Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts by Heather Massey

The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission… Scientific achievement isn’t enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits–until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet’s father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.
A man with a secret… Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can’t let Violet waltz into the villain’s lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she’s also the most compelling woman he’s ever known.

A perilous quest… Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father’s latest invention and the world’s most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan’s resistance isn’t clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion’s diabolical devices, and by then, it’s far too late.

CONTENT WARNING: An irresistibly dangerous alpha hero, a heroine whose most prized accessory is her steam gun, an automaton gunslinger…and a villain whose lust for power drives him to evils beyond the scope of humanity.

A Lyrical Press Steampunk Romance

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ISBN: 9781616504458 | Length: 55,000 words | Ebook Page Count: 157 | Publication Date: February 4, 2013

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The next thing Violet knew, one of the Iron Scorpion’s pincers had clamped onto Logan. The creature lifted her partner nearly two stories into the air. The Iron Scorpion began shaking him about like a rag doll.

With a cry, Violet crawled halfway out of her hiding space. The Iron Scorpion could decide to drop Logan at any moment. He still had his Colts, which he used to fire at his captor. But he was swaying so violently that his bullets missed their mark repeatedly. When the chambers emptied, he threw them down. They clattered to the ground not far from Violet.

As Logan attempted to pry apart the pincer, his face contorted with the effort–and possibly pain. A streak of blood appeared on his white shirt. Violet went cold with dread. But what could she do?

Regardless of what Logan had told her, she couldn’t stay hidden. Not when his life was at stake. Rising quickly, she emerged from beneath the carriage and glanced around. What could she use to force the Iron Scorpion to release Logan?

After what seemed like an eternity, her gaze latched onto the row of iron steam carriages by the gate. She needed no further persuasion.

Violet ran toward the nearest mechanical beast with all the speed she could muster. She threw open the door, heedless of the possibility that someone lurked inside. Fortunately for her, this one was empty.

Violet dove for the driver’s seat. She had to fire up the engine and navigate her way back to the battle before the Iron Scorpion crushed Logan to death.

Her earlier experience paid off–she adjusted levers and flicked switches with barely a second thought. Plus, this carriage was in better condition than the one they’d rode to the fortress. Violet grasped the steering lever and the carriage rolled forward.

Faster, I need to go faster! She fed more steam to the engine. It coughed and sputtered and she feared it might die on the spot. After one alarming fit of gagging, the carriage seemed to catch its breath. Violet cranked up its speed and the carriage surged ahead.

She steered it straight toward the Iron Scorpion. She spared a glance through the window slit, but could only see Logan’s dangling boots. The sight put her in mind of a gruesome hanging. She prayed she wasn’t too late.