Working Man: Speed Trap

Book Title: Working Man: Speed Trap
Author: J.M. Snyder
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Publisher URL: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60168-103-4
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Callisto Nymph


Speed Trap is the ninth book in the Working Man series.

When Mark Peters is stopped for speeding, patrol officer Lt. W. V. Tench lets him off with just a warning. The only problem is that now Mark can't get the sexy cop out of his mind. When his friends jokingly suggest he drive around until he gets pulled over again, Mark thinks that's a great idea.

Except it's a different cop this time. And this one isn't as taken in with Mark's disarming grin as Lt. Tench claimed to be.

With his friends snickering beside him, Mark just wants to drive off and try his luck again. How many tickets will he have to rack up just to meet the man of his dreams?

Working Man: Speed Trap is a cute tale that ended far too soon. Snyder created instantly loveable, realistic men that I almost expect to run into one day. Hopefully not under the same circumstances though! Mark is adorable in his stuttering as the bloom of instant attraction turns him tongue-tied. Though we don’t get much from Lt. Tench until the end (which I consider definitely worth the wait), it was more than a little entertaining to watch Mark analyze each blink and smile like those in the throes of infatuation tend to. A fun romp, Snyder shows that you don’t need sex to portray lust. I happily give this book five nymphs and recommend it for those who need something to smile about.

Calendar Boys May: Corazón

Book Title: Calendar Boys May: Corazón
Author: Jamie Craig
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/
ISBN: 978-1-60272-261-3
Genre: Gay / Contemporary / Interracial
Nymph Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Mason Ritter isn’t happy with his lover Miguel. He’s even less happy with the idea of taking time off from work to spend a week in Puebla, Mexico for the Cinco de Mayo fiesta with Miguel’s family. And he hates how Miguel pretends they are little more than co-workers in front of his father and other family members. His lover’s actions are hurtful and demeaning, and being ignored by everyone is particularly unpleasant and boring. The only high point in the entire trip is the possibility of seeing Anton Rocha again, who just happens to be engaged to Miguel’s sister, Pedra. He’s also the man who Mason exchanged a few heated caresses and a kiss with on the last trip to Mexico.

Anton Rocha swore off men after an unfortunate incident in Guadalajara four years before when his lover was assaulted and killed. Now he’s engaged to a woman he adores, a woman who stood by him during a dark period of his life and marrying her gives him the chance to have the family and children he always wanted. The only problem is that Pedra thinks she’s ‘cured’ him of his affliction, but nothing could be further from the truth. Anton has been attracted to Mason since they first met months before and the intervening months haven’t changed that. In fact, their renewed contact during the family fiesta only makes the attraction stronger. Keeping his distance from Mason is the only thing that will prevent Anton from destroying everything he’s worked hard to build.

Corazon is the May release in the ongoing Calendar Boys series by the duo writing under the pen name of Jamie Craig. It’s another well written and plotted story I thoroughly enjoyed. While the plot vehicle of both Mason and Anton cheating on their respective significant others generally would have turned me off immediately, the manner in which the author(s) expressed the unhappiness and uncertainty of both men allowed me to overcome my usual unforgiving reaction. So imagine my surprise when I found myself rooting for the success of their new and growing relationship. What can I say? I’m a sucker for two guys in love.

I found that I had little sympathy for either Pedra or Miguel since they seemed oblivious to the wants, needs and desires of the men they professed to love. This was especially true of Miguel and how he treated Mason while at his family home. Who could blame Mason for being discontented with a partner who acted ashamed to be seen with him; not me, and Pedra was just plain stupid if she thought being gay was curable. Let me get off my soapbox. While coming from different backgrounds, Mason and Anton are so similar in wants and desires that only fear of telling the truth to their innocent partners is the only thing standing between them and happiness together. It’s a deep fear of the truth, fear of the unknown and fear of being hurt which are emotions that every person alive can relate to.

Look for the next release in the Calendar Boys series with June: Commencement.

My Deepest Love: Zack

Book Title: My Deepest Love: Zack

Author: Marie Rochelle

Publisher: Phaze

Publisher URL: http://www.phaze.com/
ISBN: 978-1-59426-870-0

Genre: Erotic/Contemporary/Romance
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Traci Wells has her eye on a sexy blue-eyed gym member. While she has never interracially dated, she is more than willing to get to know the handsome man with the unbelievable body.

Zack Drace has a fascination for red-heads but the mocha skin beauty has him thinking hair color may not be important. Zack’s not sure if Traci dates white men, or if she is even unattached. There is something about her confidence and magnetism that has him willing to give it that old college try.

Zack and Traci have a bumpy ride in My Deepest Love: Zack. Between opinionated siblings, scheming friends, and a business deal that keeps getting in their way, it’s hard to believe that the couple had time to find moments of happiness. Zack is fine as sin and dedicated to his business. He has left thoughts of love on the back burner while establishing his company and is ready to come home to more than empty walls and dinner for one to greet him. Traci gave up her dreams once for a man and won’t allow herself to be suckered in twice. She is gorgeous inside and out with a quick wit and a breathtaking allure. Their chemistry was instantaneous. I have to admit I was shocked and pleased by Zack’s willingness to make this relationship different. Marie Rochelle has written a wonderful story capturing all the love, dreams, and drama floating around the couple. Ms. Rochelle throws in a bit of passion and touches of humor to keep the book flowing and entertaining. I have no doubt that readers will find My Deepest Love: Zack as fantastic as I have.

Sidetracked

Book Title: Sidetracked
Author: Willa Okati
Publisher: Changeling Press
Publisher URL: http://www.changelingpress.com/
ISBN: 978-1-59596-611-7
Genre: Paranormal, Gay
Nymph Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Escort-for-hire Devon is escorting his client Rosa Sharon to a masquerade ball. Also at the ball is a man in a white leather mask and Devon found him scary, yet enticing. When Devon meets the stranger again, he learns that his name is Jean-Michel. Riding the subway home after Rosa Sharon dumped him for his co-worker; Devon noticed that he is the only one on the train. When the subway takes a detour into a dark tunnel and Jean-Michel appears, Devon realizes that Jean-Michel is not the man he appears.

Sidetracked is a tantalizing story of two lonely souls finding each other. Willa Okati has a unique talent for creating a sensual illusion that holds you spellbound until the end. This is a very intriguing and enjoyable story.

The Elegant Corpse

Book Title: The Elegant Corpse
Author: A.M. Riley
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://loose-id.net/

ISBN: 978-1-59632-699-6
Genre: BDSM LGBT Romantic Suspense
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Detective Roger Corso is a gay man who doesn’t flaunt his sexual orientation but he doesn’t bother hiding it, either. He’s less open about his long term participation in the leather lifestyle and his frequent visits to a local BDSM dungeon as a well-respected Master. When he returns from a week-long vacation, he never expects to the find the mummified remains of a long-dead man lying on his couch in amongst his custom made tuxedo pillows, the hands holding a handmade leather flogger. Needless to say, Roger takes this body dumping personally, but he doesn’t know what it means or who might be behind it.

Distraction to the investigation comes in the form of Sean, the much younger brother of the first victim Roger found in his living room. Sean’s brother Gary disappeared when he was only seven, so his memories of his brother and what was going on in his family at that time are very limited. He’s become somewhat lost since the death of his parents and lives a precarious existence working as a performance artist in various gay establishments. When he meets Roger, it’s as if he’s found what he’s been looking for and no amount of discouragement causes him to change his focus onto someone else. Roger may find him annoying and irritating but Sean also pushes all his dominant and possessive buttons. The question is whether the mature detective can build a lasting relationship with a man nearly thirty, but who acts much younger.

The Elegant Corpse by A.M. Riley is a complex and compelling tale I will gladly reread again in the future. It’s a well written story filled with two great primary characters in the form of Roger and Sean, an intriguing suspenseful plotline filled with multiple bodies and suspects, lots of action, and a sad and intriguing look into the leatherman lifestyle of the 80’s. The numerous secondary characters, especially that of Roger’s female partner, Mary Anne, and his old mentor, Jay, flesh out the story, making it that much more realistic.

Roger is a great male lead--big, stoic, reserved, and more than a little intimidating. He’s a man who is dedicated and determined to protect those weaker than he is. That includes Sean, who is the first man to break down the barriers around his heart since the death of his lover. There is little doubt that these two men will work through their differences and move into a relationship, but finding the killer is another manner. I love it when an author manages to keep the villain of the tale hidden until the last pages, and maybe I should have figured it out, but I didn’t, leaving me with an “ah ha” moment. The final scenes are action-packed and dramatic as Roger searches for his lover, trying to locate him before the killer can strike again, ending their chance of a happily ever after forever.

Oh Yum! - Surprised by Desire

Book Title: Oh Yum! - Surprised by Desire
Author: Katie Blu
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 9781419916045
Genre: Contemporary
Nymph Rating: 3.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Responding to a call from her mother, Jenna Michaels returns to her hometown for a combined vacation with the Nolan family, like they had while she was growing up. This time, though, David Nolan is divorced and both his mother and hers are doing everything in their power to throw the two together. Unfortunately for David and their mothers, he isn’t the man who heats Jenna’s blood or drives her crazy with lust and longing. It’s his son Jason and their mutual passion catches her completely off guard. While she finds herself attracted, she also finds it difficult to believe that the young hunk would be interested in a woman so many years senior to him. What she doesn’t realize is that Jason has been watching her for years and this vacation is his chance to let her know exactly how he feels and what he wants.

Surprised by Desire in another interesting release in the ongoing Oh Yum series. It’s a fun and quick read filled with witty dialogue, rampant sex and enough misunderstanding and family upset to make a sane person scream. The locale of Jenna and Jason’s first groping encounter, a dark and damp cave, was certainly a unique twist for a short romance. Ms. Blu has done an excellent job in relating these two lovers separated by years and experience.

Devils on Horseback - Nate

Book Title: Devils on Horseback - Nate

Author: Beth Williamson

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-59998-485-7

Genre: Historical Romance, Western Romance
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

As a child, Nate Marchand was the son of the town drunk. As an adult, he was a Confederate soldier, surrounded by the men he adopted as brothers at an early age. Post-war has left them with only one another and the clothes on their backs. The group decides to travel west for a new start and forms a business venture known as D.H. Enterprises - Devils on Horseback Enterprises. Jobs are not easy to come by and desperate times lead to working for characters that they would normally sidestep.

Elisa Taggart is a hot spirited pistol of a woman who will not allow anyone to steal her family’s land. The most powerful man in town, Samuel O’Shea, believes he has a claim to the land and has hired The Devils to remove the Taggart family. The job becomes complicated before it’s even discussed with the team. Elisa and Nate have already crossed paths, and the attraction was mutual.

A simple task becomes anything but when the Devils realize they have met a worthy adversary in Elisa. Will Nate and Elisa be able to discover how deep their attraction is even if they are playing on opposite teams?

Nate is book one of the Devils on Horseback series. Beth Williamson brought the old west straight into my bedroom with fantastic visual descriptions of the characters and scenery. I loved all of the Devils. Each man is clearly strong, determined, and has a tiny flaw that with the right woman could become completely transparent. Nate is no exception to this rule. While he is handsome and highly educated, Nate has a few trust and control issues that need to be worked out. Elisa hides her beauty and her womanly body by dressing in baggy men’s clothing. Soon enough it becomes apparent that she is Nate’s match on quite a few levels. Ms. Williamson’s story has suspense, action, romance, and humor laced with erotic imagery that will have you fanning and taking notes. The combination leaves you so enthralled you won’t be able to put the book down. She has begun this series with a serious bang. If you’ve never read a book by Ms. Williamson you are in for a treat.

The Last Bite

Book Title: The Last Bite
Author: Evangeline Anderson
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://loose-id.net/
ISBN: 978-1-59632-686-6
Genre: LGBT Shape-shifter Paranormal
Nymph Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Cade is a man changed intentionally into a werewolf for the sole purpose of hunting, killing and destroying the nests of dangerous demons responsible for the destruction of his entire family several years before. His animal side makes him virtually immune to the deadly venom of the various demon species, preventing him from being infected and his soul destroyed. He knows the dangers to those without the barrier of his ‘curse’ for protection, which is why taking on a fully human young guy as an apprentice was a questionably sane decision. Still, young David was honest, sincere and the company he’d been missing for years. Together these two men seek out and destroy vast numbers of the deadly demon killers. It’s during one such expedition that David is mortally wounded, forcing Cade to make a decision he never expected. Attempt the dangerous werewolf change on an already weak David, or allow the man he’s come to love more than life itself to slide silently into death, leaving him alone forever.

The Last Bite is rather short, at just over seventy pages, but the author has managed to include a great deal of story and emotion into its novella length. It’s unusual in that the main portion of the story takes place on the night that David is mortally injured, and the remainder of the tale deals with each man remembering a significant set of events that formed the basis of their relationship. The construction was a little disconcerting and confusing at times, forcing you to pay close attention to what was going on to understand the depth of feeling between these two dedicated and dynamic men. There is only one secondary character, an ancient female vampire who we learn very little about, even though Cade takes David to her in an attempt at healing. The exclusion of other characters into the plot makes this tale one truly dedicated to the relationship between these two warrior men.

Dangerous Ground

Book Title: Dangerous Ground
Author: Josh Lanyon
Publisher: Loose ID
Publisher URL: http://www.loose-id.net/
ISBN: 978-1-59632-658-3
Genre: LGBT (M/M) Erotic Suspense
Nymph Rating: 4 nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Woodland Nymph

Taylor MacAllister was shot in the line of duty six weeks ago and is returning to work in a week. He’s agreed to take a “vacation” in the High Sierras camping and hiking with his friend and partner Will. Taylor is a city boy but decides to go on this trip to the wilderness as their friendship has become strained, to say the least, since the shooting. Taylor feels if they can’t work things out while on vacation, they’ll have no choice but to request to be re-assigned new partners.

Will Brandt feels as if he hasn’t been able to spend any time with Taylor for the past six weeks, so he suggested the trip to the mountains. He’d been seeing naval officer Lt. Commander David Bradley until the night before the shooting when Taylor drunkenly confessed his attraction and feelings for Will. He and Taylor have been friends and partners working for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for three years. During that time, Will learned his friend is not the relationship type and Will needs stability, reliability and commitment.

While out hiking, they come across a crashed plane that was used four months earlier in a casino heist. Shortly thereafter, Taylor and Will find themselves running for their lives! Will they survive?

Dangerous Ground is a sexy suspense filled story of two strong determined men, one of whom is trying to save their friendship and one who wants more than just friendship. Josh Lanyon has created two terrific and likable characters each of whom are easy to relate to. Will and Taylor are irresistible and make a well matched team. I highly recommend this book to fans of the m/m genre. The hot and steamy erotic hot springs scene alone is enough reason to read this book!

Luke & Jezebel

Book Title: Luke & Jezebel
Author: Ravyn Wilde
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 9781419916748
Genre: Vampire
Nymph Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

In the year 2203, the paranormal creatures of myth and legend are no longer hiding in the shadows, but openly living amongst humans. The Others, as they have come to be known, live a life of constant turmoil due to a fanatical order of One Racers, whose goal is to eliminate all sub-human species from the world. Relations between the species get even worse when several healthy infant humans are kidnapped from their cribs and exchanged with sickly ones, and the Fae are being blamed for the disappearances.

Luke Skylord is tall, handsome, arrogant and the vampire Sentinel for the Others in his area. As such, it’s his responsibility to fix the public relations nightmare currently casting the members of the paranormal community in a bad light. He does this by hiring a public relations expert whose purpose is to expose the lies being propagated in the press, while at the same time putting a positive spin on the paranormal members of society. When his expert, Jezi Longtree, turns out to be a petite spitfire of a woman, he’s irritated, annoyed, intrigued and totally captivated by the curvy redhead.

Jezi Longtree is no stranger to the Others; after all her stepfather is a werewolf and other members of her family are scientists heavily involved in Others research. Jezi herself is a talented public relations expert and doesn’t meet clients…ever, but reluctantly agrees at the insistence of Sentinel Skylord. When these two get in the same room for the first time the sparks fly, and it’s all Jezi can do to keep her mind on her meeting and off his body. When she discovers he’s just as intrigued by her, they almost spontaneously combust.

Luke & Jezebel is book two in the A.D. 2203 series by Ravyn Wilde. It’s an intriguing and original look at the future where paranormal citizens are commonplace and hatred and bigotry are still prevalent. The characters of Jezi and Luke are rich and well written, and the author has integrated some interesting twists regarding vampires and what they can and cannot do, which was a breath of fresh air from the usual vampire tale. Our two main characters are likable, have interesting backgrounds and come together with the heat of a supernova…frequently. Add in a fast pace, excellent plotting and great secondary characters such as Jezi’s geneticist sister who’s on a One Racer hit list and you have everything you need for a sexy, suspenseful tale. Those along with witty dialogue and Jezi’s warped sense of humor make for a wonderful keeper read. I look forward to the next book in this world of the future.

Fortune's Favor

Book Title: Fortune's Favor
Author: Cassidy Ryan
Publisher: Torquere Press, Single Shot
Publisher URL: http://www.torquerebooks.com/
ISBN: None
Genre: Gay Contemporary
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Hayden Garrett, a TV chef, has come home to stay. Hayden has decided to rebuild his deceased parents’ home into a restaurant and go public with his ongoing affair with Sheriff Cal Hunter. When Cal notices that Hayden is home, he sends his dog Bo to go fetch Hayden. After making love, Hayden informs Cal that he is home to stay. Old fears of losing his position cause Cal to reject Hayden. It takes Hayden’s auto accident to give Cal a wake up call.

Fortune’s Favor is a delightful story with wonderful characters. Bo gets upset with Cal when he rejects Hayden, Bo’s other favorite person, and he shows his displeasure by sulking and refusing to associate with Cal. After a year long affair, Hayden wants a committed relationship with his lover. Cal spent years as a marine in hiding and barely received an honorable discharge, so he fears the Glencrest residents will demand his badge if the truth came out. Cassidy Ryan exhibits a creative genius with a combination of humor, emotions and animals with personality. Fortune’s Favor is an excellent story.

Mountain Trails

Book Title: Mountain Trails

Author: Julia Talbot

Publisher: Torquere Press

Publisher URL: http://www.torquerebooks.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60370-348-2

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Nymph Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Carlo wasn’t really happy about the rafting trip his company arranged for a session in team bonding. But the complaints left his mind when he met one of the rafting guides, Chip. Chip knew Carlo was an older man and didn’t allow the age difference overshadow the fact that Carlo is just his type. We watch the progress of their long distance relationship spanning over a series of months, as well as the relationships of several of his friends and a few admirers.

Mountain Trails is a love story for multiple couples. Some of the relationships are followed a bit more closely than others. The main couple, Carlo and Chip, are a delightful pair. Carlo is older, wiser and knows what he wants. He recognizes the future he can have with Chip and is prepared to make it come to fruition. Chip is nervous about a few differences, namely financial and age, which he and Carlo have. But even with those worries he knows that Carlo makes him feel like no other has. While I enjoyed following the characters, as well as the romances of a few of Chip’s closest friends, there were times where I wish things weren’t left so up in the air. I would have loved finding out what ultimately happens with Chip and Carlo, as well as the two hot cowboys. Julia Talbot introduces us to interesting characters that were charming and believable. The story has a bit of humor and love making designed to have you panting. Mountain Trails was an enjoyable story.

Impulsive Pleasures

Book Title: Impulsive Pleasures
Author: KyAnn Waters
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 9781419915758
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Nymph Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Jamie Cooper-Howe has a weekend problem which makes her skin crawl in irritation: how to enjoy her daughter’s beautifully planned wedding all while in the forced company of her cheating ex-husband and his pregnant trollop, home-wrecking new wife. It’s not like she cares for the jerk any longer but just being civil is nearly an exercise in futility. The marriage of her daughter is supposed to bring dramatic change into her life and wow, does it. All in the form of the young sexy hunk of a best man who pursues her relentlessly. The question is should she let him catch her?

Mark Bentley hasn’t seen his friend for several years and he hasn’t had sex for months. He intends to spend the weekend enjoying one of the bridesmaids but that’s before he gets his first glimpse of the luscious mother of the bride. Once he sets his sights on Jamie, it’s an all-out frontal attack on the gorgeous redhead. What’s he going to do when he discovers that one taste of this beautiful woman isn’t enough? Can he convince her they can be more than a brief weekend affair?

I was thrilled when I learned about this exciting older woman/young man series by Ellora’s Cave and Impulsive Pleasures didn’t disappoint me. Jamie and Mark are wickedly hot together and Ms. Waters did a wonderful job of integrating their steaming hot sex and Jamie’s uncertainty into a plot filled with secondary characters that play vital parts in this short novella. While she tells herself that having sex with Mark is wrong, in reality, it’s just what Jamie needs to help her get over her husbands betrayal, showing her that she’s still a sexy, desirable woman and getting even with him at the wedding is icing on the cake. Ms. Waters has outdone herself in penning this fast paced sexual romp and I enjoyed every page of it.

Publisher Note: Previously published elsewhere as The Cougar and the Best Man

The Firm: Rogue

Book Title: The Firm: Rogue
Author: Tuesday Morrigan
Publisher: Changeling Press
Publisher URL: http://www.changelingpress.com/
ISBN: 978-1-59596-633-9
Genre: Paranormal
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Amethyst Nymph


Nicollet Edenton is making the best of playing Santa’s helper while wearing an outfit too short to cover an elf’s butt. Soon she would be able to get away from her sexy-as-sin coworker and get on with her evening plans and much needed vacation. Those plans go flying out the window once she realizes she is locked in the department store with the one person she wants to avoid.

Kaelyn Lionheart knows he has to get the hell out of the department store before midnight or else Nicollet will discover his secret. With every moment that passes, it becomes harder for Kaelyn to keep his hands off the voluptuous beauty. He knows the attraction is mutual, but he doesn’t know if Nicollet will be able to handle what it would mean to be involved with him.

Kaelyn is the first of the Lionheart lot being matched with his mate. He and Nicollet tried avoiding each other and denying their feelings but Kaelyn’s father has other plans. I had moments of fear when I thought Nicollet wouldn’t accept Kaelyn in time and my heart wept for him. Tuesday Morrigan created the right amount of doubt and hope in the story and meshed it with intense longing. This couple was perfect to kick off the series in The Firm: Rogue and I know readers will fall in love with all the Lionhearts.

Challenge Protocol

Book Title: Challenge Protocol
Author: Dawn Ryder
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/

ISBN: 9781419916014
Genre: Ménage a trois or More / Contemporary
Nymph Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymph reviewer: Mystical Nymph

Cambria is a strong-willed woman, used to controlling every aspect of her life and that includes her relationships with men. That control is threatened when she accidentally meets the tall and mysterious Dack and Logan sent to audit her best friend Mia’s place of employment. Even though her attraction to both men is intense, Cambria resists getting involved, leading them on an exciting chase that leaves them all breathless with desire.

Dack and Logan served together in the military and are still partners not only in business but in watching over the other 24/7, even in the bedroom. They and the other members of their Special Forces team were betrayed by a superior officer and were dishonorably discharged. Life hasn’t been easy for the men since they left the service and being constantly on guard has kept them from having any kind of love life. Circumstances have made sharing everything a necessity and that includes the few women in their life. When they meet Cambria, they both want the sexy straight-forward woman who ties them both in knots. For the first time, Dack and Logan begin to think about making a life with one woman, but will she fit into the world they’ve constructed to survive?

Cambria is a kick-ass kind of woman who won’t let any man tell her what to do, except in bed…maybe. Needless to say, Dack and Logan want to call all the shots, in the bedroom and out. They are intense, dedicated, and determined to keep themselves, their men and Cambria safe from the danger stalking them. Put these three individuals together in an intimate setting and you have an inferno of passion and desire. All three are in a position they never expected or wanted and Ms. Ryder does an excellent job of negotiating them through the minefield of change, uncertainty and a new and growing relationship. I enjoyed watching these three become a true threesome and I’ll be interested in seeing where the series goes with the next release.

Challenge Protocol is the second in Ms. Ryder’s series and can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Nights of Desire

Book Title: Nights of Desire
Author: Marilyn Lee
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 9781419912085
Genre: Interracial Contemporary
Nymph Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Thirty year old Tempest Marshall decides to become a single mother after waiting years without finding love again. She plans to have a child with no future involvement with the donor. While Tempest is making her plans, her boss Layton Grayhawk is making plans to move their friendship to the next level. Layton wants to marry Tempest and father her children. During a party at his house, Layton lures Tempest into his bed. The morning after, Tempest realized their love making had been unprotected. When Tempest discovers that she is pregnant, Layton is overjoyed and does everything in his power to change Tempest’s plans to remain single. Layton, along with his seven younger brothers and one sister, ban together to convince Tempest she is Layton’s true love.

Nights of Desire is a romance story between a black woman and Native American man. Layton is Cherokee and believes in spiritual powers; he also is convinced that Tempest is his soul mate. Tempest secretly desires Layton, but she is afraid to trust him given his past relationship history. Marilyn Lee has produced a well written emotional saga with some unique characters and revelations. I enjoyed this alluring tale immensely.

Love Out Loud

Book Title: Love Out Loud
Author: Marilyn Lee
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Publisher URL: http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 9781419915482
Genre: Contemporary, Interracial
Nymph Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Chocolate Minx

The first time Benai Peters met Bancroft Grayhawk, he was warm and friendly. The next time they met was at her best friend Tempest’s wedding rehearsal dinner where Bancroft was cold and brooding. Determined to get away from Bancroft, Benai attempts to leave, but Bancroft blocks her exit. Coming to her rescue, Randall Grayhawk offers to take Benai home. The attraction between Randall and Benai cannot be denied and they spend the evening talking. Later when Randall returns home, Bancroft accuses Randall of trying to steal Benai away from him. Benai denies Bancroft has a prior claim to her but Randall feels guilty for the rift his desire for Benai has caused with his brother. With the emotional upheaval between the brothers and Randall’s refusal to believe in lasting love and marriage, Benai resolves to give up on Randall and find someone who can share her dreams to have a family.

Love Out Loud is the second book in the Long Line of Love series. During a spiritual healing ritual to help his twin brother Brandon get over his heartache, Bancroft lost his spiritual balance. This caused him to mistake Benai to be his true love when they first met. Benai has no concept of the Cherokee spiritual beliefs so she was at a loss to understand the conflict surrounding her. Randall feared the pain of a one sided love; to guard his heart, he refused to face the truth of his feeling for Benai. Marilyn Lee delivers another heart wrenching episode in this fascinating series. The well defined characters are relatable. Benai considers herself as a plain woman with no beauty, yet Randall finds her irresistible. The Grayhawks have a strong family bond, displaying respect and support for each other. I enjoyed this story immensely and look forward to the next adventure.