Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen #steampunk #romance #giveaway

 

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Received to Review

Genre: Steampunk Romance

Book Description:  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 thoughts: This series!!! Nancy Campbell Allen does a fantastic job at writing steampunk. It is not my go-to genre but when she writes it, I want to read it. Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is the fourth book in the series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but the characters from all the books show up and have established relationships. I'm glad that I read them in order, but you can follow along easily out of order.

Emmeline O'Shea is an outspoken advocate for the shifter community. (Yes, this book contains shifters and vampires!) She is trying to make sure that they have rights and are treated as equals. (It reminds me of some of the movements that are happening in society right now.) This has made her a target from some powerful and ruthless people.

Detective Oliver Reed has long been Emme's nemesis. He is always there to step in and haul her off to jail when a protest gets out of hand. Now he is assigned to be her bodyguard because she has received death threats. (Yay!)

Sparks always happened when they were adversaries, but now there are different sparks as they are getting to know one another and working together. It turns out that they have been working on the same side all along.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is fun. I will continue to read each and every book that comes out about this fantasy world that the author created.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book

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Advanced Praise:

"Once again proving that genres are made to be melded, Allen puts a suspenseful twist on this enticing, steampunk retelling of Cinderella. Allen seamlessly integrates gentle romantic tension and nods to the original fairy tale with paranormal and steampunk elements and political intrigue. This is a fun, arresting break from reality.” -Publishers Weekly

 "Relocates a classic fairy tale into an imagined future packed with airships, automated carriages, vampires, and corsets. Nancy Campbell Allen’s lively reimagining of the Cinderella story features an empowered, outspoken heroine who’s driven by a vision of a more equitable, futuristic Britain." -Foreword Reviews

About the Author: Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of seventeen published novels and numerous novellas, which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she received a Whitney Award for My Fair Gentleman. She has presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and the mother of three children. Visit her at nancycampbellallen.com, on Instagram @authornancycampbellallen, on Facebook at nancycampbellallen, or on Twitter @necallen.

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Giveaway!

I received two ARC's of this book.  I am giving away one of them.  To enter please leave a comment on your favorite genre to read.  Please read the terms and conditions in the right sidebar.  The contest will close on October 31 at midnight mountain time.