Manicure Monday (60): Heart of Steel

Hi and welcome to Manicure Monday, a feature that combines my love of reading and nail polish. Each week I will showcase one of my current reads along with a matching book manicure. Enjoy!

Hello again. I am very sad that the weekend is over. Nothing really exciting is happening this week so I just plan to chill out (and work of course). April was a super crazy month and I am glad that it's over and things are finally calming down. This week's MM features Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook. This is the second book in the Iron Seas series and I am loving it. Brook is a really fantastic writer I love that there is so much incredible world building as well as great romance. I really hope that Brook comes out my way someday so that I can meet her. Anyways, let's check out this manicure.

For my index and middle finger I wanted to mimic the look and texture of the cover. It's mostly made up of dark browns and blues so I started off with a base Essie Cocoa Martini (dark brown). Using a makeup sponge, I lightly dabbed Fingerpaints Artistic Azure (metallic blue) over the nail unevenly to mimic the mottled look of the cover. 

Next I used a stamping plate and Wet N Wild Grey's Anatomy to stamp on the gears. I used Cheeky plate CH-33 which I also used in my original manicure for The Iron Duke. There aren't really a ton of steampunk stamping plates out there. After stamping the gears, I went back in with the makeup sponge and lightly dabbed over it with the blue again to help the gears blend in.

Next I wanted to create a stormy sky on my ring and pinkie fingers. I started with 2 coats of Essence Movie Stars (med grey creme). Then I used a makeup brush to sponge on Cult Nails Tempest (white creme) to create the clouds. I put on top coat while it was still a little wet to help blend the colors together. After that I used acrylic paints to paint the airship. It's the best airship and it kind of blob-y but it was the best I could do. :)

For my thumb I wanted to do something a little different and my eye was drawn the the leather armband on the cover. In the book, these are used to ward of zombie bites. I used 2 coats of OPI 4 In the Morning from the Gwen Stefani collection as my base. It's a black with a satin finish which was perfect for the leather. Then, using a dotting tool and OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby (gold), I dotted on the studs in a V formation.

I like this manicure a lot even though my airship is kind of sad. I did this one really on the fly and wasn't really sure what I was going to do with it until I did it. The book is awesome as well and I am happy to have a manicure to commemorate it.

I hope you guys liked today's manicure. Have you read this series yet? If you haven't, you really, really must. I love it so much and I think it has something for everyone. Go get it. Now. :)

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Short Story Review: Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City

Title: Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City (Iron Seas #1.5)

Author: Meljean Brook
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Adult Paranormal Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Bought

Eight months after The Iron Duke, can their marriage survive a new danger?

After Mina is called in to investigate the murder of an aristocratic bounder, her husband Rhys—known to the world as the Iron Duke—must overcome his fear for his new bride before his need to protect her tears them apart. But when she invites him to join her at the murder scene, a search for a mysterious killing machine puts her in more danger than ever before…a danger that leads straight back to Rhys.

Fans of Mina Wentworth and Rhys Trahearn rejoice. Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City is a wonderful short story that is a great addendum to The Iron Duke, giving us a little peek into life after the book ended. The Invisible City takes place 8 months after The Iron Duke. When a mutual aquaintance of Rhys and Mina's shows up dead, Mina is called in to investigate. The only clue they have is that the butler saw a giant brass wheel in the garden moments before the body was found. The hunt escalates when Mina discovers that the killer may have a connection to Rhys and she must find him before he can kill again.

I actually didn't know about this novella until my paperback copy of The Iron Duke showed up in the mail. I originally read an e-copy from the library but I loved the book so much that I wanted a copy for myself. I am so glad I bought it, too, because it contains this great little novella. Short stories ar not usually my favorite. It's really hard to write a short story that feels complete in such a short span of words. But Brook manages it quite well with The Invisible City. The story arc felt complete with a true beginning, middle, and end and it was a fun visiting these characters again and getting another view into their world.

The mystery plot was well executed and fast paced. Mina is as determined as ever and is dogged in her pursuit of the killer. While the mystery was a large part of the story, we also get to see how Mina and Rhys are taking to marriage. While they love each other passionately, their marriage is not without its problems. Both Rhys and Mina are still getting accustomed their new relationship. Neither of them has ever been in love before and they each have their own insecurities about the marriage. As a police inspector, Mina is often in danger, and Rhys is having a hard time dealing with his fear for her. Her safety means everything for him but he knows that he cannot stifle her or he will lose her. Mina is afraid that now that Rhys has her, his passion may have waned after the initial excitement of the pursuit has worn off. It was interesting to see how these two dealt with their feelings and insecurities. It's clear that they both love each other passionately. Of course there was also a good amount of steamy sex in this story - more than I would have thought for such a short story. I could have done with a wee bit less shagging, but I'm not really complaining.

It was also great seeing some old favorites from The Iron Duke. Scarsdale is as charming and outrageous as ever. Newberry plays a large role as well and I loved seeing him again. Mina and Rhys also include Anne the tinker in their family and we learn a bit more about her in this story.

I had a great time catching up with these characters. If you wondered what happened to Rhys and Mina after that fateful afternoon in the square, look no further. With incredible world building, great characters, a sexy romance and a fast paced mystery, The Invisible City has something for everyone. A must read for fans of The Iron Duke!

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Visit the author online at meljeanbrook.com,Facebook and follow her on Twitter @meljean

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Title: The Iron Duke (The Iron Seas #1)

Author: Meljean Brook
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2010
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance/Steampunk
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

This series has been on my radar for a while now but, for whatever reason, I did not read it for a very long time. I'd heard really good things about it and one of my favorite authors (Nalini Singh) even said that it was one of her favorite series. With such hype, I was a little afraid that this book would not meet my expectations. Fortunately, it surpassed them and I had a really great time diving into this new world.

The Iron Duke is a great mix of steampunk, pirates, zombies and romance. It's like all of my favorite things in one book. The world building is really incredible and Brook manages to create a really intricate world without overwhelming you. There was a lot to take in but I never felt like there was any info dumping or hand holding and I learned about the world naturally as the story progressed.

The story is pretty heavy on the romance though not annoyingly so. Mina and Rhys are both fantastic characters and they make an unlikely couple. Mina is a total badass and I loved how smart and tough she is. She hasn't had the easiest life. A child of what is called a Frenzy, Mina reminds people of their time under Horde rule and she is often discriminated against and assaulted. She has to work twice as hard to make up for the prejudices against her but it hasn't made her mean or bitter. It's just made her more determined. Romance is not something she is used to and it's fun watching the normally calm and cool inspector try to manage her feelings for Rhys.

Rhys Trahaearn is a great match for Mina. Though it seems like the ruthless former pirate captain is the exact opposite of Mina, the two actually have a lot in common. They're both strong willed and fiercely protective of what is theirs. They are both outsiders and don't quite fit in. Rhys hasn't had the easiest life but he made himself into one of the most powerful men in the world. They treated each other as equals and made a great team. Their romance was sweet at times and frustrating at others. They both behaved a little foolishly at the end of the book and neither of them wanted to admit that they needed the other. But don't worry, it all works out in the end. :)

I love it when I find a new series and a new world to explore. The plot was well paced and action packed. I loved Mina and Rhys and the book also had an amazing supporting cast. Newberry and Scarsdale are my favorites.

I am so glad I finally read this. This world has truly captivated me and I have a feeling that I've only scratched the surface of it. I already have book 2 on standby. Recommended for fans of adventure and romance.

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Visit the author online at meljeanbrook.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @meljean

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here.