Contemporary Romance – Page 22

Undercurrent of Secrets + Giveaway

Two women, a century apart, expose a secret aboard a steamboat.

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Ashbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavours to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.

A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untameable as the river that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to booking. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.

My Review:

published in 2021

So, I might be a tad obsessed with steamboats now. Before I started reading Undercurrent of Secrets, I thought steamboats were mostly a Mississppi River thing. I couldn’t resist checking to see if Canada had any in our history and — surprise! — yes we do! Steamboats transported troops during the War of 1812, and they ferried gold seekers up to the Yukon and they’re even the reason Ontario has a sophisticated inland canal and lock system! Who knew? And, I know you don’t care and this isn’t pertinent to my review but I do so adore a book that inspires me to do my own research.

Plus — steamboats seem so romantic to me now! McDaniel does such a wonderful job of bringing the Belle to life — honestly, she’s as much a heroine in this story as Devyn and Hattie are! And the idea of a steamboat wedding venue is such a great backdrop for the contemporary timeline. It makes a nice contrast to the working life of the steamboat in the 1920s.

And the way the author expertly interweaves these two timelines is just mind boggling. I was equally invested in both stories, as desperate as Devyn to find out what happened to Hattie. I was on tenterhooks all the way through.

Of course, there’s romance — times two! Eeeep!!! I honestly don’t have a favourite hero — I fell for them both. Hard. Which kept me a wee bit discombobulated until things got sorted out. So many ‘aha’ moments. Oh — and both meet-cutes are hysterically funny! I love the way McDaniel blended comedy with drama and included layers of faith. The perfect combination for an unputdownable read.

I listened to the audible edition, narrated by Leonor Woodworth and she did a wonderful job of breathing life into these characters.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Undercurrent of Secrets, 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 22, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Pinecraft Refuge + Giveaway

Can an escape from her present become the future she always wanted?

When her doctor prescribes fresh air and sunshine, Eva Miller turns her Florida getaway into a chance to gain some independence. Only, working part-time for Amish shop owner Tanner Dawson is hardly a vacation. The over protective single father reminds Eva of her own strict upbringing. But as she begins to see beneath his gruff exterior, can she trust Tanner — and her heart — enough to stay?

Pinecraft Seasons

My Review:

I love books that feature Pinecraft, Florida and there aren’t that many of them out there so I was thrilled to discover this new series. And over the moon elated to discover it on audible of all places. Not many Love Inspired books make their way into an audio format and I grab up all the ones I can find. It’s usually the Suspense line’s continuity series, so I’m excited to see them branching out. Connie Shabshab’s narration increased my reading enjoyment tenfold.

And what a sweet, compelling love story this is! I could feel Eva’s hope and, honestly, raw courage, to go against her mam’s wishes and take an extended vacation in Florida. There’s such a heartbreaking history between mother and daughter, but, while Eva loves her only parent, she’s craving some independence. Worth captures her wonder and fear perfectly. Sometimes Eva’s spunky nature shines through (like when she’s speaking her mind to Tanner!) and sometimes she wavers with insecurity, ready to second guess all she’s been achieving. And then there’s the pesky attraction to her new boss that she doesn’t know what to do with.

Cue the broody, monosyllabic hero who has endured a world of hurt and doesn’t quite know how to leave it behind. No worries, Eva’s about to show him. 🙂 Love, love, lovvveee, this romance. From the stuttering start to the toe-curling conclusion and all the awkward, funny, infuriating and gasp-out-loud moments in between!

A strong cast of secondary characters, which includes Tanner’s precocious 8-year-old daughter, enhance the story that much more…and provide a solid background for future novels in this series. Lenora Worth can’t write them fast enough for me!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Pinecraft Refuge, 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 15, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Windswept Way + Giveaway

Buying a supposedly haunted house wasn’t in Ashley Scott’s plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap, she’s ready to launch a new life. But she can’t do it alone, and her reclusive new neighbour, Jonathan Gray may be just the person to help — if only there were room in his life for romance.

My Review:

This is the ninth book in the Hope Harbor series and it’s still going strong — and with storytelling like this it’s easy to see why!

If you haven’t read any of the books in this series (gasp! Why every not?!) you could still easily jump into this book without any problems. But — if you are a die-hard fan like me, you will be over-the-moon with bibliophile delight at the multiple cameos of previous heroes and heroines. I kept squealing and waving madly every time someone I knew entered a scene. “Yoohoo, remember me? I was rooting for you in book (insert # here).” That was me, all the way through, like a giddy teeny bopper at her first concert.

Irene Hannon has created the kind of characters that not only come alive, but reside in a reader’s heart years after she first meets them! I have the whole series in audible now (narrator Therese Plummer is the perfect pairing for these stories!) and I’ve listened to all the books multiple times and will continue to revisit Hope Harbor regularly because…

Characters!!!! Not only the current hero and heroine, but all the secondary characters that add to the personality of the town — both human and animal! The seagull lovebirds, the dueling clerics, Charlie!!!!!! Oh, everyone needs a Charlie to gently speak truth into their life. The way the man can say one thing while delivering an astute insight about something else is mind-boggling! I know that won’t make sense unless you’ve met Charlie in one of the stories, but once you do, you’ll understand why he’s the glue that holds this town together.

And then there’s the faith elements — gentle and poignant and touching. Has me thinking about the patient way the Lord pursues us no matter how many times we turn away. How He can turn despair into hope and provide an everlasting comfort if we are willing to open up to Him.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot of this book since the synopsis is pretty sparse. I will say the romance has a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe to it and goes beyond toe-curling and swoons into a whole other realm of a love story. I was in tears in places. And goose bumping my way through others. Let’s just say ‘Windswept Way’ lived up to it’s name and swept me away!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Windswept way, 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 15, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

The Promise of Easter + Giveaway

As the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen prepares for the Easter season, one woman discovers that forgiveness is freedom — and may lead to forever after.

Anna Stoltzfus lives a quiet but fulfilling life in Promise Glen. Though she lost her beloved brother James in a tragic accident, her family is supportive and close-knit, and her job as a cherished teacher at Orchard Hill School fills her heart with joy. She’s perfectly happy with the life she created. Anna’s comfort is quickly dashed, however, when the man she deems responsible for James’s death — Matthew King — returns to the Amish community.

Forgiveness is at the heart of being Amish, and Matthew’s pain over losing his dear friend is obvious. Still, no matter how hard she tries, Anna can’t let go of the reckless night that ended her brother’s life. The ache was more tolerable after Matthew left Promise Glen, but noe he’s returned and her father has accepted his offer to work on their farm.

As the preparations for Easter begin, Anna’s regular contact with Matthew introduces her to a man far different from the boy she knew before. Perhaps the season of solemn reflection and joyous remembrance might be exactly what they both need to final forgiveness for the past and hope for the future….

My Review:

I absolutely love the way Marta Perry tells a story and this Promise Glen series is one of her finest. The way she portrays multi-generational family dynamics makes me all kinds of happy and the Stoltzfus clan is certainly memorable. Chock full of humour and wisdom…and the kind of angst you’d expect in a large family. Anna is certainly blessed to have their love and support…even when she is harbouring a very misguided (and un-Amish) dose of blame towards Matthew.

So, kind of a frenemies to more romance. They were friends in their youth, up until the horrible accident that took Anna’s brother’s life. And then Anna projected all her heartache and fury onto Matthew. She was relieved when he left the community for the Englisch world and furious when he returns.

Easter time is the perfect setting for a redemption story — and both Anna and Matthew find forgiveness and grace through the course of this read. Learning to forgive — both ones self and others is a big part of the inspirational message. Love how Anna and Matthew are on a journey, but they are not alone. There are wonderful secondary characters who walk along side them, encouraging (and speaking plainly when needed…I’m looking at you Aunt Ella!) and helping them put the past and the present into perspective so they are finally free to look ahead to a future full of hope.

The Stoltzfus family puts me in mind of an Amish Waltons — same touch of heartwarming mixed with laughter while dealing with true-to-life issues that can happen to anyone. I wish there was an entire series dedicated to them! (Hint to the author…after all, there are a lot of children who will need matchmaking at some point in their futures!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Promise of Easter, 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 25, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

A Seaside Wonder + Giveaway

In one evening, Indi’s world falls apart. Enter the shy professor her family mistakes for her fiancé…make that ex-fiance.

Professor Philip West never wanted to return to Maine…or his grandfather’s miserable old house. But after his mother’s death, he’s now the guardian of a teenage half sister he barely knows — one who doesn’t want anything to do with him. He longs to help her heal, but he’s exhausted and numb, desperate for relief of his own. Maybe that’s why he’s so easily distracted when he happens upon the little shop with a name on its storefront window that sounds familiar, a hint of a mystery nudging him inside.

More than a decade has passed since Indi Muir made the heartbreaking decision she’s never recovered from — though she’s certainly tried. She has a full life running her shop and creating the artsy pieces that fill its shelves. If she can just stay busy, she’ll keep her hurt and regret at ba… until her past and present collide, shattering her carefully built walls. Things only get worse when danger comes calling at her childhood home.

The one bright spot amid Indi’s turmoil is the shy stranger who wandered into her shops months ago and his moody but lovable sister. As she confronts her past and the mysterious threat facing her family, she’s intent on helping Philip too, if they can overcome old secrets and wounds, outrun rising peril…and take a chance on love.

Breathtaking romance, a captivating mystery, and an enchanting wintry seaside…return to Muir Harbor in bestselling author Melissa Tagg’s latest.

My Review:

“You are not a mess. God sees the beauty you already are. He’s not in a hurry and you don’t have to be either.”

What a stunningly beautiful and incredibly moving story! Written in a way that pulled at all my emotions — I cried, I laughed, I swooned. Intricate details woven into a tapestry of…well…wonder! And it comes from more than just our hero and heroine’s stories. It’s in the family relationships — raw and real and imperfectly wonderful. And the way a myriad of story threads pull together, building in intensity until they are all expertly intertwined by the end. I’m truly gobsmacked at the impact ‘A Seaside Wonder’ had on me.

So rich in inspirational wisdom. Honestly, I filled a little notebook with faith quotes and tabbed so many pages…I’m not one to annotate fiction books but this one might be the exception. The kind of book that transforms the reader as much as the characters. So many profound insights! Like:

“I just wonder if instead of asking God to take the pain away, we invite Him into it.”

and…

“She’s put her trust in a God who…who maybe doesn’t make every crack disappear, but who holds all her broken pieces tenderly.”

I could go on and on and on…but you just need to read this book for yourself. Guaranteed to hold a cherished place of honour on any library shelf.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy– winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Seaside Wonder, 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 25, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

The Bluebird Bakery + Giveaway

A sweet new beginning on the Chesapeake Bay

Bluebird Bakery owner Taylor Harp loves how small and close-knit Teaberry Island is…except when the only response to her help wanted ad is from someone she hoped to avoid. She and Cody Cunningham shared a long-ago romance until he started dating her prettier younger shared a long-ago romance until he started dating her prettier younger sister. But though the sting of rejection remains, so do the sparks.

After PTSD ended his military career, Cody Cunningham came back to the one place that felt like home. A difficult childhood left him running from commitment, but when he’s suddenly left in charge of his young half siblings, Cody doesn’t hesitate. He’s ready to build a future, and he hopes Taylor will want to have a place in it. Will she keep him around long enough to see that the boy she knew is now a man who’ll love her forever?

My Review:

Oh, wow! Layered with angst and infused with hope. What an emotional roller coaster of a read!

McClain is so mean to her characters…and I love it. 🙂 Lots of gritty topics covered here as Taylor and Cody struggle to get past the traumas of their childhoods. Plus, we get the added bonus of a secondary plot involving Taylor’s sister which is even grittier. The author does a great job of realistically portraying some very real life struggles with grace and compassion. My heart kinda hurts after this read.

Teenage romance gone awry a decade ago, morphs into the hope of second chances…if only these characters have the courage to face their issues and embrace the concept of forgiveness. Richly layered and beautifully written.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy– winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of His Alaskan Redemption, 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 25, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Bound by a Secret + Giveaway

To give his girls a home…can he reveal their troubled past?

Under witness protection, widower Greyson McKinsey is determined to build a safe future for his twin girls while keeping their identities hidden. But when the struggling dad mistakes Savannah Espinoza for the new nanny, he can’t help but encourage his daughters’ instant connection with the pretty carpenter. Savannah might be just what his family needs…yet exposing the truth could be dangerous to their lives and their hearts.

A longe star heritage story.

My Review:

Sniffle…this one hits all the feels. Tender and funny and achingly sweet as well as heart breaking given Greyson’s past. The witness protection angle was really interesting since it focuses on what that actually looks like for the family in hiding. I’m used to reading this trope in a suspense novel which is all about the danger and intrigue — so a very different spin and one I haven’t read in a contemporary romance before.

Greyson’s daughters are adorable! Their antics, and the wary way Savannah interacts with them (she doesn’t do kids) was alternately funny and touching. And the romantic tension between this hero and heroine….be still my heart. Toe-curling with an undercurrent of impossible that made it a frenzy-page-turner because I just had to get to the promised happily ever after (it is a Love Inspired romance, after all.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Bound by a Secret, 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 18, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

His Alaskan Redemption + Giveaway

Earning her trust is the start of his second chance.

Crab fisherman Gus Colman is just trying to make a living for his daughter. But when his fishing boat capsizes, he’s injured and stranded in Hearts Bay, Alaska, where he comes face-to-face with Mia Madden — his late best friend’s fiancee. As she helps him recover, he works hard to prove he’s changed. But could Mia ever love another man who risks his life at sea?

A Home to Hearts Bay Romance

My Review:

I have no idea why I am so enamoured with Alaskan settings, but I am, so this book was an auto buy for me. Well, the author being Heidi McCahan might have influenced that decision some too. 🙂

And what a heart-stopping, beautiful, emotional love story this is! Painful pasts clash in a disastrous way and provide the opening for healing and hope. Loved the ‘meet-cute’ which was more angst-riddled than cute. I was hooked and committed in that first chapter.

Yowzers, but my emotions were in knots a lot during this read because Gus is dealing with so much stuff! Of course I was also swooning over this dedicated single dad and the connection he has with his adorable toddler daughter. And it wasn’t long before Mia began to feel those fluttery swoons coming on too. But, oy, her life is more than a tad complicated at the moment…in a very big way. The author struck a wonderful balance between all that turmoil and the tender, light-hearted moments. Made for an emotional, unputdownable kind of read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

Winning His Trust + Giveaway

To build a future together they must both let go of the past…

Returning home after a bad breakup, Jordan Wood is eager to prove she can run her family’s store. Setting up a partnership with Declan Porter’s struggling adventure business might do the trick. But the handsome single dad is set in his ways — in business and in love. Can winning his — and his son’s — heart help them all heal?

My Review:

My oh my, but I love the way Toni Shiloh spins a story! This one is so heartfelt and touching. There’s a lighter side too — little spurts of comic relief, often provided by Declan’s little boy. “When I grow up, I’m going to save dinosaurs from extinction.” (p 72) Bwahahaha! Cutest kid ever!

Both Jordan and Declan have overcome difficulties and I appreciate how the author worked faith into their situations. They are both guarded in different ways and it’s only through allowing themselves to be vulnerable that they can truly overcome. So many inspiring discussions — the kind that a reader can take to heart right along with the characters.

Love the small town Arkansas setting and Jordan’s large and loving, though sometimes misguided, family. Each book in this series features a Wood sibling. Though I’ve read the first book, this second one reads very well as a standalone. That’s one of the great things about the Love Inspired line, it’s easy to jump into a series at any point.

The kind of read-in-one-sitting book that has all the feels.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Winning His Trust, 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 4, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

A Steadfast Companion + Giveaway

Offering a helping hand…could give him everything he needs.

Fighting his way back from a troubled past, handyman Angus “Witt” Wittenbauer needs refuge. When do sanctuary owner Maddie McNeill needs someone to fix her kennel’s roof, it seems like the answer to his prayers, especially when he’s reunited with his long lost dog, Ranger. His growing friendship with Maddie hints at the promise of something more, but will Witt ever feel deserving of love again?

K-9 Companions

My Review:

Oh my — gobsmacked over this emotional romance that tugged at my heart and buoyed up my spirits. I got teary-eyed on page 24 and that wasn’t the only time during this read. Witt’s story is so…gah, I can’t say anything without sharing spoilers so all I will say is you’d have to have a heart of stone to not feel a connection with this hero!

And the whole idea of a dog sanctuary, where aging, ailing or ‘unadoptable’ dogs can find a fur-ever home. Well, there goes the waterworks again! But Maddie has been struggling to bounce back from some losses and the sanctuary is perilously low on funds. She needs a miracle and that might just be Witt. You’ll have to read the book to find out.

This Love Inspired features ‘older’ (than the norm, anyway) characters. Witt is fifty-one and Maddie is in her mid forties or so. I was surprised at how much depth that brought to the story because that’s a lot of life lived, mistakes made, struggles to overcome…well, it just made this romance that much richer. And the redemptive faith thread is so beautiful.

Absolutely stunning addition to the multi-authored K-9 Companions series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Steadfast Companion, 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 February 25, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.