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Beyond Prudence
The mysterious device in Prudence Hastings' basement could be the answer to her prayers, if she could just figure out what it is. Needing William Foreman's help, she's prepared to do whatever it takes to gain it. Even putting aside her dislike of machines and volunteering to test the risqué apparatus he's developing for the Acolytes of Concupiscence. Will's expecting a lightskirt for a test subject and is horrified when he realizes the tempting woman he just debauched is very much a lady. But despite his best intentions, something keeps drawing him back to her, and it isn't just the thought of discovering the inner workings of her uncle's last invention. Unlocking their passion is turning out to be a far more pleasurable, if dangerous, job. Beset by desire, automatons, secrets, an unintelligible maid and the danger of utter ruin should their association become known, Will and Prudence haven't a chance in hell of remaining unscathed. Fire up the boiler, open the sluices and take cover. Something's about to explode...
196 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2011
8 people want to read
About the author
Anya Richards
23 books17 followersAfter living a checkered past, and despite an avowed disinterest in domesticity, multi-published author Anya Richards settled in Ontario, Canada, with husband, kids and two cats who plot world domination, one food bowl at a time. Having trained the humans around her to recognize the ‘Do Not Disturb’ vibes she gives off when writing, she’s still trying to get the cats to honor her need for space. The suspicion is that they perfectly understand, but choose those moments when she’s most engrossed to once more prove who wears the pants in the house.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 8, 2019
Reviewed by Jen
Book provided by the publisher
I've had this fascination with the steampunk genre lately. There's just something about the mix of historical with futuristic elements (at least for them) that intrigues me. So, when I saw this story, an erotic steampunk, I had to check it out.
This story starts out with a bang. Prudence goes to Will's house to ask for his help. Her family has disowned her and she's left with her inheritance from her uncle, the only one who didn't abandon her for her mistakes. But her inheritance is an old house with a bunch of inventions that she knows nothing about. So, she's going to Will, her uncle's colleague and fellow inventor, to see if he can help her. But what she doesn't expect is a young, attractive man to be her last hope.
And this young man, Will, is expecting a tester of his newest invention, a sex machine, to be the one knocking at his door. After a smokin' hot scene, Will learns of his misunderstanding and a relationship of sorts begins between these two characters.
Now because this is erotica, you can expect a lot of sex. And this book delivers. My first thought was "a sex machine?" I just couldn't picture it, until it was being described. I was still skeptical until that little light bulb flicked on and I realized this would be the grandfather to today's vibrators or sybians.
I liked both Will and Prudence. However, throughout the book, Will keeps berating himself for daring to love someone in a higher class than himself and Prudence, who doesn't care, keeps throwing herself at him. Considering the length of the story, this just seemed a little overdone. But, in the end, we get our HEA.
For me, the highlight of this book was all the inventions that are brought to life within the pages. Not only does Ms. Richards describe a couple different sex machines, but there is a robotic butler and numerous mechanical animal companions. These elements help enhance the steampunk world and in the case of some of the animals, offer an element of comedic relief.
It wasn't the best story I've read, but it also wasn't the worse. I could have used a little more character building and perhaps more conflict. The whole situation seemed too easily resolved in the end. But that said, I'd be interested in reading more of Ms. Richards books, particularly if she stays in the steampunk genre.
Book provided by the publisher
I've had this fascination with the steampunk genre lately. There's just something about the mix of historical with futuristic elements (at least for them) that intrigues me. So, when I saw this story, an erotic steampunk, I had to check it out.
This story starts out with a bang. Prudence goes to Will's house to ask for his help. Her family has disowned her and she's left with her inheritance from her uncle, the only one who didn't abandon her for her mistakes. But her inheritance is an old house with a bunch of inventions that she knows nothing about. So, she's going to Will, her uncle's colleague and fellow inventor, to see if he can help her. But what she doesn't expect is a young, attractive man to be her last hope.
And this young man, Will, is expecting a tester of his newest invention, a sex machine, to be the one knocking at his door. After a smokin' hot scene, Will learns of his misunderstanding and a relationship of sorts begins between these two characters.
Now because this is erotica, you can expect a lot of sex. And this book delivers. My first thought was "a sex machine?" I just couldn't picture it, until it was being described. I was still skeptical until that little light bulb flicked on and I realized this would be the grandfather to today's vibrators or sybians.
I liked both Will and Prudence. However, throughout the book, Will keeps berating himself for daring to love someone in a higher class than himself and Prudence, who doesn't care, keeps throwing herself at him. Considering the length of the story, this just seemed a little overdone. But, in the end, we get our HEA.
For me, the highlight of this book was all the inventions that are brought to life within the pages. Not only does Ms. Richards describe a couple different sex machines, but there is a robotic butler and numerous mechanical animal companions. These elements help enhance the steampunk world and in the case of some of the animals, offer an element of comedic relief.
It wasn't the best story I've read, but it also wasn't the worse. I could have used a little more character building and perhaps more conflict. The whole situation seemed too easily resolved in the end. But that said, I'd be interested in reading more of Ms. Richards books, particularly if she stays in the steampunk genre.
May 1, 2021
Read my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews