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.

Apr 20, 2010

Elfin Blood by Gracen Miller


PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Elfin Blood

Author:  Gracen Miller  
Publisher:  Noble Romance Publishing 
Genre: Fantasy/Erotic/Paranormal
Length123 pgs.
OtherM/F 
Pagan & Pagan Elements: n/y
Reviewed by: Violet Harper
                                           

About The Book:
Scorned by her own kind for her half-breed elf status, Julija lives a lonely existence among her Ivory Elf kin. She is the only one the elves can trust when a magical book on elf lore is stolen. Relegated to steal the Book from the vampire thief, Landau Jamieson, she's surprised to discover he has the ability to walk in daylight. Refusing to be deterred by developing setbacks, she’s committed to executing the heist for an Ivory King who grows more desperate to possess the Book. Nothing about the vampire is as it appears and Julija begins to doubt her mission. Worse, she begins to worry she won't have the strength to guard her heart from her sworn enemy.

Landau is fascinated by the elf stalking him and baffled by the erotic hunger she elicits in him. After all, he’s been impotent for ten thousand years. Soon he discovers the lovely sprite is a pawn in a dangerous game—orchestrated by none other than a reviled enemy from his past. She blind-sides him with her beauty and her magical powers, the least of which is the spell she casts on his heart, as the sinister plot unfolds. What started out as folly to catch a thief, blossoms into a love that casts aside bloodlines and erases all boundaries.

The Review:
Strong characters, an immediate conflict, and witty irreverence captivated me from the first page of Elfin Blood. Landau and Julija are two smart, powerful beings. Their skirmishes are more than an excellent plot device to build sexual tension—though they do that, too—the scenes develop the characters and the delve into a layered plot that will keep readers glued to their computer screens. I genuinely loved and liked both characters the more I came to know them, and I rooted for each of them even though they were sworn enemies.

The story was well crafted. It was highly sensual and incredibly erotic. The scenes where Landau ‘claims’ Julija are the scenes where she realizes and claims her own power. He helps her to realize her full potential. It doesn’t happen because of him--he is the catalyst providing knowledge, support, and love. The sex scenes were hot and inventive. Being otherworldly, Landau and Julija definitely have unique aphrodisiacs, among them, a ten-carat diamond. The jewels come to represent Julija’s emerging powers, occupying a place in her life of equal or more important as the place of crystals and quartz in a Pagan’s life.

The only criticism I can offer is that the story moved a little too fast after the climax. I would have liked to witness a more explosive showdown between Julija and the Ivory King, especially given everything he’s put her through. The way it happened did show the deep commitment between Landau and Julija, and it served the necessary function of helping her develop confidence and cement the trust in their relationship.

Readers who want a light read will love the dynamic byplay between the characters and the fast pace of the story. Readers who prefer to be left with deeper thoughts will appreciate Gracen Miller’s treatment of self-acceptance and the empowering power of love.

I strongly advise readers to carve out several uninterrupted hours before sitting down with Elfin Blood because this story is impossible to put down.

Pagan Elements: Elves, nature magic/communing with nature, the mystical properties of jewels, purposeful equality between genders, ‘Harm none’ moral

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7- I like the ethereal nature of the elf juxtaposed with that incredible Victorian house.

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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.

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