Category Archives: Steampunk

#Review #Audiobook – Bargain at Bravebank: A Sci-Fi Western Adventure (The Legacy of Lucky Logan Book 1) by J.R. Frontera

“If Fallout and Red Dead Redemption 2 had a baby, it would be the Legacy of Lucky Logan series!” — a super clever reader

A deal gone bad…
…and Van Delano is left to die in the desert.

But most folk said he’d been cursed with a double-barreled shotgun of mulishness.
So when his first attempt at bargaining for his kidnapped sister’s freedom lands him with a dead horse, a bullet in his leg, and miles of desert between him and the nearest town… he’s not about to give up.
He’ll fight and claw, cheat and steal, even kill, if he has to… he made his sister a promise and he’s damn sure gonna keep it.
Doesn’t matter if most folk say she’s dead.
Doesn’t matter if the outlaw queen of the Western Territories is playin’ him.
Doesn’t matter if his new metal leg makes him a wanted man, hunted by both the superstitious and the greedy.
He’s a man out for his own redemption, and the only way to pay that debt is to track down his sister and get her free… no matter the cost.

For fans of The Coilhunter series, Make Me No Grave and the Red Dead Redemption games… saddle up for this gritty, gun-blazin’, gadget-laden re-imagining of the Old West and grab your copy today!

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! This series contains adult themes, situations, and language. Additionally, the scifi elements are a semi-slow build, appearing in a “lost civilization is rediscovered” kind of way.

“…such cruel, manipulative characters in an unforgiving world beautifully juxtaposed with kindness and generosity. I love it.” — Roger Clark, Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption II

(Look for the audiobook, narrated by Roger Clark, available wherever audiobooks are sold!)

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

Chirp

 

Twinsie Kelly’s Review

I am definitely loving the vibe that is coming from this book! First things first, I highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator is absolutely fantastic! He makes you feel like you are right in the gritty wild west! I was hooked right from the beginning. I mean, who doesn’t like a villain named Nine-Fingered Nan?! She screws Van up bad…real bad! Then the great doctor finds Van and gives him a (spoiler alert!!!!!) mechanical leg! I don’t want to give any more real spoilers than this. He has been given a bad hand at life but his sister is what keeps him going. Most people don’t understand this but he NEEDS to save his sister. His back story is a bit heart wrenching but while on his quest, he ends up on all these “side quests” and ends up helping Charlotte (who has her own problems that Van can’t help but to help her), robbing banks, and sabotaging Nine-Fingered Nan’s gang. While this isn’t as much in the “Sci-Fi” or “Steampunk” genre as I was expecting, the story still had me turning the audio on whenever I had an opportunity. I can’t wait to see what happens next! To the author and narrator, BRAVO!

 

J.R. Frontera profile image

J. R. Frontera has been telling stories in some form or another since she could hold a crayon and draw. Her love of science fiction and fantasy originated with her early exposure to the worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Dune. Exploring the potential and pitfalls of humanity in future or fantastical worlds is a temptation she’s just never been able to resist. She writes dark scifi, funny scifi, weird westerns, romantic fantasy, and pretty much every other genre in-between under the same name.

She co-founded a local writing group known as The Wordwraiths and is co-owner of their publishing imprint Wordwraith Books. In January 2017, after noticing a lack of writing resources tailored to fit within the specific restraints of motherhood, she helped start the Writer Mom Life podcast alongside fellow author Daphne James Huff.

She has been writing and learning the craft and business of writing for over twenty years, and fully embraced indie authordom in 2013. She has taken writing workshops with Stephen Mertz, Angela James of Carina Press, and the late Ann C. Crispin. She has short stories published in five anthologies, and her science fiction and fantasy shorts have placed in three out of four years in the Story in a Bag contest at the ConQuesT convention held in Kansas City, Missouri.

When she’s not writing, momming, podcasting, or working at her full-time day job, she’s often horseback riding, playing videogames, or cosplaying. She lives in rural Missouri with her husband, son, four ducks, three cats, one horse and one dog. You can find out more about J. R. Frontera and her books by visiting her website at jrfrontera.com.

#Review – The Bloodless Assassin: Quirky Steampunk Fantasy (The Viper and the Urchin Book 1) by Celine Jeanjean

Blackmail an assassin? Who would do such a thing?

Someone pretty desperate, that’s who. Which is exactly the position Rory finds herself in.

As a scrawny, dreadlocked pickpocket who grew up on the street, life hasn’t given her a ton of options. On top of which, her partner in crime has screwed her over for all her money, so she can no longer pay for the sword master who was supposed to train her—her ticket to a new life.

She’s not prepared to give up on her dream of becoming a great sword fighter, though. Which is why when she stumbles across an assassin’s secret, she immediately sniffs an opportunity. Blackmail can be a pretty effective strategy, after all. If he trains her, she’ll keep her mouth shut.

The risks in blackmailing an assassin are pretty high, but if she can pull it off, she might finally be able to realise her dream.
That is until she realises that the assassin’s she’s blackmailing is nothing like what she thought, and she’s landed herself into far more trouble than she bargained for.

Delve into The Bloodless Assassin, book 1 of a complete 9 book series that’s packed with adventure, banter, and quirky characters, all set in a richly imagined tropical world.

Other books in the series:

#1 The Bloodless Assassin
#2 The Black Orchid
#3 The Slave City
#4 The Doll Maker
#5 The White Hornet
#6 The Shadow Palace
#7 The Opium Smuggler
#8 The Veiled War
#9 The Rising Rooks

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This was nothing like what I expected…at all. Rory is a street urchin who has lead a tough life, but lifting purses and pillaging for coins is how she gets by. Her partner in crime, ends up turning on her and she is left to her own devices. Longinus, aka The Viper, is an assassin that ultimately is afraid of blood. He doesn’t care to actually fight for a kill but would rather it be an elaborate thing using poison. Longinus is an alchemist and longs for notoriety. I understood Rory’s character completely. However, Longinus took me longer as we had to really get to know him. The chemistry between the characters is very dynamic and I truly enjoyed them, and their stories. The story had some curvy plot twists and nothing was predictable, which I very much appreciated! I don’t think that I would characterize the book as “steampunk” but definitely more along the lines of sci-fi. Even though it wasn’t what I expected, I enjoyed the story. This is a good book if you are looking for something different to read that can be read as a standalone OR with the series. It wrapped up quite nicely!

Celine Jeanjean profile image

Celine is a nomadic writer who roams the world laptop in hand, having adventures and then telling stories inspired by those adventures. Kind of like a digital storytelling wanderer.

Her stories feature complex but flawed characters, lots of quirkiness, snappy banter, and richly imagined worlds.

If you’re ready to escape to new worlds and make new book friends, go to http://celinejeanjean.com/freebook/ to grab yourself some exclusive, free novellas.

#Review – Tick of a Clockwork Heart by M.R. Pritchard

Tick of a Clockwork Heart

Lucas Finnum McKenzie is an unfortunate man on a mission. After the tragic death of his wife during childbirth and the loss of his left arm during an accident, he’s left to care for his ill son. Lucas is determined to procure Black Amber, which is intended to power a clockwork heart, the first of its kind that may save his son’s life.

(A short story at 8,200 words)


Goodreads


Amazon

Super quick read full of the wonder of a son to his father, and the love of a father to his son. Emanuel is the son of Lucas. Emanuel’s mother died in childbirth due to heart conditions. Emanuel is ill as well but is not aware of same. His father, Lucas, has a prosthetic arm due to an incident long ago and has many secrets of his own. He is trying to secure Black Amber so that he can save his son. Valentine is Lucas’  friend that helps look after Emanuel. This is a very quick story but full of information. We get the background on the accident with Lucas’ arm and what he has to go through to procure the Black Amber to save his son. Beautiful story and very well written for such a short story. If you are looking for a fast, sweet, but eerie story than this is the one for you!

M R Pritchard

M. R. Pritchard is a two-time Kindle Scout winning author and her short story “Glitch” has been featured in the 2017 winter edition of THE FIRST LINE literary journal. She holds degrees in Biochemistry and Nursing. She enjoys long walks on the beach and reading under the shade of palm trees.

#Review – House of Wolves: (A Paranormal Urban Fantasy) (The Vampire Project Book 1) by Jonathan Yanez

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History was wrong: werewolves and vampires were made, not born. Buckle up, Buttercup, this is going to get bloody.

Despite her youth, Captain Charlotte Sloan has risen rapidly through the ranks of the queen’s army due to one simple truth; she doesn’t take lip from anyone.

But she’s about to come up against something she can’t beat alone. Gruesome murders have been reported in a far off town. A beast of unknown origin is on the loose and the body count is rising.

If she hopes to survive, Sloan will have to play nice with an assassin well versed in drinking and the best two magicians money can’t buy. When the dust settles, one will die, one will find love, and another will be changed forever.

 

Goodreads

 

An intriguing paranormal, steampunk, supernatural story! I had to read this as soon as I read the first line of the synopsis.

House of Wolves is a quick and fun read with plenty of surprising twists that pop out of nowhere. The queen of New Hope dispatches Sloan (the captain of her personal guard) Aereth (former inspector and assassin) and Marcus and Jack (father and son sorcerers) to help the outlying city of Burrow Den. Burrow Den has had multiple attacks by an unknown animal/monster. The queen is trying to build good relationships with the outlying cities and has agreed to help. She sends the four out on this quest . Little did they know, there is so much more going on. They are almost assassinated, they crash their transportation, and find all kinds of quirks and craziness along the way and when they arrive at Burrow Den. Now they need to find the culprit. Animal or human? Who and what is going on?

The world building was interesting to follow. The way it is described leaves a little to the imagination but this is really great because in my mind I had several different ways it could all be set up. When I read the synopsis I thought I would be following Sloan, and only Sloan. It is a little misleading. We follow the entire group and the story is told from all of their points of view. I feel like this book is a cross between Steampunk and Supernatural. Not at all like the technology that we have but they have magic powered tech too. This was a fun book to read. Truly unique. And the investigating that the group do will keep you right in the middle of the story. This is the first book that I have read by Jonathan Yanez and won’t be the last. I am looking forward to the next!

 

Amazon

 

Jonathan Yanez

Jonathan Yanez is the author of over a dozen fantasy and science fiction novels. His works include, The Elite Series, The Nephilim Chronicles, Thrive, Bad Land, Steam and Shadows and The DeCadia Code. He has been both traditionally and independently published with his works being adapted into; ebook, print, audiobook and even optioned for film.

Although writing has been and will always be his main love, physical exercise comes in at a close second. When he’s not writing his next novel that more than likely includes some kind of zombie, superhero, angel or alternative steampunk universe he enjoys running with his Husky and working out at the gym.

His hobbies include archery, mud runs, collecting the skulls of his enemies and baking cupcakes. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two pets where he stays highly caffeinated 24/7.

If you would like to know more about his upcoming series including release dates and insider information you can visit him at www.jonathan-yanez.com and join his readers group. You’ll also receive his dystopian/survival novel, Thrive, for free when you join!(