Interview & Giveaway with Bec McMaster

Today J9 is interviewing author Bec McMaster. Welcome to The Book Vixen Bec!

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J9: I’ve enjoyed reading Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk series and highly recommend it. Thanks for answering some questions about the books. Where did you get the idea to combine steampunk and paranormal for this world building?

Bec McMaster: It was a result of what I like to read, became what I like to write. I love steampunk, but this world just came to me, with all its darkness. And in some ways I don’t view it as strongly paranormal, even though it uses a paranormal trope. My blue bloods and vampires are very much a product of science and a virus, rather than a mystical force. Their strengths and weaknesses are purely physical. Though I appreciate that it appeals to paranormal readers.

J9: What kind of research did you do for this series so far?

Bec McMaster: The problem with writing alternative history is that you have to know what happened - and then decide what changed from the moment you changed history. For example, in my world the French Revolution was about humans getting rid of their blue blood overlords by beheading them. Out of fear, the aristocratic Echelon in London turned to science and mechanics to protect themselves from the masses. So of course, trying to discover what sort of technology was - or could have been - around when London Steampunk is set was really interesting. A lot of the technology we use today had its roots all the way back in the 1800's. Take Charles Babbage's Difference Engine for example. He was trying to create the first prototype of a computer-like device, the idea of which was actually conceived back in the 1700's.

J9: What was your inspiration for the series?

Bec McMaster: I had this idea percolating for a while about a vampiric aristocracy. A bloodier play on the ton. That was how the Echelon – the upper echelon – came into being. From there the world expanded.

J9: Which character was the most difficult for you to write? And the least?

Bec McMaster: Blade was definitely the easiest to write. He came straight into my head, fully formed and ready to chase Honoria. As for the most difficult character to write? *Glares at Will Carver.* I love that burly, brooding man, but writing taciturn men is tough. Me: Want to tell me your secrets? Will: No. Me: Why don’t you tell them to Lena then? Will: I'd rather eat hot coals… Me: What about if she’s naked? Will: Ah, there won’t be much talkin’ goin’ on…

J9: Who are some of your favorite authors and books?

Bec McMaster: I love anything Meljean Brooks or Ilona Andrews writes, Stacia Kane kills me in her Downside Ghosts series, my friend Kylie Griffin writes the most emotionally-compelling fantasy romance and Nalini Singh always hits it out of the park. Basically I love anything dark and gritty, with fantastic world-building and heroes that aren’t Prince Charming. I guess it was always the Bad Boy for me.

J9: I see Rosalind and Jasper are the next series’ couple. Can you share a bit about that book?

Bec McMaster: My Lady Quicksilver is out in October and I can’t wait. Sir Jasper Lynch is the Master of the Nighthawks, rogue blue bloods who patrol the streets of London. When he’s tasked with delivering the head of the revolutionary, Mercury, to the Prince Consort or risk his own, he thinks he’s got it in the bag. Until he realizes Mercury is a woman. A very dangerous, sexy woman who wants to destroy all blue bloods. Let’s just say, duty vs. desire? Which do you think is going to win?

J9: Do you have in mind a certain number of books in this series?

Bec McMaster: At this stage I’m contracted for five books, which will complete this particular story arc. There is always so much going on in this world that other arc’s could pop up, but that depends on my readers.

J9: The London Steampunk series has been adored and garnered rave review (mine included). Did you expect this when you released the debut?

Bec McMaster: I’m probably my most critical critic, so not really. It had done really well on the contest circuit, so I knew people out there liked it, but the response has been terrific and unexpected. It's always difficult to judge your own work and how it will affect people.

J9: Are you working on any other writing projects?

Bec McMaster: I’m always working on other projects. It helps to keep me fresh for London Steampunk, and honestly, it’s a case of too many ideas, not enough time. I’m hoping to complete some of those projects this year and hopefully they’ll find a place somewhere.

J9: Finally and just because, what is the silliest song you sing along to and don’t want others to know?

Bec McMaster: After that 'Every bunny was Kung Fu fighting' meme that went around during Easter, that's all I've had in my head. Driving me crazy. Especially when you're trying to write the smexy scenes.

J9: Thank you for visiting the Book Vixen. I can’t wait to read the entire London Steampunk series so please stay busy writing!

Bec McMaster: Will do! Thanks so much for having me!

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Award-winning author Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. The third book in the London Steampunk series, My Lady Quicksilver will be in stores in October 2013.

 

 

Find the author online: website | blog | goodreads | twitter | facebook

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Title: Heart of Iron
Series: London Steampunk, Book 2
Author: Bec McMaster
Genre: Steampunk
Published: May 7, 2013 by Sourcebooks

In Victorian London, if you’re not a blue blood of the Echelon then you’re nothing at all. The Great Houses rule the city with an iron fist, imposing their strict ‘blood taxes’ on the nation, and the Queen is merely a puppet on a string…

Lena Todd makes the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a sympathizer for the humanist movement haunting London’s vicious blue blood elite. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger, and the one man whose kiss she can’t forget…

Stricken with the loupe and considered little more than a slave-without-a-collar to the blue bloods, Will wants nothing to do with the Echelon or the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds a coded letter on Lena—a code that matches one he saw on a fire-bombing suspect—he realizes she’s in trouble. To protect her, he must seduce the truth from her.

With the humanists looking to start a war with the Echelon, Lena and Will must race against time—and an automaton army—to stop the humanist plot before it’s too late. But as they fight to save a city on the brink of revolution, the greatest danger might just be to their hearts…

 

Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo | Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks

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Thanks to Sourcebooks, one lucky winner will receive a print copy of Kiss of Steel, book one in the London Steampunk series by Bec McMaster. Good luck to all who enter!

• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years old or older to enter.
• Giveaway open to US and Canada residents. Void where prohibited.
• Comments are appreciated, however, you must fill out the Rafflecopter form in order to enter this giveaway.
• Please read TBV's Giveaway Policy before entering.
• Giveaway ends 9:01 pm (Pacific Time) on 6/3/2013.

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