Audiobook Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Narrated by Faye Adele

Series: The Iron Seas #1

The Iron Duke

The Iron Seas #2

Heart Of Steel

The Iron Seas Novellas

Here There Be Monsters

The Blushing Bounder

Genre: Steam-punk, romance

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Released: 1st November 2011

Length: 13 hrs and 23 minutes

Buy Link

Audible

Synopsis From Goodreads  

First in an all-new series where seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas.

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

 My Thoughts After and During Listening: 

Have you ever read a book that you love so much that you had to HAVE it in every format that is out there? I have, there aren't many of them but the few I found I try have them in every format that is available. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook is one of them. After reading the book on 2011, I fell in love with the story and it's characters immediately. And yes, I have all three formats, paperback, ebook and the audiobook.

I think I say enough times just how much I love this book. The series is another matter. But this book in particular is one of my personal favorite. Meljean is an awesome story teller, there are content in this book that is considered to be not suitable for everyone. Even so this book is worth every penny. I loved listening to The Iron Duke in Faye Adele's voice. Her narration of this time takes you to the world of The Iron Duke with Rhys and Mina. Around chapter 22 to 23 I needed to turn the fan up, if I thought reading about Rhys and Mina's love scene was hot of boy was I mistaken. Listening to Mina and Rhys, dear-god-my-ears-are-bright-red-and-i-don't-mind-dying-from-sheer-embarrassment. 

Finally, recommended to anyone who reads steam-punk romance.

I give this

About this author

Meljean Brook was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.

Find out more about Meljean Brook from her website / goodreads / blog / facebook / twitter

My Book Boyfriend: Archimedes Fox

This week my book boyfriend is, Archimedes Fox from Herat Of Steel by Meljean Brook.

Archimedes Fox is an adventurer often doing very stupid things. He can get away or talk his way out of absolutely anything. Zombies, death, machine tentacle hands anything at all.

What he wants to do most is fall in love with the one person that can kill him quite easily. Captain Corsair.

Name:Archimedes Fox also known as Wolfram Gunther Baptiste Age: unknown Occupation: Explorer. thief First seen: The Iron Duke and reappears in Heart Of Steel

Now in bits and pieces from Heart Of Steel to show you how sexy Fox is!

“If you wish to wash yourself, Mr. Fox, I will pretend not to notice.” A hoarse laugh escaped him, and was strangled when her hand slipped around, soaping those delicious ridges at his hip. “Be practical in this matter, Mr. Fox. We will wake up in Vienna, where we might be chased by zombies. You can try to run after staying awake half the night with a stiff cock, or try to hide what you are doing in your bunk—or you can take care of it now.”

“And who are you now?” “The man who plans to fall in love with you.” “Wolfram, then.” “No,” he said, and the gravity in his voice must have surprised her. She paused, looked back at him. “With you, I am always Archimedes.”

Two steps carried her to the cabin door. She opened it. And like a fool, looked back. Archimedes wasn’t angry anymore. His face had whitened, skin taut with shock and hurt, eyes bleak as if he were already watching her with another man. Pain slashed across her chest. She’d done that. She’d deliberately done that to him, hacking away at the bond that had formed between them. And if she stepped out of the cabin, she’d break it. Maybe she already had.

And that was Archimedes Fox. Josh Kloss played Archimedes quite nicely ;)

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by Missie from The Unread Reader. 

Review: Heart Of Steel by Meljean Brook

Heart Of Steel by Meljean Brook

Series: The Iron Seas #2

Genre: Stempunk, Sci-fi, Romance

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Released: November 1, 2011

My copy: ebook

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes & Nobel

The Iron Seas #1

The Iron Duke

Book synopsis from goodreads

Return to the gritty, alluring world of steampunk with the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Duke.  Growing up in the dangerous world of the Iron Seas, the mercenary captain of the airship Lady Corsair, Yasmeen, has learned to keep her heart hard as steel. Ruthless and cunning, her only loyalty is to her ship and her crew-until one man comes along and changes everything...Treasurehunter Archimedes Fox isn't interested in the Lady Corsair-just the captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. When it attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco- and straight into enemy hands.

My thoughts

It's been almost a year long wait after The Iron Duke release. After so anticipated wait for Heart Of Steel to come out, I have to say it was not disappointing. 

What I loved most about this book is Meljean Brook's word building and characters. Iron Seas is known for it's strong female role and Heart Of Steel is no different. Yasmeen or Captain Corsair is met with a tragedy in the very beginning which makes her team up with a very unlikely Archimedes Fox. 

Captain Corsair has made quite a name for herself with her tales. Her ship Lady Corsair is one of her greatest possession and something she deeply loves. However she doesn't let any man in on her heart.

As for Archimedes Fox, he  is hell bent to falling in love with her even if she doesn't return the sentiment. Archimedes is an adventurer and all he wants from Yasmeen is to let him love her. At the beginning of the agreement everything seem easy enough to Archimedes until finally he realized how much it would hurt if Yasmeen breaks his heart. 

Archimedes is not the alpha male we read about in stories, but he is capable of taking control. Just not when it comes to Yasmeen. His promise to let her be and he wouldn't undermine her stands till the very end. Even though Archimedes seems like an unlikely hero for Yasmeen, he was in many ways as Captain Corsair says, "Perfect for each other." 

Heart Of Steel was not heartbreaking like The Iron Duke, it had more humor in it. So the book ended with me smiling and not sobbing.

The cover still not an improvement in my opinion. The man candy was okay to look at but the cover just lacks the depth of the story.

Recommended to all who loves reading about Zombies, steampunk and romance.

I give this

 

Find out more about Meljean Brook from her
website/facebook/twitter

Waiting On Wednesday: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

Waiting On Wednesday hosted by Breaking The Spine

Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook Iron Seas #2 Released date: November 1st 2011 Growing up in the dangerous world of the Iron Seas, the mercenary captain of the airship Lady Corsair, Yasmeen, has learned to keep her heart hard as steel. Ruthless and cunning, her only loyalty is to her ship and her crew-until one man comes along and changes everything...Treasurehunter Archimedes Fox isn't interested in the Lady Corsair-just the captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. When it attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco- and straight into enemy hands.

I wish i could describe how much I really REALLY want this book. And now that there is barely two weeks left till the release date I am even more excited to have this in my hands.

Book Cover Revealed: Heart Of Steel

Heart Of Steel is the second book of The Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook. 

Heart Of Steel comes out in November 1st 2011.

My Trading Cards From Meljean Brook! YAY!

sQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I just had some scrumptious treat in my mail box!! 

I am still hyper from it *even though the mail was delivered last Wednesday. lol*

What did I recieved in that mail you ask?

Couple of weeks ago I won A set of trading cards from Meljean Brook and they arrived last Wednesday and they are ALL SIGNED BY Meljean! *squeeeeeeeeeee*

If you haven't read Meljean Brooks's Iron Seas series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!

Buy them, read them and don't forget to pre-order the sequel! I for one can not wait till November!

Here are the snapshots of the trading cards for you to ogle! ;)

Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Genre : Steam punk/romance

Publisher : Berkley (October 5, 2010)

Kindle Edition 384 pages

Purchased from Amazon

Book Synopsis- (Goodreads)

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power — and fear — of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans — and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

 Favorite quote from The Iron Duke

"He cupped her face in his hands, made her meet his gaze. Solemnly, he said, “I heard you say that when two people love each other, they fight through everything together. Every doubt, every challenge, every pain. Fight with me, Mina. Please. You are the only one for me, for as long as I live. And if you love me, fight with me." 

My Review

I am writing this review for the third time and still feel like I am not doing it Justice. I have never been sucked into a book like this. It’s made of all kind of freaking awesomeness.

At first I was a bit lost I admit. I didn’t get why we were talking blacksmith Horde world. Then I find out The Iron Duke is the second book to The Iron Seas series. I had to go back to the first one “Here There Be Monster” to understand this world a bit better. While it didn’t explain the whole thing but it definitely helped a lot. And OMFG! not enough Mad Machen and Ivy. More on that later let’s talk about Mina and Rhys.

The Iron Duke starts with detective Inspector Wilhelmina Wentworth, investigating a murder which took place at Rhys Trahaearn, a former pirate captain, and recently titled The Duke of Anglesey. Now when I started this I was prepared for no sex at all. The time period mentioned, just made me think yeah maybe a bit of romance a peck on the lips and boy was I wrong!

Mina is a strong female character which makes this book so great. There were moments where I was sure she would just give in and throw her arms around Rhys and let him carry her off to the sunset. But no. she stood strong till the very end. A+ for Mina.

She travels dangerous paths to rescue her brother with the help of the Iron Duke. Mina is not ready to give in to romance that’s until Rhys steps in. Rhys plays dirty, he is an opportunities and everything vulgar.

It’s easy to fall in love with the leading man. So was Rhys. I like them shameless vulgar and pirate URGH!

But there was moments where I thought oh my god he did not just offer her that!! I am ready to stop liking him then he goes into parliament so Mina’s doesn’t have to accept his offer, she comes with him willingly *it’s a heavy spoiler so I am staying away from that*

How can I not love him, when he sees Mina he has an exceeded amount of lust for her, his behavior towards her is a mixture of pirate and sorta gentleman.

Their journey to rescue Mina’s brother leads into something more. Being born in the Horde world Mina restrain herself from falling for Rhys and Rhys is just not ready to let her go. We find out just what he is willing to do have her.

NOW the big ending, I am a big angstville person, I practically live there. Lols. Two to three pages left and I am in tears. And incredibly enough when I thought no HEA was possible

Meljean Brooks delivers just that. A perfect ending with a me sniffling.

I really loved this book. Meljean Brooks is an wonderful storyteller.

The Iron Duke has become one of my favorite books. I cannot wait for the next Iron Seas series.

  

My rating for this book