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Stormy Gale #2
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale
London, 1841
There I was, retired from time pirating, enjoying a full if somewhat conventional life as a wife and mother. Then a chance encounter with a stranger drew me back into a world I'd thought I'd left, quite literally, in the past. From his odd behavior and even odder answers to my questions, I knew Phineas Grubb was up to something. I should have trusted my instincts--before he pulled out a time-travel mechanism and dragged my brother, Bacon, back with him...
Salem, 1698
The infamous Witch Trials may have ended a few years earlier, but the people of Salem are still pretty touchy about outsiders that appear in town as if by magic. Thanks to Grubb, my brother's been accused of witchcraft and thrown in jail. Now it's up to me and my husband, Dev, to save Bacon's bacon before the hysteria starts up again, and the course of history is altered forever...
Sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale.
48,000 words
There I was, retired from time pirating, enjoying a full if somewhat conventional life as a wife and mother. Then a chance encounter with a stranger drew me back into a world I'd thought I'd left, quite literally, in the past. From his odd behavior and even odder answers to my questions, I knew Phineas Grubb was up to something. I should have trusted my instincts--before he pulled out a time-travel mechanism and dragged my brother, Bacon, back with him...
Salem, 1698
The infamous Witch Trials may have ended a few years earlier, but the people of Salem are still pretty touchy about outsiders that appear in town as if by magic. Thanks to Grubb, my brother's been accused of witchcraft and thrown in jail. Now it's up to me and my husband, Dev, to save Bacon's bacon before the hysteria starts up again, and the course of history is altered forever...
Sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale.
48,000 words
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Christine Bell
53 books1,277 followersChristine Bell is a romance author and also writes erotic romance as Chloe Cole. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory. She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing steamy romance stories, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with a rusty spoon. Christine loves to hear from readers, so please contact her through her website, www.christine-bell.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 27, 2012
I really enjoyed this follow-up to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale. It has the same witty, dry writing that I loved, the same fascinating adventure plot and same twist on time-travel, mixed up with a health dose of history, albeit slightly reinterpreted Stormy-style.
One of the things I loved about The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale was the writing perspective, a contemporary American woman in the Victorian era, and this book continues that with hilarious references to missing the opportunity to google stuff back in Ye Olde Times, and Mission: Impossible theme tunes. It is completely unique - I've not read anything like it before, and really works for me.
I also love the main characters. Stormy, her husband and brother, are all strong enough to carry their own stories, but combined together it just makes for a really well-rounded cast.
The plot took me a little bit longer to get into this time, but once in, I was completely hooked, and although this book was over far, far too soon for me, it really felt like full length story, but, interestingly, without that horrible rushed feeling you sometimes get with an action-packed novella.
Anyway, really enjoyed it. 4 stars, and can't wait for the next one.
Just a note: you really do need to read The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale before you attempt this one. Half of it probably won't make any sense whatsoever if you go in "cold" and you'll miss so much it would be criminal.
One of the things I loved about The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale was the writing perspective, a contemporary American woman in the Victorian era, and this book continues that with hilarious references to missing the opportunity to google stuff back in Ye Olde Times, and Mission: Impossible theme tunes. It is completely unique - I've not read anything like it before, and really works for me.
I also love the main characters. Stormy, her husband and brother, are all strong enough to carry their own stories, but combined together it just makes for a really well-rounded cast.
The plot took me a little bit longer to get into this time, but once in, I was completely hooked, and although this book was over far, far too soon for me, it really felt like full length story, but, interestingly, without that horrible rushed feeling you sometimes get with an action-packed novella.
Anyway, really enjoyed it. 4 stars, and can't wait for the next one.
Just a note: you really do need to read The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale before you attempt this one. Half of it probably won't make any sense whatsoever if you go in "cold" and you'll miss so much it would be criminal.
April 23, 2012
I was so happy when I received an arc for reviewing this one. I loved the first in the series, Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale.
Here’s my spin on this one:
London, 1841
Retired from time pirating, Stormy is enjoying a full if somewhat conventional life as a wife and mother until a chance encounter with a stranger, Phineas Grubb, pulls her back into a world she’d thought she’d never visit again. But visit she must because this scheming interloper has his own time-travel mechanism and uses it to drag her brother, Bacon, back with him... Their destination? Salem, 1698
Sure, the Witch Trials may be over, but the people of Salem are still kind of jumpy about newcomers who literally pop into their town. So, it’s little wonder Stormy’s brother is accused of witchcraft and thrown in jail. Now she and her gorgeous husband Dev, have to virtually save Bacon's bacon before the trial is set, and the course of history is altered forever...
As with her previous work, Ms. Bell, has a cast of characters that leap off the page. The banter between Stormy and Dev had me grinning like a fool and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The vivid pictures Bell manages to create with words, affords the reader the opportunity to sink into the story and get-up close with her characters to join them on their journey. I had a great ride with this read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a fast paced, fun and well written romance with just enough plot twists to keep you totally entertained. From cover-to-cover I loved it!
Here’s my spin on this one:
London, 1841
Retired from time pirating, Stormy is enjoying a full if somewhat conventional life as a wife and mother until a chance encounter with a stranger, Phineas Grubb, pulls her back into a world she’d thought she’d never visit again. But visit she must because this scheming interloper has his own time-travel mechanism and uses it to drag her brother, Bacon, back with him... Their destination? Salem, 1698
Sure, the Witch Trials may be over, but the people of Salem are still kind of jumpy about newcomers who literally pop into their town. So, it’s little wonder Stormy’s brother is accused of witchcraft and thrown in jail. Now she and her gorgeous husband Dev, have to virtually save Bacon's bacon before the trial is set, and the course of history is altered forever...
As with her previous work, Ms. Bell, has a cast of characters that leap off the page. The banter between Stormy and Dev had me grinning like a fool and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The vivid pictures Bell manages to create with words, affords the reader the opportunity to sink into the story and get-up close with her characters to join them on their journey. I had a great ride with this read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a fast paced, fun and well written romance with just enough plot twists to keep you totally entertained. From cover-to-cover I loved it!
May 10, 2012
Stormy thinks there is something fishy about the strange man buying thermometers, and the fact that she thinks he's a time traveler and decides to start stalking him, is going to land her brother, Bacon - yes, Bacon - in a whole lot of trouble.
I enjoyed The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale despite the fact that I was expecting steampunk and got a time travel story instead. I didn't realize coming into the story that this is book 2, which apparently had stronger steampunk elements to go with the timetravel, but even though I was new to Bell's series, I didn't have an issue coming up to speed with the characters and the world-building – although I do suspect that might have enjoyed the story more if I'd already been invested in the Stormy and crew.
Still, I liked the story and the way that Stormy and her hubby manage to pull Bacon's bacon out the fire was especially fun and now, all of the references to events in the first book has made me curious, so I may just need to hunt down a copy of book one, The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale.
ARC Carina Press via NetGalley - release date 5/28
I enjoyed The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale despite the fact that I was expecting steampunk and got a time travel story instead. I didn't realize coming into the story that this is book 2, which apparently had stronger steampunk elements to go with the timetravel, but even though I was new to Bell's series, I didn't have an issue coming up to speed with the characters and the world-building – although I do suspect that might have enjoyed the story more if I'd already been invested in the Stormy and crew.
Still, I liked the story and the way that Stormy and her hubby manage to pull Bacon's bacon out the fire was especially fun and now, all of the references to events in the first book has made me curious, so I may just need to hunt down a copy of book one, The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale.
ARC Carina Press via NetGalley - release date 5/28
January 8, 2024
This was good. I liked the first one a bit more. This had a few nice twists and turns at the end though.
May 6, 2012
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell is the second story set in the same world and with the same protagonists. I read it without reading the first novella,
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale
, also from Carina Press, and I didn't feel this novel/novella (it's right on the cusp) suffered for it. I suspect it contained many spoilers for the first story, and I can guess the general plot of the first story, but at no point did I feel lost or confused for not having read it.
That said, it's possible this review might contain spoilers for The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale simply because I'm not entirely sure which bits might be spoilery. You've been warned.
Stormy, as she is affectionately known, is apparently a time pirate. I say apparently because nothing particularly piratical takes place in BToSG (sorry, it's too long to keep typing out), but it's part of her back story. She was born in 19th century London, spent her childhood poor and on the streets until she was taken in by a time-traveller who took her and her adopted brother to the 21st century at age 14ish. Now living in the 19th century and married to the Duke of Leister, I found Stormy a little too blasé about her acquired wealth. I was willing to believe that hanging out in the 21st century modern mannerisms might have rubbed off on her, but I was unwilling to believe that after a childhood of poverty she could so casually mention her toddler daughter intentionally destroying a dress without being angry for her ungratefulness. (Especially since Stormy isn't a bad person.) It was a really minor, throw-away line but it bothered me for the lack of authenticity.
The story revolves around Stormy identifying a suspicious time traveller, having her husband and brother help her follow him around and then a rescue adventure after her brother accidentally gets himself transported in time with aforementioned shifty time traveller. They end up in Salem a couple of years after the witch trials where her brother appearing out of time gets him arrested for witchcraft. Of course.
It was a fun read. Not the kind of story to be taken too seriously because then you start noticing the people in the past sounding a little bit too much like modern Americans. There was a surprising twist near the end which livened it up after I thought the tying up of loose ends would be predictable. Stormy started out as brash and amusing but later on became a bit less of the strong heroine I was expecting. From what we learnt/were told about her, I expected more saving of the day on her part.
I've tagged it as romance, because it's marketed thus, but the pairing isn't the main character (since Stormy is already married). This didn't bother me at all, but I thought maybe I should warn romance readers who might be expecting more.
Overall, I might pick up the first story and/or the sequel (when it becomes available at some unknown point in the future). I recommend it to anyone interested in a light time-travel story, with some light steampunk overtones and a bit of romance thrown in.
I received an advanced review copy of The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale courtesy of Carina Press. It will be released on the 28th May and will be purchasable from this link.
3.5 / 5 stars
June 12, 2012
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell is the sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale. In this novel we return to the lives of time pirates Dorothy Gale, or Stormy, and her brother Bacon Frogs. Stormy has settled into an almost conventional life as wife to Dev and mother to Molly in London 1841. But one morning she spots a man, Phineas Grubb, acting strange and is sure that he must be a fellow time traveler. In her efforts to prove herself right Bacon is accidentally whisked away into time with Grubb. Unfortunately, the two land in Salem Massachusetts in 1698, just in time to start a second round of witch trials. Stormy and Dev need to follow the trail and rescue Bacon. However, proving his innocence will be hard and skipping out before the trial would only put more lives at risk. Their lives, and the fabric of time, all depend on everything going according to plan. But, since when did anything go according to Stormy's plan?
Now, I need to start with admitting that I missed reading The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale, and started The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale with no back story. Because of this, it took me awhile to get into the story and understand just who everyone was and how they came to be where they were. There was enough hints at the back story to catch me up, but it took a little while. Once I really got into the story I enjoyed it. Stormy did bother me on occasion, for instance if she grew up on the streets why is she so cavalier about spending money and losing or ruining things and if she is a mother how can she still behave like a teenager running around pulling pranks? As a mom I am rarely awake alone, particularly in the early morning, never mind awake and free to run around town in disguise. I did like that she was a modern and intelligent woman in Victorian London, even if she had some serious emotional and common sense related issues.
The major plot of this book is saving Bacon's bacon (ha!). Dealing with Story's emotional issues goes along with the plot, and there are some major twists at the end that made up for the slow start I had with The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale. However, there were some moments when I was unhappy with the amount of trust given, and the speed with which it was given. It seemed like things just fell into place a little too easily at the end in order to wrap up the book and set up a sequel. However, that feeling could just come from my reading too many mysteries and other novels where those decisions rarely end well.
I recommend The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale to readers that enjoyed The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale or the other works of Christine Bell. I think that readers, like myself, that skip the first story are missing something important, however this book is still good on its own.This was a good, interesting read with quirky characters. Readers expecting romance will be a little disappointed, because there is not much of it here. Stormy and Dev do show their chemistry and work through some things, but that is not the focus of the story. I suspect the first book, and perhaps the next, have much more romance than this installment.
Now, I need to start with admitting that I missed reading The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale, and started The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale with no back story. Because of this, it took me awhile to get into the story and understand just who everyone was and how they came to be where they were. There was enough hints at the back story to catch me up, but it took a little while. Once I really got into the story I enjoyed it. Stormy did bother me on occasion, for instance if she grew up on the streets why is she so cavalier about spending money and losing or ruining things and if she is a mother how can she still behave like a teenager running around pulling pranks? As a mom I am rarely awake alone, particularly in the early morning, never mind awake and free to run around town in disguise. I did like that she was a modern and intelligent woman in Victorian London, even if she had some serious emotional and common sense related issues.
The major plot of this book is saving Bacon's bacon (ha!). Dealing with Story's emotional issues goes along with the plot, and there are some major twists at the end that made up for the slow start I had with The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale. However, there were some moments when I was unhappy with the amount of trust given, and the speed with which it was given. It seemed like things just fell into place a little too easily at the end in order to wrap up the book and set up a sequel. However, that feeling could just come from my reading too many mysteries and other novels where those decisions rarely end well.
I recommend The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale to readers that enjoyed The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale or the other works of Christine Bell. I think that readers, like myself, that skip the first story are missing something important, however this book is still good on its own.This was a good, interesting read with quirky characters. Readers expecting romance will be a little disappointed, because there is not much of it here. Stormy and Dev do show their chemistry and work through some things, but that is not the focus of the story. I suspect the first book, and perhaps the next, have much more romance than this installment.
April 13, 2012
*Genre* Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Review*
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale takes place 5 years after the end of The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale. It is now 1841, and Dorothy "Stormy" Gale is now a happily married woman known as the Duchess of Leister. She has all but retired from being a time pirate. She still pines for things like a good Google search and the comforts of the 21st century she left behind.
Her husband is Devlin aka Loony Duke of Leister. He continues to come up with different inventions including mechanical frogs, snakes and birds. Dev and Stormy also has a precocious daughter named Molly who is coming upon her 4th birthday and is a terror on two legs. Her adopted brother Bacon Frog is still by her side and trying to find his own happiness in love but failing miserably.
The story itself really starts when Stormy stumbles upon an unusual man asking for thermometers. Stormy knows from experience that thermometers contain mercury which is needed to use the Time Travel Mechanism (TTM). Stormy really hasn't put her past exploits behind her. She still believes that there are time travelers making trouble across the landscape and wants to catch them red handed.
Upon confronting Dr. Phineas Grubb, Bacon is transported back in time to 1698 Salem, Massachusetts. It has been several years since the end of the witch trials, but when two men suddenly appear out of nowhere, it is Bacon who is accused of witchcraft by Grubb, and it's up to Stormy and Devlin to come to his rescue.
You could call this a novella length novel since it's only 40,000 words long. Yet, it's an adventure that one can't help asking for yet another novel about Stormy, and the fact that she now has unfinished business in the future to take care of.
We are also left with questions about Stormy's own heritage after obvious revelations come to bear about her mother who she hasn't seen in nearly 20 years.
Overall, I enjoyed this probably better than the first one because it was longer in length and actually took more time explaining what was happening and why.
*ARC recvd from Carina Press via NetGalley on 04/19/2012** Releases May 28, 2012
*Rating* 3.5
*Review*
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale takes place 5 years after the end of The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale. It is now 1841, and Dorothy "Stormy" Gale is now a happily married woman known as the Duchess of Leister. She has all but retired from being a time pirate. She still pines for things like a good Google search and the comforts of the 21st century she left behind.
Her husband is Devlin aka Loony Duke of Leister. He continues to come up with different inventions including mechanical frogs, snakes and birds. Dev and Stormy also has a precocious daughter named Molly who is coming upon her 4th birthday and is a terror on two legs. Her adopted brother Bacon Frog is still by her side and trying to find his own happiness in love but failing miserably.
The story itself really starts when Stormy stumbles upon an unusual man asking for thermometers. Stormy knows from experience that thermometers contain mercury which is needed to use the Time Travel Mechanism (TTM). Stormy really hasn't put her past exploits behind her. She still believes that there are time travelers making trouble across the landscape and wants to catch them red handed.
Upon confronting Dr. Phineas Grubb, Bacon is transported back in time to 1698 Salem, Massachusetts. It has been several years since the end of the witch trials, but when two men suddenly appear out of nowhere, it is Bacon who is accused of witchcraft by Grubb, and it's up to Stormy and Devlin to come to his rescue.
You could call this a novella length novel since it's only 40,000 words long. Yet, it's an adventure that one can't help asking for yet another novel about Stormy, and the fact that she now has unfinished business in the future to take care of.
We are also left with questions about Stormy's own heritage after obvious revelations come to bear about her mother who she hasn't seen in nearly 20 years.
Overall, I enjoyed this probably better than the first one because it was longer in length and actually took more time explaining what was happening and why.
*ARC recvd from Carina Press via NetGalley on 04/19/2012** Releases May 28, 2012
July 26, 2012
Missed the romantic element, loved being back in this world!
One of my favorite reads last year was Christine Bell's THE TWISTED TALE OF STORMY GALE. In one short story she managed to create a luminous, exciting world of steampunk-ish time travel that was romantic and fun. The only part I disliked was that it had to end. Thank goodness she wrote a sequel!
Stormy's back, trying to be a respectable wife and mother, as much as her rather unconventional life can allow. But when she can't leave well enough alone she winds up stirring up a hornet's nest of time traveling trouble when her brother finds himself kidnapped by another time pirate. Following Bacon and his kidnapper lands Stormy and Dev smack dab in the middle of post-Witch Trials Salem. Can she and her beloved save her brother from a witch's fate?
Yep, she went there and it's just as funny as you can imagine. Stormy is just one of those characters that I can't imagine anyone not enjoying and getting to see she and Dev working together to rescue her brother was a treat. The villainous Grubb will have you rooting for his outwitting and newly introduced characters will expand the world even further. THE BEWITCHING TALE OF STORMY GALE manages to be a great follow-up and shouldn't be missed by folks who enjoyed the first.
It's hard not to spoil anything but it was a fast and fun read, had some unexpected turns, and ended in such a way I'm going to be really frustrated if there isn't another Stormy Gale adventure being written. I don't recommend it as a stand-alone so be sure you get them in the right order! This one is definitely not a romance in formula but I think fans who enjoyed the chemistry between Dev and Stormy will love seeing more of them together as husband and wife.
***ARC received via NetGalley.
One of my favorite reads last year was Christine Bell's THE TWISTED TALE OF STORMY GALE. In one short story she managed to create a luminous, exciting world of steampunk-ish time travel that was romantic and fun. The only part I disliked was that it had to end. Thank goodness she wrote a sequel!
Stormy's back, trying to be a respectable wife and mother, as much as her rather unconventional life can allow. But when she can't leave well enough alone she winds up stirring up a hornet's nest of time traveling trouble when her brother finds himself kidnapped by another time pirate. Following Bacon and his kidnapper lands Stormy and Dev smack dab in the middle of post-Witch Trials Salem. Can she and her beloved save her brother from a witch's fate?
Yep, she went there and it's just as funny as you can imagine. Stormy is just one of those characters that I can't imagine anyone not enjoying and getting to see she and Dev working together to rescue her brother was a treat. The villainous Grubb will have you rooting for his outwitting and newly introduced characters will expand the world even further. THE BEWITCHING TALE OF STORMY GALE manages to be a great follow-up and shouldn't be missed by folks who enjoyed the first.
It's hard not to spoil anything but it was a fast and fun read, had some unexpected turns, and ended in such a way I'm going to be really frustrated if there isn't another Stormy Gale adventure being written. I don't recommend it as a stand-alone so be sure you get them in the right order! This one is definitely not a romance in formula but I think fans who enjoyed the chemistry between Dev and Stormy will love seeing more of them together as husband and wife.
***ARC received via NetGalley.
April 16, 2012
So, last year I downloaded this really short ebook The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale when it was available for free on the publisher's website. It sounded interesting, and well, it was free. It was the tale of a time pirate named Stormy and her brother Bacon. Stormy was born in 1810, but was brought to the 21st century (along with Bacon) by a man named Gilly.
I won't say anymore, in case you want to check it out, which I do recommend, as you'll have some background for The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale. Now, the main problem I had with Twisted Tale was that it was way too short. I liked the concept, though, and was surprised to see there was a sequel, which was longer!
In The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale, it's 1840 and Stormy is retired from time traveling, but comes across a mysterious man who is up to something funny, so she decides to have him tailed. This leads to Bacon being pulled back to 1698 Salem, Massachusetts, where he is accused of being a witch.
Because Stormy and Bacon grew up in the 21st century, there is a lot of modern talk, which I love. It's a weird combination: a sorta-historical book with modern characters, but in this case, it's ok. Stormy is quite sarcastic and a very kick butt kind of woman which makes for a great heroine. She had me laughing out loud several times.
A satisfying read, and I can't wait to read the next book!
I won't say anymore, in case you want to check it out, which I do recommend, as you'll have some background for The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale. Now, the main problem I had with Twisted Tale was that it was way too short. I liked the concept, though, and was surprised to see there was a sequel, which was longer!
In The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale, it's 1840 and Stormy is retired from time traveling, but comes across a mysterious man who is up to something funny, so she decides to have him tailed. This leads to Bacon being pulled back to 1698 Salem, Massachusetts, where he is accused of being a witch.
Because Stormy and Bacon grew up in the 21st century, there is a lot of modern talk, which I love. It's a weird combination: a sorta-historical book with modern characters, but in this case, it's ok. Stormy is quite sarcastic and a very kick butt kind of woman which makes for a great heroine. She had me laughing out loud several times.
A satisfying read, and I can't wait to read the next book!
March 16, 2014
This novella is the sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale which I also reviewed.
Although you could probably read these out of order without getting too lost, I highly recommend you begin with the first. There, we meet all the major characters and we get to fall in love with Dev, who becomes Stormy's husband. The first story is definitely in my opinion a romance, the second I can't quite label as such. Dev and Stormy are already married with a precocious daughter in this book, but I was pleased to visit this world and these wonderful characters again.
Ms. Bell's writing style is riveting. From the very beginning, I'm pulled into Stormy's viewpoint where she takes me on an adventurous ride through time. With this journey she chases a suspicious time traveler back to Salem, Massachusetts, where the infamous witch trials are fresh in the memories of the residents. There she must save her brother who has been arrested as a witch, an event that threatens to ignite another mass hysteria of witch hunts. Stormy and Dev need to save Bacon and stop the rogue time traveler from messing up the events of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story just as much as the first. As of this moment, I don't see any more books published in this series, but I certainly hope that changes sometime in the future. I'd love to read more of Stormy's time-traveling adventures and snarky dialogue.
Although you could probably read these out of order without getting too lost, I highly recommend you begin with the first. There, we meet all the major characters and we get to fall in love with Dev, who becomes Stormy's husband. The first story is definitely in my opinion a romance, the second I can't quite label as such. Dev and Stormy are already married with a precocious daughter in this book, but I was pleased to visit this world and these wonderful characters again.
Ms. Bell's writing style is riveting. From the very beginning, I'm pulled into Stormy's viewpoint where she takes me on an adventurous ride through time. With this journey she chases a suspicious time traveler back to Salem, Massachusetts, where the infamous witch trials are fresh in the memories of the residents. There she must save her brother who has been arrested as a witch, an event that threatens to ignite another mass hysteria of witch hunts. Stormy and Dev need to save Bacon and stop the rogue time traveler from messing up the events of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story just as much as the first. As of this moment, I don't see any more books published in this series, but I certainly hope that changes sometime in the future. I'd love to read more of Stormy's time-traveling adventures and snarky dialogue.
May 5, 2012
I should know better than to read the second (or third, or...) in a series without reading the first and this book definitely shows me why. In my defense, nowhere on the ARC I received from Netgalley did it say this was the second in a series.
Things I liked: The writing is dry, quirky, witty, fun. There is a good deal of adventure, twists on time-travel, and Stormy. I loved that she was a "modern" woman but based in Victorian England. There are modern references to Google and other things that belong to our time and definitely not in the past, yet there she is.
Things I didn't like: I was completely and totally confused by the book. I had no clue where I was or what was happening. It wasn't until I was pretty far into the story that things began to make sense. At first, Stormy's character didn't resonate with me. There she was, a wife of a Peer and mother of a 4-yr-old, but acting like a wayward teenager pulling pranks. I eventually understood (again, that whole read the first one first), but I was really lost in the beginning.
The plot took me some time to get into, but once in, I was completely hooked and I did enjoy it.
Recommendations: This is a good book with quirky characters and an interesting plot, but you really really need to read the first book in the series to understand what is happening in this one.
Things I liked: The writing is dry, quirky, witty, fun. There is a good deal of adventure, twists on time-travel, and Stormy. I loved that she was a "modern" woman but based in Victorian England. There are modern references to Google and other things that belong to our time and definitely not in the past, yet there she is.
Things I didn't like: I was completely and totally confused by the book. I had no clue where I was or what was happening. It wasn't until I was pretty far into the story that things began to make sense. At first, Stormy's character didn't resonate with me. There she was, a wife of a Peer and mother of a 4-yr-old, but acting like a wayward teenager pulling pranks. I eventually understood (again, that whole read the first one first), but I was really lost in the beginning.
The plot took me some time to get into, but once in, I was completely hooked and I did enjoy it.
Recommendations: This is a good book with quirky characters and an interesting plot, but you really really need to read the first book in the series to understand what is happening in this one.
April 29, 2012
This is a novella length story.
World Building: Christine Bell did a great job developing the world in the first Stormy Gale. That allowed her to move ahead with this story with only some hints scattered when needed.
Characters: Stormy, Dev and Bacon have all grown and changed since the last story. Each is more fully developed. There are several interesting new characters introduced. I do love how the villain was disposed of.
Plot: Time travel in interesting and it is used throughout the story. Stormy still is a go for it person and her personality drives much of the plot. Although the witch trials are over in Salem the aftermath is also central to the plot. Everything moves along with plenty of twists and turns.
Tension; Plenty of that in the story. Time travel restricts some action. There is plot tension and some tension caused by the personalities of the main characters.
Writing: The story moves at a good pace and there is plenty of action and dialog. Everything is paced to hold the readers attention.
It was fun to see Stormy and Dev again. Seeing how they had changed and stayed the same was interesting. This is another good story to pick up when you want something you can finish in a short time.
World Building: Christine Bell did a great job developing the world in the first Stormy Gale. That allowed her to move ahead with this story with only some hints scattered when needed.
Characters: Stormy, Dev and Bacon have all grown and changed since the last story. Each is more fully developed. There are several interesting new characters introduced. I do love how the villain was disposed of.
Plot: Time travel in interesting and it is used throughout the story. Stormy still is a go for it person and her personality drives much of the plot. Although the witch trials are over in Salem the aftermath is also central to the plot. Everything moves along with plenty of twists and turns.
Tension; Plenty of that in the story. Time travel restricts some action. There is plot tension and some tension caused by the personalities of the main characters.
Writing: The story moves at a good pace and there is plenty of action and dialog. Everything is paced to hold the readers attention.
It was fun to see Stormy and Dev again. Seeing how they had changed and stayed the same was interesting. This is another good story to pick up when you want something you can finish in a short time.
May 3, 2012
This is the sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale, the adventure of a former Victorian street urchin turned time pirate who is adopted by an inventor and grows up in the 1990s with a brother named Bacon Frogs.
In this new adventure, Stormy is on the tail of a suspicious man seeking mercury in 1841 London, and ends up in the middle of a Salem witch hunt. A little bit Doctor Who, a little bit Mission Impossible (cue the theme music: dun dun da-da…), not too obnoxious on the steampunk, written as a first person narrative — which I found a hoot, but YMMV.
I love time travel stories. I also love really quirky and/or irreverent novels. So, Christine Bell’s tales are a perfect storm for my reading pleasure. One rather frisky sex scene between Stormy and her husband, Dev the Loony Duke of Leister, is the only thing keeping me from sharing this with my almost 12-year-old daughter, who would deeply appreciate the heroine’s bold as brass personality and contemporary sense of humor. Living in Victorian London, Stormy laments, “God, I missed Google.” I would, too, Stormy, I would, too.
In this new adventure, Stormy is on the tail of a suspicious man seeking mercury in 1841 London, and ends up in the middle of a Salem witch hunt. A little bit Doctor Who, a little bit Mission Impossible (cue the theme music: dun dun da-da…), not too obnoxious on the steampunk, written as a first person narrative — which I found a hoot, but YMMV.
I love time travel stories. I also love really quirky and/or irreverent novels. So, Christine Bell’s tales are a perfect storm for my reading pleasure. One rather frisky sex scene between Stormy and her husband, Dev the Loony Duke of Leister, is the only thing keeping me from sharing this with my almost 12-year-old daughter, who would deeply appreciate the heroine’s bold as brass personality and contemporary sense of humor. Living in Victorian London, Stormy laments, “God, I missed Google.” I would, too, Stormy, I would, too.
June 3, 2012
This is the second book in the Stormy Gale series, the first being The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale which I reviewed last year. I find that this is one of the rare occasions that I enjoyed the first book in the series better than the second.
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale still has the same wonderfully witty tones that the first book did. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Stormy and Dev, her husband, has developed.
Then they ended up in 1698, in Salem. The time travel to the past put a large damper on the steampunk aspect of the story, as obviously there was little to no machinery in that age. I thought it could be interesting seeing Stormy, Dev, and Bacon interacting with the major players in the Witch Trials, but there was little of that.
In all, it was really great reading about Stormy and her family again. They're great characters and fun spending time with. I just wish the plot had been stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for allowing me to read the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale still has the same wonderfully witty tones that the first book did. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Stormy and Dev, her husband, has developed.
Then they ended up in 1698, in Salem. The time travel to the past put a large damper on the steampunk aspect of the story, as obviously there was little to no machinery in that age. I thought it could be interesting seeing Stormy, Dev, and Bacon interacting with the major players in the Witch Trials, but there was little of that.
In all, it was really great reading about Stormy and her family again. They're great characters and fun spending time with. I just wish the plot had been stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for allowing me to read the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 17, 2012
Having enjoyed the first book in the series, I was keen to see how Stormy Gale's story would progress. Unfortunately, this instalment didn't captivate me as much as the first had.
I got into the first book quickly, entranced by the characters and the world-building. But this story took a while to get going and I was a little bored for the opening pages. But then things picked up and the story moved at a better pace. From then on there was nothing wrong with the story per se; it just didn't grab and hold my attention as well as the first book.
Stormy is still a great character and I did enjoy her very believable banter/arguments with Dev, but overall the piece fell a little flat.
It hasn't put me off the series and I would still read any future releases, but this second instalment had just lost a little of the magic from the first book in my opinion.
I received this book as a free e-book ARC via NetGalley.
I got into the first book quickly, entranced by the characters and the world-building. But this story took a while to get going and I was a little bored for the opening pages. But then things picked up and the story moved at a better pace. From then on there was nothing wrong with the story per se; it just didn't grab and hold my attention as well as the first book.
Stormy is still a great character and I did enjoy her very believable banter/arguments with Dev, but overall the piece fell a little flat.
It hasn't put me off the series and I would still read any future releases, but this second instalment had just lost a little of the magic from the first book in my opinion.
I received this book as a free e-book ARC via NetGalley.
May 23, 2012
This story was a little difficult to get into because from the beginning it was obvious that I was missing something. Bewitching is the second book in the Stormy Gale series and although the author does give us some background on the characters, I still think I would have benefitted from reading book one before reading this one. Stormy is a great character. She’s head strong and definitely more of a 21st century woman which makes it difficult for her to fit in both 1841 London and 1698 Salem, MA. Unfortunately, I never really found myself connecting with any of the characters even though I liked them. A couple of times I almost stopped reading, but I soldiered on and ultimately I found the book enjoyable enough. I don’t know if I’d read any more in the series, but I liked Christine Bell’s take on the Salem witch trials and the aftermath of those trials.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press.
August 21, 2013
4 stars, all the way. Another fun short excursion, but this time with some crunchy personal growth to break up the smooth chocolate Stormy goodness.
And now I want a candy bar.
Check out the full review here
And now I want a candy bar.
Check out the full review here
May 29, 2012
3.5 stars. More of an adventure than a romance like the first book, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I loved the humorous way Bell gave Stormy a 21st-century voice, with all the necessary snark, which helped her cope with being thrown back into the time of the Salem witch hunts. Nice potential too for more time travels hunting for Grubb's cohorts.
May 30, 2012
2nd in series. Another enjoyable steampunk novella. Stormy Gale is a great character and the story zipped along. This time Stormy and her husband time travel back to Salem in the 1600s to save her brother, Bacon Frogs.
Wasn't quite sure about the twist at the end.
Wasn't quite sure about the twist at the end.
March 17, 2013
I loved this sequel to The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale. My favourite time pirate, her husband Lord Leister and brother Bacon are back in this tale set in witch paranoid Salem!
Loved the story's fast pace and yet the character development didn't suffer. A satisfying romantic adventure read.
Loved the story's fast pace and yet the character development didn't suffer. A satisfying romantic adventure read.
Read
April 19, 2012DNF
June 8, 2012
I like this story much more than the first. A quick read, perfect for a weekend.
Proper review to come.
Proper review to come.
June 13, 2012
3 ½ Stars
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