Early Review: Forged by Desire by Bec McMaster

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: Forged by Desire
Author: Bec McMaster
Series: London Steampunk #4
Hero/Heroine: Garrett/Perry
Genre: MF Historical Romance, Steampunk
Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A FEAR SHE CAN’T ESCAPE

Ten years ago, Perry fled her thrall contract to find sanctuary among the Nighthawks. In that time, she’s become a respected woman of the Guard, and she’s wanted Garrett Reed for as long as she can remember. But when a new case takes a chillingly familiar turn, Perry finds herself once again in the path of a madman…only this time, there’s nowhere left to run.

A DESIRE THAT CAN’T BE TEMPERED

Out of their depth and racing against time, Perry and Garrett must learn to trust the desire sparking between them…or risk losing themselves forever to the darkness stalking London’s streets.

Review:

Yep, this is definitely one of my favorite series!!

Forged by Desire is the fourth novel in the London Steampunk series and tells the story of Garrett and Perry, two Nighthawk partners we first met in My Lady Quicksilver.  I’ve been anxiously awaiting their story for months now and I KNEW they would not disappoint.  This was right up there with Lynch and Rosalind’s story…don’t make me pick my favorite.

Garrett is adjusting to his new position as guild Master when the Nighthawks are called in to investigate the deaths of two debutants at one of the draining factories.  Garrett partners Perry with Byrnes to work the case.  Nine years ago Perry escaped her life and found her way to the Nighthawks where she has proven that, as woman, she can be as capable as any of the men.  When the secrets of her past start to unravel, she is determined to do what it takes to protect the man that she loves, but Garrett is fighting his own battle with the “darkness” inside him.

“You’re my anchor, Perry.  You’re my breath when I feel like I can’t catch my own.  I don’t think I can be strong enough to fight this alone.” ~ Garrett

I loved everything about this book!  So many things…I don’t even know where to begin or how to put it all down into coherent sentences!!

The Romance:  Well, we know Garrett finally saw Perry as a desirable woman at the end of My Lady Quicksilver, and I was surprised to see that neither of them could act like it never happened.  Oh, they tried, but the non-stop sexual tension and banter between them was insanely sexy!!  This is one couple who is perfectly right for each other and I loved seeing the journey they took from partners to friends and that final step to lovers.

“You may be able to steal my bits and pieces, but I love it when I steal your words.” ~ Perry

The Secrets:  Living and working in a world surrounded by all men, Perry has never been able show the woman she really is…that person died nine years ago.  The big battle between Perry and Garrett revolves around those secrets and the two can never move forward as a couple until all is revealed.  Garrett is persistent in discovering that woman and making her his, but in order to do that, their biggest vulnerabilities come out…

The Mystery:  It doesn’t stay a mystery for long and it’s pretty obvious who the killer is early on, but its the “why” of the killings that’s so important.  Oh, it’s very interesting what the bad guy has been up to and how it all ties into Perry’s past and the future of the blue blood race.

The Twists:  There were several of them that I never saw coming.  I kept expecting something “expected” to happen, but it never went in the obvious, predictable direction.

The Side-Characters:  All the past major couples and players make an appearance!!  I love how this series ties in all the previous stories and characters, even though everyone doesn’t know each other.  They are all smaller pieces of the bigger story arc which I hope finally comes to a resolution in the final book Of Silk and Steam…that will tell the story of Barrons and Aramina.  It will be interesting to read about two characters of the Echelon and I can’t wait to see their role in how it all turns out.

The Revolution:  It’s been building since the very beginning of the series.  Its time for the Echelon to go down and it’s getting closer and closer and closer…I think.

I did read The Curious Case of the Clockwork Menace prior to reading this.  It is a pre-romance story that takes place a few years prior and involves one of Garrett and Perry’s cases they worked when Perry finally started recognizing her feelings for Garrett.  It can be read at any time, it doesn’t really matter, but there are a few sneaky little details that cross between their two stories.

This entire series is a MUST READ and gets better and better with each book!

Overall Impression: It Was Amazing

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*