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


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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:


Visit the Author:







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

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.




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:


Meet the Author:


Cat adorer and chocolate lover, British author Holly Bell’s life changed in a day. A best-
selling author friend convinced Holly that she could write cozy mysteries, after many years
experience with non-fiction, photography and video making.

Holly devoured all of the Agatha Christie books long before she knew that Miss Marple was
the godmother of the Cozy Mystery. Her love of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings meant that
her first literary creation in this area would have to be a cosy paranormal. Since then, the
series has grown to include the genre of urban fantasy mystery.

Having derived immense delight from the adventure of writing Amanda Cadabra and The
Hidey-Hole Truth, its 8 sequels and 1 prequel to date, Holly has more in the pipeline, with
the 10 th book in the series now in the making. The third in the series Amanda Cadabra and
The Flawless Plan has just come out on Audible in audiobook format, joining the first two
books. The World of Amanda Cadabra shop for bookish gifts on Redbubble has just begun
rolling out its Sunken Madley School collection.

Holly lives in London, somewhere near the place that inspired her quaint, peculiar but
apparently perfectly normal fictional village. Readers will know better.

Her favourite feline is a black cat called Bobby. He is black. Like her favourite hat. Purely
coincidental.

Holly loves to hear from readers. Find her on the contact page of the amandacadabra.com
website, or on Facebook as Holly Bell Author. She always responds in person.

Links:


Tuesday, September 15, 2026

#BookReview: Unorthodox (A Kendra Spark Novel, Book One) by S. Peters-Davis #ParanormalSuspense


Unorthodox
A Kendra Spark Novel, Book One
S. Peters-Davis

Genre: Paranormal Suspense -Thriller Romance - Supernatural

Publisher: Books We Love Publishing

Date of Publication: September 15, 2017

ISBN 978-1-77362-303-0
ISBN 978-1-77362-304-7
EPUB 978-1-77362-300-9
Kindle 978-1-77362-301-6
WEB 978-1-77362-302-3


About the Book:

Kendra Spark, suspense-mystery romance author and communicator with the dead, is requested to hop on the first flight to D.C.

Jenna Powers, FBI criminal analyst and estranged best friend of Kendra, gets ghosticized in a fatal accident before relaying all the details of the FBI killer case.

Derek Knight, a dedicated FBI Special Task Force agent, takes lead on the case.

The investigation into the FBI agent killings continues as Kendra, Jenna – yes, even after death – and Derek work together on the case before Director of the Special Task Force Jackson Powers’ number is up. He’s Jenna’s father and the end-game of the killer’s target list.

Somehow the elusive killer remains undetected, until Kendra’s unique ability produces results and a final possibility at stopping his killing spree before it’s too late.

My Review:

Kendra Spark is a Michigander that can see ghosts.  When her estranged best friend Jenna, an FBI criminal analyst summons her to D.C. Kendra is shocked to learn why.  Jenna is on a case trying to find a murderer taking out FBI agents who have worked with her father.  She wants to use Kendra's unique abilities to help track down the monster.  Before they get much more involved in the conversation, Jenna rushes into the street to save a boy and is mowed down by a car.  Now, Jenna must do all of her analyzing from the ghostly plane as she helps Kendra and FBI Task Force Agent Derek Knight chase down the murderer.

Unorthodox is an interesting novel that combines a ghost whisperer, an FBI agent, and a ghost into a crime solving team.  Kendra tries to keep her abilities to herself since almost everyone who discovers her secret either calls her a liar or a freak.  As the book progresses, Derek become more open minded about Kendra.  Jenna is able to help in dangerous situations by using a skill that she now has as a ghost.  Derek does the best he can in such trying circumstances that continue to hit close to home.

The author built up a low key romance but unfortunately I didn't really hop on board the relationship train.  It wasn't really believable to me.  I didn't feel any chemistry between Kendra and Derek - none at all.  I liked the characters as individuals but Kendra and Derek didn't spark for me.  Jenna's character flitted in and out as necessary and I found her to be nice and determined.  She wanted to protect her father at all costs and she paid the biggest price.  

The world building and character development was good and believable. I felt that the author's detailed descriptions of the setting, characters, and scenes were adequate and I was able to visualize the whole story from layouts to character details.  At certain points I felt like I was there in the story.  You'll be engaged from the very beginning.

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.


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.


Monday, September 14, 2026

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

Exclusive Excerpt:

Excerpt 1 — Senara meets Trelawney

‘Fresh blood,’ observed Mrs Cadabra.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Trelawney looked at her doubtfully. She registered that he was in his late thirties, tall, light-haired, grey-suited and attractive in a manner appropriate to a policeman.
‘Do come in.’
He stepped over the threshold and into the clean, bright hall. She closed the door behind him.
Trelawney’s boss, Chief Inspector Hogarth, was on the verge of retirement and had sent his junior to acquaint himself with a case that had remained open for 28 years.
Mrs Cadabra led the way into the living room, gestured to the sergeant to sit down, then decisively pulled a photo album from one of the stacked bookshelves flanking the brick fireplace. She laid it open on his knees and pointed to a portrait of a power-dressed couple holding a baby.
‘1987. Our darling Amanda, held by my obnoxious daughter,’ she uttered in clipped tones.

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


Meet the Author:


Cat adorer and chocolate lover, British author Holly Bell’s life changed in a day. A best-
selling author friend convinced Holly that she could write cozy mysteries, after many years
experience with non-fiction, photography and video making.

Holly devoured all of the Agatha Christie books long before she knew that Miss Marple was
the godmother of the Cozy Mystery. Her love of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings meant that
her first literary creation in this area would have to be a cosy paranormal. Since then, the
series has grown to include the genre of urban fantasy mystery.

Having derived immense delight from the adventure of writing Amanda Cadabra and The
Hidey-Hole Truth, its 8 sequels and 1 prequel to date, Holly has more in the pipeline, with
the 10 th book in the series now in the making. The third in the series Amanda Cadabra and
The Flawless Plan has just come out on Audible in audiobook format, joining the first two
books. The World of Amanda Cadabra shop for bookish gifts on Redbubble has just begun
rolling out its Sunken Madley School collection.

Holly lives in London, somewhere near the place that inspired her quaint, peculiar but
apparently perfectly normal fictional village. Readers will know better.

Her favourite feline is a black cat called Bobby. He is black. Like her favourite hat. Purely
coincidental.

Holly loves to hear from readers. Find her on the contact page of the amandacadabra.com
website, or on Facebook as Holly Bell Author. She always responds in person.

Links:

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

#BookReview ~ Shadow's Protection by Chelle Bliss (Hurricane Heat, Book 1) ~ #MCRomance #Romance #OneYearAnniversary

Shadow's Protection by Chelle Bliss

One Year Anniversary!

 


About the Book:

ASIN: ‎ B0F4QXCN1F
Publisher: ‎ Bliss Ink
Publication date: ‎ September 2, 2025
Print length: ‎ 302 pages
Purchase from Amazon
Add to Goodreads

About the Book:

Shadow isn’t the type to mingle with people outside his world unless they owe him or the club something. But when his eyes land on a beautiful woman in need of a place to stay, he offers her shelter from the coming storm without a second thought.

Violet James needs a fresh start. She’s planned every detail—new job, new house, new city. But the one thing she didn’t expect was a hurricane to throw a wrench into everything. Stranded in a new city with no open hotel rooms for miles, she’s intrigued when a handsome biker offers her a safe place to stay.

Shadow never expected the woman to come with baggage in the form of an obsessive ex-boyfriend who will stop at nothing to get her back, including showing up at his club’s compound.
What starts off as a little fun to pass the time as a hurricane decimates the area around them turns into something deeper than either of them could’ve imagined. And Shadow will do anything to keep Violet safe, even if that means risking his life to save hers.

My Review:

Shadow’s Protection is the first book in the Hurricane Heat MC series and what a fantastic start to a new series. I’m a huge fan of MC romance and Shadow’s Protection checked all the boxes. Broody hero. Strong heroine. Crazy ex. Full protection. I loved Shadow and Violet. I was pulled into their story and captivated by their personalities, drama, romance, and complications. Their chemistry sizzles, the passion is raw, and emotions permeate the pages. I couldn’t put this story down. Perfectly composed, paced, and written, Shadow’s Protection will pull you in and keep you engaged.

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.


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, August 30, 2026

Book Review: Unraveled (Elemental Assassin, Book 15) by Jennifer Estep ~ #UF Urban Fantasy ~ #TenYearAnniversary #PublishedForADecade

Unraveled
Elemental Assassin, Book 15
Jennifer Estep

Ten Year Anniversary!


Book Details:

Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
ASIN: B017I22DZC

Purchase from Amazon 
Add to Goodreads


About the Book:

What could go wrong when you’re trying to unravel a decades-old conspiracy?

As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city’s most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn’t done me a lick of good in learning more about “the Circle”. Despite my continued investigations, the trail’s gone as cold as the coming winter.

So when Finnegan Lane, my foster brother, gets word of a surprising inheritance, we figure why not skip town for someplace less dangerous for a few days? That place: Bullet Pointe, a fancy hotel resort complex plus Old West theme park that Finn now owns lock, stock, and barrel. At first, all the struttin’ cowboys and sassy saloon girls are just hokey fun. But add in some shady coincidences and Circle assassins lurking all around, and vacationing becomes wilder—and deadlier—than any of us expected.

Good thing this assassin brought plenty of knives to the gunfight …


My Review:

Unravled, book 15, is another fantastic installment of the Elemental Assassin series. The entire series has pulled me in and kept me engaged from the very beginning. These are the types of books that have me longing for the next one. They are written with vivid descriptions and genuine feelings, allowing the reader to become totally immersed in this world.

Gin, Finn, Owen, and Bria are headed out of town to Bullet Pointe, a Wild West theme park. After the fallout of book 14, Bitter Bite, Finn learns he inherited the theme park from his mother. The last time Gin took a vacation was several books ago and she's highly due for another one. Gin really should know better - nothing good ever comes out of going on vacation. When Circle assassins appear throughout the park Gin knows that Bullet Pointe isn't all fun and games.

Even after 15 novels in this series, Jennifer Estep knows how to keep the stories engaging and interesting. I've been a fan of the entire series. I've rated all of the books 4 or 5 stars. They are written with vivid descriptions and genuine feelings, allowing the reader to become totally immersed in this world. The world building continues and we learn a bit more about Gin's mother.

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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