Posts Categorized: steampunk

The Inventor’s Secret by Andrea Cremer- Review

11 Jan, 2017 by in 2015, andrea cremer, inventor's secret, steampunk Leave a comment

The Inventor’s Secret by Andrea Cremer- Review

The Inventor's Secret

by Andrea Cremer
Series: Inventor's Secret #1
Published by Speak on July 14, 2015
Genres: Steampunk, Young Adult
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
five-stars
Source: Library
Buy the BookGoodreads
In this world, sixteen-year-old Charlotte and her fellow refugees have scraped out an existence on the edge of Britain’s industrial empire. Though they live by the skin of their teeth, they have their health (at least when they can find enough food and avoid the Imperial Labor Gatherers) and each other. When a new exile with no memory of his escape  or even his own name seeks shelter in their camp he brings new dangers with him and secrets about the terrible future that awaits all those who have struggled has to live free of the bonds of the empire’s Machineworks.

Oh my Andrea Cremer! It’s been quite a few years since I read the Nightshade series, and I’d forgotten how much I love her writing. Wow. Incredibly rich world building, alternate history, steampunk, witty banter and perfect romance all rolled into book one of the Inventor’s Secret series. There is so much to praise, not sure where to begin. The characters are strong and varied, the history is rich and layered between many civilizations, the relationships are perfect. This is the best steampunk I’ve read, with a twist of the Revenants series a la Amy Plum.

Let’s talk about Jack and Charlotte! Their hate each other, fighting all the time turns into the best later scenes in the book. Jack’s brother Coe of the House of Winter is also in hot pursuit of the MC. These two are going to be trouble!

I am so excited to read book two, starting today. What took me so long?!

Content: one swear word, mature YA romance and tension. Recommend for older teens.
about_ the_author

Andrea Cremer is a New York Times and international bestselling author. She spent her childhood daydreaming while roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She now lives in Manhattan, but at heart she will always be a small-town girl.

Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but it took a horse and a broken foot to prompt her to finally write the novel she’d always dreamed of writing. Prior to becoming a full-time novelist, Andrea resided in the academic world where she taught early modern history.

When she’s not writing, Andrea tries to master difficult yoga poses, wanders through Central Park, and hunts for new music to provide the soundtracks to her novels.

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Beauty and the Clockwork Beast Blog Tour

07 Aug, 2016 by in proper romance, Shadow Mountain, steampunk Leave a comment

I received this book for free from Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast

by Nancy Campbell Allen
Published by Shadow Mountain on August 2, 2016
Genres: Steampunk
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
four-stars
Source: Shadow Mountain
Buy the Book
When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

There is so much packed into this book. Steampunk, Victorian Era romance, paranormal elements, and plot twists on past storylines pulled from Beauty and the Beast and Jane Austen. About 2/3 of the way through the book I was hooked on main character Miles, earl of Blackwell Manor and his house guest, Lucy. Ms. Picket is trying to solve the mystery of her cousins mysterious illness and in the process meets with ghosts, vampires and automatons. I loved the botanical descriptions and use of old apothecary methods to heal with plants.

The plot took a while to get into. The reader may get lost in the world building if they’ve never read steampunk. Tesla was overused a bit. The only other hitch for me was convincing myself that Lucy was not a spinster, but rather a young woman of marrying age. For some reason, there was a lack of the physical and emotional elements that fleshed out her young personality. She was head strong and accomplished, but when the romance picked up I still saw her as 40’s or 50’s in age.

I did enjoy this one. Lots of suspense, mystery and rich descriptions. It was a truly one of a kind combination of well-loved tales.

Content: drinking, kissing and sensuality.

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Clockwork Angel Steampunk Giveaway

31 Aug, 2010 by in steampunk 40 comments

Congrats to Cassandra Clare on the release of her book The Clockwork Angel! Happy Book Birthday! We pre-ordered ours and will be waiting by the mailbox today.

To celebrate we are giving away this piece of jewelry from our Cassie Clare inspired collection on Etsy…suspended wings steampunk necklace.


As well we though it would be fun to include these two Texas steampunk graphic novels. One named “Clockwork Angels” by Lea Hernandez, and the first in his series, Cathedral Child which is signed by the author.

To Enter To Win: leave your name in the comments below and tell us your favorite item in our Cassandra Clare or angels Etsy collections.

Contest ends September 31, 2010 and is open internationally. Good Luck!

Steampunk Book Thong Giveaway

15 Apr, 2010 by in etsy, steampunk 37 comments


Today’s Etsy giveaway is from one of my absolute favorite shops
Happenchance and Odd
“I’m a Mommy. A good day is when I have had enough time to shower and brush my teeth.

I seem like a totally suburban housewife by the light of day. But, after a goodnight song, hug and kiss for my babies I turn into the Steampunk Goddess.

I spend my long insomnia filled nights working on designs, creating, searching Etsy for things I don’t need but must have or I will die.

What is Steampunk? Plain and simple, its old stuff made into something new. There is great beauty in vintage items that can not be found in the mass produced items in chain stores. Why adorn yourself with something hundreds of others have? It seems to me an easier, less painful self expression than a tattoo but with the same effect. Wearing a piece of Steampunk jewelry explains exactly who you are without having to say a word.

Unique
Individual
Classic
Beautiful
Everlasting

~~~~Don’t be another lost soul
It’s never wrong to know
what creates life to be free
it’s just called Individuality~~

Proud Member of the Indie Artists Street Team
My book thongs have been featured in the Storque
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-burn-after-reading-7117/

My art has also been featured in break out new fashion magazine Cry Havoc.
http://www.cryhavocmag.com/


To Enter To Win
a steampunk book thong: Leave your name and email address below
additional entries
+3 for hearting her shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappenchanceAndOdd
+2 for telling us your favorite steampunk themed book
+3 for following @FireIcePhotos on twitter
+2 for every retweet, leave the link
+5 for adding this contest or our button to your blog
+10 for contributing to our Chile relief efforts via PayPla heatoddgardner@yahoo.com, or by sending cash, check or items (email us for details)
Contest ends May 14, 2010 and is open internationally

Fairy Tale Steampunk Bookmarks by RusticGoth

24 Feb, 2010 by in etsy, rustic goth, steampunk 41 comments

Today’s giveaway comes from the Rustic Goth Shop! She has given us two sets of three handmade bookmarks of original art. Here’s her bio “My dark and dreamy paintings and prints are rather sad and surreal in nature, at times a little whimsical and weird.

“Creating art is what I do…it is how I live… how I connect with the world that exists
outside of my studio…how I connect with my own feelings.

It is my hope that each work of art that I create, invoke a reaction, of some kind, in the
viewer….and a special connection with it’s owner.”

For Rustic Goth news, updates, reader discounts
and more..
Please visit my blog…
http://anotherpaintingblog.blogspot.com/
♥ ♥ ♥>->->->->♥ ♥ ♥->->->->->-♥ ♥ ♥
Follow me on Twitter…
http://www.twitter.com/RusticGoth
and on Facebook…
http://www.facebook.com/RusticGoth
♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you for your visit!

♥ ♥ ♥>->->->-♥ ♥ ♥>->->->-♥ ♥ ♥>->->->-♥ ♥ ♥

Images and Artwork © Charlene Murray Zatloukal

To Enter to win one set of three bookmarks simply

leave your name and email address below:
there are two winners, one for each set of three…
Additional entries
+2 go to her shop and comment on your favorite item by pasting the link
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/rusticgoth
+3 tweet this contest-leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+5 add our button to your blog
+3 follow both of us on twitter @FireIcePhotos and @RusticGoth
+3 follow our blog or hers
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice or RusticGoth

Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on March 25th, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below.  Thanks and Good Luck!

Steampunk Alice In Wonderland Signed Art

23 Feb, 2010 by in etsy, steampunk, strangeling 37 comments


Our giveaway today is for one of three signed prints from Etsy seller and artist Strangeling. Her work is unbelievable!

Here’s a little bit more about Jasmine: My name is Jasmine Becket-Griffith. (Aka Strangeling or mis-spelled as Jasmine Beckett-Griffith). I am 30 years old and I live in beautiful Celebration, Florida. I am a full-time artist and I make my living selling my artwork. I have been selling my original Fairy, Gothic, and Fantasy artwork online since 1997. You are purchasing this artwork directly from me, the artist. My original paintings are all acrylics on canvas or wood – all painted by hand, the old-fashioned way. All prints are made by myself & my husband Matty, here in our living room – and signed by me, the artist! I make all of my jewelry myself as well. I feel that it is important for me to sell my work directly to my fans, without the needless expenses or pretension of a gallery or middleman. I grow weary of the mundane world, and I am trying to slowly create my own through my fantasy artwork. I believe that with each piece of art I get out of my system, onto paper, and into your home I have done my part to make this place a more magical planet. You may know my work from countless books and lines of merchandise, especially through Hot Topic, Torrid, Target, SuperTarget, the Bradford Exchange, Hamilton Collection, etc. as well as my website http://www.strangeling.com/ ! Here is your chance to own the actual artwork. My work can be found in collections and galleries throughout the world, and am featured in the books “The Art of Faery” & “The World of Faery,” “Big Eye Art: Resurrected and Transformed,” “Spectrum” number 11, 13, and 15, “Gothic Art Now,” and others. Also be sure to check out my solo art book called “Fairy: the Art of Jasmine Becket-Griffith,” “Jasmine Becket-Griffith: Portfolio Volume I” and my new book “Jasmine Becket-Griffith: Portfolio Volume II” now available. When I’m not painting, I’m reading, spending time with my family, petting my cats (Mama Wolf and Tigrillo), playing outdoors, listening to music, or traveling. I enjoy traveling all over the world, whether it be for my art shows & conventions or just for fun and exploration! I love the ocean and spend a lot of time island hopping in the Caribbean, playing pirate. I also love visiting museums and historic sites throughout Europe. A lot of my travels end up as being sources of inspiration for my paintings!

Strangeling has donated Three Signed 8×10 Fine Art prints to us

To enter to win one (there are three winners) …leave your name, email address, and favorite print of the three below:

Additional entries
+2 go to her shop and comment on your favorite item by pasting the link
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/strangeling
+3 follow her on twitter @Jasminetoad
+3 tweet this contest-leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+5 add our button to your blog
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 follow our blog
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook

Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends March 23rd and is open to International Entries. Good Luck!

Steampunk and Fairy Bookmark Giveaway

14 Feb, 2010 by in etsy, Meredith Dillman, steampunk 31 comments

Our Valentine’s Giveaway is from the incredibly talented Etsy shop of Meredith Dillman Fantasy and Fairy Art and Illustration

“I mean by a picture, a beautiful romantic dream of something that never was, never will be – in a better light than any light that ever shone – in a land that no-one can define or remember, only desire – and the forms divinely beautiful” – Edward Coley Burne-Jones

————————————————-

I am an artist from the frozen north. I would prefer the real world was always filled with autumn leaves and colorful flowers, but at least I can paint them with my watercolors instead:)

My artistic influences include Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Art Nouveau and Japanese comics. I love painting fairies, elves, medieval and Japanese themes. My art has been published role playing games, the book Watercolor Fairies, How to Draw and Paint Fairies, and 500 Fairy Motifs and recently was the cover artist from the fantasy novel Mercury Brightman: The First Sign ( http://www.thefirstsign.com/ )

Blog: http://meredithdillman.blogspot.com/

She is giving away a prize pack of two bookmarks and one postcard to our lucky winner! To enter leave your name and email address below:

Additional entries
+2 go to her shop and comment on your favorite item by pasting the link
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop
+3 tweet this contest-leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+5 add our button to your blog
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 follow our blog
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook
+2 add us as friends on Goodreads

Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends March 14th and is open to International Entries. Good Luck!