Tag: Jessica Sims

Guest Review: Wanted: Wild Thing by Jessica Sims

Posted October 16, 2014 by Tracy in Reviews | 0 Comments

Guest Review: Wanted: Wild Thing by Jessica SimsReviewer: Tracy
Wanted: Wild Thing by Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liaisons #4
Also in this series: Fire and Frost
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: August 26th 2014
Add It: Goodreads
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three-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Ryder is hiding a dark secret from her coworkers at Midnight Liaisons. Every time she’s sexually attracted to a man, her dragon side breaks through. Not exactly man-bait! But she needs to lose her virginity before her twenty-fifth birthday, or she’ll become a dragon forever.

Her solution? Big, hunky Hugh, the appointed guardian of her chastity. He’s clearly hot for her, but he has powerful reasons to resist Ryder. Can temptation—and love—possibly find a way?

Ryder wants to find “The One.” When she was younger a part Fae woman told her that she was a changeling and that she would continue to transform into her changeling form every time a man that she was attracted to touched her. She continues to go on dates but she’s almost 25 years old and still no man has been “The One.” A month before her 25th birthday she gets a visit from a Fae by the name of Finian. He tells her that there is no such thing as “The One” and that she’s wasting her time. He says that she belongs to him and that on her 25th birthday he will come get her and turn her into a changeling breeder.

Ryder, as you would expect, is completely horrified. She wants nothing more than to lose her virginity because once that happens she is no longer a commodity to Finian. The problem is that Finian left a bodyguard for Ryder when he left. Hugh, the bodyguard, is the epitome of the strong, silent type. When asked what kind of shifter he is, as he’s obviously a shifter, is a Primordial. Ryder has no idea what that is. She figures out that he’s a saber tooth tiger and that his men are also something like Ice Aged shifters. She attempts to help Hugh deal with the world as apparently he’s been living in a primitive realm where hunting and gathering is the norm.

Hugh made a deal with Finian. He watches Ryder to make sure that she doesn’t lose her virginity and in return Finian will return the Primordial women to the mens realm. Apparently the Primordial women were separated from the Primordial men and the men (there are 24 of them) just want mates. Hugh starts to have feelings for Ryder and she for him but in order to save herself she has to sacrifice the mates of 24 different men. Dilemma! How, in this situation, can everyone win?

This book is the fourth full novel in the Midnight Liaisons series (there are 7 novellas placed here and there). I’ve read a few of the novellas and really liked them, but have never read a full novel in the series. While I liked the overall feel of the book it wasn’t my favorite in the series.

Ryder, while a grown woman, was very childish. I gather that this was a happy facade to try and hide the darker parts of her – the changeling part – but I found there was a limit to what I found to be “cute” for a full grown woman. She carried a Hello Kitty purse. Ok, that’s not too bad. Her home looked like it had sherbet thrown up all over it – alright, that’s not horrible but it’s pushing it. Her car was dressed up as a kitten/cat. Whaaaa? Ok, moving along. Lol Despite her fashion sense she was a good friend and had a good head on her shoulders. She was intelligent and while I didn’t always agree with her attempts to get Hugh to have sex with her I could understand her reasons.

Hugh was kind of a caveman but I couldn’t help but love him. He was kind and giving, protective and I appreciated his loyalty to his men – even though that was tested thoroughly. Of course he was a big HOT caveman so there was that extra little bit that made me love him. 🙂

I felt the emotion between Ryder and Hugh but I guess I didn’t feel the intensity between them that I expected. I also found it pretty funny at times – especially when Hugh was watching porn films to try to learn how to kiss a woman. OMG, too funny.

Overall, while I liked the story it didn’t wow me. I think I’d recommend the book if you’re looking for a fun, light read.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

three-half-stars

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Anthology Review: Fire and Frost feat Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane and Jessica Sims

Posted December 15, 2013 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Anthology Review: Fire and Frost feat Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane and Jessica SimsReviewer: Holly
Fire and Frost by Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane, Jessica Sims
Series: The Iron Seas #3.4, , Midnight Liaisons #2.3
Also in this series: The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1), Tethered (Novella), The Kraken King Part I, Here There Be Monsters (Iron Seas, #0.5), The Kraken King (Iron Seas, #4), Heart of Steel (Iron Seas, #2), The Iron Duke, Wanted: Wild Thing

Publication Date: 2013
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 370
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars

For the first time in print, six wild and steamy tales from three of today's hottest paranormal and steampunk romance authors.
The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook – While the search for a killer puts Constable Newberry's life in danger, he 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?

Vixen by Jessica Sims – 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.

Kitten-Tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane – 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.
These lovers create their own heat, even when surrounded by ice...
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 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. 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.

From the authors who brought you Wild & Steamy come three all-new tales of lovers who create their own heat, even when they’re surrounded by ice…

This was a good collection of short stories. I’m familiar with Meljean Brook’s writing, as well as Carolyn Crane’s, but this was my first read by Jessica Sims. Though short, each story was well written and engaging.

 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?

Estrella has always felt like an outsider. As the only liger in a tiger clan, she doesn’t fit in and feels the wariness of everyone deeply. She tries to keep to herself, but she can’t keep it quiet when she starts to go into heat. Not only does she need a male to help her burn it out, but this may be her only chance to have a baby..and she wants it, bad. What she doesn’t want is to be tied to an idiot male for the rest of her life. Sadly that seems to be all she can find…unless she looks at the alpha. But that isn’t a good idea…or is it?

This was a quick read. I liked that Estrella was determined to make her own future. No, she didn’t have control of going into heat, but she did have control over who she shared it with and she made the best of it. Some of the dates she went on made me laugh. It was obvious to me as the reader that the alpha was having a hard time not claiming her for himself, but she was clueless.

The only complaint I have is her plan at the end. I thought that was immature and not in keeping with her character. It didn’t ruin the story for me, it just made me shake my head.

A solid and engaging read.

3.75 out of 5

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.

Veronica figured out how to complain technology and magic to conjure people and things from pictures. Basically, she scans a picture and the image comes to life. But it isn’t a copy of the original..it’s the real deal. When she conjures Max, he comes with all his memories, baggage and natural protective instincts. The problem? He only lasts for 7 days before she has to conjure him again.

For months Max has been acting as Veronica’s bodyguard. He may disappear every 7 days, but he comes back with all the memories he made while with her. He sees past her tough exterior to the woman beneath and he’s fallen for her..big time. But he’s just a shell of himself and she isn’t interested…unless he’s more than that and she is…

Though short, I was really pulled into the story and became as attached to Max as Veronica did. Crane did a good job of creating a strong backstory for both characters. The action was good and kept the story moving forward.

I did struggle a bit with some of the deeper issues of conjuring a person. When either one would reference the future, it always niggled at the back of my mind that Max wasn’t really real. I also had a hard time with Veronica making decisions about Max without really thinking them through.

That aside, I enjoyed the story. The romance was believable and the characters solid. Plus, it was a kick being brought back to the 80’s..

3.75 out of 5

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…

Elizabeth thought she fell in love with Caius when he was her guard, but he betrays her and she realizes he was just his father’s henchmen after all. When he finally catches up to her, she’s surprised that he seems to want to help her. But can she really trust him? Or is he just determined to get her back to her father.

I love Brook’s Iron Seas series. This story is set in the same world.  Elizabeth is a strong, capable, independent heroine. She’s on the run from her father and knows how to take care of herself. I think her capability is especially noteworthy since she’s so young. Brook writes men I want to know in real life. Caius had a strong sense of right and wrong, but didn’t come off as pious or overbearing. I really enjoyed him.

My only complaint is the length. Though everything was wrapped up to my satisfaction, I wanted more time with them as a couple.

Though short, the story was engaging and well-written. Definitely my favorite of the three.

4 out of 5

This book is self-published. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

four-stars

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What I Read Last Week

Posted September 23, 2013 by Tracy in Features | 8 Comments

Another interesting week in Tracyland. There’s just never a dull moment! Among the many other things that happened: my daughter went on her first date. OMG talk about nerve-racking – she’ll be 16 in a couple of months but…still! The boy (her boyfriend) is very nice though so I wasn’t too worried and it was just dinner and a movie. I dropped them off and the boy’s parents picked them up – she was home by 10. Why do I feel so old? lol Here they are before the date. My girl had her eyes closed but the other one I took while they were in the back seat of the car looks pretty funny – he looked like a deer caught in headlights and she looked like her head was about 5 times too big for her body. lol 

I’ve still got a couple of giveaways going at the moment – click on the links to go to post to enter:
A print copy of Steam Bath: Sweaty Gay Erotica edited by Shane Allison
My 5 Star Read (so far) Giveaway
A print copy of The Hardest Thing: A Dan Stagg Mystery by James Lear (US Only) 
Congrats to Rowena who won Protector by Joanne Wadsworth!

Anyway, on to what I read:

I started off with the upcoming book Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey. This is a short story/novella that tells the tale of a man and his assistant that are stuck in a hotel in a blizzard unexpectedly. Each has been attracted to the other for a while but both have kept it on a professional level…until now. The story is about their weekend together and the things that happen once they get back to work and their everyday lives. It was a good one and I really enjoyed it. 4 out of 5

The Hardest Thing: A Dan Stagg Mystery by James Lear was a different kind of read for me. There was very little romance so that’s a big change but also the man character, Dan, was very promiscuous and for some reason it just worked for me – which it normally doesn’t at all. Because of this I really didn’t think that any kind of relationship that happened in the book would work but I still enjoyed it all immensely. You can read my full review here. 4.25/4.5 out of 5

Grabbed by Vicious by Lolita Lopez was a sci-fi romance. Due to an agreement between worlds men of one planet can come enter a Grab. Girls are chosen (I was a little unclear about how – lottery?) and then they are corralled and let loose to run, or not, away from the men. If they are Grabbed then that means that they are now married. Primitive but it works in this story. One girl is Grabbed when she doesn’t want to be but soon succumbs to Vicious’ attentions in bed and they soon fall in love. There are a few other things that happen but it was a decent, entertaining read. 3 out of 5

The Captain’s Promise by Susanne Matthews is the story of a girl of royal blood who is in love with guy when she is just 16. He goes off to be a soldier but he makes a promise to her father to always look after her. When he returns 10 years later and finds her in a big predicament he goes about trying to help her. It was a good story that had it’s issues. 3 out of 5 (read for Book Binge)

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre was my next read. I was sadly disappointed by this book. I mean, I liked Andre’s writing as in previous books and I liked the premise but when all the sex was taken out there just wasn’t a whole lot of story left over. What was there was good. I’ll post my review for this next week. 3 out of 5

Last for the week was a novella called Single Wolf Female by Jessica Sims. Alice was co-Alpha with her brother Chase but he died. She has to get a new alpha but she’s out of family members. This means she must mate the new alpha. Unfortunately a guy named Roscoe who is mean and nasty wants the position. Alice heads to a shifter dating agency and ends up finding Jackson who is an alpha who runs his pack of two. He takes the position but getting to know a stranger that’s going to be your mate plus dealing with a pissed off Roscoe makes for some strange days. The story was a good one. I really liked all the characters in the book and I very much appreciated that Sims didn’t have the h/h falling in love in a day. When the book ended you could see that it would happen but there were no I Love You’s spouted and that was awesome. 🙂 I definitely need to read more in this series. 4 out of 5

My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:
The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick

Happy Reading!

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What I Read Last Week

Posted June 3, 2013 by Tracy in Features | 3 Comments

I’m DONE with dance! Yay! Ok, my youngest is still in her tumbling class but no more competitions, rehearsals for competitions and we had the recital yesterday so life will resume as usual. I couldn’t be happier! lol The team did really well yesterday at the recital so that was nice.

Right now I’m looking out the window wondering what the hell is up with our So Cal weather???! It was 109 on Saturday – OMG so effin hot! Then it was a relatively mild 85 on Sunday and now it’s overcast and about 65 degrees. WTF?? It just can’t seem to make up its mind, that’s for sure.

My oldest is now out of school which apparently means, now that she will be a sophomore in high school, that she can do anything she wants. Did you know that happened? Yeah, me neither. Oy. I think of the trouble that child can get into and it gives me chills – and not in a good way. I think I have about a thousand more gray hairs in my head just from this past weekend. lol I’ll survive the teen years, right?

I almost forgot (I’m such a bad aunt!) my niece graduated this past Friday night – valedictorian!  She’s so awesome!  She wants to be a vet and will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall.  Go Jessica!  Here she is with her brother who flew out from Pennsylvania to see her graduate.  What a good brother. 

Alright on to what I read: 

I started out the week by reading Faking It by Cora Carmack. This is book 2 in her Losing It series and it was a good one. The story was about a guy who is like the all American college student who gets roped into playing boyfriend for a girl who’s in a band and needs to fool her parents into believing that she is who they think she is. Make sense? She’s faked her true self all of her life and is still doing it. They are complete opposites but that doesn’t stop either of them. You can read my full review here. 4 out of 5 

Next up was The Mad Earl’s Bride by Loretta Chase. This is a novella length read that has us meeting Dorian who is going slowly insane as his mother once did. He is approached by a distant relative who would like him to marry Gwendolyn so that A) the family name can go on and B) she needs his money after he’s dead. Seems a bit crazy but it worked in the end. I really liked the story a lot and think this one is definitely worth reading. 4 out of 5 

Arrested by Love by Virna DePaul is a set of 3 erotic romance novellas all involving cops. We had the cop that infiltrated a biker gang, the cop that finally had a chance at the one that got away and the cop that helps the victim of an attack. It was a decent read and I’ll post my review for this one on Wednesday. 3.5 out of 5 

Bite Me by PJ Schnyder is the story set in London where they are having a zombie infestation. Most have evacuated but there are those still living and working in the city – some trying to figure out what’s causing the epidemic. In order to save people the werewolves have come out of the closet and are helping to keep the city safe. The Alpha of the London Pack, Seth, is out on patrol when he helps Maisie and some other folks with a hoard of zombies. This puts Seth and Maisie together and he finds he doesn’t want to let her go. This was a great little novella. It’s the first in the London Undead series (this comes out later this month) but I think it was a great start to an interesting paranormal series. 4 out of 5 

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long is book 8 in the Pennyroyal Green series and it was wonderful! The story of Jonathan Redmond, the trials with his father, the meeting and falling in love with a completely unlikely marriage candidate, Tommy (Thomasina), was just fab from start to finish. I loved it and recommend you read it when it comes out. 5 out of 5 

The Look of Love by Bella Andre is book 1 in her Sullivans series. The story revolved around Chase who found Chloe stranded on the side of the road. He helps her but she’s been hurt by her ex-husband in more ways than one and has trust issues. This doesn’t stop Chase from falling into insta-love. The story had potential and was decent but Chase bothered me with his undying love and frankly this should have been labeled an erotic romance because a large portion of the book is sex. My review for this will go up on The Book Binge on Thursday if you’re interested in reading more about my thoughts. 3 out of 5 

Last for the week was Fire & Frost by Jessica Sims, Carolyn Crane & Meljean Brook. Jessica Sims brought us the story of a were-liger who was supposedly sterile but was going into heat and trying to find someone within a week to not only satisfy the heat but make a good baby daddy. She was aided by the Alpha who was looking out for her best interests. Good story but too short! I wanted to know more about the Alpha, Vic, and why he hid how he was feeling for four long years! lol Next was Carolyn Crane’s novella about Veronica the witch and her super computers who can bring things to life by a picture. If you read Carolyn’s Code of Shadows book, Mr. Real, then you’ll recognize Veronica’s name. She was the aunt of the heroine in that book who left her the house and the computer. Good story and good action. Meljean brought us a story about a girl who is running from her father because he’s a bit cracked and wants her to replace her mother. Eww. Ok, there are really extenuating circumstances to her existence but still! One of her father’s minions has been in love with her forever and helps her out. Great story – very enjoyable. Overall I really liked the fire & frost theme. The way that each story showed us the frostiness in the relationships first and then the fire – very clever and well done. 4 out of 5

My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:
Agave Kiss by Ann Aguirre
Connected by Kim Karr
Remembering Love by Nadine Christian

Happy Reading!

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