Tag: Christian Fiction

Cougar Mountain Ambush + Giveaway

A shooter in pursuit..and no where left to hide.

When Thad Hanson hears gunshots fired on his ranch, the last thing he expects to find is game warden Carrie Caldwell pinned down by an armed drone—and an unknown assailant closing in. Now Thad’s determined to stay between Carrie and the threat at all times. But with the shooter following their every move, can Thad get Carrie to safety…without leading them both into a trap?

My Review:

I read Kathie Ridings’ debut LIS a few months ago and ended my review begging for more Hanson brothers and here we are, back on Cougar Mountain with Levi, Blane, Sean and, of course, this book’s hero, Thad! Love the way this author writes these brothers — all teasing camaraderie with an underlying thread of steel, ’cause if you mess with one brother you’re going to have to take them all on. Thankfully, Carrie has them on her side.

She’s a game warden who has attracted some deadly attention and it happens on Hanson land so Thad feels responsible (and intervenes in a timely fashion!) He is a hero of my dreams — a veterinarian rancher! Really, can it get any better than that for an animal loving reader? What ensues is a perplexing volley of attacks on poor Carrie that has them all flummoxed and Thad appointing himself protector while they scramble to figure out what on earth is going on and why!

Carrie has an interesting back story that plays an important role in her reluctance to become romantically involved…even though Thad is oh-so-tempting! But running for your life tends to wear down one’s resistance so do not despair, there is a happily-ever-after.

An edge-of-your-seat suspense that kept me engaged to the very last page. (Blissful, happy sigh.) And there are two more unattached Hanson brothers who are crying out for their own stories. (More happy sighing.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Cougar Mountain Ambush, 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 June 17, 2023.

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau + Giveaway

In 1865, orphaned Daisy Francois takes a position as housemaid at a midwestern Wisconsin castle and finds that the reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress inside hides more than the harrowing tales in her novels. With women disappearing from the area and a legend that seems to parallel these eerie circumstances, Daisy is thrust into a web that may threaten to steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of American aristocratic family the Tremblays to help his matriarchal grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman’s stashes of collectibles, a century-old mystery of disappearance, insanity, and the dust of the old castle’s curse threatens to rise again, and this time, leave no one alive to tell its sordid tale.

Fan-favorite Jaime Jo Wright draws readers into a seamlessly woven dual-time tale of suspense, mystery, romance, and redemption.

My Review:

Eerily mysterious with Gothic undertones that make this one shivery delight of a read! Dual timelines, both equally riveting, and Wright does a phenomenal job of meshing them together by the end.

This is the kind of read you need to go into with very little info — I appreciate the sparse synopsis which tells just enough to lure readers in without revealing any spoilers. So, all I’m going to say is be prepared to be enthralled! Richly layered in both plot and characterization and the way the author builds each scene upon the previous one, even when bouncing between timelines, is masterfully done. As is the seamless way she weaves a redemptive thread throughout. Everything I want in an atmospheric mystery!

I think my ‘reading’ pleasure was enhanced even more by listening to Sara Farrington’s excellent narration. She did justice to these characters and Jaime Jo Wright’s unique storytelling.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, 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 June 17, 2023.

In Her Sights + Giveaway

He’s sworn off love, but she has his heart in her sights and doesn’t intend to miss.

Stained by his wastrel father’s legacy, Jackson Spivey lives on the fringes of society. Townsfolk tolerate him since he keeps the local hotel supplied with fresh game, but mothers coach their daughters to avoid him. After tasting consistent rejection, Jackson spurns all attempts at courtship. The only things he can count on are his guns and his God.

Tessa James has been secretly in love with Jackson for ages, but trying to gain his favor only pushes him further away. When she learns Annie Oakley is traveling through Texas, Tessa seeks lessons from the famed markswoman. If Jackson’s life revolves around guns, taking up shooting might help her engage his interest. Too bad she can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

When Annie loans Tessa a custom pistol, however, things begin to change. The lore behind the mysterious weapon fosters hope that Tessa might finally hit the target of Jackson’s heart. But when danger threatens, she might be forced to use the pistol for something other than finding love.

My Review:

This was just plain fun! If you told me I’d be gushing over a romance that centres around a very special gun, I wouldn’t have believed you, but here I am, marvelling once again at Karen Witemeyer’s clever storytelling skills.

This is the first book of the multi-authored Pink Pistol Sisterhood series (isn’t that title fantastic? And yes, the pistol is pink!) I’m definitely intrigued enough to check out the other novellas in the collection. Each book reads as a standalone though they are linked by this rather special pistol and how it can work magic when it comes to romance. 🙂

Equal parts comedy and drama with a resounding action scene towards the end, Tessa and Jackson’s story is a classic Western…with a twist.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere with a .com Kindle account.

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of In Her Sights, 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 June 10, 2023.

Betting on Hope + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

One clutzy advice columnist. One champion cowboy. And an entire small town rooting for love.

Advice columnist Maggie Hope never dreamed she’d be shaking hands with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan over a high-stakes bet, especially one that involves horses. And saddles. And everything else a city girl like Maggie feels uncomfortable around. But after filling in for a coworker and interviewing the handsome cowboy, she finds herself doing just that. Anything to save her advice column.

Despite Maggie’s two left feet, Tru is bound and determined to bring out her inner cowgirl by teaching her to ride a cutting horse, trained to separate cattle from the rest of the herd. While her riding improves, their attraction intensifi es, but Tru knows he can never let her into his heart—for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, a community full of meddling but well-meaning townsfolk, Maggie discovers the home she’s always longed for. But she’s holding something back—a secret that could destroy her reputation and any future she’s ever hoped for with the cowboy she mightust love.

My Review:

published in 2015 (Second time around for me, this time in audio, and it’s just as fantastic as I remembered!)

Wow, this is going to be a doozey of a series. I love the way Clopton creates an unforgettable community of living, breathing characters. Makes me want to visit Wishing Springs but it’s not on the map.  I checked! I’m already lamenting that there are only three Monahan brothers because I want this series to go on for a long time. And just for fun, fans of this author’s Love Inspired books will appreciate the nod to Mule Hollow found within these pages.

The fantastic first meet totally drew me in. I love a klutzy heroine — especially when a dashing cowboy comes to her rescue. I could hear the rumble of fireworks over that first glance and couldn’t burrow into the story fast enough. Clopton is a comedic genius and her scenes just flow with love and laughter. Mind you, there’s plenty of angst to work through for both Tru and Maggie and I loved the way the plot took a few unexpected turns that kept it fresh and compelling.

There are times when secondary characters steal the show — Clara Lyn and Reba from the Cut Up and Roll Hair Salon are on the top of my list of favourites. They are unrepentant busybodies with hearts of gold and bring an added warmth to this inspiring tale. There’s also a secondary plot involving a pregnant teen that further enhances the underlining theme of the hope that comes from sacrifice. Again, it has a couple of surprising twists and enough of an emotional punch to keep my nose buried in the book until I reached the end.

A stellar start to a promising new series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Gently read paperback copy available internationally — so, yay, everybody’s included in this giveaway no matter where you live.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Betting on Hope, 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 June 10, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

The Shifting Current + Giveaway

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart.

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him.

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other?

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

My Review:

Don’t let the shorter word count fool you — this novella packs a punch. I’m amazed at how deeply layered and intricate the plot is. How did the author fit so much into a novella form? Definitely reads with all the satisfaction of her longer books….well, except for loving these characters and this team and wanting to stay with them forever!

This novella ends the Coastal Guardians series and does so in grand fashion. Logan and Emmy have played supportive roles in the previous books so I was thrilled to catch up with them here. No worries though, ‘The Shifting Current‘ could easily be read as a standalone as well. Especially since Logan and Em are ‘on location’ across the country in New Mexico for this case.

And it’s a bittersweet story based around a difficult set of circumstances. Logan’s grandfather has been brutally murdered and he’s determined to work the case along side his long time friend who is also the sheriff. And Em isn’t about to let him deal all that alone.

The thing you need to know about this pair is that they are professional partners who work brilliantly together. The perfect compliment of talent and brains. They share a deep friendship that could easily become something more — so if you’re a fan of the friends to lovers trope, this is definitely the romance for you!

What amazes me about their story is the way the author has woven the romance through some very dark times. Logan’s grief is gut wrenchingly real, his emotions raw and Em is tenderly supportive. It’s because they know each other so well, that she’s able to watch out for him — pushing Logan forward when necessary but also allowing him time to process through his grief. So, while there are definitely sad, painful moments in this novella, there’s also the comfort of finding fresh hope in new beginnings.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Stephanie Cozart who did a fantastic job with these characters and their story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere with a .com Kindle account.

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice, or also audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Shifting Current, 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 June 10, 2023.

When Tomorrow Came + Giveaway

They Waited Their Whole Lives for Their Papa to Return

Nan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds. Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them—bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she’s never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

Dangers unfold, secret love develops, fights ensue, and murder upsets the worlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves.

They’ve waited their whole lives for their papa to return, for tomorrow to come—but now that it has, will they be able to see through to the truth and end this whirlwind of a nightmare before it costs one of their lives?   

My Review:

I’m all kinds of addlepated after finishing this amazing Regency Romance with a definite air of mystery. I read Hannah Linder’s debut novel earlier this year and was gobsmacked and this is me once again, mouth agape in stunned bibliophile astonishment. Soooooooooooooooo very good!

Great Expectations meets Mary Stewart/Victoria Holt, creating all kinds of Gothic vibes that ricochet right through the story. I’m still experiencing afterglow goose bumping! And it all starts with the very Dickens-esque, heart wrenching opening scene.

The author lays the foundational work with the harrowing account of Nan and Heath’s childhood living on the London streets through to the agonizing moment they are separated. And I do mean agonizing. I cried. We get both points of view as Nan and Heath struggle to find peace with the direction the split has taken them. I don’t want to say more but I was a blubbering basket case as I lived through every excruciating moment with each of them. I’d say a good quarter — maybe even a third — of the book covers the sibling’s childhood and adolescence.

And then — wow — the story just builds from there. With tons of unexpected twists, moral dilemmas and a looming mystery that threatens all they’ve come to hold dear. On top of that we get two romances! Eeeepppp! Let’s just say the romantic tension sizzling around the Gothic undertones gave me heart palpitations so, fainting couches and smelling salts advised.

This stirring redemptive tale is made all the stronger for the wonderful faith elements woven seamlessly throughout which makes this a sweet perfection of a read.

I listened to the audible edition, narrated by Natasha Soudek and enjoyed every mesmerizing second.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Tomorrow Came, 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 June 10, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Vying for the Viscount + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he’s even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley’s refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can’t help but be intrigued by the area’s newest eligible bachelor.

Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

My Review:

published in 2020 (another re-read courtesy of Audible!)

Oh, my heart!!! I’m a sweet dithering mess of swoonalicious goo! Gather all your Regency accoutrements (fainting couch, smelling salts, fans) because you’re going to need them! What a rapturous start to a new Kristi Ann Hunter series.

I love her Regency world building. I feel like I’ve fallen into an Austen novel only the heroines are a bit more…spunky? (No booing from the Austen crowd!) and the secondary characters are just as alluring as her main characters. In fact, there are a couple of gentlemen that better star in their own stories (pointed hint to the author.) I’ll expire if she doesn’t! Cue a graceful swoon onto my fainting couch.

Ohhhhh — and speaking of swooning!!!! Hudson!!!!!!! He is so out of his element when he arrives in England. He’s lived in India his whole life, but always preparing for the time he would take his place among the English aristocracy. He’s had tutors aplenty and constant instruction from his father but there are holes in his education and that leaves him floundering.

Cue the horse-mad girl next door. Bianca has had free reign of the Stildon stables in the absence of a Viscount. Her first encounter with Hudson is hysterical!!! And really showcases their personalities. Sheer brilliance! So these two set up a friendship of sorts and agree to help each other source out suitable spouses…and you know how that’s going to go, right?

Into drawing rooms and ballrooms and early morning rides chock full of cutting dialogue. Oh, my, how this author knows how to wield a witty turn of phrase!  Makes for a delicious read.

There’s even a bit of danger — and an evil (well, almost evil) stepmother to contend with. And a lot of soul searching to do as Hudson and Bianca struggle to find their own personal version of a happily-ever-after. I love the way Hunter has included a gentle, but significant faith thread as both hero and heroine discover the joys — and fears — that come with sacrificing their will in favor of seeking out God’s plan for their lives.

I listened to the audible edition of this book narrated by Anne Marie Gideon who did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. I’m still grinning madly and might just have to give this one a relisten — especially since book two, Winning the Gentleman (yay, one of my hero requests!) doesn’t release until April 2021!!!!!!!!

Oh…oh…ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh….I forgot to mention that there are a bunch of exciting cameos from characters of previous Hunter books in this one. It was so much fun to spot them…I might have squealed a time or two. Love fun bonuses like that.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Paperback copy available internationally — so, yay, everybody’s included in this giveaway no matter where you live.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Vying for the Viscount, 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 June 10, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Explosive Trail + Giveaway

Can an officer and her K-9 partner survive a bomber with a vendetta?

When a serial bomber’s explosion in Olympic National Park lands K-9 officer Willow Bates in the hospital, her estranged husband, FBI agent Theo Bates, rushes to her side. He’s determined to protect her and the baby he didn’t know she was carrying. But the bomber has revenge on his mind and will stop at nothing to finish them off.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit

My Review:

These LIS continuity series just keep getting better! This one is third in the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series but would read really well as a standalone as well. Each book has it’s own individual suspense and romance while carrying forward an over-arcing suspense thread that slowly builds with each book and won’t be resolved until the last one. Reed does an amazing job of fitting in pertinent details without bogging the plot down. Great for new-to-the-series readers but also a helpful refresher for P N K-9 fans.

K-9 Star (bomb and arms detection dog) is the star of this story! Loved this furry scene stealer and I was cheering her on in some of the hair-raising (fur-raising?) scenes! But her humans are pretty cool to and…eeeeppppppp…

Mega Second Chance Romance! Willow and Theo are on the verge of divorce and the wounds are still fresh. An attempt at reconciliation three months earlier didn’t prove fruitful…at least not in the way you might think. Now Willow’s pregnant and that just makes navigating all the hurt and angst that much harder.

Now, I’ll say that while the suspense is fantastic in this novel, the romance is spectacular! The author somehow managed to build emotion into every situation…and the undercurrents in the dialogue!!!! I felt every agonizing moment. And completely related to both Willow and Theo and the reasons for their split. And when they let their guard down and the romance starts to sizzle — be still my heart. Breathtaking stuff!

But, of course, there’s a nefarious bomber to apprehend and quite a bit of adventuring to get through before that oh-so-very-satisfactory happily-ever-after can come about.

Oh — and I love the way the author set things up for the next book and added some more dangling threads to series’ suspense. Makes me all kinds of anxious to pick up the next book soon. Which is easy to do since these books are releasing each month.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya. Absolutely LOVE that this entire series is available in audio format. I have them all on preorder and drop everything when I get the notification that book is available. I finished this one in a day and loved every second.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere with a .com kindle account

US — Paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — Paperback or ebook or audible.ca copy — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Explosive 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 June 3, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Counter Attack + Giveaway

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer strikes again–this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex’s real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer’s calling card–a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it–cannot be ignored.

My Review:

Intense, emotional and unputdownable! I flew through Patricia Bradley’s latest release. Just never found a good place to set the book aside and do other things and I do so love getting lost in a book…even if it’s sometimes scary and a little bit creepy like this one is.

Just the right blend of investigative work interspersed with all the action/danger. And so many things are happening at the same time it’s hard for Alex and Nathan, her police chief counterpart, to keep on top of things. (I’ve always found the US police hierarchy so interesting — where a town has a chief but also a sheriff. And Bradley describes the various responsibilities of each really well.)

I did a good job of sleuthing out some things and was totally clueless about others, so that made for an exciting read. I’m so proud of what I did figure out but agog at what I missed. I won’t quit my day job to become a professional armchair sleuth anytime soon. 🙂

And — woohoo — reunion romance in the making after a high school romance went sour a decade earlier. Love how well they know each other and how irked they are about that. Kinda grumpy and edgy and oh so reluctantly slipping back into old habits. I do so love the second chance romance trope and this one made me all kinds of happy.

A stellar, faith-infused romantic suspense that somehow also manages to ooze Southern Charm. And did I mention that Counter Attack is the first in Bradley’s new Pearl River series? I’m giddy with anticipation for book two’s release.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Gently read paperback copy available internationally — so, yay, everybody’s included in this giveaway no matter where you live.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Counter Attack, 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 June 3, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Spring for Susannah + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read!

Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie.

When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor’s brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she’s ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory.

Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse’s confidence in her–and his faith in God’s perfect plan–slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.

(Please Note: I cut off the synopsis here because it reveals a major spoiler)

My Review:

published in 2011

If the idea of a grown-up Little House book appeals, look no further. My child’s heart is singing even as my adult one is swooning. LOL. This is an amazing read and I’m not quite sure that I will be able to do it justice with this review but I aim to try.

Incredible characterization — and dynamics! Jesse has me all but swooning one second and then wheezing with laughter the next. He’s larger than life with his grandiose gestures and loose tongue that spouts the most surprising things! He’s earnest and loves God and delights in his farm, the land…in his wife who he has determined to love before he ever set eyes on her! He’d be perfect if he wasn’t so exasperating at times and a little titched in the head.

Each chapter in the book starts out with a quote — from Jesse. An intimate glimpse into the man’s conversations with God. My favourite: “Your idea about becoming one flesh, God — it’s the best.”

By contrast Susannah is timid and shy and contained, so terrified of not meeting expectations that she almost sets herself up for failure. But deep in the core of her being the real Susannah is yearning to be let out and Jesse’s just the man to set her free. His unflagging attempts to draw her out of her shell so that he can get to know her — his insistence that she have an opinion, that she make her own decisions — his pride in her accomplishments — his delight in the surprises he uncovers — well, let’s just say this was an incredible read from beginning to end. Definitely a book to savor.

Richmond has captured the essence of the pioneer spirit. Susannah’s personal journey is inspiring, especially when you realize that the hardships she endured are the exact ones our ancestors faced. Homesteading the west was not for the faint of heart! 

You might have noted the controversy in other reviews regarding some of the romantic content in Spring for Susannah. Jesse and Susannah are already married at the beginning of the story and we witness the development of that relationship. I don’t feel that there is anything untoward in what Richmond has written, but she does reference the fact that their union involves intimacy. These scenes are filled with tenderness and humour and I think they bring a greater depth to the story.

Spring for Susannah is a rich, robust epic pioneer tale that well stay with you long after finish reading the last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

gently read paperback copy which has been stored in a glass doored bookcase available to anyone, anywhere — so this is an International giveaway. Woohoo!!!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Spring for Susannah, 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 June 3, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.