Synopsis

 

As a young wilderness girl, Pistol Rose knows nothing of the advanced Strelkie City or the mad king Ward Harrol who sits behind its walls. She doesn’t understand why the Strelkie forbid marriage.

When the king forces the surrounding countryside to change their traditional culture to match his vision, the Punimin resist, and Rose learns everything about how to kill Strelkie and get away with it.

But throwing her own secret wedding without being caught… is another matter entirely. Rose refuses to give up her lover, Clock Dancin, for the tyrants who threaten her way of life. And most Punimin stand with her–only one is a betrayer.

In this futuristic medieval steampunk country filled with liars, killers, and wilderuckers, the strongest weapon is love. But using it comes with a heavy cost.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Guest Review by Nora

 

“Truly, war is ripe on the tree and the gentlest gust could bring a fall no one is quite ready for. It would be an avalanche in both directions, and they all know it. Enough of them want it that the wiser folks hold their breath. Or maybe they aren’t the wiser folks.”

The first in a series that is sure to pull in any reader, ‘Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War’ by Michael Ryan Hahn, is a tale of two worlds and two directions.

The first is the world of the Strelkie, a posh city filled with delights for the lucky people who live there. The Strelkie are specifically told to move from family to family and household to household throughout their lives as a method of creating loyalty to their people and not to individual families.

In complete opposition are the Punimin, a group with strong family bonds who take to carving their family stories in any and all wood surfaces they can find.

Pistol Rose is a Punimin, destined to live a life of hardship outside of the city and to eventually go into her family business of gun making. Rose loves her family dearly, and she is a skilled gun maker, but when she falls in love with a boy from her village, she realizes that she has only two options. Either she can ask the local Strelkie emissary for permission to marry her fiancé and risk being turned down and possibly losing her love forever, or she and her love can escape to the forest to find a place beyond Strelkie rule.

Neither option is easy, as even escape will come with uncertainty and struggle. But Rose and Dancin’, her fiancé, decide to escape, not realizing that this decision will light the spark that ignites a war and that soon they will have no way out.

This was an excellent story for me, personally. I love great characters and great world-building, and this book had it all! I would recommend this for anyone who loves steampunk or fantasy because those elements were really present here.

Hahn is a very talented writer, and I can’t wait to read more from this series!

 

 

About the Author

 

‘Pistol Rose and the Wedding That Parked a War’ is Michael’s debut novel and the first in a planned 7- part series, The Anthem of Ash & Pistols. He previously wrote a standalone horror novella called ‘Children of the Storm.’ He recently released an adventure podcast in the style of old radio plays called Fire Pockets. His stories aim to weave exciting action with humor and heart, with complicated villains—probably because of his upbringing. He comes from a big ol’ raucous family, and he survived a shockingly bruising (but not altogether unfun) cadre of violently delinquent Boy Scouts to become an Eagle Scout. He loves fight scenes.

Michael won a ScreenCraft competition that led to development with Bad Robot. He’s a 3x ScreenCraft Finalist and has 18 other accolades from major screenwriting competitions, including AFF and Final Big Break.

As a director, he won Best Feature at GenCon and Best Director at BAFF for his micro-budget, wild sci-fi comedy action feature, ALIEN THEORY

He lives in Los Angeles with his wife. In his spare time, he designs custom habitats for cats.* The habitats are highly popular with the cats.

 

 

Website * X (Twitter) * Fire Pockets Podcast

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

This giveaway is for 2 copies.

The winners will have the choice of print or ebook.

This giveaway is open worldwide and on November 23, 2023, at midnight pacific time.

Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A steampunk retelling of Cinderella.

Emmeline O’Shea is determined to save the world—single-handedly, if necessary. A strong voice for societal reform, she is the natural choice to deliver a key speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s week-long Summit in Scotland.

But when a death threat arrives at Emme’s home, she is immediately placed into protective custody, watched over by none other than her personal nemesis, Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two have crossed paths many times, with disastrous results, but now they will have to work together in order to reach the Summit before midnight of the last day in order to ensure legislation is passed to protect the Shifter community.

As unseen enemies close in around Emme and Oliver, they struggle to reach Edinburgh by any means necessary, only to find Emme’s vindictive stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, and a dangerous political minefield awaiting them in Scotland.

Even more difficult is their own refusal to admit that the fiery animosity that once burned between them might be turning into the heat of romantic passion. Could a straitlaced policeman determined to uphold the law and an outspoken activist willing to break the rules ever find true love? Or will all their dreams shatter like glass when the clock strikes midnight?

 

 

Amazon * B&N * BAM * Indiebound * Deseret Books

 

Praise

 

“Once again proving that genres are made to be melded, Allen puts a suspenseful twist on this enticing, steampunk retelling of Cinderella. Allen seamlessly integrates gentle romantic tension and nods to the original fairy tale with paranormal and steampunk elements and political intrigue. This is a fun, arresting break from reality.” -Publishers Weekly

“Relocates a classic fairy tale into an imagined future packed with airships, automated carriages, vampires, and corsets. Nancy Campbell Allen’s lively reimagining of the Cinderella story features an empowered, outspoken heroine who’s driven by a vision of a more equitable, futuristic Britain.” -Foreword Reviews

Review

 

I have found that Steampunk books can be quite interesting. I’m not sure what it is about the setting but it feels like a combination of new and old technology, inventions, and the like.

I have read a couple of the books in this series and have enjoyed the books and this one was no different. There are a few things that liken it to Cinderella, but I feel like it is very loosely based on that fairy tale. But that is not a fault, just an observation of mine.

The story that is told is one that could fit our world today – it is about not shunning a part of society and one woman’s fight for their rights. I’m talking about shifters, humans that shift into animal form a few nights a month. Most are not violent, but as we know, a few bad apples tend to ruin it for everyone. Emme is their spokeswoman and is fighting for their rights, much to the chagrin of her family. She is definitely not a proper lady by their standards, but that is what makes her a good advocate for the shifters. It isn’t until she receives a notice to back off that the police take things seriously. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. This isn’t their first encounter with each other and I think they each felt something for each other but have never acted upon those feelings. It takes some harrowing situations for them to admit to each other that perhaps there is something there in the romance field.

This also has an air of mystery about it because there are secrets unknown to Emme that put her in danger. There is also a wide range of characters, some loveable, some not so much. My favorite character is Gus. There is more to Gus than what meets the eye but I don’t want to spoil that surprise for anyone so you’ll have to read the book.

Others have said to read the other books in this series before this one, even though it is a standalone novel. I have read one of the others but really don’t remember much that might tie to this book. The curse of reading so much! I think this book reads fine as a standalone, but if you like steampunk novels you will want to read all of the books in her series!

We give this book 4 paws up and look forward to reading more of her works.

 

 

 

 

 

Trailer

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of seventeen published novels and numerous novellas, which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she received a Whitney Award for My Fair Gentleman. She has presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and the mother of three children.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Meet Captain Alexandria de Sade, the proud and once loyal captain of Naviwerks chrono-ship #25. When she learned the truth about how the company was fleecing their customers she turned her back on the promotion they offered her, left the man she loved without a word, and disappeared with her ship.

With a plan in mind to undermine Naviwerks’ business of artifact and heirloom retrieval, Captain Alex hired on several like-minded misfits to crew her chrono-ship which she re-christened The William’s Hunt. They are: An awkward but genius Horotech, an irascible ex-marine, a flamboyant playboy, a churlish physician, and a hot-shot pilot.

Their first venture: go to Milan, Italy 1490 and retrieve the working model of Leonardo da Vinci’s Gran Cavallo before Naviwerks does. What should have been a simple snatch and run mission for the newly formed band of pirates goes south nearly immediately. In their struggle to recover, they learn that there is much more behind Naviwerks’ actions. Captain Alex and the crew of The William’s Hunt are the only ones that stand a chance of putting things right, and it seems as if her crew’s every step takes them deeper and deeper into discovering just how nefarious Naviwerks truly is.

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Standby, Mr. Kane.” Captain Alex closed the connection as she looked to the back of Angel’s head. “Miss Flynn. On my mark I want you to give me a full burn.”

The order was strange enough to make Angel turn her chair to look at her Captain in confusion. “That won’t do us any good in the hole, Cap. Propulsion is nothing more than a waste of fuel during transit.”

“I am well aware of that, thank you.” Captain Alex’s voice and expression were flint sharp. “Full burn. On my mark, please.”

“Aye, Cap,” said Angel before she turned back around. She glanced at Geri as she adjusted the controls for a full burn of the engines. He gave her a shrug in return. The shake of her head was barely noticeable as she turned her attention back to the consoles.

Alex’s dainty fingers tapped on the control panel in the arm of her chair, turning on the comm again. “Mr. Kane. Activate the return.” A flick of a digit put the comm channel to broadband so she could address the rest of her crew. “Everyone strap in.” After closing the channel, she heeded her own command and pulled her harness over her shoulders. The click of the connectors engaging was followed shortly by the sounds of Geri and Angel doing the same.

“Aye, Captain.” Laurence’s voice acknowledged Captain Alex’s order, and the ship seemed to lurch as the chrono-engine reversed itself, pulling them back into the wormhole they had come through. It hadn’t really put the ship into reverse. It was just a trick of the senses that suggested the ship had changed direction.

The sky disappeared, once more replaced with the over-bright whiteness and the twinkling pinpoints of light that darted and spiraled around the ship as it passed through the wormhole. This time however, Captain Alex did not watch the display. Instead, her gaze was glued to the ornate clock on the wall of the bridge, its hands frozen on eleven fifteen and thirty two seconds. Her fingers hovered over the chair controls to initiate the full burn. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Angel to follow the order, but what she had in mind required instant reaction. A single hesitation and it would be all for naught.

Her all too pale eyes were unblinking as she stared at that clock. Her teeth were clenched together and her lips were parted just a little bit. Tension filled the bridge as moments seemed to pass by at a snail’s pace. Any other captain might fill these moments with thoughts of alternate plans should the first fail. Not Captain Alex. She had every confidence in the crazy stunt she had in mind and strong faith in her crew to help her pull it off. It was that one, remote chance that the timing would be off, and this could all go south that made the tendons in her neck stand out.

Her focus narrowed onto the second hand of the clock as her lips moved silently. Then any doubt became moot as the hand gave a single tock. Alex’s eyes widened as she barked out, “Now!”

She should not have doubted her Pilot’s ability to follow through. Angel’s hand mashed down on the thruster button just as the dizzying images created by the wormhole melted away to normal, blue sky. The engines ignited in the returned atmosphere, and The William’s Hunt shot forward…

…right between two Naviwerks ships.

 

About the Author

According to her mother, Krista has lived in her own imagination since birth. The real world let her down. It was, frankly, boring beyond belief. After she discovered fantasy novels and comics there was no going back. This didn’t win her any popularity contests (or dates) until after high school. Art school introduced her to other geeks and the wonderful world of AD&D. A love for RP eventually led to LARP (the goth/vampire era of her life). Finally, sci-fi/fantasy/fandom conventions introduced her to the beautiful world of Steampunk. Music. Clothing. And books. She dove into the books she took a shine to and absorbed them. But something was missing. She wasn’t satisfied. During her recovery from neck surgery something she’d heard somewhere stuck out in her mind: “If you can’t find the stories you want to read then write them yourself.” On a couch in Savannah, GA. with Sons of Anarchy playing in the background, The William’s Hunt began.

Currently, Krista lives in her home town in Pennsylvania with five cats, a husband, and a weiner dog, Pete, who watches from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Title: THE MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MAN

Author: Rie Sheridan Rose

Publisher: Independent

Pages: 270

Genre: Steampunk Adventure Romance

 

Synopsis

 

The Marvelous Mechanical Man is the first book in a Steampunk series featuring the adventures of Josephine Mann, an independent woman in need of a way to pay her rent. She meets Professor Alistair Conn, in need of a lab assistant, and a partnership is created that proves exciting adventure for both of them.

Alistair’s prize invention is an automaton standing nine feet tall. There’s a bit of a problem though…he can’t quite figure out how to make it move. Jo just might be of help there. Then again, they might not get a chance to find out, as the marvelous mechanical man goes missing.

Jo and Alistair find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of kidnapping, catnapping, and cross-country chases that involve airships, trains, and a prototype steam car. With a little help from their friends, Herbert Lattimer and Winifred Bond, plots are foiled, inventions are perfected, and a good time is had by all.

 

 

Guest Post

 

I love it when I find new Texas authors and while I have never ready this series, the author is here to the rescue to tell us about the characters in this book.  Sort of an introduction if you will.  I love this little snippet about the various characters and it gives me a little more insight into them and I hope that you will find them intriguing as well.

 

Top Ten Characters in The Marvelous Mechanical Man

 

10) Vanessa, the companion/maid who keeps Aunt Emily’s house running like clockwork.

 

9) Aunt Emily Estes, Alistair’s widowed aunt with a sharp eye and a convenient piano box.

 

8) Paul Blessant, a professorial colleague with an eye toward profit.

 

7) Ma Stark, landlady with a heart of gold and a kitchen that never seems closed.

 

6) Miss Priss, Jo’s bosom companion and solace in times of trouble.

 

5) Herbert Lattimer, whose airship is indispensable in saving the day.

 

4) Winifred Bond—Fred to her friends—who shoots straighter and spits further than anyone else Jo knows.

 

3) Phaeton, the Marvelous Mechanical Man himself, who is really the heart of the matter.

 

2) Our hero, Professor Alistair Conn, whose ingenuity exceeds even his own expectations.

 

1) And, of course, our heroine Josephine Mann who narrates the story with her own inimitable style.

 

 

Excerpt

 

I was debating just what I should do next when I heard the sound of a key in the front lock. Hurrying back to the laboratory, I was just in time to see Alistair Conn step inside.

“Professor Conn! Am I glad to see you.”

He set the bundles he was carrying down on the counter.

“What is it, Miss Mann?”

“Your mechanical man…can it walk on its own?”

He frowned, glancing quickly at the rear door and back.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I rolled my eyes.

“We don’t have time for shilly-shallying. Yes, I know I didn’t have your leave to look in the back rooms, but I did. I saw the automaton, or statue, or whatever he was, but when I opened the door to the hallway this morning, the door to the storage room was ajar and the man was gone.”

“Gone?” All the color fled his face, and he pushed me aside, practically running down the lab to the rear door. He threw it open and darted to the storage room. “No…no! This is impossible! How could he be gone?”

“That’s what I was asking you.”

“He can’t move on his own, Miss Mann. He has no power source. He’s just a big metal doll without his heart—and that doesn’t work yet.” He wiped his hand across his lips then turned and ran back to the lab, searching furiously amid the items I had so carefully arranged—apparently to no avail—on the counter. “It’s gone!” he cried. “They got that, too? Oh, this is disastrous, indeed.”

“Got what?” I asked, following him back to the lab, where he seemed determined to destroy all my neatening efforts of the day before.

“The heart, Miss Mann, the heart! I showed it to you yesterday morning—it’s an oblong machine, about so big….” He held up his hands about six inches apart. “You asked me what it did.”

I stepped over to the counter and opened the drawer beneath it. Rummaging in the back, I withdrew the silk-wrapped package I had placed within it the night before.

“Is this what you’re looking for?”

He practically snatched it from my hand.

“Thank God! Oh, that was most clever, Miss Mann. Most clever.”

I decided there was no need to tell the man it was only chance that had protected his precious…whatever it was. Let him think it had been foresight.

“You say that’s the statue’s heart?”

“Well, it will be, if it ever starts working. This little object will provide the power necessary to move the automaton’s limbs, to let him think. He will be a true mechanical man.”

“But it doesn’t work.”

He sighed.

“Not yet.” He set the oblong down on the counter. “I’ve done everything I can think of, but I just can’t make it do anything.”

I looked down at the funny little machine. I couldn’t tell him I had played with it and added things. He would never forgive me.

Something looked odd about the assembly. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what, so I put my finger on the machine instead. There was a tiny lever half-hidden by the new gear assembly. It shifted under my fingertip, and suddenly, the heart began to beat.

 

 

About the Author

 

Rie Sheridan Rose multitasks. A lot. Her short stories appear in numerous anthologies, including Nightmare Stalkers and Dream Walkers Vols. 1 and 2, and Killing It Softly Vols. 1 and 2. She has authored twelve novels, six poetry chapbooks, and lyrics for dozens of songs. These were mostly written in conjunction with Marc Gunn, and can be found on “Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits” and “Pirates vs. Dragons” for the most part–with a few scattered exceptions.

Her favorite work to date is The Conn-Mann Chronicles Steampunk series with five books released so far: The Marvelous Mechanical Man, The Nearly Notorious Nun, The Incredibly Irritating Irishman, The Fiercely Formidable Fugitive, and The Elderly Earl’s Estate.

Rie lives in Texas with her wonderful husband and several spoiled cat-children.

 

Website * Book Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Hazel Hughes has spent her life believing she is a Medium—someone who can talk to ghosts. But as of yet, that skill has remained frustratingly elusive. She is also suffering from a reoccurring childhood dream of someone who looks almost exactly like Hazel, but this dream version of herself is slowly going mad.

Sam MacInnes is a talented surgeon who runs in the highest social circles thanks to his family’s position and history. When Sam hires Hazel to assist him with his medical practice, he is immediately drawn to her intelligence, wit, and beauty.

Their potential relationship is derailed one evening when a mysterious count arrives in London and reveals to Hazel the truth about her past: she was abducted at birth and her twin sister has fallen dangerously ill.

Hazel agrees to travel to Romania with Count Petrescu in order to save her sister, and Sam insists on accompanying her. The count has secrets, though, and the journey grows more sinister with every mile that draws Hazel closer to her homeland. Even as her feelings for Sam become deeper and more complicated, she fears she might not survive the quest to save her sister with her heart intact, not to mention her life. She must learn to draw on gifts she doesn’t know she has if they are going to ever return home again.

Hazel and Sam must fight their way past dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out.

 

 

 

Synopsis

A steampunk Sleeping Beauty story from the author of Beauty and the Clockwork Beast.

Doctor Isla Cooper is cursed. Literally. Each night, at the stroke of midnight she falls into a death-like sleep from which she cannot be awakened for six hours. To make it worse, the curse has an expiration date—after a year, it becomes permanent. And the year is almost up.

In a desperate attempt to find Malette—the witch who cursed her—Isla blackmails her way onto Daniel Pickett’s private airship bound for the Caribbean, only to discover she’s traveling with three illegal shapeshifters and the despicable Nigel Crowe, a government official determined to hunt down and exterminate every shapeshifter in England. Isla and Daniel must work together to keep the identities of the shapeshifters hidden while coming to terms with their own hidden secrets, and their blossoming attraction to each other.

Filled with suspense, intrigue, and plenty of romance, Kiss of the Spindle is steampunk Sleeping Beauty story. It is a race against the clock as Isla and Daniel try to hunt down the elusive Malette before Isla’s death-like sleep becomes permanent.

Review

I’ve not read a lot of steampunk, but what I have read I have really enjoyed. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty but with a paranormal twist with witches (well there are some in the original fairy tale) and shifters. There is also the historical aspect of how people act and dress but there is a slightly modern feel with some of the technology they utilize.

Dr. Cooper is a tough woman and not one to be trifled with if you are smart. She is an empath and her ability to calm shifters was remarkable. But despite being tough, I felt like she really wanted to be cherished and loved. She had a tough life growing up and this curse she is now under is not helping matters. I did appreciate knowing how to say her name from the beginning since I would have pronounced it wrong in my head through the whole book.

Following Isla on her quest to undo her curse, making new friends, discovering deception from others around her, to saving herself despite all odds. This book is action packed with some touching, romantic moments to round out the story. There are some things that will be obvious (who will break the curse) but other aspects were quite the surprise. It made for an interesting read and I felt differently about certain characters once more was revealed.

Truly enjoyed this story and will have to check out some other steampunk whenever possible.

We give this 4 paws up.

Author Lara Nance hosts an Airship Tour

to celebrate the release of

Realm of the Ice Queen

(Book #4 in the Airship Adventure Chronicles)

Hangout here at Gliterary Girl and check out all the stops to WIN prizes, answer trivia and learn new things about Steampunk! Realm of the Ice Queen Book Four of the Airship Adventure Chronicles

Synopsis

Belle and Rett’s adventures are not over. While Rett is involved in rebuilding the destruction caused by Dr. Krakov in the capitol city, the queen calls on Belle for a vital mission. She sails off to Icelandia to negotiate a treaty with the eastern countries, only to find the queen of that frigid land is hiding a secret that threatens to derail the vital progress of peace. Rett unwittingly uncovers a threat beneath Aereopolis, more dangerous than the attack of the mad scientist. This discovery sets off a chain of events that unleashes a century-old menace.

Once again, Belle and Rett must count on resourcefulness, courage, and old friends to escape peril and save the day.

AMAZON

 

About the Author

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres, but the basis of all of her stories is a great tale of entertaining fiction that will take you on an adventure of imagination. Smart stories that make you wonder, and live the romances you dream about. She writes for her readers, hoping to give them an enjoyable escape among the pages of her books.

So, if you’re ready to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales to paranormal stories and sizzling romance, she’s willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, along with a touch of romance here and there.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories. Lara loves to weave interesting true historical tidbits into her fiction which invite the reader to explore further after the novel is finished.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkies, Belle and Bruno.

Website/ Facebook/ Twitter / Goodreads

 

Where it all Started

The Airship Chronicles

Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book #1)

Synopsis

A steampunk adventure with a touch of romance. When Lady Arabella Trunkett’s father, the Lord High Minister of Urbannia, is kidnapped, suspicion points to the mysterious country of Gandiss and the world is thrown into political upheaval. But Arabella is convinced the more sinister nation of Carabarras is to blame, urged on by a mad scientist seeking revenge. She sets out on a dangerous airship adventure across numerous exotic locales to rescue her father before war breaks out. Not only is she faced with danger from mysterious assassins, slaver traders and air-pirates, the fickle hand of fate adds an additional complication to her trials. Unfortunately, the captain of the only airship available for charter is a man who left her at the altar. For eight years she’s wanted nothing more than to see him dead. But now he’s her only hope.

AMAZON

Stops on the Airship Tour

Where you can find:

Reviews, interviews and more trivia questions plus chances to win at every single stop

11/10 – 11/24

StoreyBook Reviews

Auggie -Talk

Coffee Addicts Books

Be My Book Boyfriend

Reviews By Crystal

Memories in a Box

Cruising Susan Book Reviews

Pinky’s Favorite Reads

Mommy’s Naughty Playground

Confessions of a Book Whore

Book Groupies

Indies Steal Our Hearts

Mamma bears Book Blog

Mythical Books

One of these amazing Jewelry pieces can be yours

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DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE SERIES OR ANY OF LARA’S WORK ON

AMAZON

Lumière by Jacqueline E. Garlick

One determined girl.
One resourceful boy.
One miracle machine that could destroy everything…

After an unexplained flash shatters her world, seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth sets out to find the Illuminator, her father’s prized invention. With it, she hopes to cure herself of her debilitating seizures before Professor Smrt—her father’s arch nemesis—discovers her secret and locks her away in an asylum.

Pursued by Smrt, Eyelet locates the Illuminator only to see it whisked away. She follows the thief into the world of the unknown, compelled not only by her quest but by the allure of the stranger—Urlick Babbit—who harbors secrets of his own.

Together, they endure deadly Vapours and criminal-infested woods in pursuit of the same goal, only to discover the miracle machine they hoped would solve their problems may in fact be their biggest problem of all.

When darkness is safer than light…

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise

“One of the most inventive story worlds I’ve read in years…” Donald Maass, Author of Writing the Breakout Novel, Writing 21st Century Fiction, and The Fire in Fiction

“Such an engaging story featuring witty dialogue, gripping action scenes and a romance that will make your heart melt!” Laurel May

“I liked the mix of reminders I got from authors like Mervyn Peake, L.Frank Baum and Ray Bradbury. I’m sure that every reader will find shades of other famous writers, including or excluding these three.” Richard L. Bunning

“Eyelet and Urlick, the two main characters… There’s so much to love! They are like salt and pepper: totally different, spicy, argumentative, and brilliantly smart.” Rosemary Danielis

 

Excerpt From Lumière:

“Wait!” I shout, surging forward, shouldering my way through the crowd. I fight my way to the front and pound on the doors of the carriage. “Please!” I shout. “I need to speak to you!” But the stranger doesn’t hear.

He brings his whip down hard over his horse’s back and the carriage leaps forward, parting the angry crowd like soil in a furrowed field. “Wait!” I hoist my skirts and chase after the carriage. “Please!” I shout. “Please! Wait!”

A second crack of the whip and the carriage moves faster. I race on, struggling to keep up to its side. If I lose sight of the carriage, I’ve lost everything. All hope of ever leading a normal life.

I can’t let that happen.

Won’t let that happen.

He will not take my father’s machine.

“Please, I beg you, stop the coach!” I lunge, throwing myself at the back of the coach, barely catching a toe on the edge of the running boards, embedding my nails into the carriage’s seams. The carriage bursts forward through the streets of Gears, the city fast becoming a memory.

“Stop!” I plead as my boot slips from the running boards. I swing out to one side and dangle by one arm.

The stranger at the mount turns his head. “What are you doing?” he shouts. “Get off!”

“Get off?”

I kick my way back up onto the platform.

“I said get off!” he shouts again.

“I won’t!” I say, hoisting, myself up higher onto the cab.

My foot slips again and I sink beneath the rooftop, striking my chin hard on the way down. Grasping at the coach’s seams I desperately try to hold on, the toes of my boots burrowing twisted trenches in the dirt road below. My heart lodges in my throat as I lose my grip and swing out again to the opposite side.

“Bloody Hell!” I hear the stranger curse.

His face appears over the top of the cab seconds later. His eyes are lit like flares. I hang by the tips of my fingers, shocked, staring up at him. I don’t know whether to scream or cry.

 

Author Jacqueline E. Garlick

I’m Jacqueline Garlick. Author of YA, New Adult, and Women’s Fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper) and plan cool writing events for cool writers. I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and baking to cooking. I believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all that ails you and if that doesn’t work there’s always Ellen Degeneres. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (perhaps even a door) and a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won’t find a hidden passageway but a girl can dream, can’t she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea. I love specialty teas…and collecting special teacups from which to drink them. (See website for collection.)

In my former life, I was a teacher (both grade school and college-don’t ask) and more recently I’ve been a graduate of Ellen Hopkin’s Nevada Mentor Program and a student of James Scott Bell, Christopher Vogler and Don Maass. An excerpt from Lumière earned me the 2012 Don Maass Break Out Novel Intensive Scholarship.

Lumière—A Romantic Steampunk Fantasy—is my debut novel, Book One in my young adult The Illumination Paradox Series. I am represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

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BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/14/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Third Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn

Skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue… and, of course, kissing.

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she’ll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince’s proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince’s proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

Third Daughter is the first book in the The Dharian Affairs Trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance that takes place in an east-Indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue. And, of course, kissing.

From the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, The Dharian Affairs is a new series filled with equal doses of action-adventure and romance, meant to appeal to fans of Mindjack.

NOMINATED for the Illinois Librarian’s “Soon to be Famous Author Project” wherein librarians hope to discover local authors whose “work will jump off the page for readers.”

“Third Daughter is vividly breathtaking. Quinn delivers royal intrigue, exotic locations, and sweeping romance. Not to be missed!” – Pavarti K. Tyler, author of Shadow on the Wall

“Susan Kaye Quinn writes characters that leap off the page… Incredibly well written, the vivid setting was crisp in my mind… As the plot raced on, I was cursing real life for not letting me just sit glued to my kindle, punching the touch screen to get to the next page.” – Tiffany on Goodreads

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Excerpt

A lone two-wheeled surrey ambled out of the shadows of the Samirian embassy and headed toward her dark corner of the Queen’s estate. Aniri held her breath and silently cursed the full two-moon night. If the carriage came much closer, the occupants would surely see her clinging to the side of the palace like a spider on her thread.

The six-hooved beast pulling the surrey slowed as it neared the giant stone statue of Devkasera. The mother goddess of ancient Dharia loomed larger-than-life, threatening the carriage with a sword and a scroll—the powers of destruction and creation—clasped in two of her six hands. The Queen loved the ancient traditions, so the goddess held a place of respect in the middle of the palace lawns. Aniri preferred the clean streets and steam-driven inventions of modern Dharia to the unwashed feet and mystic religion of her country’s past, but that didn’t stop her from sending a silent prayer to Devkasera—for invisibility for herself or perhaps a sudden loss of sight by the persons in the carriage.

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Author Susan Kaye Quinn

Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, which is young adult science fiction. The Dharian Affairs trilogy is her excuse to dress up in corsets and fight with swords. She also has a dark-and-gritty SF serial called The Debt Collector and a middle grade fantasy called Faery Swap. It’s possible she’s easily distracted. She always has more speculative fiction fun in the works. You can find out what she’s up to by subscribing to her newsletter (hint: new subscribers get a free short story!) or by stopping by her blog (www.susankayequinn.com).

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Goodreads

 

 

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/14/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway