Rogue of the Borders

Title: Rogue of the Borders

Author:  Cynthia Breeding

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61922-125-3

Genre:  {M/F} Regency

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Abigail Townsend is sick of stuffy balls and isn’t sure she can go through one more Season.  She’s nothing like the other debutantes.  She’s a strong-willed intellect who knows what she wants.  Abigail is dying to experience the kind of adventure and travel she constantly reads about.  When Abigail sees an opportunity to make her dreams come true, she doesn’t hesitate.  And the fact that it involves the man of her fantasies is icing on the cake. 

Shane Macleod has no intention of pursuing any woman right now.  Life at sea is no kind of life for a family.  Plus, Shane has a secret that he can’t share with anyone.  Even though he’s drawn to Abigail, Shane isn’t happy when he’s forced to do the right thing and marry her.  Shane vows not to lay a hand on her, but Abigail has other ideas.  The more he tries to push her away, the more Abigail sneaks into Shane’s heart.

Abigail and Shane are both blind to the danger surrounding them by someone from their past.  Actions speak louder than words and actions definitely cause a misunderstanding between the couple.  The interference of family works for the couple and against them at the same time, but the biggest obstacle is Shane himself.  He puts up a good fight by trying to be noble but he is no match for Abigail.  She was determined to have her husband fall in love with her and she wasn’t taking any excuses from Shane.  I was actually jaw-dropping shocked at some of the moments when Shane decided to give Abigail the cold shoulder.  In his mind he thought it was for the best I know, but I couldn’t believe his willpower was that strong.  I was also amazed by Abigail’s boldness at times.  It took a lot of nerve for her to dress like a male and sneak onto Shane’s ship.  She was so sure of her ability to fool him that Abigail didn’t think through certain aspects of her deception.  That made for some very intense moments where I feared for her safety and Shane’s sanity.  Although, I admit I was expecting a much bigger reveal. 

Rogue of the Borders is the third book of the Rogue series.  Cynthia Breeding has once again given readers another hot Highlander to fall in lust with.  I think Shane has it all, brains and brawn.  And the fact that he appreciates more in a woman than just beauty makes Shane even more of a catch.  I know that all of the Macleod men have met their perfect matches, but I feel that Abigail truly is Shane’s equal in every way that counts.  In this particular time, intelligence isn’t a quality that men want in a woman.  They want the opposite.  Shane is man enough not to be threatened by Abigail and recognize the prize he has in her.  Over thinking the situation nearly cost Shane the woman I feel was created just for him.  If you enjoyed the first two installments in this series, you have to read Shane and Abigail’s story.  Readers will be excited to hear about characters they bonded with in the previous stories and see everything come full circle.

Defeated by Love

Title:  Defeated by Love

Author:  Samantha Kane

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL:  www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781419947827

Genre:  {M/M} {M/F}, Regency, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph.

Harry returns from America with the idea he is going to do what is necessary to win Daniel back.  Complications arise when he discovers his wife is pregnant and running from his family, especially when he realizes she turned to Daniel for help.

The latest book in the Brothers in Arms series, Defeated by Love, brings Harry and Daniel back together after a ten year separation.  Daniel has a lot of resentment about how Harry left.  To find out he even abandoned his wife on their wedding night is not something Daniel is sure he wants to deal with at all.  Circumstances bring changes in, not only Daniel’s and Harry’s lives, but their friends as well.  This was also a departure from the majority of the series where the main characters end up in a poly relationship.

I found some of the situations between Harry and Daniel, Daniel and Christy, and some of the other characters quite humorous at times.  Other times I wanted to slap some of the main characters, as well as some of the secondary characters, because they seemed to be acting like overgrown children. 

Daniel’s feelings regarding Harry are quite understandable because he feels Harry abandoned him for a secret life that Daniel didn’t find out about until right before Harry returns to England.  Harry feels he left Daniel under some major misconceptions.  The author did a good job showcasing both men’s feelings and then going about the resolution.  I loved how Daniel finally decided that he needed Harry in his life. 

Readers should read the entire series in order, though it is not really necessary, to get the most of the stories and relationships of the characters.  I am looking forward to reading more books in this series, especially if Sir Barnabas get his happily ever after.

Love Betrayed

Title:  Love Betrayed

Author:  Samantha Kane

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL:  www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:   9781419946646

Genre:  {M/M}, Regency, Series

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

During the war between England and France, Daniel and Harry met and started an affair.  Harry has secrets and they could drive them apart.

The latest story in the Brothers in Arms series, Love Betrayed, is the story of Daniel and Harry, whose story will continue in the next book. 

The men meet under some dire circumstances in the middle of a war. Harry was sent to war by his father in order to get rid of his liking for men. He never thought he would find someone to love in the middle of a war.  Daniel is jaded and uses sex after his missions to unwind.  Harry was something unexpected.  The scenes between the two men are explosive and they have a lot of chemistry.  I was a little surprised by Daniel’s reaction when Harry left, but I understand he has a hard time letting his feelings out.

Several of the secondary characters give both a hard time.  The intrigue going on around everyone makes for some hard feelings, as well as lots of revelations.  Most of them went out of their way to manipulate Daniel. 

I am looking forward to reading more about these two men, as I fell in love with Daniel.  The stories in this series can be read alone, but I recommend readers read the series in order to get the most out of the stories.

My Regelence Rake

Title: My Regelence Rake

Author: J.L. Langley

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-60928-952-2

Genre: {M/M} Science-Fiction Regency

Rating: Golden Blush

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Release Date: 10-02-2012

Since he was a teenager, Prince Colton Townsend’s yearned for Captain of the Guard, Lord Sebastian Hastings. He’s done everything possible to gain the man’s attention but nothing’s worked. When he catches Sebastian in a compromising position with a young lord, he realizes his unrequited love is hopeless. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Colton focuses his attention on horseracing and building a top-notch stable facility.

Because of his age and station, Colton requires a bodyguard and he gets Sebastian. When they attend a horse auction and come across an abused stallion, his thoughts turn to getting the injured animal away from the owner. Their altercation starts rumors flying and they only get more hateful until the only answer is for Sebastian and Colton to announce their engagement. Marrying Sebastian is Colton’s dream but can he find happiness with a man who refuses to share the secrets of his past? What about the danger swirling around them? Who’s responsible and can they be stopped before it’s too late?

My Regelence Rake is J.L. Langley’s latest release in her Sci-Regency series. Because the characters from the previous releases play important roles and there’s an underlying ongoing storyline, the books should be read in order.

The long awaited third book in this unique M/M series is finally here and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Ms. Langley has done it again—and she exceeded my expectations.  The personalities of Colton and Sebastian are fully developed, the plot’s exciting with several twists and turns that integrate new and old plotlines and the flow is smooth. But that not’s all. We also get more of the wonderful world building, vivid descriptions and bantering dialogue I’ve come to expect from this talented author. Even Colton’s horse is a cute and welcome addition with her humorous antics. Who would have imagined a filly playing fetch? It certainly made me chuckle and I think it will you too.

As the story setting is the royal residence, we get to see most of the characters from the previous books. They’re woven into the story with great skill, adding balance and a sense of love and family. Its here we meet some new men; Dalton, Rourke and Robert, who I expect to see in future books. There are a number of unanswered questions and dangling threads, but that’s not unexpected since certain components of the story deal with ongoing political problems. I look forward to see what happens in the future and can’t wait to see which book comes next. Please don’t make us wait too long.

Satisfying Olympia

Title: Satisfying Olympia
Author: Robin Gideon
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Publisher URL: http://www.total-e-bound.com/
ISBN: 978-1-85715-268-8
Genre: {M/F/M} Ménage a trios, Historical-Regency
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Goddess Minx

Olympia Whyte, a young widow, is returning to London’s haute monde, after being secluded for almost two years in mourning. She’s not sure of herself as she is bombarded by suitors vying for her attention and a few men are more determined than others to have her for themselves. While at an evening dinner, Olympia witnesses her closest friend participating in unbecoming sexual behavior. It shocks her, but doesn’t stop Olympia from watching more than she should and she soon finds herself accosted and in an unwanted sexual encounter with a stranger herself. This creates a series of events beyond her control, leaving her confused and sexually wanting, at the same time.

Colby Beldon, Duke of Tasley and Prince Leland Mallery are two friends who are determined to pursue Olympia and they mean to have her alone or together. These two men find themselves attracted to each other, and Colby is not exactly happy about wanting another man, because of his public status. As they both spend more time with Olympia, it becomes obvious to the three of them that they only want each other.

Satisfying Olympia is the first release in the new Regency England series. I am overwhelmed by the loyalty that the three characters showed each other after becoming a trio. When I read this story, I just knew there would be the usual ton mamas after the single men for their daughters and boy, was I surprised at the turn of this book.

Olympia proved to be strong-willed and her ability to explore her sexuality showed that she had room to grow. I thought that she could have handled one of her suitors a little better, to defuse his determination to have her for himself.

The men, Colby, Leland and the villain, really were so much alike in character, it would have been very hard to choose between them. My only aversion was with the villain, especially after his true character came out and his reasons for wanting Olympia. As the villain plotted how his life with Olympia will be, it left me wondering what would have happened if he had gotten her under his complete control. I found myself liking Colby and Leland more for their fierce protection of Olympia, and hers towards them.

Ms. Gideon really created quite a story of how the Ton life can be and she had me mesmerized with the characters and their need to please each other. There were moments of laughter, anger and sexual frustrations throughout the book, and I won’t give away the spoiler. But I will say read and enjoy.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of M/M, M/F/M, anal sex, light bondage, voyeurism and explicit language.

Love's Fortress

Title: Love's Fortress
Author: Samantha Kane
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publisher URL: http://www.jasminejade.com/
ISBN: 9781419928352
Genre: {M/M} {M/M/F} Historical, Ménage, Regency
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

For Gideon North, a wife has to come with certain qualities. Hardworking, practical, and if possible, strong enough to not have a morning case of the vapors. Talkative, weak woman need not apply for this position.

Sarah Whitney is everything he could hope for and more. She understands Gideon better than anyone to date and in some cases, better than Charles Borden.

Charles has cared for Gideon since the Peninsular War. His life wouldn’t be complete without him. He fears he has lost his opportunity for a future with Gideon. Gideon fears his wife may not accept his scars. And Sarah is frightened she will never have a home of her own. This marriage will provide all three with the love and security they desperately need.

Just when I thought Samantha Kane couldn’t improve on this series, she blows me away with Love's Fortress, the seventh book in the Brothers In Arms series. Sarah’s loving relationship with her parents created a woman who is fierce, determined, courageous, loyal and warmhearted. Ms. Kane pairing Gideon with Sarah was a stroke of genius. He finally had someone to connect with, who understood his pain. Sarah was the perfect healing balm needed for Gideon to see himself as the man he truly is and to reclaim the passion that lay dormant for far too long. Her acceptance of Charles also smoothed the path for them to admit their lives wouldn’t be less than spectacular without him there. She made Gideon take his own advice and stop hiding in the shadows. It was nice to see him smile after so long.

Charles is an angel when necessary and a devil behind closed doors. He is the combination both Sarah and Gideon needed to make their lives one brilliant memory after the next.

Those who have enjoyed this series are sure to be as ecstatic as I was to see both men finally be able to claim the life and love they deserve. Pick up a copy and enjoy.

The High-Class Highwayman

Title: The High-Class Highwayman
Author: Julia Talbot
Publisher: Torquere Press
Publisher URL: http://www.torquerebooks.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60370-959-0
Genre: {M/M} Historical, Regency
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Julian Bathington is forced to become The High-Class Highwayman after he loses his inheritance to his father’s believed bastard child. When his attempt to rob a stranger fails, Julian soon realizes that Griffen Michalis is offering more than a return of Julian’s inheritance; Griffen reveals the truth, with reference to their connection, as well as his desire for a friendship with benefits.

The High-Class Highwayman is a romance with a dash of mystery. Set in 1780 England, this short story offers some insights on the social standards of the time. Julian is a member of the aristocracy and not trained for manual labor. His motive for becoming a highwayman is to pay his servant’s wages and provide food. Well versed in the laws, Julian is very discreet with lovers. Although part of the criminal element, Griffen has the manners of a gentleman. He is fond of kinky sex games and immediately develops an attraction for Julian. The plot is intriguing with appealing characters. The intimate scenes are interwoven into the mystery. Since the culprit is not revealed, I get the impression that the talented Julia Talbot has another installment in store for this very enjoyable saga.