#BookReview ~ Queen of Blades by Victoria Jayne ~ Dixie Mafia, Book One ~ #Mafia

 

Book Details:

ASIN: B0F143XDVF
Publication date: June 3, 2025
Print length: 356 pages
Book 1 of 2: Dixie Mafia Series

Amazon
Goodreads

About the Book:

Will Paul kill Harper, or will someone else beat him to it?

Paul Ricci had no intention of starting a war between criminal syndicates. Especially over a woman. He’d accepted the bounty on Harper Myers’s head out of respect. They had history, and he wanted to give her a death with dignity.

Unfortunately, his heart had different plans.

As the daughter of an outlaw biker, Harper was no stranger to the politics of organized crime. Despite removing herself from that lifestyle years ago and starting anew as a lawyer several states away, coming home to Oklahoma dragged her, kicking and screaming, right back in.

Someone wanted her dead. It wasn’t personal—just business. The man who had once taken a bullet for her intended to put one right between her eyes.

Would Paul, her fling from the past, be her savior or her executioner? Did her heart know the difference?


My Review:

Queen of Blades is the first book in the Dixie Mafia series. It's the full story of Harper and Paul as adults. Harper left Oklahoma and became an assistant district attorney in North Carolina. When her father requests a favor, she finds herself back in Oklahoma defending her ex-boyfriend. Before she has a chance to leave, Paul materializes, and they pick up almost like there hadn't been so many years since they last saw one another. Then Paul drops a bombshell. She's his target. Now there's a race to unmask who put the hit out on Harper and why, before Paul makes his move, or someone else does.

I was pulled into this world through my reading of Fling of Hearts, the prequel to the series. I could not wait to get my hands on Queen of Blades and getting to see both Harper and Paul as grown-ups. Harper has really done well for herself by achieving her law degree, practicing as an Assistant District Attorney, and fleeing the Roughneck Riders. Her loathing for Diesel, the ex, is strong and believable. The chemistry between Harper and Paul is electric and arcs off the pages. 

I couldn't put this book down!

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:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ Fling of Hearts by Victoria Jayne ~ Dixie Mafia, Book #0.5 #Mafia #Prequel

 

 

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0FF2CTRB1

Publication date: ‎ July 1, 2025

Print length: ‎ 60 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

Is there a better way to stick it to your ex than to have a fling with the hot mafia guy?

Fresh out of a relationship, Harper was ready to get out of Oklahoma and away from outlaw bikers. All she had to do was pass her LSATs, get into law school, oh and convince her crazy ex-boyfriend things were over.

Totally doable.

The family business had grown with their casino in the laundromat’s basement. Paul settled into a groove until Harper came along. Driven, foul-mouthed, and addicting. Of course, she came with baggage.

Listen. It was never that serious. She wasn’t his problem. Right? When the bullets flew, they find out.

My Review:

Harper Myers is just trying to get out of Dodge and away from her father's crooked biker club and her psycho ex-boyfriend. She didn't know she'd land in the sights of the local mafia...and like it. Too bad she brought her trouble to his doorstep.

Fling of Hearts is a very quick introduction to the Dixie Mafia and the Roughneck Riders. The main characters are Paul, a member of the Mafia and Harper, the daughter of the president of the Roughneck Riders. Their unlikely attraction heats up, delivering a spicy dynamic between the two. I loved watching them dance around each other until they couldn't contain their desire.

I enjoyed this novella and started book one, Queen of Blades, almost immediately after completing Fling of Hearts.

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:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ The Mystery of the Blue Train (Mini Mysteries) by Marci Kay Monson; Illustrated by Greg Paprocki #AgathaChristie #ChildrensBook #Mystery

 

About the Book:

This retelling of Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train is the second book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

“The second charming installment in the Mini Mysteries series makes murder feel marvelously cozy. The playful rhyming text is a pleasure to breeze through....Bustling, vibrant illustrations are packed with detail....A wonderful way to get young readers hooked on whodunits.”—Booklist

The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie’s early detective novels (a cozy mystery—no violence or gore), and where she continues to use the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as a major character. The story, set on a train bound for the French Riviera, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters, missing jewels, and teasing clues. Monson’s retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie’s mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children’s engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of terms and French words.

My Review:

The Mystery of the Blue Train is not just a #MiniMystery but an activity book. Developed for children, this book features vibrant illustrations, enrichment activities, and a shortened but engaging mystery.

I love the introductions of the players, the development of the mystery, and the solution to the mystery. The author also includes a glossary of English and French terms.

Children will enjoy working with Hercule Poirot to solve The Mystery of the Blue Train.

My Rating:

Amazon

  

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ An Apple Butter Christmas by Terry Lynn Thomas ~ Small-Town Christmas Romance #Christmas

 An Apple Butter Christmas

From the USA Today Best-Selling Author Terry Lynn Thomas
An Apple Butter Christmas

A Heartwarming Small-Town Christmas Romance

About the Book:

Coming home for Christmas was supposed to be temporary—until love, legacy, and one unforgettable orchard changed everything.

Welcome to Hartstone, where the snow is deep, the secrets are deeper, and love might just get a second chance under the twinkling lights of the town Christmas tree.

Diana Marchcroft didn’t plan on returning to Hartstone, but when her beloved aunt is injured, Diana leaves the city behind to help save her family’s struggling apple orchard. What she doesn’t expect? The fight of a lifetime and the survival of her family’s heritage. The orchard is at risk of being developed into an exclusive golf course and destination wedding venue.

Alex Kelley thought he'd buried his feelings for Diana after their relationship ended abruptly on the night he planned to propose. When he unexpectedly bumps into her, he realizes that some embers never go out.

With the town busy with visitors for the annual Apple Butter Festival, Diana and Alex discover that sometimes Christmas miracles come wrapped in second chances.

My Review:

An Apple Butter Christmas is a cozy romance with a tad bit of drama. I love me a good second-chance romance and this story fits the bill. Diana has returned home to help save her family's orchard from greedy real estate agents and developers. As Diana faces the possible sale of her orchard, the reuniting with her ex-boyfriend, and coming face-to-face with the town bully, her stress levels increase. Thank goodness for being part of a close-knit community of family and friends. They rally behind Marchcroft Orchard in hopes to deter any sale, development, or cancellation of the annual Apple Butter Festival. What ensues is a myriad of misunderstandings, relationship challenges, and lies. I enjoyed watching the story unfold, the misunderstandings get set straight, relationships shift and evolve, and the deceit revealed.

This is a sweet, small town romance and I felt like I was walking into a movie. The setting is magical, well-described, and vivid. I enjoyed the characters and interactions, including the not-so-nice ones. They all have a part to play in An Apple Butter Christmas. If you're looking for a magical second-chance romance set during the holidays, look no further. Grab yourself a copy of An Apple Butter Christmas.

This was previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

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:

Purchase Link:

Amazon US

Visit the Author:

Facebook

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ A Quarterback for Christmas by Linda West ~ #SportsRomance #Romance #Football #Christmas

When pro quarterback Nash Jordan tears his ACL, he gets drafted to his hometown team the Buffalo Bills. Humiliated, broken and in need of healing, he finds the perfect solution to his problem is the girl that broke his heart...

Title: A QUARTERBACK FOR CHRISTMAS

Author: Linda West

Publisher: Independent

Publish Date: October 14, 2025

Pages: 177

Genre: Holiday Romance

Format: Kindle / FREE on Kindle Unlimited

About the Book:

He’s Buffalo’s hometown hero. She’s the one who got away. When fate and a little Christmas magic bring them back together, love might just score the biggest comeback of all.

When Buffalo’s hometown quarterback Nash Jordan gets traded back just before Christmas, his career—and his heart—are both on thin ice. A lingering injury threatens his future, until help arrives in the most unexpected form: Eden Landers, the woman he never stopped loving.

Eden’s a talented chef with a hint of magic in her kitchen, and healing others is what she does best. But moving into Nash’s guest house to help him recover stirs up more than old memories. Between snowstorms, laughter, and late-night meals, love begins to simmer again.

Can they trust each other enough for a second chance? Or will fear and fame keep them apart once more?

Heartwarming, wholesome, and full of Christmas cheer, A Quarterback for Christmas is a cozy holiday romance about love, forgiveness, and finding your way home.

My Review:

A Quarterback for Christmas is a delightful sports romance filled with magic. The story is filled with misunderstandings, longing, and hopefulness. I love the second chance romance trope and this story delivers. I really loved Sir Wolfgang. He has his own sections at the end of some of the chapters and love his POV. As a Michigander, it was exciting to "watch" the Superbowl in this story. I may not be a sports fan but I still love it when my state is represented.

This is a heartwarming tale that kept me entertained from the very beginning.

Previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

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:

A Quarterback for Christmas is available at Amazon.

Visit the Author:

 http://www.morningmayan.com

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

Anthology #Review ~ Handbook for the Dead by Jacob Floyd, Jenny Floyd, Pamela K. Kinney, Mark Rivett, Heddy Johannesen, Carol Smith, Jim Towns, Julia Hebner, Holly Wholahan, and Susan Schwartz

Book Details:

Print Length: 126 pages
Publisher: Anubis Press; 1 edition
Publication Date: October 2, 2019
ASIN: B07YNZJ13V

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

DON’T FORGET YOUR HANDBOOK…Welcome all spirits! The Frightening Floyds present to you, Handbook for the Dead – a guide to help all new manifestations realize their functional perimeters. Within this anthology, you’ll read paranormal accounts from individuals who have experienced phantoms and disturbances that have not only chilled them, but also left them with some new insight into the supernatural. Now, they want to share their stories and wisdom with you. That way, if you’re feeling a little flat, or even if you’re a lost soul, you won’t have to draw a door and knock. Handbook for the Dead is sure to please the strange and unusual in everyone, and we promise it doesn’t read like stereo instructions.

My Review:

Handbook for the Dead contains real-life encounters and stories of the paranormal. I was drawn into the paranormal accounts and mysterious happenings provided throughout the book. You travel to various destinations including hotels, graveyards, theaters, insane asylums, and homes throughout the world. The book is a wonderful look at supernatural happenings in everyday places. As a fan of ghost hunting shows and novels (fiction and non-fiction), this book is another wonderful collection of stories fitting for lovers of paranormal.

The book is written in a conversational tone. Each story is written like an open discussion, not scripted and flat. It was exciting, and chilling, to read stories from folks who came face-to-face with spooky events, dark entities, and unexplained happenings. Each tale also includes factoids at the end with history of the location, sighting reports, and other interesting pieces of information.

I enjoyed Handbook for the Dead and encourage anyone with a love for the paranormal to grab a copy.

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.

Review previously posted on Reviews by Saph.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett, Illustrated by Lenny Wen @Sourcebooks #Halloween #ChildrensBook

 

About the Book:

A fun, rhyming read-aloud Halloween picture book that starts a new holiday tradition. Perfect for kids 4-8 or any young child wanting to celebrate the spookiest season of the year!

Marching in the school parade
in frightening costumes that we've made;
Look around, the signs are clear,
Halloween is getting near!

Halloween is Coming is a lyrical celebration of the building excitement that children―and adults!―feel as the magical and mysterious night of Halloween approaches.

Book Details:

Publisher: ‎ Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 

Publish Date: August 3, 2021
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1728205867
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1728205861
Reading Age: ‎ 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: ‎ Preschool - 3
Amazon
Goodreads

My Review:

Halloween is a vividly illustrated, inclusive children's book. Perfect for children just learning to read, the book has fun, rhyming prose about upcoming Halloween. I enjoyed it also, as an adult. This would make a perfect gift for your Halloween-loving children and grandchildren.

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.

Review previously posted on Reviews by Saph.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.