Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts - Book Review

Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts
by Heather Massey
(ebook, novella)

What is it about:
The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission... Scientific achievement isn't enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits…until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet's father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.

A man with a secret... Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can't let Violet waltz into the villain's lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she's also the most compelling woman he's ever known.

A perilous quest... Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father's latest invention and the world's most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan's resistance isn't clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion's diabolical devices, and by then, it's far too late.

What did I think of it:
This is a very entertaining Western Steampunk romp.

Although there's a romance it doesn't take front seat. Instead this story is very action driven and it's cool action I can tell you. I loved the setting and the atmosphere of the story. It reminded me of the movie Wild Wild West in a good way.

Both Violet and Logan are fun characters and even though it's clear from the start that Logan isn't who Violet assumes he is I was rooting for them to succeed in their endeavors. I liked how Violet wasn't a helpless damsel in distress, instead she could handle herself and at times she was the one who saved the day.

The romance is subtle, maybe too subtle for those people who are looking for a passionate romance, but for me it worked. There's a definite connection between Violet and Logan, but because of the circumstances they find themselves in they can't act on it.

All in all this is a fun, quick read with lots of cool action and a nice romance to top it off. I hope Massey will write more stories in this setting.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Western Steampunk Adventure Romance.


Expected publication: February 4th 2013 by Lyrical Press