Why Heather Massey Wrote: Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts

I’m most excited to welcome Heather Massey to my blog today to answer the burning question…

Why did I write IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS? Good question. There are quite a few ways I could answer it. I could talk about how much I love steampunk and steampunk romance. I could discuss inspirations from steampunk stories I’ve read or seen since childhood. There’s also my love of other genres, such as Westerns, and how I like to mix-and-match steampunk with things like action-adventure, mystery, and Weird SF. Plus, I can’t get enough of cool, steam-powered gadgets.

I could tell you about my burning need to entertain other people. I could include information about my science fiction romance blog, The Galaxy Express, and my quest to expand visibility for the genre, which includes science-based steampunk romances.

However, there’s only one real and totally honest answer to this question. I wrote IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS for one reason and one reason only.

I wrote it for me.

At least, that’s the reason for dreaming the story up in my head and then typing it out. I am my first reader. Simply put, I wanted to entertain myself. Quite enterprising, of me, isn’t it? 😛

Like any reader, I have my own individual tastes when it comes to steampunk romance. Other authors may or may not fulfill my steampunk romance fantasies. Often times they do. I read steampunk romance regularly because I love seeing how other storytellers spin the various genre elements. But it’s not always enough. Or I burn through titles before authors can write more. Therefore, I decided to add one of my own to the mix.

Regarding the premise of IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS, it was born because I have a big thing for automatons. I also enjoy smart, strong steampunk heroines who are defined by more than just their sexual awakening. And gee, what about pairing this spunky scientist heroine with a brooding gunslinger hero in an Old West setting? Because I love, love, love Western films, both classic and new tales. A number of those films include a trio headlining the story, and mine follows that time-honored tradition. What can I say—it never gets old!

While compelling steampunk heroes and heroines were already being written, I couldn’t find a steampunk romance that included a prominent automaton gunslinger as well. Not in books, not in comics, not in television, and not in film. Since I had the idea as well as the resources to create a story with just that element, I did.

I’m really surprised the idea hadn’t already found its way into pop culture before. A Victorian-age, poncho-wearing automaton who fights steampunk cyborg villains with a Colt? It’s such a fun idea. Surely I couldn’t be the first. But because I write science fiction romance, the possibility was there for me, ripe for the picking. So I picked it with gusto.

Related post: Five Ways an Automaton Gunslinger Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Now that IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS is out in the world, it’s no longer just my story. It’s for anyone with an interest in automatons and Weird West steampunk romances. You might also enjoy it if you have a preference for action-adventure elements with a side of “sweet” heat level. Learn more in Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts: A Primer.

And if this tale isn’t for you, no problem. I’ve got plenty of other stories I can recommend. Visit my blog to discover other steampunk romance titles, visit Heather Massey’s Steampunk Café at Coffee Time Romance on the 15^th of every month, or email me at sfrgalaxy@ gmail.com and I’ll do my best to match you up with one that fits your particular taste!

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IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS

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.

Thank you so much for visiting today! I hope my blog peeps will make her most welcome with some comment love. It’s friendly AND all comments are entered into my monthly drawing for an AnaBanana gift basket (worth $25). Winner is announced the first blog post of the new month.

Perilously yours,

Pauline

Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express. She’s also an author in the subgenre. To learn more about her published work, visit heathermassey.com.