Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen {Review}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

Paperback, 368 pages

Publication: October 6th 2020 by Shadow Mountain 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

 

   

 

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? 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I'm always up for a fairy tale retelling and I love the way this author brings these beloved stories into a steampunk world, allowing for a fresh twist on a classic. 

 

In this installment, a Cinderella format is followed, although the fantasy elements and steampunk ingredients add a strand of excitement and suspense to the romance. I absolutely adored spunky Emme and her dashing enemy, Oliver, and was drawn into the thrill of their adventure and romance. They're equally strong characters and it was a rush to watch them join forces to battle evil.

 

The twists and turns with this story was exhilarating and the pages flew by. Steampunk is such an interesting genre and I enjoyed the way it added quirky modifications to a historical time, giving it a unique feel. I've read this series from the story and I don't feel that this genre and series are exhausted yet.
 

Content: mild romance; mild+ moments of danger/violence

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen {Review}

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication: August 6th 2019 by Shadow Mountain 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

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.
 

My Review: 5 Stars

I've always loved fairy tales and the twists that Nancy Campbell Allen adds to them are phenomenal! Rapunzel, Steampunk style, had me on the edge of my seat. In fact, I couldn't put it down and read it all in one day.

Hazel is a healer, of sorts, and assists a cutting edge surgeon, Sam, with his work. I loved those medical aspects, as they really showed the teamwork and foundation necessary for a solid relationship. When Hazel leaves with her uncle to go find her sister, Sam and his automaton (bot), Eugene, tag along, despite fears and misgivings. 

The dark overtones complemented the complexity of this mysterious and dangerous tale and I was captivated with the imaginative elements, twists and turns, and fantastic characters (Eugene almost stole the show with his robotic sarcasm and wit). The secrets unraveled to reveal a wonderfully intense climax and I just couldn't get enough. Of course, I adored the budding romance, which only served to add to the deliciously satisfying layers of entertainment. This is definitely a story you won't want to miss!

Content: mild romance; mild+ violence/moments of peril 

Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen {Review}

Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen

Paperback, 360 pages

Publication: July 3rd 2018 by Shadow Mountain
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

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.

My Review: 5 Stars

This is my second Steampunk book and I loved it! This story had a similar feel to Cinder, but was completely original. I loved finding the little hidden gems throughout that were reminiscent of Disney's Sleeping Beauty. I love it when an author can take a beloved classic and twist it completely to make it a new story, with a few familiar threads woven throughout.

Isla is a kick-butt character with a weakness that leaves her relying on others, which I love. Everyone needs to lean on someone else at times. Daniel is a softie at heart with a tough outer shell and I really enjoyed their connection and watching the romance unfold. 

The whole cast of characters is fantastic and the setting was very intriguing. The slightly dark feel to the book was perfect for this story, and the culmination was perfect and slightly unexpected.
I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next (*please* be another Steampunk fairy tale!!).

Content: mild violence; mild romance

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen {Blog Tour Review}

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast 
by Nancy Campbell Allen

Paperback, 352 pages

Published August 2nd 2016 by Shadow Mountain 

 

 

Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast.

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?

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

I've never read a steampunk novel before and I actually had no idea what that even meant. It's a type of science or speculative fiction that usually features fantasy or horror themes. How intriguing is this? Especially in a proper romance setting?

 

One of my favorite classic novels is Jane Eyre and one of my favorite fairy tales is Beauty and the Beast, so just image my delight in discovering a way for these two favorites to mesh in a way that involves vampires and werewolves too. This story concept is so new and unique to me and completely captured my attention and I found myself furiously flipping through the pages to find out what could possibly happen next. I was enthralled by animals, servants, and parts of humans that had mechanical elements. 

 

As for the characters, Lucy is a very no-nonsense kind of woman and works hard to find resolution for some of the issues plaguing society. She's very likable and deals with the paranormal in stride. Her cousin, Kate, has some mysterious issues and even in the midst of that, their camaraderie is very tender. Miles is scary to most, but his desire to solve the mysteries surrounding his estate throws him in with Lucy and the way they work together to figure things out is so sweet. I loved all of the characters, the relationships, and the way the story flows. The pathway of the different components just captured me, heart and soul. As always, with a book of this magnitude, I'm hoping for more.

 

Content: mild romance; mild violence (death, murders, attacks--nothing graphic). Clean!

 

*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

 

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Buy Links

 

 

 

About the Author

Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of 12 published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her Civil War series, Faith of our Fathers, won the Utah Best of State award in 2005 and two of her historicals featuring Isabelle Webb, Pinkerton spy, were finalists for the Whitney Award. Her newest Regency romance, My Fair Gentleman, will be released from Shadow Mountain January, 2016, and her steampunk novel, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, will be released also through Shadow Mountain later in 2016. She served on the 2015 LDStorymakers Conference Committee and currently serves as the marketing coordinator for The Teen Writers Confrerence. She has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999.

Her formal schooling includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from Weber State University and she has worked as a ghost writer and freelance editor, contributing to the recent release, We Knew Howard Hughes, by Jim Whetton.

Nancy served as the Teen Writers Conference chair in 2011 and 2012, and has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999 with Covenant Communications. Her agent is Pam Van Hylckama Vlieg of D4EO Literary Agency.

Nancy loves to read, write, travel and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah with her family and one very large Siberian Husky named Thor.  

Blog Tour Schedule

3-Aug	www.mybookaday.blogspot.com
3-Aug	www.swingingonsmallhinges.blogspot.com
3-Aug	www.iamareader.com
3-Aug	www.minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com
3-Aug	www.ldswritermom.blogspot.com
4-Aug	www.booksaresanity.blogspot.com
4-Aug	www.christyscozycorners.com
4-Aug	www.katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com
4-Aug	www.diony-george.blogspot.com
4-Aug	www.literarytimeout.blogspot.com
5-Aug	www.ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com
5-Aug	www.readingisoneofmypassions.blogspot.com
5-Aug	www.lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com
5-Aug	www.mrbuttarsbooks.blogspot.com
5-Aug	www.camichecketts.com
6-Aug	www.wishfulendings.com
6-Aug	www.gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com
6-Aug	www.whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com
6-Aug	www.thethingsilovemost.blogspot.com
6-Aug	www.weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.com
7-Aug	www.mariahoagland.blogspot.com
7-Aug	www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com
7-Aug	www.fireandicereads.com
7-Aug	www.emileeschristmasjoy.blogspot.com
8-Aug	www.melsshelves.blogspot.com
8-Aug	www.marieleslie.com
8-Aug	www.compassbookratings.com
8-Aug	www.the-readathon.blogspot.com
9-Aug	www.randombookmuses.com
9-Aug	www.teriharman.com
9-Aug	www.shelliproffitthowells.com
17-Aug	www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com