An Opportunity Seized

Title:  An Opportunity Seized

Author:  Donna Gallagher

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  https://www.totallybound.com/

ISBN/BIN:  9781784304188

Genre:  {M/F} Thrillers and Suspense, Rubenesque

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Toni Grimaldi considers herself to be a bit on the plain and plump side, but she owns it. Being part of a high society family doesn’t give Toni a high society mentality.  She enjoys being in the background and having normal life experiences.  This London vacation was just the getaway Toni needed, with no overprotective parents and no awkward situations, or so she thought.

Jason was never supposed to make direct contact with Toni.  Protecting a spoiled rich heiress on shopping sprees was what he expected to do on this job. Boy was he wrong, because this magnetic woman was nothing like Jason imagined.  After realizing he wanted a more intimate relationship with Toni, Jason feared how she’d handle the truth.  At the same time, Jason can’t let his desire for Toni sidetrack him from the danger he was hired to protect her from.

Their surprise romantic getaway is interrupted by an accident back home.  Toni’s entire family is being threatened, so she needs to deal with that on top of whatever is happening with Jason.  Does he really want Toni for herself or is he interested in her money and status?  Jason’s previous track record on relationships wasn’t good, so Toni was worried.  Jason had no doubts about his feelings for Toni, but concerns about being an employee for her family while sharing her bed. 

Donna Gallagher has given us an exciting start to the Haven Security series with An Opportunity Seized.  Even though we aren’t all rich and high society women, I think readers will get Toni, because she is simple.  She takes pleasure from the little things in life.  She accepts who she is without being too hard on herself.  And at the end of the day, Toni was stronger than I originally thought.  Jason brought out that strength in her.  For as much as Toni’s parents tried to groom her, I was pleased that they really loved her as she was.  I felt that projected from the pages.  Jason was such a good guy and I loved the fact that he would literally give you the shirt off his back. The scene when he first spoke to Toni was so embarrassing, I think my cheeks turned red.  This is a wonderful blend of risk and romance that will leave readers anticipating the next story.

Bear Hugs

Title:  Bear Hugs

Author:  Margaret L Carter

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL: www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781419946684

Genre:  {M/F}, Paranormal, Rubenesque

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Beorn is under a spell and wants to use Terri to break it.  Terri has had rotten luck in the past with men and isn’t sure that this is the same, especially since Beorn did not get in touch with her after the last Renaissance Faire.

Bear Hugs reminds me very much of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  While there is a very distinct twist to this one, I could not help comparing this story to that one.  And for Harry Potter fans, there is something for them as well.

One of the twists the author had was the reason that Beorn was under a spell.  I can understand some of the punishment, but in this case there is also a time limit that must be met.  Things do no go smoothly for our couple, especially since there seems to be some additional undercurrents at play.

I can understand Terri’s feelings when Beorn did not contact her after they met at the previous Faire.  I like Terri’s character.  She is a strong woman that is true to herself, even though her feelings are hurt by some of her family’s and past dates’ attitude.  She also makes it clear that she is not a push-over when she reunites with Beorn.  She was surprised when she could not go back home after spending the night at Beorn’s.    

This is a fast-paced story that is an entertaining adult twist on a familiar tale. 

A Measured Risk

Title:  A Measured Risk

Author:  Natasha Blackthorne

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound

Publisher URL:  www.total-e-bound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-0-85715-936-6

Genre:  {M/F}, BDSM, Historical, Rubenesque, Series

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph 

Anne has remained terrified of horses and carriage rides after her husband died.  Due to the way she was raised, she is shy and not very confident about herself.  Meeting Jon will change all that.  Jon will help her overcome her fear if she agrees to be his mistress and willing submissive for one month. 

A Measured Risk is the first book in the Regency Risks series and kept my interest throughout.  This book also combines an interesting case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with a journey into the BDSM lifestyle of a Dom and submissive.  I think the author tread a very fine line and did it beautifully. 

Anne is a stronger woman than she ever realized, but she has never had anyone she could trust except herself.  Jon shows her that being submissive and letting someone else have control can allow her to learn about herself.  There were times that I felt Jon could have been more understanding, but as the story unfolded, there were very good reasons for what he did.  I actually was wanting more, even as I enjoyed the way their relationship was resolved.   

Ms. Blackthorne did a good job with the period background, while giving a peak into the scandalous part of the Regency time period.  The secondary characters that appeared in the story were interesting, though one made me want to slap her silly.  I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Dragon Hunts

Title: Dragon Hunts

Author:  Lizzie Lynn Lee

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing

Publisher URL:  http://www.total-e-bound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-0-85715-919-9

Genre:  {M/F}  Paranormal, Rubenesque, Older Woman/Younger Man

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph 

Jessica Knapp doesn’t have esteem issues, she’s just realistic.  She’s a single mother who works as a secretary for one of the most attractive men walking the planet.  Having more than enough meat on her bones and a few years on her boss, Jessie knows there’s no way a man like him could desire a woman like her.  Still, that didn’t stop her from secretly hoping.  When an unexpected business trip throws the two together, Jessie finds out how wrong she is.   

Either she didn’t like him or she wasn’t taking his advances seriously.  Declan Cairne couldn’t figure out which of these issues was keeping Jessie away from him, but he was determined to fix the problem.  She’s the one and Declan’s dragon accepts her as his mate.  Once he convinces Jessie of this and deals with her abusive ex-husband, they can start their new life together. 

Jessie and Declan get better acquainted on their dream trip, which quickly turns into a nightmare.  Jessie’s ex-husband has returned for Jessie and her son.  After all she’d gone through to protect her son,  Jessie finds it hard to turn to Delcan for help.  She’s afraid to bring harm to Declan’s doorstep, even though Declan wants to take control of the situation.  Jessie’s fear caused her to make a rash decision which almost gave her ex-husband the upper hand.  True to his word, Declan handled everything and mother and son were saved. 

Declan took his sweet time letting Jessie in on the secret that he’s a dragon and man, was the timing bad.  Jessie’s son helped soften the blow.  It was easy to like Jessie because I could see myself in her and my heart also went out to her.  After all she endured to keep her son safe, I wanted her to wind up with a strong man who knew how to take charge.  Declan is that man.  He is everything Jessie deserves.  I ended Dragon Hunts  wishing dragons were real.  Give this book a read, and I bet you will agree with me.