Wednesday, February 29, 2012

My Review of Romancing the Devil By DJ Manly


Romancing The Devil By DJ Manly
BOOK DETAILS
Author: D.J. Manly
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Publish Date: February 25, 2012
Cover art by: Reese Dante
Book Length: Novel, 209 pages
ISBN#: 9781920502348
URL:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/romancing-the-devil-ebook-p-749
Reviewer: The one and Only Silver Pixie

Book Summery
Ex-priest Maurice Darrell once exorcised a demon from a condemned man. Tracy Ross is a young man presumed to be possessed by demons. Maurice has lost his faith, but the church still requires his services when the devil comes calling.

Lost and floundering, searching for his true self, Maurice Darrell once found comfort in the church as a priest but left after discovering he no longer agreed with the church's philosophy. The church, however, never lost sight of Maurice because he'd once been one of their most powerful exorcists.
When a prominent senator turns to the church to exorcise his son, the bishop asks Maurice to render an opinion.

Prone to odd behavior, Tracy Ross baffles the mental health professionals. Upon seeing Tracy, Maurice isn't sure if Tracy's behavior is a result of demon possession or the young man's determination to rebel against an all-controlling and uncompromising father.

Maurice has seen it all before, or has he?

Romancing the Devil pits a defrocked priest against incredible evil, bringing a lost young man peace and, ultimately, love.

Normally I would be giving my own summery of the book right here. I don’t know if I can summarize this book without giving too much away. Maurice isn’t what I would have expected of a fallen priest. He is sexy down to earth and has a true understanding of faith that it makes me ache. Tracy is struggling with a father who sadly fits the bill of many American politicians. Worries only about themselves and how others make them look. They don’t care about how there actions make others feel as long as they get what they want in the long run. Sadly Tracy’s Father Reminds me of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney all rolled into one Evil vile despicable person. Tracy’s father is held captive by His undying faith on the words of Man not the word of god. He believed he was doing gods work when in fact he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and this is what will be the downfall of many in the end. To me DJ pointed out the difference between faith in the word of man and faith of God. WHICH are 2 Very Different things. You can Have a strong faith in God and not agree with everything that is written by man in the bible. I think many have forgotten that faith doesn’t come from a book it comes from within ones own heart. Men are fallible and are corrupt. Over the Centuries the bible has become more about mans word then Gods word. Some people who use the bible to thump their views into the American people are corrupt. They are tainted by their own version of what is right and wrong. They are tainted not by the love of god but the lust of power, money and greed. If nothing else I walked away from reading this book with a stronger sense of whom I need to put my faith in. Without giving away to much I want to sum up by saying DJ has Managed to summarize the downfall of the American people who are held captive by their religion and point out at least to me how faith can be found purely in the love of the right person.  You will walk away from Reading this novel asking yourself is this were we are truly heading and CAN love really over come Evil in the end. 

On my Erect Peni Scale of 1-10 of Hot sexiness I have to give Romancing the Devil 10+. This is despite the fact after a fairly good night sleep I realized there was a lot of sexual tensions but not a lot of Sex! Normally that would make me a very sad Pixie but It worked… too much sex would have taken away from the Message I feel is in the story for those who can see it.

On my Scale of Wait to Pay Day Or Sell the Babies- I have to say Sell the Babies!!! Go Buy this book and sit and read it in the place you plan on being when Rapture hits. 

In closing I want to add on that this is a very well written book about many issues that many of us face everyday. More so what the Gay and Lesbian community faces. Especially those kids who come from Big Political families. Evil is all around us. We read about it every day in the news we see it in the eyes of children. Secrets, religion, and sometimes even our past allow evil to take over and take control. We are all the masters of our own choices in this world we need to ask ourselves can we learn from the past and move on to a better future or do we allow evil to keep rein and become the monsters that monsters made us? 


Friday, February 24, 2012

My Review of Sins Of Winter


Sins of Winter

URL:  http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1549
ISBN: 978-0-85715-894-9
Genre: Gay MM/ Contemporary/ Paranormal
Rating: HOT
Book Length: Anthology
Reviewer: Silver Pixie
Book Summery:
Book three in The Seven Deadly Sins Collection of Anthologies
The seven deadly sins: lust, wrath, greed, gluttony, envy, pride and sloth.
The Sins of Winter weaves a general thread of revelation loosely tying these tales together. Acedia (a precursor to sloth), Greed and Pride, are explored in these hot m/m tales involving action, burning hot sex and out-of-this-world adventures that will warm you up...fast!

'Toppling Pedestals' by D.J. Manly
In ‘Toppling Pedestals’, DJ Manly deals with the sin of pride.
The thought that there was something better out there took Tristan away...then pride almost broke his heart.
Tristan, Samuel and Casey had been friends since grade one. When Casey-the doctor’s son-goes off to university, Samuel and Tristan are left behind in their small hometown. Samuel comes from a poor background and has no money for school. He takes a job in the hardware store that Tristan’s parents own.
Tristan decides to work at the store for a year before joining Casey at school. He’s expected to run the store eventually but wants to explore what’s out there first. Breaking away from the town means breaking Samuel’s heart. When tragedy brings Tristan home again, will pride stand in the way of letting Samuel know how he feels?

'If Come' by A.J. Llewellyn
In If Come, AJ Llewellyn deals with the ancient deadly sin of acedia.
It was once considered the 'noonday demon'-a melancholia that is brought about by repetitive work. Writing, marriage and monkhood were the three main occupations said to induce it.
Zam Carmarthen is a mildly successful Hollywood screenwriter struggling with a debilitating depression that prevents him from completing anything he starts. When he lands an ‘If Come’ deal with a major Hollywood producer, he's finally forced to focus on his work and not give into the strange malaise gripping him. In order to ever move ahead in the movie business, he must complete the pilot episode of his proposed TV series, Angel Inn. If his producer is able to sell the series, Zam will be a very rich man. Everything he has worked for can be his.
Paralyzed by his depression, he finds unusual solace in the form of his arch nemesis, Dominic Glass-a surgeon turned super successful screenwriter...and the man who rewrote Zam's hit screenplay for his own glory.
Can Zam overcome the depression Dominic calls acedia, which threatens to derail his whole life? Can he move on from his long time sex buddy Jason? And what about these new feelings he has for Dominic in spite of their rocky history? Will Zam get it together...or will Dominic once again walk away with all the credit for something Zam created?

'Winter Challenge' by Serena Yates
In Winter Challenge, Serena Yates deals with the sin of greed.
Pediatrician Noah Goldwin receives some bad news-his father has died and his greedy elder brother doesn’t only take over the family business, he wants the entire fortune for himself. So, he informs Noah that he was adopted and washes his hands of him. Noah, who never knew of his, past, sets out to find his roots.
An elderly aunt, a mysterious ring and a location in the far north of Canada are his only hints...until he meets a tall, dark stranger who may have the solution to all his questions. There is only one problem-Ataro lives in a parallel dimension.
Will the two men be able to find a way to join forces? How will they defeat the power hungry enemies on Ataro’s world? And are inter-dimensional relationships even possible?


I loved Toppling Pedestals and it is one of the best Shorts I have read of DJ Manly’s in a while. I adore all of DJ’s novels don’t get me wrong but this book spoke to me. I have no use really for the 7 deadly sins but I do understand what it means to place someone on a Pedestal and not letting go of my pride long enough to tell then what they really mean to me. I understand what it means to loose a chance in life.  For the record so I don’t sound stalkerish this loss has nothing to do with any writers past or present that I know… My Best Male Friend in high school who I was crushing on all 4yrs and I became close after high school. He helped me to rise my now 15yr daughter as his own. I let my pride over ride something good that I had and now I am left with what ifs. We lost touch for a long time but I had hit a low in my life so low that I reached out to the only person I thought could help. He and I have reconnected as best friends and that is enough for me.  Tristan and Sam reminded me so much of my friend and I that it was sadly scary.  Sometimes we don’t see that the best thing we have in life is right in front of us and it is sad that sometimes it takes something or someone else to show us what it is that we are missing and to give us the courage to let go of our pride and risk looking like an ass to tell someone what they mean to us.

In If Come, AJ Llewellyn deals with the ancient deadly sin of acedia. For those of you who don’t know what Acedia is it describes a state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not being concerned with one's position or condition in the world. It can lead to a state of being unable to perform one's duties in life. Its spiritual overtones make it related to but distinct from depression.[1] Acedia was originally noted as a problem among monks and other ascetics who maintained a solitary life. (wikipedia)  This is a feeling many people I think suffer from and I know for me it’s debilitating sometimes. I cannot begin to rave about If Come by AJ. Again He has out done himself by making the readers put themselves in the book and experience the feelings Zam and Dominic are. Zam is crippled by his Acedia to the point that it threatens his well being. However we learn as the story goes on that in Hollywood new dogs are up to old tricks. I love how AJ leaves us wondering as to who is real and who is fake.. If Come is light hearted, deeply moving and brought tears of sadness and joy to me as I read it. By the end I had hope that Dreams do come true even in the glitter of Hollywood. However sometimes those dreams are better then we dream them to be when you find someone who loves accepts and understands you better then you do yourself.

Last But Never Least Winter Challenge By Serena Yates. I have to be honest but my experiences with Serena have all been books she has Co wrote with AJ Llewellyn together they have always been brilliant however I have to say after reading Winter Challenge she is truly on my Writers to buy from now on. This story is BRILLIANT!!!!  Noah is a Pediatrician who finds out a secret he would never have expected and that secret leads him to Canada and the Man that he is connected to in ways his clinical mind had a hard time to wrap itself around. Ataro knew at a very young age that his heart connection was stolen from him. But it wasn’t until he was an adult that he realized how important this person really was to him and how connected they really were. When fate intervenes again and delivers his chosen to him Ataro and Noah realize that they are going to have to fight more then the unknown to stay together.  Greed and jealousy threaten our new lovers. Will they be able to find those who seek to harm them or will they fail their Winter Challenge.

On my Erect Peni Scale of one to Ten As a WHOLE Sins of Winter Gets a 10+ Hands down Together DJ,AJ and Serena are Hotter then Hell!

Toppling Pedestals, as a stand-alone is a 10+++++++ DJ as always Knows His stuff and its hot, smart and touching. I CANNOT recommend this story more. This is a MUST READ!
If Come By AJ Llewellyn of course is a 10+++++as well. This story however does hold a special place in my heart. I cannot recommend this book more, As a stand alone or together with the others its well worth the read.

Winter Challenge By Serena Yates is 10++++++++ on my Erect Peni scale as well. It is rare for me to find a new writer that I love as much as I do AJ Llewellyn and DJ Manly. I am privileged to have found someone else who is as talented, heart warming and sweet as Serena. I was touched by her story and many others will be as well.

In an effort to try and keep this review from being any longer then it already is I want to close this by Saying on my Scale of Wait to pay Day to Buy or Sell the Kids and/or Fur Babies. SELL, SELL, SELL, and Buy, Buy, Buy this book!!!! 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

My Review of Paper Valentine By AJ Llewellyn


Paper Valentine by AJ Llewellyn
ISBN: 978-0-85715-464-4
Genre: Victorian Era/ Gay MM
Rating: Burning
Book Length: Novella
Reviewer: The one and Only Silver Pixie

Book Summery:
London, 1840. At the height of Victorian hypocrisy, two men meet and fall in love. Their romance is forbidden, punishable even by death, but their passion blossoms thanks to a paper Valentine.
Saint Valentine’s Day has become a new and very popular day for lovers. Thousands of Londonites are clamouring for the ideal romantic gift. While men buy chocolate and posies, they yearn for something more unusual, more personal. Enterprising brothers Aldon and Samuel Barnaby hit upon the idea of paper Valentines, creating lavish presentations decorated with silk, lace, and paper flowers.
Aldon is fortunate to have his perfect valentine going to his expectant wife, Geneve, but Samuel still longs for his own true love, pouring his heart and soul into his beautiful creations. Samuel’s romantic verses inside his paper Valentines are in huge demand, yet not a single local girl can lay claim to his heart…because his passion lies not in a woman, but another man—Jude, a handsome but shy widower.
Jude's heart, haunted by grief, hasn't been ready to consider marriage again. But slowly, through his inclusion in the Barnaby family's lives...and his frequent excursions to stop and stare at the Barnabys’ shop window...he begins to wonder in what direction his future lies.
Can Samuel possibly allow his heart to explore love with another man? Could Jude ever love him in return? He sends Jude an exquisite, anonymous paper Valentine, not suspecting that his entire world is about to be turned upside down…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day I remembered an awesome love story that fits the season. In this AJ Llewellyn novel we meet Samuel and Jude. Both men fit the classic image you would have of London in the 1840’s.  Samuel and his Brother Aldon are printers and hatch an idea to make paper Valentines for the people of London and sell them in their shop. Amidst this Samuel’s very pregnant sister in law Geneve tries as she feels is her duty to play match maker. What she and Samuels brother fails to realize is the grieving widower Jude has found love again but in the arms of someone who in all actuality could get him killed. Little known Historical Fact I learned in this book was buggery was illegal and punishable by death. In order for gay men to meet others some dressed as woman in places that were called Molly Houses. The Queen thought that woman were not capable of loving woman the same way so it was only illegal for men to fornicate or bugger as it seems to have been called. In the end confessions are made and promises kept. But the Question remains do Jude and Samuel get their Happy ending or will fear rule their hearts?
 This was a short story for AJ and for all the 69 pages it was on my e-reader it was well worth the read. Of course like with most of AJ’s books I learned a lot about history, the fun stuff that most history teachers nowadays leave out of their lessons. I loved this sweet natured fun hearted book. It warmed my heart from the very first page. Jude’s and Samuel’s struggle was palatable and heart breaking at times. You honestly felt what the characters were feeling. You hurt for them when they hurt and you yearned for them when they yearned for each other. This is honestly something that is sometimes lacking in more mainstreamed books. I feel AJ has once again out done himself.
On a Scale of 1-10 on my erect peni scale I give AJ Llewellyn’s Paper Valentine a 10+++. It’s Hot Romantic and heartwarming this book didn’t need a lot of sex to make it sexy or hot. The lead up to the actual sex leaves you panting and wanting more.
On my scale of It Can Wait till Pay Day and Sell the Kids… Darlings sell the kids. This book honestly can be the best Valentine you can buy for yourself EVER!