Welcome to UTC, Bec! We’re so happy to have you! How would you describe yourself in three words?
Thanks for having me! Three words, hmmm… Adventurous, creative, bookworm.
The world-building in London Steampunk is extensive. How did this world come to you and how in the world do you keep track of every detail?
I always find that worlds build slowly over the years for me, often when I’m not even aware of what they’re doing. I get snatches of it here and there, then something will fall into place and suddenly I’m up and running. London Steampunk started as a vague idea about a vampiric aristocracy, then I started thinking about how I was tired of vampires always being the ‘heroes’. I wanted to write something where they were ugly, dangerous predators – the monsters of the Shelley, Byron period etc. I’ve also had this idea running along for years about a virus being the cause of the vampiric disease. So as you can see a little of this, a little of that…
As to keeping track of it… I must admit I need to start a series diary. At the moment it’s all in my head and various notes I have stashed around my study, which does mean I have to go back and check things frequently.
Will from HEART OF IRON is probably one of my favorite heroes! What do you think it is about him that makes him so desirable to readers?
One of the themes popping up in my work – or so it seems – is the idea of a hero who is what he is, and isn’t ashamed of that. They’re not trying to be anyone else or to follow any ideals.
Will is verwulfen, which means he’s not entirely human, and after spending ten years locked in a cage, forced to perform for a crowd, he truly has little understanding of human interactions. I loved writing about that outside-looking-in hero; he’s so lonely in a way, but he doesn’t know what he wants until his heroine Lena comes into the scene. She is truly the center of his world and he will do anything to keep her safe, even when he’s afraid to get close to her. And I think respect has a lot to do with him being a great hero; he’ll never try to make her less than what she is, indeed, throughout the story he tries to help her find her own strength.
Can you please tell us more about MY LADY QUICKSILVER? We’re dying to know!
My Lady Quicksilver was so much fun to write! *laughs evilly* Take one dutiful hero – Lynch, the Master of the Nighthawks – and pair him with the masked revolutionary he’s been tasked to capture. ‘Mercury’ swiftly becomes his obsession, but he doesn’t realize that the real Mercury is right beneath his nose. I love a secret identity plotline, and that moment where Lynch finally realizes who she is… That gut-wrenching sense of betrayal… Man, I was hanging out for that scene all manuscript.
Who is your dream cast for the London Steampunk series?
I do have a little list, because I’m a visual writer:
Blade – I totally saw Cam Gigandet (Burlesque) as Blade. Physically, as well as that entire attitude. I needed someone who could be the bad boy as well as a dubious hero.
Honoria – Rose Byrnes, because she’s so delicate and pretty, but has this whole inner sense of toughness going on.
Will Carver – Will’s a bit of a mix for me. I visualize him a little more like Taylor Kitsch, but I could see Sam Worthington having the physicality and gruffness for the role.
Lena – Natalie Portman all the way. Fun, flirtatious, vulnerable.
I know you’re a woman of the world and enjoy traveling, where is your favorite place to visit?
Russia really amazed me. Europe’s beautiful, but there’s just this sense of complete different-ness about Russia. Tourism’s only just beginning to take off over there too, which means there’s a genuine feel to the culture. And the history! I simply love history and Russia has it all.
If you could put yourself in your books, what would your character be like and who would your HEA be?
I would probably be the bluestocking with her nose buried in a book, who doesn’t notice that hot rake in the corner. I’d love to say Leo Barrons (Honoria and Lena’s half-brother) would be my HEA, but I’ve a feeling he’s destined for someone else.
If you were having a tea party which 5 people, either real or fictional; from the past or present who would you invite and why?
1. Ilona Andrews, because she always seems so nice and funny and her books are the best.
2. Joss Whedon. I think he’d be fascinating and he’s my storytelling hero.
3. Terry Pratchett for the entertainment value.
4. Stacia Kane, who’s books I love.
5. And Manu Bennett (played Crixus on Spartacus) just because I have a complete crush.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Gilded by Karina Cooper. And yes, I’d recommend it. It’s amazing steampunking fun (which is now a word) with ambiguous heroes and a heroine with a bad habit. I love that kind of anti-hero vibe.
HEART OF IRON BY BEC MCMASTER
IN STORES MAY 2013
In the mist-shrouded streets of London’s dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires and a clockwork army are one step away from battle…
NO ONE TO TRUST
Lena Todd is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel against London’s vicious elite—not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger.
Will Carver, is more than man, he’s a verwulfen and he wants nothing to do with the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she’s in a world of trouble. To protect her, he’ll have to seduce the truth from her before it’s too late.
“Deftly blends elements of steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results…darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy.” –Booklist, starred review for KISS OF STEEL
To purchase Heart of Iron:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks
Want a free taste of the London Steampunk universe? My novella Tarnished Knight is available in ebook form at my website.
London Steampunk Series 1.5, connected
Smashwords • April 1st 2013
• Kindle •• Nook •• Kobo • Smashwords
In the steam-fuelled world of Victorian London, vampires, werewolves and slasher gangs stalk the night and a man made partly of metal is about to discover just how far he’ll go to protect the woman he loves…
After a vicious vampire attack left him struggling to leash the dark urges of the craving virus, John ‘Rip’ Doolan, thinks he’s finally starting to master the darkness within. The only thing that threatens to shatter his hard-won control is Esme, his closest friend and the only woman he’s ever wanted. If the stubborn beauty ever realised precisely what was going through his mind, their friendship would be ruined…
For six months Esme has waited for Rip to recover and take her as his thrall, not daring to hope for more. Too afraid to put her heart on the line, she’s devastated when Rip reveals that he never had any intentions of making her his.
But when a savage gang of Slashers start causing havoc in Whitechapel, Rip and Esme have no choice. They must face up to the depth of the passion that burns between them and forge a new relationship… or risk losing each other forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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. Read more about her at www.becmcmaster.com or follow her on Twitter @BecMcMaster.
If I was having a tea party I would most definitely invite my Book Babes. These are ladies that have connected here on FB by sharing our love of reading. We are all in different states and 4 of us plan to meet in person for the first time at Naughty Mafia 2013 in Vegas. I’m talking about Stephanie McGill, Brandilicious Lovesbooks, Gwen Jacobs, Olivia Bermejo Grochowski, and Judi Cuypers. We got close late one night while we were stalking Amazon waiting for Rock With Me to be released. We didn’t want to start another book because we were waiting for that one. The release was delayed until the next day, so we stayed up all night chatting and sharing. We have talked to each other every day since then and are now BFF (Book Friends Forever).
That’s the coolest story! I know exactly how you feel, my writing buddies are my be sties and for the first year neither of us had met each other.
If I had a tea party who would I invite: Lets see: Nathon Fillion, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, my husband of course and Rhiannon Paille
I haven’t read Kim Harrison – to much word count, too little time – but I adore Kelley Armstrong. And I thought about inviting my BF, because he always keeps the conversation rolling and makes me laugh. And he’d probably like to meet Manu Bennett too.
I have the same story as Rosa but I will change it up a lil…..I’m Gwen from the above post. Also, that night we talked about naughty talk . That day was one of the best days of my life . I met 5 of the most dearest ladies I can say I hold in my heart now and forever….I can say these ladies are my best friends for life… We haven’t even met in person yet but I feel closer to them than ever.. We stay up late most every night just talking about nothing at times…Love you gals and we would have the best damn tea party ever…oh wait does it gotta be tea? So yep most definitely I would have it with Stephanie McGill , Judi Cuypers, Rosarita Reader, Brandilicious Lovesbooks, Olivia Bermejo Grochowski…
You may swap in waterer beverage of choice you would prefer (:
Or even ‘whatever’. Spell correct is hounding me this morning.
Let’s see I’d invite 1. My grandmother who passed away when I was 11 but used to love books like me. 2&3. My best book buds Stacey & Caroline. 4&5. Jill Shalvis & Ruthie Knox because their blogs keep me entertained daily!
That would be amazing if we could go back and have tea with our grandma’s. Mine passed when I was four so I only have one memory of her. I would have loved to have known her.
That’s a tough decision to make… Let’s see, I’d invite both of my grandmothers (who I never got to meet), Nora Roberts because her books keep me entertained no matter what she writes, Leonardo Fibanacci (such a genius), and my best friend to meet all these amazing people with me 😀
It is a tough decision! Nora Roberts would be amazing, just to ask how she can keep writing so many books!
Oh wow… thats a hard one! Um.. I have to agree with Nathan Fillion, he’s a riot! Buffy the Vampire Slayer or just Sarah Michelle Gellar, I’ve always been a fan of hers, Acheron, my grandma,(she recently passed) and maybe my aunt. Shes a huge reader too. I know there are soo many more that I would pick! Pretty much any fictional character would be awesome to sit and talk to.
I shall agree with you on Nathan Fillion and Buffy. I’m not sure who Acheron is?
Sorry to hear about your grandma, hope you are all okay.
Hey Bec, Acheron is a character from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books.
My sister, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hensworth, Christine Feehan and the hubby 🙂
Thanks,
lorih824 at yahoo dot com
As a fellow Australian, I like your choice of Chris Hemsworth. Or Phwoar as my bestie calls him.
Elizabeth Bennett, Michelle obama, Damon Salvatore, dolly Levi (hello dolly), auntie mame, jenks
[email protected]
Great list – and very eclectic. Damon Salvatore, how could I forget!
If I were having a tea party, I would invite Rachel Morgan, Trent Kalamack, Ivy, Jenks, and Kim Harrison. This group would certainly have a lively and interesting conversation around the table. Love the Hollows series!
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think we have a Kim Harrison fan (: It would be great to meet some characters, wouldn’t it. I’d love to meet Kate Daniels and Curran from Ilona Andrews series.
I’m not entering the contest because I have the books in this series either already on my kindle or pre-ordered….lol….
As to the tea party….i would like to have Cleopatra, Elizabeth 1, Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott and Jacqueline Susann….to me they represent women through out the ages and people who have influenced my love of books. Good interview!
Hope you enjoy them anyway Maria!
Ooh, some very famous historical women. Cleopatra would be amazing to talk to!
Any tea party must have MANU BENNETT – totally agree with you Bec ….major crush here as well (he’s kind of my imaginary Iron Duke lol). Plus: Noomi Rapace, Miranda Archer (from Firelight), Ursula K LeGuin and…..Leo Barrons ☺
Yes, I could definitely see him as the Iron Duke!
Now who would you imagine as Leo?
Louis Dowler…..(he’s a model, dated Kate Winslet a few years ago)…gorgeous hunk of a man 🙂
If I were having five people at my tea party I would love to invite Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, my oldest son, JFK and Terry Bradshaw. Thanks for asking. lisagk(at)yahoo
A music afficianado! Very cool!
If you were having a tea party which 5 people, either real or fictional; from the past or present who would you invite and why?
Ooooh very tough question to answer. For one I would invite my art friend Iz (from deviant art) fire general Carrie. That man would make any party fun to attend. Second I would also invite another deviant artist named Nathie’s blind druid because he’s sexy as sin! hrm hrm Vanyel from Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books, Tabitha and Simi from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books. Wow that party would be funnnn
Sounds like a fun party indeed, Raonaid! I’m loving all these answers. It’s really interesting to see what people would be invited.
The MacKenzie family- Hart, Ian, Mac, Cameron and Daniel. I love this series and the way the family interacted with each other. They were always involved in each others lives.
Lori, you had me at Ian. Not that Hart isn’t amazing, but Ian was some kind of special. I could only dream of writing a hero like that.
Zsadist, Rehv- BDB series
Declan, Lothaire- IAD series
Knight- Kristen Ashley’s book
because they’d be unpredictable and fun at a party
Hmmm, I would invite my husband (cause I love spending time with him), Martin Luther King Jr(he’s inspirational 🙂 ), Nathan Fillion (cause he’s super funny!), Robert Downey Jr (he’s funny too!), aaaaand my mom (because she’s my mom lol).
What a HARD question! Ok:
1. Elvis Presley
2. Henry VIII
3. Anne Boleyn (just for some added drama!)
4. Alexander Skarsgard (because he’s BEAUTIFUL!)
5. Marilyn Monroe
Phew… that was rough.
mestith at gmail dot com
1.Claire Fraser
2. Nathan Fillion
3. Stana Katic
4. David Boreanz
5.Robert Downey Jr
Claire because of the type of double life she lived
Nathan and Stana because of the chemistry and wit between them
David and Robert because they also have a sense of humor and they look great in any type of suit (metal or otherwise)
That’s actually a really tough question! I think I’d invite Billy Idol, Will Smith, Christopher Walken, Lothaire and Adam Sandler. I think that would be a very cool, entertaining group to hang out with.
well thats hard to say but all the breeds!!!from lora leigh!!!
I would invite my husband first.
I think I would invite for the tea my favorite actors : Christopher Lee, Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and Bela Lugosi. It would be a fun tea party with full movies stories.
Jane Austen: So I could pick her mind and fill her in on how awesome everyone thinks she is.
Audrey Hepburn: Ditto.
Marilyn Monroe: So I could understand her.
Jimmy Stewart: Just so he could talk to me– I love his voice!
Nathan Fillion: So I could introduce him to my nana, who adores him!
I would love to have author Jen Langcaster, my friend Christine, my adult twin daughters, and my husband. Hubby is there as the DD, because we are going to be drinking more than tea, lol
My grandma who passed away a year ago, so I could tell her I love her.
Christine Feehan because I adore everything she writes.
Sherrilyn Kenyon for the same reason.
V from JR Ward’s BDB series because I want to jump him. 😉
And my Twin because she’s just awesome. 😀
1. Jason Momoa, because every tea party needs some eye candy plus he’s just as much a SciFi/Fantasy/Gamer freak as I am.
2. Ragnor Lothbrok/Travis Fimmel from Vikings because I love his mischievous smile and just more eye candy.
3. Devyn, King of the Targons, from Gena Showalter’s Alien Huntress because I always wanted a hot sexy alien of my own and he is intergalactic heat.
4. Leonardo DaVinci, because I’ve always been fascinated by him and would love to experience first hand the workings of his mind.
5. Niccolo Machiavelli, because same as DaVinci, he was one of the greatest political masterminds and strategist of the Western world plus he could dish the dirt on so many others.
And I would be sure not to schedule my tea party on the same day as Lori Meehan’s (above comment) so I could find a way to finagle my way into her tea party. All 5 MacKenzies, talk about fantasies!!!