Crazy Joe

Title: Crazy Joe

Author: A. J. Llewellyn / D. J. Manly

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com

ISBN: 978-1-68175-027-9

Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Montana Delray is on the fast track to success until a small indiscretion temporarily derailed him to New Orleans 77th Precinct. The only detective even remotely considered normal at the 77^th is Joe Hunter. Working together, Montana realized Joe is not so crazy after all.

Crazy Joe is an amusing story of a collection of detectives who each have personality quirks considered a bit strange. The plot features several nuisance crimes like the cross dresser who stole his outfits or the public park flasher. There is also a bizarre case involving out of the ordinary toys.

Before Montana arrived, Joe was the only one without a truly weird idiosyncrasy, being an intuitive person is a gift. Joe’s problem is that he blurts out whatever insights he picks up which makes it hard to sustain a long term relationship.

Montana, on the other hand, seems to have a problem asking the basic preliminary questions before having sexual activities with cute gay guys. 

I enjoyed Crazy Joe immensely, especially the incredibly unconventional crime cases. 

A Healing Man

Title: A Healing Man

Author: Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Publisher: Wilde City Press

Publisher URL: www.wildecity.com

ISBN: 978-1-925180-92-3

Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

NYC cop Tiernan Callahan realized that self-denial becomes a thing of the past when confronted with unadulterated desire. The object of Tiernan’s desire is wounded warrior Dario Ramos, who is a friend of the Callahan’s unjustified enemy Casper Kennedy.

A Healing Man is the fifth book in the Men Of Manhattan series. The characters were first introduced in A Fighting Man featuring Casper Kennedy and Army Ranger Slater Cassidy. Casper was engaged to Tiernan’s brother Mason who was killed in Iraq. Slater and Dario were survivors of that same war.

Tiernan’s attitude regarding gay men stems from his uncompromising religious mother. Tiernan’s fears of rejection from his family overrule his true personality. The bigoted attitude is also causing problems with his performance on the job. Learning to face his demons brings about a positive change in Tiernan, but not without some apprehension for his future.

Dario is a man of compassion, dealing with his own demons as well as with physical pain on a daily basis, he recognizes the sufferings of others and tries to help anyway he can, regardless of a person’s sexually. 

Reading Sandrine Gasq-Dion’s A Healing Man I found exceptionally enjoyable illustrations of crimes in progress action, Tiernan and Dario’s incredibly sensual budding romance, vastly appealing secondary characters, especially Danny Finnegan, Tiernan’s work partner plus Dario’s mother. The two of them provided most of the storyline’s hilarity. 

Forgetting Yesterday

Title: Forgetting Yesterday

Author: Hurri Cosmo

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com

ISBN: 978-1-61124-694-0

Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Marc is a prize catch, according to all the ladies in the office. However, when Marc visits the warehouse and sets eyes on Seth, Marc suddenly realizes that he has been pursuing the wrong gender.

Forgetting Yesterday is an amusing story of discovery. The plot showcases some of the sneaky tactics used by straight women desperate for a boyfriend plus the excitement of seduction. The characters are believable.

Marc is a salesman; the ability to be charming to people is part of what makes him successful at his job. His well groomed good looks also add to his appeal. The women are the primary seducers; Marc simply complies with the female’s wishes. But once Marc realized he was attracted to Seth, Marc was forced to become the seducer since Seth declined to date Marc.

Seth does not hide his sexuality, but he does not advertise it either. Only a few of Seth’s co-workers knew he was gay. Because Marc was considered a straight man, Seth thought Marc was merely curious. Past experience with straight men had taught Seth to be wary of a relationship with Marc.    

Hurri Cosmo has created a thoroughly engaging as well as an incredibly enjoyable saga. The storyline is amazingly energetic and touching. 

The Paranormal Detection Agency

Title: The Paranormal Detection Agency

Author: Anne Brooke

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com

ISBN: 978-1-61124-618-6

Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Things that go bump in the night is an understatement for Aaron Riley. The only solution for Aaron is to seek help from paranormal investigator Jack Atkinson.

The Paranormal Detection Agency is an amusing promising romance highlighted by sweltering intimacy in addition to the presence of ghosts as well as other worldly creatures. The characters are admirable.

Aaron is attempting to remodel his deceased grandmother’s house but angry spirits have discontinued the builder’s progress. Aaron did not believe in ghosts until he witnessed their destructive powers.

Jack is gifted with the sight; he can see as well as hear all manner of paranormal beings which makes him perfect for his chosen profession. 

Anne Brooke has created a splendid short story that I enjoyed immensely. 

A Fighting Man

Title: A Fighting Man

Author: Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Publisher: Wilde City Press

Publisher URL: www.wildecity.com

ISBN: 978-1-925180-02-2

Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Army Ranger Slater Cassidy is on a mission; he employs his best tactical strategy to capture the attention of the elusive Casper Kennedy. Slater’s goal is a future relationship, but first Slater must break down Casper’s barriers.

A Fighting Man is part of Men Of Manhattan series. The characters in this installment are directly connected to Blaine McKlintock and Spencer Cassidy, the main characters in A Marrying Man. Casper is administrative assistant to Blaine and Slater is Spencer’s younger brother. The plot illustrates all the entertaining ways Slater dreams up to court Casper. Although Casper is resistant at first, he is not immune to Slater’s persistent charms.

 A Fighting Man is a vastly amusing unrequited romantic seduction plot that subsequently cultivates from delightfully heartwarming to a tearful transitory heartbreak when a war zone drama changes the emotional tranquility of Slater and Casper. The description of combat aftermath is very realistic; I mourned the loss of joy right along with the characters. Nevertheless, in spite of or perhaps because of the mental as well as the physical anguish they both experienced, an enduring love immerses along with a new found happiness. 

Sandrine Gasq-Dion has created an incredibly impressive thoroughly enjoyable saga. I suggest reading A Betting Man followed by A Marrying Man first.       

Follow That Dress

Title:  Follow That Dress

Author:  Cherrie Mack

Publisher:  Liquid Silver

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

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-93176-129-1

Genre:  {M/F} Contemporary, Romantic Comedy

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Crystal Manfreid’s life changed the day she ran into the rudest man she’d ever met.  Not being one to sugarcoat things, Crystal was quick to let him know exactly how she felt about him.  The man was stiffly conventional, cold and totally out of her league.  He challenged her independence and made her wonder about a future together, even though he’d sworn to her there was no future for them.

Robert Salinger is a man accustomed to getting what he wants and right now, he wants Crystal to get on board with his proposition.  She’s an unusual young woman with a certain kind of fire that Robert finds attractive.  What he needs now is someone who’s smart and unknown in his circle.  Once their arrangement was over, Robert and Crystal would go back to their own separate lives.  That’s what Robert kept telling Crystal.  Unfortunately, he was having a hard time accepting his own words. 

Crystal and Robert seem to have nothing in common, which creates some humorous moments.  There was no doubt that Robert needed Crystal in his life.  He’d become distant from life, even his own family.  Crystal gave him a jolt that let us see a more human side of Robert.  I wanted to see that in Robert.  Crystal also had a family history that had shaped her to be the strong person she was.  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but when it comes to matters of the heart, sometimes Crystal’s strength worked against her.  I understood Crystal and I found it easy to relate to her.  I think we all have a little Crystal in us.

Follow That Dress is an offbeat romance between two unlikely people who make the perfect odd couple.  I love romantic comedies and this one has some great lines and funny situations that left me giggling after I finished the story.  The moments I loved the most were when we find out that Robert isn’t as uppity as we think he is.  One in particular was when he picks up Crystal’s book and discovers what she’s reading.  But hands down, my favorite would be the night Robert meets Crystal’s sister.  I nearly laughed myself out of my chair.  Cherrie Mack obviously has a talent for creating romance from situations that are not the norm.  She made the couple’s differences work in a way that felt comfortable.  It made me excited to wonder if or when things would boil over.  This first installment of the Off the Rack series has hooked me and I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Readers, this one is a must-read.

Queerwolf

Title:  Queerwolf

Author: Rob Rosen

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-60820-672-8

Genre: {M/M} Shape-shifter

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

It’s not that Blake Henry intended to run out on his date, nevertheless that is exactly what happened. The problem is Blake has no memory of how he became naked, covered in blood lying on the deck of a ferry.  With the help of his neighbor Ted Destry, Blake is able to solve the surprising mystery of how he turned into a queerwolf.   

Queerwolf is a hilarious action romance with plenty of twist and turns. Blake is an openly gay, good-natured self-employed accountant. Of course that was before his body went into adrenaline overload, which has some very interesting side effects. Blake’s new-found abilities also gained him a pack of enemies. Ted is a nice guy who has waited two years for Blake to notice him. Once Ted and Blake established a boyfriend relationship, Ted is determined said relationship will be long term. Both men are lucky they fell in love with each other.   

Rob Rosen has created an interesting spin to the usual werewolf book. Queerwolf is impressive as well as enjoyable; I especially enjoyed Blake’s witty personality.

Catch Me If I Fall

Title: Catch Me If I Fall

Author: Riley Knox

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-119-8

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, Romantic Comedy

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Avery opens his front door and saw his extremely sexy, very straight next-door neighbor, Ethan, standing on the porch, dressed as a Girl Scout in shorts, bearing boxes of cookies.  The glimpse of Ethan, at that moment, immediately sent Avery into the fantasyland where Ethan had been featured in the starring role for months.  Seeing Ethan like this Avery begins to hope that his fantasies are about to become a reality.  

Catch Me If I Fall is a delightful romantic comedy.  The background information is a bit confusing, such as Ethan’s last name and where Avery’s sister lives, but the main focus of the storyline is understandable, as well as amusing.  The plot features Avery and Ethan’s first date as well as all the little mishaps that take place.  The characters are laugh out loud funny. 

Avery is an openly gay geek, who coaches a girl’s softball team. He lives an unexciting life, with a history of dating a few dull men.  However, Avery becomes a bundle of nerves whenever he is in the presence of Ethan, except when expressing his desires regarding intimacy.  Ethan has a charismatic personality that Avery finds very appealing.  Ethan finds Avery adorable.  Being eight years older than Avery, Ethan’s only doubts is whether he can satisfy Avery in the bedroom.  The intimate scene is sizzling.  Catch Me If I Fall is an enjoyable short story.

Why I Love Geeks

Title: Why I Love Geeks
Author: T. A. Chase
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/
ISBN: 978-1-61124-075-7
Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Homicide detective Charles Davidson has an aversion to electronics; he does not even know how to answer his new cell phone. Annoyed by the constant beeping, Chuck decides to pitch the phone into the city traffic. Before Chuck can accomplish that feat, Herbert Pommerest rushes to the cell phone’s rescue. Chuck and Herb are immediately attracted to each other. All too soon, Chuck’s current homicide case places Herb in danger from a coldblooded killer.

Why I Love Geeks is a superb comedy, intermingled with suspense. The setting is New York City. The intimate scenes are incredible. The characters are believable. Chuck is easy-going with a positive personality. He is the eldest of seven children, as well as the only third-generation New York City policeman in his family. Chuck has common sense intelligence, rather than book intellect. However, he is comfortable with his own self worth; Chuck is not demoralized by Herb’s genius. Openly gay, Chuck has an excellent rapport with his whole family, who is thrilled to see Chuck in love.

Herb is a lonely, brilliant biochemist with a tongue that bypasses the “think before you speak” brain function. Herb was raised in an academic environment and is lacking the usual dating experiences. Chuck and Herb exhibit love, plus respect in their relationship, treating each other as equals. The story also touches on Chuck’s youngest brother, who is in the military restricted by the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. I got the impression a sequel may be in the works.

T. A. Chase has created a hilarious saga with exceptionally loveable characters, an exciting mystery plot that I found fascinating, in addition to being thoroughly enjoyable.

Entertaining The Delaneys

Title: Entertaining The Delaneys
Author: Anne Brooke
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/
ISBN: 978-1-61124-067-2
Genre: {M/M/M} Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Liam cannot forget the love-fest night he recently spent with the Delaney twins, Mark and Johnny. Shortly after arriving home from work, Liam gets a phone call from Mark telling Liam that they want to see him again. Once at the Delaney estate, a business associate of the Delaneys, Mr. Buchanan, has agreed to a business arrangement with the twins; part of that exchange includes sexual dates with Liam.

Entertaining The Delaneys is the sequel to The Delaneys And Me. This is a well written humorous small morsel of a story with convincing characters and scorching sex. Liam is an average young man who has become obsessed with being the focus of Mark and Johnny’s sexual activities. Liam did not mind playing the twins’ boy toy with Mr. Buchanan. However, Liam clearly expressed his desires to be the twins’ exclusive intimate partner.

Mark has a tough guy façade, yet has a soft spot for Liam. Johnny is the more considerate twin. Mark and Johnny are both very sensual lovers to Liam. Anne Brooke has created an extremely arousing as well as especially enjoyable snippet. I adore the main characters and wish for a much longer version of them together.

Trust Me If You Dare

Title: Trust Me If You Dare
Author: LB Gregg
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60928-268-4
Genre: {M/M} Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Publication Date: December 21, 2010

Caesar Romano has a flair for getting into trouble. Doing a favor for his new boyfriend, Private Investigator Dan Green Albright, Caesar is supposed to be watching for a female suspect in Dan’s latest investigation case. However, Caesar chose to test drive one of the luxury cars at the dealership instead. In less than four point eight seconds, Caesar had managed to wreck two very pricey cars. By the time Caesar arrived at his work place, his business partner immediately talks him into catering a party for his famous ex-boyfriend. Dan is hired to protect a soap star from a deranged personal assistant, as well as playing the moderator between two rival actors, all while trying to convince Caesar that he is faithful to their relationship.

Trust Me If You Dare is the second book in the Romano and Albright series. The plot is a side-splitting hilarious saga interwoven with an intriguing mystery. The setting is New York. The characters are believable. Caesar is an uncomplicated, smart man who seems to be a magnet for pandemonium. Between assisting Dan, as well as doing his own work, Caesar is the focus of some unwanted publicity along with the primary interest of several shady characters. Caesar loves Dan; nevertheless he is afraid to take their relationship to the next level. Every time Dan suggests Caesar accompany him to meet Dan’s parents, Caesar cancels the date. Dan is a romantic, as well as a protector, with good cop instincts. Dan takes every opportunity to express his love for Caesar, including demonstrating intimacy in public places. LB Gregg has created an impressive, as well as especially enjoyable, installment to the Romano and Albright series.

The Brothers Of Hogg's Hollow

Title: The Brothers Of Hogg's Hollow
Author: G. R. Richards
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
ISBN: 978-1-60272-752-6
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, BDSM (Light), Interracial
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Fernando and his big brother Gerry have a lucrative deck building business. Gerry handles the paperwork and clients while Fernando handles the labor. It’s an arrangement that works until Fernando meets their latest client, Malcolm.

Malcolm is too hot to be a stuffy professor and has Fernando breaking his brother’s rule against fraternizing with clients. But what seemed to be a mutual attraction dulls quickly leaving Fernando to wonder if Malcolm has changed his mind.

When Fernando is left to handle the project, Malcolm once again turns up the heat. One hot afternoon with no one to block their interaction, the men allow their passion to overflow. With very different backgrounds, can they find a happy middle ground for their relationship to grow?

G. R. Richards’ The Brothers Of Hogg's Hollow is part of the Working Stiffs series and has become one of my favorite stories, thus far. The scene where Fernando first meets Malcolm had me doubled over from laughter. It left little doubt that not only is Malcolm a sweet man with a good heart, but that he truly wanted to get to know Fernando.

Fernando was a sport about the encounter and I’m sure the embarrassment would have made others refuse to return to the site. I loved his character because of his sincere desire to keep his family whole and happy. His ability to put everyone else’s needs above his own made him a target for his brother’s high-handedness from time to time. The family drama added spice to the story and showed just what the brothers were made of.

There is one scene where Fernando and Malcolm are watching a movie. When it was described, I could see how parallel their love was to that of the characters they were watching. At that moment I knew they were perfect for one another and there would be no turning back.

The setting moves primarily between two locations with a quick dash to a third. Each location was perfect ambience for a budding relationship. G. R. Richards describes the settings just enough to set the scene and then makes the couple the focal point once more.

If you are wondering which story of the series to start with I would recommend The Brothers Of Hogg's Hollow as one of the top three to begin with.

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

Title: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Author: Lynn Lorenz
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
ISBN: 978-1-60272-602-4
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, BDSM (Light), Romantic Comedy, Interracial
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Charles loves the Wild West and cowboys, in general. If he could have arranged it, he would have been born wearing spurs and chaps. However, luck is on his side and he gets to dress the part for a costume party.

Simon can’t believe his luck. He has no qualms about being gay but he has never considered makeup and sequins part of his accessories. To attend a costume party is one thing; however to attend it in drag quite something else.

One look at the Asian man and Charles was hooked, so it only seemed appropriate to point Simon in the direction of an Indian princess costume. Will the fantasy end at the stroke of midnight?

Simon and Charles make a fun couple. From the banter to the erotic scenes, I enjoyed this story from the first paragraph. Their meeting had me chuckling and shaking my head. Nevertheless, one look in Simon’s big brown eyes and Charles was ready to stake his claim. Simon won me over immediately. He knew his limits and thank goodness, they weren’t hard lines drawn in the sand but flexible. He learned so much about himself in this story, and it was nice seeing him get in touch with a part he wasn’t previously aware of. Lynn Lorenz knows how to write a well-plotted story with fascinating characters. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys is entertaining and well worth a read. Pick up a copy; you won’t be disappointed.

A Good Neighbor

Title: A Good Neighbor
Author: Clare London
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/
ISBN: 13: 978-1-60272-574-4
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
Rating: 3.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Dylan is a teacher at the local college and plays host to his two aunts every week, serving English tea and cakes. He is also having a secret affair with Neal.

Neal Whitman is a journalist who travels a great deal of time, yet he is faithful to Dylan and their secret affair.

During one of their weekly visits, the aunts try again to encourage Dylan to date his neighbor Josie. When they mention they thought she was home, he took their advice to visit. Dylan is met at the door by a warm embrace and kisses from Josie’s brother and his lover, Neal. The kisses immediately fast-forward to a lengthy session of lovemaking. After months of the same routine, both men are starting to wonder if this all they will ever have.

A Good Neighbor is a charming short story of life and gay love in a small town. Dylan has lived most of his life in this town and fears losing his job as a teacher, if he publicly acknowledges that he is gay. Neal is open about his sexuality but respects Dylan’s wishes to hide their affair. Clare London has created a pleasurable story with a standard man-love theme. As for the characters, I got the impression that Dylan is a little self-centered for a man looking for a soul mate; Neal, on the other hand, made all the concessions. Neither man showed any real emotions outside of the love scenes. The aunts are amusing, which contributed enjoyment to this lighthearted saga.