Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts by Heather Massey

Hello to all!


                 I will try to make post several requested reviews this month because i don't like to make them wait but i also want to take the time necessary to read and write them properly... at first i thought about trying to match them with challenge topics so it could give them more promotion eventually, but it would be too long for some so i will share them with you as i feel like it no matters the challenge or month topic.

Today i want to start with a steampunk romance because it has been long since i enjoyed one and Heather Massey is really an excellent author so i was really happy when she offered me the opportunity to review her book... A western steampunk romance and i can tell you i liked Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts so without waiting here comes my review

 Enjoy!

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  1616504455

Genre: steampunk romance
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review
 

Description from goodreads :

The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission... Scientific achievement isn't enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits…until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet's father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.

A man with a secret... Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can't let Violet waltz into the villain's lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she's also the most compelling woman he's ever known.

A perilous quest... Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father's latest invention and the world's most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan's resistance isn't clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion's diabolical devices, and by then, it's far too late.

CONTENT WARNING: An irresistibly dangerous alpha hero, a heroine whose most prized accessory is her steam gun, an automaton gunslinger...and a villain whose lust for power drives him to evils beyond the scope of humanity

My opinion:

          I can’t imagine than one year ago i was afraid, hesitant to read steampunk….it’s an intricate genre  yes but until now  i ‘ve only had good surprises and I’m really glad i came to try it become i love it more after each book.

This one is a western steampunk romance and Heather Massey took me in a wonderful ride. Once started i couldn’t stop, i had to know if i was right . Violet is a lovely heroine … she spent the majority of her life helping her father who is a famous inventor. She is highly educated which isn’t necessarily common for a woman but she is aspiring for more. She is dreaming of adventures and romance, being more than twenty she thinks it’s already too late. She is getting some escape from a romance published in a weekly newspaper and as soon as she starts reading she get immersed in the story.

So it’s not really a surprise when she projects her dreams on Logan when she needs helps to save her father. For her no doubts, he is a secret agent, deep undercover … he is her hero. In that way she is really naive and doesn’t get any of the telltale signs, the slips no she has decided he is her hero and now he must help her to save her Father, no question asked. However she is also really determined, and capable.

When Logan saw Violet, he just wanted to make her smile nearly forgetting why he was on the train at the first place…after the attack he knows he must leave but he didn’t expect Violet to latch on him urging him to save  her father, questioning his honor and asking about his family….he can’t refuse this woman so determined and against his better judgement he accept to take her to the Iron Scorpion’s camp… the road isn’t easy and he doesn’t like Arthur, the automaton who learn too quickly but seems to have taken a linking to him. Each time he is surprised by how Violet acts and slowly he starts to want more, to want to risks everything to have her and more.

To be honest, the romance isn’t immediate, Violet is immediately attracted to Logan  yes but she is still in her novel’s universe… gradually it becomes more, same for Logan. I really appreciate that because it make them more accessible, and violet was moving  not always understanding  Logan’s allusions .There is a lit of action, strange metallic construction and it was quite fast… perhaps a little too much. I do regret that we still don’t know exactly what the iron scorpion has done and why…i would have loved for example to see Violet working to solve the situation but i’m still hoping it will be in a sequel^^.

Arthur is also really interesting… i’m a little curious about what made him evolve, improve so quickly and how far he can go… he does give a touch of humor in the story too.

I really recommend this story if you want a short steampunk romance with a lot of action, it’s really good and should make you smile easily. I do want more.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer/Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

 For more info on Heather Massey and her books you can check her Website  HERE

 Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts is available on amazon or on other retailers

Viridis ( Viridis1) by Calista Taylor

Hello to all,

                   on this sunny wednesday, i will share with you another steampunk romance i've discovered and if you like it, it's free so you can make your own opinion ^^ without waiting here comes Viridis by Calista Taylor

Publisher: Daeron Press

Publication: 2011

ISBN: B005KT028Q

Genre: steampunk romance
Violence: high
Language: normal
sex: high
Public: 18+

Source: free copy on smashwords
 

Short description from goodread :

 In steampunk Victorian London, Lady Phoebe Hughes develops an herbal elixir, Viridis, unlike any other. London’s elite flock to her club to experience the euphoria and heightened senses the drink brings. Imagine an orgasm brought on by a single kiss. But when Lord Hawthorne is murdered after leaving her club, Phoebe is shocked to find that not only was he working for the Special Services to infiltrate the Cause, a movement fighting for the city's poor, he was also in possession of her secret formulation for Viridis.

Adding to her difficulties is the unexpected return of Mr. Seth Elliott, a brilliant tinkerer who stole her heart and imagination, only to abandon her when she needed him most. Unable to ignore all that is between them, Phoebe finds herself falling for Seth once again, only to have a powerful rival for her affections wrongly accuse Seth of attempted murder. As Phoebe struggles with a way to free her love, revolution, conspiracy and murder threaten to ruin it all.

My opinion:

          The quality of this story is great and the author offers it free to readers, I can say I was surprised and really happy while reading this book.

The story takes place in a kind of alternate world so there are a lot of similarities and we can easily immersed ourselves in the plot and in the same time there are a lot of particularities that make this world even more fascinating.

I loved to see how the investigation was proceeded and I enjoyed not knowing the reasons and culprit immediately (even if I got Gabriel at once^^;;). The relation between the characters is well constructed and their personalities are showing quickly so we can choose our favourite quite easily. I loved Seth but part of me think Gavin would be better for Phoebe because he seems to understand her better ^^. I also really liked William who is honest and so understanding.

If the principal plot has its ending in this book, we can see the secondary plot remaining unsolved and it’s a good opening for the rest of the series.  Now I also would have liked a bit more of explanation about the universe or at least to get the hints more quickly because a lot is left unsaid. We can’t really know which side is right the government or the Cause both are doing right and wrong things and without knowing more we can’t choose a side.

For all this positive aspects, this book isn’t for all public either. The violence is high and the sexual parts of the story are not for an under aged or sensitive person. There is mention of rape and homosexuality, well written yes but better for adult readers who know what they will be reading.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

The Seduction of Phaeton Black (Paranormal Investigator1) by Jillian Stone

Hello to all!

                    Today it's the National Day ," la Fête Nationale", for me and all Belgian ones  so i decided to concentrated on my reading so i could enjoy next a good meal with my family without negleting you.

Today, i will share with you my second experience with the Steampunk Romance subgenre. When i learned i had to read this kind of book for the Romance and Me Challenge i was i bit disappointed because at first it was crime romance not Steampunk and i was afraid i didn't have any books of the genre. I even did know at all what kind of genre it was, After a little moment of panick general ( there is only me who could panick for a reading challenge^^;;) i found i had one book perhaps even two and that i could find some free one.
Then, a blog i follow had an international contest for a new book and one of steampunk romance, we had to guess who inspired the male character and the first one who got it right got a signed book as well as two others. I tried and by luck i was the first one! I started jumping around because the book seemed good and i was going to have it for the challenge so perfect. ( to be precise we were only 5 to get the right answer so the author kindly offered each of us a book- being international i got one non signed but still so happy).

So without waiting more i'm really pleased to offer you my review of The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone and if you like it check internet there is a blog tour going on where you could win a copy.

Publisher: Brava paranormal romance

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0758268963

Genre: Steampunk romance, paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: very strong
Public: 18+

Source: won from Jillian Stone at My Bookish Ways

Short description from goodread :

 In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all. . .

He's The Man With The Magic Touch

A master of deduction, seduction and other midnight maneuvers, Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard's secret weapon against things that go bump in the night. His prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he's asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks right into the arms of the most dangerous woman he's ever known. . .

She's The Devilish Miss Jones

Pressing a knife to his throat--and demanding he make love to her--Miss America Jones uses Phaeton as a willing shield against the gang of pirates chasing her. As deadly as she is, with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampiric killer he's been staking out--but she may be just what Phaeton needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possesses uncanny powers. As a fearless fighter, she can handle anything from Egyptian mummies to Jack the Ripper. But when an ancient evil is unleashed on the world, she could be his only salvation. . .or ultimate sacrifice.

My opinion:

          HOT! Is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel, really not for young peoples or too sensitive ones.

Now I’m still new to steampunk  subgenre since it’s only my second book and I wasn’t really sure what to expect of it but I like it!. I absolutely loved the paranormal twist and secret investigations and all because that does remind me the role playing game called “Call of Chtullu”. It’s the first time I find a book that transport me in this kind of universe with an atmosphere dark but not horrifying and all the suspense around it. Magical.

It was really a good read  even if I admit the sexy part was just a bit too much for me^^;; It was so well written, even those part they are sexy but not vulgar at all, that I was captivated in the story.

The plot is magnificent with the historical aspect and the mythological inputs and mysteries. The Characters are well constructed and complete with their strengths, secrets and weaknesses.  Phaeton is a detective very different from others and that isolates him. Since his childhood he had to keep his faculties a secret, and thus being those faculties aren’t understood nor mastered well even if he now uses them in his job. He has a really bad reputation one he encourages a lot. He is secluding himself however in the same time he is dreaming of someone who could really understand him, of a mentor.

Miss Jones isn’t the typical woman from the 19^th century far from it. Growing on a ship travelling the world she is speaking several languages, has a variety of knowledge and can fight. She isn’t uneducated, not at all but she had a very different childhood than most. Add to that her mixed origins and you get a strong and independent woman with magical abilities and one who knows who she is. She ignores the reasons why her mother put her in her father’s care while she in the same time taught her their magic and all supernatural aspects. This secret could be important in the future but for this first book we are discovering a very strong willed woman who dares to take risks to get what she want and who speak her mind. A good complementary mate for Phaeton.

Others characters are also important and intriguing. Doctor Exeter has a lot to teach to Phaeton and we want to learn more about him. How he got his powers, who taught him, what else he can do. Edvar is a cute gargoyle, shape shifter, one that Phaeton should recognize more because he is also very helpful and a good guardian.  I also loved the old curator ^^  and Ping/Jin from who we knows nearly nothing as of yet.

I spend a wonderful time even if it seems that I’m reading steampunk more slowly that others genre. I’m really curious about book two and a certain egg.

I will glady recommend it to my fellows at the role playing club^^; we could learn from Miss Jones and Phaeton (only for the bluff ‘s part,  no worries). For the Readers of Steampunk romances or the reader of paranormal romance who want to try something different that’s a book to recommend!

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge