Love Me Once, Love Me Twice (Montana Cowboys, #1) By Sandy Sullivan

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Love Me Once, Love Me Twice (Montana Cowboys, #1)
Author: Sandy Sullivan

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Genre: Erotic/Contemporary/Western/Ménage (M/F/M)

Length: 178 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3.5

Presentation: 3.5

Editing: 4.5

Story: 4.5

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                 

About The Book: Home. They say home is where the heart is, but can coming back to Red Rock, Montana really be home? Natalie Bennington is about to find out.

Finding herself in a blizzard and stuck in a ditch, the last person she expects to rescue her is gorgeous ex-high school jock, Cade Weston. His light brown hair and baby blue eyes had many a teenage girl all a twitter including her, but being the shy band girl didn't garner attention from his type. When Cade's best friend Kale, and ex-football jock shows up, the stakes have just shot through the roof. Both men want her and she can't understand why.

Cowboy and all around good guy, Cade Weston is a born and raised Montana boy. Yes ma'am, no sir, hold the lady's chair, open her door - those things were ingrained in his upbringing, but every man likes a pretty woman. Natalie Bennington has grown up into one gorgeous female and he can't get her out of his mind.

Kale Dunn can't get over the changes in the shy band girl he remembers from high-school. Natalie sure turned into one hot woman. All legs, gorgeous body and breasts big enough to fill a man's hands. Would she be willing to share? He and Cade liked to partake in threesome's on occasion, but from what he remembered of Natalie, he didn't think she'd be the type. Was he wrong?

Wined, dined and loved by two men. Can she make the decision to love only one or will their possessiveness drive her back to Oregon?

The Review: Well you know what they say, ‘you can go home again’, but you don’t always know what to expect when you get there.

She was supposed to be convincing her grandmother to move to Oregon with her parents, but Natalie couldn’t help but be taken by the two strapping cowboys who’ve decided that she deserves some gentlemanly cowboy attention. She’s forgotten what it’s like to be treated like a lady, but Cade and Kale will make sure she never forgets again. Her suspicions and conflicted feelings are trying to get the best of her though as to what exactly do either of them see in her and more importantly what does she see with them.

Cade took one look at Natalie and just knew that he had to reacquaint himself with this at one time high school band geek. When Kale steps in and tries to do the same, the feelings that Cade experiences aren’t what he’s used to with his long-time best friend. Jealousy and competition over a woman has finally risen it’s ugly head and Natalie wants no part of it, but she can’t just walk away either. What’s a girl to do when two cowboys are vying for her attention?

This is my first read by Ms. Sullivan and it’s sure to not be my last. The first in a new series about Montana cowboys is all I need to know to continue with more of Ms. Sullivan’s fabulous work.

There were times when the story felt a little unreal with the fast progression of the relationships, since I thought Natalie’s character would come across as more reluctant given the histories and regrets of all three. However, it is a sweet romance with plenty of spice. The dialogue with the grandmother is absolutely hilarious and there were several times I had to stop and laugh before diving back in. Since there is a ménage element to the story, readers will definitely be surprised on how it all turns out with Natalie, Cade, and Kale. I do really love how it ended and would love to revisit these memorable characters in future installments.

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.

Brotherhood Of Fire (Hearts On Fire~ Book 1) by Elizabeth Moore

Title: Brotherhood Of Fire (Hearts On Fire~ Book 1)

Author: Elizabeth Moore

Author Site

Buy Link 

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Erotic/Menage/Contemporary/Romance

Length: 192 pgs.

Reviewer: Janeen

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4.5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4.5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 4.5

OVERALL CARD RATING: 

                                                

ABOUT THE BOOK: At the Grand Falls Fire Department, brotherhood is the key to everything. It's the glue that holds firefighters together through thick and thin. When Garrett O'Neal realizes the brotherhood he shares with his mentor and best friend could be something that fulfills the erotic fantasy he has of sharing his wife, Carrie, it begins a journey that none of them will escape without being plunged into the depths of flaming passion. A hot and intense tryst becomes so much more than just a bedtime fantasy. As the three begin to navigate the boundaries of love and desire, the fires of passion and their passion to fight fire threatens to tear the three of them apart forever.

THE REVIEW: Let me begin by saying, Ms. Moore delivers a four-alarm fire straight out of the chute with Brotherhood of Fire. From the opening pages of the book, you are connected to the couple on an emotional level. You get a front row seat into the life of Garrett O’Neal and his wife, Carrie. Garrett immediately resonated with me due to his all encompassing love and passion for Carrie. Their relationship is a solid marriage with enough trust that they can share their wildest fantasies without fear of judgment or rejection from the other. Ms. Moore allowed the characters to approach the subject of a ménage that felt real, and allows the reader a glimpse inside their minds. I felt their internal struggle in bringing the fantasy from the bedroom to actually making it a reality.

I found it surprisingly easy to understand Carrie’s position on bringing a lover into their lives, and her uncertainty of what bringing the fantasy to life could mean to her marriage. Cue Garrett’s best friend, and firefighter mentor, John, and Ms. Moore had my heart on a hook. John tugged on my heartstrings, and had me cheering for him from the sidelines. With the most to lose in this love triangle, John’s fears and needs were palpable.

Not only do the trios' limbs and bed sheets become entangled, so do the emotions and lives of this incredible ménage. Ms. Moore takes the reader on a journey of heart-felt, gut-churning emotion. All the players come across as believable, tangible people.

Ms. Moore crosses her T’s and dots her I’s in this romantic ménage that won’t leave you wanting. The reader experiences a realistic view of the emotions of the characters, and the choices they make along the way, while discovering that love isn’t always packaged in pairs…sometimes it comes in multiples. I look forward to Ms. Moore’s future installments of this series.

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.

All She Wants 4 Christmas by Jessica Lee

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title:  All She Wants 4 Christmas
Author: Jessica Lee

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Breathless Press

Genre: Holiday/Romance/BDSM-m/m/m/f

Length: 28 pgs.

THE BOOK: What if on Christmas Eve all your darkest desires came to life? Could you handle it?

It's Christmas Eve, and all Monica Sims wants is for her fiancé, just once, to step outside his comfort zone. She loves him, and life is fine in their perfectly planned world. But Monica is ready for more. She takes a risk and shares with him her darkest fantasies: Domination. Submission. Surrendering to the will of more than one man. But her confession is more than her straitlaced boyfriend can handle—or so she thought.

Dane knows exactly what he wants in bed: just him and Monica, his fiancée—alone. Simple, easy, vanilla sex was all he ever needed. That was until the night he found his fiancée in her office, watching—enjoying—a very naughty movie on her laptop. Determined to be the one to unleash her control, Dane decides to surprise her on Christmas Eve with a trip to a private fetish club. But they won't be alone.

The Review:

After finding out about her darkest fantasy Dane surprises Monica, his fiancée by making this Christmas one that she will never forget. Their relationship has been on a down slide but when Monica sees how eager Dane is to show her his surprise, she feels that things may be looking up for them and she is pleasantly surprised.

All She Wants 4 Christmas is a great read full of emotion. There may be multiple men in this story but the main focus is the love that is shared between the couple, Monica and Dane. Their love shines right off the pages. Even during the hottest part of the sex scenes we see their love and devotion to each other. Making this more than just a story about sex; it's about love.

Jessica Lee has written a wonderful story about love and trust between a couple. Monica and Dane love one another and want to make each and every dream of the others come true. All She Wants 4 Christmas is a beautifully written love story that should not be missed.

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.

A Taste of Summer Magic by Christine McKay

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title:  A Taste of Summer Magic
Author: Christine McKay

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Contemporary/Menage/Romance/M-M-F

Length: 78 pgs.
Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

About The Book: Can nice girls enjoy sex with two good-looking men? Morgan is about to find out.


Partners Jason Scholl and Perry Holloway own and manage the upscale restaurant, No Patio. Not only do they share passions in the kitchen but also in bed. After a run-in with a nine-inch stainless steel dildo and a dominatrix, it's Jason's turn to try to find someone both men can enjoy. Nice girls don't enjoy sex with two men, do they?

When her über-rich husband, Thomas divorces her, practicing witch Morgan T'Naile scrapes together the remnants of her pride and flees. Camped out at a local park, she stumbles over her best friend's little brother, Jason Scholl. Jason's not the wide-eyed boy she remembers but a full-grown sexy man with his own partner, Perry. She has no idea she was once the star of Jason's adolescent fantasies. But Jason hasn't forgotten and he intends to turn imagination into reality.

The Review:

Morgan T’Naile has hit rock bottom but her divorce and homelessness has not crushed her spirit. Looking to the future, she meets a man from her past who very much wants to be part of her future.

Jason and his life partner, Perry are looking for a woman who will complete their family. Morgan seems to fit the bill. Now all they have to do is convince her to take the plunge with them.

Just when things are going great for Morgan, Jason, and Perry, Morgan’s past comes back to bite her on the ass…and not in a good way. The three will have to trust each other in order to stay together.

The author does a good job of making the characters likable and interesting so that the reader cares about what happens to them. I found myself sincerely hoping that the three would be able to resolve their problems and stay together. I recommend this read and look forward to reading more of Christine McKay’s books.

Pagan Elements: Yes, Morgan is a practicing witch.

___________________________________________________________________

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 Camouflage Wife by Iona Blair

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Camouflage Wife

Author:  Iona Blair

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre:  M/M Erotic Romance

Length: 46 pgs

Other:  M/M, M/F, Menage

Pagan & Pagan Elements:  No/ No

Reviewed by:  Kim Earley

About The Book:  When two male cops get the hots for each other in 1950s Toronto, they could face jail time if caught. A camouflage wife seems like the answer to their prayers, but ends up not being quite what either one expected.

The Review:  I have read Iona Blair before, and enjoyed the book I read immensely. So when I saw her name on this book, I decided I needed to read it. I found this one slightly disappointing. Not due to subject matter, her writing, or even an ending I don't care for in my erotic romances (but is believable), but mainly because I felt that the depth in this one was lacking. Some sex scenes were in-depth, and charged, putting the reader right there. Others were glossed over, or cardboard. I read the entire book, hoping for more of the in-depth stuff that fantasies are made of, but never quite got the satisfaction I desired. I'm giving it two cards, because some of the scenes put me there.  I'll try another book by this author, but it won't be because of this one.

Pagan Elements:  None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 9-The cover indicates what the story is about.

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 Gingerbread Tryst by Nichelle Gregory

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  The Gingerbread Tryst

Author:  Nichelle Gregory 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Fantasy/Erotica

Length: 22 pgs 

Other:  M/F * M/F/M * Ménage  

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No/Yes

Reviewed by: Brandi

About The Book: Meet Marisa, a restless homemaker who spends her time baking, masturbating and dabbling in magic. Happily married, Marisa only wishes her husband Don could keep up with her insatiable need for sex. She craves orgasms daily and her sex drive has become a sore spot in an otherwise happy marriage.

Determined to find a solution to ramp up Don’s libido, she turns to magic. After trying magical amulets and oils, Marisa discovers a book that contains wish spells. Throwing caution to the wind, she decides to experiment with an incantation that could make her naughty gingerbread man cookie a real flesh and blood man.
 
Taken by surprise . . . literally, Marisa indulges in a delicious sexual rendezvous that ends up going further than she could have ever imagined. This delightfully sexy tale offers up hot thrills sure to please any sweet tooth!

The Review: Nichelle Gregory has created a fairy tale-like story in The Gingerbread Tryst.  It seemed like a cute idea from the blurb, and perhaps could have been a decent title.

Unfortunately, the author failed to follow the first rule of fiction writing: show, don’t tell. The book is a short read but is difficult to get through, as the reader is simply being told about who the main character is and what she likes to do, instead of using imagery or dialogue to tell the story. As a result, the story reads very amateurish: “and then, and then, and then…” If the author had taken the time to provide a few details and dialogue in the first few pages, it would have made this book much more interesting.

The idea of the main character casting a spell to have sex with a cookie is admittedly disturbing and too silly to take seriously. I laughed out loud when said cookie came to life as  a handsome well built man, and began to chase Marisa around the kitchen saying “Run, run, run as fast as you can; I’m going to catch you . . . I’m your gingerbread man!”

The addition of Marisa’s husband to the sex play is confusing, as one minute he is calling her a whore and the next guiding the gingerbread man in a threesome with his wife. The story just seemed to go all over the place.

On the bright side, Nichelle Gregory definitely knows how to write an erotic scene. If we forget about the cinnamon flavored semen and other food-licious descriptions, the sex in this book is well written and very hot. I would be interested to read other titles by Ms. Gregory, as she seems to have a knack for creating a sensual mood.

Pagan Elements: yes – spell casting

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7-The cover is nicely done and includes all elements of 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.

Reviewer Top Pick: Spirals by Beth D. Carter

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Spirals

Author:  Beth D. Carter 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Loose Id LLC

Genre: Futuristic/Multicultural/Menage/Erotica/Romance

Length: 133 pages

Other:  M/F, Menage (M/F/M)

Pagan & Pagan Elements: Yes/ No

Reviewed by:  Kim Earley

About The Book:  Kaori Carnelian was only sixteen when Los Angeles was hit by an
earthquake that devastated it. With the world trying to recover from a plague that has wiped out half of the population, she learns how to survive by her wits and a great ability to hide, scavenging through what is left of LA. Years later, the government sends in recon  men, Sergeants Tobias Noble and Orion West to find any survivors before another earthquake destroys everything. They find her pleasuring herself and instantly both want her. Her world spirals out of control in a very delicious way. But when the men have to go find two others in their regiment that are missing, Kaori has to decide if her love outweighs her instinct for surviving.

The Review:   I had not previously read Beth D. Carter's work, but her believable (and sexy) writing has put her on my favorites list. She paints a picture of a life very different from ours today, and makes you feel as if you're there. The characters pull you in, as Kaori did when she shows you how she survived for so many years, and as Noble and Orion did when they teach her what love is about. The love the characters feel is pure, unmarred by jealousy in a believable way, and the sex is hot, hot, hot. The story moves quickly as the men work to save as many people as they can, and protect Kaori at the same time. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended. I wanted to read more!  This book is a must-read, and a Top Reviewers Pick for me. 

Pagan Elements:   None.

Cover (Rated 1-10): 9.  The cover effectively shows us what LA looks like in the book, as well as gives us a picture of the three main characters in the book. It's also kid-friendly, if the book happens to be lying on the coffee table.

__________________________________________________________________________________

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 Curse of the Pharaoh's Manicurist by Angelia Sparrow & Naomi Brooks

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  The Curse of the Pharaoh’s Manicurists
Author:  Angelia Sparrow & Naomi Brooks

Author Site: Click author name 

Buy Link
Publisher:  Amber Allure/Amber Quill Press, LLC

Genre: Adventure/Historical Fantasy/Paranormal/GLBT/Menage

Length: 196 pages

Other:  M/F/M * M/M 

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No/yes

Reviewed by: Keri Stratton Alley

About The Book: Charles Doyle, fresh out of journalism school, signs on to be the secretary for suave, debonair adventurer Edward Kilsby, the Lord of Withycombe. Placed in a competition against Edwards’ rival and former fiancé, the two men must conquer the wilds of Egypt, defend themselves from mummies, appease Anubis, and realize their love for each other.

The Review: In a good romance novel, ambiguities in background details can be forgiven because the reader is so in love with the main characters that the rest of the story is mere framing. Angelia and Naomi--I forgive you. 

Edward is the epitome of a romance novel hero. He’s rakishly handsome, adventurous, brave, experienced and underneath his sophisticated veneer he’s a big softie. He just needs someone to take care of him. Enter Charles Doyle. He’s a city boy, longing to move to Paris to write a novel. He’s naïve, innocent, and adorably romantic; he even drags his giant typewriter through the deserts of Egypt. Though he’s never been with a man or woman, his attraction to Edward, a popular war hero, is undeniable. Reading their love story is a delightful romp through the emotional and physical pleasures associated with a new romance.

The background story is a charming adventure that combines a bit of history with some paranormal interactions with Egyptian deities. Edward and Charlie must race Edward’s ex-fiancé, a sadistically cruel woman named Sarah, to find out what happened to an archeologist gone missing during an Egyptian dig. Once in the tomb, they are possessed by the ghosts of the Pharoah’s manicurists, who also happen to be lovers. Charlie is shot by a member of Sarah’s team and must face Osiris and Anubis in order to be returned to his lover. However, once he returns to life, Edward and Charlie discover that they have incurred the wrath of Anubis who refuses to be denied the souls due to him. Fending off attacks from mummies, they battle their way back to England and perform a poignant and endearingly funny sacrifice to appease the Egyptian God of the Dead.

The beginning is a bit difficult to get into; the scene changes are a bit abrupt and could use additional explanation so the reader isn’t lost. But once you’re into the story, there’s no getting out. Each chapter opens with an excerpt from Charlie’s journal that invariably had me laughing out loud and eagerly anticipating the next chapter. The love scenes are both steamy and romantic, with just enough detail to spice it up, but enough subtlety to leave the best parts to the imagination. I loved the way in which the authors concluded the story, and how they interpreted the necessary sacrifice at the end. I grew to hate Sarah as much as the main characters and would have felt a smidge more satisfied to read a “just desserts” style of ending, though. One simple sentence showing a bit of mummy rot on Nigel’s arm would have left me satisfied by a turn of the karmic cycle. With only a vague mention of an illness, the lack of conclusion on that portion of the story line was the only sticking point for me during the ending.

Pagan Elements: possession by spirits, being weighed and measured after death by Osiris, sacrificing to Anubis,

Cover (Rated 1-10): 5

The cover meant so much more after I had read the book, so it is a good depiction of what will be found inside.

__________________________________________________________________________

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.