You Belong to Me

Title:  You Belong to Me

Author:  Megan Slayer

Publisher:  Loose Id LLC

Publisher URL:  www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-68252-075-8

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

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Ava escapes from the rogues and ends up with Joachim and Padraig.  In the battle that has heated up, Ava was rescued and has been enlisted in the fight.  She has also been informed by the Sources that she is going to end up with two mates.

You Belong to Me is the third book in the Battle Scarred series.  Joachim and Padraig have been friends forever, it seems. They finally realize the depth of their feelings for each other, after meeting Ava.  They both suspect she is their mate, but some of the signs are slow to come.  Only after a visit to Padraig by the Sources, and a confession by Ava, does the bond manifest itself for the three of them.

Ava, Joachim and Padraig end up going through several trials before they can breathe and trust their bond will hold.  Once they realize it will, they waste no time in finalizing their bond.

As new information about the rogues is revealed, questions abound about them and exactly what they want.  New allies are made among those that are trying to survive.  Several things happened that solidify the alliance among those gathered at the mansion.  The author added new characters as well as several twists and turns.  Things are heating up even more and it looks like there will be more surprises before it ends.  I’m looking forward to the next story. 

Readers should be aware this book was previously published by another publisher, but has been revised for Loose Id.

Assassins Love People Too

Title: Assassins Love People Too

Author: S.C. Wynne

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-68252-104-5

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

The deadly game of hide and seek continues for Dillon Carter and Marc Francis. Unfortunately, love for Dillon has distracted Marc from performing the basic assassin rules.

Assassins Love People Too is the second book in the Assassins in Love series. In the first book, Assassins are People Too, Marc is attracted to his neighbor Dillon but never sought an acquaintance until one of Marc's enemies attempts to murder Marc in the elevator. Dillon hits the enemy with a potted plant to save Marc. Instantly, Marc and Dillon develop a strong sexual bond that, months later, develop into a relationship.

Marc Francis is a paid assassin for an unofficial top secret agency in the government. He was recruited during his service in the Army. His assignment is to eradicate serialized murderers. Marc doesn’t do relationships, he has trust issues and he seldom reveals his emotions. This has become an issue between Marc and Dillon. Neither man is sure the relationship is real love. However, Dillon’s identity has been compromised and Marc is determined to protect Dillon.

Dillon is a kindhearted man who rescues discarded plants and looks for the goodness in everyone. Dillon is totally oblivious to the clandestine operation of the political world; he is beginning to realize that polite conversation with the wrong person can have deadly consequences. 

Overall, S.C. Wynne’s Assassins Love People Too is enjoyable. However I thought the enemy take-down scene in the latter chapters lacked the intensity required to summon a realistic suspense reaction. The main features of this installment are careless mistakes, insecurity about Marc’s retirement as well as Dillon’s apprehension regarding Marc’s former sex partner. The assassination of a fanatical enemy is not the end of problems for Marc, there is another villain targeting Marc’s friend.

One Night in Budapest

Title: One Night in Budapest

Author: Lucy Felthouse

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing

Publisher URL: www.tirgearrpublishing.com/

ISBN/BIN: 9781310183492

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Rose Nymph

Hermione had hoped for a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, but after an unexpected breakup, she finds herself alone on a night time river cruise in Budapest. There was no way she was going to miss out on an experience of a lifetime just because he had fallen for someone else. Her camera at the ready, Hermione puts the past behind her and concentrates on capturing all the beautiful sights of the city.

When a gorgeous waiter named Emil walks into view however, it’s a little harder to concentrate. He seems to have taken a shine to her, and offers to act as tour guide for the remainder of her stay, leaving Hermione with a choice – spend the evening with a handsome local who knows all the secrets this city has to offer, or spend the night alone wondering what if? It doesn’t take long for Hermione to make her decision…

One Night in Budapest is a light hearted fantasy about visiting a far off exotic land, meeting a gorgeous man who you have instant chemistry with, proceeding to have the time of your life with said man, and just maybe falling in love when all is said and done…I was in heaven reading it. I loved Hermione and Emil. The anticipation between them built nicely, although there were misunderstandings that definitely made my frustration levels rise. I think that just made the ending that much more satisfying though. And there were such vivid descriptions of Budapest, it really made me yearn for a vacation of my own. 

One Night in Budapest is part of the publisher’s City Nights series that offers up stories from a variety of authors. I can highly recommend this instalment and look forward to seeing what else the series has to offer.

Planting His Dream

Title: Planting His Dream

Author: Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

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

ISBN/BIN: 9781634772174

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary          

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Foster is tired of milking cows.  All he wants is to get away and live somewhere he can be himself.  When his father passes, Foster has to put his dreams on the back burner and realizes that what he wants has always been right in front of him.

Andrew Grey brings the readers another well done story that will pull them in from the first page.  Foster and Javi are the main characters in Planting His Dream.  Both have a lot in common.  Foster’s family has owned their farm for many generations.  Through thick and thin, they have worked the land, but Foster wants something different from his father.  Javi’s family also works the land but, unlike Foster’s family, Javi and his family travel from state to state picking other people’s produce.  Javi wants something different as well, but is worried about leaving his mother and siblings with a father that drinks.  When the two are brought together, there is an instant attraction but Javi is only there for a short time and Foster goes back to his old life. 

A lot happens in a year and, when Javi and his family return to the Gaylon farm, Foster is running things.  The men are a year older and the feelings that started to blossom when they first met are even stronger now.  The men also have even more responsibilities now than a year ago and it seems as if these two will never find their happily ever after.  

Planting His Dream has a lot of ups and downs and, more than once, I could not keep from crying.  Foster and Javi are the type of characters that will have you pulling for them from the beginning and the passion that exists between them is intense.  I liked watching both these men come into their own.  I will admit I did not think this story would end well but I liked the way the author wrapped everything up.  This story is one that fans of the author will love and, if you have not yet tried anything by this author, I would suggest you give Planting His Dream a chance.  

Prohibit

Title:  Prohibit

Author:  Viola Grace

Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Publisher URL:  www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-4874-0649-3

Genre: {M/F}, Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Cleo wants to honor her parents’ request to not be part of the Volunteer project but, due to her genetics, ends up drugged, kidnapped, and on her way to Lrrko as one of the Brides.  Helbri realizes he has to earn her trust since she did not come to Lrrko willingly.

Prohibit is the 31^st story in the Terran Times Second Wave series and ends the mini-series about the Lrrko Brides.  I loved this one, as Cleo is basically an escape artist and can’t seem to be confined by the Lrrko tanks.  I had to laugh at her antics at times.  In addition, she soaked up what she could of the Lrrko.  Cleo learns the full story about what happened to their women.

Cleo seems to get into trouble without trying.  Helbri recognizes her nature and tries his best to keep her happy, but he decides to leave her on Lrrko in a tank while he completes one last mission. Of course, Cleo won’t stay put. Once they return to Lrrko, Helbri’s defense of Cleo and the answers he gave when the Elders tried to punish Cleo for her latest infraction were interesting and based on the timing when Cleo signed the Bride Contract.  I thought the Elder created the perfect solution.

I loved the relationship that Helbri and Cleo forged once Cleo started trusting him.  Their chemistry together is intense. 

The author has created a wonderful world that will continue for a few more books according to her comments at the end of this book.  The stories in the Terran Times Second Wave series are very fast paced, but takes readers on some amazing adventures.  I am looking forward to the next story.

A Taste of Honey

Title: A Taste of Honey

Author: Ari McKay

Publisher: Torquere Press

Publisher URL: www.torquerebooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-944449-38-4

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary 

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Boone loves his family, but he is not looking forward to spending time dodging his match-making mother’s potential bride picks. Boone decides his best defense will be to take an offensive position by escorting Honey AKA Rob to the family reunion.

A Taste of Honey is a sweet friends to lovers story. Boone and Rob are best friends and co-workers. Although Boone’s dates have always been with women, the regularly scheduled hangout time Boone spends with Rob is more enjoyable. Boone is especially attracted to Rob dressed as Honey.

The family reunion brought about a number of revelations for both Rob and Boone. Rob, who is gay, discovered that he is loved and accepted, regardless of whether he is dressed as Rob or Honey.

Boone, who was considered straight, discovers his feelings for Rob have grown beyond mere friendship and that most of his family members were very open-minded about sexuality.

Ari McKay has created an impressive, as well as, delightful saga that I enjoyed.

Two Pet Dicks

Title: Two Pet Dicks

Author: John Inman

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

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

ISBN/BIN: 9781634767910

Genre: {M/M}, Mystery        

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Maitland Carter and Lenny Fritz have been friends since they were young boys.  They have gone through everything together, including discovering that they are gay.  While they have always been tight as friends, in between boyfriends, their relationship turned to one with benefits.  Now their relationship is changing once again and Maitland and Lenny are a little nervous.  Will this make them even stronger or will it doom their friendship?

Two Pet Dicks is the newest book by author John Inman.  The characters in this book are lifelong friends who have done everything together.  Working as pet detectives, the two men have been kicked out of Lenny’s dad’s basement and are finally opening an office.  Before they know it, they have cases coming out of their ears.  There is a lizard stealing ex, a runaway foul mouthed bird, an escaped gerbil, and finally a lost puppy.  Two of these cases are “normal” but leave you wondering just how the heck Mait and Lenny will solve them.  One is more than what the men signed on for and the other has a twist that readers will not see coming.  

With everything going on, Mait and Lenny are surprised to realize that they have feelings for each other that go beyond friends.  Their friendship is both a blessing and a curse.  They’re excited and scared about taking the next step and the author brings everything they are feeling across in a way that is realistic.  The chemistry between them is also believable and I loved that the way they care for each other comes across so well.

The mystery in Two Pet Dicks will hold your interest just as much as the romance.  Although Lenny comes across as not too bright at times, he figures out what is going on first and, if you pay attention to the clues, you will figure it out at the same time.  All though this is a mystery, it is not dark and will have you laughing.  More than once I found myself laughing out loud, and when Ed shows up things go even crazier.  This was a great story, but I must confess I am a big fan of this author.  I love the way he mixes humor into his stories.  I also love that the characters are likeable and easy to relate to and that the stories pull you in from the beginning.  

If you have not yet tried anything by this author, I strongly suggest you do so and Two Pet Dicks is a great place to start.

Jacie and the Alien Bodyguard

Title:  Jacie and the Alien Bodyguard

Author:  Jessica Coulter Smith

Publisher:  Changeling Press

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

ISBN/BIN:  07651-02467

Genre: {M/F} Futuristic, Sci-Fi

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Transition isn’t easy for Jacie Montgomery, but she’s making it work.  Pregnancy has forced Jacie to face her new reality and travel to Terran.  Once her baby’s father makes her his mate, Jacie hopes things will work out.  She just hopes he’s happy about her sudden appearance.

Being Jacie’s bodyguard was Barimere’s job while she was on his planet.  Getting involved in her personal life and dealing with her crazy cat was completely unexpected.  From the moment he laid eyes on Jacie, Barimere started imagining things that were off limits to him.  Having a family of his own was only a fantasy for Barimere.  It would be unfair to Jacie to give her false hope.

Barimere has scars that are more than physical and Jacie’s pregnancy is getting more complicated with the passing of each day.  However, the interference of real life does not put out the flames of desire that burn between the couple.  As a warrior, Barimere has been in many fights, but none have been as taxing as the struggle to let Jacie go.  Jacie can’t understand why Barimere refuses to commit to her, but eventually she accepts his rejection.  Just when she needs his support the most, the stubborn man is missing in action. 

My heart goes out to Jacie in Jacie and the Alien Bodyguard, which is the sixth installment of the Intergalactic Brides series.  That poor woman seemed to have on rose colored glasses when she first arrived on Terran.  I was cringing at the expectations of a confrontation between her and the alien who got her pregnant.  Jacie took every surprise like a true champion in the end and I was so proud of her. 

Barimere was exactly who she needed and Jacie was the perfect match for him.  I was moved by Barimere’s deep feelings, good and bad, and it made me clap when he got his happy ending.  After all the pain he experienced, Barimere deserves a mate who doesn’t make him feel as if they are settling.  Reading this story is a good example of why things happen for a reason.  We don’t always understand why walking through the fire makes things better in the end.  Jessica Coulter Smith gives readers a story that will leave them hot, hopeful, and hungry for more.