Merger by Lydia Nyx

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Noble Romance
Contemporary M/M Erotic Romance
To Purchase 

Blurb: Paul Malkovich and Damon Trussel have just sealed a major deal: the merger of their respective companies, textile manufacturers on either side of the Big Pond. After the obligatory high-society celebration, Damon expresses to Paul he'd like to cement their business union with a more personal one. They take a steamy limo ride around London, during which Paul teaches Damon something even better than business politics.

Review: From the first words, the scene was set. I immediately had a clear picture in my mind of the setting, the characters and I was pulled into the sexual tension. The premise was flirty yet edgy. There is an aspect that might make a reader pause, however I wasn’t bothered because the relationship status of Damon was handled delicately. Because Ms. Nyx was going for the “corporate” feel, the business-y way of dialog, for me, lost some of the passion. At times the flow stalled because they were business like about their encounter and I wanted there to be hunger between them that didn’t need negotiated. That said, I did enjoy this quick read.

The Game in Spain by Lydia Nyx

Story 5
Presentation 8
Total: 13
Publisher: Noble Romance
Contemporary Gay Erotic Romance (m/m/m)
To Purchase

Blurb: In Madrid, Spain, during Carnival, gorgeous Spanish gymnast, Alejandro Salvador, leads his trainer, Gabriel, and his ex-boyfriend Sebastian on a wild and sexy chase through the streets. Promising the one who gets to him first gets him as their prize, he thinks he runs the game he's playing. Little does he know, the two men, both in desperate lust with him, will realize competition isn't necessary when they can have twice the fun working together.


Review: The Game in Spain had a great hook, but I wished I had enjoyed the story more. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a scene without knowing what had happened up to that point. It was action packed and exciting, but confusing. I never really had a good grasp of the characters. The description of the surroundings was perfect. I could picture where they were just fine. I didn’t feel like I knew any of the characters, therefore I didn’t care about the passion between them when the sexual aspects of the story begin.

The sex is hot, but without feeling the romantic involvement, without the buildup from sexual tension, it was just words on the page. Ms. Nyx can write a hot love scene, but I want to feel it with the characters. This story failed to pull me in and therefore didn’t deliver.