To Protect and Punish

Title: To Protect and Punish

Author: Gabrielle Evans  

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

Publisher’s URL: http://www.sirenpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622424559 

Genre: {M/M}, BDSM, Mystery, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Someone’s after Gavin and the young man does not know why.   To protect himself and his mother, he has to turn to his ex for help.  He never expected to meet someone like Javier, but the handsome bodyguard is just what the rich CEO needs in his life.

Gabrielle Evans has added a third story to her Lawful Disorder series and To Protect and Punish is a great addition.  Both main characters are ones we have met before.  Javier is a former FBI agent who left the agency after his last case went badly.  Gavin is Ryder’s ex and he is still learning to live with the results of being kidnapped.  While I liked Javier’s character from the time he was first introduced, I was not sure about Gavin.  The young CEO does not come across the way I expected from Ryder’s description and it soon becomes evident that Gavin is no longer that man. 

Gavin is a natural submissive with no training.  He wants someone who can help him by taking control for a while, but hasn’t found the right Master yet.  Running a company he didn’t really want has put Gavin under a lot of pressure, so it is easy to understand why he wants to let go for a while.  There is a strong connection between Gavin and Javier that is evident from the beginning.   Javier easily takes control without coming across as overbearing and the results are intense.  I liked the way these two mesh and the addition of Javier’s son to the mix makes this a family in no time. 

Members from the first two books come back as secondary characters to help Gavin and Javier figure out who is after the younger man.  Although this aspect of the plot takes second fiddle to the relationship building between the two men, when the author does return to Gavin’s problem, there are some surprising twists that I am sure few will see coming.

I am curious to see what the author has planned for the rest of this series and hope Rayce and Jasper will be involved.  

Book Fair

Title: Book Fair

Author: Michael Murphy

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62380-317-9

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Jacob works for a small gay publishing company and he’s in New York for a book convention. Unlike others he’s attended, this one isn’t going smoothly. An important box hasn’t been delivered and when Jacob finds it, hunky Toni, working behind the scenes, acts like a jerk and won’t let him take it. But when Toni gives him a late night ride back to his hotel things start to look up--or are they. As the week progresses, his professional life looks bleak and his growing attachment to Toni is the only bright spot. When the bottom falls out of his job, Jacob returns to San Diego to try and put his life back together. Can these two men from opposite coasts find their way back to each other?

I never know what to expect from a new author but Michael Murphy didn’t disappoint me. While there are some serious moments in Book Fair, overall it’s a fun and entertaining love story that made me laugh. I enjoyed getting to know Jacob and Toni. These two guys got off to a rocky start but once the initial rough patch is over, I couldn’t help but smile at these two. And Toni’s mother cracked me up too. The scene where she first met Jacob is embarrassingly funny. I mean the woman has no brain-to-mouth filter. As you can probably tell from my comments, the author did a great job on developing the personalities of his characters—he really brought them to life.

The story is well plotted, has vivid imagery, a smooth flow and good integration of the secondary characters—most of whom are part of Toni’s huge Italian family. There’s plenty of flirting, bantering dialogue and a sense of a traditional romance I couldn’t resist. Mr. Murphy even incorporated in the topic of domestic abuse—handling the emotional upheaval with sensitivity.

So as you can see, I enjoyed Book Fair and will certainly read it again in the future. One thing I wish had been different was how little Toni and Jacob knew about each other until near the end. Despite falling in love quickly, it seems getting better acquainted should have happened before they made a commitment to each other. Enjoy.

Dark Robe Edges

Title: Dark Robe Edges

Author: Jason Edding 

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-60820-7381

Genre: {M/M} Sci-fi Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Jack Harrow and Edge Fland have survived the Dark Robes attack thus far. However, Jack has a feeling that time is running out. Jack, Edge and the human rebels have the same mission; to destroy the fanatical Hierarch as well as the Dark Robe island complex on Earth. Nevertheless, trust between clones and humans are a major issue.

Dark Robe Edges is the second book in the Dark Robe Society series. In this episode, the rebels are moving closer to breaking the mad man’s control over the universe. It has taken Jack two months to recover from his injuries sustained when the Ganymede rebel base was attacked. Because of Jack’s unique abilities that have evolved far beyond his original cloning, he is the main target of the Black Robes.

Lieutenant Toren Mir is a new officer in the rebellion against the Dark Robe. Toren was Admiral Brekart Dobson’s lover until Brekart’s erratic behavior exposed Brekart to be a flawed replacement clone working for the Black Robes.

Commander Alton Tees, who secretly desired Toren, refused to act on those desires before Brekart’s true identity was revealed.  Alton takes command of the rebellion and appoints Toren as his assistant. Finally confessing his feelings to Toren, Alton realizes that the desire is mutual. Alton does not like Jack and Edge; however he is willing to work with them for the sake of Toren’s continued approval.

Jason Edding has created an attention-grabbing exceptionally enjoyable action romance illustrating war tactics, descriptive spaceships, delusional characters and sumptuous intimacy scenes. 

An Unconventional Union

Title: An Unconventional Union

Author: Scotty Cade

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62380-386-5

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Webber Kincaid and Tristan Moreau have returned from their business trip engaged but trouble’s looming on the horizon for Kincaid International Corporation and Webber, as its CEO. While away they discovered some improper business dealing by KIC’s chief financial officer. It puts Webber in a bad position that could ruin his reputation and the only choice they have is to notify the board of directors and the government. While undergoing an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice, they stand firm and plan their wedding, certain Webber will be cleared of all wrongdoing. But even love can’t prepare them for all the unexpected twists coming and if their new married life is going to survive, they’ll have to work together.

An Unconventional Union is the second release in Scotty Cade’s Unconventional series and because it follows the ongoing relationship of Webber and Tristan, the books should be read in order. The story picks up where the previous release left off but does a good job of interjecting bits of information if you haven’t read An Unconventional Courtship. Its done well—making it easy for the unfamiliar reader, but without making it annoying for those who have. Well done Mr. Cade.

I enjoyed this one. It’s a well-written love story between our two guys but has enough twists, sadness and pain to keep it from becoming sappy. The pace is smooth; it has great descriptions and numerous secondary characters that really round out the plot. I particularly liked seeing more of Deanne as she goes through her pregnancy but be prepared with some tissues near the end. The problems with Nathan, the corrupt CFO isn’t over, so look to see more of him as the investigation with SEC and DOJ progress.

I guess my complaint about the story revolves around the investigations and how quickly they’re resolve. The scenes regarding the wedding preparations and the ceremony are highly descriptive and nicely done—you can even expect some action in the garden. Well, I guess that’s it for now. I don’t know when the next will be released but I can’t wait for Webber and Tristan’s story to continue. 

In the Eyes of Crazy

Title: In the Eyes of Crazy

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publisher’s URL: http://www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-77111-442-4

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Smell is one of the most important senses for a shape-shifter because without that, they may never realize who their mate is.  To balance out his loss of smell, Payson sleeps with whoever catches his fancy, hoping his hyena will let him know when he has found their mate.  When he finds Land in a bar, he can’t help but want the shy young man and thinks that this time he has finally found his other half.  Only Payson has been wrong before and is worried that this time is no different.

Charlie Richards has done a wonderful job writing the various pack members in the Kontra’s Menagerie series, so I am always anxious to see each of the men find their mate and if that mate will be human or paranormal.  Payson is the latest pack member to find his mate and fans of this series will remember that the hyena shifter has had problems in this area before.  It’s not too long into the story that readers will be able to figure out what had happened the last time Payson thought he found his mate.  This did not ruin the story for me however, but left me wondering how everything would be resolved. 

I thought Land was the perfect choice for Payson.  The shy young computer nerd is just what the cocky shifter needs in his life.  The younger man, in my opinion, helps balance Payson out, giving him someone to love and care for.  At the same time, there’s someone who will care for Payson when thoughts of his past become too much.   Land is a virgin when these two meet and the way in which Payson introduces the younger man to sex will really heat up the pages.

While there isn’t any danger that the men must face in the book, In the Eyes of Crazy, they do have a run in with the law that has a surprise or two thrown in.  Of course, most of the secondary characters are all pack members we have met before.  There are some great scenes between them and Land in the beginning of the story that will leave you laughing.  In addition the way in which Payson reveals the fact that he is a shifter was definitely an ‘oops’ moment.

In the Eyes of Crazy is another great addition to the ongoing Kontra’s Menagerie series and should not be missed.