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The Voodoo Dolls #1
Save Me
From the first moment Steve sees Nathan, he knows he’s in trouble. First, Nathan looked just like the doll he’d found on his bed, and second, Steve couldn’t stop thinking how it would feel having Nathan in his arms and under his body. He’s never desired anyone so strongly before, and he’s reluctant to show it, but then Nathan gives him something he hadn’t been conscious of wanting. Stunned, he craves more, but starts to worry what he feels might not be real.
Alone and vulnerable after being dumped by his ex, Nathan longs for the security of being in a relationship. With no money, no job, and now a Voodoo Doll out to kill him, Nathan doesn’t think things could get any worse, but then he starts falling for Steve. Problem is, it doesn’t look like Steve feels the same way. Even after Steve finally lets Nathan in, Steve unexpectedly withdraws, refusing to explain why.
Unable to cope with another rejection, Nathan succumbs to the evil of the doll. Steve realizes he needs to own up to his feelings, but are they enough to save Nathan?
Alone and vulnerable after being dumped by his ex, Nathan longs for the security of being in a relationship. With no money, no job, and now a Voodoo Doll out to kill him, Nathan doesn’t think things could get any worse, but then he starts falling for Steve. Problem is, it doesn’t look like Steve feels the same way. Even after Steve finally lets Nathan in, Steve unexpectedly withdraws, refusing to explain why.
Unable to cope with another rejection, Nathan succumbs to the evil of the doll. Steve realizes he needs to own up to his feelings, but are they enough to save Nathan?
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
43 people want to read
About the author
Penny Brandon
19 books98 followersPenny is a complete romantic who believes everyone can fall in love if only they’ll open their heart to the possibility, which is why she writes those hot, erotic stories that will always have a happily ever after. However, it doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily make it easy for her men to get there. A lover of things that go bump in the night, Penny’s imagination can sometimes run riot, so magic mirrors and evil dolls are only the beginning.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 10, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Save Me is unlike any run-of-the-mill contemporary gay romance. Penny Brandon has written a suspenseful novel, which is utterly compelling and I found myself finishing it in one sitting.
Steve and Nathan are the protagonists, but the novel is really centered around the voodoo doll who appears intent on causing Nathan harm. It is easy to ridicule a story that features a murderous doll only made from crude materials, but Brandon really makes Save Me work. I became totally sucked in by the palpable fear felt by Steve and Nathan, finding it totally conceivable that a doll could be responsible.
Both Steve and Nathan are complex characters who I cared about more as the story develops. Their feelings for each other are really the only thing that they have control over and I could believe that these emotions are genuine. I wanted Steve and Nathan to be safe and their romance offers some relief from the tension and danger which dominates the plot of Save Me.
Read Kirsty’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Save Me is unlike any run-of-the-mill contemporary gay romance. Penny Brandon has written a suspenseful novel, which is utterly compelling and I found myself finishing it in one sitting.
Steve and Nathan are the protagonists, but the novel is really centered around the voodoo doll who appears intent on causing Nathan harm. It is easy to ridicule a story that features a murderous doll only made from crude materials, but Brandon really makes Save Me work. I became totally sucked in by the palpable fear felt by Steve and Nathan, finding it totally conceivable that a doll could be responsible.
Both Steve and Nathan are complex characters who I cared about more as the story develops. Their feelings for each other are really the only thing that they have control over and I could believe that these emotions are genuine. I wanted Steve and Nathan to be safe and their romance offers some relief from the tension and danger which dominates the plot of Save Me.
Read Kirsty’s review in its entirety here.
February 17, 2016
This book scared the crap out of me…and I love when that happens. Why is it that I always start horror books at nighttime? There I was, comfy in my warm bed, but too afraid to turn out the light. I don’t know about you, but scary dolls with knives freak me out.
This is book one in a new series about voodoo dolls, and if the next book is anything like this one, you can count me in. I must admit when the book first started, I thought Steve was kind of mental. He was off the wall whacked out, and if I was Nathan, I would have run for the hills. Of course, they do end up running…but for their lives.
Not really sure if I would consider this a voodoo doll story, but more a doll possessed by a demon story…either way, Penny Brandon might want to consider writing more horror stories because she nailed that aspect of the book. The romance was a little off for me, though. I wasn’t too convinced of the chemistry between Steve and Nathan, but I read this for the scary parts so that was okay. In my case, a little gay romance thrown into a horror novel is just a bonus.
So, if you are like me and want to switch up your reading and add a little scary time, then I would definitely recommend this book. But be warned, though romance has its parts, it is still scary as hell and you might have a little trouble sleeping.
The Blogger Girls
This is book one in a new series about voodoo dolls, and if the next book is anything like this one, you can count me in. I must admit when the book first started, I thought Steve was kind of mental. He was off the wall whacked out, and if I was Nathan, I would have run for the hills. Of course, they do end up running…but for their lives.
Not really sure if I would consider this a voodoo doll story, but more a doll possessed by a demon story…either way, Penny Brandon might want to consider writing more horror stories because she nailed that aspect of the book. The romance was a little off for me, though. I wasn’t too convinced of the chemistry between Steve and Nathan, but I read this for the scary parts so that was okay. In my case, a little gay romance thrown into a horror novel is just a bonus.
So, if you are like me and want to switch up your reading and add a little scary time, then I would definitely recommend this book. But be warned, though romance has its parts, it is still scary as hell and you might have a little trouble sleeping.
The Blogger Girls
November 23, 2015
This book is good. It has all of the elements of a great story. FULL REVIEW: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...
January 5, 2016
The fuck did I just read?? Ok, not what I was expecting AT ALL! That was some weird shit. Kinda like a cheesy low budget horror movie that you’re ashamed to admit scared the crap out of you but strangely, oddly, somehow… I really enjoyed it!
Steve is the least confrontational man ever to walk the earth, frustratingly so, in fact. He lets everybody in his life walk all over him and he doesn’t have any close friends with whom he can talk through his compiling frustration. During yet another night of hiding under his covers, trying to block out the sound of his neighbor’s pounding music, he hears a little voice urging him to “make him stop”. Steve finds a creepy-as-all-fuck cloth doll sitting on his bed and completely loses his mind, banging on the wall and screaming at his neighbor. When the neighbor comes knocking on his door to check on his welfare, Steve is absolutely shocked to discover that Nathan is an exact copy of the doll.
After reading the blurb I figured we were going to get Nathan’s ex sticking pins in a voodoo doll. Instead, in a Child’s Play-esque type fashion the evil little bastard of a doll hunts Nathan, wielding scalpels and knives in its attempts to kill the terrified man. Steve takes it upon himself to help his sexy neighbor and what ensues is the road trip from hell, well, it includes a doll from hell, which doesn’t believe in giving up on his intended target. I know I already used the words, cheesy horror flick, but honest to god, that’s exactly what this was like, to the point where you didn’t know whether to cringe or laugh as the slaughter obsessed doll does crazy shit like trying to neuter Nathan with a scalpel.
I found the scenes with the doll so entertaining that I was distracted from the building relationship between Steve and Nathan. The romance angle of this story, while definitely existing through the majority of the tale, was somewhat overshadowed by the presence of the doll. Whenever the two men were having a “moment” I’d be wondering where the doll was and what he was going to do next, which was great for creating tension but I found myself not really paying attention to what was happening on page. So, I guess, you could take that as a pro, or a con, or just my inability to focus for any length of time.
If I had any complaint about this story, it would be about the character of Nathan. For me, to earn the position of main character in a story, I need to see some strength from a character. Nathan is probably one of the weakest “save me!” screaming characters that I’ve come across. The presence of the doll was brought about through his weakness and I expected him to show some growth by the end of the story and at least help in the battle to save his own life. But instead he relies on other people to save him; it’s left up to Steve’s character growth to make the difference.
If you like a romance with a weird paranormal twist then you’ll probably enjoy this story. I certainly did. There’s no denying the entertainment factor and uniqueness of this book.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/01/0...
Steve is the least confrontational man ever to walk the earth, frustratingly so, in fact. He lets everybody in his life walk all over him and he doesn’t have any close friends with whom he can talk through his compiling frustration. During yet another night of hiding under his covers, trying to block out the sound of his neighbor’s pounding music, he hears a little voice urging him to “make him stop”. Steve finds a creepy-as-all-fuck cloth doll sitting on his bed and completely loses his mind, banging on the wall and screaming at his neighbor. When the neighbor comes knocking on his door to check on his welfare, Steve is absolutely shocked to discover that Nathan is an exact copy of the doll.
After reading the blurb I figured we were going to get Nathan’s ex sticking pins in a voodoo doll. Instead, in a Child’s Play-esque type fashion the evil little bastard of a doll hunts Nathan, wielding scalpels and knives in its attempts to kill the terrified man. Steve takes it upon himself to help his sexy neighbor and what ensues is the road trip from hell, well, it includes a doll from hell, which doesn’t believe in giving up on his intended target. I know I already used the words, cheesy horror flick, but honest to god, that’s exactly what this was like, to the point where you didn’t know whether to cringe or laugh as the slaughter obsessed doll does crazy shit like trying to neuter Nathan with a scalpel.
I found the scenes with the doll so entertaining that I was distracted from the building relationship between Steve and Nathan. The romance angle of this story, while definitely existing through the majority of the tale, was somewhat overshadowed by the presence of the doll. Whenever the two men were having a “moment” I’d be wondering where the doll was and what he was going to do next, which was great for creating tension but I found myself not really paying attention to what was happening on page. So, I guess, you could take that as a pro, or a con, or just my inability to focus for any length of time.
If I had any complaint about this story, it would be about the character of Nathan. For me, to earn the position of main character in a story, I need to see some strength from a character. Nathan is probably one of the weakest “save me!” screaming characters that I’ve come across. The presence of the doll was brought about through his weakness and I expected him to show some growth by the end of the story and at least help in the battle to save his own life. But instead he relies on other people to save him; it’s left up to Steve’s character growth to make the difference.
If you like a romance with a weird paranormal twist then you’ll probably enjoy this story. I certainly did. There’s no denying the entertainment factor and uniqueness of this book.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/01/0...
December 14, 2015
This is the first book that I have read by Penny Brandon and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
First let me just say that this book is NOT for the faint of heart. It legitimately left me with goosebumps. I was creeped out completely by the whole idea of the "voodoo doll" and it physically harming someone. I actually went and shut the door to my daughter's room in the middle of reading the book, but I really enjoyed the scare factor.
The characters are very well-written and complex. There isn't any macho male BS between the two of them, which is very refreshing. Steve is just a genuinely nice guy, who honestly gets trampled on because he IS so nice. And Nathan is a good guy who needs to be with someone because he wants to be loved. Both of them are very easy to relate to because they both struggle with very common human emotions and situations.
I think it is the fact that both of them are so very real and empathetic that the paranormal element of the story doesn't really throw the reader off too much. You hear both of their thoughts and feelings so you understand their motivations at every turn, even if they don't understand each other at times.
All in all it was a great read and I'm looking forward to the next in the Voodoo Dolls series!
First let me just say that this book is NOT for the faint of heart. It legitimately left me with goosebumps. I was creeped out completely by the whole idea of the "voodoo doll" and it physically harming someone. I actually went and shut the door to my daughter's room in the middle of reading the book, but I really enjoyed the scare factor.
The characters are very well-written and complex. There isn't any macho male BS between the two of them, which is very refreshing. Steve is just a genuinely nice guy, who honestly gets trampled on because he IS so nice. And Nathan is a good guy who needs to be with someone because he wants to be loved. Both of them are very easy to relate to because they both struggle with very common human emotions and situations.
I think it is the fact that both of them are so very real and empathetic that the paranormal element of the story doesn't really throw the reader off too much. You hear both of their thoughts and feelings so you understand their motivations at every turn, even if they don't understand each other at times.
All in all it was a great read and I'm looking forward to the next in the Voodoo Dolls series!
December 27, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author and if I had only two words to describe it they would be "Holy Crap"!! Both Steven and Nathan are interesting characters, each of them have feelings of inadequacies. Steven seems to never catch a break and Nathan doesn't know how to be alone causing depression. Their negative feelings, despair and utter hopelessness leave them vulnerable to the dark forces that feed on these emotions When I first saw the Voodoo Doll in the title I figured the storyline was going to be based more on a disgruntled lover , but boy was I wrong. If your old enough to remember think more along the lines of "Chuckie" and you would be closer to the mark. While the whole doll that is alive theory freaks me out to no end, it added just enough suspense to the storyline to keep you on the edge of your seat. Both Steven and Nathan are very real characters and are easy to relate too. While they navigate their feelings and attraction to each other, battle the scarey Nathan doll and listen to their inner dialogue that presents their fears and hopes , they become more like friends than characters in a book. This was a well written story showing that love can conquer evil.
December 17, 2015
Save Me is a fabulous read with so much going on at the surface of the story, but also a deep undercurrent too. There's action, a little horror, and a love that can't be denied. But I think the most powerful part of this book is the feelings boiling deep down in Nathan's soul. He's alone and feeling lost and perhaps broken and that puts him in the path of the demon.
Steve thinks that this is all his fault, and maybe in some ways it is, but he's the type of man that anyone would want. He's strong and determined to protect Nathan. He fights the biggest battle of them all, Nathan's despair and loneliness to try to bring him back.
I thought the concept of the demon taking shape as a doll was a cool aspect of the story, it immediately drew my mind to the traditional voodoo story. I must admit that the demon was a times terrifying. I can see why Nathan and Steve were at their wits end trying to combat it.
This is my first book by Penny Brandon, and it sure won't be my last. I was intrigued and engaged in this story. It's not my typical genre, but I'm glad that I went outside my comfort zone to read it. It was definitely worth it!
Steve thinks that this is all his fault, and maybe in some ways it is, but he's the type of man that anyone would want. He's strong and determined to protect Nathan. He fights the biggest battle of them all, Nathan's despair and loneliness to try to bring him back.
I thought the concept of the demon taking shape as a doll was a cool aspect of the story, it immediately drew my mind to the traditional voodoo story. I must admit that the demon was a times terrifying. I can see why Nathan and Steve were at their wits end trying to combat it.
This is my first book by Penny Brandon, and it sure won't be my last. I was intrigued and engaged in this story. It's not my typical genre, but I'm glad that I went outside my comfort zone to read it. It was definitely worth it!
November 21, 2015
Nothing is as it seems. Steve and Nathan's first encounter is through the shared wall of their apartments. Both men make general assumptions based on first impressions. Thrown together by a creepy doll with evil intentions, they embark upon an unexpected journey to break the curse that is plaguing Nathan. The attraction that sparks between them is promising, as is their mutual desire for love that will last a lifetime. Save Me kept me on the edge of my seat almost from the very beginning. The characters are unique, there's just enough horror to keep me guessing, and a perfect balance of danger and romance. Don't check your imagination at the door, you'll need it to keep up with the unexpected twists along the way!
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews.
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews.
July 28, 2016
Horror cum romance. Thankfully the romance won out.
May 6, 2016
This book depression on a whole new level. Who knew, take your pills people, take your pills.
Steve has been just coping with life since leaving home and getting this job and apartment. And now he has a neighbor that wont turn the music down.
Nathan, has not been doing well since the BF walked out.
When these two finally meet, its not under the best circumstances and just gets worse. But they have each other, or do they?
This book is teaching us all about communication, or lack of it. If these two would talk, tell the feelings, even the lady at the end muck up the instructions. So the moral is talk…. and take your pills…
Together Nathan and Steve do make a good couple and I would like to see how they get on in the future, not just the HFN we are left with.
I was given a copy in exchange for a honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
Steve has been just coping with life since leaving home and getting this job and apartment. And now he has a neighbor that wont turn the music down.
Nathan, has not been doing well since the BF walked out.
When these two finally meet, its not under the best circumstances and just gets worse. But they have each other, or do they?
This book is teaching us all about communication, or lack of it. If these two would talk, tell the feelings, even the lady at the end muck up the instructions. So the moral is talk…. and take your pills…
Together Nathan and Steve do make a good couple and I would like to see how they get on in the future, not just the HFN we are left with.
I was given a copy in exchange for a honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
Read
February 19, 2016Ever wondered what you'd do if you found a Voodoo Doll in your car, or at your front door, or in your bed. Would you ignore it? Throw it away? Think it a joke?
What if it moved? What if it did something to you when you picked it up? What if you found yourself fighting for your life?
OTHER BOOKS BY PENNY BRANDON
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews