Title: In the Pines
Author: Lydia Nyx
Publisher: Storm Moon Press
Pages: 27
Characters: Tyler Maxwell, Flynn
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary Romance
Kisses: 4.5
Blurb:
Tyler Maxwell is a former New York cop now working a desk job in Alaska. But he hasn’t lost all of his cop instincts. After purchasing a gun as a gift despite the gun shop owner’s insistence that the weapon was cursed, Tyler starts doing some investigating into the gun’s sordid past. He turns up evidence of a string of unexplained suicides, all apparently committed with the very same gun.
At the same time, Tyler begins to have erotic dreams about the beautiful and mysterious Flynn. Thoughts of Flynn soon begin to intrude upon Tyler’s waking hours, though, and it becomes clear that Flynn wants more from Tyler than just his body. He has a favor to ask. Now, Tyler has to finally unravel the mystery of the gun before he becomes its next victim.
Review:
Wow! For a short story, In the Pines really packed a lot of punch! Between the mystery of the gun’s past, the curse behind it, and the intriguing and sensual Flynn, this short story kept me enthralled with it from the first page to the last word. I loved the determination Tyler had to solve the many questions about the gun’s dark history. Since his accident, he’s been existing and just going through the motions of life, but once Tyler purchases the gun, and starts dreaming about the sexy and mysterious Flynn, he starts to live again.
There was a very strong connection between Tyler and Flynn. The sex scenes in this book were red-hot and as I read them, I could have sworn the temperature in my living room rose several degrees. But as much as I love a well-written sex scene, I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two heroes, and as I read the book, I began to wonder how in the world Tyler and the man of his dreams would somehow end up together. (You’ll have to read the story to find out how as well as the mystery behind the gun.) In some ways, I thought the ending was very appropriate…even though it does end on a positive note, there is a note of bitter-sweetness about it too, and that left me wanting more.
My only complaint about the book is: I wish it had been longer. I’ve read several short stories by Ms. Nyx and I’ve really loved every one of them. She has a knack of really getting to the heart and soul of her characters, no matter how short the story. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Nyx in the future and I highly recommend this book for readers who crave a fast-past romance with a lot of action and intrigue.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
