Bad Influence

Title: Bad Influence

Author: K. A. Mitchell

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-61922-215-1

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Publication Date: 04-15-2014

It has taken Silver three years to get his life on track. Unfortunately the sight of his former boyfriend Zebediah Harris renews the pain of rejection Silver fought so hard to bury.

Bad Influence is the fourth book in the Bad in Baltimore series. The plot is especially heart-rendering because Silver was a throwaway teenager in the eyes of his ultra homophobic parents. Determine to never depend on anyone for anything ever again, Silver finds it difficult to trust people or reveal all of his private history. Silver was not aware of how many real friends he had until he was arrested. The compassionate friends coming to Silver’s rescue are the main characters from the previous books in the series.

Zebediah is burdened with years of guilt, along with regret, regarding his treatment of Silver. He was in the closet when he first met the teenager Jordan Barnett, who is now known as Silver.  Zebediah and Silver loved each other then, but Zeb was too cowardly to show his love by helping when Silver needed him most. Seeing Silver again gives Zeb a chance to ask for Silver’s forgiveness. 

The circumstances illustrated in Bad Influence are mildly troubling. Nevertheless the enjoyable storyline contains several upbeat moments, humorous dialog as well as a happy ending.  

If Wishes Were Horses

Title: If Wishes Were Horses

Author: JM Cartwright

Publisher: Loose Id

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62300-770-6

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Sequel

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Angel thought everything was going well.  He and Brandon are closer than ever.  The children seem to be doing well and Angel loves his new job.  But when things begin to change, Angel wonders if the last three years were a figment of his imagination.

The novella, If Wishes Were Horses, is the follow-up to the author’s The Trouble with Angel.  This new story picks up three years after the end of the first book and I found myself pulled back into the men’s world.  The characters are the kind that make you care about them, so when things look as if they are going badly, I could not help worrying. 

If you remember the first book, then you know how easily Angel jumps to conclusions and how riled up he can become.  What happens in this story will keep you surprised, and at times laughing.  While I would have thought some of their issues would have been worked out by now, it is easy to see why the misunderstandings occurred.  

This is a great follow-up story, but you will need to read The Trouble with Angel, which was published by another company, before reading this one.  I hope the author has plans for Brandon’s former teammate because I would love to see more from this world. 

Enigma

Title: Enigma

Author: Moira Rogers

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-60928-772-6

Genre: {M/F} Paranormal Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Release Date: 05-13-2014

Starting with childhood, Anna Lenoir’s life hasn’t been easy. As a female shifter she has more to prove than men who make their living as bounty hunters and she’s one of the best.  Anna has few friends and never gets emotionally involved with men; it’s easier to walk away. At least until she meets fellow bounty hunter Patrick McNamara and then she’s as much unsettled, as she is attracted.

Patrick’s as tough as Anna and because of the magical powers bound to his strange tattoos he has the reputation of prove it. Together they make a great team and when the heir to an important councilman disappears, they’re needed to locate him before a territory war starts. The job isn’t easy or danger free, but the hardest part is opening up their hearts and becoming vulnerable to each other. Can Anna let go and allow herself to love a man willing to die for her?

Enigma is the newest release in the Southern Arcana series by Moira Rogers. Due to the nature of this series, I recommend the books be read in order.

I was beginning to give up hope for the next release in this series but it is worth the nearly two year wait. Enigma is a well written and entertaining read with a plot that kept my attention from the beginning to the end. Anna and Patrick are some of the most interesting and complicated characters I’ve come across in some time. They’re both flawed—wounded in their own way and their issues definitely define them as individuals. There’s nothing light and fluffy about Anna and Patrick—instead there’s a depth and richness to them I appreciated. 

The story line is smooth and fast paced, the descriptions are vivid and there’s plenty of action and danger. I admit I love the world building in the series and I learn more about the setting with each release. Secondary characters abound and it’s nice seeing the returning people and how they’ve changed and been integrated into the story. Okay. I think that’s enough for now. I have no idea where the series is going or who the focus is going to be next, so I suggest you read Enigma and the rest of series and wait with me for the next one. 

Assassin Found

Title: Assassin Found

Author: Stephani Hecht

Publisher: eXtasy Books

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-77111-778-4

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Eros would love to be anything other than what he is, a lynx shifter that others look down on because he is so small.  Then there is the fact that he is the black sheep of his family.  When he meets Rico, he can’t help wishing he was the type of person who could draw the other man’s attention.  When the assassin starts hanging around, Eros can’t believe he may just be getting his wish after all.

Assassin Found is the newest book in the long running The Lost Shifters series by Stephani Hecht.  This story matches another snarky assassin with a young shy shifter.  I love the author’s snarky characters.  The one liners these guys throw out make me laugh and Rico is no exception.  When this loner shows up at coalition headquarters, his reactions to what he finds, both in terms of the people and the abundance of supplies, is priceless.  While I like the instant attraction he feels for Eros when meeting the young shifter for the first time, it was the way Eros reacted that I loved the most.

Eros has a lot of insecurities and, once the reader gets to know him, they will understand why.  Rico has a strength that is just what Eros needs.  I like the way it brings the younger man out of his shell, especially the way it helps him deal with his family.  Then there is Rico’s position as the coalition’s newest assassin.  Readers will love seeing him and Shane together. 

The author uses Assassin Found to reiterate the fact that there are still many lost shifter children out there.  I am curious to see when or if Rico’s brother will show up, and, if so, how much like his brother he is. 

The mixture of new and old characters will keep the reader entertained.  This is a great addition to this series and fans of the author’s work are sure to love it.