Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Heart of Steel by Elizabeth Einspanier | Review & Gift Certificate Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Elizabeth Einspanier, with a review of her latest novel "Heart of Steel!!"

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Blog Tour will run February 17, 2015 -- Giveaway will run from February 17 - 20, 2015]



- This is an ARC book - Expected Release Date: February 17, 2015 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Heart of Steel" by Elizabeth Einspanier

Author's Book Description : Science Fiction Romance

When amnesiac cyborg Dr. Alistair Mechanus meets the injured ER doctor Julia Parker, his plans for world conquest are set aside in favor of trying to win her heart. However, due to ten years of solitude dedicated to mad science, his initial efforts terrify her rather than charming her, driving her to try to escape his clutches. When events conspire against both of them, she is forced to trust him with her life, and discovers a vulnerable side to Mechanus beneath his armor plating–but will her efforts to help him unlock his lost memories save his soul, or shatter his mind once and for all?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! Alistair (Michael) is a genius. One that time has turned into a bit of a mad scientist, who sequesters himself in his lair he built within a volcano not far from Hawaii. However, when Julia and her crazy boyfriend fall into Alistair's life, the things he thought he once knew about himself get questioned when old memories start surfacing again. Is Julia the key to his forgotten past and if so will she be willing to help him in the future??

Sort of setup like a "Beauty & the Beast" novel, this action-packed book will keep you guessing the whole way through. It was interesting watching Alistair become more human with each passing encounter with Julia. I especially liked his enthusiasm and affection that he had for his chimeras, it was sweet and made me really root for him. While I can understand Julia's hesitancy throughout this novel because of all of the trials and tribulations she had been under recently I had a hard time liking her as a character. Yet her being unsure makes the story more real and helps the plot. Even so, once the "big showdown" starts up in the middle and Julia decides to help Alistair too, I got to see a side to her that I liked. In addition, I found that with everything she does to assist Alistair she really became worthy of his devotion in my book. It would be interesting to see where these two would go next in their relationship.

I recommend this novel to those looking for a sci-fi romance and are willing to keep an open mind on certain things.

-- On a side note –
Okay I typically write my ‘side notes’ underneath my reviews but since it has a bit of a spoiler in it CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY NOTE! =0)

Author's Novel Extras : Heart of Steel - Overview | Attention Deficit Creative Disorder and How to Make it Work for You | Writing Scenes that Tear Out Your Characters’ Souls | Give Geeks a Chance: Unconventional Romance Heroes | Handling Athena Characters | To-Do List for 2015 | Writing Progress Report: Jan 12, 2015 | Heart of Steel Release Day!

Book Teaser(s) :
You never seemed concerned about your memories before. Arthur pointed out. In fact, you believed them irrelevant to your projects.
Perhaps... Mechanus conceded. But then, I didn’t start having flashbacks until she came here.
How do you plan to get her help, then? Arthur asked.
By asking, of course. Certainly she will see the benefits of providing aid to one in need—particularly if that one is her generous host.>
She’s terrified of you, sir.
Mechanus blinked, and then frowned. But I’ve given her everything she’s asked for.
Allow me to explain, sir. She is currently on a remote island, far from anyone else she knows, with no clear way home, and her boyfriend has been turned into a cyborg.
There was a long pause.
Yes? Mechanus prompted, not seeing where Arthur intended to go with this.
Arthur trilled out a digital sigh. You will need to reassure her that you are not a frightening monster.
But... if she’s afraid of me, then how—?
You could explain your feelings to her, Arthur suggested.
Mechanus sighed. That won’t work at all. I barely understand them myself. ~ within Chapter 6
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Elizabeth, then please check out her website.



About the Author :

Elizabeth Einspanier is the self-published author of the Weird Western novella "Sheep’s Clothing" and the upcoming sci-fi romance novel "Heart of Steel." Her short stories have been published in "Down in the Dirt" and "Dark Fire Fiction." She is a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild and an associate member of the Horror Writers of America. She lives in St. Louis, but frequently spends extended periods in worlds of her own creation.



Book Excerpt :

“I need you to keep talking,” he said quietly, and was surprised by the tremor he heard in his own voice. He cleared his throat. “I’m not used to being alone in my own head. It’s...” he shook his head. “It’s too quiet, without Arthur.”
She touched his shoulder, just below the ragged fabric where his sleeve had once been. Her fingers were warm and soothing against his bare skin.
“How’s your arm feeling?” she asked.
“I don’t expect it will fall off,” he said. “It still hurts, but I can manage.”
She was quiet for another interval, though two or three times he heard her inhale as if to speak.
“I... look,” she said, sounding uncertain. “You’ve... done a lot for me. You saved my life… you led me to safety… you even put your life on the line for me—and this is just today. I don’t... I don’t think I really thanked you for all that. I was hung up on the parts you didn’t do, or did wrong, and that isn’t right.”
“You tended to my injuries,” he pointed out. “Was that not gratitude?”
“That was me being a doctor,” she said. “That’s different.”
He wasn’t sure where she was going with this, and had no idea how to request that she get to the point already without sounding peevish. That absolutely wouldn’t do.
However, the silence between them stretched, a yawning void that he could not bear to leave empty. He turned his head to look at her again, and that was when she kissed him on the mouth.



Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soo .... COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

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Find Elizabeth Einspanier :

1 comment :

  1. Thank you for hosting, and especially thank you for the wonderful review! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete

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