Aftermath

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI

AFTERMATH

A devastating explosion.

Three best friends are at the venue to hear their favorite band. Only one makes it out alive.

A trunk full of evidence.

When police stop Dustin Webb with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows there's been a mistake. He's former military and owns a security firm. But he's horrified when the officers find explosives, and he can't fathom how they got there.

An attorney who will risk it all for an old friend.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin's best friend growing up. They haven't spoken since he left for basic training, but she's the first person he thinks of when he's arrested. Jamie knows she's putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she'd never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence...but why?

My Review:

WHOA!!!! I mean, seriously, just WHOA!!!! Nail-biter, edge-of-your-seater, heart-hammerer and every other 'er' you want to insert. Literally a read-in-one-gulp suspense. And I speak from experience. I sat down to read one chapter (one!) and didn't get up until I reached the end. 

Blackstock knows how to craft a story full of action and intrigue without shortchanging on characterization or relationships. It felt like we had all the time in the world to explore every emotional nuance despite the staccato beats of frenzied suspense tightening the plot into a tangled web that left me in an agitated, high-alert state all the way through. 

Reading Aftermath reminded me of the author's If I Run series -- has the same kind of breathtaking intensity but wrapped up in one book instead of three. Unputdownable!

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 Aftermath, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 20 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Catching Christmas

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

 

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI

CATCHING CHRISTMAS

This year, Christmas comes just in time...

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year's if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she's in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can't say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn's biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn't remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he's quite sure she's never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusion? He's willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie's Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

My Review:

Published in 2018

This was a reread for me. I was sorting through my Christmas books (doesn't everyone keep theirs on a separate shelf?) to see what I wanted to reread this season and to make room for some new holiday friends :-) when I came across not one, but two copies of Catching Christmas! How did that happen? I have no idea. But one is spine cracking new and obvious golden giveaway material.

Spectacular Christmas novel and so unlike anything else I've read by Terri Blackstock! I enjoyed the huge surprise  that is this story because it's kind of what I anticipated and totally not! And it's the totally not part that I really want to talk about but I can't because that would mean posting spoilers galore which is not cool. Gah! Such a reviewer dilemma! Let's just say that Catching Christmas impacted me in ways I wasn't expecting. Really brought the meaning of the holiday home along with the sacredness of savoring relationships, appreciating every day moments and the magnificent way Jesus works within each of us. Plus, it's outrageously funny in places. Can't ask for more in a Christmas read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a hardcover copy of Catching Christmas, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 Sunday October 17 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Truth Stained Lies

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
TRUTH STAINED LIES

When truth doesn't make sense, will lies prevail?

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she's about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief...until her brother's wife is murdered and all the "facts" point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother's name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne'er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt a real killer.

Stakes rise when their brother's grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.

My Review:

 published in 2013
My thanks to my public library for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Intense. And I mean stomach-in-knots, heart-exploding-out-of-chest, edge-of-your-seat intense. Terri Blackstock knows how to keep me delightfully uncomfortable and I enjoy every shivery minute! :-)

Multidimensional characters with complex lives and a deeply rooted faith thread enrich the heart-pounding suspense. This is the first book in Blackstock's Moonlighters series and I'm amazed at how quickly I got to know these three sisters and their family dynamics -- even in the midst of all the tension and strife.

I listened to the audible version, narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir and she did an excellent job of drawing out the suspense and amping up my panic-stricken state. Honestly, I don't think my heart rate evened out until well after it was all over. Whew -- what an adrenaline rush of a ride!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Truth Stained Lies, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Double Minds

GIVEAWAY

 RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI

DOUBLE MINDS

The young girl with the Bohemian style was on the floor where she'd fallen, between Parker's computer case and her file cabinet. She wore a long, flowing skirt -- lavender, the color of calm -- and camel-colored Uggs. She lay on her back, her long, wavy blonde hair matted with blood.

For struggling singer/songwriter Parker James, the music business has just turned deadly. Her desk in the reception area of a busy recording studio has become a crime scene, and Parker finds herself drawn into a mystery where nothing is as it seems. 

Unraveling the truth puts her own life at risk when she uncovers high-level industry corruption and is terrorized by a menacing stalker. As the danger escalates, Parker begins to question her dreams, her future, and even her faith.

Double Minds is a double treat -- combining a compelling suspense novel with an inside look at the world of the Christian music industry in Nashville. Terri Blackstock grabs readers at page one and keeps them riveted until the final plot twist is untangled.

My Review:

published in 2009

Thanks to my public library for providing me with an audio version of this book.

Wow -- riveting! And so much more than a suspense. There's even a bit of sweet romance in this compelling novel. I hardly know where to start my review!

The suspense is clever and well-paced as it almost languidly unfolds until the nail-biting, pulse-racing conclusion! And along the way, Blackstock explores the intriguing world of the Christian music industry. Totally fascinating! And emotionally draining. And infuriating. And devastating. And...there are so many layers to this novel it's a bit mind-boggling!

At the heart of it all are some hard questions about faith and purpose and temptation. About who holds the power in our lives and how personal desires can usurp divine authority with disastrous results.

I'm gobsmacked! Enthralled. The kind of story that lingers long after you've reached the end. Happy, contented sigh. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Double Minds, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 January 12 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Catching Christmas

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
CATCHING CHRISTMAS

This year, Christmas comes just in time...

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year's if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she's in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whome he failed miserably in her last days, he can't say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn's biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn't remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he's quite sure she's never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusion? He's willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie's Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

My Review:

We preempt our regularly scheduled Retro Read for a current Christmas offering.

Spectacular Christmas novel and so unlike anything else I've read by Terri Blackstock! I enjoyed the huge surprise  that is this story because it's kind of what I anticipated and totally not! And it's the totally not part that I really want to talk about but I can't because that would mean posting spoilers galore which is not cool. Gah! Such a reviewer dilemma! Let's just say that Catching Christmas impacted me in ways I wasn't expecting. Really brought the meaning of the holiday home along with the sacredness of savoring relationships, appreciating every day moments and the magnificent way Jesus works within each of us. Plus, it's outrageously funny in places. Can't ask for more in a Christmas read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Catching Christmas, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 Sunday November 25 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

If I Live

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
IF I LIVE

The hunt is almost over

Casey Cox is still on the run after being indicted for murder. The hunt that began with her bloody footprints escalates, and she's running out of places to hide. Her face is all over the news, and her disguises are no longer enough. It's only a matter of time before someone recognizes her.

Dylan Roberts, the investigator who once hunted her, is now her only hope. Terrifying attempts on Dylan's life would could force Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but exposing the real killers is more complicated than they knew. Amassing the evidence to convice their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together, but their relationship has consequences. Will one life have to be sacrificed to protect the other?

With If I Live, Terri Blackstock takes us on one more heart-stopping chase in the sensational conclusion to the If I Run series.

My Review:

I have blisters on my eyeballs from speed reading! Once you start in on this spectacular conclusion to the If I Run series you won't be able to stop until you reach the end. And when you do you will throw a tantrum (the major hissy-fit kind) because you will want more only it's all over. Done. Complete. Finis. And when the reality of that sinks in you will sulk around the house consuming copious amounts of chocolate because...well...what else is a forlorn reader to do? I don't want it to be over!!!!!! Waaahhhhh!!!!

Blackstock heightens the tension in this series grand finale as characters and readers are flung willy-nilly along a twisty-turny path of epic proportion. Don't let your guard down for a second and keep a prayer on your lips for Casey and Dylan as they face evil and corruption and a psychopathic killer. My heart is still racing. And my blood pressure may never be normal again.

Not only does the author mesmerize with her cutting-edge suspense but she delivers a powerful conversion story and breath-taking romance in the midst of all the chaos and action. I am so taken with this series that I'm going to read it over gain right from the start. If I Run immediately followed by If I'm Found and then backed up by If I Live. Again. Because it's that good. And I'm going to start now. Gotta run!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of If I Live, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 18 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Predator

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
PREDATOR

Her search for the predator has made her the prey

The murder of Krista Carmichael's fourteen-year-old sister by an online predator has shaken her faith and made her question God's justice and protection. Desperate to find the killer, she creates an online persona to bait the predator. But when the stalker turns his sights on her, will Krista being able to control the outcome?

Ryan Adkins started the social network GrapeVyne in his college dorm and has grown it into a billion dollar corporation. But he never expected it to become a killing ground for online predators. One of them lives in his town and has killed two girls and attacked a third. When Ryan meets Krista, the murders become more than a news story for him, and everything is on the line.

My Review:

published in 2010

And seven years later this is as pertinent today. Chilling, actually. Blackstock delves into the seedier side of social media and shows how we make it easy for all kinds of predators to find their next victim. Particularly the over sharing that is so prevalent among teens. A perfect recipe for a serial killer and Blackstock takes us on a nail-biting journey of despair and terror.

Krista, driven to avenge her sister's death; Ryan driven to prove his brain child isn't to blame. Explosive doesn't begin to describe their first meeting...or even their second. Krista is scathing and indignant. Ryan tries to be compassionate in a defensive sort of way. It takes  some time before they agree on a truce and begin to work together to expose the .'Grapevyne Killer.'

The author deals with heavy subject material and she doesn't pull any punches. Krista is devastated over her sister's death and her safe world and untried faith are deeply shaken. Her battle to trust God in the midst of the impossible is a moving tribute to women of faith everywhere who have overcome insurmountable odds.

I knew I shouldn't start reading this book right before bed but I couldn't resist. Just one chapter, I promised myself...and then didn't look up until the wee hours of the morning when I reached the end. It's that kind of a page-turning read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to read Predator, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, please remember to use AT or 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 your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 24 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

If I'm Found

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
IF I'M FOUND

Is Dylan hunting Casey to prosecute her or protect her?

Casey Cox is still on the run, fleeing prosecution for a murder she didn't commit, Dylan Roberts -- her most relentless pursuer -- is still on her trail, but his secret emails insist he knows the truth and wants to help her. He's let her escape before when had her in his grasp, but trust doesn't come easily.

As Casey works to collect evidence about the real muderers, she stumbles on another unbeatable injustice: an abused child and a suicidal man who's also been falsely accused. Casey risks her own safety to right this wrong and protect the little girl from her tormentors. But doing so is risky and may result in her capture -- and if she's captured, she has no doubt she'll be murdered before ever steps foot in a jail cell.

In this riveting sequel to the USA Today bestseller If I Run, evil lurks, drawing Casey out of the shadows...but there is light shining in the darkness.

My Review:

As compulsive a read as the first book and you absolutely must read If I Run before starting in on this one!

"The police lights in my rearview mirror almost destroy me." (p.1) And so it begins -- another cat-and-mouse pursuit that will leave you breathless. Casey has been wrongly accused of murder and she's running for her life. The real killer wants to silence her but she's smart enough to keep a step ahead of her pursuers...so far. A premise that was inspired by the movie Fugitive starring Harrison Ford so if you're a fan you will absolutely love this series.

The intensity is staggering. Heart-pounding, teeth-clenching kind of stuff that nearly turned me into a speed reader. My white-knuckled grip on the book has put some permanent creases on the cover! :-(

There's Casey -- frantically on the run while trying to figure out a way to catch the killer at his own game. She can't do it alone. Luckily Dylan has come to believe in her innocence and wants to help. But can she trust him? Because she's not the only one at risk -- her whole family is in the crosshairs as her pursuers get more desperate.

As in book one, there's a compelling sub-plot full of  danger and mystery that adds an even sharper edge to this already gripping novel. And Blackstock has infused the story with a powerful faith thread that shines a light of hope during the darkest times.

And be forewarned -- If I'm Found definitely has a cliffhanger ending though there's enough closure between the subplot suspense and Dylan and Casey's relationship that I am content to wait another year to get full resolution. Well, maybe content, is not the right word since I have the strangest urge to start marking down the days until If I Live releases...March 2018!!!!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of If I'm Found, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and leave your email address make sure to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 21 2017. Offer open to International readers. Good luck!

Downfall

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
DOWNFALL

Will her shady past lead to a dark future?

Emily Covington has turned her life around after the fallout of her drug addiction, but her family still has trouble trusting her. Though Emily completed a yearlong treatment program and has been sober for almost a year beyond that, her mother walks on eggshells around her, fearing she'll relapse. After her behavior during her drug years, Emily has a lot to prove.

When Emily and Lance discover a homemade bomb under Emily's car, and she learns the wife of a one of her friends was murdered that same morning, she begins to connect the dots. But her family doubts her. Has she angered drug connections? Has she dragged chaos back into their lives again?

A conversation Emily had with two men, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and a plan for a double murder all conspire for one explosive ride. Emily is the only one who can identify the killer and save the life of the next potential victim. But will anyone believe her?

As she frantically works to solve this puzzle and convince authorities of the truth, Emily finds the focus of the investigation turned back on her. She's played right into the killer's hands...and he won't stop until more lives are destroyed.

My Review:

I inhaled this book in one gulp. Seriously, I started reading and then it was over and I have no idea where the time went. Impossible to put down. Blackstock has the amazing ability to draw a reader in and hold her hostage until the very last page.

Love the Covington family. This is book three in the Intervention series. You don't need to have read Intervention or Vicious Cycle first, but you'll grasp the family dynamics and mom's love interest, Kent, better if you have.

Sinister suspense brings danger spiraling out of control for all the Covingtons. A desperate kind of read that won't let you go until the breath-taking conclusion.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Downfall please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 20 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Vicious Cycle

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
VICIOUS CYCLE

To protect her newborn baby, Jordan has to abandon her.

When fifteen-year-old Lance Covington finds an abandoned baby in the backseat of a car, he knows where she came from -- she's the newborn daughter of a meth addict he's been trying to help. But when police arrest him for kidnapping, Lance is thrust into a criminal world of baby trafficking and drug abuse.

His mother, Barbara, looks for help from Kent Harlan -- the man whom she secretly, reluctantly loves and who once helped rescue her daughter from a mess of her own. Ken flies to her aid and begins the impossible work of getting Lance out of trouble, protecting a baby who has no home, and finding help for a teenage mother hiding behind her lies.

In this latest novel of suspense and family loyalty, bestselling author Terri Blackstock offers a harrowing look at drug addiction, human trafficking, and the choices that can change lives forever.

My Review:

Intense. Riveting. Heart-breaking. Blackstock delivers another breathtaking suspense that exposes the gritty underbelly of American society. This is the second book in the Intervention series. You don't need to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one but there is carryover of both characters and setting so you'll feel more of an impact if you read Intervention first.

We're back in the middle of the Covington family's lives -- one year has passed since we met them in the first book. Lance steals some of the limelight in Vicious Cycle and I have to say I just love that kid. He was a great sidekick in Intervention and even better in this one. He's an interesting mix of naïve kid and worldly teen and good intentions lead him straight into the kind of danger that's hard to fathom.

The story is told from multiple points of view so we get to bask in the glory of Barbara and Kent's developing romance as well as touch base with nineteen-year-old Emily. A fast-paced plot with plenty of twists and turns and a solid faith thread make this a read-in-one-sitting kind of read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Vicious Cycle please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 23 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Intervention

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
INTERVENTION

Her last hope is the beginning of a new nightmare.

Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment -- and her interventionist is found dead at the airport -- Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.

Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily's life, Barbara maintains her daughter's innocence. But does she really now her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs, but as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope he's wrong about Emily.

The panic level rises as the mysteries intensify: Did Emily's obsession with drugs lead her to commit murder -- or is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?

My Review:

Absolutely riveting. This author sure knows how to spin a suspenseful tale! I was completely captivated on page one. The subject matter is gritty and there are so many emotional punches -- at times I couldn't catch my breath. Page turning does not begin to describe how compelling a read Intervention is.

Barbara is a relatable heroine. She's been through so much -- especially where her daughter is concerned.  And yet she clings to the Lord -- looks to Him for comfort and direction. When her daughter's drug addiction upends her world she struggles to take control....only to lose it completely in an unexpected and horrific way.

Suddenly her missing daughter goes from victim to suspect and Barbara doesn't trust the local police handling the case. She bulldozes through their investigation with assistance from her intrepid, computer savvy son. They drum up leads and chase them down as danger mounts and Barbara grows more desperate to save her child. I didn't put this book down until I reached the end...in the wee hours of the morning.

This story is gut-wrenching and frightening as it mirrors reality. But Blackstock has also infused it with the joyous hope of Christ's saving grace. It's a story that is very close to the author's heart and that is evident in the rawness of the telling. Make sure to read the her note at the end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Intervention please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 2 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Chance of Loving You

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
CALVERT, CANDACE
WARREN, SUSAN MAY
CHANCE OF LOVING YOU

Beloved authors Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert, and Susan May Warren bring you three delightful stories about the risks we take for love.

For Love of Money by Terri Blackstock -- Trying to launch her own design firm while waitressing on the side, Julie Sheffield was drawn to the kind man she waited on at the restaurant last night...until he stiffed her on the tip by leaving her half of a sweepstakes ticket.

The Recipe by Candace Calvert -- Hospital dietary assistant Aimee Curran is determined to win the Vegan Valentine Bake-Off to prove she's finally found her calling. But while caring for one of her patients -- the elderly grandmother of a handsome CSI photographer -- Aimee begins to questions where she belongs.

Hook, Line & Sinker by Susan May Warren -- Grad student Abigail Cushman has agreed to enter Deep Haven's annual fishing contest. She's a quick learner, even if she doesn't know the difference between a bass and a trout. But nothing could prepare her for competing against the handsome charmer she's tried to forget since grief tore them apart.

My Review:

My heart got all skittery over this talented trio of authors. Together. In one book. Insert bibliophile swoon. How could I resist? Well, obviously I couldn't. I started reading the second the mailman popped it in my mail box. Three snappy, swoony and scrumptious romances sent me into a whirl of reader bliss.

For Love of Money by Terri Blackstock -- Oh my goodness, what a great premise for a love story. But argh...the angst. I could totally relate to Julie and her reactions. My tummy flip-flopped and I came near to hyperventilating a time or two. A whimsical love story that will leave you grinning.

The Recipe by Candace Calvert -- Funny and sweet and touching. It fits in with the Crisis Team series but you don't need to have read the books in order to enjoy this novella. Aimee's still trying to find her passion in a family of decisive over achievers. A great faith thread about following God's leading...and surprise, when Aimee does she finds her heart's desire!

 Hook, Line & Sinker by Susan May Warren -- A gnarly second chance love story. And mercy, but I wanted to grab this hero and heroine by the scruffs of their necks and shake some sense into them. And then lock them in a closet until they kissed and made up. :-) The author had other plans though and I rabidly devoured this twisty-turny romance until I reached the end and could let out a great sigh of relief.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Chance of Loving You please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 31 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

If I Run

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
IF I RUN

Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free.

Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they've failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested...or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up. Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer...or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My Review:

So intense my heart was hammering all the way through the read. The present tense, first person point of view from both Casey and Dylan's perspectives made this an even edgier read. I usually don't like reading books in present tense (I see vs I saw) but boy, did it work in If I Run. Catapulted me right into the hero/heroine's frame of mind and I lived each excruciating second right along with them. And I do mean excruciating. The tension is unbelievable.

Riveting from the very fist sentence: "There's blood on the bottom of my shoes." And I was hooked -- totally engaged in Casey's story. I mean reading If I Run made me so tense I had to consciously unclench my jaw. A lot. I became so absorbed in Casey's plight that it ceased to be a story. It was like real life playing out right before my eyes only I was helpless to offer assistance.

I love Casey. And I love how we get to know her. We recognize her tenacity and strength of will, her intelligence and determination not to mention her vulnerability and deeply rooted sorrow from reading her scenes. But we also discover Casey through the eyes of Dylan as he masterfully works a case and develops a profile. Trouble is, the more he discovers about Casey, the more he realizes her personality doesn't jive with that of a ruthless killer.

Dylan is quite the complex character as well. A criminal investigator for the Army forced to leave his job because of PTSD issues. He's hired by his murdered friend's family to find Casey and bring her to justice. A faith-filled man, honest and compassionate, he struggles with the investigation as he learns more about Casey and her family.

A compelling subplot chock-full of it's own suspense and an uplifting faith thread make this book over-the-top stupendous.

If you liked the movie The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford, you will love this book. But beware...Casey's troubles aren't over yet. She is still very much on the run and Dylan is in pursuit...of real justice this time. I've looked high and low on the Internet for information on when the next book in this series comes out but to no avail. I will be shatteringly distraught if I have to wait a whole year for book two.

Honestly, I am not someone to pick favourites, but if I'm asked in December what my favourite books of 2016 are, If I Run would be on that list. At the very top. And yes, I can say that even though there are still 11 months worth of new releases to read. It's simply that good.

My thanks to the publisher and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/tblackstock

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  If I Run please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 7 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Twisted Innocence

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
TWISTED INNOCENCE

Holly Cramer's past choices have finally caught up to her, but she never expected them to endanger her baby.

Though Holly's stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily's father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family---she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he's a person of interest in a drug-related murder case.

Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller-the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he's innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can't trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself.

Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

My Review:

Stunning conclusion to a page-turning series. Blackstock's masterful touch is in every nuance of this story. From the gripping suspense to the gnarly lives of flawed people, she spins a riveting tale liberally laced with an impactful inspirational thread. Kudos to this author for sharing spiritual truths through her stories. This is only the second book I have read by Terri Blackstock, but both reads have touched me deeply -- both heart and soul. And the inspirational aspect of the story flows naturally, in no way preachy or stilted as can sometimes be the case. It just added a glorious new dimension to an already incredible read.

Twisted Innocence is the third book in the Moonlighter series but I think it would read well as a standalone. Mind you, the over-arcing suspense conclusion might be a bit of a spoiler if you plan to backtrack and read the first two.  Blackstock does a really good job of catching new readers up with overlapping storylines.

My thanks to Zondervan and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a review copy of this book.

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Twisted Innocence please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Celebrate the series' final release by entering Terri's Nook giveaway!



Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on the Litfuse blog.



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Distortion

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
DISTORTION

A husband’s lies can have deadly consequences.

When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is gunned down in a dark parking lot before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning. When she’s finally allowed to return home to break the news to her boys, she hears a voicemail that takes the situation from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. “Mrs. Cole, we know you have access to the supply and the money. If you don’t turn fifty million over to us and give us the codes, then you’ll be burying more family members.” Suddenly, Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger.

She teams up with her sisters and PI Michael Hogan to dig into the sham Bob has been living for years. The more she learns, the worse the betrayal. A drug trafficking history, a fortune in cash, and a secret family all emerge to turn Juliet’s belief system on its head, and threaten the things she loves. Are she and her sisters skilled enough as sleuths to get to the truth?

My Review:

Whoa -- what an intense, page-turning read. The tension leeched off the pages right up my fingertips. Talk about an edgy read! I think I hyperventilated my way through the whole thing. I'm still feeling light-headed.

This is the second in the Moonlighters series and in some ways it continues right on from the first book. I haven't read Truth Stained Lies and I had no trouble picking up the few continuous threads so definitely a good (really, really good) standalone read.

Superb suspense, a taut plot and a layers deep mystery make this an incredible read but Blackstock's strength lies in the magnificent way she weaves spiritual truths into the story. I got goosebumps. I wept. The author not only engaged my emotions, she stirred my soul. Absolutely amazing.