Protégé

Title:  Protégé

Author:  Belladonna Bordeaux

Publisher:  Liquid Silver

Publisher URL:  www.liquidsilverbooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-59578-896-2

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

Rating:  5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph 

Ingrid is blackmailed by her boss to attend the meeting at Falstaff Manor.  She is accompanied by another agent from the League for the Preservation of Humanity, unaware she has also been targeted for assassination.  Prince Adrian realizes she is his mate and also part of a prophecy that has been foretold regarding the paranormal community. 

The fourth book in The Hellfire Club series, Protégé is slightly different than the others, as we learn more about the League for the Preservation of Humanity and some of the other paranormal races.  Ingrid feels very out-of-place, even though Adrian tries to make her feel very comfortable.  One thing that comes out in this series is that part of the tests for the Royal Mates is how they handle the sexual aspect of the club.  The author also explained more about the handmaidens, as well. 

Some of the characters from the other books make an appearance, as there is a very strict ritual, as well as rules for conduct, among this group.  There is also a noticeable caste system within all members.  I found it interesting that the money bid on the handmaidens actually goes to them so that if they leave Falstaff Manor, they can do as they please.  Of course, there is the clash of cultures, as humans have to learn to adapt to the dominance of the Royals. 

I actually liked this story the best in this series and am looking forward to reading about the rest of the Royals and the Counsel of Seven as the battle for survival begins.

Vampire Wanted

Title: Vampire Wanted

Author: Amber Kell

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Publisher URL: spsilverpublishing.com/

ISBN: 9781614952480

Genre: {M/M} Vampires

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Nick rarely saw the same hookup twice, so he was surprised when shortly after he arrived home from his night with Damian, his cell phone rang. It was Damian, inviting Nick to dinner. Tempted to say no, Nick soon realized that he could not deny Damian anything. 

Vampire Wanted is listed as the first book in the Nick's Tales series by the publisher, however the author list Vampire Wanted as a single book. Be that as it may, this is an outstanding well-paced story filled with humor, sizzling intimacy and a touch of drama. The characters are amazing. Nick is a compassionate man with a feisty attitude. He’s intelligent and does not bend to Damian’s dictates unless he wants to. When Nick discovers Damian is a vampire, Nick accepted the news with an easy grace. It was love at first sight for Damian; he could not bear to leave Nick’s side or see anyone else touch Nick, not even Nick’s friends. The plot also reveals a few mildly dramatic surprises. 

Amber Kell’s Vampire Wanted is an excellent, as well as, an extremely enjoyable saga. I hope there will be more of these wonderful characters. 

WARNING: This is a re-edited, expanded release.  

Huntress for Hire

Title:  Huntress for Hire

Author:  Ali Atwood

Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Publisher URL:  www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-77111-110-2

Genre:  {M/F/M}, Ménage, Shape-Shifter, Sci-Fi, Time-travel

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph 

Because of her size and profession, Kat has always had trouble with men and their attitudes.  Max and Brett arrive in Kat’s time to catch a killer that has targeted Kat. 

Huntress for Hire has some interesting concepts that you don’t see very often, if at all, in time-traveling stories.  The author also had an interesting look at law enforcement in the future. 

Kat is a very strong character and wants a man that can accept her.  To have found two men who fit her criteria is something that Kat doesn’t quite trust.  Max and Brett are also strongly written, as is the villain.  The author created some interesting personality enhancements for each character that are perfectly acceptable in the future, but a person would have to hide in our time. 

Once Kat, Max and Brett get together, the chemistry is intense between them.  I was a little surprised by the ending, but enjoyed it.  The twists and turns in the story are realistic for the story concept.  Looking at some of the society and technology of the future was also interesting.  

I enjoyed this story from Ms. Atwood and am looking forward to reading more from her.

Tian's Hero

Title: Tian's Hero

Author: Cherie Noel

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Publisher URL: spsilverpublishing.com/

ISBN: 9781920502201

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

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx  

Naknti Intelligence Service agent Lewell'yn is on a mission to find the only pure blood Naknti still capable of breeding. Though confused as to why he was chosen for this mission, Lewell'yn felt compelled to at least try to locate the fabled lost colonists. What Lewell'yn found is a medic who smelled of cloves and honey and a chef with the calming scent of peaches. 

Tian's Hero is the first book in The Akanti series. This full size novel has a complex plot with many mystifying twists, deceptions, humor, some intimate moments as well as, in-depth characters. The pirate ship is bound for the planet Kyrth, home of the Kyrthians, predators who hunt slaves as a blood sport. Tian is one of the many kidnapped men slated to be the Kyrthian’s prey. Lewell'yn’s secret assignment is to rescue the captives. Kayron is the ship’s medic. The main element of the plot is the deceptions surrounding the heritage of the three men and how each man is the salvation of the other two men. 

Lewell'yn has genius level intelligence capable of reprogramming computers, medical skills, muti-tasking, tracking scents from a distance and swiftly assassinating his enemies. Lewell'yn never understood his dark side or why only Tian and Kay had a calming effect on him until he returned to his home planet Naknti. 

Kayron’s home planet is Ciarlund; he was a high ranking medical student until he discovered his father’s plan to disown him for being gay. Like Lewell’yn, Kay was not aware of his true heritage.  

Tian knew he was Akanti and understood his heritage. Tian was raised by loving parents who tried to teach Tian all the skills needed to be a productive adult; however, the only lessons Tian focused on was cooking.

Tian's Hero is an exciting action-packed, incredibly enjoyable romantic suspense.

One Good Year

Title: One Good Year

Author: Rowan McBride

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781611184501

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Sequel

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx 

It’s been nearly a year since high-stakes poker player, Ace Donovan won Spade, a Senai, a genetically engineered servant, in a game. A kind and generous master, Ace and Spade have a relationship far different from any other Spade has ever experienced. In fact, they’ve both changed a great deal in the months they’ve been together, growing into a committed couple more dependent on the other than they realize. Their souls are linked and their emotions joined together. Ace doesn’t really need a servant but he definitely needs Spade’s love, which is threatened when a man…another Senai named Ancel…from Spade’s past shows up to cause trouble.  Happiness and love should be enough but it isn’t. Ace has to prove he’s worthy.  

One Good Year is the follow-up to the 2006 release One Good Hand. The story takes up just a few months after the first left off, so it would be best to read it first. 

Spade is a sweet guy and I’m glad that this book is told in his viewpoint. It allows the reader to see things differently from the first release. I enjoyed Spade’s depth of emotion. He’s not a man who cries or carries on but there isn’t a doubt on how he feels either and he loves Ace. Ms. McBride did a good job with the personalities of both men. Their emotional expression is spot on. But and it’s a big but, there’s lot of circular writing how deserving each man is of the other. It got a little old, despite knowing how much they cared for each other. 

The pace is rather slow until Ancel appears on the scene. Then things get faster and more intense as Ace and Spade are forced to fight for their love. Not surprising, this is my favorite part of the story. Here more characters are brought into the story, adding interest and depth, and helping to round out an otherwise rather flat plot. Yes, Ace and Spade love each other but they were moving in the same direction without Ancel’s threats.