Gift of the Goddess

Phoenix Rising #1

by Denise Rossetti

The Law of the love goddess Lufra states that no man may take his pleasure inside any part of a woman's body, unless she has climaxed first. Each time, every time. But when warrior-scout Anje is taken captive by Brin, Lufra's shaman, she discovers that not even divine law can protect her from the erotic wiles of two determined men.

Huge, dark and enigmatic, Brin wears a tattoo of the holy dragon on his magnificent body. Years of erotic training have given him skills and stamina Anje cannot match. But it's the strength of his will that threatens to conquer her very soul, while his beautiful young friend Trey has a bravado and a vulnerability that make her mouth water.

Anje fears Brin's arrogant prediction may be true—"You'll surrender, scout, and you'll glory in it. You'll abandon yourself and adore it. Because you trust—trust absolutely." Screaming and cursing her ecstasy, she learns that dark raptures are addictive. But neither man is what he seems and all three are pawns in a suicidal scheme to placate an angry goddess. Saving her lovers will take everything Anje's got—as a woman and a warrior.

Genres: Erotica, Fantasy, Menage, Romance, Paranormal, M M F, Paranormal Romance

323 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2007

About the author

When I was very small, I had an aunt who would tell me the most wonderful fairy tales - all original. I grew up, as little girls do, but the magic of story still dazzles and enthralls me. On the good days, I like to think of myself as Scheherazade's sister. On the bad days - not so much.

I remain an incurable romantic who loves happy endings, heart-pounding adventure and the eventual triumph of good over evil. All hail the guys in the white hats - unless the ones wearing black are more...um...interesting?

I live in a comfortable, messy old house in the Australian suburbs. I'm small, noisy and tend to wave my hands around a lot, which can be unfortunate if the tale I'm telling happens to have explosions in it.

Reviews

[Cyp · Rating 1 out of 5]

To tell the truth, i havent finished this book yet..but it's getting really boring and pointless i can't even force myself to continue anymore. Firstly, the book is really uneventful, and im alrdy near the half mark. Secondly, i'm getting annoyed that the characters are constantly subjected by the author to have sex. I mean, why is it thrown around so casually throughout the book? EVERY SINGLE damn page has them doing something erotic..And two of them arent even in love, for freak's sake. Ugh, Trey is in love with Brin(gayness) and Brin is a (is he a monk?)monk devoted to the Goddess of Love and Sex, so he's pleasuring Anje like ever minute he can get her naked- once even after a hunt and they were riding back on horse, he stripped her and tied her hands behind her back..I mean,come on man.. Not that i don't enjoy this type of things(haha), but enough is enough.

Until around the midway of the book, i've only gotten a glimpse of the main plot of the book, which was to save Brin's people. Yep, that's about it for the book so far, the rest are all about their wondrously countless number of sex sessions they have, and still counting. Seriously this book was really pointless and meaningless, i kinda regretted picking it up. It's kind of like a worse version of Jory Strong's novels. Her books are, to put it crudely, are short, simple, and horny. Gift of the Goddess was just horny. Period. And after some time, the horny part wears off and you're left wondering,' why the hell am i reading this pointless pos?' Ugh ok im getting vulgar. Which means its time for me to stop degrading this book. Well it's my view..apparently it has received many 4 and 5 stars reviews, but oh well, not my type.

[Vanyel Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's it. I'm hereafter a fan of Denise Rossetti. I'm thinking of putting this author on my 'buy automatically when I see her books' list.

This is the one time where the story is just as hot as the cover and LOOK at that cover! I wouldn't throw that one out of the bed for godiva chocolates!

Well this develops into the most wonderful of m/m/f combinations and the writing is hot; without being stupid, smutty or those stories where they have to insult your intelligence before getting to the good stuff. Okay obviously most people don't always read erotica for any other reason then the sex scenes but for those who enjoy it this story DID have a storyline (which admitedly involves sex) and there were things that did happen beyond the sex so overall I rather enjoyed this story. Erotic Romance is a phrase I've heard in relation to this story but I don't worry too much on category names.

Personally I think it was just great fun!

[Jennifer Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Updated review with a re-read)*

I started this book looking for something HOT, and it definitely delivers.

The sex scenes are VERY sensual and deliciously explicit, just how I like 'em. ;-) There is M/F/M but also M/M. I love the dynamic of the relationship between the three main characters. Anje (F) dominates Trey (M), while Brin (M) dominates Anje, or Trey, or BOTH.

The alternate world the author has created is a bit over the top but it works. Lots of mention of pleasure slaves, and when you have an orgasm, it's an offering to the goddess, etc.

An entertaining read that sizzles!

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anje is a scout for the Children of the Mother. They depend on her to retrieve information that will let them live another summer, but during her mission she's taken captive by Trey and Brin, men who believe her to be the Gift of Lufra, a sexual goddess. Determined to awaken her to her two purpose, they set about seducing her. Anje thinks she can take whatever they dish out, but Brin is a shaman of his people, and well-trained in the erotic arts. She can't resist him for long. They are all pawns in the goddess's game, but Anje is determined to win.

I loved this book. Right away it grabbed me and didn't let go until the very end. The characters are compelling with their own unique problems, needs, and desires. They're all three determined to get their own way, though Trey plays a submissive role to the dark and dominating Brin. At the beginning of each chapter, the author included a poem, or a short paragraph detailing a little of the background of the world, usually told in beautiful words by an historian. These little bits of information helped color the world, although all the detail in this book is simply amazing--including the settings, the characters, and the different creatures and people populating it. I was amazed at how in-depth the world-building was. This book was not just about the erotic play between the three main characters (although there is a lot of sex). I really came to care about the characters by the end and the book left off with a satisfying conclusion.

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read many MMF romances, but I kept coming across this book on just about every "must read" erotica list I saw online, so I had to check it out. I am so glad I did. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

I thought the story might be a bit farfetched, but I quickly fell in love with the characters, and I loved the world the author has created. Anje was strong, fiesty herione. Brin and Trey are down right awesome. I loved the way the relationship progresses between the 3, and the tension between Brin and Trey as they discover that they loved other.

This book was HOT! It has passion, action, suspense, and love (as well as lots of sex!) If I could give this one more stars...I would!

[~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writing, good world building and hot sex. I want to read more from this author.

[Dragana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Imaginary world described in Gift of the Goddess by Denise Rossetti is very interesting. There are some original descriptions of nature and people. Special attention in world building is dedicated to customs and religion of two nomadic tribes from which our main characters originate.

So it really is a shame that this original world is a stage for a porno movie script. Every action is reason for another round of sex. And it just escalates from partner sharing to menage and when I saw that hints that there will be m-m action (at about 40% of book) I gave up and ran to the hills.



That's what I get when I download Kindle freebies without reading summary or checking genres on Goodreads. But this book was good for something - I think it cured my kindle-freebie-download mania. I don't have a wish to download any free book from Amazon ever again. :D

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can only be described as the *most* delicious erotic fantasy ever. EVER. I'm married, but if I ever come across Brin, my husband will just have to understand. (Sorry, honey.) The character development is exceptional, the world building displays her talent, and the sex is just freaking hawt. I've bought everything she's written, and I must say that this is by far her best novel. Deliciously indulgent, it's worth ordering. Now. Go do it. You won't be sorry.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story with lots of hot sex and I do mean lots. However the underlying story had me compelled to keep reading to find out what happened at the end. There were some skirmishes along the way that kept my interest going.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have put of reviewing this book as I really am not sure how I felt, so I will just wing it.

The Good - I enjoyed the characters Anje, Brin and Trey (although Trey seems to be a popular male name used in Erotica). The chemistry between the three of them was great and I liked the Anje was a strong female. The first sex scene M/F/M was hot hot hot

The okay - As the book progress the sex scenes become more M/M/F and M/M. This is where I started skimming, for as much as I have tried to see the allure of M/M sex, I just is not for me......

The not so good - The sci-fi paranormal elements overwhelmed me at times. In saying that I am not a huge paranormal reader and had this not been a book of the month I probably wouldn't have read it at all.

The annyoing - When I read an erotic novel I don't like to think about my mother or God, so by the time I read the word 'mother' for the hundreth time and God 90 times I was going 'oh no not again'!!

Mother be praised
Mother, how she longed for home
Sweet Mother
Mother have Mercy
Mother's Hearth
Mother strike her for her stupid lust
Mother help her
Mother save her
Thank the Mother for that
Mother, Trey had been right
Great Mother

Gods, he was lovely
Gods, what a stink
Gods, it was gorgeous
Gods, you're tight
Gods, what a fool
Gods, sorry
Okay okay you get it

[Scout the Pages · Rating 1 out of 5]

Make that 0 stars. This story is not good, exact same plot as another Elloras Cave book I just read. This book incorrectly portrays shamans (not even close to accurate) and is filled with less than consensual situations. The physical world is not well written (cant tell whose sitting/laying where and who's stuff is in who's holes). Toxic men and they stereotypical firey yet submissive MC. Just not good. There is better porn out there than this. I do not endorse. Also it's just also cringy, so distasteful and cringy. Just don't. Save the time.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the fantasy layout of this story. There is a true story line and character development that kept my mind interested mingled with enough erotic and exciting charge. To write erotica this way is challenging, in my humble opinion. I find most erotica very flat, jumps right to the sauce without enough "story" to draw in a reader such as myself. Even if you left the erotic parts out I could see this being workable into a plausible fantasy based novel. I am not a huge erotica reader but this is among the very few which sit at the top. I enjoy fantasy based novels in general and this has a very good balance. If you read erotica to basically just skip through to the juice, the erotic scenes may be so foreign that understanding how it leads into those points a little confusing. The erotic parts go beyond a light approach. Rossetti steps into the erotica enough that can challenge the mind to expand its openness to explore unique sexual encounters. It retains emotional connectivity largely appealing to females. Finding this balance that appeals to a broad audience can be quite a challenge. Some like it lighter, for some this may be as far as they want to go, but then there are those who can entertain even a greater expansion, the later being perhaps the rarest, hence the popularity of romance novels and erotica with lighter scenes. The only part I would challenge is the ending, which twists in a way where it could deliver an alternative story line approach, perhaps even in a more cliff hanger style to allow for a continuation of this particular story. It's about the journey though, not the end. I enjoyed it enough where I would enjoy more of this particular story line and presentation but I could also entertain expansions past where she chooses to "draw the line in the sand" in the erotic arena. I look forward to reading her other books and seeing how her stories and style present themselves. Try it for yourself. If you prefer more reality based themes, this style may not be a preferred approach but I encourage all to challenge their reading horizons. ;)

[Mountie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be Enchanted... both by a story, a world and people who hopefully, you will come to love as much as I.

I am writing this review after completing a re-read in honor of the release of the 4th Phoenix Rising story, Guilty as Sin. I found Gift of the Goddess back in 2007, when looking through Ellora's Cave and being struck dumbfounded by the covers of Gift Of The Goddess and Tailspin. To my utter delight, when I read the story blurbs, I knew these would be the books for me; Sci/Fi menange. Being brand new to eBooks I was just beginning to explore the possibilities of online erotic reading. It wasn't until I had read many more erotic stories that I came to understand what a treasure I had found in those first fumbling attempts at buying stories online.

From the first opening lines I knew this book was different. The setting, the events and the magic of story that Denise weaves entrapped me and didn't let me down till I hit "close". Along with Ange, the reasoning behind Brin and Trey's actions were gradually exposed; a voyage of discovery of sexuality, of culture and of history uncovered against a backdrop of a new to me world, complete with evil antagonists, exotic flora and fauna and amazing characters. Gift of a Goddess is a story of sacrifice, exploration, belief, trust, hope, adventure, bonds and of love.

[Daphnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and this series! The story was epic, and I don't just mean in the, it was great way, but also in the "wow, this story is so huge, it's bursting at the seams way". This is a futuristic, fantasy, adventure, erotic love story, of three people, that will leave you breathless! The characters are so fully developed, that they are made "real". Not an easy thing to accomplish. There are battles with swords, and magic, and brute force, oh my. There are some references to the "Firsters" who colonized/crashed on this planet (so named Phoenix) many years ago, that lead to some interesting plot developments. This is a story of high adventure, with some amazingly, erotically, hot sex, that is very well written. But the linch-pin are the emotions between the main characters, Brin, Trey, and Anje. Fear, anger, self doubt, hope, and love, these emotions are what really take this story and elevates it to the level of WoW! Because honestly, in any relationship, these emotions are what motivate, and define us. I believe that this is what enables the reader to really connect with the characters. The world building was so seamless, it was astounding. I highly recommend this to every one, that loves an adventure, or fantasy, or menage romance. By the way, Brin, is to die for!!! LOL!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. The sex scenes are pretty non-stop, but for once they are actually part of the plot. The warrior priest Brin and his sidekick Trey [also a warrior who turns out to be a prince:] capture the heroine Anje, a scout for a different people, to serve as a sacrifice to their goddess. NO, not THAT kind of sacrifice - she and Brin are perform an extreme, sustained sexual ritual to please their goddess and return fertility to the tribe. Thus the sexual fun and games performed on the way back to their temple are all part of the preparation. But like all good stories the path never runs smoothly... They are attacked by really big ugly lizard people - with Brin's heroic efforts Anje and Trey escape but Brin is captured so they have to come back and rescue him... During the various activities of the trip, it becomes obvious that Trey is deeply in love with Brin who is refusing to even look at the possibility. Anje nudges that relationship along and eventually they end up with a loving triad. The fact that Anje and Brin are both dominant and Trey isn't - makes for a little different dynamics than the usual triad story. It's a good thing that Brin has a REALLY big bed...

Phoenix Rising Series:
Gift of the Goddess
Tailspin
Strongman

[Ah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely read. Very heavy on erotic, but for once, it's essential for the plot, not because it's an erotic novel, but because it's part of it. Well written and the relationship between the three is well balanced because the author added some fine feautures I really liked

I loved the idea of the bond. Feeling the bondmates desires and emotions even in his absence enhanced the hotness of the sex.

A focus on the relationship consisting only two of the protagonists in all variations possible enhanced the development of the three-way. I like it when my ménage isn't always about (or see) the three as the only couple. It makes the bond of the relationship more believable.



My only nitpick is the dialogue. It was a little overdramatic for my taste in a few places of the book, like how often it's mentioned how she loved him or both. Yes I get it. You said that already in the last three pages. Twice is enough. Just enjoy the show girl.

All in all an absolutely fun and entertaining read.

[Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brin is a Shaman of the Feolin people. He has been dreaming of woman who is the Goddess Lufra in human form. He and Prince Trey set out to find this woman.

Anje is a warrior scout of the Children of the Mother. She is out scouting for the Hssrda, flesh-eating slavers. Her honor demand that she return to her people to return a map detailing locations of the Hssrda.

She comes across Brin & Trey in her travels back to her people. Believing that they would be vulnerable to the Hssrda, she starts to warn them, but is distracted by Trey pleasuring himself and is captured by Brin.

In order to save the Feolin people from extinction, she and Brin must complete the Great Rite, offering themselves to Lufra. No one has survived in centuries, since Trey's ancestor angered the Goddess after raping one of the Priestesses.

Now Brin & Trey must ready Anje for the Rite, while teaching her how to trust.

Holy Smokes!!! This book is extremely hot! The build-up to the m/m scenes are panty-melting. Two-thumbs up. I definitely want to continue with this series.

[Shan ~A~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised and very stimulated. This was a very well written erotic romance, with mmf, mfm, and mm scenes included. It was a lot of sex with a pretty good plot, involving sex.

Anje is a warrior-scout for her people and while doing her job she comes across these wonderfully handsome men. Brin and Trey.

Brin is a shaman and Trey is a prince. They are actually looking for Anje. Brin has been having dreams about the woman who will be his Goddess', Lufra, gift. The one who is sent to help save his people. Anje is the Goddess made flesh. There is a ritual that must take place and that is why Anje finds herself bonded to Brin and in a sexual relationship with them both.

They all end up getting more than they bargained for along the way. The best part is the tension between Brin and Trey and the resulting outcome.

Definitely looking forward to more in this series. Although, I am trying to figure out where the series name come from.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gift of the Goddess is the first book in the Phoenix Rising series and I was hooked from the first word.

Anje is a strong female warrior that gets captured by Brin, a tall, hot drink of water that has stamina and skill that would put any man to shame, and Trey, a gorgeous man that doesn't mind showing his heart to the right person(s). During their time together traveling back to Brin and Trey's home, Anje ends up falling for both men. She has to prove that love and save her men when it's found that they have been used by their own people to make peace with their enraged Goddess. Brin, Trey and Anje are a fantastic threesome that I couldn't stop reading about. The twists and turns in this story kept me turning the pages and begging for more when the story was finished.

I won this book from Ms. Rossetti in a contest and it was the best prize I could have gotten!

[Marcie Oropeza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing "I don't want to make dinner ~ I want to finish my damn book!" novel! Definitely had a Lauren Dane-kind of feel to it w/ her menage...also a K.Ashley nod to world-building....and the sex was....OMG ~ HOT! Best of all worlds.

I liked the matriarch-centered focus, the strength of Anje in the menage and in the plot itself, the deference that Brin and Trey had for Anje while still maintaining the two sides of the same coin of love for her. I LOVED Brin: his alpha-male domination, his sweet gentleness, his respect for his shaman-hood..Trey added a sweet balance to the menage and the plot that was a definite plus.

Overall ~ I LIKED this book. I highly recommend it and plan to read more by Ms. Rossetti.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. It was a little hard to get into at first because of the alternate world and the details were not shared in the beginning but along the way but lemme say, "wow". It was great. The story was really good. The characters were funny, sexy and resourceful. The sex was so HOT. It was just the right amount of funny, angst, and steaming hot sex.


I just wish they made a depilatory that was an aphrodisiac and didn't stink to high heaven.


I read this book for a Scavenger Hunt contest and not only did it give me awesome points but I found a new author to spend way to much money on!!!

[Venetia Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be one of the best erotic novels I've read. I was halfway through 50 Shades of Grey when I started reading Gift of the Goddess, and I never bothered going back to 50 Shades. Denise's writing is SO much hotter! Besides the inevitable and obligatory steam, Denise has built a convincing and deeply imagined fantasy world for her story, and many of her descriptions are quite beautiful. Above all, the 3-way love affair between the heroine and heroes is utterly convincing, both on an emotional and sensual level.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most boring books I've read (or failed to) this year. It doesn't even try for a plot. Let's not talk about characters. Snort, if you choose to have a female warrior as a lead, let her behave as such.

I kept trying to read it and really couldn't. I never had such an experience, even with erotica: I tried a few pages and felt disgusted by it (did you ever gorge or binge-drink and still tried to keep doing? That's the feeling I got. And yes queasy is the world. Unpleasant as hell.)

Even free, I can't recommend it as I value time as much as money.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally like erotic scifi -- it can be great fun if the author is able to "sell" you on the reality of their imaginary world and characters, and if the characters and the story are compelling enough to keep you interested.

Well -- "Gift of the Goddess" was not one of those books. Anje, Brin, and Trey are nice characters, there's lots of steamy sex, but I could barely stay interested enough to finish it.

Evangeline Anderson's "Kindred" series can be corny and silly, but I'd read any of those before I'd read another in the Phoenix Rising books.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! This well-written book drew me in from page one and brought me along a passionate and exciting ride in a place filled with goddesses and wonder. The interesting take on offerings to the goddess Lufra was intriguing and quite appealing. I know I wouldn't have faired as well as Anje under the attentions of Brin and Trey together. To be there through revelations and coming tragedy is quite an experience. Electric and awe inspiring I can't wait to read another tale set in this wonderous realm!

[Kukko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts off as an m-f-m story but ends up as m-m-f. I like that both men adore Anje. In a few of the mixed menage stories I have read to date - with two men and one woman - the woman often comes across as an after-thought or third wheel. This is not the case here, Anje initiates, encourages and directs the sexual interactions between Trey and Brin. What I did not understand was all the action that took place in the temple at the end of the book.

[Lisa J · Rating 1 out of 5]

If nonstop sex and zero plot development are your thing, you have found your book. The writing itself is pretty good, it's just that there is SO MUCH SEXYTIMES everything else - plot, character, motive - suffers badly, and at the detriment of real sexiness. I only read halfway thru and it was enough. Hate to leave a book unread, but there you have it.

[Madijo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, that was a hot and sexy read! I enjoyed everything about it. It had a nice fantasy plot, good world building. I liked that the three the characters were strong and believable. It has nice f/m action, f/m/m and yummy m/m action too. Going now to check out if Ms. Rossetti has more books I can read!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing journey - rich writing, great world building and a fab story. It's been ages since I read it and I still remember the scenes. Will have to read it again, since I bought a hardcopy last year

[Pearls · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of adventure. A wonderful tale of love and trust. A fairy tale complete with prince, shaman, and virgins. I loved this story. A true three- way relationship making it against all the odds.