#BookReview ~ The Restaurant in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #1) by Maggie Christensen #SecondChanceRomance #Romance @MaggieChriste33

The Restaurant in Pelican Crossing: A second chance romance to tug on your heartstrings

About the Book:

Poppy Taylor has always been content with her life in Pelican Crossing, but as she watches her youngest daughter get married, she can't help but feel that there’s something missing. Never would Poppy have predicted the dramatic transformation that occurs as she reunites with an old love and makes a choice that will reshape everything.

Cam Mitchell has always felt a strong attraction to Poppy, and when she reveals her plans to make changes in her life, Cam sees it as his chance to finally reveal his feelings. But Cam's hopes are crushed when he discovers Poppy's past love is back in the picture.

Cam becomes increasingly sceptical of the man from Poppy's past – a feeling that escalates when he uncovers his shocking plans for Pelican Crossing.

With their town now at risk, Cam and Poppy must work together to save their home and find their own happy ending. But will their feelings for each other be enough to overcome the obstacles in their way?

For fans of small-town romances and heartwarming stories of second chances, Pelican Crossing is a must-read. A captivating tale of love, loyalty, and the fight to protect what matters most.

My Review:

The Restaurant in Pelican Crossing is the first book in the Pelican Crossing series. I enjoyed the book a lot. Poppy and Cam are strong characters, well-written, and multi-dimensional. All the characters come to life on the pages. 

 This is my first experience with Maggie Christensen and it won't be my last. I loved her writing style and the setting she created in Pelican Bay. The author created a story with twists and turns, conflict, and a wonderful, mature romance.  

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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https://maggiechristensenauthor.com/

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#BookReview ~ Welcome to Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy ~ #Romance @GeorginaTroy

Welcome to Hollyhock Farm

Set sail for the idyllic island of Jersey in this gorgeous new romance, perfect for fans of Rachael Lucas and Phillipa Ashley...

About the Book:

When Lettie’s parents call her and her brother back to Hollyhock Farm on the island of Jersey, the last thing they expect to be told is that their childhood home is up for sale.

Back on the island, with its rolling hills and golden sands, Lettie immediately remembers what it feels like to breathe in the fresh air in the green fields, and be part of this tight-knit community – a far cry from the life of events and high fashion she leads in London.

But she surprises even herself when she suggests that she instead could take over Hollyhock farm. Humouring her, her father agrees to give her a three month trial, and Lettie is determined to prove she’s up to the task.

But the summer season is no easy feat for a new farmer, and Lettie has a huge task ahead of her. And when an old flame reappears in the form of dashing local vet Brodie, Lettie’s summer is about to get even more complicated…

My Review:

Welcome to Hollyhock Farm is a wonderful novel set on the island of Jersey. I enjoyed this fresh contemporary romance set on a beautifully described island. 

Lettie's return to Jersey is actually two fold - she's called home, along with her brother, but Lettie also has returned to regroup after an unexpected turn of events at her place of employment. When Lettie and Zac learn the reason they are called home, both are in a state of disbelief. Not wanting to lose their family farm or home, Lettie asks to run the farm on a trial basis.

While trying to prove to her family that she can manage the farm, Lettie runs into Brodie, a former romantic interest. I loved watching their relationship grow from misunderstandings to romance. Their romance isn't the only theme in the book, though. Lettie's grit and determination to make the farm her own shows her drive and ambition. 

Lettie is a strong character. Brodie is kind and charismatic. Each character throughout the book is multi-dimensional and written well. The descriptions are vivid and I felt like I was in Jersey. I enjoyed the author's writing style and will definitely read more of Georgina's work in the future.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

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#BookReview ~ The Light Beside the Sea (A Zodiac Mystery) by Connie di Marco ~ @askzodia #Mystery #ZodiacMystery

The Light Beside the Sea by Connie di Marco

The Light Beside the Sea (A Zodiac Mystery)

Traditional Mystery

5th in Series

Setting: San Francisco, California

Publisher: CMA Literary (May 6, 2024)

Paperback: ‎341 pages

ISBN-13: ‎979-8989009596

Digital Print length: ‎318 pages

ASIN: ‎B0D393JQ87

About The Light Beside the Sea:

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti has been haunted for years by the hit and run death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. The driver of the vehicle was never apprehended. The lone witness to the accident spoke to no one and now is dead. Even the cold case detective assigned to the case died before any resolution was found. Every time Julia thought she might be getting close to an answer, each clue led only to a dead end.

Michael, a graduate student, had just returned from an archeological dig in Guatemala when he was killed. But why did he mail his journal to Julia for safekeeping before his return home? What was he afraid of? Why did another graduate student fall to his death on that trip? And now, another man connected with that journey has been murdered closer to home. And the murderer hasn’t finished.

When Julia finally finds the courage to delve into the journal Michael sent to her years before, she learns of the undercurrents, jealousies and anger between members of the group. She begins to understand the pressure and fear her fiancé was coping with and his suspicions of their University mentor who was most likely engaged in unethical and illegal behavior. But events soon take a darker turn when Julia finds a likeness of the Maya god Hunhau, god of death and the underworld, on her doorstep. A strange man covered with markings and tattoos keeps appearing to her but no one else seems to see him. With guidance from another professor she’s introduced to a world she never knew existed.

Is the man she sees human? And is he under the sway of the Maya god of death?

Will he unleash evil or is he here to right a wrong done to his people?

Julia must move quickly or her death will be the next.

My Review:

The Light Beside the Sea is the fifth book in the Zodiac Mysteries. Julia is still reeling from the untimely and sudden death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. After returning home from Guatemala, Michael was run down and killed. Was the archeological dig he was part of, the reason for the death? Is the death of one his colleagues on that same trip related to Michael's death? Now, Julia learns of another recent death of someone related to that trip. Julia finally has the courage to read the journal Michael mysteriously mailed to her prior to leaving Guatemala. The journal, filled with passages of anger and jealousy, pushes Julia down the path of a world she was unaware of until now.

The Light Beside the Sea is a great addition to the Zodiac Mystery Series. The twists and turns in the book had my head spinning as I desperately tried to piece things together. The author pulled in characters that had motive, means, and opportunity. I enjoyed at the ebb and flow of the book and how the author tied everything together. The multi-faceted story kept me engaged and interested throughout the entire book.Of course, the death of Michael has haunted Julia for years and during the parts where she had to revisit her past, I really felt her emotions bleed through the pages. She’s still grieving because there really hasn’t been any closure to the tragedy that struck. When she has to fully engage in the journal, new world she comes involved in, revisit the cold case death, and deaths of others from the same trip, her emotional wounds reopen.

The Zodiac Mystery series is very interesting. I'm glad I've been along for the ride. The author does a great job weaving together different threads.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously published on Sapphyria's Books

My Rating:




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Blog: http://conniedimarco.com/blog

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#BookReview ~ The One I Left Behind by Piper Rayne ~ #Romance #PiperRayne #PlainDaisyRanch

The One I Left Behind by Piper Rayne

About the Book:

It’s the classic story—boy goes off into the world to fulfill his dreams and leaves the girl behind.

Not every boy returns home, and I wish Ben Noughton wouldn’t have come back to our small ranching town at all after he retired from playing professional football.

I figure it’s a quick layover for him. He always wanted out of this town and off his family’s ranch. I just have to bide my time until he turns his back on all of us again.

Then he takes on the coaching position for the high school football team and starts milling around too much, bulldozing the protective walls I’ve built around myself. But he goes too far when he takes my son under his wing to help him be the best player he can be. Leaving me to protect not only my own heart but my son’s too.

Because I promised myself a long time ago that I’d never be the girl in the rearview mirror again.

My Review:

The One I Left Behind is the first book in the Plain Daisy Ranch series. Ben Noughton left Nebraska to play football with the San Francisco Kingsmen. In doing so, he left behind the love of his life, never looking back. Now he's retired and coming back to Plain Daisy Ranch.

This story is a second-chance romance complete with a single mom and meddling townsfolk. I enjoyed Gillian's character. Her feelings were hurt all those years ago and the last she was looking forward to was Ben coming back to town. When they keep ending up in the same places at the same times, Gillian and Ben finally realize everyone in town is involved in getting them back together. 

When Ben and Gillian encounter each other for the first time, the sparks are still there. Their chemistry explodes like fireworks that never end. They truly are meant for each other. I just wish Gillian would have demanded more from Ben. He left to follow his dreams and Gillian was a casualty of his selfishness. She was left behind, brokenhearted, and the talk of the town. Gossip of her escalated when she had Clayton.

Clayton is a typical teenager. When Ben came back to town, Clayton didn't care who he was or his popularity. Clayton didn't immediately take to Ben. Clayton is completely devoted his mother, and doesn't want to see anything happen to Gillian. 

The One I Left Behind is a cute and fun second-chance romance. I enjoyed the story, setting, and characters. I can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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Website: www.PiperRayne.com

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#BookReview ~ Savage Revenge by Kate Oliver ~ #DarkRomance #AlphaMale #StrongHeroine #TouchHerandDie #EnemiestoLovers #BillionaireRomance @greyspromo

Blurb:

Cash
Revenge is what I live for. My father’s blood stains the streets of Las Vegas, and I know exactly who’s to blame. To destroy the man who took everything from me, I’ll start with his daughter.

Jordyn is a sweet, spoiled princess—or so I thought. Kidnapping her was supposed to be my way to break her father, but she’s nothing like I expected. Her fire matches my rage, her softness tempts my darkness, and she sees me for more than the monster I am. Now I’m torn between punishing her… or keeping her. Or both.

Jordyn
My life appears perfect—wealth, power, and security all wrapped in a glittering lie. But it all fell apart the day Cash Savage took me to pay for sins I didn’t commit.

He’s cruel and relentless, but behind his anger, I see his pain. I should hate him, and I should run. But the more I see of the man beneath the heavy armor, the more I crave him. And now, I’m not sure if I want him to let me go.

Amazon

Goodreads

ASIN: ‎ B0DV9RVXS5
Publication date: ‎ July 22, 2025
Print length: ‎ 396 pages

My Review:

Savage Revenge is an intense journey through the dark underbelly of the Las Vegas casino industry.

Describing Cash Savage as unhinged is putting it mildly. He grew up in the casino world of Las Vegas, and that in and of itself is as close to being the mafia as you can get without actually being in the mafia. The business is cut-throat literally and figuratively. When his father is shot outside one of their casinos, there’s only one man to blame, and Cash is going to make him pay.

Jordyn may be in an executive position within her father’s casino empire, but it’s only to placate her and not because she’s good at what she does. Women don’t belong in this world, something her father never lets her forget. When she’s kidnapped from her home by her father’s main competition in Vegas, she doesn’t know whether to believe Cash Savage and his brothers about her father.

This story is dark, gritty, and filthy. It’s full of testosterone, control, and submission. I wasn’t just pulled into Savage Revenge, I was yanked. There were no door frames to try and grab, no way to slow the train down. This book pulls you in and pulls you in hard. I was mesmerized by Kate Oliver’s writing. The ability to dive into the dark side of Vegas with characters that make it out the other side speaks volumes of the author’s capabilities.

There are a few things that take place in this book that made me uncomfortable, and I made sure to read the trigger warnings first so I knew what I was getting into. I advise that you do, as well. My rating does not reflect my discomfort as the book overall is amazing, plus we are warned.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Here For The Cake by Jennifer Millikin #Romance #Frenemies

Here For The Cake by Jennifer Millikin is now live!

About the Book:

A spicy, sassy, and swoony fake dating romantic comedy from Amazon Charts bestselling author Jennifer Millikin.

A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it's a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she’s single.

Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan.

Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive.

Paisley is Klein’s ‘one that got away’, not that he’d ever admit it to her. A colossal misstep (and one terrible kiss) in college sealed their fate.

Or so they thought.

Klein’s an aspiring author allergic to social media. Paisley owns a digital marketing agency.

A brilliant plan is hatched: A trip across the country for a week of faking out her family in exchange for her firm marketing his work.

One hastily scrawled and signed contract on a bar napkin later, Paisley and Klein embark on a journey of tension, only one bed, and fake dating shenanigans.

Paisley’s goal is to survive the week.

Klein’s plan is to enjoy the sun, sand, and wedding cake.

But then there’s a scorching kiss to make up for that bad one in college.

And another kiss in a lighthouse during a thunderstorm. A gentle palm on Paisley’s lower back, and a reassuring hand squeeze under the table.

Everyone is convinced Klein and Paisley are the real deal, but as the week wears on, they begin to wonder if the only people they’re kidding are themselves.

My Review:

Here for the Cake is a super cute fake-dating story.

Paisley’s sister is marrying one of Paisley’s exes. What an awkward situation for Paisley. Paisley then turns to a former college frenemy, and they decide to enter into a fake dating scenario. Paisley makes sure she has a date for her sister’s wedding, and Klein, an aspiring author, needs promotional assistance by way of Paisley’s marketing firm.

I loved Paisley and Klein’s chemistry. They may have been frenemies once-upon-a-time, but the author created a perfect fake relationship to get them back on track. Here for the Cake is a fresh story in a popular trope. I had fun reading about Paisley and Klein. Fantastic story, wonderful characters, and terrific setting.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Previously reviews on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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Website: https://www.jennifermillikinwrites.com/

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#BookReview ~ Deadly. Set. Vegas. (A Vegas Victory FC Novel, Book 1) by Vanessa M. Knight ~ Romantic Mystery #Mystery #Romance

DEADLY. SET. VEGAS.

Vanessa M. Knight

Genre:

Romantic Mystery

About the Book:

Kennedy Romero is not a murderer. Why is she the only one who believes that? Well, her and her best friend believe it. And, yes, she knows it’s a little coincidental that she arrived in Vegas the same day her best friend’s husband was killed. But she swears she had nothing to do with it.

Unfortunately, Vegas Metro has other ideas—and they all lead to Kennedy. So instead of enjoying her vacation in Las Vegas, she’s stuck smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.

What she would give for an all-you-can-eat buffet and watching her best friend's soccer team play a match. But no. Instead of hitting the casinos, she’s trying to interview the players of the Vegas Victory FC and wishing she wasn’t the main suspect.

The body is growing as cold as the trail of the murderer. But if she doesn’t find the killer soon, Metro will be giving her a red card and she’ll be sitting in jail. Permanently.

My Review:

Deadly. Set. Vegas. is a fantastic murder mystery. Kennedy is a Chicago cop assigned to desk duty and mandatory AA meetings - you do the math. She finds herself in Vegas to support her bestie, Darcy Perrault, who is receiving an award. On the same day Kennedy arrives in Vegas, her bestie's husband, Chuck Perrault, is found dead in a VIP box at the stadium he owns. Since there's no love lost between Kennedy and Chuck, and her unfortunate and coincidental arrival, Kennedy shoots to the top of the suspect list, right next to Darcy. Knowing she didn't do it and neither did Darcy, Kennedy uses her training to dig up clues to exonerate them both. If only Detective Pagonis was easier to work with on this case.

I really enjoyed this mystery. There were twists and turns throughout. The sheer amount of betrayal put a couple of people at the top of my list. I was completely engaged in this story and surprised at who the murderer turned out to be at the end.

The characters are all flawed - significantly, making them more realistic. Kennedy is a great heroine and I enjoyed her encounters with Detective Pagonis. While Kennedy was a thorn in Pagonis's side, she ultimately was a great unofficial sidekick.

This book is so good I read it in one sitting.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:





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Website: www.VanessaMKnight.com

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