A little recipe for some Steampunk Romance
Steampunk can be made up of so many different elements, and exploring some of the great steampunk books out there is half the fun. There are steampunk-mysteries, sci-fi and even westerns. I come at it from a romance perspective, so my stories are definitely weighted on that end of the spectrum. For me, the romance is the main component of the series, with an equal mix of steampunk and paranormal in the world-building.
Here’s a little recipe for the type of steampunk I like to write in my London Steampunk series:
HEART OF IRON
Ingredients:
- 1 One pseudo-Victorian era
- 1 flirtatious debutante who just might be in over her head
- 1 reluctant verwulfen hero with ideas on how best to ‘protect’ the heroine
- Numerous blue bloods, verwulfen and automatons, oh my…
- 1 Puppet Queen
- 1 group of Humanists who seek to overthrow the ruling blue bloods
Combine with:
- a little fog and gloom, with lashings of gaslight
- several corsets
- one part steamy romance
- a touch of plotting and politics (Humanist plots, blue blood politics and verwulfen alliances)
- a pistol with exploding shot
- one hefty dose of action and adventure (kidnappings, heroic rescues and explosions)*
- a transforming clockwork that may or may not be intended for sinister purposes
- a few metaljacket automatons patrolling the streets in order to add a little spice.
Method:
Combine all ingredients. Stir. Turn up the heat. Taste. Add a little more character growth and conflict.
When it has reached its desired consistency, you should have one sexy steampunk romance called HEART OF IRON. Perfect for an afternoon’s reading or even a staying-up-until-midnight snack.
*At least one parasol was harmed in the making of this recipe. Numerous gloves were dispatched.
So what elements do you consider an essential part of the steampunk recipe? Let me know for a chance to win Kiss of Steel, book one in the London Steampunk series!
For a sneak peek at the London Steampunk world, I’m offering an e-novella called Tarnished Knight (set after Kiss of Steel and before Heart of Iron) for free download for the month of May. See here for details.
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.
To purchase Heart of Iron:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo | Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks
PRIZE ALERT: I’m happy to add a giveaway of Kiss of Steel, the first book in my London Steampunk series. US/CA residents only, please. Just post a comment below to be entered. Winner will be announced on Saturday!
Congratulations to Mary M! Thanks everyone!
0 COMMENTS
Kristin
12 years agoI absolutely adore Steampunk and would love to read this.
Have you seen the Steampunk house? http://www.onlinepropertyshowcase.com/showcase/10328/
Bec McMaster
12 years agoHi Kristin! That is the coolest house! I so want that study and the cute little writing desk!
Mary M.
12 years agoI think corsets and complicated brassworks, and a resourceful heroine are important to the recipe.
Thank you for TK!
emmasmom AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Bec McMaster
12 years ago@Mary M. You’ve hit the nail on the head with the bit about the resourceful heroine. I love the aesthetic part of the genre (corset etc.), but I also really love the fact that this is adventure and your hero/heroine need to drive it. In Heart of Iron (bk 2), my heroine is a debutante, and it was interesting to take someone who outwardly is pretty, flirtatious and loves fine fashion, and yet has the underlying drive to change her world. Everyone underestimates Lena, except the hero, and to take her full circle, to where she finally believes in herself, was a lot of fun.
Stephanie
12 years agoSuch beautiful covers. Love your stories. Such a unique twist on the vampire and werewolf genres.
Bec McMaster
12 years agoHi Stephanie! Thanks – I’m glad you enjoyed. One of the things I wanted to do was take those myths and make them my own – if I was going to ‘do a vampire’ then it needed to be something a little unique, and with my love of gothic horror, I thought, why not make it horrible and horrific. A real monster.
Liz S
12 years agoI really enjoyed Kiss of Steel and just downloaded Heart of Iron. Looking forward to reading it this weekend. Your stories are wonderful!
Bec McMaster
12 years agoHi Liz. I hope you enjoy my blood-fuelled little world and thank you!
Tina Christopher
12 years agoI love you cook;). The stories sound wonderful. I am adding them to my list.
Bec McMaster
12 years agoThanks Tina. I hope they offer something exciting for you – and a little steamy. The recipe was kinda fun to come up with.
bn100
12 years agoSounds interesting
bn100candg at hotmail dot com