Tagging Her Lynx by Abby Wood

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Tagging Her Lynx
Author: Abby Wood

Author Site

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 110 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 5

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                  

About The Book: Living in the bush of Alaska, Chloe Barrant wanted to take care of the animals at her wildlife refuge and ignore the times she shifted into a lynx. Even she knew that wasn’t normal. Little did she know that the day she'd turn away the poachers she'd find a male lynx coming to her rescue. What surprised her even more was when the lynx turned into a man claiming her as his life mate.

Granger, alpha of the Lynx clan, would do anything to protect the Lynx. They'd lost too many members to the hunters who preyed on them. Finding his alpha life mate gave him back dreams for the future that he'd given up on long ago.

Chloe didn't understand how the other Lynx expected her to fill the alpha role within the clan, when around Granger she only wanted to slip into beta role and submit to him. Could she figure it all out in time to save the Lynx?

The Review:

Living out in the Alaska bush never sounded so appealing...

Once you find your mate everything changes and suddenly life seems a lot easier to live since your now sharing it with that someone special.

The one thing that Chloe abhorred about herself, is the one thing that her life mate Granger loves most about her. Getting her to accept the fact that they're mates is easy enough, but getting Chloe to accept her lynx is an entirely different matter. Chloe is naturally a strong woman, having lived a solitary existence without the guidance of her mother and now father, but the walls she's built to remain in control come crumbling down when she's in the presence of Granger who shows her what it means to be part of a family and to have someone who cares for you. He teaches her how to be stronger and to become one with her lynx which will serve it's purpose as she fills the role of the Alpha female.

Abby Wood wrote a beautiful story of self acceptance with some much appreciated sexually charged scenes. Her vision of the Lynx clan really came to life and made it easy to envision being a part of this unique clan of shifters. Ms. Wood did a fantastic job writing those sexually charged scenes by allowing the characters to be more themselves in those vulnerable moments and loose a little self control in the process. In shifter stories it's important to allow the animal to take control every now and then and in this case I really felt that Ms. Wood allowed her characters and readers to embrace that aspect of the shifters dual existence.

The title is humorously appropriate and is explained in the story, but I did find that the description of Granger and who I had assumed was Granger on the cover don't match. Chloe is special in more ways than one, so when her unique ability is revealed I would have liked to see a little more of the storyline incorporate that talent.

This is a very well rounded story and some my favorite scenes came after the climax. Readers will be pleasantly surprised by the next turn of events.

Recommended reading for fans of keeping warm on cold nights with a hunky shapeshifting lynx.

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.

Dragon's Angel by Donica Covey

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS 

Title: Dragon's Angel (print)
Author: Donica Covey

Author Site

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Publisher: Champagne Books

Genre: Fantasy

Length:169 pgs.
Reviewed by: yadkny

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 2

Presentation: 3

Editing: 4

Story: 3

Writing Ability: 3

Overall Card Rating: 

                                          

About The Book: A disembodied voice has Keely Morgan feeling like her sanity is slipping away. Xavier Blake is assaulted with images of black dragons and painful destruction; flashes that seem almost like memories. Then when Keely walks into the bar and heads straight for his table, he suddenly feels complete, even though he's never seen her before.  When a madman attacks Keely, Xavier somehow senses her fear and saves her. Strange forces push them closer together and take them from the world they know to a place where magic exists, unicorns dance and dragons fly. Destiny foretells they will unite and after a hard battle, will reign as King and Queen of Grogan.  But can they overcome the evil that plots to destroy them first?

The Review: Keely is of the Alicorno bloodline known for their unicorn shifting and healing abilities. As she travels her destined journey she discovers more magical abilities she possesses as well a new found confidence and strength to right the wrongs of this strange but wonderful new world.

Xavier is of the Draco bloodline known for their dragon shifting and fire breathing abilities. As he travels his destined journey he discovers his deepest, darkest craving for power and with a little push from an unsuspecting foe he begins the descent into a power crazed oblivion.

They both feel as if they've lost their minds yet they can't fight the feeling of being drawn to one another or to the place of their birth. Keely knows she's the only one who can stop the King, the Seer, and save Xavier, but is she strong enough to do it?

Creatures of all myths and legends come out of the woodwork in this tale of finding love and fighting for what is right. The world building was fantastically imagined with new tribes, languages, customs, and magical abilities to explore. The people of Grogan were both endearing and engaging. I liked the fact that both Keely and Xavier didn't know of their heritage and were able to venture into the unknown together.

Just a couple of things I found amiss... the cover was a little off to me after reading the story. I assumed the woman on the cover is Keely, but it doesn't match with what Keely wore while in the land of Grogan. Beautiful artwork nonetheless. There was also some minor confusion of details missing where the story seemed to jump a little from one point to the next without natural flow.

This is a sweet story and I cried a little as the climax came to a close, but was happy with how the ending turned out. Not every aspect of the story turned out having a happily-ever-after ending, but that just made the story more realistic. The lesson I took away from this story is that home is where the heart is and as long as you follow your heart then you'll always be at home.

Recommended reading for fans of a fairytale fantasy come to life.

Pagan Elements: Spells and chanting are the major pagan elements in this story, which are mostly used by the witch better known as the Seer.

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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

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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.

A Demon's Kiss by Sable Grey

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: A Demon’s Kiss
Author: Sable Grey 

Author Site

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: 21 pgs.
Reviewed by: Gabrielle

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 4

Overall Card Rating

                                                           

About The Book: Everything Patricia knew about Jack was pulled out from under her. Now she must decide if the heat between them can survive the demonic truth.

The Review:

Demon’s Kiss is a quick and engrossing read. Patricia and Jack are great characters that are full of emotions and depth. Jack is a man who loves with all his heart and hopes to find a woman who will love and accept him as he is. Patricia is a strong willed woman who finds that things are not always as they seem. She has loved Jack for as long as she can remember but when she sees what Jack is she finds herself testing that love.

Sable Grey has written a wonderful story full of love and trust that pulls you in right from the start. My only complaint was that it was too short. I would have loved to see more of Patricia and Jack. The two make a wonderful couple showing that love can conquer all.

I really enjoyed Demon’s Kiss and will be sure to look for more from this author in the future.

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.

Behind The Bench by Rebecca Leigh

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Behind The Bench
Author: Rebecca Leigh 

Author Site

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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.

Loving Lydia by Berengaria Brown

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Loving Lydia
Author: Berengaria Brown

Author Site

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Erotic 

Other: F/F

Length: 18 pgs.
Reviewed by: Russ Allen

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 2

Presentation: 3

Editing: 3

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 3

Overall Card Rating: 

                                     

About The Book:  Lydia, a 40-year-old executive, and Tammy, a younger nurse, meet at a gym and develop a lesbian sexual relationship.  Both have secondary issues: Lydia wants to help women break through the glass ceiling; Tammy wants Lydia to become more spontaneous and less organized. Neither in the end is addressed.

The Review: This is a well-written story that avoids some of the pitfalls of erotic literature. The presentation of Lydia and Tammy’s sexual encounter in the former’s apartment avoids the acrobatic nature in some stories, and thus does not evolve into boring pornography. The same-sex activity comes across as sensitive and caring, possibly supporting the suggestion that the two will now become lovers.

The secondary plot of the story, Lydia’s feeling that she has achieved what she can in advancing up the corporate ladder, and her desire now to mentor young women to move even higher, while well presented, is in the end undeveloped. There is a hint that Tammy might become one of those women but that never happens. Instead, straightforward Tammy’s goal is to move rigid Lydia away from the attitude and approach to life that has in fact brought her such success. Failing to recognize this potential conflict, neither will be ready when it emerges as a real issue.

One of the issues with this type of story is whether it comes across as being real – whether the reader has to suspend his or her skepticism in order to enter into it.  Granted, stories serve many purposes: to entertain or challenge, to inform or expand one’s experience, to arouse or excite.  But for the most part, stories need to convey a sense of the real. 

This story does so up to a point. The sexual activity is believable, the separate professional motivations and personal attitudes are understandable, and even the motivation of each in eventually seeking a relationship with the other rings true. What is lacking in this story is a sense of what happens next. 

Lydia has already had a bad lesbian experience; Tammy, despite her directness, comes across with a level of immaturity and responsibility. Their relationship might well devolve into an impediment to Lydia’s goals, and a challenge to Tammy’s relaxed approach to things.  Do these lie outside the story, or are they important to it?  The author chooses not to go there, and that leaves the telling incomplete.

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.

Number Theory by Noah Bogdonoff

                                              

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Number Theory
Author: Noah Bogdonoff

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing

Genre: Fiction/Math

Other: M/M

Length: 4 pgs.
Reviewed by: Russ Allen

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 1

Presentation: 2

Editing: 3

Story: 2

Writing Ability: 3

Overall Card Rating: 

                                 

About The Book: A short story about a boy who views himself and the world in mathematical terms.

The Review: This is a very unusual story about a boy who relates to everything in binary or mathematical terms, and his interaction with his parents, teachers, tutor, friends, classmates, and world. This includes a brief homosexual encounter with ninth-grader Matt, who kisses the boy leaving him with the feeling that he has kissed “x,” the unknown value that he hates but will come to love, which is full of possibilities that open a whole new and colorful, if not numeric dimension to his life.

While interesting in its use of symbols, I am not sure that there is a point to this story, and that it might have been told more effectively in a different way.

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.