Two is Twice as Nice by Emily Cale

Title: Two is Twice as Nice
Author: Emily Cale

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Publisher:  Breathless Press

Genre: Romance/Ménage

Length: 33 pgs.
Reviewed by: Gabrielle

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3.5

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 3.5

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

About The Book:

After a car accident last Christmas, Cara McCourt is left broken inside and out. Since then, no guy has bothered to give her the time of day. Just when she's convinced that no man will ever be interested in her again, she bumps into Anthony while holiday shopping. Unsure at first, Cara is quickly wooed by the man who thinks she is beautiful—despite her disfigurement. 

Uncertain if Anthony is too good to be true, she takes a chance, only to find out he's been keeping a secret: His twin brother, Devon. Too late, Cara is drawn into their games. Will her wounded soul survive their deceit or did Santa actually bring her the ultimate gift: two men of her own?

The Review:

Two is Twice as Nice is a fast paced and sweet read.

 I liked Cara from the start. Even though an accident has taken some of her outer beauty away she still carries an inner beauty that shines like a beacon. Anthony is a wonderful man who seems to think the world of Cara. The relationship that builds between the two was a nice read. I enjoyed seeing Cara begin to feel better about herself as she continues to see Anthony. His twin brother Devon came off as the total opposite of Anthony. We see the big difference between the brothers when they finally tell Cara about themselves and being twins. Devon seems like a real jerk and happy to play games with women. He was a little too cocky and proud that he got one over on Cara and his brother.

I would have enjoyed a longer story so that we could get to know the brothers personalities and maybe find out just why Devon is the way he is and if he really cares for Cara.

All in all this book was a nice quick read about finding love when you last expect it. I really liked the premise of the story. Showing that love really does conquer all.

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.

Carnal Connections by Berengaria Brown

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Carnal Connections
Author: Berengaria Brown 

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic/M/M/M

Length: 18 pgs.
Reviewed by: Russ Allen

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 3

Editing: 4

Story: 2

Writing Ability: 3

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                 

About The Book:  Three gay guys meet at a gay wedding and spend the night in a hotel having acrobatic sex that leads them to consider a future relationship built on their orgies.

The Review: The above summary reveals the problem with this story: That is all there is.  The significance of its context: a same-sex wedding; is overlooked; the connection between the three men and the happy couple is barely mentioned; there is no real character development of the three main participants.  All we now is that they are gay, come on to each other, and retire to a hotel room for their orgy. 

As with many efforts to describe acrobatic sex, this writer is not able to do so in more than a mechanical way, similar to the way many adult movies get bogged down in 15-minute blowjobs or prolonged and unrealistic non-orgasmic intercourse.  In each case, after a while the reader/viewer is bored and turned off.  A story that wishes to be erotic needs to engage the reader’s imagination in what the participants are doing, otherwise the result is pornography that in times becomes tedious and pointless.  Whatever the intention of this author, gay porn is the result.

The author writes well [not great], and has an ability to imagine what a gay three-some orgy might be like.  Unfortunately, the absence of fuller development of the story before, during, and after the events in the hotel room leaves the reader only with that scene, and its mechanical description of sexual acrobatics fails in the end to engage the reader as the author might have wished.

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.

Far From Innocent by Arlene Knowell

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Far From Innocent
Author:  Arlene Knowell

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Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Erotica

Length: 92 pgs.
Other:  M/F * M/F/M 

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: If Green Beret, Dex McKelvy, hadn't ended their relationship, Rachel Kenyon would have never left town. She would have stayed with him, enjoying the hot lustful sex. But with a broken heart she made her way to start a new life and job in Hopkinsville, KY. She never expected to meet Blake Linden, or to wake up with him in her bed. Blake was more than just a lover, he was a sexual God. He was protective, and it was no surprise that he'd sent the private detective hired by Dex packing back to Denver. It was a surprise however, that he and Dex knew each other. In fact, they'd shared a woman a decade ago. But once they'd shared Rachel, it was far too late to realize that they weren't willing to share after all.

The Review:This story left me with mixed feelings. I’m happy that Rachel ended up with the right man, but I have a hard time believing in any of the relationships. They aren’t developed. We’re told she loves Dex. We’re told she loves Blake. She has a lot of tepid sex with both of them.  At one point, she has them at the same time, but both the men were inebriated and she wasn’t really given a vote. It wasn’t quite rape, but it wasn’t preplanned, and there was no clear consent.

Emotionality was completely lacking in the erotic scenes. It was difficult to connect with the characters because so much of the story was peppered with summaries that tell the reader about the character instead of showing us through their words and actions.

Half of the novella details Rachel’s failed relationship with Dex. While he has issues respecting women, she seems to have issues with falling into bed with every big Special Forces man she meets. I also question why she would abandon a job with a salary and benefits for a waitressing position. She had fifteen years’ experience and good references.  Maybe I’m showing my age, but I kept thinking that a woman who sleeps around as much as she does, having unprotected sex with men who sleep around, really needs health insurance. Then again, if she was that responsible, I’m sure she would have insisted her partners use a condom.

Even though it lacked detail, the writing wasn’t bad, the story was entertaining, and it was a fast read. 

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 5-I would rate the cover higher because it’s very sexy, but the freakishly long nails on the hand holding the one breast didn’t appeal to me. Even after I untangled the arms to realize she’s holding her own breast, the nails were still off-putting.

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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.