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Gaslight Chronicles #7
Dragons & Dirigibles
Book seven of The Gaslight Chronicles
When airship engineer Melody McKay's dirigible explodes and plunges her into the yard of a gothic manor, she suspects foul play. With her ankle injured--an indignity far too feminine for her taste--she resolves to crack the mystery while in the care of Victor Arrington, the stuffy-yet-disarming Earl of Blackwell.
Ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor runs a tight house and is on a mission to protect his niece and foil a ring of smugglers using fire-breathing metal dragons. He has no time for romantic attachments. Particularly not with women who fall from the sky wearing trousers and pilot's goggles.
As he and Melody navigate a treachery so deep it threatens the lives of everyone in Black Heath, the earl becomes unexpectedly attached to his fiery houseguest, and Melody discovers a softness in her heart for him. But when the smugglers strike, there's more at risk than just their future together.
48,000 words
When airship engineer Melody McKay's dirigible explodes and plunges her into the yard of a gothic manor, she suspects foul play. With her ankle injured--an indignity far too feminine for her taste--she resolves to crack the mystery while in the care of Victor Arrington, the stuffy-yet-disarming Earl of Blackwell.
Ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor runs a tight house and is on a mission to protect his niece and foil a ring of smugglers using fire-breathing metal dragons. He has no time for romantic attachments. Particularly not with women who fall from the sky wearing trousers and pilot's goggles.
As he and Melody navigate a treachery so deep it threatens the lives of everyone in Black Heath, the earl becomes unexpectedly attached to his fiery houseguest, and Melody discovers a softness in her heart for him. But when the smugglers strike, there's more at risk than just their future together.
48,000 words
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
29 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Spencer Pape
84 books252 followersCindy Spencer Pape has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, though she swears she got better. She volunteers in environmental education, when she can fit it in around writing. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two teenage sons, a dog, a lizard, and various other small creatures, all of which are easier to clean up after than the three male humans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 4, 2014
Review posted on Got Fiction? book blog
I like the Gaslight Chronicles series a lot, but I have to say that this isn't the strongest in the bunch. If you want the world building you get in a fabulous Steampunk, unfortunately you'll have to read in order. However, the romance works well as a stand-alone. So if you don't mind missing the world building, you'll be fine, i.e. won't be confused or anything.
In this (long) novella, we see Melody crash and burn on a test run of her latest dirigible. But she didn't fall out of the sky all on her own, she was shot down. The big question is, by whom?
The Earl of Blackwell has a smuggler problem, and he's out hunting them when Melody's dirigible crash lands in his front lawn. But he thinks she's one of the smugglers! It takes some convincing that she isn't, but he believes her pretty quickly. (which is why in a later scene I still don't know why he said he didn't believe her, and I'm not sure why she was so hurt. It was supposed to be a super emotional scene, but it left me scratching my head). Melody is really on assignment for the Crown. If you've been following the series, you know her family is part of a secret society that helps deal with Magick and mysteries.
Blackwell is stuffy, like stick up his arse stuffy. I can't think why, since he was a sailor and sea captain for most of his life, but I guess it's to show that he's trying to act like an earl. He must think they act like stuffy prigs?
Meanwhile, the earl is taking care of his niece. Remember how I mentioned he'd been a sailor? It's because his elder brother was the earl. But after a horrible carriage accident, his brother and his wife were killed, with his niece being the only survivor. There's a lot of gossip surrounding them, though. The village thinks that she's the cause of the accident and that Blackwell is the cause of the smugglers. A lot of this was sort of just set here and there, and it didn't need to be, or it needed to be fleshed out more to work. I just feel like there was a lot going on that only happened in the latter half of the story, and it really felt like it needed to have at least been alluded to sooner.
And the ending, really? That was the villain? Again, foreshadowing could have been used at any time.
I liked Melody, I love her friends and family, Victor, once he unstuffed himself, was a decent enough bloke, but the plot itself was kind of weak. Being that this is a novella, it could have focused on one aspect, rather than all those different rumors and tangents. In fact, the brother plot line was sort of left hanging. He was the picture of a perfect father, then he wasn't. But it went beyond ignoring his daughter. He was not even nice anymore. Yet this was sort of waved off as he found out his wife was having an affair.
However, it was still enjoyable, it was well written, minus the misuse of the pronoun "I," (<---this was a big deal to me. I hate when it's used incorrectly. Her editor should have known better-Here's a tip, if you can take out the friend's name, and it sounds wrong, it is wrong. "This coffee is for Victor and I," is wrong. It is, "This coffee is for Victor and me." You wouldn't say "This coffee is for I," now would you? Okay, grammar rant over. English teacher pants are off now).*
Okay, back to the story, I liked it, but it isn't the best in the series, so far I think Kilts & Kraken was my favorite. But it's still worth the read, and it's nice to see what's going on with some of Melody's friends.
*Not an actual quote
***ARC courtesy of Carina Press
I like the Gaslight Chronicles series a lot, but I have to say that this isn't the strongest in the bunch. If you want the world building you get in a fabulous Steampunk, unfortunately you'll have to read in order. However, the romance works well as a stand-alone. So if you don't mind missing the world building, you'll be fine, i.e. won't be confused or anything.
In this (long) novella, we see Melody crash and burn on a test run of her latest dirigible. But she didn't fall out of the sky all on her own, she was shot down. The big question is, by whom?
The Earl of Blackwell has a smuggler problem, and he's out hunting them when Melody's dirigible crash lands in his front lawn. But he thinks she's one of the smugglers! It takes some convincing that she isn't, but he believes her pretty quickly. (which is why in a later scene I still don't know why he said he didn't believe her, and I'm not sure why she was so hurt. It was supposed to be a super emotional scene, but it left me scratching my head). Melody is really on assignment for the Crown. If you've been following the series, you know her family is part of a secret society that helps deal with Magick and mysteries.
Blackwell is stuffy, like stick up his arse stuffy. I can't think why, since he was a sailor and sea captain for most of his life, but I guess it's to show that he's trying to act like an earl. He must think they act like stuffy prigs?
Meanwhile, the earl is taking care of his niece. Remember how I mentioned he'd been a sailor? It's because his elder brother was the earl. But after a horrible carriage accident, his brother and his wife were killed, with his niece being the only survivor. There's a lot of gossip surrounding them, though. The village thinks that she's the cause of the accident and that Blackwell is the cause of the smugglers. A lot of this was sort of just set here and there, and it didn't need to be, or it needed to be fleshed out more to work. I just feel like there was a lot going on that only happened in the latter half of the story, and it really felt like it needed to have at least been alluded to sooner.
And the ending, really? That was the villain? Again, foreshadowing could have been used at any time.
I liked Melody, I love her friends and family, Victor, once he unstuffed himself, was a decent enough bloke, but the plot itself was kind of weak. Being that this is a novella, it could have focused on one aspect, rather than all those different rumors and tangents. In fact, the brother plot line was sort of left hanging. He was the picture of a perfect father, then he wasn't. But it went beyond ignoring his daughter. He was not even nice anymore. Yet this was sort of waved off as he found out his wife was having an affair.
However, it was still enjoyable, it was well written, minus the misuse of the pronoun "I," (<---this was a big deal to me. I hate when it's used incorrectly. Her editor should have known better-Here's a tip, if you can take out the friend's name, and it sounds wrong, it is wrong. "This coffee is for Victor and I," is wrong. It is, "This coffee is for Victor and me." You wouldn't say "This coffee is for I," now would you? Okay, grammar rant over. English teacher pants are off now).*
Okay, back to the story, I liked it, but it isn't the best in the series, so far I think Kilts & Kraken was my favorite. But it's still worth the read, and it's nice to see what's going on with some of Melody's friends.
*Not an actual quote
***ARC courtesy of Carina Press
May 11, 2014
I really, really liked this book and I enjoyed the prickly romance between Melody and Victor, but it was a single line by one of the background characters that absolutely broke my heart this time around. *gives everyone a sad panda face* One line. Well played, Cindy Spencer Pape. Well played.
But let's get back to the couple whose book this is, shall we? Melody and Victor. She's opinionated and knows her way around mechanicals. He's convinced he wants a nice, demure lady for his wife. Yeah, he pretty much doesn't know what hit him when Melody drops on his doorstep. Having her around shakes up his life, in a good way. She makes him see things in ways he didn't before.
The thing I loved, though, is that Victor is willing to change his way of thinking when he sees the value in what Melody is saying. *thumbs up*, Vic. Everybody likes guy who isn't so set in his ways he's strangled by it.
As with other books in this series, the theme of family being more than blood is explored (STILL a favorite theme of mine!), as well as the idea that strength comes in many guises. These books are just so darn fun. Well, except for the part that broke my heart. However, I'm holding out hope that time and patience can fix anything. *glares sternly at a certain character*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But let's get back to the couple whose book this is, shall we? Melody and Victor. She's opinionated and knows her way around mechanicals. He's convinced he wants a nice, demure lady for his wife. Yeah, he pretty much doesn't know what hit him when Melody drops on his doorstep. Having her around shakes up his life, in a good way. She makes him see things in ways he didn't before.
The thing I loved, though, is that Victor is willing to change his way of thinking when he sees the value in what Melody is saying. *thumbs up*, Vic. Everybody likes guy who isn't so set in his ways he's strangled by it.
As with other books in this series, the theme of family being more than blood is explored (STILL a favorite theme of mine!), as well as the idea that strength comes in many guises. These books are just so darn fun. Well, except for the part that broke my heart. However, I'm holding out hope that time and patience can fix anything. *glares sternly at a certain character*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
November 24, 2025
Dragons & Dirigibles starts out as quite a cute story with a single man, taking care of his young niece, trying to find his way when Melody McKay crash-lands on Ex-Navy Captain Victor Arrinton's front lawn. With a broken ankle, Victor swipes Melody into his home, which starts the journey of bringing her into his heart.
Every character in this story has spunk, but add in an adorable niece, a loyal and devoted dog, and without denying mentioning the sassy Melody herself, you can't help but immediately connect. While there is a ton of humor and lovely characters, there is also a dark menace lurking behind the mystery of Victor's family's death, as well as smugglers who have turned deadly.
This novella-length story was utterly enchanting. Although it only minorly touched on the paranormal side of typical Gaslight Chronicles storylines, it had plenty of steampunk qualities to fascinate us all. When paired with Cindy Spencer Pape's writing style, we are thrust into a wondrous adventure, a thrilling mystery, and a delightful romance. Don't miss Dragons & Dirigibles.
I received this ARC copy of Dragons & Dirigibles from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication May 19, 2014.
Every character in this story has spunk, but add in an adorable niece, a loyal and devoted dog, and without denying mentioning the sassy Melody herself, you can't help but immediately connect. While there is a ton of humor and lovely characters, there is also a dark menace lurking behind the mystery of Victor's family's death, as well as smugglers who have turned deadly.
This novella-length story was utterly enchanting. Although it only minorly touched on the paranormal side of typical Gaslight Chronicles storylines, it had plenty of steampunk qualities to fascinate us all. When paired with Cindy Spencer Pape's writing style, we are thrust into a wondrous adventure, a thrilling mystery, and a delightful romance. Don't miss Dragons & Dirigibles.
I received this ARC copy of Dragons & Dirigibles from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication May 19, 2014.
January 1, 2015
Captain Victor Arrignton is forced to return to land, when his brother and sister in-law are killed in an accident. As the second son, Victor never expected to become the Earl but with a firm sense of duty, Victor attempts to establish a life at Black Heath and raise his niece Emma. Victor struggles with his new role, particularly trying to raise Emma to be a proper lady. as she seems for more interested in mathematics and science. than learning the traditional womanly skills of stitching, music. and dance. This task becomes that much more difficult when dirigible pilot Melody McKay. falls from the sky. after being shot down. Now. Victor finds himself struggling to bust up a smuggling ring and deal with the this difficult woman, who challenges the very idea of what it is to be a lady.
Dragons & Dirigibles is a novella, coming in at a scant 125 pages and is the story of Melody Mckay, sister to Connor of Cards & Caravans. Like all of the female love interests in this series, Melody is a very strong character. Melody knows her own mind and will not be told what to do. When Melody is found in a compromising position with Victor by Tom, Melody is adamant that Tom not interfere.
Melody came around Victor and laid a hand on his wait. "Thomas Aloysius Devere, never take that tone with me again. I am an adult and I make my own decisions. Does it look as if I'm here under duress?" She gestured at Victor's unbuttoned waistcoat.
Tom flushed. "No, of course not, but -"
"Do I need to tell Wink about this? Or Caro?" Melody tapped her foot.
Victor knew he should intervene, take control of the situation, but right now, he was too entranced by the fiery creature by his side who seemed to be handling things just fine on her own.
"Look, Mel. I'm sorry. But you know this is a bad idea." Tom looked u at the ceiling, as if requesting divine assistance. "Let's just all go upstairs and forget all about this."
Forget? Every second of this interlude would be branded into Victor's mind until the day he died.
"Just walk away, Tommy." Melody's voice lower instead of rising. "You're out of line and you know it. Leave now, if you place any value on my friendship."
Of course, Melody is another in a long line of gently used protagonists, while her love interest, Victor, is an experienced lover. This is yet another trope that is all too common in paranormal romance. In some ways, it undermines some of the strength that Melody has been given in this novel.
Aunt Julian also makes another appearance in this novel. She and her lover Maggie, who is absent, are the sole GLBT characters in this series. To date, I don't recall a book in which we actually see any real expressions of love between these two women. Aunt Julian though is responsible for the advances of women in the order, is still very much a token side character, who has not really been developed. She seems to pop in to remind us that she is a lesbian.
Dragons & Dirigibles seemed to sway a little off topic to continue the angst between Tom and Nell, two characters we met in the first book in the series. We were given a large obstacle as to why these two couldn't be together but I found it all a distraction and assume it's all part of a set up for the next book in the series. I was however thankful to finally read about Nell and not have her exotic beauty described yet again. That said, Cindy Spencer Pape continues to have a problem with race.
Read More
Dragons & Dirigibles is a novella, coming in at a scant 125 pages and is the story of Melody Mckay, sister to Connor of Cards & Caravans. Like all of the female love interests in this series, Melody is a very strong character. Melody knows her own mind and will not be told what to do. When Melody is found in a compromising position with Victor by Tom, Melody is adamant that Tom not interfere.
Melody came around Victor and laid a hand on his wait. "Thomas Aloysius Devere, never take that tone with me again. I am an adult and I make my own decisions. Does it look as if I'm here under duress?" She gestured at Victor's unbuttoned waistcoat.
Tom flushed. "No, of course not, but -"
"Do I need to tell Wink about this? Or Caro?" Melody tapped her foot.
Victor knew he should intervene, take control of the situation, but right now, he was too entranced by the fiery creature by his side who seemed to be handling things just fine on her own.
"Look, Mel. I'm sorry. But you know this is a bad idea." Tom looked u at the ceiling, as if requesting divine assistance. "Let's just all go upstairs and forget all about this."
Forget? Every second of this interlude would be branded into Victor's mind until the day he died.
"Just walk away, Tommy." Melody's voice lower instead of rising. "You're out of line and you know it. Leave now, if you place any value on my friendship."
Of course, Melody is another in a long line of gently used protagonists, while her love interest, Victor, is an experienced lover. This is yet another trope that is all too common in paranormal romance. In some ways, it undermines some of the strength that Melody has been given in this novel.
Aunt Julian also makes another appearance in this novel. She and her lover Maggie, who is absent, are the sole GLBT characters in this series. To date, I don't recall a book in which we actually see any real expressions of love between these two women. Aunt Julian though is responsible for the advances of women in the order, is still very much a token side character, who has not really been developed. She seems to pop in to remind us that she is a lesbian.
Dragons & Dirigibles seemed to sway a little off topic to continue the angst between Tom and Nell, two characters we met in the first book in the series. We were given a large obstacle as to why these two couldn't be together but I found it all a distraction and assume it's all part of a set up for the next book in the series. I was however thankful to finally read about Nell and not have her exotic beauty described yet again. That said, Cindy Spencer Pape continues to have a problem with race.
Read More
August 22, 2015
this is a lot closer to what I've been wanting from this series. some mystery, a third act villain reveal, and feistiness. The end of it had me very meh about reading the next book, so I think I'll leave the series on a high note (at least for now). The romance is as ridiculously fast as the rest of the series, but I forgive it lol.
Okay for Aayesha.
Okay for Aayesha.
January 21, 2016
This is my first venture into the Gaslight Chronicles, so I'm not sure how this story fits into the series. I was expecting a bit of an action story, but it mostly revolved around romance. Not that it's a bad thing, but I guess I was hoping for more.
Read
February 24, 2014Review will post in May issue of RT Book Review Magazine.
April 16, 2019
2.5 This is the only book I have read in this series and it can be read as a stand alone. It starts out interesting, with a dirigible piloted by Melody Mckay shot down over Victor Arrington's estate. The estate has been plagued by smugglers so a dirigible falling from the sky is certainly suspect. From there not much happens except the inevitable getting together of Melody and Victor. It wasn't terrible, but it was lacking.
January 28, 2025
While Victor Arrington, Earl of Blackwell and ex-Royal Navy Captain is investigating a smuggling operation on his newly inherited gothic manor Melody McKaye’s dirigible explodes and drops on his front lawn. A sprained ankle requires a stay to heal. At first Victor is suspicious of her arrival but eventually she gets involved in the investigation and draws on her family and the Order to help. Another good book in this series. Off the read the next and last volume.
May 24, 2020
This story had good bones and the foundation of the story is probably my favorite in the series. However, I can only give it 2 stars because it felt more like a roughish draft rather than a final, published book. There were many inconsistencies and things that just didn't make sense. There were also quite a few typos.
December 24, 2017
Almost DNF. Kept going it got better
January 5, 2018
Steampunk Extraordinary!
Another excellent story with very consistent world and time sequences created by author. Gentle action and delightful mystery imossible to put down.
Another excellent story with very consistent world and time sequences created by author. Gentle action and delightful mystery imossible to put down.
July 23, 2019
Much better
Than the last few books. Much richer of a story and better developed characters. Wish it would have had more tension between the hero and heroine.
Than the last few books. Much richer of a story and better developed characters. Wish it would have had more tension between the hero and heroine.
April 25, 2020
Another fabulous tale full of Adventure, Daring Do, Pirates and Punch Ups. Of course it wouldn’t be complete without a lovely romance to spice up things. Highly recommended
September 23, 2020
Live
Once you get immersed in the story line there is no going back, and back again, they never get old
Once you get immersed in the story line there is no going back, and back again, they never get old
June 2, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
I’ve enjoyed the entire Gaslight Chronicles series, but it feels like the pinnacle of the series was Moonlight & Mechanicals. The plot was dastardly and far-reaching, and the hero and heroine were both up to the challenge. And the love story really sang.
Dragons & Dirigibles is fun, but doesn’t work quite as well, and I’m still trying to figure out why.
The plot definitely puts it into the middle of the long-running story of how the Knights of the Round Table continued through the centuries to reach this alternate Victorian era where Ada Lovelace really did manage to program Babbage’s engine. But by this point in the tale, we’ve not just met, but watched the adult children of the Hadrians, the Lakes and the Mackays find their intended match.
There’s one story left untold, but we’re teased about it at the end of Dragons & Dirigibles. Instead this is the story of engineer/pilot Melody Mackay, and her nearly-disastrous trip to Black Heath in a new stealth airship.
Melody and her ship accidentally run afoul of smugglers on the north coast, and she’s shot down--straight into the arms of the Earl of Blackwell. That’s where the story gets interesting. He’s hunting the smugglers, and thinks she might be one of them. He’s also incredibly conventional, and believes that women should be wives and mothers and nothing else. Certainly not pilots or engineers.
Melody thinks he has a stick up his arse the size of a ship’s mainmast, a totally appropriate simile because until just a few months previously, Victor Arrington was a naval captain. He inherited the title, the estate and his niece on the sudden death of his brother and sister-in-law. Melody is a complication that Victor doesn’t need, because his little niece is refusing to settle down and learn ladylike skills, and Melody’s presence is catnip to the child.
Also because he’s been trying to find where the smugglers are hiding, and not having much luck. Melody is either a conspirator or another target in the house. It takes him a while to figure out which. And even then, he still thinks she’s a bad influence on his niece.
Meanwhile, the village rumor mill is grinding on. The locals think that the new Earl is the smuggler, and that his niece is a feral child who caused the death of her parents. And that Melody is no better than she ought to be for staying in the house of a bachelor without a chaperone.
When she requests help from her family, and from the Order of the Knights of the Round Table, the situation goes even crazier.The smugglers have more secrets than just the location of their base. And their plans are much more dastardly than either the Earl, the Order, or the revenue agents off the coast could ever have imagined.
Escape Rating B: Melody is not a conventional woman, and she knows she isn’t going to be. What kept her from striking Victor with a blunt instrument in the first part of the book I’ll never know. It’s not just that he’s a prig and holds the views of his time, but that he’s frequently insulting about it into the bargain.
It’s not just that he doesn’t have a clue about what his niece wants and needs, but that he doesn’t have a clue that there is a clue to be had. It takes a lot of evidence for him to finally see the light, that women may not desire, or need the strictures that society places on them. And that the world changed quite a bit during the 10 years he was at sea.
Melody seems to fall in love with his niece long before she does him. Which makes sense, the little girl is a LOT nicer to her.
He does change, and figure things out, but the love story seemed a bit too pat, too formulaic, to really sing.
But the smuggling plot turned out to be quite ingenious, with quite the scary twist at the end. That part of the story had more layers to it than it seemed at the beginning. I figured out who one of the baddies was, but the other was a complete surprise.
I like the world that the author has created, and I’m looking forward to more stories. There’s been a simmering relationship for years, and I want to see that couple finally have their chance.
I’ve enjoyed the entire Gaslight Chronicles series, but it feels like the pinnacle of the series was Moonlight & Mechanicals. The plot was dastardly and far-reaching, and the hero and heroine were both up to the challenge. And the love story really sang.
Dragons & Dirigibles is fun, but doesn’t work quite as well, and I’m still trying to figure out why.
The plot definitely puts it into the middle of the long-running story of how the Knights of the Round Table continued through the centuries to reach this alternate Victorian era where Ada Lovelace really did manage to program Babbage’s engine. But by this point in the tale, we’ve not just met, but watched the adult children of the Hadrians, the Lakes and the Mackays find their intended match.
There’s one story left untold, but we’re teased about it at the end of Dragons & Dirigibles. Instead this is the story of engineer/pilot Melody Mackay, and her nearly-disastrous trip to Black Heath in a new stealth airship.
Melody and her ship accidentally run afoul of smugglers on the north coast, and she’s shot down--straight into the arms of the Earl of Blackwell. That’s where the story gets interesting. He’s hunting the smugglers, and thinks she might be one of them. He’s also incredibly conventional, and believes that women should be wives and mothers and nothing else. Certainly not pilots or engineers.
Melody thinks he has a stick up his arse the size of a ship’s mainmast, a totally appropriate simile because until just a few months previously, Victor Arrington was a naval captain. He inherited the title, the estate and his niece on the sudden death of his brother and sister-in-law. Melody is a complication that Victor doesn’t need, because his little niece is refusing to settle down and learn ladylike skills, and Melody’s presence is catnip to the child.
Also because he’s been trying to find where the smugglers are hiding, and not having much luck. Melody is either a conspirator or another target in the house. It takes him a while to figure out which. And even then, he still thinks she’s a bad influence on his niece.
Meanwhile, the village rumor mill is grinding on. The locals think that the new Earl is the smuggler, and that his niece is a feral child who caused the death of her parents. And that Melody is no better than she ought to be for staying in the house of a bachelor without a chaperone.
When she requests help from her family, and from the Order of the Knights of the Round Table, the situation goes even crazier.The smugglers have more secrets than just the location of their base. And their plans are much more dastardly than either the Earl, the Order, or the revenue agents off the coast could ever have imagined.
Escape Rating B: Melody is not a conventional woman, and she knows she isn’t going to be. What kept her from striking Victor with a blunt instrument in the first part of the book I’ll never know. It’s not just that he’s a prig and holds the views of his time, but that he’s frequently insulting about it into the bargain.
It’s not just that he doesn’t have a clue about what his niece wants and needs, but that he doesn’t have a clue that there is a clue to be had. It takes a lot of evidence for him to finally see the light, that women may not desire, or need the strictures that society places on them. And that the world changed quite a bit during the 10 years he was at sea.
Melody seems to fall in love with his niece long before she does him. Which makes sense, the little girl is a LOT nicer to her.
He does change, and figure things out, but the love story seemed a bit too pat, too formulaic, to really sing.
But the smuggling plot turned out to be quite ingenious, with quite the scary twist at the end. That part of the story had more layers to it than it seemed at the beginning. I figured out who one of the baddies was, but the other was a complete surprise.
I like the world that the author has created, and I’m looking forward to more stories. There’s been a simmering relationship for years, and I want to see that couple finally have their chance.
May 21, 2014
Dragons & Dirigibles is the seventh in Cindy Spencer Pape’s
Gaslight Chronicles
, a series that has hooked me from book one. I was hoping the book seven would return to the family that started it all; however, this one focused on Melody McKay, sister to Connor of book five,
Cards & Caravans
.
Melody McKay crash-lands her airship on the Earl of Blackwell’s estate. A gothic and desolate place plagued by smugglers. Even more disturbing to Melody is the Earl himself, ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor Arrington; a man who has firm ideas of women and their exact place in society. It should come to no surprise that Melody is none to pleased with Victor’s attitude, especially when she finds herself rather attracted to this prudish man.
Like Melody, Victor finds himself reluctantly attracted to Melody. As the new Earl to the estate he’s now under the burden of a number of new duties; number one is the care of his niece, Emma. Victor is more than aware that it’s now his duty to marry, secure an heir and a proper mother for Emma. Of course, Victor is quite sure that Melody does not fit the requirements for his future Countess. Nonetheless, he finds himself joining forces with her and her contacts in the Order to get to the bottom of the smuggling operation happening on his estate. Naturally, this help means that Victor and Melody will pretend to be engaged; the only problem will be ending this false engagement when the mystery is solved.
Dragons & Dirigibles is a fun read and I think fans of the series will be pleased with another adventure. I was personally rather disappointed in the previous novella, so I was happy to return to more familiar faces. I liked the concept of this one with a more prudish hero falling for the unconventional heroine, but something about their relationship fell flat for me. For most of the books in the series, the tension between the hero and heroine has been palpable; however, in this one I just didn’t feel it. The attraction seemed sudden and a tad forced. I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly was missing, but I wasn’t completely satisfied.
I also grew frustrated with the added foreshadowing of what I assume will be book eight. Nell and Tom are both two of the children from book one, and it’s been clear from several previous books that they have an attraction to one another, but in this book a obstacle is put in their way. I found the inclusion of these scenes to be a little detrimental to Melody and Victor’s story. Dragons & Dirigibles is not Nell and Tom’s story and I think they got too much “screen time” that it took away from the main plot. These are short novels, and the format restricts, as a full-length novel does not. I think this one could have been stronger with less reference to a future book in the series.
Overall, I liked Dragons & Dirigibles. It has the same elements that I’ve liked in the series from book one, and as always, I enjoy the romance element. For me, this one wasn’t the strongest book in the series, and it mainly worked to whet my appetite for the next book rather than be invested in the book that I was actually reading. It wasn't bad, and I enjoyed reading it, but I'm not sure this one will stick out in my mind.
For similar reads, see The Book Adventures.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Melody McKay crash-lands her airship on the Earl of Blackwell’s estate. A gothic and desolate place plagued by smugglers. Even more disturbing to Melody is the Earl himself, ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor Arrington; a man who has firm ideas of women and their exact place in society. It should come to no surprise that Melody is none to pleased with Victor’s attitude, especially when she finds herself rather attracted to this prudish man.
Like Melody, Victor finds himself reluctantly attracted to Melody. As the new Earl to the estate he’s now under the burden of a number of new duties; number one is the care of his niece, Emma. Victor is more than aware that it’s now his duty to marry, secure an heir and a proper mother for Emma. Of course, Victor is quite sure that Melody does not fit the requirements for his future Countess. Nonetheless, he finds himself joining forces with her and her contacts in the Order to get to the bottom of the smuggling operation happening on his estate. Naturally, this help means that Victor and Melody will pretend to be engaged; the only problem will be ending this false engagement when the mystery is solved.
Dragons & Dirigibles is a fun read and I think fans of the series will be pleased with another adventure. I was personally rather disappointed in the previous novella, so I was happy to return to more familiar faces. I liked the concept of this one with a more prudish hero falling for the unconventional heroine, but something about their relationship fell flat for me. For most of the books in the series, the tension between the hero and heroine has been palpable; however, in this one I just didn’t feel it. The attraction seemed sudden and a tad forced. I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly was missing, but I wasn’t completely satisfied.
I also grew frustrated with the added foreshadowing of what I assume will be book eight. Nell and Tom are both two of the children from book one, and it’s been clear from several previous books that they have an attraction to one another, but in this book a obstacle is put in their way. I found the inclusion of these scenes to be a little detrimental to Melody and Victor’s story. Dragons & Dirigibles is not Nell and Tom’s story and I think they got too much “screen time” that it took away from the main plot. These are short novels, and the format restricts, as a full-length novel does not. I think this one could have been stronger with less reference to a future book in the series.
Overall, I liked Dragons & Dirigibles. It has the same elements that I’ve liked in the series from book one, and as always, I enjoy the romance element. For me, this one wasn’t the strongest book in the series, and it mainly worked to whet my appetite for the next book rather than be invested in the book that I was actually reading. It wasn't bad, and I enjoyed reading it, but I'm not sure this one will stick out in my mind.
For similar reads, see The Book Adventures.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 20, 2014
Gaslight Chronicles continues to thrill.
The stories surrounding the marvellously rich group of people we know from the Gaslight Chronicles continue to be mined.
Melody McKay an airship engineer, pilot and member of the Order of the Round Table, is testing her dirigible's new engine design over the Devonshire coast when either the boiler or generator inexplicably explodes. She crashes into the parklands in front of Black Heath Manor. Fortunately the damage to her is minor, bruises and a sprained ankle. Her Scottish deerhound Birch (who has his own set of specially designed goggles--how cute and practical!) is fine too.
Captain Victor Arrington, the current Earl of Blackwell has returned from his first love, the sea, to take up the lordly reins and care for his niece Emma when his brother, the late Earl, and his sister-in-law are killed in an accident. He and Barnaby, his trusty ex shipmate now butler, are scouring the rocks looking for evidence of smugglers who have been plaguing the area. They have seen a large strange crab like apparatus climbing out of the water and disappearing into the rock face. Are the two connected?
Emma is an extremely intelligent and precocious ten year old. Victor is a gruff, loveable person, just with outmoded ideas about women. Although as Nell declares, 'There's a sense of strength about him. A woman would always feel safe with him nearby.'
Victor has little experience with children and thinks to train Emma to be a future lady of the manor (whatever that might mean), maybe ensconced in doing embroidery and good works! That plan was doomed before Melody arrived, and is doubly so when Emma sees what women can do. Emma was already nose deep in history and scientific tomes, bargaining with her uncle over against his wishes for her to read something more ladylike--a novel perhaps? Hmm! Somehow I think not!
Strange events come to pass and Victor and Melody pretend to be engaged to throw any informants for the smugglers off the scent. Victor, against his better judgement is attracted to Melody...and Melody?...Well?
Backup arrives in the form of Melody's foster siblings Tom Devere and Nell Hadrian along with Miss Dorothy to chaperone.
There is more going on at Black Heath Manor than thought and all are in danger before the end is in sight.
The stories surrounding the marvellously rich group of people we know from the Gaslight Chronicles continue to be mined.
Melody McKay an airship engineer, pilot and member of the Order of the Round Table, is testing her dirigible's new engine design over the Devonshire coast when either the boiler or generator inexplicably explodes. She crashes into the parklands in front of Black Heath Manor. Fortunately the damage to her is minor, bruises and a sprained ankle. Her Scottish deerhound Birch (who has his own set of specially designed goggles--how cute and practical!) is fine too.
Captain Victor Arrington, the current Earl of Blackwell has returned from his first love, the sea, to take up the lordly reins and care for his niece Emma when his brother, the late Earl, and his sister-in-law are killed in an accident. He and Barnaby, his trusty ex shipmate now butler, are scouring the rocks looking for evidence of smugglers who have been plaguing the area. They have seen a large strange crab like apparatus climbing out of the water and disappearing into the rock face. Are the two connected?
Emma is an extremely intelligent and precocious ten year old. Victor is a gruff, loveable person, just with outmoded ideas about women. Although as Nell declares, 'There's a sense of strength about him. A woman would always feel safe with him nearby.'
Victor has little experience with children and thinks to train Emma to be a future lady of the manor (whatever that might mean), maybe ensconced in doing embroidery and good works! That plan was doomed before Melody arrived, and is doubly so when Emma sees what women can do. Emma was already nose deep in history and scientific tomes, bargaining with her uncle over against his wishes for her to read something more ladylike--a novel perhaps? Hmm! Somehow I think not!
Strange events come to pass and Victor and Melody pretend to be engaged to throw any informants for the smugglers off the scent. Victor, against his better judgement is attracted to Melody...and Melody?...Well?
Backup arrives in the form of Melody's foster siblings Tom Devere and Nell Hadrian along with Miss Dorothy to chaperone.
There is more going on at Black Heath Manor than thought and all are in danger before the end is in sight.
July 14, 2014
To start off, I want to say that I really love this series. Cindy Spencer Pape has created a great steam punk world, crazy machines, supernatural elements and romance! If you have not tried this series, I would.
That said, I would not start with this one. The heroine was great as most of her female characters are. Pape’s females are strong and opinionated and extremely capable. Melody is a dirigible captain and knows who she is and is proud of it. However, I was truly annoyed at the hero. He spends the first part of the book telling Melody that she is not a proper woman because she does not do embroidery and other “female” pursuits. He also tries to get his niece, who is under his guidance, to be a “proper” lady and not pursue education. Then about half way through the book because all (and I mean all) of the other male characters keep telling him he is being stupid (well… and he gives in to desire) he decides that she is a wonderful person and yes a true lady. This 180 about face rang really false to me and was disappointing because all of her previous heroes were so likable.
I wound up still giving Dragons a 4/5 because you do get some time with previous characters, Wink and Tom and Nell all showed up and Nell and Tom had some great scenes. I so can’t wait for their book! Plus, the huge metal crab and the dragon of the title were excellent and Cindy does a great job with their description.
That said, I would not start with this one. The heroine was great as most of her female characters are. Pape’s females are strong and opinionated and extremely capable. Melody is a dirigible captain and knows who she is and is proud of it. However, I was truly annoyed at the hero. He spends the first part of the book telling Melody that she is not a proper woman because she does not do embroidery and other “female” pursuits. He also tries to get his niece, who is under his guidance, to be a “proper” lady and not pursue education. Then about half way through the book because all (and I mean all) of the other male characters keep telling him he is being stupid (well… and he gives in to desire) he decides that she is a wonderful person and yes a true lady. This 180 about face rang really false to me and was disappointing because all of her previous heroes were so likable.
I wound up still giving Dragons a 4/5 because you do get some time with previous characters, Wink and Tom and Nell all showed up and Nell and Tom had some great scenes. I so can’t wait for their book! Plus, the huge metal crab and the dragon of the title were excellent and Cindy does a great job with their description.
March 17, 2015
I enjoy this series and love how the author brings in characters from the other books so too get updates on how they are doing.
My only criticism is after the angst between Nell and Tom, I didn't like the bombshell about what was really keeping them apart, especially since this book wasn't about them and now we have to wait months to see if their plot line will be resolved in the next book
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
My only criticism is after the angst between Nell and Tom, I didn't like the bombshell about what was really keeping them apart, especially since this book wasn't about them and now we have to wait months to see if their plot line will be resolved in the next book
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 23, 2014
Like the previous book in the Gaslight Chronicles, Dragon’s & Dirigibles is novella length. Also like the previous books it packs a lot in it’s 48,000 words and is a great addition to the series.
This time it is Melody McKay’s story. Melody is an engineer and a very modern woman. When her airship explodes she meet Victor Arrington, the Earl of Blackwell. From the beginning Victor’s old-fashion ideas and Melody’s modern way of life cause a clash. There is a problem at Victor’s estate. Smugglers are using it for a base and they need to be stopped. As they work together they both find that there is an attraction that cannot be denied. It is fun to see how Melody changes how Victor feels about modern women.
It is a nice plot but I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning. It did not change my enjoyment of the story and there were two surprises at the end. One was dropped by Tom and is a big hook for what could be the next story in the series. You don’t have to read the series in order but it is more fun that way.
This time it is Melody McKay’s story. Melody is an engineer and a very modern woman. When her airship explodes she meet Victor Arrington, the Earl of Blackwell. From the beginning Victor’s old-fashion ideas and Melody’s modern way of life cause a clash. There is a problem at Victor’s estate. Smugglers are using it for a base and they need to be stopped. As they work together they both find that there is an attraction that cannot be denied. It is fun to see how Melody changes how Victor feels about modern women.
It is a nice plot but I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning. It did not change my enjoyment of the story and there were two surprises at the end. One was dropped by Tom and is a big hook for what could be the next story in the series. You don’t have to read the series in order but it is more fun that way.
April 27, 2014
3.5 star = I liked it. I really enjoy Pape's Gaslight Chronicles, Dragons & Dirigibles had another great set up: Airship pilot and inventor Melody McKay crash lands her airship on the lawn of former Naval Captain (now Earl) Victor's front lawn and into the troubles his town is facing with smugglers. The potential roadblock to their HEA is a good one too, he's trying to raise his orphaned niece to be a proper lady and Melody is a lady but an unconventional one.
Pape always has enough going on that I really think that her stories are screaming for just a little more length to take advantage of everything that is put in place but I like these Gaslight Chronicles even though the resolutions to the mysteries and the HEAs come just a tad too easily - especially since their is also setup for what I am hoping is finally (finally!) going to be the pair I've been anticipating for so long.
So short but sweet, can't wait for the next one.
ARC via NetGalley
Pape always has enough going on that I really think that her stories are screaming for just a little more length to take advantage of everything that is put in place but I like these Gaslight Chronicles even though the resolutions to the mysteries and the HEAs come just a tad too easily - especially since their is also setup for what I am hoping is finally (finally!) going to be the pair I've been anticipating for so long.
So short but sweet, can't wait for the next one.
ARC via NetGalley
May 25, 2014
A fun read all around, though I have to admit to being excited for the next book, especially if the next book's Tom's and/or Nell's :)
Having said that, this IMO lacked a bit of depth, as the H and h, Victor and Melody's transitions from being' you're all wrong for me' to 'your the only one for me', a a bit too sudden for me....one sec they're opposed to each other as a mate, the next their perfect for each other?! I think a more gradual getting together would have been more believable.
Also on a side note, I skipped the previous book, Ashes and Alchemy, and was fine....no missing or confusing bits, and iirc, no spoilers for that one. Either, so now I can go back and read it too :)
3.5 stars
Having said that, this IMO lacked a bit of depth, as the H and h, Victor and Melody's transitions from being' you're all wrong for me' to 'your the only one for me', a a bit too sudden for me....one sec they're opposed to each other as a mate, the next their perfect for each other?! I think a more gradual getting together would have been more believable.
Also on a side note, I skipped the previous book, Ashes and Alchemy, and was fine....no missing or confusing bits, and iirc, no spoilers for that one. Either, so now I can go back and read it too :)
3.5 stars
June 15, 2014
3.5 stars.
This book started out strong and very interesting. It's an interesting alternate Europe that mixes supernatural and steampunk. I found myself cheering for Melody and warming up to Victor despite some of his old-fashioned (then in fashion) ways and beliefs. I knew this was a novella getting into it and that didn't bother me. But, I found that I liked the characters and the story so much so that I wanted more of it, and not just more of the series, but more of this novel. With a few things fleshed out fully this would have been outstanding. As it was, it was a good, quick read that felt a bit rushed. I would recommend it for fans of romantic steampunk.
This book started out strong and very interesting. It's an interesting alternate Europe that mixes supernatural and steampunk. I found myself cheering for Melody and warming up to Victor despite some of his old-fashioned (then in fashion) ways and beliefs. I knew this was a novella getting into it and that didn't bother me. But, I found that I liked the characters and the story so much so that I wanted more of it, and not just more of the series, but more of this novel. With a few things fleshed out fully this would have been outstanding. As it was, it was a good, quick read that felt a bit rushed. I would recommend it for fans of romantic steampunk.
August 10, 2014
A fun read, as are all the books in the series. This one is, however, too short and too fast paced resulting in the characters and plot feel very underdeveloped - something that I didn't feel when reading the little novellas in the series. The focus on tech and the near total absence of magic/the paranormal makes this feel like a clone of a Meljean Brooks "Iron Seas" novel rather than the mix I've come to expect from this series. Still fun though, but not as good as the rest of the Gaslight Chronicles.
March 19, 2015
I think perhaps the writer read some of the comments of those who had read her earlier books, for this one had a more fully developed plot - hurrah!
And, of course, after that announcement by Tom in the last couple of pages I am agog waiting for the next one which, hopefully, comes out this year.
A small comment on the cover art - which I know the author is in no way responsible for - but I'm pretty sure the dragon ship and the airship were not the same thing :)
And, of course, after that announcement by Tom in the last couple of pages I am agog waiting for the next one which, hopefully, comes out this year.
A small comment on the cover art - which I know the author is in no way responsible for - but I'm pretty sure the dragon ship and the airship were not the same thing :)
June 23, 2015
I wasn't that impressed with this installment. It felt rushed, disjointed, and there was hardly any actual romance between Victor and Melody. It seemed like it was a set up for Tom and Nell's book, but the interaction between Tom and Nell was minimal at best. All in all, I didn't enjoy it overmuch.
June 20, 2014
So, yes, it was a fun read, that is if you want your steampunk mixed with romance. I enjoyed the plot and managed to not skip the romance parts :-) Overall, the book is setup in a well-thought through steampunk world; this is the 3rd book I am reading in the series and I will want more, likely.
May 21, 2014
Good, but not great. Rather predictable, which I didn't necessarily find to be the case with the other titles. Victor was a toad - rather a change from the heroes in the other titles. I'm still glad I read it, but I think I was hoping for a bit more.
July 10, 2015
Not a bad story, for the most part, but there were some discrepancies and unexplained situations ... for example, Emma's mother supposedly died in an accident, but then shows up alive and well as the mastermind behind the smuggling operation. Would only give this two and a half stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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