Monday, June 15, 2026

#BookReview ~ The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn ~ @JaneCable #Contemporary #Friendship #Croatia

The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn


About the Book:

Where books are borrowed, and friendships are forged…

When her beloved grandfather dies, Ana Meštrović buys a catamaran in his memory, which she names Dida Krila – Grandad’s Wings.

For the summer months, it will be transformed into a travelling library, delivering books to children living across the Croatian islands.

Joined by crew members Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, and Lloyd, an older widower who needs a fresh start, the newly-formed trio all have their own reasons for needing the floating library to be a success.

Embarking on an adventure that will change them for good, they each discover that a new chapter is only a boat ride away…


My Review:

The Croatian Island Library is a wonderful and captivating novel. I loved the nautical library concept. Everyone should have the opportunity to read and in low population areas surrounded by water? A pop-up-library is amazing.

Even more amazing is the cast of characters. Three completely different personalities, capabilities, and backgrounds. I loved getting to know Ana, Natali, and Lloyd. Obi, Natali's dog, steals the spotlight several times throughout. 

There are spectacular character introductions, backgrounds, and development. I love how the relationship between Ana, Natali, and Lloyd blossoms. Things start out awkward but the author takes all of them on journey of self-discovery, leading them to wonderful friendship. 

I loved visiting Croatia (I have Croatian heritage) in this novel. The pages are filled with beautiful descriptions, vivid imagery, and spectacular would-building. I enjoyed being in this world and meeting Ana, Natali, Lloyd, and Obi.

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.

This was previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.


My Rating:


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Twitter: @JaneCable




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Saturday, June 6, 2026

#BookReview ~ Montana Marine by Debra Parmley ~ #RomanticSuspense #TheBrotherhoodProtectors #Bodyguard

Montana Marine by Debra Parmley


Book Details:

Print Length: 128 pages
Publisher: Kindle Worlds; 1 edition
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
ASIN: B071G6XL5K

Publisher: Twisted Page Press, LLC; 2nd edition 
Publication Date: July 15, 2018
ASIN: ‎ B07FMCWHCT

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Add to your shelf on Goodreads


About the Book:

Marine Recon Gunnery Sergeant Jack “Gunny” Barr has retired and returned to Texas when he’s hired by The Brotherhood Protectors bodyguard service in Montana. His job is to protect the volatile actress Angelica Glory. She’s a bombshell and an obsessive stalker has fixated on her as a target. Lucy Wood, her shy assistant, has her hands full watching out for her. When the women are sent to Montana to lay low until the stalker is caught, Angelia has nothing to do but lay by the pool drinking rum and cola while trying to seduce the hunky bodyguard set to protect them or die trying. Jack and Lucy are drawn to each other, but working for Angelica leaves little time to see where their desires might lead. A dangerous stalker with a love obsession is determined to have the woman of his dreams.

My Review (of the 2017 Kindle Worlds publication):

Montana Marine is a romantic suspense story about Angelica, a wildly inappropriate and rude starlet being stalked by a fan. To keep her safe, Angelica's manager sends her and her assistant Lucy away from Tinseltown for a while. Hired to protect both Angelica and Lucy from the fan, Jack finds himself leaving his home state of Texas to head to Montana with his security team. 

I really enjoyed Montana Marine. Angelica is a horrible, horrible person. She treats Lucy, her assistant, like dirt, humiliating her in public, calling her names, etc. When Lucy realizes that a fan has been stalking Angelica, she makes a call that forces both of them out of the spotlight and into a Montana ranch far away from civilian life. Enter retired Gunnery Sergeant Jack Barr.

Jack's team was assigned protection detail over Angelica and her assistant Lucy. When Jack meets Lucy sparks fly off of the pages. Being a novella, the relationship between Lucy and Jack goes rather fast, but it's sweet nonetheless.  I enjoyed their interactions and they were written well. 

The story was incredible. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. The book was fast paced and perfect for a quick read when you just need a little bit of down 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:


Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books but has been updated.



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Monday, June 1, 2026

#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:




Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited


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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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.