Reviews by Saph

Monday, November 2, 2026

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen ~ @MaggieChriste33 ~ #Romance

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing

About the Book:

Rhana Black has always been content with her quiet life in the Pelican Crossing hinterland, where she spends her days breeding spaniels. Following a traumatic incident at her school formal and weighed down by her own insecurities about her appearance, Rhana has shied away from any romantic relationships. That is, until a chance encounter with a hot air balloonist changes everything.

Steve Morton has been struggling to move on after the tragic death of his pregnant fiancée. In search of solace, he finds himself in Pelican Crossing, where he rediscovers his love for flying and starts offering hot air balloon rides and scenic helicopter flights along the coast. When he meets Rhana, he is taken aback by the intense emotions he feels towards her.

As Rhana and Steve navigate their complicated pasts and undeniable chemistry, they must decide if they are willing to break their self-imposed barriers and take a chance on love. But with their old wounds and deep insecurities threatening to keep them apart, can they be able to overcome their fears and find happiness together?

My Review:

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing is the eighth book in the Pelican Crossing series. Rhana is living the best life she can allow herself in Pelican Crossing. She lives alone outside of town and breeds English Spaniels. She has a couple close girlfriends but mostly sticks to herself. Past trauma has prevented her from seeking romantic relationships. A chance encounter with her only neighbor has her rethinking her isolation and how the past has affected her entire adult life.

Steve has just moved back to Australia after the devastating death of his fiancée. He bought a parcel of land in Pelican Crossing where he established a hot air balloon business and sightseeing via helicopter ride. His loss closed off a part of him he thought was lost forever until he met his neighbor. I enjoyed Rhana and Steve's characters. The author wrote a realistic story with believable characters, situations, and emotions. The book has strong characters, complications, and various types of relationships.

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing is a sweet, heartwarming novel. The story is multi-dimensional with complex characters and complex situations. Both characters carry an intense amount of trauma (Hers: SA; His: Death) so please go into this story carefully. The author did a spectacular job presenting each character and their backstories with care and sensitivity.

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

Visit the Author:

https://www.facebook.com/maggiechristensenauthor

https://twitter.com/MaggieChriste33

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8120020.Maggie_Christensen

https://www.instagram.com/maggiechriste33/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-christensen?list=about

https://maggiechristensenauthor.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/maggiechriste33.bsky.social

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.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

#BookReview ~ A Wordsmith's Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue by Elizabeth M. Hurst ~ #Nonfiction #Guidebook #Writing #GuideToWriting

A Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue

Do you lack confidence when writing dialogue for your fictional characters?

Do you want to learn how to make each person have a distinctive voice?

Real conversations wander. Fictional dialogue can’t afford to.

A Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue is a practical, encouraging craft book for fiction writers who want dialogue that does more than fill the page. You’ll learn how to make every exchange purposeful, character-specific, and charged with subtext—without gimmicks, melodrama, or the dreaded “As you know…” exposition.

You will learn how to:

· build distinct voices through rhythm, worldview, and verbal habits (not quirky spelling);

· show status and power through questions, interruptions, silence, and topic control;

· handle tags, beats, and action cleanly so dialogue moves instead of clogs;

· write conflict that escalates and changes shape (without repeating itself);

· approach trauma, consent, and emotionally heavy scenes without voyeurism or melodrama.

You'll also find:

· short, generic examples you can learn from immediately;

· focused exercises you can complete in 10–20 minutes;

· diagnose-and-rewrite case studies (where relevant);

· checklists: quick bullet points to use while drafting and revising.

If your characters explain too much, sound the same, circle the point, or talk in a void—this guide will give you clear tools to diagnose the problem and rewrite with confidence.

Have the confidence to write dialogue that reflects the best of your characters, and the best of your writing. Pick up your copy today.

My Review:

A Wordsmith's Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue is a fantastic guidebook for any seasoned or aspiring writer, in any genre. I found the information invaluable and perfectly crafted. This guide is very in-depth, explanatory, and filled with not only techniques and strategies but the "whys" behind each recommendation. As I moved through the book, I nodded my head in acknowledgement and agreement often.

Good dialogue is crucial in every story. I've read many stories over the years that I included "choppy dialogue," "inconsistent dialogue," "uncomfortable dialogue" (an not in a plot moving way) in my reviews. The techniques in this book would be huge helpers to those types of stories. Like I said, the choppy, inconsistent, and/or uncomfortable dialogue wasn't used to bring tension, or move the story along. The dialogue was just not written well in those books.

I know how hard it is to write a story, regardless of length or genre. I have about a dozen novels I've started and then abandoned for various reasons. Making sure my characters talk to each other smoothly is a hard task and I've not been entirely successful. This guide is going to take things to the next level!

Now to just find the time to get back to my writing!

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.
Previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

Amazon

Visit the Author:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMHurstAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizhurstauthor/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lizhurstauthor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-m-hurst/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lizhurstauthor.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14332807.Elizabeth_M_Hurst

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.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Release Day #BookReivew ~ I Purr, Therefore I Am: Inner Monologues of the Domesticated by Charlotte Jean #Cats #CatPhrases

Book Details:

Ebook:

ASIN: ‎ B0GPHG7N6P
Publisher: ‎ The Collective Book Studio
Publication Date: ‎ October 20, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 136 pages
Format: ‎ Print Replica
ISBN-13: ‎978-1685552633

Hardcover:

Publisher: ‎ The Collective Book Studio
Publication Date: ‎ October 20, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 136 pages
ISBN-10: 1685554717
ISBN-13: 978-1685554712
Dimensions: ‎5.5 x 0.65 x 6.5 inches

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

Discover the hilarious inner thoughts of cats in this witty, photo-filled gift book for cat lovers.

I Purr, Therefore I Am pairs expressive cat photography with sharp, dry one-liners that capture the feline mind in all its aloof, judgmental, curious, and quietly philosophical glory. From food critiques to selective affection and silent disdain, these funny cat thoughts reveal what cats might really be thinking.

Whether you share your home with a regal house panther, a dramatic window watcher, or a willful lap skeptic, this full-color humor book is a wry tribute to cats and the people who love them.

Here’s what makes I Purr, Therefore I Am the perfect gift for cat lovers:

• Funny Cat Inner Monologues: Witty captions reveal the mysterious logic, dry humor, and unbothered confidence of cats.

• Expressive Full-Color Cat Photography: Each photo captures a feline mood every cat owner will recognize.

• Relatable Humor for Cat People: From judgmental stares to strategic affection, the jokes speak directly to life with cats.

• A Giftable Cat Humor Book: Perfect for birthdays, holidays, housewarmings, white elephant exchanges, and cat lovers who already have everything.

• Beautifully Designed Gift Package: A compact hardcover format with elevated production makes it ideal for coffee tables, desks, and easy gifting.

Filled with feline philosophy, dry humor, and laugh-out-loud cat personality, I Purr, Therefore I Am is a funny cat book and gift book for anyone who has ever wondered what their cat is really thinking.

My Review:

Are you ready for cute Shutterstock photos of cats and an artist's concepts of the inner monologues of said cats? I Purr, Therefore I Am is a cute compilation of various cat breeds and their thoughts in various scenarios. As much as I loved the phrases, I really was just here for the cat pictures. As a cat-parent to four tabbies (two are almost 2 1/2 years old and two are almost 6 months old), I love photos of cats and cat humor.

All four of our babies were born feral (different moms but they could have the same dad). They came from the same place but obviously two years apart. They have domesticated up rather nicely. I post pictures of them on Instagram and TikTok with the hashtag #NotSoFeralAnymore.

I Purr, Therefore I Am is not a serious or sophisticated book. It's simply for humorous purposes and sheer love of cats. This book would be great as a coffee table book in a house with cats or cat art, or as gift for cat lovers including those who, for reasons of their own, do not have cats but love them.

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.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

#BookReview ~ Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A photographic journey through an iconic National Park by Max Humphrey (Author) and Rob Schanz (Photographer) #SmokyMountains #Photography #Wildlife #Smokies

My Review:

Beautiful coffee table book filled with facts, information, and spectacular photographs. The hardcover version brings the Smokies right into your home. I love the detailed descriptions for each location. The historical facts are interesting. The current state of certain buildings, locations, and natural areas really brings this journey home.

My Rating:

About the Book:

The Smokies are layered, atmospheric, and constantly shifting. They are less about spectacle and more about how a place reveals itself over time.

This book captures that nuance with a perspective that is both visually rich and deeply considered. Structured like a road trip, Great Smoky Mountains National Park moves through the park stop by stop, pairing expansive photography with concise, useful context. You’ll pass through well-known destinations like Cades Cove, Kuwohi, and Roaring Fork, alongside quieter stretches that are just as compelling. Along the way, there’s clear guidance on where to go, where to stay, and how to make the most of your time. Close looks at the wildlife you’re likely to encounter—from black bears and elk to salamanders and smaller wonders—generate anticipation and awe. The book also captures the contrast between the park’s interior and the energy of neighboring towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Interior designer Max Humphrey, author of Lodge and Modern Americana, brings a distinctly American sensibility to the Smokies, focusing on the materials, atmosphere, and subtle details that shape how the landscape is experienced.

This is not a traditional guidebook, and it’s more than a collection of photographs. It’s a thoughtful way to move through Great Smoky Mountains National Park that helps you see more, notice more, and experience the park with greater intention. Think of it as Max’s personal journal from the Smokies, something to help you plan your trip or to return to once you’re home.

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.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

#BookReview ~ Yellowstone National Park by Max Humphrey (author) and Aaron Kraft (photographer) ~ #YellowstoneNationalPark #Photography #Wildlife #Yellowstone

My Review:

Beautiful coffee table book filled with facts, information, and spectacular photographs. The hardcover version brings Yellowstone right into your home. I love the detailed descriptions for each location. The historical facts are interesting, as are the current state of certain buildings, locations, and natural areas really brings this journey home.

My Rating:

About the Book:

Yellowstone is vast, unpredictable, and unlike anywhere else in the country. This book captures it with both scale and intimacy through a lens that is as thoughtful as it is visually striking.

Organized the way you actually move through the park, Yellowstone National Park pairs expansive photography with concise, useful context. You’ll find sweeping landscapes, close encounters with bison and elk, and the kinds of details that make Yellowstone unforgettable: Old Faithful mid-eruption, the otherworldly color of Grand Prismatic Spring, the stillness of Lamar Valley at sunrise. Along the way, there’s just enough history to ground you, along with practical notes on where to go, where to stay, and what’s truly worth your time.

Interior designer Max Humphrey—known for his distinctly American sensibility and the author of Modern Americana and Lodge—brings a trained eye to Yellowstone, noticing the materials, atmosphere, and small details that shape how a place is experienced.

This is not a traditional guidebook, and it’s more than a collection of photographs. It’s a considered way to see Yellowstone, one that helps you move through it with more intention, and often, a little more distance from the crowds.

Think of it as a postcard from Yellowstone, something to inspire the trip ahead or to hold onto once you’ve returned.

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.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

#BookReview ~ Blood Dragons (Rebel Vampires, Book #1) by Rosemary A. Johns ~ @RosemaryAJohns ~ #Vampires #UrbanFantasy #UF

Blood Dragons (Rebel Vampires, Book #1) by Rosemary A. Johns

Book Details:

Print Length: 296 pages
Publisher: Fantasy Rebel Limited; 1 edition
Publication Date: August 14, 2016
ASIN: B01JND7444

Amazon
Goodreads

About the Book:

How do you rebel in a family of vampires..?

In a divided paranormal London, Light is the bad boy vampire of the Blood Lifer world with a photographic memory, a Triton motorbike, and a love for the hunt. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows with Ruby - a savage Elizabethan Blood Lifer. But he’s keeping a secret from her that breaks every rule.

1960s London. Kathy is a seductive singer but she’s also human. Light is tempted by the danger, even though their romance is forbidden. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species.

When Light discovers his ruthless family’s horrifying experiments, he questions whether he should be slaying or saving the humans he’s always feared. Unless Light plays the part of hero, he risks losing everything. Including the two women he loves.

A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.

My Review:

Blood Dragons is a novel that completely surprised me. The story is written in a two-fold manner - Light, the main character tells a confession type story to Light’s human female companion, Kathy, while also trying to jog her memories. In Rosemary A. Johns’ novel, vampires are Blood Lifers and humans are First Lifers. Relationships between the two are forbidden but the connection between Light and Kathy is strong and their devotion to one another becomes unwavering. As the story progresses, the reader will be shown how Light is pushed and pulled between the immortal world and the human world.

His character is complex, as is the plot. The world building is spectacular. Light’s storytelling is romantic and full of different emotional tales of his life - some to remind Kathy of him and their time together, others a confessional of sorts. As Light relays his stories we are provided vivid descriptions of each time period and the characters and life he lived within each. The book moved along at a pretty steady pace that kept me glued to the pages.

I was captivated from the beginning, drawn into the Light as it were. Light’s life hasn’t been easy and continues in a downward spiral, especially now that his love, Kathy, is near the end of life. As an immortal, Light is forced to watch Kathy slowly deteriorate to the depths of the dementia. For those who’ve watched a loved one go down that road I know it’s long, painful, sad, and ugly. I watched my grandmother battle Alzheimer’s disease for five year before succumbing to the dreadful ailment. It’s not pretty, it’s not without pain (on the part of the patient and the caregivers/family), and it rips a part of your soul away that you’ll never get back. The part taken from me is among her buried cremated ashes. Eventually, Kathy will take that turn and Light will be left to roam with earth without her physically. He will get to take with him the memories of the love they shared and the life they built together.

Some of the language (not swearing or anything inappropriate but dialect, words used, etc.) was unfamiliar to me. The author used words and phrases that are clearly European, which makes sense since the setting is London, but it was distracting to me because I didn't know what they meant. Some I could figure out, others I had to look up - hey, I learned something new pretty much throughout the entire book.

If you are looking for a different sort of vampire book, grab a copy of Blood Dragons.

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 Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

https://rosemaryajohns.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.

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth by Holly Bell (September 14-18, 2026) #WitchyCozyMystery #ParanormalCozyMystery #BritishUrbanFantasy #UrbanFantasyMystery @sharonledwith @Saphs_Books

About Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth:

Amanda Cadabra’s life LOOKS perfectly normal...
But looks can be very deceiving.

In the picture-perfect English village of Sunken-Madley, a young covert witch is laying
low. Amanda Cadabra has her reasons.

Orphaned when her family’s van mysteriously plunged over a Cornish cliff many years before, Amanda is keeping herself to herself, quietly working for her grandfather’s furniture restoration company, hoping the world will leave her alone.

However, soon Amanda’s peace is disturbed by the arrival in the village of the inquisitive Inspector Trelawney, dogging her footsteps as he investigates the strange fate of her family. But the persistent detective becomes the least of her problems, as a restoration job at the Tudor manor propels the young witch into a swirl of mystery and intrigue.

Events quickly conspire to drag Amanda into the building’s murky past and its even more dangerous present. Armed only with her wits, her grumpy feline familiar, Tempest, and a wand, Amanda Cadabra is going in.

A body, ghosts, hidden passageways, and a host of unanswered questions soon emerge. Can Amanda dodge the inspector long enough to solve the Manor’s many mysteries and unravel her own past before the scandal of murder engulfs the village?

Follow the tour to read exclusive excerpts, interviews, and spotlight posts:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2026/09/book-tour-schedule-amanda-cadabra-and.html

Meet the Author: