Please welcome Bec McMaster to The Qwillery. Bec is the author of the London Steampunk romance series: Kiss of Steel, Heart of Iron and, most recently, My Lady Quicksilver.
Up Close and Personal with Mercury
In the alternate world of the London Steampunk series, life for humans isn't exactly the same as it is for the ruling aristocratic blue bloods. Stricken by a craving virus that makes them stronger, faster and virtually unstoppable, the only drawback to being a blue blood is the insatiable craving for blood. Considered cattle by many, the only human who dares stand up against the blue bloods is the leader of the humanist movement, Mercury, the heroine of my latest book My Lady Quicksilver.
And after a rather succinct interview appeared in the London Standard with Sir Jasper Lynch, the Master of the Guild of Nighthawks tasked with capturing her, she's rather keen to set her side of the story straight:
To my Lord Nighthawk,
I found the interview with Lady Macklemore in the Society Papers of the London Standard (30 September) a rather amusing piece.
It seems the Prince Consort has given the Guild of Nighthawks - and yourself - the task of capturing me. I wish you much luck. So far the Nighthawks have been chasing their tails all across the city, in the wake of the burning of the draining factories and the bombing attempt on the Ivory Tower.
I daresay my humanists shall be tarred with such acts - what, shocked that I refute such a claim? - however the truth remains... that you have no true idea of the perpetrators. Should I have had a hand in such acts, I warn that both missions would have been successful and not thwarted by such lacklustre enemies, such as I find yourself.
To the people of London, I hasten to assure you that the humanist movement is only concerned with the despicable blue bloods who seek to rule our city. The one truth Sir Jasper rightly mentioned in his interview was that no harm should be dealt to such loyal and staunch members of the population as find themselves without the City limits. We fight for the rights of all humans and mechs, however those within the City must be warned that should such further attempts be made upon the blue bloods - again, not by our hand, but by this mysterious sub-group - one cannot predict who should be caught up in the extremes.
To the aristocratic Echelon who rule London - don't think yourself safe in your fancy mansions. The rumble of discontent fills the city. We humans are weary of your blood taxes and out-dated thrall contracts. I challenge you to change the laws, to give humans and mechs back the rights that they deserve before such malcontent swells to a roar.
As to Sir Jasper - your claim that you will capture me, no matter who I am, is a ludicrous statement. In truth, I could be anyone - man, woman or child - and you wouldn't know. Your efforts so far have proven fruitless, though I do enjoy a good chase. I welcome your attempts.
As a certain famous playwright - and literary detective - once stated: the game is afoot.
My dearest wishes,
Mercury
Open letter in the London Standard from 'Mercury', 4th October 1880
London Steampunk
My Lady Quicksilver
London Steampunk 3
Sourcebooks Casablanca, October 1, 2013
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
In the mist-shrouded streets of a steam-fueled London, a clockwork army is on the rise, vampire blue bloods rule the streets, and war is brewing...
I Will Come For You...
He will find her no matter what. As a blue-blooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he's indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?
It's his duty to turn her in—she's a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can't forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touch...
Heart of Iron
London Steampunk 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca, May 7, 2013
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
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
Dangerous. Unpredictable. That's how people know the hulking Will Carver. And those who don't like pretty words just call him The Beat. No matter how hard Will works to suppress his werewulfen side, certain things drive him beyond all control. And saucy Miss Lena Todd tops the list.
Lena makes the perfect spy against the ruling Echelon blue bloods. No one suspects that under the appearance of flirtatious debutante lies a heart of iron. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't wrap around her finger and the one man whose kiss she can never forget. He's supposed to be protecting her, but he might just be her biggest threat yet...
Kiss of Steel
London Steampunk 1
Sourcebooks Casablanca, September 4, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
He craves her like no other…
Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded Whitechapel district can she escape the long reach of the Duke of Vickers. But seeking refuge there will put her straight into the hands of Blade, legendary master of the rookeries. No one would dare cross him, but what price would he demand to keep her safe?
Ever since Vickers infected him with the craving, Blade has been quicker, stronger, almost immortal—and terrified of losing control of the monster within. Honoria could be his perfect revenge against the duke…or the salvation he never dared to dream of.
About Bec
The Giveaway
What: One commenter will win a copy of My Lady QUickslver (London Steampunk 3) by Bec McMaster from Sourcebooks. US/CANADA ONLY
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on October 24, 2013. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change at any time without prior notice*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Whether I win (fingers crossed!) or not, I am looking forward to reading My Lady Quicksilver. I very much enjoyed the first 2... :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying these extras from the characters' POVs on the blog tour. Lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting to get into Steampunk and this looks like a good series.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited cuz I'm finally starting this series! Thanks so much for sharing and congrats to Bec on the newest release!
ReplyDeleteI love Steampunk but the books were not that prevalent.
ReplyDeleteWhere have I been...book three already?! I have to go find book two right now!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read this author before
ReplyDeleteI've read Kiss of Steel and I loved Blade and Honoria! Though the cover is somewhat misleading about it's portrayal of Honoria. I'm so excited to read about Sir Jasper Lynch ever since his first mention cause he just seemed so mysterious and alpha material! Haha. :P Cool letter! Haha, very badass. :)
ReplyDelete