Meteor Strike

Title: Meteor Strike

Author: Silvia Violet

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-62300-385-2

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Sequel

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Astro-physicist Matthew Dansk refuses to compromise his dating rules even if it means suffering a bruised heart. It seems Matthew’s dream of an open relationship with Alan Miller is not in the stars. On the other hand, things have a way of changing, especially when it involves the heart.  

Meteor Strike is a truly heartwarming romance with engaging characters. Matthew’s moral principles illustrates he is fully aware of who he is, an openly gay man. Fortunately, Matthew is so dedicated to his career that he has little time to dwell on his loneliness. Matthew’s only minor flaw is that he envies his contemporaries who are happily in a long term relationship. Alan has a take-charge personality, yet he hides his sexually. Before meeting Matthew, Alan would travel to gay bars far away from his work to indulge in sexual flings. Working closely with Matthew for six months changed Alan’s point of view. When Matthew returned home at the end of the project, Alan realized he no longer desired hiding in the closet or having random sex with strangers. The convention was the opportunity Alan needed to seduce Matthew into a real relationship with him. 

Silvia Violet has created a very touching as well as exceptionally enjoyable sequel to Astronomical.          

Changing Owen’s Mind

Title: Changing Owen’s Mind

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-619-0

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Xavier Agueda has hoped to find his soul mate for over four hundred years and when he meets Detective Owen Hanson, it looks like his dream has come true. The problem—Owen’s deeply in the closet. Xavier’s coven leader is happy to help him and gets a mutual friend to schedule a BBQ so the two men can meet again. Can Xavier convince the closeted cop to take chance and act on their mutual attraction? And what’ll happen when Owen learns Xavier’s a vampire?

Changing Owen’s Mind is the latest book in Charlie Richards’ series, A Paranormal’s Love. Reading the books in order would be best, but at least read A Bite of Fulfillment first.

I like Xavier and Owen and meeting them in the previous release helps because this story is short at about 62 story pages. It’s actually amazing how well developed their personalities are considering the length. Having them meet at a BBQ is a nice touch and it’s a good opportunity to include characters met previously. 

The overall pacing is smooth, the imagery vivid and there’s just enough danger and conflict to keep it interesting. My niggle is Owen’s quick acceptance of Xavier and their mating after his initial reluctance. Even so, I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one. Could it possibly be Owen’s son, Nate? 

A Bite of Fulfillment

Title: A Bite of Fulfillment

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publisher URL: www.eXtasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-607-7

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Being patient is difficult for vampire leader Adalric Bachmeier. That’s particularly true when it comes to wooing his reluctant beloved, Seth Goodwin, who has only recently learned of the paranormal world.  When an attack occurs at the coven house, Adalric doesn’t have any choice but to return home, but he refuses to leave Seth behind.

Learning of paranormal creatures is frightening for Seth and being the focus of a vampire’s attention even more so. He’s been rude to Adalric, so Seth can’t figure out why he’s hanging around. When Seth learns he must accompany Adalric home and needs a bite to keep other vampires away, he hesitantly agrees. But Adalric’s home isn’t what Seth expects, and the bombshell of their true relationship is shocking. Can Seth accept his place in the vampire world or will his fear end it before it even begins?

A Bite of Fulfillment is the second release in Charlie Richards’ series, A Paranormal’s Love.  It takes up shortly after the first book ends, so the books should be read in order.

Initially, Seth is frustrating because of his refusal of accept that his life has changed forever.  He’s rude to Adalric—annoyingly so—and while I understand his reaction, it continued longer than expected. These two guys are pretty funny at times and their communication skills—well, in the beginning—they need work. Despite how Seth starts out, I like him. I like Adalric too, and considering the length of this release, their personalities are pretty well developed.   

Once they arrive at Adalric’s coven house and Seth realizes the truth of their relationship, the pace of the story picks up. Here we get to meet some interesting new individuals who will play roles important here and later—so pay attention. My big niggle with Seth is how rapidly his attitude toward Adalric changes. I know—it’s the whole mate bond thing—but it’s still a bit quick for me.  Still, I like these two as a couple and once they get together, their relationship is believable. And I can’t forget the villains in this piece—adding lots of action and danger.  Look for Changing Owen's Mind next.

Re/Paired

Title:  Re/Paired

Author:  Michele Zurlo

Publisher:  Loose Id

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-62300-194-0

Genre:   {M/F}, BDSM, Contemporary, Sequel

Rating:  5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Katrina decides she isn’t going to just settle for being friends with Keith anymore.  She also wants to find a Dom to train her.  Keith fits the bill for Katrina, in more ways than one.

Re/Paired is the sequel to Re/Bound and picks soon after Re/Bound ends.  This time the main story is about Katrina and Keith and there is a lot of suspense, as well as some good BDSM scenes.  One thing I really liked about this book is that the author chose to delve a little bit more into how negotiations about limits within a relationship are done.  I also liked that Ms. Zurlo showed that a submissive isn’t necessarily a doormat, as some people think. 

Katrina was not shy about letting Keith know when she thought he went too far and also called him on his attitude. The two have been friends ever since Katrina’s brother brought him home to meet his family.  This book is mostly about their evolving relationship, which can be very intense as they have some great chemistry. 

As the story progresses, there are lots of emotional highs and lows, especially when Katrina finds out she has a stalker.  I was a little surprised about who the stalker was, though it became clear toward the end of book it was also related to what happened in Re/Bound.

There were a couple of secondary characters that I would like to see have their own story.  I did have to laugh at the reaction that both agents had when Katrina showed up at a munch and their reaction to her request. I also loved the flogging practice at the women’s night in. 

To get the most out of this story, readers should read Re/Bound before reading Re/Paired, even though this could be read by itself.

Rogue of the Highlands

Title: Rogue of the Highlands

Author:  Cynthia Breeding

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

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

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-61921-047-9

Genre:  {M/F} Historical

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

As a widowed marchioness Jillian Alton has very few options to become financially independent.  There would be no place for her, once Jillian’s step-son returned home to take control of the family holdings.  After enduring a difficult marriage, Jillian vowed that no man would ever own her again.  When an offer from the prince is presented to her, Jillian takes on the job eagerly.  Polishing a newly titled Scotsman should be a simple task.

The last thing Ian MacLeod wanted was to be an earl and prance about in English attire all day.  He didn’t think there was anything wrong with his manners.  But, the perks that came with his new title was what his clan needed, so he had no choice.  As soon as possible, Ian planned to return home to Scotland. 

Ian was definitely drawn to his new teacher, who looked like a woodland nymph.  Even though she seemed a bit too serious at times, Ian intended to be the man to get Jillian to break a few rules.  Jillian was determined not to give in to Ian’s flirting, yet she couldn’t stop the butterflies she felt each time he looked at her. 

The more time they spent together, Ian and Jillian begin wondering about their future.  Ian knows he wants Jillian as his wife, but Jillian refuses his offer, even though it breaks her heart.  As Jillian’s step-son becomes an unexpected problem, things become hazardous. 

Rogue of the Highlands is the first book in the Rogue series and will refresh your memory on how scrumptious men in kilts are.  Ian is a man of great honor and he has strong feelings about what is right.  He knows the proper way to treat a woman, even though his dinner etiquette might be lacking.  His affection for Jillian and her sister was touching and I was cheering for Ian to get the girl the second he appeared.  Jillian let her guard down with him even when she didn’t mean to.  There were times my heart bleed for some of the things Jillian endured.  I’m glad she was a quick thinker and that Jillian didn’t let her past kill her chance for happiness.  She deserved so much and I felt Ian was the only man who could give it to her.  Readers will embrace both characters like old friends and enjoy this read as much as I did. 

Healing Minds

Title: Healing Minds

Author: M.D. Grimm

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-62380-777-1

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Wolf shifter Xavier is slowly regaining his memory, yet the sinister voice compelling him to kill is still inside his head. After listening to his jailer’s voice for six months, Xavier begins to realize that agent aide, Josh McPhee, is the only one who can silence the hellish voice controlling his mind.

Healing Minds is the fifth book in The Shifters series. The plot is well paced. The characters are engaging.  A charismatic madman has amassed a large following of weak-minded humans. The leader of the group known as the Knights has directed his disciples to destroy all shifters. However, Xavier’s life was spared after an experiment appeared to be successful. Xavier would kill on command. Xavier suffers an abundance of remorse for the past murders he committed, though he was not a killer before being captured by the hate group. Josh helped Xavier rediscover his humanity. As the jailer and captive relationship between Josh and Xavier evolves into a loving bond, Josh is thrown into an emotional turmoil. Josh must choose the Agency or Xavier, he cannot have both. 

M.D. Grimm has created another exciting as well as especially enjoyable episode. Healing Minds has a profusion of intense action, a few heartwarming revelations along with brief intimate moments.