Nefertiti's Heart

A.W. Exley

Feb 2013 · The Artifact Hunters Book 1 · A W Exley

About this ebook

 Cara Devon has always suffered curiosity and impetuousness, but tangling with a serial killer might cure that. Permanently.

1861. Cara has a simple mission in London - finalise her father's estate and sell off his damned collection of priceless artifacts. Her plan goes awry when a killer stalks the nobility, searching for an ancient Egyptian relic rumoured to hold the key to immortality.

Nathaniel Trent, known as the villainous viscount, is relentless in his desire to lay his hands on both Cara and the priceless artifacts. His icy exterior and fiery touch stirs Cara's demons, or could he lay them to rest?

Self-preservation fuels Cara's search for the gem known as Nefertiti's Heart. In a society where everyone wears a mask to hide their true intent, she needs to figure out who to trust, before she sacrifices her own heart and life.

This steampunk adventure is perfect for fans of Gail Carriger, Shelley Adina, CJ Archer and Bec McMaster.

Keywords: steampunk, gaslamp, gothic, historical fantasy, historical mystery, victorian, victorian era, victorian romance, paranormal romance, romantic fantasy, fantasy mystery, mystery, action and adventure, alternate history, ancient Egypt, artifact, artefact.

Ratings and reviews

Some parts are readable and interesting, but then you strike 6 errors in 4 sentences, and can't persist. This author needs an editor: He dipped his head, his lips millimetres from hers, as their breath mingled. She closed her eyes and waited, the slow tingle spread through her body in anticipation. After a moment stretched into an agony of longing, she opened her lids, and locked gaze with him, his eyes a cloudy day of drifting blues and greys. Damn you, kiss me already.

It is difficult for me to describe the plot of this book and that is why it is a terrific story. The background is London, but not as we know it, so expect an atmosphere of urban fantasy. However one can see from time to time clever clues of this alternative civilization pointing out towards steam-punk, also considering it talks about exceptional “artefacts”. This whole package is wrapped into a tale of crime and deceit, which to me is an added bonus. The characters which dance harmoniously into this scene are well-developed and the reader can sense that more is to come, which is to be expected in a series. Overall a very entertaining experience.

Fairly predictable story. Some laughs, some saucy scenes. Cara is a likeable heroine. Does contain flash backs to past child abuse though so may not be suitable for younger or very sensitive readers.

About the author

 Books and writing have always been an enormous part of Anita's life. She survived school by hiding out in the library, with several thousand fictional characters for company. At university, she overcame the boredom of studying accountancy by squeezing in Egyptology papers and learning to read hieroglyphics.

Today, Anita writes fantasy historical novels with heart from her home in rural New Zealand.

You can find her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AWExley 
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