Book Review: Heart of Iron

Heart of Iron (London Steampunk #2)

Bec McMaster

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Book Description:

In Victorian London, if you’re not a blue blood of the Echelon then you’re nothing at all. The Great Houses rule the city with an iron fist, imposing their strict ‘blood taxes’ on the nation, and the Queen is merely a puppet on a string…

Lena Todd makes the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a sympathizer for the humanist movement haunting London’s vicious blue blood elite. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger, and the one man whose kiss she can’t forget…

Stricken with the loupe and considered little more than a slave-without-a-collar to the blue bloods, Will wants nothing to do with the Echelon or the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds a coded letter on Lena—a code that matches one he saw on a fire-bombing suspect—he realizes she’s in trouble. To protect her, he must seduce the truth from her.

With the humanists looking to start a war with the Echelon, Lena and Will must race against time—and an automaton army—to stop the humanist plot before it’s too late. But as they fight to save a city on the brink of revolution, the greatest danger might just be to their hearts…

Amazon US | Goodreads

Review:

Last year I picked up Kiss of Steel, a debut novel by an Australian writer – Bec McMaster. Needless to say that I’ve devoured the novel and the follow up novella – Tarnished Knight, and was eagerly awaiting release of the second book in the series – Heart of Iron. With its dark and seductive, gas-lit world, set in alternate Victorian England, filled with ruthless blue bloods, swoon-worthy heroes, and feisty heroines – London Steampunk novels are an exciting mixture of romance and adventure.

Title Reveal: Mad About the Boy

Did you guys hear? There is now an official title for the third book in the Bridget Jones series? And *drum roll please* it shall be called Mad About the Boy! I don’t know about you, but I love Bridget. Cause how can you not love her? I will also admit that I’ve been a Bridget Jones movie fan first and only recently read Helen Fielding’s novels, which were quite entertaining. So, I am sure I will be picking this one up as well. Speaking of movies, Working Title Films confirmed that a third film is in development – I sure hope we see most of the roles reprised by the wonderful cast. 

Are you a Bridget fan?

On the road (BEA and other happenings)…

Road trips, blogging and BEA:
It’s been a lovely Memorial Day weekend. My dear husband and I took to the road, all the way to Western New York, dogs in tow. Our list of festivities included plenty of barbequing, nights spent by the bonfire, and quality time with family and some close friends. Indeed, a very relaxing trip, aside the long drive. Gratefully, the husband allowed me the pleasure of burying my nose in my Kindle on our way back. So, some reading done, I shall have a few new reviews coming soon - I promise! 

Book Review: Blood and Sand

Blood and Sand (Elemental World #2)
Elizabeth Hunter

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Book Description:
Dead women are showing up in the desert east of San Diego, and no one understands why. When the story comes to the attention of reporter Natalie Ellis, she can’t help but make comparisons to tragic deaths she’d investigated years ago. Are these women the victims of a serial killer, or something even more insidious?

Bodies may be piling up in his sire’s territory, but water vampire and feared enforcer Baojia is stuck entertaining the rich and clueless at a club in San Diego. He’s taken his exile with all the grace he could muster, but his patience is starting to thin.

Sparks fly when mortal and immortal are thrown together, and Natalie comes face to face with a reality that was lurking in the corners of her life. Pursuing the truth could cost Baojia everything, including the mortal woman who has earned his grudging respect.

Blood and Sand is the second novel in the expanded Elemental World series.

Amazon US | Goodreads

Review:
ARC received courtesy of the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Aah! We are back in the Elemental World of vampires, mysteries and whirlwind romances. And I think this might be my new favorite. No, really! Don’t get me wrong, I am usually pretty tough when rating and reviewing, even when I like the novels, but this one has made me happy. Perhaps it has to do with the characters or the writer’s style but in general this spinoff series and original Elemental Mysteries have a well-deserved spot on my favorites list.

Where’s Waldo... (aka Where to Find Me Today)

Hi guys! I have something exciting to share – I am guest posting at Nocturnal Book Reviews today. 

Have you heard of Karina’s amazing blog? I’ve stumbled upon it a little while back, and have been following it ever since. And if you haven’t checked it out before, you simply must – Karina’s blog is truly a wealth of great reviews of paranormal, urban fantasy, YA, dystopian, and fantasy books. So, you can imagine my excitement when I got a request from Karina to do a guest post while she is away on vacation. Without further ado, head on over to Nocturnal Book Reviews and check out my review of The Kaiser Affair by Joseph Robert Lewis and much more… 

I am sure you can find a good suggestion or two to add to your personal TBR pile.

Victoria, xoxo