Review: Hotness with a twist, pick this up
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 27, 2013
4.5 out of 5 starsI received a copy of this story for an honest review for Amber's Reading Room.Looking for a thermonuclear read with unique leads, a smidge of angst, and splashes of humor? Let me introduce you to "Rock Hard and Wet," part of Jennifer James's new series "Nymphs of New York." This story hooked me quickly and turned out to be one of the hottest and most fun books that I've checked out this year. This is my second read by James and it's solidified me as a big-time fan.Callie and Petra aren't your average young women trolling the streets of New York City looking for a good-time. They are actually Oceanids, water nymphs that belong to King Poseidon's vast harem and they've busted out with exactly three days to find their soul mates before they have to return to Poseidon and the rest their sister-nymphs. While Petra believes soul-mates are waiting around the corner for them, Callie's not 100% invested since the life she's living isn't that bad."There were enough nymphs in the harem that she had plenty of free time to do as she wished. She snuck off for trysts when she wanted, pursued her art, and now and then climbed into bed with Big P. for a night of wicked debauchery."Enter brother's Theo and Logan, two Grotesques patrolling their NYC neighborhood. Grotesques are commonly, but mistakenly, referred to as Gargoyle's because of their stone physique and the form of winged beast they can transform themselves into. Grotesques are actually handsome men whose ingrained purpose in life is to act as guardians and protectors. When Theo spots Callie he senses trouble as well as a few other feelings he's forced himself to ignore for several hundred years."For the first time in his long life, Theo wished he were a human man, anything to help ease the torment of this nymph's damnable charms on his body. The more he scented her, the worse his hard-on got."Theo made a mistake with a woman outside of his species in the past and suffered grievously for it. But despite his Herculean effort to turn Callie away, the connection and attraction between the two of them is one that neither can ignore. Schmexy time commences. FREQUENTLY. AND IN GREAT DETAIL.Occasionally when some stories have a strong focus on their characters hitting the sheets (or in this case alley way, shower, sheets, beach, etc.), plotline can come across as an afterthought. James manages to do lots of hot and heavy and still create an interesting story that makes sense with characters that you can connect with.  Beyond the bedroom fun, it felt like Callie and Theo formed a real bond. I wanted these characters to find happiness with each other and wasn't disappointed in their HEA.People who know me know I'm a total dork so it is without shame that I say I thought the title of this book was brilliant. I snickered - "He's made of stone so he's `Rock Hard' and she's a water nymph so she's the `and Wet.' Hehehe." I dig authors with a sense of humor and James displays it not only with the title but also in her characters banter."You need to change forms. I'm tired of yelling at a giant flying stone lion. Which is a totally ridiculous notion anyway. How the hell can something made out of stone fly? It makes no sense."Do yourself a solid and pick up a copy of "Rock Hard and Wet," it's a genuinely fun (and amazingly hot) read.Happy reading.