Kav's Best Reads

A K-9 Christmas Reunion + Giveaway

Can one special dog make this a Christmas to remember?

Struggling to manage his father’s dementia while raising two young sons, widower Nathan Crenshaw is desperate for help. That is, until his dad’s new service dog arrives with an unexpected guest—trainer Gemma Spencer, the woman who broke his heart fifteen years ago. Now Nathan must spend the holidays working alongside his first love and ignoring their rocky history. But when Gemma steps up for his family after a near tragedy, old feelings start to resurface. With their future uncertain, can matchmaking relatives and a K-9 turn the New Year into their second chance?

My Review:

Phew! What a heart-wrenching read! Carter has captured all the emotional nuances that rise to the surface after a dementia diagnosis. The Crenshaw family dynamics are shifting and neither Nathan, his young sons, or his ailing father are prepared for the changes ahead.

Until Gemma arrives with Rascal, a very special service dog. Trouble is Nathan and Gemma have a history; a first love gone awry when Gemma broke his heart and he’s not keen on having her stay around for the two weeks it will take to acclimate his dad with his new service dog. But if he doesn’t accept her help they’ll go back on the waiting list and by the time his dad’s name comes up again it will be too late. What’s an overworked, super stressed and grieving single dad to do? Put up with the close proximity of his first love for the sake of not only his father, but his whole family.

So — sqquueallll — Second Chance Romance with a Single Dad, two of my favourite tropes! Made all the better because we’re back in Truelove where the civic hobby is matchmaking. So, yes, parts of this novel are hard to read between the dementia diagnosis and the tough back stories of both our hero and heroine BUT the author has also infused their romance with laughter and hope as they create some precious Christmas memories.

A heartwarming inspirational holiday romance.

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 A K-9 Christmas Reunion, 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 October 5 2024.

October New Releases Giveaway

It’s a 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 October 2024 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) If your name is drawn, that October release is the book you will win and we’re one book closer to keeping our fave authors in business.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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 October 5 2024.

Christy Awards Finalists 2024 – First Novel

What are the Christy Awards?

The Christy Award is destined to nurture creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres. These 2024 finalists are books published in 2023.

How does this giveaway work?

You select ONE of the First Novel finalists you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in a comment. If you win that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the finalists. (I have provided links to my reviews of the books I have read.)

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.

A Fifth of the Story by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson Hayes – End Game Press – Winner’s Choice of paperback or ebook – There’s an attack on US soil, and Brock―an agent of the CIA―finds himself in the middle of the mess. He soon discovers that there’s been a breach that threatens not only to destroy the nation’s safety, but very possibly, Brock’s own life.

In the race against the clock, Brock tries to keep his field officer’s wife and children safe and stay alive.

In the midst of the chaos, Brock discovers one of his closest allies is a part of the dangerous intelligence breach responsible for a recent string of crimes by an extremist organization.

It’s up to Brock to either take down the organization, or find himself―and those he loves most―at their mercy.

A Fifth of the Story is the suspenseful, action-packed tale of one man’s courage and resilience as he works against the clock to save the lives of his two best friends and, ultimately, the freedom he’s fought for as a CIA agent during one of the US’s history’s darkest hours, using the backdrop of espionage, loyalty, betrayal, and the ultimate test of friendship.

An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann – Waterbrook, an imprint of Penguin Randomhouse – Winner’s Choice of paperback or ebook – A Colombian American journalist tries to save her career by taking an assignment somewhere she never thought she’d go—Colombia—in this heartwarming debut novel about rediscovering our family stories.

Twenty-five-year-old Melanie Carvajal, a hardworking but struggling journalist for a Miami newspaper, loves her Colombian mother but regularly ignores her phone calls, frustrated that she never quite takes the time to understand Melanie’s life. When the opportunity arises for a big assignment that might save her flagging career, Melanie follows the story to the land of her mother’s birth. She soon realizes Colombia has the potential to connect her, after all these years, to something she’s long her heritage, the love of her mother, her family, and the richest parts of herself.

Colombia offers more than a chance to make a name for herself as a writer. It is a place of untold stories.

Inspired by real-life events, An American Immigrant is a story of culture and community, of abiding commitment to family, and of embracing our culture and the generations that have come before.

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni – Revell/Baker Publishing Group – Winner’s Choice of paperback or ebook – Cora Matthews has long wondered why her mother stopped taking her to visit her grandparents’ lodge in the small Northwoods Minnesota town of Moonberry Lake. Now, after burying her mother and breaking off her engagement just two weeks before her wedding, Cora has a chance to find out. Once there, she is stunned to learn that the old lodge is her inheritance–with a surprising condition attached. Maybe some time to regroup on the shores of a beautiful lake is just what Cora needs to figure out what’s next for her.

But Cora’s days on the lake are anything but relaxing. The only thing that’s a bigger mess than her own life is the dilapidated building she’s living in. Add a cantankerous handywoman, an angry neighbor, and an elderly woman who spends all her time talking to the “residents” in the cemetery and Cora’s not sure she can stick it out. But if she can, she may find a love she never expected–from the most unexpected people imaginable. This homespun tale of new friendships, sweet romance, and ordinary miracles will have you wishing you could spend a summer (or a lifetime) on Moonberry Lake.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 5 2024 (after 12 pm) REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!

The Night Woods

The sixth Mercy Carr Mystery in which Mercy and Elvis must prove the innocence of a new friend accused of murder.

Record snow and sleet and rain are pummeling Vermont and a wild boar has escaped from an exclusive hunting club nearby―but that won’t stop a very pregnant and very bored Mercy Carr from hiking her beloved woods with her loyal dog Elvis. She’s supposed to be decorating the nursery and helping her mother plan the baby shower, but she’d much rather be playing Scrabble with Homer Grant, a word-loving, shotgun-toting hermit living deep in the forest. But when she and Elvis drop by Homer’s cabin for their weekly game, they arrive to find an unknown dead man―and no sign of Homer.

As they search the woods, Mercy discovers a patch of devastation that could only be left behind by wild boar. She’s relieved when Elvis tracks Homer, injured but alive. But Homer’s troubles are far from over, as he’s still the number one suspect and he remembers nothing of the attack. When another corpse with a link to Homer is found, Mercy is determined to help her friend, an effort complicated by the unexpected arrival of her young cousin Tandie, sent by Mercy’s mother to keep an eye on her until the baby is born.

As the floods worsen, Troy and Susie Bear are called out with all the other first responders, and Mercy finds herself alone at Grackle Tree Farm with a concussed Homer, Tandie, and Elvis. As waters rise and the wild boar rampages, Mercy realizes that the murderer is out there ready to strike again, this time much closer to home.

My Review:

This is such a stupendous series! I particularly love the deep characterization that builds from book to book – and not just in Mercy but other characters as well. In fact, by this sixth book, she has accumulated a wonderful group of misfits who have become the best kind of found family.

I recommend reading this series in order to get the most out of character back stories and growth in relationships. Both Mercy and her dog, Elvis, are former military, have struggled to varying degrees with PTSD and are still adjusting to civilian life. Mercy has also made some significant life changes over the course of the series which makes me appreciate her all the more in ‘The Night Woods.’

And, mercy! (pun intended), what an incredible addition to the series. In a word; unputdownable! This mystery hits very close to home at a time when Mercy is most vulnerable. My heart was in my throat the entire read. A complex, twisty-turny plot kept me on edge right to very end. But it’s not all high-octane intensity because Munier brilliantly mixes action and suspense with more heartwarming scenes with family and friends which made for some very sweet (and sometimes funny) interludes.

A very satisfying and immersive ‘read’.

Well, ‘listen’ actually because I enjoyed the audio edition expertly narrated by Kathleen McInerney who gave Mercy just the right kind of edge and grit while creating distinctive voices for a multitude of secondary characters.. McInerney is one of my favourite voice actors, her name attached to a fave author’s screams ‘buy me’ and I usually do.

Of note: contains some mild language.

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

Reader’s Choice Week, Autumn 2024 Winners

Thanks everyone for making this season’s Reader’s Choice Week so much fun! I am feeling a bit twitchy because it feels like there aren’t as many books releasing this last quarter of the year. Signs of the time, I suppose. Plus, I’m wondering if more authors are opting to publish independently and those upcoming releases are hard to source way ahead. It will be interesting to see what the new year brings — but for now — it’s that time….drumroll, please…

BOOK NERDY STATS (ha, I bet you thought I’d start listing the winners.) Before we get to all that fun stuff, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the popular picks of the week — as far as genre days went anyway. Here they are:

POPULAR PICK – HISTORICAL

POPULAR PICK – CONTEMPORARY

POPULAR PICK – SUSPENSE

POPULAR PICK – CHRISTMAS

And now it’s time to move into the part of this post you will be most interested in (and I thank you for indulging in my bibliophile neediness!)

READER’S CHOICE WEEK – AUTUMN EDITION WINNERS!

HISTORICAL – won by Winnie

CONTEMPORARY – won by Mark

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE – WON BY LORI

CF -WON BY MELANIE B.

GOALS – WON BY KATHRYN B.

But wait, it’s not over yet. The Vanity category has become a blog tradition. It’s where a book is actually judged by its cover and I choose my favourite cover art per genre and then draw from a pool of readers who requested that title. Here are COVER LOVE winners!

HISTORICAL COVER LOVE

won by Sylvia M.

I love the way the artist has captured the fairy tale ambiance with a nod to mystery and a heroine off on a quest. Love the pop of red in the foreground, and the sense of motion in the cloak — clearly this Red Riding Hood has places to go and people to see and I need to know everything!

CONTEMPORARY COVER LOVE

won by Cindy Davis

Doesn’t this cover scream ‘rom/com’? Love the minimalist approach to colour — makes the important bits in red really pop. Hmmm…red again…I wonder if I’m drawn to certain colours in different seasons?

Mystery/suspense cover love

won by Kathleen B

Not gonna lie — it’s the gloves and the vintage dress that caught my attention…but then that mysterious background kept it. This cover gives me Mary Stewart, Phyllis A. Whitney vibes and I’m all in.

CHRISTMAS COVER LOVE

WON BY JACKIE

Honestly, it’s the title that drew me in first and I like the fancy font! I mean, books on a library shelf, a Christmas tree and a woman staring pensively out a stained glass window — I’m wholeheartedly in!

WAIT! Don’t go away ’cause we’re not through yet. We have another Reader’s Choice tradition of picking a random number which becomes a ‘just because giveaway’ on the genre specific days. If that doesn’t make sense, all you need to know is that it means more book giveaways. Woohoo! This time the number is 11.

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE 11TH

won by Diane Flowers

That’s another RC wrap up. I’ll send winners an email stating their book win, publication date and requesting contact info so that I’ll have everything ready for release day. Then I’ll email you once again once the book has been ordered. Oh — and if you didn’t include your email in your comment it’s up to you to contact me.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK:

Please remember to check +Giveaway in the title and note the book editions available for each giveaway as they will vary. (I’m crosseyed from all the tallying and concentrating on putting the right name to the right win so this is just a list!)

SUNDAY – The Night Woods by Paula Munier

MONDAY – Christy Award Finalists – First Novel

TUESDAY – Hello October – time to put this week’s hard work to good use. 🙂

WEDNESDAY – A K-9 Christmas Reunion by Lisa Carter

THURSDAY – Rescued by the Hero by Mandi Blake

FRIDAY – The Christmas Cottage by Davis Bunn

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Autumn 2024 Edition – Goal Review

Another Best Reads Blog tradition is quarterly reading goal reviews. I’ll share my progress (or not!) here just for some fun, book nerdy stats and, if you’re so inclined you can share a goal or two in the comments. But no pressure – a goal can be as simple as ‘read a book.’

So, to enter this giveaway, just share anything goal related in the comments. Then, in the same comment, list a book that will help you reach your goal. So it looks like this:

“I want to catch up on some suspense series. Night Prey by Susan Sleeman.”

NOTE: BOOKS MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION

You can enter up to three times in three separate comments — and you can use the same goal or a different one each time, but a different title for each entry.

Books can be published any time up through to December 2024. Currently published books will be ordered this coming week for winners, otherwise it will be an IOU for a title releasing later in October, November or December 2024.

See? Easy Peasy. But if you’re still not clear, don’t be shy about asking questions.

Now, here are some of my reading goal highlights — just have three more months to work on them! Ack!

Okay, that’s enough nerdy stats stuff. Let’s get on with the giveaway!

Share below and remember to include a book title that will help you achieve any kind of reading goal. You can enter three times in three separate comments using the same goal or different ones. What ever strikes your fancy. Just make sure each entry is for a different title.

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

SATURDAY September 28 2024.

OFFER OPEN TO ANY READER WHO HAS A US KINDLE .COM ACCOUNT FOR EBOOKS. OTHERWISE IT’S WINNER’S CHOICE OF PAPERBACK OR EBOOK FOR US AND CANADIAN ENTRIES.

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Autumn 2024 Edition – Christian Fiction

Three cheers for my favourite season! Cooler temps, vibrant fall colours, geese flying south — I am loving the autumn vibes! And what is one of the first things I do to celebrate the start of the new season? Check into all the fall new releases of course! And that’s where this Reader’s Choice Week comes into play.

Here’s how this week’s giveaway works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION genre specific titles with release dates in October, November or December 2024 (up to 3 suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it’s a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

IT’S GENERAL CHRISTIAN FICTION GIVEAWAY DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the General Christian Fiction genre you would like to win.

General Christian Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas. Any genre, including previous selections you made on other days this week as well as specific genres not covered yet such as Amish, Speculative, SciFi etc.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! May recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication date must be October, November or December 2024

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

It’s helpful to include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments per day. If you choose not to include your email then it’s up to you to contact me if you are a winner.

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

Saturday September 28 2024

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon on September 28. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.

Just in case you need some additional inspiration, I’ve compiled a list of new releases that caught my eye and haven’t been mentioned yet this week. At least, I don’t think they have but if I have some duplicates, my apologies.

OCTOBER:

Historical

The Innkeeper’s Christmas by Kristie Seif
A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly
The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Lynn Dean
Brave by Mesu Andrews
A Noble Gift by Elizabeth Fryer
A Brilliant Alliance by Laura Beers
Secrets of a Duke by Martha Keyes

Contemporary

Maid at Christmas by Bell Renshaw
The Lost Daughter’s Irishman by Carolyn Miller
Running into Forever by Jennifer Rodewald
Marrying the Billboard Cowboy by Tara Grace Ericson
A Weary World Rejoices: Mosaic Christmas Anthology

Mystery/Suspense

Zeke (Oath of Honor; 7) by Laura Scott
Perilous Healing by Jessica Ashley

NOVEMBER

Historical

Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti (also mystery)
A Path to Healing by Lisa M. James
A Season for the Heart by J.M. Hochstetler (also Amish)
Above All Dreams by Naomi Rawlings

Contemporary

Caring for the Cowboy’s Baby by Hannah Jo Abbot
Matchmaking the Cowboy by Emily Conrad
Sugarplum Dreams by Jessie Gussman
An Amish Thanksgiving by Beth Wiseman

Mystery/Suspense

Mint Flavored Trouble by Tyora Moody (cozy mystery)
Fear No Evil by Lisa Phillips
Surge: a Breed Apart by Ronie Kendig
Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti (also historical)
Flynn by Laura Scott
Shadow of Fear by Susan Sleeman
Knight Brew by Heather Day Gilbert (cozy mystery)
The Gory of Light by Hannah Hood Lucero

DECEMBER

Historical

Let Nothing You Dismay by Jennifer Q. Hunt
The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan

Contemporary

A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy by Valerie Comer
The Run Option by Anna Conwell
His Ninth Promise by Liz Isaacson
Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoun

Mystery/Suspense

Corralling the Cowboy by Elle E. Kay

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Autumn 2024 Edition – Mystery/Suspense Fiction

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

IT’S MYSTERY/ROMANCE FICTION GIVEAWAY DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the Mystery/Romance Fiction genre you would like to win.

Mystery/Suspense Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas where mystery is an important part of the plot. The hero or heroine (or both) are often in peril (more so in suspense) Can set in any time period and cross genres such as Amish, dual timeline etc.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication date must be October, November or December 2024

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

Saturday September 28 2024

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon on September 28. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Autumn 2024 Edition – Contemporary Fiction

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

IT’S CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE/FICTION GIVEAWAY DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the Contemporary Fiction genre you would like to win.

Contemporary Romance/Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period after 1980. May cross genres such as YA, Suspense, Amish etc. and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! May recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication date must be October, November or December 2024

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

Saturday September 28 2024

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon on September 28. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.

Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Autumn 2024 Edition – Historical Fiction

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

IT’S HISTORICAL ROMANCE/FICTION GIVEAWAY DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the Historical Fiction genre you would like to win.

Historical Romance/Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period before 1980. May cross genres such as YA, Suspense, Amish etc. and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! May recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication date must be October, November or December 2024

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

Saturday September 28 2024

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon on September 28. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.