Genres: Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance
Published by Berkley
Released on August 3, 2010
Pages: 343
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
The Delight
I originally picked this up because it boasted one series, The Children of the Sea, that I was starting to follow. This was a few years back. Imagine my excitement when, in the meantime, I discovered the Psy Changling and the Iron Seas series. Holy Cow! I hit the jackpot and wasn’t even trying. But, it was only after Burning Up set on the shelf for a long time that I finally took it up and began enjoying what I got from each of these authors.
Review
First up, was Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh
#.6 Psy-Changling
The story is of human woman, Ria, and Dark River leopard changling, Emmett. A vicious human gang hits town and starts harassing the populace. Ria comes into the crosshairs of the troubles and Emmett arrives on the scene. He is attracted immediately, but has some work to do protecting Ria, tracking down the gang, and convincing the feisty Ria that she’s it for him.
Exciting, passionate story. Flirty romance pair. Story falls just before the events of book one and made me fall more in love with the series.
Angela Knight’s Blood and Roses is next.
I believe Blood and Roses is a standalone.
It was a fantasy world of vampires, magical human women, humans, and a lizard race. The world was interesting as was the set up and this is always a huge draw with me. The hero, a vampire, and the heroine, one of those magically gifted women were engaging. Their coming together was a captor/captive deal and then instalove so I found the romance the weak point at the start. It was a spicy, seductive bit once it got going and their romance and teaming up to stop the villain was pretty good. I might have wanted a bit more from this one, but I did like it.
Now, there is Virginia Kantra’s Shifting Sea
#3.5 Children of the Sea
War-weary soldier, Jack, inherits a Scottish estate and is doing his best to be a good new lord of the manor. He comes upon a breathtaking woman by the sea and its like he hears a siren call. Morwenna is of the fin folks and knows better that nothing can come of being with a human.
I love this series for its haunting, atmospheric quality and its world of the fae of the sea. This shorter in between novella is no exception. I had a few questions in the end that I suspect will be answered in the next book about her twin, but I loved what I got.
Last up was Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook
#.5 Iron Seas
A side story in the series of a woman needing out of London and willing to give even herself to achieve it to a pirate who is much more than he seems. Unfortunately, she disappears before he can prove it. Two years and a lifetime later it seems the pair meet again and Ivy realizes that Mad Machen has come for his payment.
It was exciting, passionate, wonderfully surprising and one of the best developed novellas I’ve read. It’s a prequel to the Iron Duke, but I recommend reading it as a follow up story so the background of the story makes better sense.
~~~~~~~
Side note, this book has the distinction of being off my TBR pile, but also off my Library Love list because yes, I had managed to misplace it somewhere in the middle of a story. I was dying, but then library to the rescue. Whew!
So, this four-some was a fantastic variety pack of paranormal and fantasy romance. I can easily recommend it to those looking for new authors and series to try and those who are already fans of certain series.
Challenges
Literary Pickers #23 engagement ring
Mt. TBR #14
Library Love #3
Recommendations
About Meljean Brook
Book info: I am the author of the Iron Seas steampunk romance series. I’ve written a guide to the world (including a map) on my website.
I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a “The Story So Far” feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It’s unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don’t want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
About Nalini Singh
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
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I have some books by these authors. It’s been years even. I need to read them.
Yes, this is me, too. It took me three years to finally start the Iron Seas and Psy-Changeling series and nearly that long to keep going with the Children of the Sea. Slowly, but surely I’m getting through these wonderful series. 🙂
It’s great to see these wonderful authors come together! Hugs…RO
Yes! I thought the same thing when I first came across this anthology a few years back. Finally read it and it was great! 🙂
I think I’ve read the Nalini Singh story in one of her anthologies. Meljean Brook is an author that I really want to try. I’ve heard such great things about her. Glad to see you enjoyed this anthology.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads & Books of My Heart
Yes! This one had some great novella samplings for all these authors. I enjoyed it, but it would also be a good one for someone to test drive the authors/series, too.
This reminds me that I need to try Nalini Sigh soon! I am growing a liking for Paranormal Romance so I need to hurry hehe
Vanessa @ Blushing Geek
Oh yes! Her books are great. Hope you get to try her books soon now that you’re on a PNR kick. 😉
I’ve read a couple of those authors and love their books. This sure sounds like my kind of book.
Its a great PNR sampling from some really good authors. I think you might just like it, too, Mary. 😉
Great review. Anthology’s… I love to pick them up from my library. I get to read the author I want, but also enjoy some new to me’s and then of course add to my TBR.
Yes, exactly, Angela. 🙂
What a great way to try different authors and most of these are on my wish list. Thanks Sophia Rose!
My sentiments exactly! This was a good one for trying them out
good way to try out different authors 😀 glad you enjoyed most of them
Yes, that is exactly how I feel about anthologies. This one just happened to have three that I already love so it was just the fourth that was new territory for me. All in all, good stuff!
Whisper of Sin sounds really good, but then I love that series. The rest are new to me, but at least one of them ( the sea one)sounds intriguing to me. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, each of the Psy-Changeling novellas tend to be nearly as good as her full-length. She develops even the shorter ones so well. Oh, yes, Kantra’s Children of the Sea has a nice haunting quality that I enjoy about her sea fae series. The others were pretty good, too.
Oh wow, I love Psy-Changeling series and the author, now to check out these other series.
It’s an all-around engaging one with no duds for me. Hope you get the chance, Kimberly. 🙂
The only one I have read from this anthology is Nalini Singh. She is just amazing! I love her.
Great review, Sophia 🙂 I just might have to pick up the series I’m not familiar with yet, now 😉
Oh yes! She’s an amazing writer no matter what series you pick up, I’m discovering. Meljean Brooks was my new discovery last fall and I’m loving her steampunk Iron Seas series. I’ve read Virginia Kantra’s Children of the Sea series off and on over the years- have to be in the mood for them. Definitely an overall good anthology. 🙂
This is cool! It’s like a novella bind-up, with different authors? I wish novella bindups were more of a thing in print, and not just digital. I’m glad you enjoy these stories, Sophia!
Have a good weekend. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I agree. I loved getting this one in print especially since I’m collecting the prints of all three series that are represented in this one.