Review: Burning Up

Burning Up
Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra, Meljean Brook
Paperback, 368 pages
Berkley
August 3, 2010
Amazon | GR | TBD

Passion runs as hot as a fever dream in these all-new stories by four New York Times bestselling provocateurs of the paranormal…

In Angela Knight’s Blood and Roses, a vampire warrior and his seductive captor join forces to stop a traitor from unleashing an army of demonic predators on their kingdom.

New in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series is Whisper of Sin, in which a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector—and lover—in a volatile member of the DarkRiver pack.

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in Shifting Sea, the story of a wounded soldier rescued by a strange and enigmatic young woman.

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series with Here There Be Monsters, as a desperate woman strikes a provocative—and terrifying—bargain to gain overseas passage.

Review:
Whisper of Sin. I first got wind of the Psy-Changeling series when Jenny at Supernatural Snark posted a WoW about a wolf named Hawke (to be filed under things that make you say hmm…). Well, good news, I finally broke my Psy-Changeling cherry! Someone hand me a stogie.

Emmett, an all male leopard changeling with natural mating instincts from the DarkRiver pack, will do whatever it takes to protect what is his, even if he just marked his territory a hot minute ago, so beware. Somehow Ria didn’t quite get that message, and now she is his latest prey. Let the chase begin! Cute story with some light humor, but there were some elements about the world-building aspects I didn’t quite understand because I haven’t read the series, like do the Psy-Changeling beings live out in the open with humans? And do Changelings actually shift into their other form? I mean there was an instance when Emmett’s claws popped out and his eyes changed, but he didn’t transform. And, since this story was more about a Changeling, I didn’t really get what Psys are; if there is a difference? Guess I have to read the series and find out.

Blood and Roses. HOLY SMOKE! What I love about Angela Knight is her ability to transport readers to another world filled legend and myth quickly and in such an effortless manner. After you jump right into the story, your senses are assaulted by delicious temptation that leads to dangerous seduction. Wanton desires raged in the span of a few short pages, and pardon my blushing, but I didn’t want the story about the honorable warrior vampire, Raniero, and Amaris, the desperate Blood Rose (a race of women created with special blood to fuel vampire’s strength), both whom have serious trust issues, to end. It may not have always been easy to identify who was seducing whom, but it sure did make for a tantalizing read. 

Shifting Sea. Umm… of all the shifting creatures of the world, I think aquatic/marine species are the least appealing. I just can’t get behind the idea that a dolphin turned human is sexy. So yeah, I felt a bit odd and slightly uncomfortable reading this one, but when I allowed myself to let go of my disposition, I found myself swooning over the love story between Jack and Morwenna. Their aching loneliness turned into a fiery passion when they came together. And just because I’m not a fan of seafood, doesn’t mean that Jack has to be. *snorts at own lame joke* I kill myself.

Here There Be Monsters. Easily my favorite story of the lot. This is a prequel to The Iron Duke, but I’m so glad I read it after because I had a better understanding of the world in which this story takes place. Pirate captain Mad Machen has been presented with an interesting proposition, one which would place the woman he longs to court in his bed. But when Ivy offered herself, she knew nothing of his intent, she only knew her desperation to escape Horde control. So begins another steampunk adventure across the seas as a ruthless pirate and a skilled blacksmith try to deny their feelings for one another. I enjoyed everything presented here, the wonderfully crafted prose, the rich and gritty world, and the slow building romance. And though, sadly, the Iron Duke Rhys Trahaearn didn’t make an appearance, he was talked about, and just the mention of his name sent my heart a flutter.

Making a case for insta-love usually comes off and weak and unappealing, and I don’t often find myself a fan of it. How can two people form a deep connection and fall in love so irrevocably in the span of a couple of days? Instant attraction I can believe, no problem, but take-a-bullet-straight-through-my-brain-for-you-love-at-first-sight…not so much. Yet, somehow, when presented anthology style, I really don’t mind it. In fact, while reading these short stories, I was actually rooting for the HEA romances.

Find the Authors:
Angela Knight | Nalini Singh | Virginia Kantra | Meljean Brook

Challenge(s): 111 in ‘11 Challenge, Vampire Challenge 2011

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Posted at 4:39 pm  •  Labels: 2011, 4 stars, Angela Knight, anthology, Book Review, Meljean Brook, paranormal romance, Risqué Reads, Vampires