Clan McKinloch: The Boxed Set

Title:  Clan McKinloch: The Boxed Set

Author:  Kaitlin Maitland

Publisher:  Loose Id LLC

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-68252-176-2

Genre:  {M/F, M/M/F, F/F, M/M}, Contemporary, Collection

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Stars, Stripes, and Xmas Bells - 4 Nymphs

Trip McKinloch is in the Air Force and will be returning to his unit the next day.  When he meets Ashton at a Fourth of July celebration, they spend a wonderful night together.  What happens when they meet at Christmas and realize they have not gotten each other out of their system makes for some family drama for Trip.

Hearts, Candy, and Clover - 4 Nymphs

Gavin McKinloch opens his own bakery, but is still hurt over the situation with Ashton and Trip.  Ashton’s best friend, Luce, hangs around and wonders how she can make Gavin realize she’s the one for him while Gavin is trying to figure out if Luce could love him.

Kiss Cam Connection - 4.5 Nymphs

Micah and Brody have been together for five years, but they haven’t been able to find a woman they both can love.  They help out Nena at a ball-game, but forget to get her contact information.  Using the missed connections listing on Craigslist, they end up finding Nena.  Despite the men knowing she is what they want, Nena must make the decision to be part of a ménage relationship.

Junebugs, Haunted Houses & Jack o’Lanterns - 4 Nymphs

Donal McKinloch is trying to come to terms with his wife, Stacey, wanting a divorce.  A lot boils down to miscommunication and Stacey’s parent’s expectations.  Once Stacey realizes what is going on, how can she make it up to Donal, especially since she has to face his family as well.

Cupid, Mardi Gras & Auld Lang Syne - 4 Nymphs

Zoey has always known she is attracted to women and she is extremely attracted to Morrie McKinloch.  Morrie only knows she has difficulty with men but never considered another woman until her brother dares Zoey to kiss her.  Morrie now knows what she wants, but knows it won’t be easy coming out to her family.

Roses, Rallies, and BBQ - 4.5 Nymphs

Ossian McKinloch has decided he won’t start a relationship since his last one ended badly.  What he doesn’t count on is meeting Jax, Brody’s business partner, and his attraction to him.  The two men’s friendship becomes love, though both have some obstacles to overcome.

The Clan McKinloch Boxed Set has all five stories of the McKinloch series.  Kiss Cam Connection is part of the Missed Connections series but is a tie in to the McKinloch stories as well.  The McKinloch siblings work in the family pub with the exception of Trip, which doesn’t sit well with his parents.

I loved reading about all of them, but my favorite McKinloch sibling has to be Ossian also known as Oz.  My heart broke a little as I was reading his story and what happened between him and his friend from the Marines.  I hated Luke’s wife and was very relieved when Oz decided to try another relationship when Jax came along. 

Each story has a unique situation that each sibling has to overcome due to what is supposed to be a family curse.  Reading each story does give credence to the curse based on the trouble each sibling has getting to their “happy ever after”.  I will be reading these stories again in the future.

Nocturnal Delights

Title: Nocturnal Delights  

Author: Adam Carpenter

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN: MLR-1-02016-0541

Genre: {M/M} Erotic Collection

Rating: 3 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Nocturnal Delights is ten short stories of men overflowing with an insatiable lust are on the hunt for sexual indulgence from whomever and wherever they happen to find it. Sex is the main theme; however I found the description of the scenes to be mechanical and the characters uninteresting.   

You Own Me – 3 Nymphs

The public Sinclair McQueen Talbot is a New York author who spends his days writing and going to book signings. The private Mr. Talbot visits a private sex club that caters exclusively to gay men. It is at the club Sinclair experienced the unforgettable talents of Owen. Sinclair soon discovered intimacy with Owen is the perfect solution to writer’s block.

The Sexiest Package – 3 Nymphs       

Bar owner Ed Roberts is concerned about the effects the downward economy is having on his business. Ed has always admired his partner Corey’s package, so Ed and Corey decided to promote a contest, The Sexiest Package Runway Contest Extravaganza. Needless to say the contest was a crowd pleaser for the bar patrons.

The Cactus League Society – 3 Nymphs

Disowned by his father, Drew Saunders travels from New York to California. In Arizona, Drew discovers the Cactus club where he learns all the techniques to pleasure men.

In a City of Eight Million People – 3 Nymphs

Love at first sight lures Jake and Sean into a night of intimate pleasure. Sean makes a speedy exit before dawn, motivated by a misunderstood declaration of Jake’s sentiments.

Hot, Hot, Hot – 3 Nymphs

Erik is attempting to move forward with his newly single life by updating his wardrobe from bland to sexy and hot.

Passport to a Fling – 3 Nymphs

Three friends bored with New York decided to go to Europe for the summer. Jake goes to London in search of a new life. Matt goes to Paris with hopes of falling in love.  Freddie goes to Rome for a summer of hot flings.

Arezzo Development – 3 Nymphs

The Italian train schedule confused Devon; luckily Carlo guided Devon and joined him on the pleasurable train ride to Tuscany.   

The Spy Who Did Me - 3 Nymphs

Between jobs, Adam is on a European excursion. In Paris, Adam boards the midnight train to Zurich. The long train ride was a night of passion for Adam and his fantasy lover Francisco.

Switching Positions – 3 Nymphs

Baseball fan got the chance of his lifetime to meet and receive both of the catcher’s bats.

A Yearly Tryst – 3 Nymphs

Two weeks out of the year Johnny Lee, owner of Capstone’s Dude Ranch and guest Cutter come together for sexual gratification. 

Overall, I enjoyed the brief descriptions of the various locations. Nevertheless, the one-dimensional characters did not engage my full attention.

Buckle Up (Box Set)

Title: Buckle Up (Box Set)

Author: Julia Talbot

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publisher URL: www.changelingpress.com

BIN: 07687-02479

Genre: {M/M} {M/M/M} Collection

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Buckle Up – 4.5 Nymphs

Cody is on a mission to find the original designer of an antique belt buckle. The buckle was a gift to Cody’s grandfather. Pawn shop owner Kelvin is immediately attracted to Cody and was eager to help Cody complete his good deed undertaking. 

Crazy in Love – 4.5 Nymphs

Werewolf Keaton has been captured by a psycho doctor and it is up to Keaton’s werewolf mate Dakota to save him from becoming a lab experiment.

Changes in Attitude – 4.5 Nymphs  {M/M/M}

Werewolf Cyrus is running from his warlock lover, Marcus. Before Cyrus can reach safety, he is attacked by a mythical creature, thank the Gods for fire mage Wiley who rescued Cyrus just in time.

Under the Moon – 4.5 Nymphs  

Jamie is in hiding. He detests pack rules so he refuses to date other werewolves. However, Jamie discovers that there is something about alpha werewolf Ty too alluring to resist.

Dream Dice – 4.5 Nymphs

Thayer buys new dice at a convention, not realizing they were magic until he’s transported into another place and time. Thayer’s dream world was filled with never seen before wonders, especially Erlich, a warrior from the wolf clan and Thayer’s savior.

Julia Talbot has created a superb collection of paranormal romances that I enjoyed immensely. In all of the stories the main characters are engaging, amusing and compassionate.