Friday, September 25, 2026

Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery) by Samantha Larsen ~ Historical Cozy Mystery

 Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery) by Samantha Larsen

About Holmes Away From Home:

 

Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery)

Historical Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Setting - London, 1911

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2026

Hardcover Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448322405

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448322404

Digital Coming - September 16, 2026

goodreads badge

Introducing Althea Adler, accomplished thief and daring heroine with a mysterious link to Sherlock Holmes.

A heart-racing game of wits, murder and romance is about to commence . . .

London, 1911. Althea Adler receives a mysterious postcard with just four words, ‘Holmes away from home.’ Surely her mother, notorious thief and opera star Irene Adler, is instructing her to break into Sherlock Holmes’s safe? But when she does, Althea makes a shocking discovery . . .

Still reeling from events at 221b Baker Street, Althea accepts an invitation to a party at Twickenham Towers, the ancestral home of Lord Slough, where a murder throws her into further turmoil―as does handsome fellow guest William, the Marquess of Sheffield, who has been tasked with staking out Slough by the British Government.

Althea and William form an unlikely alliance as they set about catching a killer. But can they trust each other when they both have something to hide?

An addictive new cozy mystery trilogy featuring a super smart, lively heroine, a dashing lord and a fiendishly good whodunnit, perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes's classic mysteries, Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and Netflix's The Residence.

About Samantha Larsen:

Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen and historical romances under Samantha Hastings. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She's the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. Learn more at: www.SamanthaHastings.com

Author Links:

Website Instagram Facebook X BookBub

Preorder Links:

  Amazon - B&N

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

September 16 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 16 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
September 17 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
September 17 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW
September 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – Baseball, Books, and Banter Podcast/YouTube – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 19 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 21 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
September 21 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR GUEST POST
September 22 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
September 22 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
September 23 – Reading Reality – REVIEW
September 23 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT
September 24 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
September 24 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT
September 25 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW
September 25 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT
September 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 26 – Book HookUp – REVIEW
September 27 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT
September 28 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
September 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 29 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here


  

 
 

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 24, 2026

The CUPID Dating Agency (Angel Romance Collection, Books 1-4) by Celia Breslin


The CUPID Dating Agency
Angel Romance Collection 
Books 1-4
Celia Breslin 

MEDDLING MATCHMAKERS LEAD TO HEAVENLY STEAM.

Four celestial warriors. Four potential mates. One tempting collection.

Welcome to The CUPID Dating Agency…

A WARRIOR’S KISS

The cupids nudge a stoic warrior and a commitment-shy introvert in the direction of true love, but hundreds of Hell’s servants intent on destruction and mayhem stand in their way…

Grumpy Sunshine * Opposites Attract * He Falls First

“A wild ride of action and sexy times!” —Virginia Nelson, USA Today Bestselling Author

A DEMON’S EMBRACE

With hell beasties on a rampage, the cupids team up a snarky rogue demon with a by-the book warrior-class angel for a partnership that might extend far beyond one job for Heaven.

Enemies to Lovers * Secret Crush * Forced Proximity

“Zara is a total badass, and I love Stryker’s banter and snarkiness. A marvelous read!”—Georgia Lyn Hunter, author of Fallen Guardians & Warlords of Empyrea series

AN ANGEL’S OBSESSION

Ordered by the cupids, a duty-bound angel must work with a Celtic storm god to resolve the mayhem he caused on Earth and in the Underworld, but that’s nothing compared to the god being her ex-boyfriend…

Second Chance * Forced Proximity * Immortal Pining

“A super-enjoyable read. Love the characters and the world!”—C. J. Burright, author of Druid Cursed & the Dreamcaster series

AN ANGEL’S TREASURE

When the meddling cupids try to keep a warrior angel and his baker bestie apart, it may take a miracle—or hundreds of party-crashing wendigos—to flip the friends into lovers…

Friends to Lovers * Secret Crush * Slow Burn

“Angelic sex was never so sinful, highly recommend!” —Virginia Nelson, USA Today Bestselling Author

The CUPID Dating Agency is a multi-author novella series intended for adult readers. This collection brings together all four CUPID Dating Agency stories by Celia Breslin, featuring wicked-smart heroines, big-hearted alphas, supernatural shenanigans, and steamy romance. Grab your copy today!


Read Excerpts:

 

A Warrior’s Kiss, Collection Story #1 in the novella collection:

 (Nicky and Zeke’s First Meet)

 

“Think he’s dead?” The whispered question quieted his internal whining.

Nice voice. Soft and smooth, like velvet. Feminine. Clearly, he wasn’t alone.

“He sure looks dead.” A second woman replied, louder and with a chuckle.

He suppressed a scowl and kept his eyes closed. She thinks this is funny?

Bodies shifted behind whatever his head had cracked into, edging closer to either side of him.

“There’s no blood, though,” she of the velvet voice murmured. “Shouldn’t there be blood? […].”

She came to a halt near his head, her body heat and peaches-and-honey scent saturating his senses. He should open his peepers and say something, see if the female looked as good as she sounded and smelled.

Shit. Where had that reaction come from? He had no room in his life for a woman, especially not a mortal woman.

“Maybe we should check for a pulse,” the one Peaches had called Maya suggested.

“I’m not touching his body.”

Fast reply from Peaches. Jesus, did he look so horrible? And double Jesus, why did her opinion matter? He must have hit his head harder than he imagined.

======

A Demon’s Embrace, Collection Story #2

(Stryker and Zara's Slow Burn)

Location: Charon's boat, River Styx, the Underworld...

 

The boat heaved upward as if struck from below, sending her airborne. Before she could conjure her wings, Stryker shot up and snatched her around the waist, hauling them both to the deck.

Flat on his back with her sprawled atop his hard body, he grinned, much too pleased with himself for her liking. “Told you it gets rough,” he shouted over the rush of water. “I never lie to you, Angel Face.”

“That in itself is a lie,” she shot back, wedging her fingers in the gaps between the bone flooring and gripping tight while the chopping river tossed their ride.

He laughed but the sound was lost in the great roar of the river.

“Buckle up, baby.” Stryker held her tight to his chest. The boat bucked upward and bashed down, again and again. Freezing water sprayed everywhere, drenching them in seconds.

Cheek to cheek, Stryker clutched her close with a hand cupping her head and one massive arm banded around her torso. “Hang on Angel Cake, I’ve got you.” Warmth slid into her quivering body, a soothing heat wafting from the demon. “Nice trick, right?” he murmured into her ear, lips grazing her skin.

Teeth chattering, she didn’t reply, too caught up in the sensation of his surprisingly soft lips on the shell of her ear.

Desire danced through her, followed fast by denial. No. Please, no. Eternal enemy. Archnemesis. But her treacherous body relaxed against his.

“Yes, baby. That’s it.” His hand slid to her nape, and he exhaled against the sensitive skin of her neck, setting off a flurry of butterflies in her stomach.

Nothing good could come of a tryst with a demon. It didn’t matter how loudly the hum chimed in her, or how wonderful his hard body felt under hers, they couldn’t possibly—

Oh, no, now his clever fingers kneaded the knots in her muscles, massaging the tension from her neck and shoulders, making her melt.

His warm lips brushed her ear once again. “Angel…”

Lord help her, she wanted him.

 

===========

 

 

 

An Angel’s Obsession, story #3

(Luke and Elle’s First Re-meet)

 

Luke was cannon-balled out of slumber by the sudden presence of one hundred-and-fifty pounds of hound landing on his back.

Facedown atop a supremely soft mattress with his arms stretched wide and his head hanging off the foot of the bed, it took him a second to rally his speech center. “What the actual bloody hell, Bolt?”

Bolt ignored him, bouncing around Luke’s body, pitching him side to side, up, down, up, down.

“For feck’s sake.” What the double bloody hell was Bolt on about with all the yapping and yipping and bashing of Luke’s kidneys with his big paws?

Luke rolled onto his back. “Enough, Bolt. Sit.”

Bolt whined and smacked one large paw down upon Luke’s bare chest. Ouch. “Duuude,” he drawled. “Chill.”

Fingers snapped, silencing his dog lickety-split.

Who possessed the ability to boss his animal around and convince the stubborn bugger to obey?

Only one person in any dimension wielded this kind of puppy power. But no, it can’t be her.

With his heartbeat jackhammering in his chest, he sucked in a deep breath, soaking in the unique floral scent of the woman who broke his rarely used heart, hoping this was no mere post-party hallucination.

“Gabrielle,” he whispered. God’s messenger and elite warrior, the angel he’d admired and cherished. “Elle.” The woman he’d let down, and who ultimately walked away.

A grin spread over his face.

“Angel baby. You’re here.” He cranked open his eyelids to gaze up at her in wonder.

Lightning crackled in the depths of her glittering green eyes as she loomed over him, her unhappy expression promising pain. Yep, his angel was clearly not as thrilled as he was about this unexpected reunion.

A snarl escaped his angel’s throat, and her arm shot downward, her fingers of steel snagging him by the throat and squeezing his windpipe.

“Luke.” She uttered his name as if it were the vilest curse word in any dimension, then lifted him with little effort and slammed him up against the wall…

 

================

An Angel’s Treasure, Story #4

(Raz and Maya in the Friend Zone)

 

Maya smacked into a wall of muscle.

“Raz!” She palmed his hunky chest and pushed.

He didn’t budge. Instead, he covered her hands with his much larger ones, trapping them against his pecs while he backed her against the fridge.

 

“Move.” Wow, that order came out more like a question, and good grief, could her voice sound any wispier? All breathy and needy? But damn it, touching him was doing all sorts of lusty things to her insides, again, and they were not in the right place or time to be—

Wait. Hold the horniness. There was never a right time for them. Friends. Friend Zone. The platonic zone.

Raz towered over her, his pretty eyes practically searing into her soul. “Hey, you all right?” His warm, warm fingers stroked the backs of her hands while the cold metal of the fridge sent goosies down her spine.

“I’ll be fine.” She yanked her hands out from under his and attempted to skirt around him, but he planted his stupid big hands against the fridge on either side of her, towering over her, caging her in.

Damn it, he smelled so good, like clove, pine, and citrus. “I need to check on the cookies.”

“No, you don’t. You just put in that batch.”

“Again, I ask, what do you know about baking? Zip, that’s what.”

“As much as I enjoy our banter, TT, something is up, and we’re not moving until you tell me.”

His expression softened. “Let me help.”

“I’m not some problem you need to fix.” She ducked under his arm. This time, he let her go, much to her relief. And to no small amount of disappointment.

She busied herself arranging the cooled batch of cookies on a platter.

“Maya.”

Oh, man. He said her actual name instead of one of the bazillion nicknames he seemed to have for her. She nibbled on the side of her lip and tore her gaze off the cookie pile to face the source of her never-ending torment.

Brow furrowed, he stared down at her, concern clear in his eyes. They always darkened to forest green when he was upset, which was a rare occurrence for the upbeat, positive man. Except when he was in battle mode, like the time a bunch of creatures from Hell invaded Petaluma, and Raziel made his fiery sword appear out of nowhere then killed every scary monster that tried to attack her—

Raz tapped her forehead with his index finger. “You’re thinking very hard. Too hard for a party. What’s going on in that clever mind of yours?”

“Nothing.”

“Mm-hm.” He scanned her face. “You have a little something on your…” His gaze locked onto her cheek, and before she could so much as blink, he stroked his thumb over her skin, right near her lips.

Lips that wanted to be kissed sooooo damn badly. By him.

Shit. She grabbed his wrist and opened her mouth to lay into him as hard as her bantering skills would allow, to stop herself before she snaked her hands around his neck and tugged his face closer to hers to kiss—

Chimes trilled.

The air around them warmed.

Fireworks burst to life near the vaulted ceiling, and a scroll winked into existence in an explosion of pink and gold sparkles.

Holy sugar sprinkles. The cupids had crashed the party.


About the Author:

Celia Breslin lives in San Francisco, California, USA, with her family, including three feisty felines who like to stalk across her keyboard while she’s hard at work crafting urban fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal romances. Her current creature obsessions are wolf shifters, the Fae, vampires, warrior-class angels, and cyborgs, and her action-packed stories include some of her favorite tropes: fated mates, second chance, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and more.

When not glued to her laptop, Celia likes to work out, read books (of course!), hang with her family, and binge-watch sci-fi and fantasy TV shows and movies. Matcha lattes keep her fueled for All The Life Stuff!

Website: http://www.celiabreslin.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.

Winning the Wrong Game by Josh Wintermute ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #WinningtheWrongGame #JoshWintermute #Nonfiction


Winning the Wrong Game by Josh Wintermute


When the Life You’ve Built Still Isn’t Enough and How to Restore What Actually Matters

 

Christian Living / Religion / Nonfiction

Date Published: August 4, 2026

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing

 


You’ve worked hard, built a good life, and achieved what you set out to accomplish. So why does something still feel off?

On the surface, everything looks right. But underneath, something is beginning to crack—and no amount of success, performance, or achievement seems to fix it.

Josh Wintermute knows that feeling well. After walking through physical, mental, financial, and spiritual struggles, he came to a life-changing realization: the problem wasn’t just the circumstances—it was the foundation.

In this honest and practical book, Josh walks you through the three foundational areas every life is built on—your heart, your home, and your culture. He helps you uncover what’s broken beneath the surface, do the hard work of restoration, and rebuild on what truly matters.

You are not as stuck as you think.
You are not as alone as you feel.
And you are going to make it.



About the Author:


Author Josh Wintermute is a life builder and founder of Quiet Winters, helping leaders build their lives on a solid foundation. With over 20 years of pastoral ministry, Josh has walked with hundreds of people through life’s ups and downs and has a deep desire to see people heal and grow through the challenges we face in life. Josh has been married for over 25 years, has three sons, and lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

 

Contact Links:

Website

Instagram: @joshwintermute @quiet_winters


Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble


RABT Book Tours & PR

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.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

#BookReview ~ A Dash of Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan #CozyRomance #Romance #HolidayRomance @susan_buchanan @rararesources

 

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

CAN LARA ADD A SPRINKLING OF MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS?


About the Book:

Jacob introduces ever tastier treats to the Sugar and Spice cafe’s menu as the Christmas Spirit knits her magic into the lives of those finding this Christmas tough.

Florence is struggling to make ends meet and afford the present she knows her son wants for Christmas. Her ex-husband flaunting his new girlfriend and their baby isn’t helping her mood.

Widower Jude feels a failure as a father to his two young children after the tragic death of his wife. The move to Winstanton was meant to make life easier. Can he learn to carve out time to build new friendships and give himself the chance to grieve?

Rachel’s boss has given the promotion he promised her to the man twenty years her junior, whom she trained. She’s fed up with being taken for granted, and the lack of sympathy from her husband and teenage children.

Retired David feels Grinch-like as his son expects him to look after his grandchildren all the time, without taking his life into consideration. He used to love Christmas, but this year it has lost its sparkle.

Can the warm welcome at the Sugar and Spice café help them find their Christmas spirit?

A feel-good festive romance with a heartwarming community and a generous helping of Christmas spirit!

My Review:

A Dash of Christmas Spirit is a story filled with multiple POVs. The most common denominator is the Sugar and Spice Café, which is the hub of the small town of Winstanton in Scotland. Part of a series, this story can be read as a stand alone. I've only read this book in the series (something I plan to rectify sooner rather than later) and I didn't feel lost or confused because I hadn't read prior books.

I love the multiple POVs. It took reading the first couple POV's from each of the different characters to pull it all together and remember who was who but once I did, there was not stopping me. I had a great time meeting those characters who are recurring and watching the newbies try to make their way in this cute Scottish village. 

The author did a great job crafting a book filled with realistic characters, believable situations, and emotions the reader can feel.

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:

Meet the Author:




Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedies, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit, A Taste of Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Leap Year Proposal, You Can’t Hurry Love and The Boulangerie on the Corner.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it. 

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out.

Social Media Links:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/susancbuchananauthor

X @susan_buchanan and Instagram @AuthorSusanBuchanan and Threads @authorsusanbuchanan and BlueSky @susanbuchanan.bsky.social

And on her website www.susanbuchananauthor.com

e is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Zombie Zoo by Melanie Abed ~ @Melanie_Abed @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #ZombieZoo #MelanieAbed #MiddleGrade


Zombie Zoo by Melanie Abed


Adventures in Tub (Felix & Ninja, Book 1)


Upper Middle Grade

Date Published: 09-15-2026

Publisher: Oculus Print




Two orphan loners. One supernatural plague. When wood-eating zombies threaten their island, mismatched investigators Felix and Ninja must combine science and instinct to save Spinachi-before they're next.

ZOMBIE ZOO is Book 1 in a five-book middle grade adventure series for readers ages 8-13, blending paranormal mystery, zombies, unlikely friendship, and STEAM-powered problem-solving.


When 13-year-old aspiring naturalist Felix Fizzystyxx discovers that orphans at Wayward Amok Orphanage are transforming into wood-eating zombies, his quiet tree-fort observations are no longer enough. Someone has deliberately unleashed a strange plague on Tub's island town of Spinachi-and they're still out there.

To find a cure, Felix must team up with Ninja, a shadow-dwelling orphan who trusts her instincts and never backs down. Intense and razor-sharp, she notices what others overlook and lives up to her name as the island's most mysterious sleuth. With their eccentric mentor Doc Brunne compromised and the town's water supply contaminated by a glowing bioluminescent substance, the two mismatched investigators must combine scientific observation with sharp intuition to stop the outbreak before their island home is devoured.


Set on the fictional island of Tub, this fast-paced, humorous adventure naturally weaves in STEAM concepts-biology, chemistry, bioluminescence, water systems, pattern recognition, and the scientific method-within an age-appropriate supernatural mystery. Themes include unlikely friendship, identity, trust across differences, courage, and finding your voice when adults won't listen.

Featuring diverse protagonists, quirky humor, spooky-but-fun scares, and strong female and male leads. ZOMBIE ZOO is ideal for reluctant readers and fans of Max Brallier's The Last Kids on Earth, B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, and Goosebumps. Comprehensive educator resources-including discussion guides, vocabulary lists, STEAM extension activities, and printable maps-support classroom use, library programming, book clubs, and make this title ideal for cross-curricular lessons bridging ELA, STEAM, and SEL.

 


About the Author:


Melanie Abed is a behavioral expert turned story weaver. She believes dragons are real but hiding, and finds thunderstorms equally delightful and terrifying. A tea-loving bookworm, she champions young minds and writes to help kids discover their superpowers are real.


Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Pinterest

Instagram: @byMelanieAbed


Purchase Links:

https://mybook.to/ZombieZoo

Amazon

B&N

Walmart


RABT Book Tours & PR

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.