Fire & Frost by Meljean Brook, Caroline Crane, and Jessica Sims
PNR/UF/Steampunk Romance Anthology
May 25, 2013
Self published

Reviewed by Tori

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)

Speed Mating (Midnight Liaisons) by Jessica Sims

I have always enjoyed Jessica Sims (Jill Myles) stories. Always fun and sexy with the perfect amount of humor to keep you chuckling as the hero and heroine find themselves in crazy, outrageous situations on their journey to their happily ever after. Speed Mating is a cute, short, lighthearted  PNR about a female liger-Estrella- who goes into heat and finds herself at loose ends. She doesn’t want to just sleep with anyone. She wants romance, passion, and a mate that compliments her in every way. Her alpha, Vic, tries to help by bringing in eligible males for her to choose from but Estrella and Estrella’s liger only seem to want what they can’t have…Vic, himself.

“I didn’t say your name was a good name. It’s simply tolerable because it’s yours.”

RATING: B

Conjuring Max (Code Of Shadows 0.5) by Carolyn Crane

As always, Carolyn Crane likes to take a unique approach with her characters and storylines. Though this one didn’t engage me romantically as much as I would have liked, I found that the chemistry was lacking, Conjuring Max was still an entertaining short read that offers an interesting look at witchcraft and the modern world. Veronica was mocked as a child for her work with computer and spell casting. Now a recluse with a huge chip on her shoulder, Veronica has perfected her computers, enabling her to conjure anything she wants. When she conjures up Max to be her bodyguard against those who seek to harm her, she finds herself willing to do anything to keep Max around forever.

RATING: C

Wrecked (Iron Seas) by Meljean Brook

I absolutely adore Meljean Brook Iron Seas series. A series that crosses boundaries and transports this reader into a thrilling inventive world that just keeps getting better with every new installment. Fabulous characters combined with a full bodied complex storyline made this my favorite novella in this anthology. In Wrecked we meet Elizabeth who has been on the run from her father and his hunters for over 5 years. Her reasons for running are more than justified, as she proves when her father’s favorite hunter, Caius, found her the first time 2 years ago. Caius was devastated the first time he lost Elizabeth and now seeks to prove to her that he is not there to take her home, but  to help her and hopefully build a life with her.

“I know you, Elizabeth. You. Not who someone wants you to be, but who you are.”

RATING: A

All in all, Fire & Frost is an enjoyable anthology that gives fans of these three powerhouses a little bit of everything.

OVERALL RATING: B

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