Empire of Ruins (The Hunchback Assignment, #3) by Arthur Slade - http://tinyurl.com/brdj9yw
This is a fun Steampunk read. A total adventure, great hooks, you'll read it fast. It's the third in the series but the first I've read. It does work as a stand alone but I probably will try to read the first two as well. There are two secret societies - one of good guys one of bad guys. They are all looking for something called the God's Face which is a legend about an ancient Egyptian temple in the Australian rainforest. I feel it's suitable for ages 10 on up. Adults will like it also. The bad guys are quite evil, in the good guys camp, I love the characters Modo and Octavia. Not that crazy about Mr. Socrates. Octavia is a former pick pocket and Modo has very special qualities, he' s the main character of this book.
It also a Steampunk novel set outside of the usual Victorian London setting. Though it's about an ancient Egyptian temple and relic, the book does not touch on the Egyptian culture, however it does include that of the aborigines. Modo is taken in and taken care of by a rain forest tribe, so it is a multicultural Steampunk book which is a big plus.
Dead Iron (Age of Steam #1) by Devon Monk - http://tinyurl.com/d2rc8zx
I just finished Dead Iron one of the Age of Steam series by Devon Monk. It's a western steampunk set in a small town in Oregon shortly after the Civil War. It’s mixed with the paranormal of evil fey, witches, and werewolves in a unique way with ties to Native American and Welsh legends. The paranormal is written in a realistic way (the author has a realistic voice) and directly connected with Steampunk machinery. It also includes a multicultural relationship, the witch of the story is married to black man and he and she and all the characters are well developed, real and strong. I feel this is one that should not be missed. I will think about these characters for a long time to come, I highly recommend it.
The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire #1) by Clay Griffith - http://tinyurl.com/cdbybs4
A tale of Steampunk and vampires with a strong, human heroine and the hero, well not to give away a spoiler, but he's not human. It a fast paced romance adventure with a lot of mysterious secrets. Interesting, well written, highly intriguing with strong fleshed out characters. Another plus is it's multicultural aspect, The heroine, Addele is princess of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire and also her mother is Persian. I highly recommend it.
Also check out these Steampunk reads:
As Timeless As Stone by Maeve Alpin - http://tinyurl.com/c9nco4s
Though society stands in their way, can love transcend time with the aid of robotics and ritual?
In peril for her life, the Priestess Seshat turns herself to stone in ancient Egypt. Centuries later, Ricard, a dashing nineteenth century Frenchman, repairs a broken statue and reads its incantation--unprepared for the gorgeous flesh and blood woman who steps forth.
Seshat is drawn to the brass robots Ricard creates and the glamour of the Victorian age, and most of all to Ricard himself. But the society of his day cannot accept a woman like her. How far will Ricard go to secure her happiness? Is their love strong enough to transcend time itself?
To Love A London Ghost by Maeve Alpin - http://tinyurl.com/c9qeg3x
Walk on the wild side of Victorian London with the ghost and the ghost hunter.
When Queen Victoria orders Sexton Dukenfield, premiere phantom hunter, to track down England’s missing ghost he stumbles into Ceridwen, a phantom warrior woman of an ancient Celtic tribe. Not only does he find her intriguing as a piece of the puzzle of the missing spirits, but he’s also haunted by her sultry sensuality. Though they both burn with desire, it’s difficult to quench their fiery passion since Ceridwen is so translucent. Every time Sexton touches her, his hands pass through her misty body. On a mission through the bustling narrow streets of London, to a dreary match factory, and even to the Otherworld and back, to stop a genius scientist and his phantasm debilitater machine, the ghost and the ghost hunter also seek the secret to freeing the boundaries of life and death.
Blogging Contest: Now, until 12/5/11 – leave a comment to win a free PDF EBook of the Steampunk/Romance novel, To Love A London Ghost - include your email so I can send your prize to you.
Check out my Steampunk/Romances at http://MaeveAlpin.com
