Wednesday, December 31, 2014
A Wedding to Die For
Title:
A
Wedding to Die For
Author:
Xavier Mayne
Publisher:
Dreamspinner Press
Publishers
URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781632164704
Genre:
{M/M}, Mystery, Series
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Brandt
and Donnelly are once again called in for a special assignment at the behest of
the governor. This time, the two
officers are asked to look into the possibility that the rights of a couple of
prominent individuals have been violated.
This sends the two men into the crazy world of wedding planning, where
things are not always what they seem.
A Wedding to Die For is the newest story in the Brandt and Donnelly Capers series. This story is a crazy read that will have you
laughing one moment and in shock the next.
While it is possible for each story to stand on its own, it is important
that you at least read the first book in the series before reading any of the
others.
Brandt
and Donnelly are closer than ever and are looking forward to their upcoming
wedding. When their newest case involves
the wedding planning world, the two men look at this as a chance to get some
tips for themselves. The case looks as
if it’s going to be easy-going, while readers will feel the same way, so they
will be very surprised when things begin to go downhill fast. While readers will have a good idea about who
the “bad guy” is early in the story, there are little twists and turns that will
surprise the reader and show that everything is not as it seems. There is one really big surprise that I did
not see coming and was really shocked by.
I have to say it left me crying and a little mad at the author.
A Wedding to Die For is not all angst, however. There are a lot of lighter moments thanks to
Bryce and Nestor, a couple of secondary characters that find their way into
each of the stories. Fans of this series
know, that as soon as Brandt and Donnelly ask Bryce to help with the planning
of their wedding, things will get out of hand fast. There were times that I found myself laughing
out loud and wondered just how the author came up with some of the situations
that the men found themselves in.
A Wedding to Die For is a great addition for this
series. Like the previous books, this
one will have you turning the pages anxious to see what will happen next. It will also leave you dying to see what the
author has planned next for our main characters and hoping the next book will
be out soon.
If
you have not tried anything by this author, the Brandt and Donnelly Capers series is a great place to start.
Learning To Love Cats
Title: Learning
To Love Cats
Author: K. M. Mahoney
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com
ISBN: 978-1-61124-701-5
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
Mike is not fond of cats; nevertheless he is willing to sacrifice
his disparaging cat attitude for Riley.
Learning To Love Cats is a romantic comedy. The short
story’s plot highlights the family dynamics of both men, as well as the Norwegian
Forest Cat personalities.
Mike has an easy going cheerful personality; he enjoys doing
the simple things in life, especially with Riley.
Riley is a little timid but with Mike but Riley discovered
that he could relax. Riley also treats his cats like beloved children. His only
relationship condition is that Mike had to agree to change his negative
attitude towards the cats.
Mike and Riley have a whirlwind romance, after only a couple
of weeks Mike knew he was in love with Riley. It took Riley a few days longer
to actually admit his feelings though he suspected Mike was the one man Riley
wanted a long term relationship with.
I thoroughly enjoyed the enchanting Learning To Love Cats.
In Too Deep
Title:
In
Too Deep
Author:
Kate Sherwood
Publisher:
Dreamspinner Press
Publishers
URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781632161253
Genre:
{M/M}, Contemporary
Rating:
4 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Cade
and Aiden are totally opposites with nothing in common. That’s why Aiden cannot understand what it is
that draws him to the other man, but he does know that he needs to make some
kind of connection. Neither man is ready
for where things are headed but once they come together, both will fight for
what they found.
In Too Deep is an angst-ridden story that
touches on issues that may be difficult for some readers. That out of the way, this is a story that
will grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning and keep them turning
the pages. Individually, the main
characters are interesting; however, I could not see how the author even
thought they would make a good pairing.
As I got deeper into the story, it was easy to see that these two
balance each other out, bringing into their relationship something the other
needs.
The
two do not come together easily, in fact there were times when I wondered if
they would even come together at all.
Once they do come together, their relationship grows strong fast,
especially on Aiden’s side. Readers may
find Cade a little hard to like at times, but there is a reason for the way he
behaves and it makes things easier to understand once his story comes out. I am glad that Aiden found Cade to be someone
to stick with as I really wanted this character to find his HEA.
There
are several secondary characters in this story, and while the actions of some
of them may be deplorable, they play an important part in the men’s story and
help move things along. I would have
liked to have seen one of them get their comeuppance but just knowing what the
boys’ have planned worked too.
This
is a book that I am sure will find itself on many keeper shelves and is one
that I plan to re-read in the future.
A King Undone
Title: A King Undone
Author: Cooper Davis
Publisher: Samhain
Publishing
Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com
ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61922-427-8
Genre: {M/M}
Alternative History Series
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs
Reviewer: Dragon Minx
King Arend Tollemach might
live in a world where noblemen court and marry other men, but it doesn’t mean
that same option is open to kings and princes. Yet after his queen dies, Arend
decides he’s sacrificed enough personal happiness and he’s willing to risk a
scandal. He applies to the secretive Temple
Sapphor
Sold to the temple ten
years ago, Julian has spent the time waiting and hoping but has been passed
over many times. He’s afraid he’ll spend the rest of his life within the temple
walls alone, but then he greets Arend at the temple gates. The beautiful king
makes his heart flutter.
Taking Julian as his
concubine is easy. Keeping him is much harder when demands of the kingdom try
to rip them apart. The question is whether he can find a way that they can stay
together when royal duty make demands Arend might not be able to overlook.
A King Undone is the first release in the new Noble Pleasures series by Cooper Davis.
You’d think with the
premise of Arend getting a concubine that the story would be filled with lots
of sex but that isn’t the case. Yes, Arend and Julian are attracted from the
beginning but instead of jumping into bed immediately, Arend decides to court
Julian before the physical side of their relationship begins. It’s a little
unexpected but not unappreciated, giving the story a typical Regency feel. It allows
the author time to develop the plot line and the personalities of both men. The
slow timing of their relationship also means there’s plenty of sizzling tension
and it’s nicely done.
Arend and Julian make
a good couple and I’m curious as to how their story will continue, but there
are several secondary characters that are wonderful additions to the story too.
They really added a depth to the story and I hope to see more of them with the
next book. The world building is pretty well done, as is the descriptions of
Arend and Julian’s personal backgrounds. Nothing about the pace of this story
is fast but it doesn’t drag either. If you enjoy the idea of Regency-like world
where men can have relationships with other men, I suggest you give this new
series a try.
The Vampire’s Geek
Title:
The Vampire’s Geek
Author:
Charlie Richards
Publisher:
eXtasy Book
Publishers
URL: http://www.extasybooks.com
ISBN/BIN:
978-1-4874-0140-5
Genre:
{M/M}, Paranormal, Series
Rating:
4 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Toby
isn’t the sexy hero that is going to find his true mate, at least that’s what
he thinks. When he meets Tullion in the
grocery store, he’s surprised by the strong connection he feels for the
incredibly sexy man.
The Vampire’s Geek is the latest addition to the Wolves of Stone Ridge series. This newest book is probably my favorite to
date because of the way the author changed things up some.
Toby
is a character that readers of this series have come to know. He is one of those unassuming people and I
had actually forgotten all about him.
Tullion is a vampire enforcer on the run for a crime he did not commit. The last thing he is planning on is finding
his mate. These two waste no time coming
together and, before either of them realizes what’s going on, they become mates.
Up
until this moment everything follows basically the same layout as the previous
books. Characters meet, mate pull kicks
in, sex ensues, and the men live happily ever after. But this is where The Vampire’s Geek changes things and I loved the switch up.
Then
there is the matter of the murder Tullion is framed for. While I wish the author would have spent a
little more time with this part of the story, I like the way it was wrapped up,
especially as it introduces Tullion’s siblings.
I am hoping several of them will be finding their own mates soon.
Several
previous characters show up to give Tullion and Toby a hand, which leads to
some funny moments at times. Fans of
this series are sure to love this new story and I am sure it will find its way
on many must read lists.
And Manny Makes Seven
Title: And
Manny Makes Seven
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere
Press
Publisher URL: www.torquerebooks.com
ISBN/BIN:
978-1-61040-840-0
Genre: {M/M}
Contemporary Series
Rating: 3.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs
Reviewer: Dragon Minx
The last three years have
been tough on Adam. He’s only twenty-one and trying to stay in college while
caring for his five siblings. Now the person he depends on, his academic mentor
and his mother’s best friend, Helen, has died. He desperately needs help. Then
he learns Helen left him her house, three million dollars, and two shi tzus in
her will. He has money for a nanny.
Hutch has been a nanny
since age nineteen, and has taken care of numerous children from a wide variety
of families. Five kids are more than he’s used to but he’s confident that he
can handle Adam’s siblings. They need him and stressed out Adam does too.
And Manny Makes Seven is the newest release in Sean Michael’s Mannies Incorporated series. There
are no recurring characters, so this should be considered a standalone.
When I started this
book, I was in the mood for something sweet, and that’s what I got with this fun
and entertaining romance. It’s a story
of a family that’s been through some rough times and there really aren’t outside
conflicts. It’s about Adam and his relationship with his younger siblings and
how they deal with each other—and for the three littlest ones, he’s more of a
father than a brother.
I liked that Adam
continued his education despite his inheritance. Hiring a manny was his big
step and the author worked it into his life seamlessly. Their personalities
gelled nicely and I enjoyed the scene where they first met and it was so
obvious Adam needed help. The chaos was written so realistically I could easily
visualize what was going on, pulling me into the story. I really enjoyed the
little kids—they were scenes stealers and the two teenagers were just
that—teenagers.
As Hutch settled into
the family, the dynamics changed and so did how the various people interacted.
He and Adam didn’t start their personal relationship immediately, which I liked
but once they did, the sex was a little too frequent for a book with so many
kids playing prominent roles. A couple of my other niggles involve some editing
problems and the fact that there were so many nicknames thrown around. It was
difficult to follow in the beginning and I had to go back several times to
figure out who was being referred to. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy
this old fashioned love story...I did…and I’ll likely read it again.
Ace, Deuce, Trey
Title: Ace, Deuce,
Trey
Author: KC Kendricks
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com
ISBN: 978-1-61124-712-1
Genre: {M/M} Mystery Series
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
FBI agent Rick Mohr is undercover in his work, as well as
his personal life. Few people at the agency know Rick is gay and the live-in
boyfriend of private investigator Ian Coulter. This is lucky for the two
lawmen, especially when a career criminal becomes a person of interest to Rick
and Ian’s different case investigations.
Ace, Deuce, Trey is part of the Amethyst Cove Mysteries series. The plot features Rick and Ian
learning to live together as well as the strides made in building trust between
them. The mystery is Ian’s con artist case and Rick’s jewel thief case. The
question is how many culprits are they attempting to capture?
The jewel thief is known to follow the various jewelry
shows, yet the FBI has no pictures or any other evidence to identify the
perpetrator. Ian’s client managed to snap a picture of the con artist, but a
picture alone is not enough to identify the culprit. Sharing what information
they have, Rick and Ian set a trap. However, not everything goes as planned.
Cue in the action scenes here. There are more intriguing tidbits in the
storyline that I did not mention. Although I will say all issues were resolved
to my satisfaction.
Finding Matt
Title:
Finding
Matt
Author:
JD Ruskin
Publisher:
Dreamspinner Press
Publishers
URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781632162779
Genre:
{M/M}, Suspense, Paranormal
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Jaron
is barely making a living as a pet psychic when he is approached by the family
of a missing little boy. They hope he
will be able to track him through his dog, but not everyone sees Jaron as a
blessing. Especially Officer Silva.
Finding Matt is a great paranormal romance that
puts a new spin of the psychic main character. Being a psychic is hard enough,
but one that deals with pets is even more of a joke. Work on a kidnapping and it’s only natural
that things are sure to get out of hand fast.
I
love that the author made Jaron a pet psychic and that we are able to see some
of his interactions with the pets in this story. I also really loved Jaron’s dog, Bear, who at
times had me laughing. As you would
expect, Jaron is not always taken seriously due to his profession, but he has
his past to live down as well.
Then
there is Officer Paulo Silva. Paulo is a
recent transfer to the Stanton Police Department. The author does eventually tell the reader
why the young man ended up changing jobs and it is not for the faint of
heart. While the mystery that the main
characters find themselves caught up in is tough at times, the case that causes
Paulo so much heartbreak is just plain gruesome and may be hard on some
readers.
I
have to admit that I was not altogether sure who would be pairing up with whom
in this story, as there are two secondary characters that have strong
connections with Paulo and Jaron. The
author uses these secondary characters to bring the men either closer together
or to pull them apart at times.
Finding Matt is primarily a mystery with a
little romance thrown in on the side.
That being the case, the men’s relationship never really reaches the hot
and heavy stage, but that did not keep me from turning the pages of this
book. I loved the story and the little
twists and turns the author threw in.
The characters held my interest and I was anxious to see what would
happen next. In fact, I would love to
see Jaron and Paulo come back for more books.
Tethered Pair
Title:
Tethered
Pair
Author:
Elizabeth Noble
Publisher:
Dreamspinner Press
Publishers
URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781632163936
Genre:
{M/M}, Paranormal, Futuristic, Series
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Nick
and Todd are once again called into service by Chancellor Clarke. While the men know that no mission ever goes
as planned, they have no idea what is in store for them. This newest mission will change more than
just Nick’s and Todd’s lives, but are they up for what lays ahead.
Tethered Pair is the newest story in the Sentries series. This series is one that has to be read in order
so if you have not read the previous books; you may want to skip this
review. Nick and Todd are pulled into
service by the Chancellor and this newest mission has more twists and turns
than either man will see coming. I like
that the author is still able to surprise the readers with each new story,
thereby keeping the series from becoming stale.
The
connection between Nick and Todd is just as strong as ever. The fact that they
continue to handle the Slave/Owner aspect differently from the norm, still
becomes an issue at times however. While
the men do find themselves at odds, readers know that things will work
themselves out smoothly.
There
are a lot of heavy moments in Tethered
Pair, a couple which will change the men’s lives for good. However there
are a few lighter moments as well, and the secondary character, Heidi, is sure
to make you laugh. I was surprised by
how the author wrapped Tethered Pair
up and am curious as to which direction the series will go in now.
The
Sentries series is a great one to
read for those who are into the futuristic sub-genre. Just keep in mind that you must read the
series in order.
Cream
Title: Cream
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere
Press
Publisher URL: www.torquerebooks.com
ISBN/BIN:
978-1-61040-844-8
Genre: {M/M} BDSM
Series
Rating: 2.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs
Reviewer: Dragon Minx
Making Beat &
Cream bakery a success is Storm’s passion. He works hard, making cakes, cookies and pastries to entice
customers into his store. He even makes custom naughty confections that have
become popular with some members of the Hammer Club. He’s not into the BDSM lifestyle himself but
is more than happy for his creations to provide a steady flow of customers.
Zeb has a serious
sweet tooth and hears about Storm’s bakery from other members at the Hammer
club. He has to check is out and as soon as he does, is hooked on the
confections and their creator. As an unattached Top at the Hammer, Zeb could
have any sub, but now he’s fallen for someone uninterested in the lifestyle he
leads. What does it mean for them?
Cream is the latest release in Sean Michael long-running M/M BDSM Hammer series. A Top being involved with
someone not in the BDSM lifestyle isn’t a usual premise for a book in this
series. I was enthralled with the idea and curious as to how it might be
handled, only to be totally disappointed in the direction the plot took.
From the blurb I
expected to read a story of Zeb learning to adjust to life with a lover outside
the BDSM world. Instead of letting Storm be the person he already is—happy,
healthy, hardworking, and seemingly without any issues in his life, Zeb decides,
for whatever reason, that he’s a sub. Storm is the one changed to make the plot
line work. Unfortunately, his initial personality set-up never gave any
indication that he’s a sub or leans in that direction—at least not that I saw. This
didn’t work for me—at all. Yes, it works within the series formula writing
style, but it means taking an already established character personality and
turning him into someone he wasn’t at the beginning of the book—needy and a bit
whiney, in my opinion. I don’t know that
I’d recognize Storm as the same person. I certainly didn’t like him as well
after Zeb changed him.
So, I’m sorry to say,
I didn’t like this one. Not only for the above mentioned issues but because
there really isn’t any story backbone. It’s all about changing Storm into a sub
and Zeb loving sweets. So there is lots of sex and Zeb sampling baked good. No
fights, no conflicts and no angst. There just isn’t anything to hold it
together or recommend it. For a series that I’ve read for so long—I expected
more.
Broken Bridges
Title: Broken
Bridges
Author: Cheyenne
Meadows
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Publisher URL: www.totallybound.com
ISBN: 9781784303464
Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Mystery
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
Three murders in three days? Somebody has a grudge against
bear shifters. It is Alpha wolf shifter Detective Dax Steel’s job to solve the
cases. However, Dax needs more clues to help the investigation. Dax needs help
from his former lover, bear shifter Adin.
In Broken Bridges the plot is an intriguing second
chance romance blended with profiling a serial killer drama that builds the
suspense almost to the ending. The setting is a modern day city somewhere in America . The
characters are creditable.
The law enforcement community consists of humans, as well as
shifters working together; although the humans are not aware that some of their
co-workers have the ability to shift into animals. With his keen sense of
smell, Dax notices a faint odor emitting from each victim, this is the only
clue. Finally indentifying the lethal concoction, the race is on to find the
psychotic perpetrator before more shifters are exterminated.
True to his alpha nature, Dax is a protector as well as
being very bossy. His dominant attitude caused a rift in his previous
relationship with Adin.
Being a bear shifter, Adin was more than capable of
protecting himself. Also, Adin has an independent nature, he is not accustomed
to being obedient to anyone; this was the most important characteristic Dax
failed to recognize in Adin’s personality.
Cheyenne Meadows has created an impressively absorbing saga
that I greatly enjoyed.
Promise of Paradise
Title: Promise of
Paradise
Author: Tianna Xander
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publisher
URL: www.extasybooks.com
ISBN/BIN: 978-1-4874-0146-7
Genre: {M/F/M}, Paranormal, Series
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary
Nymphs Reviewer: Amazon Nymph
Nadya
is one of three friends wanting to leave the carnival she works in. She is very surprised that Luc and Gabe are
attracted to her as she is over 40 and not what you would exactly call skinny.
The
latest story in the Paradise series, Promise of Paradise, picks up where the
last story ends as Nadya wants to make a life of her own. Nadya is having a hard time accepting that
two men are so attracted to her, despite what her friends tell her.
Nadya
is surprised how much she wants Luc and Gabe to be truly hers. It takes a while for Luc and Gabe to convince
her, but once they do, things definitely look up. Unfortunately, she doesn’t realize how much
danger she is in.
I
loved the solution the author came up with to end Perry’s reign of terror. I had to laugh when I realized what was
done. The author has a knack for
devising suspenseful situations for the men to rescue their lady. I also love the fact that the heroines are
not always the typical women found in romances.
I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Forgetting Yesterday
Title: Forgetting
Yesterday
Author: Hurri Cosmo
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com
ISBN: 978-1-61124-694-0
Genre: {M/M} Ro mantic
Comedy
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
Marc is a prize catch, according to all the ladies in the
office. However, when Marc visits the warehouse and sets eyes on Seth, Marc
suddenly realizes that he has been pursuing the wrong gender.
Forgetting Yesterday is an amusing story of
discovery. The plot showcases some of the sneaky tactics used by straight women
desperate for a boyfriend plus the excitement of seduction. The characters are
believable.
Marc is a salesman; the ability to be charming to people is
part of what makes him successful at his job. His well groomed good looks also
add to his appeal. The women are the primary seducers; Marc simply complies
with the female’s wishes. But once Marc realized he was attracted to Seth, Marc
was forced to become the seducer since Seth declined to date Marc.
Seth does not hide his sexuality, but he does not advertise
it either. Only a few of Seth’s co-workers knew he was gay. Because Marc was
considered a straight man, Seth thought Marc was merely curious. Past
experience with straight men had taught Seth to be wary of a relationship with
Marc.
Hurri Cosmo has created a thoroughly engaging as well as an
incredibly enjoyable saga. The storyline is amazingly energetic and touching.
Mission
Title: Mission
Author: Viola Grace
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publisher
URL: www.extasybooks.com
ISBN/BIN: 978-1-4874-0135-1
Genre: {M/F}, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Space Opera,
Series
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymphs Reviewer: Amazon Nymph
Jewel
is taken prisoner while working as a peacekeeper. Her skill turns out to be in demand when she
is used to calm Stormyo each time he is injured after a fight.
The
latest in the Terran Times Second Wave
series, Mission, brings together a
Terran with the ability to calm everyone around her and an outcast among his own people. She is captured during an altercation and
kept even when the other women officers are ransomed back.
Stormyo
is a deer shifter who is making his living as a fighter because he doesn’t fit
in on his home world. Stormyo is
attracted to Jewel and takes matters into his own hands once he finds out she
is being mistreated. Of course, they end
up falling for each other.
I
loved the solution that the author came up with to make sure Stormyo and Jewel
could stay together. There was an
interesting twist regarding Jewel’s sister once she found out about the couple.
I
have to say that this series continues to surprise me with the different little
twists the author comes up with. I also
like her remark about the animals that the artists put on the covers as she
feels she must add that animal to the story.
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Primal Desire
Title:
Primal Desire
Author:
Lupa Garneau
Publisher:
Totally Bound Books
Publishers
URL: https://www.totallybound.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781784302948
Genre:
{M/M}, Paranormal, Fantasy, Series
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Humans
know nothing about shifters and, as it turns out, even some shifters know very
little about their world. When the Rune
Fang’s prodigal son returns home and meets Cole, a clumsy young shifter seeking
temporary shelter, things start to change at a very fast rate. Now Nexhan is worried that those in his pack,
as well as others, will have trouble staying a step ahead of those
changes.
Primal Desire is the first book in the Children of Shairobi series by author
Lupa Garneau. Primal Desire sets up this series wonderfully, and gives the reader
a refreshing spin on the shifter sub-genre.
The characters, both main and secondary, are well written, and Cole and Nexhan
pull you into their story from the beginning.
There
is some strong chemistry between Cole and Nexhan, however, both men have
serious issues which keep them from understanding what is going on between them
right away. These issues, as well as
others that pop up, result in many twists and turns that hold the reader’s
attention and keep them turning the pages.
I
was curious to see how everything would play out, not only between Cole and
Nexhan, but also between Cole and his family, as well as with the problems
facing the various packs. The author did
a wonderful job wrapping up some of the story lines while keeping the reader
looking forward to the next book. Fans
of the paranormal sub-genre should really give this story a shot, as I am sure
it will end up on many readers’ keeper shelves.
Readers should also know that Primal
Desire had been published elsewhere and has been re-edited and re-vised
with this new edition.
Bayou des Enfants
Title: Bayou
des Enfants
Author: Lynn
Lorenz
Publisher: Loose
Id
Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com
ISBN: 978-1-62300-616-7
Genre: {M/M} Shifter Series
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
The mating between Sheriff Scott and former New Orleans
Bayou des
Enfants is the fourth
book in the Ro ugaroux Social Club series. The setting
is southern Louisiana
Scott is the
werewolf alpha mated to Ted who is a human. Before meeting his mate Ted, Scott
assumes he would mate with a female and have children like most of the wolves
in the pack. Scott did not realize his wolf was gay. After mating with another
male, Scott’s desire for children became a lower priory.
Ted has known
since his childhood that he was gay; having children had not been a
consideration before he was mated to werewolf Scott. For the last year Ted’s
focus has been on building his private investigator business, his painting as
well as his relationship with Scott.
Another main
character in this episode is Darlene, who is Scott’s mother. Darlene claims to
be a devout Catholic by way of casting voodoo love spells. Unfortunately,
Darlene’s spells stirs up trouble that Scott and Ted are forced to resolve.
Lynn Lorenz has
created a superb saga that I enjoyed immensely. All of the characters are
entertaining, the storyline is touching and the intimacy is incredibly
sensuous.
Who Cannot See
Title: Who Cannot See
Author: BA Tortuga
Publisher: Torquere Press
Publisher URL: www.torquerepress.com
ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61040-823-3
Genre: {M/M} Western; Paranormal; Short Story
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Ro se
Nymph
The moment Edmund finds the poor, stricken Blaze huddled in his barn, all he feels is the need to protect, to heal, and to love. Edmund has been a vampire for longer than he can remember. He has no interest in the petty quarrels of humans, but there is just something about Blaze. Edmund may have lost his sight, but there is an instant connection with the man that he cherishes. He can see the good in him, but Blaze has been called a sinner for so long now, Edmund worries that Blaze is actually starting to believe it. It pains Edmund to see doubt clouding Blaze’s mind. He is starting to fear that it is not the posse that poses a threat to their happiness, but the demons within.
Who Can Not See is a short story that packs in some very cool ideas and interesting characters. I found the connection between Edmund and Blaze very interesting. I felt myself getting caught up in the joy Edmund experienced by being able to see through Blaze’s eyes. Blaze is a sweet man, instantly likable. Their physical connection is explored thoroughly, and there are some very erotic scenes as their mental and physical connections merge into one.
The threat of the posse out to end Blaze’s life was always in the back of my mind as I followed Edmund & Blaze’s exploration of their connection. I felt this, and the ultimate conclusion of the story was written particularly well, as it emphasised the seriousness of the mental damage Blaze has suffered as well as the physical. The characters had an impact on me and I am left with questions that make me want to explore them more, most noticeably, that of how Edmund lost his sight and came to be in the situation he is when we meet him. I also enjoyed the hints of more to come with some interesting supporting characters. Although I read this as a single story, it can also be found in the publishing company’s anthology Eternally Dark. If you are a fan of the genres, I recommend checking out both.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
All That Heaven Will Allow
Title:
All
That Heaven Will Allow
Author:
D.W. Marchwell
Publisher:
Dreamspinner Press
Publishers
URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN/BIN:
9781632161673
Genre:
{M/M}, Contemporary
Rating:
4.5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Jimmy’s
life started out rocky but now he’s finally at a place where he is happy. The one thing missing, however, is a forever
love and Jimmy is beginning to wonder if his time has passed. But in walks Derek, and soon Jimmy’s life
could not be any more perfect.
All That Heaven Will Allow is the newest book by author D.W.
Marchwell. This is a well written story
with strong characters who will grab you from the beginning. Jimmy grew up in an abusive family
environment. It took him a while to
reach the point where he is finally happy.
While he would like to find someone to spend the rest of his life with,
he knows that may not happen and finds other ways to fill the empty space in
his heart. Derek is a bit of a pain in
the beginning, but it is easy to understand why. I could not believe the way Derek’s ex-wife
and children behaved and thought they should have been put in their place
sooner. The first meeting between Derek
and Jimmy made me smile and I loved the way Jimmy sets him straight.
There
is a strong attraction between the two men that really sets the pages on
fire. While some might find their
instant connection unrealistic, it was one of the things I enjoyed the most in
this story. I wondered how the author
would bring these two together since Jimmy was settled and Derek was still foot-
loose.
There
are a few obstacles that Jimmy and Derek must overcome before they can find
their happily ever after. One obstacle
is so big and unexpected that, I must admit, I was a little worried. I loved the way the author wraps everything
up, however, and the last few pages are sure to make you smile.
Intimate Details
Title: Intimate Details
Author: Tina Donahue
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.
Publisher
URL: www.sirenbookstrand.com
ISBN/BIN: 978-1-63258-535-6
Genre: {M/F/M}, Ménage, BDSM
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary
Nymphs Reviewer: Amazon Nymph
Mike
and Cody end up hiring Shana after she shows up for an interview with their
entire lives in a file, including some very private information, that she used
her hacking skills to get. Her goal is
to work with their pro-bono cases as well as exacting justice for her past.
Intimate
Details
had a lot of details about some of the hacking that can be done by a good
hacker. The only thing I was a little
worried about is just how much can actually be hidden by a hacker without
leaving some kind of trace. As the story
progresses, readers will learn a lot about Shana and the reasons she started
hacking. I was glad the author had the
men convince Shana that there were ways to go about things legally instead of
risking jail time.
Mike
and Cody are best friends and are instantly attracted to Shana. Eventually the three act on their attraction,
though Shana resists letting them know about her past. The scenes are hot, and eventually Shana lets
them know more about her, which makes the men do their best to help and protect
her.
I
was a little disappointed with the ending, as I felt the author jumped to the
epilogue a little too soon. I would have
liked to know more about how they arrived at the solutions they did. All in all, this was a good story that kept
my interest.
The Alpha King
Title:
The Alpha
King
Author:
Viktor Alexander
Publisher:
Ro oster and Pig Publishing
Publishers
URL: http://www.roosterandpigpublishing.com
ISBN/BIN:
9780692325810
Genre:
{M/M}, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Series
Rating:
5 Nymphs
Literary
Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph
Talon
loves his job and his family and wouldn’t change a thing. Okay, maybe one thing. The fact that he is a Vermithian means he can
get pregnant and, since that is one thing he wants to avoid at all cost, he
limits his sexual relationships to one night stands and all the protection he
can find. When his latest job finds him
crash landing light-years away from his scheduled stop, the rest of his life
starts to spin out of control.
The Alpha King is the newest book by author Viktor
Alexander. This is a second edition and
has been greatly expanded, so I would urge those who have already read the
first edition to think about repurchasing.
The Alpha King is the story of two young men
affected by the actions of their parents. Talon, a young man who has no
knowledge of his past, is grateful for the love of his adoptive parents and
sister. He is also a bit of a free
spirit whose actions, as well as what comes out of his mouth, made me laugh at
times. Blaze is the king of his people
and takes his role seriously, sometimes too much. He carries around a lot of guilt when it
comes to his younger brother and worries about repairing the damage he has
caused.
You
would think the free spirit and responsible royal would have little in common,
yet they click from the beginning. While
some might think that has a lot to do with the mate bound, it also has to do
with the men themselves. Blaze and Talon
balance each other out, allowing them to grow into their roles as Alpha King
and Alpha Queen.
As
you would expect, the relationship between these two is the main focus of the
story. It is full of ups and downs, with
twists thrown in, that readers may or may not see coming, yet there is a lot of
secondary plot lines woven into this first book of the Passion’s Hero series. I am
curious as to how each of the future stories will play out and hope we do not
have to long to wait before we see book two.
Species of Guy and Other Party Tales
Author: J.P. Maines
Publisher: MLR Press
Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com
ISBN: MLR-1-02014-0340
Genre: {M/M} Satire
Rating: 3 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx
Peter London describes navigating the treacherous domains
whilst searching for the perfect long term monogamous relationship candidate.
Species of Guy and Other Party Tales gives fairly
amusing details of the various traits, as well as the lack of ethics of some
gay men. However, these descriptions could apply to any single man or woman.
The narration reminds me of a stand-up comedy act.
The rating of Graphic:
meaning high level of sensuality, detailed love scenes, graphic description of
anatomy and of sexual acts did not match. The storyline simply did not
live up to my expectations based on the book’s rating.
Each chapter is an explanation of the titles such as The
Northern Gay Cheating Rules; Thrust the Trust, The Candle Guys, The Waving Guy,
The Phantom Guy, The Bullshit Guy and so on. Each episode is a lesson in ethics
according to Peter.
Species of Guy and Other Party Tales is, to some
extent, enjoyable despite the fact that my interest was not fully engaged by
the characters.
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