THE CHRONICLES OF THE PHOENIX, BOOK ONE: ASHES TO ASHES
LOGAN M. WHYTE
ISBN# unavailable
November 2007
Dark Eden Press
www.darkedenpress.com
E-Book
$3.50 USD
34 Pages
(GLBT) Historical Erotica
Rating: 3 Cups

Devon Connell is a young man chosen to represent the physical form of his God at the Beltane festival, a night of sexual abandon. He is both excited and nervous at the prospect of this particularly since the role requires him to be naked but for a horned mask of the God.

Daigh Campbell is the village blacksmith. He has pursued Devon but Devon will have nothing to do with him. Daigh vows that he will have Devon but if he cannot, then no one will.

Devon spots a mysterious stranger around the ceremonial fire. He assumes he is a visitor from one of the larger coastal cities but this stranger is more than he appears. As the night unfolds, Devon makes a simple, everyday choice that ends up changing his life forever.

Ashes to Ashes is well written in terms of erotica but the story disappoints. The characters are not overly developed and their motivations seldom move beyond the pursuit of sexual gratification, which is understandable given the setting. Unfortunately the few times the motivation moves way from the sexual aspect, it devolves into almost childlike expressions of rage or revenge. Despite these shortcomings, Ashes to Ashes is an enjoyable light read.

Alex
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
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