#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

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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:

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#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:

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#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

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Facebook

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#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

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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.

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