Reviews by Saph

Friday, April 19, 2024

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber ~ #cozymystery #Review ~ ThereIsAGive@way

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About A Twinkle of Trouble:

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Setting - California

Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies (April 23, 2024)

Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1496744934

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1496744937

Kindle ASIN: ‎ B0CFGF36NM

Carmel-by-the-Sea garden shop owner Courtney Kelly sees things others can’t—like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . .

Courtney is delighted when her tiny friend Fiona returns from the fairy realm, appearing at the base of a Cypress tree. When her Ragdoll cat, Pixie, emerges from her own portal—aka the cat door—the three set off for a busy day. Busier than usual, since Courtney has rented a small plot of land at the Flower Farm, where she hopes to grow her own supplies for her fairy-garden business. Plus, the annual Summer Blooms Festival is coming up, and Courtney has booked a booth . . .

But the murder of Courtney’s friend, Genevieve, casts a pall over the festival. Ever since Genevieve sold her floral business, she’d been building a career as an influencer. She was perennially opinionated—but in her new role she’d become surprisingly vicious, dissing local entrepreneurs with nasty posts and unwarranted bad reviews. That’s landed a couple of Courtney’s other friends on the suspect list—including Flower Farm owner Daphne Flores. And when a second victim is discovered, seeds of doubt about Daphne’s innocence sprout in Courtney’s mind. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer . . .

My Review:

A Twinkle of Trouble is the fifth book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series. Featuring fairies, cats, and a wonderful cast of characters, A Twinkle of Trouble is another slam dunk cozy mystery.

Courtney Kelly's fairy garden shop is booming. Between walk-in private lessons, group lessons, and individual sales, Open Your Imagination has become a popular destination for both believers and non-believers. Courtney even hosts fairy garden parties.

Courtney's fairy friend has returned from the fairy realm. Fiona had been gone a month, much to Courtney and her feline companion Pixie's dismay. Life can now get back to normal, and Courtney can focus on the Summer Blooms Festival and her quarter-acre of land at the Flower Farm. Except, the death of Courtney's friend Genevieve dims the happiness and excitement of the festival and farm.

This is a very unique story with unique elements. I enjoyed the fairy garden shop setting, complete with a live fairy. The characters are fun and exciting. I enjoyed Courtney's character. Her business is successful and thriving. She cares about her friends and citizens in Carmel-by-the-Sea and makes it her mission to help solve the crime, even when a couple of her friends appear as suspects. The author delivers several suspects with means and motive, and figuring out who committed the crime was difficult. There are twists and turns and red herrings, and while I may have suspected who committed the crime, I never was really sure until the end.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

About Daryl Wood Gerber:

Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling mysteries, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams series. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: https://darylwoodgerber.com

Author Links:

TIKTOK

Purchase Links:

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

April 15 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 15 – Teatime and Books – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 16 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

April 17 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 17 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – RECIPE

April 18 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

April 18 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

April 19 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 20 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

April 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

April 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 21 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Saturday, April 13, 2024

#Review ~ Red Kingdom: A Dark Little Red Riding Hood Retelling (Fairy Tale Retellings, Book 2) by Rachel L. Demeter @RachelLDemeter #DarkHistoricalRomance #Medieval

Red Kingdom: A Dark Little Red Riding Hood Retelling

Fairy Tale Retellings Book 2

ASIN: B0CTK1TB8N

Publisher: 1st edition

Publication date: April 10, 2024

Print length: 439 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.

Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she made to her grandmother on her deathbed.

Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.

United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.

Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?

Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a passionate, slow-burn historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the longing for a world at harmony.

*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined fairy tales.

Disclaimer: This is not your grandmother's Little Red Riding Hood. Red Kingdom is a dark historical romance set in a war-torn kingdom. As such, it contains graphic content and mature themes, including grief, strong violence, offscreen rape and suicide, and animal/human death. Reader discretion is advised.

My Review:

Red Kingdom is a Little Red Riding Hood retelling and I'm here to tell you it is not the children's fairytale you were told as a child. Red Kingdom is an epic romance in a dark, medieval setting. There is death, lots of death. There is violence and content unsuitable for youngsters. The story is intense, suspenseful, and at times, scary. I was captivated by the story, characters, and setting.

Blanchette and Rowan are on opposite sides of the war that has been brought to her castle's front gate. Now that her family has been torn apart, her home under siege, and friends have become foes, Blanchette flees through the castle's underground and secret passages. She escapes but found again by Sir Rowan Dietrich, aka the Black Wolf.

Rowan liberates the land of Norland from a tyrannical King; one who had the best of everything while his constituents were starving and dying. A King who committed horrific acts against those most loyal to him. A King who didn't consider anyone but himself. Hellbent on revenge, Rowan lays claim to his vengeance and takes control of Winslowe Castle, and with it the Raven princess.

The enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance was not without peril. They both have scars, old and new. There is the issue of trust. How can Blanchette trust the man who destroyed her entire life? How can Rowan trust the woman whose father committed such atrocities? As the story unfolds, both characters peel away layers from themselves and each other. What is left leaves them bare, conflicted, and emotionally raw. I loved watching them pick up the pieces and flourish together.

Red Kingdom is a beautifully written tale of hardship and love. Living in medieval times was no joke and the author reiterates that in this action-packed and romantic retelling. The characters have depth, layers, and emotions. The story is complex with treachery and betrayal, but also attraction and eventually, love.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

#Review ~ Tim Burton: The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work by Ian Nathan ~ #TimBurton #NetGalley

Publisher : ‎ White Lion Publishing; New edition
Publish Date: March 5, 2024
Hardcover: ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 0711292612
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0711292611

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

This new and updated edition covers the full life's work of iconic director Tim Burton, including the Netflix phenomenon Wednesday and the start of development on Beetlejuice 2.

Tim Burton is one of the most popular and remarkable filmmakers of the last 30 years, being responsible for such films as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Alice in Wonderland. He is famed for the visually arresting style of his films combined with highly original storylines.

A truly international filmmaker, Tim Burton has carved a reputation as one of the world's greatest creative directors. This stunning treasury explores the influences on his development as a filmmaker and assesses how he has captured the fruits of his imagination on screen.

Illustrated with many behind‑the‑scenes photographs and stunning film stills, chapters analyze the success and style of films such as Beetlejuice, Ed Wood and Mars Attacks!, and examine how Burton breathed new life into well‑known stories that include Batman, Planet of the Apes,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,Alice Through the Looking Glass and Dumbo.

Tim Burton: The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work is a must for anyone who enjoys the creativity of films and is a fitting appreciation of one of Hollywood’s most dynamic movie directors. It takes you through his films, explaining how he got to where he is and why his films are so revered.

My Review:

Lovers of anything Tim Burton are sure to enjoy the updated edition of Tim Burton: The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work by Ian Nathan.

Tim Burton's movies are quite recognizable. Featuring gothic and spooky vibes and undertones, each movie is brilliantly written and superbly cast. There is no mistaking the films that are Tim Burton's handiwork.

I love many of his creations including Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, James and the Giant Peach (my favorite book as a kid), and my absolute favorite Tim Burton movies: Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow. These movies, plus others are recounted in this book. I can't wait to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!

Included on the pages are pictures, behind-the-scenes views, and wonderful depictions of Tim's work.

This book explores Tim Burton from childhood through the present, giving readers a glimpse of what makes him tick. This is an amazing tribute to an even more amazing film director. This would be a wonderful gift and coffee table book for those who adore Tim Burton.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Monday, March 25, 2024

#MafiaRomance #Review ~ Brutal Prince (Brutal Birthright, Book #1) by Sophie Lark @SourcebooksCasa @Sourcebooks #DarkContemporaryRomance #Romance

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B08BNLPH6D
Publisher: ‎Sourcebooks (Bloom Books)
Publication Date: ‎ July 15, 2020
Print Length: ‎ 376 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

A Match Made in Hell

The Griffins and the Gallos have been battling for control of Chicago’s underworld for generations.

Their bitter rivalry reignites when Aida, the youngest and wildest Gallo sibling, crashes a party at the Griffin mansion, accidentally setting fire to the library.

To stave off all-out war, her father arranges a marriage with Callum Griffin, eldest son and heir.

Cold, ambitious, and brutal, Callum is determined to tame his headstrong bride. Aida is more than capable of giving as good as she gets – starting with poisoning Callum on their wedding night.

In their struggle for dominance, who will break first?

My Review:

Brutal Prince is a mafia romance by a great author. I've been reading Sophie Lark's books since her Colors of Crime series (now known as the Underworld series) started. I love her creativity with her characters and world-building.

Aida Gallo and her brothers crossed a line when attending a party at the Griffin mafia. Sneaking into the home of the Irish Mafia wasn't even the worst part. Aida goes snooping around and gets cornered in the library. Hoping to escape without being recognized, Aida starts a small fire. Unfortunately, her plan doesn't work and while they do get away, they don't get away unscathed. What ensues is a marriage pact between the Gallos and the Griffins, and Aida is right in the center.

Mafia romances have become one of my favorite tropes. Realistically speaking, the mafia and the mob are not organizations that are romantic. Authors, however, are able to romanticize the idea and create magnificent stories filled with romance, suspense, and difficult paths to a happily ever after.

The characters were written well and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know them. Aida does make a mistake at the beginning of the book that alters the course of another's life, and for that, she was not one of my favorites. As the story moved along, however, I found myself warming up to Aida. The relationship that developed between Aida and Callum was a true enemies-to-lovers story. The hatred is palpable, believable, and intense. Their road to romance is not smooth and even but filled with bumps and barriers. Their path is also filled with undeniable chemistry and animal attraction.

The suspense and twists in the story keep me on the edge of my seat. Lyrically, the author is a star. Her use of descriptive language, metaphors, and vivid imagery take this book to the next level. Brutal Prince hit all of positives for story, character development, world building, passion, and suspense.

Thank you for the paperback copy, Bloom Books and Sourcebooks!

My Rating:

Thursday, March 21, 2024

#Review ~ The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery ~ @AuthorGaylord @MirrorWorldPub

Welcome to the -Week Virtual Book Tour Schedule for The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

March 17-22, 2024)

About The Pheeworker’s Oath:

Humans don’t belong on this world. The refugees who crash-landed on the Atipok homeworld can’t see or touch phee, the elemental power which flows through rock and stone like living rivers of light. From the moment of his hatching, healer Takey has manipulated phee to heal, bending strands to his will to mend muscle and bone for both human and Atipok alike.

But when the Atipok queen is murdered and her death blamed on an orphaned human child capable of pheework, the first of her kind, a rift is torn between the two races that could spell the end of humanity. Anti-human factions seize power and the Atipok army is on the march. Can Takey survive long enough to unravel the strands of conspiracy, protect the child, and broker a peace to avoid genocide without betraying his own people or himself?

Genres:

SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

My Review:

The Pheeworker's Oath is an amazing novella. I love the blending of humans and Atipok together on the Atipok homeland. The author brought a story filled with exciting characters, excellent imagery, and a suspenseful plot. I was on the edge of my seat as Takey had to unravel the murder mystery involving the queen.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. Smooth and concise, Adam Gaylord wove together a fantastic scifi fantasy. I loved the mystery surrounding the death of the queen, the path the author took the reader on in order to solve the case, and the complexities Takey faced in the attempt to keep the peace. The story pulled me in and kept engaged from the very beginning.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Book Tour Schedule:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/03/book-tour-schedule-for-pheeworkers-oath.html

Praise:

From Aimee Ogden, Nebula Finalist:

A compellingly alien protagonist, who also has the deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible.

In THE PHEEWORKER'S OATH, neither compassion nor cruelty are traits limited to humankind. There are no easy answers to the complexities of human refugees building a new home for themselves on a different world--but it is easy to care about the compellingly alien Takey, and about his deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible.

From Rachael Jones, WFA Finalist & Tiptree Award honoree:

The Pheeworker's Oath is a timely science fiction tale about a stranded human colony dependent upon the Atipok, aliens with near-mystical abilities that allow them to control their environment and their very bodies. It is a fascinating examination of how manipulative leaders harness fear of the other to gain power, and how the only way to break that power is to find kinship with the very beings you've been told to fear. This adventure story showcases timeless themes and intriguing worldbuilding. Come for the cool alien powers, stay for the lizardlike Atipok--but don't you dare call them Lizards!

Purchase Links:

MIRROR WORLD PUBLISHING:

Paperback:

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-paperback-/109

Ebook:

hhttps://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-e-book-/110

AMAZON:

https://amzn.to/3IBPqLw

Meet the Author:

Adam Gaylord (he/him) lives in Colorado with a wife that is smarter than him, their two monster children, and a very handsome dog. When not at work as an ecologist, he’s usually writing, baking, drawing comics, or some combination thereof. Look him up on GoodReads or find him on Twitter/BlueSky @AuthorGaylord.

Connect with Adam Gaylord :

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AuthorGaylord

Amazon US:

https://amzn.to/4acJJPB

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8011638.Adam_Gaylord

Publisher Website:

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery ~ @AuthorGaylord @MirrorWorldPub ~ Read an #ExclusiveExcerpt

Welcome to the -Week Virtual Book Tour Schedule for The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

March 17-22, 2024)

Read an Exclusive Excerpt:

I looked the girl over, then shook my head. “Setting aside the very real chance of death by dehydration, she’s more than just physically trapped. She’s trapped within her own mind. Unless her parents were secretly pheeworkers, which I doubt, then she’s had no training. She needs a guide to coax her out of her own head or she might destroy herself.” Small bumps arose on the girl’s naked skin. I pulled a blanket from the nearby debris and draped it over her. The poor thing was just a nestling. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her, which might explain why I didn’t take the time to consider the implication of my next words. “There is another option. I can take her to Salitat and get her the help she needs.”

Hassan’s thick eyebrows arched skyward. “I didn’t think humans were allowed in Salitat.”

“They’re not,” I conceded, equally surprised by my offer. “It will be a risk.” That was an understatement. Anti-human sentiment had been increasing. To bring a human to Atalan could easily be construed as treason. I would be putting us both in danger. “But I don’t think she has any other options.”

Hassan sighed, massaging his temples with one large, calloused hand. “Very well, I’ll pull together a few men and we’ll—”

I help up a hand. “No one else. Only the girl.”

“But I can’t let her go alone,” Hassan protested.

“She won’t be alone.”

“You know what I mean. I can’t just let you take her.”

“Then she will stay, and she will die.” I didn’t like being so blunt with Hassan. He was a caring man and a good leader, but the situation was grim. I shouldn’t have made the offer in the first place and there were no other options.

I could see conflict play on the human’s features. He looked around, like he was searching for another way. “Crap,” he said finally. “Gimme a minute.” He stomped off in the direction of his people.

I watched him, mulling over another consideration I hadn’t shared. In the thirteen solars since their crash landing, other than some initial hostilities and the Battle of the Red Plain, humans and Atipok had managed a tenuous peace. We mostly kept to our own, them in their adobe villages, us in our stone cities. But there were a few individuals, such as myself, who worked to bridge the gap. I felt it was my duty as a healer to help them. I’d taken an oath to do so. And over time I’d developed a certain respect, even a fondness for their ways. But my time with them had also revealed their tendency toward violence. They loved their weapons. I rarely saw an adult human who wasn’t carrying a plasma pistol or rifle. Even now, Hassan carried one of each, a pistol on his hip and a rifle across his back. Such things were unknown to us before their arrival and while they were no match for skilled pheework, humans still managed to kill each other on a regular basis. I sometimes wondered how readily they would abandon their makeshift towns in favor of our great stone cities if not held at bay by their fear of phee. If this girl represented a new trend, if humans gained the ability to pheework, it would completely change the balance of power between our species.

I had to present this girl to the queen.

Hassan returned looking no less frustrated. “I asked around and nobody seems to know if she has any other family. Her group’s been on their own for the last couple years, really sticking to themselves. She’s all alone now.” He looked down at the girl. “My guys think I should decide but…”

“You think it should go before the council,” I finished for him.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Genres:

SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

Book Tour Schedule:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/03/book-tour-schedule-for-pheeworkers-oath.html

Praise:

From Aimee Ogden, Nebula Finalist:

A compellingly alien protagonist, who also has the deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible.

From Rachael Jones, WFA Finalist & Tiptree Award honoree:

Purchase Links:

MIRROR WORLD PUBLISHING:

Paperback:

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-paperback-/109

Ebook:

hhttps://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-e-book-/110

AMAZON:

https://amzn.to/3IBPqLw

Meet the Author:

Connect with Adam Gaylord :

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AuthorGaylord

Amazon US:

https://amzn.to/4acJJPB

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8011638.Adam_Gaylord

Publisher Website:

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Friday, March 15, 2024

#Review ~ Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman ~ @LisaJHobmanAuth #Romance @BoldwoodBooks

Chasing a Highland Dream

Can you live your dreams and also find your destiny?

About the Book:

Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and to top it off she’s still single, despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands. Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at Drumblair Castle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her bestfriend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer.

When Bella and her Granny find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance.

Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?

My Review:

Chasing a Highland Dream is the second book in the The Highlands series by Lisa Hobman.

Chasing a Highland Dream is an emotionally-rich novel. The characters are well-written, 3-dimensional, and complex. I enjoyed Bella and the way the author portrayed her character. She is sensitive, loving, strong, and determined. I love how she puts herself out there when Olivia's design firm backs out of a contract.

I enjoyed the author's writing style, the story, and how everything came together. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and kept thoroughly engaged. The author wove a masterpiece together, filled with romance, love, anxious moments, tenderness, frustration, and disbelief. I was captivated by this wonderful story.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating: