Book Review: Clockwork Mafia

Clockwork Mafia

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Publisher:  Carina Press

Publish Date:  April 29, 2013

Format:  Ebook, 249pgs

Genre:  Steampunk Romance

Series:  2nd in Badlands series; Short Story 0.5 ~ Just a Man, Book 1 ~ Badlands

Recommendation:  Oh goodness YES!! Story, strong woman, and action!  With amazing little clockwork tools.  WOW!

Synopsis:
Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia.  Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold.  While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience.  Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia.  He lucked out happening across mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers.  On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face.  He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...

Sequel to Badlands.

First Sentence:
Carson growled a curse at the contraption creeping toward him, and the thing cowered like a beaten dog before scuttling back through the door.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Noble ~ Nook

My Thoughts and Summary:
Carson had staked his career on the two men behind the mafia and now one's dead and the other's hidden.  Left with no clue in Mason's private lab he's stuck...and someone's to pay for a death they were to help prevent.  Unwantingly, Carson goes to a gala to raise money for a children's charity program, showing how needed the Marshals are, with hopes of finding some information among the attendees to find the man leading the mafia of nearly unkillable men to lock him away forever.  But not what, but who he finds this night and not knowing is attracted to her, as she is to him, and takes them both on an adventure they never expected.

Henrietta Mason is working hard to maintain the status her family had, after being sent away for so long, attending the gala.  To reclaim her families social standing, with her father dead and the tarnished history of her own, Henri will need a respectable husband.  Will one allow her to be who she is?  Maybe Henrietta will find the one thing that will trump the need...Love.  There are other things than the gold in the Badlands that are desired, what Henri doesn't know of her father's work could get her killed.

First I have to say, I didn't know if I'd like Henrietta.  I left Badlands and Ever's thoughts not much liking Henri.  That was Ever's feelings.  As soon as I started Clockwork Mafia, I loved Henri.  She is completely different than I viewed her through Ever's eyes.  WOW!  Seleste is talented in turning me a 180 to love Henrietta, and want more with her.  And we get to see Ever through Henri's eyes.

I love this world!!  We start in the Union, but don't fret we go back to the Badlands in no time.  Henrietta is different from Ever, but she has a steel backbone of her own and morals she will stick too.  Loved reading Henri and the clockwork world revolving around her.  Oh...the things Henri's father created and the monster of a man at the lead - one way or another he will get the clockwork plans and payment.

We get the story through Carson's and Henrietta's eyes.  This gives us a whole new view of the mafia we are after being they are from the social life of Philadelphia and not the Badlands.  There is also something growing between the two, even though Henri might want it, she needs someone else.  Not only does Henrietta make Carson feel for the first time in years, she might have information she isn't aware of and be in danger from a kind Carson has faced once before - and doesn't look forward to facing again.

Quickly the story brings Carson and Henrietta together.  And there's CHEMISTRY!  I'm drawn to the attraction here.  We learn what each of the two's goal is, until they meet.

I feel like we start with a masked Cinderella feel at the gala with a twist of mafia of clockwork enhanced men, danger, and deception.  The more I read the more I'm feeling a Firefly feel. (yes, I finally saw the show and movies and this fits that feel.)

You could read this one without reading Badlands, but meeting Ever up front and personal is awesome!  There are mentions of the last story that lead to the way things are now, so you will not be completely lost.

I did NOT want to stop reading this one.  For several reasons.  The story, the action, what each person in the chase wanted, strong woman of different types of strong, and maybe a relationship?  And the world!  Wow.  I want more!



Want to learn more?
I have Teaser Tuesday with Clockworks and Weapons.
Seleste deLaney guest posted about Romancing Rendezvous spots on Dark Hawk.
And I assigned a theme song to the Badlands series in my Just For Fun...Books and Music post.



*I read this book for an honest review from the author.

Teaser Tuesday (161)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

The gangster with the clockwork face leveled his weapon, and Carson leaped toward a different set of crates just as his previous cover burst into flames.  What the hell kind of gun...

Clockwork Mafia
By:  Seleste deLaney
43pg



Yesterday was release day for Clockwork Mafia!  Congrats, and hope you take the time to enjoy the Badlands.


Eep!  I've loooved reading it.

I even picked a theme song for the series (which also reminds me of Firefly).

My review will be coming this week along with a guest post by Seleste...a tour of the Dark Hawk and hideaway spots for a private rendezvous....on a full flying air ship there's not much in way of privacy.

1st book:

Now Available:

Looking Forward To...(118)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

It's been a while since I've done one of these Friday Looking Forward posts.  And I miss doing them.

Next Book Is...

Clockwork Mafia
Badlands #2

By:  Seleste deLaney

Due Out:  April 29, 2013

And another I've already read and absolutely loved.  It'll be coming out Monday!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...

Sequel to Badlands.

64,000 words

Guest Post by Seleste deLaney

I'm thrilled to have Seleste deLaney by today.  Starting off her tour today for her release to come,

Clockwork Mafia (April 29th), with this fun post.  For those new to Seleste's Badlands series, this series is set in a clockwork/steampunk focused world with badlands - full of strong women patrolling for men exiled to for terrible crimes - at the edge.  Yet love still finds it's way into the hearts of those, still.  I've absolutely loved these tales.

So, when Seleste was looking for blogs to visit, I jumped at the chance to have her by.  The idea...spots for a smexy rendezvous on the dirigible, Dark Hawk.  And Seleste rose to the idea, giving you a tour of the Dark Hawk as well.

Please warmly welcome the amazing Seleste deLaney.

So…You Wanna Make Out on the Dark Hawk?

One of the fun things about writing the Badlands series is playing with the Dark Hawk. It’s my Millenium Falcon, so to speak, and whenever I think of that ship, I think of Han and Leia in close quarters trying to repair the hyperdrive and she falls and they almost kiss and… *happy sigh* So, when Mel asked me about make-out locales on board the Dark Hawk, I was absolutely giddy.

Cabins

This is the obvious answer. All the crew members have cabins where they can take their paramours and canoodle or fornicate or do whatever else comes to mind. Considering this is also where they keep their personal effects, those instances can have a variety of…implements utilized in various ways. *cough* Zeke *cough*

Cargo Hold

While very open, there’s a lot of room here for more…aggressive interludes. Or group sex. *shrug* I can’t really see the crew getting up to that, but if the Badlands warriors took over for a night, who the hell knows what could happen. Then again, for more privacy, all it would really need is to be loaded and private alcoves could be formed all over the place. Hide and seek sex. Damn it, now I want to write that in somewhere…

Infirmary

While this might be assumed to be Henrietta’s realm only, she’s not there all the time and if someone happens to be injured…well, one thing could easily lead to another in such close quarters.

Bridge

I doubt anyone would have sex there, but it’d be a pretty sexy spot to have a make-out session. The vista before you as you sail into the sunset over the mountains. Yeah…I take it back. Under the right circumstances, someone might have sex there. High risk of being caught though—even higher than the cargo hold.

Gunnery Boat

Even if it’s rocking, they won’t come a-knocking. This is pretty much the ideal spot for privacy. Unless they’re under attack or there’s reason to believe someone is in the gunboat, no one’s likely to go down there hunting for anyone or anything. And the view is second only to the Bridge. Not a bad place to be romanced…though the splinters could get annoying, so take a blanket.

Engine Room

Dirty…smelly…but in the engine room no one can hear you screaming “Oh God! Yes, take me now!” So, the engine room has its benefits. Plus, if you’re going to have dirty sex, you might as well mean it both literally and figuratively. Not to mention, it’s hot…damn hot. So nice slippery, sweaty bodies.

Ratlines

For thrill seekers and those with no fear of death only. Strap yourself to the bag’s ratlines for some aerial acrobatics and feel the wind whipping through your well…everything. Quite frankly, I don’t think even Noah is crazy enough to try this, but given the right incentive…

There is a place for most flavors of romance on the Dark Hawk. Ever and Spencer have tried one or two. And Henri gets her own kisses in Clockwork Mafia, but of the possibilities, where would you most like to have a make-out/sex session on the Dark Hawk? Inquiring minds want to know ;-)

Clockwork Mafia:

Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...

Purchase Clockwork Mafia at:

Carina Press

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Barnes & Noble

All Romance Ebooks

Audible

Books-A-Million

You can also find Seleste around the internet

If you aren’t going to be able to see her next week at the Romantic Times Booklovers’ Convention—or even if you are—:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook Page

Facebook Profile

The Series:

Just for Fun...with Books and Music (4)

Every once in a while a song comes along that fits a book I've read/reading.  This one brought to mind an old tv series and a book series.

How many of you watched Firefly?  Yes, I was late at watching but I got through it all and the movie.  Loved it!

Alright, you all got a little excited there at the mention of...*whispers* Firefly. *giggle*  That was fun.

Okay, on we go.  I read the second book in Seleste deLaney's Badlands series, Clockwork Mafia, and in a way it reminded me of... Firefly.  I'll share more about Clockwork Mafia in my review to post in two weeks for it's release.

Back to the show, the books, and the music...  This song reminded me from the instruments and personality of Firefly.  And in turn Seleste deLaney's Badlands series.  So, I mentioned to Seleste that if she had a bar fight in this series, the song totally would work as her theme song for the series.  I'm not going to tell you the answer she gave me.

The song is a fit!  I can hear the beginning of this tune playing on the dirigible as we fly in on Dark Hawk to the Badlands.  And the rest of the song fits the characters...

The song:

Bloody Good Barfight Song by Carbon Leaf

Seleste deLaney's books in a world of it's own I LOOOVE and reminds me a touch of the series we all miss:

**Badlands is out and available now.  Clockwork Mafia will be released April 29, 2013.

Who? What? Where? (109)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

his is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm in the Badlands, now hiking by foot through the mountains, with Ever and Henrietta.  But with what Henrietta just triggered...we are in trouble now.  And I'm hoping the rest will make it through the troubles heading their way.

Clockwork Mafia
By:  Seleste DeLaney

Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Cover Reveal: Clockwork Mafia

Ooo La la.  I fell in love with the first book and the sequel sounds just as enticing with the mystery, clockworks, and characters.

You do remember Badlands, yes?  Well here's my review to refresh your memory: Badlands

Do you remember Henrietta Mason from Badlands?  Yes, she is back and on a mission!

Here it is!  The cover and description we've (I've) been waiting for...

Clockwork Mafia

Badlands #2

Due Out:  April 29, 2013

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late…

Sequel to Badlands.

64,000 words

Well!?!  Stunning isn't it!  I love her mask, and the firefly on the cover!  Oh my.  Henrietta might have got herself in a bit of a pinch in Badlands. ;) And I'm looking forward to reading this one with her and getting back to the badlands. *giggle* It's going to be sooooo good!

Need to Pre-order Clockwork Mafia?  You can!
Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook

Need to get Badlands first?

  or purchase the Nook eBook on Barnes & Nobles.

Book Review: Badlands

Badlands

By:  Seleste deLaney

Published By:  Carina Press

Publish Date:  February 28, 2011

Format:  Enovella, 104pgs

Genre:  Steampunk Romance

Series:  1st book in 4 book series; 0.5 Short Story in Badlands ~ Just a Man

Recommendation:  Oh yes, so quick, but strong yet dangerous world and characters with steampunk romance twisted in.

Synopsis:
After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided.  As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen.  When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border.  When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction.  She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his sip and crew above his own desires.  Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands -- if death doesn't find them first...

First Sentence:
The tent flap swished open and Ever shielded her eyes from the glare.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle    /   Barnes & Nobles   /   Carina Press

My Thoughts and Summary:
When the male criminals along with other men dressed as soldiers attack, Ever has to do what she doesn't want and run from battle.  Her focus now as she leaves her female troops fighting, is to bring the Princess home to the Badlands to rule as the Queen was killed.  Ever signals the regular supply airship, Dark Hawk, as it arrives, warning against the United States attacking ship and for her escape.  Captain Spencer Pierce, working to pay off his ship and on his last trip, picks up the bloodied woman he finds, willing to help her.  Ever needs to find Princess Laurette and bring her back safely before the attackers find her, or get to Ever first.

Ever is one hard woman.  In this world, she has to be.  A world where the United States is divided and she patrols the badlands.  The place that the states send their exiled criminals to, and Ever's job is to find them, capture or kill them.  She guards from the prisoners getting out and the ones coming in.  Ever has many views on men, and is tough on them too.  And I like that hardness in her.  She is my kinda character.

Ever doesn't approve of marriage, feels it's a distraction to the woman warriors.  Reading about Ever reminds me of an Amazon Princess Warrior.  She is strong and always ready for a fight, doesn't matter in what degree of dress she is in.  These Amazon warrior women are of the steampunk era; not ones armed with god forged weapons - truth lasso, bulletproof bracelets, boomerang golden tiara and such, but with pistols, crossbow, and knives on her belt and in her boots.  This is one woman out for the fight, and to win at any cost.  Ever is the Wonder Woman of Steampunk in the Badlands.

We start off into action.  Quickly we learn Ever needs to leave, and she battles her way out.  In this quick start it takes a little to catch who's where and what's happening, but it catches your eye and keeps you flipping to quickly learn what all is present in this world.  The quick movement, action, and hardness of Ever kept me enthralled to quickly get to the end to know what happens.  I did have a little bit of a time trying to see the world at the very beginning and what exactly Ever's position was, but it is all detailed as you read along, so it will all come to light soon enough.

I slipped right into this story and harsh world.  A little romance with steampunk and clockwork along with the threat of death and worry.  I kept reading to know what happens, the rest of the world around me falling away bringing me to the harsh rocky quiet of the Badlands.

If you are curious about this character, I highly suggest reading the short story, Just A Man, with Ever on the authors site.  If you like hard characters, Ever is the one for you.  But you get a taste of her determined and clear thinking in the short story.  And hopefully Ever and the Badlands are the story for you.

From what I've read of Meljean Brook Iron Sea series, just the novella's at the moment, I think this novella series would recommend this series to them as well.

Oh I've got my eyes out for the next story in this world, Clockwork Mafia, to come April 2012.



**I read this novella for my own enjoyment.

Short Story Review: Just A Man

Just a Man

By:  Seleste deLaney

Published By:  author on her site

Published Date:  March 2011

Format:  eread on authors site

Genre:  Steampunk

Series:  Short story in Badlands world

Recommendation:  Oh yes, gives you a glimpse at the hard person Ever is and just might make you curious to try the enovella with Ever fighting her way through it.

Synopsis:
In the Badlands, nothing is simple -- not even the death of a parent.  I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into Ever's life before she finds her way aboard the Dark Hawk.

First Sentence:
Ever paced the length of her mother's rooms, a faint cloud of dust from her clothes following in her wake.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ever returns home at her mothers request to learn the bad news of her fathers death, but Ever might have a different view on it, or is it just the way she deals...

This is a glimpse at Everette while she learns her working father died.  We see the hard woman she is and what her job is.  There is a little history here as well.

I think I could like this woman, Ever.  I need to read Badlands to know more of what it is she does.  I want to see this world: troops of woman, criminals sent across borders, and having to hunt the criminals.

This short story does make me curious about the world, and a strong, hard character I think I could read and like.


If you are curious as well, take a few moments to read this free read found on the author's site.  You too might find yourself diving into the enovella Badlands as I did after reading this.

Seleste deLaney has Just a Man for free to read.  As well as other short stories in another world including vampires, if you are curious to sample A Blood Kissed series short story.


**I read this quick short story for my own enjoyment.

Looking Forward To...(41)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Badlands

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Due Out:  February 28, 2011

I read a review of this book over at Wonderbunny's blog, Cookies, Books, and Bikes.  And I really enjoyed what she had to say.  So, I went looking a little more and I think I might have to have this one as well.  And I have to say I LOVE this cover!

Goodreads Synopsis:

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union. 

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally. 

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands— if death doesn't find them first...