Tag: Christian Fiction

The Lumberjack From the Cabin Next Door + Giveaway

Welcome to Maple Bay—where bucket lists are sacred, small-town gossip travels at Wi-Fi speed, and your next-door neighbor might just ruin your plans in the most inconveniently charming way possible.

Kate only came back to Maple Bay for two 

Handle her late Aunt June’s will.

Leave again before anyone ropes her into some quaint, small-town matchmaking scheme.

But June’s “Not-So-Ordinary Bucket List” has other ideas. Written in floral stationery (coffee stains included), it’s full of items like dance under the stars, try a maple bacon donut, and kiss someone who makes you laugh. Kate’s convinced she can speed-run the list, check every box, and get back to her big-city life—without getting attached.

Enter Harper—the bakery owner with a crown of blonde curls, the matchmaking instincts of a rom-com best friend, and a habit of stealing Kate’s phone to save her number under names like Muffin Dealer / Life Coach. And then there’s Eli—Kate’s gruff, flannel-wearing neighbor who’s supposed to be a lumberjack but somehow also… sketches like an illustrator and flies planes for a reclusive billionaire.

The more Kate gets tangled in June’s list—and the more breakfasts, donuts, and accidental heart-to-hearts she shares with Eli—the harder it is to keep her walls intact. But when her estranged mother shows up with plans to help her sell the cabin, Kate has to decide if she’s willing to fight for the roots she never meant to grow… and for the man who somehow ended up starring in her next novel.

Filled with laugh-out-loud banter, faith woven in the cracks, and a romance sweeter than Harper’s cinnamon rolls, this small-town romantic comedy is about finding home in the last place you expected—and choosing to stay there.

My Review:

Well, this was totally unexpected. I mean, the book came highly recommended by a reader I trust so I knew I’d enjoy it…I just wasn’t prepared for the impact it made on me. Like being smothered in a big old bookish hug that squashed the stuffing out of me! 🙂

Because my emotions were immediately engaged despite, or maybe because, of all the hilarity. Rom/com brilliance cloaked in clever storytelling and descriptive phrasing that zings. “The trail started sweet – flat and pine-needly and very “look at me, I’m nature” – and then immediately decided to impersonate a StairMaster invented by a personal trainer with unresolved issues.”

This book was a delight to read and my copy is now mired in tabs to mark the passages I knew I would want to revisit. Colour coded even, for inspirational, snippets of wisdom, romantical and good old snazzy zingers. First time I’ve ever annotated a fiction book but the phrasing was just too luscious not to!

So, the comedy part of the story is vibrantly descriptive and full of rapid fire banter that’s laugh out loud funny. But there’s a quieter side too because Kate is on a “scavenger hunt for grace” that totally transforms this book into something much more than a rom/com.

It’s about grieving loss and finding faith; reconciliation and forgiveness. It’s messy and awkward and just a little bit heartbreaking. But hopeful too. Because Kate’s Aunt June’s wisdom lives on in her well worn bible, her written words and the memories kept alive by the people who loved her.

“June told me once that forgiveness never starts with can. It starts with can’t. You tell God you can’t do it, and He doesn’t argue. He helps.”

And the romance…oh my! Slow burn. Patient. Gentle. Expectant. Eli is the epitome of book boyfriend material. My toes haven’t quite uncurled all the way yet, but that might be because I keep revisiting the swoony bits.

“The Lumberjack From the Cabin Next Door” is my first Emily Hampton book, but it definitely won’t be my last! On the hunt for her backlist now!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  paperback or ebook – winner’s choice 

Canada – paperback, ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lumberjack From the Cabin Next Door, 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 15 2026.

Last Chance Hero + Giveaway

random retro reread

The inhabitants of Last Chance, New Mexico, could not be more pleased. Dr. Jessica McLeod has opened an office right on Main Street. Andy Ryan, the best athlete the little town ever produced, has ended his short career in the NFL and has come home to coach the mighty Pumas of Last Chance High. Unfortunately, Dr. Jess immediately gets off on the wrong foot when she admits that she’s never seen a football game, isn’t really interested in doing so, and, in fact, doesn’t know a first down from a home run. Meanwhile, Coach Ryan is discovering that it’s not easy to balance atop the pedestal the town has put him on. When this unlikely pair is drawn together over the future of a young player–whose gifts may lie in the laboratory rather than on the football field–they begin to wonder if they might have a future together as well.

My Review:

published in 2015

A heartwarming conclusion to the A Place to Call Home series though, rest assured, you don’t need to read the other books to enjoy this one, though I got a kick out of stepping back into Last Chance and renewing acquaintances with some beloved quirky characters..

Full disclosure: I am not a football fan. At all. Know nothing about it. Don’t want to and yet, I not only read a book where football was practically a secondary character , I enjoyed it! It might have helped that the heroine is likeminded so it was easy to cheer Jessica on. We bonded over our lack of interest in this crazy sport that takes over the nation every year. So many funny scenes as residents realize that Jess really doesn’t know a thing about the game. And worse — she doesn’t want to. Scandalous!

So of course the hero is a former NFL player and the high school football coach who can’t comprehend anyone not loving the sport. I won’t hold that against Andy though because he’s kind-hearted and chivalrous and well…kind of a hunk. His small-town friendly doesn’t quite jive with Jessica’s big city reserve. Great learning curve for both of them as they adjust to their differences.

A sweet romance with a whole lot of small-town heart.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! – I have a gently read copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway! (it’s been a while!)v

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Last Chance Hero 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 8 2026

Twilight Tactics

FBI agent Collin Sullivan arrives at Broken Chains Ranch with Ollie Callahan–a foster teen and sole witness to a mob hit. The ranch, started by Collin’s cousin to provide a trauma recovery facility for veterans, should be a place he can keep Ollie safe until the trial. But what was meant as a peaceful haven becomes a battleground when armed attackers surround the property. 

Survival expert Elena Thompson teaches wilderness skills at the ranch and coaches Ollie in self-defense, but soon the series of attacks on the ranch escalates into a full siege. The question is, Who are the attackers after? Ollie, the young witness? Or Elena, with her mysterious past? Cut off from help by tech skills superior to their own, Collin and Elena fight to keep everyone alive as secrets and danger close in.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason presents an action-packed start to a new series with twists and turns readers will never see coming.

My Review:

I’m gobsmacked. The way Eason builds the suspense throughout this book is phenomenal! So many intriguing elements and Elena’s backstory is a huge component of the plot that adds even more compelling layers. And the way Collin and Elena’s worlds collide increases the over all thrill of the read.

Argh, there’s so much I want to say but won’t for fear of spoilers but I know that if I mentioned just one of things I want to talk about, so many readers would flock to this story! But I won’t, ’cause that isn’t revealed in the book blurb. Picture me writhing in the bibliophile agony of wanting to share a favourite part of the book but unable to because there are people close by who haven’t read it yet. Excruciating!

We’re also given a third point of view, young witness in need of protection Ollie, who brings some youthful zest and poignant moments to the story. Honestly, the way this all plays out is absolute perfection. From connecting with the characters (and me yearning for their romance) to puzzling out the mysteries (yes there is more than one) and all the action scenes. Simply stunning! And if that wasn’t enough, the heartwarming celebration of grace seals the deal. Eason at her absolute best.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Twilight Tactics’ and thoroughly enjoyed Emma Faye’s narration. She brought the story to life with her emotional performance. I hung on every word. Made for a compulsive listening experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  print or ebook  – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Twilight Tactics, 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 15 2026.

Daughters of the Wreckage + Giveaway

A woman searching for answers in her own life finds them–and much more–in the wreckage and haunting stories of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Shortly before Christmas in 2018, Tess McCarthy, after years as a hard-working English teacher who never did anything out of the ordinary, flies to Western Australia’s remote Abrolhos Islands. She is in search of answers–both to the infamous Batavia shipwreck and her personal family crises.

Amsterdam, 1628. Saskia, an orphaned young Dutchwoman, boards Batavia with relatives, bound for a new and potentially dangerous life in the East Indies–only for her world to first collide with Aris Jansz, the ship’s taciturn under surgeon.

Tess, Saskia, and Aris–their lives linked by secrets that span generations–carry the baggage of past losses and the uncertainty of their futures. And, in the most unlikely circumstances, they may find qualities that echo through faith, acceptance, and love.

My Review:

Gritty and gut wrenching. An emotional roller coaster of a read that highlights a particularly brutal piece of maritime history off the coast of Australia. The author does an incredible job of bringing those 1628 events to life through a combination of fictional characters and actual historical figures.

In this dual timeline novel we follow three characters, Saskia and Aris in the 1600s and 2ist century Tess who is honouring the memory of her recently deceased father by finishing up a historical paper he was writing about the shipwreck of the Batavia.

And oh my, is that history riveting…but not for the faint of heart. So this is your mature content warning which includes graphic scenes of violence. I had the opportunity to listen to the audio narration of ‘Daughters of the Wreckage’ (more about that later) and I had to stop listening periodically and read a rom/com or a light cozy mystery to lighten my mood before continuing the audio book.

Koens’ writing is lyrical, her descriptions not only painting a picture in my mind, but filling me up with emotions. I definitely felt my way through this book, particularly through the historical timeline. Honestly, Tess’s struggles seemed so paltry when compared to what her ancestors endured, so I definitely connected with the 1600 era characters and events more.

I enjoyed the three POV storytelling, particularly with the distinctive voices of three narrators to bring these characters to life. Kristy Best, Jessica Spies and Angus McGruther gave amazing performances. In fact, given the number of foreign names, accents, etc, the narration really compliments Koens’ compelling storytelling.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please Note: this book doesn’t release until Sepember 15, so you’ll have a bit of a wait to claim your win

US –  ebook

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Daughters of the Wreckage, 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 8 2026.

When the Silence Breaks + Giveaway

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of a deathbed confession connected to her brother’s murder, she’s determined to protect her remaining family. Under further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she heads to the Pacific Northwest looking for a guide who knows the mountains like the back of their hand.

Ryder Goodwin, a wilderness guide and former Navy SEAL, quit guiding for the family business after his father’s death in a tragic mountain accident. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her, and he can’t stand by while someone brings danger to this small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming winter storm. With her brother’s killer closing in, their search for answers now shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it out involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

Be swept away in a rush of adrenaline with USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard’s series opener set in the Pacific Northwest.

My Review:

So much intrigue! And gasp out loud moments! Seriously I was, “Gasp! Nooooooo!” and “Gasp! Whhhaaaatttt?” and “Gasp! Don’t do it…..” and “Gasp! I knew it!” all the way through which made for an immensely fun and thrilling read.

Loved the mystery surrounding Sarah’s backstory in comparison to Ryder’s which we learn earlier on. It made such a compelling contrast and I was itching to know Sarah’s ‘all’! Dreading it too because I could see the potential for conflict raising its ugly head. And, oh my goodness, the surprises kept coming!

The mountain setting is incredible. Honestly, the mountain felt like an important secondary character. Ryder’s connection with the varied aspects of nature and weather and the secrets the mountain holds added even more interesting layers to an already complex story. So, lots of hair-raising adventuring to accompany the spine-chilling suspense elements. Oh, and the mystery! Decades old and absolutely lethal! If you looked up ‘unputdownable’ in the dictionary, this book cover would be the definition.

‘When the Silence Breaks’ was another audio ‘read’ for me and Natalia Payne’s narration enhanced my over all enjoyment of the story. She knows how to emote tension and endless emotion through her portrayal of these characters. Made for a riveting listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  paperback, ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When the Silence Breaks, 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 8 2026.

Rodeo Witness Protector

While stopping an attack near the rodeo grounds, bullfighter and part-time deputy Daniel Sinclair is stunned to see his high school sweetheart attempting to save a stabbed undercover deputy. As a witness now in possession of crucial evidence about a narcotics investigation, new rodeo doctor Annie Davis needs Daniel’s protection—for her and her missing four-year-old daughter. And the stakes only grow higher when the girl’s babysitter is found murdered and the recovered child refuses to speak. To safeguard the targeted family, can Daniel uncover who is behind it all…before a drug ring silences them for good?

My Review:

Whoa! This is one twisty-turny suspense with enough romantical angst to keep a reader on edge right through to the end. And the child in peril element adds to a sensitive reader’s emotional turmoil! Riveting from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book and Tanya Saari did a wonderful job of capturing all the emotion and angst in her narration. Her performance added an extra thrill to an already exciting story.

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

Forevermore + Giveaay

Random Retro Re-Read

There’s no one quite like Hope Ladley.

A veritable dandelion in the wind, she blows from one farm to the next, roaming the Texas countryside as an itinerant cook. When she rides her mule, Hattie, onto the Stauffer farm, Hope knows this is the place the Lord wants her to be.

Jakob Stauffer, though grateful for a cook to assist his pregnant sister and young daughter through harvest, is baffled by Hope’s unconventional methods as she gets things done around the farm. Yet he can’t deny the way her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind…even within his own heart.

My Review:

published in 2008

Hope has to be one of the most innovative characters I have ever met in the pages of book! Part of her charm is the way she mangles idioms on a regular basis. And I’m in awe at how many idioms the author came up with and then found ways to twist them into hilarious faux pas that ironically make sense and Hope blithely spews them throughout the whole book. Absolutely brilliant! Not only funny and endearing, but such a clever way for a reader to connect with a character.

I love the whole premise of Hope bringing healing change. She’s a ‘magical’ character, kind of like a Mary Poppins on a grander scale. And maybe a fairy godmother with common sense. Not to mention Amelia Bedevil for the older set. 🙂 I don’t think my descriptions can do justice to Hope. She’s exceptionally unique and you just need to meet her for yourself.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! This giveaway is for a gently read copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Forevermore, 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 1 2026

The Lost Story of Via Belle + Giveaway

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

My Review:

What a compelling dual timeline novel! And impossible to review because of the intricate details in both timelines and how they slowly weave together. So many ‘aha’ moments as the story progresses. So many twists and turns and the most infuriating character that kept me seething all the way through!

If you are looking for a complex, atmospheric novel with shades of suspense and rich characterization that makes an emotional impact, then ‘The Story of Via Belle’ is definitely the read for you!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  ebook

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lost Story of Via Belle, 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 1 2026.

A Token of Love + Giveaway

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for love and justice.

In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two eras bridged by the quest for love and truth.

My Review:

Carrie Turansky is a phenomenal storyteller and the way she wove the dual timeline elements together made ‘A Token of Love’ unputdownable. (By the way, the tie-in to that title is heartbreaking and a perfect reflection of the story within.) I was equally invested in both timelines and love the way the Foundling Hospital has turned into a museum in present day.

The historical details are riveting on their own, but make a huge emotional impact when seen through the lives of these characters. Even our twenty-first century heroine, Janelle, is touched by the stories of the past as she fiercely strives to uphold the reputation of her beloved museum.

Controversies arise in both the Victorian and modern day era and it’s up to Lillian and Janelle to take a stand as they advocate for vulnerable women and children. And, oh my, the mystery and suspense is intense in the Victorian timeline! There’s a magnificent ‘stand up and cheer and then go have a good cry’ moment towards the end. And Turansky weaves significant and meaningful spiritual elements throughout the entire story. Nothing over the top preachy; more quietly steadfast and thoughtful. And so impactful.

All this and there’s even two romances as well! A reader can’t ask for much more than that. Unless she’s looking for an audio book narration to deliver an extra thrill. And yes, that means, I added ‘A Token of Love’ to my audible library and thoroughly enjoyed Susan Lyons’ performance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Token of Love, 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 August 1 2026.

Code of Valor + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend’s cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn’t trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don’t share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

My Review:

published in 2019 – I noticed I had two copies of this book when I was unpacking after the move. Have no idea how I missed that fact all these years! I noticed the double copy as I was organizing my bookshelves in my new apartment, placing books in author order of publication date and in series order (as one does, bwahahaha!) and that’s when I noticed the double copies.

Whoa — my head is still spinning! You might need a healthy dose of caffeine (in the form of rich, dark chocolate, of course) to keep your brain sharp and ready for some serious convoluted story threads that gnarl into one colossal tangle before our hero and heroine manage to smooth it all out. Perfectly perfect for intrepid armchair sleuths everywhere. 🙂

And it all starts with a gripping edge-of-your-seat opening scene. Poor Brady, in need of a relaxing vacation and getting anything but! (And this is where I go all fan-girling over the St. John family — especially those brothers!) Because, of course, they’re not about to leave Brady floundering on his own. Love that connection between the books (this is #3 in the Blue Justice series.) Code of Valor reads wonderfully as a standalone though — so no worries if you haven’t read the the first two books and the novella. Eason does such a great job of making returning readers feel like they’ve come home while welcoming new readers to the family.

A fast-and-furious plot with lots of action and gasp-out-loud moments buffered by sibling rivalry and teasing make this an inhale-in-one-gulp kind of read. Not to mention the heavenly toe-curling romantical scenes that provide a buffer between all the angst! 

This right here is why Lynette Eason is a best-selling author — she knows how to weave a spellbinding tale that won’t let you go — even after you’ve reached the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! – I have a brand new copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway! (it’s been a while!)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Code of Valor, 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 July 25 2026