Milla Vane is an alternate author name for Meljean Brook, who is one of my favorite authors for paranormal romance and steampunk. Milla Vane books are grittier than her Meljean Brooks books, but equally as yummy. A HEART OF BLOOD AND ASHES is book #1 in the new series Gathering of Dragons, and what a glorious opening book it is!

This is a barbarian romance, and Maddock is a delightful bear of a barbarian. He’s big and brutishly strong, and stubborn as a mule. He has a quick temper and a narrow view of appropriate behavior that make him a very prickly hero. I adored watching him crash about like a bull in a china shop. For all his barbarian ways, he has much to recommend him as a valiant and loyal warrior.

Yvenne is a kick ass heroine. She’s the runt of her family, imprisoned with her mother by her cruelly vicious father in a tower for her entire life until she is able to escape her family’s nefarious plans. She’s been raised to be intrepid and empathetic, and she’s such a charming woman. I cheered when she convinces Maddock to bed her and wed her in order to get revenge on her father. She is fiendishly clever. I adore how she can adapt and overcome every obstacle in her path.

Yvenne and Maddock become an awesome couple once Maddock pulls his head out of his you-know-where. Maddock is a jackass for most of the book, which is delightfully fun to experience as the reader. I love both Yvenne and Maddock for the engaging characters that they are.

A HEART OF BLOOD AND ASHES is an engrossing tale of barbarity and treachery, of devotion and loyalty, and ultimately of love. Milla Vane knocks it out of the park with the savagely delightful A HEART OF BLOOD AND ASHES. Now I find myself desperate to get my hands on the next book in the series.