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ReenaJacobs
Posted July 14, 2012
This anthology was quick enough, I was able to knock it out in a day. The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook ~ My first introduction to a Brook’s work was in the Burning Up anthology. Brook’s work was entitled Here There Be Monsters. I totally loved her writing style. Later I picked up The Iron Duke. Though I’m not a fan of detective stories, her writing was still A+. Once again, Ms. Brooks does an excellent job with bringing her Iron Sea world to life in The Blushing Bounder. Brooks definitely has style when it comes to writing. My biggest gripe with this work was it seemed incomplete. The romance was cold then hot. It really lacked any sort of build up. One moment the heroine was standoffish and completely uninterested. Next thing I knew, she was in love. In my prior experience with Ms. Brook, she presented herself as a STRONG mystery writer. In this story, the mystery lacked substance and was only solved on a basic level. What was the motive? Vixen by Jill Myles ~ If I’m not mistaken, this was my first encounter with a Jill Myles work. It wasn’t bad and I may or may not look for more of her works. One thing for certain, paranormal romances are a tough sell these days. It seems like everything’s been done. That’s the issue I faced with Ms. Myles’ story. Like I said, it wasn’t a bad read, and still entertaining, but the story lacked freshness and was quite predictable. Still, the sex scene was quite steamy. One item which has me all twisted is the idea of wild cats with a fox… odd to say the least. I wonder if her other books mix and match like that. Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane ~ Of the three stories, Ms. Crane’s work was the weakest. I was actually rather bummed, because she was the main reason I purchased this anthology. Majority of this story was backstory… I wouldn’t be surprised if 75% of it was backstory with the remaining working on the relationship between Kitten-Tiger and the Monk. Even the relationship portion was highly predictable. One interesting item about this work is it’s in past tense. I remember Mind Games throwing me for a loop when I first started reading it. I don’t recall ever reading a book in present tense before Mind Games. It took some major adapting for me. After reading Kitten-Tiger and the Monk, I kind of wished Ms. Crane had stayed in the present tense. It might have discouraged her from loading the work with backstory.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Of the three stories in this anthology, I actually only enjoyed Vixen, the middle story.
The first story, The Blushing Bounder, was so confusing at first, that I put it aside (figuratively, since this was a digital edition) and moved on to read other things I found more interesting. After a few weeks, the fact that I had not finished this one began to irk me, so I made myself read it. Not my cup of tea. This was the first steampunk story I'd ever read, and apparently, I'm not a fan.
Vixen was a cute little romp, with wonderful sexual tension, a realistic mother/daughter relationship, and good characterization. It had a leg up on the others, because I already read and enjoy shifter fiction. I would enjoy reading more about these four characters and their continuing lives.
Kitten-tiger and the Monk was least enjoyable. I understood the dystopian world in which the story was set, but I just didn't give a rip about the characters, not even when they were in mortal danger.
All three stories were well-written, just two of them not all that appealing this to particular audience.
Anonymous
Posted September 13, 2012
Kisses her deepl
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 21, 2012
Gave insight to a recurring Brooks character and met 2 new authors. A good short story compilation. Liked it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a satisfying, if not spectacular, anthology. Brook's "The Blushing Bounder" is a fine addition to the Iron Seas universe, serving as a prequel to the entire series. Myles' "Vixen" features a kitsune, which is a nice change of pace from the usual shapeshifters; but it felt rushed and under-developed. Crane's "Kitten-Tiger and the Monk" is a rare superhero romance, which focuses on an emotionally-damaged hero and a heroine who thinks of herself as a villain; definite emotional punch, here. Recommended only to hardcore fans of these particular authors.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 23, 2011
I bought this ebook for the the Meljean Brook's Iron Duke prequel, The Blushing Bounder. It was an adorable back story for Mina's stoic sidekick Edward. Constable Edward and his wife are from America and it's from their point of view that you come to understand how much the Americans fear "bugs".
I'm not sure about the title though, all three stories while good were not wild or steamy. If you are following one of these series at $3 it's not a bad buy.
The Blushing Bounder ~ By Meljean Brook
90pgs
Tempest is sick and now living with, whom she feels is, her deceiving husband in London and the reason she had a falling out with her family in the US. Her husband wishes she would get the infection with the "bug" to cure her illness, but fearing the stories of becoming a zombie after death she refuses. While in her room one night she witnesses a murder in the alley. Tempest's husband is the one on the case and is to keep her safe from the guilty man. Tempest looks closer at her husband and learns a few things, and maybe will save his life and hers.
This was a different story for me. So much here to this world in this short read. The bugs to heal people, and potential zombies. Then we have the steampunk take on the mechanics uses here. Wonderful the way Meljean mixes all this and creates an amazing world in such a short story. I really enjoyed the world set-up and the ideas here.
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Vixen ~ By Jill Myles
95pgs
Miko lives in the country to be away from distractions and interruptions...including men. She's a were-fox and men drive the hormones through the roof as foxes are vixens. Miko has visitors, 2 men visitors, sent from her mother. They are sent to protect her from the new specialized hunts. But the flirting begins, and Miko starts thinking about the one thing she moved to keep from her mind the sting of men and...mating.
Hot and steamy. Sexy! Have the fan ready! Miko and these two delicious men. But not only is the attraction flowing strong, but there is a story here as well. The hunters are out and boundaries are crossed. Oh by far Jill has created a Hot! story here. The whole idea of the were-fox and her needs. Wow! But there is a story here about the hunter issue, but the main focus is on Miko.
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Kitten-Tiger & The Monk ~ by Carolyn Crane
131pgs
Sophia is sick of herself and what she does to others. She wants rebooted and the only one to do that is The Monk. She has a hint of where to start to find someone who knows where he is, on her path she learns this person is one from her past. A past she thought she had moved past but found she never can. Can she forgive herself and can he forgive her?
This is the story I got this anthology for. I loved reading the first 2 books of Carolyn Cranes Disillustionist series. And this one just adds to the list!
We learn more of Sophia and of The Monk. Oh, I love Robert! We get to see into the Tangle, the curvy twisting highway mess everyone dreads that is ever present here in the city. Of this Tangle we see why it's the way it is. We get just a touch of the stories in the trilogy as well, but it is not needed to have read those to read this. But you might fall in love with the magic created here to pick up the first two books. Great side story!
Anonymous
Posted August 20, 2012
Wild and Steamy is an inexpensive TREASURE!
This anthology of three authors (Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, and Carolyn Crane) has three different romances, two of which were awesome. FYI - Jill Myles novella is erotic and has m/f/m.
“The Blushing Bounder” (Iron Seas series 0.4) – Meljean Brook – Grade: A or 5 stars
This story includes a murder mystery and an incredibly sweet romance set in Meljean Brook’s steampunk Victorian world. Constable Edward Newberry is the blushing bounder whose public kiss led to the forced marriage between him and his wife Temperance. Edward’s shy courtship of Temperance and what he is willing to do for her is just lovely. The focus of this story is Edward and Temperance’s romance. They are an endearingly virtuous couple. (view spoiler)
If you haven’t tried steampunk and want some romance I suggest this novella or Meljean Brook’s other novella “Here There Be Monsters” in the Burning Up anthology. Two thumbs up for The Iron Seas series.
“The Vixen” – Jill Myles – Grade: C- or 2.5 stars
Two were-cats are sent to protect a were-fox from hunters. Two men and one woman isolated and sharing a home in the countryside. Were-foxes are known for being insatiable. Why choose just one man? She doesn’t.
Okay, there is a little bit more to this novella. It could’ve been better with a few more pages, in order to make a credible romance and add tension to the hunters’ presence. I read the whole story. Enough said.
“The Kitten-tiger & the Monk” (The Disillusionists Trilogy 2.5) – Carolyn Crane - Grade: A- or 4.5 stars
WOW! Why haven’t I heard of Carolyn Crane before this novella?!!! Having only one story remaining in this anthology I began reading this with little or no expectations. It’s like finding a whole sand dollar on the beach. The characters are so engaging! Loved them and their romance!
Sophia Sidway is a self-loathing Disillusionist. She has used her gift to erase short-term memories and implanting new memories her whole life. It seems she has done some shady things. Her greatest regret is betraying her childhood friend-turned lover. Sophia decides to seek the “Monk” to use his gift to disillusion her, and the person that can lead her to Monk is none other than her estranged lover.
I still don’t quite grasp the world in this series. It’s different from any paranormal world I have read. I WILL BUY the two books in this series. I’m looking forward to MORE of her morally ambiguous characters.
Summary
I loved “The Blushing Bounder!” “The Kitten-tiger and the Monk” has me on cloud 9! (Warm tinglies for finding a new author to read. Crane's novella lead to me reading her terrific Disillusionists series, which is on my Keeper shelf!) Anyway, this book is a terrific sampler for Steampunk, a new dark & twisty urban fantasy, or polyandrous shifter erotic.
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Posted October 13, 2011
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Posted August 21, 2011
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Posted July 15, 2012
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Posted September 14, 2011
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Posted August 26, 2011
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Posted August 18, 2011
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Posted August 22, 2011
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Overview
"THE BLUSHING BOUNDER" by Meljean Brook
A Tale of the Iron Seas - While the search for a killer puts Constable Newberry’s life in danger, he faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for...