Review: Of Brass and Magic by A.L. Kessler

Title: Of Brass and Magic
Author: A.L. Kessler
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Steampunk
Length: Two Short Stories
Release Date: January 19, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 1 (non-romance)

New Editions of A.L. Kessler's two steampunk short stories!

Of Souls and Steam:

Dead bodies, metal giants, and magic are a typical day for Maryanne Jennings. Specializing in strange and unusual cases, it's her job to figure out what could be causing the mayhem in her city.

Of Fate and Gears:

Felisa has no choice but to act as the being humans call Fate. It was herpunishment for escaping her death as a human. With the help of a mechanical fairy, Felisa has to guide a thief named Luke to his own fate to free herself.

**originally published in Penny Dread Tales 3 and 4, if you enjoy these stories, please consider checking out the full anthologies**

Two really fun steampunk stories.  Short stories can be a little hard - sometimes they just aren't long enough to get a full story into them.  Both of these balanced the length with the plot very well.  We had all the important parts and you still really fell into the story and got to enjoy it before it was all over.

In the first story Of Souls and Steam, we have a bit of a mystery/suspense theme.  Maryanne is out to find who is killing people when an even more intriguing thing literally walks (or stomps destructively) right past her.  Her investigation takes some very interesting turns and was really fun.

The second story, Of Fate and Gears,  was my favorite of the two.  Felisa works as fate, marking people for death to find.  But this case is different.  Not only can he see her, but his fate is completely unclear.  Their story is also full of surprises and just a bit of romantic element at times - but not what you would expect in an actual romance. The fates and how they worked was also a fun little addition and something I hadn't expected.

These are both fantastic reads for lovers of paranormal or steampunk.

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Review: Hand of Miriam by Eva Gordon

Title: Hand of Miriam (Bayla and the Golem #1)
Author: Eva Gordon
Source: Author Request
Genre: Steampunk Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: December 6, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 2

On an archaeological expedition, Bayla Gideon, is widowed by a supernatural force and
branded with the Hand of Miriam or Knowing Eye. Threatened by evil, she awakens the golem; a mythical man of clay, who protected the Jewish community over three centuries ago. The golem, Gesher, is surprised. Freedom –by a beautiful, enchanting woman. His desire is to return to the celestial spheres and regain his status as an avenging angel. Yet, Bayla challenges his mind, body and soul. Would he risk his return to the heavens for her? Besides, dealing with the otherkind, mad inventors and an unrelenting matchmaking aunt, Bayla is equally determined to resist her steamy attraction to the striking fallen angel. Thrust into a malevolent war, which includes facing Jack the Ripper, they must resist the magnetic pull toward each other, while protecting the world from encroaching evil.

 Hand of Miriam is a great mix of steam punk and romance with just a twist of religion to keep it even more interesting.  Bayla Gideon has been marked with the ability to sense evil with a touch. Bayla is unique from women of her time in other ways as well.  She is an academic that loves to go on expeditions looking for antiquities.  One of her late husband's great prizes is a golem.  When Bayla's new abilities begin to lead to threats to her life she decides to give life to the golem, never realizing what his true history really is.

There is a huge storyline in this book - almost too much.  It involves the presence of Jack the Ripper - only his victims aren't only human.  He's been killing vampiresses as well (oh yes did I mention there are vampires, werewolves, ghouls, demons, all sorts of fun stuff).  Bayla and her golem, Gesher, are out to try and find out just what is going on - madness ensues with lots of fighting and lots of Gesher saving the day.  And all along the way they are slowly falling love - but if they follow their desires he will never be able to return heaven - major issue.

The story is how they deal with the baddies, resolve their love delimma, and end with a mostly HEA.  It is a series so there has to be more to the story somewhere.  The only downfall for me was there was one too many "endings".  I thought for sure she had written a fantastic ending that I loved, loved, loved, and then there were another 50 pages and another ending that just wasn't quite as satisfaying for me.  I think the extra bit was important to the overall storyline though.

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ARC Review: Skies of Gold by Zoe Archer

Title: Skies of Gold (The Ether Chronicles #5) *can be read as a stand alone
Author: Zoe Archer
Source: Author Request
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: Expected Aug 6, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Two Lonely Hearts...

Kalindi MacNeil survived the devastating enemy airship attack that obliterated Liverpool, but even her engineering skills can't seem to repair her broken heart.  Seeking to put her life back together, Kali retreats to a desolate, deserted island - only to discover her's not alone.  Captain Fletcher Adams, an elite man/machine hybrid, a Man O'War, crashed his battle-damaged airship into this deserted island after Liverpool, never expecting to survive the wreck.  But survive he did.

One desire...

Believing he is nothing but a living weapon, Fletcher is wary of his new-found companion - a pretty, damaged, but determined young woman.  Together they are stranded on the deserted island, and it is only a matter of time until desire gets the best of both of them.  Soon Kali and Fletcher find they may be just what the other needed.  But a danger from beyond the island puts them to the test.  Will it rip them apart or bond their hearts forever?

Have I ever mentioned how much I love steampunk?  When I found out that steampunk was making the jump from Young Adult to Adult and then straight into Romance my heart just about stopped!!  And this book is a great example of why - I wish there were more like it.  Perhaps the author will take pity on me and let me read the rest of the series - otherwise I will just have to go out and buy it this fall with some birthday cash.

Kali and Fletcher find themselves stranded on a very isolated and small island - one by choice, the other by accident.  At first very wary of each other, the beginning of this book shows us how they manage to overcome their own insecurities to realize they may just like each other.  While this part of the book gave some great insight into both the characters as well as some important background information, it did drag just a little at times (which kept it from getting a full 5 stars).

The second half of the book gets really exciting!  It's the adventure part of the steampunk and Zoe Archer seems to know exactly what to do - and she does it without losing the romance.  In fact, she just keeps building it up until a very wonderful and satisfying ending.  This would be a great read for someone unfamiliar with the genre because it isn't too far out there, and while the period and technology play an important part - the romance is what really makes this story come to life.