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The Lumière Chronicles #1
Clockwork Blue
Mission... Impossible: The pixies' mission—if Allegro and Glissando are to accept it—is to secure the future of a troubled England. To achieve this, the Earl of Falconwood, better known as the Black Falcon, must marry Nicola Moore. Never mind the woman is a hoyden who makes the most atrocious hats decorated with machine parts, which she then dyes with her famous Clockwork Blue. And certainly forget the earl is atoning for his brother's death by purposely hovering on the fringes of the ton. Add to the mix Glissando's tendency to slip to the side of the Mrasek, the ones who work to free the evil Lord Sethos. But Maestro depends on the pixies—for better or for worse. To release the magic trapped in the Clockwork Blue dye—a magic that will safeguard England's future—Malcolm and Nicola must not only wed, but they must also fall in love.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2012
7 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Harchar
9 books25 followersI write steampunk fantasy romances. You ask what in the world is steampunk? Per the Urban Dictionary, steampunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate historical setting. In other words, it’s what the past would look like if the future had happened sooner. Steampunk includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes. Add steam era technology to make highly complicated, advanced machines, and you have a steampunk novel.
Still confused? Think movies like Wild, Wild West, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Van Helsing, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hell Boy, Sleepy Hollow, Young Sherlock Holmes, Stardust, City of Ember, and Time After Time. If you’re into anime, you’re probably familiar with Howl’s Moving Castle, Full-Metal Alchemist, and Steamboy, all are representative of steampunk.
To flavor the feeling of a steampunk setting, I like to involve the proper speech of the British in an alternate Victorian era. Victorian times included the Enlightenment Period, where the Crown encouraged inventions and forward-thinking. So much was discovered. Some of the discoveries were not recognized and fell to the wayside in favor of others, which were developed and enhanced. What if the dirigible had been favored over the airplane? What would the world have been like? What developments could have been done to a dirigible that were neglected in favor of the development and advancements of the aerodynamic airplane? What about cars? What if gasoline was never used, but instead other forms of energy was employed? Lighter fuel to make steam. I have fun calling cars by names I invented—such as the steamcoup or the steamphaeton—a spinoff of the tall carriages driven in the Regency era. In The Copper Tuners I have one of the characters invent a jetpack that he calls a HaloJet, which runs on hydrogen.
Another way to add texture to a Steampunk setting is playing with fashion. Remember, this is an alternate world: history follows a different timeline. It can be slightly or vastly different. Corsets can be worn over dresses; skirts can be frivolous and they can be short or long. Women can wear knickers. Shoes can have buckles, or lace, or both. Women can wear Wellington or Hessian boots with the dresses. Men can wear top hats decorated with gears and cogs. My heroines wear top hats too, but decorated with lace and other frippery. I also like to have a female character in a derby, or even an Admiral’s tricorne.
Guns are blunderbusses, or rayguns. Swords can be made with different alloys, or even turned into electric, or laser swords. Add fantasy into the mix and I can invent all kinds of fun gadgets!
If you’re visual like me, go to http://pinterest.com/gloriaharchar/ to see examples of steampunk gadgets and fashions.
Comments: Gloria Harchar has two Bachelor’s degrees: One in Education with a concentration in English and the other in Accounting. And a Master’s of Science degree in Instructional Design and Technology. Her love is writing romance, and being able to write the stories that are begging to be told! Her steampunk series is called The Lumière Chronicles. Her latest, The Copper Tuners, is now available here.
Still confused? Think movies like Wild, Wild West, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Van Helsing, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hell Boy, Sleepy Hollow, Young Sherlock Holmes, Stardust, City of Ember, and Time After Time. If you’re into anime, you’re probably familiar with Howl’s Moving Castle, Full-Metal Alchemist, and Steamboy, all are representative of steampunk.
To flavor the feeling of a steampunk setting, I like to involve the proper speech of the British in an alternate Victorian era. Victorian times included the Enlightenment Period, where the Crown encouraged inventions and forward-thinking. So much was discovered. Some of the discoveries were not recognized and fell to the wayside in favor of others, which were developed and enhanced. What if the dirigible had been favored over the airplane? What would the world have been like? What developments could have been done to a dirigible that were neglected in favor of the development and advancements of the aerodynamic airplane? What about cars? What if gasoline was never used, but instead other forms of energy was employed? Lighter fuel to make steam. I have fun calling cars by names I invented—such as the steamcoup or the steamphaeton—a spinoff of the tall carriages driven in the Regency era. In The Copper Tuners I have one of the characters invent a jetpack that he calls a HaloJet, which runs on hydrogen.
Another way to add texture to a Steampunk setting is playing with fashion. Remember, this is an alternate world: history follows a different timeline. It can be slightly or vastly different. Corsets can be worn over dresses; skirts can be frivolous and they can be short or long. Women can wear knickers. Shoes can have buckles, or lace, or both. Women can wear Wellington or Hessian boots with the dresses. Men can wear top hats decorated with gears and cogs. My heroines wear top hats too, but decorated with lace and other frippery. I also like to have a female character in a derby, or even an Admiral’s tricorne.
Guns are blunderbusses, or rayguns. Swords can be made with different alloys, or even turned into electric, or laser swords. Add fantasy into the mix and I can invent all kinds of fun gadgets!
If you’re visual like me, go to http://pinterest.com/gloriaharchar/ to see examples of steampunk gadgets and fashions.
Comments: Gloria Harchar has two Bachelor’s degrees: One in Education with a concentration in English and the other in Accounting. And a Master’s of Science degree in Instructional Design and Technology. Her love is writing romance, and being able to write the stories that are begging to be told! Her steampunk series is called The Lumière Chronicles. Her latest, The Copper Tuners, is now available here.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 14, 2012
The future of England is at stake. Malcolm and Nicola can't just marry if they're going to release the magic that can save the country, they have to fall in love. Steampunk adds a fun twist to this fast-paced fantasy.
August 2, 2012
I picked this book up because I was attracted by its steampunk lure. Little did I know that the steampunk essense is only some 10% of the book. The rest is of fantasy, drama, sex and colors.
This book starts with pixies. Pixies, of all things. Little flying creatures who possess the power to balance and unbalance things in this world. One wrong step, and they've brought on world war, have allowed freakish things into our dreams, and have let loose some of the greatest evils on Earth.
Oh, and let's not forget that they're about as small as your thumb.
Interestingly enough, this novel isn't necessarily about the pixies. It's about a lady who can see them, and who, by some odd luck, is to bemanipulated helped by these creatures into changing the course of history.
But I digress. Nicola, in all her tomboyish ways, doesn't seem to fit the part. It helps that her adversary's the Black Falcon, known for his malice and lies. So we got an unladylike lady who's up against a dark, handsome, "dangerous" man, and she's the key to changing the world for the better.
Right.
The storytelling's decent, although I at first felt confused about the part the pixies play in this mix. (It gets clearer as you go along, I suppose.) I myself sometimes get surprised when a pixie suddenly lands on Nicola's saucy nose.
The characterization is actually pretty good. I liked how human the players were here - they showed sensitivity, strength, loneliness, atonement. I like how a kind of psychology is described here, and how misunderstandings and reputation were handled quite well. Very nice.
The plot - interesting. The premise is quickly given out, really, but the turnout of events was easily played. Some expected turns and unlooked-for twists.
Nice ending. I think it would be lovely to know what has happened to this bunch after the Finale.
Miscellaneous:
There are sex scenes in this book. I love how old English words were used here (addlepated, hoyden, etc). I enjoyed the history lesson, as well as a nice remembrance of the Industrial Revolution. The mechanical aspect here is not very detailed, but it happens. I kept muttering "tsundere" under bated breath.
Overall: An interesting look at industrial England, with a quirky little romance in the middle of it. A quick, cute read, all in all.
This book starts with pixies. Pixies, of all things. Little flying creatures who possess the power to balance and unbalance things in this world. One wrong step, and they've brought on world war, have allowed freakish things into our dreams, and have let loose some of the greatest evils on Earth.
Oh, and let's not forget that they're about as small as your thumb.
Interestingly enough, this novel isn't necessarily about the pixies. It's about a lady who can see them, and who, by some odd luck, is to be
But I digress. Nicola, in all her tomboyish ways, doesn't seem to fit the part. It helps that her adversary's the Black Falcon, known for his malice and lies. So we got an unladylike lady who's up against a dark, handsome, "dangerous" man, and she's the key to changing the world for the better.
Right.
The storytelling's decent, although I at first felt confused about the part the pixies play in this mix. (It gets clearer as you go along, I suppose.) I myself sometimes get surprised when a pixie suddenly lands on Nicola's saucy nose.
The characterization is actually pretty good. I liked how human the players were here - they showed sensitivity, strength, loneliness, atonement. I like how a kind of psychology is described here, and how misunderstandings and reputation were handled quite well. Very nice.
The plot - interesting. The premise is quickly given out, really, but the turnout of events was easily played. Some expected turns and unlooked-for twists.
Nice ending. I think it would be lovely to know what has happened to this bunch after the Finale.
Miscellaneous:
There are sex scenes in this book. I love how old English words were used here (addlepated, hoyden, etc). I enjoyed the history lesson, as well as a nice remembrance of the Industrial Revolution. The mechanical aspect here is not very detailed, but it happens. I kept muttering "tsundere" under bated breath.
Overall: An interesting look at industrial England, with a quirky little romance in the middle of it. A quick, cute read, all in all.
July 18, 2012
Rich with detail, history collides with fantasy in Clockwork Blue. Ms. Harchar creates a vivid and riveting world where two pixies scheme to save England as Napoleon’s treaty appears to be failing. Their misson: to get Nicola Moore and Malcolm (Earl of Falconwood) for fall in love and marry. But Nicola saw how miserable her grandmother’s life became after she married to save England. Nicola wants no part of such a marriage. Meanwhile, Malcolm has ruthless plans of his own. He desires a marriage with Nicola, for many reasons none of which have anything to do with love. The pixies are sure to fail. I couldn’t stop reading…
July 26, 2012
Allegro and Glissandro are two pixies on a mission to save England. To do this they must convince two strangers to wed and fall in love. To do that they must release the magic found in the special dye-Clockwork Blue. This is my first Steampunk novel and I'm loving it!
January 6, 2023
Livre très sympathique
October 4, 2012
Enchanting and charming, Clockwork Blue starts in the clouds, right above England during France and Britain's shaky Treaty of Amiens, with faeries discussing a mission to get two outwardly different humans to fall in love. "This union has to do with Britain's success in winning and how the country will overcome the aftermath of war. Everything hinges on the Clockwork Blue"—a particular dye developed by the female protagonist, Nicola Moore.
Like Allegro, one of the faeries, you might ask: "How can dye and love—things that are so trivial—have an effect on something huge?" Though you'll get the answer early enough, its the small details and significance of the color and dye to the characters that adds mystery and a little more depth. While wondering how sweet, independent Nicola and the mysterious Malcolm (a.k.a. the Black Falcon) will come to terms, their individual histories and aspirations complimented the story and rounded it off nicely.
Courtesy of the author, I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it—tremendously—but have to say it's more historical romance mixed with fantasy than anything else (in my opinion). Other than steam-engine cars instead of gasoline, Nicola's fancy for gears and mechanics, and the vintage-chic fashion, the steampunk isn't prominent and dies off in the second half. The good vs. evil, light vs. dark plot tapers a bit, too.
But I still had so much fun reading the pair's interaction and blooming relationship, and with two endearing faeries to give them a hand and grow as characters themselves, Clockwork Blue was a feel-good, give-a-little-grin book. Add a sprinkle of industrial England and a couple dashes of sex, you've got a sensational color of a book and start to a series.
Review can also be found on The LUV'NV blog.
Like Allegro, one of the faeries, you might ask: "How can dye and love—things that are so trivial—have an effect on something huge?" Though you'll get the answer early enough, its the small details and significance of the color and dye to the characters that adds mystery and a little more depth. While wondering how sweet, independent Nicola and the mysterious Malcolm (a.k.a. the Black Falcon) will come to terms, their individual histories and aspirations complimented the story and rounded it off nicely.
Courtesy of the author, I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it—tremendously—but have to say it's more historical romance mixed with fantasy than anything else (in my opinion). Other than steam-engine cars instead of gasoline, Nicola's fancy for gears and mechanics, and the vintage-chic fashion, the steampunk isn't prominent and dies off in the second half. The good vs. evil, light vs. dark plot tapers a bit, too.
But I still had so much fun reading the pair's interaction and blooming relationship, and with two endearing faeries to give them a hand and grow as characters themselves, Clockwork Blue was a feel-good, give-a-little-grin book. Add a sprinkle of industrial England and a couple dashes of sex, you've got a sensational color of a book and start to a series.
Review can also be found on The LUV'NV blog.
October 5, 2012
How can you resist the cover? That was my first draw to the book, and I bought it instantly. Then you combine faeries, love and a glimpse at 19th century industrial England; toss it in a jar and what emerges is a sweet, fun read that holds your interest. Written with a pacing that is nearly musical to read, the story hops from one scene to the next effortlessly, just pulling you along to enjoy the ride. This is one of a small handful of steampunk genre books I have read: and I will be honest and say it is less defined by that as it would be called a fantasy. The pixies are adorable, both with their names reflecting their personalities, and their activities both centered on the two humans, and their concern for England. Malcolm and Nicola are detailed with care, subject to the typical failures and foibles we all fall prey to. Add in darkness from the history of the time and some trolls – and you have a delightful mélange with something for near every reader. This was a book that once I started to read – I did not want to put it down; I bet you won’t either.
September 1, 2016
This book was very slow to develop. Malcolm and Nicola are the main characters, and they are supposed to fall in love in order to thwart a major war. Initially, neither character comes across as very likable. Malcolm is called 'The Black Falcon' because of his dark and sinister reputation. He vows to wed Nicola so that he can gain control of a particular color, the Clockwork Blue. The author hints that the Clockwork Blue has magical properties, but these are never explained. The couple are being pushed into their relationship by a pair of pixies with a back story that says that if they fall in love their relationship will thwart a major war, but that was never explained either.
March 26, 2016
4.5/5.0
“Clockwork Blue” throws together a little bit of fairy tale, a touch of mystery, with a sprinkling of steampunk, and a romance that does not always feel romantic!
Read full review in the 2012 November issue of InD’tale Magazine.
“Clockwork Blue” throws together a little bit of fairy tale, a touch of mystery, with a sprinkling of steampunk, and a romance that does not always feel romantic!
Read full review in the 2012 November issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 2, 2012
This was such an easy read! Ms Harchar has a wonderful writing style and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. I have high expectations of The Lumiere Chronicles!
November 7, 2012
I received this book free from the author through my Goodreads book club, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All thoughts and conclusions are my own.
The story revolves around the creation of a mystical, enchanted color called 'Clockwork Blue', that was inspired by the heavens and contains the power to alter destiny. Malcolm, the dastardly Earl of Ravenwood, is determined to get his hands on the rights to the color, and will stop at nothing (or noone) to get what he wants. Nicola Moore is the secret creator of said color, who had to give rights to the color to her father, because in those times (I'm thinking 1800s...it's kind of vague) a lady couldn't take on that sort of occupation and be taken seriously. Malcolm devises a plot to force Nicola to marry him (and thus give him rights to the Clockwork Blue, through her dowry), in order to save her hot-headed cousin Ramsey from certain deportation for crimes of mischief. Flitting around and helping Nicola with her destiny, are two pesky pixies named Glissando and Allegro. Their mission is to ensure that Nicola and Malcolm truly fall in love with each other...or else certain calamity will befall the world as they know it.
This story has a lot going on -- the manner in which it is written reminds me of a Jane Eyre-type of tale, with the speech patterns and idiosyncrasies of the time. It is confusing at times -- example: near the end of the story, a couple of times Nicola is referred to as 'Derryth'....this seems like an oversight on the author's part, as I can not figure out where else the name 'Derryth' would come from. A couple of side-stories are going on that aren't crucial to the main plot, and as such, you don't get a lot of detail about them. So when they pop up later in the story, you have to re-calibrate yourself a bit to figure out what is going on.
The character development of Nicola and Malcolm is enjoyable -- their tale is romantic and chaotic, and it is fun to read. I enjoyed this story, and I recommend to any reader who enjoys 19th century romantic stories.
The story revolves around the creation of a mystical, enchanted color called 'Clockwork Blue', that was inspired by the heavens and contains the power to alter destiny. Malcolm, the dastardly Earl of Ravenwood, is determined to get his hands on the rights to the color, and will stop at nothing (or noone) to get what he wants. Nicola Moore is the secret creator of said color, who had to give rights to the color to her father, because in those times (I'm thinking 1800s...it's kind of vague) a lady couldn't take on that sort of occupation and be taken seriously. Malcolm devises a plot to force Nicola to marry him (and thus give him rights to the Clockwork Blue, through her dowry), in order to save her hot-headed cousin Ramsey from certain deportation for crimes of mischief. Flitting around and helping Nicola with her destiny, are two pesky pixies named Glissando and Allegro. Their mission is to ensure that Nicola and Malcolm truly fall in love with each other...or else certain calamity will befall the world as they know it.
This story has a lot going on -- the manner in which it is written reminds me of a Jane Eyre-type of tale, with the speech patterns and idiosyncrasies of the time. It is confusing at times -- example: near the end of the story, a couple of times Nicola is referred to as 'Derryth'....this seems like an oversight on the author's part, as I can not figure out where else the name 'Derryth' would come from. A couple of side-stories are going on that aren't crucial to the main plot, and as such, you don't get a lot of detail about them. So when they pop up later in the story, you have to re-calibrate yourself a bit to figure out what is going on.
The character development of Nicola and Malcolm is enjoyable -- their tale is romantic and chaotic, and it is fun to read. I enjoyed this story, and I recommend to any reader who enjoys 19th century romantic stories.
October 14, 2012
I received this novel free in exchange for my review via Lovers of Paranormal's Read 2 Review program. I will also add as a disclaimer that author Gloria Harchar has since revised the novel in a way that most likely changes the flavor of the story somewhat, so I can't comment on areas that may have been changed.
For me the evolving nature of the relationship between Nicola and Malcolm was the highlight of the novel. The interplay between the two seemingly wildly disparate personalities was a pleasure to read. I can't imagine it was an easy task plotting out.
Harchar is successful in capturing some of the sensibilities of the time period, in particular the way society approached matrimony. While some Steampunk works replace the social strictures of the time with more modern way of looking at things, Clockwork Blue relies on the more rigid and socially conservative flavor of the actual 19th century to maneuver Nicola and Malcolm together and to force them to deal with each other.
As Clockwork Blue is the first in a series, a number of story arcs are set up in the first novel but we're left at the end with a number of questions. The fate of the fairies Glissando and Allegro is uncertain, as is the fate of the still-very divided couple. And what parts do Nicola and Malcolm play in keeping peace in Europe? I can only imagine that as this series gets going, the story is going to get more complex, and much larger. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
For me the evolving nature of the relationship between Nicola and Malcolm was the highlight of the novel. The interplay between the two seemingly wildly disparate personalities was a pleasure to read. I can't imagine it was an easy task plotting out.
Harchar is successful in capturing some of the sensibilities of the time period, in particular the way society approached matrimony. While some Steampunk works replace the social strictures of the time with more modern way of looking at things, Clockwork Blue relies on the more rigid and socially conservative flavor of the actual 19th century to maneuver Nicola and Malcolm together and to force them to deal with each other.
As Clockwork Blue is the first in a series, a number of story arcs are set up in the first novel but we're left at the end with a number of questions. The fate of the fairies Glissando and Allegro is uncertain, as is the fate of the still-very divided couple. And what parts do Nicola and Malcolm play in keeping peace in Europe? I can only imagine that as this series gets going, the story is going to get more complex, and much larger. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
October 8, 2012
My Review:
Okay I am going to start with that this was my very first 'Steampunk' book.
I love the cover. I love the book. I love the author. What more is there to say?
Seriously, author Gloria Harchar, who by the way also published this book is awesome. Her characters are life like, very engaging and so great to become part of their world.
If you are reading this part of this, then I hope you have read the synopsis of the book above. Magic, pixies, love, and that is real love not love done from magic. What a mission to undertake as to secure the future for the country, but realize this was a mission for pixies!
I really did fall in love with this genre, Steampunk. The era, clothes, etc are awesome. I am looking forward to reading more. And from this author I am diffidently looking forward to more from her.
Okay, as you know me I am not going to go in to this book due to the fact that I feel you should read for yourself. But as I said above, I loved loved loved this book and now I love this genre as well. A Must Read!!
So due to the above I am giving this book a Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: Bought this for myself.
Okay I am going to start with that this was my very first 'Steampunk' book.
I love the cover. I love the book. I love the author. What more is there to say?
Seriously, author Gloria Harchar, who by the way also published this book is awesome. Her characters are life like, very engaging and so great to become part of their world.
If you are reading this part of this, then I hope you have read the synopsis of the book above. Magic, pixies, love, and that is real love not love done from magic. What a mission to undertake as to secure the future for the country, but realize this was a mission for pixies!
I really did fall in love with this genre, Steampunk. The era, clothes, etc are awesome. I am looking forward to reading more. And from this author I am diffidently looking forward to more from her.
Okay, as you know me I am not going to go in to this book due to the fact that I feel you should read for yourself. But as I said above, I loved loved loved this book and now I love this genre as well. A Must Read!!
So due to the above I am giving this book a Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: Bought this for myself.
October 11, 2012
There were so many things I enjoyed about Clockwork Blue. My favorite had to be Nicola Moore and her fashion sense! I want a hat with off-center flowers and cogs! Although I don’t find myself reading many romances these days, the back-and-forth between Nicola and the Black Falcon was fun. And the two pixies, Allegro and Glissando brought plenty of whimsy.
I don’t want to include any spoilers, but I wished some of the cool plot lines had been woven with stronger thread. They were the best parts of the story and I was disappointed they got weighed down by some of the more traditional story elements.
Gloria Harcher is a fun writer and she has in eye for intriguing detail. I hope she is more bold with her flare for refreshing plot elements in her future works.
I don’t want to include any spoilers, but I wished some of the cool plot lines had been woven with stronger thread. They were the best parts of the story and I was disappointed they got weighed down by some of the more traditional story elements.
Gloria Harcher is a fun writer and she has in eye for intriguing detail. I hope she is more bold with her flare for refreshing plot elements in her future works.
February 20, 2014
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The title was the first hook, the cover art the second, and the fairies the third. Unfortunately, the book itself was a bit of a disappointment. I had a hard time connecting to the protagonist, didn't really understand the rather underdeveloped role of the fairies' nemesis, and felt the leading man's insistence on seeing himself as a villain was rather unconvincing.
October 10, 2012
This book gave me fits! It is a great tale, but the inclusion of explicit sex scenes caused me great pain. IMHO it stands alone without these 'Lust in the Dust' bits added in. I would not want any teen to pick up a copy, which is sad. I wish Gloria would have included a warning in her excellent intro.
February 2, 2013
Deleted from e-reader...didn't read it! YA
Want to read
July 27, 2012FREE at Amazon on Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28th
A steampunk fairy tale wherein the pixies save England by setting the stage for two humans to fall in love and marry.
A steampunk fairy tale wherein the pixies save England by setting the stage for two humans to fall in love and marry.
December 21, 2013
Review coming soon.
November 9, 2012
A cute book witha little romance and a little adventure.
September 19, 2013
This was such a fun book to read! Pixies, steam punk, historical romance...what's not to love? Can't wait to read more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews