Pesto Packing Mama by Nan D. Arnold

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Pesto Packing Mama
Author: Nan D. Arnold

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Length: 310 pages

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 2 – the photograph of the red teddy, the teddy bear, and the basil plant was a great idea, but not well executed. The glare in the center gives it an unprofessional quality. I much preferred the snappier cover art shown on Ms. Arnold’s personal website.

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4 – few, but not many, errors.

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Reviewed by: Keri Stratton Alley

About The Book: Maggie Duncan’s love life goes from champagne and delphiniums to revelations of dead wives and dirty diapers in mere days. If that’s not enough, her stare down with a sociopathic loan shark in a caterer’s storeroom makes Maggie wish she hadn’t pushed well-meaning heartthrob Bruce Herring out of her emotional jurisdiction.

The Review: Brenda, Brenda, Brenda! After your spitfire, skin-tight-leather wearing, pistol packing performance in the previous story (Hitting the High Notes) I was sorely disappointed to find out what you were doing with that chef! And behind Big Dad’s back!?!

At first, my love for, and subsequent disappointment in, the ferociously feminine supporting character left me feeling less than thrilled about how Ms. Arnold chose to resume her tales of Maggie’s romantic woes. Yet I could not help but be won over by Ms. Arnold’s adorably realistic sense of humoristic timing, the way in which she portrays Maggie’s oh-so-true inner monologue, and the respect she pays to a real romance. So many romance novel writers leave their characters at the all-too-familiar “…and they lived happily ever after!” ending, without bothering to delve into the kind of commitment, gumption, and fear-tackling it takes to move a relationship from a froofy romance into a solid love. Thank you, Nan, for writing the second portion of Maggie and Bruce’s tumultuous story.

Pesto Packin’ Mama looks at down and dirty real life situations in a hilariously fun setting; friends that have affairs; emotional baggage from previous marriages; negative inner diatribes, miscommunications, mis-expectations, and learning how to trust again. In this world, as in our own realities, love is not simply seeing someone attractive, having great sex, and living happily ever after. Ms. Arnold portrays the realistic struggles of a menopausal widow seeking to establish a trusting relationship after a previously abusive marriage. She somehow manages to keep the necessary poignancy to create a sympathetic character while throwing in visits from an Italian opera star, stalking by a mafia hit man, a sketchy next door neighbor, and a nosy wannabe mother-in-law. A fantastic follow-up to the first novel starring Chef Maggie.

And Brenda, I forgive you.

Pagan Elements: N/A

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Tides of Maryna’s Love by Donica Covey

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Tides of Maryna’s Love
Author: Donica Covey

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Champagne Books

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Length: 166 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 3

Story: 2

Writing Ability: 2

Overall Card Rating

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: "Single Witch Seeks Lonely Mortal" Maryna Duile has challenged her sisters to a find-the-mortal contest. She places an ad in the local paper, but when there are no immediate replies she heads for Olympus and an afternoon with her close friend Eros.

River Braddock is a marine mammal biologist and he's just discovered a new species of dolphin. What he doesn't know is that this is no ordinary dolphin, but Triton, chaperone to Maryna during her stay on earth.

Maryna's first meeting with River is anything but stellar, but the more she thinks of him, the more she needs him and the more she blunders her spells. Once she gets into the flow will she win his heart or be all washed up?

The Review: Maryna is a witch in the Samantha Stevens sense, except instead of twitching her nose she speaks Latin phrases. Tides of Maryna’s Love is a cute story with a lot of drama. At first, Maryna doesn’t care if her mortal lover ends up with a broken heart. After all, making him fall for her is part of a bet she has going with her three sisters. After she falls for River, Maryna has a change of heart, and that’s when things get complicated.

The characters were likeable, if underdeveloped. Maryna seemed a little immature for being a creature with an infinite lifespan and River didn’t seem to know whether he was coming or going. Their dialogue was at times stilted or confusing. 

It’s a sweet story about a woman who learns to find her humanity and a man who is willing to put his heart on the line to save the woman he loves. At the end of the day, it’s those kinds of things that appeal to the romantic in all of us.

Pagan Elements: Maryna is a witch, but not in the Pagan sense. She casts spells, but it’s not a spiritual act.

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Touch Me, Tease Me by CJ England

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Touch Me, Tease Me
Author:  CJ England

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: 43 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 3

Writing Ability: 3

Overall Card Rating

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: Gabrielle Rousseau has worked hard to put her unfortunate past behind her. She's finally doing what she loves, making her documentary and teaching lovers the benefits of sensual massage.

When the new owner of the studio, Clint Braddock walks in on an afternoon filming, he thinks he's walked into a skin-flick. Sparks fly and his instant judgment of Gabrielle and her work creates a barrier between them. 

But there’s also instant attraction and it's only when he discovers why she is so gun shy that he is able to push past the walls surrounding her heart. But will Gabrielle hold on to her fear and refuse to trust a man again? Or will Clint be the one to finally touch her battered soul and tease her into loving again?

The Review: This is a classic tale where the main characters find one another instantly attractive, yet they manage to get off on the wrong foot. Their problem is solved fairly quickly (it’s a short read) and they spend the rest of the time exploring one another’s bodies. CJ England works in elements of the sensual massage to lend uniqueness to the sex scenes. I have high praise for England in this respect—she definitely knows how to put sensuality and romance into a shorter piece, something that isn’t easy.

Pagan Elements: N/A

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Pelzmantel And Other Tales of Medieval Magic by K. A. Laity

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Pelzmantel And Other Tales of Medieval Magic

Author: K. A. Laity  

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Immanion Press

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 264 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

About The Book: Excerpt: A woman who's a fox—a kitchen maid who's a princess—and a walnut with a
wardrobe!

Princess Hallgerd hides where no one will be likely to find her: working as a cook's dogsbody, lighting fires, peeling potatoes, and toting kettles. Her only friend is Nanna, her family's longtime caregiver. On the plus side, she's found out that 'Nanna' is really Carae Mná, a centuries-old Irish witch.

On the minus side, they're both in hiding from the witch's oldest enemy, a mage who has taken over Hallgerd's father and her land. How can Hallgerd win back her home and Nanna her human skin?

And what about that wardrobe in the walnut?

Pelzmantel spins a tale of medieval magic where people and things are seldom what they seem to be on the surface. Infused with genuine magical lore and history, this inspired retelling of the Grimm Brothers' "Allerleirau" uncovers the seldom-glimpsed world behind the glitz: the hard work that keeps a castle running and the secrets lives of women in the Middle Ages. This edition includes three additional magical stories (one never before published) and an essay on medieval magic.

The Review:

K. A. Laity is a wonderful storyteller. She does a great job of immersing the reader into the world that she has built. I truly enjoyed losing myself in the lives of these characters making me feel like a young child again listening to the fantastical bedtime Fairy tales of witches and castles and dreaming of being a Princess myself.

As we watch the princess Hallgerd grow up and blossom under the care of Nanna she endears herself to the reader.  Showing what a strong and smart woman she has become. Willing to fight for her people and what is right. We cheer the princess on as she races to find her champion and hope that she and Nanna will triumph over the evil that has taken over her land. Their adventure is filled with magic and lore. Along the way they make many friends as Nanna teaches the Princess that it is more important to be fair and care for others making the reader remembers the old saying, “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

This is a story that is well written and full of emotion and it should not be missed. Included with this story are three other shorts just as engrossing and an essay, which is just as interesting as the stories.

Pagan Elements: Yes this book is full of magic and song. This book also contains many related beliefs and ides as well.

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Blood Hero by Madeleine Drake

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Blood Hero
Author: Madeleine Drake 

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: eXcessica publishing

Genre: Historical/Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 35 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book: When Rihat discovers that his village is being terrorized by an akhazu demon, he seeks help at Marduk's temple. He meets Iltani, a demigoddess who's been cursed by Ishtar to live as an ardat-lili, enslaved by lust, a night-maiden who feeds on sexual energy. Iltani offers Rihat the power to slay the akhazu, if he'll agree to serve her every need without question. But will the price of that power be more than Rihat can bear to pay?

The Review: Rhiat is a warrior praying for a miracle…you've heard that saying, "be careful what you wish for?" Apparently Rhiat never had. This is a very short, fast-paced read that left me breathless. I was hooked from the first page, drawn in by the fabulous writing and the original plot. This story is so well written it's almost as if you can feel what the characters feel, especially in the sex scenes. The battle scene was so realistic I discovered my heart was actually pounding as I read and when Rhiat was injured, I felt the pain he felt. In the final chapter I found I had been holding my breath as I read on to discover if Rhiat survived.

The only problem I saw was in the editing, and even those were minor and doesn't distract from the reader's pleasure.

Ms. Drake is a flawless writer and even though I have never read any of her work before, I will be looking for more. And Ms. Drake, please continue Rhiat's story, I want more of him…um, his story I mean.

Pagan Elements: The premise has some references to gods and goddesses, but in general, is not pagan.

~ * ~

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.

Heated Dreams by Julie Grissom

                                                                               

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Heated Dreams
Author: Julie Grissom

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Paranormal/Time travel/Romance/m-f/f-f/m-f-f-m

Length: 282 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5-It’s sensual and the people on it are attractive. The expression on the woman’s face conveys something all women want to feel.

Presentation: 5

Editing: 5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5


Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: Roxanne Frost has more problems than she can count, but they pale to insignificance when Brett Sperry, man from the future invades not only her bookstore and her home, but her dreams, filling them with erotic images of the two of them having incredible sex. Sex in which she always reaches fulfillment. Then, he invades not only her dreams, but her very mind, telling her he can “fix” her “disabilities.”

Brett is a man with a mission. When it’s completed, he will return to the future and she will be alone again. Will the lessons she’s learned from him make her a woman fully capable of enjoying sex again, or will they fade as his voice fades from her mind?

The Review: This book was extremely difficult to put down. Julie Grissom is a very talented writer and she weaves a very realistic paranormal tale.

Roxanne Frost is a real woman. Recovering from the after-effects of being married to a selfish, egotistical jerk, she’s spending her time running a small bookstore in Vancouver and taking care of her ex-husband’s sister who suffers from an unspecified form or dementia. Her big heart is bruised, but not enough for her to turn her back on someone important to her. She’s the kind of person we all wish we had for a friend or sister.

Roxanne’s life is complicated by more than caring for her sister-in-law and worrying about making next month’s mortgage payment. The mystery man who has been invading her dreams in a sensually erotic fashion strolls into her store and rents one of the apartments she owns above the shop. He’s a time-traveler from the future looking for the man in line to become the next ruler of Earth. To make matters even worse, a real estate developer wants the land where her sister-in-law’s house is located. Since Selma lives with Roxy, she has somewhere to live. However, the tripled value of the land brings Roxy’s ex-jerk back into their lives as he tries to sue for custody of Selma (which Roxy doesn’t have) so he can sell her house, stick Selma into a cheap nursing home, and pocket the money.

I liked that Brett, the time-traveler, doesn’t sweep into Roxy’s life with the intention of solving all of her problems. I like a heroine who has the gumption and the intelligence to solve her own problems. What Brett does for Roxy is far more potent—he helps her realize that she is a vibrant, viable, sexy woman who deserves the love of a good man. She’s already strong and independent. He respects that.

Roxy shares a psychic link with Brett, though neither of them can explain it. When he walks into her shop, she knows him because he’s played the lead in all of her erotic dreams, the only place she can seem to orgasm. I purposely didn’t tag this book as erotica, because it isn’t, even though Roxy’s dreams are erotic. She’s a passenger on an 18^th Century ship that’s caught the captain’s fancy. She’s a wife playing fantasy games with her husband. She’s an escort entertaining a client after hours. In each, she is in control. She’s guiding the action. When she is with Brett for real, the scenes are sensual and loving.  There is no graphic language or detail.

The only critique I had was that it seems to me that Roxy is bisexual, but Ms. Grissom goes through extraordinary lengths to assure the reader she’s straight. If the reader is going to stay with you through scenes involving two women, or two women and two men, then they’re okay with women being attracted to one another. There’s no need for labels or protests. I thought part of that denial was Roxy learning to embrace her sexuality, but that thread dropped, so that wasn’t the intention.

The way Ms. Grissom wove those scenes into the storyline was brilliant. I began to look forward to Roxy going to sleep just to see what scenarios her mind would conjure next.  The level of sensory detail was amazing throughout the entire novel. I could feel the wind whipping around me as she faced the captain on the prow of the ship. I felt the salt of the sea settle on my lips as she walked along the harbor. I could see and smell the bookstore, autumn in Vancouver, the burnt grilled-cheese.

The plot was masterfully developed, and though some parts were told from Brett’s point of view, we only see those that directly relate to his time with Roxy. It is her story, layered with the hurdles of life. The cast of supporting characters helped develop Roxy’s character into a real person. If I met her on the street, I would only be surprised that I was three thousand miles away from home. Of course, if she was with Brett, all would be explained.

I loved reading this novel, and I look forward to reading more by Julie Grissom.

Pagan Elements: There were many Pagan ideas here. The untapped powers of the mind are completely tapped by the time Brett is born. However, the religious significance is completely denied, with credit being given to technology and gene therapy.

___________________________________________________________________

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 Grass Is Always Greener by Brindle Chase

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Grass Is Always Greener
Author: Brindle Chase

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 20 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5


Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book:

The Review: The Grass Is Always Greener is a very quick read but very sweet with the promise of love and hope laced within the hot sex. I liked the premise of this book, the guy next door is hot and widowed. The woman who thinks he's hot is divorced, yet she doesn't know how much time is enough time for a man who has lost his wife.

This is a story about sucking up fear and going for what you want, while hoping things go the way you want. The only thing I disliked was the length and feel this story could have been full length with more drama, quirk and sex. But after reading about these neighbors, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the neighborhood is doing—don't leave me hanging Ms. Chase!

Pagan Elements: None

~ * ~

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.

Druid Bride by Cornelia Amiri

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Druid Bride
Author: Cornelia Amiri   

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher:  Eternal Press

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 176 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4.5

Presentation: 4

Editing: 3

Story:  4

Writing Ability: 4.5

Reviewed by: Yadira

About The Book: She carried the seed of rebirth, so what had fallen would rise again. The ghost of her ancestor sent Druidess Tanwen from Britannia to the strange foreign tribe of the Caledonii to wed Brude, son of the chief. But Brude is not about to marry a druidess, even though she has the most beautiful body he’s ever seen. Never mind if his blood boils and he can’t stop thinking of her. He will not wed her. Yet the fate of Caledonia rests in the hands of the Warrior and the Druidess. Will they put their differences aside to fulfill their destiny?

The Review: Cornelia Amiri takes us back to 1^st century A.D. Scotland with a tale interwoven of love and magic. The settings, characters, and rituals are richly vivid with detail that it makes you feel as if you were there. The reader is able to immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the Celts. It really took me back to a time that I’ve obviously never experienced but now I feel like I kind of have.

Tanwen and Brude do a lot of maturing as the story progresses. It frustrated me to no end with the two of them going back and forth on their feelings for each other, but when the going gets tough these two come together united under one common goal which inevitably brings them together personally as well. The rest of the Caledonii tribe were likeable and unwaveringly faithful to their gods. When Tanwen was the ‘newbie’ in town, they still listened and heeded the word of an unknown druidess. It’s that kind of trust and faith that brought the tribe many victories against their enemies. If ever I found myself back in 1^st century A.D. Scotland, this is the tribe I would seek.

I didn’t mean to read this during the time when the actually Lughnasa festival is to occur, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read the story and found out what this ritual is all about. I learned a lot while reading this book and you can tell Cornelia Amiri takes great pride in her research in both the mythological and historical aspects of this book. My only drawback is that the ending left me wanting more and I most definitely would not be opposed to a sequel.

Pagan Elements: Many rituals and chants are performed throughout the story.

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Blackened by Christina Jade Loren

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Blackened
Author: Christina Jade Loren

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Gay/Erotic/Paranormal

Length: 22 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4-I like the mood the cover creates with the dark, moon-filled sky. The cover model is not only cute but obviously a vampire, so the reader knows right away that it’s a vamp story.

Presentation: 4-Easy to read and understand. A page and a ½ blank at the beginning so you have to scroll to find the start of the story, which isn’t marked in any way.

Editing: 4-Easily read. A few grammatical errors only.

Story: 3-While I liked both romantic characters, the conflict was flimsy and easily resolved with a simple conversation at the end, which left me feeling let down. The resolution reminded me of an after-school special, preaching on the dangers of addiction and failure to communicate with your significant other. When the after-school special resolution ends, the characters jump right into a rough sex scene, and I felt disoriented by the mood/tone change.

Writing Ability: 3-The author does a good job expressing the characters’ thoughts and emotions when they are alone. However, when the characters are together, the action and dialogue reads choppy and emotionless in places. Weak plot and minimal setting.

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

About The Book: Damien loves every aspect of his life as a vampire, except feeding time. That’s when his conscience decides to turn on, and he must face his dark cravings—alone. He had it all under control until Nathan disappeared one night. Damien’s control is slipping on the beast inside, and he needs Nathan now more than ever. If only he didn’t suspect his lover of betrayal.

Two battles must be fought. One of the heart, and one of the soul. Will Damien’s fear become a reality, and the urge to kill blacken his heart before Nathan can bring him home?

The Review: Blackened, third in a series, begins with a jolt of adrenalin as Damien, a newly made vampire, fights the urge to kill his human meal. Feeling the absence of his lover, Nathan, he struggles to do what’s right when everything feels wrong.

While Damien is likable, Nathan is a dark, conflicted character, emotionally and physically distant throughout much of the story. However, through Damien the reader can see and feel a past filled with love for Nathan and hope for the same in the future.

A fast and easy read with strong characters who live in an interesting world but lacking a strong plot with an exciting/fulfilling ending. Both of Damien’s problems—trouble controlling his urge to kill while drinking blood and the doubts about his relationship with Nathan—are easily resolved by simply having a short, quick conversation with his lover.

The erotic sex scene that follows the resolution between Damien and Nathan wasn’t the emotionally fulfilling make-up sex I was expecting but, instead, felt more like a rough-and-tumble quickie the couple might have any other day. Despite this, the strong likable characters make Blackened worth reading, and I look forward to more of Loren’s stories.

Pagan Elements: N/A

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Storm Riders by Crymsyn Hart

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Storm Riders Book 1
Author: Crymsyn Hart   

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Erotic Contemporary / Paranormal

Length: 105 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5-Everything from the color scheme to the cover models drew me in. Great cover!

Editing: 3-Quite a few easy-to-fix errors that were left unedited. For example: long passive sentences that could easily be made active and more concise; an absence of physical description when characters are introduced; repetitive word choice, lacking paragraph breaks for better readability.

Story: 5-Full-bodied, lovable characters .Fast-paced and exciting story / plot.

Writing Ability: 4-Crymsyn Hart is a wonderful storyteller. Storm Riders is a fascinating and fantastic read. My only gripe is the excessive amount of back-story / info dumping done at the beginning of the story, which slowed down the pace considerably and made it difficult to fall into the tale right away. Everything else—her characters, her plot, her world building—is mesmerizing. Storm Riders is a must read for lovers of paranormal romance.

Overall Card Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

About The Book: George has been searching for a way to predict tornadoes that mimics her inherent ability. Her encounter with a handsome cowboy that drives away a twister has her stumped.

Wyatt and Landon are Storm Riders assigned to wrangle cyclones. When they both meet George, they’re driven to possess her even offering themselves to her for a wild, stormy night of passion. When their boss, Raul gets wind of this, he demands they cease all contact. Neither Wyatt nor Landon can stand to think she won’t be part of their lives. She’s turned their worlds upside down and each craves George’s touch.

The Review: Georgiana, nicknamed George, chases storms, but what she’s really after is an answer to why she has the innate ability to sense when a storm is coming. With her assistant Jeremy by her side, she races toward a tornado only to run into a man on a horse who has the ability to control storms…and disappear?


Wyatt and Landon may look like cowboys but they wrangle twisters not cows. No longer human but immortal storm riders, they are both inexorably drawn to the enigmatic George. Risking months of torture or worse, losing George, the men search for a way for all three of them to live and love together.


Endearing, captivating, and original, Storm Riders is a new twist on the classic love triangle that will leave the reader wanting more. Crymsyn Hart has done it again—telling a story that will make her readers fall in lust and in love.

Pagan Elements: Yes, George is a weather witch who senses when and where storms will occur, while Wyatt and Landon are storm riders, immortals who can control storms (specifically severe storms and tornados).

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Mythos 2: Daughter of the Sea by Celina Summers

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Mythos 2: Daughter of the Sea
Author: Celina Summers

Author Site

Buy Link 
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Mythology

Length:104 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 3

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 3.5

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: The young gods of Olympus have pursued the sea god Nereus’ daughters, Amphitrite and Thetis, since they grew to maturity. The sisters are used to the adoration of immortal men and like the attention they receive. But when the imprisoned Titan, Prometheus, makes a prophecy that Thetis’ son will be greater than his father, the gods shun the beautiful nymph. Thetis hides herself away from Olympus, leaving her sister Amphitrite angry and in no mood to deal with the fickle tastes of men.

When the King of the Ocean, Poseidon, watches Amphitrite dance at a feast upon Olympus, he falls instantly in love with her. His attempts to court Amphitrite end in disaster; she flees to the one place in the three realms where no Olympian can go. Can Poseidon find some messenger to break through her anger and win her heart? Or will the great god of the oceans be spurned by this daughter of the sea?

The Review: In school, I remembered being required to read myths in my literature books.  They were factual, meant to inform, not to entertain.  Their appeal lay in the romanticism of the ideals presented.  The story of Poseidon and Amphitrite is ripe for a modern retelling.  I was very excited to read this. The vocabulary is rich and the sentences are extremely well-constructed. 

Some of the story is told from Amphitrite’s point of view, some from Poseidon’s and the rest is told from Pan’s point of view.  Since this is a series, my guess is that Pan’s presence is there to hold the series together.  I don’t think he was necessary.  His presence and his point of view were intrusive.  I would have rather spent more time getting to know Poseidon or Amphitrite.

The novel is true to the original myth.  There is no liberty taken with the characters’ personalities or their motivations, and there is no attempt to modernize their morals.  It’s an examination of the ideas of free will and fate, of the alpha male tempered by the love of a gentle woman.  It’s a good, rich plot and an informative read.  If you enjoy myths, you will enjoy this novel.

Pagan Elements: The book is based on the myth of Poseidon and Amphitrite, but it is surprisingly bereft of Pagan elements.

___________________________________________________________________

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.

Dream Come True by DC Juris

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Dream Come True
Author: DC Juris

Author Site 

Buy Link

Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Fantasy/Erotic/Romance/M-M

Length: 28 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book:

The Review: This is a very short read that brings fantasy and some sci-fi elements together. The premise of the story is that two men from different planets have erotic dreams of one another. The one on earth uses the erotic dreams to create a character he draws and the one from the other planet determines to leave his home in search of his dream lover. The sex scenes are erotic but I didn't find anything special or different about them than any other M/M story.

The cover art was pretty good and the guy depicted on it is appealing but the cover is generic and could have fit any romance story.

The editing could have been a little better. I found a couple of misspelled words that should have been caught by the editor or at least in line edits. Also, the story begins on page one, which is actually seven pages into the .pdf, with two blank pages following the title pages, and no chapter indication. Okay, maybe that is petty but I like a "1" or "Chapter One" or something to let me know the story is about to begin. However, I suppose this is considered "house style" since I have read other Breathless shorts that begin the same way.

The concept of this story was interesting and DC Juris' writing ability is excellent. The only problem I had with the writing is purely personal, and that was the use of "Jesus Christ" and a reference made by the character from the other planet. Otherwise, I found the story engaging, and those readers who are looking for a M/M quickie—this one is for you.

Pagan Elements: None

~ * ~

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.