Secrets She Knew + Giveaway

Boston police detective Dani Lake dreads returning to her small hometown of Skye, Alabama, for her ten-year high school reunion–and not just for the normal reasons.

At only fifteen, Dani tragically discovered the body of her murdered classmate, setting in motion the process that led to the unjust conviction of her dear friend and an unshakable burden of guilt she carries to this day. So when new evidence surfaces during her trip home which suggests the truth Dani’s always suspected, she embarks on a mission to expose the real killer, aided by Skye police detective Chris Newton–who happens to be the man Dani’s best friend is dying to set her up with, and also the only person who believes her.

But when Dani pushes too hard, someone pushes back, endangering Dani and those closest to her as she unearths secrets deeper and darker than she ever expected to learn—secrets that may bring the truth to light, if they don’t get her killed first.

A Secrets and Lies Suspense Novel.
Thrilling, clean suspense and mystery laced with romance and faith.

My Review:

Well now, here I am, again, gobsmacked by D. L. Wood and sputtering for words to describe how truly compelling this story was. I mean…again, so much to say, but I can’t without spoilers. This author excels at ramping up tension and thwarting would-be armchair sleuths at every turn. I was on the edge all the way through! It’s emotional and hair-raising and intriguing and absolutely unputdownable!

And Dani, our plucky heroine with a loyal heart and the kind of staying power that won’t allow her to give up, has stirred up a cauldron of seething secrets the second she’s back home. Love the small town Alabama setting, her friend group that has stood the test of time, and the way her familiarity with people and places makes it easier (and sometimes harder!) to look into a ten year old closed case that she thinks should be a cold one.

And I really can’t say anything else because there aren’t just plot twists — there are hairpin turns that kept me discombobulated all the way through. This is only my second book by this author, but she’s just moved up on my ‘Author Catch Up Reading List ‘for 2024. Truly, suspense at it’s finest.

The Cupcake Dilemma + Giveaway

My name is Kirstin Hill. I’m a simple girl trying to figure out life in a small town. There are a few things you should know about me before we begin. I grew up in the city. I’m a teacher–a first year teacher, (some of you understand that significance). And, finally, when it comes to cooking, I’m a disaster. Maybe none of those things seem story-worthy, but trust me, I have a story. I call it The Cupcake Dilemma, and it literally changed my life. How? I’m glad you asked. 

It all started with an extra assignment delegated to me at school right before Valentine’s Day… but before we get too far, let me begin by stating this clearly. I was voluntold.

My Review:

published in 2018

Fun, flirty and fabulous! And laugh-out-loud hilarious all the way through. I love Kirstin! She’s got a dry sense of humour and a snappy comeback for any situation, whether it’s spoken out loud or just a thought bubble in her head. And the baker at the heart of her cupcake dilemma — oh my — swoon, swoon, swoony! Impeccably paced, this little novella just sings! Or should I say chortles? All the way to the end.

This is the third book in Jennifer Rodewald’s Rock Creek series but easily reads as a standalone. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series but now that I’ve met a few folks in town I’m eager to backtrack and find out their stories!

This book just released in an audible edition with an incredibly well-matched narrator. Laura Pedersen really brings not only Kristin Hill’s character to life, but all of the other characters as well. And her delivery of those one line zingers — hysterically funny. I’m enchanted and besotted and will definitely give The Cupcake Dilemma many re-listens in the future.

A Lasting Impression + Giveaway

To create something that will last is Claire Laurent’s most fervent desire as an artist. It’s also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire’s path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she’s sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville’s elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.

All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He’s determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville’s historic 1850s Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera’s stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers’ hearts and leave them eager for more.

My Review:

published in 2011

Richly layered and impeccably crafted, this is definitely a book that will make a lasting impression on its readers! Rich in history, Alexander manages to bring the post-civil war era to life. I could feel the conflicting spirits of hope and despair; the division of a people and the lingering taste of bitterness in a defeated state. My emotions ran amok as I read! In fact I was left half-dreading each page the deeper I got into the book because I knew that Claire’s secret couldn’t stay buried forever but Alexander spun the reveal out with the expertise of a skilled storyteller and I was on tenterhooks the entire time. Brilliantly done. 
  
The historical detail is brilliant as well. It stirred me to do my own research on Belmont Mansion and Mrs. Acklen. I love when fiction and non-fiction meet in a delicious way like this! It makes my reading experience all the more fulfilling. 
  
And the romance — oh-la-la! Sutton makes a fainting couch a must have for this read! LOL. Loved the way Alexander develops the attraction between Claire and Sutton and she put enough stumbling blocks in the way to keep this reader’s heart dipping and diving for the duration of the read.  
  
A Lasting Impression has the classic feel of an epic novel. It’s the kind of book that carries you away to a different time and place — immerses you in the story and leaves you richer for the read.

Cold Case Contraband + Giveaway

Exposing hidden secrets could prove lethal.

Within minutes of investigating a cold case murder, officer Carmen Hollis is shot at and rescued by a local teacher and single dad. Saving local cops isn’t undercover Special Agent Jonah Drake’s mission, but as threats to Carmen escalate, he can’t turn away. When his drug investigation and her cold case collide, secrets won’t stay hidden. Not when someone wants Carmen dead.

My Review:

An impressive opening scene, filled with just the right amount of suspense and danger provides a thrilling meet-cute for this hero and heroine. And the story just keeps getting better from there.

Bullard strikes a nice balance between the high-octane scenes and the getting-to-know each other scenes. Enough danger and suspense to keep me on edge punctuated by some lovely restful interludes filled with fun, family…and romance. Jonah’s daughter is an adorable scene stealer, as is Carmen’s foster pup.

And the mystery surrounding the suspense — phew! There’s a cold case and a current case and Carmen’s family drama and they all kept me on my toes and second guessing all my foregone conclusions. My sleuthing armchair got a real workout before everything wraps up by the epic epilogue!

The Best Summer of Our Lives + Giveaway

Twenty years ago, the summer of ’77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde’s life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow–the Four Seasons–had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, “Nowhere,” Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It’s a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love’s voice.

My Review:

A dual timeline multi-layered coming-of-age story steeped in secrets and drama.

While technically there is a historical timeline and a contemporary one, the actual years are 1977 (when the girls are eighteen) and then twenty years later in 1997. (It makes me feel so old to have been alive in what is considered a historical era now!)

The greater portion of the story takes place in 1977, when the girls were camp counsellors during what was supposed to be the ‘best summer of their lives.’ It didn’t quite turn out that way and this is where I admit that the amount of teenage drama was just a bit much for me.

It’s a milestone summer for these four friends and each of them harbours secrets that threaten the foundation of their friendship. So, lots of tension…in fact, a lot of the time I felt like I was reading an angsty YA novel, which isn’t my go to literary escape so I struggled to relate to these characters. And I really didn’t like Summer (who has the most POVs, unfortunately.) It’s universally accepted that she is selfish and opinionated and self-absorbed and there’s not much character growth, even into the contemporary timeline until the very end of the book. And it really bothered me that her friends and even the adults in her life kept enabling Summer to stay that way. They were always finding excuses for her behaviour and shrugging it off instead of confronting her — even lovingly — and not standing up for the people she hurt by her behaviour. So, not a Summer fan until very close to the end.

She did have a faith journey that plays a greater role in the last part of the book. There are hints of it in the 1977 timeline, but I honestly didn’t connect it to a faith thread until much later. It felt a bit like magical realism…only maybe I’d call it mystical realism…or spiritual realism? And, while I do enjoy that kind of trope, I like to know about it going in and this one took me by surprise so I felt a bit off kilter.

I would have enjoyed spending more time with each of the girls in the contemporary timeline. There’s a real connection between that fateful summer in 1977 and the way each of their lives turned out but I feel like that part of the story was rushed and I would have liked more of a balance between the eighteen year olds and their thirty-eight year old counterparts.

I did like the way the author wrapped things up — bringing the girls full circle and allowing them to deal with the issues that pulled them apart twenty years earlier. A big takeaway for me is the understanding that even the strongest friendships can be fragile at times and require nurturing. And that no matter how far we stray, Jesus is always right beside us, waiting to be invited back into our lives.

Though I had a paperback copy from the publisher, I listened to the audible edition narrated by Suzy Jackson and I feel like her performance helped me to become more engaged with the story.

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

Pieces of Forever + Giveaway

The scars on her face are nothing to the scars on her heart. But can God help her find healing―and love?

Eight years ago, Ava and Joseph had the perfect future planned—he would go to veterinary school, she would embark on a career with an exclusive modeling agency, and they’d eventually get married and have three dogs and four children. Until a terrible accident changed everything. Unwilling to believe they could still have a future, she made Joseph promise to leave and live out their dreams without her.

Joseph has never broken a promise to Ava. Until now.

Because before he made that stupid promise to leave, they’d made each other another promise—one of forever. Now that he’s done with veterinary school, he’s determined to return to River Falls and show her that his promise still stands. That he loves her just the way she is.

But first he’ll have to find a way to crack the safe she’s erected around her heart.

Fortunately, he has help: in the form of three lovable dogs, a special group of sick kids, and more than a few slices of pie. But will it be enough to convince Ava that their forever is worth fighting for? Or will he be left picking up the pieces―alone?

My Review:

published in 2021

Now this is what Christian Fiction is all about! What an incredible, moving, uplifting and faith-affirming story! And that’s not to say there isn’t any angst…because there’s plenty of that, as you would expect with a second chance romance. But I’ve still come away from this read with a soaring heart and and the inner peace that comes from knowing that every one of us is worthy in the eyes of the Lord.

Really — I’m gobsmacked and flabbergasted that I haven’t read a Valerie M. Bodden book before. I’ve heard her name bandied about on social media and people have told me I should read one of her books and, here I am, way late to the party but so, so happy that I jumped in with the first book in her River Falls series.

And this romance!!! Emotionally toe-curling. The way Joseph pursues Ava. Constant. Steadfast. Giving her space but not giving up. He comes close a time or two, but only because he feels it would be in Ava’s best interest. But he’s not going to cut ties completely, even if that means only friendship is on the table. Of course, he hopes for so much more — like a chance to keep the promise he made all those years ago. Sooooo romantical!!!!!

And — eeeppp — he’s a veterinarian!!! Seriously, that has to be one of my top picks for a hero occupation! So, of course, there’s some puppy love here too which makes for some nice ice breakers when things get tense with Ava. And Joseph’s large, opinionated family keeps things interesting too. 🙂

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Amanda Stribling (yay Chirp sale!) She did an amazing job — so easy to listen to and I feel like she captured the essence of these characters. Highly recommend the audio book.

The Reluctant Rancher + Giveaway

Will his childhood nemesis be the second chance he needs?

Despite the mess FBI agent Enzo Flores has made of his life, he’s still eager to help others—like his sister, Ana. But coming home to Texas to run the family ranch and take care of his nephew might be more than Enzo can handle. He enlists the help of Ana’s best friend, Resa Espinoza, who’s always been good at riling him up. This time, she might just help him heal…

A Lone Star Heritage Romance

My Review:

I was happy to travel back to Port Del Mar, Texas, the setting of two series by Jolene Navarro. I love this town and the secondary characters aka busybodies who can’t help but meddle out of love. 🙂 And I do so enjoy a romance set in the midst of a close-knit family ’cause they never let you get away with anything. So, lots of interfering siblings and wise matriarchs bring equal parts substance and fun to this romance.

Enzo is a little bit moody and out of his comfort zone as he gives up chasing bad guys for a time so he can wrangle his five-year-old nephew while his sister’s on bedrest with a complicated pregnancy. And it irks him that his little sister’s best friend (and the kid who was always dragging Ana into trouble) keeps coming to his rescue where little Lorenzo is concerned.

Only Resa is no longer the annoying pest he remembers. Now she’s a beautiful, spirited woman who isn’t cowed by Enzo’s detached FBI agent demeanour. Cue the fireworks and laughter and be prepared to be entertained. Oh — and their meet-cute — hysterical!!!!! Really sets the tone for the push/pull of their relationship all the way through.

A vibrant romance filled with hope and grace.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Reluctant Rancher, 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 19, 2023

Cold Pursuit + Giveaway

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They’re soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there’s almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be. 

But as they follow the boy’s trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. With a killer on the loose set on finishing the job he started, will River be pulled back into her tormented past or finally face the demons that haunt her?

With her trademark blend of page-turning thrills and intricate plots, Nancy Mehl delivers a spine-tingling thriller that will keep readers up all night.

My Review:

‘Page-turning thrills’ about sums up this suspense for sure. From that chilling prologue to the inclusion of a disturbing ‘unsub’ POV, this one kept me on edge the whole read through. It definitely had more ‘Criminal Minds’ vibes than I am comfortable with, though the descriptions in the book don’t go nearly as far as that series did, so, phew, for that. I’d consider ‘Cold Pursuit’ on the thriller side of suspense so definitely out of my comfort zone.

I did get the feeling that this series is a spin-off of another series? So, I felt like there were things I should have known about River and Tony already. They are friends with a work history who shared a trauma and that’s given them an even stronger bond. They’ve left their jobs with the FBI to start up a new Private Investigation firm and their first case is a doozy!

This is an emotionally layered suspense with a nice balance between character-driven and suspenseful plots. Lots of moving pieces to sort through and I really like how the investigation developed, bringing truth to light and, ultimately peace to a grieving mother. There’s also a secondary plot — both in suspense and romance (I’m guessing) — that will continue on through the series.

‘Cold Pursuit’ features a suspense trope that leaves me a tad uncomfortable. I don’t want to say what it is, because it’s not stated in the synopsis, but it’s quickly evident early on in the story. Does that have you intigued? 🙂 If I’d known that would be the focus of the story, I likely would have given this one a pass. But the story is well-written and riveting – just not for the faint of heart. I need to dive into a rom/com to bring my blood pressure down.

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

Kidnapped in the Woods + Giveaway

To solve a kidnapping case, they will become the hunted.

Firefighter Pat Ryan is stunned when he hears gunfire and two strangers crash through his door. An anonymous tip led journalist Rachel Davenport to a ramshackle cabin, where she helped an abducted teen escape. With Pat and his K-9 rescue dog’s help, they go on the run with deadly kidnappers in pursuit. But with innocent lives at stake, Rachel and Pat must battle foes and fears to live through the night. 

My Review:

Eeeeep Alert!!! This is a read-in-one gulp kind of suspense so clear your calendar and settle in for an edge-of-your-seat ride.

The opening scene is so intense!!!! I could hardly breathe and then, the way the plot unfolds is so well balanced. Yes, there are hair-raising scenes and lots of chilling chases but there’s also some quality heart-to-heart time that let me catch my breath and fall in love with these characters. Including Shadow the K-9 search and rescue wonder dog. I do so love a Bernese Mountain dog hero!!!! 🙂

An exciting romantic suspense that made me all kinds of bibliophile happy. Plus, it’s set in the winter so all that cold snow was a refreshing relief from our stifling heat. The next best thing to experiencing milder temperatures in real life.

Summer in the Spotlight + Giveaway

A hurricane may have destroyed her livelihood on Prince Edward Island, but she’s determined to save her community

Kelsey Ahern has performed at the Victoria Playhouse on Prince Edward Island every summer since she was seven. But when a hurricane destroys the building, it’s not just her memories that are in jeopardy. Her future as a teacher and drama coach are too. She teams up with Levi Ross, the facilities director at the high school, to produce a benefit show to raise money to rebuild the theater. He has a reputation for being able to fix anything, and Kelsey is sure there’s more to the quiet man than meets the eye. 

For his part, Levi has admired Kelsey for years, but he can’t seem to find the words to tell her. When a popular weatherman arrives in town to cover the aftermath of the hurricane and takes an interest in Kelsey and her show, Levi realizes that the time has come to speak up–or lose the heart of the woman he longs for. 

Join New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson for a season of rebuilding, restoration, and romance with this final book in the Prince Edward Island Shores series.

My Review:

Hands down, my favourite book in the series…and Levi Ross has set the bar high for any future book boyfriends! I am so besotted! Because Levi is really something special. And unique to the typical contemporary romance lead.

To say that Levi is ‘quiet’ is a massive understatement. I can probably count on one hand the number of words he spoke in the first chapter. And they are just as sparse all the way through the story. But Levi has other ways of effectively communicating and those close to him easily interpret a look or a shrug, even his body language. I love that Kelsey doesn’t find that off putting — but then, her gift for gab makes her capable of carrying on more than her fair share of a conversation. 🙂

There’s a reason Levi is the way he is and I won’t be telling tales out of turn so you just have to read the book. But he is definitely swoonworthy material — a man pining over his childhood crush. And, yes, Kelsey makes him even more tongue-tied than ever. Readers have the advantage of being party to his thoughts, while Kelsey is left to decipher his cryptic responses and silence in her own way. Most of the time she gets it right but some of the time she doesn’t which makes things all the more interesting.

Fans of the Prince Edward Island Shores series will be happy at the page time given to the Ross family in general and there’s lots of brotherly bonding leading up to a resounding wrap-up to the family’s recent woes. Yes, that does sound cryptic, but no worries if you haven’t read the first two books in this series, Johnson has seamlessly included the pertinent details from the earlier books with minimum spoilers so I think you could read Summer in the Spotlight as a standalone.

And that title! Very clever tie-in to the story. Love the concept of the town rallying to save the summer theatre.The plot is both predictable and unpredictable so, as a reader, I got to bask in the comfort of the familiar while also experiencing the thrill of the unexpected. And then there’s the Prince Edward Island setting! I’m all Anne-girl starry eyed. 🙂 Summer in the Spotlight makes a perfect summer escape read!

(I enjoyed listening to the audible edition expertly narrated by Emily Ellet. She did a great job of creating unique voices for each character and, honestly, made Levi sound so dreamy. Happy sigh.)