Kav's Best Reads

Conversations with Kav – Missing! Authors I have loved and lost? + Giveaway

So excited to get back to chatting with you today! And about a subject that’s been on my mind for quite awhile now. Mostly because I’ve been in a never-ending shelf organizing state of bookish distress as I try to make just one more book fit. 🙂

Of course, that means I have to pull everything off the shelves for a ‘quick’ dusting which leads me to nostalgically reacquainting myself with old friends. Which in turn has me pondering what happened to these authors. Did they actually stop writing or am I missing a decade’s worth of wonderful novels? That thought is as anxiety inducing as finally finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle only to find one key piece missing.

So, I thought I’d share some of these much loved authors and see if you might have more information or new leads for me to check out. And, in turn, feel free to share the name of one or two or however many authors you’ve lost tract of and maybe we can collectively offer hope and direction. Because, surely not all of these authors have stopped writing!

Participate n the conversation in the comments to be entered in a giveaway for a $10 Baker Book House gift card. More details about that at the end of the post.

Rosslyn Elliott

Exquisite prose. Stories with depth as characters struggle with moral dilemmas. Intriguing historical settings. And, oh my, the incredible cover artwork! I can still feel the bookish euphoria I felt reading Rosslyn Elliot’s books!

Dawn Crandall

Toe-curling redemptive stories full of drama and so much heart! The Everstone Chronicles is an amazing series exploring the struggles and triumphs of four siblings. Heart-in-throat at times and there’s some shredding of sensitive reader’s heart tissue but there’s always a hard won happily ever after to rejoice in by the end.

Christine Lynxwiler

Contemporary perfection. The kind of stories you feel your way through. Emotional sucker punches with a side of cowboy — can it get any better than that?

Siri Mitchell

I adore all the historical fiction I’ve read by Siri Mitchell but, if I had to pick a favourite it might be Like a Flower in Bloom. Hilariously funny in places, the dynamics between the hero and heroine are priceless. But I also loved the author’s contemporary romance, The Cubicle Next Door. Again, comedic brilliance with a touch of poignancy. I need to read both of these novels again….soon!

Jillian Kent

Brilliant Regency with Gothic tendencies and strong faith elements. The Ravensmoore Chronicles books are amazing…and yet they seem to be the only books Jillian Kent has written!

Pam Hillman

The Natchez Trace series — mercy! -a reader’s heart can only take so many O’Shea brothers before self-combustion becomes a real threat. Swoonworthy Irish heroes making their way in a new world. And Stealing Jake is divine too. Different time, different setting but pure romance along with some intriguing suspense. I need to reread these books too!

Kristen Heitzmann

Suspense with a hint of magical realism…or maybe subtle supernatural elements? Riveting and unexpected. Sometimes I’d be like — ‘Wait…what is happening here?” — but I was always transfixed.

Lisa Novato

Vivid descriptions. Larger than life ex-privateer hero. Baking-diva heroine with a backbone of steel. Their worlds collide and fictional perfection is made!

Becky Melby

Richly layered storytelling, Melby has mastered the art of the slow reveal. Deep characterization and faith threads. This series was my introduction to Christian Fiction dual timeline – way before it became so popular.

So, how about you? Have you read any of these authors? Do you have your own ‘Missing’ list? Mention some names and maybe we’ll have some insights to share.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Contribute to the conversation in the comments and you’ll be entered in a draw for a $10 Baker Book House gift card.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 3 2025

April Giveaway – Week Four

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!

Secrets Beneath the Snow

To solve this murder this K-9 must dig up buried secrets.

Suspicious of his friend’s fatal accident, ski patroller Graham McAllister is determined to unearth the truth when his friend’s long-missing sister suddenly appears…with gunmen in pursuit. Now it’s up to Graham and his K-9, Emmy, to keep Layla Quin safe as they survive the brutal mountain elements and outrun the criminals trying to silence them. Because Layla has a secret that could expose a shocking link to her brother’s death, and revealing it may come with a deadly price…

My Review:

Phew! This was a listen in one gulp kind of suspense and Lydia Lee did an amazing job with the narration. She really captured the essence of these characters and the tension of the suspense. She kept me enthralled every minute.

Brrrr – it may be April but Summers transported me back to the worst winter weather days with her descriptive action scenes. I had to check my toes to make sure they weren’t frostbitten.

The pacing is fast and furious as Graham and Layla struggle to evade a relentless killer. Lots of wilderness survival struggles but luckily they have Search and Rescue K-9 Emmy and her specialized training to back them up.

Edge of your seat suspense paired with a (kinds, sorta) reunion romance (they were friends with the potential for more so not quite full on second chance) makes for a riveting read…or listen…depending on your preference.

Pine Creek Marriage + Giveaway

random retro read

Love may blossom where it’s least expected in the delightful and heartwarming Pine Creek series from Amity Hope.

Widow Amelia Baumann has sworn to never love again. She’s content to live peacefully in Pine Creek at her friend Mary’s warm, comfortable farmhouse. But then Samuel Kurtz shows up and becomes Mary’s permanent guest, making it hard to keep her feelings in check. Especially after Samuel’s six-year-old niece, Ruthie, whom he’s been raising as his own daughter, completely steals her heart.

When the bishops from another district threaten to send Ruthie to live with her distant aunt, so that she’ll have two parents raising her instead of just Samuel, he hatches a plan.

Amelia reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience with Samuel–only because she loves Ruthie and can’t bear to see her torn from the only father she’s ever known. Not because Samuel’s kind green eyes and charming laugh draw her in. And as long as she and Samuel are in agreement that they will simply remain friends…what could possibly go wrong?

My Review:

published in 2022

New-to-me Amish Fiction author and I am so excited to have ‘discovered’ Amity Hope. Love her storytelling style and the way she writes the Amish community and family relationships. Everything isn’t perfect and sweet all the time but folks work their way through.

Amelia and Samuel’s love story makes for an absorbing read with just enough misunderstandings to keep things interesting – the first one being the meet-cute. Such a funny introduction to them as a couple. Feisty Amelia gobsmacks Samuel into a stupefied state. Bwahahaha! It takes them awhile to get over that introduction for sure and for certain. 🙂

Loved the time the author took developing their relationship. We really get to know them both as well as Samuel’s adorable niece. And along the way there’s lovely tidbits of Amish home life and friendships and the general workings of the community.

Funny and tender and faith-filled. A charming Amish Romance.

Of note: this is the the second book in the Pine Creek series but reads wunderbaar goot as a standalone. I’m excited to read the first and third books now and, happily, my library has both so — yay — I’ll be reading them soon.

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 Pine Creek Marriage, 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 April 26 2025.

The Color of Sky and Stone + Giveaway

random retro read

She is the only one who truly sees him.Which makes her his greatest threat.

Black ops undercover agent Tane Temauri—code name Vapor—has made it his life’s mission to stay out of sight. Given the dangers inherent in his job, the last thing he can afford is to step into the open and become a target. Again.

Then a letter from a mysterious stranger changes everything. Although the letter was not meant for him, somehow, on a greater, cosmic scale, it feels as though it is.

But answering it will make Tane vulnerable.

How can he emerge from the shadows to risk everything for a woman he has never met?

My Review:

published in 2023

Totally not what I expected but I loved it anyway! Not quite a suspense but it sort of is. Definitely a romance….but not totally. Not fully epistolary but there are letter writing elements. Bwahaha — kinda undefinable.

What is definable: excellent writing, deep characterization, faith-infused page-turning perfection. Oh – and Canadian author as well as a Canadian setting!

Our introduction to Tane comes in the form of a tense, action-packed scene that had me on the edge of my seat and trying to figure out how Lia was going to be drawn into his sphere. But the book starts off from Lia’s POV in a random pub with vague hints as to her involvement with a ‘team’ that about drove me crazy because we don’t figure out what she actually does for a living until well into the book. Gah, the suspense was deliciously frustrating and I had so many crazy scenarios racing through my mind!

And that’s about all I can tell you without posting spoilers. Other than Lia and Tane connect in an unexpected way and….the story evolves. I was totally engrossed all the way through and have done a deep dive on the internet trying to figure out if there’s a second book because the ending isn’t exactly all tied up in a bow but not quite a cliffhanger either. Just gives me the impression that there must be more to come.

The cover says “In the Shadows : Book One” but ‘The Color of Sky and Stone’ is listed as a standalone on the author’s website. Ack! I need more Tane and Lia!

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 Shall I Stay, 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 April 26 2025.

Deadly Badlands Pursuit + Giveaway

A K-9 team has a witness to defend…and a murderer to track.

When Deputy US Marshal Gracie Fitzpatrick checks on a government witness, she unexpectedly walks into an ambush at Cameron Holmes’s ranch. She and her K-9 partner, Bane, fight off the assailant—but to protect Cameron, they must escape into South Dakota’s treacherous Badlands. Tracking dangerous enemies is what Gracie does, and Cameron’s life in witness protection has left targets on his back. With a killer waiting in the shadows, Gracie and Cameron must work fast to uncover the truth about who wants him dead…if they want to stay alive.

My Review:

A heart-in-throat page turner from the get go. Stover has an incredible gift of mixing intensity with humour which adds a unique zest to this romantic suspense. And Gracie’s sassy sarcasm and indefatigable spirit brings an upbeat vibe to even the direst situations.

She arrives at Cameron’s ranch for a routine wellness check and winds up with way more than she bargained for. Fighting off an unknown assailant and trying to gain the confidence of a surly and understandable, wary government witness is the ‘perfect’ way to end a long day. And things are only about to get a whole lot worse.

Loved the way the relationship develops in the midst of relentless danger. Both Gracie and Cameron have pasts that make it hard for them to trust easily which brings a bit of suspense into their romance. Will they or won’t they? How can they possibly with a future that only seems to hold uncertainties? Loved the twists and turns and the way the author wrapped things up by the end.

Goodness, I haven’t even mentioned Bane yet. Belgian Malinois and dedicated K-9 officer, there’s nothing Bane can’t track and he’s not bad to have in your corner during a fight either!

This is the second book in the Dakota K-9 Unit multi-authored continuity series but can easily be read as a standalone. There’s some great interaction with her team and now I’m excited to get to know each of them better when they have a chance to star in their own stories.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Mac Fowler who did a wonderful job bringing distinctive voices (and attitude) to every character. The ease she brings to her performance makes for a comfortable and satisfying listen.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition 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 Deadly Badlands Pursuit, 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 April 26 2025.

Behind the Light of Golowduyn + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

She’s the keeper of Golowduyn Lighthouse. He’s the captain who shipwrecked on her watch. A marriage of convenience can save her home—if secrets don’t destroy it first.

Abigail Moore will do anything to keep Golowduyn Lighthouse shining brightly, even if she must do so alone. When a shipwreck occurs near her home one stormy evening—bringing with it a dashing captain keen to offer his aid at every turn—her days of isolation vanish.

Captain Gavin Kendricks didn’t expect to end his naval career by crashing his ship against the rugged cliffs of Cornwall. When he’s pulled from the sea by the fearless and quick-tempered Miss Moore, a tentative friendship forms between them, and he begins to realize what has been missing from his life.

Before either of them can explore these newfound stirrings, death and deception hit Golowduyn, and Abigail is left with a choice. Either she loses everything she has ever loved, or she marries the captain and accepts his help. Unable to give up the lighthouse, she agrees to the union, and they work together to see that the light does not diminish. But when her childhood secrets are unearthed, and their property falls victim to troubling defacement, their marriage threatens to crumble. Gavin fights to gain her confidence, but only Abigail can forget the crippling memories of her past to trust Gavin with Golowduyn—and her heart.

My Review:

published in 2019

Happy sigh. Full on swoon after swoon after swoon. I’m still a tad lightheaded and my heart is all aflutter. Regency. Lighthouse on the Cornish coast. Marriage of Convenience. Dashing war hero. Spunky heroine. I mean….could a reader ask for anything more? Just extraordinary storytelling and engaging characters along with artfully executed plot twists. Such an incredible read!

‘Behind the Light of Golowduyn’ (and I listened to the audio book so I know how to pronounce that!) is a captivating read. Emotionally satisfying with some high stakes drama and a moving theme of forgiveness that elevates the story even more.

I thoroughly enjoyed Vicki-Jo Eva’s narration. She entertained me with her varied accents from Cornish dialect to High Society enunciation. Brilliant at capturing distinctive characters and all the emotionally charged scenes as well. Definitely recommend the audio edition of ‘Behind the Light of Golowduyn’ to discerning listeners (plus you’ll learn how to pronounce Golowduyn!)

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 Behind the Light of Golowduyn, 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 April 26 2025.

April Giveaway – Week Three

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

SUNDAY

No conversation today — closed for Easter. Lots of church and family stuff going on. Happy Easter!

Trail of Threats

An arsonist at large…a K-9 team in the line of fire.

Single mom Sadie Owens’s fear of being watched is confirmed when her home is set ablaze—while she and her son are trapped inside. Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog arrive in the nick of time to make a rescue. But as attacks persist, it’s up to Rocco to keep Sadie and her three-year-old safe from a criminal with a lethal agenda. Can he keep a vengeful arsonist from scorching a deadly path through Elk Valley—before Sadie and her son become the next victims?

My Review:

The sixth book in ‘Mountain County K-9 Unit’ continuity series published in August 2024. The audio books are just releasing now.

So enjoyed Courtney Patterson’s animated narration of ‘Trail of Threats.’ The writing is phenomenal as is, but Patterson’s interpretation of these characters amplified my reading pleasure all the more. Love that so many more Love Inspired novels are being made available in this format!

Breath-snatching suspense with the kind of drawn out tension that keeps a reader on her toes right to the very end. The heart-in-throat gripping opening scene sets the stage for compelling creepy-ish suspense that gave me all the nervy feels (in a good way!)

I just read the fifth book in this series a few weeks ago where Rocco played a significant secondary role so it was fun to get his complete story here. Having said that, this works wonderfully well as a standalone novel as well.

Rocco’s connection to Sadie, and the way their relationship plays out is so believable and full of emotion… and quite a few laughs courtesy of sassy Sadie. Not to mention some flirty banter. Ohhhh, and don’t get me started on the toe-curling scenes artfully interspersed throughout! A fantastic blend of romance and suspense where both keep you on the edge all the way through.

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

The Marriage Pact + Giveaway

Perry and Daisy’s fake relationship is fooling everyone . . . but they’re the ones who might be getting fooled.

When Daisy Hershberger and Perry Bontrager meet, they discover they have one thing in both their families are way too eager to see them matched with the person of their dreams. Daisy is convinced that Maynard is the one for her, but her parents have their doubts. And Perry? His family wonders if there’s anyone out there for a quirky guy like him. He’s also certain that some people–himself included–are destined to be single for life.

After comparing notes, Perry and Daisy agree to a pact. He’ll help her make Maynard realize what he’s missing, and she’ll pretend to be Perry’s love interest to keep his matchmaking mother satisfied. For a while, their pact seems to be working.

Maybe their imagined futures aren’t exactly what fairy tales are made of, but they’re committed to their plan . . . until they realize that a real-life fairy tale is happening where they least expect it. Sometimes, you don’t have to pretend to be anything but yourself in order for love to find you.

The final book in the Amish of Marigold series is a heartwarming, cozy inspirational romance featuring a pretend relationship and plenty of small-town charm. A perfect read for fans of Beverly Lewis and Suzanne Woods Fisher.

My Review:

Take an introverted Amish bachelor with an unusual hobby, add an extroverted Amish woman confused about love and you have the makings for a charming love story full of hope and laughter. Especially when you take into consideration the out-of-the-norm matchmaker working behind the scenes. Or trying to.

The first chapter features ten meddling brothers needling the lone bachelor in their midst — all kinds of cute and funny. But Perry’s just fine with his marital status (or lack thereof) thank you very much. He has a business to run and an absorbing hobby to occupy his spare time. What more could a fella want? Or so he thinks until ‘Daisy from Dover’ arrives on the scene.

The way their inauspicious meet-cute evolves into a fake dating scenario makes for an entertaining read. Of course their ruse backfires when real feelings become involved and it gets messy and a wee bit angsty before everything is all sorted, much to my bookish delight!

A classic Amish romance told in Kathleen Fuller’s engaging storytelling style, enhanced for me by Laura Berst’s winning narration. She’s a familiar voice in my Amish fiction listening and I enjoy the energy she brings through her performances.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition 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 The Marriage Pact, 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 April 19 2025.