Contemporary Romance – Page 15

Rhythm of Fractured Grace + Giveaway

Is Siobhan too far gone to respond to the song of a God who’s calling her back to him?

When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh’s shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He’s too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.

Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he’s fascinated with the restoration process–and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.

As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.

On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell’s family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father’s prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she’d resigned herself to a spinster’s life. But Levi Martinson’s gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love–and Deborah’s shaky faith–to the ultimate test.

Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God’s healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.

My Review:

Well…this story was unexpected — in a very good way! You know how you go into a book thinking you know where it’s heading only to be catapulted in a completely different direction? That’s this novel. Plus, I felt like there was no way to predict what was really going to happen in either timeline. Mind boggling good at every turn!

Emotional! Compelling! Jaw-dropping revelations! Faith-stirring! The kind of read that makes you examine your own relationship with the Lord and highlights some toxic aspects of church culture.

Tons of thought provoking quotes. This one from Chapter Two took on a whole new meaning as the story progressed. “It’s the Lord who got you here. And it’s the Lord who’ll equip you to do what he’s so clearly called and gifted you to do.” You could spend a whole book club meeting just talking about that quote, who said it, who it was said to, how it affected their relationship, how God ultimately worked His will around them, the foreshadowing…and…oy…so much I want to say but can’t without spoilers!

So, dual timelines with the kind of gentle, persistent, genuinely kind, heroes that made me want to weep! Not just because of their true, steadfast natures, but because of the traumas both heroines endured. Gut-wrenching and infuriating — this was such an emotional read for me!

“Forgiveness is an act of grace and a gift from God.”

Simple enough statement until you’ve journeyed with Siobhan and Deborah through these pages. And then…another wow…what women of faith! And what a struggle to get there. Loved how relatable that was. (And what a perfect tie-in the title is!)

Okay, I feel like I’m rambling a bit. Mostly because there’s tons I want to say, but can’t because of spoilers. If you’re looking for a ‘meaty’, discussion promoting book for your next book club, look no further. ‘Fragments of Fractured Grace’ could keep you talking for months!

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 one of the Rhythm of Fractured Grace, 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 May 18 2024.

Aloha Rose + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

When Laney Carrigan’s adoptive parents encourage her as an adult to seek out her birth family, her only clue is the Lokelani quilt in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island, she battles fears of rejection from a family that abandoned her once before while her faith struggles to embrace God’s love.

Along the path to her true heritage, she meets Hawaiian cowboy/helicopter pilot, Kai Barnes. Kai is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family against a woman he suspects of being nothing more than a gold-digger, but he finds himself drawn to Laney in spite of his reservations. He’s spent his entire life seeking forgiveness from past mistakes and longs for a second chance at happiness. Laney’s painstaking journey to find restoration and a place to belong among the breathtaking allure of the Big Island will lead her closer to her past and maybe even something more.

My Review:

published in 2013

Lisa Carter has a gift with words that enables a reader to become totally lost in a story. It’s in the rich descriptions which are never overdone but paint a vivid picture of people and places. It’s in the abundant dialogue so real and gritty and funny and even absurd at times. Just like real life. And it’s definitely in the lush romance riddled with emotion of every conceivable kind. Honestly, I lived in Hawaii for a while. I love that kind of escape read.

This is a character driven story where Laney and Kai constantly struggle to find their footing — not just with each other but with coming to terms with their individual pasts. Great fodder for conflict and there’s plenty of that. Both are stubbornly clinging to old wounds which threaten their chance at happiness together. The heart of their story is finding — and extending — forgiveness and acceptance while moving forward in Christ.

A stunning read from beginning to end. Sweet perfection.

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 Aloha Rose , 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 May 11 2024.

Loyally Luke + Giveaway

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad…and even the impossible.

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

My Review:

My heart is full is full to bursting with bibliophile rapture! I. Can’t. Even….

My brain is scrambled and my tummy hurts from laughing so hard and my knees are still buckling in preparation for a swoon every time I stand. Because Luke is the hero of my heart. The best of all book boyfriends.

I’ve anticipated this book since first meeting Luke in ‘Authentically Izzy’ to the point I was almost nervous to read it because my expectations were so high. Happy to report that Pepper Basham did not disappoint and neither did the stellar cast of performers who narrated the audio book. Seven narrators!!! Christopher Ashman, K.C. Sheridan, Kathleen McInerney, Natalie Duke, Gary Furlong, Caitlin Davies and Mhairi Morrison. They all did a brilliant job of bringing these characters to life and I think avid audio ‘readers’ will be thrilled with their listening experience. I sure was!

So…if you’ve been following this series, ‘Loyally Luke’ delivers exactly what you’d expect…times a billion! So much fun! The meet-cute! Snicker. Cue the banter that doesn’t let up the whole read through. And let me tell you, I was already in love with grumpy Luke, but flirty Luke about did me in. My fainting couch needs new springs!

One thing I found interesting is that the author mixed up the format in this third book where the emails and messages are interspersed with ‘live action’ scenes. If you’ve read one of the other books in this series, this will make sense (I hope) but if you haven’t, I’ve likely totally confused you. Explanation: The first two books are written in epistolary format for the first half and then switching to a combination of emails/texts and ‘in the moment’ POVs for the rest of the story. In this one, there’s definitely less emails and texting and the book starts on in real time with Luke just off the plane as he arrives in Skymar. I enjoy both styles, but I know some people aren’t a fan of epistolary novels so this strikes a happy medium.

We still get enough Izzy and Penelope (and even Josephine) input (Luke’s sisters/cousin) through their correspondence, which kept me grinning, because they go all Disney Princess on him in a big way much to his consternation. There are so many wonderfully clever movie references which become quite hysterical because it’s Luke realizing he’s caught in the snare of one of his sisters’ romcoms. He kept needing to watch Rambo to centre himself. Bwahahaha! But there is no getting away from all those romantic tropes!

And his princess’s story? Heartbreaking and inspiring. The paparazzi — Gah! We occasionally get the point of view of a gossip columnist which set me off every time. (And scary to contemplate, but Pepper Basham would make an excellent tabloid reporter!)

Gah — there’s so much more to gush over but this review is way too long. You just need to read this book — the whole series, really — and then we can form a Luke fan club and gush to our hearts content.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A SERIES BEST READ IN ORDER, THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR THE WINNER’S CHOICE OF BOOK 1,2 OR 3

BUT

PLEASE NOTE THAT EDITION OPTIONS VARY SO CHECK BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHICH BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN. ONCE YOU’VE MADE YOUR DECISION, PLEASE INCLUDE THE TITLE IN YOUR COMMENT (OR EMAIL).

Authentically Izzy OR Practically Penelope — This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. 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.

Loyally Luke — ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com) Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win a one of the Skymar books, 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 May 4 2024.

DON’T FORGET TO MENTION THE TITLE OF THE BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR COMMENT (OR EMAIL)

Lucky Charm + Giveaway

A humiliating break-up leads to an impulsive New Year’s Kiss with a complete stranger.
What could possibly go wrong?

It’s no secret that I love life. And Dr Pepper. But also, I love a challenge. . .

So when the coach of the Chicago Comets gives me the opportunity to help their star player, newly traded to their team, acclimate to life in Chicago, I’m all in.

I have to be. After my last job went up in flames, I have something to prove.

It turns out that the player, Grayson Hawke, is the rudest, most off-putting, reclusive guy I’ve ever met.

It also turns out that he is the beautiful stranger I kissed on New Year’s Eve.

I can do this job. I can do this job. I can do this job.

And I can. Really well.

I can make Gray’s life easier, show him all the reasons to fall in love with this city, and in the process, hopefully completely forget that the amazing kiss ever happened.

How hard can it be? We’re total opposites anyway.

I love people . . . and all their stories. Gray loves hockey . . . and nothing else.

I love to talk. Gray only stares.

I’m happy-go-lucky. Gray’s all work and no play.

There’s just one problem. The more time I spend with Grayson Hawke, the more I start to see that underneath his bristly, standoffish exterior, he’s nothing like the man everyone thinks he is.

And suddenly, all the reasons for keeping my distance, staying professional, and not falling for someone again. . . are impossible to remember. My Lucky Charm is a grumpy/sunshine, sweet hockey romance with all of the sizzle but none of the steam. It’s the second in the Holidays with Hart series, but My Lucky Charm can be read as a stand alone.

My Review:

A rom/com with a whole lot of heart!

An opposites attract, grumpy sunshine (to the nth degree!!!) romance and Walsh writes it so well. I was grinning and sighing and swooning all the way through.

Gray is so….well, this nifty quote from Eloise sums him up: “He’s grumpy and rude and he grunts instead of using actual words — what’s not to like?” Bwahaha! And Gray is happy with the status quo thank you very much so, of course, he’s trying very hard to resist Eloise who is his exact opposite. “If the world lost power, all it would need is Eloise. She’s like a bright light all on her own.” Happy sigh.

So, there’s a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe going on here with lots of wonderful banter and even some physical comedy that had me cracking up. I was equally charmed (Eloise) and appalled (Gray) and completely intrigued.

I’m not a hockey fan, but I actually liked the hockey scenes — especially when the whole team offers advice to the lovelorn (Gray) which goes about as well as you might expect. I’m still grinning. 🙂

Now I have to go back and read the first book as I impatiently wait for the third ‘Holidays with Hart’ book to release.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of My Lucky Charm, 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 April 27 2024.

The Proposal Plot + Giveaway

A headstrong young businesswoman. An unlucky-in-love bachelor. And the chaperoning assignment that keeps pushing them together.

For someone so strong-willed and certain, Ella Yoder has never been more unsure of her life. It’s been a year since she convinced her father to move with her and her younger sister Junia to Marigold, Ohio, to open E and J Grocery. Ella’s got a keen eye for running a business and has big dreams to expand. But her plans are stalled because Junia refuses to lift a finger at the store–or listen to her about anything.

Nelson Bontranger knows one thing for creating his own artisan deli meats is his passion. Well, maybe one other he’s sworn off women forever. After two bouts of heartbreak, he’s not willing to open up himself to a third. When he eyes his own butcher shop next to E and J Grocery in Marigold, he’s surprised to learn that Ella has had her eye on the property for some time. He doesn’t trust this stubborn, pushy young woman–and for her, the feeling is mutual.

Against their wishes, Ella and Nelson’s paths continue to cross when Nelson’s nephew Malachi falls head over heels for Junia. Nelson and Ella are brought together to keep the lovebirds in check, but somewhere along the line, their frustration turns to something altogether more pleasant. But they will both need to come to terms with past pain before they can find their future happiness.

My Review:

A captivating Amish romance full of surprises. Like that fiery meet-cute! Bwahahaha! And things don’t settle down for quite a while so be prepared for clashing wills and lamentable outbursts in this enemies to more romantic trope.

Truth: sometimes Ella frustrated me no end! She is opinionated and bossy to the point I wanted to purse whomp some sense into her. Her motives are good, but her delivery leaves a lot to be desired! Which means she makes a horrible first impression on Nelson and that doesn’t improve upon further acquaintance for a long time. I think it’s about the halfway point before they declare a truce.

And Nelson is just a tad grumpy over all things Ella which comes with its own frustrations. So this one isn’t your typical ‘sweet’ romance. I do like the way the author digs deep into both our hero ad heroine’s backstories and their family dynamics. Especially Ella’s. It really helps to explain nuances of her personality. I could totally sympathize with her and became righteously indignant on her behalf more than once. But then we’re given more insights into Ella’s father and sister and well..wow, it all makes sense. The author doesn’t just leave it there, though, she works some healing magic that includes even more romance which made for a delightfully satisfying read.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘The Proposal Plot’ expertly narrated by Lauren Berst. She’s a familiar voice in my Amish Fiction listening which made this even more of a comfort read for me. Funny how I can become as attached to narrators as I am to my fave authors.

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

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 Proposal Plot, 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 April 20 2024.

Sandcastle Inn + Giveaway

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course–because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B–if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

My Review:

Hope Harbor is one of my favourite series — ever! — so I was thrilled to add this tenth book to my collection. I love this setting, the community and the thrill of meeting up with familiar characters who feel like friends. Having said that, ‘Sandcastle Inn’ can definitely be read as a standalone, but, if you are an ardent visitor of this special corner of the fictional world, you’ll get an extra thrill every time something seemingly insignificant is mentioned (since you’re in the know.) So. Much. Fun. I’m looking at you Floyd and Gladys and belching seal and dueling clerics and Charlie’s taco stand and….I’m still in a swoon of giddy bibliophile delight!

Love Irene Hannon’s rich storytelling, her complex characters wrestling with real life problems and the way they come together to work out a solution. You can see God’s hand in their gathering and I got so excited as I watched events unfold.

We’re blessed with two romances (eeeep!) While the main focus is on Matt and Vienna, there’s a secondary love story featuring a young married couple trying to work through a tough situation. And Hope Harbor is the perfect place to land when you’re down on your luck or facing tough decisions or trying to mend relationships or, well, any hard thing you can think of. I so wish this town really existed, I’d move there in a flash! But maybe, more to the point, is the inspiration to create our own loving and nurturing Hope Harbors wherever we call home.

I listened to the audible edition (pre-ordered and then downloaded on release day because I couldn’t not wait!) and, as always, was thrilled by Therese Plummer’s exceptional narration.

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 Sandcastle Inn, 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 April 13 2024.

Love in Tandem + Giveaway

She’s perfectly content leading a quiet life in her small hometown. He’s an adventurer with unquenchable wanderlust. The two couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried. But a tandem bicycle and a 500-mile road trip just might change all that.

After a failed engagement and her mother’s battle with cancer, Charlotte Carter’s life is finally turning around now that she’s landed a dream job teaching music. What she didn’t see coming was the imminent closure of the school’s music program. She’s determined to save it, even if it means getting creative. There’s no way she’s chalking this up as just another failure in her book of recent embarrassments.

Zach Bryant is back in town just long enough to see his brother Ben get married and then he’s off traveling the world again. He never imagined he’d run into Charlotte Carter, his brother’s ex-fiancé, or that everyone would believe he and Charlotte are an item. He certainly didn’t dream he’d end up riding a tandem bicycle hundreds of miles with her in an attempt to raise funds for a defunct music program, but how can he say no when the prize money would help him out of his financial predicament too?

Charlotte is sure she can set aside her differences with Zach long enough to cross the finish line and win the giant cash prize . . . can’t she? A few hundred miles in, she’s questioning her deeply held assumptions about Zach and wondering if maybe tandem biking is only the start of their biggest adventure yet.

My Review:

I don’t even know where to start…except to say that I laughed my way through the entire book. And not just mild bubbles of mirth but frequent full out belly laughs which leads me to my first reader warning: Do not read this book in public. I did, since I walk and listen, and I was enthusiastically enjoying C.J. Bloom’s narration which resulted in staccato bursts of chuckles, high-pitched peels of laughter, and even the occasional oh so embarrassing snort chortle which caused dogs to bark and pedestrians to cross over to the other side of the street. My standing in the neighbourhood is now in question but I don’t even care.

So – 5 stars plus a billion more! Impeccable comedic pacing delivered masterfully by the narrator to bring the most impact and ensure my 15 facial smile muscles got a coordinated workout. All the way through. And it never got absurd…well, okay it did but it didn’t feel like it. The way Charlotte and Zach’s situation snowballed out of control made for an epic farce. Excellent combination of physical comedy and smart banter with a healthy dose of zaniness just because.

But there’s so much heart in this story too. Emotional depth and great character development as Zach and Charlotte wrestle with angst and past trauma. Somehow the author manages to strike the right balance between the heavy and the light which made ‘Love in Tandem’ not only an entertaining read, but an impactful one as well.

Love a good fake dating trope with all the ensuing romantical complications and this one is outstanding! Plus, we’re given a secondary plot line featuring Charlotte’s sister which was just as compelling and a whole lot quirky. These sisters don’t know how to do ‘normal.’

As I mentioned, I listened to the audio edition and I really think C.J. Bloom’s performance amped up my ‘reading’ enjoyment that much more. Brilliant choice of narrator and she did these characters justice.

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

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 Love in Tandem, 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 April 6 2024.

The Cowboy’s Secret Past + Giveaway

He’s not the same man he was But maybe now he’s ready to be a father Since leaving his wild rodeo days behind, rancher Trevor Morgan has sobered up and built a faith-filled life. So he’s shocked when the woman caring for his grandfather intrudes on that solitude. Nurse Hope Burke has hidden motives for coming to the Lazy M Ranch—she believes Trevor is the father of her orphaned nephew. Can a loving aunt and a wary cowboy change a little boy’s life forever?

My Review:

I do so love a taciturn cowboy and Trevor is definitely that…and so much more! A man once lost but now found and dedicated to God and his family, even if that includes one cantankerous post-operative Gramps. 🙂 (Have to say Gus stole every scene he was in.) I love the way this author creates secondary characters who are just as memorable as the hero and heroine.

So, Trevor is living out a somewhat peaceful existence (too many interfering brothers to make it completely calm!) and then Hope enters their lives as Gus’s home care nurse, along with her grieving orphaned nephew. Trevor recognizes something of himself in the lost eleven-year-old and volunteers to mentor Cole at the Lazy M Ranch.

Which leaves Hope grappling with assorted contrary emotions because she likes being in control and Trevor’s take-charge attitude causes all kinds of clashes as these two get to know each other. They morph from wary adversaries to reluctant partners in Gus’s care and young Cole’s acclimation to living in Homestead Pass, even if it is just for the summer. And then there’s the boy’s paternity to be figured out. Phew! Enough emotional turmoil to keep things interesting!

The ranching / small town life aspects bring a real cozy feel to the story which I really appreciated. Along with the Morgan brothers’ shenanigans which add its own kind of warmth. This is the third book in the Lazy M Ranch series, but reads well as a standalone. It was fun catching up with former series’ heroes and heroines and I’m looking forward to the fourth book releasing later this year.

‘The Cowboy’s Secret Past’ is a lovely mix of family, faith and the special kind of love that binds it all together.

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 Cowboy’s Secret Past , 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 March 23 2024.

The Love Script + Giveaway

Hollywood hair stylist Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Toni Shiloh dazzles in this irresistible red-carpet romance with spotlight-stealing laughter, faith, and a happily ever after.

My Review:

Cheshire grinning while basking in bibliophile euphoria after finishing this book. You know, when a story sinks so deep into your heart that it takes a minute to shake the fictional world loose and resurface into your far less colourful one? That’s the way ‘The Love Script’ left me feeling.

Sigh! This one is pure romance in all it’s glorious wonder! The way Shiloh plots the story and blends humour and angst is astounding. Great pacing as the relationship between Lamont and Nevaeh grows out of uncertain circumstances. Just so beautiful and believable and inspiring and downright hysterically funny in places.

And….eeeeeepppppp!…Fake Dating Trope Alert! And it’s done so well. I really appreciated the way they went into their relationship with their faith and standards at the forefront of every decision. Prayer plays a significant role in every aspect of this romance as the author allows her characters to grow in integrity and purpose. So, so good!

I am so not a starry-eyed Hollywood kind of reader but Shiloh sold me anyway. Lamont’s story is such a powerful testimony because it contrasts with that glitz and glamour background. A real juxtaposition between his two worlds as he strives to reflect the light of Christ in all that he does.

This would make a fantastic book club selection because there are so many great talking points in this novel. From unrealistic beauty standards to the hype of social media and the cancel culture and troll mentality that brings.

I listened to audible edition expertly narrated by Dioni Michelle Collins. She gave an amazing performance and really breathed life into these wonderful characters. Perfect author/narrator pairing!

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 Love Script , 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 March 23 2024.

Love, Unscripted + Giveaway

The perfect boyfriend only exists on paper…doesn’t he?

Fresh off the heels of a bad breakup, Chloe Anderson poured her heart into penning the perfect boyfriend—and the result was an off-the-charts debut beach read that resonated with women worldwide. Now, Chloe’s scripted hero is headed for Hollywood, with her book destined to become a major motion picture.

When Chloe gets wind that silver screen bad boy Liam Hamilton has been cast as the ideal-in-every-way hero of her novel, she’s horrified by the film director’s choice. How could a player like Liam possibly do Chloe’s perfect hero justice? Unafraid to speak her mind, Chloe lets her executive producer know she’s one hundred percent opposed to the casting. And oops—the call is on speakerphone, where the annoyingly attractive Hollywood star hears Chloe’s unbridled outrage firsthand.

With Liam’s reputation already on the rocks, his agent concocts a PR plan to upgrade Liam’s image while putting the story—and the film—in the spotlight. The catch? During the movie’s filming in Chloe’s cute hometown of Stillwater, North Carolina, Chloe and Liam will fake a wholesome, committed relationship. Both stand to gain something from the arrangement. Liam’s fans will see him in a new light, while Chloe can boost her struggling social media following and further her writing career. What could possibly go wrong?

As author and actor navigate the waters of the PR relationship, they’re unprepared when their professional agreement turns into an actual friendship. And when serious sparks start to fly—well, that’s an unread chapter for both of them.

My Review:

Well now, I’m throughly charmed and in a post-read tizzy after finishing this delicious contemporary romance. If ever a book screamed ‘beach read’ this one does — from the pretty cover right through to the very last page.

And, oh my! Two of my favourite tropes — enemies to more and fake dating — written to sweet (and angsty) perfection. With liberal doses of humour mixed in. Such a fun read, though some deeper topics are covered as well which keep things realistically messy and just a bit desperate at times.

I’m not usually one for a movie star hero. The whole Hollywood scene isn’t something I care about at all. Or the social media hype that goes along with the rich and famous so, normally I would have passed over this novel BUT Denise Hunter is the author so….I decided to be brave. 🙂

And, wonders of wonders, I actually enjoyed the movie aspects of this novel. Hunter adds just enough details to feel authentic without the ‘Hollywood’ aspects overwhelming the story. Of course, the whole PR scheme screams ‘Hollywood’ but it plays out brilliantly with lots of lovely ‘getting to know you’ kind of scenes to smile and swoon over. And then, when things really heat up — clear your fainting couch and keep your smelling salts handy because it’s not just the summer temps rising…until…well, let’s just say the author doesn’t make it too easy for Liam and Chloe to achieve their happily-ever-after.

I listened to the audio edition of Love, Unscripted (brilliant title tie-in by the way) narrated by Kathleen McInerney who amped up my ‘reading’ enjoyment all the more. She is a talented storyteller who brings characters to life in such a compelling way. Superb listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR the option of an audible.ca edition.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love Unscripted , 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 March 16 2024.