The Basics:
Nero's Fiddle by A.W. Exley
Curiosity Quills
Book Three in the Artifact Hunters series
Steampunk Romance
Published October 9, 2014
Source: Purchased an e-copy
Amazon Goodreads
** The first two books in this series, Nefertiti's Heart and Hatshepsut's Collar are priced at 99 cents until January 3rd, and the short story The Unicorn's Tail is free. Check them out *now*!
Why I picked up this book:
I'm a *huge* fan of the first two books, and had to know what happened next for Cara and Nate.
The Basics:.
Hatshepsut's Collar by A.W. Exley
Curiosity Quills
Book Two in the Artifact Hunters series
Steampunk romance
Published December 15, 2013
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Blurb:
An ancient Egyptian artifact is driving Queen Victoria insane, and that's not top of Cara Devon's growing list of problems.
Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is a man of numerous secrets, but there is one in particular that threatens his fledgling relationship with Cara. Stunned by Nate's revelation, and before she can absorb the ramifications of his actions, he is arrested, charged with treason and imprisoned in the grim Tower of London. He stole something the mad queen wants, and only has days to deliver, before his date with the executioner.
Although sorely tempted, Cara can't let him die on Tower Green, not when their connection means she would share his fate.
Only together can Cara and Nate figure out how to wrestle Hatshepsut's Collar from around the queen's neck, before she plunges Britain into a world war. The search for answers sends Cara to the opulent Winter Palace of St Petersburg and the frozen depths of Siberia, with every step shadowed by an enemy with his own dark plans.
Why I picked up this book:
I loved the first one - and reviewed it a few weeks ago. I was thrilled to receive a copy of the second book.
My thoughts:
An amazing sequel, Hatshepsut's Collar exceeded my expectations. Exley writes in her goodreads.com review of the book that "it is easy to fall in love with someone, but then you have to figure out how to live with all their little quirks, and whatever they have buried in the basement". This is definitely an accurate description of the romance portion of this novel, which is one part of the book. The other part deals with the dangers wrought by Hatshepsut's collar.
I think the romance is fantastic - it hit all the notes I wanted. Nate is a very protective, strong-willed criminal lord used to getting his own way. Cara's a wild soul, embracing her freedom after a horrific childhood experience, unwilling to be caged for any reason, even her own protection. Now, I've read a few comments that suggested that there's a disturbing, overly controlling aspect to the relationship, that Cara has no choice but to bend because of the circumstances. My experience of the book was definitely *not that.* Cara is presented as a supremely capable woman who could escape from Nate if she so desired (and there are many points in the book when he reflects on her ability to slip away). It never even occurred to me while reading that there was anything unequal about the relationship, and I think it's a disservice to Cara's character to think that she can't eke out whatever life she desires. I love these two together - very strong, clearly defined characters who need to cope with each other's rough edges.
I enjoyed the sprinkling of Nate's perspective alongside Cara's. Often in these urban fantasy-type books we don't get the hero's thoughts and that can make them seem more foreboding, let's say, than intended. Nate's inner struggle was satisfying, and there's a moment at the end when everything comes to a head that's just... perfect. It's not the obvious moment, but... yeah.
The collar plot is also a good one (and really the driving force of the book, even though I've fixated on the romance). There were some twists and turns that seemed obvious to me, but that didn't reduce my enjoyment of the novel at all. I like the way that mythology and fantasy are woven into the storyline. There's a ton of action in this book, with the appropriate gizmos and gadgetry. I think the action component is stronger, and there's less mystery, when compared to the first book. I wanted to soak this book up more quickly than I was physically able.
The story ends with new opportunities and opens things up for many sequels, which I wholeheartedly approve of. I'm looking forward to Cara and Nate's numerous adventures over the years to come!
Also: I am on board with a romance for Loki. Just saying.
Bottom line:
I enthusiastically recommend this novel - get the first one, Nefertiti's Heart to start! It's an excellent book as well, and you don't want to shortchange yourself!
5 stars
For fans of steampunk, romance, intrigue, Nefertiti's Heart (Book One in the series).
The Basics:
Nefertiti's Heart by A W Exley
Curiosity Quills
Book One in the Artifact Hunters
Mystery / New Adult / Steampunk / Romance
Published Feb 4, 2013
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Blurb:
Cara Devon has always suffered curiosity and impetuousness, but tangling with a serial killer might cure that. Permanently.
London, 1861. Impoverished noble Cara has a simple mission after the strange death of her father – sell off his damned collection of priceless artifacts. Her plan goes awry when aristocratic beauties start dying of broken hearts, an eight inch long brass key hammered through their chests. A killer hunts amongst the nobility, searching for a regal beauty and an ancient Egyptian relic rumored to hold the key to immortality.
Her Majesty’s Enforcers are in pursuit of the murderer and they see a connection between the gruesome deaths and Cara. So does she, somewhere in London her father hid Nefertiti’s Heart, a fist sized diamond with strange mechanical workings. Adding further complication to her life, notorious crime lord, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is relentless in his desire to lay his hands on Cara and the priceless artifact. If only she could figure out his motive.
Self-preservation fuels Cara’s search for the gem. In a society where everyone wears a mask to hide their true intent, she needs to figure out who to trust, before she makes a fatal mistake.
Why I picked up this book:
Steampunk romance ? Yes.
My thoughts:
Do you ever start to read a book and think the author must have been writing with your personal hotspots in mind? This book has so many of the discrete elements I love in books all wrapped together that I couldn't help but fall for Nefertiti's Heart.
First, nineteenth century steampunk. The time period is near and dear to my heart. And the steampunk element was obvious even in the cover image - a clockwork heart. I like that the book is definitely set in a steampunk world but that it doesn't go overboard playing up those elements. Yes, we have automatons and mechanical horses, messages being zapped about the aether and airships for long range transport. But these are part of the fabric of everyday life in this book, not used to sledgehammer the reader into believing the setting.
Second, paranormal. From the first chapter, we have a house that seems to have some autonomy. Whether or not this is true, Cara certainly talks about it as if it is so. Her father's artifacts also seem to be more than simply hunks of gold and jewels - part of the book's mystery is determining whether this is true or not.
Third, romance. Cara has an attraction to Lyons from the start, but her past makes it difficult for her to comprehend that. Lyons knows what he wants, and that's Cara. His patience and determination are extremely sexy. They have a way of fitting together, sharp edges and all, that I found appealing.
Above and beyond these genre and setting components, I also loved Cara and cared about what happened to her. She's that rarely truly successful combination of spunky, capable and vulnerable. I wanted to know more about her childhood even though I kind of didn't because I knew it was going to be awful. I wanted to see her conquer her fears with Lyons' help. I wanted her to solve the murders. I liked that she and Lyons seemed to be well matched - her autonomy never felt jeopardized by his interest, and that really attracted me to this romance.
I was reminded a little bit of Eve and Roarke from Nora Roberts as JD Robb's In Death series, in a really positive and favourable way. Cara and Lyons work even better for me than Eve and Roarke do. I think that if you're a fan of the In Death series and you like steampunk, you might enjoy this book as well. Beyond the romance, there's also a significant murder-mystery, plus the ongoing hunt for Cara's father's artifacts.
The Bottom Line:
I want to rave about Nefertiti's Heart! It's fun with a sharp-witted, plucky heroine and a sexy, supportive hero. I enjoyed the mystery, with the creepy 'from the killer's perspective' chapters. I loved the setting details and the atmosphere. The pacing was perfect for me. Love love love.
Please read this book because I already want many, many more in the series!
5 stars
For fans of steampunk mysteries and/or steampunk romance, capable heroines and the men who want them.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and the Bookish in which they post a book-related top ten every - you guessed it! - Tuesday.
This week the theme is Top Ten New to Me Authors in 2013.
In no particular order:
1. Lauren Layne - I read and reviewed two books by Layne late this year and both were excellent. I'll be watching for more written by her in 2014.
2. A. W. Exley - I discovered Exley this weekend when I devoured her Nefertiti's Heart - a book I'll be reviewing on Thursday so stay tuned! (Spoiler alert: It was a book that could have been written just for me, I enjoyed it so very much!). I'm looking forward to reading more in her Artifact Hunters series.
3. Lisa Burstein - Burstein's Sneaking Candy was another book that hit so many of my personal favourite elements that I cannot wait to read more from her!
4. Cassie Mae - Mae makes my list because her book Switched achieved what should have been impossible - making the main characters likable even though they schemed to break up their best friends so they could steal their significant others.
5. Michele Renae - Renae's Window was the first erotic novel in a while that I had read without an "alpha male as Dom" for the hero and I so, so enjoyed it. I've already got the follow-up, Screen, on my to read list for the start of next year!
6. Robyn Schneider - I didn't review The Beginning of Everything for this blog, but I really, really enjoyed it. I would normally have been irked by the ending because I didn't get everything I thought I wanted, but it was actually pretty profound just as it was.
7. Olivia Cunning - I haven't reviewed anything by Cunning on this blog yet, but I probably will as her erotic novels are numerous and will make excellent Monday fodder if I don't come up with something else to review instead. Though I don't love the extended nature of some of her series, I do find her novels always extremely sexy, kinky and full of variety (despite revolving around rock stars!)
8. Jillian Stone - I discovered Stone at the beginning of the year, speed reading two of the Phaeton Black books. I haven't returned to her since then only because I didn't realize until looking for a link to her website just now that she's as prolific as she is! I'm sure I'll binge read more of her books in 2014!
9. Kat Martin - I borrowed a ton of Martin's "Against The" series from my local library during the last months of my pregnancy in the spring. I loved them and I loved that I was able to binge read so many of them. I suspect I'll do the same with her historical romances when I hit a lull in 2014!
10. Thomas E. Sniegoski - I read the first in Sniegoski's Remy Chandler series because my library had a later book in the series in their 'new' section and I thought - "Hey, that looks kind of like the Dresden Files meets angels. I might like that!" I was not wrong. I always love to add new authors of urban fantasy to my 'go to' list, and I was particularly pleased to add Sniegoski because I love what he does with angel mythology.
Which authors were you happy to discover this year?
