Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Series: Standalone, but the 3rd book in Nancy's Steampunk Proper Romance series.
Age: Adult
Genres: Steampunk, Romance, Paranormal, Fairy-tale Retelling
Expected Publication Date: August 6th 2019
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Source: ARC
Purchase: Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks
Synopsis:
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 Rating:
My Thoughts:
This was such an enjoyable read! A steampunk novel that blends Rapunzel and Dracula so well in a Victorian London setting. What more can you ask for? I was blown away by the writing. I am not a huge historical fiction buff -- unless it's biblical fiction -- however this story pulled me in from the first page. Nancy has a way of creating her characters and making them feel real even though they are set in a different time and are fictional. I found myself laughing every turn of the page and gasping at scenes that shocked me.
The story follows Hazel Hughes who happens to be a healer. She's a smart, outspoken, witty, sarcastic and compassionate woman. I loved Hazel from start to finish. There was nothing about her that I could complain about. She kept me intrigued with all the she did. She was bold in helping people and being an independent woman in a world where men "ruled" and society lived by social status.
Sam MacInnes is a doctor and the love interest of the story. Sam was downright hilarious to me in how he tried to take care of Hazel without letting society get in the way. He was an amazing man with a compassionate heart.
The romance was swoon worthy to me. They both had feelings for one another, but because of society and their difference in social status they tried to down play their feelings. Seeing them grow closer made me so happy! They were cute, funny and just everything to me.
The truth behind Hazel and her family shocked me! I wasn't honestly expecting that plot twist so soon in the novel, however it was perfect. It helped to bring suspense and mystery to the story. It added more depth to Hazel and Sam as characters and helped to bring the story to a well-rounded end.
Marit is the opposite of Hazel in many ways. She was a sweet girl, thrown into some harsh situations. I loved learning about her through other characters and then seeing her blossom from ashes.
Dravor, a count from Romania and a mysterious relative. He pissed me off from beginning to end. Everything about him and everything he said just went too smoothly. He creeped me out. He was an awesome character in the role he played. He was quick with his words, confident in his actions and focused on his end goal. I enjoyed him and despised him.
Overall, this was such a great read that I plan to read the first two companion novels as the cast from those novels were featured in this book and made me laugh! Definitely recommend if you're looking for an awesome clean read that will make you swoon and laugh.
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