Between Brothers by Lauren Gallagher

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Between Brothers
Author:  Lauren Gallagher

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: Contemporary/Erotica

Length: 252
Other:  Light BDSM, M/F, Menage, M/F/M 

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book:

There is no way people would go to the lengths they do to get sex if it was really this bad. That’s what Marisa is thinking after yet another frustrating night.  She doesn’t want a relationship.  She doesn’t want love, at least not right now. What she does want is some of the hot sex that everyone else raves about…and she doesn’t know where to start.  Enter Darren Knight, Marisa’s best friend and longtime crush.  Offering a casual sexual apprenticeship, he helps Marisa gain the confidence to ask for and get what she wants.  A sizzling new world opens up for her, including BDSM, stripteases – and Darren’s sexy brother, Eric. 

But can she take her newfound confidence to the next level and live out her ultimate fantasy?

The Review:  

This novel makes no apologies for not being a romance while still managing to be incredibly hot.  Lauren Gallagher manages to hit every bad sexual experience a woman’s ever had in a way that makes the reader laugh instead of cry.  I appreciated the honesty of Marisa’s experience.  She wasn’t looking for love, and Ms. Gallagher didn’t try to force the reader to buy into the idea of instant true love.  In the back of my mind, I kept thinking this would turn into a love story.  Marisa has been friends with both Darren and Eric for years.  They are friends, and they become lovers.  There is a basis for a real relationship.  But Ms. Gallagher doesn’t rush them to that conclusion.  The reader is left with the impression that it could happen sometime down the road, but that’s not what this story is about. 

This is the story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening.  It’s sensual and erotic.  Ms. Gallagher’s characters are witty and real.  She writes with a wicked sense of humor.  Marisa doesn’t have stars in her eyes.  She wants a decent lover.  As she takes control of herself and her sexuality, she finds a few good lovers along the way.  The sex scenes, which make up the majority of the narrative, are hot without being repetitive.  They effectively narrate Marisa’s personal and emotional growth. 

It’s a stripped-down, honest account of a woman finding, embracing, and celebrating who she is, something any Pagan can respect. I highly recommend this novel.  It’s something I would gladly read again.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 3—The cover looks the same as dozens of other erotica novels.  The woman is a little too skinny, the men have some weird lines/color effects, and everyone is essentially faceless.  I like faces, all shapes and colors.  Ignore the cover; buy the book.

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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.

Sophie's Pleasure by Patricia Pellicane

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  SOPHIE’S PLEASURE

Author:  Patricia Pellicane 

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Erotica; Paranormal and Psychic Activity; Woman’s Sexuality; Young Adult Relationships

Length: 43 Pages

Other:  M/F 

Pagan & Pagan Elements: Paranormal Activity

Reviewed by: Russ Allen

About The Book: With her psychic abilities, Sophie occasionally helps the police on cases that appear to dead end. Joe Palermo is a Suffolk County detective and Sophie’s brother-in-law’s partner. Sophie and Joe dated briefly when she was a teenager. Joe, upon seeing her again, is very interested in taking up where he once left off. He can’t imagine why he let a woman who looks like her get away.

Sophie is adamant and tells him straight out, she wants no relationship with him. Still a woman doesn’t have to have a relationship to sleep with a man, does she? She was too young the first time around, but Sophie is a woman now. A woman who knows exactly what she wants.

The Review:  While for the most part I liked this book, some elements could have been more developed. Sophie’s paranormal help given to the police on two occasions is mentioned, and its positive results are highlighted, but sufficient details regarding those instances aren't included. Sophie exhibits a reluctance to resume her relationship with a former boyfriend Joe, but gives no reason other than that she distrusts cops, also unexplained, despite the fact that her brother-in-law Jake and the others included in her circle of friends, about which little more is said, are police. A light-hearted moment occurs when Sophie uses her psychic ability to put Andy, another police officer, in his place. The use of this gift becomes more serious when, having to decide whether to reconnect with Joe, she changes her initial rejection in response to a reading he insists she give him.  However, one is left with an incomplete sense of these elements of Sophie’s personality and story, or what they mean for her and the larger details of her life.

The depth and quality of the author’s writing style really comes through in her two significant accounts of sexual activity between Sophie and Joe. These erotic episodes draw the reader in while avoiding the boring graphic descriptions and repetition of pornography. Still, there is an acrobatic dimension to their sex, and the number of continuous orgasms involved stretches credulity.

Their first sexual episode is clearly recreational, and for the most part Sophie is in charge of what happens with one exception: when Joe insists they have intercourse on the stairs leading to the bedroom. For Joe the encounter reawakens his earlier feelings about Sophie, a relationship she has no interest in resuming. However, his insistence and what she discovers in the reading he demands, convinces her to give it another try, leading to their second sexual encounter, much the same as the first though this time relational rather than recreational.

Unfortunately, Joe comes across as a hormone driven sex machine who wants Sophie primarily for her physical beauty and energetic sex, which fact neither resolves her issue about having a relationship with a police officer, supports her willingness to give their relationship another try based only on her good feelings about him engendered by the psychic reading [and the good sex that follows], nor offers a sound foundation for their future together. Sophie, on the other hand, presents herself as a strong woman with a real gift, in control, and with a sense of her value as a human being. She is also highly driven sexually, but seemingly, more in control of it than Joe is, even willing to mock him about his desires.

In the absence of information about their prior failed relationship, her reluctance to get involved with a policeman, her long term hopes and goals, and whatever lies below the surface defined by his and her sexual needs, it is hard to see where Sophie and Joe might end up, especially when they are no longer able to have that level of sex.

Pagan Elements: Sophie is a paranormal who uses her power to assist police, esp. in locating missing children.  She also uses it to put a pompous friend in his place. 

Cover (Rated 1-10): 4 The cover is typical for this genre, but really does not reflect the story.  It shows a gym-perfected male torso, but the book is really about a strong woman.  If seen on the bookshelf I would probably pass it by.

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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.

Chocolate Snake Bite by Selena Illyria

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Chocolate Snake Bite

Author:  Selena Illyria 

Author Site

Buy Link

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.

Winter Kisses (anthology)

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Winter Kisses (Anthology)
Author:  G. R. Bretz, Angela Nichelle, Dena Celeste, Barbara Sheridan, Kelley Heckart

Author's Sites: Click on names above

Buy Link
Publisher:  Noble Romance Publishing

Genre: romance, fantasy

Length: 116 pgs.
Other: Sweet- some kissing

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No/yes & yes for Winter Solstice Kiss

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book:

Winter Solstice Kiss by Kelley Heckart:

When Brianna decides to attend the Winter solstice masquerade ball, she never thought she would end up kissing a handsome knight beneath the mistletoe, but they part without exchanging names and phone numbers. How will they find each other again?

A Christmas for Carol by Angela Nichelle:

Imagine losing the love of your life right before Christmas. It's a nightmare Carol Christine Moore had to face two years ago. Unable to cope with the pain of losing her fiancé so unexpectedly, Carol closes off her heart entirely. She puts all of her time and energy into making the coffee shop she owns with her best friend a success. Consumed with customers and the daily grind, Carol has convinced herself that she doesn't need anything or anyone else in her life.  But all that changes the day Grant walks into the Cafe Bean.

Love in the Lights by Dena Celeste:

Abigail Bloch has been away at school for the last few years. Returning to her mother’s home renews her interest and need for the Jewish traditions. Unfortunately, the man who had been her best friend growing up, Joshua Cohen, gives her a chilly reception. Over the course of Chanukah, a time filled with food and family and friendship, the growing number of flames must melt away the hostility and illuminate the love that can grow between them.

A Schrödinger Christmas – Holly by G. R. Bretz:

She’s the girl who lives in his dreams, but she’s so much more than that. She’s the girl he was supposed to meet, twice. She’s the path he didn’t take, twice. That was forty years ago and you just can’t go back, except in dreams. But it’s Christmas day. Miracles have been known to happen. Who knows? The third time just might be the charm.

Christmas Rush by Barbara Sheridan:

Ellie Bouchard died just after formulating a plan to see that her only child Remy would be reunited with the one person he was too stubborn to acknowledge as “The One”. Determined to see her plan through, Ellie will do whatever it takes—including

heavenly blackmail and a few sneaky tricks—to see her son reunited with his childhood companion, Michael Carson. The stubborn young men don’t make Ellie’s job easy and she puts on one hell of a Christmas Rush to cement their bond before her time between this world and the next runs out.

The Review:

This is a sweet anthology of uplifting stories about hope and new beginnings.  Each was heartwarming, the kind of story that makes you say “Aww” when you’re finished.  The backgrounds of the stories vary greatly- Pagan, Christian, Jewish, gay and straight.  Each author brought their characters alive, inviting me into traditions and lifestyles both familiar and foreign without once making me feel like I didn’t belong. 

Though I loved each story, Winter Solstice Kiss touched my heart the most, probably because it was the only wholly-Pagan story.  The sweetness and tragedy had me reading the entire thing when I just meant to preview it.   I felt Brianna’s pain and I understood her reticence to move on after the tragic death of her husband.  I cheered for her when she finally allowed herself to heal and accept love into her life again.

Pagan Elements:  Winter Solstice Kiss has pagan elements—the symbolism of Yule being a new beginning and a return to light.

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7—The cover was romantic and warm.  It features an attractive couple on the cover done in shades of blue with a cozy winter cabin set below.

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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.

Airborne by Belle Sloane

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title: Airborne Author:  Belle Sloane 

Author Site

Buy Link
Publisher:  Carnal Passions

Genre: Contemporary Erotica/Quickies/Fantasy

Length: 16  pages Other:  M/F

Pagan & Pagan Elements: None

Reviewed by: Russ Allen

About The Book: When Candice boards her flight to Hawaii, wrestling with her fear of flying, she doesn’t count on finding a hot mystery man sitting in her seat. He guarantees her he can make her flight worry free with his mouth-watering distractions. Much to her delight, he more than proves himself a man of his word. 

The Review: This brief story is an enjoyable read that adequately conveys the episode it seeks to describe: an in-flight anonymous sexual encounter between Candice and Mark.

There are, however, a few weaknesses. The author does not acknowledge the realities of contemporary airplane security and ignores the fact that a couple would not be allowed to do what they are described as doing during take-off. It is doubtful that the cabin crew would be so oblivious, especially when she yells out during her bathroom orgasm.

Given Candice’s dislike of flying, and even more, her reluctance to interact with people, one wonders why she would so willingly accept the advances of her seatmate Mark. At two points his language is sexually coarse, which does not fit the overall impression of perfection given of him. 

The ending, when they both discover they are going to the same family wedding and staying at the same hotel, leaves uncertain whether their excitement is over the prospect of a developing love relationship, or having more great sex.

What I enjoyed most in this story was its ability to communicate a fantasy sexual encounter, culminating in wonderful sexual intercourse. I could even imagine Candice waking up upon landing and realizing it was all a dream. The problem is in its reality: Is it everywoman’s dream to have anonymous sex in a tiny bathroom flying 30,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean?

Pagan Elements: There are no pagan elements.

Cover (Rated 1-10): 6 – the cover effectively reflects the fantasy tone of the story and its romantic element, though not its sexual.  However, the man and woman portrayed on the cover are too young to fit the actual characters in the book.  I might be curious about the story based on the cover.

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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.

Goin' Down Book 1 (anthology) Hall, Michaels, Robinson & Thomas

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title:  Goin’ Down Book 1 (Anthology)

Authors:  Mallory Hall, Renee Michaels, Shannon Robinson, Collette Thomas 

Author's Sites: M. Hall R. Michaels S. Robinson C. Thomas

Buy Link

Publisher:  Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Contemporary Erotica

Length:  140 pgs.

Other:  M/F * Multiple Partners * Voyeurism

Pagan & Pagan Elements: No 

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

Card Rating: 4

About The Book: Friends, strangers, high risk situations bring couples together for highly charged sexual encounters in elevators.  Enjoy stories by Mallory Hall, Renee Michaels, Shannon Robinson, and Collette Thomas.

The Review:

Who doesn’t love great elevator sex? A public place, the chance of someone catching you in the act…the four story anthology “Goin’ Down” lives up to the fantasy.

In Fired or Fired Up a weak-willed secretary, Chirene, is fired by her surly but hot boss, Jacob. She enters the elevator to leave her job only to be accompanied down by Jacob. A sense of freedom filling her, she finally tells off her boob of a boss, and he’s turned on by her aggressiveness. I had trouble understanding how Chirene went from doormat to dominant and then from anger to lust so quickly. Her motivation didn’t gel for me, and Jacob was not a likable character. Still, it’s a fun read with red-hot sex.

In The Aft Shaft a fifty-something woman, Marietta, becomes trapped in an elevator on a cruise ship with, Cord, a way-too-young and way-too-hot-to-ignore cowboy. After years of celibacy, Marietta can’t keep her eyes or hands to herself. Realizing his luck, Cord has the best sex of his life with this beautiful and confident woman. After being “rescued,” the lovers are separated only to find they’ve fallen in love. When they meet again and Cord professes his love, I couldn’t help but cheering for them both.

In The Elevator Man Anna gets stuck in an elevator with, Roman, the building manager, who alleviates her fear by talking fantasies. Soon, elevator sex with Roman becomes a weekly ritual until she discovers her best friend is seeing him, too. The ladies team up to wreak vengeance on Roman but then decide to share him. The story was hard to follow at times and the absence of Roman’s point of view made him seem sleazy and un-sexy. The relationship between the two girlfriends was fun, however, and the revenge was entertaining.

In Descent Into Pleasure the smart and sexy Jenna does everything she can to avoid the tempting and delectable Dante, but he has resolved to seduce her body and win her heart, turning her world from all work to a whole lot of fun elevator play. A smart and stubborn female character combined with a determined dominant male gives the reader a very hot and satisfying read. Loved it from beginning to end!

Pagan Elements: None 

Cover (Rated 1-10): 7

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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.