False Match

Title:  False Match

Author:  Lynne Silver

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL:  www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781419944956

Genre:  {M/F}, Contemporary, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Chase just knows he is not enhanced and doesn’t belong with the Program and asks Samara to do the tests to confirm that fact.  Samara was rescued, but now is working for the Program in their genetic program, but she feels like she is in prison with Chase acting as her guard.

The third book in the Coded for Love series, False Match, picks up after the first book, Heated Match, after mounting a rescue which ended up freeing Samara and her son.  Because she had been forced to help their enemy, due to her son’s life being threatened, she is under a lot of suspicion and under guard. 

Chase’s feelings are understandable when he realizes he is not an enhanced soldier, something which creates some problems, not only with his fellow soldiers but Samara as well.  Other issues arise that can threaten everything the Program is doing as well as those living there.

The relationship that develops between Samara and Chase is very true to life with lots of misunderstandings along the way, though they have lots of chemistry.  The author shows how single parents have to be careful about relationships and how it can affect the children, as well. 

As this series progresses, some of the stories lead into the next book.  Readers need to read this series in order as there is a lot of background needed to understand a lot of what is going on.  I am waiting for the next book, as False Match ended with a twist. 

Fire Horse

Title: Fire Horse

Author: Mickie B. Ashling

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62380-578-4

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

With a refined English mother and a rough Texan father, who liked to use his fists, Preston Fawkes had a troubled home life. By age ten, he wanted to become a polo player. Meeting fifteen-year-old Konrad Schnell at the San Antonio Polo Club sends him on a path that will change his life.  As Preston grows older, he and Konrad grow much closer and when he’s sent to boarding school in England, they’re both devastated.  

The distance and their age difference make it hard to keep up a relationship and Konrad is traveling, while playing polo. But most of all it’s the fear of what would happen if their relationship is exposed. Then the worst happens and they’re separated, sending Preston on a path that will rule his life—being the best polo player possible. But is he happy?

Fire Horse is the newest release by Mickie B. Ashling. It’s well written, with a complicated plot that moves seamlessly from the present, to the past and back again.  The pacing is smooth and there are lots of vivid details that help bring the story to life. Since I know so little about polo, I liked learning about the ‘sport of kings’ and enjoyed it as the story premise. 

The story is told from Preston’s viewpoint, so we never learn what went on in Konrad’s head, only Preston’s reaction. It’s a big drawback for me because of the obvious deep emotional pain both men felt and the amount of baggage they carried. The differences between Preston’s life in Texas and England are handled nicely. It’s just one example of Ms. Ashling’s descriptive ability that permeates the entire story. Now to the characters. The personalities of all the characters are well developed but I still have mixed feelings about them—Preston in particular. He really doesn’t have any redeeming qualities. He’s rude, arrogant, conceited, annoying and won’t listen to anyone. I truly think he’s a character you’ll either love or hate, with no middle ground.

Maybe I should have seen it coming but I was surprised by the last scenes. I think you’ll like it. I am a bit disappointed at how abruptly the book ended and while I’m not a big fan of epilogues, I think in this instance a short one would have been nice. 

The Dragon Healer

Title:  The Dragon Healer

Author:  Bianca D’Arc 

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL:  www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-61921-528-3

Genre:  {M/F/M}, Ménage, Paranormal, Series

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Silla is wary of the attraction she has for Brodie and Geoff.  She had a very bad experience before she ended up at the Temple to be trained as a healer.  Can she overcome her past to accept the triad marriage she is being offered as a knight’s mate?

The latest in the Dragon Knights series brings a new element to the series.  The Dragon Healer tells us about a Temple that trains healers, who are then sent out among the community for about ten years before returning.  Silla finds herself helping a wounded dragon for the first time in her life.

Silla surprises Brodie and herself when she hears the dragon, making her one of those rare women that can become a wife of the Dragon Knights.  Both Brodie and Geoff realize she is theirs, but know they have to convince Silla.  The chemistry between the three is hot.  Be aware there is a very mild BDSM scene.

I liked the storyline about the healer and the Temple.  This is a little bit of a departure from the constant battles in the previous stories.  Granted, the fact that Silla can heal dragons will be an asset in the new lair that Brodie and Geoff are building.  Most of the secondary characters in this story were the inn keeper and townspeople. This story centered almost solely on the knights and the two dragons.

To Enchant an Eagle

Title: To Enchant an Eagle

Author: Amber Kell

Publisher: Extasy Books

Publisher URL: www.extasybooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-77111-523-0

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Everything has a price; this is the lesson eagle shifter Eaton Franks learned the hard way when a sorcerer offers to heal Eaton’s mate, hawk shifter Marty.

To Enchant an Eagle is the third book in the Banded Brothers Series. The plot is a romantic comedy with entertaining characters. Eaton is a member of the band, as well as an adopted member of the Gage family. Band leader Carey Gage is the only human. In this action packed episode, Marty, who was seriously injured in a hawk hierarchy skirmish, is confined to bed. Eaton is prepping for his doctoral thesis in physics when he is kidnapped by his lab partner. Although Eaton is a skilled warrior like the rest of the Gage family, Eaton finds that he is outnumbered by the enemy. Aware that his rescue will be almost immediately, Eaton releases another captive before the mêlée goes into full combat status.

Amber Kell has created another amusing exciting installment to this especially enjoyable series, which is best read in sequence. 

My Wicked Nanny

Title:  My Wicked Nanny

Author:  Ann Mayburn

Publisher:  Loose Id

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62300-308-1

Genre: {M/F/F/M}, BDSM, Ménage and More, Series

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Anya starts working at Wicked to get enough money to pay for her studies in Paris.  She’s also working as a nanny for Jesse, not knowing he is actually a Master at Wicked.  Jesse is intrigued by Anya, not knowing she is his nanny that had taken a waitress job at Wicked and she is the first woman to interest him since his wife’s death.

My Wicked Nanny, the second book in the Club Wicked series, tells an interesting story about love, loss and second chances.  There were some interesting nuances at Wicked and I loved the description to some of the different areas within the club.  The author captures the reader’s interest quickly and doesn’t let it go, leaving the reader wanting more. 

At first, I wasn’t too fond of Jesse and the way he seemed to ignore Anya, only to want to monopolize her attention later.  I wanted to slap him with the way he confronted Anya, once he realized it was her at the club.  I liked that he forced Anya to follow her dream to make sure he was what she actually wanted. The chemistry between the two is hot, and the scenes burn the pages

There were a couple of interesting characters that really encouraged Anya and Master Liam is one I hope gets his own story one of these days.  There were a few I wasn’t too fond of either as they really seemed to go out of their way to cause trouble. 

I am looking forward to the next Club Wicked installment and I hope it is either about Master Hawk or Master Liam.  These books can be read as stand-alones, though I encourage readers to read them in order.  This series is one for the bookshelves to be read again.

Dweller on the Threshold

Title: Dweller on the Threshold

Author: Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61921-426-2

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Urban Fantasy

Rating: Recommend Read

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Beri O’Dell’s six feet tall and stronger than most men. She has long, white-streaked hair that glows in the sun and moonlight—and doesn’t have a clue what she is. Growing up in foster care left her feeling alone but her relationship with her one-time foster-sister, Detective Elsa Remington, is her one constant. Beri’s in Florida when she gets word Elsa’s in a coma. It seems a paranormal creature is stealing souls and Elsa’s a victim.

Determined to save Elsa, Beri heads to the city to track down whatever is responsible. Helping Beri is her two spirit guides, a witch and a fussy necromancer. The last member of their group is Nikolos, an ancient Minoan warrior, who know exactly who they need to find.  It’s a creature he fought millennia ago and just barely won—so it’s bad. But they have to try—no matter what the cost—or the Dweller on the Threshold could destroy everything.

Dweller on the Threshold is the first release in Rinda Elliott’s new urban fantasy series, featuring kick-ass heroine Beri O’Dell.

New authors are always an uncertainty but I was so enthralled by the premise of this book I had to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. Not only is Beri a complicated and well developed personality but the world building in this first release is top notch. Yes, I admit that it’s complicated and at times a bit confusing but that’s because there are so many layers, interesting secondary characters and vivid details that almost paint a picture of Beri’s world. So yes, that means you need to pay attention.

Don’t think that it’s all doom and gloom. There are some lighthearted moments and even a few chuckles because of the snarky digs and comments between some of the characters—it’s really pretty amusing. There’s some pretty intense chemistry between Beri and Nikolos too, but the love element takes a backseat to the urban fantasy part of the story, all without shortchanging it. Well done, Ms. Elliott.

I really couldn’t get enough of this wildly creative story and was disappointed when I got to the last page. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more. Be aware that this is an ongoing story arc and several of the plot threads are left dangling to be dealt with in the next book. Look for Blood of an Ancient coming in October. I can’t wait.

Primal Instincts

Title: Primal Instincts

Author: Gabrielle Evans

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand  

Publishers URL: http://www.sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622426959

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Layke, an elf elder with The Council, is one of the oldest beings around.  Unfortunately, that sets him apart from others as they all feel he should have the answer for any problem that pops up.  It also makes finding friends and lovers hard since he is never sure if they like him for himself or for who he is.  When he meets Aspen, all doubts fall to the wayside and he can’t wait to learn more about the demon.  But Aspen is not who he seems and both men wonder what is in store for them.

This was a fun, fast paced story that will hold your attention to the end.  Primal Instincts, the newest book in The Moonlight Breed series, centers around two characters the readers are already acquainted with.  I love Aspen’s bouncy attitude and the fact that he has no real filter between his brain and his mouth means he says just about anything that pops into his head.  I love that Layke does not try to change that and in fact, tries to encourage the younger man.  There is a mystery surrounding Aspen that soon becomes the focus of the story.  I like that the author uses this to change the series plot a little so that not everyone who shows up in these books has had the same experience. 

Layke is an easy character to like.  As one of the oldest paranormal beings around, it would be easy for him to feel entitled, yet that is not how he is and the isolation that he seems to feel because of who he is, is wearing him down.  Watching Layke with Aspen was fun and you can’t help but root for them.  It is not surprising that the bond between them forms so fast or that they can’t stand to be parted from each other.  One of the things I liked about this story is the fact that Layke goes into more detail about mates, explaining things that the others no longer remember.

There is some disturbing news regarding The Hive’s activities and what they have done to Aspen.  While in some ways this is shocking, it is something the characters, as well as the readers, should have seen coming.  The author hints at some upcoming changes and I am interested in seeing what she has planned.

Primal Instincts is a great addition to this series, and while some of the books can be read as stand alones, I would recommend reading them in order so that you can receive the whole impact of the world in which the series exists.

What You Do To Me: A Breathe Epilogue

Title: What You Do To Me: A Breathe Epilogue

Author: Sloan Parker

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-62300-359-3

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

An accident that almost psychologically destroyed Lincoln, as much as it did Jay, brought them together. Mutual grief evolved into mutual love, giving both men a second chance to find happiness.  

What You Do To Me: A Breathe Epilogue is a brief update to the main characters first introduced in the excellent novel Breathe. By taking a day at a time, Lincoln and Jay are moving beyond the guilt, along with the pain, of their tumultuous past together. Jay and Lincoln are now living together, sharing a strong loving bond plus working towards a happier future. To learn all about Jay and Lincoln, I suggest you read the truly heartwarming story Breathe first.   

Freeing Demitri’s Wolf

Title: Freeing Demitri’s Wolf

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publishers URL: http://www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-498-1

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, May/December Romance, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Kiernan is beginning to wonder if his obsession with the young waiter at the diner is the sign of a mid-life crisis or something more.  When he finds out Demitri returns his feelings, he wonders if the young man is just who he needs in his life.  Then he learns Demitri’s secret and wonders just what he’s gotten himself into.

Freeing Demitri’s Wolf is the newest book in the Wolves of Stone Ridge series. I really love this story.  Kiernan is a strong, dominating character.  While he doesn’t advertise the fact that he’s gay, he doesn’t hide it either.  Demitri, on the other hand, is a bit submissive and while his family knows he’s gay, they just think it’s a phase.  The chemistry between the two men is strong and the sex between them heat up the pages.  These two make a great couple but Kiernan is human and has no idea of the paranormal world, which means things aren’t going to go well. 

The author really throws a lot of twists and turns into this story, keeping the reader very entertained.  The way in which Kiernan acts when he finds out about Demitri is understandable.  However, I like that he doesn’t drag his feet when it comes to accepting the shifter.  There are a few new characters introduced in the book, and I had to laugh when Kiernan’s daughter meets Demitri for the first time.  There are also a few old characters popping up to help the two men along the way.

Freeing Demitri’s Wolf is a fun, hot story and I am sure fans of this author will enjoy this new one.  If you have yet to try anything by this author and like the shape-shifter genre, then I would strongly suggest giving this series a try.

A Betting Man

Title: A Betting Man

Author: Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Publisher: Wilde City Press

Publisher URL: www.wildecity.com

ISBN: 978-1-925031-05-8

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Kent Samson’s competitive nature would not allow him to decline a challenge proposed by his best friend and co-worker. So when the next person to walk into his office is a male instead of a female, Kent is determined to win Terry Barron as well as the bet.

A Betting Man is a well-paced romantic comedy. All of the characters are humorous, intelligent and genuinely engaging. The storyline is written in both Kent’s and Terry’s point of view. Kent is a high performance driven man, who is a little ashamed of his humble background. His material lifestyle is a testament to his success. Even the prominent women Kent dated was self promoting with sexual benefits for him. Although, Kent had never dated a man before, he is not gender premeditated. Dating Terry is the first time Kent formed an emotional connection with any of his dates, as well as desiring to have an actual long-term relationship.

Terry is a naturally easy going gay man who desires to be loved for the intuitive individual that he is, rather than the image his family has chosen for him. Because of his secret, Terry is cautious on the subject of his background. Also, Terry constantly makes a conscious effort to control his pronunciation, something he has in common with Kent.

One of the key highlights of A Betting Man is Kent’s expressive forward thinking parents. Their intelligent Christian views blended with Southern charm is refreshingly heartwarming. Kent was concerned his parents would condemn a same sex relationship. However, just the opposite was true; both parents welcomed Terry with open arms, immediately acknowledging Terry as an unofficial son-in-law.

Sandrine Gasq-Dion has created an excellent saga that is extremely enjoyable.  A Betting Man illustrates the typical chaos of building a loving liaison regardless of the sexual characteristics of the couple. 

Doc Featherstone’s Return

Title: Doc Featherstone’s Return

Author: Stephani Hecht

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publishers URL: http://www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-515-5

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Joshua knows that the young hawk shifter is someone he could come to care about. However, his family believes shifters, and especially those in their family, should stay pure.  If they ever found out that his mate was not only a hawk, but also a man, they would disinherit him in a minute.  It’s not until the infirmary at Coalition Headquarters is attacked and both he and Ash are injured, that Joshua starts to see things differently.

Doc Featherstone’s Return is the latest book in Ms. Hecht’s ongoing series, The Lost Shifters.  The story picks up shortly after the attack on the infirmary and everyone is trying to get back to normal.  Ash, who was badly injured during the attack, isn’t doing so well.  Unable to walk or shift, Ash has given up and those around him are starting to worry.  While what Ash is going through is rough, I liked that the author chose to let him go through the same feelings as a human rather than letting him heal right away. 

Joshua, while not as hurt as Ash, is also injured, but rather than stay with the Coalition, he goes home to recuperate.  This causes even more problems with Ash and when members of the coalition decide it’s time for the Doctor to return, they send Shane to fetch him.  Regardless of what he is doing, Shane always has me laughing and seeing him interact with Joshua was no different. 

Just because the Doc returns does not mean things go smoothly for the two men.  Joshua has a lot of misunderstandings to clear up before things look like they can even develop for him and Ash.  Once they do get together, however, the chemistry that has always simmered below the surface really heats up.  These two make a good pairing and I like that the Doc is so possessive of Ash, given Ash’s history.

While there is no major battle in Doc Featherstone’s Return, there is a surprising enemy.  This little twist was not one I saw coming and was actually shocked that the author took things in that direction.  I felt bad for all those involved.  The author does bring up the possibility of new characters joining not only this series, but also its spinoff, The Wayne County Wolves and I am curious as to who will be showing up.

While it is not necessary to read all the books in this series in order, I would highly recommend it.

Astronomical

Title: Astronomical

Author: Silvia Violet

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com/

ISBN: 978-1-62300-298-5

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Blake Theriot had given up on finding the man of his dreams; the last time Blake was in a relationship was two years ago. When Professor Greg MacIntyre moves in next door, Blake realizes Greg is his dream man. Unfortunately, Blake cannot seem to gather up the courage to actually have a conversation with Greg.

Astronomical is a budding romance story. The character description is very amusing. Blake is an extremely tidy man who was forced to adjust his routine when his adolescent niece needed a part time sitter, plus Blake adopted an abandoned dog who grew to be large and messy. The one issue Blake has yet to overcome is giving up sexual control to his partners.  On the other hand, Greg is exceptionally adaptable; he has no control issues when it comes to intimacy. 

       

Silvia Violet has created a delightful saga. I especially enjoyed Blake’s niece’s manipulations of Blake and Greg.

Reader Advisory: Spankings, Light BDSM 

Haunted Wolves

Title: Haunted Wolves

Author: Moira Rogers

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61921-443-9

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Paranormal Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Release Date: 07-09-13

Lorelei is emotionally wounded—broken and she doesn’t know if she’ll get better. Her life’s a mess and all she has left is the members of her pack. They’re getting used to a new home and have a new alpha pair to care for them. All the changes are exhausting but getting settled makes her feel safe, yet given her time to think about what she’s lost and that’s painful. 

Colin’s an enforcer and he’s spent the last decade on the move. He never thought about staying in one place but being with Lorelei opens him to feelings he’s never had before. He wants her in his bed but when dangerous magic begins swirling around their pack lands, all Colin’s protective instincts come to the surface. Can two wounded wolves win against the magic threatening them or will the darkness swallow them both?

Haunted Wolves is the second release in Moira Rogers Green Pines series. It takes up shortly after the first book left off, so they should be read in order.

There’s a lot to like about this book and that includes two great main characters in Colin and Lorelei. These two are broken by past circumstances but because the author did a good job building their personalities and backgrounds, it’s easy to understand them. It’s not their fault but…talk about two messed up lives. I sometimes didn’t think they’d ever be able to shed the darkness of the past and take a chance on a future together. The doom and gloom following them is nicely written and plotted but fewer depressing scenes would’ve been nice.

The story’s full of pain, fear and angst, not from just these two but from the entire pack, and problems have followed them to their new home. There are plenty of wonderful secondary characters that really add zing to the story, vivid descriptions bring their new home to life, the pace is steady from start to finish and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.  I can’t wait to see what secrets are revealed in the next book. Watch for it. 

Collared Souls

Title: Collared Souls

Author: Elizabeth Noble

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781623805166

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Todd and Nick are trying to make their way to safety but, with the military on their tail, they know they need luck on their side.  Unfortunately, things don’t seem to be going the men’s way.  Now they just have to figure out who to trust.  Again.

When this newest story in the Chained Heart series starts, Nick and Todd are still on the run and, as the reader would expect, it’s not long before the action starts.  Like the other stories, the author pulls the reader right back into Nick and Todd’s world from the first page and keeps the reader entranced until the last page.  I must admit that, while I like the action these two seem to constantly find themselves in, I really want to see them find their happily ever after. 

I liked catching up with these two and can’t get over the trouble they seem to find themselves in.  Of course the author takes advantage of this to bring back many past characters.  While some of these characters are obviously bad and the reader will have no problems disliking them, it was Todd’s father that drove me a little crazy.  More than once I wanted to smack him for his attitude towards Nick.  There are many twists and turns during the course of the story, with a few surprises thrown in along the way.  While all this made the story fun to read, one of the things I enjoyed more was the background info the author threw in. 

Although the author had already explained that many of the issues facing the world the men live in is a result of the eruption of the super volcanos, I always wondered if that was all.  In Collared Souls the author goes into deeper detail about what caused the changes and why some things are so different now.  I felt doing this filled in some blank spots in the story’s history, making for a richer read.

Fans of this series are sure to love the new addition.  Readers do need to know that this is a series that must be read in order.  

Dante Burning

Title: Dante Burning

Author: Amanda Steiger

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publisher URL: changelingpress.com/

BIN: 06333-02035

Genre: {M/M} Shape-shifters

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Waking up with a hangover is not the answer to cat shifter Dante’s problem. But staying out all night getting drunk is the only way Dante can control his animal’s urge to pounce on his human best friend and roommate, Devin.

Dante Burning is an emotional friend-to-lover romance. Dante and Devin have been friends since childhood. Dante is the self appointed protector of Devin, who is shy as well as a gifted artist. Discovering the love each felt was mutual, Dante and Devin are overjoyed. Nevertheless, Dante wanted to take their new relationship slow, he understood his animal side was too sexually aggressive for a gentle human. However, Dante is surprised by Devin’s desire to experience a little kink in their intimacy. Now the only issue Dante and Devin faced was gaining acceptance from Devin’s parents.

Amanda Steiger has created a heartwarming and enjoyable saga.

Dylan’s Witch

Title: Dylan’s Witch

Author: Jory Strong

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing

Publisher URL: www.ellorascave.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781419920233

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Paranormal Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Getting tied down to one woman isn’t in Detective Dylan Archer’s plans for his life. Not even after he meets Seraphine, a beautiful witch who is supposed to be his heartmate. He’d rather keep to his bachelor ways than be tied down, but Dylan can’t deny his inability to stop thinking about her, either. There’s a serial killer on the loose and Dylan’s on the hunt. When Seraphine’s targeted, he’s forced to deal with his conflicted feelings, and has stop a killer before it’s too late. For both of them.

Dylan’s Witch is the newest release in Jory Strong’s Supernatural Bonds series.  Due to the recurring characters and intertwined friendships, the books should be read in order.

This is a good blending of a paranormal-based serial killing and the romance between Dylan and Seraphine. It’s surprisingly well-balanced and manages to smoothly interject many of the characters from the previous books. It’s nice seeing these people again, but I could have done with fewer points of view.

The prologue detracted from the beginning for me—it made it drag a bit—but then I’m not a big fan of big scenes from the villain’s viewpoint either and here, there were plenty. Overall the pace is fast, there’s vivid imagery and magic is well placed throughout the plot. We’re given a good introduction to Serephine’s sister and niece but there’s several loose threads left dangling that I assume will be handled in a future release.

Dylan and Seraphine are interesting and I wish I could say I liked Dylan more but his continual refusal—almost until the end—to accept Seraphine and the paranormal is just annoying.

Compromises for his Moose

Title: Compromises for his Moose

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publishers URL: http://www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-518-6

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Adam and the rest of Kontra’s pack are still visiting the family of the pack’s newest mate.  Wanting some time to himself, Adam heads out to the woods for a little cat nap.  The last thing he expected to find was a couple of young shifters, or that their older brother would turn out to be his mate.

Compromises for his Moose is the eleventh addition to the Kontra’s Menagerie series.  Most of the pack members have found their mates, which is leaving Adam feeling a little jealous.  This is something that is totally understandable and while it does not play a big part in the book, I think the story would have come across as unrealistic if he wasn’t.  Adam begins to wonder if he’ll ever find his mate, so the fact that he does means he’s willing to do anything to keep him.  Some readers may have a problem with the instant connection the main characters in these stories have, but this is one of the points I like, so the fact that Adam was so willing to stay with Noah was not a problem for me. 

Noah is a moose shifter who became the guardian of his younger siblings after the death of their parents.  Noah isn’t very dominating, but when someone tries to abuse his sister, he doesn’t hold back.  Noah is an easy character to like and everyone will be able to understand his need to protect his siblings.  One of the things I like about Ms. Richards series is the variety of shifters that show up.  Noah is the first moose shifter I have ever read about and I wondered if the author planned to show any difference between Noah and the others, other than their animal.  The way she goes about showing the differences was refreshing and I never thought about what kinds of trouble the larger animals could run into if they had to shift inside a building. 

Although there are a few new characters introduced into Compromises for his Moose, a majority of the characters are returns from previous books.  I always like when these guys show up, especially if the new character comes from a pack that does not approve of same sex pairings.  While there is some action in this story, the issues are cleared up right away. 

Compromising for his Moose is a fast-paced read that is sure to be enjoyed by many of the author’s fans.  While this could be considered a stand-alone, it would be beneficial to read the books in order so that you can get a full understanding of the characters.

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Dragonblade

Title: Dragonblade

Author: Mychael Black

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-61921-613-6

Genre: {M/M} Fantasy Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Publication Date: 07-02-2013

General Kalen Ysindroc, along with his elven lover wizard Micheil Thierauf, is on a quest to stop Kalen’s half brother Braen, who has vowed to return their evil father from the grave. Death, as well as secrets, foils their mission; yet Kalen’s new found strength will triumph.

Dragonblade is the second book in the Secrets of Socendor Series. The story has an intricate plot of elves, ghosts and dragons, in addition to other fanciful creatures. The most prominent character traits illustrated are honor plus esteem for each other regardless of the social status or hereditary origins.

Kalen and Micheil are equal partners in all things. Their relationship exhibits trust, respect as well as unconditional love.  Kalen learns more of his true ancestry, secrets regarding Micheil’s past are revealed and that Braen is not Kalen’s enemy. The brothers must form an alliance if their evil father is to be defeated. The human king’s realm is all but destroyed. Everything is contingent on Kalen and the few survivors who follow him.

Mychael Black has created a fantastic romantic escapade that I enjoyed immensely. I look forward to the next installment of this amazing magical series. 

Frozen Hearts

Title: Frozen Hearts

Author: Teegan Loy

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Publisher URL: spsilverpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781614958925

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Erik Fox is a champion hockey player but the game isn’t fun anymore. Knowing there’s no chance with the guy he left behind when his parents forced him to change schools while a teenager; Erik still hopes for a normal life. He anticipates that quitting hockey will infuriate his father but not that it will precipitate a fight that will leave him battered and bruised.

Back to being a full time student, Erik’s shocked at how many people care that he’s left hockey behind. What’s even more surprising is how many care that he’s gay and involved with Tyce, his former high school lover, who is also a student on campus. Can these two find a way to rebuild their trust while navigating through the multitude of hostile people determined to keep them apart?

Frozen Hearts is the first book by Teegan Loy I’ve had the opportunity to read and I’m glad I took a chance on it.

Others see Erik’s life as perfect because of his hockey success but in reality, it’s a mess. That means the story’s filled with plenty of angst and drama. Whether it’s family, friends or strangers, there’s lot of pressure on Erik while he attempts to rebuild his relationship with Tyce. I have to say, it makes for some pretty intense moments and I commend Ms. Loy at how well she handles it.

I’m not a big sports fan but I like Erik, Tyce and their story. The first paragraph caught my attention and the hockey premise and well rounded personalities kept my interest until the end. The pacing never flagged, the descriptions are vivid and there are some nicely done flashbacks about their time together as teenagers. Secondary characters are numerous and several are important, helping both men through the rough times facing them.

Don’t let the serious nature of this story scare you away. Yes, the situations Erik and Tyce face will likely make you feel unsettled and maybe make you teary-eyed but there are also some wonderful lighthearted moments too. So, if you enjoy intense, emotional filled stories, then you should give Frozen Hearts a try. I’d love to see a sequel featuring Tyce’s friend Sam, sometime in the future. Hint. Hint.

The Guilty Werewolf

Title: The Guilty Werewolf

Author: RJ Scott

Publisher: Extasy Books

Publisher URL: www.extasybooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-77111-510-0

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Werewolf Declan Finlay refuses to believe his best friend Connor is a traitor to Glitnir. Declan is determined to rescue Connor from the clutches of the murdering vampire holding Connor hostage. Declan’s mission is upset when the council appoints incubus, Levi Tiernan to join Declan on the hunt.

The Guilty Werewolf is the second book in the Supernatural Bounty Hunters. What I found interesting in this fascinating episode is the plot mirrors a dictatorship rule. Werewolves are drafted based on bogus criminal charges. Incubuses are born into the position of royal guards. Few in the realm have a choice of occupation. All of the characters are engaging. Trading insults in their interaction with each other adds amusement. The intimacy scenes are heartwarming.

              

Declan realizes his view regarding the government is flawed. Not all the council members are honorable. In fact, his different political view is the source of conflict between Declan and Levi. Believing Levi is a traitor, Declan wasted years in love/hate turmoil with Levi. It was only after finding Connor that Declan began to recognize the truth in Levi’s story. Levi is assigned to assassinate the convicted. However, Levi’s real mission is to join the underground movement to remove the corrupt council members.

RJ Scott has created an intriguing as well as very enjoyable saga. I suggest reading The Vampire Contract first to better appreciate the main theme of this series.

The Case of the Wicked Wolf

Title: The Case of the Wicked Wolf

Authors: Amber Kell and RJ Scott

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing

Publisher URL: www.total-e-bound.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-78184-292-8

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Paranormal Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Sam and Bob are juggling more than one investigation but the most important one is of a missing child. Alpha Hartman Hunter’s young daughter Shelly is who they’re tracking but as the search continues, they find that other paranormal children are missing too. Who could have taken them and why? When they learn it could be humans and paranormals working together, things get even more complicated.

Getting his little girl back is almost all Alpha Hunter can think about. He needs all the help he can get and in desperation turns to his ex-lover. He gave up the demon Danjal Naamah for the good of the pack—so he could mate with a female and have cubs for the next generation—but he’s miserable. Now Hart’s ready to makes changes, but first he has to find Shelly and face down a challenge for his place as Alpha.

The Case of the Wicked Wolf is the new release in the End Street Detective Agency series. The story takes up immediately after The Case of the Cupid Curse left off, so they need to be read in order.

There’s a lot going on in this second release. It’s a nice mix of the relationship of Sam and Bob, their investigation into the missing kids and what’s going on between Hart and Danjal. It’s really surprising the authors managed to cram so many plotlines into a little over 100 print pages, and did it without making it seemed rushed. I enjoyed the entire story but particularly liked the part that dealt with Shelly and what is going on in the pack. It brought in lots of action, suspense and mystery, along with danger and even some betrayal. 

You’ll find a variety of different paranormal creatures as secondary characters scattered throughout the story. Some are old and others are new introductions but all add interest and help move the story forward at a nice pace. The plot flows pretty smoothly, there’s lots of vivid imagery and I appreciated that the authors tied up most of the plot threads. Two left dangling are the mystery of Sam’s heritage and the purpose of his newly acquired treaty bracelet. I can’t wait to find out more about them in the next release, The Case Of The Ghastly Ghost. 

Keeper of the Flame

Title:  Keeper of the Flame

Author:  Bianca D’Arc

Publisher:   Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL:  www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN:   978-1-61921-367-8

Genre:  {M/F}, Shape-shifters, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Lera arrives at an inn where Hugh has been caring for a baby gryphon and ends up on the run with both, as she flees for her life from assassins known as Eyes.  Hugh is in Helios to determine if they are truly friendly to Draconia, but finds his mate in Lera instead, not knowing she is not only the Queen but also the Keeper of the Flame.

The latest in the Dragon Knights series, Keeper of the Flame, brings Prince Hugh into the middle of a rebellion by Lera’s cousin for rule of Helios. The Keeper of the Flame, the person that wields the fire of the Goddess using it to dispense justice, is not necessarily the ruler of Helios, though in this case, Lera is both.  In addition, the gryphons are undergoing an evolution among their species which brings additional problems.   This was an interesting twist by the author as more is learned about the relationship between dragons, humans and the gryphons.

As this series progresses, readers learn about the various countries surrounding Draconia and what the relationship is between them. As we met the various characters, we met mates for the royal black dragon shifters or knights and some show up more than others within the books and this one is no exception. 

In addition to the intrigue and suspense, there are quite a few lighthearted moments, especially between Hugh, Lera and the baby gryphon, Miss.  I loved the way both reacted to Miss, going out of their way to make her feel loved and accepted.  I also laughed at the very realistic look at parents trying to get together and having to be careful when the kids are around as Lera and Hugh had some major chemistry together.

I am looking forward to the next book as there is not yet a resolution about the enemies of Draconia.  This series does need to be read in order as the characters and intrigue are very much intertwined.

Threadbare Gypsy Souls

Title: Threadbare Gypsy Souls

Author: T. A. Chase

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-409-0

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Traveling the back roads to California, Nash Rhodes is not looking for trouble when he rides into Fallen Creek, Wyoming. Nash just needs a quiet place to recover for a few days. Nevertheless, trouble finds Nash the moment he steps in to protect the lady who owns the Watering Hole Bar.  Nash also gets the attention of werewolf Cullen O’Murphy. Soon after meeting Nash, Cullen develops into protector, as well as lover.  

Threadbare Gypsy Souls is an intriguing mystery. The plot is a multifaceted trail of secrets slowly unveiling a number of surprises designed to seize the reader’s attention throughout the story. The characters are engaging, as well as amusing at times.  One of the secrets Nash and Cullen both share is that they are in the closet gay. Nash is on the run from the leader of a motorcycle gang who took exception to having a gay man as a member in the gang. Cullen has had altercations with homophobic wolf shifters. Cullen is not part of a pack; he prefers to mind his own business as a small rancher. There is more to Nash than meets the eye; one trait that is apparent is that Nash is a gentleman with southern manners.

T. A. Chase has created a marvelous saga. I shall not incorporate any spoilers. However, Threadbare Gypsy Souls has ample battles, sensual intimacy, plus wonderful character interaction in addition to being exceptionally enjoyable.