What do you think?
Rate this book
Aerial City #2
Clockwork Bargain
Sequel to Clockwork Horizon
Aerial Book Two
Malachi Covington, sole heir to the Covington Shipping empire and raised sheltered by his uncle, has taken a daring step and departed as a crewman aboard the airship Mockingbird. He’s experiencing new places, new foods, and new cultures, and he’s in love for the first time. Life couldn’t be better.
Of course, his good fortune cannot last. His companion and pilot, Ian Molloy, comes down with Swamp Water Fever, a life-threatening illness. During their desperate attempts to save him, the Mockingbird is set upon by airship pirates. Malachi must take drastic action and strike a bargain with the pirate captain to ensure Ian’s safety.
Aerial Book Two
Malachi Covington, sole heir to the Covington Shipping empire and raised sheltered by his uncle, has taken a daring step and departed as a crewman aboard the airship Mockingbird. He’s experiencing new places, new foods, and new cultures, and he’s in love for the first time. Life couldn’t be better.
Of course, his good fortune cannot last. His companion and pilot, Ian Molloy, comes down with Swamp Water Fever, a life-threatening illness. During their desperate attempts to save him, the Mockingbird is set upon by airship pirates. Malachi must take drastic action and strike a bargain with the pirate captain to ensure Ian’s safety.
- GenresSteampunk
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2014
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 20, 2020
I sure wish there were more of these.
November 17, 2014
I love Therese Woodson’s stories – she was one of my first introductions to the joy of the Merlin/Arthur fan fiction world – and because of that, I’m always pretty happy to see a new one coming from her. This short story (less than 20k) is a follow-up to Clockwork Horizon that was released back in April 2014.
This story opened a few months after Mac decided to join Ian for a new adventure aboard the Mockingbird airship. It felt so wonderful to them. Since it was only few months, Mac and Ian were pretty much still in their ‘honeymoon’ phase and I found them adorably lovey-dovey. Until Ian came down with a life-threatening illness and Mac must bargain with a pirate captain to ensure Ian receives treatment.
I was really fond of Mac before, but this time, I loved him even more. I thought Mac truly had grown up … he was no longer just the shy young man who filled his days with working and only lived his fantasy through dreams and dime novels. No siree! This Mac grew a spine! The way that he challenged Captain Bette of the Mockingbird to get Ian to the nearest airport so Ian could be treated, to the way that he dealt with the pirate captain and traded his own freedom, Mac just showed me what a strong young man he was.
The ending made me go all “awwww” because it was just sweet and lovely. Sure this was rather short, but the end experience that I had was just as satisfying as if I was reading a longer one. I hope there will be more adventures of Mac and Ian in the future.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
This story opened a few months after Mac decided to join Ian for a new adventure aboard the Mockingbird airship. It felt so wonderful to them. Since it was only few months, Mac and Ian were pretty much still in their ‘honeymoon’ phase and I found them adorably lovey-dovey. Until Ian came down with a life-threatening illness and Mac must bargain with a pirate captain to ensure Ian receives treatment.
I was really fond of Mac before, but this time, I loved him even more. I thought Mac truly had grown up … he was no longer just the shy young man who filled his days with working and only lived his fantasy through dreams and dime novels. No siree! This Mac grew a spine! The way that he challenged Captain Bette of the Mockingbird to get Ian to the nearest airport so Ian could be treated, to the way that he dealt with the pirate captain and traded his own freedom, Mac just showed me what a strong young man he was.
The ending made me go all “awwww” because it was just sweet and lovely. Sure this was rather short, but the end experience that I had was just as satisfying as if I was reading a longer one. I hope there will be more adventures of Mac and Ian in the future.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
September 7, 2017
** 3.5 Stars **
July 21, 2015
These are short stories for the price. I read them on Scribd, and would likely never have read them otherwise.
This is the second in a series following Mac and Ian on their adventures. I particularly enjoyed the author's use of multiple senses to create a very rich steampunk/airship world. Although the world is invented, it has a steampunk England feel, with the travel evoking thoughts of Europe and the Middle East.
In this episode, Mac and Ian's relationship develops. We don't really get to see that, it is more of a "6 months passed and they are happier than ever" thing. I wish we could have seen more of it, they are a cute couple.
I felt that the last book left Mac and his uncle in an odd place, but this book doesn't address them or Mac's independence at all.
Mac and Ian are in love, happy on their airship, living their happy ever after. Ian becomes ill with a disease that looks exactly like malaria but has to be a lot more deadly for the plot to work. Yay for fantasy worlds!
Now, I usually hate the trope where one MC gives himself over to the bad guy to save the other MC. In this book, though, the scene is very carefully designed so that it really does seem like the best option for Mac. Ian is certainly going to die because pirates are about to disable their airship and he needs a doctor like now. Mac has something to offer the Pirates that they don't know about: himself. One could say that upon being told, the pirates would probably just take him and disable the airship anyway, but it isn't that much effort to allow the pirates to make a deal in exchange for cooperation. So I was impressed with the author's ability to create a plausible situation where many would not have made the effort.
I will leave the reader to find out what happens to Mac after the pirates take him, and whether Ian finds his cure. This could easily have been a full length novel, and it feels a little condensed, but Max and Ian are charming characters and the plot keeps them interesting. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
The sex scenes are both on the tame side and not numerous. This isn't a downside to me, although I might have liked to see them more sensual and less repetitive. This is definitely more of a sweet/sappy romance than an erotic romance, despite the fact that the couple talks about sex a lot.
This is the second in a series following Mac and Ian on their adventures. I particularly enjoyed the author's use of multiple senses to create a very rich steampunk/airship world. Although the world is invented, it has a steampunk England feel, with the travel evoking thoughts of Europe and the Middle East.
In this episode, Mac and Ian's relationship develops. We don't really get to see that, it is more of a "6 months passed and they are happier than ever" thing. I wish we could have seen more of it, they are a cute couple.
I felt that the last book left Mac and his uncle in an odd place, but this book doesn't address them or Mac's independence at all.
Mac and Ian are in love, happy on their airship, living their happy ever after. Ian becomes ill with a disease that looks exactly like malaria but has to be a lot more deadly for the plot to work. Yay for fantasy worlds!
Now, I usually hate the trope where one MC gives himself over to the bad guy to save the other MC. In this book, though, the scene is very carefully designed so that it really does seem like the best option for Mac. Ian is certainly going to die because pirates are about to disable their airship and he needs a doctor like now. Mac has something to offer the Pirates that they don't know about: himself. One could say that upon being told, the pirates would probably just take him and disable the airship anyway, but it isn't that much effort to allow the pirates to make a deal in exchange for cooperation. So I was impressed with the author's ability to create a plausible situation where many would not have made the effort.
I will leave the reader to find out what happens to Mac after the pirates take him, and whether Ian finds his cure. This could easily have been a full length novel, and it feels a little condensed, but Max and Ian are charming characters and the plot keeps them interesting. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
The sex scenes are both on the tame side and not numerous. This isn't a downside to me, although I might have liked to see them more sensual and less repetitive. This is definitely more of a sweet/sappy romance than an erotic romance, despite the fact that the couple talks about sex a lot.
October 25, 2015
Reviewed at The Blogger Girls.
It’s been a few months since Mac’s been flying aboard the Mockingbird. It’s been months filled with exploring the world and his lover, Ian. But when Ian starts gets dangerously sick, Mac’s perfect life starts to unravel. When they rush to get Ian help, the Mockingbird is attacked by pirates causing Mac to make the biggest decision of his life. Give himself up for ransom…. or let the love of his life die.
OMG, I don’t know how Ms. Woodson does it but even with her short stories, she always manages to draw me into the book and hold my attention throughout. This story was no different in that we get back to the lives of Mac and Ian, who we met in Clockwork Horizon. In this one, I loved that Mac and Ian were still so in love and that even being around each other 24/7, they were still in the honeymoon phase. With that said, I loved that this one had a bit of anticipation to it on whether Ian would live or not. I know I was anxious to see if Mac’s sacrifice was for naught!
I really adored this book and being able to see Mac and Ian again but I wanted MORE! I would have loved to see things from Ian’s point of view especially that chunk of time that Mac was taken captive. I would have liked to see Ian panicky and asking his family for help. Honestly, I just basically wanted Ian’s POV! But I also would I liked to see more of Ian’s family in general and get to know them and how Mac feels around such a large family.
All in all, though, this was still a great story. It really showed how deep Mac and Ian’s relationship is and how much they’ll give up for each other. It’s a sweet story with a tad bit of anticipation but also some “OMG, what’s going to happen next!” type moments. I’m hoping there’s more to come of this series because I definitely don’t think their story is finished!
It’s been a few months since Mac’s been flying aboard the Mockingbird. It’s been months filled with exploring the world and his lover, Ian. But when Ian starts gets dangerously sick, Mac’s perfect life starts to unravel. When they rush to get Ian help, the Mockingbird is attacked by pirates causing Mac to make the biggest decision of his life. Give himself up for ransom…. or let the love of his life die.
OMG, I don’t know how Ms. Woodson does it but even with her short stories, she always manages to draw me into the book and hold my attention throughout. This story was no different in that we get back to the lives of Mac and Ian, who we met in Clockwork Horizon. In this one, I loved that Mac and Ian were still so in love and that even being around each other 24/7, they were still in the honeymoon phase. With that said, I loved that this one had a bit of anticipation to it on whether Ian would live or not. I know I was anxious to see if Mac’s sacrifice was for naught!
I really adored this book and being able to see Mac and Ian again but I wanted MORE! I would have loved to see things from Ian’s point of view especially that chunk of time that Mac was taken captive. I would have liked to see Ian panicky and asking his family for help. Honestly, I just basically wanted Ian’s POV! But I also would I liked to see more of Ian’s family in general and get to know them and how Mac feels around such a large family.
All in all, though, this was still a great story. It really showed how deep Mac and Ian’s relationship is and how much they’ll give up for each other. It’s a sweet story with a tad bit of anticipation but also some “OMG, what’s going to happen next!” type moments. I’m hoping there’s more to come of this series because I definitely don’t think their story is finished!
December 12, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Woodson’s engaging writing style ratchets up a notch, bringing forth fast-paced action and first relationships turmoils. The passion Mac and Ian feel for each other has to contend with the fact they don’t know each other all that well yet. Male pride especially fuels their first rows, but also leads them into trouble. I liked this aspect of their relationship, since no affair is simply lying blissfully on a bed of roses. This vulnerability added a sense of realism to the tale.
Plotlines that drive the main couple apart for a lengthy period rarely work in either novellas or the romance genre. Here we have a romance novella, so the choice to separate Mac and Ian for nearly half the book for a variety reasons proved problematic. The relief for the two men to rediscover one another smooths away the rough edges born of rows and unresolved matters, which is a flimsy way to deal with conflicts. I’m hoping in the next installment Mac and Ian deal with their issues like normal people, by talking about their problems.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Woodson’s engaging writing style ratchets up a notch, bringing forth fast-paced action and first relationships turmoils. The passion Mac and Ian feel for each other has to contend with the fact they don’t know each other all that well yet. Male pride especially fuels their first rows, but also leads them into trouble. I liked this aspect of their relationship, since no affair is simply lying blissfully on a bed of roses. This vulnerability added a sense of realism to the tale.
Plotlines that drive the main couple apart for a lengthy period rarely work in either novellas or the romance genre. Here we have a romance novella, so the choice to separate Mac and Ian for nearly half the book for a variety reasons proved problematic. The relief for the two men to rediscover one another smooths away the rough edges born of rows and unresolved matters, which is a flimsy way to deal with conflicts. I’m hoping in the next installment Mac and Ian deal with their issues like normal people, by talking about their problems.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
June 27, 2015
A heartfelt sequel to
Clockwork Horizon
, Therese Woodson takes us once again into the wonderful world of aerial ships, far off lands, pirates and romance. Now a crewmember of the ship Mockingbird and working alongside his beloved Ian Malloy, one might think that Mac Covington's life is nothing but smooth sailing from here on out. At the end of Horizon, the reader is left hopeful with the promise of Mac and Ian's new relationship and their future adventures together. Woodson not only exceeds expectations, but also keeps the fast-paced story filled with intrigue and danger. When Ian falls victim to a deadly illness and their ship is besieged by pirates, Mac is forced to make a life-changing bargain.
Another thrilling adventure and romantic piece in the series, looking forward to more in this universe.
Another thrilling adventure and romantic piece in the series, looking forward to more in this universe.
December 12, 2014
4.5 stars. Woodson’s engaging writing style ratchets up a notch, bringing forth fast-paced action and first relationships turmoils. The passion Mac and Ian feel for each other has to contend with the fact they don’t know each other all that well yet. Male pride especially fuels their first rows, but also leads them into trouble. I liked this aspect of their relationship, since no affair is simply lying blissfully on a bed of roses. This vulnerability added a sense of realism to the tale.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
Want to read
November 13, 2014preordered
March 1, 2015
This made me cry! But it was relieved and happy tears! I really like how this author writes! Mac and Ian, just my heart! ♡ My only complaint is I want more of them! :)
May 5, 2015
Rating 4.75
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews