“4.5 Nymphs!...The newest release by multi-published author Katrina Strauss and as usual, she’s created two well-developed and likable characters in Josh and Tony...The unusual artistic medium of Josh’s art work is nicely handled and the details and descriptions added great depth and interest to the story...A romance novel doesn’t often deal with such a wide age gap, which happens frequently in real life, and Ms. Strauss has done it here with creativity, flair, understanding and sensuality I enjoyed...A sweet but passionate love story between two men of vastly differing ages and life experiences. It’s fun, light-hearted, sexy and shows the importance of people, not ages. If you’re looking for a well-crafted story with great details, a wonderful setting and two interesting guys years apart in age, I suggest that you give this simmering gem of a contemporary romance a try.”--Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews
“5 Stars!...A superb May to December romance that manages to effectively address the age issue whilst also providing a wonderful, believable romance...I was spellbound and could barely manage to put the book down as I followed Josh and Tony’s initial meet up and their slow path towards love...I liked how vividly the Sonoran setting is brought alive in the book. It’s a part of the world I know little about, and I loved many of the incidental details, particularly in relation to Tony’s job as a landscape gardener, which added to the richness of the setting. The landscape in particular, brought alive through Josh’s paintings, was vibrant and I could see why both Josh and Tony were passionate about where they live...There were many other things I liked about the book, too, particularly in the secondary characters of Josh’s friends and slacker Dylan, who deserves a whole book of his own, and the beautiful, hot-and-tender sex scenes that managed to blow your socks off whilst retaining a high romance quotient...This is one book that didn’t disappoint and I can highly recommend it.”--Jenre, Reviews By Jessewave
...Whichever one of them made the first move, Josh was certain of one thing—Tony would have him before the night was over. He decided his best course of action was to relax and let things progress naturally. So far, he’d enjoyed his first decent home-cooked meal in ages. He’d watched one of his favorite shows on a large screen TV, without his roommates teasing him for his love of what Eddie called “media archives.” Even better was sharing the evening with a man who truly showed an interest in Josh as a person, yet that intellectual respect made Josh’s desire to get physical all the stronger.
Feeling bolder, he turned to rest his head against Tony’s chest. Curling up his legs, he slipped a hand around Tony’s waist and snuggled closer, basking in the warmth and strength of the other man’s body. He inhaled a whiff of Tony’s masculine scent, relishing the hint of soap mixed with sweat. His pulse beat a little faster, yet he’d never felt so content with anyone before.
“You’re comfortable,” Josh muttered. His eyelids fluttered; a commercial ended. The familiar theme music played again, wafting around him, signaling the start of the next episode in the marathon. He closed his eyes, lulled by the rhythmic rise and fall of Tony’s chest.
I could get used to this, Josh thought, stifling a yawn. He was glad he’d taken a chance in accepting Tony’s dinner invitation. He was happy they’d spent some meaningful time together and hadn’t jumped into bed right away. Even if bed would be nice right about now…
It dawned on him that Tony had said something. “Huh?” Josh asked stupidly, his eyes flying open. He peered up at Tony through blurred vision.
Tony looked down with an indulgent smile. “I said you’re welcome to borrow my bed and catch a nap.”
Josh squinted at the TV. The episode he thought he’d been watching was nearly over. He peered back up at Tony. “Shit. I dozed off?” At Tony’s nod, embarrassment flushed through him. “Sorry. I’m a bad date.”
Tony’s eyes went soft. “It’s okay. You’ve got a rough schedule to work around.”
“That’s no excuse—” Josh’s apology was clipped by a yawn. Thoroughly shamed, he buried his face against Tony’s chest. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
Tony laughed softly, his chest vibrating, the sound of it warming Josh to the core. Fingers lifted Josh’s chin with a gentle nudge, easing his head back.
Tony brushed the hair away from Josh’s brow. His touch sent waves of pleasure rippling through Josh’s limbs.
“I’m worse,” Tony murmured, his lips inches from Josh’s mouth. “I considered taking advantage of you while you were unconscious.”
Josh tilted his face higher. “You can’t take advantage of the willing.”
“Is that so?” Their lips touched for the briefest moment, sparking a stream of adrenaline that fired Josh’s nerves and jolted his senses. Suddenly wide awake, he felt his cock go hard.
Caught up in the rush, he tightened his fingers around the fabric of Tony’s shirt and returned the kiss. At the feel of the older man’s lips parting open, Josh gave a slip of the tongue. Tony’s mouth tasted of wine and oregano, the sensual combination fueling Josh’s hunger. He opened his own mouth wider, showing Tony he wanted more.
Tony met and matched the kiss, plunging his tongue deep with slow, languorous sweeps. Josh’s head reeled, and a muffled groan escaped his throat. Savoring the moment, he slipped his hand up Tony’s neck, combing his fingers through mussed-up hair that begged to be played with. He leaned back against the throw pillows, pulling Tony with him.
Their legs twined, and their crotches pressed together. Josh grunted at the hard bulge that crushed against his throbbing prick. Playing the tease, he gave a little thrust and grind, delighting in the swell and ebb of sensation that grew stronger with each second.
Tony broke the kiss with a gasp, then dived back in, kissing Josh harder. He raked one hand through Josh’s hair and held there, their lips crushed together, tongues snaking with wild abandon. With his other hand, Tony reached for the coffee table and fumbled for the remote. The TV went silent, the room now filled with a chorus of muffled moans...