Far From Innocent by Arlene Knowell

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Far From Innocent
Author:  Arlene Knowell

Author Site

Buy Link
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.

Hell Bent by Arlene Knowell w/Judith Noelle

The Pagan & The Pen Reviews

Title:  Hell Bent
Author: Arlene Knowell with Judith Noelle 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic Romance

Length: 96 pgs.
Other:  M/F

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book:

While living with her two Special Forces brothers, the last thing Mindy Austin expected was a stalker. After growing up in a military family, she wanted no part of a military man. So why was she naked on the California Cliffs with the military policeman assigned to her case?

The Review:

You know you’re enjoying a book when you argue with decisions a character makes, even when the decisions are stupid ones you can relate to because you’ve made the same mistakes yourself. Mindy is a woman trying to break free from an upbringing she wants to reject, but she can’t. Falling for Shane means she is consigning herself to the very life she doesn’t want. However, her objections must have been superficial because she sure got over the implications of loving Shane quickly. 

Knowell and Noelle have created four characters that are easy to like, which was a bit of a problem. I liked Mindy’s brothers Pat and Pete as much as the author intended for the reader to like them, but the story should have been told only from Mindy and Shane’s POV. During one point, the narrative shifts to Pat’s point of view, and while I’d love to read both Pat’s and Pete’s stories—this one isn’t it. An editor should have caught that.

In some parts, the order of events is confusing. I overlooked it in the first chapter because I figured that Mindy was so distraught she would be thinking in a random order, and so pertinent information made sense coming out of order. It was a little confusing at first, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. However, it happens again when Pat confronts Shane, and then Shane describes getting the phone call that brought him face-to-face with Pat in the first place. This could have been solved by writing the entire scene from Shane’s point of view.

I liked the friendly writing style, and I laughed at some of the similes during sexual situations, like “hovered over her like a plane waiting for permission to land” and “The pressure building within her was intense. It would soon release like her grandmother’s pressure cooker on the stove.” Hell Bent is a cute tale full of romance and suspense, and it’s a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7-Two people embracing in front of a postcard view. It’s a pretty cover, but generic.

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.