Review: Bluebeard's Machine by Mari Fee (Steampunk Romance!)

Bluebeard's Machine by Mari Fee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm new to Steampunk romance and so glad I'm reading this genre!  I so hope this author Mari Fee writes more SOON! To start you off is a blurb first of BLUEBEARD'S MACHINE by Mari Fee. Then my review is right below it. Its on Amazon and the publisher, Samhain Publishing as well as the various eBook stores. Unable to find her site at this time.

Blurb:
Love, science, death. She is all three.
A Silk, Steel and Steam story.

Determined to discover what new experiment is stealing her husband’s attentions, Annette Parker ventures into forbidden territory—his study—only to discover a secret he would kill to keep. She is his fifth attempt to clone the original Annette and, according to his journal, he’s planning a sixth…after he dissects her dead body.
Unsure of who or what she is, she assumes a new identity and flees to the Orkney Islands and her last hope. The man she once rejected.
Isaac Ward’s first instinct is to get this mysterious “Miss Ada” out of his undersea laboratory—and out of his life—before he repeats the mistakes that drove him there in the first place. Her wild stories and stubborn insistence that they’re true wear his patience thin, but it doesn’t matter. She is as irresistible as the tide.
Then the truth appears right outside the portholes of his lab, stripping away her dubious disguise. Exposing a secret that could kill them both…unless Isaac abandons the science he knows for a second chance with the woman who broke his heart.

Product WarningsContains mad scientists, wanton murder, identity crises, and boiling hot underwater sex. Submersible instructions not included.

My Review:

I didn't know what 'Bluebeard' meant but I did check and so see how it fitted with the story! Here's a LINK to Wiki on basics! And went on to look up more about Bluebeard!  I thought this was so well written that I could so visualize Isaac Ward undersea laboratory and all that happening around it in the water (just as I could picture her mad scientist husband's dungeon! As I love reading historical romances, especially Victorian as this one is set as, I loved the details on the clothing, the ships and the like that so gave the feel of that time.  As the blurb and reviews indicate, Annette, Ada is on the adventure to escape and enlists Issac's help. He's so much more a beta hero, that I though fit for him with him being the scientist he is an his high intelligence.  Since it was  novella length, it didn't go in as deep as some stories do and for me, that worked so well since I'm new to this genre. I have tried others that were way too complicated and  in depth that it took away the enjoyment when I had to figure everything out.  With this I didn't.  The romance is short but that was to be expected with the length and theme. But I would have loved more of them, such as longer in the undersea laboratory where maybe they would develop more of the relationship. Hence, the 4 stars instead of 5.  But it did work very well for a novella! So here's hoping the author does more. So I need to find more that has a strong romance (and sizzle) in the Steampunk.

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Review up on Goodreads!

Hope you all had a good weekend!  I put up most I read (I'm trying to remember to do all them) up on my Goodreads.  It ends up being a great way for me to remember what I read through the year. I always forget to log in a journal. So far its working out great.  Are you at Goodreads?  Would love to chat books there with you too! Leave me your link and will join you over there!

In the meantime, I had wrote this review for Limecello's blog and just added it to my Goodreads, so here's the the review. It's a LONG one! I didn't realize how long it was til after I posted it.  I need to write better summaries! I get too caught up in what I (love to) read!  I got a few more I'm posting this weekend of all I've been reading so there will be more up! But basically its a good comforting bunch of novella's to read. You can read one and then take time between it to read the other stories since they are the same theme!

Have a great week, in the meantime, here's one to recommend: IT HAPPENED ONE SEASON by Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Candace Hern and Jacquie D'Alessandro (site didn't list all authors)

It Happened One Season by Stephanie Laurens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It Happened One Season is an Anthology with the same four Avon Historical Romance authors that wrote It Happened One Night in 2008. In It Happened One Night, there was a common theme that the authors Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D’Alessandro and Candice Hern created. Each author wrote a story about a proper young lady free from society’s constraints due to being stranded at a remote inn where she comes face to face with the one that ends up being her HEA (Happily Ever After). This time around, the publisher had readers suggest what themes they would most like to read. A winner was picked, and they had the above mentioned story lines as well as:



    The hero must find a bride because and produce a male heir.



The big difference with It Happened One Season, versus It Happened One Night is that there are several requirements in the story while the previous one was more open. So for me, reading one story after another, felt too much of the same story at first. Once I put aside repetitiveness, I enjoyed the next three stories more. They were focused on the hero and heroine rather than the circumstances and changed my opinion of the book. Since these four authors are all favorites of mine, I rarely have any criticism. I’m a huge fan of historical romance so I’m never one to have much of any issues with what I read since I love a variety despite having favorite themes (beauty and the beast, marriage of convenience, etc). After a bit of a slow start with the first story, the rest pulled it up.



First up was The Seduction of Sebastian Trantor by Stephanie Laurens. Our hero Sebastian Montgomery Trantor, is very well read and indulges in hieroglyphics, which I believe is decoding hidden words through codes.  He resides in an Abbey healing both physically and emotionally from the war. Sebastian’s brother, Thomas, interrupts his serene life with a visit. Thomas and his wife have five children, all girls, so he tells Sebastian to marry so their cousin- a wastrel- won’t inherit. Thus, Sebastian goes and attends the Season. Sebastian hides out in the library at a ball and discovers the heroine, Tabitha Makepeace searching a desk. Tabitha has discovered that engaged girls are being blackmailed and she is determined to discover who the culprit is. Sebastian and Tabitha end up working together to solve the crime. Sebastian figures a fictional engagement to Tabitha would benefit them both. He wouldn’t have to attend any more balls and Tabitha could use his decoding skills to find who is blackmailing the ladies.



Tabitha feels she is a plain un-marriageable female on the shelf. Even though Sebastian lets her believe it’s a fictional engagement, he plans to convince her that it would solve both their issues if they enter a marriage of convenience. Stephanie Laurens story was one of the longest in the anthology. It was adventurous and fun to read about the sleuthing. Although the HEA does happen, and they declare their love for one another, it didn’t truly click with me- that spark that I usually can sense from the hero and heroine wasn’t quite there. Beautiful wording by this author, very poetic, but that feeling of ‘real and breathtaking’ when they came together just wasn’t there for me.

Grade: C



The second story is Only Love by Mary Balogh. Cleopatra Pritchard, Cleo, is a young widow that was married for five years and widowed for five years. Now 27, she believes that she will never marry again, as no one wants or wanted her. Cleo also thinks she’ll never have a lover. She was married to Colonel Aubrey Pritchard who was 23 years her senior. He didn’t want to court her, and wanted a biddable, plain lady to minister to his needs and not be a distraction to his men. Cleo felt so plain and overweight at that time of her life, she would have married anyone. Cleo has matured and gained confidence in the past decade, but her manner and behavior can still be awkward especially around men. Cleo has spent the last 4 Seasons with no suitors. Just as Cleo is about to give up and focus on her volunteering she meets Jack Gilchrist.



Cleo had met Jack once before when she was married as he was in the Colonel’s troop. Jack’s brother Matthew, informs Jack that he must find a wife and marry. Although Jack’s physical scars have healed, his emotional ones from the war have not. He hasn’t recovered from his aversion to being in the public and loathes others calling him a hero. He saw so much devastation in the war, that when he returned, stories about him and the adoration that society subjected him to had him re-living the war over and over. When Jack sees Cleo at the ball, he’s happy to see someone there he knows that isn’t a young marriage minded miss.



Cleo never forgot a kiss they shared some years back, the only passionate kiss that she’s experienced. Jack  remembers it as well and never understood why he reacted to her that way at their one and only meeting. When together, Cleo’s shyness nearly disappears. Jack blurts out a proposal, because he thinks they would suit. Mary Balogh has a way with bringing different things, people, and events into the story that bring smiles and chuckles as well as sadness- almost tears. The relationship shows in the hero and heroine’s words and behavior. I thoroughly loved Cleo and Jack’s story! Even now, a couple weeks after reading, I still smile when I think about them. Another huge positive of each of these stories is being able to read an Epilogue that held a beautiful future for them. Especially so with Only Love.

Grade: A-



Hope Springs Eternal by Jacquie D’Alessandro gives us the story of Miss Penelope Markham, who was involved in a scandal due to her art. Penelope is witty and often gets herself into trouble because of her carefree ways. As a gifted artist, she’s been dismissed from being an art teacher and returns home where she meets the hero for the first time. Alec Trentwell served in the war with Penelope’s twin brother, Edward. Penelope often wrote to Edward who shared his letters with Alec. Thus Alec felt he got to know Penelope – so much so that he feels responsible for her. Edward died in the war, but during his life he was Alec’s commanding officer and best friend. Alec feels guilty for Edward’s death, so he plans to tell Penelope what happened to her brother in the war and apologize. Alec then plans to spend his time secluded in the small cottage he purchased. Alec is suffering from flashbacks and nightmares about all he experienced in Waterloo and Penelope senses Alec’s emotional scars.



Alec enjoys Penelope’s company, so he puts off his original plan and conversation. Alec is enjoying his new life and is afraid he will lose Penelope if he tells her how Edward died. Alec is told to wed to provide a heir, and conveniently, he and Penelope are in love with each other. Despite that, he’s terrified he will lose her. This story by Jacquie D’Alessandro may at times bring you close to tears. It is a beautifully emotional novella. Jacquie is presently writing contemporary romances. I dearly miss her historical romances and hope she comes back to writing more of her wonderful historicals.

Grade: B



The last story, Fate Strikes a Bargain by Candice Hern, brings us Captain Nathaniel Beckwith and Philippa Reynolds. Again following the “being required to marry and have a heir” theme, Nat’s brother, Lord Dearne interferes with Nat’s matrimonial plans. Philippa and Nat meet when Nat discovers her hiding in an attempt to escape the crush of a ball. Nat finds Philippa refreshingly candid and tolerant of his dark mood.  Philippa’s herself and her respect for his emotions leads them to having very open and frank communication. Philippa is empathic as she’s dealt with her physical disability all her life. Philippa was born with a severe limp.  She tolerates her over-protective parents but doesn’t limit herself or let it hinder her enjoyment of as active a life as she can physically handle. But Philippa’s disability often causes a sort of social ostracism. Nat sees past that much in the same way she sees past his manners (or lack thereof). While they both feel like they don’t fit in with society, they realize that they fit together!



Nat can be harsh with his words, but not towards her, and Philippa is too eager for confrontation and very blunt! It was refreshing to see how they meshed. A bargain of marriage is made, though Philippa’s parents force some courting where they get to know each. During this time they begin healing together, and find so many strengths between and within them. Nat had loved the army, but grew increasingly melancholy as he realized that the fighting at Waterloo had left him traumatized with nightmares and flashbacks of the battle. This is very evident through the story and emotional to read.  The author details the feelings that Nat and Philippa are experiencing nicely. As their relationship grows, the bargain is sweetened! And the epilogue is bittersweet! Well worth reading. It ends up that fate and love brings Nat and Philippa together after all.

Grade: A



When the book started I thought it would end up too similar, but they end up being so unique and special stories. I hope the authors do this again!



Overall Grade: B+



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Awesome Bargain Reads (Paula Quinn, Tess St. John & Christina Dodd)

A couple of recommendations here!  Paula Quinn's Scottish Historical romance (Warner Forever) and Tess St. John Regency Romance (Indie author).  And too Christina Dodd (Avon)

I got Paula Quinn's newsletter last night and her book that started the recent series, Children of the Mist, first in the MacGregor series, LAIRD OF THE MIST, is up on Amazon for .99 cents! (Its also available on Nook.  Just check your reader store to see if its available there or check author's site since it gets added more. Too don't wait, I have before and these specials go away too fast!  Even if you read before, its super to get this in ebook to keep your print nice and intact! LOL.  Loved this one, here's a blurb from her site:

Laird Of The Mist

They call him The Devil, but his kiss is heaven.


Protecting Her Was His Passion
High-born though she is, Kate Campbell isn't afraid to draw her sword. When raiders strike, she rushes into the fray.and is lucky when a mysterious Highlander shields her from a deadly blow. Swept onto his stallion, she soon discovers that her rescuer is her clan's most hated enemy: Callum MacGregor, the man they call The Devil. Yet she can not ignore his achingly tender touch or the way his fiery gaze leaves her breathless.


Possessing Her Would Be His Pleasure
Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he's never saved one-until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side-even if it means holding her ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can't make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor.and surrendering his heart forever.

And now a Indie author book that I discovered and wow, loved it! The author is Tess St. John. You can start to read a short prequel free from Smashwords, EMMA'S CHANCE.  I read and was so moved emotionally by it (you can put these book in your reader yourself since its not available on Amazon). Don't get confused by the cover.  It looks like a contemporary cover but its a historical romance.  I got to read some of SECOND CHANCES and so far its just as beautiful! That book is both on Amazon and Smashwords.  Check your eReader store if you use other eBook readers. :)

Emma's Chance by Tess St. John

Blurb:

Under her abusive father's control her whole life, Miss Emma Kerr is now betrothed to a man who is rumored to have killed his first wife. Emma's maid implores the help of Harmon Westbourne, the Earl of Easton, to rescue Emma from her father's home. But Emma's dilemma doesn't end there.

Second Chances by Tess St. John

Blurb:

Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. Only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake.

After losing his wife, Lord Drake vows never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.

So grab EMMA'S CHANCE free from HERE at Smashwords

And then SECOND CHANCE at Amazon and other eBook reader stores

And don't forget Paula Quinn's LAIRD OF THE MIST.

And a favorite of Christina Dodd's that was one of her firsts books I read, A WELL FAVORED GENTLEMAN which is $1.99 (don't you love these bargains!) Its on her site as well as on Amazon and other eBook stores for a limited time. Its so good, you'll want to read A WELL PLEASURED LADY too!  I love giving some recommendations and too bargains that I find in my emails.  But don't forget to visit the blog Books On The Knob that posts all the free reads from various eBook Publishers (Amazon, Nook, Sony, Smashwords, etc) as well as posts about Bargain books.  Daily Cheap Reads is another good one!  Have a great weekend.

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