Title:  Heart of Ice
Series:
Author:  Sibelle Stone
Genre:  Historical Romance, Gothic, Steampunk,
Published:  February 9, 2015
Publisher:  Books To Go Now
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Lucinda Stafford is uniquely unqualified to serve as governess for the children of a handsome inventor. But, she’s determined to prove to her family she’s not a fragile, pampered heiress who can’t take care of herself. She didn’t plan to be attracted to the man who makes her furious one moment and whimper with desire the next. When danger threatens, can she save two innocent children from a terrifying nightmare?

Grayson Thorne has only weeks to prove his geothermal plant can generate electricity, or he’ll lose much needed funding. He’s desperate to hire a new governess, but shocked when his housekeeper returns home with a beautiful, educated female who awakens long dormant desires. She’s the perfect choice, if he can manage to keep his hunger for her kisses and fantasies of taking her to his bed under control.

An ancient Icelandic curse hides in the hills, haunting the residents of Thornehús. Grayson and Lucinda may be swept away by passion, but they must face an unspeakable horror that threatens them all.

Read on for my thoughts on Heart of Ice.  No true spoilers, promise.

It’s hard to put Heart of Ice into a specific genre.  It is definitely Historical Romance with a touch of Gothic and definitely a touch of Steampunk and perhaps just a smidge of ghostly Paranormal.  You see?  It’s difficult to pin down exactly which genre it belongs in… but in spite of that – the story itself was a delightful romantic gothic tale with a bit of airships and some howling ghosts.  In effect, a bit of a lot and unique to itself.

Lucinda is a wealthy heiress in her own right, who recently had been companion to a relative living in Paris.  Now she has answered the advertisement for a governess in a small town in Iceland.  What in the world was she thinking?  She is an educated, independent woman who doesn’t plan to settle down and marry the “right” man who was chosen by her stepmother.  She wants adventure, to decide her own destiny and right now – to take care of two small children.

Grayson is somewhat of an absent minded professor type.  Handsome, of course, with a wicked smile and a sexy build – and the mind of a genius.  When he is working on his project to bring affordable power to the masses Of Iceland using the steam power of volcanic vents – well, he gets a bit caught up and forgets things.

Grayson’s children, Mair and Niels, have been under the thumb of an obnoxious governess who was cruel, useless, drugged them and stole from Grayson.  She had left on her own, not a moment too soon, in Lucinda’s opinion.  Now she had the delightful task of teaching these two how to live life while learning in an entertaining, engaging manner. If only their father wouldn’t constantly interfere with her decisions.

Unfortunately, Grayson can’t help how he’s acting – he’s a guy.  A man in lust who doesn’t really want to like the efficient, attractive governess who more often than not chides him for his lacking way toward his children.  His attraction, their mutual attraction eventually comes to a head – and the rest is up to you to read for yourself.

I did enjoy this novel.  I think when different genre are brought into play in one novel there tends to be a bit of crossover confusion.  I wasn’t uncomfortable reading a historical romance with airships as a natural occurrence.  But to be honest, it did jolt me out of the historical/gothic feel of the novel.  I don’t know the solution, if there really needs to be one, I simply know that it did take me out of the story for a split second’s reaction.

Grayson and Lucinda’s love story was sweet and tender.  No burning up the sheets, but they sure could have.  Over all, I enjoyed this romance and would recommend it for those who love historicals or gothic novels.  It gets a 4 out of 5 from me.  Once I settled into the rhythm of the story it all blended together into a good solid story.

*I received an e-ARC of Heart of ice from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This novel is available for the Kindle at Amazon.