Book Review: Shadowed Hearts Book 1: Null & Void By Jane Toombs

Title: Shadowed Hearts Book 1 : Null & Void

Author: Jane Toombs

Author Site

Buy Link: This book releases in January

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Genre: Gothic, Suspense, Romance

Length – # OF PAGES:115 plus Jane’s outstanding bio & book list

Card Rating: – 4 Tarots

Reviewed by: C.H. Scarlett

About The Book:

Two ten-year-old girls  disappear from the grounds of Null House.  The survivor is found the next day so traumatized she has no memory of what happened or who she is.  The name barrette in her hair identifies her as Ari.  Since her mother is dead, her uncle and aunt take her to their home in another state, but she never recovers her memory.  Twenty years later she’s invited back to Null House.  She doesn’t want to go.  Ari has never told a soul about the child’s voice that whispers to her sometimes at night, but this voice tells her she has to go–because it’s time… www.redrosepublishing.com

–description taken from Jane Toombs Interview

The Review:

I am going to admit something. When I went into this book after doing the interview with Jane Toombs, I thought, oh no…what if the book is horrible? I thought, here I have been built up by this Diva of our profession—so what if I open the book and I hate it? After all, I’m a picky reader. In fact, since I don’t have time to read anymore except on vacations because of my own writing career, it’s going to tick me off if this is a waste of time. And then if I have to say its a waste of time, which I will, rest assured– if it was—well, that itself will just tick me off even more.

Not the case.

This book reminded me of something I read as a teen. Not that the stories were similar but because both books had a gothic feel…a romantic gothic embrace that made me fall in love with it’s on- the- edge- suspense.

Yes, thanks to her, I am now addicted and you probably will be as well, if you read this book.

So if you are looking for something that sounds like this…

Pages bewitched with twists of Gothic spirit, on- the- edge suspense, and an aura of romance that is absolutely addictive.

Then this series is for you.

Awarding this book a Reviewer’s Top Pick

Cover (Rated 1-10): 8— I am not big on faces on a cover but sometimes I see a few I like. This one had an interesting feel to it because of its blurry design and darkly painted appeal. So yes, if I was cruising the book store, this one would catch my eye.

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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.

Book Review: Apollo Weeps & Generational by Lizz Clements

Title: Apollo Weeps ISBN 978-0-557-13752-7

Generational  ISBN 978-0-557-10063-7

Author: Lizz Clements

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Lulu

Genre: Poetry, Non-fiction

Length – # OF PAGES:

Apollo Weeps: 113

Generational: 72

Other: Suitable for Young Adults

Pagan & Pagan Elements: Yes/Yes

Card Rating: – 4 Tarots for both

Reviewed by: Brew-Hilda

Excerpt From Apollo Weeps

“Apollo Weeps”
Apollo in his chariot
He of golden rays
Once rode through
The sky so blue
In older, earlier days
But now the boy cannot be found
He hides his gentle face
His eyes are red
His bones not fed
Hanging his head in disgrace
The smile he wore so long ago
Wants so much to return
But all the joy
He had as a boy
Is not so easily earned
Apollo knows there is no chance
No one asks his favor
And those who do
Are less than true
It’s not insight they favor
The boy god cries alone at night
I hear him as I sleep
He knows as I
This world’s a lie
In the darkness we both weep
Apollo, I know that it hurts
It’s true what we both dread
Rhyme has been whored
The bard ignored
The art of poetry is dead

Excerpt From Generational

Generational
What’s with these kids today?
Is it me or are they strange?
It doesn’t seem they know the way
They can’t see they have to change
What’s with these kids today?
With their purple hair and eyes
What do they expect me to say
To interracial couples living happy lives?
It must be generational
More than just sensational
Or just irrational
It’s just generational
What’s with these kids today,
With their co-dependent ties?
Do Christian youths think it’s okay
To marry Pagans with sinful lives?
Do teens think it’s okay
To ignore people’s frailties?
That work can still mean less than play
That adults will like their oddities?
It must be generational
More than just sensational
Or just irrational
It’s just generational
I can’t begin to fathom why
They think they’ll be young forever
When all around them people die
And inflict in each other terror.
We must have raised each of them wrong
And pampered them simply too much
Their unity’s naively strong
They have no prejudice and such.
The fact is that they just don’t care
They’re too loving and accepting
Oh, and God, that damn purple hair
Their whole lifestyle’s worth rejecting
It must be generational
And I hope they’re happy there
It’s more than just sensational
They’re brainwashed without a care
Of course it’s all irrational
They’re slaves to living their own way
It hope it’s generational
So it’ll be put to rest someday.

About The Books & Review:

I am doing both reviews in one because I felt the books were somehow linked…maybe because of the not so long ago between the pages in the Author’s life or time frame. Although it should be noted that one book isn’t needed to understand the other. Both, just being written when the author was young.

Both books are filled with Poems written during the time that the Author was young and filled with youth. (That’s not to say they aren’t feeling sprite-ful now. In fact, I have no idea.) However, when reading poetry, a few things can happen. One, you are bored to death and decide to hate poetry forever. Two, you can relate to the poem or at least draw your own meaning. And three, be swept away by words that require deep understanding and feel either partially educated or enlightened by it all afterwards.

Number One will not apply to this book at all to readers who do have a deep love of Poetry already. In fact, I believe books like this are wonderful to read to our children or grandchildren. I think it may awaken something inside them and this book, Apollo’ Weeps seems like a great candidate for that.

I think generational would be eaten up by most Teens today simply because how the author seen magic then, is how most young ones still view it.

For the teen or young adult– perhaps they will also relate to this because at the time this was written, the Author was not far from being one herself.

Taken from Apollo Weeps:

This book can be considered a sequel, though there is no plot
exactly or even a storyline. Its predecessor, Generational (originally
entitled Car Chases & Fake Bologna), was my first “real book.” It was
also my first collection of poetry. It contained a handful of
humorous, contemplative, and irreverent diary entries, respectively.
In essence, Generational chronicled five years of my life, from just
before I started high school until shortly after graduation. The
“stories” are the poems and entries themselves, as they are the
result of my day-to-day existence. The plot is my life, and the
setting is as I live it.

The Review:

Pagan Elements: Yes for both & the Author is Pagan

Cover (Rated 1-10): 4 for Apollo Weeps

8 for Generational –I think teens will relate more to this 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.

Book Review: Curiosity Expands Your Mind by Brenda Miller

Book Title: Curiosity Expands Your Mind

Author Name: Brenda Miller

Are you a Pagan or does the book have Pagan elements? Yes/Yes

Author Website: http://www.designsbybrenda.net

ISBN: 978-1-4251-8856-6

Series (if any): No—not that we know of.
Release Date: August 15, 2009
Genre: Non- Fiction

Length: 164 pages
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Buy Link: www.amazon.com; www.amazon.co.uk; www.bn.com; www.trafford.com; www.bookfinder.com; www.designsbybrenda.net;

Cards: 5 Tarots

Reviewed by: C.H. Scarlett

Blurb: This reference book is to guide you on your quest for a more magical and spiritual existence. This book will introduce you to affirmations and how they are used to empower your life; chakras and the colors associated with them; gemstones and their meanings; phases of the moon and the magical workings for each phase; symbols and their significance; and much more. This resource book is detailed enough to be all that you may want to know on each of the subjects referenced. It may be used as a starting point towards the mastery of any topic that ignites your passion.

Review:

Now, let me explain something before everyone has a heart attack. Normally we do not review non-fiction. Our staffs experience is in FICTION and alas, that’s what we stick with. However, I am not on the reviewers staff. I simply jump in from time to time to fill in or help catch us up when we are behind. With that being said, my experience does exist in non-fiction because if you looked at my library and the hundreds (not an exaggeration) of books in it—well those lovely references are none other than Non-fiction. So as a Christmas present to a fellow Pagan that contacted me from out of nowhere requesting a review—I am giving her one. And for the record, I do not know the Author of this book personally. She, like all of you, is just another precious and treasured follower of The Pagan and the Pen.

Now, what made me give Brenda a 5 Tarot?  I gave her a high score because this book was written through the eyes of probably every Pagan out there. What could I possibly mean by that?

Where did you first begin your journey? Why did you begin your journey if you were not raised a Pagan to begin with?

What Brenda has done is write a book filled with Paganism and information but not as someone slapping about certificates, high egos, or titles, or high degrees and many degrees–in magic and whatever else…

No, she has written a book as one of you…a Pagan…on a journey…and what she discovered when she first began that journey. She is an equal…she is familiar…and she is a mirror to those of us just beginning or those of us who have been there.

So for that and because of that, I highly recommend this non-fiction book to every Pagan out there starting or flourishing or planting their own roots. This book has great information and would find its place as a wonderful tool of reference.

I quote Brenda:

This book started out as my way of trying to make sense of
the different religions, why we believe the way we believe, or see
the world as we do.
Brought up in the Christian faith, I was told that certain
things were the “Devil’s work.” To become more informed, or to
really understand this so called “Devil’s work,” I had to look at
other religions or different belief systems. At first, I was hesitant to
begin because of the fears that were instilled into my very essence,
my belief system, but I overcame my fears with my need to know,
and so began my search for understanding.
My search began in 2003. I joined the Austin Herb Society,
which I was elected as editor of their monthly newsletter, The
Potpourri. I had never been an editor of anything before, so what
were they thinking by electing me to such a position. My knowledge
of herbs, herbal lore, or anything that would be of use to the Austin
Herb Society, was very limited or to be very honest, non-existent. It
was an education for me, as the members of the Austin Herb
Society are all very knowledgeable and I learned so much from
them, a big thank you is being sent out to them right now. Well,
like any ill-informed knowledge seeker of the 21st Century, I began
with the Internet, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.
It is amazing all the different sites that pop up when you
type in “Uses for Basil,” etc. Not only did the food references
come up, but magical references came up as well. And as you know,
I was hesitant to check out such magical uses. But, I did. What is
really amazing about my search or research is, that I began to
understand my connection with Nature, the Universe, God, Spirit,
etc. I am now able to worship or relate to God/Spirit out of love
and understanding and not fear or because it is expected out of me.
Now, I actually acknowledge my angels, because before now I was
taught not do that, it was wrong. I now invite them in each and
every day, talk to them, rejoice with them, as I know that they are
sent to me from God/Spirit/Source as a gift of unconditional love.
I also feel the presence of the fairies, which I like to call “earth
angels,” as they are in charge of nurturing Mother Earth and me as
well.
It is my hope that you find this book interesting,
informative, and insightful. That your curiosity in purchasing this
book will cause you to open your mind to other possibilities, to
other realms of existence, or worship, to see that we are all one,
that it really is a small world. Take this book as a starting point for
your search or research in your quest for knowledge and
understanding of this world.1
Enjoy, and happy discovering.
Brenda Miller
May 2009
Austin, Texas

Please Note that the format is correct concerning the Table of Contents in the book but because this is a copy and paste, the format conditions of our posts on this site might wreck it some lol

Table of Contents
Affirmations ……………………………………………………………………………… 1
Amulets and/or Talismans ……………………………………………………….. 4
Angels ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Animal Totems …………………………………………………………………………. 7
Birthstones by Astrological Sign ……………………………………………… 16
Birthstones by Month ……………………………………………………………… 16
Candlemas ………………………………………………………………………………. 17
Chakras …………………………………………………………………………………… 19
Clairvoyance/Clairvoyant ………………………………………………………… 21
Cleansing Your Crystals/Stones ………………………………………………. 22
Colors and Their Meanings ……………………………………………………… 23
Cuchulainn ………………………………………………………………………………. 25
Divination ……………………………………………………………………………….. 25
Ear Candling …………………………………………………………………………… 25
Elements: Air/Fire/Water/Earth ……………………………………………. 26
Empathy/Empath …………………………………………………………………… 29
Extrasensory Perception (ESP) ……………………………………………….. 29
Feng Shui ………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Friday the 13th and Number 13 ………………………………………………. 32
Gemstones: Meanings and Healing Properties ………………………… 33
Goddess Brighid ……………………………………………………………………… 41
Goddess Isis ……………………………………………………………………………. 44
Goddess Quan Yin or Kwan Yin ……………………………………………. 44
Hag Stones………………………………………………………………………………. 45
Halloween ……………………………………………………………………………….. 46
Happy Birthday ……………………………………………………………………….. 48
Herbs and How to Preserve Them ………………………………………….. 50
Imbolc …………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
Incense ……………………………………………………………………………………. 51
Lammas …………………………………………………………………………………… 52
Mabon or Fall Equinox …………………………………………………………… 53
ii
May Day, Beltane, or First Day of Summer …………………………….. 54
Moon Phases …………………………………………………………………………… 56
The Morrigan ………………………………………………………………………….. 58
Mythical Creatures …………………………………………………………………… 59
Namaste ………………………………………………………………………………….. 78
Neti Pot …………………………………………………………………………………… 78
Ogham ……………………………………………………………………………………. 80
Pendulum ………………………………………………………………………………… 81
Pentagram ……………………………………………………………………………….. 85
Plants and Flowers ………………………………………………………………….. 86
Psychometry ……………………………………………………………………………. 92
Reiki Energy Healing ………………………………………………………………. 92
Rings and Fingers ……………………………………………………………………. 94
Runes ………………………………………………………………………………………. 97
Sabbats and Wheel of the Year ……………………………………………… 103
Sanskrit ………………………………………………………………………………….. 104
Scrying …………………………………………………………………………………… 104
Smudging ………………………………………………………………………………. 104
Spells: How to Get Them to Work ……………………………………….. 107
Spell for Improving Negative Thoughts ………………………………… 107
Spring Equinox ……………………………………………………………………… 108
Summer Solstice ……………………………………………………………………. 109
Superstitions ………………………………………………………………………….. 110
Symbols …………………………………………………………………………………. 121
Telepathy ………………………………………………………………………………. 142
Third Eye ………………………………………………………………………………. 142
Triple Goddess ……………………………………………………………………… 143
Winter Solstice ………………………………………………………………………. 144
Wishing Well …………………………………………………………………………. 144
Yin-Yang ……………………………………………………………………………….. 145
References …………………………………………………………………………….. 147
Index……………………………………………………………………………………… 148
About the Author ………………………………………………………………….. 152
Miscellaneous ………………………………………………………………………… 152

Book Reviews: Soul Searchers by Reese Johnson

Title: Soul Searchers

Author: Reese Johnson

Author Site

Buy Link

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing, LLC

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length – 63

Other: M/M

Pagan & Pagan Elements: no/no

Card Rating: – 3 Tarots

Reviewed by: Jes L’Heureux

About The Book:

Turned into werewolves hundreds of years ago, Timber and his lover, Micah, have finally found peace high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Their clan is made up of werewolves from every walk of life and includes gay, lesbians, and even a few heterosexuals.

Far across the valley is another clan, and their leader, Jack, isn’t happy about the abomination going on in Timber’s neck of the woods.

When Jack’s clan declares war, Timber attempts to reason with him and find a Peaceful solution. The reasons behind Jack’s hatred aren’t clear, and Timber tries to learn his secret, but how many will die before he does so?

The Review:

The book opens up in 1753 where his father, the Lord Barrows finds young Timberlin in bed with his lover Micah. It is an explosive start to a great book by Reese Johnson. Soul Searchers follows the one portion of the life of Timber and Micah, with a start of how they became werewolves and the start of their love for each other and then fast-forwards to present day. It is a precursor to the meat of the story where an opposing clan is prejudice towards the gay werewolves and wants them to leave the valley where they reside. While Timber would like a peaceful solution Jack the leader of the opposing pack wants blood and seems to be willing to do anything for it. Timber and his pack must figure out a solution to survive, to keep their way of life preserved. Overall Soul Searchers was a quick read and quite easy to get into, Mr. Johnson’s writing was dramatic and sensual throughout the novella. The sex scenes between Timber and Micah truly showed the passion they had for each other with well-written prose; they were steamy and definitely inviting.

There was only one part that I wasn’t a fan of, and that was the ending, overall it seemed too convenient. After reading such a wonderful and detailed story I found that the ending came together too swiftly and cleanly by comparison. Despite that last section, I would recommend this novella to anyone who is interested in paranormal and like steamy sex as well. Sex scenes were sensual and well written, could feel the passion in the writing the characters had for each other.

Pagan Elements: N/A

Cover (Rated 1-10): 3

Personally I am not a fan of this cover, had I seen this on the shelf I would pass it on by. I think it is the campy sci-fi kind of look that turns me off of the cover page.

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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.