Three years ago Evelyn Stone left her love in perhaps his
darkest hour, telling herself she could no longer live with
the risks he took with his life.
Captain Gavin 'Mac' MacRae vowed never again to make himself
vulnerable to the woman he cannot forget, but when a greater
duty calls, he ruthlessly kidnaps her so her medical skills
can save a mission.
My summary above does little to illuminate the true joy of
this book. Evelyn is one of the most intriguing characters
in the two previous books in the series; Touch of Steel and
Heart of Brass. Mac is briefly introduced in the latter part
of Heart of Brass, but it is a vivid portrait nonetheless.
This third in the Clockwork Agents series might just
be the best so far. Evelyn's growth as a character is
especially fascinating, and Mac's mixture of hot bod and
delicious humor was extremely appealing. When I discovered
BREATH OF IRON was Evelyn's story, I was thrilled to be
tapped to review it. I was half-fearful my expectations
would be too high, too demanding but the book fulfilled my
hopes and more. Although it is of course possible to read
BREATH OF IRON on it's own the experience is richer and more
enjoyable if you give yourself the treat of the first two
books, fine stories in their own right.
It is really no wonder I enjoyed Kate Cross' Clockwork
Agents series. I have enjoyed her writing under her
other pen names, Kady Cross (YA Steampunk), Kathryne Smith
(paranormal and historical romance) and especially Kate
Locke (Steampunk Fantasy with a harder edge than the
Clockwork Agents series ). I know Kate Cross is a very
busy author, but I really hope there will be further
Clockwork Agents books, or perhaps a spinoff series.
I would hate to leave this world behind.
Sworn to protect England from all enemies, the Wardens of
the Realm are ever vigilant. But not all battles are fought
on a battlefield…sometimes they are fought in the heart.
As chief surgeon for the Wardens, Evelyn Stone fears her own
life is on the line when she is kidnapped by a band of
pirates—only to discover that the airship captain is Gavin
“Mac” MacRae—her former lover. The man whose life she once
saved. The man she abandoned.
Since Evelyn left, Mac made his mark as both a pirate and a
pilot. But his true allegiance isn’t known. So when he asks
Evie for help with a wounded woman onboard, he tells Evie
that the woman is his wife—even if his feelings for Evie
have never waned…
As the days pass, however, the unease between Evie and Mac
gives way to the old comfort they used to have. Yet, their
newly ignited romance is complicated by conflicting
loyalties and desires, and a betrayal that may cost them
both their love and their lives.