Bounty

Title: Bounty

Author: Hank Edwards

Publisher: Self Published

Publisher URL: www.smashwords.com

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal, Western

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx   

Josh Stanton has always been an outsider in the town of Belkin’s Pass.  His mother was rumored to be a witch, who ran off with the devil when Josh was a child.  Only two people actually cared about Josh; Agnes, the school teacher who adopted Josh and Dexter Wells, Josh’s best friend. 

Bounty is a friends-to-lovers romance interwoven with vampires, zombies, a Native American spirit protector, as well as both racial and spiritual discrimination.  The setting is the Old West.  The main characters are convincing.  

Josh and Dex’s childhood friendship evolved into love over a fifteen year period.  Dex is forced into the difficult position of arresting Josh, the man he has always loved, or escaping with him to save both their lives.    The plot has good mystery growth, along with plenty of action.  Josh has the ability to raise the dead. In the recently departed, the description implies the dead body is invaded by a evil spirit who attacks the living.  However, these creatures can be easily killed with a bullet to the brain, unlike the vampires that can only be harmed by silver. The storyline presents several scenarios of questions regarding Josh’s gift but with no real conclusions. 

Hank Edwards has created an interesting story. On the other hand, Bounty finishes in a bittersweet cliffhanger.

The Wanderer

Title: The Wanderer
Author: Jan Irving
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://www.loose-id.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60737-852-5
Genre: {M/M}, Western, Historical
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Jude is a doctor in a remote western town. He knows, in order to survive, no one can find out his darkest secret. While his life is a lonely one, at least he is able to help those around him. Everything for Jude changes when a dark stranger rides into town.

I love Jan Irving’s stories and The Wanderer is no exception. Her characters very easily draw you into their world and soon, you are waiting to see what will happen next. Jude and Gabriel mesh together perfectly, both need someone to love, yet are worried about being hurt. The author does a wonderful job showcasing the men’s feelings, as well as the problems that arose in that time period. The passion between them is intense and burn up the pages. There are many interesting secondary characters; in fact at times, Mouse almost steals the scenes. There are some intense dramatic moments that will leave the reader anxiously turning the pages.

As the story grew to a close, I wondered just how the author would be able to finish the story and still stay true to the characters, especially Gabriel, but I should not have worried as she did an excellent job. The Wanderer is another great story that will leave fans of this author wanting more.

The Search For Soaring Hawk

Title: The Search For Soaring Hawk
Author: Terry O'Reilly
Publisher: Amber Allure
Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/
ISBN: 13: 978-1-60272-609-3
Genre: {M/M/M} Ménage, The Old West
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Soaring Hawk is raised in the native customs of his Indian brave father and the teachings of his white captive mother. As a youth, he becomes curious about men loving men. Soaring Hawk had observed the exchanges between the braves and a “two spirits” man in the tribe. By the time he reached the age of manhood, Soaring Hawk knew he desired a monogamous relationship with a male partner. However, tribal tradition required that “two spirit” males must service all the braves during the times their wife is not available. Unable to make clear to the shaman that he was not a female on the inside and male on the outside, which is the tribe’s only categorization for men desiring men, Soaring Hawk abandons his native home and ventures into the world of the other side of his heritage as Samuel Hawkins.

The Search For Soaring Hawk is a splendid and intuitive story of Native American culture. For two years, Sam travels from place to place, working and meeting other men who are attracted to males. All of his lovers profess to love Sam, although the meaning is different from Sam’s definition of the word; none have the soul connection Sam seeks. Learning the ways in the white world convinces Sam to follow his Indian heart and to discard the cloak the Sam Hawkins name symbolizes. This saga has an intricate and well written plot that is well-paced. The setting is descriptive, particularly the Native American rituals, as well as the wagon train heading west, illustrating some of the dangers during the trek. The characters are developed. Sam demonstrates courageousness, respect for his elders and compassion for life including all animals, in addition to an unassuming nature which attracts others to him. The secondary characters are interesting, even the wolf dog has wonderful qualities. The intimate scenes are very sensual. Terry O'Reilly has created an excellent happy-ever-after story that I enjoyed immensely.