Two Cowboys and a Baby

Title: Two Cowboys and a Baby

Author:  BA Tortuga

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

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

ISBN: 978-1-63533-385-5

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Release Date: March 15, 2017

For the most part Hoss has everything he needs.  It’s not until he finds a baby on his front porch that the cowboy realizes what has been missing.

Two Cowboys and a Baby is Ms. Tortuga’s contribution to Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires line.  Fans of the author are really going to love this new story as it has everything we look for from her.  This story is also a great starter story for those looking to try the M/M genre or this author for the first time. 

The characters are well written and pull you into their story right from the beginning.  Hoss is a busy man.  He runs a ranch and occasionally rides in the rodeo.  When he has the time, he hangs out with his best friend, Bradley.   Bradley is a jack of all trades.  He lives in an old trailer on Hoss’ ranch.  He doesn’t need much and works just enough to get by, leaving him plenty of opportunity to hang out with Hoss.  What neither of these guys know is that the love they have for each other is returned.  Although this by itself would lead to all kinds of problems, the author throws in a little twist in the form of an infant.

Only in a small community, or romance book, would a sheriff let two men, who find a baby on their porch, take said child home.  Yet that is just the case in this story and, as Hoss and Bradley learn to care for Shayanne, they also learn more about each other.  I really love the connection that exists between these two men and seeing it grow was fun to watch.  I also loved the way they are with baby Shayanne and seeing them shopping at Walmart made me laugh. 

There are many times in this book when the readers will find themselves laughing out loud.  But that does not mean this is a light read.  There is a twist with Shayanne that I did not see coming and it has a strong effect on the men’s new relationship.  This twist also reveals a secret regarding Hoss, that made me a little mad on his behalf.  There are some great secondary characters in Two Cowboys and a Baby that help move this story along.  Hoss’ mom is something else and, more than once, I had to laugh at the things she said. 

Readers are sure to enjoy the way the author wraps up this story.  From the characters to the situations that pop up around them, there is something for everyone.  This is one book I will be re-reading again.

Cadence Falls

Title:  Cadence Falls

Author:  Beth D. Carter

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  www.totallybound.com

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-78651-041-9

Genre:  (M/F/M}, Cowboys, Western

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Three best friends became lovers, but due to a misunderstanding on Everett’s part, the three went their separate ways.  Amanda thought she would be with Cooper and Everett together, but refuses to be with Cooper without Everett.

Cadence Falls is now a stand-alone story that used to be part of the Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats anthology. This is a fast paced story that brings Amanda, Cooper, and Everett back together when a dangerous felon escapes.  Everett is now a tracker with an elite government unit and is on loan to the U.S. Marshalls’ office. The chemistry between the three is good, though I was surprised at how quickly they picked up their relationship once they talked things out, and after Cooper decks Everett. 

This book gets real emotional as the three try to get answers from the others. Some of Cooper’s friends were a little harsh in their opinion of Amanda, but admitted they could accept her if it would make a difference in his attitude.  I had to laugh at the way Amanda finally admitted she loved the two men.  I will say I had chills while reading part of Cadence Falls as there were some familiar situations that brought back some headlines in the news recently.

Worth Fighting For

Title:  Worth Fighting For

Author:  Cheyenne Meadows

Publisher:  Totally Bound

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

ISBN/BIN:  978-1-78651-049-5

Genre:  {M/F} Action & Adventure, Contemporary, Cowboys & Western

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Experience has given April firsthand knowledge of what it means to be abused, so she has a soft spot for others with the same background.  Instead of coming home with one horse like she planned, April winds up with two.  She finds the perfect stable for her horses, but the owner was proving to be a bit difficult.  His expertise with animals clearly didn’t extend to people, because the man wanted nothing to do with April.  She had no idea why the man didn’t like her.

It isn’t just April that Dusty wants to avoid; it’s all women in general.  Dusty’s life has been turned upside down because of war and women.  The unsettled tension between his brothers has left Dusty with only his dog and his stable.  April is the one person who might upset his normal routine and Dusty doesn’t want that.  She’s constantly underfoot trying to help, which makes it impossible for Dusty to ignore his attraction to her. 

The nurse in April wouldn’t let her turn her back on anyone or anything needing compassion.  I was expecting April’s past to be more detailed, but honestly I’m glad it wasn’t as bad as I was imaging.  She was just so sweet, I would have hated to think of her dealing with more bad things.   Even though Dusty is bad tempered most of the time, April is drawn to him.  Something in his eyes touched her and April wanted to get to the bottom of his pain.  If that meant opening up about her own troublesome past, so be it.  To say that Dusty had been wronged by a woman would be an understatement.  Under the circumstances, I understand why he had sworn off relationships, even the one with his family.  When you add PTSD into the mix, that makes things worse.  Getting close to another human being was hard for Dusty, so it moved me to see how good he was with animals.  There is something about a man bonded with his dog that just makes me feel warm and fuzzy, especially if the man is smoking hot. 

I fell in love with April’s horse, Mischief, and he was the center of some of my favorite scenes.  Dusty’s brothers also made me feel very comfortable and left me curious to know more about their lives.  Everything came together like a hand and glove in Worth Fight For.  The right amount of turmoil was added, without being so sad that I needed to take a break to calm down.  Things weren’t perfect for Dusty and April but I felt they dealt with everything perfectly.  This story will renew your faith in people and give you the hope that everyone can have a second chance.

Trial by Fire

Title: Trial by Fire

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781634769822

Genre:{M/M},Contemporary,Western,Dreamspun Desires          

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Lachlan has his hands full running the family’s cattle farm.  What he’s wanting, however, is to find his sister, who took off three years ago.  When the family investigator gets in touch with him, the news is not what he was hoping for.  Now he is heading for the States with plans of bringing his little niece home, where she belongs. 

Trial by Fire is a new book by author B.A. Tortuga.  Ms. Tortuga has given the readers two strong cowboys, each trying to take care of their family, and given them even more to overcome.  Lachlan is our Aussie.  He has been taking care of his family’s large holdings for some time but the thing that brings him to his knees is the death of his sister.  Holden is a Texan and, like Lachlan, is responsible for the running of his family’s ranch and rodeo business.  Also like Lachlan, Holden is mourning the death of a sibling as Lachlan’s sister was married to Holden’s brother.  That marriage brings two men together as, when their siblings died, they left behind a newborn. 

You would think that due to the death of their siblings and the care of a little baby, the two men would come together with a common goal, but in the beginning that is not the case.  Holden and his family have a negative idea of what the McCoughney’s are like.   That is probably the one thing in this story that I did not like.  While I understood why Holden and his family thought what they did, I thought Adelaide, Lachlan’s sister, did her family a disservice and should have gotten in touch with them after settling down in Texas. 

The author finds a way to bring Lachlan and Holden together and, watching them bond not only with each other but with baby Chloe as well, made this a great story to read.  But the author does not only bring the readers an excellent romance, she also brings the readers a mystery.  There is one part that totally shocked me and I could not believe that the author did that to Holden.  The author does wrap the story up wonderfully and handled all the relatives in a way that was believable.

Fans of the author are sure to love Trial by Fire and those who have not yet tried anything by Ms. Tortuga should give this book a chance.  

Vaqueros and Vigilance

Title: Vaqueros and Vigilance

Author: Bailey Bradford

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Publishers URL: https://www.pride-publishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781784308865

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Western, Series          

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Joaquin is trying to recuperate from a gunshot wound, as well as cope with the fact that his father disowned him after he is outed at his mother’s funeral.  He is not sure how he is going to survive, or why he is so drawn to a young man he meets at a bar. 

Vaqueros and Vigilance is the eighth book in the Mossy Glenn Ranch series.  This story picks up shortly after the end of book seven and centers on Joaquin, another ranch hand at the Mossy Glenn.  Because this series is one that must be read in order, it allows the readers to get to know all the characters that show up, so when the readers start this book they are already invested in Joaquin and hoping things will turn out well for him. 

Seb is the young man that Joaquin and the other Mossy Glenn men saved in the last book.  Worried about being captured again by his “Master”, Seb takes off, but not before checking in on Joaquin.  Those few moments he spent with the barely conscious man makes an impression on Seb, who makes it his mission to protect the cowboy that saved his life.  Of course these two end up meeting again and, when they do, the passion between them explodes.  Theirs is not an easy relationship as both have things to overcome.  The author plays things out in a way that is believable and, of course, Will and his men are there to help. 

Vaqueros and Vigilance is a little different than the previous stories as it takes place within a few days’ time.  It also does not have a major crisis to overcome; instead focusing on the relationship between Joaquin and Seb. 

While I try to overlook typing/editing issues, there is one problem in this story that played a big part on the rating.  There is a continuity issue in regard to the names in the beginning of the book that throws the story off.  More than once, I had to go back and reread a section to make sure I wasn’t getting confused.  Thankfully, this is worked out by the middle of the story and the rest of the book flowed smoothly.  I loved the way the author wrapped up the story and wonder if more will follow.  

Hay and Heartbreak

Title: Hay and Heartbreak

Author: Bailey Bradford

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Publishers URL: https://www.pride-publishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-78430-747-9

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Series          

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Daniel has every right to be bitter after the way he was framed for murder.  Instead he is just trying to stay clean and make some sense of his life.  When he finds out his brother has been injured, he decides to go to Montana to help care for his brother.  He hopes that this will help bring him and his brother closer together, but Daniel is afraid to hope too much for fear of once again being hurt. 

Hay and Heartbreak is the seventh book in the Mossy Glenn Ranch series.  This story brings back Daniel, Duke’s brother who we met briefly in Broncos and Bullies.  It also centers on Hector, one of the ranch hands who has shown up in previous stories.  This story is one that pulled me in from the beginning.  Daniel is a bit of a gentle soul who has had a rough time of it growing up.  As a result, he turned to drugs and found himself in prison.  After ten years he’s out and trying to cope with life on the outside.  I worried about Daniel through the whole story, afraid that he would once again turn to drugs as a way of coping. 

Hector has a bit of history on the ranch, known as a love them and leave them type.  What the other hands don’t seem to understand, however, is that Hector is starting to look for something more.  When these two men meet, the attraction is instant and noticeable by everyone around them.  But both men have issues to overcome and neither is really sure a long term relationship is something they are ready for.  The author did a terrific job bringing these two men together however.  Not only are the men given time to know one another, but each is also given the chance to get to know themselves better as well.  There are times when it looks like the two men may not find their happily ever after, but the problems are soon overcome and the men do find their place in life. 

There is more going on in Hay and Heartbreak besides the romance of Daniel and Hector.  There are some unusual events going on at the ranch that leaves everyone wondering about Duke’s accident.  While the events surrounding Duke are cleared up, the mystery of what occurred at the line cabins has an open feeling about it, even though the men think that has been solved as well. 

As with the other books in this series, Hay and Heartbreak is full of previous characters who show up in the role of secondary characters.  I love seeing all these guys popping in, as it carries the family feeling the ranch has over to each new book.  I am curious to see where the author plans to take the next story and if Sebastian will be one of the characters involved.  

Wounded Hearts

Title: Wounded Hearts

Author: Remmy Duchene and BLMorticia

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781634762908

Genre: {M/M}, Western        

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

When Zane wakes up, he knows the career he once had as a detective was over.  Now he has to figure out what to do with himself, so when his best friend strongly suggests Zane takes some time to recuperate on a ranch he knows of, Zane goes.  Only things don’t go the way Zane thought they would.

Book titles are a funny thing.  Sometimes after reading a book I find myself wondering just how the connection between the story and title is made as it was hard to see. However, with Wounded Hearts the authors throw the connection right out from the beginning. 

Zane is an NYPD detective.  While following a lead on a case, Zane receives a career ending injury.  For someone who has already faced tough times, this newest challenge may be more than what the young cop can handle.  While not really wallowing in self-pity, he is devastated and at loose ends.  He does have a strong support system, but does not want to become a burden to his family and friends.  When Renford, his best friend, recommends some time away and sends him to Montana, Zane is unsure what he will find.  It is easy to see how this strong man would feel going from an able bodied cop to someone having to face a few challenges. 

Cyrus is the ranch owner and the total opposite of Zane.  Older, rude, and foul mouthed, he could care less about what anyone thinks about him.  He wants to be left alone and would be happy finding a way to make his ranch pay for itself.  After losing his husband and spending time in prison, the only connections he wants with other people are limited.  Cyrus would be an easy character to dislike if it wasn’t for the fact that the reader is given insight to him early on.  While we are not given the whole story, we are given just enough to ensure we continue to turn the pages to find out more.  As with Zane, it is easy to see the pain that Cyrus is in.  It is also easy to understand why he tries to keep everyone at a distance.  It kind of makes you wonder what in the world Renford was thinking sending Zane to stay at the ranch. 

With the men at odds from the beginning, the attraction that exists between them is not easy to see.  I almost felt bad for Cyrus because it seemed as if he had no real idea how to talk to someone without being over the top or offending.  The journey these two take is not an easy one, and there are more than a few pitfalls.  When Cyrus’ secret comes out, I was not surprised by Zane’s reaction.  Although it was clear to see that these two men loved each other, I worried if they would end up happy.  The authors do wrap up the story between these two in a very satisfying way, which I was glad to see.

Wounded Hearts also has a variety of secondary characters that help move this story along.  Two of those characters, Renford and Brian, were fun to watch; hopefully they will be getting books of their own soon.  

Along Came Merrie

Title:  Along Came Merrie

Author:  Beth D. Carter

Publisher:  Totally Bound

Publisher URL:  www.totallybound.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781784303426

Genre:  {M/F/M}, Multicultural, Western, Series

Rating:  4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Merrie is looking to change her life but ends up on the run after seeing something she shouldn’t after she stopped to use a pay phone.  After escaping, she ends up on a ranch where both Braden and Leo live.

Along Came Merrie is the first book in the Red Wolves Motorcycle Club and gives readers a glimpse into the world of outlaw motorcycle gangs.  While the Demon Devils’ are the group Merrie is running from, she meets the leader of the Red Wolves later in the story.  The author did a good job showing how one incident can color a person’s actions when something triggers memories later.

As Merrie heals, she tries to sort out her feelings, she is safe and grateful but is her attraction to Braden and Leo real or because they are her rescuers.  The conflict she has, along with realizing she could have a poly relationship, is very real.  In addition, Braden has some issues that have to be dealt with, especially as it causes a few issues between him and Merrie. An incident makes both men realize they can’t live without Merrie and want her to stay.  The three have some hot chemistry.

Several of the secondary characters are interesting, and there are several surprises. The leader of the Red Wolves and the sheriff turn out to be best friends, though they try to keep that fact hidden.  The suspense will grab you as it keeps building.  The author created an interesting solution to the entire problem. 

Along Came Merrie is the first book about outlaw motorcycle clubs that I have read and it did not disappoint me. In fact, I’m looking forward to reading more about this series as the author had an interesting epilogue to this story.

Rodeo Riders

Title:  Rodeo Riders

Author:  Vonna Harper

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

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

ISBN/BIN:  9781619228870

Genre:  {M/F} Contemporary, Western

Rating:  3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

It’s taken everything in her to get back in the saddle, literally and figuratively.  Jordan Shore’s leg was repaired after being charged by a bull, but the incident left her with mental scars that hadn’t gone away.  Jordan’s love for the rodeo was rivaled by her attraction to the one man who’d been in her heart for years.

Cougar Lighthorse has known Jordan since they were kids and probably wanted her just as long.  Things were complicated from the beginning, since Cougar’s father worked for Jordan’s father.  His guilt over Jordan’s accident weighs heavily on Cougar.  If he can help Jordan come to terms with her fears, they both might be able to move on. 

The ups and downs of rodeo life changes Cougar and Jordan from the people they used to be.  This turns out to be a blessing in disguise, because they finally act on the feelings they have for each other.  Sometimes the road to happiness is far from smooth, with pot holes along the way.  That just makes the journey more memorable.  If you appreciate a story showcasing a couple with a passion for life, and each other, then pick up Rodeo Riders. 

Ever the Same

Title: Ever the Same

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781632168313

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Western        

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Audie has his hands full with everything on the ranch that the last thing he needs is his son to be fighting in school.  He’s surprised to find that the person his son was fighting with was a little red headed girl.  Even more surprising for Audie was the attraction he felt for the little girl’s blind father.

Ever the Same is another well done story by author B.A. Tortuga.  The book is about two young single fathers struggling to cope with the challenges in their lives.  Audie is, for all intents and purpose, in the closet.  While he really hasn’t hidden the fact that he is gay from his family, the fact that he fathered a little boy helps them ignore that fact.  Audie would do anything for his little boy, even putting up with his family’s attitude. 

Dixon too is struggling, only unlike Audie; Dixon is out of the closet and, until recently, in a happy loving relationship that included his daughter.  The accident that took his partner also caused Dixon to lose his eyesight, so not only is he grieving, but he also has to figure out how to be a single parent who can’t see. 

Both of these characters will pull you into their stories and have you rooting for them.  It is easy to see that both Dixon and Audie have problems and are not really in the position to start a relationship.  I loved the way the author brings them together, through their children, as first friends and then later as lovers. 

As readers would expect, Dixon and Audie’s relationship is not an easy going one.  I was surprised that they had so much opposition from family members, especially Dixon’s.  I was also surprised that Dixon’s family did not do more to help their son/brother adjust to being blind.  One of the best parts about this story, however, is the kids.

I loved Grainger and Randi.  From the beginning, these two almost steal the show.  I loved that they play such important parts in Ever the Same and are not just ‘invisible’ secondary characters that readers hear about but don’t see.  

Fans of this author are sure to love her newest book and, those who have not yet tried anything by Ms. Tortuga, should give this story a try.

Love Means…Endurance

Title: Love Means…Endurance

Author: Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781632163615

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Series          

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Geoff and Eli have been together a long time and, during those years, there have been many changes.  Friends and family have found loves of their own; the farm has expanded in many different ways, keeping both men busy.  The most important change in their lives has been the addition of a son, who keeps both men hopping.  It’s while everything is going smoothly that the two men get some news neither ever expected to hear.

Love Means… Endurance is the latest addition to Mr. Grey’s series Love Means.  This story brings the series full circle as it once again centers on Geoff and Eli.  When Eli becomes sick, both men are shocked to hear what is wrong.  I have to admit that I was as well and could not believe that the author was doing this to Geoff once again.  The story is heavy and the author does a good job showing how an illness in the family affects everyone, not just the person who is sick. 

Geoff and Eli have a long road ahead of them and both men are feeling pulled in multiple directions.  Geoff has a farm to run, a young son to care for, and a sick husband he has to be strong for.  At times, he feels as if he is falling apart and sees no clear end in sight.  As for Eli, he struggles to stay strong, hoping to keep things as normal as possible for his son, and feels guilty for what he is putting everyone through. It is easy to understand why the men feel the way they do and this keeps the story believable. 

As heart-wrenching as this story is at times, one thing comes out loud and clear and that is how important family is, and several of the previous couples come together to help Geoff and Eli in their time of need.  I liked that we get to see past characters again and wondered if we would be seeing some of them in their own stories once again. 

I liked the way the author wrapped up Love Means…Endurance, giving the story a happy ending while keeping it realistic.  While I can see this as a final story in the series, I hope the author has plans for more.  

Texas Bossa Nova

Title: Texas Bossa Nova

Author: Cynthia D’Alba

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61922-667-8

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Western Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Release Date: 03-31-2015

Magda Hobbs lost her mother at an early age and feared ending up like her—in love with the wrong man. When she fell for a cowboy, Magda jumped on her Harley and left town, determined to run from temptation. Six months later she’s scared for another reason—her father’s had a heart attack and she races back to Whispering Springs.

In need of a job while her father recovers, Magda gets talked into taking a job as a housekeeper for one of the Montgomery’s. She ends up working at her ex-lover, Reno Montgomery’s ranch.  It’s not the best situation but with boundaries it works—at least until a snowstorm strands them together without power. The danger and isolation rekindles their desire, but when they rejoin the world will they stay together or will Magda let the past push them apart?

Texas Bossa Nova is the newest release in Cynthia D’Alba’s Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. While it’s not imperative, with the number of recurring characters, I recommend reading the books in order.

What a fun and entertaining read. I really enjoyed Reno and Magda. These two are perfect for each other but are they a mess. Magda is carrying around so much baggage, it’s amazing she can function, yet she comes across as strong-willed and independent. These two jump to conclusions, communicate superficially and try to ignore each other at first—can you say adults acting like they’re in high school. It’s a bit of a hoot. 

The descriptions of ranch life are vivid and those involving the ice storm are particularly well done, making it seem real. There is plenty of angst and tension between Reno and Magda and the sex is sizzling. There are more than enough surprises to keep the pages turning, the pace is smooth, and there’s some fun dialogue. I enjoyed the secondary characters and a couple of the new ones I hope to see featured in a future release. 

Letting Hearts Heal

Title: Letting Hearts Heal

Author: Luna Jensen

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781632163165

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Western        

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

After Mason left Sweet Valley, he never planned on returning.  When tragedy strikes however he heads to the one person he knows will help him.  What Mason does not know is that his aunt has died, so Mason finds himself wondering what the hell he’s going to do next.  He never expected his first love to come back into the picture, or for the feelings the men had to still be there.

Letting Hearts Heal is a heart wrenching story that grabbed me from the first page, and had me staying up late in the night to see what would happen.  Both Mason and Dean are the type of characters that readers will fall for, and hope that they find their happily ever after.  Mason comes from a religious family that was ruled by an abusive father.  It’s not surprising that they would take Mason’s coming out badly.  Dean is older than Mason, but that did not keep the men from falling in love.  The age difference did keep them from becoming serious though, something that Dean had hoped to change in the future.  Both men’s lives are changed by the actions of their parents, and that is one of the aspects at the center of this story. 

From the time he leaves home, Mason’s life has been hard.  One of the things I liked though was the fact that the author did not focus on the negative and instead showed how the young man was able to rise above his circumstances and become a chef, even though he had no schooling.   While Dean’s father may not have been physically abusive, the man was cold and distant. Readers will not be surprised by the lengths Dean’s father went to, when controlling his son’s life.  Dean is left with the fear of becoming just like his father.  The author finds the perfect way to showcase the differences between the two men, when she had Dean re-vamp the ranch into something totally different than what his father had been doing.

Mason and Dean are brought back together in a unique way and while the attraction between the two still exists, both men are leery about starting anything new.   Another important key in whether or not these two get together, is the fact that Dean now has a son, one he did not know about until recently.  There is a lot going on in the men’s lives, from Mason’s fear of fire, to Dean’s worries over his son Wyatt, yet the author finds a way to bring these two together in a way that is believable.  I loved the way Mason and Dean overcome their various issues and work towards becoming a family.  I also loved the way the author handles the relationship between Mason and Wyatt, as well as the one between Wyatt and his father.  

This is my first book by this author, after reading Letting Hearts Heal, a book I will be re-reading in the future, I will be keeping my eyes out for more from Ms. Jensen.  

Who Cannot See

Title: Who Cannot See

Author: BA Tortuga

Publisher: Torquere Press

Publisher URL: www.torquerepress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61040-823-3

Genre: {M/M} Western; Paranormal; Short Story

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Rose Nymph

Blaze doesn’t think he can last the night. He’s on the run, having narrowly escaped a hanging for sleeping with another man. The branch snapped, saving his neck from the same fate, but he has been seriously injured and can’t even get a drop of liquid down his throat. The cold night is drawing in. He must keep moving forward or the posse will catch up to him and finish the job. He thinks his eyes are deceiving him when he spies a large house up ahead. He just needs shelter for the night...

The moment Edmund finds the poor, stricken Blaze huddled in his barn, all he feels is the need to protect, to heal, and to love. Edmund has been a vampire for longer than he can remember. He has no interest in the petty quarrels of humans, but there is just something about Blaze. Edmund may have lost his sight, but there is an instant connection with the man that he cherishes. He can see the good in him, but Blaze has been called a sinner for so long now, Edmund worries that Blaze is actually starting to believe it. It pains Edmund to see doubt clouding Blaze’s mind. He is starting to fear that it is not the posse that poses a threat to their happiness, but the demons within.

Who Can Not See is a short story that packs in some very cool ideas and interesting characters. I found the connection between Edmund and Blaze very interesting. I felt myself getting caught up in the joy Edmund experienced by being able to see through Blaze’s eyes. Blaze is a sweet man, instantly likable. Their physical connection is explored thoroughly, and there are some very erotic scenes as their mental and physical connections merge into one.

The threat of the posse out to end Blaze’s life was always in the back of my mind as I followed Edmund & Blaze’s exploration of their connection. I felt this, and the ultimate conclusion of the story was written particularly well, as it emphasised the seriousness of the mental damage Blaze has suffered as well as the physical. The characters had an impact on me and I am left with questions that make me want to explore them more, most noticeably, that of how Edmund lost his sight and came to be in the situation he is when we meet him. I also enjoyed the hints of more to come with some interesting supporting characters. Although I read this as a single story, it can also be found in the publishing company’s anthology Eternally Dark. If you are a fan of the genres, I recommend checking out both.

Winter Hearts

Title: Winter Hearts

Author: Fyn Alexander

Publisher: Loose Id

Publishers URL: http://www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62300-506-1

Genre: {M/M}, Western

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

After a failed relationship, and a beating outside a saloon, Luke is running from who he is.  Hoping to start over, he heads for the Dakota Territory, getting a land claim he plans to farm.  When one of the worst winters on record hits, Luke heads for town renting a small home to stay in for the winter.  When Sam shows up during the middle of a blizzard, Luke has no choice but to let him stay, but has he made a terrible mistake?

Winter Hearts by Mr. Alexander is a well written western that will grab your attention from the beginning.  The story takes place during the 1880’s, a dangerous time for men like Sam and Luke.  Having to hide their true selves from everyone else keeps them from finding the happiness they both crave. 

Since this story is set in the Dakota Territory, I wondered how the author would handle the men’s relationship with the feelings regarding same sex relations during that time.  What I liked was that, while Luke was cautious of those around him and how he behaved, Sam was more carefree and in many ways innocent of what others would think.  The way these two men balance each other out is one of the things I liked the most about this story.  There is chemistry between them that heat up the pages as well, so it is easy to understand why the relationship between Luke and Sam moves so fast.

As you would expect the relationship does not go unnoticed and soon the men are forced to face what being gay during that time means.  I honestly did not expect this story to have a happy ending, as I could see no way for the author to move the men in that direction.  I loved the way the author chose to wrap the story up and think many others will as well. 

Fans of this author are sure to love Winter Hearts and, if you love the western sub-genre, I would recommend picking this one up.

Broncs and Bullies

Title: Broncs and Bullies

Author: Bailey Bradford

Publisher: Totally Bound Books

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

ISBN/BIN: 9781784301699

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Frankie isn’t looking for a partner; all he wants is a good time.  Duke can’t help falling for the younger man but is too afraid to say anything.  Then everything changes for both of them.

Broncs and Bullies is the sixth book in author Bailey Bradford’s Mossy Glenn Ranch series.  This story brings together two characters that the readers have already come to know, as both have shown up before.  Frankie is one that readers may have a little trouble liking in the beginning, but the author does a good job turning him around.  When the readers find out why the young man is the way he is, they will be shocked.  Duke is older than Frankie and therefore knows what he wants, which just happens to be Frankie.  But things don’t go easily for these two and at times, the angst seems to overpower them.  Yet, their friends are there to help them out in more ways than one.

Out of all the books in the series so far, this is probably my favorite.  The characters get a hold of you from the beginning and you can’t help but want everything to work out for them.  I love the way Duke goes about showing Frankie it’s possible to have what he really wants from life.  I was also shocked by the actions of Frankie’s family and found myself close to tears more than once.  Unfortunately, this is not the only issue the two have to overcome.  There are health problems for Duke and a stalker for Frankie, yet through all of that there is a strong love between the two men that is hard to hide once they acknowledge what they have. 

This is a series that must be read in order but is one series that should not be missed.  

Texas Twist

Title: Texas Twist

Author: Cynthia D’Alba

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publisher URL: www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61922-388-2

Genre: {M/F} Contemporary Western Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Release Date: 09-02-2014

After her parents die in a car crash Paige Ryan decides to move to Whispering Springs, Texas to be closer to her half-brother, Leo. It gives her a chance to use her education working at the medical clinic while trying to decide what to do with her life. She doesn’t expect to see the one man guaranteed to distract her…Cash Montgomery.

After being severely injured during a bull ride, Cash is drinking heavily and wallowing in self-pity. After sobering up some, he’s offered the use of his sister-in-law’s empty ranch house, unaware it’s already occupied by Paige. With nothing to do, Cash starts remodeling the house and soon the sparks are flying between him and his gorgeous housemate. Can they make a go of it, or will demons from the past drive them apart?

Texas Twist is the newest release in Cynthia D’Alba’s Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. The previous characters are closely interwoven so I recommend the books be read in order.

Prologues aren’t usually my favorite thing but in this instance it proves useful. It provides the details of the horrible bull riding injury Cash suffered, thus setting up his emotional state for chapter one. As a fan of the PBR, I’ve seen lots of riders get bucked off bulls, but nothing compared to the imagery of what happened to Cash in the opening of this book. The description is short but still conjures images that made me cringe. It’s quite an introduction and is just an example of Ms. D’Alba’s ability.

Needless to say, Cash has serious issues as a result of his injuries. He drinks too much, has an attitude problem, even with his family, and truthfully I didn’t like him much in the beginning. The author had to work at molding his personality for me to change my opinion, but it worked. I did like him eventually. Then there’s Paige—a much nicer person, who I liked immediately. Ms. D’Alba took these two people with such different life experiences, turned their present circumstances on their ears and put them together into a well plotted and paced story of pain and uncertainty that really worked. There are a few twists and several explosions of temper, so watch out for the fun as Cash and Paige try to figure out their lives.

The Legend of Uncle Everett

Title: The Legend of Uncle Everett

Author: Gene Taylor

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

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

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62798-641-0

Genre: {M/M} Historical, Western

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Rose Nymph

Blake had heard stories of the infamous feud between his great Uncle Everett and rival in love JB Sanderson. It is only after both men have passed on that Blake discovers just how intense things got between the two of them. They had supposedly fallen out over a girl, but while sorting through Everett’s belongings, diaries are uncovered that detail a secret love between the two men that if discovered, would have caused untold damage to their families reputations in 1930s small town Texas. Now that Blake knows the truth, he decides it’s time Everett and JB’s story is revealed.

I found the writing in The Legend of Uncle Everett relaxed and welcoming, as if I was a friend being let in on a family secret. I was very interested in the premise of love being covered up by a feud, and the lengths the characters went to in order to dupe everyone was a lot of fun to read. Everett’s great nephew Blake acts as narrator, hand picking the special moments in his Uncle’s and JB’s secret life that he is willing to share, and I think Everett and JB would be happy that Blake is finally telling their story. I feel that The Legend of Uncle Everett was a huge undertaking, as it was a vast love story that spanned many years. Whereas the story could have lost its way, getting tied down with 40 plus years’ worth of love story, I think the author did a good job of providing just enough detail into the characters’ lives while still maintaining intimacy and mystery. Everett and JB’s love was a sweet story, sometimes bittersweet, but one that I definitely could have read more of.

Riding & Regrets

Title: Riding & Regrets

Author: Bailey Bradford

Publisher: Totally Bound

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

ISBN/BIN: 9780857156884

Genre: {M/M}, Western, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Jody just wants to fit in somewhere.  He had hoped it would be at the Mossy Glenn Ranch but he’s not so sure now.  When he is suddenly made aware that he is the father of a two-year-old daughter, he is surprised by the way everyone on the ranch pulls together to help.  To make things even more overwhelming, Jody meets Noel while signing his little one up for day care. 

Riding & Regrets is the newest addition to the Mossy Glenn Ranch series.  Readers are sure to enjoy this new story, but should know that it does bring up topics that may be difficult for some to handle.  Noel is escaping an abusive relationship and hopes running to his aunt’s will be a new start.  Noel is out and proud and I wondered how he would fit in in the small community of Ashville, Montana.  I was a little surprised that the author did not bring this issue up at least once.

Jody is one of the ranch hands on the Mossy Glenn.  He’s young and has been on his own for many years, which explains his, at times, immature attitude and actions.  The author did a great job showcasing the confusion and fear a twenty year old young man would feel when he suddenly finds himself a parent.  I really felt for the young man, especially given the fact that Jody has no clear memory of the night Prissy was conceived. 

There is an instant connection between Jody and Noel and I like the way they complimented each other.  I also like the way the author allowed these two to grow, moving in to a physical relationship at a pace that is comfortable for them.  I wish the author would have spent a little more time on Jody’s past, as it is clear that not everything is what it appears.

This story is also full of wonderful secondary characters.  Many of the guys we have met before and I love the way they go out of their way to help Jody and Prissy. 

Riding & Regrets is a well written story that fans of this series are sure to enjoy.  I really liked the characters in this book, especially the way they pulled me into their story.  While each book can stand on its own, the reader would get a richer understanding by reading all the books in the series.