Monday, August 8, 2016

A STEAMPUNK PROPER ROMANCE: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen


ABOUT THE BOOK

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. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

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?

REVIEW

While I am not normally a big fan of werewolves and vampires, when I heard about this book I was intrigued.  And I was not at all disappointed.  In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I think my favorite parts were with Lucy and Miles as they got to know each other, but I also found the steampunk fantasy world that Allen created rather interesting.  Lucy is my favorite kind of heroine, courageous and intelligence, more than willing to do what it takes to help those she loves.  Which is of course why she ends up at Blackwell Manor in the first place.  She arrives to help her cousin who is not feeling well and has recently married the heir to Blackwell Manor.  But things turn out to be much more complicated than she expected, especially when she meets the lord of the manor who is called the ¨Beast of Blackwell Manor¨.

What Lucy does not expect however is the appearance of Miles´ sister as a ghost who clearly has an agenda that involves Lucy.  Attacks by a vampire on herself as well as the secrets that Miles himself is keeping and Lucy wonders if she is in over her head.  But as she starts to care for Miles and the man she sees beneath the gruff exterior, she is determined to find answers and solutions to the many problems she is encountering.

I enjoyed reading about the changes that Lucy brings to Miles rather dark world full of fears and burdens and sorrows.  Lucy is not the kind to back down when faced with challenges which turns out to be a good thing.  And I have to admit that I love the cover of the book, it beautifully depicts the characters and their personalities as well as the mechanical aspects of the story.  I can easily recommend this book to those who enjoy a steampunk book with vampires, werewolves, and automotons all playing an important role in the story.  The twists and turns make this an entertaining, unique version of Beauty and the Beast.

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