Redneck Romeo

Title: Redneck Romeo

Author: Lorelei James

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61921-871-0

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Western Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Three years ago Dalton McKay couldn’t go through with his wedding because he was in love with his fiancé’s best friend, Rory.  So after getting thrashed by some of Addie’s family and co-workers, he left town and the state. Dalton didn’t plan to return home but the sudden illness of his estranged father changes that. Being back in Sundance gives him the chance to mend his relationship with his brothers and show Rory how much he’s changed.

Rory’s been crazy about Dalton since they were kids but she has trouble believing he’s not the same unreliable guy who left town. So when Dalton says he’ll prove to her he’s different, Rory’s agrees to give him a chance because really…who can withstand the sizzling chemistry of a McKay man. The question is whether Dalton can convince Rory that he’s worth the risk and that they belong together…forever.

Redneck Romeo is the newest release in the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James. While reading all the books would be best, I recommend you at least read the last few to get acquainted with the most recent storylines.

I love this family and with Redneck Romeo, Ms. James tackles the last McKay left unmarried. It was guaranteed to be just as exciting as the others and I wasn’t wrong. There’s always something unexpected happening with this wild and crazy bunch and Dalton, with the horrific revelations he drops on his family, is no exception. It brings out emotions that aren’t just Dalton’s but his brothers and other family members, once they learn the truth. Ms. James handles it well, integrating the various individuals, dealing with their feelings and tears without allowing it to become maudlin.

Here we get to see a side of Dalton I never expected and I like him more than ever. There’s good personality development and visual imagery and I liked the slow build up of his and Rory’s relationship. He has to work on convincing her they should be together and once he did—watch out—because these two are scorching hot. Another strong point for me is how Ms. James successfully brings in so many of Dalton’s family—people we’ve met before. I love getting to see what going on in their lives. She juggles all of this and comes up with a highly entertaining book that I hope you’ll enjoy.

A Little Bit More

Title:  A Little Bit More

Author:  Amanda Vyne

Publisher:   Loose Id, LLC

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-62300-423-1

Genre:  {M/F}, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Series

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Kel is sure that Gabe is ashamed of her and doesn’t want a child with her.  Gabe knows Kel is his heart.

The latest story in the Arcane Crossbreeds series, A Little Bit More, picks up the story of Gabe and Kel about a year after the first book, More Than Blood, ends.  Even though they both love each other and have bonded, there are some misperceptions that neither really tried to talk out. 

While Kel is a strong woman, she is very insecure within her own society because of the way she was raised, due to her being a crossbreed.  The fact that Gabe is a purebred from one of the major houses doesn’t help. 

I like this fast paced short story as it also gives the reader a glimpse of possible future stories as the various Arcane societies try to learn to live in the modern world.  I am looking forward to reading more about the various societies, especially the Drachon.

Another Secret

Title: Another Secret

Author: Stevie Woods 

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-443-4

Genre: {M/M} Werewolves

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Apprehensive his secret will sever his friendship with his best friend, Drew Horton, Leland realizes that his guilty secret is nothing compared to finding out Drew is a werewolf.

Another Secret is an intriguing romantic mystery. The well written plot is set in a small English town bordering a forest. The characters are creditable. Leland and Drew have been best friends since childhood. Having discovered they were both gay with similar personalities as well as interest, Leland and Drew shared a strong friendship bond that evolved into an unprofessed love over the years.  They share most things in their lives with each other, except admitting the passion each man feels for the other is more than friendship. Nevertheless, Leland’s feelings of guilt and Drew’s fear of losing control of his wolf side forces them to keep secrets.

Stevie Woods has created an impressive short story blending a sensual budding romance with elements of dangerous action. I greatly enjoyed Another Secret.

Politician Won

Title: Politician Won

Author: Amber Kell

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-78184-370-3

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Zander is frustrated. He and his Thresl have been together for two years and the beast has thus far refused to change out of his cat form. Without a true mating, Zander’s afraid his father will force them apart upon returning home from the royal wedding they’re attending. When he suddenly becomes ill, his Thresl shifts to protect him. 

As part of the newly mated pair, Zander finds himself helping the Thresl king investigate rumors of Thresls being kidnapped, sold and smuggled off-planet. Just when he and his Thresl, Leo, find evidence to help their case, Zander is drugged and Leo is kidnapped. Can Zander find a way to get his mate back before it’s too late?

Politician Won is the newest release in The Thresl Chronicles by Amber Kell. Because of the ongoing storyline, the books need to be read in order.   

The premise for this series keeps getting more interesting as the creative world building continues and I’m happy some of the questions left unanswered from the previous book are addressed here. By the end of Prince Claimed, I was expecting Saint to be the main focus of this story but I wasn’t disappointed to get Zander’s story instead. He’s a good guy with an interesting personality. I liked that the bond to his Thresl, Leo, has an unexpected beginning.  These two make a good match and the development of them as a couple works well. And the physical side of their mating—steamy.

There’s a lot going on in this release that doesn’t have anything to do with Zander or Leo’s mating. That means it’s a juggle to keep everything moving forward and integrated but Ms. Kell handles it well. It leaves the story pretty evenly balanced between the romance and other storylines. I enjoyed the investigation part of the plot, despite being rather short but Leo’s action scenes are well done. With the ongoing story arc, expect a few dangling threads to be handled in the next release and even beyond. From the ending, I’m expecting Saint to be the focus next time. Really. 

Memories of Paradise

Title:  Memories of Paradise

Author:  Tianna Xander

Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Publisher URL:  www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-77111-529-2

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

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Riana is running after getting the feeling that she and her daughter, Holly, have been found again.  The plane that is supposed to take them to Washington crashes and they are saved by Gunter and Clay, who are Riana’s mates.

The latest installment of the Paradise series, Memories of Paradise, brings to a close one major thread of this series and also happens to be my favorite so far.  I am glad this particular issue is closed but there are still a few continuing and some new ones still.  There was also a little more information about some of the former Army Rangers that settled in Paradise that will be sure to appear in the future.

This story is different than others as Riana has a teenage daughter who was conceived during the times before the rightful alpha regained his position and brought back the old customs.  This story has lots of humor because Holly is a typical teenager in many ways.  I laughed at some of their interaction as I can relate.  I loved the way the two men just automatically assumed Holly would be there once Riana agreed to a permanent relationship. 

Riana, Gunter and Clay have a lot of chemistry between them and the scenes between the three are hot.  Riana does have a lot of trust issues with men, so her confusion about her attraction and her actions around them was understandable.  

Quite a few characters from the other stories in this series show up toward the end, which also leads to a pleasant surprise for Riana.  While readers don’t need to read the series in order, I suggest reading A Stranger In Paradise, Looking for Paradise, and Healing in Paradise before Memories in Paradise, as they have a direct bearing on this particular story.