Hell & High Water

Title: Hell & High Water

Author: Charlie Cochet

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-63216-012-6

Genre: {M/M} Detective Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Honesty is not always the safest policy as homicide detective Dexter J. Daley discovered. Moving from a local police agency to a federal agency did little to improve Dex’s popularity with his new squad team, especially since Dex was a replacement for a deceased agent much loved by Team Leader Sloane Brodie.

Hell & High Water is the first book in the THIRDS series. The setting is in a future world, the agency is comprised of human and shifter teams based in New York City. There is a prologue detailing Earth’s history, as well as a highly plausible viral theory which I thought was fascinating.

The primary plot has all the essentials of suspense. The agents are investigating several unsolved murders; the human victims were sympathizers working towards equality for all. Dead end clues, distrustful shifters, sinister villains combined with enthralling battles builds the storyline into an exciting episode.

The secondary plot is a budding romance between Dex and Sloane. The characters are heartwarmingly realistic, entertaining with a laugh out loud dialog.

Dex is so much more than he first appears. He comes across as a snarky motor mouth, yet he has a highly intelligent mind hidden beneath his comedic illusion. Dex is charismatic, compassionate along with being extremely perceptive. These traits are a plus point in his dangerous profession.

Sloane is a jaguar shifter, he has a vested interest in helping other law abiding shifters integrate into society as well as receive fair treatment. Sloane is a mystery; his background in addition to his personal life is a secret from most of his team members. Sloane’s reaction to Dex is one of tolerance. Even though Sloane does his best to fight the attraction between them, Sloane and Dex have a few ventures into intimacy.

Charlie Cochet’s Hell & High Water is a spectacular thoroughly enjoyable saga.

Deuce Of Diamonds

Title: Deuce Of Diamonds

Author: KC Kendricks 

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-423-6

Genre: {M/M} Detective Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

FBI agent Rick Mohr made a mistake when he walked away from Ian three months ago. However, when Ian is listed as a person of interest on Rick’s assigned case, Rick views this as hopefully a second chance to win Ian back.   Private investigator Ian Coulter’s instincts are telling him something is not quite straightforward concerning the weekly packages he is delivering to actor Saylor Blackwood. Yet Ian can find no evidence of anything illegal. It is lucky for Ian that Rick has returned to Amethyst Cove to investigate this mystery.  

Deuce Of Diamonds is the second book in the Amethyst Cove Series. The plot features the emotional turmoil of developing a committed connection. Ian has abstained from having casual flings, once he admitted to himself that he wanted a monogamous relationship with Rick. However, Ian fears his dreams of their future may be too late since Rick returned to his former lover. Ian’s current main focus is building his business, Amethyst Cove Security and Investigations by increasing his clientele.

Rick regrets leaving Ian, but Rick suffers from trust issues because of past relationships. Solving the case was only part of Rick’s agenda; clearing Ian of any wrongdoing, as well as getting back together with Ian was also prominent in Rick plans. 

KC Kendricks has created a splendid as well as an exceptionally enjoyable follow-up to Double Deuce.

Busted

Title: Busted

Author: D. J. Manly

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-280-5

Genre: {M/M} Detective

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Mark Honeywell is living the highlife of a spoiled rich college student with all the boy toys he desires. That is until he meets his new bodyguard, bad boy Dorian Ruiz, who just happens to be an undercover detective sent to take down Mark’s mob boss grandfather. 

Busted features the risks, along with the chaos, involved in undercover crime fighting. The biggest risk for Dorian is falling in love with Mark. He is torn between protecting Mark and doing his job.  There are some tense moments for Dorian, such as fearing discovery as well as rejection from Mark. However, Dorian loves his job and personal conflicts are sidelined until Mark has had time to deal with the revelation of his family’s true lifestyle. Mark has lived his life in denial, he simply chose to accept the lies his grandfather told him. Falling in love with Dorian has given Mark a new perspective, as well as the courage needed to face the future with Dorian. 

D. J. Manly has created an exciting very enjoyable saga blending steamy intimate scenes, a touch of action and emotional turmoil.

Double Deuce

Title: Double Deuce

Author: KC Kendricks

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-185-3

Genre: {M/M} Detective Mystery

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Private investigator Ian Coulter is sitting at the bar of the Double Deuce checking out two sexy guys when one of them passed out on the floor.  Ian’s former cop instincts kick in and he springs into action.  After the emergency is taken care of, the other stranger, who turns out to be undercover agent Rick Mohr, offers to buy Ian a drink.  A short time later, while sharing sex along with information, Ian and Rick reveal a common interest in Amethyst Cove’s ongoing criminal activities.  

Double Deuce is an intriguing suspense, blended with humor, as well as a friends-with-benefits relationship.  The plot gives an impressive description of crime solving tools used to build a case for a trial conviction.  The characters are convincing.  Ian and Rick are both highly intelligent, with the ability to hide their reactions.  Ian is extremely computer savvy, which is crucial for working surveillance.  Ian is also a free spirit when it comes to relationships. He prefers sex without any emotional ties.  Rick is  following the money trail for the Treasury Department. Rick is on the rebound and still in love with his boyfriend of eleven years.  As the story unfolds, I got the impression there was a budding romantic connection between Ian and Rick.  However, the illusion is broken by a bittersweet ending. 

KC Kendricks has a distinctive writing style.  The characters are amusing and the plot is delightfully unexpected.  I fully enjoyed Double Deuce.