Wrecked - Meljean Brook

Even when I don't fall head over heels with a story in this world, it is still wonderful. I read this on the heels of Salvaged, which I preferred, but still, this was wonderful! Caius and Elizabeth's story was sad and sweet and not formulaic - I continue to love all of Brooks' amazing world-building. Hurry up, [b:The Kraken King|15788727|The Kraken King (Iron Seas, #4)|Meljean Brook|/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21509319]!!!! (4 stars)

I'll come back to the other stories later.

Wrecked - Meljean Brook

Even when I don't fall head over heels with a story in this world, it is still wonderful. I read this on the heels of Salvaged, which I preferred, but still, this was wonderful! Caius and Elizabeth's story was sad and sweet and not formulaic - I continue to love all of Brooks' amazing world-building. Hurry up, [b:The Kraken King|15788727|The Kraken King (Iron Seas, #4)|Meljean Brook|/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21509319]!!!! (4 stars)

I'll come back to the other stories later.

My favourite part in this book was Wrecked which is a steampunk short from the Iron Seas series. It have its own story and a bit expanded version of the world other than the romance element. I also like Speed Mating although it was plain erotica and little plot in it. I skip Conjuring Max after a couple of pages. 80s and computers stories about that era doesn't really mesh with me. ( )

This is the second time Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane and Jessica Sims have joined up for an anthology of novellas. Having read the first one I expected to be entertained and possibly surprised. And I was. The biggest surprise was that I liked Brook's story the least. I've been reading her Iron Seas series, and Wrecked is set in the same alternate reality. I guess there comes a point in such a series that the world is pretty much built, and there are very little new and exciting features the author can introduce to readers. In the case of this steampunk romance the lack of more worldbuilding was disappointing to me, especially since the romance was nothing special. It had an interesting starting point: the heroine is on the run from her father, and the hero is after her. They share a history of mistakes and mistrust, and it's a surprise to her that he doesn't want to catch her, but to help her run. After all that was cleared, both the characters and the romance lost all originality. I felt like Brook chose the easy, well travelled path with this one. She also resorted to some background info dumps, which is always unappealing.

Another surprise was that I liked Jessica Sims' Speed Mating as much as I did. I'm not really into paranormal erotica or were-creatures of any kind, but this story about a wereliger in heat looking for the right mate was quite enjoyable.

Carolyn Crane's Conjuring Max was my absolute favourite of the lot. I should start reading Crane's novels ASAP, because she seems to have a hell of an imagination and there's nothing I like better! In this novella she (or her heroine) combines computer technology and magic in a most creative way. The heroine is a witch in need of a bodyguard and uses her computer skills to conjure one. Crane has a knack for worldbuilding, and the romance worked really well, too.

It'd be great if these ladies decided to combine their forces once more in the future. ( )

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?

This is the only story I have read out of this anthology so far..
I love Jessica Sims Midnight Liaisons series. This is a short-story in that series. ( )