Kav's Best Reads

Captured in Frame + Giveaway

In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.

Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.

When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?

My Review:

First off — fantastic cover art! Drew me right in and made me insta buy the book! Well, that and the fact that Laura Thomas is a Canadian author and the back blurb is so enticing!

Atmospheric from the very first chapter. I love the way Thomas draws out the suspense — there’s almost a Gothic feel to it. Georgia, beleaguered by unexplained occurrences at a time in her life when she is most vulnerable. A handsome widowed doctor who proves to be a friend and ally despite his own traumatic past. Seemingly benign messages that only Georgia recognizes as sinister. Doesn’t that sound like a classic Mary Stewart or Phyllis A. Whitney novel?!

And the faith content is exceptional. I could so relate with Georgia’s needing to be in control, wrestling with God for ownership of, well, everything.

“I’m not good with being out of control. I’ll admit, I’m a control freak. Always have been.”

“That’s when God steps in though, isn’t it? When we come to the end of ourselves and remember He’s sovereign…”

Love, love, love that last line. The imagery of God stepping in when we come to the end of ourselves…made such an impact on me. Like a wake up call and I so love when my fiction speaks spiritual truths into my life. I’ve been reading a lot of secular ‘clean’ fiction and Christian Fiction that’s been very light on faith elements lately and I didn’t realize how much I missed these precious inspirational threads. So grateful for authors like Laura Thomas who weave God into their stories.

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 Captured in Frame, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 31 2024.

An Uncommon Grace + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

A moving and inspirational novel about the power of faith, family and above all, love, as a young Amish man must turn to his Englisch neighbor for help after a devastating tragedy.

Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war.

Levi Troer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder. Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family’s rescue and saves his mother’s life. A deep attraction develops — even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden.

Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects — the Swartzentruber Amish. Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother — who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family.

Grace considered leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bank if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?

My Review:

published in 2012

Captivating from the very first page, An Uncommon Grace made me think as much as it entertained.

First things first — you have to get past the misleading cover. I’ve never seen such a misrepresentation of a book before! Who is that woman looking off into the distance and why is she on the cover of Grace and Levi’s story? LOL. Grace is obviously not Amish and this book is just as much about Grace and her family as it is about Levi’s and his. In fact, if you aren’t into Amish fiction, I’d wager that you’d still find this a compelling read on so many levels.

One of the most fascinating part of this book is the glimpse Miller gives us into the strict Swartzentruber Amish order. The story is peppered with so many interesting facts and comparisons with the Old Order Amish that is usually featured in fiction.

The addition of a murder mystery along with the complicated relationship that slowly develops between Levi and Grace makes this the kind of read you just won’t want to put down. Miller’s characters become living, breathing people with minds and hearts of their own. Grace’s grandmother is an incredible rock for both of them — a genteel lady with a quick sense of humour and deep understanding of the Savior’s love.

As Levi struggles to make sense of the sudden upheaval in his life, Grace finds herself drawn into a chaos of her own. Both ardently support their families, willing to sacrifice anything for those they love. In a perfect world, they would be perfect for each other — but perfection doesn’t come in this life and their journey isn’t an easy one. Miller has spun an emotional tale that I soon won’t forget…and hopefully you won’t either because you’re sure to want to read it now too, right?

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 An Uncommon Grace, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 17 2024.

Critical Alliance + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Mackenzie Hanson’s special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father’s tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he’s trying to relax, he’s drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common–a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need–before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

My Review:

published in 2022

Whoa! Intense edge-of-your-seat stuff all the way through! Definitely a read in one sitting kind of book. The way Goddard amps up the tension (in both suspense and romance) is masterful. I was hanging on every word right up until the very end.

If I wasn’t angsting over malicious pranks and lethal threats, I was in emotional turmoil over Alex and Mackenzie’s stuttering relationship. This author writes in such a way that I experience all the feelings right along with these characters. And their back stories! Mackenzie’s in particular really resonated with me. And her faith journey is phenomenal.

There was an edgy kind of creep factor to the suspense since it deals with cyber security hacking and made me realize how vulnerable our high tech lives make us. From computerized cars to medical devices and ‘smart’ houses…so many ways our lives can go sideways at the hands of a determined hacker. Made for a riveting read though.

This is the third and final book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series but reads well as a standalone. I had read the first two books when they released but this one somehow got left by the wayside for two years! Glad I finally rectified that oversight.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Cynthia Farrell.

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 Critical Alliance, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 31 2024.

The Cloverton Charade + Giveaway

A house party in Regency England provides the perfect opportunity for two rival antiquity brokers to scope out a potentially valuable collection while trying to keep their attraction at bay.

Olivia Brannon’s knowledge of antiquities is unparalleled, having learned everything she needs to know from her broker father. She longs to use that knowledge to make a future for herself, but as a woman, her options are limited . . . until the day a former client, who happens to be the previous mistress of Cloverton Hall, approaches Olivia about evaluating an obscure, private collection. But there is a catch: the evaluation must be conducted in secrecy to prevent the widow’s nephew, the new master of Cloverton Hall, from having knowledge of it. Alicia sees this as her one and only chance to prove her worth, so she agrees to attend a house party at Cloverton Hall and conduct the evaluation covertly.

The younger son of England’s foremost antiquities purveyor, Lucas Avery represents the future of his family business. When he learns that the new master of Cloverton Hall intends to liquidate his deceased uncle’s impressive collection, Lucas is determined to be the broker who oversees the sale. The new master of Cloverton Hall invites Lucas to a house party on the estate, during which time he will have full access to the collection. Lucas jumps at the opportunity, for if successful, he stands to make a great deal of money, as well as solidify his family’s future.

Olivia and Lucas both arrive at the house party under the guise of guests and quickly recognize each other as business rivals, raising their suspicions. After they conduct their individual assessments, it becomes clear to them both that some of the pieces in the collection are counterfeit. They reluctantly join forces to understand the scope of the deception. As their work brings them closer together, an undeniable bond begins to form. Then when one of the most famous pieces in the collection is broken during the house party, everyone is a suspect. Both Olivia and Lucas must decide how much they are willing to risk not only their professional reputations but also their hearts.

My Review:

It is universally acknowledged, that an avid reader in possession of well stocked bookshelves, must be in want of one more Regency Romance. That’s my motto and I’m sticking to it. And, eeeeeeeeeepppppppp, doubly so when the book holds the added allure of a mystery as well.

So, I was all atwitter with bibliophile ecstasy as I began listening to Jude Mason’s skilled narration of ‘The Cloverton Charade.’ Her polished performance breathed life into these characters and she’s a master at altering tone, accent and inflection to match the unique personality of each character. Made for a divine listening experience.

And this story!!! A house party, and all the social intricacies that involves, with Olivia attending (and out of her element!) under the guise of a guest though she’s really there to evaluate the widowed hostess’s valuable private collection.

Meanwhile, Lucas has been invited (again under the guise as guest) by the hostess’s nephew, and legal heir to the estate, to provide an evaluation of the uncle’s vast collection with the intent to sell it all.

Love the subterfuge and how it all plays out — especially since Lucas and Olivia know each other and there’s bad blood between their families and businesses. So, a kinda enemies to more romance in the midst of mystery and intrigue…and all the house party drama!

Brilliant pacing balances lighthearted moments with tense ones as Olivia and Lucas make their way through a maze of conspiracies and manipulations….and find their own happily ever after by the end. Of course.

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 The Cloverton Charade, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 31 2024.

August 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:

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.

An Irish Bookshop Murder

An utterly gripping cozy crime murder mystery

Meet Ireland’s newest darling she’s a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer. Now Mercy McCarthy needs a little Irish luck as she takes on her first case!

After receiving unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead!

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.

Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the judge—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him?

Then Mercy’s chief suspect turns up dead and she receives a threatening note, typed on paper from her own bookstore… Ireland was supposed to be a fresh start for Mercy and Lizzie, but dead bodies keep turning up.

Does Mercy have what it takes to nail the culprit or will the killer close the book on her time in this charming Irish village?

My Review:

I read a lot of cozy mysteries…A. Lot. And I have some fave tropes and settings but I go hyper crazy for two. Ireland and bookstores and, eeeeepppp, this first Mercy McCarthy novel features both! Plus, Mercy is a mystery author too! I’m gobsmacked and silly-giddy and super excited because this series is off to a great start!

There’s a wee bit of an edge to this cozy mystery, with the sisters’ backstories adding a somber note through layers of grief and overcoming. The author still delivers all the beloved elements of a cozy mystery though. The quaint Irish village, quirky neighbours and just the right amount of captivating descriptions so that I could picture myself right there with Mercy and Lizzie.

There’s the classic cozy mystery murder along with a host of potential suspects to keep things interesting and it’s complicated enough to give my sleuthing armchair a fair workout. Mercy is an avid investigator, though clumsy at times. What she lacks in finesse, she makes up for in determination and grit. Much to the chagrin of a certain detective (I’m experiencing heart palpitations at the potential romance vibes.) In fact, I might be a tad obsessed with these characters now. Hoping we won’t have long to wait for the second ‘Mercy McCarthy Mystery‘ to release! Love when I get invested in a story like I did with this one!

I listened to the brilliant audio edition of ‘An Irish Bookshop Murder’ narrated by Kimberly Wetherell who did such a wonderful job with the Irish accents and had me thinking in lilts the whole time I was listening to this book. Loved it soooo much and would highly recommend the audio.

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

The Perfect Putt + Giveaway

Golf is for rich, pretentious jerks who need something to do while they gossip.

That’s always been my opinion. So when my best friend lands me an interview with Miles Day–the youngest golfer to ever win the Masters–I almost say no.

But the six-figure salary attached to the position is too good to pass up.

Miles gives me the job as his assistant, with one caveat–don’t fall in love with him. Easy. So easy that I laugh in his face when he so much as suggests the possibility.

Except… the more time I spend with Miles, the harder it is to resist his charming smile and glittering green eyes.

Catching feelings for him isn’t an option though, because I have goals to reach, and he has an aversion to commitment. Falling in love would be a mistake, one neither of us are willing to make.

My Review:

It’s official. My second Annah Conwell book and I am in love! Perfect pacing, witty banter, toe-curling kisses, lots of zinging sparks and sizzles and characters who are easy to root for.

And I barely noticed that this story featured golf. I am so not a sports fan (unless it’s figure skating or horse jumping…or the Olympics) but if I had to pick my least favourite sport, it would be golf. About as exciting as watching paint dry, right? And how sporty can it be when you ride all around the course in a cart and someone else carries your golf clubs? But, you know what? Conwell made all that exciting and there was a point at the end where I was on tenterhooks because…well, can’t say why but, I couldn’t believe how invested I was in the outcome. And, mercy, but she had my emotions churning all over the place in those scenes!

And the fun thing is that Ellie thinks just like me. Not a golf fan. Not a Miles fan. She has some preconceived notions and a bit of a chip on her shoulder, if I’m being truthful. In fact she’s a bit of a grump in this reverse grumpy/sunshine trope, though Miles isn’t always sunshine-y…but, oh my, how he likes to tease!

Love the way the romance develops and how the author threw a few emotional sucker punches at this unsuspecting reader. I really like how she handles romantic conflict — it’s realistic but she doesn’t leave us wallowing in the depths of despair for too long. Phew!

‘The Perfect Putt’ is the second book in Conwell’s ‘More Than a Game’ series but reads fine as a standalone. Each book features a different sport and the guy friend group of athletes is fantastic. Their texting banter is so much fun! I’m looking forward to reading all the books in the series.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Sybil Johnson and Dillon Sickels. I’m discovering that I really enjoy dual narration for rom/coms and these performers really enhanced my ‘reading’ enjoyment. They captured the energy of the story perfectly.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of The Perfect Putt, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 24 2024.

When Hope Blossoms + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Amy Knackstedt moves with her children to Weaverly, Kansas, to escape the speculation surrounding her husband’s untimely death. She hopes the new location will provide a fresh start for them all. But her neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have a Mennonite family living next to his apple orchard. When the children try to befriend him, he resists. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn’t want any reminders of his former life. Yet Amy and Tim find their paths colliding far more than either could have foreseen. Will this tentative relationship blossom into something more?

My Review:

published in 2012

Sweet, sweet, SWEET! Brilliantly crafted, Sawyer delivers a story that brings hope from despair — a theme that aptly matches the title. Amazingly tight plotting blends three life experiences into one incredibly moving conclusion. Sawyer is a gifted storyteller.

Told from three POVs — Amy’s, Tim’s and Beckah’s (Amy’s 13-year-old daughter) — their diverse take on life and circumstances propel the story along at the perfect pace. I’m still marveling at how various story strands meshed together, building to one of the best feel-good endings I’ve ever read. Just LOVED this book so much.

And yes it is a Mennonite story — but it’s so much more as well with themes that will attract and satisfy even non-Amish/non-Mennonite fans. Themes like searching for a fresh start, finding ones faith, staying true to that faith no matter what, coping with grief, and learning to accept help from others in times of need. When Hope Blossoms is a wonderful celebration of the hope Christ can bring into every life.

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 When Hope Blossoms, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 24 2024.

The Winged Tiara + Giveaway

After a hasty wartime marriage and an even quicker divorce, two jewel thieves risk it all to obtain the grandest prize of them all, the last Valkyrie tiara, but their hearts may have something else in mind.

It was a match made in champagne-soaked heaven, but all too soon the bubbles dried up and divorce papers were issued just in time to ring in the end of the Great War. Jewel thieves and ex-lovers Jasper and Esme find themselves circulating among the elite of British aristocracy where the diamond-lined pockets are ripe for picking. But when the last Valkyrie tiara ever created becomes the talk of the season neither will stop to obtain it, not even when they inadvertently find themselves in the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse where their lives are suddenly at stake.

Bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski’s latest novel combines her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous atmosphere, and sweeping romance in a story readers are sure to be thinking about days after turning the final page.

My Review:

That gorgeous cover sets the stage for the classic black and white movie vibe in this story. I’m a visual reader — where I see things playing out in my mind as I read — and ‘The Winged Tiara’ was like ‘watching’ an old movie reel. Loved that campy feel.

The author stays true to the opulence of a post-war/pre-war European elite. I couldn’t relate to a lot of it — especially the drinking morning, noon and night — but who am I to argue with historical accuracy?! And I could totally understand the frenzied ‘live loud’ mentality after enduring the deprivation of four years of war. So, do the hero and heroine make great choices I can identify with? Definitely not all of the time, but this is fiction after all, and I was all in for the hijinks and banter right through to the end.

A beleaguered soldier and a war weary nursing assistant impulsively marry in the frenzied celebrations on Armistice Day. She sneaks away the next morning and they don’t meet up again until four years later — under the most unusual circumstances….they are both jewel thieves after the same prize!

Bwahahaha! This was such a fun cat-and-mouse romp across Europe! Professional adversaries with a romantic history (albeit a brief one) make Jasper and Esme intriguing opponents. And the way they keep one-upping each other is hysterical. I didn’t know who to root for! But there’s something more sinister afoot and adventure turns to danger and then…wow…that ending!!!!

A thoroughly enjoyable read…well, listen, since I got to appreciate Ann Marie Gideon’s wonderful narration for the audio book. She captured the personalities of these characters beautifully and pulled out an arsenal of accents for the varied supporting cast. So. Much. Fun.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction 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 the The Winged Tiara, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 24 2024.

2024 Carol Award Finalists – Debut + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2024 finalists are books published in 2023. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

Carol Award Winners will be announced on September 7 2024 at the ACFW Gala in New Orleans, Louisiana (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2024 —Debut Category you would like to receive. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Giveaway details may vary with each book (print, ebook only or winner’s choice of either, plus audible options for Canadians.) Edition availability will be noted in bold after the title/author/publisher of each entry. ALSO NOTE: Giveaway is for US and Canada OR ebook international if you have US Kindle account.

Steal Fire From the Gods by Clint Hall – Enclave Publishing – Editor: Lisa Laube – Winner’s Choice of paperback or ebook – The Human Alliance knew the war was over when the machines started using magic to cast fire, shake the ground, conjure storms, and part the seas.

We fought back anyway.

22-year-old soldier Gunnar Graves lost his faith and his family when a platoon of AI-driven war machines—led by an android fire mage—destroyed his unit. Forced to live in a machine-controlled village and hiding a dark secret, he spends his days trying to learn elemental power so he can take his revenge. After years of failure, his ability ignites when he least expects it.

On the run and hunted by the war machines, Gunnar discovers that an ancient, life-based strength has awakened to help humanity fight back. Joined by the other life mages, Gunnar is thrust into a mad world of android overlords, cyborg clans, and evil forces bent on his destruction.

To protect his newfound family, Gunnar must discover the truth behind a power he doesn’t understand and wage a war he doesn’t believe they can win.

Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer – Tyndale House – Editor: Kathy Olson – Winner’s choice of paperback or ebook – After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes–short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake–that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town–their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers – Scrivenings Press – Editors: Susan Page Davis and Elena Hill – Winner’s Choice of paperback or ebook – Two deaths occur decades apart. Is it possible these deaths are related? What motivates a killer, who got away with murder sixty years ago, to kill again? Was it uncontrollable rage or the hope of silencing someone who fit all the puzzle pieces together and deduced who committed the crime?

Set in the picturesque town of Mexico, Missouri, Show Me Betrayal takes flight in words and emotions of rich characters woven together into a story you won’t want to put down.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 24 2024. REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!