Passion & Venom (Venom #1) by S.Williams

Summary: Imagine this:
Your husband is murdered on your wedding day.
Your gown is soiled in his blood.
You are taken hostage...
Treated like a caged animal.
The man behind your husband's murder is revealed.
His name is Draco Molina.
Draco has power. Respect. Wealth.
He is a savage beast of a man - dominant in every way.
Soon after, he makes you an offer that you can't refuse.
All you have do is submit to him, and in return you won't be punished.
He will reward you handsomely.
But if you disobey, you must be prepared to face the consequences.
What do you do when the most wanted man in the world . . . wants you?

**Please Note: This story contains dark elements that may not be suitable for everyone. If you are sensitive to darker matters or if they make you feel uncomfortable in anyway, please consider that before reading Passion & Venom. I will be the first person to tell you that this story is NOT for everyone. To all the others that are eager to read it . . . The Jefe awaits.**

Reader's Thoughts:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

What. On. Earth......... Did I read?
This book caught me extremely off guard. Nothing that happened was what I expected. I wasn't expecting Gianna to become this dark woman, QUEEN, of vengeance. I wasn't expecting Draco to be as...... Evil....... As he is. 
The summary gave nothing away to prepare me for this dark, hormone tormenting journey. 
Gianna, the daughter of a mafia king, to get swept away into the home of another mafia king after her father's death. Her husband's death too. And wants revenge and freedom. But how when you can clearly tell she is conflicted? Her emotions for Draco are real and raw. His the same for her, is deafening.
I've never read any of Shanora's books before. She mentions that her books are not typically this DARK. BUT DAMN!!!!! If she can write like this, bring so much into one book, she is the queen of writing. I had to put Passion & Venom down a few times. I so wrongly read thinking it would be a nice light read. 
Ms Shanora, you have a new fan and I can't get enough. I'm impatiently waiting for Venom & Ecstasy to download on my Kindle

ARKLIGHT: Task Force Crusader by J.M.Myrick

Title: Task Force Crusder Author: J.M.Myrick Series Title: Arklight Published: December 11th 2019 Pages: 402 Format: Kindle Source: Given for an honest review by author

Summary: Powerful enemies threaten. Everlasting judgment begins. 

Reoutfitted and recovered from the costly Battle of Nashville, Spear Team launches a crusade to uncover the truth. This time, they know their enemy: a brutal and cruel special operative known as Magnus O’Keefe. Desperate to locate the next piece of the ultimate weapon, Arklight launches a mission to retrieve the infamous Spear of Destiny. Soon after, they learn of another bygone piece of the puzzle that has been unearthed, bringing to light an astonishing history, lost in the annals of conspiracy and lore. A long-forgotten Nazi regime will stop at nothing to finish what they started under Hitler’s genocidal rule. Rising from the ashes, the Fourth Reich’s Order of the Black Sun covertly initiates the final solution, using a weapon of unimaginable destruction.Bridging over two thousand years of human history, two timelines converge into a singular event; while Spear Team struggles against Magnus, the Alsos Mission Team transcends time, continuing their quest to understand the cryptic Knights Templar journal. In the midst of World War II, clues lead the Alsos Team on a journey until they learn of a judgment day – planned since the beginning of all things. Purpose drives this “battle to end all battles” against an ancient foe, who is fighting to free itself from a dimensional prison – that is, until the portal is opened, the seal is broken, and the Apocalypse begins. The ultimate battle of good versus evil takes place in this final installment of the Arklight trilogy.

Reader's Thoughts:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I read this book by request of the author in return for an honest and unbiased review. Such an amazing conclusion of the ARKLIGHT series.  The introduction of new characters as well as our original teams make this book so much fun and more epic.  The final act of the Knights Templar and Order of the Black Sun made this whole journey bittersweet. The secret identities for the Nazis was not what I was expecting. But it was the perfect plot twist we needed.  I wish our ARKLIGHT teams would have more missions, but this was perfect. ** I was asked to write an honest review for this novel. It was not agreed for the review to be positive. I’m not compensated for my reviews.**

Chamomile Sweet Rolls

 If you know me in my personal life, you know that I have recently developed an addiction to teas. More specifically herbal teas. I still love my coffee, but there is something about a cup of tea that’s just relaxing and refreshing. I recently came across a recipe that it’s just amazing. So I had to share it.

The first part of this recipe is the secret ingredient, Chamomile Milk. For this you will need about 1 1/2 cup of milk and 3 tea bags of Chamomile. You can mix it up and use a Chamomile and Lavender blend if you like.

For the milk, pour the 1 1/2 cup of milk into a small sauce pan and put over medium/low heat. Stir it so it doesn’t burn. As the milk starts to foam on the edges, take off the heat and put in the tea bags. Steep the bags, stirring it into the milk. You want to brew the tea, so stir it into the milk for about 2 minutes. Pull out the tea bags and throw away. Now take a bowl or cup and pour the milk into the cup. You can place the milk in the fridge to cool or you can place the cup into a bowl of ice. 
You have now made Chamomile milk. On to the next step.

For the Rolls you will need:

• 1/23 cup of flower
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup of butter – melted
• 3 egg whites – room temp
• 1 TBsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of Chamomile Milk

Set the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Once mixed set it aside. In a separate bowl, you will mix all the wet ingredients. Mix the ingredients well until the mixture becomes smooth. Now pour the moist mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir/whisk together until the mixture is completely blended. 
You can now pour the batter into your desired baking sheet. a mini bunt pan gives it a gorgeous look. But if you don’t have one (like me) you can use a muffin pan. 
If you’re using a muffin pan, use a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop out the batter into each cup of the pan. Once you’re done place in the oven to back 18-20 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center of the rolls. If it comes back clean, pull them out. Don’t worry if they look white. That’s the point.  
On to the next step, the Chamomile Icing.

For the Icing you will need:

• 3/4 cup of powdered sugar – shifted
• 1/3 tsp Vanilla extract
• approx 2 Tbsp of Chamomile Milk

Once you are done shifting the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl, pour in the vanilla and 1 Tbsp of the Chamomile milk. Then stir. If you need to add more milk then do so. It takes about 2 Tbsp to combine the ingredients into a smooth icing. 
This will not make a lot, just enough to pour a little on each roll. I used a fork to drizzle icing onto each roll. 
You are now done!

Enjoy!!! Until next time!

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

 Summary:

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want… at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken. 

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

Reader’s Thoughts: Oh. My. God. This is the book for new adult fantasy I have been looking for. The characters are so dark and mysterious. I LOVE Callie and Des. The chemistry between them is powerful. We finally have a strong female character that we can connect with. The connection I got with this book is amazing. I’m obsessed. 
While there was a few publication issues (typos and misused words) pushing those aside, this book is genius. 
I’m a fan of ACOTAR and was looking for a book more towards adults. This makes ACOTAR look like child’s play. 
The darkness and mystery of Desmond is deafening. 
The passion and power of Callie is amazing. I can’t wait to purchase book 2!

Until Next Time Dragons!

The Cost of Hope by G.S.Carr

 Title: The Cost of Hope Author: G.S. Carr Series Title: The Cost of Love Published: June 1st 2018 Pages: 195 Format: AudioBook Source: Given for an honest review by author

Summary:

What can a former slave without a penny to her name and no memory beyond the last five years ask from life?

Soleil has no delusions of living a grand life. Or even a happy one for that matter. The only thing she wants is safety for her daughter. But when even that seems impossible she takes matters into her own hands. Only life has a different plan, sending her into the arms of a handsome plantation owner. The strangest part is, he claims to already love her.

Alexander Cummings had long ago accepted that love was lost to him. After picking up the pieces of his broken heart, he threw himself into the duties of owning one of the largest plantations in Elba, Alabama. But life shows him mercy when the woman he thought he lost appears back in his life as if conjured from his deepest desires. Only she returns far from the same and with secrets he never imagined.

As society threatens, and lives could be lost, only together can they both get what they want. But neither will come out unscathed and they must ask themselves, is the cost of love to high?

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reader’s Thoughts: I got this book as audio and by request of the author I’m giving and unbiased review.

This book takes place after the end of slavery. The characters are well thought out and created. I love the time period. You can tell G.S. Carr did their research on the history. As well as the language. As for one of our main characters is french. 
In this novel, you follow a young biracial woman who was recently freed from slavery. But as her former “owner” passes, she runs with her daughter for safety and freedom from the son of the deceased. 
During the run she runs into a young man who knew her from her youth and tells her tales of their adventures and her heritage that has her questioning everything including her memories that are missing. 
As her memories slowly return, she starts a new life and falls in love with a man that she legally can’t have. 

Y’all it’s a good novel and the narrator did WONDERFULLY

Purchase The Cost of Hope HERE

Until Next Time Dragons!

** I was asked to write an honest review for this novel. It was not agreed for the review to be positive. I’m not compensated for my reviews.**

Untamed by Lindsey Pouge

 Title: Untamed Author: Lindsey Pouge Series Title: Savage North Chronicles Published: July 30th 2020 Pages: 352 Format: File Source: Given for an honest review by author as an ARC

Summary:

It’s been eleven years since a pandemic devastated the population and left survivors with superhuman capabilities, and the world has finally settled into a new sense of normal.

Beau has learned to embrace and grow into his Ability, but when he loses his best friend, Beau’s world crumbles all over again. Brokenhearted, he embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, fraught with danger and adventure, and most unexpectedly, love. But the scars left in the wake of the Virus run deeper than Beau can possibly imagine.

Those who were isolated during the outbreak have remained unchanged and vulnerable to Crazies and Ability-enhanced humans alike. When Wren, a native to the wildlands, finds Beau at his worst, the two lost souls learn to trust each other despite the turbulent paths that have brought them together. But the horrors Beau has faced over the years are nothing compared to what unfolds after a single reckless decision. And in a race against time, he must act quickly, drawing upon his survival skills and native teachings, or risk losing Wren forever.

Untamed is a standalone, epic adventure in the Savage North Chronicles.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reader’s Thoughts:

I just have to say that this installment is bittersweet for me. First off, I adore anything Alaska/Yukon related. It makes me home sick. But the second reason is we are now in Beau’s story. Our young little Beau is all grown up and I don’t know how to feel about it. As you go you get so attached to each character and their journeys. I don’t do spoilers in my reviews but y’all, the fells are there. You’re going to cringe, scream, laugh and cry. 
Lindsey is just genius on having her readers connect to the characters. I’m beyond for words.

Now please excuse me while I cry because this book just got to me THAT much. I LOVE IT

Purchase Untamed on Amazon HERE

Until Next Time Dragons!

** I was asked to write an honest review for this novel. It was not agreed for the review to be positive. I’m not compensated for my reviews.**

Instinct by Hanleigh Bradley

 Title: Instinct Author:  Hanleigh Bradley Series Title: Unknown Published: July 27th 2019 Pages: 101 Format: AudioBook Narrator: Debbie Soelter Source: Given for an honest review by author

Summary: I’m not like the vampires in your books, little girl. I’m not agonising over my own soul or the ethics of drinking your blood. I don’t want saving or to find some great love that will alter my very existence.
I’m not a monster. I’m the devil himself and I have no problem playing that role.
I take what I want and right now, what I want is you…
And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reader’s Thoughts:

I received this audiobook in return for a 100% honest review. 

This is book one for a novella series. I enjoy the characters a lot. And while the vampire theme is must more darker than your typical vampire book…. I wanted more. It was hot and fast paced. Over all quick and leaves you hanging. 
Again I will remind you that it’s a novella series, so it will be short, but I want them all so I don’t have to wait. 
Everett is so dark and screams death and danger. Farah is so sweet. I love how she is more relatable than your typical female lead in this kind of subgenre. She is clearly afraid but her curiosity is getting the best of her. Everett hasn’t lied to her, he told her up front what will happen, yet she is willing to except that. 
The narrator, you can tell it’s rough on her voice to do a lower octave for Everett’s POV. I think It might have been better if there was a male narrator for Everett, but she does a good job

Purchase Instinct HERE

Until Next Time Dragons

** I was asked to write an honest review for this novel. It was not agreed for the review to be positive. I’m not compensated for my reviews.**