Character Spotlight: Sophia del Morte

I am honored to have a Character Spotlight from the amazing author Philippa Ballantine, celebrating the release of The Diamond Conspiracy. I've shared my thoughts on the book last week, so if you haven't read my review I do hope you stop by to check it out. The character Pip talks about to day is one I have enjoyed reading more and more of this character as the series has grown with each book. So, without further ado, please welcome Pip Ballantine to the blog to share a special (and dangerous) character with you.

Spotlight on Sophia del Morte from the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Sophia is a character, much like Puck in my book Chasing the Bard. Both of them were only meant to be side characters, small parts in the main story. However both of them soon developed into larger, and more vibrant characters.

Yes, they sort of took over.

Rather than be bothered by that, both Tee Morris and I have embraced Sophia. She is a character, that goes anywhere, does anything, and is totally unapologetic about it.

Sophia is our Italian assassin, who was originally a nice foil for Eliza. In fact both of them could be sisters. Sophia is a dark haired beauty, who travels the world on nefarious business. Her particular skillset of seduction and lethality has gotten her far in the world. Despite all this she does have her own set of morals, and will never kill children.

Yet, even among her family of trained killers, she is very skilled. However, as the series of books have progressed, there have been changes in Sophia. She finds herself working with people with different ethics, and she is also seeing the way the evil people around her operate.

There are big changes around the corner for our assassin, and ones we hope to explore in further books, once we are done with the story of Wellington and Eliza.

Here's just a little sampling of Sophia from the Diamond Conspiracy.

Sophia took her breath, still keeping her blade in reach as the other hand checked the time. She was two minutes early. The weapon should have given her a comfort of some kind, but instinct dismissed any as a false reassurance. That plunged her insides into a hard chill, a sensation she was not familiar with.

Blackfriars Bridge loomed before her out of the fog, its gilding gleaming only slightly. She stood there and took in a long, deep breath, tasting the bitterness of the Thames in her mouth. Her fears, she ascertained as minute waves lapped against the viaduct’s foundation, were unfounded but merely tested her nerves. She was once a woman to be feared, not the one cowering as would a hound beaten to heel. Once far and away from the Maestro, Sophia would discover that woman again. This alliance would serve her in so many ways; and as she had done before, once her commitments were met, Sophia would return home. Perhaps reaching beyond the borders of her beloved Italy had been too ambitious of a notion. Some time in familiar villas would be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Another shadow emerged from the pitch black underneath Blackfriars. His face was concealed by the shadow of his bowler’s brim, but there was just enough touches of silver—a lapel pin, the head of his walking stick, and the cravat just visible between the lapels of his long, black coat—that Sophia recognised straight away as her saviour’s signature fashion. Straightening to her full height, she widened her stride and devoured the distance between them.

“Buonasera, Sigñora,” he spoke, his voice like velvet against such hard, terrible surroundings.

Upon emerging into the dim light from lamps of the streets overhead, Sophia felt the air around her chill ever so slightly. She recalled the last time she felt this way was upon seeing the Maestro in his dishevelled, manic state, his mind warring between the real, the engineered, and the perceived. She still did not care for that memory as she had thought she knew all forms of fear, but the Maestro—as she had come to learn under his service—had far more to teach her of the darker corners of the human psyche.

She received the same feeling from this man. Her instincts were all in the most heightened of states, but he appeared quite normal in every outward respect. He appeared well groomed, a fine carriage, and confident. Boundless confidence in his demeanour, a quality that usually Sophia found appealing in certain respects.

Not on this one.

“Sigñora, it has been too long.”

~~~~~~~~~~

If you have enjoyed reading Sophia del Morte and would like more, you could check out the Christmas Special short story (novella) that Pip and Tee have written for a Christmas with Sophia.
   You can listen at Tales from the Archives
   or You can pick up the novella to read at Amazon: A Christmas to Die For

The Diamond Conspiracy
By: Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
For years, the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has enjoyed the favor of Her Majesty the Queen. But even the oldest loyalties can turn in a moment…

Having narrowly escaped the electrifying machinations of Thomas Edison, Books and Braun are looking forward to a relaxing and possibly romantic voyage home. But when Braun’s emergency signal goes off, all thoughts of recreation vanish. Braun’s street-wise team of child informants, the Ministry Seven, is in grave peril, and Books and Braun must return to England immediately.

But when the intrepid agents finally arrive in London, the situation is even more dire than they imagined. The Ministry has been disavowed, and the Department of Imperial Inconveniences has been called in to decommission its agents in a most deadly fashion. The plan reeks of the Maestro’s dastardly scheming. Only, this time, he has a dangerous new ally—a duplicitous doctor whose pernicious poisons have infected the highest levels of society, reaching even the Queen herself...


Pick up the latest Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel:
The Diamond Conspiracy


If you need the previous two novels:

AudioBook Review: 7th Son: Descent

7th Son: Descent

By:  J.C. Hutchins

Publish Date:  January 1, 2006

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st in 7th Son series

First Glance Feel:  Seven men who learn the truth behind their existence, and a conspiracy that they find themselves in. And hunt through clues left for them, to find the man behind murdering the president before he kills more.

Synopsis:
As America reels from the bizarre presidential assassination committed by a child, seven men are abducted from their normal lives and delivered to a secret government facility. Each man has his own career, his own specialty. All are identical in appearance. The seven strangers were not born, but grown — unwitting human clones — as part of a project called 7th Son.

The government now wants something from these “John Michael Smiths.” They share the flesh as well as the implanted memories of the psychopath responsible for the president’s murder. The killer has bigger plans, and only these seven have the unique qualifications to track and stop him. But when their progenitor makes the battle personal, it becomes clear John Alpha may know the seven better than they know themselves...

First Sentence:
The president of the United States is dead.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts and Summary:
Seven men are approached and not given a choose about going with the abrupt men who are sent to retrieve them. These men will learn they were put on this Earth with a reason in mind. An experiment. They are part of a secret project, 7th Son. When they are told the pieces they need to know of their creation they will have to come to terms with the fact that half of their lives are not their own. And the memories they share, which belong to another called John Alpha, is what will help them bond together and use their individual expert fields of professions to find the man that the facility feels is responsible for the presidents death. The knowledge John Alpha contains, of them and of the project, will be a challenge for them as they work together to find and collect him, before more die.

Wow. The start! The visual holds you on every word. To start with such an event as the President's death... and how it was done along with WHO! I was hooked to learn what was going on.

We get the story through the seven clones. It was rather easy to keep up with who was who as I went. When we meet each man we saw they each have a distinct personality, and each are completely different from the others in life, job, personality, and even in their abduction. Even as early as chapter 2, I knew each man as he was talking. I was amazed (early on and through out the book) with how easily I caught on to the clones so early. If I happened to start to blend the men J.C. Hutchins seemed to know that. The author would drop a distinct characteristic that told me who was talking or being talked to. J.C. has done an amazing job of making each character their own and memorable as he's moved the story on, and the plot deepened.

We spend time with the seven men as they came to grips with what they learn of themselves, the parents they remember, and the aunt and uncle that raised them. Then there was this whole facility and the psychotic John Alpha. In this form we learn of the men and the science project they are. But, we all know not all the details are shared... and the clones come to grips with who they are in order to solve the riddles John Alpha has left them, and try to stop his crazy rampage.

Oh, this story could soooo be a tv series. To watch and never knowing where Alpha was, or who he would be... Yes, could be a show to catch our attention and keep us guessing. I even thought Dollhouse fans might enjoy this book.

This story has a few action moments, but what has caught me is the mental intrigue. It was like a psychological battlefield for these men! What they learn and have to twist to keep people safe by finding John Alpha. The mystery and history behind the 7th Son project. The conspiracy grows, widening, and the feel that we've not even come to the point of knowing all that happens here or why. There are bread crumbs dropped and I'm working at putting the puzzle together. I like this. It's a story to think as I'm listening, digest, and think as it goes.

I have already downloaded book 2: Deceit and will be listening to it as soon as tomorrow. I have to know how deep this and the conspiracy goes!

Audio Book Review: Space Casey

Space Casey

By:  Christiana Ellis

Narrated By:  Christiana Ellis with host of others

Publish Date:  2008

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st book in Space Casey series

First Impression:  Fun, deadpan humor space visit.

Synopsis:
Some heroines will steal your heart. This one will steal your wallet. In the future, mankind has expanded to fill the solar system, but when a snarky con-woman steals the wrong spaceship, she finds herself stranded in a distant galaxy. She is humanity's first emissary to a galactic civilization, and all she wants to do is go home. Preferably, without being arrested.

First Sentence:
Outer space. That infinity of stars.

Listen For Free:
Podiobooks  /  iTunes  /  Official Site

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Casey will be the first representative of the human race into the deep space of the vast universe! (even if unknowing.) A con artist looking to get off her station, and steals a ship with no idea of what she's getting or getting into.

I listened to this story and enjoyed the different voice actors and sound affects. Very enjoyable and well put together. The episodes are shorter, about 15 minutes or so, that makes it easy to listen to them. And it's only 10 episodes long as well, so you get through it all quickly.

The first episode caught my attention as we jump right in with Casey and her job and personality. The ship adds to the character of the world. And by the end of the short episode Casey is already in a tight spot.

This is set in space on a ship (mostly), and it's a soft space story. This is not about technology and technical things. It's of Casey and her ways of dealing with the out-of-mind crazy events of space. And her personal ways are fun for us. A fun space opera to enjoy.

The characters... Casey is a loner. A con artist who starts to connect with the ship and it's pet. She grows a bit through the hurdles of the unknown that come her way. Al, the spaceship, is quite an emotional ship. He made me chuckle in his left field ways of thinking. The voice of the ship, Al, was perfect. I loved his infliction in his words.

The Universe grows as Casey experiences many crazy things it can throw at her. And all she wants is to get home... But to what extent will she go to get there? She will ponder those things, and learn about a few species as well.

This was just the light, fun read I was needing right now.

It was a fun listen for the events that happen to Casey and her deadpan humor that goes with it. I enjoyed her realistic view on the world and how it relates to what happens. Then in the end we get the connections. Very well done.

I'll be checking for the next season of Space Casey to continue on with her.

Sunday Post #80

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a week of go, go, go. Kiddo's had meets and life has been on the go with appointments and all sorts of things this week. I did get one work project done and I'm on to the next portion.

I'm hoping this week will be back to normal, or some normalcy, so I can get lots done. (and exercise)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I was on the go all week with kiddo and appointments, so no exercising done. :(

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:

I'm working on some 'work' books
And

Fury by Krista D. Ball

Current Podcast Book Listen:
7th Son: Deceit by J.C. Hutchins

The Horde by Patrick Scaffido

Finished Last Week: 

nothing

Finished Podcast Book Listen:

7th Son: Descent by J.C. Hutchins

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

Click the link to learn more about the books and their series:


Posts:
Steampunk Book Trailer! (And you'll enjoy this little movie.)


Around the Internet...


Reviews:

The Diamond Conspiracy by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Phantom's Dance by Lesa Howard

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

Believe it or not, I have two reviews scheduled already!
Tues:  Space Casey
Wed:  7th Son: Descent
Thurs: Guest Post

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:

Review & Review Consideration:

Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Nameless by Lili St. Crow
Goodreads Synopsis:
When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth... to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

Arielle Immortal Awakening by Lilian Roberts
Goodreads Synopsis:
A mortal soul… 

From the time college co-ed Arielle Lloyd had been young, she had been able to hear the thoughts and feel the pain of certain others, and those she comes to think of as her special group. One friend’s dabbling with spells and magic showed her the power of love that can endure beyond the grave. But another friend’s terrifying encounter with a warlock left Arielle wary of those who claim otherworldly powers. On holiday in the south of France, a chance encounter could change her mind. Or could cost her life. 

An Immortal man… 

Sebastian Gaulle is the wealthy, handsome owner of an international company. He is also an Immortal. For five centuries he has sought the one soul who can fulfill his dreams of everlasting love. Then he meets Arielle, whose heart calls out to him like no other. 

A timeless love… 

Sebastian has made his choice clear. But jealous Immortals from his past threaten retaliation. They have vowed to destroy any woman who becomes involved with him. In spite of the powerful protection amulet Sebastian gives Arielle, death stalks their newfound love. Their love may be eternal, but they may be running out of time.

I picked up some bookends. The paint is scuffed in spots and the glue for the dragon wings is visible, but the back and bottom seem solid. I'll see if my artistic brother can touch those up for me.

The swag for The Nothing has come! :)

Won:

Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App)

Beauty and Other Dangerous Things by Jennifer Melzer
Goodreads Synopsis:
Beauty and Other Dangerous Things contains four speculative fiction shorts by author Jennifer Hudock, including Beauty, Hate, The Clockwork Heart and Skin.

Beauty--He's been chasing beauty down for years, wrenching her cold soul from every body it taints, but when the tide turns Brad Shaner discovers a centuries' old evil won't be so easily broken.

Hate--Abby dangles on the edge of defeat, torn between saving or slaying the monster that has taken over her life.

The Clockwork Heart--Death offers Summer the chance to save her younger brother Gerald, but when the price becomes too high, she quickly learns some things are better left alone.

Skin--Haunted by longing for her dead husband Jonathan, Katherine follows his faded dreams to his homeland in Scotland to learn a strange family secret he carried with him to the grave. 

Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner
Goodreads Synopsis:
Kate Connor is your average, everyday mom with two kids, a husband, and one very big secret ... she used to be a Demon Hunter for a secret arm of the Vatican. Now retired, she's more interested in the domestic than the demonic. So when she catches sight of a demon in Wal-Mart, she tells herself it's some other Hunter's problem. But when that demon attacks her in her kitchen, retirement is no longer an option.

Now Kate has to kick a little demon butt, figure out why the creatures are trying to take her out and take over her home town, and at the same time take care of her 2 year old, deal with a hormonal 14 year old, get the family to Catholic mass on time, and try to keep her past a secret from her daughter and her husband.

She's a little out of practice, but hey ... if she can juggle two kids and an impromptu dinner party, ridding the town of demons should be a piece of cake. Like the saying goes, Carpe Demon ... and Kate intends to do just that.

The Demon You Know by Julie Kenner
Goodreads Synopsis:
When daughter Allie finds herself knee-deep in demons, Demon Hunter Kate Connor must come to the rescue in this first short story featuring not only Kate, but fourteen year old Allie, too!

Panic by K.R. Griffiths
Goodreads Synopsis:
Michael Evans is only in rural St. Davids to maintain a low profile after his time spent as a city cop ended in disaster. The town is perfect for him: isolated. A tiny population. Virtually no crime.

Until the night the strange canisters fall from the sky and the town priest starts killing people with his teeth. To Michael, the bloodbath looks like a murder case that the quiet town's two police officers can't possibly handle.

But this isn't just a crime scene.

And the priest is just the beginning... 

Shock by K.R. Griffiths
Goodreads Synopsis:
The team had been told it would be a straightforward mission: enter St. Davids, now little more than a ghost town, retrieve the target and return to base. 

Trouble is, the target is a man named Victor, and it looks like somebody else got to him first. 

And St. Davids is anything but a ghost town... 

*** 

SHOCK is a novella that picks up where K.R. Griffiths' acclaimed debut PANIC left off. A further installment, PSYCHOSIS, was released in September 2013.

(On my Nook)

Free Audio Books/Stories:

7th Son: Deceit by J.C. Hutchin
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two days ago, seven human clones -- John, Michael, Father Thomas, Dr. Mike, Jonathan, Jack and Kilroy2.0 -- were torn away from their "normal" lives to stop a ruthless plot created by their progenitor, a man code-named John Alpha. Their quest was a descent into conspiracy, violence and death.

The clones were successful in their mission, but victory was not without its price.

As 7th Son: Book Two - Deceit begins, the Beta clones are demoralized, reeling from their loss ... and about to learn that John Alpha's plans are far from over.

To prevent the next phase of Alpha's plan, John, Kilroy2.0, and the others must unearth more dark secrets about the government project from which they were spawned. They will experience the horrors of betrayal, and race cross-country to track John Alpha.

And they will finally realize the scope of Alpha's wrath -- the bloodshed the clones have witnessed is merely a prelude to the world-rending destruction to come. Unless they can stop it first.

Deceit is the second novel in J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son thriller trilogy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews to Come:

The Secret World Chronicle: World Well Lost by Mercees Lackey,Steve Libby, Cody Martin, & Dennis Lee

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester

Master of Myth by Starla Huchton

Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet

Rhune by Michael J. Sullivan

Heartstealer by K.T. Bryski

Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Space Casey by Christiana Ellis
Tales From the Archives: Blessings of Baalshemin
Tales From the Archives: Bitter Pill
Tales From the Archives: What the turtle saw.
Tales From the Archives: Clockwork Portal When Timelines Go Awry
Tales From the Archives: Foothold
Tales From the Archives: 2014 Christmas Special 
Space Casey: Season 2 by Christiana Ellis
House of Grey 4 by Collin Earl
7th Son: Descent by J.C. Hutchins

Audiobook Review: Phantom's Dance

Phantom's Dance

By:  Lesa Howard

Narrated By:  Kai Kennicott

Publish Date:  October 2, 2014

Format:  Audible

Genre:  Contemporary Young Adult

Series:  Stand-alone

First Impression:  This story feels more of a blend of the movie Save the Last Dance at the beginning and Phantom of the Opera toward the end.

Synopsis:
Christine Dadey's family uprooted their lives and moved to Houston for her to attend the prestigious Rousseau Academy of Dance. Now, two years later, Christine struggles to compete among the Academy's finest dancers, her parents are on the brink of divorce, and she's told no one about her debilitating performance anxiety and what she's willing to do to cope with it. Erik was a ballet prodigy, a savant, destined to be a star on the world's stage, but a suspicious fire left Erik's face horribly disfigured. Now, a lonely phantom forced to keep his scars hidden, he spends his nights haunting the theater halls, mourning all he's lost. Then, from behind the curtain he sees the lovely Christine. The moldable, malleable Christine. Drawn in by Erik's unwavering confidence, Christine allows herself to believe Erik's declarations that he can transform her into the dancer she longs to be. But Christine's hope of achieving her dreams may be her undoing when she learns Erik is not everything he claims. And before long, Erik's shadowy past jeopardizes Christine's unstable present as his obsession with her becomes hopelessly entangled with his plans for revenge.

First Sentence:
"Mom, you can't seriously be thinking of injecting poison into your face."

Listen For Free:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

*I offered to listen to the audio book for an honest review.

My Thoughts and Summary:
All performing auditoriums and stages have their own ghosts. Rousseau Academy of Dance is no different. However, this ghost might be real, as a broken stage light and a silver necklace with a pendant is found. Christine's dream to become a ballerina with the company is in jeopardy if she can't audition for the Second Company to move up in ranks. But she has her own fears to deal with. When she visits the theater, she meets a young man who starts to help her with her dance. But he sees more in her. Her dreams and relationships are now in danger after opening herself to a young man behind a mask.

The dance world is extremely competitive, yet Christine has been blessed to find a few great friends here. Jena, Liam, and Van. She even meets a great boy to fall for, Raoul.

Christine has big plans as a future ballerina, but she needs to excel at the junior academy as her first step. She struggles with the performances and it's holding her back. She hopes with hard work she can hopefully over come it, and soon.

The beginning is a soft start with introductions to the characters around Christine. In two chapters we get hints that there is a mystery here and it builds slowly from there. There is something going on here, and it's not just Liam and Van trying to get the Ghost Hunters here to investigate the 'ghost' to be on tv. There are a lot of wide connections quickly made at the beginning of the story - different people in different places that Christine bumps into. Yet we don't get the true feel of the 'Phantom' until about chapter 19.

This story feels more of a blend of the movie Save the Last Dance at the beginning and Phantom of the Opera toward the end.

Even though it was slower starting, somewhere along the way I found I was drawn into Christine's life. I looked forward to seeing what would happen to her and how she'd react. This brought me to feel that the story is character driven. All that happens around Christine affects her. You get drawn into her world of dance and life. All she experiences and how she grows with it, yet falls apart as well. Christine comes across as naive when it comes to boys and the ways the world can be harsh and unexpected. The reason for this, as she's shy of eighteen, is she's focused her life on ballet, which is extremely time consuming.

Her mom cares, but she's going through a rough time in her life as well. She's struggling with being a working single mom and her own emotions with recent events.

The story is a Young Adult feel in the beginning. BUT there are events that happen later in the story that I would recommend for older readers. An abusive relationship is present. It's not a complete description of the event, but you are well aware what has happened and it's talked about. I wanted to mention it as it so young teens aren't unaware as to what's here. What is it? I'll type in white and you can highlight to get it: Christine is drugged and raped.

As I found I was drawn into the story and needed to listen to how things turned out, there was one small thing at the end that still floats in my mind. It hasn't upset me, but feels... I don't know, I didn't much care for it. I understand it being here, but it feels off. What is it? Well it's a spoiler so I'll type in white and you can highlight to see it: After what the Phantom did to Christine, and knowing the flower is one she shares with him & dancing - at the end she mentions after her performances she knows she has one fan out there because after each performance she has one flower left for her at her prep area. Um, this is still stalking. And she's okay with it.

I listened to this story on Audible. At the beginning there were a few moments where the narrator seemed muffled and hard to hear. But after the first chapter all was well. She did a lovely job with different voices to distinguish the different characters. She had the young girl sound to her voice as if I was listening to Christine talk. She did a wonderful job of narrating the story and not distracting from it, but enhancing it.

Book Review: The Diamond Conspiracy

The Diamond Conspiracy

By:  Tee Morris & Philippa Ballantine

Publish Date:  March 31, 2015

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Steampunk

Series:  4th in Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series; 1st Book ~ Phoenix Rising, 2nd Book ~ The Janus Affair, 3rd Book ~ Dawn's Early Light
Tie in with: Tales from the Archives.

First Glance Feel:  Holy.... Steampunk with the history we know mixed in. Oh wow! I love the connections, the steampunk, the action, the love! Can I go on and on?

Synopsis:
For years, the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has enjoyed the favor of Her Majesty the Queen. But even the oldest loyalties can turn in a moment…

Having narrowly escaped the electrifying machinations of Thomas Edison, Books and Braun are looking forward to a relaxing and possibly romantic voyage home. But when Braun’s emergency signal goes off, all thoughts of recreation vanish. Braun’s street-wise team of child informants, the Ministry Seven, is in grave peril, and Books and Braun must return to England immediately.

But when the intrepid agents finally arrive in London, the situation is even more dire than they imagined. The Ministry has been disavowed, and the Department of Imperial Inconveniences has been called in to decommission its agents in a most deadly fashion. The plan reeks of the Maestro’s dastardly scheming. Only, this time, he has a dangerous new ally—a duplicitous doctor whose pernicious poisons have infected the highest levels of society, reaching even the Queen herself...

First Sentence:
"Welly, would you please listen to me for just a moment?".

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  /  Book Depository

My Thoughts and Summary:
Eliza and Wellington return from the states in a rush. The Ministry Seven is in deadly danger and have called Eliza home. What the Ministry Seven have found, and trouble they dipped into, brings the dangers of the Queen and others into light. But when talking to the children, Wellington and Eliza realize the Department, another agency they know of under the Queen, is cleaning up...the Ministry. The Ministry is in grave danger and scattered about. Eliza and Wellington will learn great secrets that they will use to help restore society to it's rightful standing. But the Maestro and another new evil work to stop them at every turn. However, maybe a new ally will help give them an inside scoop on what they are up against...

Good grief, Charlie Brown! Talk about a kick start beginning. WOW! So much happening and I'm rushing to keep up.

My smile grew with each word of Eliza and Wellington's banter and brilliance in it. Goodness do I enjoy these characters, and even as a couple they are just as much fun. The humor and banter is not lost with a relationship started, as this is part of the foundation in their relationship as well. They both are taken with each other, but it seems Wellington is the one swooning a bit more. It's great to see Eliza is the strong woman we all know her to be. She is a field agent first and foremost with the Agency she knows and loves crumbling around her and danger on the heals of her loved ones. At the same time - when the time is there - she loves, hard. Wellington is new to field work and Eliza's knowledge of field work and the secrets not stored in Wellington's archives are important to their survival. Both their strengths play a huge importance in the book, and this is why this couple will survive as a duo of outstanding agents and a couple.

It was amazing to see the Ministry Seven in this book. They play an important part and have moved up in their standings from street children to much more. I'm hoping this is the list of new agents in the future, as they deserve it! We also get to see what happens to a few of the Ministry Agents through their eyes as the even is happening. Good and bad.

Pip and Tee take me through an array of emotions as I read this book. I'm relaxed with Wellington and Eliza, enjoying their banter and good humor. Then I picked up with the Ministry Seven. Oh the tension in me grew with theirs. And the worries and fears of what could happen with... Then the secrets I learn, and they don't stop! Oh it's a circle of emotions repeatedly.

By George! I do think this is my favorite book of the series. I don't know how Tee & Pip are going to top this one. This book is only 368 pages, but when I was done I felt like I read a door stopper 1,000 pages (enjoying every minute of it as it flew by). There was so much information packed into these minimal pages. It's hard to believe all that is here!

GOOD GRIEF, THE SECRETS!!!

The secrets we learn! Are you curious about the Restricted Section of the Archives? You'll learn it. Curious about Director Basil Sound? Yes, your speculation was raised with those subtle moments by him. You learn about it!! Want a bit more on Wellington's past? We get to dip a bit further into that as well. Enjoy the assassin Sophia del Morte? You'll see her here in closer proximity, and if an assassin can have limits.

The immense amount of information and TWISTS will have your eyes bulging and jaw dropping throughout the book! There are also a few big names from history mentioned in this book. Oh to see them here!

Now, to wait with baited breath for the next Ministry book to arrive. As I know Tee and Pip can top what they've done, and I NEED to see it!

Steampunk Book Trailer!

I'm thrilled to share this amazing new trailer. Tee Morris is at it again with his filming work...

I saw this and knew I had to share it. I loved the first one, which was like a mini movie. This one isn't as long, but just as powerful. The events that happen in this video... well, you'll want to read the book to learn what is happening to The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

Do enjoy! And hope you head over to order the book. It's out March 31st!






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