Master's Blood

Title: Master's Blood

Author: M.D. Grimm

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-62798-104-0

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Agent Poe has no time for a relationship; however fate has deemed Poe is the perfect mate for bear shifter Nordik and destiny will not be denied.

 Master's Blood is the sixth book in The Shifters series.  The signature plot is an intriguing action packed storyline highlighting mystery, treachery, desire for power blended with a touch of romantic interludes. This episode features Agent Poe, who has been a secondary character in most of the previous installments. Being an agent was the only profession Poe had ever wanted to do. In Poe’s mind, his career was his sole existence. The agency’s mission is to rescue, along with protect, all the shifters from an organization known as the Knights.    

The agents, as well as the knights, have similar distinctive gifts, although they are on opposite sides of the conflict. The knight’s leader is a dark master of deception, he convinces his followers that ridding the world of shifters are righteous goals, yet he never revealed the real motive for conducting shifter experimentations. Nordik is a mystical century’s old master shifter with a wealth of historical knowledge. He is the appointed protector of Sanctuary as well as its residents. Nordik knew immediately that Poe was his mate, though it took some convincing before Poe accepted their bond.   Nordik’s blood is essential to the enemy’s sinister plans. Nevertheless, what those plans are is the main premise of the series and still a mystery. 

M.D. Grimm’s extremely enjoyable Master's Blood illustrates the spiritual parallel of all earthly creatures. The mythical beings along with the non-mythical mortals intertwined in a conjoined subsistence.  This series is best read in sequence. 

Deadly Target

Title:  Deadly Target

Author:  Laurie Roma

Publisher:  Siren Publishing

Publisher URL:  http://sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-62740-243-9

Genre:  {M/F}, Suspense, Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Mikayla is not happy about having to spend her medical leave in Colorado.  What she doesn’t expect when she meets the neighbor next door is the immediate attraction to Gage.

The third story in the IAD Agency series, Deadly Target, has just as much suspense and action as the previous books and will keep your interest throughout the story.  There are a few moments that could make some readers uncomfortable, as some of the story deals with human trafficking.  The author does a good job with her description of Mikayla’s time in the Army as well.

The chemistry between Mikayla and Gage is very intense from the beginning and I laughed at Gage’s reaction when Mikayla turns him down.  I also laughed at her boss’s and co-workers reactions after Mikayla and Gage’s sister are found, as well as how things had to be resolved.

Gage and his family’s reaction to most of Mikayla’s co-workers showing up afterwards is priceless. I was a little surprised at the fact that the entire family was allowed to know what IAD was and who some of the agents were.  I thought that Gage’s cousin deserved what he got from a couple of the IAD agents when he interfered with Mikayla and Gage. 

Readers that have read this series know how protective the male agents become when their female co-workers get hurt.  Slade, Rock, Adrian, and later Brett, pull just as many stunts as before.

I am looking forward to future stories.  I recommend readers read these stories in order, but it is not absolutely necessary.  

Virgil

Title: Virgil

Author: Joyee Flynn

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

Publishers URL: http://sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622428618

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

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Virgil is in Greece for a few days, tagging along with one of his brothers and his brother’s mate.  While there, he runs into his mate.  The problem is that Virgil’s mate is actually two very large Fae.  Deciding to give their mate a push, Mareo and Foma slip Virgil a little werewolf blood, not realizing exactly what they have set in motion.

Virgil is the eighth, and last, book in the Marius Brothers series.  When Gabriel ended, we were given a peek into Virgil’s cravings.  As this story starts, Virgil is running from what he wants and does not expect to find his mates.  I really felt bad for the vampire warrior.  All his life he has been waiting for his mate, building up a fantasy of how his life would go.  Needless to say, what he gets is so far removed from what he planned on that he runs.  It is easy to understand his fears, as he has not even admitted to himself what he really wants.  When Mareo and Foma unintentionally make things worse, it is hard to decide who I felt more for, Virgil or the Fae.

Virgil is filled with angst, more so than any other story in the series.  Virgil has to learn who he is in order to be happy and along the way finds out some truths he did not expect to hear.  The whole time, Mareo and Foma stand by their mate, even as he freezes them out.  More than once, I wanted to cry for the way things were turning out for Virgil, but love the way everything comes together. 

Of course, there is more to this story than just the men’s relationship.  We learn more about the demons and who may be helping them.  We also find out how the Marius family is just like any other, with misunderstandings and hurt feelings coming out of the woodwork.  

Virgil is a well done story that wraps of this series perfectly.  Do not worry, though, as the author plans to continue bringing the readers more from this world, just under the Beyond the Marius Brothers series.  I can’t wait to see what more is coming.

Gabriel

Title: Gabriel

Author: Joyee Flynn

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

Publishers URL: http://sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622423385

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Gabriel has found his mate, but due to werewolf law, he can’t claim Caven until the young shifter turns nineteen.  Unfortunately, Caven has a hard time accepting that, so after his nineteenth birthday, he continues to deny the vampire what they both want. 

Gabriel is the seventh book in the Marius Brothers series.  If you have been reading the series’ set in the Marius’ world then you will remember both Caven and Gabriel.  Caven is a werewolf shifter who just happens to be a Kappa.  The abuse he suffered at the hands of his last Alpha was horrible and one he is determined to overcome.  Gabriel is a vampire warrior and one of the infamous Marius brothers.  He knows from the time he sees Caven that the younger man is his mate.  Theirs is not the usual mating and with everything that is going on, the men are growing further apart rather than coming together now that Caven is of age. 

I have to say that, in the matter of these two, I have to side more with Caven than Gabriel.   While not yet mated, the two have still been living close together. However Gabriel ignores all the signs that something is wrong with Caven, or even thought about finding out more about what it meant to be mated to a wolf, let alone to a Kappa.  Caven’s reactions to Gabriel are realistic once everything is taken into account and personally, I would have made the vampire warrior grovel just a little more. 

These two do eventually come together and, when they do, the passion between them is intense.  Poor Caven, I felt so bad for him during their Skype sex scene.  The way they finally bond together as mates helps give Caven the strength he needs to become the Alpha he is destined to be.  This, of course, does not mean that everything is smooth sailing as there is a demon attack and pack challenge to add some action to the story.  

Gabriel is an excellent addition to this series and, with one brother left, I am anxious to see what the author has planned.

A Very Marius Christmas

Title: A Very Marius Christmas

Author: Joyee Flynn

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand

Publishers URL: http://sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622422593

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

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and what should be a wonderful time for the Marius family is anything but.   With all the attacks the warriors have had to fight lately, their families are starting to feel the pinch and the various couples are wondering if they should even stay together.

A Very Marius Christmas is the sixth story in the Marius Brothers series.  This story is different from other holiday stories, but will still keep the reader’s attention.  From the time the book starts, the reader is able to tell that they’re in for a change.  When each couple’s original story ended, you found yourself believing that their story would always be a happy one, yet the various conflicts each couple is facing makes you wonder just what the author has planned. 

Since the whole Marius family is present, and the book is written in the first person, the author titles each section keeping the reader from getting confused.  I was unsure if I would like this alternating first person format, especially with all the characters involved, yet soon found myself enjoying hearing from each of the men, as well as their parents.  Wait until you get to the scene where Desmond and his sons go shopping; the way he gives advice will leave you laughing.

One of the things I enjoyed about this story was that the author made each of the couple’s issues seems believable, therefore making the story more real.  She also does not whitewash their issues; instead most of them end up seeing their version of a marriage counselor, Ayden.  When the couples find themselves at peace, be prepared for the pages to heat up. 

Even though he has yet to find his mate, Virgil also shows up throughout the book.  Be prepared for a little shocker at the end of the story.

Fans of this series are sure to love A Very Marius Christmas.  If you love this genre, or are reading this series, don’t miss this story.  

Dance to the Wolf

Title: Dance to the Wolf

Author: H.C. Brown

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing

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

ISBN: 978-1-78184-439-7

Genre: {M/M} Wereshifters Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

The only true pleasure Eton has in his life of slavery are the stolen moments he spends with Raz. All too soon, those brief moments of happiness disappear when Eton is sold first as a pleasure slave and later as a slave to the demonic werewolf pack leader.

Dance to the Wolf is the first book in the Tull Pride series. The plot is a dark fantasy that emulates the American civil war; the theme of profit versus humanity is clearly illustrating slaves as an article of trade. Greediness, politics, along with the laws of the different realms is also a characteristic. Tannabolt law prevents the Slave Masters from forcing people into slavery. However, if the individuals were orphaned children under the age of eighteen, a prisoner of war or a criminal, then slavery was permissible. The law in the Dragonspawn realm, which is home to the cat prides, banned slavery long ago. Nevertheless, the law of freedom did not protect the shifter cubs stolen away during a war with the werewolves. The characters are creditable. Enslaved as a child, the highly intelligent Eton has learned to generate an illusion of obedience. Eton is also a very empathetic young man. When his escape plan was achievable, Eton sought the freedom of the other slaves locked in the werewolf dungeons.

   

As the pride alpha, Raz must consider the welfare of his people before he can focus on his personal happiness. Freeing slaves would be a declaration of war. Yet Raz is determined to free Eton, his inner cat refuses to accept anyone else as a mate. Raz is a knowledgeable skilled warrior; his warfare strategy is almost flawless. Although Eton is not a trained warrior, Raz discovers Eton has admirable language abilities that would be of a benefit to the pride.

H.C. Brown has created an enjoyable, exceptionally impressive saga. The treatment of the slaves is heartbreaking but the unconditional love between Raz and Eton is heartwarming. I look forward to the next episode in this series. 

Under the Waterfall

Title: Under the Waterfall

Author: Neil Plakcy

Publisher: Loose Id

Publishers URL: http://www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62300-383-8

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

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Liam and Aidan have left Tunis and are trying to settle into their new home, but before they can, they are once again sent out on a job.  This one may be harder than any other as it has both men rethinking their relationship.

Under the Waterfall is the fifth story in the Have Body, Will Guard series.  This newest book finds the two men trying to settle down on the French Riviera.  When they are called out to Corsica, neither man is expecting there to be any problems.  At the time of this story, the men, Liam and Aidan, have been together for two years.  In many ways I expected them to be further along in their relationship.  I can understand their continued misgivings concerning Aidan and the bodyguard business, but I have trouble understanding their issues concerning their feelings for each other.  In some ways, it is almost as if they are just coming together as a couple. 

This did not keep me from enjoying Under the Waterfall.  The passion that exists between the men is intense.  I love when Aidan takes control, showing Liam, who is a former SEAL, what it’s like to have someone else calling the shots in bed.  I also love how protective of Aidan Liam is.  Even with their continuing insecurities, Liam and Aidan really are made for each other, something that the author brings across very well. 

As with the other stories in this series, the supposedly simple guard duties the men have taken on becomes much more.  Much to Liam’s chagrin, Aidan continues to become involved in the personal lives of those they are guarding; in this case the client’s son Michael.  There are also some twists in this story that keep the reader interested.  While the culprit is easy to figure out, the reason for their crimes is not what I was expecting.  

Under the Waterfall is a fun read that any fan of this author will enjoy.  The personal and professional twists in the story will hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end.  While it is possible to read each book in this series on its own, I would recommend reading them in order.

Brat and Master

Title:  Brat and Master

Author:  Sindra van Yssel

Publisher:  Loose Id LLC

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-62300-483-5

Genre: {M/F}, BDSM, Series

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Amanda has played with almost all the Doms at Excess, when she sees Jeremy.  Amanda assumes he is a new Dom, but finds out he is far from it.  Jeremy struggles with his attraction to Amanda because she is so different from his late wife.

Brat and Master is the third book in the Excess series.  The author showcases a submissive that knows what she wants, but feels she is misunderstood by the Doms at the club.  Amanda is what is known as a brat, which can be both a good and bad thing depending on different scenarios.

Once Jeremy and Amanda get together, they have some issues because Amanda doesn’t want to be a rebound partner and Jeremy doesn’t like sharing.  Even though they have great chemistry, these issues come between them until they are resolved.  Be aware the scenes between them will burn the pages.

The characters from the previous books all show up and have their say about the situation.  They tend to interfere, with good intentions, of course. I am glad the author made a point about some treatment of submissives by Doms, respecting safe words and limits, as it relates directly to a previous relationship of Amanda’s. 

I am looking forward to future stories in this series, as there is one secondary character that needs her own story.  All three books can be read alone, but reading the series in order will explain some of the background of Excess.