Delia’s Heartthrob

Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles #2

by Regina Kammer

Gadzooks! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching—what’s a scientist to do? Edward knows naught of romance. Can steam power prevail over chocolates to win Delia’s heart?

The stress of looming deadlines threatens to thwart any Valentine’s Day plans Professor Edward Ockham might have for his assistant—and lover—Delia Bennett. Compounding the tension, Edward insists the two maintain professional restraint once the workday begins at the Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory. But testing erotic machines with a formal demeanor proves to be quite challenging for Edward—and terribly frustrating for Delia. Something’s got to give. Will Edward find the inspiration to melt his icy reserve?

Delia’s Heartthrob continues the Steampunk workplace-romance-with-a-rom-com-vibe as our nerdy engineer suffers a crisis regarding how best to woo his tantalizing assistant. The 6,000-word short is the second story in The Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles, a queer, polyamorous, Steampunk romance series of nine short stories set in an alternate Victorian world meant to be read in order.

The Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles
In an imagined Newcastle, England, circa 1878, Professor Edward Ockham toils in obscurity at the Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory, creating unusual machines with his partner Special Assistant Sebastian Broadchurch. Until Miss Delia Bennett joins the Lab, sparking unfamiliar desires and inspiring steamy inventions.
One Cheek Or Two? (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 1)
Delia’s Heartthrob (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 2)
Swing Follies (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 3)
Before Delia, Part 1: The Revolution (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 4)
Before Delia, Part 2: The Partnership (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 5)
A Thrilling Combination (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 6)
That Perfect Fit (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 7)
[To Be Determined] (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 8)
[To Be Determined] (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 9)

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

Regina Kammer is a librarian, an art historian, and a multi-published writer of provocative historical romance and contemporary romance with a touch of history. Her short stories and novels make history sexier, whether the era is Roman, Byzantine, Viking, American Revolution, or Victorian. She’s even sexed up contemporary settings, Steampunk, and Greco-Roman mythology. She has been published by Cleis Press, Go Deeper Press, Ellora’s Cave, House of Erotica, Story Ink, Loose Id, The Naughty Literati, and her own imprint, Viridium Press. She began writing historical fiction with romantic elements during National Novel Writing Month 2006, switching to erotica when all her characters suddenly demanded to have sex.

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Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this short story and this is my freely given opinion.

Steampunk, smut, and Valentines!

This is a very short piece of steampunk erotica that continues the story of Professor Ockham and his continuing (open) relationship with his lab assistants and lovers Delia and Sebastian. Here, Ockham is on uncertain footing when tasked by Sebastian of how is going to approach Valentine's with Delia. He has also been invited to contribute an artistic piece for an exhibition. This is sweet, with a lot of spicy smut, as Ockham awkwardly and endearingly tries to figure out what would be an appropriate Valentine's tribute for Delia, and ultimately he hits it out of the park as he is inspired by Sebastian, and melds his feelings and desire for Delia with his talents as an inventor into his artistic endeavour, which becomes a piece of innovative, immersive art work that is a physical demonstration of their relationship.

A very creative little story - Cute, endearing smut.

4 stars out of 5

[MegRo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again- a silly, joyful, sexy steampunk novella. Poor Edward doesn’t know how to celebrate Valentine’s Day; Sebastian is delightfully naughty; and Delia has two sexy men to deal with.

Sparks quite literally fly.

Quick and cute and steamy. What more could I want when it’s been 20 degrees forever.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.