at a remote camp—and unexpectedly reunite with her ex-fiancé, Graham Flynn, an undercover DEA agent. Now Graham and Marielle must put aside their distrust to save the child from dangerous pursuers. But Graham’s still hiding secrets from Marielle…ones that could tie them all to a conspiracy that will end their lives.

My Review:

Brrrrrr…the perfect January read. Nothing like a stranded in a snowstorm scenario to amp up the suspense in a story! I crave this kind of read once the weather turns cold. There’s something so cozy about curling up with a ‘fighting against the elements’ page-turner while ignoring your own blizzard outside!

I was hooked right from the start. The action scenes are so vivid and intense and the plight of an innocent child adds to their desperation. Then there’s the second chance romance (eeeepp – one of my favourite tropes for a romantic suspense!) I really liked the way the author wove Marielle and Graham’s reconciliation into the intense drama of the suspense. Heightened emotions all around, including mine!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Defending the Child’, expertly narrated by Jessica Taige. She conveyed all the emotional nuances perfectly which made the story that much more compelling. Turned this one into a compulsive listen I finished it in a day.

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

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 Defending the Child, 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 January 25 2025

Conversations with Kav – Bookish Ramblings + Giveaway

There have been a few topics on my mind over the last few weeks so I thought I’d make this first Conversational Sunday of the New Year a bit of a bibliophile randomness ramble. 🙂

Closed Door Romance

Harkening back to that lively conversation we had a couple of months ago, I wanted to share a really neat website and instagram account that features Closed Door Romances — most of them are indie published as well which is an extra bonus. Rachel has created a an incredible resource that’s too good not to share. Here’s the website: https://closeddoorromance.com

A few not-to-be-missed pages to checkout: Go to FAQ and click on the third question: What are the Physical Intimacy Levels? You’ll find an informative graphic that lays out in great detail, what kind of intimacy to expect in a Level One, Level Two or Level Three book. As the website creator, Rachel, says, there are different comfort levels even within the closed door community so she’s created this super helpful guide. Not only that, but then she went and created a database of authors where you can search not only by physical intimacy level preference but by language (as in swearing levels) as well.

Now go over to the Authors Database page. You can refine your search in all kinds of neat ways. First up; Swearing – from none up to moderate. Next Intimacy Level. And voila, you end up with a list of authors tailored to your reading tastes. But that’s not all! You can also modify your search by Availability (KU, audio etc.) as well as genre! And the list of authors includes Christian Fiction authors as well! How cool is that?!

She also has a wonderful instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/closeddoorromance/

She posts a lot of fantastic content – tons of book suggestions, sometimes by theme like fairy tale retellings. (eeeppp!) I always have my TBR notebook on hand when I’m browsing her instagram feed.

Christian Faith and Fiction

I started following this Christian Fiction blogger and Book Tuber last year and love her insightful reviews. She has also started rating books by their faith content which is really helpful. It’s a simple 1-3 system where 1 is low, perhaps mentions of going to church or that a character prayed and 3 is a fully fleshed out faith thread that is an intricate part of the story.

Lou is from Devon, England so it’s fun to see perspectives from someone not living in North America. Her reviews are concise and articulate, so if you are new to Book Tube and don’t fancy long, run-on videos, Christian Faith and Fiction is a great place to start.

Booktube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianFaithAndFiction

blog: https://louallenwriter.wordpress.com/about-me/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianfaithandfiction/

Oops – we forgot to talk about our Reading Goals for the New Year!

I shared how I did on my 2024 Reading Goals but neglected to share my 2025 ones! All the hoopla around Reader’s Choice Week addled my brain, I guess. 🙂

This year I divided my goals into three categories and I’m trying to be more intentional about fulfilling them (as opposed to strictly reading on a whim and then seeing if a book fits into one of my goals.) I’m still leaving room for mood reading though, cause that’s just me.

Category One : Author Goals

Indie
Debut
New-to-Me
Read to Zero
Diverse

I’m hoping for 5 debut reads each quarter and I’d love to have half my books be indie published, though that might be a stretch. I’m targeting 5 authors to Read to Zero in different genres (Christian Fiction, Closed Door, Cozy Mystery etc.)

Category Two: Book Goals

Diverse settings
Diverse characters
Re-reads
Non-Fiction
Series

I’m not a huge non-fiction reader, but my goal is to read 5 NF books which should be doable since I belong to a non-fiction book club at church now and in a pinch I could include a devotional, right?!

For series I’m going to pick 5 in each genre and once I finish them, I’ll add another 5. I’m still in the process of choosing the series, but for this first quarter I’m looking at ones I’m close to finishing or new series that only have three or four books.

Social Media Goals:

Instagram
Social Media influenced reads
Blog Reading friends recommends
Blog upgrade
Good Reads (460)

I’m going to start tracking my sources for reading recommendations. So, when I’m on instagram and I see an enticing review, I’ll add the title to my wishlist with a notation about who recommended it etc. Ditto for this blog. I think it will be fun to see where my reading inspiration comes from!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Join in the conversation. Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in.a draw for a $10 gift card for Baker Book House. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2025.

January Giveaway – Week Three

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Dead Men Wag No Tails

Romance, treasure and danger collide in the charming coastal town of Twilight Cove. Don’t miss the newest instalment in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s enchanting Magical Menagerie mystery series!

“For a small seaside town, Twilight Cove sure has plenty of excitement . . .”

Georgie Johansen’s return to the coastal haven of Twilight Cove has been a dream come she gets to work with Auntie O at the animal sanctuary, has adopted two very adorable dogs who have very special abilities and even has a blossoming romance with the gorgeous farmhand Callum.

It’s August and the town is buzzing with anticipation for the annual Dead Eye Days pirate festival. The excitement reaches a fever pitch when long-term resident Jasper, a pirate fanatic, declares he is in possession of a treasure map!

However, the hunt for treasure soon becomes a hunt for a murderer when Jasper is found dead, and Georgie is once again compelled to put on her sleuthing hat. With her extraordinary dogs Flossie and Fancy beside her, and Euclid, the mysterious great-horned owl, keeping a watchful eye on them, can she uncover the killer and protect Twilight Cove? Or will her curiosity put a bounty on her own head?

My Review:

I was beside myself with bookish glee when I discovered the first book in the Magical Menagerie Mystery series back in April and I’m happy to report that this second book is as good as, if not better than the first. It’s definitely earned a place on my favourite cozy mysteries list.

Love the animal sanctuary setting and the air of magical mystery. No worries if you’re not a paranormal fan, the magical elements are light and whimsical. Similar to Sofie Kelly’s ‘Magical Cats’ series or Amanda Flower’s ‘Magical Bookshop’ series. So, very much set in the real world (well, as ‘real’ as a cozy mystery can get!) with gentle enchanting touches that completely charmed me.

Georgie has settled quite nicely into life at the animal sanctuary with Auntie O and a host of entertaining critters to keep her busy. (And one very intriguing farmhand!) She had no intention of putting her sleuthing talents to use ever again but when a local man is murdered during the hubbub of the town’s annual Pirate Festival, well, how can an amateur sleuth resist? Plus there’s buried treasure to be found!

Such a fun cozy mystery with engaging characters (including Flossie and Fancy, springer spaniels with unique gifts that come in handy during an investigation!) There are plenty of solid suspects to keep an armchair sleuth anxiously engaged right up to the big reveal. And Fox’s writing style is beautifully descriptive, creating a cozy ambience that makes for a delightful read.

I enjoyed listening to Hallie Bee Bard’s narration of this book. She has a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to kind of voice that matches the author’s storytelling style perfectly.

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

The Letter Tree + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Romeo and Juliet meets You’ve Got Mail in 1920s New York when hidden letters change everything for two lost souls and the community around them.

Seven years ago, a letter left inside a tree brought Laura Bradshaw an anonymous friend who helped her navigate the tragic loss of her mother and gave her something to look forward to despite the overbearing hand of her father. Life would be far bleaker, if not for her beloved Letter Tree, her dear friend, and her secret trips to the Buffalo Zoo. But even these rays of light are threatened when her father decides to play matchmaker in order to further his business goals.

When Isaac Campbell learns that his letter friend is destined to court another, he balks at the suggestion and begs her to break her rule of namelessness and meet him. Her words have endeared her to him, he’s ready to fall at her knees and beg her to choose him—that is until he sees her face. The stranger he’s become so attached to is not a stranger . . . but the only daughter of his family’s sworn enemy.

Can the grown children of feuding parents bridge the chasm between them? Or is the divide too deep—and too wide?

My Review:

published in 2023

Old family secrets are at the heart of this Romeo and Juliet style romance (with a better ending!) I’ve heard other readers compare it to You’ve Got Mail as well and, though I’m not a fan of that movie (the bookstore dies, people!) I can see how that comparison can be made. Again, with a much happier ending. 🙂

As children, Isaac and Laura were the best of friends but a rivalry between their fathers tore them apart and they have both been living with the extreme fallout of a contentious feud ever since. Everyone has to pick sides, including servants and factory workers and the two haven’t set eyes on each other in years.

Until a tree is turned into a mail box of sorts and two lonely people begin exchanging letters using pseudonyms. A friendship is born (or should I say revived?) and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next…plot twist!

Mystery and romance in 1920s New York. Loved the historical details, especially about the Buffalo zoo. Made for an immersive read and kept me engaged right to the end.

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 The Letter Tree, 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 January 18 2025