When I received the release date for Heart of Iron, the
second in my London Steampunk series, I was doubly excited. It was due out on
May 7th, which, coincidentally, is also my birthday. My first thought was: two
cakes? My second was - how did Sourcebooks know?
I don't think they did in the end, although a lot of people
have asked me how I swung this, but either way I get to celebrate twice! It's
the best birthday present ever!
As for Heart of Iron, I am so excited to unleash this on the
world. Featuring Will Carver, the brusque verwulfen bodyguard to Blade from
Kiss of Steel, and flirtatious Lena Todd, it is jam-packed with action, sexual
tension, a heroine who might just be in over her head, a virgin hero and an
epic plot against the Prince Consort - oh, and did I mention the mechanical
kraken?
Want to see what the reviewers are saying about it?
McMaster's second
London Steampunk book dazzles and seduces, diving deeper into this remarkable
world. She crafts complicated, damaged and driven characters whose unlikely
passion is unforgettably powerful. Details are slowly explained, and the
complexities of all the relationships are gradually teased out, building a
mounting tension that will leave readers breathless. Though new readers will be
enthralled, devotees will find enormous rewards.
Top Pick from RT Book Reviews - 4 1/2 Stars HOT
Here's a little
snippet from Heart of Iron:
“You can’t
simply go around threatening blue bloods, Will. It might work here in the
rookery, but you’ll be in their world and you must learn to play by their
rules," Lena said.
“Tell me you didn’t enjoy it.” He
put his empty plate aside and leaned back in his chair, sinking into the soft
upholstery.
“That’s beside the point. Of course
I enjoyed seeing him get his just desserts. The
man’s a bully and a toady. He ambushes young women in secluded corners and
forces himself on them. There’s no ruin to him or his reputation.” Her face
darkened. “Only to us.”
“Us?”
Lena’s cheeks paled. “A poor choice
of words. I meant the young women of the Echelon. He’s never made any overt
threat against me before.”
“But if he does, you’ll tell me?”
Lena looked him directly in the eye.
And lied. “Of course.”
“Lena,” he warned, finding his feet.
She fetched her teacup and nervously
put it between them. “I’m not the one he’ll retaliate against. You made a fool
of him last night, Will. He won’t forget that. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Leaning down, he rested his hands on
the armrest on either side of her. Lena’s lips firmed and she rested her teacup
in her lap.
“You ain’t goin’ to distract me,” he
said, reaching out and capturing her chin between thumb and forefinger.
A mistake. Lena’s skin was silky
soft, and the slight parting of her lips as she looked up nearly undid him. Her
eyes softened, the breath catching in her lungs. For all her devil-may-care
attitude, in that moment her expression was oddly guileless. Hesitant.
Uncertain of herself.
The hint of vulnerability nearly
undid him.
Will jerked his hand back as if
scalded and turned away, the breath in him coming hard. “If he threatens you,
you’ll tell me?”
Lena’s gaze dropped to her lap. “Of
course.”
What the devil was wrong with her
now? “You ain’t afraid of him?”
“I can handle men like C-.” Putting
the teacup aside, she muttered, “It’s certain other ones that give me a
headache.”
Want to win a copy of Kiss of Steel, the first in my London
Steampunk series? (Open US shipping only) Let me know what your best birthday present
was, or maybe even the worst?
And because there can only be one winner, why don't I offer
a little giveaway to everyone - for a sneak peek at the London Steampunk world,
I'm offering an e-novella called Tarnished Knight (set after Kiss of Steel and
before Heart of Iron) for free download for the month. See here for
details.
HEART OF IRON BY BEC
MCMASTER – IN STORES MAY 2013
In the mist-shrouded
streets of London’s dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires and a
clockwork army are one step away from battle…
NO ONE TO TRUST
Lena Todd
is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel
against London’s vicious elite—not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man
she can’t twist around her little finger.
Will
Carver, is more than man, he’s a verwulfen and he wants nothing to do with the
dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds
Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she’s in a world of trouble.
To protect her, he’ll have to seduce the truth from her before it’s too late.
“Deftly
blends elements of steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful
results…darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy.” –Booklist, starred
review for KISS OF STEEL
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Bec
McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a
book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance.
When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending
time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. The third book in
the London Steampunk series, My Lady
Quicksilver will be in stores in October 2013. Read more about her at www.becmcmaster.com or follow her on Twitter @BecMcMaster.
To purchase Heart of
Iron:
My best birthday present, so far, was a trip to New Orleans last year! It was my 30th birthday present to myself. I had such a great time! It is such a wonderful city, so unique!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new release, and Happy Birthday!
This is one of my favorite series! Like New Orleans, it is extremely unique, and I never know what to expect!
Oh love this! =) Can´t wait for my chance to read!
ReplyDeleteHappy Release & Happy Wednesday!
//Linda
Steampunk is so much fun! This looks awesome! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and happy, happy release day! Book looks awesome...and so does the birthday lady!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and happy release! Best was a dinner out
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
@ Heather. That sounds like an awesome 30th birthday! I've always wanted to go to New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the series, it's a lot of fun to write.
@ Heather. That sounds like an awesome 30th birthday! I've always wanted to go to New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the series, it's a lot of fun to write.
@ Linda - Thanks! It's been a wonderful release day. I just love posting snippets like this.
ReplyDelete@ Shana - Thanks Shana. It's a lot of fun to write too. A lot of research, but a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete@ Carolyn - thank you! It was a great day all round.
ReplyDeleteThanks @bn 100 - dinner out is always the best. Anytime you don't have to cook!
ReplyDeleteThe best was a Kindle Fire last year from my mom! She knows me so well! :-)
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
The best was the pair of silver crown earrings I got from my sister when I (the Queen) turned 50.
ReplyDeleteKathy
kathy.nye@comcast.net
I think that my favorite birthday present was my Kindle. My husband knew how much I had wanted one. He even bought me gift cards to load on it. Love your books
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release! My best was a kitten.
ReplyDelete