ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Lady Arabella Trunkett’s father, the High Lord Minister of Urbannia is kidnapped, all clues point to the mysterious country of Gandiss and the world is thrown into political upheaval.
Arabella is convinced the more sinister nation of Carabarras is to blame, urged on by a mad scientist seeking revenge. So, she sets out on a perilous airship journey across a variety of exotic locales to save him, and halt the potential world war.
But airship pirates, secret assassins and slave traders aren’t her only trials. The fickle hand of fate has made the captain of the only airship available for charter, the man that left her at the altar. For eight years she’s wished him dead. Now he’s her only hope.
Revenge of the Mad Scientist by Lara Nance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my introduction to steampunk novels, and I have to say that if all of them are like this, I am indeed hooked. You don’t know about steampunk? Thing Jules Verne and the old TV show “The Wild, Wild West.” I actually was familiar with these, but this genre has evolved into something very special. The story is written well, and Lara Nance’s twists and turns throughout did not disappoint. I loved the strength of Belle and the roguishness of Rett. The ending was a bit of a surprise, but it was perfect in the extreme. I can hardly wait for the next installment!
Criticisms are small when it comes to this novel. I could have done without the profanity, but thankfully it was not hardcore. There was one time that it certainly provided comic relief, but the other times did become very tiresome. Also, since this was my first real venture into this genre, it would have been nice for the author to have provided a glossary of steampunk (and other) terms used within the story. I found myself not connecting with the story as much as I would like to have connected at times.
One thing I especially appreciated was the author’s subtle messages concerning women’s rights, the disabled, charity, and integrity (to name a few). The casual observer may not see some of these references, but I am so grateful the author included them. And as I said before, the second book ix being anxiously awaited by me.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (in her own words)
I grew up in The South, where iced tea is always sweet and BBQ is a religion. I went from reading every horse story in the world, to Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and then on to Mysteries and Sci-fi/Fantasy.
About 1986, I wrote my first novel. Not having a computer back in those days, I wrote the whole thing in a notebook with a pencil. It was a Star Trek novel; yep, I’m a nerd. When It was complete, I knew I was hooked, because I’d never stuck with any of my artistic hobbies as long as I did writing that book.
So, I wrote another one, and another one. Then I went through, well, LIFE, that included three marriages, eight geographic moves, and changing careers from being a marketing manager to a nurse practitioner, which required going back to college to get a masters in nursing.
Finally, in 2008, my writing mojo returned and I decided to pursue publishing. After many long hours of learning and giving up all pretense of outside fun, I moved into the ranks of published authors.
My first novel, Memories of Murder, won several awards in 2012 and continues to receive wonderful reviews. The first book in my DraculaVille series won the Rudy award for best novel with romantic elements in 2013. I am blessed.
I’ve now published more than a dozen books and short stories and am thrilled to be able to share my love of adventure, fantasy, romance and mystery with my wonderful readers. Yes, I write in different genres, but the basis of all my tales is my attempt to entertain you.
FOLLOW LARA
