Tag: Christian Fiction

A Faithful Gathering

Leisel Bachmann left her Amish roots and beloved sisters to pursue a career in medicine without a second thought. She has an Englisch boyfriend, Nick Jordan, and dreams of a new life–but those dreams come crashing down when her sister Marie is diagnosed with cancer.

Soon nothing is going as she planned–not her state boards, not her first nursing job, and certainly not her relationship with Nick. As she becomes increasingly discouraged, her aunt shares the story of Leisel’s grandfather during World War II and the struggle he faced between returning to Lancaster or being with the woman he loved.

Peace and a vision for the future are difficult to find, and when Nick leaves Pennsylvania for a completely new life, Leisel is faced with impossible choices. Will she stay in Lancaster, close to her family and the traditions of her past? Or learn from her grandfather’s story and embrace a life of love and service in an uncertain future?

My Review:

Not your typical Amish romance! I really appreciate the unique approach Leslie Gould has taken with this series. I read book one, loved it, skipped book two because I didn’t much care for the sister it featured but now that I’ve read the third book I definitely have to backtrack and read the second one. 🙂 I should have trusted the author all along.

Tough subject matter, both past and present (this is a dual timeline story as we observe WWII through the eyes of Leisel’s grandfather) highlight the real struggles of finding peace in the midst of trauma and pain.

Leisel grew up in a less that ideal enviroment, left her Amish community to pursue her calling as a nurse and returns home to support her sister diagnosed with cancer. She’s caught between two worlds, which, sadly (for me) includes two fellas. So…a bit of a love triangle adds yet more angst to the mix.

Love the way her grandfather’s experiences being conscripted into the Civil Public Service during the war carry into Leisel’s present day. The timelines are woven seamlessly and make an emotional impact.

A stirring redemptive story of faith and hope.

The Song of Sourwood Mountain + Giveaway

The doors she thought were closed forever are starting to open up . . . just a crack

Though the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean’s hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher–until Gordon Covington shows up.
 
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in Eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that.
 
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who just might end up becoming the family she always yearned for.

My Review:

Lyrically beautiful storytelling. Gabhart brings Appalachian culture and community to life in such a vibrant way that it’s easy to picture every detail as the story unfolds.

Gordon caught my attention in the very first chapter with his unorthodox proposal which sends Mira’s world spinning out of control. Loved the marriage of convenience storyline with Mira being scooped out of all that is familiar and deposited into a very different environment.

And, oh my goodness, the characters (both loveable and not so much) in those Kentucky hollers! Love Mira’s grit and determination and her unflinching compassion in every situation. Particularly when dealing with ten-year-old orphan, Ada June. The girl has gumption! And such a big heart but she’s so misunderstood and overlooked. I really enjoyed having part of the story told from Ada June’s perspective. Added even more emotional depth to this classic-feeling Appalachian tale.

The romance between Gordon and Mira is gentle and tender and develops slowly from a foundation of mutual faith and trust in God. It felt so natural and plausible and emotionally satisfying. There’s lots of growth, both in their relationship as well as with the people in the community they have been called to serve.

I love becoming immersed in a story and ‘The Song of Sourwood Mountain’ was that kind of read for me. These characters will stay with me (so hoping for an Ada June story sometime in the future!) A classic Ann H. Gabhart bestseller!

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 Song of Sourwood Mountain,  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 May 24 2025

Lethal Standoff + Giveaway

Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle.

Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer.

Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes’ father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up.

As Carrington investigates the brothers’ claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father’s death may not be what they’re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don’t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family’s secret and the truth they’re trying so hard to hide before time runs out.

Award winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness.

My Review:

Tense. Edgy. Intriguing. Mills has crafted a page-turning thrill of a read that highlights the aftermath of physical abuse and psychological trauma. So many layers to delve into! Both in the case and the personal lives of both hero and heroine.

Levi is a Messianic Jew and there are some really interesting insights into his faith that were eyeopening for me. As a man of integrity and deep faith, he’s the kind of journalist who strives to tell both sides of the story, reporting with accuracy and a godly world view.

Carrington is all kinds of complicated with a past that still haunts her and an intense life-or-death job that completely occupies all of her time and energy. Some say she might even use it as an excuse to avoid getting involved…and they wouldn’t be wrong.

When investigative reporter and hostage negotiator agree to work together on a disturbing case with more questions than answers, secrets are threatened…and so are their lives. In fact, together Levi and Carrington are “a dangerous pair. Curiosity and compassion. Always in trouble.”

Unputdownable!

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 Lethal Standoff,  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 May 24 2025

Hunted on the Trail + Giveaway

A killer out for vengeance…but this bloodhound has his scent.

Ambushed by sudden gunfire, former cop Stephanie Wolfe realizes the tracking competition she entered with her bloodhound is a setup. An escaped fugitive has lured her into the remote wilderness to exact his deadly revenge. And her ex-boyfriend, bounty hunter Vance Silverton, has fallen into the fatal trap, too. Now cut off from civilization with only minimal supplies and their two dogs, the pair must depend on each other to survive. But with a treacherous storm approaching, it’s not only a cold-blooded killer they’ll have to escape.

My Review:

Quintessential Mentink! Everything I love about her writing is right here in this book! I’m particularly appreciative of her ability to get into deep characterization with K-9s! Seriously, this author speaks dog and I love the way she brings these critters to life in her stories. And the way she portrays the human/dog dynamic is brilliant and funny and so relatable (if you’ve ever been owned by fur buddy, that is!)

Loved the opening scene that morphs into action pretty quickly. This is very much a wilderness survival kind of suspense where Stephanie and Vance are cut off from the rest of the world and are being hunted by a nefarious villain. The relentless pursuit, near misses and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments build up the tension as their circumstances grow more dire, making for an unputdownable read.

But, what I love best about this story is the way the author deftly brings humour to even the toughest situations. So many laugh out loud moments — usually involving a certain dog and a certain hero. Loved their interactions and the way Vance is so defensive of his K-9. Honestly, I fell in love with Vance because of the way he treats that fur ball. I have no idea how Stephanie resisted for so long! But then, they have history so – yay – for a Second Chance Romance trope which adds its own kind of tension to the plot.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Hunted on the Trail’. Narrator Abby Craden did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters and conveying all the tension and drama through her performance. A brilliant listen!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hunted on the Trail,  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 May 24 2025

Sunrise Reef + Giveaway

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life–except romance. But that’s okay. Men are a complication she doesn’t need.

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn’t looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn’t intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who’s taken up residence in his father’s guest cottage. But when he finds himself sucked into her quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to the charming town of Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Review:

Picture me, blissfully basking in a post-read afterglow because Hope Harbor is my happy place and these folks are my found family! If only I could magic myself there!

The next best thing is listening to Therese Plummer’s heartfelt performance as she narrates the audio book. Plummer captures all the emotional nuances of the story and delivers the kind of performance that suggests she relishes every word as much as I do. A winning author/narrator combination! And I love the consistency of using the same narrator for each book in the series. It feels like a real homecoming the second I hear Therese Plummer’s voice reading Irene Hannon’s words!

And, oh my, but does this eleventh book deliver all the feels and so much hope! (No worries, it can be read as a standalone too, but once you’ve visited Hope Harbor, you’ll be sure to go back time and time again!) Love getting glimpses of past heroes and heroines as well as steadfast secondary characters (Charley! Dueling clergy!! Floyd and Gladys!!!)

Aside from Noah and Bren’s story, there’s a secondary plot involving a young woman striking out on her own for the first time. The way her life merges with Bren’s, and consequently Noah’s, makes for masterful storytelling. It’s funny, and touching and ultimately so inspirational. Love the balance Emma brings to the very slow-burn romance building between our hero and heroine (even though it starts out with a very fiery meet-cute. Bwahahaha!)

Their’s is an enemies to more, opposites attract kind of love story with lots of starts and stops along the way. They are thoughtful and careful…and yes, wary. Honestly, we have most of Hope Harbor to thank for getting Bren and Noah together in the end. Because found family takes care of each other like that. 🙂

I so enjoyed my sojourn back to Hope Harbor. Hannon has created another exceptional story full of grace and hope and a true sense of belonging. A stunning addition to a much loved series.

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 Sunrise Reef,  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 May 24 2025

Protecting the Orphan + Giveaway

An innocent baby is targeted…he’ll guard the child with his life.

Retired soldier Heath Adler never thought he’d see his ex-girlfriend, private investigator Rebecca Campbell, again—much less become her protector. But when her stepsister is murdered and her infant nephew is at risk, Rebecca soon has a target on her back. Whoever killed her stepsister is still out there—and they’re coming for Rebecca and the baby next. Now Heath will do anything he can to guard them both, but it’s one thing to hunt a killer…and quite another to stop one.

My Review:

Mercy! What a tilt-a-whirl of a read! Gripping from the opening scene and chock full of tension and drama right through to the end. I was completely engrossed and listened to the entire book in a day. Lisa Lindsley did an awesome job delivering a sense of urgency and angst in her narration. Kept me even more on edge as I eagerly listened for what would happen next.

And there was so much happening! Both with the suspense and the romance. A second chance love story that teases at their past without revealing all until close to the end. Eeeeeppp….so deliciously riveting because that past has messed with Rebecca and Heath’s minds and makes it harder for them to address the issue and move on. I do so love getting all caught up on romantical tenterhooks!

And the suspense — twisty turny with gasp-put-loud moments that totally threw me for a loop. I’m still a tad discombobulated.

This second Trinity Investigative Services book reads well as a standalone. It’s my intro to the series and I enjoyed getting to know the team and am eager to hear their stories in future books.

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 Protecting the Orphan,  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 May 17 2025

Holding onto Secrets + Giveaway

Redeeming past mistakes one paw print at a time.

To support his sister and young nephew, handyman Luke Johnson is in desperate need of a new job. His prayers are answered when Angie Anderson hires him to help renovate her property to house and train therapy dogs. Grieving widow Angie hopes to rebuild her life with a new sense of purpose, and establishing a therapy-dog reading program is just the fresh start she needs. Soon, unexpected feelings begin to grow between them, but will the secret Luke’s keeping threaten their chance at a future together?

My Review:

The strength of Lee Tobin McClain’s storytelling comes from the way she shines grace into the broken pieces of our lives. This redemption story is exceptional. Emotional and angst-riddled punctuated by moments of humour to balance everything out.

The therapy dog reading program is fascinating! I’ve been a fan ever since I heard about the concept so it was so much fun to see how it works in ‘real’ life. Okay, yes, I know this is fiction, but it felt true to life so I think it counts as a lived experience now. 🙂

A contemporary romance full of heart and grace and so much hope. A joy to read…well, listen to, courtesy of the talented Tanya Eby’s narration. She’s one of my favourite voice performers and it was so much fun to be welcomed into a new story by a familiar voice.

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 Holding Onto Secrets,  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 May 17 2025

Prelude for a Lord + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

Bath, England 1810

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief ’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument … with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . 

My Review:

published in 2014

I am in Regency Heaven! From the clever title to the gorgeous cover right through to the final word…sheer bliss. The kind of read that makes you giddy with anticipation and has you skipping over pages with glee as the real world fades into oblivion. You’re so convinced that you are in Regency England that you ring for the maid to bring you tea and cakes only when she doesn’t show you come crashing back to reality with such velocity it hurts. It’s that kind of absorbing read.

Alethea is a captivating heroine. Enough of a maverick to make her interesting without losing those oh-so-proper ladylike qualities a woman of genteel breeding must possess. 🙂 Dommick is her brooding hero. He’s surrounded by a darkness that keeps him alluringly aloof. And then there’s the mystery. The danger. A host of amazing secondary characters including a slimeball villain. And the romance…a fainting couch is a necessity for this read — you’ll be swooning that much!

Stunning and brilliant and too good to miss.

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 Prelude for a Lord,  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 May 17 2025.

Capture the Moment + Giveaway

She’s ready for adventure–isn’t she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

My Review:

This is Classic Suzanne Woods Fisher and I love it sooooo much! The way she pulls a story together is absolute bibliophile magic! ‘Capture the Moment’ put me in mind of her Stoney Ridge series…only not Amish. The likeness is in the multiple points of view and the complex backstories that bring characters together in amazing ways.

And what an eclectic group of characters! While this is ultimately Kate and Coop’s love story, I fear thirteen-year-old Maisie might have stolen my heart. High energy, awkwardly endearing, exasperatingly infuriating and full of naive exuberance! I laughed. I cringed. I laughed some more!

The Grand Teton National Park makes for a remarkable and sadly, poignant setting. I’m sure the author had no idea when she was writing this story that the National Parks would become victims of damaging federal cuts resulting in colossal job losses. Since the part-time seasonal positions have been hit particularly hard, I couldn’t help but think that Coop would actually be out of a job this summer and that would mean he’d never meet Kate and that would mean….well, this story would be completely different. So glad all is well in the fictional National Parks world!

So, Coop is kinda grumpy and terse. Very passionate about his job as a seasonal park ranger (a nice break from his stint has a high school teacher the rest of the year.) He’d rather spend the summer communing with bears then humans but the powers that be think he needs to brush up on his peopling skills which results in all sorts of funny and awkward situations. Including more than one run-in with Kate. She’s a little bit sunshine and a whole lot feisty, determined to capture a career defining wildlife photograph and no one is going to get in her way, especially not a pesky park ranger!

Their slow-burn romance is shadowed by an unexpected park mystery that had me on the edge of my seat – especially since Fisher provides us with some unsettling villain POVs that upped the intrigue. She also throws in some surprising curveballs that had me gasping out loud! Phew! I did not see that coming. Or that. Or…

A stirring tribute to National Parks through the eyes of characters who appreciate the wonder of God’s creation. Emotionally engaging and thought provoking. A winning combination that has me excited to see which park will be featured in the next ‘National Parks Summers’ series and that release can’t come soon enough!

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 Capture the Moment  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 May 17 2025

Sometimes You Stay + Giveaway

For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. And it’s constantly landing in new places as she travels the world. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot–after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.

Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road–and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line–her heart.

New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island for an inspiring story full of adorable puppies, sweet friendship, and unexpected romance.

My Review:

Well, this is embarrassing. I actually don’t have a review. I usually read a week or two in advance for the blog so my reviews are all scheduled to go and I don’t feel any pressure but sometimes I am soooooo looking forward to a book that I want to read it the second it comes out. ‘Sometimes You Stay’ is that kind of a book so I preordered it on audible (awesome preorder price!) and, thinking it released on May 6th, I went ahead and scheduled it for review this week. Only, oops, it doesn’t actually release until May 20th so we still have two whole weeks to wait! Sigh.

But I promised a giveaway, so here it is. I can also promise this will be an excellent read because…Liz Johnson! Prince Edward Island setting! Newfoundland dog on the cover! (Which is the only thing I like about the cover, FYI)

And, hey, if you have managed to nab a review copy, share a thought or two in the comments below and increase the ecstatic agony of our bookish anticipation!

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 Sometimes You 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 May 10 2025