In Anticipation: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

I promise not to make a comment
 about the sword placement. Oh, wait...

You know, I am absolutely a series reader; I general like to be able to hang on to characters and written worlds for a period spanning one book. But even so, there isn't a gaggle of books/series over which I lose my mind with anticipation. There were really only two such books for me thus far in 2011 (Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield and The Renfield Syndrome by J. A. Saare), and in November there will be a third. In 2010, author Meljean Brook published what is perhaps my favorite steampunk book, The Iron Duke. The world that was created was original and riveting. Here's the word on the followup

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
     Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.
      When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

...man o' man. Both Yasmeen and Archimedes appeared in The Iron Duke, and even then it was clear that sparks will fly when the two are put within close range of each other. Both are really intense as individuals, too--particularly the memorable, fiery, and independent Yasmeen. They ended the last book on the most antagonistic of terms, so it will be a lot of fun getting to see how they make nice and play together. And beyond the couple, it looks like this book will involve an adventure in Horde territory. The Horde up until now have been a largely unseen--though considerable--threat. It's high time to see the opposition up close and personal.

The cover of this book is sufficiently delightful. :o) I think I still prefer the first book's to this one's, but it's definitely worthy of the story that contains it. The In fact, is that the same cover model on both covers?


Meljean Brook's book, Heart of Steel, (The Iron Seas, #2) will be released on November 1 by Berkley Sensation. An excerpt from chapter two can be found here.


Books in the Series (from author website; not including short stories)
Book 1: The Iron Duke, published October 5, 2010
Book 2: Heart of Steel, expected publication November 1, 2011 by Berkley
Book 3: Riveted, expected publication late 2012