1016 Followers
78 Following
Twimom227

That's What I'm Talking About

I generally review romance, paranormal and urban fantasy. I tend to pick review books that I want to read, so generally my reviews will be positive. I always give my honest opinion: good, bad, and indifferent. 

 

Note: on my blog I use a letter grading system. I've listed the ratings below. For sites with stars, I have listed the equivalent rating. If I didn't finish the book, I will not rate it with stars.

 

A+  Personal Favorite (5 stars)
A    Loved It (4.5 or 5 stars)
A-   Enjoyed A Lot (4 or 4.5 stars)
B+  Liked It A Lot (4 stars)
B    Liked It -- Recommend (4 stars)
B-   Liked It -- But I had a few small issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C+  Liked It -- But I had issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C    Finished It -- Liked some, didn't like some (3 stars)
C-   Finished It -- Liked a little, didn't like a lot (2 or 2.5 stars)
D    Not A Big Fan (2 stars)
E    Don’t Waste Your Time (1 star)
----
TW: Reading this book was like watching a Train Wreck
DNF: Did Not Finish

 

updated July 9, 2015

Currently reading

Operation: Endgame (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Book 6) (English Edition)
Philippa Ballantine, Jeanne H. Ballantine, William Morris
Just You and Me (A Contemporary Romance Collection)
Fiona Miers, Caitlyn Lynch, Liz Durano, Deelylah Mullin, Cate Farren, Jacquie Biggar, Vicki Batman, Kate Richards, Brenna Zinn, Dalton Diaz, Tierney O'Malley, Desiree Holt, Nicole Morgan, Ashlyn Chase
Bitter Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 14
Audible Studios, Jennifer Estep, Lauren Fortgang
Progress: 27 %
Heart of Iron - Bec McMaster My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Will Carver, protector of Blade - master of the rookeries, is a verwulfen with a bounty on his head. Known as the Beast of Whitechapel, he helps Blade keep order, something Will cannot find within his own life. For more than three long years he’s desired Ms. Lena Todd, but knows he can never have her, and that fact drives him crazy every day.

Meanwhile, Lena has moved back to live with her (secret) half-brother, Leo Barrons, a blue-blood member of the Echelon. Fleeing life in the rookeries after Will rebuffed her advances a year ago, she attempts to make her way through society, playing their games in hopes she will find a place to fit in. But when she learns about the Humanists, a group interested in overthrowing the ruling Echelon, she begins to help the illegal society - hoping someday she’ll find some sort of happiness.

It comes as a complete shock to both Will and Lena that the Prince Consort and four of the more “liberal” members of the council of Dukes want to form a treaty with the verwulfen clans of Scandinavia, and they want to enlist the help of Will to smooth the waters. In exchange for his aid, the council is willing to change the laws regarding the treatment of verwulfen. In order to learn proper etiquette and fit in, Will ropes Lena into tutoring him - bringing the pair together almost daily.

Heart of Iron is a suspenseful tale of political maneuvering among the classes with a paranormal twist that ups the ante. To try and describe the complexities and nuances of the blue bloods (pre-vampires), verwulfen and human factions in this review would be a great disservice to this book; however, it is not so intricate that one cannot easily read and enjoy this tale.

The entire mix of intrigue created an exciting read. I was leery of everyone except our main characters - but most especially of the slimy Alaric Colchester, Duke of Lannister. His intensions for Lena are anything but honest and pure, and I was on edge every time Lena thought he was near. Adding to the tension are the Humanist leaders who may or may not be threatening Lena with her brother’s life so that she’ll betray Will and her own heart. Knowing that this threat put Lena in an impossible situation in which she would have to destroy Will or see her brother hurt created a stressful circumstance. I enjoyed every moment!

Although the suspense makes Heart of Iron a thrilling read, it’s the budding romance between Lena and Will that make this book such a wonderful story. The pair long for each other, but each has a set of expectations and rules that govern they stay apart. For years, Lena would “test the waters” with flirtatious games - wanting Will to respond, but fear of rejection, or even acceptance, keeping her distanced. There was no honesty for so long, that when the barriers started to crumble, it was intense. Frankly, Will broke my heart a few times during the book, especially after Lena would open up her heart and he’d push away. Normally that kind of behavior in a romance is a turn off for me. Yet, Ms. McMaster spins a beautiful broken web that grows stronger over time. There are so many interactions between the pair that I just adored. Ms. McMaster was able to convey every emotional moment with such clarity that I laughed and cried right along side the characters. The lead up to the conclusion was an emotional masterpiece - bringing me to tears as the entire gang from Whitechapel came together.

The back and forth nature of Will and Lena’s relationship created intense sexual tension. Their first real kiss was passionate and needy and so wonderful. With every encounter, the heat ratcheted up a notch, and I swear my face flushed for a few moments.

Once again, Ms. McMaster ends her story with a bang that leaves this reader anxious for more. Although the primary story within Heart of Iron comes to a satisfying conclusion, the events of the climatic ending will have substantial impacts to the Echelon, verwulfen, humanists and our friends in the rookeries. Add to that an interesting epilogue, and I am hooked, wondering what will happen next.

Overall, I found Heart of Iron extremely well-written and highly entertaining. The story hit highs and lows, causing me to laugh, my heart to race, and I even shed some tears. Will and Lena's developing love was sweet and passionate. Their sexual tension was palatable. Even though the pair kept secrets, and I was frustrated with the number of times Will pushed Lena away after she opened her heart to him, it didn't ruin the story. Rather it surprisingly enhanced the overall outcome and made for a richer love story. The layers of mystery were complex but didn't weigh down the progress of the plot. And although the story isn't over, Heart of Iron had a fulfilling conclusion. I cannot wait to read My Lady Quicksilver, coming in October.