Playing with the work-in-progress, Forged by Desire. Here’s a little teaser for your sunday. Our heroine is feeling the slight after-effects of a bottle of blud-wein and wondering what may – or may not  - have happened the night before, when our hero very solicitously put her to bed.

“Not going to ask me?”

“Ask you what?” Her eyes narrowed.

“If I peeked.” G——’s eyes twinkled over the top of his cup.

“I know you didn’t peek,” she replied, feeling all flushed and bothered. Damn him. “You’re too much of a gentleman.”

“Sometimes I’m not.” His voice turned soft; drugging. “Sometimes I’m not a gentleman at all.”

*Please note: completely unedited and whether this appears in the final version or not is up to my editor. But it’s a fun scene, so I don’t see why not.

Have a great weekend!

Also, has everyone downloaded their free copy of Tarnished Knight? Because the price may be changing in a week or two… If not, check out the Books page for instructions on how to download.

Enjoy paranormal romance? Fantasy romance? Urban fantasy? Post-apocalyptic romance? Steampunk romance?

Would you jump at a chance or three to win a box full of these sorts of books?

Who, what, where, when and how can I win? – I hear you cry!

The Giveaway Goodies

Well, 9 Aussie paranormal romance authors have banded together and each have donated books and swag from their latest series to go into the Aussie Author Giveaway - three huge giveaway packages which will be on display at some of the specialty romance bookstores here in Australia.

Please note that I’m including a personally signed ARC of My Lady Quicksilver – which is the third book in London Steampunk and isn’t available anywhere else at this stage. For my international readers – unfortunately this is an Australia-only giveaway, but I promise I’ll be holding giveaways of My Lady Quicksilver ARC’s closer to its release. The best way to keep apprised of these giveaways is by liking my Facebook Page.

The second box of authorly-goodness will reside at Rosemary’s Romance Bookstore (Queensland) right through July 2013.

The third box of giveaway-fun will be with Galaxy Books (Sydney) over August 2013.

All readers have to do is order a book (or books) from these stores in the designated giveaway month – either in person or online. You’ll earn one entry per purchase in the Giveaway. The prize winner will be drawn at the end of the month and the Aussie Author Giveaway box of goodies will be posted to you.

NB. Due to postage costs, entry is restricted to Australian readers.

So, come on Aussies, come on! Support your specialty romance bookstores, get to know some local Aussie authors – and you could find a huge parcel of books in your mailbox at the end of June or July!

Participating Authors:

Christina Ashcroft

Erica Hayes

Keri Arthur

Kylie Griffin

Rowena Cory Daniells

M.J.Scott

Shona Husk

AKA Kiss of Steel is out in Audiobook!

I received a very cool package in the post from my agent, Jessica Faust of Bookends – because she knows how to brighten someone’s day! A package of audiobooks from Tantor!

The first thing I did was put it on, which was a very interesting experience as it’s my first time listening to an audiobook. Narrator Alison Larkin sounds very prim and proper, which is perfect for Honoria. As for Blade and his wicked accent… I wonder if she gets a bonus for having to work with difficult material? I also wonder if narrator’s relish jobs like this (woo-hoo, a challenge) or are like, ‘Man, who drew the short straw?’

And look at this cover! Isn’t it dark and delicious! I loves it!

So if you’re keen to grab a copy:

Tantor stock them here.

Amazon have it here.

And Barnes and Noble are here.

As an aside, do many readers out there listen to audiobooks?

So it has just occurred to me that it is May, Heart of Iron is out and I haven’t updated my blog in a while. This should tell you something about the life of authors…

Consider this a belated release post!

Heart of Iron is the second book in my sexy London Steampunk series. Want to follow the blog tour? There are copies of Kiss of Steel (the first in the series) up for grabs as well as loads of interesting facts about the series and probably some less interesting ones about me. Like, I have an addiction to Spartacus, hence the pits scene in Kiss of Steel.

Anyway, travels so far:

2nd May

-How to create a hero at http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=494

3rd May

- Some interesting facts whilst researching the series at http://www.delightedreader.com/posts/guest-author-fun-historical-facts-whilst-researching-with-beth-mcmaster/

7th May

- Interview at Romancing the Darkside at http://romancingthedarkside.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/author-interview-with-bec-mcmaster-win.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

8th May

- Official Launch party and exclusive excerpt at http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/launch-party-for-heart-of-iron.html

10th May

- Step right up and check out my carnival piece over at http://www.paranormalhaven.com/2013/05/spring-carnival-guest-post-and-giveaway_10.html#more

- Also at Book Lovin’ Mamas for an interview http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/interview-giveaway-with-bec-mcmaster.html

So what is being said about Heart of Iron:

“An engrossing, thrilling sequel.” - Tynga’s Reviews

“HEART OF IRON is so impressive, it deserves a seal of excellence! Like moths to a flame, readers will be drawn to the world and characters McMaster has created. Make room on your keeper shelves… ” -Fresh Fiction

“Intriguing… [readers will] love the sexy, action-packed narrative. ” - Publishers Weekly

“McMaster’s second London Steampunk Book dazzles and seduces… will leave readers breathless. 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick of the Month! ” - RT Book Reviews

“Heart of Iron is another delightful romp through steampunk London with political intrigue, humanist plots and skullduggery at every turn. ” - Book Chick City

“Bec McMaster does an excellent job of continuing the world and story from Kiss of Steel. Will and Lena’s story was action packed, always interesting and a great love story” - Simply Sweet Books

“Edgy, dark, and shot through with a grim, gritty intensity, McMaster’s latest title adds to her mesmerizing steampunk series with another gripping, inventive stunner. Starred Review” - Library Journal

“Bec McMaster brilliantly weaves a world that engulfs your senses and takes you on a fantastical journey.” - Tome Tender

“Heart of Iron is an exciting, intense and wonderfully romantic read which drags you through balls full of predators and deep underground full of dirty scavengers… till you can’t decide which are more dangerous.” - Nocturnal Book Reviews

“Phenomenal… There are elements of paranormal, historical and steampunk effortlessly combined for a completely unique series. ” - Where the Night Kind Roam

Just a little teaser today:

“So,” Adele murmured, resting her head against the carriage seat. She was still snuggled in the black coat. “Tell me about this Will.”

“Hmm?” Lena looked up from where she’d been smoothing her skirts. “What about him?”

Adele’s eyes narrowed. A hint of her old spark was starting to warm her cheeks. “He looks like he wants to eat you up, Lena. And not in a scary manner.”

“Will? He does nothing of the sort! He’s made it quite–” And then she stopped, aware of what she was about to reveal.

“Quite…?” Adele prompted. When Lena said nothing, a weary smile stretched over her face. “You do realize I’m not going to leave it there, my dear.”

So, Tarnished Knight is up on Kindle and is priced at $2.99. There’s probably a few of you going, “But I thought it was free for the next month?”

Unfortunately, that’s just the way kindle works. I can put it up there, but I have to choose a price. They don’t offer ‘Free’. All I can do is wait until they realise its free on other sites and price match it. I’ve also sent them a helpful request to let them know its cheaper elsewhere, which is about the best I can do in this situation. I’m just hoping nobody feels ripped off.

On the other hand, it is still available at smash words, which even has a helpful kindle addition, so if anyone wants it specifically for kindle – there is a free version out there. It’s at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303447

Today I’m talking novellas and the good and bad of writing them over at http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/tarnished-knight.html

What do you think? Love or loathe? Perfect for an afternoon, or not enough story? Also, what do you think authors get right or wrong about writing them?

As the first winner I drew was comment 35 (oh wait, that’s me), we had a swift redraw.

Our lucky winners are:

Comment 22 – Nicole Farr

Comment 17 – Victoria S

Could you guys please let me know your addresses? Just email me at becmcmaster (at) bigpond (dot) com

Some great entries from the giveaway – I love that so many of you see Blade and Honoria in so many different ways and casting books is always fun. So I thought I’d showcase a few of the actors up for consideration from the giveaway comments (look it’s Sunday, everybody needs some hunks on a Sunday). I’m only showcasing a random few, because there were heaps and I need time to write today.

For Blade:

Joseph Morgan

If anyone’s seen Vampire Diaries, you’d know that Joseph can play a deliciously evil character. There’s a certain swagger, an attitude that I think he could pull it off.

Cam Gigandet 

Mmm, Burlesque anyone? Total babe. Just love his delicious evilness and the cocky grin…

Ken Duken 

I don’t know Ken but I could come at that.

 Paul Telfer

   Now where did he come from? Phwoar!

And just because we can never get enough Chris Hemsworth…

James Marsters

Because evil never looked so good.

Now for Honoria

Rachel McAdams

I love Rachel, she’s so kick-ass in some roles.

Susie Amy 

Definitely has the right physical attributes.

Jennifer Lawrence

Total girl crush on Jennifer. She’s so down-to-earth and man, can she act.

Rose Byrnes

Gorgeous, vulnerable, tough… That’s what I see when I see her image.

Keira Knightley

Has that perfect waifish look and can be strong in a role.

And, as promised, here’s the rough estimate of who I saw in the creation of Blade and Honoria.

I always ‘cast’ my books before I begin, and sometimes it doesn’t come down to the six-pack or sexy smile so much as the attitude. Sometimes I see a photo of someone and I’m like, “Yeah, that’s Blade, right there.” It might not be the perfect physicality, but there’s just something about it that appeals to the character I see.

Cam Gigandet

For me it was the attitude, that slightly evil smile and the fact that he can play good or bad characters with equal aplomb. I needed someone who was ambiguous, who could be loyal and charming one minute and completely bad-ass the next. Someone who could steal every scene he was in. Gigandet fit the brief for me, and though that’s not 100% the Blade I see in my head, I think he could pull it off.

Rose Byrnes

Honoria was completely different. Of course she’s attractive – what romance heroine isn’t? But her beauty for me was always that inner strength, that never-say-die attitude, even when she knew she was wrong. Someone who could show a kind of haunting vulnerability, whilst also being completely kick-ass. Someone of course, who was going to catch Blade’s eye, even if she didn’t want to. For me I could always kind of see Rose Byrnes filling the role.

Hope you all had as much fun as I in casting the role and thanks all for entering the giveaway! I’m looking so forward to May 7th when Heart of Iron is released and I can share the next part of London Steampunk with the world!

It’s Wednesday, the sun is shining and I finished work early so I’m feeling generous. Who wants to win a signed copy of a Heart of Iron ARC? I’m putting another two up for grabs, open internationally, all you have to do is answer the following questions in the comments section.

And one of these could be yours…

Let’s have some fun, shall we?

1. Who was your favourite secondary character from Kiss of Steel?

2. Blue bloods versus Verwulfen… Who’s sexier?

3. If Kiss of Steel was a movie, who do you see playing Honoria and Blade?

On Saturday 20th April I shall put all names into the Magic Cup and draw two winners – and let you know my answers to the questions. Good luck!

For everyone who hasn’t read Tarnished Knight or wanted it in the full downloadable eBook version, it is finally live at Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303447. It is free for the moment (and shall be through until the end of June) and features an exclusive piece titled Lena’s Decision – for those who want a sneak peek at the events leading up until the start of Heart of Iron – and a Glossary with perhaps some teasers for the future of the London Steampunk world.

I am hoping to make it available through other platforms in the near future, but that relies on Smashwords approval, so hopefully I will have that news by the end of the week.

As for the serial…

Some of you may be wondering where the blog posts featuring the serial version have disappeared to. Frankly, I had full intentions of leaving it on the blog for readers to view for free, however yesterday I came across a version on a pirate site. I cannot explain how disappointing this is for me, considering that it was free for all my readers and also I made it explicitly clear it was not to be taken from the site or shared. A naive view perhaps, but thanks to these pirates I have made the decision to remove it from my website for good.

If you wish to download the extended version, it is available at Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303447 for a limited time for free.