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Magnificent Devices #14
Carrick House
Who said life is but a dream after the wedding?
Married eight months, Lady Claire Trevelyan and Dr. Andrew Malvern are blissfully working together on a new invention, and providing a home for a collection of street sparrows. Then Claire’s mother, the redoubtable Lady Jermyn, arrives with her family in tow and expects to stay indefinitely ... Peony Churchill turns up on the doorstep with valise in hand ... and raffish cousin Claude comes for a visit ...
While separately any of these would be most welcome, together they are overwhelming. Claire and Andrew flee to Athena for a bit of breathing room. But the last thing they expect is to have their airship hijacked ... with Claire’s little brother Nicholas still aboard ...
If you like old-fashioned adventure, brave women, clever children, and strong-willed chickens, you’ll love this short story set in the Magnificent Devices world. Fangs for the Fantasy says Claire is “a wonderful main character (one of my favourites in the genre)” and the series has “a great sense of Victorian style and language that’s both fun and beautiful to read.”
Married eight months, Lady Claire Trevelyan and Dr. Andrew Malvern are blissfully working together on a new invention, and providing a home for a collection of street sparrows. Then Claire’s mother, the redoubtable Lady Jermyn, arrives with her family in tow and expects to stay indefinitely ... Peony Churchill turns up on the doorstep with valise in hand ... and raffish cousin Claude comes for a visit ...
While separately any of these would be most welcome, together they are overwhelming. Claire and Andrew flee to Athena for a bit of breathing room. But the last thing they expect is to have their airship hijacked ... with Claire’s little brother Nicholas still aboard ...
If you like old-fashioned adventure, brave women, clever children, and strong-willed chickens, you’ll love this short story set in the Magnificent Devices world. Fangs for the Fantasy says Claire is “a wonderful main character (one of my favourites in the genre)” and the series has “a great sense of Victorian style and language that’s both fun and beautiful to read.”
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2018
78 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Adina
91 books628 followersShelley Adina is the author of 24 novels published by Harlequin, Warner, and Hachette, and a dozen more published by Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press. She writes steampunk and contemporary romance as Shelley Adina, and as Adina Senft, writes Amish women’s fiction. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She won RWA’s RITA Award® in 2005, and was a finalist in 2006. When she’s not writing, Shelley is usually quilting, sewing historical costumes, or hanging out in the garden with her flock of rescued chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 23, 2019
Great addition
This quick read is a great addition to the series! Can't highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of streamline.
This quick read is a great addition to the series! Can't highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of streamline.
July 29, 2020
Delightful addition to the series. In this novella we get to once again visit with "the Lady" and "Andrew" and see how they're settling into married life. Of course, there's adventure. And of course, it ends with some uncertainty. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more in the series.
May 25, 2018
A wonderful short story full of old friends
So glad to see a snippet of a few days in the married life of the Lady Claire and her bunch from the previous stories. It’s nice to think that life continues at the Carrick House although it’s no longer the main focus of this world of Shelley Adina’s. Of course, now I’m curious about what is happening with Peony Churchill. What will she get up to next and when will she develop a passion of her own.. and whatever will it be? I hope we find out in the future!
So glad to see a snippet of a few days in the married life of the Lady Claire and her bunch from the previous stories. It’s nice to think that life continues at the Carrick House although it’s no longer the main focus of this world of Shelley Adina’s. Of course, now I’m curious about what is happening with Peony Churchill. What will she get up to next and when will she develop a passion of her own.. and whatever will it be? I hope we find out in the future!
June 3, 2018
This short story in the Magnificent Devices series is a great little read, with so many of the much-loved characters descending on Carrick House in one go that chaos is bound to ensue! It's a great read that I'd recommend for all Magnificent Devices lovers, with the only bad thing being that the short length means there's so many things still to be resolved... But that just leaves the reader desperate to read the next book, which is always a good thing (as long as it's not too long to wait!)!
March 4, 2020
Family, friends and piracy
Claire is enjoying her unconventional household of penniless orphans when her mother, step father and brother decide to visit. Then her friend Peony arrives. Closely followed by her ward Lizzie and Lizzy's brother Claude, making for an overful house and a decision to spend the night on her airship with her husband and little brother. It turns into a night to remember.
Claire is enjoying her unconventional household of penniless orphans when her mother, step father and brother decide to visit. Then her friend Peony arrives. Closely followed by her ward Lizzie and Lizzy's brother Claude, making for an overful house and a decision to spend the night on her airship with her husband and little brother. It turns into a night to remember.
June 1, 2020
Fun Short Story
I Love the Lady of Devises. This is a short story into her home life after her marriage. All her relatives and a close friend show up, and the house is bursting with people. There is a little intrigue and a touch of action regarding her good friend Peony. This book was more of a deeper explanation of Peony's role in the spin-off series "The Bride Wore...", which I have already read and is excellent.
I Love the Lady of Devises. This is a short story into her home life after her marriage. All her relatives and a close friend show up, and the house is bursting with people. There is a little intrigue and a touch of action regarding her good friend Peony. This book was more of a deeper explanation of Peony's role in the spin-off series "The Bride Wore...", which I have already read and is excellent.
June 29, 2018
Love the story, but too short...
I really hope this novella sets up an additional story about Peony Churchill who has been only a bit character up until now. She's a fascinating young woman, especially in light of the ending of this story.
Carrick House and its occupants could continue to give readers enjoyment for many books to come.
I really hope this novella sets up an additional story about Peony Churchill who has been only a bit character up until now. She's a fascinating young woman, especially in light of the ending of this story.
Carrick House and its occupants could continue to give readers enjoyment for many books to come.
May 28, 2018
Left me wanting
Like a glass of water to one dying of thirst. It whetted the appetite, but did not satisfy. I LOVE her devices books, but I needed more than this short flash of reminiscence.
Like a glass of water to one dying of thirst. It whetted the appetite, but did not satisfy. I LOVE her devices books, but I needed more than this short flash of reminiscence.
June 10, 2018
Well written but...
For the first time, I’m disappointed at the way she handled a character. I’m hoping Peony has a chance to develop back into the character she has previously shown.
For the first time, I’m disappointed at the way she handled a character. I’m hoping Peony has a chance to develop back into the character she has previously shown.
May 30, 2018
Always a great treat re-engaging with the cast of characters at Carrick House. Of course, this short story only left me wanting more.
February 13, 2019
Another excellent adventure!
February 15, 2019
Too outlandish for me. I have always enjoyed Adenia Self’s books. Not this one. Obviously Steampunk is not my genre.
April 2, 2019
Too short. I wanted more.
December 29, 2022
Great Holiday read!
Another great story by Shelley to cozy up.with over a cold.winter break ! If you haven't yet,.go back to the beginning and read thru the series !
Another great story by Shelley to cozy up.with over a cold.winter break ! If you haven't yet,.go back to the beginning and read thru the series !
June 13, 2021
I recently finished reading the fifth book in the Mysterious Devices saga, "The Judge Wore Lamp Black", which also happens to be Book twenty-one (!!) in the Magnificent Devices universe. I was already feeling impatient for the next installment in that mystery series to release, when I realized that I had set aside a little stash of adventures for a rainy day—four novellas set in the Magnificent Devices world. Needless to say, I gobbled them up like candy over the past couple of days.
The first of the four books in the Manor House series is "Carrick House". It was good to be back where it all started, with the Lady of Devices and her flock of 'street sparrows'. Once homeless street urchins, this diverse collection of kids now resides and is schooled at Carrick House by Lady Claire, her new husband, Dr. Andrew Malvern, and the household cook. Carrick House is anything but peaceful, but it is a happy, nurturing place to find one's footing. Lady Claire and Andrew are busy working on a new invention as well.
They certainly have their hands full, but in an epic example of poor timing, Claire's mother arrives for a visit on short notice, bringing along her husband Sir Richard, and Claire's little brother Nicholas. And if that isn't enough, her good friend Peony Churchill shows up unexpectedly and desperately needs a place to stay. But the bulging house isn't done receiving visitors yet, oh no. Lizzie, who's been away at university, and cousin Claude are on their way, too!
I was amused by the frantic efforts to find sleeping quarters for everyone, all while Claire's putting up with her mother's domineering attitude. After getting everyone settled in, and giving up their own bedroom to her mother and Sir Richard, Claire and Andrew do what any newlywed couple might do under the circumstances - they flee to Athena, their airship, relieved to be able to settle into their snug bedroom on their home away from home.
Nothing could possibly go wrong with this plan, I thought. It's not as if anyone's crazy enough to try to steal Athena in the dead of night, right?
Will the house literally burst at the seams? Will Claire and Andrew enjoy some blissful peace and quiet? Will the lecture they're preparing be completed in time to present to the Royal Society of Engineers?
Well, you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. I can promise you surprises, conundrums, adventure, heartbreak, and good news. In other words, it's a normal week at Carrick House.
The first of the four books in the Manor House series is "Carrick House". It was good to be back where it all started, with the Lady of Devices and her flock of 'street sparrows'. Once homeless street urchins, this diverse collection of kids now resides and is schooled at Carrick House by Lady Claire, her new husband, Dr. Andrew Malvern, and the household cook. Carrick House is anything but peaceful, but it is a happy, nurturing place to find one's footing. Lady Claire and Andrew are busy working on a new invention as well.
They certainly have their hands full, but in an epic example of poor timing, Claire's mother arrives for a visit on short notice, bringing along her husband Sir Richard, and Claire's little brother Nicholas. And if that isn't enough, her good friend Peony Churchill shows up unexpectedly and desperately needs a place to stay. But the bulging house isn't done receiving visitors yet, oh no. Lizzie, who's been away at university, and cousin Claude are on their way, too!
I was amused by the frantic efforts to find sleeping quarters for everyone, all while Claire's putting up with her mother's domineering attitude. After getting everyone settled in, and giving up their own bedroom to her mother and Sir Richard, Claire and Andrew do what any newlywed couple might do under the circumstances - they flee to Athena, their airship, relieved to be able to settle into their snug bedroom on their home away from home.
Nothing could possibly go wrong with this plan, I thought. It's not as if anyone's crazy enough to try to steal Athena in the dead of night, right?
Will the house literally burst at the seams? Will Claire and Andrew enjoy some blissful peace and quiet? Will the lecture they're preparing be completed in time to present to the Royal Society of Engineers?
Well, you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. I can promise you surprises, conundrums, adventure, heartbreak, and good news. In other words, it's a normal week at Carrick House.
December 28, 2019
In a short novella, we get to see how Claire is adjusting to life as a married woman with Andrew Malvern. They are ensconced in Carrick House, still taking care of street sparrows (orphans) and rescuing chickens as well.
Their placid existence is soon upset by the arrival of a number of guests; her formidable Mother Lady Jermyn and her husband, Peony Churchill, and Lizzie with cousin Claude. With so many people underfoot, Claire is feeling overwhelmed and will be called to show her quality as things heat up.
I enjoyed the story except; one it was too short!! and . I will enjoy moving on to the next story to refresh my memory of how things continue on in this series I like very much.
Their placid existence is soon upset by the arrival of a number of guests; her formidable Mother Lady Jermyn and her husband, Peony Churchill, and Lizzie with cousin Claude. With so many people underfoot, Claire is feeling overwhelmed and will be called to show her quality as things heat up.
I enjoyed the story except; one it was too short!! and . I will enjoy moving on to the next story to refresh my memory of how things continue on in this series I like very much.
September 16, 2018
A wonderful novella brings back the Lady of Devices. Lady Claire Trevelyan and Andrew are happy together living in Carrick House with their ever growing flock when they are set upon by visitors. Her mother writes that she will probably arrive soon after her missive is delivered. One of her ward's (and her cousin) come back to roost. And a school friend pops up, valise in hand. After much moving of rooms, Claire and Andrew move to their airship which is then stolen while they sleep! With so many adventures behind them, what's one more after all?
February 27, 2020
It was a lovely glimpse but that was all it was.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews