Disclaimer:

Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author/publisher to The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Dec 20, 2010

Noble Holiday Nibbles from Noble Romance Publishing

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Noble Holiday Nibbles
Author: Various

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Holiday/Cookbook
Length: 52 pgs.


About The Book: Thirty-four Noble Romance authors bring you their yummiest holiday recipes. Appetizers, salads and sides, desserts, breads, main dishes, beverages - there's something for everyone in our Noble Holiday Nibbles e-Cookbook!

The Review: Noble Holiday Nibbles is a cookbook featuring contributions from many of Noble Romance Publishing authors that include everything from intoxicating holiday drinks to festive appetizers, succulent main dishes, and sinfully rich desserts. Included are notes from the authors about their own holiday traditions and where the recipes originated.

As I perused the contents I had to laugh at Cherie DeSues' Gypsy Stolen Apple-Cheddar Chicken, which encourages the cook to steal the ingredients. It sounds scrumptious and I'm sure it will be great even if you buy the chicken and apples. I am a huge fan of corn chowder and Gracen Miller's twist on the recipe really sounds delicious. Dena Celeste's Easy-Peasy French Onion Brisket is definitely on the menu, as is C.H. Scarlett's Sweet Tater Casserole, along with the New York Cheesecake and Creamy Cherry Cheesecake. That Gingerbread Martini might find it's way into my glass as well!

This is a cookbook you'll want to have on your permanent electronic bookshelf and the best part? It's free with any book purchase at Noble Romance Publishing, now through the end of December.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted. 

Naughty Can Be Nice by Cynthia Selwyn

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title:  Naughty Can Be Nice
Author: Cynthia Selwyn
Publisher: Breathless Press
Genre: Holiday Romance/Erotic
Length: 33 pgs.

About The Book: Legal guardian Brenna O’Brien didn’t expect to become a single mom, especially of seven-year-old twins with troubles. What she needs is a good dose of sexual pleasure to swipe all her emotional burdens away.

Kris Kringle, Jr. doesn’t want to fill in for his dad. But when he meets a lovely lady at a Christmas party, he changes his mind; he wouldn’t mind filling her…stocking.

One wish is all it takes for the sexy Santa she met to appear in her living room, wearing nothing but his boots, his red velvet hat and a silver bow. Because at Christmas, all heartfelt wishes can come true



The Review: Naughty Can Be Nice is a beautiful read about believing in miracles and finding true love. I was pulled into Brenna’s world right from the start.
Brenna is a wonderful woman, so full of love for her nieces and yet so overwhelmed at what has happened to them and their family. When she meets Kris at the hospitals children party and makes a wish Brenna may just get the wish of her life granted. Kris is a great man who wants to help those in need and Brenna is certainly in need and he plans on helping her as much as he can. The two make a sweet couple and with the twins they are a beautiful family.
Cynthia Selwyn weaves a magical tale that had me glued to the pages hoping that Brenna would get her Christmas wish. As hot as the sex scenes are in this book the love shared by Kris and Brenna shines right off of the pages making this a beautiful love story that should not be missed.
Naughty Can Be Nice brings the real reason for the season (love) to the forefront. We often forget that gifts are not the main focus of the season and this story reminds us of just that. 

Pagan Elements: N/A 
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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Noella's Gift by Donica Covery


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Noella's Gift
Author: Donica Covery
Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Sweet Romance
Length: 59 pgs.

About The Book:  Holly Harper has hated Christmas for years. The season full of commercialism has left her feeling cold and bitter. When she finds a little girl freezing and alone she feels warmth spark in her heart. She's determined to keep the child until Christmas is over. 

Jaxon Cole is a police detective whose Christmas spirit left a long time ago. He knows the season brings an increase in drunk driving accidents and suicides.  But when a dark haired woman shows up in his office with a little waif in tow he sees that there is some good in the holiday. 

Will they find joy in the season or will their hearts be as cold as the winter winds?

The Review: Donica Covey has written a wonderfully beautiful tale of love and the magic of Christmas in Noella's Gift. This one will bring tears to your eyes but it will also make you smile as a little girl named Noella brings together two lonely people.
This is a beautiful, well-written story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you believe in love and happily ever after.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

The Promise by Ambrielle Kirk

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Promise
Author: Ambrielle Kirk
Buy Link
Publisher: Breathless Press
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Erotic/Romance
Length: 13 pgs.

About The Book: Craig has been waiting for the right time to show Tina just how badly he wants her. His patience pays off when she visits him on his Christmas tree farm.

Tina could care less about buying a tree to decorate her home this holiday season. She's more concerned with the naughty promise he made to her months ago. For this couple, fulfillment of a promise could mean the beginning of a steamy rendezvous.
 

The Review: The Promise is a very quick, erotic read that I enjoyed. The story is well written and speeds along to a very satisfying climax. While the only part of the holidays referred to is the Christmas tree Tina has gone out to buy, deliberately choosing part-time handy man, Craig who has worked on Tina's pipes a time or two.

Both Tina and Craig are likable but with their ongoing mutual attraction, it's hard to believe these two waited so long to consummate their feelings for one another. I do think the story would have benefited if it was a bit longer, but all in all, it is a pleasurable quickie for the holiday season.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted. 

Little Dumber Boy by B.K. Stevens


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Little Dumber Boy
Author: B.K. Stevens
Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Mystery
Length: 8 pgs.

About The Book:  Will's aunt wants him to spend some time with his estranged son at Christmas. All Will wants is to knock off his girlfriend's husband and collect a share of the life insurance policy. Unfortunately, when you fail to take into account all the angles, the perfect crime can really ruin your holiday. 

The Review: The Little Drummer Boy is my all time favorite Christmas song, and when I was a kid, I never missed the chance to watch the program on TV. So imagine my delight to see this title. I thought perhaps it was about a poor deaf child and a Christmas miracle of some kind…NOT!
Little Dumber Boy should be an episode of Stupid Criminals or something. I read this, feeling kind of faint as I waited for the punch line and when it came I thought, "Maybe there is justice in this world after all!"
Not your normal puppies and candy kind of Christmas, Little Dumber Boy is still a sweet treat for your stocking.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Christmas In Killarney by S. Furlong-Bolliger


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Christmas In Killarney
Author: S. Furlong-Bolliger
Author Site: Unknown
Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Mystery
Length: 8 pgs.

About The Book:  Maureen is facing the prospect of a depressing Christmas after her husband Bob loses his job and she's forced to clean hotel rooms. When Bob's former boss is murdered, she thinks there's a chance that the couple's luck has changed. Unfortunately, for Maureen, her luck just got a lot worse.

The Review: Twisted is the Christmas theme in this short story and it really made me laugh when I got to the end. Imagine scrubbing toilets to make ends meet when your husband loses his job, only to find out he's really not been the victim of unfair office politics at all.
In Christmas In Killarney, this is what happens to poor Maureen but what her husband has in store for her this Christmas isn't quite what she expects. The unexpected curve ball at the end will make you giggle in spite of yourself. Or maybe that's just me.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Unexpected Angel by Stacey Thompson-Geer


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Unexpected Angel
Author: Stacey Thompson-Geer
Buy Link
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Erotic/Romance
Length: 48 pgs.

About The Book:  Will just wants to have the love of his life back, but he wasn't expecting one little spell to lead to an Angel falling in his lap.
Now Will and the Angel Azerial have only a few days to find out why God sent her here and how to protect themselves from the Guardians of Heaven. Will they save their love from Heaven itself?

The Review: This story is set up on a quasi-pagan basis with the casting of spells, mention of pagan ritual, tools, and herbs. The author also contrasts the "pagan" rituals with Christian beliefs. It's very obvious she knows more about Christian beliefs than Pagan, and has no respect for either one. If you are a Christian, you may as well pass this one by because the blasphemy that permeates the story will guarantee you won't enjoy the read. If you are Pagan, you are going to scoff at the feeble attempt to bring any type of Pagan authenticity to the story.

Unexpected Angel had the potential to be a cute story and the writing isn't half bad. The author has obvious talent, however, the skewed perceptions of what Christianity and Paganism is, totally ruin the story. My advice is to pick a path of belief and stick with it.

Pagan Elements: Spell-casting, mention of paganism, but not in any realistic way.

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Noel by Rose Lerma



THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Noel
Author: Rose Lerma
Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Sweet/Romance
Length: 69 pgs.

About The Book:
Olivia Sawyer manages to get through the holiday rituals only by gritting her teeth.  By the time Christmas is over, she's had enough.  Enough of her family's ingratitude, their total lack of a Christmas spirit.  Desperate times demand desperate actions.
Not in her wildest nightmare did she think her campaign to open their eyes and change their attitudes would take a whole year.  But even as the next Christmas draws near, it appears that nothing has changed.

And then fate intervenes, and it's too late for changes.
The Review:
I wasn't sure I was going to like this story. I thought it was going to be another tame, "sweet" romance but when I began to read, I thought surely this author has been spying on my family Christmas's! In only sixty-nine pages, author Rose Lerma takes the reader through much more than just a story about Christmas. When you've raised your family, given them everything you can, and they only take you for granted and expect you to continue to give and give and give….
Well, you just might want smack 'em around a little bit. In Noel Olivia Sawyer is at that point with her family, from the husband who does nothing but complain to the daughter who can't get off her butt to do anything for her own children. When fate intervenes, her family gets an attitude adjustment no one could have seen coming.
This story actually brought tears to my eyes. Maybe because I'm at that point with my family and fate doesn't seem to care enough to slap anyone for me, but in any case, you will absolutely love Noel.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Christmas Eve at the Powers That be Cafe by Xavier Axelson


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Christmas Eve At The Powers That Be Cafe
Author: Xavier Axelson
Buy Link
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: Historical (WWII)/Holiday/Erotic/Romance/GLBT
Length: 24 pgs.

About The Book: It is Christmas Eve 1943 at The Powers That Be Café and Nat, the lonely café owner, does what he can to offer some warmth and comfort for families and lovers to say goodbye to soldiers who heading into battle.  When he finds Kent, a G.I. far from home, outside his back door, he offers him a hot meal, a place to rest and some much-needed comfort.  In return, the two men find themselves passionately entangled in taboo lusts and something deeper that neither of them expected...love.

The Review: Christmas Eve At The Powers That Be Café is a short read set inside a café as soldiers say good-bye to their families over doughnuts and coffee. This is a different kind of love story set against the tension of WWII and soldiers leaving for Europe on Christmas Eve.

Nat inherited the diner from his parents and runs it efficiently. He feels guilty for not being able to serve his country, so he serves G.I.'s hoping to make their last night before going to war less miserable. When he finds a soldier hungry and freezing in the alley, Nat invites him in and feeds him. Nat's also attracted to him even though he can see the soldier "ain't like that."

Kent is a sweet, innocent country boy who is scared senseless at the thought of going to war. He's also a virgin and afraid he's going to die one. Kent clings to Nat's kindness and what follows is a very erotic sexual encounter between the two men.

Both of these characters are very endearing and I thought they made for a good pairing. Kent especially tore at my heartstrings because he was so young and vulnerable, and frightened. I wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be all right.

This is a Christmas story full of nostalgia from the implications of war to the young men who serve this country to innocence we often forget. I know you'll enjoy reading this holiday story as much as I did.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Bumped by Kimber Chin


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Bumped
Author: Kimber Chin
Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Sweet Romance
Length: 31 pgs.

About The Book:  Ever since the factory in town went belly up, leaving most of the town unemployed, Joy's muffin shop is feeling the loss in more ways than one. All Joy wants to do is figure out a way to save her business without having to fire anyone, and to get home for Christmas. When a harried mother and her wailing child can't get a flight for the holidays, Joy gives up her seat, then a man who has been a regular customer for breakfast gives up his seat too. Now they'll have to share the only room left at the hotel.
Can Joy allow a little joy into her life this Christmas?

The Review: I am madly in love with Tyler Hamilton! This is the hero every woman will swoon over. We all want a pig-headed man who refuses to give up, and Tyler is definitely one who won't give up on Joy. He sweeps in and plucks her off her feet, and of course, saves the day.

There is a little more than that to the story but when you read Bumped, you will fall in love too. This is the perfectly written, perfect holiday story that will make even the biggest Scrooge melt like butter.

Bumped by Kimber Chin is now my number one all time favorite Christmas story and I'm sure it will be yours too. This is a story you will read not only at Christmas but through out the year. Don't Miss It!

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Another Fine Christmas by George Seaton


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Another Fine Christmas
Author: George Seaton
Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Length: 11 pgs.

About The Book: What do you do when your partner is gung-ho for Christmas and you don't want to take part in the festivities? For the narrator, an escape into his writing world would bring a welcome diversion from the music and mistletoe of the season. A very unusual encounter in his dreams, however, just might restore his love for the season and allow him to view it with an entirely new perspective.

The Review: Another Fine Christmas isn't so much a story as it is a retrospective glimpse into the author's mind. One partner, Dave, goes all out for Christmas with lights, ornaments, decorations, food and music, while the other, George, would be happier if Christmas came and went without him. While Dave is content to decorate and believe in the spirit of Christmas, George gets a kind of visit from the spirit of Christmas—a beer swilling, pot smoking Santa. And Mama Cass.

What I really found touching about this story is not so much the difference in the way each partner sees the holidays but how each partner sees one another. Especially George. Even though his holiday attitude runs more along the lines of "Bah-Humbug," he's really perfectly content in the happiness Dave's fuss over the holiday brings him.

And George listens to Leonard Cohen. Need I say more?


Pagan Elements: N/A


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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Yule Fire by Lena Austin


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Yule Fire
Author: Lena Austin
Buy Link
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday/Romance
Length: 101 pgs.

About The Book:  Belle is hiding her multi-millionaire preschooler from the press. Jacques is hiding his business dealings and playing the reluctant war hero Belle must host as a promo stunt for her magazine. All they both want is a quiet holiday season in each others arms, but not if Belles obnoxious boss has his way.  What are a witch and a war hero to do but become co-conspirators, determined to have a little food and fun with no strings attached? But Someone else has plans for them both that go beyond the holiday season.

The Review: This story is a classic tale of "Damsel in Distress meets Knight in Shining Armour". Belle and Jacques have great chemistry that keeps the reader entertained and in suspense for their next sizzling encounter. 

The story started off a little slow for me, it took a bit to really grab my attention, but once it did, it didn't let go until the end of the book. 

The book ends just the way the reader would want it to, and this is a very sweet story that's just right for the holidays.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Just For Christmas by George Seaton


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Just For Christmas
Author: George Seaton
Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: GLBT/Contemporary/Holiday
Length: 11 pgs.

About The Book: Christmas is a holiday with family at the heart of the season. In this short story from the author of Continuum,The Colorado Cow and Other Stories and Another Fine Christmas, Frank discovers that sometimes discovering who you are is the best present, and that often the family you choose can be stronger than the family into which you were born. 

The Review: Sometimes you pick up a book expecting one thing and get something else. Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes it's a great thing. Just For Christmas is one of the great things.

Just For Christmas is a very touching coming of age/learning who you are and accepting yourself story told through the memories of one young man's Christmas Eve family gatherings throughout his life. Family isn't always about the people you are related to by blood—sometimes it's thicker than blood. This is one of those stories that will make you think, form a lump in your throat and it's definitely one you won't forget any time soon.


Pagan Elements: N/A


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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Winter Kisses Anthology by K. Heckart, A. Nichelle, D. Celeste, GR Bretz, & B. Sheridan


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Winter Kisses Anthology
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing
Genre: Holiday/Christmas/Yule/Hanukah/Romance
Length: 116 pgs.

About The Book: 

Winter Solstice Kiss by Kelley Heckart: Author Site

When Brianna decides to attend the Winter solstice masquerade ball, she never thought she would end up kissing a handsome knight beneath the mistletoe, but they part without exchanging names and phone numbers. How will they find each other again?

A Christmas for Carol by Angela Nichelle: Author Site

Imagine losing the love of your life right before Christmas. It's a nightmare Carol Christine Moore had to face two years ago. Unable to cope with the pain of losing her fiancé so unexpectedly, Carol closes off her heart entirely. She puts all of her time and energy into making the coffee shop she owns with her best friend a success. Consumed with customers and the daily grind, Carol has convinced herself that she doesn't need anything or anyone else in her life.

But all that changes the day Grant walks into the Cafe Bean.

Love in the Lights by Dena Celeste: Author Site

Abigail Bloch has been away at school for the last few years. Returning to her mother’s home renews her interest and need for the Jewish traditions. Unfortunately, the man who had been her best friend growing up, Joshua Cohen, gives her a chilly reception. Over the course of Chanukah, a time filled with food and family and friendship, the growing number of flames must melt away the hostility and illuminate the love that can grow between them.

A Schr̦dinger Christmas РHolly by G. R. Bretz:

She’s the girl who lives in his dreams, but she’s so much more than that. She’s the girl he was supposed to meet, twice. She’s the path he didn’t take, twice. That was forty years ago and you just can’t go back, except in dreams.

But it’s Christmas day. Miracles have been known to happen. Who knows? The third time just might be the charm.

Christmas Rush by Barbara Sheridan: Author Site

Ellie Bouchard died just after formulating a plan to see that her only child Remy would be reunited with the one person he was too stubborn to acknowledge as “The One”. 

Determined to see her plan through, Ellie will do whatever it takes—including heavenly blackmail and a few sneaky tricks—to see her son reunited with his childhood companion, Michael Carson.

The stubborn young men don’t make Ellie’s job easy and she puts on one hell of a Christmas Rush to cement their bond before her time between this world and the next runs out.

The Review:
All of the stories in this book are wonderfully written and bring the spirit of whatever you celebrate to life. Whether it's Hanukah, Christmas, or Yule, you'll love these stories of love, romance and happily ever after. And for those of you who like their holiday stories just a little left of center, you won't want to miss GR Bretz's contribution, A Schr̦dinger Christmas РHolly.

These stories are written by some of the finest authors in the business and Winter Kisses anthology is one you won't want to miss.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Naughty Or Nice? A Richard Dick Mystery by Wade J. McMahan


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Naughty Or Nice? A Richard Dick Mystery
Author: Wade J. McMahan
Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Length: 7 pgs.

About The Book: If you thought the holidays were stressful, rest assured you have it much easier than private investigator Richard Dick. In this outing in the worldwide bestselling series, Santa Claus enlists Dick's help to whittle down his naughty-or-nice list. A discovery of ambiguities in the life of one child may mean a stocking full of coal. Dick's got only one shot at making this kid's Christmas be merry, but his efforts are about to unveil a terrible, dark secret at the North Pole.

The Review: This is definitely not your usual Christmas tale. It's not even your usual Hanukah tale, but it sure does combine the two in a way that makes you almost believe what the author has concocted in this very unusual holiday story.
In about seven pages the author took me from laughing to crying and that's hard to do. Beginning off sounding like something from an old Bogart detective movie, Naughty Or Nice? made me shake my head, and then smile at the premise of this story. And as it continued, Rabbi Silverstein, (aka Santa due to a little name "branding"), is brought into the story for a meeting with a child named Lamarcus, who is going to be on the naughty list for burning down a medical clinic.
From that point on, I was a mess of emotion and tears.
This very well may be read right along with Rudolph and The Night Before Christmas, and during Hanukah! Don't miss being the first one to read it to your family on Christmas Eve.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

ChristmaSin-A Juliette Christmas Epistle by Ed Williams


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: ChristmaSin-A Juliette Christmas Epistle
Author: Ed Williams
Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Holiday/Humor/Memoir
Length: 150 pgs.

About The Book:  Christmas isn't just about sugar plum fairies and reindeer dancing across the sky. It can also be about red clay chunk wars, cock fighting, dead people who may really not be, and more! Get set for a wild, wild Christmas ride with ChristmaSin', Southern Outlaw Author Ed Williams' take on what a true Christmas in a small, rural Southern town is really all about! Learn about Christmas miracles happening in the most unlikely of settings, the early '70s in tiny Juliette, Georgia. It's a novel that could be true, in some places actually is, and one that will both warm the heart and tickle the funny bone! 

The Review: ChristmaSin is an irreverent look at small town life that could only be done this well by Ed Williams. Being a southern small town girl myself, I laughed throughout this story, and shook my head at some parts because it sounded so much like my own family at times.

Although the language is authentic and the humor bawdy from time to time, I found this story of Christmas back home very funny. While this story may not be for everyone, those of us who have grown up in a small town, have relatives we'd like to pretend we don't know, and love to have a good time will read this story even if it's not Christmastime.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Just Wink by Bryl R. Tyne


THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Just Wink
Author:  Bryl R. Tyne
Buy Link
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Genre: Homoerotic romance/holiday
Length: 22 pgs.

About The Book:
How hard could donning a Christmassy green Speedo and pretending for thirty seconds to savor a giant candy cane be, anyway? Granted, Parker abhors candy canes and his co-actor is a lecherous Santa wannabe with grubby paws, but can’t the man just call the commercial a rap, take his money, and go home to his husband for the holidays?
Never fear, his husband Jeremy’s got the solution. A new bedroom technique designed to encourage creativity may bring about the visualization skills Parker needs to save his acting career and his marriage.


The Review:
At just 22 pages, packaged in a festive and sexy cover, this quick read packs a real punch, feeling like punch after punch in the gut for poor Parker, at first. One can’t help but squirm along with him as he struggles to juggle the skin-crawling requirements of an unsatisfying acting career and the broken promises made to Jeremy, his ultimately satisfying husband.
The early story of Parker, wrapped as tightly in self-doubt as he is in a scant green Christmas Speedo, offers no warm, fuzzy feelings for the holiday. He can’t even begin to feign enjoyment for a deplorable candy cane while seated in the lap of a lecherous Santa for a 30 second commercial. Utterly clouded by dissatisfaction with this never-ending shoot, the day is just a snapshot of his dwindling acting career. Pondering his dissatisfaction mires Parker deeper, further impacting his inability to perform.
After hours of missing the mark, the frustration of Parker’s director is palpable when he yells, “What haven’t I made clear? Desire. Ecstasy. Satisfaction. In that order!” He then sends Parker and the lewd Santa home to try again in the morning. I must admit, by this point, even I was ready for a final “cut” and a better start for this poor guy.
Parker, as frustrated as his director, finds his tension creeping into the fabric of his interaction with husband Jeremy at home, regardless of his attempt to keep it to himself. He can’t drop his self-doubt and disappointment long enough to follow his partner’s direction in the bedroom, even for fun. Yet, somehow, their argumentative state ignites a welcome hot spark to burn through Parker’s darkness and despair.
The push of Jeremy’s passionate compassion is met by Parker pulling back until their push and pull-back becomes a rhythmic dance of desire. Jeremy, an understanding and creative lover, delivers a steamy bedroom surprise in which he demands that Parker’s attention be held obediently and long enough to allow visions of “sugarplums” to dance in Parkers head – perhaps straight on through dawn.
Will Parker accept the challenge and eventually learn, in the comfort of his own bed with a partner who knows him best, that openly merging all aspects of his life rather than compartmentalizing them greases the gears of creativity? Read on to find out.
Rest assured, the lesson learned is not necessarily the crescendo of the story, if you know what I mean. In the end, this hot, little number surely heats up the night after Parker’s day begins as cold as the season’s snow piling up outside.
Pagan Elements: N/A

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