Tag: Novella

Spines & Leaves + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Can his love of books save a store and a budding relationship?

With a month to get from Orange County, California to Delaware for his next corporate challenge, Milton Coleridge decides to spend a week at Joshua Tree National Park. 

He never expected to find a floundering bookstore in need of his particular business skills. Will his methods of saving companies from bankruptcy or takeover work on such a small scale? And can he convince two people to risk their hearts?

Step into the Spines & Leaves, Tamarisk, California’s oldest (and only ever) bookstore. Come in out of the harsh, desert sun and wind and peruse all the store has to offer. It might just be more than you think.

Of note: Spine & Leaves is the introductory novella to the Bookstrings series and is part of the Mosaic Song of Grace Collection.

My Review:

published in 2021

My bibliophile radar went into overdrive when I heard about this series. A man (and his parrotlet, Atticus) on a mission to save a languishing bookstore and, perhaps, ignite a spark in a couple clearly meant for each other but failing miserably at finding their way to romance. So — meet Milton the bookish matchmaker! 🙂

A short novella (112 pages) but immensely satisfying nonetheless. Havig has a beguiling way with words, creating pictures and emotions that bring her story to life. Relatable characters, a bookstore(!) and oodles of encouraging literary quotes kept me ecstatically engaged from start to finish.

And there’s romance. And high drama too. Seriously, this little book packs a powerful dose of story magic that made my heart sing and I’m now eager to dive into the next book ASAP.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Spines & Leaves, 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 14, 2023

The Cupcake Dilemma + Giveaway

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

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

My Review:

published in 2018

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

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

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

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 The Cupcake Dilemma 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 2, 2023

In Her Sights + Giveaway

He’s sworn off love, but she has his heart in her sights and doesn’t intend to miss.

Stained by his wastrel father’s legacy, Jackson Spivey lives on the fringes of society. Townsfolk tolerate him since he keeps the local hotel supplied with fresh game, but mothers coach their daughters to avoid him. After tasting consistent rejection, Jackson spurns all attempts at courtship. The only things he can count on are his guns and his God.

Tessa James has been secretly in love with Jackson for ages, but trying to gain his favor only pushes him further away. When she learns Annie Oakley is traveling through Texas, Tessa seeks lessons from the famed markswoman. If Jackson’s life revolves around guns, taking up shooting might help her engage his interest. Too bad she can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

When Annie loans Tessa a custom pistol, however, things begin to change. The lore behind the mysterious weapon fosters hope that Tessa might finally hit the target of Jackson’s heart. But when danger threatens, she might be forced to use the pistol for something other than finding love.

My Review:

This was just plain fun! If you told me I’d be gushing over a romance that centres around a very special gun, I wouldn’t have believed you, but here I am, marvelling once again at Karen Witemeyer’s clever storytelling skills.

This is the first book of the multi-authored Pink Pistol Sisterhood series (isn’t that title fantastic? And yes, the pistol is pink!) I’m definitely intrigued enough to check out the other novellas in the collection. Each book reads as a standalone though they are linked by this rather special pistol and how it can work magic when it comes to romance. 🙂

Equal parts comedy and drama with a resounding action scene towards the end, Tessa and Jackson’s story is a classic Western…with a twist.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere with a .com Kindle account.

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of In Her Sights, 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 June 10, 2023.

The Shifting Current + Giveaway

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart.

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him.

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other?

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

My Review:

Don’t let the shorter word count fool you — this novella packs a punch. I’m amazed at how deeply layered and intricate the plot is. How did the author fit so much into a novella form? Definitely reads with all the satisfaction of her longer books….well, except for loving these characters and this team and wanting to stay with them forever!

This novella ends the Coastal Guardians series and does so in grand fashion. Logan and Emmy have played supportive roles in the previous books so I was thrilled to catch up with them here. No worries though, ‘The Shifting Current‘ could easily be read as a standalone as well. Especially since Logan and Em are ‘on location’ across the country in New Mexico for this case.

And it’s a bittersweet story based around a difficult set of circumstances. Logan’s grandfather has been brutally murdered and he’s determined to work the case along side his long time friend who is also the sheriff. And Em isn’t about to let him deal all that alone.

The thing you need to know about this pair is that they are professional partners who work brilliantly together. The perfect compliment of talent and brains. They share a deep friendship that could easily become something more — so if you’re a fan of the friends to lovers trope, this is definitely the romance for you!

What amazes me about their story is the way the author has woven the romance through some very dark times. Logan’s grief is gut wrenchingly real, his emotions raw and Em is tenderly supportive. It’s because they know each other so well, that she’s able to watch out for him — pushing Logan forward when necessary but also allowing him time to process through his grief. So, while there are definitely sad, painful moments in this novella, there’s also the comfort of finding fresh hope in new beginnings.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Stephanie Cozart who did a fantastic job with these characters and their story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere with a .com Kindle account.

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice, or also audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Shifting Current, 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 June 10, 2023.