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Auckland Steampunk First Class #1
Her Flame
The only thing twenty-two-year-old Bridie wants is freedom. Freedom to travel the world, do as she likes, and make her own decisions. Marriage? Finding a man? No, thank you. Besides, she’s a Supernatural, able to remember everything she reads, hears, or sees—a skill she can use to find an adventurous job.
But she doesn’t know that six years ago, her father secretly married her to Lord Aurelius Steward. A few papers, her father’s signature, and Bridie became Mrs Steward.
So when Aurelius asks her to leave with him for a trip, she wishes him bon voyage. Except that, the trip is actually a secret mission to stop a terrorist attack on the next Technological Exhibition of Auckland.
Gifted with unnatural strength, Aurelius is part of the Military Intelligence Seventh Division, and to prevent the attack, he needs Bridie and her superpower.
She accepts. Adventures, travels, and a gorgeous man—what could a girl want more?
But she doesn’t know that six years ago, her father secretly married her to Lord Aurelius Steward. A few papers, her father’s signature, and Bridie became Mrs Steward.
So when Aurelius asks her to leave with him for a trip, she wishes him bon voyage. Except that, the trip is actually a secret mission to stop a terrorist attack on the next Technological Exhibition of Auckland.
Gifted with unnatural strength, Aurelius is part of the Military Intelligence Seventh Division, and to prevent the attack, he needs Bridie and her superpower.
She accepts. Adventures, travels, and a gorgeous man—what could a girl want more?
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First published August 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 8, 2019
I received a free copy of this for a review and for it being steampunk/medieval romance, something outside of my comfort genre, it was a great, quick read. I even read the teaser chapter to her next book at the end and wanted more. I would read more by this author.
April 1, 2020
An action packed adventure that will suck you right in! This book had so many carefully written and well payed out twists, turns and surprises it could keep anyone’s attention. All the while we solve this mystery we also get to see two strong minded people start to fall fo each other in some way even with a contract ripping waves of ill feelings toward each other in the mix. This story wasn’t overly mushy and held lots of physical contact ;) The ending to this story perfectly wrapped up the book and left you with a bit of witty banter and a smile.
September 23, 2019
Fun and sexy read.
This book was really fun to read, very sexy, with a great, unique world and lots of action/adventure. The romance was very "fated mates" style, which I think will appeal to fans of paranormal romance. Some typos/proofreading issues here and there, but didn't distract too much from the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
This book was really fun to read, very sexy, with a great, unique world and lots of action/adventure. The romance was very "fated mates" style, which I think will appeal to fans of paranormal romance. Some typos/proofreading issues here and there, but didn't distract too much from the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
September 25, 2021
Enjoyed this, I think I have found my new favourite NZ author.
It was fun, there was a spy adventure thrown in and hot 🔥 chemistry between the hero and heroine. Their story is complete and the next book looks like a brand new romance in the same world so look forward to reading that one.
Love the NZ references to towns, flora and fauna etc but I’m biased being a kiwi, no cultural cringe here.
It was fun, there was a spy adventure thrown in and hot 🔥 chemistry between the hero and heroine. Their story is complete and the next book looks like a brand new romance in the same world so look forward to reading that one.
Love the NZ references to towns, flora and fauna etc but I’m biased being a kiwi, no cultural cringe here.
February 29, 2024
Entertaining read
Well this was a very unusual read with a wonderful combination of steamounk and paranormal. A compelling but rather unique love story.
Well this was a very unusual read with a wonderful combination of steamounk and paranormal. A compelling but rather unique love story.
September 5, 2019
I like steampunk so decided to give this a read, it sounded intriguing. The beginning of the story there was a great battle of words between Bridie and Aurelius on a dance floor at a party and there were sparks flying. Immediately upon learning she was only 16 y/o my brain went huh? Thought she was older? The author did age her six years after their first encounter which was a good thing otherwise it bordered on not so good given some of the thoughts that Aurelius had about her.
There are many contradictions throughout this story. If we are using Victorian times as the basis an un-chaperoned 16 y/o female going to such an event would be considered scandalous, much less her inviting him out to the gardens her reputation would be in tatters.
Bridie was a very strong willed young lady with a sharp tongue and intelligent forbearance. I enjoyed her spunk. Her reaction to finding out what her father and Aurelius did behind her back was totally understandable. As was her demands to have the whole thing annulled since the original reason the marriage took place was now a moot point. Once she got the papers she would be able to present them and make it official. What got old after a while was that she used the annulment like a bludgeoning tool every time something did not go her way with Aurelius. Like couples when they argue and one partner always threatens divorce when the other doesn’t go along, it gets old and tiresome.
She also had a tendency to blow hot and cold about Aurelius, one minute lusting after him the next wanting nothing to do with him. Got whiplash after a while.
Aurelius was a bit high handed with what he did in secret with Bridie’s father. He was also a man who kept a lot from Bridie. One minute he is amazed at her sharp mind the next minute he’s treating her like a fragile porcelain piece and not telling her the whole truth. It’s like he couldn’t make up his mind to treat her as an equal with her own set of skills or like a timid schoolgirl in need of constant guidance.
The plot was a bit convoluted and didn’t have a real logical flow at least for me. The story is for the most part an easy read with likeable enough characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are many contradictions throughout this story. If we are using Victorian times as the basis an un-chaperoned 16 y/o female going to such an event would be considered scandalous, much less her inviting him out to the gardens her reputation would be in tatters.
Bridie was a very strong willed young lady with a sharp tongue and intelligent forbearance. I enjoyed her spunk. Her reaction to finding out what her father and Aurelius did behind her back was totally understandable. As was her demands to have the whole thing annulled since the original reason the marriage took place was now a moot point. Once she got the papers she would be able to present them and make it official. What got old after a while was that she used the annulment like a bludgeoning tool every time something did not go her way with Aurelius. Like couples when they argue and one partner always threatens divorce when the other doesn’t go along, it gets old and tiresome.
She also had a tendency to blow hot and cold about Aurelius, one minute lusting after him the next wanting nothing to do with him. Got whiplash after a while.
Aurelius was a bit high handed with what he did in secret with Bridie’s father. He was also a man who kept a lot from Bridie. One minute he is amazed at her sharp mind the next minute he’s treating her like a fragile porcelain piece and not telling her the whole truth. It’s like he couldn’t make up his mind to treat her as an equal with her own set of skills or like a timid schoolgirl in need of constant guidance.
The plot was a bit convoluted and didn’t have a real logical flow at least for me. The story is for the most part an easy read with likeable enough characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2019
This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
So this book is a prequel to the heart collector and is very similar to it. It’s incredibly heavy on the romance but still has some fantasy and mystery elements to it. But the word ROMANCE should definitely be in bold. The characters were not as developed as I would like, and it has that element of impossibility and perfect timing and coincidence most romance novels have. It’s very character driven. Has mature themes. Overall it’s solid if your just finding for some fluffy cute romance to read.
So this book is a prequel to the heart collector and is very similar to it. It’s incredibly heavy on the romance but still has some fantasy and mystery elements to it. But the word ROMANCE should definitely be in bold. The characters were not as developed as I would like, and it has that element of impossibility and perfect timing and coincidence most romance novels have. It’s very character driven. Has mature themes. Overall it’s solid if your just finding for some fluffy cute romance to read.
September 15, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hot little book on a slow Sunday. It was not my usual reading material, but it did entertain me enough to keep me emerged.
Having read other steampunk before, this was low-key on the genre scale. But it is well-written and deeply delved into the relationship dynamics between Aurelius and Bridie. Barbara is well equipped when dealing with creating conflict between the two characters. The sexy scenes are toe-curlingly delicious.
Totally recommend this book.
Having read other steampunk before, this was low-key on the genre scale. But it is well-written and deeply delved into the relationship dynamics between Aurelius and Bridie. Barbara is well equipped when dealing with creating conflict between the two characters. The sexy scenes are toe-curlingly delicious.
Totally recommend this book.
October 7, 2019
I loved reading this book! A humorous action packed spy adventure that carried the storyline quite well from start to finish. I loved the romantic byplay between Aurelius and Bridie! They made the perfect spies and falling in love was fated for these two. If you love steampunk romance, you will love this one and it has a happy ever after ending! Very nice!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 23, 2019
Her Flame is the first book in the Auckland Steampunk First Class series and the first I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a light and entertaining read. The characters were likable and the storyline was well written and flowed nicely throughout. This steampunk romance had mystery, suspense, intrigue, romance, and steamy scenes.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
November 12, 2019
All she wants is freedom to what she wants when she wants and how she wants. Unknown to her, her father has married her off to a man. He asks her to go on a trip with him. He needs her powers. Why does he needs them? Will she help? Will she fall for the man who is already her husband? See what she will do when she finds out the truth
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews