Tag: Christian Fiction

Every Deadly Suspicion + Giveaway

Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?

In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.

Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.

With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.

My Review:

A tautly intricate Police Procedural that kept me guessing. The plot twists have plot twists and that includes in Hanna’s personal life as well! And this is where I need to mention that not only does that include a dreaded Love Triangle (yikes!) but we get both men’s points of view as well. Talk about giving romance loving readers heart palpitations!

I appreciate the authenticity Cantore brings to the policing aspects of this suspense. As a former police officer, her inside knowledge shows and makes the suspense that much more compelling. It’s a complicated mix of different cases, including a cold case involving her father. Emotions run high and Hanna struggles to find a balance between her personal life and her professional one.

Full of raw emotion, living out tough truths and grappling with the real meaning of forgiveness and grace – phew! – Hanna is on an unforgettable journey and I was with her every step of the way.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– 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 Every Deadly Suspicion 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 January 31 2026.

Hearts on the Fly + Giveaway

Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey, but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister.

Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear out of compassion. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.

As Jabari navigates life off the ice and searches for a new purpose, he’s drawn to Val in ways he didn’t expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?

Delve into award-winning author Toni Shiloh’s sports romance for fans of Emma St. Clair, Pepper Basham, and Melissa Ferguson.

My Review:

Not many authors can lure me over to the dark side, aka sports romance, but Toni Shiloh is definitely one of them. I was so enamoured with the story, I didn’t even cringe at the hockey descriptions…and, shocker, I actually understood them and could see the game playing out in my mind. So, rest assured, you don’t need to be a hockey buff in order to enjoy contemporary romance.

And oh my, but does this author ever know how to write a swoonworthy romance! Hello, I’m looking at you, Jabari! Thud! Friendly reader alert: have a stockpile of smelling salts and fans next to your fainting couch to ensure maximum reading comfort.

And when I wasn’t swooning (on repeat) over our hero, I was completely immersed in Val’s family drama. One of the most memorable family dinner scenes I’ve ever read made me cringe, fume and burst out laughing in quick succession!

Shiloh has a talent for seamlessly switching from lighthearted moments to heart wrenching ones. So yes, her trademark banter and teasing (Jabari’s guy friend discussions are so much fun!) are on full display but her storytelling also takes on emotional depth with strong inspirational threads that took my breath away!

“God’s got you. I don’t know what your future looks like, but as long as He is in control you be can sure He’s with you in the trial.”

Both Val and Jabari have their own personal demons to conquer and I love the way that played out. They grew together, supported one another and, most importantly, talked things out! I loved every second of their journey!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Hearts on the Fly’ brilliantly narrated by AhDream Smith and Hassiem Muhammad. They brought the right mood to their performances — a lovely mix of lighthearted charm and emotional depth. Highly recommend the audio book to discerning listeners.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook, paperback 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 Hearts on the Fly 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 January 31 2026.

Whiteout + Giveaway

Brace yourself for a snowbound adventure in this 2-in-1 novella collection from your favorite romantic suspense authors as an avalanche forces two couples to face down their enemies in a ski resort shut off from the outside world.

In “Buried in Shadows” by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend’s destination wedding, praying her stalker didn’t follow her to Colorado. Also part of the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man Cassandra left at the altar to save his life. When an avalanche traps their skiing party in an abandoned lodge, it soon becomes dangerously clear Cassandra’s stalker has followed her . . . and he is willing to kill to make her his.

In “Snowbound Secrets” by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan fully intends to escape her past and finish planning a retreat for military veterans at the ranch she’s inherited. Unfortunately, her plans go sideways when an avalanche traps her in a Colorado ski resort. An unexpected reunion with her high school crush forces her to confront past wounds, but she soon realizes someone is targeting her, and their search for a shadowy enemy becomes a matter of life and death.

My Review:

Two exceptional romantic suspense authors join forces to deliver edge-of-your-seat reads guaranteed to keep the pages turning. Both novellas feature a closed-circle mystery which makes the suspense all the more thrilling. No one can get in and no one can get out…and that means the killer walks among them! Spine-chilling delight!

Be prepared for eerie stalker vibes galore in Dani Pettrey’s ‘Buried in the Shadows’. Shiver — very appropriate title by the way. A second chance romance featuring an almost bride who left her groom at the altar! Gasp! But she had a very good reason. One year later and family/friend obligations have them reunited…and stalked by a killer in avalanche country. Pettrey takes the whole stranded in the wilderness and fighting the elements tropes to a whole other level in this taut, sometimes creepy suspense. Includes brief, chilling villain POV that slowly becomes more revealing until the breath-snatching climax.

In Lynette Eason’s ‘Snowbound Secrets’, teenaged friends meet years later under unlikely circumstances. Both Maya and Gideon are seeking respite at a remote ski resort when their best laid plans are upended by a catastrophic avalanche. This friends to more romance is fraught with tension and plenty of action. Someone has targeted Maya and as the attacks intensify, the two grow closer as they look for answers…and a way to escape! Lovely emotional depth and expert pacing made this novella a consume in one sitting kind of read.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Whiteout’ narrated by Natalia Payne who did a wonderful job delivering all that tension and emotion which made for a thrilling listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– 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 Whiteout 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 January 31 2026.

Night Bird Calling

random retro read

From award-winning author Cathy Gohlke, whose novels have been called “haunting” ( Library Journal on Saving Amelie ) and “page-turning” (Francine Rivers on Secrets She Kept ), comes a historical fiction story of courage and transformation set in rural Appalachia on the eve of WWII.

When Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.

Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek―with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.

With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.

My Review:

published in 2021

Books are meant to entertain but some manage to convict as well and ‘Night Bird Calling’ is that kind of novel. Gohlke is a talented wordsmith who captures the essence of character and setting through descriptive writing. That makes for an immersive story that I found so easy to lose myself in. My imagination was engaged from the very first sentence and my heart soon followed…and broke so many times over the course of the read. Not quite sure all the pieces ever got put back together again either.

So, be prepared for an emotional read, even a difficult one as the author tackles some tough subject matter. I cried, I seethed, I clenched my teeth and was consumed with uncharitable thoughts and then I cried some more. Honestly, my whole being ached by the end and I’m still a little shellshocked. But hopeful too because the author doesn’t leave us in despair

Hard-hitting and emotionally draining but hopeful too. It’s a story I had to take my time with, absorbing it in small parcels so I could sit with it for awhile before continuing on. A memorable read, well listen for me. Marguerite Gavin did an amazing job bringing all these characters to life. Her performance heightened the emotional impact for me and I’d definitely recommend the audio edition.

One Nine + Giveaway

Detective Chase Washington knows Brooke Turner is guilty of murdering her best friend. What he can’t comprehend is how she has managed to elude capture for six months. With Lenora Chambers’ blood calling out to him from the ground, Chase will stop at nothing to find Brooke Turner and bring her to justice.

When he finally tracks her down, nothing is as black and white as Chase thought. Lost in the wild with no way to communicate with the outside world and another possible suspect on their trail, Chase and his prisoner have become the prey in a desperate quest to survive.

Fans of riveting, edge-of-your-seat suspense with clean romance and spiritual truths will love this fast-paced offering.

My Review:

Gotta love an impulse buy. KCRhoades mentioned this book in her comment on Sunday’s discussion. I ordered it on the spot, the book was delivered on Tuesday and read by Wednesday. Great book recommendations make me a happy reader! Thank you, Karen!

I was hooked by the first gripping sentence: “Brooke Turner lay on her back staring up at her fingers, dripping red in the glow of the dying sun.” Grab your defibrillator and settle in for an enthralling suspense with stalker vibes galore and the kind of hair-raising pursuit that takes your breath away.

Brooke is on the run with no real game plan. She knows she’s innocent, she even knows who set her up but proving it is impossible. Meanwhile Chase is on the case and he earned the nickname ‘the Pitbull’ for a reason; he never gives up on an investigation.

The angst ramps up as Brooke battles both Chase’s preconceived ideas and the very real threat toying with them. Add in the wilderness setting for a good portion of the ‘chase’ and, phew, you’ve got a riveting read! Love the drama that plays out in their relationship and the twists with the suspense. It all adds up to making ‘One Nine’ (you’ve got to read the book to understand the title) an unputdownable read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International – gently read paperback copy

US – ebook or gently read paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or gently read paperback — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of One Nine, 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 January 24 2026.

Love in the Castle Library + Giveaway

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.

My Review:

Not just a five star read but an all the stars in the sky read! And it’s impossible for me to even begin to express how incredible this book is. Immersive and emotional and so, so, sooooooo very swoonable! Jack! Be. Still. My. Heart. Not to mention the incredible inspirational threads that are seamlessly woven throughout the entire story. It’s all…just…bibliophile perfection.

I was so moved by Delphine’s story. Her struggles were so relatable to me and I ached for her. I’d love to do a deep dive into all the emotional triggers but I don’t want to spoil the reading experience for others. This would make an awesome book club read though, for the numerous talking points ‘Love in the Castle Library’ provides. This is not a simple romance by any means, though it is an epic one (I cried at the end.)

I appreciate the strength of the faith content in this novel. There’s no mistaking this Christian Fiction and I love the way characters support one another in their different stages of understanding. Even the secondary characters — oh my, Jack’s father! What an incredible source of steadfast wisdom! So many wonderful takeaways for readers seeking encouragement and comfort.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Love in the Castle Library’ but there are so many quotable quotes in this book that I’m going to get a print copy as well. Marni Penning did a wonderful job narrating the book and it’s one that I will definitely listen to again, but I need to annotate a paperback too. It’s that good!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love in the Castle Library,  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 January 24 2026.

The First Gift

Random Retro ReRead

Five-year-old Cassie Carruthers fends for herself while her father drinks himself into a stupor. But her isolation has not gone unnoticed as a northern Appalachian works to rescue the neglected little girl. Kerry McHenry, the kindergarten teacher, sees her own tough upbringing in Cassie’s dire situation. As she throws herself into helping Cassie become everything God wants her to be, she finds herself torn between a commitment-phobic doctor and a widowed deputy sheriff still angry with God. As the stakes grow ever higher and the characters’ lives intersect in unexpected ways, each will face a true test of faith – and come face-to-face with indisputable evidence of God’s love.

My Review:

I’ve chosen Ruth Logan Herne as one of the authors I’d like reread from this year so you’ll be seeing some of her Classics (in my opinion) on this blog from time to time. It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything by her and this was the perfect book to remind me of why I love her storytelling so much.

published in 2016

I’m suffering from the woe-is-me-I-read-that-book-way-too-fast-and-now-I’m-going-to-miss-it blues. Sniffle. But that’s the kind of book The First Gift is. You can’t stop yourself from reading at a voracious speed even though you want the story to last forever. Such a reader dilemma! And Ruth Logan Herne does it to me every time because she writes from the heart and I love an emotionally charged novel.

This is complex, true-to-life stuff with all the gnarly bits included. Cassie’s story moved me to tears — of both sorrow and joy. In fact, I’ll just issue a five tissue box alert right here and now. I sobbed at the end – a ragged crying jag because this book messed with so many emotions I just had to get it all out. Very cathartic. It left me with a better understanding of how God really does direct our paths, even at the unlikeliest of times. How His big picture is so much better than my narrow-minded view. The First Gift is worth the read just for Hannah’s sage wisdom and down-to-earth counsel. Not to mention Father Cumming’s no nonsense approach to spirituality. Loved them both to pieces. 

This story reminds me of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” And, you know what? In the process the child raises the adults to a higher level — including the reader.

There’s a lot to celebrate in this novel: racial diversity among the characters, the power of God to change hearts, the encouragement to find hope even during the darkest times. And I haven’t even touched on the romance! Which is just as gnarly and realistic as the rest of the book. My heart raced. My knees buckled. And it hurt, a lot, before it got better ’cause I just wasn’t sure if I trusted Ruthy to make it right the way I wanted it to be right.

What more can I say except if ever a book begged to be turned into a movie script — this one is it!

The Golden Braid + Giveaway

random retro reread

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

My Review:

published in 2015

I can’t begin to convey how much I love Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings. She can’t write them fast enough for me! The Golden Braid is a fantastic addition to her impressive collection. Rapunzel was one of my favourite fairy tales as a kid and I have read a number of fairy tale retellings, but never one with Rapunzel as the theme. So there I was — squealing in delight all the way through! Kinda embarrassing, but at least I read it at home so no one witnessed my fan-girling moments, except maybe the mice lurking in the walls. 🙂

Dickerson keeps her reader riveted while weaving a familiar but not-so-familiar tale. She’s done a marvellous job with the key points of this particular fairy tale, Cleverly twisting classic elements into her own gripping tale of love and betrayal and that all important happily ever after. She kept me on my toes right to the end though.

Oh — and about that ending. There’s a point where this book meshes with scenes from The Princess Spy. It took me a page or two to adjust. I was like, “Wait, I’ve read this before…no I haven’t…um, yeah…but not exactly.” So much fun — the author has added additional layers to the original scenes from a whole new perspective. That was one of my major fan-girling moments. Loved the crisscross connection. No worries if you haven’t read The Princess Spy (though why ever not, I ask with a scowl aimed directly at you) those scenes will make total sense to a new reader. Dickerson veterans will just get an extra kick of book-happy while reading them.

Also loved the way the inspirational thread is seamlessly woven into the very fibre of this tale. The Golden Braid checks all the boxes: Adventure. Romance. Inspirational. Angst. Humour. A lovely mix that’s sure to leave you basking in the glow of a stellar happily ever after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read print copy of The Golden Braid. Available to any reader anywhere so — woohoo — International giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Golden Braid, 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 January 17 2026.

Snow on the Tulips + Giveaway

random retro reread

In a time of unprecedented darkness and fear, Cornelia must decide if saving a stranger’s life is worth risking her own.

In the twilight of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, the Germans have taken everything Cornelia had to give, even what was most precious to her. Now Gerrit Laninga—a man who puts God and country above all else—arrives at her house, needing help. She is terrified for herself and terrified for her family, but most of all, terrified of the pain she might feel again if she allows herself to love Gerrit. Her hope is to be free from her paralyzing fear.

Gerrit is a known and hunted Dutch Resistance member. When he comes to Cornelia’s home for shelter, he’s drawn to her strength and kindness. When he asks her to contact the local Resistance on his behalf, she refuses. Gerrit is determined to find a way to continue his underground work without putting Cornelia or her family in harm’s way.

When things start to unravel and Gerrit’s life depends on her actions, she must summon her courage and learn to depend on the perfect love that drives out all fear. But will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?

My Review:

published in 2013

Gripping from the very first sentence. There are heart-in-your-throat scenes that will leave you gasping for breath. The brutality of war — the senseless slaughter of humanity — all play a role as this story unfolds. 

Life is fraught with danger and uncertainty during wartime and no one knows that better than Cornelia. Something died inside her the day her husband was killed by German soldiers. It’s all she can do to go through the motions of living. Trying to control what is left of her shattered life, she retreats, willing to wait until the end of the war before she starts to live again. And then her brother brings home a wounded Resistance fighter.

Gerrit is motivated by a deep sense of duty and justice. A risk-taker, willing to do whatever he can to fight for his country. Recovering from a bullet wound keeps him trapped in Cornelia’s home and the two are thrown together in tight quarters where their opposing views act like tinder to a flame. Yet as they battle, something else ignites — the kind of deep feelings that are dangerous to nurture during wartime.

I love how they both grow from the challenge of their relationship. Gerrit softens a bit, leans more deeply into his faith. Cornelia struggles with her fear and I truly appreciate this part of the story. So often we read about larger than life characters who seem to be born heroes. Cornelia is just plain scared and yet she is willing to follow where her faith leads.

A captivating, page-turner of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read copy of Snow on the Tulips so – yay – available for any reader anywhere – International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Tulips on the Snow, 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 January 17 2026.

Redemption for Ransom + Giveaway

random retro read

Previously published as Tides of Duplicity by Robin Patchen. Brand-new title, same great story!

A jewelry heist, a kidnapping, and a choice. When Fitz’s sister disappears, he’ll do anything to get her back, even if it means betraying the woman he’s come to love. 

Private investigator Fitz McCaffrey went to Belize on a case, bringing his teenage sister Shelby along with him. They lost their parents years ago, he lost his job as a cop, and they both need time to heal. When Fitz meets the beautiful and charming Tabitha Eaton, he falls hard.

But minutes after Tabby’s flight leaves, Fitz is summoned by a mobster who believes Tabby broke into the hotel safe the night before and made off with half a million dollars’ worth of jewels—and he has the video evidence to prove it. As Shelby’s guardian, Fitz has to focus on caring for his sister, whether Tabby is innocent or guilty. He refuses to help the man—until he learns the mobster has taken his sister.

The clock is ticking as Fitz scrambles to recover the jewels. If he succeeds, it’ll cost the woman he’s come to care for. If he fails, it’ll cost his sister’s life.

My Review:

originally published in 2021 under the title “Tides of Duplicity.”

I’m new to Robin Patchen’s books (this is only my second one) but I am forever a fan. Love the way she develops a suspense plot and creates characters with depth and conviction. Inspirational without being preachy. And, whoa, but she knows how to keep a reader on edge right through the entire read! So thank you to all my bibliophile kindred spirts who recommended this author to me!

The story begins with the sweet beginnings of romance at an exotic Belize resort. Fitz and Tabby meet when their vacations overlap, neither looking for romance. Fitz has his hands full parenting his teenage sister while Tabby feels burdened by family responsibilities back home. Still, the attraction is there and furthering their connection once they are both stateside is a tantalizing temptation. One that Tabby is more able to resist than Fitz, because once she boards her plane she’s convinced she will never see him again.

But then Fitz shows up on her doorstep back home in Coventry and her world implodes because he’s there under false pretences…or is he? Argh, but there were aspects of their romance that tied me up in knots! Because Fitz is in part, playing a role as a means to an end. Only, also, he isn’t. Love the tangled twist to their romance as the suspense slowly builds. And then it transforms into a high-stakes treasure hunt that kept me frantically engaged until the end.

Phew! Looking forward to continuing with the Coventry Saga series. I’ve been listening to the audio books narrated by Aimee Lily and am really enjoying the way she portrays a variety of characters as well as the sense of urgency she brings to the high-octane scenes. Makes for a compelling listen.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Redemption for Ransom, 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 January 17 2026.