Shield Mate

Title: Shield Mate

Author: Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publisher URL: www.lsbooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-62210-286-0

Genre: {M/M} Hermaphrodite Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Ranael is a royal-blooded aristocrat in the military who has recently been promoted to captain. Ranel’s second in command is Vaeren; a half blood illegitimate child. Vaeren rose in rank for the reason that he had earned the king’s respect and friendship, due to his fighting skills as well as his compassion for others.

Shield Mate is the seventh book in the Chronicles of Ylandre series. The plot illustrates social prejudices and jealousy. Ranael and Vaeren became lovers, but when their relationship is discovered, a high ranking officer consumed with bigotry conspires to destroy Vaeren’s creditability. Ranael and Vaeren’s chances for happiness are severely damaged.   

True Bloods formed the ruling class of every realm on planet Aisen; their ancestors, the Naere, were a race of hermaphrodites. The Naere colonists were a highly cultured warrior race, with mental power to communicate without speaking out loud   kept their breeding with the planet’s natives to the barest minimum, retaining much of the physical strength, endurance and most of their gifts of mind control. The ancestors of the Half Bloods bred indiscriminately, with the native Gelra race which resulted in the diminishment or disappearance of many of the True Blood characteristics as well as all females of the Gelra race. 

Shield Mate is another enjoyably impressive addition to the emotionally charged Chronicles of Ylandre series. All of the books in the series feature a different couple; however the time frame is the same as the era illustrated in the first book Sacred Fate. All of the characters are connected in some way to the ruler of Aisen, Rohyr Essendri.

In Fine Form

Title: In Fine Form

Author: Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publisher URL: liquidsilverbooks.com

ISBN: 9781622101177

Genre: {M/M} Hermaphrodite Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Yandro Vaidon is the very essence of proper diplomacy at all times, much to the dismay of his employer Ambassador Jareth Hadrana. Nevertheless, there is an undeniable attraction between Yandro and Jareth. The attraction will take years to come into full bloom, but Yandro and Jareth consider their future together was well worth the wait.

In Fine Form is the sixth book in the Chronicles of Ylandre. The setting is Aisen, a planet resembling the European Regency time period. True Bloods formed the ruling class of every realm in Aisen, their ancestors kept their breeding with the planet’s natives to the barest minimum, retaining much of the physical strength, endurance and most of their gifts of mind control. The ancestors of the Half Bloods bred indiscriminately, which resulted in the diminishment or disappearance of many of the True Blood characteristics. The plot illustrates social prejudices, rumors of war, greed as well as schemes of corruption.

Jareth Hadrana is a member of the ruling class while Yandro Vaidon is a member of the lowest class of commoner. The class difference is the main source of Yandro’s despair. He allows the bullies to torment him without protest. Yandro even has the demeanor of a man deserving of such ill-treatment. Yet he is one of the most ethical of men amongst Jareth’s staff. Jareth is a man of compassion, regardless of what society deems as proper. Jareth also is not above using his mental powers to gain information. Jareth’s main flaw is his lack of trust in anyone who is not a family member.

Eresse has created another impressive as well as an exceptionally enjoyable addition to this series. I suggest reading the series in sequence beginning with Book One: Sacred Fate.  

The Bacchi

Title: The Bacchi

Author: Belinda McBride

Publisher: Loose Id

Publisher URL: www.loose-id.com/

ISBN: 978-1-61118-934-6

Genre: {M/F} Bisexual Sci-Fi

Rating: 3 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Afton Teris is a Valoran hermaphrodite who has been the object of The Bacchi Lefi Dhrahn’s attraction for almost a year. When Afton is requested to investigate a slavery operation on a brothel spaceship docked close to L17 planet, Afton recruits the aid of high ranking prostitute Lefi.   

The Bacchi is part of An Uncommon Whore series. The theme is futuristic with descriptions of the various species on the planet, along with the planet’s ties with Earth. The plot is a lackluster action rescue mission with elements of male/female sexual scenes illustrated. The characters did not fully engage my interest, plus there is too much repetition of the characters traits throughout the story. The storyline is labeled as primarily a male/male love story; I did not find that to be the case, my impression is that this is male/female attraction based on the character interactions demonstrated. Afton was pressured to be male by his father. However, Afton displays and seems to prefer the feminine sexual stimulation during intimacy with Lefi. As a sex therapist, Lefi services males and females, though the only Illustrations are with females.

My rating is based on theme, plot building and character depth. The other worlds concept as well as the unique creatures found in The Bacchi is enjoyable. Nevertheless, male/female or a mixture of genre is not my reading preference. 

Heartstrings

Title: Heartstrings

Author: Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publisher URL: www.liquidsilverbooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-59578-954-9

Genre: {M/M} Hermaphrodite Fantasy Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Eiren Sarvan is a gifted healer, yet mending his as well as his lover Ashrian Mithani’s broken heart is beyond the skills of any physician. Time is the only remedy to heal the wounds, dull the pain, adjust to the loss and renew the love Eiren and Ashrian once shared. 

Heartstrings is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Ylandre. This is a particularly heart wrenching, emotional rollercoaster episode. The setting is fantasy; however, the personality flaws of the characters are exceptionally realistic. Both men are members of the royal family, though Eiren seems to be more gifted than Ash.  Eiren appears to be the victim because he is the only one who is monogamous. Yet there are underlining traits such as being selfish at times and assuming Ash should know Eiren’s unspoken wishes. Ashrian’s sexual misconduct is the result of his fears of rejection. The main problem Eiren and Ashrian have is that they do not discuss their feelings with each other so both men are victims to their emotions. Still, the love they share is marvelously evident in their sensual lovemaking.

Eresse has created a bittersweet saga that will bring the reader to tears along with the feeling of all hope is lost for Eiren and Ashrian, but keep reading because the storyline builds into a extremely enjoyable happy ever after finale.