Thursday, March 29, 2012

A Texan's Honor

GIVEAWAY!

GRAY, SHELLEY
A TEXAN'S HONOR

U.S. Marshall Will McMillan risks his mission to rescue Jamie Ellis. Will it cost him his life or his heart?

Texas, 1874. Years ago, Will McMillan had fought in the open, next to his captain, Clayton Profitt. Now he's waging another war undercover, pretending to be a member of the notorious Walton Gang.

But when a hostage situation goes awry and an innocent woman, Jamie Ellis, in the middle of the fray, Will knows he must protect her no matter what happens, even if his cover is blown, and even if the woman he's risking everything for will never love him back.

My Review:

Classic Western with toe-curling romance! I felt like I'd stepped into a Western movie. Gritty, sometimes violent, but with the heart and soul of a cowboy. There are definitely some nail-biting scenes to balance the heart-palpitating romantic ones. With a fast-moving plot and intriguing secondary characters, this is a winning historical for the armchair adventurer!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 1 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Key on the Quilt

GIVEAWAY

WHITSON, STEPHANIE GRACE
THE KEY ON THE QUILT

From a distance, the building may resemble a castle, but it's the last place Jane Prescott, Mamie Dawson, and Ellen Sullivan thought they'd be, and the last place they expected to see love grow.

Broken in spirit and wondering if God has abandoned her, Jane is serving a 10 year sentence at Nebraska State Penitentiary, even as she hides a startling secret. How will one caring physician help unravel the hidden meaning behind Jane's courthouse steps quilt?

Mamie told God she'd go anywhere, never dreaming He'd send her to nurture women the world had forgotten as a prison matron. But while helping those around her, will she stubbornly keep the attentions of a kind guard at arm's length?

Ellen was never going to leave Kentucky, but the marriage made her a Nebraska warden's wife. Can she reach past uncertainty and fear to find God's purpose in it all?

Together, these three women form an unlikely friendship that takes them to the end of themselves and, ultimately, on a journey that proves prison walls can neither frustrate God's plan not keep love out.

My Review:

Stellar for so many reasons.  The unusual plot for one. And the complexity and variety of characters. And how those characters interact and develop relationships with one another. Everything about this book is impeccably written with a unique twist. And that includes romance. Steadfast comes to mind. Enduring. A depth of regard that survives far beyond the first blush of attraction. Definitely makes for a soul-satisfying read.

Fascinating historical details took on new life as the story progressed and caused me to reflect on my own misguided viewpoints. This book made me stretch and grow, both as an individual and a Christian. It's about finding God wherever you are and accepting His children wherever they are. Profound. Fulfilling. Emotional. A journey to remember. This one goes in the keeper pile.

 Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 1 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Irish Healer

GIVEAWAY!

HERRIMAN, NANCY
THE IRISH HEALER

1830's London is rich with promise. And fraught with peril. Rachel Dunne and James Edmunds are about to discover that love is too.

Rachel Dunne has always been a healer...until she's accused of causing the death of a child under her care. Acquitted but shunned, she flees Ireland in search of a new life, convinced that she'll be fine so long as no one in London learns of her disgrace -- or forces her to sit at another sickbed.

Physician James Edmunds has endured the loss of too many patients -- the death of his wife the greatest blow of all. Deep in his grief, and no longer certain that God can be trusted, he decides the time has come to abandon his practice and run his family's small farm. Alone.  Though when he's drawn to the intriguing Irish woman who has recently joined his household, he begins to reconsider his well-paid plans.

Then cholera sweeps through London, and the life of James' young daughter hangs in the balance. Can Rachel and James overcome their innermost fears and regain their faith? Or is it too late for trust and love to heal their hearts?

My Review:

If you love books by Laurie Alice Eakes and Julie Klassen, you are going to love The Irish Healer! This  stunning debut novel is seeped in that kind of Austenish style. It was such a thrill to read that I raced right through but then tried to put the brakes on towards the end because I wasn't ready for it to be over! Does anyone else do that when they are reading a good book?

Herriman immersed me in the gritty reality of 19th century London and she didn't gloss over the seamier aspects. The contempt in which the Irish were treated really got my ire up, seeing as I hale from that fair isle. And the inequality between men and women -- oy, don't get me started. While I love to romanticize that era just like everyone else, I was grateful that Herriman didn't. It brought such depth to her story and upped my blood pressure a good bit as well! :-)

Both Rachel and James have so much more in common then they realize, but neither is bent on sharing their past which adds an air of mystery to their romance. The attraction is there, never mind that they are from different classes, but as the reader, I could see why they would be good for each other and it about drove me crazy waiting for one of them to reveal the reason for the their mixed emotions regarding healing. But when one finally did, I wanted to throttle the other! LOL. Herriman kept me on my toes right to the very last page.

James is an admirable tortured hero with so many rough edges that it was impossible to smooth them all out. In fact, he possessed one significantly un-hero-like quality that should have repelled me but the author created such depth to his character that she managed to engage my sympathy instead. Not an easy task, given his failing. Now doesn't that intrigue you? I hope so because this is one book you do not want to miss!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Irish Healer, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2, 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

March Giveaway - Week 4


won by Lane Hill House


won by Liz R.


won by MissNiceGuy

I'll contact you via email today in order to get your address. If you don't hear from me by Monday evening assume that I am lost in cyberspace somewhere and contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca with your snail mail address so I can order you your book. If we fail to make contact within two weeks your win will be forfeited and I will double up a winner in a future draw.

Looking Ahead to Next Week:

It's Historical Hysteria! LOL. Read, or should I devoured the following and can't wait to share! Incredible reads -- all of them!!!

The Irish Healer
by Nancy Herriman (debut author!)

The Key on the Quilt
by Stephanie Grace Whitson

A Texan's Promise
by Shelley Gray

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Abby Finds Her Calling

GIVEAWAY

KING, NAOMI
ABBY FINDS HER CALLING

The Lambright family's eldest daughter, Abby, runs her own sewing shop. There, she mends the town's clothes and their torn relationships. But the town maidel has sworn off any suitors of her own because of her unrequited love for James Graber, who is about to marry her younger sister, Zanna...


On the wedding day, Zanna is nowhere to be found, breaking James' heart. Zanna has brought shame to her family, but there's more in store for them when they discover how far she has fallen. Long-buried secrets come to light, and they test the bonds of the Cedar Creek community. Abby is at the center of it all, trying to maintain everyone's happiness. But will she ever find her own?
 
My Review:
 
This is one of the best 'community Amish' stories I've read. By that I mean that the story's focus isn't just on the hero and heroine, but on their neighbours as well. There's a bevy of hidden hurt in the Cedar Creek community and it all comes to a head when Abby's sister does the unthinkable.
 
Abby is a rock -- an anchor for so many who gravitate to her in their hour of need, but where can she go to find succor? How long will her strength hold out for? This is the kind of book that reminds you that with God all things really are possible. I love how King portrayed the healing of a fractured community. A lovely example of Christianity at work.
 
Giveaway Opportunity:
 
If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the book title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw ill be held and winner announced on Sunday March 25 2012. Open to international readers. Good luck everyone!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Chasing the Sun


GIVEAWAY

PETERSON, TRACIE
CHASING THE SUN

When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.


Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family's ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter at this turn of events, he's surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.

Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

My Review:

There are layers upon layers of emotion in this rustic romance that will keep you entranced right through to the very last page. Well-defined characters bring heart to this classic tale of deceit and despair amongst a tumultuous backdrop.

Peterson doesn't gloss over historical details. The harsh reality of war -- both between the states and with the Indians -- is laid out with compassionate truth. My blood boiled at the treatment of the Indians and my heart broke at the devastating division the war between the states created among families and neighbours. But the author has cleverly woven a thread of hope that grows brighter with every turning page and Hannah and William are at the heart of it.

Both have grit, determination, the capacity to endure and loyalty to family. They're evenly matched, but on opposite sides of an impossible legal conundrum. Both can't afford to lose, but neither can they both win...or can they? You'll have to read to find out.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of this book leave a message below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 25 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Guardian Duke

GIVEAWAY

CARIE, JAMIE
THE GUARDIAN DUKE

The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.


Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

My Review:
 
The Princess Bride of Regency Romance. Enchanting. Delightful. Amusing. Infuriating!!!!!!!! If you check out the Amazon reviews you'll see they range all the way from 1 to 5!!!!! The lower ratings are because of the ending...or lack thereof. It practically stops mid-sentence. I usually steer clear of that kind of series, at least until all the books are released but this one is so much fun and such a good read I recommend that everyone  rush out right now so that you can commence nail-biting with me until July when The Forgiven Duke releases. You know what they say about misery loving company. :-)

So what makes this book so appealing? The Duke, of course -- and his story has a shocking twist right from the very first chapter which I'd love to expound upon but I won't because I'd be giving away a major spoiler. In fact this is one of the great strengths of The Guardian Duke -- it's full of surprises! But that makes it hard to review. LOL. But so much fun to read.

Alexandria is a memorable heroine. Her greatest appeal is the way she bungles through the plot with the assistance of many and varied champions. She enchants everyone, including her readers. But she's full of surprises too -- and her grit and determination along with a devious mind really put the poor Duke through his paces.

Then there's the the almost magical quality to their attraction. It's as if they are fore-ordained for each other though circumstances continue to keep them apart. It's their letters along with that mystical pull that builds the romance into something tangible and exciting.

So, I forgive Jamie Carie for ending their adventures so abruptly -- or delaying them for a few months. And I guarantee when I pick up the second in the series in July I won't have forgotten a single character or plot twist -- The Guardian Duke is that good!
 
Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of The Guardian Duke please leave a message below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Remember to put the title in the subject line so I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March  25. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

March Giveaway - Week 3

CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY SPRNG!!!!


won by Cheryl Baker
and
Susie F. (email entry)


won by Melissa Jagears

I'll email the winners today, but if you don't get my email by Monday evening please contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If we can't connect within two weeks of today your win will be forfeited and I'll double the winner of another draw in the future to even things out.



Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson
A reader can do no wrong when she picks up one of Peterson's novels. This one is no exception.

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie
Seriously? She ended it there?!

Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King
A new Amish author for me and I'm captivated!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Fall From Pride

HARPER, KAREN
FALL FROM PRIDE

Against the peaceful night sky, a barn burns...

Sarah Kauffman sought permission from her church elders to paint murals on a few of the Amish community's barns. Each was designed like an old-fashioned quilt square, representing a piece of the Amish traditions Sarah loved. The works of art were intended to draw more tourists to the Home Valley in the struggling economy. But instead, they invited a menace. One by one, each barn is set ablaze and destroyed...

The arson fires spread fear through the community-- amongst Amish and Englischers alike. Now Sarah wonders if she's being punished for her pridefulness...or whether there's a more malevolent will at work.

As an outsider, arson investigator Nate MacKenzie struggles to investigate the crime scenes while adhering to Amish ways. With Sarah as his guide, he warms to the Plain People and their simple ways. As the fires rage, beliefs are challenged, a way of life is questioned and family secrets are exposed. In the aftermath of the destruction the people of the Home Valley must join together to raise their barns and their hopes for the future
 
My Review:

A really interesting and intriguing read. The arson angle was very cleverly done. Lots of suspects but I didn't zero in on the real culprit until close to the end. I was very proud of myself, let me tell you. :-) Harper does a good job of balancing the positives and negatives (according to Englischers) of the Amish culture and I found myself somewhat unsettled by some of Sarah's choices along the way. If you are looking for solid suspense paired with an emotionally impossible romance, grab a copy of  Fall From Pride and get reading.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Vanish in Plain Sight

PERRY, MARTA
VANISH IN PLAIN SIGHT

A young mother vanishes in plain sight.

Since she was a little girl, Marisa Angelo has been haunted by the image of her mother walking away, suitcase in hand, to return to her Amish roots.

Marisa and her Englischer father never saw or heard from her again. Now Marisa has received a shocking call from police. Her mother's bloodstained suitcase was found hidden inside the wall of a Pennsylvania Dutch farmhouse.

Desperate for answers, Marisa heads to Lancaster county. But no one -- not the police or Marisa's tight-lipped Amish relatives -- can explain what happened to her mother.

Only one man is as determined as Marisa to unravel the mystery -- Link Morgan, the handsome ex-military loner who found the suitcase in the house he inherited from his uncle. Now both Link's and Marisa's family members are implicated in the decades-old disappearance.

The secret lies somewhere in the quaint Amish settlement. But someone will do anything to ensure the truth remains hidden forever.

My Review:

A gripping suspense with plenty of twists that kept me turning pages. Such an unusual premise as well; that hooked me from the start. And two emotionally-wounded main characters bungling towards one another despite their efforts not to! It made the romance edgier and upped the emotional reaction of this reader. And of course, as always, I found the Amish angle fascinating! A great suspenseful read.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Not This Time

GIVEAWAY!

HINZE, VICKI
NOT THIS TIME

Small town scandal.
International terrorist attack.
Who among them is the traitor?

Sara and Beth have built a multi-million dollar business together, but their once solid friendship is now strained. Beth is leery of Sara's husband, and when he is kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

Then their small town of Seagrove Village is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn't know who to trust. Someone she knows is linked to the attack but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past. She knows she shouldn't fall in love with him, but she can't resist or even explain their bond. As her world unravels around her, she wonders, is it possible to be beyond redemption?

My Review:

Seriously mind-boggling good. Guaranteed to induce a rabid-reading frenzy in even the most stalwart of readers. You will be awestruck, dumbstruck and just plain struck by the intrepid plot. Impeccably paced, Hinze expertly balances suspense and romance and throws in enough angst to keep her readers on their toes for the duration.

And the romance? Intimacy leaps off the page even though the hero and heroine spend most of the book apart. How did Hinze manage that? Read and find out. Delicious!


This is the third book in the Crossroad Crisis Center series and if you haven't read the first two you might feel like a fish out of water in the first chapter or two. You meet a lot of characters in a short time and it was a little confusing for me even though I'd read Deadly Ties (the second book). But do not despair, just go with the flow and it will all even out in a couple of chapters.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Not This Time, leave a comment below. Or you can email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 18 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Prize of My Heart


GIVEAWAY!

NORATO, LISA
PRIZE OF MY HEART

Massachusetts, 1815.

Three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis's late wife abandoned thier son, leaving no clue as to the boy's whereabouts. After searching relentlessly, Brogan discovers his son was adopted by a New England shipbuilder. And the man's daughter, Lorena Huntley, acts as loving guardian to the child.

Lorena, who hides a truth finds herself falling for the handsome captain and ex-privateer who's come to secure ownership of one of her father's ships. She's unaware of Brogran's own secret when another's deceit has her sailing toward Europe against her will.

Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is compelled to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.

Will his love endure once he learns her secret?

My Review:

Rich language evokes such incredible images that I swear I can still smell the tangy scent of salt  in the air! Norato's descriptive writing will send you back to a time when heroes were larger than life just like ex-privateer Brogan Talvis. (Insert collective sigh here!) A tortured soul filled with the grim determination to right a wrong on his own terms. Is there anything more swoonworthy than a reluctant hero in navy dress? The kind that has a keen sense of justice and the gall to set out administering it as he sees fit? Only to be laid low by the likes of a baking-diva heroine with a backbone of steel? (Insert another collective sigh...or two or three.)

Lorena makes a captivating heroine. Feisty but gentle, stubborn but compassionate, a lady as comfortable in the role as kitchen maid as she is entertaining her father's elite guests. What a a wonderful paradox! And one that Brogan finds all too hard to resist.

Of course their love story is fraught with peril -- both physical and emotional. And tickled with humour. Often poignant. And hope-fueled even in their darkest hour! Prize of My Heart is definitely a delight to read and not one that historical fans dare miss.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so your entry is easy to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 18 2012. Offer open to international readers.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Sunday, March 11, 2012

March Giveaway - Week 2

CONGRATULATIONS!

won by fredamans


won by Patricia

won by Emily

I'll email the winners today, but if you don't get my email by Monday evening please contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If we can't connect within two weeks of today your win will be forfeited and I'll double the winner of another draw in the future to even things out.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Draw:

Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Sublime! I celebrated spring ahead (time change) my languishing in bed anyway and finishing this one. Just couldn't put it down.

Not This Time by Vicki Hinze
My head is still spinning! What a twisty, turny read with tons of surprises! Great suspense!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Sarai

GIVEAWAY

SMITH, JILL EILEEN
SARAI

He promised her his heart. She promised him a son. But how long must they wait?


When Abram finally requests the hand of his beautiful half sister Sarai, she asks one thing--that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even Sarai's father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if she makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain, lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?

Combining in-depth research and vivid storytelling, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the beautiful and inscrutable Sarai in this remarkable story of love, jealousy, and undaunted faith.

Giveaway Opportunity:

I got this book to review in a mix-up with the marketing company that supplies me with books from Revell and Bethany House. Since biblical retellings are the one genre that doesn't appeal to me I'm going to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it. This is no reflection on Jill Eileen Smith -- it is simply a personal genre preference. So, if you would be interested in receiving this copy of Sarai, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put your name in the subject line so I can spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 11 2012. Offer open to international readers.

The Messenger

GIVEAWAY

MITCHELL, SIRI
THE MESSENGER

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith . . . until her twin brother joined the Colonial cause and ended up in jail. She longs to bring some measure of comfort to him in the squalid prison, but her faith forbids it. The Friends believe that they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. She is not allowed to visit him, even if she were able to secure a pass.

Jeremiah Jones, a Colonial spy, needs access to the jail to help rescue men important to the cause. Upon meeting Hannah, a plan begins to develop. Who would suspect a pious Quaker visiting a loved one?

But Jeremiah is unprepared for Hannah, for her determination to do right, to not lie. How can one be a spy and not lie? Hannah, in turn, is surprised by Jeremiah . . . for the way he forces her to confront her own beliefs, for the sensitivity and concern that he shows her despite the wounds he still carries.

In a time of war, can two unlikely heroes find the courage to act?

My Review:

Wow! Almost speechless...but not quite. First, I'm amazed at what a literary chameleon Mitchell is. She seems to take on a new voice with every novel that I read. This one resonates with old world charm -- from Hannah's quaint Quaker speech to Jeremiah's cynical view of the world. Throwing them together in one novel in the midst of one of America's most turbulent times was sheer brilliance. Amazing character development, fascinating (and dismaying) historical facts, an impossible romance and intriguing plot twists made this book incredibly hard to put down.

I loved Hannah's story -- her internal battle as she discovers her God in new ways and the resulting spiritual growth made for a rewarding inspirational read. Jeremiah, on the other hand...well, let's just say that I wanted to smack him upside the head a time or two...or three. The man's as thick as a brick in an endearing, don't-you-just-love-him kind of way. He totally is not the right man for Hannah...only he is.

And the ending? It could take up an evening of discussion on its own! Somebody hurry up and read The Messenger so we can chat!

Mitchell has created another best-seller that historical lovers will enjoy.
Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a copy of The Messenger please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please be sure to put your title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 11. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Saving Hope

GIVEAWAY!

DALEY, MARGARET
SAVING HOPE

When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.

Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

My Review:

 Compelling and gritty, Daley tackles a sensitive subject with compassion. She doesn't mince words, but she does offer, as the title suggests, hope. I found it hard to read at times because she captured the horror and fear of human trafficking so well. But those scenes are balanced by Kate's determination and drive to make things better for the girls in her care. An artful show of contrast between the harsh reality of the streets and the second chance the girls are getting at Beacon of Hope School really makes an impact.

Add in the suspense that builds to a fever pitch by the end and Saving Hope becomes a real page-turner. As readers, we know some things the characters don't and that really upped the tension. Wyatt and Kate didn't know how close to evil they really were, but I did and it about drove me crazy when they refused to listen to my warnings!

Daley also manages to weave a winning romance into the taut plot. Emotionally charged and tension-riddled, Saving Hope is one romantic suspense you'll want to sink your teeth into.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Saving Hope please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 11 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

March Giveaway - Week 1

TOP O' THE MORNIN' TO YE AND CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS


won by Carmen7351
and
Pamela J


won by Merry

As usual I'll contact the winners by email today. If you don't hear from me by Monday evening please contact me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca with your snail mail address. If we can't connect within two weeks from your win being announced it will be forfeited and I'll just double up winners on another book draw the next week. I don't keep addresses on file so even if you have won on here before I'll still need your address. Keeping addys on file just seems way to cyber-stalking to me. :-) I've been having trouble contacting winners over the past few months and I figure that is the only fair way to deal with the situation.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

A gritty, realistic romantic suspense that kept me glued to the pages!

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

Compelling Historical Romance that I'm really having a hard time setting aside for other important things in my life -- like SpeedBo!

Friday, March 2, 2012

An Amish Wedding

 FULLER, KATHLEEN
 LONG, KELLY
WISEMAN, BETH
AN AMISH WEDDING

Priscilla King has dreamed of being married to Chester Lapp since she was sixteen. With the help of her sister Naomi's matchmaking skills, Chester proposes to Priscilla on her nineteenth birthday. As the wedding day approaches, problems emerge: an attendant with poison ivy, a failed celery crop, and a torn wedding dress.
At the same time, Priscilla's best friend Rose is convinced her fiance is hiding something and she is intent on discovering the truth at any cost.

Naomi remains hopeful that she, too, will soon find her perfect match. When Chester's cousin shows up, there's an immediate attraction between him and Naomi-as well as an obstacle that may just as immediately derail their blossoming love.

Is God sending a message to stop the wedding? What is certain is that the hearts of these three women will be forever transformed by this touching Amish wedding.

My Review:

A brilliant job was done by each author to make their individual work flow seamlessly into the others. Each story was skillfully interwoven so that it was hard to tell where one left off and another began. Each novella makes a satisfying read on its own, but together they make the perfect escape read. Funny, dramatic, romantic -- triple threats for a triple-authored book.  A definite winner for Amish fiction lovers.