Sunday, March 15, 2015

Of Silk and Steam by Bec McMaster

Title:  Of Silk and Steam
Series:  London Steampunk #5
Author:  Bec McMaster
Published:  March 3/15 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Length:  416pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  steampunk romance
Shelf:  review
Rating: ★★★★

Back Cover Blurb:

Enemies. Allies. Lovers.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina's long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she's hiding something, and he's determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn't expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort… or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.

Excerpt:

Barrons looked at her. “Do you trust me?”

“No.” His father would have cut her down without thinking, but Barrons was an enigma. If he were a different man, she would have enjoyed his attentions, but a part of her couldn’t help wondering if his pursuit of her was just a way to get closer, to slip the knife in when she least expected it…

Could she trust that he meant her no harm?

His hand tightened around hers, dark heat sweeping through his irises. He focused on her so intently that she could almost feel it on her skin. “Then let us call a temporary truce for tonight. I shall help you escape. In return…”

“Yes?”

His voice roughened. “I want a kiss.”

A kiss. Tension slid sinuously along her limbs, each muscle clenching. Those motives she could certainly understand. It didn’t mean she had to like them.

Wariness spread through her as he lifted his hand and slowly, carefully brushed the back of his fingers against her lips. She didn’t flinch. Instead she tipped her chin up and glared him down. “Help me escape and I shall grant you such a liberty.” What harm could a single kiss do? “Until then”—she took a step back, her skirts swishing around her ankles—“I’ll thank you to keep your hands to yourself.”

His hand dropped but the ghostly sensation of that touch lingered, reminding her that it had been a long time since she’d been touched in any way intimately, and never like this. Never…soft. Full of gentleness, as if the very sensation of her skin beneath his was a pleasure in itself, not merely a step to greater satisfaction.

He was far more dangerous than she’d ever suspected, and she’d known, since the first moment she’d met him, that he was dangerous indeed. He was the only man who had ever managed to make her feel something.

My Review:

McMaster writes in a polished yet fun & inviting style that really allows you to enter the story full force. She brings her work to life in the most unique of ways. The storyline kept me hooked with plot twists galore, yet never throwing anything at me out of left field. McMaster uses intrigue to her advantage in this intricately crafted tale, ratchetting up the suspense throughout. Her narrative and descriptive style brings this Steampunk world to life in a very vivid manner.

The cast in this novel was well developed. They were the perfect individuals for this tale, making an enjoyable story even better. The interactions between the characters are exciting, tension filling the air until it is palpable. Chemistry & enmity vie for a place while the characters win your heart. Although these characters are ultimately introduced earlier in the series, it’s not strictly necessary to have read the entire series to enjoy their story here to the utmost.

This fast paced, wildly imaginative tale will take you on a trip like no other. It’s a fantastic read for those looking for something out of the ordinary.


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