A Little Tied Up by Karenna Colcroft

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  A Little Tied Up
Author:  Karenna Colcroft 

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing, LLC

Genre: Contemporary Erotica

Length: 25 pgs.
Other:  M/F/Role-playing/Bondage/Kidnapping/Aggressive Sex

Reviewed by: Russ Allen

About The Book: Nolie is happy in her marriage to Joseph, but things have become a bit stale in the bedroom. When Joseph suggests role-playing, Nolie is skeptical at first, but then agrees, expecting an exciting time. What she doesn’t expect is how much she’ll learn about herself and her marriage through the experience.

The Review: This is a good, well-written story that would be excellent had its author not set parameters for herself and her two characters that limit it.

The story is about a couple who, seeking to add spark to their sex life and marriage, decide to try role-playing. The husband assumes the role of an unknown kidnapper, abducting from her home a woman [his wife] whom he has been stalking, taking her to a hotel where he undresses her, ties her to a chair, verbally abuses her, face-fucks her, and finally rapes her. When their acting ends the purpose of their role-playing has apparently been met, and the story ends with a hint that in the next episode a reversal will occur.

While both characters are conscientious about staying in character, what keeps this from being a great story is that neither the husband nor the wife, ever fully assume their role. The wife learns too soon that her kidnapper is in fact her husband, and though very turned on by his aggressive sexual words and actions, she believes he will not go far beyond what she expects of him [even though he does more than she is used to], or force her outside her comfort zone. The husband does assume an aggressive sexual attitude, and verbally treats her as a sex toy to do with as he wants; yet he seems always aware that she is his wife, which tempers and limits what he will do to her. As a result, some of their sex play goes nowhere [such as his threatening her with a belt] and others that might reasonably be expected to happen [such as anal rape] never do.

Since the limitations placed on the characters probably reflects those held by the writer, I wish that the author had let go and allowed them to act out their roles fully.  That would have made this an even better story.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 6—I like the cover and title. They would lead me to look into the story further.  However, I am not sure either reflects its content. The story is about role-playing, kidnapping, and non-emotional aggressive sex; bondage, as suggested by the title and cover, is an incidental element. I would prefer a title that suggests the dominance and control of the woman by her kidnapper that occurs in the story, and an illustration that shows him, dressed in ski mask and sunglasses, standing over the partially clothed, seated woman who is defenseless against his sexual aggression.

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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.

Aries Rising by Syrell Starr

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title: Aries Rising

Author: Syrell Starr

Author Site

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Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: science fiction/erotic romance/M/F

Length: 103 pgs.

Other: Voyeurism; Foot Fetish; Mild Bondage; Spanking

Pagan & Pagan Elements: None

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

About The Book: One man has the unique gift of being able to read photographs, and he uses his skill to provide mates for men who pay well for the privilege. Gondar Lem is such a man. Selected to guard a secret that could destroy worlds, he secludes himself on a far away outpost in the middle of nowhere. For nine years he’s lived alone but hopes for the day the matchmaker will find him a special woman.


Sierra Madison poses nude to help raise funds that will pay for her brother’s surgery. Little does she realize what that photograph will cost her. Kidnapped by an alien who claims she was chosen for his mate, she’s whisked away to exotic planets on an adventure that brings her more pleasure than she ever dreamed possible.

The Review: Sierra and her best friend, Candy, are abducted by aliens who treat them little better than property. Luckily, neither of the young women have family ties to earth so they might as well enjoy the intergalactic ride.

Gondar, a man of few words but lots of angst, is determined that Sierra marry him—so much so that he slaps a bonding bracelet on her wrist that not only prevents her from escaping but also makes her more receptive to his advances.

At their first stop over, an alien matchmaker offers up Candy as a bride to a bartender with a knobby, vibrating head. She bulks at the idea at first but quickly jumps into bed with her new husband, leaving Sierra alone with Gondar who makes short work of seducing her with the help of his extra alien “appendage that aids sexual stimulation.”

Although I felt rushed by the author and wish that I was allowed to see more details of the alien worlds, their inhabitants and cultures, Sierra and Candy are likable and fun, and the love scenes are imaginative and unique.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 10 The cover is amazing! The artist did a fabulous job!

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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. 

Reviewer Top Pick: Lush Velvet Nights by Tina Donahue

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Lush Velvet Nights

Author:  Tina Donahue

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Ellora's Cave

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Length: 135 pgs.

Other:  M/F/Spanking/Voyeurism/Bondage

Pagan & Pagan Elements:  No/ No

Reviewed by:  Kim Earley

About The Book:  During the day, Adriana's a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It's all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn. Tall, blond and muscular―like a modern-day Viking―Nathan's a labor relations attorney representing Adriana's union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he's wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana's underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman's club, he makes certain she denies him nothing. Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan's caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

The Review:   When I see a title from Ellora's Cave, it doesn't take much thought to snatch it up.  I've never read anything by Tina Donahue before, but after reading Lush Velvet Nights, she'll be on the top of my must read list! 

The characters jump off the page and straight into your heart, and the story line is romantic, pulling you in from the first page.  Adriana is an heiress, but far from spoiled.  Tired of dealing with men that want her for her money, she makes a first attempt at hiring an escort service to fulfill a kidnapping fantasy.  Nathan unknowingly rescues her from her would-be attacker, and instead of being repulsed by her hiring the escort service, he finds his attraction to her such that he decides to step into the kidnapper's place, and takes her to his mountain estate. 

Adriana is flawed, she's strong, and she believes wholeheartedly in the love she's found with Nathan.  Nathan is a hedonist, fearful of any sort of commitment.  His words tell her from the first moment that this is a non-relationship, that it's no strings.  She agrees, but longs (at one point weeps, saying to her father figure, “I lied, I want strings.”) for Nathan to return her love.  Will Adriana change Nathan's mind about love, and reach his heart?

Lush Velvet Nights has made it to my Reviewers Top Picks and is likely to stay there for quite some time.  Steamy sex, fantasy pleasures, and characters that pull you into their lives and their hearts will have you reaching for Lush Velvet Nights again and again.  This one is a must-read!

Pagan Elements:   None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 9-The cover is super sexy, and leaves no question as to the heat you'll find inside.

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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.