Tag: Novella

Greetings From Next Door + Giveaway

Christmas is supposed to be about “peace on earth” and “goodwill toward men.”

Glynn Darrow bought that lie for the first three decades of her life, but
whoever said that (it was one of God’s angels, wasn’t it?) clearly hadn’t met Glynn’s new neighbor. He’s stolen all the peace from her life and any goodwill she might have had toward men. 

If only his notes wouldn’t make visions of mistletoe dance in her head.
When Clay Ruskin moved onto Elderberry Close, he didn’t imagine that he’d be “greeted” by a note from his uptight new neighbor… or that she’d drive him to distraction–good and bad. 

She’s determined to do the right thing–always.

He thinks she’s got weird ideas about what the “right thing” even is. 
They do agree on one thing, though. This will be the most memorable Christmas ever. If they survive it.

My Review:

Glynn has a new neighbour…and he’s a grump. Bah Humbug. Mind you, she doesn’t make the best first impression (but then she thinks he made the worst impression first so…) Letters are carried back and forth — sometimes snippy, sometimes sweet, always funny and a…well, we can’t really call it a friendship but something like…is formed.

The book starts in late October and ends on Christmas so there’s lots of time for hearts to thaw and nurture warmer emotions. A sweet novella that explores deeper feelings of love and acceptance with dry wit to smooth out the angst and a healthy dollop of faith to seal the deal.

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 Greetings From Next Door , 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 September 7 2024.

The Last Gasp + Giveaway

At the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight.

As plain old Gary Prinz, he can pursue his Bible education, buy a bungalow in Pasadena, acquire a few chickens, and marry the girl of his dreams. He just never imagined trading the silver screen for a pulpit would wreak such havoc.

A cigarillo girl, Lucinda Ashton spends her days with her boyfriend, Gary, and her evenings selling candy and “gaspers” to the Hollywood elite at the Taj Mahal Theater.

However, when gunshots ring out just as intermission begins, Lucinda finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a brouhaha that leaves three dead, and no one has a clue why.

All the police know is that the evidence points to Lucinda as the killer and Gary as the intended target.

Four new friends, one young orphan, and a potluck of clues that don’t seem to fit anywhere leave the police baffled, Lucinda in fear for her freedom, and Gary ready to trade in his acting shoes for gumshoes if it’ll save his “Cinda.”

The first book in the Ever After Mysteries combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries, The Last Gasp. This Cinderella retelling blends a murder with enough crime and story clues to keep you on the edge of your seat.

My Review:

Seriously, how did I not know there was a whole reimagined fairy-tale mystery series roaming around in bibliophile land?! Aptly titled ‘The Ever After Mysteries’ and Chautona Havig’s ‘The Last Gasp’ is the first book and my introduction to the series.

The book cover sets the tone with the campy, atmospheric ‘classic mystery’ influence which the story carries on. This reads very much like a golden age mystery. It’s set in the right era and I love the author’s use of the ‘current’ slang to add authenticity to the time and setting.

I’m not a Hollywood fan in this decade but, ironically, I had a huge fascination for the industry in it’s infancy. Did an extensive high school project on silent movies so this turned into an unexpectedly nostalgic read for me. 🙂

So, we have Hollywood glam vs poor working girl which lends itself beautifully to the Cinderella detailing…only not in a predictable way. I love how the author included all those beloved fairy tale elements in such a topsy turvy manner. They cropped up unexpectedly throughout the story and I got a bookish thrill every single time. Such fun. And so clever!

The mystery was pretty easy to solve (perhaps because of the fairy tale element) but I had a great time watching Gary and Cinda piecing together the clues. And, for an author who claims to not like romance, this one is pretty sighworthy!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition to ‘The Last Gasp’, narrated by Christa DelSorbo.

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 The Last Gasp, 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 25 2024.

A Timeless Romance Anthology : Mail-Order Bride Collection + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection. Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West. 

WRITTEN IN HER HEART, a charming novella by Stacy Henrie, Georgeanna is getting desperate. She can’t fund her favorite orphanage unless she marries and secures the rest of her inheritance left by her father. But her father’s financial planner, Clay, can’t understand why she’s not content with her current situation. Georgie determines to send out a notice as a mail order bride to attract suitors who won’t know her financial situation. Little does she know, Clay takes up the pen and sends her letters of his own under an assumed name. After years of working for Georgie’s father, Clay realizes he isn’t ready to watch her marry another, not when his heart is already claimed by her. 

In Kristin Holt’s delightful novella WANTED: MIDWIFE BRIDE Dr. Naomi Thornton thinks she has it all: a beautiful house, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career. But when everything she holds dear is ripped away, Naomi has no choice but to start over. What will she find in the wild and untamed Wyoming Territory? Dr. Joe Chandler has waited years for a wife with the knowledge, skills, and tender heart he yearns for in a medical colleague and lifetime companion. When a midwife arrives with more expertise and secrets than he counted on, Joe quickly discovers there’s more to love and marriage than a simple mail order contract. 

In THE SOUND OF HOME, a captivating novella by Annette Lyon, Marilyn is given the choice of either marrying the despicable Victor or being charged with a murder she didn’t commit. Refusing to believe that either is her fate, she finds a third option: she answers a mail order bride advertisement and boards a train to Wyoming to wed a man named Harry. Moments after her arrival, she learns that Harry isn’t who he seemed to be, and the advertisement turns out to be a giant mistake. Harry’s brother Thomas agrees to let her stay until she can figure out what to do next—after all, she simply cannot return to New York—but Marilyn quickly finds herself developing feelings for Thomas. 

In Sarah M. Eden’s endearing novella FOR BETTER OR WORSE Gerald Smith, on the advice of his well-meaning neighbors, has decided it’s time to change his lonely existence. Mary Hill, on the advice of her empty pocketbook and non-existent roof over her head, has decided it’s time to secure herself a future. A mail-order marriage, they both realize, is no guarantee of happiness, but it is a risk they are willing to take. However, coming face to face on the train platform, the hapless couple discovers an unexpected truth: marriage to a perfect stranger is sometimes far preferable to the prospect of a lifetime with someone you used to know. 

Heather B. Moore’s sweet novella THE INCONVENIENT BRIDE sees Carmela traveling from Boston to Colorado, eager to meet the man she’s been corresponding with and will soon marry. Her brother’s new marriage leaves little room for Carmela in her old life. Upon arrival in Leadville, she faces a rude awakening, and the only one who can understand her predicament is her fiance’s brother, Samuel. But Samuel can’t possibly help her out of an awkward situation, can he? It would be better for all if she returns immediately to Boston and pretends she never traveled to Colorado in the first place. 

THE PRICE OF SILVER, an engaging novella by Siân Ann Bessey, Katie leaves New York for Idaho to marry Jake, a man she’s written to a couple of times. But when she steps off the train, his brother Caleb is there to greet her. Jake has gone to take a mining job he couldn’t pass up. Caleb takes Katie back to the family ranch to wait for Jake’s return. The more Caleb gets to know Katie, the more he envies his brother, but he can’t let his heart overrule his head unless Jake changes his mind about his intended bride.

My Review:

published in 2015

Happy sigh! There’s something about a good mail-order bride romance that hits the spot and this book includes six of them! And, for me, a nice balance of familiar authors and new-to-me authors which just adds to my bibliophile delight.

Love the different approach each author takes with the theme, making all six mail-order bride stories unique and interesting. The collection includes a variety of popular tropes — friends to more, heroine fleeing peril, enemies to more, groom mix-up. And each novella is quite short, so easy to finish in one setting which provided me with the perfect respite in between marathon gardening stints. 🙂

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 Mail-Order Bride Collection, 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.

Three Little Matchmakers + Giveaway

1817, Staffordshire, England

Caroline Dempsey, a loving governess, and Henry Graves, an impassive earl, fall prey to the matchmaking machinations of three newly orphaned children who determine to forge a new family for themselves, no matter the havoc their plans cause.

My Review:

Of Note: originally appeared in the 2017 Regency Bride Collection published by Barbour.

So much fun! This is on the short side for a novella but it is oh, so sweet! Lovely characters who come alive — from the innocently conniving children to the austere Earl and devoted governess. So — eeeepp — grumpy/sunshine trope in full swing at the start of this story.

Caroline and Henry have a history right back to childhood (when one might have harboured a secret crush on the other) but time and personal difficulties have kept them apart and make them strangers when they meet up once again in order to create a stable home for Henry’s orphaned nieces and nephew.

And, oh my, these children! Imaginatively enthusiastic in their pursuit of a happily ever after for them all. Spurred on, no less, by the wild tales of Henry and Caroline’s misspent youth! Our hero and heroine don’t stand a chance…thankfully.

Heartwarming and funny with some serious undertones too.

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 Three Little Matchmakers , 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 10 2024.

Hart of Noel + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Noel, Missouri: where cookies and ornaments collide.

Books and cookies — a match made in heaven?

Not hardly. Josh Hart just wants his fledgling bookstore to have a chance, and with every car in the tiny town of Noel parking in front of his story, you’d think he had a good one.

Again, not hardly.

They’re all taking up his prime parking to get into Honey Pott’s Bakery. Josh is certain if Honey would quit parking her own over-sized SUV right smack-dab in front of his door, maybe people could see the store.

Enter Milton Coleridge and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch). He loves the store, but he has news for Josh. Without some major changes, Noel’s first bookstore may be its last.

A Hart of Noel is a Christmas ‘novella’ in the Bookstrings series.

My Review:

published in 2021

A delightful book-centric Christmas novella that can be enjoyed any time of the year!

Gotta love a series about a man (and his parrotlet) who travel around saving independent bookstores. Milton is my hero — and he has a nifty sideline as a matchmaker. Love his quiet ways, earnest observations and the ability he has to see into the heart of a problem and offer solutions.

And Josh has a lot of problems. From a floundering bookstore to a volatile feud with the neighbourhood baker. You’ve heard of the grumpy sunshine trope? Well, this is a grumpy/grumpy trope. Josh and Honey are like oil and water. Always on the defensive when it comes to each other and apt to spew first, think later. Milton has his hands full with these two.

Such a fun little read. Dry humour, valiant efforts to save a bookstore and spark a romance all in the days leading up to Christmas. Along with oodles of sage Milton-isms. What’s not to love?

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 Hart of Noel , 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 3 2024.

The Messenger + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Walter was eighty-two when he died–the first time. His visit to Heaven was glorious as he reunited with his wife, daughter, and other family and friends, relationships that a full life had nourished. But God tells Walter that he can’t stay in Heaven, that Walter has more to do on Earth before he returns Home for good. Leaving those he loves, as well as the love of God, seems unbearable.

The Lord tells Walter that he will return to his earthly existence right away with renewed health and pain-free. God explains to Walter that He will relay messages to him, words that he might not understand but that are intended for the betterment of the recipient.

Walter awakens in his hospital bed feeling like a man of twenty but wondering if he’d dreamed the entire ordeal. When he begins to hear God’s messages for others, he follows through, although his own doubts and fears lead him to worry whether he is handling the callings correctly. As a series of events unfold, Walter is happy when things come together for the strangers he seems to have helped, but he starts to become bitter. The two most important people in his life are hurting, and God isn’t helping either one of them.

As Walter’s faith is tested, will his own bitterness block the voice of God that carries with it a special message for Walter’s loved ones?

My Review:

published in 2022

A hidden gem. And really hard to review because it’s a novella and I don’t want to give anything away. What I can say is that The Messenger is very different from Beth Wiseman’s typical stories and, truthfully, I wasn’t sure if it would appeal to me. Not the kind of read I gravitate too but, we’re talking Beth Wiseman here and I was intrigued enough to venture out of my comfort zone. Am I ever glad I did!

Inspiring and goosebumping — I devoured this little beauty in one sitting because I became so wrapped up in Walter’s story, I just couldn’t put it down. And what I’m taking away is a renewed testimony of the way God works in our lives through messengers here on earth. Everyday, ordinary people who tune into the Spirit and follow His promptings. And how He can weave the most disparate situations into a cohesive whole that is beyond our imagining.

Short and simple, yet powerfully uplifting.

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 Texas Ranch Target, 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 December 9, 2023.

A Return to Hawthorne House + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Always a Lady

Despite the fact that her daughter is not cooperating, Caroline, Duchess of Riverton is determined to ensure every one of her children marries someone they love as much as she loved their late father. William, the widowered Earl of Blackstone, is delighted to have his days of escorting daughters approaching an end. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to a woman who is just starting such a journey. Are they each too set in their ways to grasp this chance to have a second love?

A Lady of Esteem

Miss Amelia Starwood may live in her absent guardian’s London townhouse, but she knows far more about associating with servants than aristocrats. When she bumps into Anthony, reformed Marquis of Raebourne, it starts a string of events that change her life forever. As the two of them try to navigate London in ways they’ve never done before, will they be able to hold onto love?

The Lady’s Maid

When Lydia Smith began her career as a parlor maid, she knew love and marriage wasn’t likely in her future. Dreaming about the boy next door as she dusted seemed harmless until he started working as the new valet under the same roof. When Finch needs her help with a special project, will it give them a chance to defy expectations and find love or ruin their happiness forever?

My Review:

published in 2022

An absolutely charming collection of novellas set at the beginning of the author’s ‘Hawthorne House’ world. These stories are so good I’ve been inspired to reread all the books in the series…soon!

‘A Return to Hawthorne House‘ is intriguing and playful and with enough swoonable banter to keep your fainting couch actively engaged. And I love the variety Hunter provides — a lovely combination of upstairs/downstairs — and even one ‘mature’ romance which made for an engrossing read. The characters are delightful, the dialogue witty, the angst gentle but still impactful and each happily ever after is blissfully satisfying. I’m reminded of how much I loved this series and I’m eager to get started on my rereads.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and open to any reader, anywhere in the world — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Return to Hawthorne House, 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 easier for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 2 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Kiss Me on Christmas + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Single mom Kaitlyn Stafford has never considered Christmas a balancing act, but when her sister calls with the news that she’s getting married in less than two weeks — on Christmas Day — that’s exactly what the holiday looks like becoming. Helping with the out-of-state wedding will be fun. The challenge will be doing so while accommodating her neurodivergent son’s need to keep every single one of their Christmas traditions while they’re away from home. It’ll be tricky, but she can do it.

At least, that’s what she thinks before her son’s favourite YouTuber, Beckett Walsh, shows up on the scene, knocking her world off kilter with his speaking glances and knowing smiles. How on earth is she supposed to pull off her balancing act when her world’s just tilted on its axis?

My Review:

published in 2022

What a wonderful blend of humour and hope mixed up with a slice of real life…at Christmas time! I was drawn in right from with the very personable 1st person present tense POV, which, is not a favourite, but somehow it worked for me here. Brought me right into every scene, experiencing every emotion and impression. And I love that we are given both Kaitlyn’s and Beckett’s points of view, with young Liam gleefully worming his way into every scene.

The whole story takes place in about a two week time-span amidst the flurry of wedding preparations. Kaitlyn is concerned about keeping routines and traditions for her neurodivergent son in the middle of all the chaos. Loved this glimpse into a mother’s heart and the challenges and rewards of raising a unique child like Liam. He’s funny and personable and often all too literal. And I love the way Beckett fits into the story, his true swoon-worthiness shining in the way he accepts and champions Kaitlyn’s son.

Kiss Me on Christmas is short on length but not in depth — this novella packs an emotional punch. The kind of Christmas story that celebrates the season and leaves the reader with a heartwarming afterglow .

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 Kiss Me on 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 November 25, 2023.

Targeted + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-read

Three women. Three men. Three unsuspecting targets.

Get ready for triple the thrills with three heart-stopping stories from your favourite romantic suspense authors!

In On the Run, IT Specialist Daria Nevsky is a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead — and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone.

In Deadly Objective, physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper are committed to keeping their relationship professional. But when the vice president’s son enters the crosshairs of a killer, some lines will have to be crossed in order to keep him safe.

In Caught in the Crosshairs, there is no love lost between former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman and CIA officer Claudia Gallegos after Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. But to prevent a coup that would put America at risk, they’ll have to learn to trust each other — before it’s too late. 

My Review:

published in 2022

Three headliner romantic suspense authors join forces to deliver a trifecta of edge-of-your-seat suspense reads with intrepid heroes and heroines who keep things interesting. Because heightened emotions lead to romance and the toe-curl/danger combo kept me turning pages. And rooting for three happily-ever-afters…once justice is served, of course.

Of note: each novella relates to a series but can easily be read as standalones, so no worries if you’re not up to date. ‘Targeted’ provides the perfect opportunity to sample these authors’ storytelling styles and get a feel for their series.

Each story involves plenty of action and danger and just the right amount of romance to keep things interesting. These authors excel at pacing and plotting and manage to deliver fully fleshed out characters and well developed plots despite the shorter word count (each novella is about 120 pages.) I can’t pick a favourite because each of these heroines and their heroes are completely captivating! 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy and open to any reader, anywhere in the world — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Targeted, 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 easier for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 28 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Maiden in the Tower + Giveaway

RANDOM RETRO READ

He’s the first man she’s ever met. She’s the exact opposite of the woman he’s supposed to marry.

Lisette Hunt has been hidden away her entire life, with nothing but a large window up in the cottage turret to give her a glimpse of the outside world. Until Gerry Worthington stumbles into her garden in search of his runaway dog. 

As a second son, Gerry has never seen the need to take life too seriously. Less than pleased with his frivolity, his mother orders him to marry a woman of means and banishes him to his family’s small, rundown estate. Unfortunately, innocent and penniless Lisette is the very opposite of what he needs.

But Gerry cannot resist the mystery surrounding Lisette, and soon he can no longer resist Lisette and her endearing peculiarity. As Gerry slowly opens Lisette’s eyes to a larger world, she begins to open her heart to him. However, when Gerry uncovers the truth about who Lisette really is, it may cost them a chance at happiness together.

My Review:

published in 2019

Squuueaaalll!!! I adore fairy tale retellings — especially Regency ones — and this is my first ever Rapunzel. I’ve read numerous Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Snow White re-imaginings but nary a single Rapunzel so I was so excited to discover this little gem. And curious to see how the author would work the fairy tale elements into the story. Let’s just say she handled it brilliantly!

Short and sweet and oh, so satisfying. Lisette’s innocent enthusiasm had me grinning all the way through. And Gerry is so flummoxed by this unusual young woman who defies all high society etiquette. There’s even a bit of a mystery element to this tale involving Lisette’s background which was all kinds of fun to follow to a very sigh-worthy conclusion.

“Maiden in the Tower” is the fifth book in the multi-authored “Forever After Retellings.” I’ve read the first two and intend to hunt down the rest of the series. And — bonus — such pretty cover art to fancy up my bookshelves.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Maiden in the Tower, 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 28, 2023