#BookReview ~ The Hotshot by Piper Rayne ~ #SportsRomance #Baseball #TheDugout

The Hotshot by Piper Rayne is now live!

About the Book:

Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan.

Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.

One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.

Enter Hayes Carlisle.

My best friend’s older brother.

Chicago Colts newest catcher.

And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.

So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.

But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.

Because he remembers how to make me laugh.

Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.

Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.

Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.

I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids.

But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?

That might be the one thing I can’t do.

My Review:

The Hotshot is the first book in a new baseball romance series and I loved it! Leighton and Hayes are magnificent characters. They are complex, emotional, and completely believable. Their chemistry is off the charts. Leighton and Hayes have known each other forever and that's what they hoped to have at one point but circumstances led them down different paths. 

One of my favorite tropes is the brother's or sister's best friend romance. This story knocks that trope out of the park! The Hotshot is sweet and spicy, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and filled to the brim with romance and emotion. There is a lot of sadness, secrets that are revealed, and tense scenes as Leighton works on proving that she's the best fit as the guardian of her cousin's three children. 

I loved everything about the story, the characters, the setting, and the romance. The authors created a realistic and romantic world. The story flows well, pulls you in, and keeps you engaged. The writing style and story are amazing.

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:

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Duet Narration by: JF Harding & CJ Bloom

Also Featuring: Teddy Hamilton, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Erin Mallon, Willa Jaymes, Meg Sylvan & Austin Stone

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#BookReview ~ Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash ~ #Romance @KimTheBookworm

Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

About the Book:

How do you mend a broken heart?

Michelle finally thought she’d found love with her hot Greek doctor. But when Demetri reveals he’s returning home to care for his sick mother, Michelle’s dream future crumbles. Choosing not to follow him feels like losing more than just love - it feels like losing who she’d started to become.

Determined not to fall apart, Michelle decides to throw herself into rebuilding her life in Sandpiper Shore, but then unexpectedly, Demetri’s brother, Makkis, arrives on her doorstep. Offering him a room seems like the kind thing to do… but the constant reminder of her lost love is difficult for her heartbroken soul.

And the more time she spends with Makkis, the clearer it becomes: there are parts of Demetri she never knew… Just as Michelle starts to heal with a little help from her friends, she’s faced with a decision: fight for the love she knows she deserves, or finally learn how to let go…

My Review:

Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage is the third book in the Sandpiper Shores series. I've only read this book but will be going back to read books one and two. 

I enjoyed meeting Michelle and getting to know her and the rest of the characters from Sandpiper Shores. Michelle's story is complex with twists, turns, and surprises around every corner. I make it sound like an action/adventure but it's not. This book is about love, loss, and second chances. There are aspects that will anger you, get you excited, and encourage you. 

Michelle has a lot happen to her in this book. Some events you expect, others surprise you. Her boyfriend, Demetri, poses an impossible choice, one that will completely upend her entire life no matter which selection she makes. Follow Michelle's story as she makes choices that she thinks are best and discovers that not everything is as it seems. 

I was engaged in Michelle's story from the very beginning. The author crafted a complex novel with likeable characters, a smooth plot, and a story that's easy to follow, even if you haven't read the previous books. I love the friendship group in the story and am glad that Michelle has such a great group of friends to lean on not just during the tough times but at all times.

Review previously posted 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:

Visit the Author:

Facebook: @KimNashAuthor

Twitter: @KimTheBookworm

Instagram: @KimNashAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KimNashNews

Bookbub profile: @KimNash18

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#BookReview ~ Secret Michigan: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure by Amy Piper #ReedyPress #Michigan #Michigander #Travel

 

Secret Michigan: 

A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

by Amy Piper

Book Details:

Publisher: ‎ Reedy Press

Publication date: ‎ April 1, 2024

Print length: ‎ 192 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1681065282

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1681065281

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About the Book:

From the only king who ruled in the United States to the only President who was also a king, you’ll unearth the fascinating stories behind popular places. From a state with a car culture history, discover the origins of the world’s largest tire, the only state highway that doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, and what ship is a designated continuation of a United States highway. 

You’ll discover the answers to these questions and many others in Secret Michigan: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. The book explores weird museums where you can have your picture taken holding a human skull, wonderful natural beauty where rafting over clear springs reveals the trout below, and where obscure shipwrecks lie in a shipwreck alley. You’ll learn about the people who made history in the Great Lakes State, like a hall-of-fame rock band that turned around a small-town football team’s losing season, the first Black woman to sue a White man – and win, and how a man survived the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. 

Some people would like to keep you in the dark, but local author Amy Piper pulls back the curtain to reveal secrets some Michiganders don’t want you to know.

My Review:

Secret Michigan is a fantastic guide for anyone who is interested in Michgan's mysteries. I'm a lifelong Michigander and even I didn't know about half of these places/facts/stories. I love learning new things about my state. The stories in Secret Michigan are fascinating, interesting, and definitely made their way to our "To See" list. 

Of course, I've been through The Tunnel of Trees, been captivated by the collections at the Gilmore Car Museum (a MUST SEE for car lovers), visited the Tawas Point Lighthouse, eaten donuts from Cops & Donuts in not only Clare but Mount Pleasant, too, and walked through Fort Michilimackinac on Mackinac Island, plus many other places identified in Secret Michigan.

If you plan a trip to Michigan, add a few places from Secret Michigan to your itinerary. 

 I'm happy to include the paperback I received as a review copy on my bookshelf.

This was previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor ~ @Tjoconnorauthor ~ #ParanormalMystery #Mystery

New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor

Book Details:

New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor
Black Opal Books
May 27, 2017
Paperback 367 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1626946750
E-Book ASIN: B071S213GB

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About the Book:

Murder, like history, often repeats itself. And, when it does, it’s the worst kind of murder.

Detective Richard Jax was never good at history—but, after years as a cop, he is about to get the lesson of his life. Ambushed and dying on a stakeout, he’s saved by Captain Patrick “Trick” McCall—the ghost of a World War II OSS agent. Trick has been waiting since 1944 for a chance to solve his own murder. Soon Jax is a suspect in a string of murders—murders linked to smuggling refugees out of the Middle East—a plot similar to the World War II OSS operation that brought scientists out of war-torn Europe. With the aid of a beautiful and intelligent historian, Dr. Alex Vouros, Jax and Trick unravel a seventy-year-old plot that began with Trick’s murder in 1944. Could the World War II mastermind, code named Harriet, be alive and up to old games? Is history repeating itself?

Together, Jax and Trick hunt for the link between their pasts—confronted by some of Washington’s elite and one provocative, alluring French Underground agent, Abrielle Chanoux. Somewhere in Trick’s memories is a traitor. That traitor killed him. That traitor is killing again. Who framed Jax and who wants Trick’s secret to remain secret? The answer may be, who doesn’t?

My Review:

New Sins for Old Scores takes place in modern day but features a lot of flashing back to the 1940s. Detective Richard Jax - or just Jax - was just ambushed during a stakeout. He is wounded and his partner, Leo, is dead. As he lays dying, Jax attempts to make sense of what just happened, all while hearing voices. He awakens in a hospital room taken aback by the ghost he can see and hear. His new ghost friend is Captain Patrick McCall - or Trick - a former OSS agent from WWII. Together, Jax and Trick have a dual agenda - find out who killed Leo and shot himself plus find out who killed Trick 70+ years ago.

Tj O'Connor does a fantastic job with all of the misdirects he has written into New Sins for Old Scores. I found myself bouncing back and forth between characters trying to figure out who was responsible for the deaths in 1944 and the deaths now. I was certainly surprised at the outcome of the story and to finally find out who Harriet was and how the two time periods connect.

The world building, both in present times and in the past, is wonderfully descriptive. The development of each scene was done with precision and I was able to fully visualize everything that transpired. The author's writing style is easy and flows along nicely. Even with all of the angles, threads, characters, and time spans, the author does a great job keeping everything in check.

Review previously posted 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:

Visit the Author:

https://tjoconnor.com/

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#BookReview ~ High Spirits at the Village Inn by Sharon Booth ~ #CozyRomance #Romance #Paranormal ~ @BoldwoodBook

 High Spirits at the Village Inn

About the Book:

Spring has arrived in the Cotswold village of Rowan Vale and everyone is in an optimistic mood.

Everyone except Danny. He’s had a rotten eighteen years stuck in a village where all his hopes and dreams were shattered. His annoying ex-work colleague, who seems determined to look on the bright side of the afterlife, won't leave him alone. And – as if that wasn’t bad enough – he’s facing eternity dressed as Adam Ant.

Meanwhile, in London, Rory plans to whisk his wife Kirsty away to the Cotswolds for their wedding anniversary. But when they arrive in Rowan Vale, Kirsty is horrified. How could her husband be so insensitive?

Rory insists that they stay at The Quicken Tree Inn and face up to the issues in their marriage. Kirsty has no choice but to go along with him, hoping she can finally put what happened all those years ago behind her. But when she spots her long-dead cousin in the village, things take a decidedly difficult turn...

Will confronting the ghosts from her past be a recipe for happiness or disaster?

My Review:

High Spirits at the Village Inn is a delightfully different ghost story. 

The novel begins with a couple who've lost their way after 10 years of marriage. Cassie and Rory are at a milestone anniversary and Rory plans a trip out of town to celebrate. The town in question? The place where dear family members had passed 18 years prior. Cassie's discomfort with Rory's decision reaches a whole new level when she sees the cousin she lost. Rowan Vale is filled with spirits of the dearly department, and her cousin isn't the only one to appear. 

The novel turns into a story of second chances, unpacking of emotional baggage, admissions, and redemption. I really enjoyed this paranormal fantasy romance. I found the story unique and enjoyable. The characters are fun and entertaining. I loved meeting the living and the ghosts. Rowan Vale village is a quaint town thriving on the nostalgia. High Spirits at the Village Inn is a lovely cozy romance with paranormal elements.

Of the four books in the series, this is only the second one I've read. I'm going to read the others, don't worry. I just need to carve out some time. 

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:

Visit the Author:

Sharon Booth is the author of feel-good stories set in charming, quirky locations, and now writes cosy romances with a magical twist for Boldwood. She lives with her husband in East Yorkshire, England.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: @sharonboothwriter

Instagram: @sharonboothwriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SharonBoothNews

Bookbub profile: @sharonboothwriter

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#NewRlease #BookReview ~ Crepe Capers: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel: (Wanda's Witchery, Book 11) (Haven Hollow, Book 46) by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory #PWF

 

Crepe Capers

Wanda's Witchery, Book 11

Haven Hollow, Book 46

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About the Book:

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as Haven Hollow’s High Witch, it’s this: when life gets weird, it usually means someone cursed something.

And lately? Things are getting very weird.

It started with a simple package delivered to my shop, Wanda’s Witchery. Inside were two rings—one for me and one for my cousin Astrid. I thought they were a sweet surprise.

Turns out they were a curse.

Now Astrid has her humanity back… and I’ve been turned into the very thing I’ve spent my life fighting.

A vampire.

No heartbeat. No magic. And an overwhelming craving for blood that I’m trying very hard not to indulge—especially when it comes to my annoyingly attractive vampire husband, Lorcan.

But becoming undead is only the beginning of my problems.

Someone hired private investigators to spy on me. The vampire establishment is starting to question whether my “turning” was real. And if they discover the truth about the lie that kept me alive, they won’t just be angry.

They’ll kill me.

As if that weren’t enough, the cursed rings may be connected to a terrifying entity using my cousin as a pawn—a creature powerful enough to rewrite magic itself.

Which means my sudden transformation might not be an accident.

It might be a move in someone else’s game.

Now I have to figure out who’s behind the curse, why they targeted us, and how to survive vampire politics without losing the town—and the life—I love.

Because I may be undead now…

…but I’m still Wanda Depraysie.

And if someone thinks turning me into a vampire is going to stop me from solving this mystery, they clearly don’t know witches very well.

My Review:

Crepe Capers is book 11 in the Wanda’s Witchery series, a spin-off of, and book 46 in the Haven Hollow series. Things are really crazy in Haven Hollow in this book. A PI has been hired to catch Wanda being less than truthful in her turning into a vampire. With fortuitous timing, Wanda and Astrid fall victim to a pair of cursed rings that swap them; Astrid becomes mortal and Wanda becomes a vampire. A blast from Lorcan’s past turns up, causing mayhem. The final straw? The same being using Maverick as a pawn in whatever game is being played, has now contacted Wanda with an incredible, but totally unhinged, offer.

Crepe Capers is another fantastic and fun novel in the Haven Hollow series. I love Wanda, Lorcan, and the entire crew. We don’t get a whole lot of the other Haven Hollows characters in this book but buckle up for a wild ride with those we do get to see. I loved the story, characters, setting, and writing.

The Wanda's Witchery series by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory is excellent. This writing duo brings interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters grow and evolve.

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 ~ Mayhem and the Mortal by Shanora Williams ~ #Romantasy #GrumpyxSunshine #MorallyGreyHero #EntangledPublishing #RedTowerBooks @redtowerbooks @EntangledPub

Mayhem and the Mortal by Shanora Williams 

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0F6MCPN6B

Publisher: ‎ Entangled: Red Tower Books

Publication date: ‎ March 17, 2026

Print length: ‎ 418 pages

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1649378057

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Goodreads

About the Book:

One mission. One curse. No escape.

Zaira doesn’t want a hero. She needs a weapon.

To save her sister from a soul-devouring curse, she has to cross The Shallows—a nightmare landscape of ruined magic, shifting paths, and vicious creatures that eat people alive.

Her guide? Thane Valkor: sorcerer, assassin, walking red flag. His name clears rooms. His magic kills quietly. And whatever he’s really after, it’s not salvation.

He promises to help. He might even mean it.

But Zaira knows better than to trust a liar with a blade and ice in his veins.

She just doesn’t have a choice.

My Review:

I didn't even know how much I needed this book until I read the first page. I loved meeting Zaira, Thane, Algar, and Rynthea, but you know who stole the show for me? Zephra. Of course, it would be the pet.

Mayhem and the Mortal is an amazing romantasy novel. I was swept away in Zaira's journey to save her only living relative, her sister Analla, from a horrible curse. Her only recourse is to battle her way to an island that may hold the key to breaking the curse. She tries to hire a local sorcerer to lead her to The Shallows but when they are refuse, Zaira finds herself in front of a mysterious man in her local tavern. 

Thane has issues and baggage that even an airline would put a limit on for a traveler. He promises to escort Zaira to The Shallows and protect her the entire way. He's broody, grumpy, and closed-off. It's a good thing he's cute and good with weapons and magic. 

Along the way, the unlikely duo gather a couple more adventurers; a conman, Algar, and a minotaur, Rynthea. Together these four travel across different lands trying to stay alive, in hopes of reaching The Shallows. There, they hope to fulfill the destinies they each desire, and make it back home alive.

Mayhem and the Mortal is amazing! From the start of the book there is not a dull moment. Zaira is a mortal who plans the unthinkable to save her sister. She comes across as naive, but I'm here to tell you that can't be any further from the truth. She's strong, as fearless as she can be while traipsing through dangerous territories, fighting deadly creatures, and checking her emotions at the door. 

The author did a great job with the world-building. Very vivid and descriptive imagery decorated the pages in this book. The dialogue flowed smoothly, the story was perfectly-paced, and I was lost in this adventurous, action-filled, romantasy. And, that ending?! Bring on the next book!

I simply devoured Mayhem and the Mortal.

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:

Review previously published on Sapphyria's Books.

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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.