Book Review and ARC Giveaway: My Lady Quicksilver by Bev McMaster

This has great, strong characters and wonderful relationship tension.
My Lady Quicksilver
by Bec McMaster

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 1, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 140227033X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270338

Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
"Deftly blends elements of Steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results...darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy."—Booklist Starred Review for Kiss of Steel
In the mist-shrouded streets of a steam-fueled London, a clockwork army is on the rise, vampire blue bloods rule the streets, and war is brewing...
I Will Come For You...
He will find her no matter what. As a blue-blooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he's indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?

It's his duty to turn her in—she's a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can't forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touch...

Review:
Mercury is a leader of the humanist rebellion against the powerful, blood sucking Echelon. She was raised to be a spy and an assassin. When her brutal, blue-blood, father slaughtered her beloved husband in front of her she managed to escape his clutches, along with her brothers. Her older brother, Jack, is frail due to the experiments and tortures of their father. Her younger brother, Jeremy, had gotten into the wrong crowd of machinists and has been missing since Mercury foiled the machinists plan to bomb the Echelon leadership.

Mercury has her own mechanical arm that was cut off trying to free her husband. The arm was then replaced by expert biotechs engaged by her father. Although Mercury sympathizes with the machinists, she did not agree they were ready for the all out war that would follow a vicious attack against the Echelon. Still she continues with her plans to face the brutal Coldrush guards of the Echelon. But her activities are being investigated by Lynch, “The Nighthawk” himself, who is the head of the Nighthawks, the rogue, outcast blue-bloods who serve as spies and enforcers for the Echelon along with the guard.

Mercury is distracted from her own revenge efforts while seeking news of the whereabouts of Jeremy. Mercury goes undercover as Rosalind, an able and determined secretarial assistant.  She convinces Lynch to engage her and they begin a careful, but oh-so dangerous, dance. The more Rosalind gets to know Lynch the more she respects him, even knowing he is the enemy. She knows she shouldn’t grow close but this is the first time her senses have been stirred–even her heart– since her husband’s death.
Lynch feels a growing attraction for Rosalind but he is confused by his lustful reaction to the seductive play of Mercury. He is having a hard time keeping his usual cold, controlled demeanor while challenged by two attractive, but both unattainable, women.

Lynch is given an ultimatum by the Prince Consort: he has two weeks to bring in Mercury for execution or submit himself in her place. But how can he turn over a woman who makes him feel alive?

There is plenty of action in addition to the deceptive intrigue as Lynch and his team, with Rosalind in tow to take notes, investigate the sudden rampaging and killing of loved ones and households among several Echelon leaders.  The reader knows that Rosalind is going toeventually get caught and exposed as Mercury. The fun is getting there and learning how Lynch reacts!

I enjoy the steampunk elements in this series and the strong characters. I really loved the intrigue and sensual play throughout this book. It kept my attention riveted waiting to see the next step or play in the game.

Although I recommend this whole series I think this could be read as a stand alone and it is my favorite so far. I read two of the prior books and missed one. I think the background was sufficiently recounted to identify the players and how they got where they are. There are still characters who have stories waiting, and I am especially interested to learn what happens to Barrons and to the ongoing battle between humanists and the Echelon.

I received the ARC from Sourcebooks for an honest reviewing.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

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I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

 For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 18, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after October 18, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book Review: Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande by Michael Coorlim

This is another quick, easy listen with a brutal mystery to be solved.

Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande

by Michael Coorlim

Narrated by Wayne Farrell
    LENGTH    55 mins
    RELEASE DATE    05-15-13
    PUBLISHER    Michael Coorlim
Genre: Steampunk Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Bartleby and James Adventures steampunk mystery series follows the cases of consulting detectives Anton Bartleby and James Wainwright through an alternate Victorian history. Their latest adventure takes them high above the greatest city in the world.

Brilliant but socially-awkward inventor and engineer James Wainwright has been accused of murder most foul, and only his savvy partner, Alton Bartleby, can clear his name. The clock is ticking, though, as the true murderer's sabotage threatens to crash the world's largest airship into the teaming streets of London below.

Who are Bartleby and James?
Alton Bartleby is a social savant, the scion of a once pround and noble bloodline, working to restore his family's name. James Wainwright is a brilliant engineer and inventor. Together they take on the cases that Scottland Yard cannot or will not handle.

Review:
Inventor and engineer James Wainwright is accused of murder when he stumbles on a dead body on the maiden voyage of the new American airship, the Rio Grande. He is facing an antagonistic interrogation when his sophisticated and detailed oriented partner, Alton Bartleby, steps in to rescue him. They convince the Captain that James is innocent and they offer to locate the real killer.

They have to determine cause of death, opportunity and motive. James and Bartleby set off by examining the corpse and the scene of the crime. They proceed with interviewing passengers and crew. They determine that the brutal murder involved a theft. The ship is using a new propulsion system which is touted as the latest and greatest but apparently the crucial mechanism that keeps the large ship balanced has been removed!

The deceased was a well liked crewmember with no obvious enemies, however the airship owner’s biggest competitor is on board and would love the chance to “sink” the ship. The suspects also include an estranged son and bitter wife. The biggest problem is that unless James can jerry-rig a fix the ship will roll and explode causing damage to the vessel and the city below. James and Bartleby race against time to solve the murder mystery and fix the ship before they all go down in flames.

I really enjoyed the step by step investigation as described by James. This is an inexpensive purchase for an hour of fun listening!

Audio Notes: As with the first book, Wayne Farrell presents the story with perfect British hauteur and aplomb. He handles the American accents well too. I hope there will be more brisk adventures written by Mr. Coorlim and read by Mr. Farrell.

I received this Audible download to provide an honest review for the author through Audiobook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: And They Called Her Spider by Michael Coorlim

This is a fun, quick listen!

And They Called Her Spider:
A Bartleby and James Adventure, Book 1

    UNABRIDGED
    by Michael Coorlim
    Narrated by Wayne Farrell
        Series: Galvanic Century, Book 1
    LENGTH      56 mins
    RELEASE DATE      12-07-12
    PUBLISHER      Michael Coorlim

Gernre: Mystery, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

The Bartleby and James Adventures steampunk mystery series follows the cases of consulting detectives Anton Bartleby and James Wainwright through an alternate Victorian history.

In their debut adventure, London is in the grip of an unstoppable assassin known only as the Spider, and consulting detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby have been commissioned to catch her.

Can the surly inventor and savvy gentleman track her down and stop her string of murders, or will Queen Victoria be her next victim?

Who Are Bartleby and James?

Alton Bartleby is a social savant, the scion of a once proud and noble bloodline, working to restore his family's name. James Wainwright is a brilliant engineer and inventor. Together they take on the cases that Scotland Yard cannot or will not handle.

©2011, 2012 Michael Coorlim (P)2012 Michael Coorlim

Review:
Alton Bartleby and James Wainwright work together as private detectives consulting, but not always welcome, with the authorities in a Steampunk Victorian world. Alton is all that is proper with his noble background and worldly social experiences, but he is in the position of having to work to rebuild his family reputation. James is a quirky engineer and inventor who can get lost for days in his laboratory, 'lair', before popping out with a solution or gadget to help in their investigations.

Alton and James have been called upon to help track and stop a sly assassin who is known as the Spider. She has been able to slip into places, through crowds and windows, where with acrobatic grace and moves she decimates her prominent victims with venomous dagger strikes. Then she boldly and blithely waltzes away to her escape.

There is a fear that the Queen is an intended victim and the detectives are in a race against time to stop the Spider. Once they have a clue to follow they press on diligently, even with some recklessness.

This pair reminded me of a lighter Sherlock Holmes and a more technically skilled Dr. Watson. The story is told from the view of James. They make a good pairing and balancing in their intuitive and deductive skills as well as their areas of experience. The story was fun and I loved the steampunk and mechanical aspect.

Audio Notes: The narrator presents the story with perfect British hauteur and aplomb. The pacing, of the story as written and read, is brisk and intriguing. I would be glad to read more by Mr. Coorlin and hear more narrating by Mr. Farrell.

This is a good choice for mystery buffs looking for a fun, fast hour. 

I received this MP3 download at Audible through AudioBook Jukebox.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

This has strong characters, engaging conflict and fun steampunk elements.
Heart of Iron London Steampunk Book 2
by Bec McMaster

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270305
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270307

Genre: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: May 7, 2013
"Deftly blends elements of Steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results...darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy."—Booklist Starred Review for Kiss of Steel

In the mist-shrouded streets of London's dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires, and a clockwork army are one step away from battle...

No One to Trust

Dangerous. Unpredictable. That's how people know the hulking Will Carver. And those who don't like pretty words just call him The Beat. No matter how hard Will works to suppress his werewulfen side, certain things drive him beyond all control. And saucy Miss Lena Todd tops the list.

Lena makes the perfect spy against the ruling Echelon blue bloods. No one suspects that under the appearance of flirtatious debutante lies a heart of iron. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't wrap around her finger and the one man whose kiss she can never forget. He's supposed to be protecting her, but he might just be her biggest threat yet...

Review:
Lena is a young woman caught between worlds. Her scientist father died leaving the family in debt. They moved from the aristocratic side of London to Whitechapel Rookery where the working class struggles. While Honoria works her chemical experiments, Lena builds clockwork mechanical toys. Lena did not want to remain in the lower classes so she is living with her Guardian on the edges of the Echelon, the ruling vampire blue bloods. Her position is precarious without a blood protector and more and more she feels she doesn’t belong in either society world.

Will is a werewulfen in a city that has basically banned all of his kind. The only other werewulfen are caged slaves or side-shows. He is unpredictable, even among his friends, and it has taken him years to learn to keep his nature in control – sometimes barely. He is fascinated by the beautiful and intelligent Lena who once had a bit of a crush on him. But he knows that he can have no relations or future with a human.

Lena has become a courier of messages for a rebel group, the Humanists, humans and mechanists (those with metal enhancements) who are seeking release from the oppression by the Echelon and the government-owned blood draining factories. Although she originally thought the communications were mostly innocent it appears that they are being used by a violent faction of the subversive group. Her continued co-operation and participation in their efforts is now being coerced by blackmailed threats to injure her family.

Will serves as Lena’s bodyguard but she even manages to slip away from him and keep secrets. What he does know is that she is in danger. He will fight through mechanical monsters, and jeopardize his own freedom by risking the liaison position with the foreign werewulfen; a position that he has been appointed to by the Prince.

As the days tick down to a precarious peace conference, Lena becomes deathly ill. Will is devastated as danger presses in.

I really enjoyed the mechanical elements and especially the intensity of the danger in the plot. The characters are strong, well developed and there is also intensity in the forbidden attraction between Lena and Will.  Be forewarned that the sexual interaction is on the hot side but I skimmed through that and still enjoyed the story.  This is a good story for those who like intrigue, steampunk and conflicted romance.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US AND CANADA ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 7, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 8, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway: Brilliant Devices: A steampunk adventure novel by Shelley Adina

A satisfying conclusion –for now– to a fun series.

Brilliant Devices: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
Shelley Adina

• File Size: 462 KB
• Print Length: 254 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 193908704X
• Publisher: Moonshell Books (February 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 25, 2013
Book 4 of the Magnificent Devices series!
A lady of resources has the power to change the world—if she can stay alive long enough to do it.
Lady Claire Trevelyan had been looking forward to glittering balls, congenial society, and relief from pursuit during her stay with Lord and Lady Dunsmuir in the Canadas. Well, perhaps not entirely. Being pursued by a handsome airship captain is rather diverting, especially when it appears her erstwhile employer, Andrew Malvern, is becoming much too distracted by a certain blond mechanic.

But a shot fired in the night puts an end to such diversions, and instead plunges her and her orphaned band of children into a fight for their very survival. Between secret conversations at the highest levels of society and skullduggery in the diamond mines, Claire must discover who is behind a series of alarming attempts on her friends’ lives—before her mother is compelled to make funeral arrangements yet again.
“Great fun, extremely feel-good reads that make you share all of the protagonists’ journeys and victories … an excellent steampunk series.” —Fangs for the Fantasy: The latest in urban fantasy from a social justice perspective.

Review:
Lady Claire and her orphan crew and friends, Lady and Lord Dunsmuir, have finally made it to Canada. Alice has come along with her airship as she hopes to track down her father in the diamond mines.  Everyone is excited to meet the famous Count Von  Zeppelin. The action is full with labor unrest, assassination attempts, kidnapping, conspiracy, intrigue and betrayal. Claire, Alice and Tigg visit a native tribe in the wilderness and face a caribou rampage.

The romance for Claire is full of confusion and conflict as the handsome, nobleman, Captain Holly, shows her interest. Meanwhile Alice is still crushing on Andrew who is impressed by Alice’s automatons and other inventions. Claire is still intent on studying engineering and receives a surprising offer at the conclusion.

This is book four of the series that I read in a matter of two weeks. This one has lots of action and less of the children but I found it a satisfactory conclusion. I completely enjoyed the steampunk elements, the intrigue and adventure, the fun added by the orphans (and Rosie the  chicken), and the gentle, light romance through the four series.  My only disappointment is that the series is over so I have to find more books like these to enjoy.

I purchased the fourth book to complete the series and I am pleased to sponsor a giveaway of the set.

For those who aren't US you can purchase the first book, Lady of Devices, on Kindle for $.99 

US entrants ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the four book set:

 ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
EXTRA 2 Entry BONUS IF YOU comment on one of the other reviews for this series.

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 24, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 25, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Magnificent Devices, Steampunk Adventure by Shelley Adina

This is full of action and impressive steampunk creations.
Magnificent Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina

• File Size: 397 KB
• Print Length: 231 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1939087023
• Publisher: Moonshell Books (October 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 4, 2012
An air voyage to remember turns into a disaster no one may survive.
With her orphaned charges, Lady Claire Trevelyan joins the Earl of Dunsmuir’s family on an airship voyage to the Americas. If she can stay out of Lord James Selwyn’s way until her eighteenth birthday, she will be of age and cannot be forced into marriage. What she doesn’t know is that Lord James is in the Americas, too, with Andrew Malvern closing in on him—and the wonderful device he stole. But when a storm cripples the airship and air pirates swoop in like carrion birds, Claire and the children must live by their wits to make their way across a harsh landscape. Will Andrew ever see her again and right the wrong he believes he has done? Will Lord James succeed in his monumental thievery? And how exactly does Rosie the chicken evade the soup pot?
Tighten your goggles, pull on your gloves, and prepare yourself for stratagems and strangeness in the third book in the series, Magnificent Devices!

Review:
Lady Claire and her young ‘flock’ of orphaned children travel in a fancy airship to America on the way to Canada. A storm blows them off course and cripples the ship allowing them to be captured by air pirates. When the pirates board their airship one of Claire’s companions appears to have betrayed them. The Mopsies and Tigg manage to hide to become a hidden weapon.

Claire ends up imprisoned by the head pirate in the Texican Territory. A flash flood presents a chance for escape with Claire being rescued by the pirate’s step-daughter, Alice. Alice is an inventor too, and surprised to learn that Claire works for Alice’s idol, Andrew Malvern. Alice maintains the pirate airship and creates automatons from the scrap pieces of ships diverted by the pirates. The pirates plan to divert another airship, one with Lord James who is coming after Claire.

Claire and the Mopsies have to make a daring break on another personal flying contraption that Alice built. They are all but lost in the desert until Alice and Jake swoop down to rescue them. Claire and Andrew are reunited at Santa Fe but the danger of the pirates and Lord James continues to follow them. Lord James kidnaps Claire and heads out on the railroad. while Andrew is put into a pinnacle cell - not a true jail cell but a cave on top of a mountain outgrowth. If the prisoner doesn’t roll off to his death he will starve there.  More fancy flying and daring rescues are needed to save Andrew and Claire.


The steampunk elements really abound in this story.  There is the fancy airship complete with moonglobe lighting and gondola cabins. Then there are the rough creations of the pieced together pirate ship, automatons and so much more. The plot is full of danger and action and woven throughout is the warmth of the children and the sweet romance building. There was a minor head hop that I noticed mostly because I was listening to the Kindle read to me. But it was a minor bump and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I actually read this book, number 3, first and this one is my favorite. It was a great read on its own but I do think it would have been better read in order. I found this completely delightful.

I won books 1-3 of this series.

Book Review: Her Own Devices: A Steampunk Adventure (Magnivient Devices) by Shelley Adina

I love this series!

Her Own Devices: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)

Shelley Adina

• File Size: 384 KB
• Print Length: 223 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 146813437X
• Publisher: Shelley Adina (December 22, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: December 22, 2011

Book 2 of the Magnificent Devices series!

Escaped lunatics, lost children, vengeful lords, and love. Really, the situation is becoming quite impossible.

Seventeen-year-old Lady Claire Trevelyan, left alone after the Arabian Bubble financial disaster claims home and family, now leads the cleverest gang in the London underworld. Between outwitting a rival gang, inventing a device that will net her and her scientist employer worldwide fame, and keeping her mother from marrying her off, she can almost forget that a powerful lord wants to get closer ... and if he succeeds, can destroy it all with a single word ...

Review:
Book two picks up and continues the story of Lady Claire - once a young girl of seventeen who is was scheduled to make her curtsey to the Queen a few weeks before her father died and she ended up living on the streets. Now she has become a lady of resources, known as “The Lady of Devices” with a ‘flock’ of orphans as her chargers and helpers.

She has begun working with Andrew, a young scientist who is looking to create a better combustion engine. Andrew does the design experiments while Lord James, his partner and the money man, talk to railroad moguls who would be interested in buying the invention if proven.

Claire learns that the lightning rifle she took from a rival gang has a mechanism that was designed by another female scientist. Unfortunately the brilliant Dr. Craig was shunned by her peers and committed to Bedlam. Lady Claire sets out to visit the Doctor and, learning that she has been wrongfully ‘imprisoned’, arranges a break out with her clever crew.

Lord James coerces Claire to become his fiancé. She reluctantly agrees with the terms that it will be a four year engagement while she attends University and she will get her name on the Patent for the new engine. Claire figures the engagement will protect her place in society and keep her mother at bay. That is until Claire learns that Lord James has no intention of keeping to the terms Claire set. He has gone to her mother and arranged to marry her before she can gain her independence at 18.

Claire and Andrew grow closer as they incorporate Dr. Craig's device to their engine. But now Claire must flee London to stay away from James. A surprising visit brings a family reunion and new friends, Lord Dunsmuir and his wife Lady Davina, who offer Claire a way escape by not just any travel but a luxury airship, the Lady Lucy. They are even willing to bring along the children. As they make plans for their next adventure to Canada news comes in of theft and betrayal.

This is a lively, fun read. Lady Claire is wonderfully brave and resourceful and the children, plus chicken, add spunk and sass.  I am enjoying the storyline and ready for the adventure in Book 3.

I am so glad I won books 1-3 in this series.

Book Review: Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

This is the introduction to a charming series of steampunk stories with a brave Victorian heroine and her 'flock' of orphan children.

Lady of Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina

• File Size: 309 KB
• Print Length: 210 pages
• Publisher: Shelley Adina (May 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0053CYXS0

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 29, 2011
Book One of the Magnificent Devices series, a novel of 54,000 words.

London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world.

At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head. It’s not long before a new leader rises in the underworld, known only as the Lady of Devices.

When she meets Andrew Malvern, a member of the Royal Society of Engineers, she realizes her talents may encompass more than the invention of explosive devices. They may help her realize her dreams and his . . . if they can both stay alive long enough to see that sometimes the closest friendships can trigger the greatest betrayals . . .

Review
Claire Trevelyan would much rather experiment in a laboratory than chat over tea or dance at a ball. When her father dies and the family fortune is lost her mother retires to the country with Claire’s infant brother. Claire remains behind to sell off the property in London and, although her mother will object, to find employment.

Claire makes a wrong turn in her steampowered landau and is attacked and robbed. She is helped by a group of orphaned, street children, complete with a half starved chicken, Rosie.  The group has been guided and lead by Snouts who has taught them the fine arts of pickpocketing and living off the streets. The group includes 5-6 year old Willie who does not speak but adorably dragged the Lady from danger. The “Mopsies”, Maggie and Lizzie, are twin girls of 10 who are designated scouts. Tigg is a rapscallion who has a keen interest in learning mechanics and is quick to become Lady Claire’s ‘chauffeur.’ Then there is Jake, a sullen boy who doesn’t trust strangers but who has an almost photographic mind.  Claire determines to take the children under her wing and teach them skills that will allow them to earn their way.

Claire introduces the children to explosive weapons for protection and to assist in retrieving her stolen vehicle from another gang. Claire comes into possession of a “lightening” rifle during the battle and she also takes control of a house and a treasure as she becomes the Lady of Devices protecting her adopted “flock.”

Claire meets Andrew when she applies to be his office assistant. She is excited for the chance to work for a true scientist and hopes that she may earn a recommendation to enter University to study engineering. Unfortunately, Andrew’s partner turns out to be Lord James who has taken an interest in courting Claire and objects to her working for Andrew or going on to study.  Claire is not one to take orders well so Lord James has moved from a person of possible romantic interest to one in opposition.

This is a delightful story with enjoyable characters in the intrepid Lady Claire and her flock of children. The steampunk elements are wonderful, including, in addition to the vehicle and rifle, messages sent through vacuum tubes and mother’s helper robots that clean floors like a modern day “roomba”! The writing is easy and light so the reading moves quickly. Ms. Adina has set the stage for adventures to ensue in the next books and I am very glad I had book 2 so I didn’t have to wait to move along!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Claire teaches important but subtle lessons. She makes Lizzie return a stolen purse and the clerk is so grateful that Claire explains:

You have received thanks you did not deserve, and forgiveness that you did. Location 3226.

I am very glad to discover this author by winning books 1- 3 of this series.

Book Review: Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster

I really enjoyed this fast paced steampunk version of a not quite Vampire tale.

Kiss of Steel
by Bec McMaster

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270275
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270277

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: September 1, 2012
"Action, adventure, steampunk, and blazing hot seduction...Bec McMaster offers it all."—Eve Silver, author of Sins of the Flesh
A brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves, and clockwork creatures roam the mist–shrouded streets of London...
When Nowhere is Safe
Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?
Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single–handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood–craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.
When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

Review:
This 'vampire' story has a different bite. It is set in a wonderfully steampunk Victorian England with strong characters and a good action plot.

In Honoria's world the upperclass are the infected Blue Bloods, the ruling houses of the Echelon who are allied with the Queen. They have their armies of metaljackets and the specially trained Nighthawk warriors. Honoria was once a 'lady' with expectations of becoming a respected "thrall" to one of the Blue Blood families. Her father was a brilliant scientist who was experimenting to develop a cure or at least a vaccine against the blood craving virus that will first give a man strength and heightened abilities but eventually degenerates into the bestial vampires that are executed at first signs of deterioration. Honoria was her father's research assistant and kept a diary almost as good as his.

When her father is murdered by his cruel and vicious patron, Lord Vickers, Honoria flees with the diaries and her younger sister and brother. They are in hiding in Whitechapel which is full of dangers and under the control of the infamous Blade. Honor has caught the eye of Blade and although she resists his interest she is soon desperate with nowhere else and no one else to turn to for help.

Blade is the most famous infected being who escaped the clutches and experiments of the Echelon. He now rules in Whitechapel with the aid of a mixed group of henchmen including a 'verwulfen' and some mechanically strengthened humans.  In addition to her beauty, Blade is interested in Honoria because he knows that Vickers has a price on her head. Blade has a personal score to repay for his own tragic loss brought about by Vickers.

Blade bargains with Honoria and her reluctance falls under his odd form of courtship. She discovers she can trust his gentleness as she has a way of bringing out his more honorable traits and even calming the beast within.

Blade has to cooperate with one of the Blue Blood lords, Barrons, who has some connection to Honoria. He doesn't want to be jealous but he doesn't like the secrets that keep Honor at arms length. As Blade and Barrons battle a rogue vampire a trap is set to capture Honor. Will Blade be able to save Honor from Vickers before he does harm? Will Honor be able to find a cure before Blade's disease progresses out of control?

I really loved Honor and Blade and their cautious courtship that finally blossoms with their passion. Their romance is sensual and steamy without ever seeming vulgar. Ms. McMasters does a grand job with world building a setting that is different and fascinating, especially since I enjoy steampunk features. The plot is believable and provided fast paced action and suspense. The secondary characters are drawn with appropriate depth to make them likeable or horribly villainous. I recommend this to readers who enjoy strong, romantic characters who face dangerous odds. Even if you aren't a big fan of vampire stories you might enjoy this steampunk version with its twisted bite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blade's sad thoughts:

A blue blood had no personal scent. No warmth. Sometimes he felt as tough he were slowly turning to marble, devoid of any of the touches of humanity that surrounded him. Until nothing but the hunger remained. Page 51.

What Honoria wants:

Someone to love her. Someone to hold her in his arms, to tell her that she was the center of his world. That he would look after her. Someone to trust. Someone to love back. Page 223

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Ms. McMaster for providing the book to review, sharing in Interview and providing Giveaway copy! See the Giveaway and Interview post next.

I will add this title to my New Author and ARC Challenges as well as Steampunk list.

Book Review: A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine

I really enjoyed the premise of this story but I felt it got overwhelmed with the intimate encounters. 

A Lady Can Never be Too Curious

by Mary Wine

• File Size: 985 KB
• Print Length: 321 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1402264801
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 7, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008B8A7C4

Genre:  Steampunk, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life Lies a Very Different World...

Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston's insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she's ever met.

Darius Lawley's job is to eliminate would–be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette's cunning and charm...

Review: 

Janette has an insatiable desire for learning instilled, somewhat secretly, by her mother.  Her society conscious father insists that she be prim and proper and that she have nothing to due with the Illuminists, an organization of scientists.  Janette sneaks into the Illuminist compound and slips into a lecture.  There it is discovered that she has certain unique skills that make her valuable to the Illuminists and their enemies, the Helikeians.

Darius is the head of the Illluminist Guard and he finds himself reluctantly attracted to Janette. He doesn’t believe she could ever leave her privileged society to become part of the Illuminists. Then Janette’s father sends her to a mental doctor to straighten her out and remove her interest in the Illuminists. Darius and his friend rescue her and he sets himself as her personal protector even if she does threaten his control.

Janette is glad to have Darius’ help but isn’t so happy that he wants to make decisions for her and tell her what to do. She is thrilled to pass the Illuminist exam and be allowed to train. She is to study as a novice for a year before taking the oath. There is trouble in the ranks though when certain authorities show up insisting that her skills be put to use before her year is up.

I really enjoyed the underlying story of the battle for the crystal energy source and I loved the steampunk elements with all of the inventions used by the Illuminists in the 1843 setting.  There is also an interesting view on the fine line of male and female equality. Janette is a wonderfully strong character seeking independence and willing to explore the free love attitude of the Illuminists. Darius is brooding and resistant but also dedicated, loyal and a grand protector. There seemed to be some experience in his past that made him distrust Janette but I never quite figured out what that was.  There are other characters who have some conflict and may be paired off in the further books.

Unfortunately, the plot of this story was overshadowed by bantering, resisting ‘foreplay’ between Janette and Darius that soon moved into rather graphic sexual encounters. It got to a point where another intimate scene would begin and I would say “Come on! Get on with the story.”

There are numerous traitors in the Illuminists organization and it seemed that the guard was doing little to discover their identities. Several actions near the end didn’t quite make sense and there are loose threads which I hope will get resolved in the next book.  Having two thirds of the book as love scenes, no matter how creative, is more than I want to wade through.  If you like your stories with strong characters, a mysterious and interesting ‘good versus evil’ plot and steamy romance you should like this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darius has lots of warnings for Janette:

You long for something you know comes with consequences. Reaching for it will cost you the security of the position you currently occupy. Location 334

The ride will be intense, but it will have to end eventually. Reality will be waiting, I assure you. Location 3127.

Thank you to Sourcebooks who provided this book from NetGalley.

Audible Book Review: Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, The Fifth

This has been a great listening series. If you like humor, Victorian settings and paranormal characters, I  highly recommend you try this fun series!
 

Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fifth

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gail Carriger
• Narrated by Emily Gray

Series: Parasol Protectorate, Book 5

Genre: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

    
Publisher's Summary

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

Review:
Alexia, the strong minded protagonist, is coping with her ‘interesting’ life. She lives with her werewolf husband, Conall Maccon, the Alpha of the Woolsey pack.  The pair actually reside secretly next door to the pack home.  They live with a flamboyant vampire, Lord Akeldama, who is the adoptive father of Alexia and Conall’s child, Prudence.  This was a compromise to prevent the local (or previously local) vampire Hive from killing the child whom they perceive as a soul sucker.

Prudence does have unusual capabilities that only Alexia can help to control.  When Alexia, a preternatural, touches an immortal supernatural being, such as a werewolf or a vampire, they become only human.  When Prudence, a metanatural, touches them she exchanges form with them usually creating a bit of trouble, if not chaos.

Alexia receives a summons first to visit Countess Nadasdy, the leader of the former London Hive, now living in the country. The Countess delivers an even more important invitation that requests that Alexia and Prudence visit the Queen of the Alexandria Hive, the oldest Vampire. The request cannot be ignored even though it causes trepidation for everyone as they must travel to Egypt which is the known source of the God-Breaker Plague, a plague that steals the supernatural powers of the immortal beings. Soon the family is off on another harrowing, and humorous adventure.

I love the wonderfully distinct characters in this series. There is strength and humor in each. Alexia tries to be prim and proper which is hard for one so adventurous and forthright. Conall is droll and serious as his Scottish background and Alpha duties require of him. Akeldama, a gay Vampire, is completely flamboyant yet everything proper in London society. I love how Akeldama has pet names for Alexia and Prudence... like Buttercup or Daffodil.  Then there is Alexia’s faithful, lifelong servant, Floote.  He was with Alexia’s father when they were in Eqypt and has been Alexia’s protector since she was a child.  He is the quintessentially efficient butler or manservant, yet he has secrets from the times in Egypt that he will not reveal.

There are others too: Madame LeFoux, a member of the secretive Order of Brass Octopus, who (unlike Alexia) is always dressed impeccably--- or would be if she were a man. Biffy, a former Akeldama drone who is struggling to acclimate himself as a fairly new member of the Werewolf pack. Not to mention Ivy Tunstell, Alexia’s actress friend. All of these characters have been developed through the series and add wonderful color to each tale in varying degrees.

Although this book started a bit slowly for me, once it settled into the new adventure I didn’t want to put it down. This is Book 5 and it rounds out the the Parasol Protectorate series, wrapping together some loose ends and mysteries. However, looking at the author’s website reassures me that there will be future books involving Prudence, Alexia’s unusual progeny!

I have listened to all five books in this series and enjoyed them very much. The narrator does a wonderful job conveying the accents and personalities for each character. This allows the nuances of distaste, humor, fear and other emotions to flow through the reading.

This series is a mixture of Victorian, steampunk, adventure, romance and humor. It is just plain fun listening!

This book is from my own Audible Library.

If I were including countries on My Where Are You Reading Challenge this would fit in England and Egypt. I will include this with my Audio Challenge list.
{Watch for a Giveaway from this series soon to be posted in my July-August Blogoversary!}

Book Review: A Clockwork Christmas - A Steampunk Christmas Anthology

Happy ticking! Four stories with mechanical gear work and Christmas cheer.

A Clockwork Christmas - A Steampunk Christmas Anthology
Authors:  Gail, Stacy; Forte, PG; Schwartz, Jenny; Coi, J.K.

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 692 KB
• Publisher: Carina Press (December 5, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005Z1C47Q

ISBN:         9781426892752
Genre:  Sci Fi, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
   
URLs:        
Publisher Website : click here http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8944228A-4DD7-4023-88F7-DDB1510B0C59/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID={A0A6E711-1982-40B9-AD94-47256F4D3B04}

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:

Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

Stories also available for purchase separately. 117,000 words

Review: All four stories are fun and different, engaging reads. Sometimes it is hard to get a full story in the shorter works of an anthology. These stories are all nice lengths that allow completion for each tale and a good feel for the voice of the authors. I would enjoy more stories by any of these authors. 

Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
Setting: Turn of the Century, Boston
Cornelia is a sleek, sexy thief preparing to celebrate Christmas. She didn’t decide on that career at school but rather as the result of childhood training and limited options.  She is a survivor from a life as a street pick pocket. She has a kind heart and tries not to hurt people who can’t afford to lose things but she still is a first class thief who steals from the rich.

Roderick is a Professor of Engineering at Cambridge University. He has made a point to capture Cornelia to make her return a Faberge egg she stole from his family. He shackles Cornelia with a timepiece that will explode in seven days, midnight Christmas eve, if she doesn’t steal back the egg and return it in time.

Roderick works with Cornelia as she locates the egg and formulates a plan for the heist.  His contempt for her profession begins to turn to respect for her intelligence, survival instincts and ingenuity - not to mention being drawn to her sexually. He helps her build the airship they will use for the dangerous plan. A twist of irony reveals that the egg is now in the possession of a sick child. When it comes time to steal the egg will Cornelia be able to pull it off or will she sacrifice her life?

This story has good intrigue, vibrant characters and some light “naughty” fun. Rating 4.0


This Winter Heart by PG Forte

Setting: 1870, Santa Fe.
Ophelia Winter is the daughter of a brilliant inventor. Dario was interested in her father’s work and willing to invest in his projects. When Dario met Ophelia it was love at first sight. They were  soon married but shortly after the wedding Dario leaned the devastating truth about Ophelia. He demanded that she get out of his life since she had lied to him and she would never be able to provide the family he desired.

Eight years later Ophelia dares to return with a her son, Arthur, in tow. Ophelia’s father has died and her step-siblings refuse to honor her share of the inheritance. To protect Arthur and give him the things in life he deserves she determines to introduce Dario and convince him to provide for his own son. Ophelia is disappointed to return to the estate and find the magnificent mechanical garden that had been built for her totally abandoned and in disrepair.

Dario hasn’t celebrated Christmas, or much of live at all since he cast Ophelia out. He has had a lot of devastating deaths in his family.  Dario is still drawn to the beauty of Ophelia but doesn’t believe that Arthur is his son and doesn’t believe that Ophelia can give either of them true love. Will it cost the life of one of them for Dario to recognize the strength of her love? Once he realizes Ophelia’s true feelings what steps can he take to convince her that he will never doubt her again?

I really liked the strong emotional tugs and revelations in this story. Ophelia is a surprise but her emotions are clearly genuine. This is a nice “reunion” love story. Rating: 4.25


Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz

Setting: 1895 Swan River Colony, Australia
Suffragette Esme doesn’t want a man for a husband. What she needs is a scoundrel who can pose as a gentleman to be accepted in society and to go into the men’s clubs where she cannot enter. He must be willing to argue her views in her stead.

Esme’s Uncle introduces her to Jed as just the man, a card shark, fresh from America.  Jed immediately notes Esme’s remarkable beauty. Before long he is appreciating her independence, fairness, kindness, determination and other admirable qualities. He enjoys having her show him the community and explaining the Christmas holidays that occur even though it is summer in Australia.

Esme is being pursued by an arrogant, social snob, Bambury, who thinks he could tame her to be a quiet and acceptable wife. Jed isn’t about to let Bambury succeed in his advances even before he determines that he might have to convince Esme that he would be the right man for her after all. Jed is a hero on more than one occasion and is able to use some abandoned inventions to save the day.

I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Australia and political arguments woven into this story. The story flows easily. I loved the characters and the sweet romance. The underlying humor is a hoot!  Rating: 4.5


Far From Broken by JK Coi

Setting: Manchester, England
Jasper is a spymaster but he had hidden that part of his life from is wife, Callie, a beautiful ballerina. Callie is captured by Jasper’s enemies and brutally beaten. She has survived with the help of government doctors who have patched her together with mechanical limbs and implants. She is not sure she is glad to be alive in this condition.

Jasper has been away for four months tracking down the monsters who attacked his wife. But Callie thinks his absence was a rejection of her broken body. The government has invested a lot in her recovery and they have plans to use her as a new weapon. 

Jasper still loves his wife and doesn’t want her to be a tool of the war office. How can he convince her of his continuing love and help her overcome her physiological trauma that has kept her house bound? He had failed to protect her once. Can he accept her new strengths and protect her when they come under attack together?

I liked how this story pulled me into the horror and fear of Callie’s situation right from the beginning descriptions. Although I didn’t agree with Callie’s depression you can feel her pain. I liked Jasper’s warm love and how he was determined to help Callie move beyond the tragedy and rebuild their life together.

This is an entertaining story with fast action and a renewed love that brings the strong characters  together as a team. Rating: 4.25.

Learn more about the book and authors at: http://www.facebook.com/AClockworkChristmas

I received this book through NetGalley for an unbiased review. 

Book Review: Dreamspell Steampunk Anthology

Four satisfying Steampunk stories worth the very fair price!

Dreamspell Steampunk Volume 1 (Dreamspell Steampunk Anthology) 

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 221 KB
• Publisher: L&L Dreamspell (May 24, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0052MOABG

    Genre: Steampunk
    My Rating: Overall 4.25

Product Description:
Enjoy four Steampunk stories:

Steam Time by Pauline B Jones

The man formerly known as Tobias Smith hadn’t planned to ride along with Dr. Everly and his Medicine Show. Grifters gave him a pain their elixirs couldn’t heal. But he was headed to Marfa, too. And Everly’s son turned out to be a really a fine looking damsel—one in distress when the ghost lights of Marfa bump them into an alternate reality complete with an automaton gang and airships. Could he be the good guy? Be the hero, save the day and get the girl?

The Prometheus Engine by Chris Samson

When an airship is shot down over the desolate Kashmir landscape, seven survivors of disparate backgrounds must band together to escape. As a swarm of marauders approaches, the survivors’ only hope lies in the untested Prometheus Engine.

Steambot Rampage by Heather Massey

On the eve of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, a no-nonsense secretary and an intrepid reporter join forces to battle a bizarre automaton on a rampage.

Angelina by Linda Houle

Valerie is fascinated with an antique ruby and diamond pendant. Where did it come from and why was it hidden in a makeshift wall safe? An old log cabin on her new husband’s ranch holds the answers and a lot more, but once Val goes through a secret door will she ever find her way back home.

Review: I have been trying to read more steampunk because I really like the feel of it with the older time settings and the different mechanical elements. This is a collection that I really enjoyed.  Each story has its own twists and surprises.

In Steam Time, Tobias Smith, "Joe", meets up with Dr. Everly and his quiet son.  It doesn’t take long for Joe to realize that the young fellow is really a girl, Analisse, trapped by her father’s life. Ani dubs him "Chance" because chance brought him into her life. They see in each other an escape into a new life... and that is more true than Ani realizes. Chance and Ani head into town together but mid-way there is a shift in the world around them. Chance has been here before and tells Ani - “we aren’t where we were.” Then Chance and Ani have to face down an evil Dr. Smith and a crew of automatons if they want a chance to be together in whatever time it might be. The characters are warm and the story complete with mystery, conflict and romance even though it is just a short story.  I particularly liked this one because Tobias Smith is a character from The Key and Girl Gone Nova which are two other stories of Pauline's that I really like. Rating: 4.5

The Prometheus Engine is non-stop action. The seven survivors of a downed airship each have unique responses as the are led by Veronica, a scientist’s daughter and inventor herself. They are racing to escape the marauder’s attack and the battle doesn’t go as I expected. I liked how the author was able to define each character in the short tale. One is a silent giant, one an old campaigner, one blatantly courageous, one reluctantly brave, another determined, one is surprisingly resourceful and one is a bragging coward. This short story made me want to read more adventure by Mr. Samson. Rating 4.5

Steambot Rampage has the definite feel of an older Superman crossed with an older James Bond. The intrepid reporter, Jack, is a sneak and a flirt, trying to spy information off of the desk of the mayor’s prim secretary.  An esteemed scientist is showcasing his iron man dubbed the ‘Soldier of the Future.’ Unfortunately the robot goes haywire and the Doctor/inventor is more intent on documenting the success than stopping the terror. Jack and Sophie have to risk injury to stop the rampaging monster. Can they save the community and each other?  Rating 4.0

Angelina is a light, fun drop through time. Valerie is fascinated by an antique ruby that was  found in the wall of her vampire husband, Andrew.  As Andrew sleeps away the day, Val sets out to explore an old cabin on the property.  There she finds a room jammed full of clocks and gadgets. She stumbles upon a hidden closet and an automated fortune teller that promises her a wish. Without consciously realizing it Val wishes that she knew the story of the ruby pendant. The next thing she knows her world is in a spin and she is a gypsy fortune teller in the same room but a time when the cabin was new.  In a surprising twist she does learn the history of the pendant but will she be able to return to her time and her beloved?  Rating 4.0

This anthology introduced me to three ‘new-to-me’ authors and I got to read another wonderful story by Pauline Baird Jones whose books are favorites of mine. If you haven't tried Steampunk genre I recommend this anthology as a good one to get a feel for it. If you are a fan of Steampunk then don't miss this fun read.

xxx

A copy of this eBook was provided for an unbiased review by Pauline Baird Jones.

Please learn more about Pauline in today’s Blogoversary Author Spotlight. You earn extra entries for commenting on this review.

Audible Book Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Historical charm, mystery and paranormal all blended beautifully in this delightful story.
Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gail Carriger
• Narrated by Emily Gray

Genre: Steampunk,Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Victorian romance mixes seamlessly with elegant prose and biting wit—and werewolves—in Gail Carriger’s delightful debut novel. Soulless introduces Alexia Tarabotti, a parasol-wielding Londoner getting dangerously close to spinster status. But there are more important things than finding a husband. For Alexia was born without a soul, giving her the ability to render any vampire or werewolf completely powerless.

Review: This is a great blend of paranormal, mystery and romance with lots of humor.

Alexia is a 25 year old “spinster.” She is attractive but not a real beauty having a strong nose and dark skin from her Italian father. She also has another difficulty - she is a preternatural or soulless. She has accepted her status and is more interested in science and paranormal issues than in finding a husband. But her mother and stepfather would be glad to find someone to sweep her out of their house, if not off her feet.

Alexia lives in a London society where paranormal creatures are recognized and required to register with appropriate governmental authority. Alexia tends to associate with the werewolves and vampires whom she can neutralize with her touch. Her uniqueness and identity have been kept secret because she might be considered an enemy as preternaturals used to hunt and destroy paranormal beings, especially vampires.

When a strange vampire tries to attack Alexia she defends herself with her touch and her trusty, silver tipped parasol. Unfortunately she accidentally kills the vampire. Lord Maccon, the werewolf Alpha and head of the government Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR),  steps in to investigate the death in an official capacity and finds himself dealing with conflicting urges to subdue or protect this hapless, but witty and intelligent, female.

Maccon tries, unsuccessfully, to keep Alexia out of the investigation. As they proceed they discover more strange, unregistered and disappearing paranormal beings. Alexia tries to maintain proper society decorum but she is always stretching the llimits as she exercises her curious and independent spirit. Alexia gets help from a very unusual, and rather flamboyant, vampire friend. Maccon is jealous only because he doesn't realize the fellow would be more interested in him than Alexia.

This book contains a wonderful blend of British wit, Regency ambiance, paranormal mystic, scientific exploration and polite but sensual romance. The narration took just a bit of time to get used to but the narrator really does a wonderful job fitting the British, Scottish and American accents, as well as the prissy, authoritative and dignified tones to the different characters. This was a delightful listen and I am ready to download the next book!

There are lots of charming quotable lines but here is one of my favorites:
“He was sure his control was around somewhere, if he could simply find it.” 
Lord Conall Maccon thinking to himself while he tries to resist seducing Alexia.

Three word description: Eccentric, humorous, warm.