Enslaved

Title:  Enslaved

Author:  Berengaria Brown

Publisher:  Siren-Bookstrand

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

ISBN/BIN:  1-61926-547-8

Genre:  {M/M/M/F}, {M/M/M}, Ménage a quatre, Series

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph 

Evelyn is asked by Trevellyan, Merrick and Vaughan to help them determine whether Trevellyan’s cousin, Aurelia, is okay, since they haven’t heard from her since she started her new job.  Evelyn gets help from some of her friends, once they determine that Aurelia and others are basically slave labor. 

The first book in the Freedom be Damned series, Enslaved, has a story that is all too true today.  There are scams that target those that have had trouble finding jobs and end up being desperate.  This particular one had an interesting twist to it. 

Trevellyan, Merrick and Vaughan are a threesome, but they like to share an occasional woman and all three fall for Evelyn.  The heat factor between the four is hot.  I had to laugh at some of the antics the three men did amongst themselves, as well as once they added Evelyn to the mix. 

The friends that Evelyn has are some interesting characters and we will be sure to see them in a future book.  The things they do to help the men were interesting and showed how technology is used to combat scams. I am looking forward to seeing how this particular scam is ultimately resolved.

Hounded by Love

Title: Hounded by Love

Author: Pia Veleno

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-61118-857-8

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Lead singer of Hecate's Hounds, Bas Korbas, is in his element on-stage but when the show is over, Bas is aware of the emptiness in his life. Bas finds what he is searching for when he glimpses Reed Parker, the one man who can see past the bad boy rock star image Bas presents to the public. However, Reed would rather run away than admit Bas is the man Reed needs to find the joy missing in his wretched reclusive life. 

Pia Veleno's Hounded by Love features the hard work involved in a long term relationship.  The characters are believable. Bas loves performing but hates the shallow fan adorations that come with fame. What Bas enjoys most when not performing is spending typical quality time with someone special. Members of the band are his only real friends. His best friend is his dog Daisy, who is Bas’ constant companion. It is Daisy who plays a role in Bas and Reed meeting for the first time.  

Reed is a man plagued with panic attacks in large crowds of people. Because of a tumultuous childhood, Reed has succumbed to living like a bad tempered hermit. Nevertheless, Reed’s quick temper is no match for Bas’ determination. Bas refuses to allow Reed to wallow in misery. Bas is a man not afraid to show compassion and Reed discovered he had no defenses against the love exhibited by Bas.

Hounded by Love is a heartwarming thoroughly enjoyable saga.

Something Wicked This Way Comes Volume 2

Title:  Something Wicked This Way Comes Volume 2

Author:  Jaid Black, Laurann Dohner, Regina Carlysle, Katalina Leon, Aubrey 

              Ross, Diana Hunter

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL:  www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781419937002

Genre:  {M/F}, {M/F/M}, Paranormal, Sci-Fi

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Scarred and Kilt by Laurann Dohner - 4.5 Nymphs 

After Matty saves Blaron from a vampire hunter, her life changes.  I had to laugh at Matty and her attitude toward Blaron.  The scenes between the two are hot so keep ice on hand.  This is a slightly different vampire story.

 
Tinderbox by Regina Carlysle - 5 Nymphs 

Olivia is kidnapped during a carjacking gone wrong.  Nate and Daniel are asked to find her.  The author gives a very good description of a mating ritual between a female jaguar shifter and her mates.  Be aware that the chemistry and heat between the three is very intense.

Asterion  by  Katalina Leon - 4 Nymphs 

Larisa thinks she is going to die after she is taken as a sacrifice. This is an interesting look at an alien race that uses the Minotaur as a way to enter Earth.  There are some interesting customs in this one and the author used an unusual shape-shifter in this one.

Decadent Dance by Aubrey Ross - 4.5 Nymphs 

Vaden has waited years for a Decadent Dancer and ends up with Zoe. Zoe is an injured dancer that ends up buying a dress that takes her to Vaden.  This story was a slightly different take on alien men getting a woman.

Sahara Heat by Diana Hunter - 4.5 Nymphs

Carla and Josef are set up by a mutual friend by asking Carla to write a romance about the mummy that was found in the desert.  Both Carla and Josef are strong characters with a mutual interest in BDSM. 

Fatman & Robyn by Jaid Black - 4.5 Nymphs
 
Robyn runs into Jake at a coffee shop.  Jake has always been attracted to larger women, though he has hidden it until now.  This story takes a look at some of societies’ prejudices against larger women and how society perceives them.  The author did a good job with this one. 

The second volume of Something Wicked This Way Comes has two very contemporary stories with the rest having paranormal themes.  While I enjoyed all of them, I would have liked to have the last two stories stay within the same theme.   

All the characters were strongly written and there were a few humorous situations throughout.  Some of the stories had a different take on some common themes about vampires and shifters and some of the stories had some define chemistry between the participants.   

I will be reading this one again.

Cocktails

Title: Cocktails

Author: Jeff Erno

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publisher URL: www.extasybooks.com/

ISBN: 978-1-77111-191-1

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, (light) BDSM

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Dutch is not fond of flying, but this trip to New Orleans was necessary. Also, the trip proves to be the beginning of life changes Dutch never expected to make before he met the charismatic Rustin.  

Cocktails is a heartwarming romance illustrating “coming out” gay men. The characters are creditable. Dutch’s life is torn between hiding his true nature, meeting his manipulative mother’s expectations and dealing with the grief associated with the loss of his beloved aunt. The amorous feelings Dutch has for Rustin gives Texas rancher Dutch the courage he needs to finally step out of the closet. In some ways Dutch had become a replacement for his father. By running the ranch, Dutch’s mother could escape responsibility and blame for any failure. Dutch was so buried in duty it took a little New Orleans magic to open his eyes.  

Even though Rustin was in the closet in small town Michigan, he never lost sight of his dreams. When opportunity knocked, Rustin answered by announcing he was gay to his parents, then promptly moving to New Orleans. Dutch and Rustin are a good match; Rustin provides the emotional support Dutch needs while Dutch provides the stability of a relationship Rustin desires.

Jeff Erno has created a wonderful saga that, on the whole, I enjoyed. 

Heaven Sent

Title: Heaven Sent

Author: Sean Michael

Publisher: Torquere Books

Publisher URL: www.torquerebooks.com

ISBN/BIN: none

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary BDSM Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx 

After the death of his friend and mentor Margaret, sub Tanny was surprised to learn she’d left him everything. Now the funeral’s over and he’s having trouble going inside her house…a home he once loved, afraid of what he might find. He’s been dreaming of monsters and is worried Margaret’s ghost could be hanging around and the thought scares him to death. Tanny’s even worried for his master’s safety but Billy insists they go inside. What they find is a surprise that lightens Tanny’s soul and gives Billy a new insight into his lover’s tender heart. 

Heaven Sent is the newest release in Sean Michael’s Hammer series. Other books that might be helpful to read first, featuring Tanny and Billy are Found, Snared and Owned. 

I’ve always enjoyed books with these two guys but this short look into their lives is something special. Yes, there’s a really hot scene showing how much they love and need each other but at heart, the story is about helping Tanny deal with his loss. It’s full of fear, unrest and uncertainty, but you also get to see Billy’s tender side as he cares for and supports his lover during this painful time. The author has done a very nice job of dealing with all the feelings bouncing between Billy and Tanny, giving a vivid picture of not only Tanny’s emotional state but the solidness of their committed relationship. Thanks for such a heartwarming short Mr. Michael.