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Steaming
My name is Cornelius Latimer, and I have fallen in love.
The object of my affection isn’t tall and blonde with all the right curves. It isn’t even human. My love belches steam and breathes fire. My world runs on steam and hard metal, and I am a master of both. My Uncle, Rufus Harrison, has funded my expeditions. He’s gifted me with a lab containing all the parts and space I could possibly need. For weeks I have been toiling over my journals, crafting my biggest and best creation yet. It’s heady, this feeling of power. But I made a fatal error. I told a friend about my machine. And now someone who should not know, does. I should tear everything apart, but I can’t.
Love does strange things to people.
The object of my affection isn’t tall and blonde with all the right curves. It isn’t even human. My love belches steam and breathes fire. My world runs on steam and hard metal, and I am a master of both. My Uncle, Rufus Harrison, has funded my expeditions. He’s gifted me with a lab containing all the parts and space I could possibly need. For weeks I have been toiling over my journals, crafting my biggest and best creation yet. It’s heady, this feeling of power. But I made a fatal error. I told a friend about my machine. And now someone who should not know, does. I should tear everything apart, but I can’t.
Love does strange things to people.
- GenresSteampunk
First published March 1, 2011
168 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Barger
5 books57 followersVanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the Virginia Writer's Club, and the Hampton Roads Writers. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She is married to a fabulous man, and has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2011
STEAMING was full of passion for machines as well as romance. I loved the mixture of Steampunk and Fantasy, with the full on ‘who did it’ mystery that had me scrolling as fast as I could. This story was written with clarity and I loved the style. It fit perfectly with the pace of this action-packed story. All the clockwork and gadgets was woven into the character's lives seamlessly. Loved the world-building!
Cornelius Latimer, an inventor, has plans for something amazing. An airship. He’s brilliant, and this invention could revolutionize their world. Of course, there are people out there that want this for themselves. Cornelius’s best friend, who he’s known since they were kids, betrays him. I really enjoyed the relationship between these two guys. Anthony is just classic—smug, full of himself, and Cornelius is his opposite. When a beautiful girl seems to be coming between them, it’s Cornelius' first hint that his friendship is becoming strained, and that he may not be able to trust his best friend.
My favorite character by far was Bea. She was witty and fierce. And although it took Cornelius longer than it should have to come around to his feelings for her, I loved the buildup of their relationship. I also enjoyed experiencing it through the guy’s POV. These two are constantly being tested. On the run together, they are thrown into difficult situations and the action never slows down.
This is a fantastic read for anyone who’s looking for a great Steampunk that also offers some romance and fantasy. I highly recommend it and it’s a great addition to the YA market.
Cornelius Latimer, an inventor, has plans for something amazing. An airship. He’s brilliant, and this invention could revolutionize their world. Of course, there are people out there that want this for themselves. Cornelius’s best friend, who he’s known since they were kids, betrays him. I really enjoyed the relationship between these two guys. Anthony is just classic—smug, full of himself, and Cornelius is his opposite. When a beautiful girl seems to be coming between them, it’s Cornelius' first hint that his friendship is becoming strained, and that he may not be able to trust his best friend.
My favorite character by far was Bea. She was witty and fierce. And although it took Cornelius longer than it should have to come around to his feelings for her, I loved the buildup of their relationship. I also enjoyed experiencing it through the guy’s POV. These two are constantly being tested. On the run together, they are thrown into difficult situations and the action never slows down.
This is a fantastic read for anyone who’s looking for a great Steampunk that also offers some romance and fantasy. I highly recommend it and it’s a great addition to the YA market.
January 26, 2012
Acabei de ler “Steaming” a 24 de Janeiro de 2012 e atribuo-lhe uma classificação de quatro estrelas.
Quando comecei a ler o livro, fi-lo por engano: foram-me dadas a escolher duas estórias da autora e escolhi a que julgava ser um romance paranormal para jovens adultos. Porém, à medida que ia lendo, apercebi-me de que as sinopses não correspondiam às imagens das capas que me tinham sido apresentadas: foram trocadas, por isso pedi o título errado. No entanto, este equívoco revelou-se algo positivo. Foi bom ler algo diferente dos romances paranormais YA, que são o meu género favorito. Gosto de variar de vez em quando para não me fartar do que leio.
Gostei da estória no geral. O enredo está montado numa Inglaterra de há muitos anos atrás, quando o vapor era rei e senhor, e a narrativa gira em torno de Cornelius Latimer, um inventor que está à beira de uma grande descoberta. Porém, comete o erro de confiar nas pessoas erradas, nomeadamente numa mulher misteriosa que lhe deixa o coração a mil. Depressa se vai encontrar cativo e em busca de uma saída. Confesso que quando Isadora entrou na estória, julguei que talvez Cornelius se fosse apaixonar por ela agora que tinha sido decepcionado pela irmã desta, no entanto Bea depressa fez questão de mostrar que a vida do inventor iria tomar outro rumo.
Não gostei muito do início, é demasiado rápido. Devia haver talvez um pouco mais de informação sobre Cornelius na primeira página ou mais pensamentos dele. De resto, o ritmo da narrativa é bom. Outra coisa que não me agradou foi a inclusão de deuses antigos. A estória tem valor só por si e os deuses não lhe trazem nada de novo, nem nenhuma mais-valia. Dado que moram num sítio que é como uma comunidade proscrita, porque não converter estas personagens antes em inventores que ali se refugiaram para fugir ao terrível patrono do crime, o Time Keeper? Os elementos do sobrenatural eram completamente desnecessários.
Tenciono voltar a ler algo mais escrito por esta autora.
**********************************
I finished reading "Steaming" on January 24, 2012 and I give it a rating of four stars.
When I started reading the book, I did it by mistake: I was given to choose two stories of this author and I chose this one since I thought it was a YA paranormal romance. But as I read, I realized that the synopsis didn’t match the covers that I had been presented: they were exchanged, so I asked for the wrong title. However, this mistake proved to be something positive. It was good to read something different from the YA paranormal novels, which are my favorite genre. I like to vary from time to time to not get enough of what I read.
I liked the story overall. The plot is set in England many years ago, when steam was king and lord, and the narrative revolves around Cornelius Latimer, an inventor who is on the verge of a breakthrough. However, he makes the mistake of trusting the wrong people, namely a mysterious woman that makes his heart race. Soon he will find himself captive and seeking a way out. I confess that when Isadora entered the story, I thought that maybe Cornelius would fall in love with her now that he had been disappointed by Isadoras’ sister. Nevertheless, Bea quickly showed that the inventor's life would take another course.
I didn’t really like the beginning, it is too fast. There should be a little more information on Cornelius in the first page or his thoughts maybe. But the rest of the narrative pace is good. Another thing I didn’t like was the inclusion of ancient gods. The story has value in itself and the gods don’t bring anything new, nor any added value. Since they live in a place which is kind of a proscribed community, why not convert these characters in inventors who were hiding from the terrible crime patron, the Time Keeper? The elements of the supernatural were completely unnecessary.
I intend to read something else written by this author.
Quando comecei a ler o livro, fi-lo por engano: foram-me dadas a escolher duas estórias da autora e escolhi a que julgava ser um romance paranormal para jovens adultos. Porém, à medida que ia lendo, apercebi-me de que as sinopses não correspondiam às imagens das capas que me tinham sido apresentadas: foram trocadas, por isso pedi o título errado. No entanto, este equívoco revelou-se algo positivo. Foi bom ler algo diferente dos romances paranormais YA, que são o meu género favorito. Gosto de variar de vez em quando para não me fartar do que leio.
Gostei da estória no geral. O enredo está montado numa Inglaterra de há muitos anos atrás, quando o vapor era rei e senhor, e a narrativa gira em torno de Cornelius Latimer, um inventor que está à beira de uma grande descoberta. Porém, comete o erro de confiar nas pessoas erradas, nomeadamente numa mulher misteriosa que lhe deixa o coração a mil. Depressa se vai encontrar cativo e em busca de uma saída. Confesso que quando Isadora entrou na estória, julguei que talvez Cornelius se fosse apaixonar por ela agora que tinha sido decepcionado pela irmã desta, no entanto Bea depressa fez questão de mostrar que a vida do inventor iria tomar outro rumo.
Não gostei muito do início, é demasiado rápido. Devia haver talvez um pouco mais de informação sobre Cornelius na primeira página ou mais pensamentos dele. De resto, o ritmo da narrativa é bom. Outra coisa que não me agradou foi a inclusão de deuses antigos. A estória tem valor só por si e os deuses não lhe trazem nada de novo, nem nenhuma mais-valia. Dado que moram num sítio que é como uma comunidade proscrita, porque não converter estas personagens antes em inventores que ali se refugiaram para fugir ao terrível patrono do crime, o Time Keeper? Os elementos do sobrenatural eram completamente desnecessários.
Tenciono voltar a ler algo mais escrito por esta autora.
**********************************
I finished reading "Steaming" on January 24, 2012 and I give it a rating of four stars.
When I started reading the book, I did it by mistake: I was given to choose two stories of this author and I chose this one since I thought it was a YA paranormal romance. But as I read, I realized that the synopsis didn’t match the covers that I had been presented: they were exchanged, so I asked for the wrong title. However, this mistake proved to be something positive. It was good to read something different from the YA paranormal novels, which are my favorite genre. I like to vary from time to time to not get enough of what I read.
I liked the story overall. The plot is set in England many years ago, when steam was king and lord, and the narrative revolves around Cornelius Latimer, an inventor who is on the verge of a breakthrough. However, he makes the mistake of trusting the wrong people, namely a mysterious woman that makes his heart race. Soon he will find himself captive and seeking a way out. I confess that when Isadora entered the story, I thought that maybe Cornelius would fall in love with her now that he had been disappointed by Isadoras’ sister. Nevertheless, Bea quickly showed that the inventor's life would take another course.
I didn’t really like the beginning, it is too fast. There should be a little more information on Cornelius in the first page or his thoughts maybe. But the rest of the narrative pace is good. Another thing I didn’t like was the inclusion of ancient gods. The story has value in itself and the gods don’t bring anything new, nor any added value. Since they live in a place which is kind of a proscribed community, why not convert these characters in inventors who were hiding from the terrible crime patron, the Time Keeper? The elements of the supernatural were completely unnecessary.
I intend to read something else written by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2011
Steaming by Vanessa Barger is a fast-paced and entertaining story revolving around nineteen-year-old Cornelius Latimer, an inventor who was always more interested in fooling around with machines than girls. That is, until his eye is caught by the beautiful Temperance at a ball. But, there is more to Temperance than meets the eye and her secret will strain Cornelius’ friendship with his best friend, make him to come face-to-face with the Time Keeper and get him charged with treason. Will Cornelius be able to clear his name and get credit for the airship he invented?
Steaming was fun to read, and though I knew that it was a steampunk novel, I wasn’t expecting there to be elements of mythology. It was a nice surprise to have the Norse gods Odin and Tyr and the Greek goddess Athena as characters, especially since they were incorporated into the story fairly well.
Barger’s characters were also well-written. Cornelius was easy to relate to and I liked Bea, who later becomes his romantic interest. After fancying himself in love, Cornelius learns from his mistake and his relationship with Bea begins as friends. In addition, despite the story not featuring her much, I found Isadora intriguing and would love to know more about her relationship with her father and Bea as well as what she has been up to after helping Cornelius escape from the Time Keeper. The ending of Steaming suggests that there will be a sequel so I’m looking forward to having some of those questions answered while tagging along with Cornelius on his next adventure.
Steaming was fun to read, and though I knew that it was a steampunk novel, I wasn’t expecting there to be elements of mythology. It was a nice surprise to have the Norse gods Odin and Tyr and the Greek goddess Athena as characters, especially since they were incorporated into the story fairly well.
Barger’s characters were also well-written. Cornelius was easy to relate to and I liked Bea, who later becomes his romantic interest. After fancying himself in love, Cornelius learns from his mistake and his relationship with Bea begins as friends. In addition, despite the story not featuring her much, I found Isadora intriguing and would love to know more about her relationship with her father and Bea as well as what she has been up to after helping Cornelius escape from the Time Keeper. The ending of Steaming suggests that there will be a sequel so I’m looking forward to having some of those questions answered while tagging along with Cornelius on his next adventure.
June 15, 2014
Title: Steaming
Author: Vanessa Barger
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Publication Date: March 2011
ISBN: 9781936394920
Genre YA Steampunk
Length: 42,000 words
Heat Level: 1
Other: A few kisses
Reviewer: Suki
4.5 Stars
Steaming from Vanessa Barger was a surprising page turner. I say surprising because it took me a while to get through the first few pages, honestly there was a moment when I didn’t think I could read more, not because it wasn’t well written, it just wasn’t my style of writing. But once I got about a chapter in, WOW the adventure begins and NEVER EVER stopped until the very end. Cornelius is naïve, young, insecure and a bit of a loner. He prefers his gadgets and inventions to the people of London.
UNTIL…until that fateful night at the ball when a beauty catches his eyes and he is smitten. But as you can imagine, things don’t go as planned. The Time Keeper is the perfect steampunk villain and tBea is the perfect Steampunk heroine/co hero.
I was genuinely drawn into the characters and the plot. I enjoyed entering the world Ms Barger created and couldn’t be more pleased that I didn’t let my initial feeling stop me from reading what was a very enjoyable read. The steampunk aspect wasn’t over played in the story, many steampunk books forget that the plot must be there for the steampunk to work. This book set in nearly any time period would have worked, the story was that strong. The author left the door open for a sequel, one that I will buy on its release day.
Author: Vanessa Barger
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Publication Date: March 2011
ISBN: 9781936394920
Genre YA Steampunk
Length: 42,000 words
Heat Level: 1
Other: A few kisses
Reviewer: Suki
4.5 Stars
Steaming from Vanessa Barger was a surprising page turner. I say surprising because it took me a while to get through the first few pages, honestly there was a moment when I didn’t think I could read more, not because it wasn’t well written, it just wasn’t my style of writing. But once I got about a chapter in, WOW the adventure begins and NEVER EVER stopped until the very end. Cornelius is naïve, young, insecure and a bit of a loner. He prefers his gadgets and inventions to the people of London.
UNTIL…until that fateful night at the ball when a beauty catches his eyes and he is smitten. But as you can imagine, things don’t go as planned. The Time Keeper is the perfect steampunk villain and tBea is the perfect Steampunk heroine/co hero.
I was genuinely drawn into the characters and the plot. I enjoyed entering the world Ms Barger created and couldn’t be more pleased that I didn’t let my initial feeling stop me from reading what was a very enjoyable read. The steampunk aspect wasn’t over played in the story, many steampunk books forget that the plot must be there for the steampunk to work. This book set in nearly any time period would have worked, the story was that strong. The author left the door open for a sequel, one that I will buy on its release day.
March 16, 2012
I love reading new things and this novel was definitely that, different. Cornelius is a young man who spends most of his time locked in his mind. Girls and frivolous past times are lost on him as he prefers the company of cold steel and blueprints. That is until his eye is caught by the lovely Temperance. She was a vision and positively stole his breathe, unfortunately for him she had that effect on everyone. What could a tinker possibly offer such a beauty? His best friend was more up for this game than he, but he couldn't resist her. Perhaps he could impress her with his lab?
Which is exactly what Temperance wants to be!! The plot thickens and unfolds as Cornelius attempts to court this young woman. He finds himself on the wrong end of a blackmail and unsuccessfully attempts to rectify the situation. His saving grace ends up being no other than a servant and Temperance's sister!! The twists and turns in the plot are fascinating and seem to widen off into a much bigger picture than at first glance.'
This book brings to light two important themes: Things are not always what they seem and if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!! I really enjoyed the book. I loved the random mythological beings that were thrown into the mix. It was refreshing read that was filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance. I really enjoyed this book!!
Which is exactly what Temperance wants to be!! The plot thickens and unfolds as Cornelius attempts to court this young woman. He finds himself on the wrong end of a blackmail and unsuccessfully attempts to rectify the situation. His saving grace ends up being no other than a servant and Temperance's sister!! The twists and turns in the plot are fascinating and seem to widen off into a much bigger picture than at first glance.'
This book brings to light two important themes: Things are not always what they seem and if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!! I really enjoyed the book. I loved the random mythological beings that were thrown into the mix. It was refreshing read that was filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance. I really enjoyed this book!!
June 27, 2012
Although the overall end was good and created a captivating story I was very confused in the beginning. This book tells a different story one I normally would rant about and praise however the writing seemed sloppy and uncordinated. There were many loose ends and jumps which the author seemed that the reader would just "know". It indicates that you have to get a sequel to fully understand what happend to Cornelius and that makes me wonder if the author intended to write a book to entertain or to become popular as the new hit series.
Nice idea not well executed.
Nice idea not well executed.
February 26, 2011
Read it and loved Cornelius!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews