Contemporary Romance – Page 13

Southern Snow + Giveaway

For the last three years, Georgia has called the quirky southern town of Sugartree home, dutifully moving back to manage her parent’s coffee shop after her father suffered a heart attack and finding contentment in her busy schedule and the occasional shenanigans of her three younger siblings.

When Lakeland Lovett, troubled son of the local pastor, wafts through the door of Good Start Coffee like a tantalizing cup of hot chocolate, Georgia promises herself she won’t fall prey to his charms and annoyingly perfect face again. She’s not the girl she was in high school who foolishly put her trust and heart in his careless hands. She knows better now, and more importantly, she knows Lake… at least she thinks she does.

But with Lake strutting around Sugartree, driving Georgia crazy all over again with his pesky nicknames, dumb dimples, and swoon-worthy attention laser focused on her, she starts to find any promises to maintain her distance from Lakeland Lovett harder to preserve, and Georgia begins to see him, and her life in Sugartree, in a whole new way.

My Review:

Another amazing find courtesy of November’s Bell Pepper Romance Event.

This is rom/com at its best. Full of small town charm and witty banter and, oh my goodness, Georgia and her siblings are a riot of fun! Flying quips, teasing tomfoolery and heartwarming loyalty. I almost feel like those scenes were the best but then I think of Lakeland and…swoon!

The teenage crush with a bad boy reputation is back home to make amends and Georgia’s the girl he left behind. She’s not about to forget the past and he’s just as determined to show her the future could be different. Sometimes I wanted to shake the pig-headedness out of her because Lake is so…well, I could list all the reasons why he makes the best kind of book boyfriend, but then I’d give the whole plot away. Trust me, the man is kind and thoughtful with an attention to detail that should have clued Georgia in early on, but, she’s busy trying to hold onto her grudge in a misplaced attempt at safeguarding her heart. Silly girl!

I appreciated the significant faith threads woven organically throughout the story. Reconciliation. Redemption. Forgiveness. Grace. With a multi-faceted approach that touches the lives of both Lake and Georgia and those close to them.

And Christmas is definitely centre-stage in this holiday romance which adds to all the cozy, heartwarming vibes and makes it the best kind of festive read.

I listened to the audible edition and thoroughly enjoyed Grace Woods’ narration. She brought out the Southern charm and lightheartedness in the story, making this a Christmas ‘read’ I will happily listen to again in the years ahead.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Southern 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 November 30 2024.

Cabin Crush + Giveaway

INDIE!

Rachael I’ve had a crush on my brother’s best friend my entire life. Once, in high school, I even got a taste of what it would be like to be with him thanks to some well-placed incredible and humiliating. We always spend Christmas with Max’s family at our cabin, and every year I have to suffer through a blissful week with him in a completely platonic way. His steady stream of girlfriends have made him off limits . . . until now.

It’s Christmas.

We’re at the cabin together.

And Max Dawson is single.

Max I’ve never looked forward to Christmas less in my entire life. My parents’ holiday will be ruined after I tell them my news, and to make matters worse, I blabbed to Rachael on the drive out to the cabin. Now she has to keep my secret until I’m ready to share with my family.

Which is probably why she’s acting so weird. Watching me. Touching me. Flirting. It would be terrible if I wasn’t enjoying it so much. But her brother has made it clear she’s off limits. And besides, I kissed Rachael once, and we all know how that ended.

So we definitely shouldn’t do it again.

Right?

My Review:

A sweet and swoony festive rom/com.

Three tropes I enjoy – brother’s best friend, secret crush and friends to more – mixed in with some delightful holiday shenanigans at a Lake Tahoe cabin. Well, I say cabin, but it’s big enough to hold both Rachel’s and Max’s families.

They’ve been holidaying together forever, just one big happy blended family of sorts. Only Rachel has harboured a secret crush on Max since her early teens. And they have a bit of cringeworthy history so sometimes it’s awkward and Rachel has to give herself pep talks before, during and after each family event. But this Christmas things seem a little different. More sizzle, some unintended (possibly) flirting and, of course, there’s mistletoe.

Loved the families’ holiday traditions and the way they helped progress the romance. Wonderful secondary characters add to the fun (and drama!) There’s even a hint of Christmas magic! An entertaining Christmas read that delivers all the feels.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Cabin Crush, 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 November 30 2024.

The Christmas Clue to Finding You + Giveaway

INDIE!

After five years away, Piper Dawson returns home to Kedgewick Creek and is pulled into a Christmas Scavenger Hunt that resurrects a heartbreak from Christmas past she’s not quite ready to mend. Will a matchmaking granny, a little Christmas magic, and a cute guy in a kilt make all the difference to her Christmas yet-to-come?

My Review:

published 2022

How did I miss a Pepper Basham Christmas novella two years ago?! My stealthy bibliophile spidey senses must have been waaaay off. Glad I ‘discovered’ this sweet novella this year when I went on a hunt for more indie Christmas reads.

We were just talking about favourite tropes and I’m adding ‘cute guy in a kilt’ to my list! Bwahaha! And this is also a second chance , friends to more romance. Eeeeppp! Plus it’s Christmas! Written by Pepper Basham which means we’re not only going to get a swoonalicious love story, we’re going to get an insightful inspirational message as well. And the author has out done herself with this poignant look at how the Christmas story can affect the way we live our lives all year round.

So, Piper’s returning home a to place she thought she needed to leave in order to find herself. Only that didn’t work as well for her as it did for her sister. So she’s back helping out at her grandma’s inn (I do so love a holiday inn story!) and getting reacquainted with the town and all the folks she’s missed…including some she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to see again – like Gabe.

They have such an interesting backstory that includes some tragedy which led to their estrangement and, well, you’ll just need to let them tell you their story. This quote sums it up quite nicely:

“Sometimes the wrong road helps our hearts appreciate the right one when we find it.”

Love the thread of redemption woven throughout and the quest to find a place to belong. And there’s an intriguing Christmas scavenger hunt that propels the plot forward in a delightful way (provides a clever title tie in too.) Makes for some sublime holiday reading!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the The Christmas Clue to Finding You, 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 November 23 2024.

Miracle on 30 Woof Street + Giveaway

Indie!

I love spending Christmas with my best friends. Especially since all they ever ask for is naps, treats, and belly rubs. They also don’t complain when I play my Christmas music on endless repeat. It’s a perk of running the Miracle on 30 Woof Street Pet Shelter.

While out one night to get my daily Holly Jolly Latte, I run into the most attractive woman with a very expensive looking coat. Literally. I spill my latte all over her, and what do I do? I invite her to stay in my guesthouse after her car breaks down, like a Christmas-crazed lunatic.

Taking the opportunity to show all Candy Cane Creek has to offer the week before Christmas, I hope to turn this Christmas-hater into a jolly elf, but along the way I develop feelings I shouldn’t be having. Ones I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with. Especially when the magic of the holidays doesn’t seem to be enough to grow her heart three sizes and make her stay.

My Review:

Fun, flirty and festive — with a sleigh load of holiday whimsy from the cute title to a Christmas-centric town aptly named Candy Cane Creek. What more could a reader in search of yuletide wonder ask for?

Well, a German Shepard wearing a Santa hat comes to mind. Really, Tag stole the show…er story…for me. Hanson clearly understands ‘dog’ and she writes it so well. Which is a good thing since Rex runs a pet shelter and I do so adore an animal loving hero!

Then there’s Holly, aptly named for a Christmas story, don’t you think? Only Holly lost her Christmas spirit five years ago (I’ll let her tell you why) and now she’s a grit your teeth and get through the holidays kind of gal. Only she’s got an assignment to cover small town festivities in the area and winds up being stranded in the middle of her worst nightmare: a town on holiday overload.

A funny meet-cute brings Holly and Rex together and sets the stage for pages of yuletide celebrations and glad tidings as Rex sets out to change Holly’s opinions of Christmas.

Really enjoyed this light-hearted rom/com, though it is written in first person, present tense POV which isn’t my favourite. The story is sweet and hopeful with enough canine antics to thrill discerning dog loving readers everywhere.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Miracle on 30 Woof Street, 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 November 16 2024.

We Three Kings + Giveaway

In this Christmas collection, Weise men still seek Jesus–and love

Best-selling romance authors Caudill, Putman, and Strong follow three generations of the Weise family in this third collection of Christmas novellas from Kregel that will prove just as popular as the previous award-winning volumes.

“Star of Wonder” by Crystal Caudill
The Christmas-themed maiden voyage of his family’s grand steamer ship was supposed to be Aldrich Weise’s chance both to instill investor confidence and to romance Celestia Isaacs. Instead, he must foil a criminal and leave his lady love behind forever.

“Beauty Bright” by Cara Putman
Lieutenant Charles Weise served as a Monuments Man after World War II and now works to restore stolen art to rightful owners. Captain Lillian Thorsen pairs up with him not only to return treasures but also to fix the war-torn lives around them.

“Perfect Light” by Angela Ruth Strong
Essential oils mogul Brendon Wise is drawn to Lacey Foster, the event planner for his huge Christmas lights festival. But when he inadvertently makes a spectacle of her on television, Lacey wants nothing to do with him. Will a chance to give gifts to those in need at Christmas be the key to discovering common ground–and maybe love?

My Review:

A wonderful collection of Christmas novellas written by some talented authors. While each story is unique, they are linked by the generational ties of the Weise family.

Crystal Caudill starts us off in 1884 with a shipboard romance fraught with mystery and adventure. Fast forward to the end of WWII in 1945 and Cara Putman brings the Monument Men to life as Lieutenant Charles Weise works to restore stolen art to their rightful owners. And finally, Angela Ruth Strong takes us into present day with an unusual holiday romance that just happens to feature my least favourite trope but she nailed it!

Nice variety, compelling stories and the generational link makes this collection shine.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of We Three Kings, 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 November 16 2024.

Lowcountry Lost

Sometimes what haunts you most is wondering what could have been . . . Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything. . . except her past. Unable to put the puzzle of her life together, she pours heart and soul into making neglected places whole again. As the owner of Lowcountry Lost, Avalee spends her days in hot-pink Carhartt overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Making them beautiful again releases the deep sigh that soothes the hurt she holds.

Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can’t miss the shock of hearing the familiar Irish brogue that materializes on the job site–the voice of the man she never wanted to see again.

Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. Once upon a time, he was also the man who knew Avalee better than anyone else–or so he thought. Turns out he was wrong. Neither of them was prepared for what happened between them six years ago. But as they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, their broken pieces and the pain that nearly consumed them begin to lose its grip, and both begin to wonder if it’s not too late for a restoration of their own.

From the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias comes a story of loss and abandonment, forgiveness, and the beauty of undying love.

My Review:

Intense, gritty and emotionally draining, ‘Lowcountry Lost’ delivers a poignant second chance love story that’s hard to read at times, but so worth it by the end. Devastating loss and overwhelming grief tore Avalee and Rowan apart at a time when they needed each other the most.

Six years later and Avalee is blindsided when Rowan walks back into her life. Oy, my heart hurt for so much of this read! Avalee’s agony is palpable and she’s not about to risk opening old wounds that are finally starting to heal, but Rowan is on site for more than a job. He wants to reclaim Avalee and the life they had to together before…well, you need to read the book to find out what came before.

This is definitely the kind of story a reader feels her way through. It’s raw and real and messy and sensitive bibliophile hearts will bruise easily. But this is also an inspiring love story centred around overcoming, finding redemption and the courage to try again.

Love the whole ‘house flipping’ an entire ghost town angle. It provides some stunning parallels to their own personal restoration. And the found family Avalee has become a part of adds sparks of humour and no nonsense advice (especially when not asked for!) So many delicious layers a reader can dig into!

Oh, and did I mention our hero is an Irishman? Be still my heart. That accent! His vulnerability. His tender dedication to the woman he has never stopped loving. Major swoon material!

I listened to the audio edition of this novel, narrated by Zura Johnson whose performance brought an extra facet to my appreciation of this dramatic tale of love and loss and restoration.

Of note: I’m really sorry to say that there was one instance of a very crude, coarse swear word — came as a total shock since this book is published by Tyndale, a Christian publisher. And, honestly, it really gutted me to find it here. In fact, I was so stunned, I replayed that part multiple times over several days, sure that I had to be mistaken. But, nope, I wasn’t. And it’s still something that bothers me a week after I finished the book. I’m so discouraged that I actually feel more emotional about that one word than I do about the entire story.

My thanks to Tyndale and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Snow Angels + Giveaway

INDIE!

When Lisa Marsh is roped into serving Thanksgiving dinner at the local community center, she encounters hundreds of children, lively teenagers, stubbornly independent veterans, eccentric elderly people, and a particularly rude and scruffy homeless man named Pete. The evening ends in disaster, but when her best friend challenges her to reach out and help other people, Lisa decides to take on the project of reforming Pete – whether he likes it or not.

Her plan is simple: Help him find a job and become respectable. All he needs is a helping hand and some guidance. And a shave. Definitely, a shave.

Pete is willing to work, especially if it means spending time with the pretty volunteer, but her tactless determination to “reform” him makes him dig in his heels. Her creative ideas for employment become increasingly outrageous, but every time he tries to put an end to her meddling, she charms him with her good intentions and willingness to serve others.

Lisa finds herself unaccountably attracted to her vagabond protégé and irresistibly entangled in the lives of the other people she meets at the community center. Before she knows how to stop it, her one small service project snowballs into an extraordinary Christmas ministry that just may change her life forever.

Snow Angels is a companion novella and introduction to my upcoming Great Lakes series. I was a fifth generation Swedish Minnesotan before I married my military man and wandered for a while, finally settling in the land of Packers and bratwurst. In the Great Lakes series, I bring my readers to the land I know and love best – the most remote areas of Northern Minnesota and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as the small towns and big cities of the Midwest. The inhabitants of these places are a diverse and eclectic (sometimes eccentric) group – and usually very nice people. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

My Review:

Another new-to-me author and I am so thankful for bookish friend recommends!

‘Snow Angels’ starts out anything but angelic especially when it comes to Lisa’s bossy fix-it attitude. I was torn between laughing and cringing most of the read because….oh, I do so love a good case of mistaken identity and this one is definitely that. Still grinning over some of the situations Pete found himself in courtesy of Lisa’s bull-dozing ways.

BUT

There’s so much depth in her back story that kept me rooting for her to finally see the light and when she does…wowzer! Solid hallelujah moment that sent shivers up my spine!

And now I’m wrestling with what else to say since I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Let’s just say that Lisa receives so much more than she gives and that the ‘Snow Angels’ title is a brilliant tie in to the story.

Ten out of ten for inspirational content and ten out of ten for all the Christmas vibes. The two blend together beautifully to create an emotional and uplifting story that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Snow Angels, 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 November 2 2024.

His Christmas Salvation + Giveaway

On the road to recovery…can love lead the way?

With his service dog, Nemo, by his side, woodworker Fisk Wilkins vows to repair his reputation with his hometown—while remaining sober. But he’ll need Lauren Kantz’s financial expertise to make his new business a success. Except the divorced mother and her baby are a painful reminder of the family he lost. After learning of her ex-husband’s drinking, Fisk understands Lauren’s intent to keep her distance. But as the Christmas rush brings them closer together, can Fisk prove to Lauren—and himself—that he’s a changed man?

My Review:

An emotionally riveting Christmas romance. McClain has added complex layers to both Fisk and Lauren’s back stories that are heartbreaking and tough and plain hard to bounce back from. The more I got to know them, the more invested I became in their lives…and hoped for a timeless love story. And did the author ever deliver!

She touches on tough topics with compassion and heart without sugar-coating any of it. Fisk’s struggles in particular touched me because there was just so much stacked against him but he stoically overcame obstacle after obstacle.

While part of Love Inspired’s multi-authored K-9 companion series, it’s clear that the Wilkins family (Fisk has brothers!) have appeared in other books, perhaps a different series by the author? No matter, this one can definitely be read as a standalone but I’d love to read all the brothers’ stories as well.

I was thrilled to find ‘His Christmas Salvation’ featured on audible. And narrated by a favourite voice performer of mine — Tanya Eby. I thoroughly enjoyed every listening minute.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the His Christmas Salvation, 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 November 2 2024.

If For Any Reason

random retro read

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

My Review:

Woohoo! A Second Chance Summer Romance set on Nantucket Island! Love the contrast of carefree beachy vibes as background to the emotionally packed love story! And mercy, but Walsh wrung every last bit of emotion out of me by the end.

So, high drama, including a family scandal with Emily in the middle of it all. Oh, yeah, and her teenage crush is living next door. Who just happens to be an ex baseball star sidelined by a permanent injury. And he has his own personal issues he’s dealing with. So, pile on some more drama. This book was intense! But I loved the way Walsh lets her characters work through it all. Very realistic — and so emotional! My heart is still tender from all the pummelling!

And there’s even a bit of a dual timeline to the story. In the form of letters from Emily’s deceased mother as well as some ‘real time’ scenes from the past. Which include another love story! The way the author blends those two timelines and slowly builds towards the emotional climax — well, wowzers! Kept me completely immersed until everything finally got sorted.

A slow burn second chance romance with so much heart and hope!

Every Day is Christmas + Giveaway

INDIE!

Civil Engineer Landon Michaels’ grandmother’s memory is fading. All she wants for Christmas is a unique black angel ornament. The problem is it’s March. Will Granny Lonna know when it’s Christmas, or will she recognize her family by December?

Gina Christmas and her family of accountants founded Every Day is Christmas to bless youths living in a children’s home. It’s not an ordinary charity. The children help fund the charity by creating artwork for sale. Their specialties are black angels, ornaments, and sculptures.

When Landon crosses paths with Gina, she joins his mission to find the perfect black angel ornament that will bring joy to his grandmother.

My Review:

What a scrumptious Christmas love story with lots of scope for all kinds of emotional undertones.

First we’ve got the poignancy of Landon’s grandmother’s fading memory and the seemingly impossible quest she sends Landon on. Then there’s his lively ‘all in your business’ family who make things even more interesting. Not to be outdone by Gina’s determined (aka pushy) sister. Plus, poor Gina is in a constant state of fatigue due to difficult work circumstances and that makes her a titch grumpy. So, to say their meet-cute was ‘cute’ would be a lie …but that made it so much fun!

So, not quite an enemies to more trope, but definitely a strong dislike to more. Both make assumptions about the other which need to be ironed out and they are at opposite sides of a critical issue which seems to be a huge stumbling block. Argh — I simultaneously wanted to hug these two and thwack their heads together in hopes of shaking some sense into them. But, oh my, when Landon makes his move…be still my heart! Sizzles and sparks, pass me some mistletoe!

I so appreciated Landon and Gina’s eight month journey to their happily every after. The romance never felt rushed even though this novel is on the shorter side. Landon’s wooing and Gina’s capitulating was paced to sweet perfection. And I loved the focus on faith in both their lives and their relationship.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Every Day is Christmas’ (such a clever title tie in!). Susan Spain’s narration was excellent and made the story that much more memorable for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Every Day is Christmas, 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 October 26 2024.