Book Review: Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster

I really enjoyed this fast paced steampunk version of a not quite Vampire tale.

Kiss of Steel
by Bec McMaster

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270275
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270277

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: September 1, 2012
"Action, adventure, steampunk, and blazing hot seduction...Bec McMaster offers it all."—Eve Silver, author of Sins of the Flesh
A brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves, and clockwork creatures roam the mist–shrouded streets of London...
When Nowhere is Safe
Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?
Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single–handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood–craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.
When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

Review:
This 'vampire' story has a different bite. It is set in a wonderfully steampunk Victorian England with strong characters and a good action plot.

In Honoria's world the upperclass are the infected Blue Bloods, the ruling houses of the Echelon who are allied with the Queen. They have their armies of metaljackets and the specially trained Nighthawk warriors. Honoria was once a 'lady' with expectations of becoming a respected "thrall" to one of the Blue Blood families. Her father was a brilliant scientist who was experimenting to develop a cure or at least a vaccine against the blood craving virus that will first give a man strength and heightened abilities but eventually degenerates into the bestial vampires that are executed at first signs of deterioration. Honoria was her father's research assistant and kept a diary almost as good as his.

When her father is murdered by his cruel and vicious patron, Lord Vickers, Honoria flees with the diaries and her younger sister and brother. They are in hiding in Whitechapel which is full of dangers and under the control of the infamous Blade. Honor has caught the eye of Blade and although she resists his interest she is soon desperate with nowhere else and no one else to turn to for help.

Blade is the most famous infected being who escaped the clutches and experiments of the Echelon. He now rules in Whitechapel with the aid of a mixed group of henchmen including a 'verwulfen' and some mechanically strengthened humans.  In addition to her beauty, Blade is interested in Honoria because he knows that Vickers has a price on her head. Blade has a personal score to repay for his own tragic loss brought about by Vickers.

Blade bargains with Honoria and her reluctance falls under his odd form of courtship. She discovers she can trust his gentleness as she has a way of bringing out his more honorable traits and even calming the beast within.

Blade has to cooperate with one of the Blue Blood lords, Barrons, who has some connection to Honoria. He doesn't want to be jealous but he doesn't like the secrets that keep Honor at arms length. As Blade and Barrons battle a rogue vampire a trap is set to capture Honor. Will Blade be able to save Honor from Vickers before he does harm? Will Honor be able to find a cure before Blade's disease progresses out of control?

I really loved Honor and Blade and their cautious courtship that finally blossoms with their passion. Their romance is sensual and steamy without ever seeming vulgar. Ms. McMasters does a grand job with world building a setting that is different and fascinating, especially since I enjoy steampunk features. The plot is believable and provided fast paced action and suspense. The secondary characters are drawn with appropriate depth to make them likeable or horribly villainous. I recommend this to readers who enjoy strong, romantic characters who face dangerous odds. Even if you aren't a big fan of vampire stories you might enjoy this steampunk version with its twisted bite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blade's sad thoughts:

A blue blood had no personal scent. No warmth. Sometimes he felt as tough he were slowly turning to marble, devoid of any of the touches of humanity that surrounded him. Until nothing but the hunger remained. Page 51.

What Honoria wants:

Someone to love her. Someone to hold her in his arms, to tell her that she was the center of his world. That he would look after her. Someone to trust. Someone to love back. Page 223

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Ms. McMaster for providing the book to review, sharing in Interview and providing Giveaway copy! See the Giveaway and Interview post next.

I will add this title to my New Author and ARC Challenges as well as Steampunk list.

Audible Book Review: The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

This is a fine fantasy for YA and older audiences, but not quite what I expected.
 
The Lost Gate: Mithermages, Book 1

UNABRIDGED

by Orson Scott Card

Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card

  Series: Mithermages, Book 1

LENGTH: 12 hrs and 21 mins
AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE: 01-04-11
PROGRAM TYPE: Audiobook
PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Danny North knew from early childhood that his family was different - and that he was different from them. While his cousins were learning how to create the things that commoners called fairies, ghosts, golems, trolls, werewolves, and other such miracles that were the heritage of the North family, Danny worried that he would never show a talent, never form an "outself".

He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.

There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English - but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny’s cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.

Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.
Orson Scott Card, a New York Times best-selling author, has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards for his works of speculative fiction. He lives with his family in Greensboro, North Carolina.

©2011 Orson Scott Card (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Danny at first appears to be a “drekka” or un-magical human. He can’t do a lot of the magic that his cousins can do but he is an excellent student and he is great at languages. At eleven years old he begins to worry that his family may decide he is useless. Then one day he discovers he is a gate maker -- he can think himself to places he has been and suddenly he is there. A gatemage is one of the most powerful and wonderful magics except that it is forbidden! His elders will surely kill him if they discover this so he must leave to hide in the world of outsiders.

Danny makes some awkward friends in the human world as he tries to learn more about his powers. As we follow Danny’s adventures–or misadventures–there is another gatemage introduced in a far away world. After he wanders into a castle “Wad” is adopted by the King’s cook who thinks perhaps Wad has lost his gating abilities to the Gate Thief. Wad has not lost his abilities but keeps that secret. He has a very old past that he can’t remember but he begins to hope for a future. Wad believes he has everything under control until he becomes caught up in political intrigue of the King, Queen, allies and enemies. There is a connection between Wad and Danny that the reader will suspect but it won't be disclosed until near the end of the book.

I liked Danny a lot and loved the mystery of the gate making. I enjoyed the friends he met who ultimately became his family and helped him to learn the secrets of locking and unlocking the gates. There is a lot of the magic but there was repetition in the process of learning the secrets of the gates and that dragged things along more than needed. I have to admit that by the end of this book I'm undecided about seeking the next one in the series.

The reading was done well with a good modulation for the voices and emotions. The gate building might have been a bit clearer in a print version but a listener can get the import of it fine without hurting the story.  This is a story I might not have picked up if it wasn’t offered in Audible, but that is more a personal choice. 

I liked the concept of this story and thought it would be good to listen to on a long drive with my daughter and eight year old grandson.  I am glad that my grandson was busy playing on his Xbox because this would not have been appropriate for him.  There is some bad language and there is some minor sexual interaction  involving a 13-14 year old boy that my daughter and I thought was totally unnecessary. I think my disappointment in the tale resulted from my incorrect expectation that the material would be acceptable for a younger audience level.  As long as you are reading this for older teens (YA) and above then I think it is a fine fantasy story.

 This was from my own Audible Library shelf.  

I will add this to my Audio Challenge List.

Mailbox Monday September 24, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR SEPTEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Kristen’s at BookNAround.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I added several Audible and free books this week to add to my garden. How about you?

Review Titles

I accepted an author review book:

The Mine by John A. Heldt

Wins

No new books in this week.

Purchased

I purchased these titles at Audible - 2 under my monthly membership and 8 from $4.95 sale:

Defining Diana
Variant
Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11
10th Anniversary: The Women's Murder Club
Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8
Furies of Calderon: Codex Alera, Book 1
Daemon
Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1
It Happened One Autumn: Wallflower Series #2

Free 

I received these books through Free Partay

FEATURED free books:

Featured Romantic Suspense
License to Thrill By Stephanie Bond
Roll the Dice By Mimi Barbour
Agents Under Fire By Dana Marton
The Heart of Lies By Debra Burroughs
The Spia Family Presses On By Mary Leo 
The Choice By Lorhainne Eckhart
Dare Me By Julie Leto

Featured Contemporary Romance
Touch Me And Tango By Alicia Street and Roy Street
Under the Covers By Rita Herron
Love Birds? By Carolyn McCray and Ben Hopkin

Featured Historical Romance
Heart's Desire By Jacquie D'Alessandro
The Nude By Dorothy McFalls
Fated By Carolyn McCray

Featured YA/Paranormal/SciFi
Blood Soaked Promises (Blood and Snow 4)
By RaShelle Workman
Resistance By David Weisman
The Third Scroll By Dana Marton

Click here to
see ALL Romance

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? September 24, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I have had a rough week with a feverish cold. I think it is starting to break up so hopefully this coming week will be better. 

I finished four books last week but only posted three reviews as I was going to bed early. I will have to catch up a bit this week on the reviews.   I had one tour book last week with a giveaway link plus I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I did get to visit a bit last week and hope I will get to do do again tonight before I crash once more. :-)
I truly appreciate all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? September 17, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox September 17, 2012.

• Audio Book Review: Night Rounds by Helene Tursten; Mystery, Scandinavian Crime; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: Man Of Honor by Loree Lough; Christian Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 21, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 9/27.

• Book Review:  Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson; Comedy; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #67 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/28.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 23, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

The Lost Gate: Mithermages, Book 1

• UNABRIDGED
• by Orson Scott Card
• Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card
• • Series: Mithermages, Book 1

I liked parts of this but was disappointed overall. I will post a review early this coming week. This is from my Audible Library.

2. Print
 

A Man of Honor: First Responders Book #3
by Loree Lough
I enjoyed this alot.
The review, part of tour,  is linked above.

3. Print
 

Angels Landing (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)
by Rochelle Alers

This  was a fast, fun read. I will post a review this week.

Reviewing for Forever/Hachette.
Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2012 | Series: A Cavanaugh Island Novel (Book 2)

Sometimes love can take you by surprise.

4. Print

Kiss of Steel
by Bec McMaster
This is fast paced reading.
Review and Interview to post
with Giveaway September 25, 2012. (Sourcebooks)
Book Description
Release Date: September 1, 2012
"Action, adventure, steampunk, and blazing hot seduction...Bec McMaster offers it all."—Eve Silver, author of Sins of the FleshA brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves, and clockwork creatures roam the mist–shrouded streets of London...
When Nowhere is Safe
Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?
Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single–handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood–craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.
When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

Line Edits: I am working on more formatting this week.

Currently reading:

1. Audio
 

Bones Are Forever: A Novel (Temperance Brennan)
Kathy Reichs (Author), Linda Emond (Reader) 
I had read or listened to books 1-12 in this series. This is Book 15 and I was pleased to get it from Simon & Schuster through Audiobook Jukebox.
Book Description
Release Date: August 28, 2012 | Series: Temperance Brennan
Kathy Reichs, #1 New York Times bestselling author and producer of the Fox hit series Bones, is at her brilliant best in a riveting novel featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan—a story of infanticide, murder, and corruption set in the high-stakes, high-danger world of diamond mining.

Temperance Brennan has been asked to examine the corpses of three dead babies in Montreal. It’s a difficult assignment, complicated further by the fact that her long-time flame Detective Ryan is investigating the infants’ mother, a former (and possibly current) prostitute. When the woman flees to Edmonton, the investigation is joined by Royal Canadian Mounted Police sergeant with whom Tempe had an ill-advised fling over a decade earlier. The dissonant team heads to remotest Yellowknife—mining country—to pursue an ever more sinister trail.

     With the Fox series Bones in its seventh season and her popularity at its broadest ever, Kathy Reichs reaches new heights in storytelling and suspense-building. Bones Are Forever shimmers with sexual tension, crackling dialogue, and the thrilling twists Reichs delivers so well.

2. eBook/Kindle
 

Power
by Debra Webb
I just started this and it is strong characters already.
Reviewing for Forever/Hachette.
Book Description
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Agent Jess Harris is back in another thrilling installment of Debra Webb's Faces of Evil series.

Jess is ready to start the next chapter in her life as the new deputy chief of Birmingham's major crimes division. But with her first love, Chief of Police Dan Burnett, acting as her new boss, it looks like Jess won't be able to put the past behind her that easily.

Jess has decided to focus all of her attention on work when a celebrated ballet instructor is found dead by one of her students. Though Jess's instincts tell her otherwise, the death is ruled an accident, and the case is assigned to another division. Still, Jess can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story, and her investigation leads her into the worlds of Birmingham's gang culture and its powerful elite.

Now Jess's investigation has dug a little too deep, and there's a target painted on her own forehead. Will she be able to solve the crime before her own life is in jeopardy?

3.  Print
 

When You Give a Duke a Diamond (Jewels of the Ton)
by Shana Galen
I expect to start this tomorrow. Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
HE HAD A PERFECTLY ORDERLY LIFE...
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual. securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossips link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...

UNTIL SHE CAME ALONG...
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance, and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's seriously disruptive to have the duke who's the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 

[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]

Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around 1989 so I will enjoy it again.  This week the reading is Philippians.

Line Edits: I am working on more formatting this week.

I thought I had selected fewer titles for September but there are already 17 in the starting list which means five per week continues.   I have read 10 from the list; 12 for the month so far.

Scheduled for September:
9/25 Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster - Review and Interview (Sourcebooks)

Unscheduled for September:
NetGalley

Blades of Winter: A Novel of the Shadowstorm by G. T. Almasi
(Possibly one more)

Sourcebooks
When You Give a Duke a Diamond by Shana Galen
(Possibly two others)

Hachette
Power, Faces of Evil by Debra Webb

Audiobook Jukebox:

The Aleppo Codex: A True Story of Obsession, Faith, and the Pursuit of an Ancient Bible by Matti Friedman
Bones Are Forever Kathy Reichs

Authors
Risking it All by Suzanne Barrett

TBR
I plan to read at least one "Won"/TBR books and one free Kindle book.:-)
1 Free Kindle - read and reviewed; 1 Free Audio - read and reviewed.
Won TBR: Shift by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder

[To be posted - I am setting these up for interview/feature days. These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.  
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.  
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 23, 2012

Pastor's Sermon this morning was entitled "God's Glory." Pastor shared passages explaining what that is.

We have to have a vision of who God is, what His Glory is. Think how glorious it must have been in  the Garden of Eden when God fellow-shipped with man. Then man was put out of Eden and generation after generation lost touch with the reality and the Vision of God. Revivals change people who receive a personal understanding of his glory. 

What is the glory of the Lord?  In the Old Testament it appears as the Weightiness of His Presence. In the New Testament God's Glory is revealed in the character of Jesus and the Comforter.  The enemy uses a major weapon to keep us from seeing and sharing God's Glory --  that is our words.  If our words don't carry 'life' (see the message from September 9) then we are not living as God wants; we are not sharing the character of Jesus with others.

Each day I have to remember--

"It's All About You"

Verses for Today
Ephesians 4:29-30 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


I thank God for allowing me to recognize His Glory in His Presence during worship. For me, I see His Glory through those who share His Word, His Love, His Blessings and His Peace.  I also give thanks that, as the song says: 'I will share eternity with You'