The Spider Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #4) by Rebecca Goings

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Spider Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #4)
Author:  Rebecca Goings

Author Site

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Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Erotic/Romance/Fantasy

Length: 161 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4.5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                   

About The Book: Amani Bantish has been passed over five times for marriage. She fears she has no hope for a husband until finally, the Spider Prince accepts her as his bride. Not for love, but to bear him an heir.

Two years ago, Ziyad Bihar lost his first wife, Karis, and their unborn son under the hooves of a raider’s horse. No one else could possibly compare to the woman he’d once loved, therefore his new bride will not be his princess.

But Ziyad cannot deny that the more he gets to know Amani, the more he fantasizes about his minx of a wife. Yet his loyalty to Karis pulls him deeper into his despair. When Amani’s life is threatened by the very man responsible for Karis’s death, Ziyad realizes he must fight for the woman he loves, or risk losing it all again.

The Review:

Their union was one of expectation, duty, and responsibility not forged from the bonds of love.

Since the death of Karis, it has taken years for the Spider to collect Amani as his bride. He made sure to explain what was expected of her before their nuptials, so there was no mistaking the son-bearing yet loveless life she would lead. Amani knew going in to the arrangement what she would never receive from the Spider, but she secretly held a spark of hope for it anyway. After repeated marriage rejections from both princes and commoners alike, she feels dejected, defeated, and self-conscious, so this may be her last chance, but at what price? As the emotional rollercoaster takes it’s toll on Amani, Ziyad feels guilty and confused over the effect Amani seems to have on him. He can’t deny the physical attraction, but can he break away from the pain and death of his past and open his heart for the woman who can bring love and life to his future?

I couldn't help but fall in love with Ziyad from his earliest appearance in a previous book to this series. Likewise with Amani, but I really felt for her character more in this story because while she has everything she’s ever dreamt of having her circumstance with the Spider is still so tragic. Her respect and admiration for him is unquestionable and it was hard to see the Spider somewhat detached and unfeeling toward her. Of course, the mixed signals he was sending her due to his own confused and denied feelings didn’t help either. Amazingly enough, Amani still manages to restore some of her self-confidence while conversing with others and during intimate moments with the Spider. Amani’s quiet grace and dignity mixed with a somewhat defiant attitude really appealed to me.

Much of the story is centered on our leading couple with an emotionally intense yet appropriately fast pace. When the story moves back to the overall series plotline, it’s done brilliantly with shocking turn of event results and a little teaser into the Jackal Prince’s future. I am impatiently awaiting the next installment to this fabulous series and encourage every reader of romance to give it a try. To better understand the overall storyline, I fully recommend starting with The Viper Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #1), and if that’s not enough encouragement just take a look at all of the delicious covers there are to choose from. You’ll think you’ve found and read your favorite until Ms. Goings writes the next one.

Pagan Elements: N/A

The Falcon Prince (Princes of Jikkar, #3) by Rebecca Goings

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Falcon Prince (Princes of Jikkar, #3)
Author: Rebecca Goings   

Author Site

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Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Erotic/Fantasy/Romance

Length: 149 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4.5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                             

About The Book: He’ll teach her exactly how to please a man. 

Zara Nedal is blind, yet through her magic, she can make stunning pieces of jewelry. In order to sell them, she must travel to Suridesh, but only a caravan prince can take her. And only one caravan prince will do–the Falcon. 

Khalil Dehriq has had his eye on Zara for three cycles. It’s been a long time since he’s taken a lover, but she cannot see the horrible scars that mar his body. Khalil isn’t sure if that’s a blessing–or a curse. 

As they ride the dunes, their passion heats the night and ignites their hearts. But the witch called Mother has different plans, and vows to kill Khalil at any cost. The only hope to save his throne is to conceive an heir, and now the Falcon must decide if Zara’s love is enough to heal his tortured soul

The Review:

They always say that blood runs thicker than water, but add a dash of greed, jealousy, and an alliance with a powerful mage and there will be bloodshed.

In this third installment to the Desert Princes of Jikkar series, the overall plot is much more darkly twisted than previously suspected. The fallout of this betrayal could lead to the conceiving of an heir as well as the death of a prince.

Zara has all of the qualities of a really remarkable and likeable heroine. She's giving, even when she doesn't have anything to give; she's kind, even when others are not; she's accepting, even when she meets with resistance to her beliefs, but she's most definitely not a pushover. While discovering Zara's character, I almost forgot she was blind yet regardless of her handicap, she pursues Khalil aggressively.

Zara has and continues to overcome many challenges in her life, but Khalil has yet to overcome any of his demons. Due to a past trauma, Khalil is left with deep physical scars, but the healed over wounds run much emotionally deeper than Zara expected. Khalil is a haunted, emotionally and somewhat physically distant character, but Zara pushes and challenges him to discover the beauty of life and eventually love.

Intelligent, emotional, and captivating are just some of the words I would use to describe Ms. Goings' writing. She writes much more erotically this time around and readers will definitely enjoy the creative spiciness, but it also comes with a touch of innocence. Once again, I find the plotline to be unpredictable and addicting. It is impossible to know what will happen next, which kept me riveted to the story. The characters are portrayed fantastically, regardless of if they played a major or minor role.

There are many pivotal and emotional moments to the story, but I wasn't prepared to be crying within the first 10 pages. So please take note and heed the warning that Ms. Goings has left for her readers before beginning this story, but once you've started you'll be glad you did. I daresay I don't want this series to end.

Pagan Elements: No major pagan elements other than a really powerful mage trying to flex her magic spell casting muscles.

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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.

The Scarab Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #2) by Rebecca Goings

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Scarab Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #2)
Author: Rebecca Goings   

Author Site

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Publisher:  Carnal Passions

Genre: Erotic, Fantasy Romance

Length: 185 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                    

About The Book: Trianna Pramtash must be punished for her assault on the Viper Prince’s intended bride. Not wishing to do so himself, the Viper gives her to his best friend, the Scarab Prince, to mete out her sentence--the one man who’s held Trianna’s heart since childhood.

Qadir Hadmas is overjoyed Trianna no longer belongs to the Viper. His heart broke years ago when she left Suridesh engaged to his best friend--but she never married Tariq. She belongs to him now, and he’s not about to let her go.

Neither of them is prepared for the sensual delights Trianna’s punishments turn out to be. Their fragile childhood bond turns into a raging inferno--one they cannot deny. But when Trianna is taken from him in a spectacular sandstorm, it is up to the Scarab Prince to claim the woman he has always wanted, and make her his in truth.

The Review: There is absolutely nothing sweeter in romance than childhood friends finding love with one another after years of being apart and not knowing how the other felt.

As far as obsession goes, I have become thoroughly obsessed with the Desert Princes of Jikkar. Ms. Going’s did not disappoint in this second installment to the series. If you haven’t read the first one, I highly encourage you to do so since The Scarab Prince picks up right where The Viper Prince left off.

Once again we find ourselves in the desert, but with a different prince to fawn over. Our focus has changed in that we learn what Trianna’s punishment will be for inflicting harm on Sabine. I have to say that while reading about Trianna in the first book, I was not at all looking forward to reading anything more about her. She was vindictive, spiteful, and bitter, so I judged her without second thought. Trianna’s transformation throughout the book to reformed mean girl status is inspiring and I compliment Ms. Goings’ ability to make the before and after believable.

If all punishments were passed down so erotically then more people would be deliberately looking for trouble. But in this case the punishment went both ways and not just for Trianna. Qadir also punished himself by allowing his already growing attraction for Trianna manifest further by acting on dormant feelings. Knowing that their life could have been so different if only they had known the truth is what makes this all the more bittersweet. They reminisce about the past and what would have been. I cried when Trianna and Qadir's reunion was finally realized only to have a bleak outlook for a future. She believed herself not worthy and he set out to make her believe otherwise.

Regardless of the harsh weather climate, if I could, I would move there. Just look at the cover and tell me if that is not enticement enough to read this book!

Pagan Elements: None.

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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.

Kindred by Rebecca Goings

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Kindred

Author: Rebecca Goings  

Author Site

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Publisher: Champagne Books

Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Length: 84 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                         

About The Book: While caring for her dying grandmother, Alana Capria hears the most shocking news of her life.  She's not human, she's a dragon-shifter.  Not only that, she's from the extremely rare and powerful House of the Sun, brought to Earth as a baby to save her from assassins. 

Rionshalintaris is her betrothed, the Crown Prince of Dragoran, and a blue dragon-shifter from the House of Ice.  He's been looking forward to bonding with Alana ever since they were children.  Rion is overjoyed she has returned to Dragoran, and is most eager to claim her as his own.

But the red dragons of the House of Fire endeavor to kidnap Alana in an attempt to overthrow the Crown.  Can Rion protect the woman he loves and bind Alana as his Kindred before it's too late?

The Review: What would you do if you were told by a dying loved one that you weren't completely human? Would you chalk it up to temporary insanity or would you take it to heart and investigate? Interesting question and one that I personally wouldn't know how to respond to, but it's exactly what attracted me to this story.

Alana's life is forever changed when she decides to "humor" her dying grandmother. The life she lead is not at all as it seemed and by taking a leap of faith, she plunges through a magical mirror and right into something out of a story with castles and dragons. Now Alana must face this fantasy world as her new reality and as the betrothed to Crown Prince Rion. Suppressed early memories begin to resurface of her time on Dragoran, as well as the rekindling of an innocent love she'd had for Rion since infancy. Unbeknownst to her, her unique abilities and position in the Dragoran realm puts her in danger of by another dragon clan. It's a race to see who will claim Alana as their Kindred first.

Ms. Goings provided a beautiful setting by taking us to the land of Dragoran where magical creatures take to the skies in amazing colors. I'd like to make mention that the character names are fantastically original and you'll have to read the story to know what I mean. Alana is a very likable character and she embraces the changes to her life with much more grace than I would have. The romance is very sensually written with bursts of passion throughout that will excite any fan of romance. I love being able to immerse myself in a story and that is exactly what this book does. The surrounding details, imagery, and plot points were very well established and creatively clear. There is only one drawback - once you start this story please note that there is an ending and it does come much too quickly.

Recommended reading for those of us who would love to have the ability to fly.

Pagan Elements: None.

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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.

The Viper Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #1) by Rebecca Goings

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Viper Prince (Desert Princes of Jikkar, #1)
Author: Rebecca Goings   

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Erotica

Length: 52,000 words
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 5

Editing: 5

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating:

About the book: A successful romance author, Sabine Santiago's latest book is about hot desert sands and a sexy caravan prince. She's dreamt of him every night since buying a coiling viper armband at her local flea market. Little does she know the trinket is about to transport her to another world.

Tariq Sayed is the Viper Prince of Jikkar. For a millennia, the six princes of the Golden Desert have ruled their caravans, providing water for their people and protection from the hot desert sun. Punishment for stealing water is death, so what is Tariq to do when the woman he’s been dreaming of is caught drinking from his oasis?

When their worlds collide, Sabine is dropped right into the plot of one of her books. One look at the sexy Viper, and it's clear that the line between fiction and reality is slim to none. But Tariq has been promised to wed the niece of the Jackal Prince, which will form a strong alliance for his people.

Now, the Viper must choose between his duty and the woman who burns his very soul.

The Review: Two totally separate worlds in the cosmos clash because of an enchanted armband. Completely unaware, Sabine and Tariq are thrust together through a series of events that no one would think possible.  Sabine an author from Earth where water is abundant and Tariq the Viper Prince from Jikkar where water is so scarce the death penalty may be enforced if laws are broken against it.

Rebecca Goings literally crash-lands the reader in an exotic and sensual world of princes and hot desert nights. The imagery and writing is fantastic and I wouldn’t change anything about it. I honestly didn’t think very much from reading the synopsis alone on this book, but decided to give it a try anyway. I’m so glad that I did! It is unlike any other story that I’ve read where a romance author is taken out of her own existence and thrown into one of her very own books. The ‘dreams’ Sabine used as the plotline of her book are actual meetings in another existence with Tariq. The rest of the cast played their roles quite nicely to add depth and elements to the story outside of the two main characters. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more well rounded read other than to say that I wish it was longer so as to give a glimpse of what happens now in the life of Sabine and Tariq. After meeting a few of the other princes featured in this story, the rest of the series looks very promising as well. This story is sexy, romantic, suspenseful, magical, and above all absolutely brilliant! I’m proud to say this book is going in my re-read pile.

Recommended reading for those seeking a highly sensual magic carpet ride and horse ride through the desert with one very sexy Viper Prince.

Pagan Elements: None.

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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.