STEEPLEJACK Series Giveaway Starting Today--Celebrating STRONG Female Protagonists

Misogynist Beware!

This series features a strong female protagonist!

The winner of this two book series GiveAway will be 

randomly selected on June 6th. 

The books will be delivered by the publisher sometime after that and no I don't know their time frame for delivery.

Please fill out the form below and hit submit.   I  do not sell or give away any email addresses. (Except for the winner whose email address will be given to the book publisher. )

STEEPLEJACK by A. J. Hartley

Spotlight ON:

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ABOUT THE BOOK​

​“What a world Hartley has created! A world of great danger... murder... suspense on just about every page. And enough twists and surprises to keep the pages turning long into the night.” —R.L. Stine, bestselling author of Goosebumps

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“Readers who come for the tightly plotted mystery will stay for the heroine who does all she can to resist.” —Kirkus, starred review

“Hartley has composed another electrifying fantasy that buzzes with intrigue and timely political and social issues, making this a must-have addition to any collection.”—Booklist, starred review

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 “A richly realized world, an intensely likable character, and a mystery to die for.” —Cory Doctorow, New York Times-bestselling author

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Thoughtfully imaginative, action-packed, and set in a 19^th-century South African fantasy world, Steeplejack by New York Times-bestselling A.J. Hartley was met with resounding critical acclaim from authors, reviewers, and readers alike. Steeplejack introduced the world to Anglet Sutonga, and brave and smart young woman navigating the complicated world of Bar-Selehm. In Firebrand, Ang goes undercover at an elite club in order to unmask a thief selling government secrets, but stumbles upon a greater plot that endangers the most vulnerable in Bar-Selehm.

Once a steeplejack, Ang is used to scaling the heights of Bar-Selehm. Nowadays she assists politician Josiah Willinghouse behind the scenes of Parliament. The latest threat to the city-state: government plans for a secret weapon are stolen and feared to be sold to the rival nation of Grappoli. The investigation leads right to the doorsteps of Elitus, one of the most exclusive social clubs in the city. In order to catch the thief, Ang must pretend to be a foreign princess and infiltrate Elitus. But Ang is far from royal material, so Willinghouse enlists help from the exacting Madam Nahreem to train Ang in the ways of Bar-Selehm’s upper class.

Meanwhile, refugees are trickling into the city, fleeing Grappoli-fueled conflicts in the north. A demagogue in Parliament is proposing extreme measures to get rid of them, and Ang soon discovers that one theft could spark a conflagration of conspiracy that threatens the most vulnerable of Bar-Selehm. Unless she can stop it.

A.J. HARTLEY is the international bestselling author of a dozen novels including several archaeological thrillers, the Darwen Arkwright children’s series, the Will Hawthorne fantasy adventures, and novels based on Macbeth and Hamlet. He is the Robinson Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare at UNC Charlotte. Find out more at http://ajhartley.net/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Dastardly Miss Lizzie by Viola Carr

This is the third book I have read by Viola Carr, the first being The Diabolical Miss Hyde . The Devious Dr. JekylI was the second. I found this book as entertaining as the last she does a good job with her characterizations and the Steampunk theme is done quite well.

The author does an excellent job painting her characters.  This book too, could be a good study in schizophrenia.   Many of the scenes are very graphic and somewhat disturbing sadly fairly accurate for the time it portrays.  This book provides more insight into the Lizzie side of Dr. Jekyll.  It also shows a different side of Mr. Todd.

Steam Punk alternate history horror might aptly describe an interesting take on a mixed mélange of iconic fiction.  

This is an interesting mélange with lots of twists and turns.   Schizophrenic Eliza is an often naive soul.  She is also a police physician in a misogynist society.   Victorian style England is depicted as a soul less police state.   The scene settings are squalid and vile and lead to incessant hand washing after reading.   Seriously the squalor is palatable!  This book seemed darker than the previous two.  

Lizzie is both appealing and appalling while simultaneously depicting unbound, unrestricted liberation.

The author did a masterful job in depicting an alternative environment where electricity ran amuck amid the muck.  Some interesting technical paradoxes are drawn in this volume.  Murder and mayhem abound in this tale of kindred soul discovery.

I recommend.  

site: http://www.violacarr.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Gears of Faith by Gabrielle Harbowy

This is a fantasy featuring Keren, a knight of Iomedae and her partner Zae, a gnome priestess of the clockwork goddess Brigh along with their war dog Appleslayer. 

The two lovers are thrust into a highly dangerous adventure with minimal information.

The story is a coming of age of Keren who struggles to find her relationship with her goddess.  Appleslayer is a war dog and mount for the diminutive Zae.

The author does nice character development with a very tasteful presentation of the relationship between the two main female protagonist.   The beauty of fantasy is that the relationship can be depicted without any of the baggage and outrage of the current political climate.

The plot has magic, gods, goddesses, sword play and violence.  It is a smidge rough around the edges but still a good story.

I recommend.

Web:  https://gabrielleharbowy.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Devious Dr. Jekyll by Viola Carr

This is the second book I have read by Viola Carr, the first being The Diabolical Miss Hyde .  I found this book as entertaining as the last she does a good job with her characterizations and the steampunk theme is done quite well.

The author does an excellent job painting her characters. Could be a good study in schizophrenia.   Many of the scenes are very graphic and somewhat disturbing sadly fairly accurate for the time it portrays.  This book provides more insight into Captain Lafayette and into Dr. Jekyll.

Steam Punk alternate history horror might aptly describe an interesting take on a mixed mélange of iconic fiction.  

This is an interesting mélange with lots of twists and turns.   Schizophrenic Eliza ia an often naive soul.  She is also a police physician in a misogynist society.   Victorian style England is depicted as a soul less police state.   The scene settings are squalid and vile and lead to incessant hand washing after reading.   Seriously the squalor is palatable!

Lizzie is both appealing and appalling while simultaneously depicting unbound, unrestricted liberation.

The author did a masterful job in depicting an alternative environment where electricity ran amuck amid the muck.   Murder and mayhem abound in this tale of kindred soul discovery.

I recommend.  

site: http://www.violacarr.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Gathering Edge by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

This is in Liaden Universe series.  I read Alliance of Equals and felt it stood alone quite well.  I did not feel this book did as well as a stand alone.  I felt there was too large an assumption of the readers' awareness of the back story.  

The AI ship Bechimo is featured prominently as is his bonded Captain.  The other characters are vaguely familiar.

They crew picks up two of the Troop who have arrived in this universe out of sync with time. 

I like the authors' ideas and writing but felt this was too disjointed for me to really like it.

Web: http://korval.com/alliance-of-equals-press-kit/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden

This book is about the awakening of Gods in mankind and apartheid of mechanicals.

In addition the author addresses transgender issues so be aware that you may be overwhelmed by controversial ideas.

The author postulates a South Africa in a not too distant future that has assimilated races but now is discriminating against mechanical or perhaps they are just the mobile descendants of Alexa.  She also has two boys who somewhat reluctantly realize they are a bit confused by their own sexuality.  

Inject a capricious minor deity that hopes to remedy her minor status by acts of terror and you have a volatile story mix.   The genetic potential of human kind is tweaked, enhanced or maybe recognized as having deified potential.   A politician discovers how important it is to know which side of the closet is closest to the heart. 

Finally the dik-dik which contrary to you first thoughts with transgender, gay and liberated beings might bring to mind has nothing to do with human sexuality.  The dik-dik is a pest extraordinaire in the book.  I have included a photo of a dik-dik as I was pretty sure it was some type of antelope but had to Goggle it to be sure.

This was a thought provoking and possibly (if you are thin skinned) offensive book.

web: http://www.nickydrayden.com/

A dik-dik is the name for any of four species of small antelope in the genus Madoqua that live in the bushlands of eastern and southern Africa.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.