The Mechanic's Mate

The Diesel War #1

by Mikea Howard

Abused and on the run, Sadie flees through the woods. For the first time in her life, she craves the blissful silence of nature. Her sire and mate is a monster who hid his inner evil all too well. Her skills as a mechanic now useless, intolerant to the noise and pollution of the city’s diesel engines thanks to her new werewolf status, Sadie’s only hope is the ex-pack of the monster she escaped. But will they accept the dieselhead mate of a rogue?

Domek, the Blue Wolf alpha, has caught the scent of the rogue he’s sworn to hunt down. But he’s shocked to find it attached to a frail, damaged city girl, the most beautiful creature he has ever seen. The desire to take care of her is fierce . . . unexplainable.

How can he protect a woman who has tied the fate of her mortality to the life of a rogue he must destroy?

Genres: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Science Fiction, Paranormal

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2015

Reviews

[Annie Slasher (Booked & Loaded) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com - I received this book directly from the author. All opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Mechanic's Mate by Mikea Howard is the first book in The Diesel War series. With great world building and smooth writing, the only thing that didn't work for me was more of a personal preference than a story issue.

I absolutely loved the world building in The Mechanic's Mate. Set in a an entirely unique world where mechanics and technology caused coas to the shifters and fueling the Diesel War. Post war lines and treaties are holding, but are still not a guarantee. Howard creates a world so vivid even the slang is unique. I loved this aspect. The writing felt natural and smooth, making it a pleasant journey.

What didn't work for me was the relationship between Domek the Alpha and Sadie. Sadie is a natural submissive and it carried over to her transformation into wolf. This personality type is always a hard one for me to relate to. With her inability to deny her Alpha's direct order joined with her previous abuse, I just couldn't enjoy their HEA. A piece of me constantly felt uncomfortable with this dynamic, no matter how well written.

The main characters may not have worked for me, but Howard has multiple saving graces. The secondary characters added much entertainment and were just as well written as the main protagonists.

The world building is certainly not only what worked, but created an unforgettable gritty place that I will continue to visit. There is no doubt I will be reading the next installment in this series and I *hope* I know who it is about...

I rate The Mechanic's Mate 3 out of 5 Bullets!

[Joey Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and I look forward to where else Mikea Howard will take this series. This is the co-authors' first book and I can see a lot of potential in the characters' direction. I'm not a dieselpunk, steampunk kind of reader and yet they pulled me in and impressed me with the world they'd created, integrating it with the love story and character-driven plotline rather than overpowering it, which is my usual problem in sci-fi, steampunk and high fantasy - the world kind of drowns the characters. Not so with this one. I've been reading paranormal and contemporary romance for a long time, and I can clearly see the promising markers in this book that tell me Mikea Howard will be a name to watch.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

At my first read, I rated it 5 stars. On my 2nd read, it's more 3 stars. The h is a talented mechanic, 'tricked' into mating an evil shifter. She's on the run from him, can't live in the city or with her mate. The pack alpha finds her and believes she's meant to be his mate. Together they try to resolve what happened. It's OK, struggled to keep my interest on 2nd read.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, it started off with a bang and kept me riveted till the end. The world building was just stellar. It was a diesel world where mechanics and technology threatened the shifter existence, fueling a war that cleaves a rift between the races. The characters, even the secondary ones, were vivid and well-written. At first I was not too wild about the whole Dom/sub, light BDSM going on between Sadie and Domek, but the author made it work fitting nicely into the story, making it totally hot in the process. This story had a bit of everything, an enthralling romance, some twists and turns, a distinctive diesel punk world, shifters and weres, and well-drawn characters.
Llaph
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC! The Mechanic’s Mate is the first in a series and a debut novel by the team of Mikea Howard. This book is filled with twists and turns and a heck of a romance. This is a vivid world with Diesel Punk, Shifters and Weres. The secondary characters rocked. There is some BDSM and some sweet loving. I was absolutely blown away and can’t wait for the next installment. You will want to pick this one up. I did.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review

[Scott Sammons · Rating 1 out of 5]

S&M werewolves? Not the SteamPunk adventure promised.

I am no prude, but do expect publishers to deliver the product promised. This is a cheap and tawdry knockoff of pulp erotica, poorly delivered and confused in it's organization. Perhaps it would have been better received is not sold under a false flag.

[Llaph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, it started off with a bang and kept me riveted till the end. The world building was just stellar. It was a diesel world where mechanics and technology threatened the shifter existence, fueling a war that cleaves a rift between the races. The characters, even the secondary ones, were vivid and well-written. At first I was not too wild about the whole Dom/sub, light BDSM going on between Sadie and Domek, but the author made it work fitting nicely into the story, making it totally hot in the process. This story had a bit of everything, an enthralling romance, some twists and turns, a distinctive diesel punk world, shifters and weres, and well-drawn characters.
Llaph
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Jarylynn Schlegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome novel! The Mechanic’s Mate is the first in a series and I can't wait to read more..It is filled with romance, a little BDSM and more. It is captivating and keeps you intrigued the entire time with some twists you never see coming. It is difficult to put down once you start reading and you will want to know more. I would rave more but I don't want to spoil anything....

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Points for originality- just a bit too odd for my tastes. I got bored quickly, and really didn't like relationship dynamics. She's constantly being told not to speak unless spoken to, not look in his eyes unless told, and is forced to do whatever he decrees. I know some people enjoy that, but not me.

[Twinsie Talk Angie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I purchased this book at a book signing.

SO when I saw the ladies I thought OH COOL….so I ran over to check out what I ignorantly thought would be historical. I love historical so yeah their awesome costumes made me run over. Then I get there and am all “ uhm what is DieselPunk?” and then while asking I am reading the back of the book and see the keyword “Shifter” and I said sold! Yup that is how I roll!! Plus their covers are totally awesome!!

I can’t even begin to tell you what I loved because there were so many aspects to the story and genre that I loved. I love shifters and so this added DeiselPunk science was kinda cool. Then throw in a dominant hottie Alpha who is all into the kinks…yes please #HEAVEN!!

Another thing I loved was the whole Mated to the wrong guy…our poor girl Sadie thinks she has found THE ONE and accepts him as her mate only to realize nope she got tricked. As she is running from her “mate” she stumbles into our hottie alpha, Domek. He is consumed with the little wolf but can’t understand why? She is mated to another and it’s his bitter enemy at that!!

Domek’s storyline is great. He is really trying to do the right thing but he can’t get his head around the fact he feels Sadie is his. Sadie is so drawn to Domek but thinks he is only helping her because he accepted her into his pack for safety. The couple have a few obstacles to overcome…..like her original mate, her non-english/Diesel speak and the fact that she challenges him while submitting to him as well. Her and Kara has great sense together!! #GirlPower

I LOOOOVED the story and how we find out what to do to fix Sadie’s trouble but I also loved the build-up for the next book…so excited for Molly and Edo!! I can’t wait to jump in and see what kind of shenanigans we will be reading about in the next book!

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 25% I was ready to put this story to the side. I didn't really connect to either of the characters. I thought the alpha of the pack didn't make me want to respect him. I didn't see any scenes where he actually protected or enforced anything - except when the heroine decided to do something nice for the pups, then he went into "What the hell is going on!".

And I am not against submissive, at all. I usually think they are sweeties and I usually enjoy how strong they are as they put up with a LOT. But this chick didn't really do anything special other than put up with the alpha's type of kink.

The story idea was really good. I wish there was more time spent on character development. But still a good story so I gave it 3 stars.

[Laura Kitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book from the author in Atlanta. It has an original concept, however, I believe the execution fell short. I had expected steampunk and found post-apocalyptic, instead. The erotic elements are good, if redundant, though I found the dominance over-the-top. The text is clean, but lax attention to grammar points left many ideas muddy and required rereading of sentences. I will say I enjoyed the paranormal elements, world-building, and secondary character interaction. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to.

[Philleys Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing romance

I really liked this urban fantasy romance! An erotic tale of an abused newly turned werewolf seeking refuge with the alpha of the Blue Wolf Clan. A story definitely written for the adult genre with lots of alpha dominance and power play. Very entertaining read!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

What a great book!! I just absolutely loved it and I can't wait to read the next book!! A definite must read!!! Happy Reading!!!! :)

[Donielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! 1st book in their series. Couldn't put it down!

[Mysterious · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 29%

[Michele Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifters with romance, mystery and steamy.

I really liked this book. The characters came alive for me so much that I couldn't put the story away. It has a mature theme and steamy scenes but it was an interesting plot with well developed characters. I highly recommend this book.

[Monika Kubicek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story. I had a little trouble due to the strong presence of dominate-submissive play and excessive sex but found the story catching and lore enjoyable. Well I enjoyed the story and characters, I had a hard time with the main female protagonist, Sadie, being so submissive to the main male. She was for the most part an interesting and strong character with spunk but every time she interacted with Domek, the main male and her love interest, she sort of lost part of her personality due to having to be more submissive in his presence. I think this sort of relationship is not my cup of tea but still an enjoyable read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the balance between past and present

This story starts out slow but tells a great story. Lots of action, humour and a devotion that is respectful and loving.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncaged Book Reviews:

A very clever world, mixing steampunk and shifters. After the Diesel Wars, a treaty is agreed upon, and the shifters and humans are for the most part separated by boundaries, the humans in the cities with their mechanical creations and the shifters living outside in their own communities where the noise of the cities won’t bother them, as it can turn them mad.

I did enjoy the originality of this world and the likable characters.

Full review at UncagedBooks.com

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie has no idea what's coming for her when she agrees to mate with a werewolf living in her city. And it's a dirty, grimy city filled with noise, and diesel, and soot. Her "mate" knows exactly what he's doing when he gets her in his clutches and he's going to make sure one certain person knows this.

Fleeing for her life Sadie falls (lands?) (is put purposely in his path?) to the forest floor in front of Domek. The Alpha knows trouble when he sees it (and smells it... was that? honeysuckle?) and Sadie has it written, and bloodied, all over her. Knowing a new wolf when he sees her, his duties come to the front and he's forced to make the decision to take her under his paw (*snicker*) as she is considered part of his pack.

Fighting for their pack, Sadie & Domek take a trip back to the city... to face what might be the only thing saving them....or breaking them.

Labeling this as one of my favorite reads of the year seems a little outlandish to me. But it is. It's the first story from a duo of writers, and I never saw them coming. I didn't have any idea of what to expect. I purposely didn't read the blurbs or previous reviews because I wanted to read them "clean". I've met them. I think they are great gals... but again, I never saw them coming.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diesel War Book One.

After escaping her captor and abuser, Eridon, Sadie flees towards the woods surrounding her city. Sadie is sure that the wolf pack Eridon was expelled from can also save her. Domek believes the day has come for him to set things right, but instead of his former Beta, he finds a woman who has been brutalized. His protective instincts reign and he knows he must keep her safe. However, Eridon has other plans. He is after vengeance.

If you're looking for a new spin on alternative historical romance with a paranormal twist, this is the book for you!

[CL Runchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diesel punk

Sadie is a strong woman who ends up in a tough situation. The adventure she sets out on keep me wondering what would happen next. This is the first diesel punk book I have read but I am looking forward to reading more. The world is well written and will be fun to explore with other characters.

[Myst]

the steam or diesel punk was interesting. the rope bondage I glossed over bored