Need You Tonight

Title: Need You Tonight
Author: Katrina Strauss
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://www.loose-id.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60737-478-7
Genre: {M/M} BDSM Yaoi
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Derek recognizes impulsive Blue as his true love. If he had his way, sharing Blue on any level wouldn’t be an option. That’s true until Blue witnesses Derek ogling one of his new friends, Dusty Sterling. Blue decides it’s time to give his master another strong body to enjoy and uses his skills of seduction on Dusty.

Dusty is blind and fiercely independent. He’s not as weak as others would like to believe, and has no trouble setting the record straight. Becoming friends then lovers with Blue and Derek is more than Dusty could have hoped to occur. When a new killer strikes the area, Dusty’s gifts help to ferret out the culprit. Will the men survive another evil presence or has their luck finally run out?

Need You Tonight is the fourth book in Katrina Strauss’ Blue Ruin series. Ms. Strauss mixes action, suspense, engine-revving erotic encounters and the harsh realities of life to create her latest release. We gain more background on Derek in this installment, and come face-to-face with some of the past that molded him into the man he is today. This story pulled me more towards Derek and I found myself wanting to hold the man who seems to take such good care of Blue. Blue starts to understand what he’s doing to their relationship and takes more stock into keeping Derek happy and fulfilling his wishes. I could see him maturing before my eyes, with a little less of the brat I love left to enjoy. The addition of Dusty was a great touch and I’ll admit he’s someone you won’t soon forget. The story has a believable storyline and well-developed characters. I don’t want to give much away, but there is another storyline that Ms. Strauss can pull out of this book. If we are lucky, she’s already begun the first draft.

Those who enjoy the genre should pick up a copy of Need You Tonight.

Kaji Sukoshi & The Shining One

Title: Kaji Sukoshi & The Shining One
Author: Connie Bailey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
ISBN: 978-1-61581-013-0
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

How far would you go to obtain your dreams? Benjamin Blume is the manager of Hayate, a new rock 'n' roll band destined for stardom. Ben is approached by the management of Japan’s hottest pop star, Kazuki, with a publicity gimmick that could help his group gain opportunities he could only dream of obtaining. The dream soon turns into a nightmare when a simple act of courting changed into something more, leaving his young lead singer, Kaji, distraught with his first true taste of heartbreak.

However, Kaji and Kazuki aren’t even close to being over. They both share a special love, even if Kazuki does act a bit spoiled. Will Kaji be able to give Kazuki the love and protection he so desperately seeks, or is this a relationship doomed from the first kiss?

Connie Bailey’s Kaji Sukoshi & The Shining One is a story about love, new beginnings, second chances, and understanding the true meaning of the word “family”. While we told the story in first point of view by Benjamin Blume, the actions and words of the characters surrounding Ben leave very little room for interpretation. I was able to feel the love, hurt, humiliation and sacrifice of each individual.

Ben’s past affair with a former rocker in the 80’s allowed him to connect with Kaji’s feelings and understand his painful breakup. Moreover, while he was carrying his own bit of baggage around from the event, I was happy to see him move out of Kaji and Kazuki’s way at times and allow them to make their own mistakes. Ben loved the band members as a doting father but Kaji has his heart, above all others. Kaji understood Kazuki better than anyone else and could hear his cry for love and affection. There were times I knew he was stronger than I was and I applauded his ability to get up, brush himself off, and go back for another round. Clearly, Kazuki had issues that remained with him from adolescence but when he finally was able to see the gifts at his fingertips, he showed me a side of him I only hoped was buried deep inside his wounded spirit. Kaji Sukoshi & The Shining One isn’t your average yaoi story and requires you to use more thought processing than sensory overload with sexual encounters that go could rival the temperature of hell. No, Ms. Bailey takes us on a ride through the lives of men who are seeking love and happiness. When the sexually encounters come, they add a touch of spice to the novel, but don’t distract from the message and the adventure through Ben’s eyes. This story is definitely worth a read or two and demonstrates just how talented Ms. Bailey truly is.