Kav's Best Reads

Fatal Witness + Giveaway

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she’s been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

My Review:

An edge-of-your-seater up to the very end. Intense and intriguing. Love the family history connection which brought an emotional tone to the suspense. And the pacing — the way the author draws out certain situations until I could feel every last nerve stretched taut. I felt gut-punched by the end. 🙂

Bradley knows how to create memorable characters and that includes secondary ones. In this case, Mae, a feisty grandma who has never given up hope of finding her missing granddaughter. The police might consider Dani’s disappearance a cold case, but Mae’s dogged determination finally produces results…and then everything goes wrong.

Oy — I wish I could convey how brilliantly the suspense plays out. The glimpses we get of Mae’s memories and Dani’s fragmented ones as they try to piece together a puzzle that someone definitely doesn’t want them to solve. Chilling and captivating, creating a charged atmosphere through the whole read.

And if all that suspenseful tension wasn’t enough we also get the romantical kind as well. A K-9 Officer makes for an appealing hero and Mark does the role justice. He’s protective and kind and compassionate and willing to support Mae in her quest when everyone else has given up. And then Dani comes onto the scene and sparks fly and Mark becomes embroiled in a cover up decades in the making.

Lots of gasp-out-loud moments. Danger. Intrigue. Richly layered mystery. And some swoonalicious moments too. The perfect combination for a stellar romantic suspense.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Fatal Witness’ and Ann Richardson delivered a compelling narration.

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 Fatal Witness, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 23 2024.

The Love Script + Giveaway

Hollywood hair stylist Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Toni Shiloh dazzles in this irresistible red-carpet romance with spotlight-stealing laughter, faith, and a happily ever after.

My Review:

Cheshire grinning while basking in bibliophile euphoria after finishing this book. You know, when a story sinks so deep into your heart that it takes a minute to shake the fictional world loose and resurface into your far less colourful one? That’s the way ‘The Love Script’ left me feeling.

Sigh! This one is pure romance in all it’s glorious wonder! The way Shiloh plots the story and blends humour and angst is astounding. Great pacing as the relationship between Lamont and Nevaeh grows out of uncertain circumstances. Just so beautiful and believable and inspiring and downright hysterically funny in places.

And….eeeeeepppppp!…Fake Dating Trope Alert! And it’s done so well. I really appreciated the way they went into their relationship with their faith and standards at the forefront of every decision. Prayer plays a significant role in every aspect of this romance as the author allows her characters to grow in integrity and purpose. So, so good!

I am so not a starry-eyed Hollywood kind of reader but Shiloh sold me anyway. Lamont’s story is such a powerful testimony because it contrasts with that glitz and glamour background. A real juxtaposition between his two worlds as he strives to reflect the light of Christ in all that he does.

This would make a fantastic book club selection because there are so many great talking points in this novel. From unrealistic beauty standards to the hype of social media and the cancel culture and troll mentality that brings.

I listened to audible edition expertly narrated by Dioni Michelle Collins. She gave an amazing performance and really breathed life into these wonderful characters. Perfect author/narrator pairing!

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 Love Script , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 23 2024.

Children of the Shadows + Giveaway

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery–while trying to keep their growing romance secret.

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing–and even if they are noticed, who will care?

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he’s still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They’re on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel’s past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate–or lose everything.

Erica Vetsch’s popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

My Review:

Of Note: because I think the Thorndyke & Swann Regency Mystery series should be read in order, the giveaway will be for one of three books. Look for more details in red underneath the Giveaway Opportunity heading.

Still fan-girling over this series. It’s the perfect blend of Regency and mystery with enough cloak and dagger stuff going on to keep an avid reader on the edge of her seat all the way through. Plus, the romance has heated up in this third book, though it’s not without some unique challenges. We can’t make things too easy for Daniel and Juliette, can we? 🙂

You definitely want to read the books in this series in order because the first two contain quite a bit of back story on our characters plus there are some over-arcing issues that carry on into this third novel. Daniel is a Bow Street Investigator and Juliette is apprenticing in the family spy biz (for the Crown, of course!) which makes things very interesting…and somewhat complicated. As does the mystery unique to this third novel. I hesitate to say much more for fear of posting spoilers so I’ll end with this:

A page-turning extravaganza of lush storytelling and layers of intrigue made ‘Children of the Shadows’ an unputdownable read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Winner’s choice of any of the three Thorndyke & Swann Regency Mysteries:

#1 The Debutante’s Code

#2 Millstone of Doubt

#3 Children of the Shadows

PLEASE INDICATE WHICH BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR COMMENT OR EMAIL

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 one of Thorndyke & Swann Regency Mysteries, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March March 16 2024.

DON’T FORGET TO ADD THE TITLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR COMMENT OR EMAIL.

March Giveaway – Week Three

WON BY JACKIE

WON BY ABIGAIL KAY HARRIS

WON BY KAY GARRETT

WON BY KIMMY

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 in the title and note the book editions available for each giveaway as they will vary.

Trapped in Yosemite

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake.

When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

My Review:

Action and adventure and suspense, oh my! An edge of your seat, page-turning wonder of a read. Nothing like being stranded in the wilderness with a killer to ramp up the spidey senses! Oh, not to mention throwing in an earthquake to make things a wee more complicated. 🙂

Mentink knows how to engage her readers and keep them riveted and I am sure hoping that some of these secondary characters are going to have their turn to star in their own stories!

Von and Stella have to overcome a whole lot of obstacles before they can claim their happily ever after. And — woohoo — this one is a second chance romance which is a trope I love. BUT it’s paired with a secret baby trope which I’m not a fan of. The author handles it well, given the circumstances Stella found herself in, but I wasn’t entirely won over to her way of thinking. Keeping a guy in the dark about being a father is a hard sell for me. I still enjoyed the romantic elements of this suspense though and was invested in their relationship from the get go.

I listened to the audio edition of Trapped in Yosemite, expertly narrated by Abby Craden.

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure + Giveaway

A Whimsical Victorian Historical Romance from a Debut Author

When Clara Marie Stanton’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society’s prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren’t insane. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.

My Review:

Sqqqquuuuuueeeeeeeppppp!!! This is me squealing and ‘eeping’ and making an ecstatic bibliophile ballyhoo over this debut novel! It’s everything I want in a story (including some interesting quirks that make this read quite unique.)

There’s adventure. Drama. Deeply layered emotions. Eccentricities galore! Romance — helloooo enemies to more trope! And does Clara ever make Theodore work for her regard. Sometimes I wanted to purse whomp her, or should I say reticule whomp? In any case, she was sooooo frustrating at times only I understood why so I worked on empathizing instead of whomping. 🙂

Clara’s character growth throughout the course of the book is phenomenal. But Theodore’s coming to understand his worth in relation to his Father in Heaven is next level amazing! So much emotional richness in the midst of all the mayhem. Because we have a dastardly villain and the ‘eccentric to the nth degree’ Stanton family wreaking all kinds of havoc. Believe me, nothing is dull when they are around.

Clara’s mother is impossible in the most charming of ways. An unconventional (understatement) lady of passionate opinions and extreme fondness for all creatures great and small. And she’s wise too, in a confounding kind of way. “‘What ifs’ are not acquainted with ‘what is’ and they spread horrid falsehoods about ‘what will be’ so why bother entertaining them?”

‘A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure’ is a fantastic fictional jaunt around Europe with the most entertaining companions you’ll ever meet. I was transfixed the whole read through.

I listened to the audible edition of this book and thoroughly enjoyed Beverley A. Crick’s entertaining portrayal of all these characters.

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 A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.

Kidnapping Cold Case + Giveaway

The key to staying alive is buried in forgotten memories.

Ten years ago, forensic artist Jacy Urban escaped her abductor with no memory of that night. Now two teenage girls are missing, and all signs indicate that the same kidnapper is back on the hunt. When Jacy is attacked, it’s clear she’s the assailant’s next target. Only Detective Cash Rawson is there to rescue her—again. Can Cash help Jacy recover her memories before she’s silenced for good?

My Review:

Whoa — the opening scene is spine-chilling! And the reader is kept on edge all the way through. Phew! Some intense moments and there’s a definite stalkerish vibe as well as relentless pursuit. So, seatbelts and crash helmets advised!

Jacy and Cash have a special connection from a decade ago and now they are thrown together in a bid to stop a killer…da da da da duuummmmm. Bwahaha! Scary good. Fast paced. Lots of action. Punctuated by sweet ‘getting to know you’ moments that lead to romance. This one is definitely an insta-love kind of story but it works. And I like the way the author winds everything up. We’re given longer than normal down time to let things settle and give Jacy and Cash a chance to start dating without bullets flying. 🙂

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith. She does a wonderful job with these characters. Loved her tone of voice and performance. I’m becoming quite the audio book connoisseur and this book was easy to listen to.

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 Kidnapping Cold Case , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.

Embers in the London Sky + Giveaway

As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.

When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.

The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.

My Review:

I have read every book Sarah Sundin has written and after each read I think, ‘that was so good, she can’t possibly top this!’ And then she does. Over and over again with each new release. So, for the moment, I’m saying that ‘Embers in the London Sky’ is her best ever and my ultimate favourite…but that is likely to change when I read her next book, or even a previous book I’ve already enjoyed. I’m fickle when it comes to Sarah Sundin’s books, I guess. 🙂

But this one…oh…mercy! I ugly cried at the end. Great heaving sobs, hail-sized tears, I just couldn’t hold all the emotions back! Which was kind of embarrassing since I listened to the audio book and I was walking outside at the time. Thankfully it was raining so there’s hope that passersby assumed those drops rolling down my face were from the cloudy sky, not my eyes!

And, oh, the journey to that emotional climax. Utter perfection! Impeccable pacing — the plot never lagged though sometimes I thought I’d burst if I didn’t get the full story on…well, so many things. But the author pulls backstories and plot threads together at just the right time…keeping me in rapturous bibliophile tenterhooks all the way through! And…eeeeppp…there’s even a murder mystery too!

Again, I’m amazed at the way authors can approach a World War II novel from so many different angles. I was particularly captivated by Hugh’s work as a war correspondent. The significance the war had on changes to news coverage was a surprise to me…and utterly fascinating. And the clashes over censorship ran true to our 21st century media struggles so that was really eye-opening too. Who knew we didn’t create fake news?! 🙂

The romance is deeply emotional and not without pitfalls, but it’s clear that Hugh and Aleida are better together than apart — even if they don’t always see things that way! Oh, the shivery delight of a well fought marathon to a happily ever after! Rich and satisfying and full of hope!

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Lisa Larsen who did an amazing job with the various accents. Her performance brought these characters to life in a memorable way and I highly recommend the audio edition of ‘Embers in the London Sky’ if you’re a ‘listening reader’ like I am.

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 Embers in the London Sky , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.

Love, Unscripted + Giveaway

The perfect boyfriend only exists on paper…doesn’t he?

Fresh off the heels of a bad breakup, Chloe Anderson poured her heart into penning the perfect boyfriend—and the result was an off-the-charts debut beach read that resonated with women worldwide. Now, Chloe’s scripted hero is headed for Hollywood, with her book destined to become a major motion picture.

When Chloe gets wind that silver screen bad boy Liam Hamilton has been cast as the ideal-in-every-way hero of her novel, she’s horrified by the film director’s choice. How could a player like Liam possibly do Chloe’s perfect hero justice? Unafraid to speak her mind, Chloe lets her executive producer know she’s one hundred percent opposed to the casting. And oops—the call is on speakerphone, where the annoyingly attractive Hollywood star hears Chloe’s unbridled outrage firsthand.

With Liam’s reputation already on the rocks, his agent concocts a PR plan to upgrade Liam’s image while putting the story—and the film—in the spotlight. The catch? During the movie’s filming in Chloe’s cute hometown of Stillwater, North Carolina, Chloe and Liam will fake a wholesome, committed relationship. Both stand to gain something from the arrangement. Liam’s fans will see him in a new light, while Chloe can boost her struggling social media following and further her writing career. What could possibly go wrong?

As author and actor navigate the waters of the PR relationship, they’re unprepared when their professional agreement turns into an actual friendship. And when serious sparks start to fly—well, that’s an unread chapter for both of them.

My Review:

Well now, I’m throughly charmed and in a post-read tizzy after finishing this delicious contemporary romance. If ever a book screamed ‘beach read’ this one does — from the pretty cover right through to the very last page.

And, oh my! Two of my favourite tropes — enemies to more and fake dating — written to sweet (and angsty) perfection. With liberal doses of humour mixed in. Such a fun read, though some deeper topics are covered as well which keep things realistically messy and just a bit desperate at times.

I’m not usually one for a movie star hero. The whole Hollywood scene isn’t something I care about at all. Or the social media hype that goes along with the rich and famous so, normally I would have passed over this novel BUT Denise Hunter is the author so….I decided to be brave. 🙂

And, wonders of wonders, I actually enjoyed the movie aspects of this novel. Hunter adds just enough details to feel authentic without the ‘Hollywood’ aspects overwhelming the story. Of course, the whole PR scheme screams ‘Hollywood’ but it plays out brilliantly with lots of lovely ‘getting to know you’ kind of scenes to smile and swoon over. And then, when things really heat up — clear your fainting couch and keep your smelling salts handy because it’s not just the summer temps rising…until…well, let’s just say the author doesn’t make it too easy for Liam and Chloe to achieve their happily-ever-after.

I listened to the audio edition of Love, Unscripted (brilliant title tie-in by the way) narrated by Kathleen McInerney who amped up my ‘reading’ enjoyment all the more. She is a talented storyteller who brings characters to life in such a compelling way. Superb listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio 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 the option of an audible.ca edition.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love Unscripted , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.