How To Sweeten A Mother-In-Law by Stephanie Beck

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: How To Sweeten A Mother-In-Law
Author: Stephanie Beck

Author Site 

Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads

Genre: Holiday Anthology

Length: 9 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 3

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                            

The Book: Facing your in-laws at the holidays is hard enough without your mother-in-law also thinking you've stolen her prized serving dish. What Lela's about to find out is that there may be other members of her new family that have an ax to grind.

The Review: This short story is part of the mystery anthology The Killer Wore Cranberry. I was drawn to it by the title, and then found the story delightful. In nine pages the author invites us to have Thanksgiving with newlyweds Thomas and Lela at Thomas's parents' house. Lela isn't looking forward to the dinner because her mother-in-law, Marcia thinks she stole a prized casserole dish the previous Thanksgiving. Marcia has spent the past year making Lela's life miserable.

I laughed throughout the dinner as Marcia does her best to make Lela as uncomfortable as possible, but when John stands up in defense of his wife, the accusations begin to fly and the entire family is nearly brought to blows.

Other than a few editorial errors, I found this story to be well written and completely delightful.

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 Unnecessary Bodyguard by Evie Balos

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Unnecessary Bodyguard
Author: Evie Balos   

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Cobblestone Press

Genre: Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 45 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating: 

                                               

About The Book: Nina Bradley doesn't pay attention to her friend's premonition that she'll be attacked by a vampire. She discovers Daphne's assigned a dhampir bodyguard to her and clearly objects. Worse, she finds him terribly attractive, but he’s half vampire. They don’t suit. A good reason to stop fantasizing about him. 

Jovan Markovic wants to keep things professional between him and his beautiful client, but his desire for her is spiralling out of control. He ought to assign someone else to the case, but he won’t. He ought to use his lover to erase Nina from his mind, but he can’t…  

The Review: I enjoyed this story and found the beginning paragraphs very interesting and original. However, when the switch was made to the heroine's POV, I found the story turning a bit more generic. I also felt the story could have benefited from being longer as it seemed a bit rushed in some parts. I felt as if the characters were jumping ahead too fast and I was left behind. The Dhampir history is new to me and I think perhaps more emphasis should have been put on that part rather than on the heroine. I think perhaps female authors tend to think the heroine in a story is more appealing to female readers, perhaps they are able to relate more to the female lead or something. Perhaps they are. As for me, I much prefer the male lead's story, and that is especially true in The Unnecessary Bodyguard.

This is a short story, only about fifty pages but it's a quickie worth your money for a hot little snack with your lunch!

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.

Heated by Sabrina Foreman

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Heated
Author: Sabrina Foreman 

Author Site

Buy Link 
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 27 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4.5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                               

About The Book: Mercy Dawson is stranded in a snowstorm—now add sexy photographer Jacob Harris. Hot thoughts and close quarters: a recipe to warm body and soul.

The Review: Heated says it all! One snowbound chick with a dildo and a hot hunk walks in on her…what else is going to happen? This is a humorous short story about two people who get thrown together during a blizzard that winds up being a lifetime together. At under twenty-seven pages, you'll be able to read this one while on a bathroom break, but you may want to take a little longer just in case you need a little more than a break when you're finished reading!

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.

Behind The Bench by Rebecca Leigh

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Behind The Bench
Author: Rebecca Leigh 

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 27 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating

                                          

About The Book: Judge Stephanie Marks is presiding over the trial of the century, and it's all she can do to resist the powerful and irresistible defense attorney, Clayton Jennings. She most definitely would love for him to approach her bench. But to touch him while he's appearing in her court would be most inappropriate…wouldn't it?

Will her fantasies alone be enough to get Stephanie through the proceedings, or will their desires consume them, forcing them both "out of order"?

The Review: Behind The Bench is a different sort of erotic romance that takes on a sitting judge who has the hots for the defense counsel. And if it got any hotter, I don't know how the judge would remain sitting without spontaneously combusting.

This story is very short but very entertaining and fast-paced. I would love to see Ms. Leigh pen a few more in this line, kind of a "what you always wanted to know about the courts but were afraid to ask" type of thing. The bailiff and the court reporter. The bail bondsman and the client. The judge and a defendant…ooohhh, there's a hot one!

Pick up, or download, a copy of Behind The Bench before a warrant is issued for failure to appear at Breathless Press!

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.

Triage by Cherie De Sues

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Triage
Author:  Cherie De Sues

Author Site: http://www.cheriedesues.com/

Buy Link: www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=171
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Action/Thriller/Romance

Length: 76 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 5

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4-a couple of errors found

Story: 4.5

Writing Ability: 4.5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                         

About The Book: Colonel Jake McCrea's mission is to get Dr. Jessie Stevens and her bioterrorism team in the air. The clock is ticking down to a thermal meltdown at the DEEP lab in Mexico. A terrorist group has attacked the facility and only Jessie knows the combination to the GP2 virus and vaccine.

Jessie wanted the deadly level four virus to burn in the lab until she learned that GP2 may have been secretly cultivated in Florida. As tension flares into attraction with Jake, Jessie won't fall for another man in uniform, even if Jake is the bravest man she's ever met. Still, she's having a tough time concentrating on a killer virus, instead of Jake's killer smile.

Jake doesn't want to take Jessie into a firefight, but she's the only survivor of the DEEP lab scientists with immunity to GP2. He knows Jessie is stubborn and tough as nails, but can she pull the pin on a thermal device to destroy the virus? With his feelings getting in the way of his mission, could he allow Jessie to put her life in danger?

The Review: Triage is a great read. The lead character, Jessie, is female and she's tough as nails. I love women who are portrayed as tough, yet feminine; one who can kick ass and take names, and still bake a cake without missing a stride. The action in this book is non-stop and well written. I enjoyed the story of Jessie and her job as much as I enjoyed the romance between Jessie and Jake. Ms. De Sues has obviously done a lot of research and tells a credible tale of disaster in the making, terrorism and what it takes to be a woman in a man's world. This one is not to be missed.

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.

Lacy: A Bad Girl's Romance by Cherie De Sues

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Lacy: A Bad Girl's Romance
Author:  Cherie De Sues

Author Site: http://www.cheriedesues.com/

Buy Link: www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=171
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Action/Thriller/Romance

Length: 100 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3.5

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                      

About The Book: Lacy Hennessey is the enforcer for the Boston Irish mob after the boss for the Italian mafia kills her father. After so many years of an informal truce between the two families, why has the Italian boss declared war on the Irish? She'll have the time to dwell on the future while on vacation with a new lover in Hawaii. Lacy is hopeful she'll find love for the first time in her life. Dr. Josh Davenport has fallen for the beautiful, leggy blonde who isn't wired emotionally like other women he's known. As the clues to Lacy's occupation unfold, Josh struggles with his feelings of self-preservation when he learns he could be in the middle of a mob war. Josh is no saint and his past could get him killed if Lacy's boss gets wind of his shady associates. Back in Boston, Lacy's world begins to crumble around her as secrets reveal a startling truth that could cost her everything she holds dear. In a bold move, Lacy will risk her life, love and legacy to bring about a new era for the Boston Irish mob.

The Review: Pitting the Irish Mob against the Italian mob is an awesome concept and author Cherie De Sues has done just that in Lacy: A Bad Girl's Romance. I laughed through the opening paragraphs at Lacy thinking back on how she killed someone—she's a woman after my own heart!

This book has everything, sex on the beach (and I don't mean the drink!), warm sand, tropical breezes, sexy men and women, lots of violence and all the other things I like in a good action/adventure. To top it off, a woman who packs and knows how to use both guns and knives with equal efficiency. As the family enforcer, Lacy has to know all about self-defense and killing without fuss or muss. However, she also doubts her ability to actually fall in love and have a "normal" life with the man she presumably loves, Josh.

Josh seems to fall easily for feminine charms but that's the only side of Lacy he knows. But Josh isn't completely clueless, and as a doctor he's seen some pretty crazy stuff and he's pulled a bullet or two out of a few wise guys. After all, he is Italian. That might seem a little stereotypical, but this is a book about two opposing mob factions and it's written with enough humor that it doesn't get bogged down by what's right or wrong.

If you like a good adventure with a nice sensual touch, you'll love bad girl Lacy!

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.

Delectable Interview by Molly Diamond

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Delectable Interview

Author: Molly Diamond

Author Site

Buy Link 
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 15 pgs.
Reviewed by: Strega

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4

 Overall Card Rating: 

About The Book: Tara is getting ready to go on a job interview while her friend Sally looks on. With Sally's approval at her appearance, Tara is ready for Sally to give her a ride to the job site but Sally says her car is in the garage and she's arranged for Tara's ex, Tony to do the driving. Tara doesn't mind that Tony is going to drive her since they've remained friends, however, Tara can never turn down Tony when he wants sex because she wants him back. Today's ride is going to wind up much the same but Tony has a little surprise for her.

The Review: This is a quick little read and although it says fifteen pages, the actual reading is only about seven pages long. That aside, I liked this story. There is just something very romantic about two people who have split up but remained friends, espcially when both want to be a couple again, though they are afraid to tell the other. Ms. Diamond has penned a romantic, sexy, hot little story in Delectable Interview that I enjoyed. If you are looking for something to read while you eat lunch, this one is a no calorie, no fat dessert just for you!

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.

Harley Afternoon Delight by Molly Diamond

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Harley Afternoon Delight
Author: Molly Diamond 

Author Site: http://mollydiamond.wordpress.com

Buy Link: www.breathlesspress.com/erotic/forthcoming/harley-afternoon-delight.html
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: Short

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4-Very hot!

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4 (Found a few mistakes)

Story: 3

Writing Ability: 3.5

Overall Card Rating: 

Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book:

The Review: This story is purely for titillation purposes only. There is no plot, no tension, no intrigue, and really no reason for this story other than an attempt to turn the reader on. I found the dialogue trite and unconvincing, the sex was under whelming and the characters were one-dimensional. I felt as if I was reading a letter to a girly magazine: Dear Editor, You'll never guess what happened when I looked out my window and saw my neighbor mowing the lawn in a thong…

When I read at the end of the story that the author had written for Hustler Magazine, I understood why the story had that trashy feel to it. I'm sure there are many who enjoy reading this type of work and for those, this will be a treat. As for me, the story just didn't do a thing.

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.

Blood Hero by Madeleine Drake

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Blood Hero
Author: Madeleine Drake 

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: eXcessica publishing

Genre: Historical/Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 35 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book: When Rihat discovers that his village is being terrorized by an akhazu demon, he seeks help at Marduk's temple. He meets Iltani, a demigoddess who's been cursed by Ishtar to live as an ardat-lili, enslaved by lust, a night-maiden who feeds on sexual energy. Iltani offers Rihat the power to slay the akhazu, if he'll agree to serve her every need without question. But will the price of that power be more than Rihat can bear to pay?

The Review: Rhiat is a warrior praying for a miracle…you've heard that saying, "be careful what you wish for?" Apparently Rhiat never had. This is a very short, fast-paced read that left me breathless. I was hooked from the first page, drawn in by the fabulous writing and the original plot. This story is so well written it's almost as if you can feel what the characters feel, especially in the sex scenes. The battle scene was so realistic I discovered my heart was actually pounding as I read and when Rhiat was injured, I felt the pain he felt. In the final chapter I found I had been holding my breath as I read on to discover if Rhiat survived.

The only problem I saw was in the editing, and even those were minor and doesn't distract from the reader's pleasure.

Ms. Drake is a flawless writer and even though I have never read any of her work before, I will be looking for more. And Ms. Drake, please continue Rhiat's story, I want more of him…um, his story I mean.

Pagan Elements: The premise has some references to gods and goddesses, but in general, is not pagan.

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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 Grass Is Always Greener by Brindle Chase

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Grass Is Always Greener
Author: Brindle Chase

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/Romance/M-F

Length: 20 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5


Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book:

The Review: The Grass Is Always Greener is a very quick read but very sweet with the promise of love and hope laced within the hot sex. I liked the premise of this book, the guy next door is hot and widowed. The woman who thinks he's hot is divorced, yet she doesn't know how much time is enough time for a man who has lost his wife.

This is a story about sucking up fear and going for what you want, while hoping things go the way you want. The only thing I disliked was the length and feel this story could have been full length with more drama, quirk and sex. But after reading about these neighbors, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the neighborhood is doing—don't leave me hanging Ms. Chase!

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.

Dream Come True by DC Juris

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Dream Come True
Author: DC Juris

Author Site 

Buy Link

Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Fantasy/Erotic/Romance/M-M

Length: 28 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Strega

About The Book:

The Review: This is a very short read that brings fantasy and some sci-fi elements together. The premise of the story is that two men from different planets have erotic dreams of one another. The one on earth uses the erotic dreams to create a character he draws and the one from the other planet determines to leave his home in search of his dream lover. The sex scenes are erotic but I didn't find anything special or different about them than any other M/M story.

The cover art was pretty good and the guy depicted on it is appealing but the cover is generic and could have fit any romance story.

The editing could have been a little better. I found a couple of misspelled words that should have been caught by the editor or at least in line edits. Also, the story begins on page one, which is actually seven pages into the .pdf, with two blank pages following the title pages, and no chapter indication. Okay, maybe that is petty but I like a "1" or "Chapter One" or something to let me know the story is about to begin. However, I suppose this is considered "house style" since I have read other Breathless shorts that begin the same way.

The concept of this story was interesting and DC Juris' writing ability is excellent. The only problem I had with the writing is purely personal, and that was the use of "Jesus Christ" and a reference made by the character from the other planet. Otherwise, I found the story engaging, and those readers who are looking for a M/M quickie—this one is for you.

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.

Captivated by Ava Delany

                                        

                                 The Pagan & The Pen Reviews

Book Title: Captivated (Book 1 in the Fetish Club Series)
Author Name: Ava Delany
Author Website
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/Romance/M/F

Other: Voyeurism/Sex toy play/Menage/M/M/F
Length: 20 pages
Publisher: Breathless Press
Buy Link 

Reviewer: Strega

The Book:

Tonya is hot, wet, and ready to get kinky. She convinces a shy friend to go to a fetish club for her birthday, and it seems like the perfect place to let her wild side run free.

Liam likes to watch, but when he sees the raven-haired beauty, he follows her through the club, ready to oblige her lustful needs. She is sure that a man like him is not the foreplay type. Boy, is she wrong.

The Review:

This is a very short read, and once I got started, it was even shorter because I read so fast. The story begins with three twenty-somethings getting ready for a night out at a fetish club to celebrate one of their birthdays. I’ve never been to a fetish club, and I don’t really even know if they actually exist, but I’m sure they must. The girls are dressed up like it’s Halloween, and I don’t know if this is common fetish club couture or not, but the clothing doesn’t last long anyway.

The first chapter is a little on the silly side and I was afraid I wasn’t going to like the rest of the story, but hold on to your hat! First of all, the things going on inside this club are probably illegal in every southern state, and maybe even some northern ones. Secondly, the things going on inside this club are hot, and come chapter three they get even hotter. Sex written like this will arouse, titillate, thrill, and turn on anyone no matter the condition of their libido. What I liked best about this story was the no commitment stranger sex that allowed the women to walk away when it was over with no HEA or HFN endings, although they were completely satisfied when they left the club.

What I didn’t like, and I know it’s going to seem like I’m nit-picking here, but it did draw me away from the frenzied state my libido was enjoying. Although correct, the author's use of "blond" and "blonde" was distracting, given that the spelling here in the U.S. is generally used one way or the other.

Also, in the first chapter when the women are getting ready for their night out, the author talks about the reason for the night out as a birthday celebration for Mandy, who is turning twenty-five. This conversation goes on about Mandy being uptight, in need of having a good orgasm, and the other two conspire to leave her alone by splitting up when they arrive at the club so she can’t hide behind them, thus, forcing her to mingle. When they arrive at the club, they do split up but it’s Tonya who gets all the action and Jacqueline and Mandy aren’t seen again until they end of the story and they are all comparing notes and heading home.

Over all, this is a good way to spend a few minutes alone, or to get revved up for something more waiting for you in your own bedroom.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover Art Rating: 8-I liked the cover, it gave me the impression that this would be a hot story, and it was. I would definitely pick it up to flip through it if I had seen it on the shelf.

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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: A Kiss Before Dying by J.A. Saare

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  A Kiss Before Dying  

Author:  J.A. Saare 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Amira Press 

Genre: Vampire, contemporary, erotic

Length: 21 pgs.

Other:  M/F

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No/No

Reviewed by: Strega

Card Rating: Reviewer Top Pick

About The Book: Katja Morgan has committed the ultimate taboo in the life of a blood slave; she has fallen in love with her master.  Vampire Lord Sebastian Arsov is everything she has ever wanted - gorgeous, sexy, intelligent, kind.  As their time together nears an end, she carefully constructs the ruse that will allow her to belong to her shellar in both body and soul.  

But sharing an evening with her beloved comes at a high price - the cost of her life.
Disguised as a bed slave, Katja enters Sebastian's chambers to experience the pleasures she's been long denied.  Including the bite that will ultimately kill her - what slaves refer to as a kiss before dying.  As the night fades into the day, will Sebastian discover Katja's true identity before it's too late?  Or will he lose the slave he's come to love above all others?

The Review:  This is one hot read and I loved it! Although this is a short story, only twenty-one pages, I don’t think I could’ve taken it if it had been any longer. Written in first person, this story grabs you from the first few lines and doesn’t just hold you, but grips you and forces you to devour each and every word.

I was mesmerized by the story, the sensuality, the exotic and erotic story line that is one of the best vampire stories I’ve ever read. J.A. Saare strokes your body with words and enflames your soul with desire. The only possible conclusion to this one is a very cold shower.

This is definitely a reviewer top pick!

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7 The cover was interesting, though I found it difficult to tell what I was looking at. But I would pick it up off the shelf to examine it more clearly.

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.