The Claiming of Patrick Donnelly

Title: The Claiming of Patrick Donnelly

Author: Carol Lynne

Publisher: Wilde City Press

Publisher URL: www.wildecity.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-925313-52-9

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal/Horror Sequel

Rating: 4 nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Fisher Marx left his job with the World Police Unit after barely living through his last assignment against the ghosts on Alcatraz Island. Now he’s living a quieter life, working as a deputy for Hickory County. Then he hears rumors of a young man who claims to have been abused by ghosts for years. When he goes to the home to check out the rumors, Fisher meets Patrick and it quickly becomes obvious the ghostly claims are true. It’s a meeting that changes his life in ways Fisher never imagined.

The Claiming of Patrick Donnelly is the sequel to the 2009 release, The Ghosts of Alcatraz by Carol Lynne. It’s possible to read this new release as a standalone but due to the recurring characters, I recommend they be read in order. 

If you’ve followed the career of author Carol Lynne, you’re likely aware she doesn’t write a great many books that fall in the paranormal/horror genre. This new release is a well written and creative follow up to the original work involving several of the same characters. The plot is fast paced, details vivid and there’s enough background provided on Fisher and Patrick to understand them. Patrick’s ghostly haunting is the backbone of the story but Ms. Lynne doesn’t allow it to totally overbalance the story. There’s still time for Fisher and Patrick’s relationship to blossom. I can’t forget to mention the action packed and dangerous ghost filled scenes scattered in the story. The author does a creative job explaining the ghosts, how some of them got that way and why they are after Patrick. I also enjoyed the participation and help of the secondary characters, both new and old. If you like reading books in the genre I suggest giving this one a try.

Blood Red Roses

Title: Blood Red Roses

Author: Russell James

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-61922-237-3

Genre: Horror

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Publication Date: 05-06-2014

There were two kinds of slaves before the Civil War, those who came from Africa and the poor people of other races. Jebediah Abernathy was orphaned by the war and then sold by family too poor to care for him.

Blood Red Roses highlights the emotional devastation of war suffered by the families of the soldiers killed. The plot also illustrates the deplorable treatment of slaves as well as poor white workers. Driven insane by their grief, the owners neglected the daily operations of the plantation. The only portion of the property that was maintained was the rose garden.

At the tender age of fourteen, Jebediah was sold to Beechwood as a stable boy because society dictated that white boys did not work in the fields. Jebediah was warned by the overseer to never venture out of the stables after dark. Shortly after the warning Jebediah, quite by accident saw what happened to the slave boys but he was defenseless to help them. Trapped by the lethal rituals of Beechwood, Jebediah came face to face with evil. 

Russell James has created an intriguing as well as an enjoyable American historical entwined with scary ceremonies emulating dark voodoo.  

GhosTV

Title: GhosTV
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Publisher: JCP Books
Publisher URL: jcpbooks.com
ISBN: 978-1-935540-21-2
Genre: {M/M} Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: Golden Blush
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

For more than a decade, psycop detective, Victor Bayne, has used his psychic ability to interrogate the witnesses only he can see – the ghost witnesses. This time, his investigation has turned personal. His best friend, Lisa, has gone missing from the facility in California where she’d been training. No one understands how she could have disappeared in a school filled with psychics but once they arrive, it doesn’t take long for Victor and Jacob to discover that more woman than just Lisa has vanished. Is one of the fanatical religious groups responsible or is it someone else?

There are no ghosts available to talk with, so Victor needs all the help he can get, even if it comes from a source he’d rather avoid. But he doesn’t have a choice and enters into an association that could come back to haunt him later, ensnaring him in a tangled web of danger and deceit he might never get out of.

GhosTV is the sixth and newest release in Jordan Castillo Price’s ongoing series Psycop. Please be aware that it’s told in Vic’s point of view and due to continuing character relationships, I recommend the books be read in order.

As much as I’ve enjoyed the other books in this keeper series, it’s safe to say that this one is my new favorite, for a variety of reasons. It’s the longest and most vividly detailed but even more importantly, it’s filled with an unexpected premise, has great supporting characters, many of whom are new, and has enough twists and turns to keep everyone happy. And her world-building just keeps getting better and better.

For long-time readers of this series, you’ll be happy to know that Victor and Jacob are working together almost from the beginning, their relationship is rock solid, and the sex is still hot. Victor is mostly unchanged. He’s just as lovable and neurotic as never, cynical, filled with low self-esteem and using a variety of psychoactive drugs. Jacob is dynamic and protective and still desperately in love with Victor, but this time we get to see a little of his insecure side too, which is a nice change. It makes him little more human.

Truthfully there really isn’t anything about this well written and plotted book that I didn’t like. It has great story-telling, interesting characters, action, suspense, humor, snappy dialogue and well constructed scenes with good pacing. The final twist involving Jacob caught me by surprise, since it opens up so many possibilities for future books in the series. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one -- #7.

Write fast, Ms. Price.

The Haunting of St. Xavier

Title: The Haunting of St. Xavier
Author: Carol Lynne & T.A. Chase
Publisher: Total E-Bound
Publisher URL: http://www.total-e-bound.com/
ISBN: 978-0-85715-480-4
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, Horror
Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Jason Bentley’s looking for the location for his newest resort—the perfect place to build the world’s best gay fantasy playground. When he comes across the awe-inspiring structure and grounds of St. Xavier’s Monastery, which has been empty for over fifty years, Jason knows the property is just what he needs. As soon as the papers are signed, construction is started to bring the wonderful old structure back to its former glory, but strange events and noises begin to occur almost immediately. Despite knowing the history of the building, Jason doesn’t believe in spirits but it only takes one sighting of a blood covered nun to change his mind. Unsure of what to do, Jason turns to the local Catholic Church for help and advice.

Deacon Ryan Christopher has struggled with his desire for male companionship for years and needs to make a decision on whether he can commit his life to the Church. Unlike Bishop Adler, his mentor, Ryan believes in spirits and when Jason comes looking for answers, agrees to help investigate what’s happening inside the monastery. The ghosts have waited decades to exact their revenge and if Jason and Ryan can’t figure out what happened and how to help them pass over, people could die and Jason could be faced with financial ruin.

I admit that usually I don’t read books that falls into the horror genre, but on discovering Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase had teamed up for The Haunting of St. Xavier, I decided to give it a chance and I’m glad I did. I enjoy these authors separately and together they make a winning combination, nicely meshing their writing skills and creative flair. They’ve put together a well plotted and written book, filled with great characters, a vividly described locale and a great background event that pulls the reader into the story and keeps their interest from beginning to end.

The romance between Ryan and Jason is nicely integrated within the horror aspects of the story, neither one overshadowing the other, but growing and changing as what happened fifty years ago comes to light. There are many twists and turns, bringing unexpected individuals into the forefront as this story races to the end, so take my advice and give this horror story a try.

Revenant

Title: Revenant
Author: Connie Bailey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
ISBN: 978-1-61581-454-1
Genre: [M/M] Contemporary Paranormal, Horror
Rating: 3.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

After weeks of negotiation, Bo Andressen, his partner Sean “Ardie’ Red Dog and the crew of Andressen-Red Dog Recovery Company arrives at a crumbling, centuries old castle in Wales. They’re anxious to get started looking for a Crusader’s treasure long thought buried somewhere within its walls and expecting a normal run-of-the-mill salvage operation. Instead they walk into more trouble than they ever imagined. There’s been a series of strange ritual murders the local police have tried to keep hidden and the only way they can start their work is to bring in a psychic to deal with so-called restless spirits inhabiting the castle.

When powerful paranormal liaison Tristan Lambert arrives, he discovers two things almost immediately. There’s a revenant—an angry spirit that feeds on sexual energy at work on the castle grounds and no one but Tristan believes in his existence, leaving him to fight the spirit alone. Events at the castle are further complicated when the current owner, Sir Rhys Turcotte, and his secretary, Chris, who happens to be Bo’s ex-lover, arrives.

Between the deaths, strange noises and apparent possessions and explosions, Gavin, the constable, and Bo don’t know how to keep their people safe. Later during a possession, Tristan and Bo discover they’re eternally bound together and it’s up to them to stop the revenant spirit human and ghostly allies before an ancient evil can gather enough stolen energy to be reborn in corporeal form.

Revenant by Connie Bailey is an expanded novel-length reprint of the original novella Revenant originally published in the Desire Beyond Death anthology by Dreamspinner Press.

There’s are several things about this story that I didn’t expect from reading the blurb and which made it impossible to easily categorize it. For one thing it’s far more intense and darker - with scenes of graphic ghostly rape, forced spiritual seduction and possession, so please be aware of these before you make a decision to read it. It also has aspects of suspense, thriller, action, fantasy, reincarnation and magic written into its pages. There were even a few tender scenes thrown in - both in the present and the past, but none, I would say, were graphic like the aforementioned rape scenes.

The plot of this story is complicated and at times confusing as the various characters move in and out of the various scenes, both in the present and ghostly scenes of the past. There’s also the issue of the vast number of characters—Tristan and Bo are definitely the backbone of the story, but so is the evil ghost of Sir Alun Turcotte. Many of the other characters play a small, yet vital role, but the sheer number of viewpoints only muddies the water (so to speak) and cause confusion. One such example is the number of men named Sean. I understand why the author did it - to attempt to keep the identity of the evil minion secret - but it just didn’t work for me.

Light My Fire

Title: Light My Fire
Author: Lee Avalone
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
ISBN: 978-1-60272-309-2
Genre: {M/M} Dark Fantasy, Paranormal, Psychic Phenomena, Horror
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Lieutenant Craig Faulk is part of a special task force in Chicago known as the CDDC, Chicago Department of Demon Control. He believes in their work and wants his city to stop living in fear. The attacks on humans have escalated over time, leaving Craig to witness more carnage and brutality than most. He isn’t often rattled but discovering that the latest witness is alive shocks the cowboy demon-hunter. Craig then does everything in his power to help Steven Richter.

Steven’s experience with the demon was no nightmare, but his living reality. His tall handsome savior’s image is emblazed in his mind. He’s not sure of why he was able to survive the attack, but one look at Craig has him thanking his lucky stars. Too bad Craig is way out of his league.

Steven and Craig bring sexual heat and suspense to us in Light My Fire. Craig isn’t seeking complications, thanks to his more-than-complicated occupation. The former cowboy is set in his ways and likes order in his personal life. Steven’s painful past and less-than-honorable profession makes him believe he’s not worthy of love or commitment. Steven doesn’t know his own strength or worth, but I’m happy he soon learns the truth. I wasn’t sure if Craig would damage the fragile sliver of self-esteem Steven had hidden within. There were points where I felt he might be a bit callus, but then it became clear that Craig wanted to spare himself from a relationship gone wrong. The feelings Steven had for him wouldn’t allow that to become an issue.

Lee Avalone adds just the right amount of raw sexual energy and paranormal beings to Light My Fire to keep you on the edge of your seat! The settings draw you in and make you apart of the scenes. Buy a copy and hang on for the ride.

Sacrificial Sex

Title: Sacrificial Sex
Author: Laura Tolomei
Publisher: Extasy books
Publisher URL: http://www.extasybooks.com/
ISBN: 978-1-55487-243-5
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Gay (m/m, m/f, m/f/m, m/m/m)
Rating: 2.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Satyr Vael

Mylos is the Blood Divine, the spiritual leader in a city ripe with a bloodthirsty legacy of human (and animal) sacrifice. It’s his job to conduct the sacred rituals involving the bloodletting and death of young virgins, and it’s something he greatly enjoys. Then along comes Rowen, a young man full of defiance who captures Mylos, like no one else ever has before.

Soon they’re bound as lovers, Mylos finding the release he craves in the arms of his blond but mysterious man. Rowen introduces Mylos to many things – sex with a servant Mylos occasionally only used for his own pleasure, and even sex with a woman, which is a feat, given Mylos’ absolute hatred of women in general.

But Rowen isn’t quite what he seems, and neither is the young lady who shows up as a sacrifice, yet confounds Mylos without even trying.

Sacrificial Sex is… hard to describe. It’s set in an intriguing science fiction world and I’d love to learn more of the places these people inhabit. It’s fairly well written, with very descriptive love scenes and brutal images of sacrifice and death.

My biggest complaint is that I honestly had a hard time keeping track of everything. The plot seemed to jump a good bit, and in the middle, took a turn I wasn’t expecting. While it wasn’t necessarily bad, it did leave me a bit confused.

Sacrificial Sex is a difficult book to read due to the meanderings it takes, but for some, it might be just right.

Warning: This book contains very graphic scenes of human sacrifice resulting in death. Please be forewarned.