The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace | Forged by Desire
London Steampunk 3.5 & 4
Bec McMaster
Steampunk
August 19, 2014 | September 2, 2014
Smashwords | Sourcebooks
Shout-out to Sophia Rose of Delighted Reader for telling me that The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace is currently FREE on Amazon and I suggest you grab a copy while it's still a freebie.
On to the meaty parts! The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace is the prequel novella to Perry and Garrett's HEA and it takes place 3 years before FORGED BY FIRE. I loved this novella, it's a classic whodunnit mystery demonstrating Perry and Garrett's camaraderie and partnership as Nighthawks agents with hints of a budding attraction between the two.
The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace is a satisfactory quick read. It accomplished its goal of building-up Garrett and Perry's chemistry which exploded in FORGED IN FIRE. I enjoyed these two's adventure as they solve the mystery behind an actress' disappearance. It's like a steampunk version of Clue but with higher stakes with Perry having a close call with the perpetrator.
Things didn't really change much initially between these two in FORGED IN FIRE. They're still dancing around each other until Perry Lowell's past caught up with her which accelerated things and put it in perspective. I love this third London Steampunk novel, it's fleshed out in every angle and well written. Perry, IMO, is the BEST character McMaster has written yet. I don't know why exactly, I just connected with Perry and her backstory to the fullest. I loved her contradictions, how she's both strong and vulnerable at the same time to say the least. Garrett Reed is also a different kind of Alpha male which is another quality that I loved. He didn't bully his way in Perry's life, rather he showed her why Perry needs him and really showed her that he's reliable and can be trusted.
Anyway, I'm reviewing FORGED IN FIRE for Romance at Random so if you want to know more, you just have to (pretty please with cherry on top) check it out!. In the meantime, Bec's here to share something personal with y'all.
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Bec McMaster's Book List
Books have always been my life, but some of them have had a significant impact on me, so here is a quick little list of the most influential books I've ever read. Whether I enjoyed them or not, they've shaped my career as a writer.
The Complete Grimm's Fairytales / Fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson - These books - or collections - definitely had an impact as a kid. I loved them, and growing up, was fairly aware that the movie versions were fairly sanitised. The romance writer in me adores fairytales of any form, but I have always liked them darker, or with a lesson learned. Perhaps that's why I prefer my reads now to be a little darker? Who knows?
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien - I was eight when I borrowed this from the school library. My family was setting out on a trip to Darwin, and I kept getting told to put the book down and enjoy the scenery, but I couldn't! This was so fascinating for me. It was my first foray into the fantasy, and when we got home I was hooked. I needed more to feed my newfound fantasy addiction.

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook - There are a million books I could put on this list, but The Iron Duke was one that led me to believe I could create my own steampunk world. I've always loved steampunk, but it took me a long time to realise that these movies/books etc. were actually called a specific thing - that this entire genre had a name. And that a little story idea that had been germinating within me for a few years could actually come to life.
Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett - The entire Lymond series was something I encountered at almost 20. This series is not for the faint of heart. It's heavy and, though I re-read it almost every year, I'm still finding little nuggets that the author has woven through. If you want a masterclass in subtlety - in show, not tell, then this is it. The hero and his actions are never quite what they seem, and the challenge is in discovering what he is up to - and why. So what do I find so fascinating? The entire political subterfuge, the anti-hero Lymond, who is my total book-boyfriend crush, even to this day, and the history. Pawn in Frankincense is the book I both enjoy the most and also dread. It puts you through the emotional wringer, and is a battle of wits with Lymond's arch nemesis. Part of what I love so much is the political backstabbing and danger - parts of this might have pushed it's way into my London Steampunk series, where my heroes and heroines fight in a dangerous, political world against seemingly impossible odds.
Lisa Kleypas books - I'll include these in the list, because her heroes always had an impact on me. Often working class heroes - self-made heroes - who had battled their way up through the world, and finally found love. I won't lie. Billionaires don't interest me so much, nor do dukes - not in the usual sense of things. I would much prefer to see a man work his butt off on his way to becoming a millionaire, and rise above his circumstances. That's the point of a hero's life that fascinates me - the struggle. That's where his true character lies, or so I believe, so Kleypas has definitely had an impact on the type of heroes I like to create.
As to my London Steampunk books, there are dozens of regencies that have had an impact, plus several Urban Fantasy's, where the vampires were dark, dangerous creatures... Altogether it led me to start creating an alternate historical world, which is ruled by a blood-drinking elite... And not the nice kind, either. Into this world come the self-made heroes and spunky heroines I like to create, fighting against all of the odds in order to earn their HEA.
So this is my list, I'd sure like to know yours.
Award-winning author Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. Read more about her at www.becmcmaster.com or follow her on Twitter, @BecMcMaster, Goodreads, & Facebook.
Whoa, I'm surprised you actually read and loved The Hobbit when you were eight! When I was eight, I was still reading Sweet Valley kids and whatever more simply books were out there, and quite sporadically at that! I just never felt like reading something that big. I tried LOTR last year too and couldn't get into it, so my eight-year-old me wouldn't have had the chance. Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
There was probably a bit that went over my head, but it did inspire an obsession with fantasy!
DeleteHey I read Sweet Valley Kids too! Jessica & Elizabeth were and still is (to me anyways) iconic characters. LOL
DeleteI read Pride and Prejudice when I was 11 and it changed my whole way of reading. I no longer read kid books, I started reading more adult books. The romance in it really hooked me and made me realize that when I grew up I wanted my own Mr. Darcy. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the covers of these books, so beautiful.
Thanks Steph. I consider myself totally blessed by the cover gods! And I think everyone wanted their own Mr. Darcy. (:
DeleteOh Mr. Darcy, he is the bane of most guy's existence in terms of romance. Quite hard to live up to
DeleteI always love seeing what books have influenced or inspired authors. It is always such a fun and intriguing list to see.
ReplyDeleteSo true! There's always that oddball/surprise book that makes the list. I fangirl every time I have a book in common with them.
DeleteWohoo The iron duke!!
ReplyDeleteI should go get the freebie, I forgot yesterday
I need to read more of Meljean Brook's steampunk series, really loved The Kraken King... and I hope you managed to grab the freebie!
DeleteThis series sounds really good! And I'm all about free. ;) The book list is really great too! The Hobbit is one of my all-time favorites! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteTracy @ Cornerfolds
I haven't read Tolkien, the language kills me, but I do love the movies! :D
DeleteI'm a poor reader of the classics, it's a shame I know
I haven't read an adult steampunk before, but this seems like a good place to start. I picked up the novella. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThere are some series that are heavy in romance which you prefer, this series is Callihan's are great examples of it. Happy you grabbed the freebie :)
DeleteMcMaster's novella is on my Kindle, I can never resist a freebie, especially if it's part of one of my fav series. I was a little disappointed by Forged by Desire—it was good, but not this author's finest work IMO. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more had I read The Curious Case of the Clockwork Menace first like you did... I guess there's only one way to find out!
ReplyDeleteI read TCCofCM after FoD but I loved FoD anyways so the novella just enhanced it.
DeleteSo funny how opposite our ratings are for this and Callihan's latest. I know you loved that one while I only liked it.
Good to hear it was a satisfying read.
ReplyDeleteVery satisfying
DeleteAlright I picked it up :) Maybe this'll be my break into steampunk :D
ReplyDeleteCool! The novella and this novel can be read as stand-alone. The series plot is still loose to this point and the connections between the characters aren't that tight and complicated that you'll feel like you're missing out on something.
DeleteThe Island of the blue dolphin's It was the first book I was able to read on my own and it showed me how You can make it through anything.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that before but I do like the sound of the book's message, very inspiring.
DeleteI only read the first book in the series I confess thanks to a friend and I really enjoyed it but I haven't read the others because I'm anxious about new characters. But I should!
ReplyDeleteForge ahead, Melliane!
Delete*snags the freebie* Thank youuuu!!!
ReplyDeleteThank Sophia for passing it on to me... and you are welcome!
DeleteI love this series too, Braine! I loved Perry in Clockwork Menace, but I got impatient with her in Forged by Desire. The overall storyline captivated me just as they always do.
ReplyDeleteFun to read your list, Bec! I love the idea of thinking through my book milestones. The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley was my big discovery as a kid b/c I loved horses too. My break into fantasy was The Chronicles of Narnia and then the Hobbit. My break into romance was through Romantic Suspense of Mary Stewart and Phyllis A. Whitney. First UF was Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson and my first Steampunk was yours. ;)
I feel so disconnected with y'all over this and Callihan's latest novel. At least our followers can read varying opinions :)
DeleteI'd have to go w/ the Harper Hall Trilogy by Anne McCaffery. I read it when I was 12 and it opened up to loving fantasy and sci fi ;) thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to you too for sharing your book inspiration :)
DeleteI grabbed my freebie! . I really need to read this series :D.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your Steampunk Sundays!
Happy to hear that! I know not a lot of people read blogs on Sundays but oh well, gotta break the mold once in a while.
DeleteThanks you Braine, I just got the free book! I'm going to make use of it soon :)
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love how much you love steampunk! :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone's into romance, I just have to be the oddball :P
DeleteThis is one of my favorite series! Love love love steampunk! :) Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead was the book that got me into reading. I was lucky to be browsing in a bookstore with a friend, saw it on the shelf, and had to buy it. Started reading then and haven't stopped since :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that I started VA around the time where I was getting tired of YA. If I read it sooner I think I might be one of its biggest fan. Now I can't get behind it anymore :(
DeleteI do love this RICH series from an awesome Aussie author. I am lagging in my review of # 2. I may have to reread. I am a HUGE fan of Steampunk and I am finding I am lacking the time to read everything I want to. LOL! Same ol story from us all with books and time. Her cover art is amazing and her world building I love. I NEED to get back into this world and its characters. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Bec is Aussie. Yup in that case you have to keep up!
DeleteAt first I thought that said - Clockwork Menage - lol
ReplyDeleteI love Kleypas's books and heroes.
Bwahahaha! I don't think I'd want to read robot sex or quasi-robot sex.
Delete