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Clockwork Agents #3
Breath of Iron
Sworn to protect England from all enemies, the Wardens of the Realm are ever vigilant. But not all battles are fought on a battlefield; sometimes they are fought in the heart.
As chief surgeon for the Wardens, Evelyn Stone fears her own life is on the line when she is kidnapped by a band of pirates—only to discover that the airship captain is Gavin “Mac” MacRae—her former lover. The man whose life she once saved. The man she abandoned.
Since Evelyn left, Mac made his mark as both a pirate and a pilot. But his true allegiance isn’t known. Upon asking Evie for help with a wounded woman on board, he tells Evie that the woman is his wife—even though his feelings for Evie have never waned.
As the days pass, however, the unease between Evie and Mac gives way to the old comfort they once had. Yet, their newly ignited romance is complicated by conflicting loyalties and desires, and a betrayal that may cost both of them their love and their lives.
As chief surgeon for the Wardens, Evelyn Stone fears her own life is on the line when she is kidnapped by a band of pirates—only to discover that the airship captain is Gavin “Mac” MacRae—her former lover. The man whose life she once saved. The man she abandoned.
Since Evelyn left, Mac made his mark as both a pirate and a pilot. But his true allegiance isn’t known. Upon asking Evie for help with a wounded woman on board, he tells Evie that the woman is his wife—even though his feelings for Evie have never waned.
As the days pass, however, the unease between Evie and Mac gives way to the old comfort they once had. Yet, their newly ignited romance is complicated by conflicting loyalties and desires, and a betrayal that may cost both of them their love and their lives.
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
12 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cross
12 books126 followersAlso writes as Kathryn Smith, Kady Cross, and Kate Locke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 23, 2017
Ich hatte nach dem guten zweiten Teil mehr Erwartungen an den Abschluss der Trilogie. Allein schon wegen der Charaktere, um die es ging. Aber leider konnte das Buch diese nicht erfüllen. Es war trotzdem ein gutes Leseerlebnis und ein schöner Abachluss.
December 10, 2017
3.5
Doctor Evelyn Stone is confident in her work and in her own skin. She have no trouble finding men to satisfy her wants and needs. As a surgeon, she can replace defective hearts with mechanical ones, but when it comes to the matter of her own heart, it's an other story...
When she run into an old friend; the sister of a man she never stopped loving but left to protect her heart, she end up uncounscious and wakes up on the Queen V, a flying ship she knows well.
"Talk. I don't want to talk. Darlin', this is an abduction. Consider yourself my prisoner."
Evie broke Mac 's heart when she left him, after saving his life three years ago. Just like her, he tried to forget her with other lovers, but in vain. He kidnapped her because he needs her skills as a doctor to heal a woman on his ship : his wife. At least, that's what he say...
For the last book of the series, the author takes us somewhere else. Aboard a flying ship instead of the previous background with the Wardens of the Realm. I really like the change but I have to say I didn't find the romance as satisfying as the others because there was too much ressentment between Evie and Mac and the reason for her leaving in the first place was a little thin. The ambience was more sad too even if there's a happy ending and it seemed like the deads were too easily forget. But this series was a very pleasant read and can be a good introduction to the steampunk genre if you never tried it before.
Doctor Evelyn Stone is confident in her work and in her own skin. She have no trouble finding men to satisfy her wants and needs. As a surgeon, she can replace defective hearts with mechanical ones, but when it comes to the matter of her own heart, it's an other story...
When she run into an old friend; the sister of a man she never stopped loving but left to protect her heart, she end up uncounscious and wakes up on the Queen V, a flying ship she knows well.
"Talk. I don't want to talk. Darlin', this is an abduction. Consider yourself my prisoner."
Evie broke Mac 's heart when she left him, after saving his life three years ago. Just like her, he tried to forget her with other lovers, but in vain. He kidnapped her because he needs her skills as a doctor to heal a woman on his ship : his wife. At least, that's what he say...
For the last book of the series, the author takes us somewhere else. Aboard a flying ship instead of the previous background with the Wardens of the Realm. I really like the change but I have to say I didn't find the romance as satisfying as the others because there was too much ressentment between Evie and Mac and the reason for her leaving in the first place was a little thin. The ambience was more sad too even if there's a happy ending and it seemed like the deads were too easily forget. But this series was a very pleasant read and can be a good introduction to the steampunk genre if you never tried it before.
May 8, 2020
Ah, this was actually pretty sweet. While some scenes were steamy and explicit, Mac is actually pretty romantic and once the declarations of love come out they’re more emotional than I expect from steamy romances.
What a steampunk adventure! While I wasn’t a fan of Evie’s characterization right at the beginning, she quickly grew on me and I liked that she didn’t try to deny her feelings toward Mac to herself. She’s very aware of her feelings and just angry about them (not a confusion of feelings). Mac is actually pretty funny too and I like that he’s in touch with his feelings and not afraid to express them.
Their romantic complication is bittersweet because it’s a combination of miscommunication and pride (or perhaps just being at a selfish stage in life). Some things could’ve been fleshed out more to fully develop that backstory but I’m not sure if it was perhaps featured in a previous book in this series.
The tone is adventurous and tense for a big chunk of the book, and at around 70% in there’s a huge shift that threw me off for a bit. It was sweet but seemed too quick (or too easy). It’s to do with being in London and hanging out with Evie’s friends. It was nice but the transition was strange. Actually this whole section here would’ve been better as an epilogue or the closing chapters (I think). I get that it serves as a bit of a break in the spy things (probably a bit of a lull due to false sense of security/accomplishment) but it made the ending spy moment less intense. Oh well.
It has a sweet ending. Very romantic and I just really like that Evie and Mac come across as friends too. You know, genuinely enjoying each other’s company and conversation and being able to laugh together and all that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
What a steampunk adventure! While I wasn’t a fan of Evie’s characterization right at the beginning, she quickly grew on me and I liked that she didn’t try to deny her feelings toward Mac to herself. She’s very aware of her feelings and just angry about them (not a confusion of feelings). Mac is actually pretty funny too and I like that he’s in touch with his feelings and not afraid to express them.
Their romantic complication is bittersweet because it’s a combination of miscommunication and pride (or perhaps just being at a selfish stage in life). Some things could’ve been fleshed out more to fully develop that backstory but I’m not sure if it was perhaps featured in a previous book in this series.
The tone is adventurous and tense for a big chunk of the book, and at around 70% in there’s a huge shift that threw me off for a bit. It was sweet but seemed too quick (or too easy). It’s to do with being in London and hanging out with Evie’s friends. It was nice but the transition was strange. Actually this whole section here would’ve been better as an epilogue or the closing chapters (I think). I get that it serves as a bit of a break in the spy things (probably a bit of a lull due to false sense of security/accomplishment) but it made the ending spy moment less intense. Oh well.
It has a sweet ending. Very romantic and I just really like that Evie and Mac come across as friends too. You know, genuinely enjoying each other’s company and conversation and being able to laugh together and all that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
January 7, 2019
So I've now read all 3 in the series, back to back, coz that's how I like to do things. I enjoyed the first two. I really like the wealth and creativity of the steampunk features in this series. I liked this book, just not as much as the first two.
For the first part of the book all I could think of was Firefly. Of course being the captain of a flying ship and being called mac ( vs. Mal), being roguishly charming, lopsided smile and always being the dashing hero...well you can see the similarity I expect. And Nell walked, talked and even looked exactly like Zoe to me. It took me almost half the book to get that out of my head. And then weirdly enough Evie made me think of Evie from The Mummy since she's scientific, brilliant, independent, gorgeous and so on. Okay maybe that's more of a stretch but still it bothered me. I al out felt like there were just elements from movies strung together but then....the story took over and I had forgotten all of that by halfway through.
I was surprised at the constant use of 'Listerine'. Here in Canada, Listerine is a mouthwash so I kept trying to figure out why on earth Evie would use Listerine. If she was going to use some thing, why not something more medicinal? It just seemed a strange sort of choice, particularly to use a brand name and kept dropping me out of the storyline.
All that being said, I still liked the story and you can bet I'll be watching for the next book in the series!
For the first part of the book all I could think of was Firefly. Of course being the captain of a flying ship and being called mac ( vs. Mal), being roguishly charming, lopsided smile and always being the dashing hero...well you can see the similarity I expect. And Nell walked, talked and even looked exactly like Zoe to me. It took me almost half the book to get that out of my head. And then weirdly enough Evie made me think of Evie from The Mummy since she's scientific, brilliant, independent, gorgeous and so on. Okay maybe that's more of a stretch but still it bothered me. I al out felt like there were just elements from movies strung together but then....the story took over and I had forgotten all of that by halfway through.
I was surprised at the constant use of 'Listerine'. Here in Canada, Listerine is a mouthwash so I kept trying to figure out why on earth Evie would use Listerine. If she was going to use some thing, why not something more medicinal? It just seemed a strange sort of choice, particularly to use a brand name and kept dropping me out of the storyline.
All that being said, I still liked the story and you can bet I'll be watching for the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2018
First book was still my favorite.
I was initially happy that Dr. Evelyn Stone was the primary focus of this book. I always loved when she showed up in the previous books. She seemed smart, sophisticated, independent, and her own person. Until he ex shows up...and she becomes this mush ball. I didn't need 4 friggin' pages of her pining over her ex in every way imaginable. The worst part? There was more of this on HIS end! *smacks forehead*
Honestly, the first half of the book is about them trying to ignore each other and their resurfacing feelings. The second half of the book STARTS with more going on, as we find out exactly why Evelyn ended up on his ship in the first place. And once the action was all done, it went back to their romance.
Maybe this series just wasn't for me, although I really did like the first once. Maybe it was the characters I just didn't click with. Whatever the reason, this book had promise, then flopped, then picked up again, then lost it for me.
I was initially happy that Dr. Evelyn Stone was the primary focus of this book. I always loved when she showed up in the previous books. She seemed smart, sophisticated, independent, and her own person. Until he ex shows up...and she becomes this mush ball. I didn't need 4 friggin' pages of her pining over her ex in every way imaginable. The worst part? There was more of this on HIS end! *smacks forehead*
Honestly, the first half of the book is about them trying to ignore each other and their resurfacing feelings. The second half of the book STARTS with more going on, as we find out exactly why Evelyn ended up on his ship in the first place. And once the action was all done, it went back to their romance.
Maybe this series just wasn't for me, although I really did like the first once. Maybe it was the characters I just didn't click with. Whatever the reason, this book had promise, then flopped, then picked up again, then lost it for me.
June 29, 2023
I felt so disconnected from these characters - they were so flat. And please tell me, because I didn't get it the first 100 or so times.
Evie - I left you because you always play the hero and I knew you'd eventually die and leave me.
Mac - You left me because you were a coward.
......and repeat.
There was also an incident or two plotwise where the author seemed to just have had enough with some characters and pulled the plug because she didn't know where to take the characters.
It was readable, but it felt like a bit of a chore to read. There was little action and a plot that limped along that the author twisted into a pretzel several times to get the characters over to where she needed them - rather than just let things flow.
No joy here.
Evie - I left you because you always play the hero and I knew you'd eventually die and leave me.
Mac - You left me because you were a coward.
......and repeat.
There was also an incident or two plotwise where the author seemed to just have had enough with some characters and pulled the plug because she didn't know where to take the characters.
It was readable, but it felt like a bit of a chore to read. There was little action and a plot that limped along that the author twisted into a pretzel several times to get the characters over to where she needed them - rather than just let things flow.
No joy here.
October 26, 2015
With the previous book I had hope that the series was just getting better with each novel, with this book I learned that not only was I wrong but glad that this wasn't the first book in the series because if it had been I never would have kept reading.
First regardless of the action scenes of spies and traitors, the plot seemed to drag on and on so I took multiple breaks and wondered if the novel was even worth finishing at points. I guess a lot of it was because like every other book in this series most of the important plot points, the ones that would amp up the danger or make you really care about the fate of the characters happen before the book even begins. The thing was I enjoyed meeting Mac in Claire's novel and I've loved Evie's characters since Arden's novel so I should have cared but in this book they came across so flat it wasn't even funny.
Part of the reason that I might not have had that character connection is contradictions irritate me. Toward the beginning of the book Evie is thinking about Arden and her newborn son that she's helped deliver, except I don't remember Evie being psychic and the baby doesn't even get born until near the end of the novel which kind of had me going huh? When Claire and Mac meet in front of Evie's house they behave as strangers, while it's mentioned she was one his ship they act like they've never seen each other before that moment. Except the two of them had a conversation when he put her in his cabin to protect her. And I'm pretty sure that Evie knew that Claire had been returned on Mac's ship but she's somehow completely clueless about his connection to the Wardens? Stuff like that drives me up the wall so the writing and the characters would have to be pretty spectacular for me to still like this story and that just wasn't the case with this novel.
The large focus on sex, sex toys and sexual partners was almost as bad as it had been in Arden's novel, though not quite. Sex is all fine and dandy but I haven't been a hormonal teen for a long time and I want more from a story than constant sex scenes or sexual thoughts. Besides a constant need and willingness to jump into bed together does not true love make.
Despite a few smaller things culturally the characters all behave as if this were occurring in the 1960s as opposed to the 1800s. Putting asides the gadgets including vibrators constantly discussed which are normal to the steampunk genre (well except the vibrators) The constant string of lovers, discussions of aliens (REALLY?! That particular one was way too much for me) and recent excursions to explore Mars, and the fact that it really sounded like the Evie gave the Director a sex change (unless I misunderstood the scene in which there's an issue with clear writing) just sound way out of the time period regardless of adding scientific innovation to the setting. It really just wasn't working for me.
The emotional reactions of the characters to everything was overdone and they often came across like they had multiple personality disorder. For example toward the beginning she's sharing a bed with a German doctor who'd assisted her in a heart replacement surgery earlier that day. She gets up afterward to return to her hotel because she doesn't want to cuddle with her one night stand, shocker that. He asks her to say, she politely says no and suddenly he's calling her a cold hearted bitch and freaking the fuck out. REALLY?! If real people behaved like that they'd be taken to have their head examined. This instant psycho switch sort of reactions occurs over and over again with multiple characters throughout the book.
The thing that got to me the most about this book is that is was one of those novels that despite what the hero did it seemed he could do no wrong and that even when the heroine was justifiably upset her opinion was of course wrong and she was the bad guy for not seeing how perfectly wonderful he was. Everything wrong with this relationship was her fault and she was the only one who needed to change and to understand his point of view, confess her undying love and beg for him to take her back. GAG ME! Okay when real relationship ends it's almost never just one person's fault. It's pretty much never just one person who needs to change if they want to try again to make it worse and call me sexist, but I REALLY hate books where they make the women out to be fiends for making decisions that I can understand why they'd make those particular decisions. I don't really think they made the wrong decisions, in their shoes I'd have probably made similar decisions to the ones they made so considering that when they're painted as the villain for those decisions it's a HUGE irritation for me.
The book was okay, there were parts toward the end that made it sound like the world still has something interesting to offer so if another book was offered in the series I'd probably read it. However it's definitely the worst book in the series so far and I think Cross is capable of some much better than what was present in this novel. Hell I know she is since I've read work she's written under other pen names. Finley Jane for example is one of my favorite fictional characters. Knowing that I find it disappointing that she didn't show the same degree of finesse in her work that she's demonstrated in so many other titles.
First regardless of the action scenes of spies and traitors, the plot seemed to drag on and on so I took multiple breaks and wondered if the novel was even worth finishing at points. I guess a lot of it was because like every other book in this series most of the important plot points, the ones that would amp up the danger or make you really care about the fate of the characters happen before the book even begins. The thing was I enjoyed meeting Mac in Claire's novel and I've loved Evie's characters since Arden's novel so I should have cared but in this book they came across so flat it wasn't even funny.
Part of the reason that I might not have had that character connection is contradictions irritate me. Toward the beginning of the book Evie is thinking about Arden and her newborn son that she's helped deliver, except I don't remember Evie being psychic and the baby doesn't even get born until near the end of the novel which kind of had me going huh? When Claire and Mac meet in front of Evie's house they behave as strangers, while it's mentioned she was one his ship they act like they've never seen each other before that moment. Except the two of them had a conversation when he put her in his cabin to protect her. And I'm pretty sure that Evie knew that Claire had been returned on Mac's ship but she's somehow completely clueless about his connection to the Wardens? Stuff like that drives me up the wall so the writing and the characters would have to be pretty spectacular for me to still like this story and that just wasn't the case with this novel.
The large focus on sex, sex toys and sexual partners was almost as bad as it had been in Arden's novel, though not quite. Sex is all fine and dandy but I haven't been a hormonal teen for a long time and I want more from a story than constant sex scenes or sexual thoughts. Besides a constant need and willingness to jump into bed together does not true love make.
Despite a few smaller things culturally the characters all behave as if this were occurring in the 1960s as opposed to the 1800s. Putting asides the gadgets including vibrators constantly discussed which are normal to the steampunk genre (well except the vibrators) The constant string of lovers, discussions of aliens (REALLY?! That particular one was way too much for me) and recent excursions to explore Mars, and the fact that it really sounded like the Evie gave the Director a sex change (unless I misunderstood the scene in which there's an issue with clear writing) just sound way out of the time period regardless of adding scientific innovation to the setting. It really just wasn't working for me.
The emotional reactions of the characters to everything was overdone and they often came across like they had multiple personality disorder. For example toward the beginning she's sharing a bed with a German doctor who'd assisted her in a heart replacement surgery earlier that day. She gets up afterward to return to her hotel because she doesn't want to cuddle with her one night stand, shocker that. He asks her to say, she politely says no and suddenly he's calling her a cold hearted bitch and freaking the fuck out. REALLY?! If real people behaved like that they'd be taken to have their head examined. This instant psycho switch sort of reactions occurs over and over again with multiple characters throughout the book.
The thing that got to me the most about this book is that is was one of those novels that despite what the hero did it seemed he could do no wrong and that even when the heroine was justifiably upset her opinion was of course wrong and she was the bad guy for not seeing how perfectly wonderful he was. Everything wrong with this relationship was her fault and she was the only one who needed to change and to understand his point of view, confess her undying love and beg for him to take her back. GAG ME! Okay when real relationship ends it's almost never just one person's fault. It's pretty much never just one person who needs to change if they want to try again to make it worse and call me sexist, but I REALLY hate books where they make the women out to be fiends for making decisions that I can understand why they'd make those particular decisions. I don't really think they made the wrong decisions, in their shoes I'd have probably made similar decisions to the ones they made so considering that when they're painted as the villain for those decisions it's a HUGE irritation for me.
The book was okay, there were parts toward the end that made it sound like the world still has something interesting to offer so if another book was offered in the series I'd probably read it. However it's definitely the worst book in the series so far and I think Cross is capable of some much better than what was present in this novel. Hell I know she is since I've read work she's written under other pen names. Finley Jane for example is one of my favorite fictional characters. Knowing that I find it disappointing that she didn't show the same degree of finesse in her work that she's demonstrated in so many other titles.
January 13, 2018
This is the third and final book in the Clockwork Agents series. This book follows the story of Evie (the Warden’s doctor) and Mac (a pirate and former lover of Evie’s). At the end of this book it seems like there was plans for another story to start, but I couldn’t find any plans for Cross to publish anymore in this series. This ended up being a fun, light, and fluffy steampunk read.
The majority of this story revolves around Evie and Mac as they try to dodge enemy pursuit and reconcile their feelings for each other. There is a light story thread involving a spy that Mac is trying to get back to the Wardens; this is the source of their enemy pursuit. However, this story thread is very scanty...just barely there. This book is really a romance-packed with some action and some nifty steampunk devices.
As long as you don’t focus on how thin the plot is, this is a fun and quick steampunk romance read. There is some good action and adventure. Mac and Evie have great chemistry together and are fun to read about.
Overall this was a fun, light, and fluffy steampunk romance read. If you read this, don’t expect an elaborate story, just sit back and enjoy the action and drama between Mac and Evie. The whole Clockwork Agents series was like this; like sweet and tangy candy...fun and entertaining but not a whole lot of actual content.
The majority of this story revolves around Evie and Mac as they try to dodge enemy pursuit and reconcile their feelings for each other. There is a light story thread involving a spy that Mac is trying to get back to the Wardens; this is the source of their enemy pursuit. However, this story thread is very scanty...just barely there. This book is really a romance-packed with some action and some nifty steampunk devices.
As long as you don’t focus on how thin the plot is, this is a fun and quick steampunk romance read. There is some good action and adventure. Mac and Evie have great chemistry together and are fun to read about.
Overall this was a fun, light, and fluffy steampunk romance read. If you read this, don’t expect an elaborate story, just sit back and enjoy the action and drama between Mac and Evie. The whole Clockwork Agents series was like this; like sweet and tangy candy...fun and entertaining but not a whole lot of actual content.
June 1, 2017
I really likes this series! It keep moving at a great pace and I love the characters. The dual perspective was really great too!
January 27, 2018
All the Cool Stuff!
There’s advanced medicine, awesome gadgets, smart people, and goggles! Oh yeah, and romance. Read the series. It is fantastic and fun.
There’s advanced medicine, awesome gadgets, smart people, and goggles! Oh yeah, and romance. Read the series. It is fantastic and fun.
December 11, 2018
Waaay better than book 2 of the series.
September 27, 2019
This series never really jelled for me. The writing is OK, the characters are interesting but as a whole I find it a bit dull.
September 1, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Evie has spent three years trying to get over Mac. Now he’s back in her life whether she wants him to be or not. Will she be able to resist the temptation to pick up where they left off?
Opening Sentence: Evelyn Stone literally held a man’s heart in her hands before tossing it into a bucket at her feet.
The Review:
I went back and forth on whether to give this two or three stars. I ended up going with the former just because I spent much of the book feeling completely uninterested in what was going on. Neither of the main characters interested me, and the mystery/action side of the plot seemed more like a second thought and wasn’t all that intriguing to me.
It’s been three years since Evie left Mac after performing lifesaving surgery on him. She’s spent those three years trying to forget him, losing herself in affairs with men who remind her of him while also trying to focus on her work as a surgeon with the Wardens of the Realm. One night on her way home from a tryst, Evie runs into Mac’s sister Nell. They strike up a conversation, and the next thing Evie knows, she’s being knocked out with chloroform. She awakes on Mac’s ship, the Queen V. Far from wanting a reunion, Mac instead needs Evie to heal his wife, who’s been shot. The longer she is on the Queen V, the more Evie begins to realize that all is not what it seems. Who is this woman Mac needs to keep alive, and who keeps trying to kill her? Will Mac and Evie be able to resist the force that keeps pulling them together, or will they finally be able to figure out how to make a relationship work?
On the good side of things, this is probably the most easily understood steampunk novel I’ve read. Often, steampunk novels get bogged down in world building, often leaving the reader confused as to how things work. That’s definitely not the case here. I had no problems at all understanding this world and how it operates. I found myself very intrigued at the prospect of reanimating the dead for interrogation purposes, which gets brought up in a couple scenes. I really wish the book would have delved into this a bit more.
Then there’s the bad. I had absolutely no interest in Evie and Mac as characters at all. Even after reading the book, I probably couldn’t give an accurate description of either of their personalities, as they both just came off very flat to me. A little more in depth information given up front regarding why Evie left him may have helped me understand one or both of them better, but without that background information, it made it very hard to side with either one of them.
Regarding the plot, while there were action scenes, for the most part, everything seemed very stagnant. I didn’t feel any tension or eagerness to find out what was going to happen next. It very much seemed like the action part of the plot was more of a second thought to the romance.
Overall, I just had a very hard time liking this book. While there were parts of the universe that I found interesting, there wasn’t enough of that to keep my interest throughout the entire book. As much as I hate to say it, this is not a series I plan on continuing.
Notable Scene:
She sat down on a nearby trunk to pull on her boots. “I’m sorry, did I mislead you into thinking I wanted something else? Did you hope that tonight would be the beginning of a long and loving relationship? Do you want to marry me?”
“No, of course not.” Too late he realized his mistake, and his distaste quickly turned to panic. “I mean, I had hoped that we could enjoy each other’s company for a little while longer and see how things develop.”
She had two choices – roll her eyes or smile sympathetically. She chose the smile. “That’s very sweet, and please don’t think I don’t appreciate the sentiment, but I really do have to go.” With that, she grabbed her coat and rose to her feet.
Franz chuckled humorlessly. “I’d heard you were a cold bitch, and now I believe it.”
Evie didn’t pause. She shoved her arm into one coat sleeve. “What’s the matter? Angry I’m leaving before you have the chance to kick me out? I’m assuming you wouldn’t want to risk your mother seeing me when she gets up in the morning.”
A dull flush suffused his cheeks beneath the golden stubble of his beard. “My landlady is a woman of discretion.”
She fastened a button. “Your landlady is your mother. Did you think I wouldn’t see the photographs and portraits of you as a child when we came in? Did you think I was so enamored of you I wouldn’t notice the note left on your dresser reminding you to give her your soiled laundry? She signed it ‘Love, Mother,’ for heaven’s sake.”
He stared at her with a mixture of horror and humiliation. “Get out.”
“It’s about damned time,” she retorted, and yanked open the bedroom door. “And take that condom off. You look ridiculous.”
FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Breath of Iron. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Evie has spent three years trying to get over Mac. Now he’s back in her life whether she wants him to be or not. Will she be able to resist the temptation to pick up where they left off?
Opening Sentence: Evelyn Stone literally held a man’s heart in her hands before tossing it into a bucket at her feet.
The Review:
I went back and forth on whether to give this two or three stars. I ended up going with the former just because I spent much of the book feeling completely uninterested in what was going on. Neither of the main characters interested me, and the mystery/action side of the plot seemed more like a second thought and wasn’t all that intriguing to me.
It’s been three years since Evie left Mac after performing lifesaving surgery on him. She’s spent those three years trying to forget him, losing herself in affairs with men who remind her of him while also trying to focus on her work as a surgeon with the Wardens of the Realm. One night on her way home from a tryst, Evie runs into Mac’s sister Nell. They strike up a conversation, and the next thing Evie knows, she’s being knocked out with chloroform. She awakes on Mac’s ship, the Queen V. Far from wanting a reunion, Mac instead needs Evie to heal his wife, who’s been shot. The longer she is on the Queen V, the more Evie begins to realize that all is not what it seems. Who is this woman Mac needs to keep alive, and who keeps trying to kill her? Will Mac and Evie be able to resist the force that keeps pulling them together, or will they finally be able to figure out how to make a relationship work?
On the good side of things, this is probably the most easily understood steampunk novel I’ve read. Often, steampunk novels get bogged down in world building, often leaving the reader confused as to how things work. That’s definitely not the case here. I had no problems at all understanding this world and how it operates. I found myself very intrigued at the prospect of reanimating the dead for interrogation purposes, which gets brought up in a couple scenes. I really wish the book would have delved into this a bit more.
Then there’s the bad. I had absolutely no interest in Evie and Mac as characters at all. Even after reading the book, I probably couldn’t give an accurate description of either of their personalities, as they both just came off very flat to me. A little more in depth information given up front regarding why Evie left him may have helped me understand one or both of them better, but without that background information, it made it very hard to side with either one of them.
Regarding the plot, while there were action scenes, for the most part, everything seemed very stagnant. I didn’t feel any tension or eagerness to find out what was going to happen next. It very much seemed like the action part of the plot was more of a second thought to the romance.
Overall, I just had a very hard time liking this book. While there were parts of the universe that I found interesting, there wasn’t enough of that to keep my interest throughout the entire book. As much as I hate to say it, this is not a series I plan on continuing.
Notable Scene:
She sat down on a nearby trunk to pull on her boots. “I’m sorry, did I mislead you into thinking I wanted something else? Did you hope that tonight would be the beginning of a long and loving relationship? Do you want to marry me?”
“No, of course not.” Too late he realized his mistake, and his distaste quickly turned to panic. “I mean, I had hoped that we could enjoy each other’s company for a little while longer and see how things develop.”
She had two choices – roll her eyes or smile sympathetically. She chose the smile. “That’s very sweet, and please don’t think I don’t appreciate the sentiment, but I really do have to go.” With that, she grabbed her coat and rose to her feet.
Franz chuckled humorlessly. “I’d heard you were a cold bitch, and now I believe it.”
Evie didn’t pause. She shoved her arm into one coat sleeve. “What’s the matter? Angry I’m leaving before you have the chance to kick me out? I’m assuming you wouldn’t want to risk your mother seeing me when she gets up in the morning.”
A dull flush suffused his cheeks beneath the golden stubble of his beard. “My landlady is a woman of discretion.”
She fastened a button. “Your landlady is your mother. Did you think I wouldn’t see the photographs and portraits of you as a child when we came in? Did you think I was so enamored of you I wouldn’t notice the note left on your dresser reminding you to give her your soiled laundry? She signed it ‘Love, Mother,’ for heaven’s sake.”
He stared at her with a mixture of horror and humiliation. “Get out.”
“It’s about damned time,” she retorted, and yanked open the bedroom door. “And take that condom off. You look ridiculous.”
FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Breath of Iron. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 6, 2013
3.5 stars
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/08/review-...
Favorite Quote: “I’d rather leave you then have you taken from me.”
As chief surgeon for the Wardens, Evelyn Stone fears her own life is on the line when she is kidnapped by a band of pirates—only to discover that the airship captain is Gavin “Mac” MacRae—her former lover. The man whose life she once saved. The man she abandoned.
Since Evelyn left, Mac made his mark as both a pirate and a pilot. But his true allegiance isn’t known. So when he asks Evie for help with a wounded woman onboard, he tells Evie that the woman is his wife—even if his feelings for Evie have never waned…
As the days pass, however, the unease between Evie and Mac gives way to the old comfort they used to have. Yet, their newly ignited romance is complicated by conflicting loyalties and desires, and a betrayal that may cost them both their love and their lives. (Goodreads)
Breath Of Iron, the third in Ms. Cross’s dark and intriguing Clockwork Agents series, submerges us back into the wonderful world of Victorian sediments and steampunk adventures. Riveting action, dangerous spies, steamy romance, and an all-star cast keep us on our toes. Lush world building continues to evolve as we divulge deeper into the mechanics behind the Wardens of the Realm and their arch enemies, The Company. The Wardens are a secret government group who work behind the scenes to protect the monarchy and it’s hierarchy, while The Company seeks to destroy it. In this installment, Cross crosses the continent and brings us the Wardens and The Companys Russian counterparts.
Our story begins with the kidnapping of Dr. Evie Stone, the Warden’s English doctor. Evie knows her kidnappers but is shocked when she is drugged and wakes upon The Queen V; her ex lover’s ship. Evie left Mac three years ago after she saved his life once again. She couldn’t stand his being a pirate nor his propensity for getting hurt. She feared for the day she would not being able to save him and so she left. Mac, a previous Warden who left the agency for calmer waters, has never forgiven Evie for leaving him while he recuperated in the hospital, but he needs her skills as a surgeon to save a very important life. In order to keep Evie safe and his heart protected, he lies about the young woman he needs Evie to save.
Evie knows something is wrong with the entire situation but believes Mac has moved on from her and reluctantly accepts his marriage. When Mac is attacked and a crew member is killed, all evidence points towards a traitor on board. Evie’s investigation reveals the whole story behind Mac’s marriage and the real reasons he’s back in England and consorting with Wardens.
Both Mac and Evie are interesting protagonists and I enjoyed learning their backstory. Evie’s fear of commitment and distrust of love stems from her parent’s relationship and her father’s desertion of her and her mother. Mac has a hero complex that places his life in continuous danger. Both are extremely brave and stubborn. There were times I felt neither really listened to what the other was saying. Pages of dialogue show them bickering back and forth; both still hurt by their failed affair. It slows the story line down. Though they seemed at times unable to get past that day three years ago, they did have a delightful banter between one another that is both sensual and amusing. Witty dialogue and little digs will have you smiling as their two square off against each other. Their strong chemistry singes the pages as the main conflict unfurls amongst suspicion and distrust. I did feel that the romance overshadowed the story and didn’t blend as well with the storyline as it did in the other two installments. Everything happens fast and there are some situations that do not fully reveal, leaving me at a lost to what exactly happened.
Ms. Cross’s continues to write well developed and personable secondary characters whose individual storylines spike your curiosity. Ned, Mac’s sister, is a jovial character whom I forsee has having some further conflict with the Wardens. We get an interesting look at the director of the Warden’s personal life that was shocking. Ms. Cross allows us time with Lucas and Arden and Clair and Alister; giving us intimate glimpses into their lives. What I normally enjoyed about this series is that everyone has hidden agendas; making for a more exciting story filled with many twists and turns. In this installment I felt we didn’t get that as much. The story lines revolves almost singularly around Evie and Mac’s romance. I missed the cutting action and suspense from the previous two installments. I also missed the usually strong Warden presence.
Regardless of my qualms, Cross continues to pen an engaging steampunk romance that is sure to appeal to fantasy and romance fans alike.
Overall Rating: C+
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/08/review-...
Favorite Quote: “I’d rather leave you then have you taken from me.”
As chief surgeon for the Wardens, Evelyn Stone fears her own life is on the line when she is kidnapped by a band of pirates—only to discover that the airship captain is Gavin “Mac” MacRae—her former lover. The man whose life she once saved. The man she abandoned.
Since Evelyn left, Mac made his mark as both a pirate and a pilot. But his true allegiance isn’t known. So when he asks Evie for help with a wounded woman onboard, he tells Evie that the woman is his wife—even if his feelings for Evie have never waned…
As the days pass, however, the unease between Evie and Mac gives way to the old comfort they used to have. Yet, their newly ignited romance is complicated by conflicting loyalties and desires, and a betrayal that may cost them both their love and their lives. (Goodreads)
Breath Of Iron, the third in Ms. Cross’s dark and intriguing Clockwork Agents series, submerges us back into the wonderful world of Victorian sediments and steampunk adventures. Riveting action, dangerous spies, steamy romance, and an all-star cast keep us on our toes. Lush world building continues to evolve as we divulge deeper into the mechanics behind the Wardens of the Realm and their arch enemies, The Company. The Wardens are a secret government group who work behind the scenes to protect the monarchy and it’s hierarchy, while The Company seeks to destroy it. In this installment, Cross crosses the continent and brings us the Wardens and The Companys Russian counterparts.
Our story begins with the kidnapping of Dr. Evie Stone, the Warden’s English doctor. Evie knows her kidnappers but is shocked when she is drugged and wakes upon The Queen V; her ex lover’s ship. Evie left Mac three years ago after she saved his life once again. She couldn’t stand his being a pirate nor his propensity for getting hurt. She feared for the day she would not being able to save him and so she left. Mac, a previous Warden who left the agency for calmer waters, has never forgiven Evie for leaving him while he recuperated in the hospital, but he needs her skills as a surgeon to save a very important life. In order to keep Evie safe and his heart protected, he lies about the young woman he needs Evie to save.
Evie knows something is wrong with the entire situation but believes Mac has moved on from her and reluctantly accepts his marriage. When Mac is attacked and a crew member is killed, all evidence points towards a traitor on board. Evie’s investigation reveals the whole story behind Mac’s marriage and the real reasons he’s back in England and consorting with Wardens.
Both Mac and Evie are interesting protagonists and I enjoyed learning their backstory. Evie’s fear of commitment and distrust of love stems from her parent’s relationship and her father’s desertion of her and her mother. Mac has a hero complex that places his life in continuous danger. Both are extremely brave and stubborn. There were times I felt neither really listened to what the other was saying. Pages of dialogue show them bickering back and forth; both still hurt by their failed affair. It slows the story line down. Though they seemed at times unable to get past that day three years ago, they did have a delightful banter between one another that is both sensual and amusing. Witty dialogue and little digs will have you smiling as their two square off against each other. Their strong chemistry singes the pages as the main conflict unfurls amongst suspicion and distrust. I did feel that the romance overshadowed the story and didn’t blend as well with the storyline as it did in the other two installments. Everything happens fast and there are some situations that do not fully reveal, leaving me at a lost to what exactly happened.
Ms. Cross’s continues to write well developed and personable secondary characters whose individual storylines spike your curiosity. Ned, Mac’s sister, is a jovial character whom I forsee has having some further conflict with the Wardens. We get an interesting look at the director of the Warden’s personal life that was shocking. Ms. Cross allows us time with Lucas and Arden and Clair and Alister; giving us intimate glimpses into their lives. What I normally enjoyed about this series is that everyone has hidden agendas; making for a more exciting story filled with many twists and turns. In this installment I felt we didn’t get that as much. The story lines revolves almost singularly around Evie and Mac’s romance. I missed the cutting action and suspense from the previous two installments. I also missed the usually strong Warden presence.
Regardless of my qualms, Cross continues to pen an engaging steampunk romance that is sure to appeal to fantasy and romance fans alike.
Overall Rating: C+
October 30, 2013
Breath of Iron, Clockwork Agents #3, by Kate Cross
Grade: B +
“I never wanted you to die for me. I wanted you to live for me!”
Three years ago Evelyn Stone walked away from the only man she has ever loved. No longer could Evie sit back and watch Gavin “Mac” MacRae risk his life over and over again, so after saving his one last time Evie left. Now Mac needs her help and will do everything he can to save the woman he is claiming as his wife. Evie’s oath as a doctor come before her jealousy and she soons finds herself back on the ship she left and still in love with it’s captain.
Gavin “Mac” MacRae is keeping secrets, lots of them, but he knows what he must do to save the lives of everyone on board his ship. When Evie left mac the first time he almost didn’t survive and now that she’s back in his life he can’t let her go again. With a wife, traitor and the love of his life all on his ship mac prays to get to London in one piece so he can finally start the life he’s been dreaming of.
I have been eagerly anticipating Breath of Iron for months and was so excited when I finally got my copy. I remember reading the first chapter in the back of Touch of Steel and my mouth dropping when Mac told Evie about his wife. Of course at that point the chapter ended and my long agonizing road of waiting for this book started but let me tell you: IT WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT. From the very first page this book sucks you in and doesn’t stop with the twists and turns until the very end. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, who was the traitor and who in the world would these two ever get together again.
Mac and Evie are great characters and they compliment each other so well. Their scenes are emotional, beautiful, heartbreaking and full of smoking hot chemistry. Nothing is easy for these two and there are major hurdles and history that they have to fight to work through. The history between these two characters is what makes their relationship so great and what drew me in as a reader. I HAD to know what would happen next between them and how they would survive everything that was thrown at them and by the end I felt emotionally drained but so happy with the outcome.
The Clockwork Agents series is by far the best steampunk-romance series out there and each book just gets better and better. I am one hundred percent addicted to this series and find myself reading as slow as I can so I can stay in the magical world that Kate Cross has created. Every character is so different and has such a unique story that as a reader I never find myself bored and always feel like I’m getting something special. I have no idea whose book is next or when it will be out but I will be the first person in line waiting to read it.
Grade: B +
“I never wanted you to die for me. I wanted you to live for me!”
Three years ago Evelyn Stone walked away from the only man she has ever loved. No longer could Evie sit back and watch Gavin “Mac” MacRae risk his life over and over again, so after saving his one last time Evie left. Now Mac needs her help and will do everything he can to save the woman he is claiming as his wife. Evie’s oath as a doctor come before her jealousy and she soons finds herself back on the ship she left and still in love with it’s captain.
Gavin “Mac” MacRae is keeping secrets, lots of them, but he knows what he must do to save the lives of everyone on board his ship. When Evie left mac the first time he almost didn’t survive and now that she’s back in his life he can’t let her go again. With a wife, traitor and the love of his life all on his ship mac prays to get to London in one piece so he can finally start the life he’s been dreaming of.
I have been eagerly anticipating Breath of Iron for months and was so excited when I finally got my copy. I remember reading the first chapter in the back of Touch of Steel and my mouth dropping when Mac told Evie about his wife. Of course at that point the chapter ended and my long agonizing road of waiting for this book started but let me tell you: IT WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT. From the very first page this book sucks you in and doesn’t stop with the twists and turns until the very end. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, who was the traitor and who in the world would these two ever get together again.
Mac and Evie are great characters and they compliment each other so well. Their scenes are emotional, beautiful, heartbreaking and full of smoking hot chemistry. Nothing is easy for these two and there are major hurdles and history that they have to fight to work through. The history between these two characters is what makes their relationship so great and what drew me in as a reader. I HAD to know what would happen next between them and how they would survive everything that was thrown at them and by the end I felt emotionally drained but so happy with the outcome.
The Clockwork Agents series is by far the best steampunk-romance series out there and each book just gets better and better. I am one hundred percent addicted to this series and find myself reading as slow as I can so I can stay in the magical world that Kate Cross has created. Every character is so different and has such a unique story that as a reader I never find myself bored and always feel like I’m getting something special. I have no idea whose book is next or when it will be out but I will be the first person in line waiting to read it.
September 2, 2013
I have a fondness for steampunk, and the blurb for Kate Cross’ Breath of Iron sounded pretty fun, so I went ahead and requested the book. What followed was a fairly predictable storyline interspersed with steampunk elements and somewhat bland characters. While I did enjoy the way Evelyn was portrayed, her character was the only one I remotely cared for at all.
Dr. Evelyn Stone is kidnapped by her former paramour, Gavin MacRae, and is taken aboard his airship and ordered to treat a woman “Mac” names as his wife. Still smarting from Evelyn’s departure years ago, Mac takes pleasure in needling Evie and attempts to keep his distance from his former lover.
Evelyn is written as a smart character that takes pride in her work as a doctor and is very in control of her sexuality. She likes sex, she’s not ashamed of her body and the opening scenes show her with someone who isn’t the hero. She loved Mac when she was with him but couldn’t stand how much he ended up being hurt in his line of work and ended the relationship between the two of them. You see twinges of regret and remorse as Evelyn works to heal Mac’s wife, but she mostly manages to keep herself in check even as the long buried feelings for Mac resurface.
As this is the third book within the Clockwork Agents series, there were some names that I was unfamiliar with, but it was nothing that interfered with the storyline or flow of the book. My only real criticism is that the explanations behind the Wardens of the Realm were somewhat vague and ordinary. I understood that they were in charge of protecting people from harm, but I had no real sense of purpose or history behind the agency. There wasn’t a great deal of depth when it came to the world building. For most of the book, Evie and Mac are confined to his airship and it reads more as a “small, confined space” as opposed to an “unpredictable, flying piece of machinery”.
Mac spends a good portion of the book lying to Evie about his so-called “wife”. He’s never been married, but to keep Evie (and perhaps himself) at bay, he lies to her and says they’re married. His pride makes him rebuff Evie even as you can see he wants her and still cares very much about her.. but this facet of his character is trite and pretty predictable. Much of the book is spent with Mac and Evie exchanging verbal barbs, but when they both drop their guard, the romance that ensues is bittersweet.
I wasn’t particularly enthralled with any of the side characters.. but I will reiterate that I enjoyed Evie’s character the most. I like smart, complex and sexually confident heroines, and Evelyn Stone is certainly that.
- Ronnie
Dr. Evelyn Stone is kidnapped by her former paramour, Gavin MacRae, and is taken aboard his airship and ordered to treat a woman “Mac” names as his wife. Still smarting from Evelyn’s departure years ago, Mac takes pleasure in needling Evie and attempts to keep his distance from his former lover.
Evelyn is written as a smart character that takes pride in her work as a doctor and is very in control of her sexuality. She likes sex, she’s not ashamed of her body and the opening scenes show her with someone who isn’t the hero. She loved Mac when she was with him but couldn’t stand how much he ended up being hurt in his line of work and ended the relationship between the two of them. You see twinges of regret and remorse as Evelyn works to heal Mac’s wife, but she mostly manages to keep herself in check even as the long buried feelings for Mac resurface.
As this is the third book within the Clockwork Agents series, there were some names that I was unfamiliar with, but it was nothing that interfered with the storyline or flow of the book. My only real criticism is that the explanations behind the Wardens of the Realm were somewhat vague and ordinary. I understood that they were in charge of protecting people from harm, but I had no real sense of purpose or history behind the agency. There wasn’t a great deal of depth when it came to the world building. For most of the book, Evie and Mac are confined to his airship and it reads more as a “small, confined space” as opposed to an “unpredictable, flying piece of machinery”.
Mac spends a good portion of the book lying to Evie about his so-called “wife”. He’s never been married, but to keep Evie (and perhaps himself) at bay, he lies to her and says they’re married. His pride makes him rebuff Evie even as you can see he wants her and still cares very much about her.. but this facet of his character is trite and pretty predictable. Much of the book is spent with Mac and Evie exchanging verbal barbs, but when they both drop their guard, the romance that ensues is bittersweet.
I wasn’t particularly enthralled with any of the side characters.. but I will reiterate that I enjoyed Evie’s character the most. I like smart, complex and sexually confident heroines, and Evelyn Stone is certainly that.
- Ronnie
April 7, 2025
When the heroine left her then lover, the charismatic caption of the Queen V, she did so with a heavy heart and more than a healthy amount of cowardice. While lying in a hospital bed recovering from the surgery she performed to give him new lungs, he couldn't stop her. But neither did he come after her.
So, she expected to never see him again. But after three years of separation, she finds herself kidnapped and held on his ship. Not only must she deal with the pain of seeing him again and knowing that she never stopped loving him- she must survive the heart ache of tending to his wife, who's been shot.
The heroine shattered his heart when she left him and seeing her again is more painful than all the injuries he's ever sustained. But the woman lying with a gunshot wound, his wife in name only, holds the information that insures his realize from the Wardens debt. And even though she's not the only he loves, she's still a friend. And having her as his wife provides a buffer between him allowing himself to fall into the heroine clutches again. He knows that if she should even hint towards rekindling the love they once shared-he would fall to his knees in surrender.
The heroine left him because she was afraid. His recklessness and habit to leap into danger terrified her that the day would come when not even she could be about to save him. So, instead of risking him being taken from her, she left him. The hero, angry and confusion and deeply wounded by her actions calls her on her cowardice. Didn't she know that if she should have only asked he would have given it all up for her? The action, the adventure, nothing meant anything if he didn't have her.
I absolutely adored this story. First off, between the characters had crazy off the chart chemistry. Not just sexual, though that was present too. There was a very noticeable and undeniable tension laced between them for most of the story. This spoke of just how much history they had and all the unresolved feelings kept swirling around them. They were so different personality wise but yet soo very much alike. Especially with their stubbornness and pig-headed pride which makes it impossible for them to admit their deeper emotions without shouting and raging at one another. But never once could either of them fool the reader as it was plain to see just how much they meant to one another. Though there were some 'off' parts (where the hero attends Arden's birth-super weird) but this story was a healthy 95% awesome so well deserving of a 4-star rating.
So, she expected to never see him again. But after three years of separation, she finds herself kidnapped and held on his ship. Not only must she deal with the pain of seeing him again and knowing that she never stopped loving him- she must survive the heart ache of tending to his wife, who's been shot.
The heroine shattered his heart when she left him and seeing her again is more painful than all the injuries he's ever sustained. But the woman lying with a gunshot wound, his wife in name only, holds the information that insures his realize from the Wardens debt. And even though she's not the only he loves, she's still a friend. And having her as his wife provides a buffer between him allowing himself to fall into the heroine clutches again. He knows that if she should even hint towards rekindling the love they once shared-he would fall to his knees in surrender.
The heroine left him because she was afraid. His recklessness and habit to leap into danger terrified her that the day would come when not even she could be about to save him. So, instead of risking him being taken from her, she left him. The hero, angry and confusion and deeply wounded by her actions calls her on her cowardice. Didn't she know that if she should have only asked he would have given it all up for her? The action, the adventure, nothing meant anything if he didn't have her.
I absolutely adored this story. First off, between the characters had crazy off the chart chemistry. Not just sexual, though that was present too. There was a very noticeable and undeniable tension laced between them for most of the story. This spoke of just how much history they had and all the unresolved feelings kept swirling around them. They were so different personality wise but yet soo very much alike. Especially with their stubbornness and pig-headed pride which makes it impossible for them to admit their deeper emotions without shouting and raging at one another. But never once could either of them fool the reader as it was plain to see just how much they meant to one another. Though there were some 'off' parts (where the hero attends Arden's birth-super weird) but this story was a healthy 95% awesome so well deserving of a 4-star rating.
March 1, 2016
Breath of Iron is a good book. The book takes place in London, England. Evelyn Stone or Eve is the smartest doctor in all of Europe and MacRae or Mac who is a airship captain and Eve's former lover are the main characters. In the book Evelyn gets kidnaped by a group of her former friends. At first she has no idea why she Mac has ordered his sister and the rest of his crewmates to kidnap her, later on she finds out that the girl that she is captured to help is Mac’s wife. Eve and Mac can't stand in the same room as each other at first but as time goes on they ease into old habits like they never stopped. Eve and Mac face many challenges along their short journey from Germany to England.
Breath of Iron is a good book it will always keep you wondering who and why never quite giving any answers till the end. I liked that it was a mystery the whole way through and always kept you wondering what was going to happen next, like when Eve and Mac had to save the ship from the other pirates that were trying to kill a passenger on board. I also liked that it was long and didn't end in a cliffhanger. The only downfall of the book was that it left some details out like when Mac got scared that Eve got hurt because of him and ran off, we never got told why Mac ran off and never went to visit Eve in the hospital. I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance or suspense books.
December 23, 2013
My reviews for: Heart of Brass & Touch of Steel
I liked this book, but not as much as I enjoyed it's predecessors. Mostly because this was about a couple who comes back together after a bad breakup. These, I think, are always a bad idea for a romance novel. New romances remind me of all the good things about love. But in romances like this, all of their old issues and mistakes are brought up. The love is tainted. In the end it just reminds me of my past heartaches. Hello! That's not why I read a romance! I liked the characters and the plot was good, it was just much harder for me to really enjoy the love. I talk about this book and others on my YouTube channel, here: http://bit.ly/RN2j5n
Recommended
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes
Gore: Some
Rape: No
Magic: No *Steampunk
Drugs: Alcohol
Star Categories
Romance: 3.5 Stars
Action: 4 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel----*------Badass
Not a badass, but not a complete weakling either.
I liked this book, but not as much as I enjoyed it's predecessors. Mostly because this was about a couple who comes back together after a bad breakup. These, I think, are always a bad idea for a romance novel. New romances remind me of all the good things about love. But in romances like this, all of their old issues and mistakes are brought up. The love is tainted. In the end it just reminds me of my past heartaches. Hello! That's not why I read a romance! I liked the characters and the plot was good, it was just much harder for me to really enjoy the love. I talk about this book and others on my YouTube channel, here: http://bit.ly/RN2j5n
Recommended
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes
Gore: Some
Rape: No
Magic: No *Steampunk
Drugs: Alcohol
Star Categories
Romance: 3.5 Stars
Action: 4 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel----*------Badass
Not a badass, but not a complete weakling either.
May 2, 2015
From a story perspective, this novel was good. I really liked getting Evie and Mac's background. However, the thriller part felt contrived. After two novels dealing with the rivalry between the Company and the Wardens, that goes away and a new threat is brought in. Sure, I'm willing to believe that there are a bunch of spy agencies throughout Europe, but I thought it was strange that we had never really heard of them before. Still, the OTP made a great couple with relatable issues and amazing sex scenes.
Also, I have two bones to pick with the editing of this book -- one major and one minor. About 85 pages in, Evie thought about how easy Arden's delivery of a baby boy was and how Lucas had paced the floor. Then less than 200 pages later, Evie actually attends the birth of Arden's baby with Mac. That sort of mistake should have been caught. The minor issue is that every time Cross refers to the Company, she makes the same note about chaos and anarchy. First off, that can be made once. Second, it's the third book in the series so the point doesn't have to be made.
Also, I have two bones to pick with the editing of this book -- one major and one minor. About 85 pages in, Evie thought about how easy Arden's delivery of a baby boy was and how Lucas had paced the floor. Then less than 200 pages later, Evie actually attends the birth of Arden's baby with Mac. That sort of mistake should have been caught. The minor issue is that every time Cross refers to the Company, she makes the same note about chaos and anarchy. First off, that can be made once. Second, it's the third book in the series so the point doesn't have to be made.
August 2, 2013
I adored this book from beginning to end. It was just so freaking good that I didn't want it to end. Once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. I loved the chemistry between Mac and Evelyn and I was itching for them to get their long awaited HEA. The sparks and emotions flying off of these two had me quickly turning the pages for more.
What I love the most about Kate Cross's books is that she is able to make me believe that the world she has created is truly real. She is able to weave a story that is truly believable and makes me sad to leave it. But not only is she able to make her world seem real but she just has a way of creating characters that I care about. As soon as I met Mac and Evelyn I was rooting for them and I loved getting to know them.
I hope that there are more books in this series because it is truly amazing. This is one of the best books that I've read this year and I just know that I will be re-reading it again in the future.
What I love the most about Kate Cross's books is that she is able to make me believe that the world she has created is truly real. She is able to weave a story that is truly believable and makes me sad to leave it. But not only is she able to make her world seem real but she just has a way of creating characters that I care about. As soon as I met Mac and Evelyn I was rooting for them and I loved getting to know them.
I hope that there are more books in this series because it is truly amazing. This is one of the best books that I've read this year and I just know that I will be re-reading it again in the future.
August 6, 2013
This is the third book in Kate's Clockwork Agents book and is filled with blood, steampunk agents and a hot Scot! Our heroine, Evelyn, is the chief surgeon for the Wardens, and she accepts the responsibilities along with the perks of being friends with the "higher-ups." Then she's kidnapped by pirates. … Only the captain is actually her former lover Gavin "Mac" MacRae. He's awesome. He's a Scotsman with Texas blood, so there's a burning drawl mixed with his deep brogue. The two fight like an old married couple, and the steamy scenes between them are sweet and deep. If you're a fan of steampunk and pirates, Scottish Texans and true love, check out Breath of Iron.
To see more recs from this week check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
To see more recs from this week check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
May 19, 2014
I loved this story. Evie was certainly a firecracker and I admired how independent she was as well. I also thought the story was unique from other love stories because it put the woman in the position of dealing with consequences of being commitment-phobic (a trait generally stereotyped to men).
However, my favorite element of the book was the relationship between Evie and Mac. Their dialogues are clever and funny and realistic. Maybe I just liked it because I can relate to that kind of relationship with a significant other. Mac and Evie are always challenging each other or teasing each other, and although they gripe at each other, deep down they admire the qualities in each other that drive them crazy. They are both passionate and self-sacrificing and stubborn to a fault. They make quite the explosive match.
However, my favorite element of the book was the relationship between Evie and Mac. Their dialogues are clever and funny and realistic. Maybe I just liked it because I can relate to that kind of relationship with a significant other. Mac and Evie are always challenging each other or teasing each other, and although they gripe at each other, deep down they admire the qualities in each other that drive them crazy. They are both passionate and self-sacrificing and stubborn to a fault. They make quite the explosive match.
January 9, 2015
So, I didn't like this one as much as the previous two, but it's fun reading. Maybe I just hadn't really gotten to know Evie in the earlier books and her character had more surprises than I expected. I was hoping another character might be featured in this one, but I have to say that seeing Mac move from the fringe in Book 2 to center stage in this one was outstanding. I like him - and Evie will probably grow on me. They're a good match for each other. There's plenty of action, blood and guts with enough romance for those who really want that too. The steampunk is believable and easy to lose yourself in. I'm definitely looking forward to what comes next.
July 19, 2015
This is the third book in a very fun steampunk series. This story didn't resonate with me as much as the first two in the series, but still a very enjoyable read. Dr. Evelyn Stone is a very strong woman who left the airship captain Mac several years ago. Mac kidnaps Evelyn to obtain her help with a badly injured woman on his airship. Will Mac and Evelyn rekindle their former relationship in this espionage filled story?
February 28, 2014
A good, longing for past love, reunion with a past love, story. Great ending and very true to life.
The book very much depends on the rest of the series. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, it will come off as flat and who cares. If you read the first book, there is a "squee!" moment but no spoilers here.
The book very much depends on the rest of the series. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, it will come off as flat and who cares. If you read the first book, there is a "squee!" moment but no spoilers here.
October 6, 2013
Steampunk is expanding. This time an airship pirate captures a doctor who he used to love to save his wife of four days. But there is more to the story and with spies and minotaurs and steam cars, the story moves pretty fast. Good characters and the world just keeps getting better.
September 12, 2013
First off: what's with the white woman on the cover when the heroine is a mixed race black woman? Hmmm? Nice going, agents and publishers.
Other than the repeated internal whinging of Evie, it was quite an adventure story! Pirates, doctors and spies! What fun!
Other than the repeated internal whinging of Evie, it was quite an adventure story! Pirates, doctors and spies! What fun!
August 10, 2013
Breath of Iron is a good book, but I did not connect to Evie and Mac as much as the heroes and heroines in the first 2 books. Arden, Claire and their husbands make appearances in some of the best and funniest scenes.
November 6, 2013
I tried to give this one 3 stars but really I liked it less than the one I read before. The dialogue was so tedious I had to start skimming it and realized I missed hardly anything as everything was repeated.
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