Books & Bottles Series (#12)

Hey Friends! If you’re paying attention, you know I skipped my B&B for December. 😬 I know – caught! Eventually, I will make it up but, for now, I’m moving on! And I’m moving forward numerically so here’s: Books & Bottles Series (#12)!

P.S. … How the heck are we here? Like, where did January go? Month #1 of 2022… poof! Gone!

---

Books & Bottles Series (#12)

As promised in All The Audiobooks I Listened to Last Year, I’m changing the format for B&Bs. Last year, the titles were way too long. Let me know if the numbers throw you guys and if you think I should do months instead.

The Book: From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1)

Raised in solidarity, Poppy is the Maiden. With little relations, other than her trusted guard and handmaiden, she waits for her Ascension. A ritual no one will tell her about. As it approaches, she learns The Dark One is determined to kill her.

However, Poppy has been learning to defend herself since her parents’ death, as a little girl. Though never her choice, and never being told why she is “worthy by the gods” to be the Maiden, she struggles with her duties every day. Why was she CHOSEN?

Honest review: 4 Stars

Listen – I am not going to sugarcoat this for you: this book was a wild ride.

Friends, I have no idea how it happened but I may have fallen into the next Twilight saga? And I was not at all prepared for that! Like, what? I have no clue how this happened! I don’t even know if I’m prepared to tell you if I liked it – I’m completely perplexed.

Here’s what I do know: TikTok made me read it.

Take from that what you will.

Since finishing this book, I don’t know if I want to read the second in the Jennifer L. Armentrout series. However, I want to know what happens and the longer I go without knowing… I’m intrigued! So, I put it on hold at the library. When it’s available, I guess we’ll find out together if I’ll be reading it!

_{Note: if you’re thinking of buying this book, check out bookshop.org. You can pick it up at your local bookstore or support a small shop near you and have it delivered!}

---

The Bottle: MaryHill’s 2016 Merlot

One of the best merlots I’ve had in a long time. Why?

It’s not a mouth-puckering dry up your lips, Merlot! No no. It’s bold and smooth and lovely.

The perfect “I’m reading by the fireplace, no one bother me” wine. Aka: The perfect cabin wine. This is your typical and quintessential Washington Wine. It literally embodies everything we are.

What I’m tasting:

Warm woodsy chocolate spices and a bit of dark cherry. (Winery tasting notes)

What I’m smelling:

A dark plum crumble and thanksgiving spices. 😅

Overall wine grade: A

We are starting the year with a winner! This is the second bottle of merlot I’ve purchased from Maryhill. The 2016 bottle is sold at their tasting rooms and estate. I picked this one up on my adventure in Spokane. Highly recommend swinging in, if you can.

---

Can’t wait to hear what you guys are reading and tasting! What’s on your bookshelf? Have you read From Blood and Ash? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Til next time, Happy Reading!

Other posts you might enjoy:

• 3 Hours in Solvang California
• How to get Free Books while Traveling
• 8 Ways to get Over Post Travel Depression

Shop this post:

---