In a world of science, magic is an abomination, but not the vile creation Royal Inquisitor Simon Whitlock once believed it to be. Accompanied by his apothecary companion, Luthor Strong, and Matilda Hawke, a werewolf, they return to the capital of Callifax, eager to convalesce after their last adventure.
Published: August 25th, 2015
In a world of science, magic is an abomination, but not the vile creation Royal Inquisitor Simon Whitlock once believed it to be. Accompanied by his apothecary companion, Luthor Strong, and Matilda Hawke, a werewolf, they return to the capital of Callifax, eager to convalesce after their last adventure.
Their peace is short-lived, however, as they are quickly sent on another mission. It seems the iron mines of Whitten Hall have ceased their production, no longer sending its ore to the crown. The Ministry of Trade has sent inquiries, but its representatives have all fled from the train ride to the distal outpost. It seems a vampire stalks the trains in and out of Whitten Hall, a vampire that will reveal the secret of the iron mine and the darkness that resides within.
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.Magic is an abomination. It spread from the Rift, a great chasm hundreds of miles long that nearly split the southern continent in two. The Rift was a portal, a gateway between their world of science and the mythological world of magic.
On the northern continent of Ocker, King Godwin declared that no magical monstrosity would be allowed within their borders. The Royal Inquisitors were formed to investigate reports of mystical occurrences and, should they be found, to destroy them.
Inquisitor Simon Whitlock knows his responsibilities all too well. Along with the apothecary, Luthor Strong, they’ve spent two years inquiring into such reports of magical abominations, though they’ve discovered far more charlatans than true magical creatures. When assigned to investigate Haversham and its reports of werewolves, Simon remains unconvinced that the rumors are true. What he discovers in the frozen little hamlet is that the werewolves are far more real than he believed; yet they’re hardly the most dangerous monster in the city.
I’m fascinated by the idea of taking the regular world and overlaying it with a steampunk flavor. Admittedly, the Magic and Machinery series is more an amalgamation between steampunk and high fantasy, but there are clearly steampunk elements present.
However, when I started doing research for the series, I found some fascinating pictures of steampunk creatures that blew me away.
In book 3 of Magic & Machinery, called the Golem of Solomon’s Way, I delve deeper into the creation of steampunk/clockwork creatures and the ramifications of creating life from machinery. It’s a fascinating tale that forces the main characters to reevaluate their own dogmas.
I genuinely think the possibilities with steampunk are endless and the more creativity applied, the more fantastical the creatures that are created.
GUEST POST
When fantastical creatures go Steampunk
I’m fascinated by the idea of taking the regular world and overlaying it with a steampunk flavor. Admittedly, the Magic and Machinery series is more an amalgamation between steampunk and high fantasy, but there are clearly steampunk elements present.However, when I started doing research for the series, I found some fascinating pictures of steampunk creatures that blew me away.
In book 3 of Magic & Machinery, called the Golem of Solomon’s Way, I delve deeper into the creation of steampunk/clockwork creatures and the ramifications of creating life from machinery. It’s a fascinating tale that forces the main characters to reevaluate their own dogmas.
I genuinely think the possibilities with steampunk are endless and the more creativity applied, the more fantastical the creatures that are created.
You can get your copy of Wolves of the Northern Rift -A Magic and Machinery Novel, Book 1 on Amazon for FREE!
About the author:
Jon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps.
Jon wrote his first science fiction trilogy in 2008 and has since written and published over 10 novels.
The scope of his writing has expanded beyond science fiction to include the New Adult and Steampunk genres.
His books have become Amazon bestsellers, been translated into foreign languages, and have won numerous awards both for content and covers.
Jon wrote his first science fiction trilogy in 2008 and has since written and published over 10 novels.
The scope of his writing has expanded beyond science fiction to include the New Adult and Steampunk genres.
His books have become Amazon bestsellers, been translated into foreign languages, and have won numerous awards both for content and covers.
Crimson Tree Publishing Links:
In a world of science, magic is an abomination, but not the vile creation Royal Inquisitor Simon Whitlock once believed it to be. Accompanied by his apothecary companion, Luthor Strong, and Matilda Hawke, a werewolf, they return to the capital of Callifax, eager to convalesce after their last adventure.
Release Date: August 25th, 2015
In a world of science, magic is an abomination, but not the vile creation Royal Inquisitor Simon Whitlock once believed it to be. Accompanied by his apothecary companion, Luthor Strong, and Matilda Hawke, a werewolf, they return to the capital of Callifax, eager to convalesce after their last adventure.
Their peace is short-lived, however, as they are quickly sent on another mission. It seems the iron mines of Whitten Hall have ceased their production, no longer sending its ore to the crown. The Ministry of Trade has sent inquiries, but its representatives have all fled from the train ride to the distal outpost. It seems a vampire stalks the trains in and out of Whitten Hall, a vampire that will reveal the secret of the iron mine and the darkness that resides within.
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.Magic is an abomination. It spread from the Rift, a great chasm hundreds of miles long that nearly split the southern continent in two. The Rift was a portal, a gateway between their world of science and the mythological world of magic.
On the northern continent of Ocker, King Godwin declared that no magical monstrosity would be allowed within their borders. The Royal Inquisitors were formed to investigate reports of mystical occurrences and, should they be found, to destroy them.
Inquisitor Simon Whitlock knows his responsibilities all too well. Along with the apothecary, Luthor Strong, they’ve spent two years inquiring into such reports of magical abominations, though they’ve discovered far more charlatans than true magical creatures. When assigned to investigate Haversham and its reports of werewolves, Simon remains unconvinced that the rumors are true. What he discovers in the frozen little hamlet is that the werewolves are far more real than he believed; yet they’re hardly the most dangerous monster in the city.
You can get your copy of Wolves of the Northern Rift -A Magic and Machinery Novel, Book 1 on Amazon for FREE!
Goodreads ** Amazon ** Barnes&Noble ** iTunes
About the author:
Jon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps.
Jon wrote his first science fiction trilogy in 2008 and has since written and published over 10 novels.
The scope of his writing has expanded beyond science fiction to include the New Adult and Steampunk genres.
His books have become Amazon bestsellers, been translated into foreign languages, and have won numerous awards both for content and covers.
Jon wrote his first science fiction trilogy in 2008 and has since written and published over 10 novels.
The scope of his writing has expanded beyond science fiction to include the New Adult and Steampunk genres.
His books have become Amazon bestsellers, been translated into foreign languages, and have won numerous awards both for content and covers.
Crimson Tree Publishing Links:
It doesn't take long for Rory to realise that her new trainer has more eccentricities than she has fleas. But she'll put up with anything, no matter how frustrating, to become a swordswoman like her childhood hero.
Published: July 27th, 2015
Being Damsport's most elegant assassin is hard work. There's tailoring to consider, devilish poisons to concoct, secret identities to maintain... But most importantly, Longinus has to keep his fear of blood hidden or his reputation will be ruined. So, when a scrawny urchin girl threatens to expose his phobia unless he teaches her swordsmanship, he has no choice but to comply.
It doesn't take long for Rory to realise that her new trainer has more eccentricities than she has fleas. But she'll put up with anything, no matter how frustrating, to become a swordswoman like her childhood hero.
What she's not prepared for is a copycat assassin who seeks to replace Longinus, and who hires Rory's old partner in crime to do away with her, as well. Rory and Longinus must set their differences aside and try to work together if they're to stop the copycat. But darker forces than they realise are at play, and with time running out, the unlikely duo find themselves the last line of defence against a powerful enemy who seeks to bring Damsport to its knees.
EXCERPT
Longinus sat at a corner table in the Hand and Tankard, surveying the room. He had swapped the black silks he wore as the Viper for simple leathers, the better to blend in with the crowd. He found it best to tone down his natural elegance when mixing with common folk. That said, he was unable to compromise on the cut of his clothes, and he had had his leathers tailored to within an inch of their lives. A shame that he was sitting down, really; they showed off his figure so exquisitely he should have stood at the bar, the better to be admired.
He listened to the talk around him, waiting for the gossip on the Viper’s exploits. He had spent the last few days locked away writing pamphlets about his most recent kill, and he had left them at the docks first thing that morning for a lucky few to find and read. He liked to think that his prose did more than inform the wider public of the Viper’s actions — it elevated their minds, too.
Which was why he was growing rapidly annoyed with the direction the conversations were taking: the weather, the upcoming Revels, and speculation as to whether the Old Girl, the Marchioness of Damsport, was going to pass the torch to her daughter. All of it without interest. It was incredible what mundane banalities the small-minded could find interesting.
Unfortunately, he had to rely on them to spread his reputation about town. His notoriety was improving, but it was nowhere near what it ought to be. The guards always tried to hush his activities, so he had to help things along by distributing his pamphlets. Notoriety helped him get commissions, but most importantly, one could only be an artist if one was spoken of. There was nothing worse for an assassin than obscurity.
At last, a woman he knew by sight on account of her starched white apron arrived. Mistress White Apron sat down and regarded the others around her table with the kind of smugness particular to a woman about to unveil a fresh piece of gossip.
“Have you heard the latest on the Smallport killing?”
At last!Longinus smiled. Mistress White Apron could always be counted on. Maybe he should find out where she lived and distribute his pamphlets directly to her door.
“Yeah, I hear it were that Viper character again,” said a sailor.
“Everyone knows that,” said the woman with contempt. “He leaves a card behind. But have you heard the particulars? Hmm?” She looked at the faces of her audience, so puffed up with self-satisfaction she almost seemed to be expanding. Longinus beamed. The saintly woman was about to unveil his new poison.
Mistress White Apron leaned forward. “I have it on good authority that he skinned his victim. Slipped the skin right off, like you do with a rabbit.”
Longinus almost fell off his stool. Skinned? Skinned? Had that idiot even read his pamphlet?
What is the point of me writing them if these simpletons blithely ignore them?
“Oh really? I heard it were poison,” said another woman.
“Not this time,” said Mistress White Apron. “I heard it from my cousin’s sister-in-law’s nephew. He works with the guards.” She lowered her voice. “I hear the Viper even drinks the blood of his victims, like a vampire.”
Longinus felt himself go green at the thought.
Ridiculous, this is ridiculous…
But there was nothing ridiculous about the image that was now firmly imprinted in his mind.
“You’re making it up,” said the sailor, obviously disgusted.
“I am not,” sniffed Mistress White Apron. “Just because you can’t handle —”
“If I might interrupt,” said a small pinched man at a table next to them. “I saw the body myself and…”
Longinus couldn’t listen to any more. The butchery of his art was almost as unbearable as the thought of the Viper drinking blood. He fumbled into his purse and produced two coins, which he threw on the counter before hurrying out.
The propensity of the common man’s mind to turn to the violent and bloody really was intolerable.
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About the author:
Celine Jeanjean is French, grew up in the UK and now lives in Hong Kong. That makes her a tad confused about where she is from. During her time in Asia she’s watched the sun rise over Angkor Wat, lost her shoes in Vietnam, and fallen off a bamboo raft in China.Celine writes stories that feature quirky characters and misfits, and her books are a mixture of steampunk, fantasy and humour.
Author's Giveaway
Seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth is no stranger to living in the dark. She’s hidden her secret affliction all of her life—a life that would be in danger if superstitious townspeople ever guessed the truth.
Even in a land of eternal twilight, secrets can’t stay hidden forever.
Seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth is no stranger to living in the dark. She’s hidden her secret affliction all of her life—a life that would be in danger if superstitious townspeople ever guessed the truth. After her mother is accused and executed for a crime that she didn’t commit, the now-orphaned Eyelet has no choice but to track down the machine—her last hope for a cure. But Eyelet’s late father’s most prized invention, the Illuminator, has been missing since the day of the mysterious flash—a day that saw the sun wiped out over Brethren forever.
Alone and on the run, she finds the Illuminator—only to witness a young man hauling it away. Determined to follow the thief and recover the machine, she ventures into the deepest, darkest, most dangerous part of her twisted world.
With Urlick imprisoned for the murder of Professor Smrt, Eyelet must find her way back through the Infirm-infested woods, to the forbidden city of Brethren, to free Urlick before it’s too late.
Along the way, she elicits the help of Crazy Legs, Urlick’s longtime friend. Together they overthrow a travelling freak show train destined for Brethren, with plans to use it to distract the city, so Urlick can make an escape. But Eyelet is lead astray, when a haunting image from her past appears in an abandoned factory at the edge of town. There she unearths a series of ungodly secrets and soon finds herself, imprisoned.
Will C.L. be able to save them both from their fates?
Or will he too, fall prey to the tyranny of Brethren's newest Ruler?
Rumor has it the Ruler has secrets of her own.
Secrets she’s determined to keep.
Seems an heir may have been overlooked.
The true heir to the Commonwealth throne.
NOIR “…one of the most inventive story worlds I’ve read in years…” Donald Maass, Author of Writing the Breakout Novel…NOIR: A Steampunk Fantasy Romance Adventure Novel, book two of THE ILLUMINATION PARADOX SERIES. A Science Fiction romp through "...one of the most inventive story worlds I've read in years..." Donald Maass (Writing the Breakout Novel) featuring contraptions and creatures unique only to Garlick's magical creative fiction. Dark and mysterious, this YA novel reads like the love child of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow and L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz.
Fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series will enjoy this novel.
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About the author:
I'm Jacqueline Garlick, author of young adult and new adult fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. (Don't you?) I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper). I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology and would rather hang out with a dog, than a cat. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all that ails you. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (currently in my writing room), and there may or may not be a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won't find a hidden passageway, but a girl can dream, can't she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea.
My writing style has been described as edgy and rule-breaking, and by some--a touch Tim Burton-esque. Because of this, I am often referred to as the Quentin Tarantino of YA among writing friends.
In my former life, I was a teacher (both grade school and college-don't ask), but more recently I've been a graduate of Ellen Hopkin's Nevada Mentor Program and a student of James Scott Bell, Christopher Vogler and Don Maass. An excerpt from Lumière earned me the 2012 Don Maass Break Out Novel Intensive Scholarship.
Lumière--A Romantic Steampunk Fantasy--my debut novel, is the recipient of an indieBRAG Medallion!!! B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree October 15, 2014) I am so proud! (LUMIERE by Jacqueline E. Garlick is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!) Book II of the ILLUMINATION PARADOX SERIES, is out January 26th, now on pre-order.
I'm open to reviews and interview, requests for skype visits, guest blogs, pod casts and book club meetings! I LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS!
I love hearing from READERS! Please contact me, either at my website: or catch up with me on
It's 2011 and compressed natural gas has taken over from the coal producing steam machines of the Victorian Age. Alice Windsor, Princess of York, follows her mischief-making cousin, Edmund of Wales, back to 1851 where Prince Albert is hosting Britain's Great Exhibition.
Alice soon finds herself over her head in trouble. Edmund is determined to help Prince Albert build a dirigible and the prime minister appears intent in preventing her from stopping Edmund. Alice knows it's too early for the massive flying machine to take to the air. Complicating matters is the passionate Grayson Kentfield, Earl of Swinton. Alice can't stop her pulse from pounding when she's near him.
Can Alice give her heart to a man from the past while working to stop Edmund from changing history?
REVIEW
It is normal to expect complications when the time travel is possible and the time machines are not well guarded, especially when the one who puts his mind to do the journey has everything it takes to succeed.
So, where the "drama" coming from, from where comes the tension, the possible failure or danger? What could be worse or as bad as changing the history, as our century time travel theorists warn us to be possible? And so, it is the time to talk about the romantic side of the story. Love stories, past or present, or present but which bloomed in the past, possible and impossible given the conditions, the morals and... the time will entwine with the interests of Alice and Edmund. But will they entwine enough to influence their decisions and good intentions? And how long is the road to Hell, and what form will the hell take? (I can think of only one scene that, if it was somehow more veiled, more Victorian, it wouldn't have lost any of its significance and it would have allowed me to give the book to my daughter.)
Regarding the historical past and the contemporary world build by the author, they are the ones you know and not so much. Steampunk elements, not many, but also some that seem to be of a magical sort will be peppered here and there, where they will be needed as explanation, way of doing, or atmosphere.
And because it is a time travel back in the Victorian age, I must mention how the author put together the mores of the two eras. She skillfully plays on the line dividing the proper from improper. Even if there are one or two broken rules, one with possible disastrous effects according to the old society, our characters provide us a pleasant picture of the way they adapt and hmmm… control their actions.
But let's not forget that this is just the first volume of The Windsor Diaries, so something must go wrong. What will that be, you will see for yourself if you read The Victorian Scoundrel. I liked it.
But let's not forget that this is just the first volume of The Windsor Diaries, so something must go wrong. What will that be, you will see for yourself if you read The Victorian Scoundrel. I liked it.
About the author:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. She served 11 years in the US Army and currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate and is addicted to coffee. She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing. Author's Giveaway
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