Riveted

PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF THE IRON SEAS

Heart of Steel

“Rising star Brook has created two completely mesmerizing characters whose journeys in this gritty and treacherous world make for heart-stopping fun!”

—
RT Book Reviews
(top pick)

“
Heart of Steel
is an exciting and stimulating read. Fast-paced, with plenty of humor and gripping action that grabs you at page one. While you don’t lose any of the swashbuckling high seas, er, sky adventures nor Ms. Brook’s superb world building, whose depth and heart makes this series,
Heart of Steel
isn’t as emotionally dark as the first in the series—
The Iron Duke
. Which is perfect because these characters would never have survived that sort of story line. It’s not often you can find a couple who complement each other as well as these two do. Yasmeen and Archimedes are a fantastic couple whose chemistry and dynamics are off the charts. Their steamy sexual games last well towards the end and provide us with plenty of entertainment.”

—Smexy Books

“Yasmeen and Archimedes were a fantastic hero and heroine and a solid couple. I haven’t read many steampunk novels, but if the writing is half as good as it is in this series in other books in the genre, I really need to check out more.”

—Paranormal Haven

“The world that Ms. Brook has created with this series is incredibly fascinating, with a wonderfully intricate alternate history that adds such depth to the story. Archimedes is one of my absolute favorite heroes, and he and Yasmeen were truly perfect for each other. Recommended for fans of incredible steampunk, of adventuresome heroes with a truly romantic nature, and of kick-ass heroines who keep their awesomeness long after their hearts are engaged.”

—
The Romanceaholic

“A straight-up adventure. Daring escapes, explosions, zombies, treasure hunting, and one man’s quest to fall in love with the woman with a heart of steel…
Heart of Steel
has characters worthy of adoration, a gripping adventure, and a romance to cheer for.”

—
Vampire Book Club

The Iron Duke

“I loved it! As far as I’m concerned, with
The Iron Duke
, Meljean Brook has brilliantly defined the new genre of steampunk romance. From now on, everyone will compare other writers in the genre to her.”

—Jayne Ann Krentz,
New York Times
bestselling author

“A stunning blend of steampunk setting and poignant romance—smart, sexy, breathtaking, and downright addicting. I’m ready for the next book or anything else Meljean Brook writes.”

—Ilona Andrews,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Engrossing steampunk adventure…[A] complex, gripping read.”

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“With adept writing and a flair for creating believable worlds, Brook’s first in the Iron Seas series showcases her masterful storytelling.”

—
Booklist

“A high seas/airborne adventure that’s filled with zombies, pirates, and deadly betrayal. Along with the pulse-pounding adventure, there’s plenty of serious sizzle for readers to enjoy.”

—
Romantic Times
(4
¹
⁄
₂
stars)

“I absolutely loved this book…Everything from characters to world was done with care and precision…Any current fan of Ms. Brook has to read this one and those who aren’t fans should. Steampunk has never been written so well.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

PRAISE FOR MELJEAN BROOK’S DEMON SERIES

Demon Forged

“Dark, rich, and sexy, every page makes me beg for more!”

—Gena Showalter,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Another fantastic book in a beautifully written series. [It] has all the elements I love in Meljean’s books—strong, gorgeously drawn characters, a world so real I totally believe it, and the punch of powerful emotion.”

—Nalini Singh,
New York Times
bestselling author

“A dark, gripping read…The characters are brilliant, and the breathtaking romance, vivid setting, and darkly delicious adventure will immerse readers in this spellbinding world until the satisfying conclusion.”

—
Romantic Times

Demon Bound

“An excellent entry in a great series…Another winner as the multifaceted Guardian saga continues to expand in complexity while remaining entertaining…As complex and beautifully done as always.”

—
Book Binge

“Be prepared for more surprises and more revelations…Brook continues to deliver surprising characters, relationships, paranormal elements, and plot twists—the only thing that won’t surprise you is your
total
inability to put this book down.”

—
Alpha Heroes

Demon Night

“Meljean is now officially one of my favorite authors. And this book’s hero?…I just went weak at the knees. And the love scenes—wow, just wow.”

—Nalini Singh,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Poignant and compelling with lots of action, and it’s very sensual. You’ll fall in love with Charlie, and Ethan will cause your thermometer to blow its top. An excellent plot, wonderful dialogue…Don’t miss reading it or any of Meljean Brook’s other novels in this series.”

—
Fresh Fiction

Demon Moon

“The fourth book in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series turns up the heat without losing any of the danger.”

—
Entertainment Weekly

“A read that goes down hot and sweet—utterly unique—and one hell of a ride.”

—Marjorie M. Liu,
New York Times
bestselling author

Demon Angel

“I’ve never read anything like this book.
Demon Angel
is brilliant, heartbreaking, genre-bending—even, I dare say, epic. Simply put, I love it.”

—Marjorie M. Liu,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Brook has crafted a complex, interesting world that goes far beyond your usual…paranormal romance.
Demon Angel
truly soars.”

—Jennifer Estep, author of
Widow’s Web

“Enthralling…[A] delightful saga.”

—
The Best Reviews

Titles by Meljean Brook

DEMON ANGEL

DEMON MOON

DEMON NIGHT

DEMON BOUND

DEMON FORGED

DEMON BLOOD

DEMON MARKED

THE IRON DUKE

HEART OF STEEL

RIVETED

Anthologies

HOT SPELL

(with Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, and Shiloh Walker)

WILD THING

(with Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M. Liu, and Alyssa Day)

FIRST BLOOD

(with Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, and Chris Marie Green)

MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS

(with Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, and Ilona Andrews)

BURNING UP

(with Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, and Virginia Kantra)

ANGELS OF DARKNESS

(with Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Sharon Shinn)

BERKLEY SENSATION, NEW YORK

To Jill Myles and Ilona Andrews: thank you so much for being there, holding my hand, and kicking my butt. I owe you guys so much tea. Special thanks to Telma Teixeira and Olguín Venustiano, who both assisted with foreign languages in the novel (and a belated thanks to Rosario, who helped many times before.)

To Monica Jackson, who fought to turn the world around: You flipped some of us. I truly believe that everyone else will follow, someday. I just wish that you were here to see it.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Before Annika had begun her journey, her mother had
assured her that the people in the New World weren’t all that different from the women in their village of Hannasvik. Annika’s mother reminded her of how the peoples of Africa and Europe had sailed across the Atlantic four hundred years ago, fleeing from the Mongol Horde that had ridden from the east on the backs of their conquering war machines—just as Hanna and the Englishwomen had escaped the New World slavers and had made their home in Iceland a century before. She’d spoken of the enormous mechanical warriors that the New Worlders had built on their coastlines, sentinels that served a warning to the Horde, should that great empire ever develop a navy and follow them across the sea—just as Hannasvik’s trolls protected their village and intimidated any enemies who might attempt to drive them from their home.

The Horde never followed the New Worlders, however. The sentinels stood for centuries, staring out over the open sea while wars over territory and trade routes were fought behind their backs, and they were slowly stripped of their armaments and engines.