Alien Salvation

Title:  Alien Salvation

Author:  Tracy St. John

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  www.totallybound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-78651-064-8

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

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Lindsey and her parents went into hiding once her sister became the Kalquorian Empress. They are barely surviving after the nuclear holocaust when Bacoj, Japohn and Vax crash on the planet.

Alien Salvation is the fourth book in the Clans of Kalquor series and picks up several months after the leaders on Earth decided to explode nuclear bombs as Earth was invaded.  The survivors are barely hanging on.  The author is very descriptive about what is going on as people try to survive. 

Lindsey approaches the Kalquorians to make a trade for food because she and her parents are barely surviving.  After a deal is struck, Lindsey gets to know them and the four decide to become a clan.  Because of who Lindsey is, the men make a decision that could have some extreme consequences.

The author did a good job showing the emotional impact that decision had on the whole family.  I had to laugh about Empress Jessica’s reactions when she found out about it, as it seems she has quite a temper.  While there were some secondary characters, the story revolved around Lindsey, Bacoj, Japohn and Vax, as well as Lindsey’s parents.  I loved the mother’s reactions about the deference she was given as Jessica’s mother.

I really enjoy reading this series and will be reading it again, as well as the next book.  This book has been revised and re-released after being published before by a different publisher.  The purchase link is for Amazon as the book is not available through the publisher in the United States, but is available through them outside.

Two Cowboys and a Baby

Title: Two Cowboys and a Baby

Author:  BA Tortuga

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-63533-385-5

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Release Date: March 15, 2017

For the most part Hoss has everything he needs.  It’s not until he finds a baby on his front porch that the cowboy realizes what has been missing.

Two Cowboys and a Baby is Ms. Tortuga’s contribution to Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires line.  Fans of the author are really going to love this new story as it has everything we look for from her.  This story is also a great starter story for those looking to try the M/M genre or this author for the first time. 

The characters are well written and pull you into their story right from the beginning.  Hoss is a busy man.  He runs a ranch and occasionally rides in the rodeo.  When he has the time, he hangs out with his best friend, Bradley.   Bradley is a jack of all trades.  He lives in an old trailer on Hoss’ ranch.  He doesn’t need much and works just enough to get by, leaving him plenty of opportunity to hang out with Hoss.  What neither of these guys know is that the love they have for each other is returned.  Although this by itself would lead to all kinds of problems, the author throws in a little twist in the form of an infant.

Only in a small community, or romance book, would a sheriff let two men, who find a baby on their porch, take said child home.  Yet that is just the case in this story and, as Hoss and Bradley learn to care for Shayanne, they also learn more about each other.  I really love the connection that exists between these two men and seeing it grow was fun to watch.  I also loved the way they are with baby Shayanne and seeing them shopping at Walmart made me laugh. 

There are many times in this book when the readers will find themselves laughing out loud.  But that does not mean this is a light read.  There is a twist with Shayanne that I did not see coming and it has a strong effect on the men’s new relationship.  This twist also reveals a secret regarding Hoss, that made me a little mad on his behalf.  There are some great secondary characters in Two Cowboys and a Baby that help move this story along.  Hoss’ mom is something else and, more than once, I had to laugh at the things she said. 

Readers are sure to enjoy the way the author wraps up this story.  From the characters to the situations that pop up around them, there is something for everyone.  This is one book I will be re-reading again.

Not His Type

Title:  Not His Type

Author:  Cameron Allie

Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Publisher URL:  www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-4874-0965-4

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

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Brooke does not want to be the liaison between her boss and Gabe when she goes home to care for her dying mother, especially since Brooke and Gabe do not have a good history.

Not His Type is the second book in the Unexpected Changes series.  Even though there may be a few triggers for some readers in this book, it did a good job letting readers know some of the major issues Brooke faced while in high school. In one sense, I am not sure that in real life, because of their past, Gabe would have started dating Brooke. 

Gabe has several women he has sex with in a group.  He manages to talk Brooke into going to his room and participating in sex with his ‘girls’.  Gabe is surprised when he starts to have feelings for Brooke and gets upset when he realizes she doesn’t want to continue their relationship after her mother dies.

Several of their friends have plenty to say since they know what happened in high school and Brooke’s best friend with benefits also has a lot to say to both.  Between him and Brooke’s mother, Gabe finds out about the reasons Brooke behaved the way she did, and why she missed so much one year in high school.  Gabe’s family also has some interesting things to say, including encouraging Brooke to hang in there. 

Not His Type was an unexpected story that was intense, but very informative about issues regarding cutting, anorexia and stalking.  The author did a good job integrating these issues into the story and showing how relationships can evolve despite very rocky beginnings.  I am looking forward to the next stories in this series.

The Hated Finn

Title: The Hated Finn

Author:  Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

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

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0982-1

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

The shifters and vampires have been working hard to destroy the scientists and all they stand for.  After the last raid, Viktor was put in charge of tracking down many of the vendors who supplied the scientists and their labs.  One of those vendors is Finn and Viktor is shocked to discover the man is his beloved.

The Hated Finn is the 39^th book in Ms. Richards’ Wolves of Stone Ridge series.  This new story has a vampire and shifter couple at its center, which is not new.  What makes this story a little refreshing is that, once Finn realizes that Viktor is his mate, he does not automatically fall for the mating pull, but the connection between them cannot be denied.

Viktor is the vampire in this story.  He has some bad history with the scientists and is determined to make sure everyone involved with them pays.  That’s why he is a little shocked to find out that Finn a shifter but also his beloved.  Finn is an ostrich shifter.  He also raises ostriches for their meat and sells it online.  One of his biggest clients is a pharmaceutical company, so he’s little concerned when they seem to have dropped off the map.  He’s unsure which upsets him more, what he finds out about the lab or that the vampire on his door step is his mate.

I loved the chemistry between these two.  When Finn decides to give Viktor a shot, they go on a date and, while they do not end up in bed, the chemistry shines through.  They have some serious issues to overcome, however, such as Finn’s desire to stay away from all paranormals, and Viktor’s time spent with the scientists.  If not for the fact that Viktor is in major need of blood, they would have had to settle those issues before falling into bed. 

There are several secondary characters, most bad, that help move the story along.   I was surprised by the way the interaction between Viktor and the deputy played out but loved the way it introduced Drako to the paranormal world that exists around him.  

Fans of this series will enjoy The Hated Finn.  It is a well-done addition to this ongoing series.  

Love in the Line of Fire

Title: Love in the Line of Fire

Author:  Michael Murphy

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-63533-207-0

Genre: {M/M}, Mystery

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Jonah Pratt is head of the First Husband’s detail.  He has worked hard to get where he is but has had to keep his sexual preferences to himself.  When someone tries to kill the First Husband, Jonah is shocked by what follows, especially the feelings he develops for the civilian that helps.

Love in the Line of Fire is a fast paced read that will keep you turning the pages.  Mr. Murphy introduces the readers to two characters that have strong alpha personalities, yet realize that there is something in the other that they need.  Jonah is in the Secret Service.  As head of the First Husband’s detail, he has a lot on his plate.  This leaves him with little time for a social life. However, since he is in the closet he has learned to deal.  Benji is former military and currently attending the same college where the First Husband teaches.  He happens to be in the right place at the right time when an assassin takes a shot at the First Husband.  The author does a great job writing such a serious scene.  The confusion, terror, and adrenalin that you would expect to occur, in a situation like this, comes through clearly. 

This situation brings the two men together and it is while they are dealing with the after-math, that they realize that they have something in common that few others do.   The connection the two are forming is fragile and when a misunderstanding occurs, the relationship that is starting to develop almost comes to an end. These two are really something when they come together but things happen that bring Benji’s secrets and insecurities to the forefront.  More than once, I wanted to cry for Benji.  The PTSD he suffers, due to his time in the military, has a strong hold on him.  His reactions to various situations is realistic, which the author portraits perfectly.     

There is a lot in this story to keep the reader turning the pages.  I was up late into the night wanting to know what would happen next and how things between Benji and Jonah would play out.  As a side note, the situation with the First Husband and the President was as intriguing as the main story and I wondered why the author wasn’t touching more on this.  It was not until later that I found out that Love in the Line of Fire could be considered a follow up to a previous book by this author.  If after reading this current story you want to find out more, I suggest picking up The President’s Husband, I know I plan to. 

Love by Design

Title: Love by Design

Author: Sam B. Morgan

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-68252-289-9

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Benjamin McIntyre is torn between pleasing his very traditional father and being happy in his personal life. For Ben, true happiness can only be found in the arms of Jeremy Lanzo.

Love by Design is a charming on and off romance. Ben and Jeremy have a mutual attraction to each other, but both men desperately try to hide their feelings.

Ben is bisexual and the vice president in his father’s international commercial construction company. He has an exuberant personality that works well for gaining new clients. However, his personal desires also show in his demeanor when Jeremy is within Ben’s sight.

Jeremy is openly gay and the lead designer at McIntyre. Although he has been in love with Ben for several years, Jeremy has the capacity to hide his emotions well or at the very least keep a safe social distance between them.  

Sam B. Morgan has created an enjoyable saga featuring some of the pitfalls of an employer / employee relationship. 

Naked Nights

Title:  Naked Nights

Author:  Vonna Harper

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  www.totallybound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-78651-108-9

Genre: {M/F}, BDSM, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Marina is a jockey but has gotten on a couple of the owner’s bad side because they don’t think a woman should be one.  They decide to remove her from the equation by hiring a group called Carnal to kidnap her.

Naked Nights is the first book in the Carnal Secrets series by Vonna Harper. This book has been revised from a previous release and publisher. Readers should be aware that this book is full of triggers and may also make some angry as well.  The basic premise is that Carnal kidnaps women, making them into sex slaves, which they sell.  It is also definitely outside the normal BDSM safeguards usually associated with the lifestyle.

Trey is a former professional football player who was injured and got involved with Carnal as an investor, but decides to become a trainer.  Marina is his first captive trainee.  Trey starts questioning himself as things progress, especially as he starts to know Marina.  The authorities aren’t too happy and are constantly questioning him about his methods, even sending another trainer to demonstrate some techniques, which doesn’t go over well.

Marina also questions herself, as she starts this journey she is forced on.  Several scenes are very intense and some can even be called torture.  Conversations confuse her feelings and the night before her auction, where the other women are as well, is bad.  The day of the auction is a surprise for Marina.

This book kept me guessing right up until the end.  Of course, there is a happy ending for Trey and Marina, but to get there is very intense.  There were times I had to put it down, just to keep perspective that this was just a story and not ripped out of headlines.  I don’t doubt the rest of this series will be as intense.  

The Prize

Title:  The Prize

Author:  Ashe Barker

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  www.totallybound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-78651-122-5

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

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Jessie wins a raffle that entitles her to one free month at the Vivant Club.  Along with the membership, she gets to have a night with two of the Doms in the club.  What she gets is Mark and Greg.

The Prize is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I really enjoyed her knowledge of the subject matter.  This is a fast-paced intense story about the first night Jessie claims her prize. The Vivant Club is an exclusive BDSM club that caters to some very wealthy people and has some very stringent requirements. I loved the butler and Jessie’s reaction to him.

Jessie is very surprised when she first arrives at the club.  Once she finishes the paperwork, she meets Greg and Mark. The scenes and chemistry between the three are very intense.  Both Doms are very knowledgeable and no-nonsense about what they want from Jessie. 

In the future, I would like to know more about the Vivant Club and possibly what happens to Jessie, Greg, and Mark after this first night.  I will be reading The Prize again in the future.  

Readers should be aware that this book was part the His Domain anthology by Totally Bound.

Corian: Ragadon Desire

Title:  Corian: Ragadon Desire

Author:  Kymber Rowean

Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Publisher URL:  www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-4874-0793-3

Genre: {M/F/M}, Ménage, Paranormal, Sci-Fi

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Nierra is a Corian, one of the ‘promised ones.  She is taken by the Confederacy, but until she is mated, they keep her on a short leash.  Nierra is very surprised when it turns out she has two mates, not one, and that they are dragons.

Corian: Ragadon Desire is the first book I’ve read by Kymber Rowean.  I do hope there will be more stories in the future about this world.  I do have to say when I first started reading this book, it was slow and I got a little confused because of the way it started.  There wasn’t a whole lot about this universe and it wasn’t until a third of the way into the book that things started to make sense.  Things do jump around between what is going on with Brok, Colin and Nierra.

General Dolvechz is the man that is keeping Nierra, along with others, prisoner. The General is a very cruel man and has plans to escape the Confederacy since he has lost power because Nierra hasn’t mated in the years she has been a prisoner.  Lots of other characters help the story along, both good and bad.  There are so many twists in this book once you get past the first part. 

Sabotage and intrigue abound as Nierra, Brok, Colin and others try to escape Dolvechz and his manipulations, especially since he is also being hunted.  There are a few light-hearted moments toward the end, and some people are reunited with family.  I did love the ending. 

As I stated above, I would like to read about some of the other characters in the future and hope the author turns this into a series as several threads need answering.