Ferris Braden

Title: Ferris Braden

Author: Joyee Flynn

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

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

ISBN/BIN:  9781622421596

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

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Ferris’ day isn’t going well and all he wants is a little time to himself.  Heading over to the vineyard to mow the yard, the last thing he expects is to find Rylan, his mate.  When Ferris takes Rylan home so they can talk, he’s even more shocked to find out that the large fae warrior standing on his front porch is his mate as well.

Ferris Braden is the sixth book in the Beyond the Marius Brothers series.  While the readers may think that this story is centered primarily on Ferris, due to the title, the story is actually evenly divided between the three men that make up this triad.  Ferris is one of the vampire warriors assigned to the East Coast coven.  He has a hard time saying no to anyone, which eventually causes him to feel like everyone is taking him for granted.  His new mate, Rylan, is a Margay shifter.  Rylan has a surprise for his new mates and I could not help chuckling when Ferris and Onah find out.  Onah is a warrior as well, but for the fae.  He’s just returned from a mission when his Queen sends him out again.  He’s surprised to find his mates showing up.  There is, of course, an instant attraction between the three, and I liked that there was no jealously or uncertainty between them.   Regardless of how fast, and much, Rylan, Ferris and Onah feel for each other, things are not always easy.  There are many changes that occur in their lives but the feelings they have for each other only grow stronger.

There are many secondary characters, some old, some new, which help move the story along.  There is no final solution to the problems introduced in this story.

Readers may want to keep in mind that this story is written in first person point of view from the point of all three men.  While this is one of many in the series, and I would recommend reading all of them, Ferris Braden can be read as a stand-alone.

Summer Rain

Title: Summer Rain

Author: A.J. Lewellyn & D.J. Manly

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Publisher URL: https://spsilverpublishing.com/

ISBN/BIN: 9781614958864

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

When a meeting in Dallas doesn’t go as expected, Vice Detective Nicholas Fournier is ready to go back to Canada. A quick stop at a bank changes his life when he’s caught in the middle of a heist and comes to the aide of US Marshal Jubilee Mason.  While Jubilee recuperates from a gunshot wound, Nicholas has the opportunity to met Sean, a new Marshall and they hit it off, making him consider staying in Dallas a little longer. Nicholas likes Sean and he likes what he hears about the Marshall Service. Within just a few days his life has changed—Nicholas is involved with the closeted Sean and considering not just extending his vacation but an offer to become a Marshall himself.

Summer Rain is the new release in the Orgasmic Texas Dawn series. Nicholas and Sean are introduced but because Jubilee and Kieran continue to play a prominent role, the books should be read in order.

Opening the story with Jubilee and Kieran before pulling Nicholas and Sean into the plot is an unexpected way to start off. It gives readers an update on what’s happened with the established characters before moving the story forward. It’s a nice ploy to make readers comfortable before jumping into the first action scene—the bank heist.  In fact, I enjoyed these first scenes where all the characters are interacting and Nicholas and Sean get acquainted. These are some of the finest in the book.

I like both new men—Nicholas the most, as I have a better feel for his personality. It’s not that I don’t like Sean; he’s just younger and I need to get to know him better. Yet he relates well with Nicholas and their relationship, while fast, is believable. The imagery is vivid, there’s plenty of sizzling passion and there’s a potential present for an exciting undercover operation. For me the ending scenes fell flat. I just didn’t feel any of the danger the guys experienced and the case is resolved much easier than I expected. According to the author’s website, the next release, Autumn Breeze, is expected in April. Look for it.

Melonne Brac’s Mistletoe Madness

Title: Melonne Brac’s Mistletoe Madness

Author: Lynn Hagen                        

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

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

ISBN/BIN:  9781622423378

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

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Melonne is no longer the little five-year old girl that came to live with Maverick Brac’s pack.  Unfortunately, her adoptive father, Maverick, can’t seem to notice. With two mates, one a Christmas elf and the other human, Melonne can’t decide what would be best; taking her mates and running or finding some way to get her father to accept them.

With Melonne Brac’s Mistletoe Madness, the Brac Pack series reached the big 30.  This holiday addition is slightly different from the previous one.  In this story, Melonne is bound and determined to claim her mates, but complications abound as first Ruttford’s brother stirs up trouble with bookies on his tail, then Adam wants to exploit Brac Village for money.  I could completely understand Maverick’s difficulty letting Melonne go.  This tough Alpha has raised her since she was five and his overprotectiveness is well known.  I was actually more surprised that Melonne was upset by the way he was acting since I thought she, more than anyone, should have known better.  I wasn’t very impressed by either Adam or Ruttford.  While I could understand Ruttford’s unwillingness to wait any longer to mate with Melonne, I found him to be a little heavy-handed at times with her.  As for Adam, I could understand him doing his job in the beginning, regardless of how repulsive it was, but the fact that he had no trouble planning to exploit Melonne’s family after realizing what they were, made me dislike him even more.  I was surprised by how fast Melonne forgave him.

I did, however, love the way this story is full of the many wonderful characters we have met before.  While many years have past since the various mates have shown up, and they have all more or less matured, they each still carry themselves the way they did when we first met them.  Johnny had me laughing more than once, especially when he had Hawk give Melonne the ‘birds and bees’ talk.  As fans of this series would expect, when a threat is leveled against the pack the mates take things into their own hands, rather than tell the shifters, and things soon get out of hand. 

Melonne Brac’s Mistletoe Madness also furthers the plot of this series.  New characters are introduced and new problems planned for.  While there are some aspects of this story I had problems with, this was a fun book to read and I am waiting to see what will happen next.

To Catch a Croc

Title: To Catch a Croc

Author: Amber Kell

Publisher: Extasy Books

Publisher URL: www.extasybooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-77111-467-7

Genre: {M/M} Shape-Shifter Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Freshwater crocodile shifter Denton Stills has taken on the role of the main protector of his friends while their human friend Carey is on his honeymoon. But troubles crop up when Denton is attacked by his natural enemies, the bigger saltwater crocodiles who are set on taking over Seattle as their new territory.  Fortunately for Denton, his future mate, friends and Carey’s father are more than wiling to come to Denton’s rescue.

To Catch a Croc is the second book in the Banded Brothers series.  The friends are actually non-related orphaned shifters adopted by human Carey and his father. They formed a band to support the household; however each man has a budding profession other than music. Denton is the band’s guitarist; he has a tough guy’s persona in public but around his adoptive family, Denton is a protective very considerate man. Denton also discovered he has an implausible shifter mate; nevertheless their human personalities are a good match.

Amber Kell has created an enjoyable laugh-out-loud action saga blended with a sweet romance. I look forward to the next installment.

Duet

Title: Duet

Author: Eden Winters

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62380-360-5

Genre: {M/M} Historical/Contemporary Paranormal

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Scotland’s been conquered by England and their traditions outlawed, yet Laird Callaghan hires an Englishman as tutor for his young children. The action infuriates Aillil, the Callaghan heir, who hates everything English.

Malcolm Byerly left Kent, afraid his desire for men would be discovered. He wants to live in peace and to teach—and if he’s lucky, one of his students will show an interest in his beloved violin. He didn’t expect the anger from his student’s older brother or their attraction, but a love of music brings them together. Just as Laird Callaghan finds a way to force them apart, an expected threat turns them into a Scottish legend.

When violinist Billy Byerly arrives in Scotland for a concert at Castle Callaghan, he feels like he’s been there before. He’s at peace. It’s been nearly two hundred years and legend says when Aillil’s love is reborn and returns, the Lost Laird will rouse. Billy doesn’t know anything about ghosts but meeting Aillil will change everything.

Duet is by Eden Winters. Please note it was previously published but I don’t know if there have been changes made.  I guess the first thing you need to know is the story is told is two parts. The first is historical—it’s set in 1758 and follows the lives and loves of Malcolm and Aillil. The other is contemporary and is where Billy meets Aillil’s ghost.

I enjoyed this story. Both portions are well done but the historical half, where we get to know Aillil and Malcolm, is my favorite. The vivid descriptions of Scotland and its people, customs and problems with England during this period really brought the story to life. The plot flows smoothly, character personalities are fully developed and the inclusion of Malcolm’s violin and the Druidic customs are points of interest I truly enjoyed. Add Aillil’s unpleasant father and you have the perfect villain. The young brothers are wonderful and the scenes with them and Malcolm are touching.

I’ve read other ghost stories and the premise for this book is unique. Using violin music as the glue to pull Aillil and Malcolm together, and again for Aillil and Billy, is a great way to bring cohesion to the two time periods. While there’s plenty of love between Aillil and Malcolm, it’s filled with pain and angst, but never fear some Druids see no problem with them being together and are willing to help, which relates to the ghost part of the story. It’s a beautiful love story woven together to makes a wonderful whole and I’ll be reading it again.

Jaded

Title: Jaded

Author: Gabrielle Evans  

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

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

ISBN/BIN:  9781622425389

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Zuriel is having a hard time getting over what was done to him by The Hive.  To handle everything, he goes overboard with the flirting and comes across as a slut.  Normally he would not care what anyone else thinks about him, but he’s found his mate and can’t help wishing he had behaved differently.  It’s up to Spiro to show the young fox that the past is just that and now is the time for them.

The Moonlight Breed is one of Ms. Evans ongoing series, which revolves around a variety of paranormal characters.  The latest release in the series, Jaded, picks up shortly before the last book ended so readers will get a short refresher.  The story centers on Spiro and Zuriel, both shifters staying at Haven.  Zuriel is one of the shifters recently rescued from The Hive and, as readers can expect, the torture done to him has left him with many issues.  The author did a great job pairing him with Spiro, the doctor assigned to help with any problems the rescued shifters have adjusting to being members of a regular pack.  Poor Spiro has a rough time with Zuriel, yet the way in which the younger shifter acts is totally understandable.  I liked that, while he was saddened by Zuriel actions, Spiro stood by his mate, letting him come to terms with their relationship.

The men barely have time to settle into their relationship before Spiro, who is part elf, is called home.  From there, the story really takes an interesting turn and I was surprised by what happened.  Through everything, many of Zuriel’s friends stand by his side offering support.  When Zuriel and his friends get together, readers can expect laughs as well as trouble. 

Many of the stories in this series are closely tied together, yet most books can be read as stand-alones.  If you have not yet given this author a try, this series is a great place to start.

Morvea

Title: Morvea

Author: Jennifer Wright

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing

Publisher URL: www.total-e-bound.com

ISBN: 978-1-78184-242-3

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Of all the residents in the realm of Pavarus, it is only the leader of the Vampires who continues to visit Earth. Pavarus has an agreement with the earth council. Vampire leader Keddrick also has a human estate manager for his Earth properties. For years it has been a secret tradition in the Thatcher family to assist the vampires; Eli is the last in the Thatcher line. When Keddrick pays a visit to Earth, he realized that Eli was his mate. However, Keddrick refused to claim Eli for fear it would endanger Eli to reside in Pavarus.  Keddrick soon discovered that the biggest source of danger to Eli was on Earth.

Morvea is the second book in the Finding Home series. In this fascinating episode, the reader has more a glimpse of life in Pavarus compared to Earth. Pavarus is centuries behind Earth in terms of technology, yet the plot illustrates that simple is sometimes better for a peaceful life. The characters are believable as well as amusing. Keddrick is an honorable man, who is concerned for the well-being of others rather than satisfying his personal desires first. Resisting his desire to claim Eli is a test of endurance that comes close to breaking Keddrick as well as Eli. Keddrick is well aware of all that Earth has to offer; cars, phones, guns and modern household utilities.  Nevertheless, Keddrick has chosen only a few luxury upgrades to the castle and no weaponry upgrades.

During Keddrick’s visit, Eli is convinced Keddrick is straight. Eli is heartbroken for being rejected by the man he fell in love with upon first sight. Shortly after Keddrick returned home, Eli’s life is in jeopardy and he discovers a power he never knew he had and escaping to Pavarus is Eli’s only salvation. As the story unfolds, revelations of insanity, lies, perceived betrayal, in addition to perceived rejection, is illustrated.

Jennifer Wright has created an excellent saga that I enjoyed immensely. Morvea has all the elements of a splendid fantasy, dramatic action, poignant characters plus exceptionally sensual intimacy scenes.