Reviewer Top Pick: Her Master's Gift by Dena Celeste

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Her Master’s Gift

Author:  Dena Celeste 

Author Site

Publisher:  Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance 

Length:  41 pgs.

Other:  BDSM, M/F, M/F/F, whipping, spanking, voyeurism, exhibitionism

Pagan & Pagan Elements: no

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: Now that Katie's been collared, she's settling quickly into life with her master, Sam. But she thinks she's ready to expand her experiences and he's quick to help. In fact, Sam has a special gift planned that is sure to delight her, if only she can gather the courage to move beyond the past and accept it without regrets.

The Review: This is easily one of the best BDSM stories I’ve ever read.  I love the way the characters are developed, and the way their relationship is portrayed.  Katie is a real woman, a strong woman who knows what she wants.  Sam is an enviable Dom who makes sure Katie gets what she needs to grow emotionally.  Dena Celeste portrays the D/s relationship in a completely realistic light, including scenes where Sam and Katie do the everyday, mundane things people do in relationships, like have breakfast and discuss their day.  The sex scenes are erotic, sensual, and romantic.  Because it is a short story, we are only treated to glimpses, but it is enough for us to see how completely Sam and Katie love one another.

I’m a sucker for a great love story, and this is definitely one of the best I’ve encountered.  Sam takes care of Katie.  He makes sure she has what she needs, from a chat with a friend to a session in the playroom to help her work past her fear, so that she can successfully pursue the things she wants in life.  I loved that he wasn’t threatened by her attraction to women, that he encouraged her to embrace all the sides of her sexuality without fear, guilt, or regret.  At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want from a life partner—someone who helps us be a better version of ourselves?

This is the second story by Dena Celeste I’ve read and liked.  I’m definitely a fan, and I’m looking forward to more from her.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 9—Wow.  Two pairs of sexy female legs and a masculine pair of feet.  I’m not a huge fan of feet, but I am a huge fan of BDSM and this cover definitely announces its intentions.  The ‘G’ in ‘Gift’ is made from a coiled whip.  This cover would entice me to pick this book up and never put it down.

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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.

Hearler's Garden by Nina Pierce

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Healer's Garden

Author:  Nina Pierce 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Ellora's Cave

Genre: Futuristic Erotic Suspense

Length - 193 pgs.

Other:  M/F *M/F/F *F/F   

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No/No 

Reviewed by: Kim Earley
Card Rating:

About The Book:  In the female-dominated society of the twenty-third century, mating with a male, even if it is to save the human race, is a distasteful task, and one Healer Jahara Hriznek has successfully avoided―until now.

       Brenimyn is a gifted breeding instructor at the Garden of Serenity. Forced to copulate with all females requesting his services, he yearns to find the one woman who responds to his touch. When Jahara arrives with the new class of breeders, Brenimyn’s body immediately aches for her, but convincing the stubborn healer that sex between a man and a woman is more than just an act for procreation, proves to be a challenge he refuses to fail.

Jahara doesn’t want to enjoy the sinful rapture only Brenimyn brings to her body. Brenimyn has no intention of dousing the flames of desire licking at them until Jahara is completely his―body, mind and heart. But when the government finds their loving relationship a threat to the natural order, there may be more than their stubborn wills at stake.

The Review:  Healer's Garden was an easy, enjoyable read.  Nina Pierce puts you immediately into the world that she has devised, and immerses you in life as Jahara and Brenimyn know it, in the year of 2267.  Society in this future is female-centered as a plague has wiped out a large part of the male population.  Men in this society are either selected to be breeders, providing sexual services to women until they have the two children required by government to repopulate, or they become laborers.  Brenimyn is a breeding instructor. 

All in all, the sex is steamy, the romance touching, and the story entertaining.  I found myself rooting for Brenimyn to find his heart's desire, and change Jahara's mind about a man and a woman having a loving relationship. 

As with many futuristic tales, some of the character's names may be a slight stumbling block for a reader, but most are easy to pronounce and don't disrupt the flow of the story.

Pagan Elements: The use of healing magick and other gifts are used throughout the book.  The book refers to a Creator, but nothing specifically religious or spiritual otherwise. 

Cover (Rated 1-10): 8.  The cover is created to depict life in the Garden of Serenity, which it does very well. 

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.