A Long, Hot, Delicious Slide by H.C. Brown

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  A Long, Hot, Delicious Slide
Author:  H. C. Brown

Author Site

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Publisher:  Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: Contemporary erotica/Paranormal

Length: 43 pages
Other:  M/F-M/M

Pagan Elements: Yes

Reviewed by: Russ Allen

About The Book: The son of a millionaire, Cooper Merrick's life could not be better, except for his marriage and his father. To solve one problem would only increase the other.  Nevertheless he divorces his wife, Gillian, after both separately have sex with Troy, her tennis coach whom she brings home for a ménage a trois, and he decides he is gay.  He then comes out to his hot gym buddy, Jax Strand, who has lusted after Coop for years. After having sex they decide to pursue a relationship—but will that be possible after Coop discovers Jax's incredible secret? Will both of them survive the homicidal response of Coop’s father to their plans?  In the end will they find a way to live in both their worlds? [Edited from the Publisher’s Book Blurb, in part due to an error in that description].

The Review: This is a fairly average story with a few high points, some weaknesses, and one aspect that, had the author focused and expanded upon it, could have improved the whole.

On the plus side are the events leading to Cooper’s divorce from Gillian, which actually results from Coop’s realizing his true sexual orientation.  Though the gay sex portrayed in the story is typical to that in similar stories: impetuous; acrobatic; exaggerated; promiscuous; originating in lust but, in the case of Coop and Jax, becoming an expression of love; these incidents are well told and adequately erotic.  So too, the description of the developing relationship of Coop and Jax is among the best of the story, though the post-divorce Coop comes across  immature while Jax is clearly the adult.

The spectrum of the response of Coop’s father to his divorce, homosexuality, and decision to stay with Jax, from trying to kill them to approving of their relationship, stretches the imagination.

The most positive aspect of this story is its all too few glimpses into Jax as a gay Faerie [no pun intended] and his “Other World.”  If those parts had been expanded and elaborated upon, including a very open approach to sexual activity, the story would have been more interesting and well above average.

Pagan Elements: This story contains characters that are identified as “ Fae” and “Faerie,” and contains passages that reflect their reality and glimpses into “Other World.”

Cover (Rated 1-10): 3. The two men on the cover look younger than those portrayed in the story, and the expression on the face of one [not the Faerie] lacks any emotion despite the erotic setting. However, the fact that the other is a Faerie is conveyed by his wings suggesting that element of the story.  I am at a loss as to the reason for the title, and would probably not be drawn to the book by it or the cover illustration.

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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.

Chocolate Snake Bite by Selena Illyria

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Chocolate Snake Bite

Author:  Selena Illyria 

Author Site

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Publisher:  Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Contemporary paranormal, romance, erotica

Length:  88 pages

Other:  Light BDSM *  M/F * M/F/M  * Ménage *  exhibitionism

Pagan & Pagan Elements: no

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

Card Rating:  3

About The Book: Every relationship has problems and for months now all Dale and Val have been doing is fighting. He wants it to stop, so drastic times call for drastic measures. Dale takes some Love’s Bane potion, hoping that Val will be too busy lusting after him to fight with him—but sex can’t solve every problem. Once the lust has cooled they are able to talk.

Val doesn’t want just part of her lover. She wants all of him, even the dark aspects of his sexual desire. She yearns for his brand, but every time she brings up the subject, he shuts her down. How can they communicate when he won’t open up?

Will the arrival of his brothers and a trip to the Demonic Snake court help their relationship or hurt it?

The Review: In Selena Illyria’s imaginative world snake demons not only exist among us but they are incredible lovers. Chocolate Snake Bite is a fun romp with two sexy, fun characters who can’t seem to find the trust they need to make the relationship work. I grew frustrated with the story when every trouble in the relationship turned out to be no trouble at all. For example, Dale is afraid that his bite will hurt and possibly kill Val but when he does bite her there’s no tension or worry over it. He doesn’t hold his breath and wait to see if she’s in pain or will survive, even though these were the concerns that prevented him from biting/marking her in the first place, and one of the big reasons for the problems in their relationship. These types of inconsistencies litter the story, leaving me confused and frustrated because if the conflict wasn’t really there to begin with, then there could be no resolution either. Despite my frustration, it’s a fun, quick read with many hot, inventive sex scenes. I read it in one sitting and would absolutely purchase new books in this one-of-a-kind series because the author has such a fresh, original voice and a wonderfully creative world.

Cover (Rated 1-10): 2-While I like that this cover didn't have the usual barely-dressed Barbie and Ken doll gazing into each other's lust-filled eyes, this choice of covers left me confused, and worse, unmoved. The font is difficult to read, especially the author's last name. The scene reminds me of a tropical vacation but that's not what this book is about at all. It's a shame that the cover doesn't do justice to the story.

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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.