Black Hawke Down by Serenity Woods

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews

Title: Black Hawke Down

Author: Serenity Woods

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Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Erotic

Length: 38 pgs.

Reviewed By: Madeline Smoot

Ratings For:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                

About the Book: (Blurb taken from the book)

Nature witch, Captain Imogen Williamson, is on the run, blamed for a murder she didn’t commit, hunted by the Supernatural Unit of the British Army desperate to keep quiet the secret Imogen’s discovered. She knows it won’t be long before she’s found, but doesn’t suspect it will be Major Cameron Hawke—Iron Warlock and ex-lover—who’ll be the first to find her.

Hawke thinks she’s defected to Chaos and knows he’s got to put aside his feelings for her so he can complete his mission, but a moment of weakness makes him falter. Captured and restrained like an animal, he finds himself at Imogen’s mercy. He thinks it’s only his life at stake, but when Imogen tells him getting pregnant is her only way of staying alive—and he’s going to help her whether he likes it or not—he soon realizes that his self respect and dignity might be on the way out to…

The Review:

Imogen Williamson is a captain and nature witch attached to the Supernatural Unit in Britain’s Army. Falsely accused of murder and treason the head officer of her unit sends Major Cameron Hawke to assassinate her before she is able to tell her side of the story.

Major Cameron Hawke is a warlock and the best tracker in the Supernatural Unit; able to conjure and command metal he attempts to make Imogen pay for her supposed crimes and for breaking his heart, but instead finds himself tied to her bed and completely at her mercy.

The book is filled with naughty fun, but the love scenes feel a little rushed. Every moment between Cameron and Imogen is awash in sexual tension reeling the reader into every touch and caress. The emotion and anger felt by Cameron when he finds himself trussed up and forced to endure the erotic torture that Imogen dishes out makes my mouth water and itch to join in the fun. While too short for my liking and some of the scenes feel a bit rushed, this is definitely a book to read and enjoy. This author’s ability is remarkable, but there are a few points in her technique that could be tweaked to make her second to none.  

The cover is beautiful in a harsh sort of way. There is no way I would pass this book without picking it up and sneaking a peak at the story within. The cover grabs the attention and demands that its pages be explored. The harsh and dirty background gives it something extra that nips at the curiosity of the casual browser. The story grabbed me from the very first sentence and refused to let me go 'til the very end.

Pagan Elements: N/A

A Captain’s Order—A Duke’s Command by Tamara Gill

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews

Title: A Captain’s Order—A Duke’s Command

Author: Tamara Gill

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Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 33 pgs

Reviewed By: Madeline Smoot

Ratings For:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4 

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                      

About the Book: (blurb from website)

Lady Eloise Bartholomew’s trip to Australia on the shirttails on her adventurous brother ends in tragedy when he dies from a fever. But with the conventions of English society suspended on the high seas, she finds passion and excitement in the arms of a rugged ship’s captain—only to be dumped back into the ton, still burning from the fire ignited in her and the loss of the only man she could ever love.

More at home on his ship than dallying with the ton, Gabriel Lyons, now the Duke of Dale, intended never to set foot in London again. But when an elder brother dies, and the woman who claimed his heart over his love for the ocean brings him home, he knows he has to face the secrets of his past. He can only pray their love will survive the scandal that sent him away, the lies he has told her, and the duel he must fight for his honor and her hand.

The Review:

Lady Eloise Bartholomew has just returned from Australia where her brother passed away. Unfortunately, she is not only morning the loss of her sibling, but the loss of a delectable sea captain who stole her heart and captured her erstwhile imagination.

Gabriel Lyons is the sea captain that is captivated by the young and adventurous Lady Eloise. He has arrived in London to not only recapture the heart of Lady Bartholomew but to also take his rightful place as Duke of Dales.

The cover is pure perfection. It is exactly what a nautical romance cover should look like. This story is one of the best historical romance novellas I have read this year, and the author’s writing ability is top notch, the details she uses wraps around the reader and sucks them into the world of gentry.

This novella is an absolute delight to get lost in. The storyline allows the reader to sink into the world of gentry in London. No detail was spared to give the reader a true sense of the environment and the characters.

This powerful work could only be made better by expanding it to novel length. The love scenes are both sweet and mouthwatering at the same time. It is hard to imagine this novella receiving anything but rave reviews.

Pagan Elements: none 

Make Me by Jessica Lee

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews 

Title: Make Me

Author: Jessica Lee

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Paranormal, Erotic Romance, m/m

Length: 30 pgs

Reviewed By: Madeline Smoot

Ratings For:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                            

The Book:

Evin KinKaid has it all: the title of alpha of the KinKaid wolf shifter pack and the man he loves, his mate, Mason Thorne II in his bed. But across territorial lines, it seems another pack is conspiring to see just how badly he wants to keep them both. So when the Gregorson pack tests its boundaries, leaving Evin to find his home ransacked and his mate nowhere to be found, the rival shifters learn what it’s like to gain the KinKaid’s alpha’s full attention.

The Review:

Evin KinKaid finally has it all: he is the alpha of his pack; has his loyal mate, Mason, at his side; and everything in his life is going perfectly. Everything until the neighboring pack decides to test the boundaries of the KinKaid domain.

This book allows the reader to reintroduce themselves to Evin KinKaid and his mate, Mason Thorne, II. The powerful love between the two men is plain to see without being over powering. The fear and tension when Mason goes missing is palatable and drives home the feeling that this is a true love story. This book sends the reader on a nonstop ride of highs and lows; complete with naughty interludes that are beyond HOT.

Pagan Elements: N/A

Study Partner by Rebecca Leigh

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews

Title: Study Partner
Author: Rebecca Leigh

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Length: 16 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4.5

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 3.5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                               

About The Book:

Carla Montes and Edward Gardner are both third year law students finishing their last final before graduation. They've been study partners all year, but on the eve of the final, what starts as hot and steamy sex in one of the study rooms in the campus library blossoms into something much more.

The Review:

The pressure of the final exam had finally gotten the best of both Carla and Edward. Seeing as how the time to part was fast approaching, they decide to throw caution to the wind and act on the lust they've each secretly held in check from the other. Now, with their lust satisfied, feelings are developing, but the real world calls and the inevitable separation that will take them into the next phase of their lives.

Things in this story progress quickly between the characters and unfortunately left me wanting more. The characters come from different backgrounds and I would've really liked to have seen their attraction and chemistry for one another explored a bit more. There is still a little bit of an unknown by the end, but for a quickie, it is quite enjoyable with enough heat to have me seeking out what else this author has to offer.

Pagan Elements: N/A

Trading Up by Brindle Chase

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Trading Up
Author: Brindle Chase

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Length: 47 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4.5

Story: 3.5

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                 

About The Book: Heather adores her flighty sister's boyfriend, Mark. He's Mr. Right, and her sister is about to let him go. He's a catch, and Heather's only chance is to play out her sister's insane and wicked plan to switch in the dark. If she fails, she'll lose him to the throng of girls waiting in the wings. It's a winner takes all arena and seduction is the game.

The Review: It’s clear that Theresa is the fun loving adventurous sister, while Heather is the ambitious and quiet one. That’s not to say that Heather is a total bore, but perhaps a little more mature than her older sister. Theresa is interested in playing the field, while Heather sought stability in her next relationship. When it comes to Mark, Theresa’s current boyfriend, the sisters whole-heartedly agree the man is hot, but Theresa is looking for a little more excitement. Instead of letting a good man get away, Theresa devises a plan that has Heather all tied up in knots. Can she throw caution and inhibition aside or will she let a possible chance at happiness get away?

Sisters can sometimes be the little devil on your shoulder that tips the balance of what you believe is right or wrong. I would know since I have several, so Theresa’s character comes across very familiar to me. The author does a fantastic job of giving each of the characters a voice that’s clear and relatable. The plot might not be completely relatable, but that doesn’t detract from the intense eroticism or sweet undertones in the story. Overall a very enjoyable short read!

Pagan Elements: N/A

The Devilin Fey by Jess C Scott

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews

Title: The Devilin Fey
Author: Jess C Scott   

Author Site

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Publisher: CreateSpace

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: 134 pgs.
Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 3

Editing: 4

Story: 3

Writing Ability: 4


Overall Score:

                                


The Book: 
A paranormal romance novella of two stories, featuring an incubus and succubus. Story #1 features a demure young woman unleashing the "devil in" her, through the intimacy with an incubus. Story #2 features a voyeuristic succubus driven by jealousy and a dangerous fixation.

The Review: 

The heroine, Caitlin Fey, is a reserved, good girl who is all about her job, and somehow, against character, allows herself to be duped and seduced by an obvious playboy sleaze-ball, Zac Walsh. After the substandard round of sex is over, Caitlin feels not only disappointed but guilty for “cheating” on her dream lover, a man who has been visiting her while she’s asleep.

Deciding she needs to clear her head, she takes a walk on the beach and encounters a man who resembles the man from her dreams. For a moment she thinks he has wings on his back, but in the next moment they are gone and she dismisses the idea as a fantasy.

Lucius and Caitlin talk long into the night, both falling in love with the other.

When Caitlin discovers that Lucius is a Succubus, she’s okay with it at first but soon realizes she is developing the same sexual powers Lucius has. He tells her she is becoming part Incubus and she has to decide what kind of Incubus she wants to be—one seeks vengeance or one who brings passion and joy?

I enjoyed this story. The author did a wonderful job making the characters feel real and flawed. The relationship between Caitlin and Lucius was a little thin and kind of boring after their first meeting. I kept waiting for things to pick up between them, for them to go through the intensity of feelings and expressions of falling in love.

 
Tongue-Tied

In Tongue-Tied, the heroine, Amanda, is looking for a connection and tries to find it through sex. Unfortunately, she’s less than satisfied. The spying succubus, who watched her get it on, thought the sex was lackluster as well, and wonders why Amanda chose a man who was incapable of satisfying her. She knows if she were given the chance, she would be able to satisfy the lovely Amanda so she invisibly follows her and watches as Amanda gratifies herself, and then approaches her when Amanda is half asleep. To her immense surprise, Amanda not only sees her, but kisses her.

Soon the succubus finds she can’t stay away from Amanda because she is haunted by the question of whether or not Amanda “likes” girls, and more than that, likes her, the succubus. When it becomes apparent that Amanda does in fact like girls, the succubus becomes determined to be the girl in Amanda’s life.

While this was a short, fast read and had interesting characters, the story was also confusing as many things were hinted at but never explained, or simply left unsaid. The characters are worth reading about in Tongue-Tied, just as they are in The Devilin Fey. 

Pagan Elements: N/A 

Beltaine’s Song, Book Two: Dark Goddess Trilogy by Kelley Heckart

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Beltaine’s Song, Book Two: Dark Goddess Trilogy

Author: Kelley Heckart

Author Site

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Publisher: Awe Struck Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance/Paranormal Fantasy

Length: 250 pgs.

Reviewed By: Madeline Smoot

Ratings For:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 3

Editing: 4

Story: 2

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                        

About the Book:

Now king and queen of the powerful kingdom of Dal Riata, Aedan and Domelch have more than just Cailleach’s wrath to contend with. Aedan struggles with being a king and being a husband. Domelch struggles with her beliefs, trying to be the Christian woman Aedan wed, but her heart still thrums with the voices of old gods. They must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?

Gartnait, the first-born son of Aedan and Domelch, has lived in secrecy most of his young life to escape Cailleach’s wrath. Fostered in Fortriu, he has earned his first mark of manhood and on his way to becoming a formidable warrior. He grapples with the awakening of his true destiny and the meaning of the appearance of a beautiful maiden in spring only he can see. Does she mean to harm him? For him, spring brings with it the promise of new love and the thrilling sound of the battle horn, putting those he cares about in danger.

The Review:

Aedan and Domelch traverse a world of battles and intrigues on Aedan’s journey to become king of Dal Riata. While he and his allies succeed they also have other obstacles including Cailleach’s wrath and deceit among his allies. Along with all of the outward struggles Domelch questions her conversion to Christianity. Her former being and pagan beliefs lick at the shadows threatening to consume her.

Garinait, Aedan and Domelch’s son and heir, is a footnote in a larger tapestry of a treacherous world. Hidden away for the better part of his life he searches for answers from both the monks and a goddess only he can see.

The story of Aedan and Domelch has the potential to be much more than it currently is, which seems to leave the reader feeling a bit flat. While this is the middle of the trilogy it does not give enough background of the world for the reader who has not read the first book. The love and battle scenes are rushed without leaving time for emotion or real reaction from the participants. 

The deceit and reactions to the underhanded nature of the conspirators is written masterfully and with enough detail to get a sense of the atmosphere in the room, however even here the reactions are not realistic enough.

Overall this story went a bit flat without breathing any life into the characters or the situations that should have made it a modern classic. The author’s talents were wasted in this venture; however with some nurturing of technique she could be one to watch in the future. Unfortunately, this book needs to be sent back to the drawing board.

Pagan Elements: touches on pagan religions, goddesses