The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black

 Title: The Wicked King Author: Holly Black Published: Jan. 8th, 2019 Pages: 366  Format: harcover Source: Purchased

Summary: The enchanting and bloodthirsty sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince.

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world. 

 My Review:

Okay. I'll admit I wasn't a fan of The Cruel Prince. But I purchased the rest of the series knowing it will get better. With the headache that came with the plot twist and plans. Murder and betrayals. I wasn't expecting to find saga that is The Wicked King to be just that. Wicked. Cardan..... Ugh. I was starting to like him against my better judgement. But now. Now I don't know what to think. Jude, I feel like never grows up. She's stuck in playing a game and won't get herself out of it. All her decisions are horrible and I hate it. I don't particularly care for Jude either. She's our main character and I am not a fan. I gave this book 3 starts for the saga. The mayhem. The betrayals and the schemes. The world of Faerie is still magical and keeps you on your toes. However, our heroine's journey annoys me. Her lack of growth is...... Lacking. I'm hoping that in Queen of Nothing she becomes better. Someone I can root for. Someone who comes back out and says "surprise I'm here for more." But right now her character is that much of a child. She thinks she's so high and mighty that she doesn't see that she messes up all the time. As for Cardan. I so badly want to like this character. But right now, I hate him. The fandom that exists for this series gave me so much promise. But I'm not seeing what they see

Review: A Kept Heart by Melissa Simone

 

 Title: A Kept Heart Author: Melissa Simone Published: February 14th, 2021 Pages: 188 Format: PDF Source: Received from author as an ARC reader

Summary:

Axel
I’ve loved her since the day I saved her from the playground bullies. When her eyes met mine something tugged at my heart. I didn’t know what it was at first. As the summer went on and the more time I spent with her at the park, I knew then that she was mine. When her family moved unexpectedly. I vowed to myself that I would never forget her.

Twelve years later, my little thimble is a country music superstar. She left something of hers from that summer, so when I heard her singing on TV, I knew that song was about us. During my one chance to meet the only love of my life, she didn’t remember me.

I wasn’t going to get another chance to meet her. The thought of her forgetting me freaked me out. So an opportunity led me to move close by, and learning where she lived, where she hung out… I kinda followed
her, but she doesn’t know it yet. 

Milah
I never forgot who he was, but I just can’t remember enough about him. You’d think that after spending two summer months together, I could pick him out in a crowd, and find him just as easy with my highly paid Investigator. But some people ain’t easy to find. So I meet this guy at my concert, and we became good friends. I end up wrecking my car and suffer from short term memory loss. The guy I’ve been keeping in touch with saves me. He’s also the guy I plan to spend time with at my Lake House for the summer. Even though I don’t remember much, I’m starting to think that my childhood crush and I were never meant to be

Reader's Thoughts:

Speak No Evil by Grant Griffin

 Title: Speak No Evil Author: Grant Griffin Published: August 20, 2020 Pages: 90 Format: Print Source: Purchased as a recommended read

Summary: Speak No Evil is the story of investigative reporter Simone Garcia, a loud mouthed young woman dedicated to chasing down a killer known as The Seamstress, whose killings feel random and senseless, yet cold and calculated. She is then thrust into a partnership with seasoned cop Detective Leroy Stone, a man with very little to say but with the coldest of shoulders. What haunts Simone and Leroy the most is that the public seems to be rooting for the killer because of the targets he chooses. After a murder happens far too close to home, Simone and Detective Stone must stop a madman who is seemingly two steps ahead, while learning the true power of words and how we use them.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reader's Thoughts: Speak No Evil is a new thriller about a worn down detective and a young reporter who are thrown together to find serial killer who is hunting down the worst of the worst. Mob bosses, Power-hungry Typhoons and Corruption everywhere. The worst part is that everyone is supporting the serial killer, known as The Seamstress.

This book came recommended to me and I had to say that I was a bit surprised. Besides the cover-art of a demented scarecrow, there was actually a surprise in the book for the reader. While the author has his author's note section as a Prologue, I was glad I read it. In there is the surprise for the reader, which continues into ever chapter. 

We are thrown into the killings so quickly, that it's hard to understand what's going on at first. There are quite a few details that you could miss if you weren't ready. I loved the use of a brainwashed person using scripture as their reasoning. While that might throw off some readers, you have to understand that the concept is used daily whether you know it or not, you might of been subjected to it unknowingly.

The only disappointing thing was the book was quite short. It's a quick and easy read. I actually really enjoyed this book and hope the author is planning on writing more. 

Note for the author: A=J

CYRELT PXD OXA CQN JMENWCDAN

You can purchase Speak No Evil as print or kindle HERE

** I was NOT 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.**

Venom & Ecstacy (Venom #2) By S. Williams

 Summary: I am much more than meets the eye. 

I am stronger, smarter, and I won’t stop until I’m on top. 
He thinks he’s safe around me. He’s a fool to believe so. 

What would I do if the most wanted man in the world wanted me? 
The answer is simple. 
Get rid of him before he dares get rid of me.

Reader's Thoughts: 

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A sequel of passion and darkness

I don't know what to think right now. I'm stuck with another horrible cliffhanger and I'm going through withdrawals. What the heck did I read? Again! I'm falling more and more for our dark duo that I'm needing more! 
The introduction of Hernandez was not what I expected. Yet like the first book, NOTHING in Venom & Ecstasy was what I was expecting. This book is just as dark and emotional as Passion & Venom.

**Highlight from the book**

"It’s a darkness that sweeps over, a shadow that you can’t get rid of. It claims your soul for life."

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!