Joint Review – Fire & Frost by Jessica Sims, Carolyn Crane & Meljean Brook

Publisher: Self

Publish Date: Out Now

How we got this book: eARC from authors

 

From the authors who brought you Wild & Steamy come three all-new tales of lovers who create their own heat, even when they’re surrounded by ice…

Speed Mating by Jessica Sims – Estrella may be going into heat, but she’s determined to remain in control. Just because she’s ovulating doesn’t mean she has to settle for just any man (or his beast). Her sexy alpha’s determined to find her a tiger to take care of her heat and father her child…but no one seems to look quite as good as the man in charge. Will giving in to her need for her alpha ruin her tenuous relationship with her clan or be a match made in heaven?

Conjuring Max by Carolyn Crane – The witches of the world ridiculed and rejected nerdy Veronica for trying to use newfangled computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and she’s perfected her spellcasting computer program. Hey, who needs friends when you can conjure virtually anything…or anybody? So when Veronica makes powerful new enemies, she conjures Max, a pitbull of a cop, to deal with the pesky hitmen who keep coming around. Maybe Veronica can finally get some peace and quiet so she can work on her computer. But tough-guy Max is in no mood to play lapdog to a gorgeous witch.

Wrecked by Meljean Brook – Elizabeth has spent the past five years running from her father; her father’s huntsman, Caius, has spent the past five years pursuing her. But when he finally catches up to her on an airship flying above Europe’s zombie-infested cities, Elizabeth discovers that Caius isn’t the only danger she has to fear—and now that he’s found her, Caius doesn’t intend to let her go…

*Blurb from Goodreads*

 

MinnChica: I absolutely love and adore all things Jessica Sims/Jill Myles/Jessica Clare. I think I could read the phonebook, if she wrote it. Meljean Brook has created one of the most imaginative and incredible worlds that I’ve ever come across. Mix it in with her sexy writing and I can’t turn down anything of hers either. While I’ve only read a novella or two of Carolyn Crane, I’ve liked what I’ve read so far, and will definitely need to add her books to my ever-growing TBR stack.

Speed Mating was probably my favorite in this book. It was light hearted, sexy and an all around fun read. It was also the shortest, which made me just a teeny bit sad. I love that Sims has a way of finding ridiculous situations for her heroes and heroines, and then a humorous and sexy way of getting them out of it. Poor Estrella was looking for both a father for her child and a man who didn’t repulse her. More than anything she wanted her alpha, and I loved that she was so scared of ruining that relationship by approaching him about mating. I loved the way they finally got together, and how much they were secretly crushing on each other. I can’t say enough good things about Sims writing and just how much I love her stories.

I give Speed Mating an A

Conjuring Max was a really unique and different read. I loved the idea of using computers to enhance magic, and how Veronica was able to create a program to help her conjure up anything she wanted. It was a really cool and fun twist on magic that I haven’t seen before. For me though, there was something lacking in the romance between these two. I’m not sure what it was, but I just didn’t find that I was totally invested in the relationship between Max and Veronica. I wanted to be, but there was just a little spark missing, and it caused my interest to wane a little throughout the story.

I give Conjuring Max a B-

Wrecked was another fabulous novella to add to the Iron Seas series. As I said before, Brook has created probably the most imaginative world I’ve ever read, and I absolutely adore everything she writes within this world. I loved getting the chance to see some of the zombies up close and personal, and getting the chance to see first hand what their deal is all about. I loved the idea of having the cat and mouse game between Elizabeth and Caius be the foundation of their romance. I was rooting for them all the way and glad to see them finally find their way to one another. PS: Brook does an amazing job creating some really creepy villains as well!

I give Wrecked an A-

All in all this was another fabulous anthology from these three powerhouse authors. I love getting the chance to catch up with both the Midnight Liaisons and Iron Seas series, and I’m anxiously awaiting both of these authors to release their next books. I can only hope these three continue to write together and give us more in the future!

 

E: It was a great surprise to see a review request of Fire & Frost appear and since it contains two authors whose writing I absolutely adore I couldn’t wait to read it.  I have found that Brook and Sims/Myles/Clare have a way of drawing me into their worlds.  Crane is a new-to-me author who provided a very interesting addition to this anthology.

Speed Mating was a lot of fun to read. I found myself laughing often at the sheer incompatibility of prospects, Estrella’s combination of determination and shyness, and the uber patience of her alpha.  I adored how Sims included some of the things that are used in society today to meet potential dates and played on how challenging it can be to meet someone who is interested in more than just a quick hook-up.  One of the other things I enjoy about Sims’ writing is that she is always includes at least one key friendship so we get to see additional facets of her main characters.  I really can’t wait to see what Sims provides for the next installment in this particular world.

I give Speed Mating an A

Conjuring Max was a very interesting take on computers, math, and magic.  It brought me back to the days when I first started studying computer science and I tried to explain email and the internet to my family.  Eventually I gave up and said it was magic.  They were quite willing to accept that explanation so I had an immediate connection to the magic aspect that Crane used.  Even with my fascination I found this novella missing a few things.  I did not understand why the Council and hired assassins were trying to kill Veronica so I spend most of my time reading trying to understand that aspect.  The other thing I found missing was, like MinnChica, the connection between Max and Veronica.  I think I never quite grasped the romance because this was a snapshot after all of their internal conflict had been resolved so I really didn’t see the emotional attachment.

I give Conjuring Max a B-

Wrecked is another great installment in Brook’s Iron Seas world.  Each story adds more to the world building and explores new aspects while retaining the familiarity of the original set-up.  She explores some very fascinating issues here that aren’t completely revealed until the latter parts of the story which I thought was great.  This ended up being a great game of chase with each side having information that could drastically sway the actions of the other side.  I loved how both Elizabeth and Caius went to extremes to right what they saw as a serious wrong.  Without giving away too much, I hope, I absolutely loved the themes of individuality and redemption that Brook wove throughout the story.

I give Wrecked an A.

Overall this was a really fun anthology to read.  I hope the three ladies continue to join together for these collections.  They are all skilled in creating fascinating worlds and unusual characters who inhabit them.  Fire & Frost contains something for everyone from shapeshifters, to computers augmenting magic, to steampunk the variety was refreshing!  I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

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