BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY - HEART OF IRON by BEC MCMASTER - INTERVIEW with AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR - BEC MCMASTER - SOURCEBOOKS

Today on Novels On The Run it is a bit busy so I have the second blog tour for the day. I would like to welcome Australian kickass author, Bec McMaster to the blog. I am  doing a Q & A with her and I also have an International giveaway for 1 x copy of Kiss of Steel. This is book # 1 in the London Steampunk series.

Big thankyou to Sourcebooks sponsoring this giveaway.

My review for Kiss Of Steel & Tarnished Knight # 1.5

Michelle

SYNOPSIS - HEART OF IRON # 2

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…

INTERVIEW

Michelle:   What 5 words describe Bec McMaster the author?

BM: Hmm, I'll go with: creative, introverted, driven, optimistic, book-nerd.


Michelle:  I have a steampunk addiction. I am glad to see more and more steampunk stories being written. Do you have a genre addiction, or a particular author addiction?

BM: I'm so excited to see so many steampunk romances coming out in particular. It means I get to feed my own addiction and obviously I love anything weird and steampunky, but outside that genre it would be Urban Fantasy. The darker and grittier, the better. Hence my author addiction would be Stacia Kane.

OO Yes! I love Stacia Kane too. She writes Chess, one of my fave female leads so well.


Michelle:   Is there a song that you listened to, or you felt captured each of your books when writing? Please choose a song for each title:

BM:  I rarely listen to playlists or music when I write, but I'll give you a couple of songs I like:

Kiss of Steel:

Fighter by Christina Aguilera - this would be for Honoria

http://youtu.be/E_tj4HqBn6k

Tarnished Knight:

Hearts A Mess by Gotye

Heart of Iron:

Heavy in Your Arms by Florence and the Machine

http://youtu.be/V_eOmvM-4zc

My Lady Quicksilver (in stores October 2013):

Chop Suey from System of Down

http://youtu.be/UuEwQ6KqutY

Michelle:  I like to ask musical questions when I interview as it is different and sometimes challenging, or not, for the author, but I think the author’s response with the song they choose adds that bit more to a character. I like to put the YouTube lyrical clips up in the interview. Readers seem to like them. I find it interesting hearing what songs authors choose. I’ve had some great responses from some great authors.

What song best describe each of these individual characters:

BM:

Blade (hero in Kiss of Steel): 

Rock DJ by Robbie Williams - It's the swagger.

http://youtu.be/4BVi2HB9HAY

Rip (hero in Tarnished Knight):

Rolling in the Deep by Adele.

Will (hero in Heart of Iron): 

Bullet with Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins.

http://youtu.be/8-r-V0uK4u0

Jasper (hero in My Lady Quicksilver):

Stepping Stones by Duffy

http://youtu.be/Li0lBxAbvzk

Michelle:   What five words best describe each of these characters:

BM:

Blade: alpha, charmer, reckless, devilish, loyal.

Honoria: stubborn, proud, loyal, strong, clever.

Will: surly, protective, withdrawn, sexy, lone-wolf.

Lena: flirtatious, romantic, naive, optimist, crusader.

Jasper: dutiful, strict, clever, patient, honest.



Michelle:  Can you share a short excerpt from one of your favorite scenes in Heart of Iron?

BM: My favourite scene is a little too spoiler-ish, but I'll give you a quote from it instead. This is my hero, Will:


“I will give you the world,” he whispered, stroking the hair off her forehead. “I will protect you, I swear. I’ll never let you hurt again, I promise. Just come back, Lena. Come back and let me love you.”

I love this quote. I have it noted for my review as one of my faves when I was reading Heart of Iron.

Michelle:  Are there any other projects you are working on you could discuss? Will you always write in steampunk genre or is there another genre that interests you?

BM: Steampunk is one of my great loves, however I like anything of a spec-fic nature: dystopian, paranormal, fantasy, post-apoc, sci-fi etc. I tend not to define myself so much by genre - for me, the world is what's important and when it comes to me, it's often a mash-up of several different 'sub-genres'. The one thing I can guarantee? The romance.

As for things I'm working on... I have about six pieces in serious stages of progress, but we'll see how they go. I don't have a lot of time at the moment to write anything else, or even, you know, sleep. (:


Michelle:  I can see from the blurbs in this series that you are giving each of your guys a story and a woman. What will be the common theme that will link the books together, for those readers that haven’t started this series?

BM: Wow, I can't give too much away! The main arc is that we're building toward a confrontation, and that is all I will say on that. As for common themes in each book: family, finding your place in the world, and trust. They're my big three that seem to crop up in each book.


Michelle:  You write such rich story line and awesome characters! How much research did you need to do to get yourself off and running in the steampunk world.

BM: Thank you. I don't sit down and research before I start writing. I'll be honest, the main plot is my focus, and I research and add things in as I go along. The world just seems to pop up in my head, so I'm discovering it as much as my reader. That being said, with steampunk, I definitely need to know where history diverged in my series, as well as thinking of the possible ramifications of that. And of course, the gadgets. I love exploring what people have discovered over the years. It always amazes me what minds came up with centuries ago, but never seemed to get around to building - or didn't have the tech at the time to create it. So, for me steampunk is saying that those ideas were possible. In my world, they created it.


Michelle:   If you could invite 4 people/characters over for dinner, alive or fictional or dead, who would they be and why?

BM: I love this question. Let's see:

1. Meljean Brook, because I love her work.

2. Tom Hardy for the eye candy.

3. Wolverine.

4. Francis Crawford from the Dorothy Dunnett Lymond Chronicles.

Michelle:  The cover art for your series is just stunning. You must be very proud of the designer. Do you have poster sized images around your home framed, or do you do something else to capture your books at home, besides a copy sitting on a shelf?

BM: My mother-in-law framed Kiss of Steel for me for Christmas (I have the coolest M-I-L) but I'll admit I need to get my game on and create a wall somewhere.


Michelle:  Some authors get movie deals, TV series deals, get to meet somebody famous, what opportunities have opened up for you since becoming published, that you never dreamt were possible.

BM: I'm going to the Romance Writers of American National Conference this year, which I am beside myself for. For me, it's the idea of meeting so many of my favourite authors that thrills me. The main opportunity I'm looking at, however, is going full-time with my writing after I get back from America. It doesn't quite cover my wages yet, but I have the best boyfriend - he was the one who told me to do it. I'm giving myself two years to cover my wage, so fingers crossed I can keep doing what I love full-time.


Michelle: What has been a most memorable book signing you have been to and why, or meeting of another author you admired?

BM: I'd have to say my own book launch for Kiss of Steel. I've only ever been to one other book signing (Nalini Singh signed my book, yay!), but when KOS launched, heaps of local people showed up. There was 130 of us packed into the library, which was both amazing and terrifying, considering I like public speaking about as much as sticking my head in a tub full of eels.


Michelle:   If you could choose a chocolate or ice cream flavour that suited your life where you are now, what would it be?

BM: Maybe bubblegum? Full of surprises, but lots of fun.


Michelle: Thank you Bec for answering my questions, look forward to reading more in this exciting steampunk series :) 

BM: Thanks for having me!

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. 

GIVEAWAY TIME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I meant to say Kiss Of Steel is the book giveaway, not Heart of Iron, I got confuzzed, sorry.

BOOK REVIEW - TARNISHED KNIGHT by BEC McMASTER - LONDON STEAMPUNK # 1.5 - NOVELLA - SELF PUBLISHED - ADULT STEAMPUNK

By: Bec McMaster

Published By : Self Published

Released : Available Now

Details: Digital, 162 Pages, Novella

RATING : 4.5 RIP STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

In the steam-fuelled world of Victorian London, vampires, werewolves and slasher gangs stalk the night and a man made partly of metal is about to discover just how far he'll go to protect the woman he loves…

After a vicious vampire attack left him struggling to leash the dark urges of the craving virus, John "Rip" Doolan thinks he's finally starting to master the darkness within. The only thing that threatens to shatter his hard-won control is Esme, his closest friend and the only woman he's ever wanted. If the stubborn beauty ever realized precisely what was going through his mind, their friendship would be ruined.

For six months, Esme has waited for Rip to recover and take her as his thrall, not daring to hope for more. Too afraid to put her heart on the line, she is devastated when Rip reveals that he never had any intentions of making her his.

But when a savage gang of Slashers start causing havoc in Whitechapel, Rip and Esme have no choice. They must face up to the depth of the passion that burns between them and forge a new relationship…or risk losing each other forever.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I love this series, it is one of my fave adult steampunks. Bec really knows how to write a tale rich in description and storyline.

This is Rip and Esme’s novella. It felt like a full length book.

I see Bec’s world very clearly and it is a dark and dangerous world on her streets. I can almost smell and touch all the filth and blood from her scenes. I feel like I have stepped back into the 1800’s with the accents and harshness of life for many of the people. Death for some is just around the corner.

The Slasher Gang are like a bunch of Jack The Rippers out to do horrid things to people. They really play the part well.

Higgin’s smile died. “You’ll know me fuckin’ name by the end o’ this. I’ll carve it in your bloody forehead.”

Blade showed up * does happy dance*

“All this,” Blade called, “just to get me attention? Should ‘ave just left your callin’ card. I mighta gotten round to you. in the end.”

I loved seeing him and watching his meddling in affairs that are not his own, but they are part of his new family. Sometimes a guy just has to give a helpful nudge in the right direction.

Rip , unfortunately has no idea about Esme’s feelings . He has his own fears after only being a Blue Blood for six months and he wants to stay in control. He is battling to stay in control.

When he gets to unleash the smexi, OMG! John knows how to bring it! He can be so brave and fearsome, then, sweet and naive and the next minute so virile.

A roughened thumb traced the tear’s path. “Fuckin’ hell,” he said in a breathless, bewildered tone. “Christ, luv. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I ain’t worth that.”

I really like Rip aka John. He is a gentle guy underneath all that man mountain and a thoughtful guy. He has an image that shows others to fear him, but Esme knows the real John.

Loved the ending to this novella and the possibility of.........

That would be spoiling!

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - KISS OF STEEL by BEC McMASTER - LONDON STEAMPUNK #1 - AWESOME!!!!! - 5 STARS!!

By: Bec McMaster
Published By: Source Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Digital, Thru Netgalley , 432 Pages

RATING : 5 SMEXI COCKNEY BLADE STARS!!

Blurb: Goodreads

"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 Whitecapel 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.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :

fortes fortuna juvat 

fortune favours the bold 

This is one of my favourite adult, Victorian era steampunk books I have read. I absolutely adored this book.

Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk series, I am very grabby, grabby for more.

Much, much, more.

Whitechapel is our backdrop and the world she has spun for us is dark, dangerous and smexi with creatures of the night and dangers lurking underground waiting for prey to stumble by.

Hovering on the biggest break through since Darwin’s hypotheses, Honoria’s father is murdered, her mother already dead.

Honoria Todd , 24 years old , must make ends meet to keep her 17 yr old sister Lena and her sickly 14 year old brother Charlie, fed and clothed and off the dangerous streets. Every day she lives a lie to save her family from the dangers surrounding them, the Slasher gang, starving to death, and the Echelon finding them.

The villain of the story is Vickers. He wants Honoria.

Honoria has her father’s dairies. Vickers wants them.

Enter Blade, the cockney, rogue blue blood with a cheroot dangling between his bare fingers. From the word go, Blade is a very impressive character. He rules the Rookeries with the aid of his two Lieutenants, Will Carver and Rip at his side. Blade knows everything that goes on inside the rookeries. He knows Honoria needs protection and he is going to be the one to talk her into it, even if he has to bargain with her. She is stubborn, arrogant, proud and brave.

And he loves to call her ‘dove’ and ‘luv’.

What I love about Blade’s character is he is not himself around Honor, he tries to win her trust, taking gentler steps with her. She frustrates him... but when he loves her...oooo weeeeeee!!

There are many layers to Blade and I loved watching those layers peel back. I loved watching his dangerous side emerge. * waggles eyebrows* 

All the sub characters have really cool names and ‘feel’ trustworthy. Will, Tin Man, Rip, Lark, Lady Aramina ( well, she’s maybe not trustworthy )and Leo Barrons, are all described so well. I could see them all in my head. I would love to see some artwork of these characters. Bec has my head full of her world. I would love to see this series made into a movie. I could even see this as a tv series.

The Steampunk side to this story is wonderful to read. Bec has made her Victorian world for these characters very lively with the mechanics of steampunk.

The dialect with some of the character’s speech, really made Bec’s world feel more 3D. I felt very much a part of Bec’s world, almost like I had been sucked into the pages and was wandering these filthy and dangerous streets, talking all cockney .

I really did ‘see’ the dark , dirty and dangerous streets, and the colourful characters trying to earn a living.

Kiss Of Steel has action, mystery, twists, cockney flavour, smexi lads, originality, villains, depth, murder and Blade.

Now here’s a lad that is going to win some hearts, “Aye , luv.”

FAVE QUOTES :

He glared at her. “Just take the damn thing and eat it. This is the rookery, luv. Ain’t no rules ‘bout what you can and can’t accept from a man. Your stomach rumblin’s fit to drive a man barmy.”



“’A.’ For arm.” He returned to the start and began the soft, lush curves of the next letter. “’ B.’” His gaze travelled down her throat to her bosom, and he leaned closer, his voice lowering hypnotically. “For ....brow.” A devilish little smile.

...’” C.’” Another suggestive curve. “For cheek.” His breath brushed against her neck as he slowly leaned closer.

...”’D,’” he whispered, feeling the coolness of his breath stir across her skin. “For dimples. Me favourite bit.” Reaching out he started tracing the curve of the “D”across her wrist with his tongue. This close he could smell the come-hither scent of her lush body.

He looked up from her wrist, his tongue swirling through the intricate points of an “E”.

Barrons was watching with his arms crossed over his chest. Just as he’d suspected. Blade gave him another chilling smile. “Mine, ” he mouthed silently, knowing Barrons could read his lips.



“Honor,” he murmured, his fingers stroking her toes a he caught her gaze. “Bein’a blue blood’s thrall...It’s an intimate thing. You’ll need to get used to it. To me.”

“I know it’s intimate.”

...He dug his thumb into the arch of her foot. “I ain’t talkin’ ’bout just puttin’ me mouth on you. About tastin’you.”

Michelle

P.S. LOVE the cover art!

Love that Bec is Australian!!

Bec McMaster Web Page

Bec Twitter