Wild & Steamy (Includes: Iron Seas #0.4; The Disillusionists Trilogy #2.5)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Wild & Steamy (Iron Seas 0.4)

by Meljean Brook (Goodreads Author), Carolyn Crane (Goodreads Author), Jill Myles (Goodreads Author)

3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 · rating details · 867 ratings · 220 reviews

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - An Iron Seas novella of 15,000 words: The search for a killer puts Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth's life in danger and her assistant, Constable Newberry, in the line of fire. But Newberry faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this prudish bounder to convince his wife...more

Kindle Edition, 138 pages

Published August 2nd 2011

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,023)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 17, 2011 Audrey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-sci-fi-or-otherworldly

3+ overall, but the individual stories definitely varied in quality and substance.

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook: 3.5-4 stars. This Iron Seas novella featuring Constable Newberry (first name "Edward," in case you didn't know) and his wife, Temperance, is sweet and adds some background and depth to a strong-but-silent secondary character found in the first Iron Seas book, The Iron Duke. Considering this is the last of the available Iron Seas stories that I had to read, I was excited to see...more 3+ overall, but the individual stories definitely varied in quality and substance.

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook: 3.5-4 stars. This Iron Seas novella featuring Constable Newberry (first name "Edward," in case you didn't know) and his wife, Temperance, is sweet and adds some background and depth to a strong-but-silent secondary character found in the first Iron Seas book, The Iron Duke. Considering this is the last of the available Iron Seas stories that I had to read, I was excited to see little glimpses of characters that I had already learned about (e.g., Mina in her inspector role, mention of the latest published Archimedes Fox story). The story of Newberry and Temperance's romance is itself a sweet story of a married couple who came together over a misunderstanding that, at its heart, was driven (unbeknownst to Temperance at the time) by Newberry's love for her. He is a gentle giant (view spoiler), but he feels strongly for Temperance and will do anything - even move her across an ocean and risk her hating him forever - to save her from the consumption that is eating away at her health. Temperance believed (falsely) that Newberry was a gold-digging manipulator who deliberately compromised her into marriage and handing over her inheritance to him. The story does a very good job of showing his (completely pure) motivations and his steadfast dedication to her. Once Temperance understands and accepts his actions as pure and driven by love, the couple and their romance fall neatly into place (view spoiler).

Vixen by Jill Myles: 2 stars. Mehhhhhhh. I got a whole lot of meh out of this short erotica piece. First off, it features themes I avoid in romance - menage and, ultimately, a polyamorous relationship. I tried not to let that cloud my judgment as I forged ahead and dove into this story of a reclusive were-vixen, Miko, who has, up til this story, been denying her natural were-vixen sluttiness (for lack of a more refined term) by remaining a hermit. The two heroes show up when Miko's mother sends them as bodyguards to protect Miko from (illegal) fox hunts that have recently cropped up in the area. The plot in this one is paper thin, and it only serves to advance the "romance" when Miko does TSTL I'm-putting-myself-in-danger-and-you-can't-stop-me things. I just couldn't relate to Miko, both in her waffling over which hunky guy she wanted and in her TSTL moments, and I didn't feel like we learned anything substantive emotionally about the two guys. Also, as a general criticism to the editors, I thought this anthology was marketed in the non-erotic mainstream romance genre, so a story with menage and a long-term m/f/m relationship just doesn't fit into expectations. It just was a disappointment in the end, but was okay as a vehicle for spicy sexytimes.

Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane: 4 stars. Verrrrrrrrrrry cool. Really liked this story set in the "Disillusionists" world. I was only 10 pages into it, and I had to go online to queue up book 1 of that series on my library requests. This is a second-chance romance story that features an anti-heroine by the name of Sophia, who regrets the path that life and her ability to erase/replace memories have taken her. I didn't think I'd like her, and I actually didn't for a large part of the story. What she did to Robert when they were teenagers in love was heartbreaking. Just the reminiscing that Robert does about their love and their falling out made me want to smack her in the face with a two-by-four. The story and strong world-building yield a setting that is an industrial alternate universe, giving me a feeling of gritty urban life and a sense of general dystopia. We learn secrets on both sides that really help for each of them to trust and understand each other better. The thorough backgrounds and intricate setting definitely left me with the impression that a LOT of thought went into this short piece and the world as a whole. It's got a dark and rather depressing overall vibe, but I really enjoyed this one and, despite my usual aversion to urban fantasy, will definitely check out the series.(less)

like 3 likes · see review

Jan 17, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-uf

This is now free on Amazon as of 10/25....
This little anthology was well worth the 2.99 price.

The Blushing Bounder – 4.5 Stars.
This was such an entertaining, sweet little story, and the reason I bought this anthology. Time-wise, it took place before Mina Wentworth met Rhys. This story was about her stalwart aide Edward Newberry and his new wife Temperance. Due to an indiscretion on Edward’s part, they were forced to marry and leave New Manhattan for London; but because of Temperance’s illness,...more This is now free on Amazon as of 10/25....
This little anthology was well worth the 2.99 price.

The Blushing Bounder – 4.5 Stars.
This was such an entertaining, sweet little story, and the reason I bought this anthology. Time-wise, it took place before Mina Wentworth met Rhys. This story was about her stalwart aide Edward Newberry and his new wife Temperance. Due to an indiscretion on Edward’s part, they were forced to marry and leave New Manhattan for London; but because of Temperance’s illness, he was unwilling to court his new wife properly, and consummate his marriage. Adorable story, and just the thing to tide me over until Steel Heart comes out. Really enjoyed this story. Side note – there was a sly little reference in this story to dime novels about Archimedes Fox...

Vixen – 3 Stars.
The story itself wasn’t bad, about a were-fox being protected by two luscious were-cats from illegal fox hunts. It was on the erotic side, and contained a ménage that led to a polyandrous relationship. That in itself was okay, but it was heavy on the sexual innuendo (and sex) side, and light on plotline. By the time I had read just a few pages into the story, it was like – okay, I got it. Were-foxes are supposed to be promiscuous, she needs to have a lot of sex; you can stop beating the idea over my head now. It was a decent ‘tail’, lol, but not anything near the quality of the other two; and just didn’t fit with these stories. It was erotic fluff sandwiched in between two meatier stories.

Kitten-Tiger & the Monk – 4 Stars.
This was actually a pretty good little story, even though I was initially put off by the cheesy title. I haven’t read any of the ‘Disillusionist’ series, but that doesn’t keep the reader from enjoying the scifi-ish tale. Sophia can change peoples memories for up to the past 24 hours. It’s done her little good over the years, so she goes in search of the Monk, a disillusionist who can take away this ‘gift’ she wants rid of. To get to him, she has to go through the Tanglemaster, with whom she has a past and not so pleasant-ending relationship. For any of the series readers, there are brief mentions of several people who I assume to be regulars in the series. I did enjoy the story, it was innovative and fresh; but in the end, the world it's set in was a little too bizarre and comic book-ish for my tastes, but might be right up the alley of other readers.

Edit: As of 1/17/12; I have read all of Crane's Disillusionist series, and really enjoyed it.(less)

like 4 likes · see review

Dec 08, 2012 ♠ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ♠ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, kindle-freebies, read-in-2012

at this time only reading:

** Meljean Brook's The Blushing Bounder ~ 4 stars ~ read on November 4th, 2011. **

This is about the Constable Edward Newberry and his wife, Temperance, who were basically forced to leave America and come to London. Temperance witnesses a murder and sets a series of events in motion.

This is just the sweetest little novella I've ever read and so funny. I can understand why people like historical's because they are so prudish and they just do not communicate. I loved how...more

like 7 likes · see review

Aug 07, 2011 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy, short-stories

OK! I'm in love with 2 of these authors and unfamiliar with the 3rd, so I have a varied review on this, which is a delightful collection. The two stories I loved (by the authors I know and love) were KINDA wild and steamy, but more than that they were delightful romances set in worlds I love visiting.

"THE BLUSHING BOUNDER" by Meljean Brook
This is set in the steampunk world of the Iron Duke (which I reviewed and LOVED). It is just a really sweet, beautiful story about one of the tangental charact...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jan 03, 2012 willaful rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: forced-arranged-or-conv-marriage, hero-is-a-mountain, story-novella-or-anthology, relationship-on-the-rocks, older-woman-younger-man, other-side-of-tracks-or-misalliance, virgin-hero, special-needs-illness, made-me-laugh, giant-neon-fantasy-sign

"The Blushing Bounder" by Meljean Brook.

It’s hard to think of a less likely couple to inhabit an anthology called “Wild and Steamy” then the shy Constable Newberry and his ailing, resentful, proper wife. (Oh, I guess this is steamy as short for steampunk.) This was a sweet story but needed more development. 3 1/2 stars -- the extra half star is for the adorable huge, blushing hero.

"Vixen" by Jill Myles

Now we’re talking “wild” and “steamy.” Miko is a were-fox who’s opted out of relationships, be...more

like 3 likes · see review

Oct 23, 2011 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, cheap-nook-books, nook-lendable, anthology, freebie-was

$0.99 on Nook

The Blushing Bounder (Meljean Brook) 3.75 star - (Iron Seas #0.4) I really liked this, it was a cute little story featuring Constable Newberry and his wife. I'm not sure how this story would be for someone who hadn't read The Iron Duke though.

Vixen (Jill Myles)

Kitten-tiger & The Monk (Carolyn Crane) 3 stars - (The Disillusionists Trilogy #2.5, Sophia) So first off, aside from a teeny spoiler about the sleepwalkers from Double Cross, you're fine to read this even if you haven't...more

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 01, 2012 MrsJoseph rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, 2012-reviewed, adult, anthology, format-ebook, free-read, romance, romance-altlife, romance-contemporary, romance-deception-plotline, romance-detective, romance-fantasy, romance-menage, short-story

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook
4 Stars
The story started off a little slow and strange for me...I can admit that I started skimming in annoyance. But suddenly I looked up and I was enjoying myself…and I wanted to go back and start the story all over again. I’ve only read one story in Ms Brook’s Iron Seas series, The Iron Duke. I had some non-con issues with the book but I loved the world building and the style of writing. In this story I had no non-con issues…and I thought that it was supe...more

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 05, 2011 Melindeeloo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, paranormal-romance-shapeshifters, friendable

This is a pretty varied collection of shorts not only in genre but in steam level (of the sensual variety) as well

"The Blushing Bounder" by MelJean Brook - is set before Iron Duke and stars Mina's assistant the charming honorable and bashful Constable Newberry and his Missus. I am a big fan of Brook's amazing Iron Seas steampunk world so I was delighted to get an little connected short to hold me over until Steel Heart hits the shelves.

"Vixen" by Jill Myles - not connected to her Succubus serie...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 25, 2011 Stella rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, for-review, paranormal, urban-fantasy

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - Iron Seas #0.5 novella

I haven't read Meljean Brook's steampunk series yet so I had no previous notion of the Iron Seas world or characters. First I was amazed by the similar yet so different world Meljean Brook has created: where London is the liberal city compared to the more conservative America, where people have machines transplanted into their bodies to be faster, better. This novella packed so many novelties I kept marveling at all the tiny details...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 08, 2012 Amy Denim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amazon-freebies, reading-romances-challenge

I love, love, love anthologies. Shorter stories I can read in one sitting, authors I like and an intro to new ones - yeah, sign me up.
I dream of the day when my publisher asks me to write something short and sweet to put into an anthology with some big name. I'm so there.
The first story The Blushing Bounder - A Tale of the Iron Seas was the star of the book for me. This is Iron Seas book 1.5 and I haven't read either of the others, but didn't need to. Meljean Brook has her own very special brand...more

like · see review

Jan 06, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, romance, steampunk

Three paranormal romance stories by three different authors. That's as close as it gets to a theme.

Series: Blushing Bounder, Tale of the Iron Seas, 0.4
Kitten-Tiger and the Monk Disillusionists Trilogy, 2.5

The Stories
Meljean Brook's Blushing Bounder is a very short peek into the life of the former Manhattan City policeman Constable Newberry and his unhappy wife Temperance in London. Detective Inspector Wentworth meets Newberry for the first time as well as his wife when the missus witnesses a m...more

like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Cristina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Antologia di tre racconti, di cui due appartengono a serie che non seguo neppure e il terzo è di autrice a me sconosciuta.
Scaricato gratuitamente in piena legalità da Amazon che lo offre gratis ai proprietari di Kindle.
Decisamente da 4 stelle il racconto "The blushing bouder" di M. Brooks autrice di cui ho letto poco e con risultati alterni. Il racconto appartiene ad una serie di genere Steampunk (se non erro) che si presenta bella e interessante. Molto dolce la storia d'amore e molto bella la r...more

like · see review

Nov 08, 2011 Caramelia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: anthologies

All in all I liked the book quite a bit, but I don't think the stories fit together very well.

The first story "The blushing Bounder" by Meljean Brook is nicely written, picturing a blushing (what a pun) romance between two ... well, you have to say ignorant (in as positive a way as possible) ... people, with a little sex right at the end. A story set in the world of the Iron Duke, written in the same style, very nice to read.

This is directly followed by a story about a were-fox who would be tot...more

like 1 like · see review

Sep 21, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading any of these three authors, and I've discovered I like them all enough to want to read them again.

"THE BLUSHING BOUNDER" by Meljean Brook
For me, this was a 4. It reminded me a little of Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate world —I'm not quite sure why. It's got a steampunk feel to it, to be sure, but the technology is even far more advanced than is typical in the genre, if what I think are nanobots are any indication. Plus, Brook's world is a bit darker and much mo...more

like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthologies, reviewed, steampunk

You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance

This anthology is a quick read by three outstanding authors, and priced at $0.99, it’s a steal! I highly recommend it!

The Blushing Bounder (Iron Seas #0.4) by Meljean Brook
I love, love, love Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series, so I was thrilled to read this prequel about Constable Newberry, Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth’s trusty assistant. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s set in a steampunk world in London. You can e...more You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance

This anthology is a quick read by three outstanding authors, and priced at $0.99, it’s a steal! I highly recommend it!

The Blushing Bounder (Iron Seas #0.4) by Meljean Brook
I love, love, love Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series, so I was thrilled to read this prequel about Constable Newberry, Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth’s trusty assistant. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s set in a steampunk world in London. You can easily delve right into the novella without having read any of the other books, although I think you’ll enjoy the novella more if you have read the others. The story begins in the small flat of Temperance Newberry, an immigrant from what used to be the United States. She and Constable Edward Newberry have recently married, because he compromised her by kissing her. If that seems a bit prudish to you, you’re not alone, because it strikes Detective Inspector Wentworth as outlandish. Temperance is consumptive, and her husband moved them to London to have her infected with bugs, microscopic machines that will heal her. Thus far she’s refused to be infected, since she’s terrified of becoming a zombie after death. However, she witnesses a murder, and in the course of Newberry’s investigation, she learns to broaden her mind. This novella was a pleasure to read and a great introduction to the steampunk genre.

Vixen by Jill Myles
This novella features Miko, a kitsune, or, as she prefers, were-fox. She’s an artist living out in the countryside in an attempt to avoid her were-fox nature. Were-foxes have voracious sexual appetites, but after witnessing her mother’s constant stream of boyfriends and lovers, Miko has decided to suppress that aspect of her nature by avoiding temptation. Her mother has other plans, however, and sends two sexy cat shifters, Jeremiah and Sam, to serve as bodyguards. It seems that Miko’s cousin was recently hunted in a fox hunt, and her mother’s worried that Miko could be next. That the two cat shifters are very attracted to Miko is just a side benefit. A cute shifter ménage story.

Kitten-tiger & the Monk (Disillusionists #2.5) by Carolyn Crane
What I most enjoy about Ms. Crane’s Disillusionist triology is the moral ambiguity. You just never know if a character is the bad guy or the good. The answer, of course, is that no one is truly one or the other, so her novels make for exciting reading, because you don’t know who to trust. The ending of her second novel, Double Cross, was a shocker, so I was pleased to see this novella since the third book won’t be published until December. I wasn’t pleased, though, when I saw that Sophia Sidway was the heroine of this novella. If you haven’t read the books, you’ll still be able to understand the novella, but you probably won’t hate Sophia quite the way I did. In fact, my reaction to Sophia’s dilemma in the novella was somewhere along the lines of “Die, Witch, Die!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Of course, I had to eat my words, because in a short novella, Ms. Crane managed to convince me that Sophia is not completely good but she’s also not as bad as I originally thought. Once again there’s more of that pesky moral ambiguity, which makes for a fascinating read, even if I’m a bit disgruntled about her salvaging Stinky Sophia.

In the novella, Sophia has been sent by the leader of the Disillusionists to another member of the team, the Monk. Sophia needs the Monk’s help so she can find the Tanglemaster. She’s sick of herself and wants the Tanglemaster to disillusion her (and he would have had my blessing, that’s for sure!). Sophia’s stunned to discover that the Monk is none other than Robert, her teenage sweetheart, whom she cruelly betrayed years ago. How the situation is resolved, plus the history behind the couple, make this one a winner.(less)

like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 AH rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthology, free-downloads, k-files, kindle-freebies, read-mar-2013

Overall, a wild & steamy anthology...

The Blushing Bounder - A Tale of the Iron Seas by Meljean Brook - 4 stars
Meljean Brook's Iron Seas series is one of my favorite steampunk series. The author's world building is extensive and the story takes the reader to an alternate history of London, complete with airships, nanobots, steampunk contraptions galore, and strangely enhanced humans. This story focuses on Temperance and Edward Newberry, two Americans forced to move to London because of a publ...more

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Anna (Bobs Her Hair) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: paranormal romance fans

Shelves: romance, steampunk, paranormal-romance, ebook

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 an m/f/m lovin'.

“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 publ...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2012 Cecilia marked it as life-is-too-short · review of another edition

I enjoyed the first story, by Meljean Brook, well enough, but it was really short and simple, and I would have liked a little more development. 3 stars

I DNF'd the other two. The Myles story because the characters were so stock/stereotypish and the situation a weak set up for a menage. Menage stories are not something I actively seek but I've read a few, and I know that they can be done persuasively. This was not one of those. It was basically a fantasy set up of two different two-dimensional lov...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 10, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, steampunk, urban-fantasy

Given that you can get the whole anthology for about $3, if you're a steampunk, PNR or UF reader, this is well worth the risk even if you're unfamiliar with the authors.

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook : 5 stars
Steampunk romance
Delightful. Manages to incorporate steampunk mechanisms like nanotechnology along with gender and race issues and the focus is still on the romance between a clumsy suitor and his reluctant bride. Perfect introduction to the world of the Iron Seas if you're unfamilia...more Given that you can get the whole anthology for about $3, if you're a steampunk, PNR or UF reader, this is well worth the risk even if you're unfamiliar with the authors.

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook : 5 stars
Steampunk romance
Delightful. Manages to incorporate steampunk mechanisms like nanotechnology along with gender and race issues and the focus is still on the romance between a clumsy suitor and his reluctant bride. Perfect introduction to the world of the Iron Seas if you're unfamiliar with it. Perfect exploration of secondary characters if you're a fan. The first chapter had me almost crying; the conclusion had me smiling. I liked Constable Newberry in The Iron Duke and I like him all the more now that I've read this story.

Vixen by Jill Myles : 4 stars
Shifter/ménage romance
A fun story with engaging leads. Miko is a were-fox or, as her mother likes to claim, a kitsune. This gives her strong sexual needs that she has a hard time coping with within the bounds of mainstream society, so she's secluded herself in the country. Sam and Jeremiah are cat shifters who've been sent to protect her. I could understand Miko's reasons for isolating herself, and I like that her reasons were pragmatic rather than self-loathing. I also liked her interactions with her unwanted protectors. And the strip poker game, my goodness. I just wish we'd been able to spend more time with the characters.

Kitten-Tiger & The Monk by Carolyn Crane : 3 stars
Psychic power/romantic UF
The heroine starts off on a quest for sort-of redemption in the form of a complete memory erase; she wants to be "rebooted" (because who wants to actually deal with their problems?). She needs help from a man she betrayed. The worldbuilding was highly interesting, but the characters... meh. They were both too selfish, self-loathing and short-sighted for me to like them, but not charismatically villainous enough to enjoy in other ways. But, the characterizations were all deliberately, skillfully done. So, while I don't care for this kind of hero or heroine personally, they were vividly drawn and I can easily see others enjoying their story.(less)

like · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Barbara ~*Lindt Ninja*~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, paranormal, series, sexy-stuff, urban-fantasy

Brook's novella is first up in the anthology and it's less of a murder mystery than it is a little romance between Mina Wentworth's sturdy yet shy constable Newberry and his reluctant wife Temperance.

Newberry had been courting Temperance in America when she became ill with consumption. He forced a kiss upon her, effectively giving her no choice but to marry him. He was drummed out of his job with the police and they were forced to leave. When she asked him if he meant to kiss her to make him mar...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 T.J. Michaels rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hot, paranormal, romance, shape-shifter, steampunky, futuristic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Chelsea [Vampire Book Club] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, magic, smexy, uf-pnr, weres

This review was originally published at Vampire Book Club.

“Blushing Bounder” by Meljean Brook (3 stars)

Meljean Brook’s story is set in her Iron Seas world, before the events of The Iron Duke. We get to learn how Constable Newton ended up in London and learn about his wife. He and the missus are Bounders — what the London folk call those who skipped to the New World when the Horde invaded only to return after the fact with the audacity to look down their noses at Londoners. Temperance and the Con...more

like · see review

Nov 25, 2011 Nathalia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5 Stars.

- First Story - I'm a fan of Meljean Brook so naturally I loved the Steampunk short story. Since I read her other pieces, I understood the story with absolutely no fuss, however I can imagine that those who have not read The Iron Duke would have a rather difficult time understanding the purpose and origin of the "bugs." Personally, I love how Meljean Brook was able to make the story so compelling using only few pages and how she automatically makes the reader cast an extreme judgement...more

like · see review

Nov 12, 2011 Brandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, 2011, kindle-freebie

I had this on my "thinking about buying" list at Amazon for a bit because it was mentioned favorably on some blogs I follow, and then I grabbed it up when it was listed as a freebie a bit after that. It's a collection of three novellas, and for some reason I was under the impression that they were all some flavor of steampunk, but that's only true for the first one by Meljean Brook. Each novella was engaging in its own way, but there wasn't really anything connecting them which felt a bit odd.

Th...more

like · see review

Aug 18, 2011 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, arc, review-for-smexybooks

Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/08/rev...

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - An Iron Seas novella. The search for a killer puts Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth's life in danger and her assistant, Constable Newberry, in the line of fire. But Newberry faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this prudish bounder to convince his wife to stay? (Goodreads)

I adore Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series and liked learning...more Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/08/rev...

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - An Iron Seas novella. The search for a killer puts Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth's life in danger and her assistant, Constable Newberry, in the line of fire. But Newberry faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this prudish bounder to convince his wife to stay? (Goodreads)

I adore Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series and liked learning more about the repressed ever stalwart Constable Newberry. This one takes place before The Iron Duke so no fear of being lost or what not. I found the intertwining story lines wonderful with plenty of action and intrigue though I admit to being more in enthralled by the mystery then the romance. Ms. Brooks gives us quite a bit of information about London and the attitudes of the New Worlders.
RATING: B

Vixen by Jill Myles - A shifter novella. Miko's denied her were-fox nature for far too long and turned her back on her vixen heritage. But when she meets two very sexy cat-shifters, she has to decide if she truly wants to give up on her frisky side, or embrace it. Because the were-fox in her doesn't want to choose between both men...it wants them both. (Goodreads)

Ms. Myles writes a erotic enjoyable menage story about a young woman who would rather be alone then at the mercy of her promiscuous fox nature. When her mother sends two gorgeous men to act as bodyguards Miko realizes that she can be faithful with the right incentive. I enjoyed the seamless way the romance intertwines with the mystery with no over the top entanglements or angst. I did feel that Miko got over her issues a little quick but maybe that’s why she was hiding in the woods in the first place. No will power. :) It ended a little abruptly for me-I wished to stay longer and see more of their relationship together.
RATING: C+

Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane - A Disillusionists novella. Sophia Sidway, Midcity's most dangerous memory revisionist, seeks out the mysterious Monk in the wasteland beneath the Tangle turnpike, hoping for redemption...but it turns out that the Monk is not all that pious, and the turnpike is no turnpike at all. (Goodreads)

I have read and re read Ms. crane’s Disillusionists series and cannot WAIT for book 3. Which unfortunately isn’t out till December-Boo. Sophia has an unusual gift-she can “revise” people’s memories. After years of doing this, she is tired and realizes that she has caused more harm then good and wants to be rehabilitated. Doing so requires the help of one of the most dangerous disillusionists in the city-Monk. I liked seeing Sophia finally realize the harm she has wrought and having her deal with someone who not only knows what she is, but can beat her at her own game. Ms. Crane continues to create and evolve characters who aren’t the nicest within a world of illusion and betrayal. Plenty of action and revolution that goes far in explaining the past and the future of this world.
RATING: B

Overall rating: B(less)

like 1 like · see review

Aug 17, 2011 Starfire rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, steampunk, short-stories, romance, supernatural-chick-pr0n

Holy gods, what a mixed bag *this* compilation was. I'll give it 7/10, but that really doesn't cover the range of my reactions to the three separate stories that are really just connected because they're romances/chick-pr0n with a supernatural or fantasy twist.

Firstly Vixen, by Jill Myles. Errrr... yeah. The complex plot and characterisation of this instalment could best be summed up as "Young, sweet, one-tailed kitsune does two hot were-cats at once". The pr0n itself wasn't atrocious, but I had...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Penny Watson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review for Wild and Steamy by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, and Carolyn Crane

Let's review my criteria for writing a kick-ass novella. I actually love shorter stories. If they are done well. Which is difficult. You can't squeeze in a lot of stuff with 15,000 words. A novella should be an amuse-bouche. Just a taste....satisfying in one, single bite. A quick introduction to the author's voice, a quick snippet of a love affair, a brief and intriguing look into a paranormal world.

Making one bite good an...more

like 1 like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 Amber rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brooks

This story was adorable. I'm not sure I will ever be a steampunk fan all the way, but this was incredibly imaginative, fun to read and with a sweet, sweet romance. I would not have called it particularly Wild or Steamy, actually, but I enjoyed it so much that it really didn't matter. I definitely want to read more romances by her, if only I can get over my aversion to the creepier aspects of steampunk.

Vixen by Jill Myles

This was the one story of the group th...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Fry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

The Blushing Bounder: This story was quick, to the point, and full of all the feelings. The wife felt slighted, used. She was also dying of consumption. Needless to say, everything wraps up in a pretty little bow and I liked the short insight into Newberry’s character.
3 out of 5 stars.

Vixen: I have never encountered this author’s work before. After perusing goodreads, I’ve figured out that this is a self contained story, but I’m not sure if it ties into any of the author’s novels.
That being said...more

like 1 like · see review

Nov 09, 2011 Jan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, steampunk, novella, z-2011

Only read the Iron Seas story so far, but I really liked it I'm already rating it, since I'm not sure if I'll be reading the others. (I got this as a freebie).

I love the Iron Seas world, and I loved this story. Newberry is just so terribly sweet and devoted. He's willing to hurt himself to save the woman he loves, even if she ends up hating him. That kind of love is precious, and totally not written enough about. *Swoons*

like 1 like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 67 68 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Science Fiction > Steampunk

126 users

Romance

95 users

Anthologies

84 users

Romance > Paranormal Romance

57 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

53 users

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

47 users

Fantasy

24 users

Short Stories

21 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

13 users

Science Fiction

9 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Devil's Luck
by Carolyn Crane
Burning Up
by Angela Knight
Here Be Monsters - An Anthology of Monster Tales
by M.T. Murphy (Contributor)
Claim Me
by Tawny Taylor
Under Her Skin
by Jeaniene Frost

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 installm...more

More about Meljean Brook...

Books by Meljean Brook

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Wild & Steamy

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Wild & Steamy

“My sister once warned me that a man who blushed so easily was probably a Man With Appetites.” — 1 person liked it

“Some women liked 'fuck me' footwear, but Sophia went a step beyond, with Don't fuck with me footwear--all the better to announce her around town.” — 1 person liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Wild & Steamy
avg rating	preview: Wild & Steamy Goodreads rating: 3.60 (867 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12270154-wild-steamy?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327980498l/12270154.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12270154-wild-steamy?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Wild & Steamy by Meljean Brook[/url]

Wild & Steamy (Iron Seas 0.4)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website