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.
Opening line:
"Isla Elizabeth Cooper extended her hand toward the airship ticket agent."
Isla
has had a spell, or rather, a curse placed on her, where every night at
midnight she falls into a deep sleep and doesn't awake until 6 am. She
jokes she sleeps like the dead and she almost does; her breath is
shallow and her skin is tinged with blue. She's on a deadline to find
the cure before the curse becomes permanent.
She bullies her way on
to an airship, much to the dismay of the captain, Daniel Pickett who
does not want any more passengers on his ship but somehow cannot resist
Isla. For on Daniel's ship are three shape shifters who Daniel is
smuggling away from London and persecution.
Before Daniel can get
off the ground, another unwanted person bullies his way onto the
airship: Nigel Crowe. Notorious for sending shape shifters off to the
dungeon or to be hanged. His work is in total contrast to what Isla
does, so the tension between the two and then the whole ship's
passengers begins right from the start.
The author does a fantastic
job of fleshing out her characters where the reader comes to love and
cheer for them. Even the villain is easy to hate! And the 'ton Samson
was easily a favorite of mine.
I enjoyed the storyline of Sleeping Beauty and the mix of steampunk and a twist of the plot.
The
romance was perfectly paced in that it wasn't overly dramatic or love
at first sight It was a sweet build up until the...well, I can't tell
you. You just need to read this book!
I would recommend this book to any reader who loves a well-written adventure with enough romance and kissing to keep reading.
Thanks to netgalley for the read!
Anthony Blake is in love
with his best friend's sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her
are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover
spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire
network of British spies-including his own-has been stolen. To protect
Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an
honorable earl for the façade of a flirtatious playboy.
Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find
healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the
exotic land isn't as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds
herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible
murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when
Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping
his distance from her, she is stunned.
She still loves him, and,
in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her
relationship with him if he won't confide in her? Does she dare offer
her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the
India sun?
Opening line:
"Anthony Blake, the new Earl of Wilshire, stepped from white'sGentleman's Club with a light heart and a smile on his face."
On
the eve that Anthony Blake was going to propose to his best friend's
sister, he is thrust back into the British spying game that he thought
he left behind. Because of the danger his mission would bring to hs
family and loved ones he cuts off his relationship with Sophia Elliott
and resume his guise as a "womanizer."
Poor Sophia! She thought her
and Anthony had a spark of affection for each other and now he's
traveling the globe and flirting with all the women. How could she be so
wrong about him? She decides to get away from England and explore a
different country. And she's loving her adventure...until all of a
sudden, Anthony Blake is there beside her. She's hurt, confused and
angry. And she still loves him.
Trying not to blow his cover,
Anthony has a hard time concentrating on his mission while Sophia is
giving him the cold shoulder Or reminding him that they are brother and
sister (as he stated in his letter when he broke ties with her.).
But it doesn't matter if he's trying to protect her. There's romance, intrigue and a murder.
I
enjoyed this story! It clipped along with the tension and witty banter
and mystery. I really did like how the characters were kind to each
other and cared about each other. Other than the villain, of course.
Thanks to netgalle and Shadow Mountain for the early read!
5 STARS
When Lucy Pickett
arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds
more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways,
werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the
Scottish border. Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is
brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as
smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious
deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Working together,
Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can
Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?
First line:
"It
had never been proven that Lord Blackwell had killed his wife, but then
the man in question hadn't actually denied it, either."
Oh my. I
loved this book more than I thought I would! Because a twist on Beauty
and the Beast with a twist of steampunk? I wasn't sure. But yes. I loved
it.
Lucy's cousin is ill, which is very unusual for her so Lucy
takes it on herself to help her get better. She arrives at Blackmoor
Manor to rude servants, rumors of ghosts and murder most foul.
Lucy
is smart (she's a botanist!) and witty (she takes on the Beast, er, Earl
of Blackmoor) and brave (she survives so many attacks! Seriously! How
many can one girl take?). She uncovers many of the mysterious
surrounding the Manor and the family and in the meantime, finds herself
caring for the Earl. He, on the other hand, pulls away from anyone who
might betray him or hurt him and his brother. He's very protective of
those close to him and doesn't give much to the wiles of women. But
somehow, Lucy draws him in with her wit and spirit and bravery.
This
story is set in the Victorian era with a bit steampunk, werewolves,
vampires, magic and mystery and fairy tale. It's a great, clean romantic
book that I would recommend to anyone.
L: No
V: animal and human attacks, poisonings, murder, but none graphic
S: kissing
5 STARS
Thanks to netgalley for the advance read in exchange for my honest review.
