Young Adult Book Review: Heartless Hunter

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February 21, 2025

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa

If you’re the type of reader who a) hates waiting for the next book in a series to come out, and b) hates having to wait for the conclusion of a series, I have the perfect duology for you. The first book in the Crimson Moth series, called Heartless Hunter, came out in February 2024, and the second – and final – book comes out this month, February 2025. The books are part fantasy, part enemies-to-lovers romance, and are written by author Kristen Ciccarelli.

In Heartless Hunter, we meet Gideon and Rune. Gideon is a member of the Blood Guards, a powerful group tasked with capturing witches and witch sympathizers. By day, Rune is an innocent socialite who enjoys hosting parties and having fun. By night, though, she, a witch herself, is the Crimson Moth, a vigilante who sets captured witches free. Gideon and Rune form a relationship, unaware that they are both just using each other for information. Gideon has been trying to identify the Crimson Moth for years, so he wants to know if Rune has any witch marks on her body. For Rune, she hopes that Gideon will spill the location of a captured witch. What the two adversaries don’t plan on, though, is developing feelings for each other. What will happen then when their love comes head to head with their own missions?

The story is told in alternating perspectives between Gideon and Rune, and it really adds to the cat-and-mouse feel. I think the romance probably pushes the book to an upper-teens level, but nothing was too explicit. The book did have some repetitive parts, but even so, I found myself pretty quickly hooked, and I was eager to keep reading. The best part, though, is that there was a great twist at the end of this Heartless Hunter that will carry the action and excitement right into the second book. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Heartless Hunter today!

For the Love of Entrepreneurship

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momentumHQ

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February 20, 2025

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A common misconception is that entrepreneurs must be doing alright and have lots of money because they were able to successfully build their own business. While this is possible and generally an eventual goal for every ambitious entrepreneur, it’s not always the case. Most business owners choose to go out on their own for the many benefits of running their own business, in spite of not earning as much as they could working elsewhere. Things like “making my own schedule” and “the ability to have a flexible home life” and “prioritizing what I want to do for work instead of being told what to do” are all exciting and very strong points that motivate people to start a business. It is important to weigh options if you’re thinking about going out on your own. It is hard to start a business and build a client base to succeed. And with growth comes additional expenses, which leads to steady planning and adequate financial oversight to ensure that success continues. This isn’t to say that it’s too difficult for someone to go out on their own without fail, it’s just a reality that should be kept in mind.

The good news: momentumHQ is a community of entrepreneurs that support like-minded people and offers affordable office space, learning events, and networking opportunities if you’re planning on taking the plunge to be your own boss. Take advantage of our Sweet Deal by signing up for a coworking membership this month and get your first 3 months of membership 50% off. The mHQ Crew is here to help you build your business at affordable rates!

mHQ Member Highlights

Ron Manning: Hometown Insurance Agency

Our newest member feels right at home in our shared office. He enjoys providing home, auto, and commercial insurance services to his clients in a professional atmosphere. The mHQ Network has allowed him to transition into the momentumHQ space comfortably. He especially loves the location. If you’re in the market to compare coverage rates, you can find Ron at 1909 W. Owen K. Garriott or at www.hometowninsurancemanningagency.com

Indian Hills Plaza Business Spotlight Tax time is here, and Bell Finance is geared up to help you complete your return. Swing by their office and see what they can do for you this tax season or call 580-237-6521.

Meet Our Award-Winning Pooches MIAMI & BUDDY!

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Local Contributors

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February 17, 2025

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Author: Megan Lavicky

Public Selected Kennel Queen and King for February
These two pups have stolen hearts and wagged tails, and now they’re ready to find their forever homes.

**Queen: Miami**
Our lovely Queen is a sweet soul with a heart full of love. She’s always up for a good cuddle session or a fun, active walk. At five, retriever/pointer mix Miami is ready to meet her human companions, who will spoil her with affection and adventure! She has captured the hearts of several humans at the ESPCA and has them wrapped around her paw. They often spoil her with treats and walks! Miami doesn’t know her own size and frequently mistakes a human lap as a good place to survey her kingdom while getting back scratches.

**King: Buddy**
This handsome fella knows how to strut his stuff! He has become a shelter favorite with his goofy charm and playful personality. Whether it’s fetching a ball or snuggling up for a cozy nap, Buddy is ready to share all his love with a special family. A quick play and run in the yard, and he’s ready to settle down for some relaxation. Buddy is around three, a boxer mix, and gets along well with other dogs and kids!

**Why Adopt?**
When you bring Buddy or Miami into your home, you’re not only gaining a best friend but also a loyal companion who’s been waiting for you. They have so much love to give and are ready to fill your life with joy.

**Come Meet Them!**
Visit our ESPCA shelter at 1116 Overland Trail or check the website at enidspca.org to learn more about Buddy and Miami. Let’s find them the loving homes they deserve! Together, we can make a difference in their lives and yours!

**Adoption Events:**
Join us at the ESPCA every Tuesday through Saturday, 12-3 PM, for meet-and-greets with our royal pups! We can’t wait to introduce you to Miami, Buddy, and all the adoptables!

**Contact Us:**
If you’re not quite ready to adopt but still want to make a difference in the lives of adoptable pets like Miami and Buddy, consider becoming an ESPCA Volunteer! You can volunteer your time and love to help care for our shelter animals, provide companionship, and assist in their socialization. Your involvement can make a significant impact, as it helps these pets receive the attention and nurturing they need while they await their forever homes. Whether you’re walking dogs, playing with cats, or participating in community events, your support brings joy to their lives and contributes to their readiness for adoption. Join us in this rewarding journey of compassion and care!

For more information, please call us at 580-233-1325 or email us at info@enidspca.org. You can fill out a volunteer form at enidspca.org/volunteer. Let’s make adoption magic happen!

E-COLLARS

By

Dalen McVay

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February 14, 2025

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! I genuinely hope each of you has an upcoming year full of fins, feathers and fellowship.

I’m going to start with a story. A short while ago, my father and I took my dog “Rowdy” to a relatively new hunting lease. Being relatively new, I was quite unfamiliar with it. While it holds a ton of birds, there are portions of the half-section that are nearly impassable. Rowdy is a male Brittany Spaniel, but he’s not a large dog. Even in the shorter section of the CRP grass he was hard to see. While he doesn’t typically range too far, it’s concerning when time goes by and you haven’t seen your hunting companion. I suppose the same would be for your human hunting partner too (my dad), but I digress.

We arrived shortly after daybreak and got ourselves ready for the hunt. I made sure Rowdy had eaten and gave him some water after we arrived. While he was drinking, I slipped on his shock collar that he’s worn many times. And off we go.

About 30 minutes into the hunt, about half a dozen deer sprint out of some tall grass. While he typically doesn’t seemingly care, Rowdy takes off in pursuit. No problem, pull out the shock collar to stop him and remind him that’s a no-no. It’s not working. I panic as he takes off hundreds of yards away. “What in the world” I think to myself. Dagnabbit, I forgot to turn it on (first time, I promise). Rowdy is gone in a field he too was unfamiliar with. The biggest problem I had was that since I haven’t mastered my new Garmin Pro 550 (it has GPS with a handheld device that tracks the dog to a “t”), I had on an old one with no such feature. This one doesn’t even have the locator beep button to help ascertain the dog’s location. Regardless, we press on in his direction. After about 45 minutes, my dad stood on the corner of two intersecting roads watching while I hightailed it back to the pickup. How they do this I’ll never understand, but Rowdy was there just hanging out waiting for me. I turned on the collar and back we went without issue the rest of the day.

I’ve now mastered the Garmin and won’t go out with him without it being worn (and turned on!) again. There is no fun in hunting with a pit in your stomach wondering whether you’ll ever see your best friend again. I reckon the lesson for today is to make sure your collar is charged and turned on, and get the best one you can afford. My Garmin comes with a watch that you can look down on and see the exact direction and distance of your dog, and it alerts you if the dog is on point. Money well spent.

Finally, and to me most importantly, don’t use these collars for severe punishment. Your dog knows when he/she has upset you, and that’s enough. I use it for a “gentle reminder”, which means having it set to low power. I rarely ever have to use the shock feature, but the peace of mind is worth it for me.

See y’all next month!