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From mist and steam
Searching the battlefield after a major battle Sgt. Eli finds a dead Union Army messenger. In the messenger's bag is a message saying the South had surrendered, the war was over. Along with the Union Messenger was a dead Union Captain carrying his discharge papers, and eight thousand dollars.
Sgt. Eli decides now is a good time to seek other opportunities, away from the stink of war. While buying supplies from his friend the quartermaster, he is advised to go to St. Louis. Those opportunities may lie there and a crowd to get lost in. Sgt. Eli, becomes Capt. Myers, a discharged Union Cavalry Officer, and strikes out for St. Louis.
The war has caused hard times and there are those who will kill you for the shirt you are wearing. Capt. Myers plans on keeping his shirt, and four years of hard fighting has given him the tools to do so. Realizing he must look the part of a well-to-do gentleman, he buys gentleman clothes, and acts the part. People ask fewer questions of a gentleman.
What he isn't prepared for is meeting an intelligent Lady, Miss Abigale Campbell. Her Father has died, leaving the family owned shipping business, with generation steam-powered riverboats. They have dreams of building steam-powered airships, but because she is a woman, there are those who stand against them. Capt. Myers' fighting is not over, it seems business is war. They decide to become partners, and with his warfighting experience, and her brains the world is not as intimidating as it once seemed.
Sgt. Eli decides now is a good time to seek other opportunities, away from the stink of war. While buying supplies from his friend the quartermaster, he is advised to go to St. Louis. Those opportunities may lie there and a crowd to get lost in. Sgt. Eli, becomes Capt. Myers, a discharged Union Cavalry Officer, and strikes out for St. Louis.
The war has caused hard times and there are those who will kill you for the shirt you are wearing. Capt. Myers plans on keeping his shirt, and four years of hard fighting has given him the tools to do so. Realizing he must look the part of a well-to-do gentleman, he buys gentleman clothes, and acts the part. People ask fewer questions of a gentleman.
What he isn't prepared for is meeting an intelligent Lady, Miss Abigale Campbell. Her Father has died, leaving the family owned shipping business, with generation steam-powered riverboats. They have dreams of building steam-powered airships, but because she is a woman, there are those who stand against them. Capt. Myers' fighting is not over, it seems business is war. They decide to become partners, and with his warfighting experience, and her brains the world is not as intimidating as it once seemed.
- GenresSteampunkScience Fiction
Paperback
Published September 6, 2019
212 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 19, 2021
An enjoyable read that got a bit ‘silly’ at times, every deal comes off and every invention works perfectly, even against the laws of physics. Also as the story progressed it did become a bit of a catalogue of deals and acquisitions.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
March 28, 2020
I enjoyed it
There were a few typos... spellcheck is not our friend. lol But nothing that hurt the reading of the story. I can barely wait for the sequel. I really like Mr. Haddocks work. I recommend it.
There were a few typos... spellcheck is not our friend. lol But nothing that hurt the reading of the story. I can barely wait for the sequel. I really like Mr. Haddocks work. I recommend it.
June 13, 2020
Not being a fan of steam punk, I was skeptical of the book at first. But, since I loved the author's other 4 books, I decided to give this a go. I'm happy to say that it was worth both the time and money. Exciting, lot's of growth, good characters albeit a bit one dimensional and it kept my attention through the end. It could have used a good editing job, but it wasn't so bad as to distract from the story. Recommended.
February 7, 2020
I'm sorry to say I wasn't very impressed.
First, the MC has a flat character arc. He has zero emotional or personal development during the story. Now, sometimes that can work (the Indiana Jones stories, or the Phillip Marlowe stories come to mind) but in this case, I don't feel it does.
Second, the book is in desperate need of a copy editor. There are typos and grammatical errors throughout.
Third, the MC is really a "Marty Stew" character. He's good at everything he turns his hand to without fail. Most people like him. In the earliest phase of the book, he experiences a windfall. That one windfall was enough to build a story on, but a chapter later, he experiences a second even bigger windfall. Most of the enemies he encounters in the book are primarily there to give him later boosts in his raw capital. They certainly don't represent a challenge for him to overcome. There is no over-arching antagonist, and the deception he chooses early in the book (taking the identity of a dead Union Cavalry Officer) is NEVER brought into question. He just gets away with it. It's only mentioned again once, and that by someone who's on his side.
Much of the focus of the story is our MC going into a store, buying up a list of goods, being shown something "special" by the proprietor, and making an investment in the business. And then going on to buy property as a result, and ancillary organizations and buildings to make the original investment function better. He does this over and over and over again during the story.
During the process of the story, he (mostly) single-handedly invents most of the military technology from the WWI era, a period a good 50 years in the future.
So ... no, not recommended.
As always: I paid retail price for the Kindle version of this book, my thoughts on it are my own. They were neither solicited by, nor compensated for, by the author or by the publisher.
First, the MC has a flat character arc. He has zero emotional or personal development during the story. Now, sometimes that can work (the Indiana Jones stories, or the Phillip Marlowe stories come to mind) but in this case, I don't feel it does.
Second, the book is in desperate need of a copy editor. There are typos and grammatical errors throughout.
Third, the MC is really a "Marty Stew" character. He's good at everything he turns his hand to without fail. Most people like him. In the earliest phase of the book, he experiences a windfall. That one windfall was enough to build a story on, but a chapter later, he experiences a second even bigger windfall. Most of the enemies he encounters in the book are primarily there to give him later boosts in his raw capital. They certainly don't represent a challenge for him to overcome. There is no over-arching antagonist, and the deception he chooses early in the book (taking the identity of a dead Union Cavalry Officer) is NEVER brought into question. He just gets away with it. It's only mentioned again once, and that by someone who's on his side.
Much of the focus of the story is our MC going into a store, buying up a list of goods, being shown something "special" by the proprietor, and making an investment in the business. And then going on to buy property as a result, and ancillary organizations and buildings to make the original investment function better. He does this over and over and over again during the story.
During the process of the story, he (mostly) single-handedly invents most of the military technology from the WWI era, a period a good 50 years in the future.
So ... no, not recommended.
As always: I paid retail price for the Kindle version of this book, my thoughts on it are my own. They were neither solicited by, nor compensated for, by the author or by the publisher.
January 3, 2021
Good Story, but the editing, if any, was atrocious. I really enjoyed the first part, where Gary takes on his new identity, falls in love with Abi, saves Mrs. Mary's business, and meets Abi's mother and sister (who fall in love with Gary) and saves their home. After that, except for the wedding (yes, to Abi) the book is an endless string of acquisitions of Gary, Abi, and their family saving others from evil bankers while becoming the richest couple in the world. The punctuation is very hit and miss, enough to be distracting, misused words (lead, led type mistakes), and spelling errors, make this a challenging read. The story itself has promise, the interaction between characters is excellent, particularly between Gary, Abi, Amanda (Mom), Vicki (sister), and Mary (first business partner) and I love how Gary supports women in business in the post Civil War North, which is probably why I read it all the way to the end, but the book need to be proofread and edited to be truly enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2024
A bit of idealized steampunk history rewrite.
The first half of the book read largely as historical fiction. The main character gets set up and things fall together easier than one might expect. But we like that in some of our books don't we?
Not too long after the halfway point we start turning into the scifi portion of the book. It's not lasers and spaceships but steam engines and technologies coming out just a little too fast. Like the easy set up, still enjoyable. Like an easy ride through the mountains with 4 wheel drive. Some bumps but never get stuck.
Overall it's a fun introduction to a steampunk world with flying airships and old nextgen tech. There's actually huge potential here. This could become not just a whole book series but an entire chronicle of series.
Definitely worth a read if most of that sounds good to you.
(Minor note: it's unlikely the author will expand this universe but a reader can dream can't he/she?
The first half of the book read largely as historical fiction. The main character gets set up and things fall together easier than one might expect. But we like that in some of our books don't we?
Not too long after the halfway point we start turning into the scifi portion of the book. It's not lasers and spaceships but steam engines and technologies coming out just a little too fast. Like the easy set up, still enjoyable. Like an easy ride through the mountains with 4 wheel drive. Some bumps but never get stuck.
Overall it's a fun introduction to a steampunk world with flying airships and old nextgen tech. There's actually huge potential here. This could become not just a whole book series but an entire chronicle of series.
Definitely worth a read if most of that sounds good to you.
(Minor note: it's unlikely the author will expand this universe but a reader can dream can't he/she?
July 10, 2020
I've noted a pattern with this author's work, and this book follows it. As much as we like to see the protagonist succeed, it is very by-the-numbers with rapidly scaling power/wealth. That was a distraction from the alternate technology history which was reasonably interesting even if the advances of the principals were a bit too convenient.
The sums of money being thrown around were colossal for that time in history and would have disrupted the economy, and not all in a good way. Overall, despite some antagonists and some big fights there was hardly any dramatic tension. The only thing that was in doubt for me was whether or not Gary would marry both sisters. Some editing issues as well, but not enough to detract from the story.
The sums of money being thrown around were colossal for that time in history and would have disrupted the economy, and not all in a good way. Overall, despite some antagonists and some big fights there was hardly any dramatic tension. The only thing that was in doubt for me was whether or not Gary would marry both sisters. Some editing issues as well, but not enough to detract from the story.
October 28, 2021
A good yarn
A very good story. It's mixture of real people and fictional characters is excellent. The author is a military man and he has a good grasp of tactics, not only in this book but in others. I have read all his available books and I am looking forward to more works from him.
However, he really does need to hire a proofreader. It looks like the autocorrect demon has fun with his words. In this book Andrew Carnigie is a "Steel Magnet" instead of a "Steel Magnate." In another one a "furrier" instead of a "farrier" tends to horses feet, which lead me to laugh at the thought of horses wearing fur boots. 😆
A very good story. It's mixture of real people and fictional characters is excellent. The author is a military man and he has a good grasp of tactics, not only in this book but in others. I have read all his available books and I am looking forward to more works from him.
However, he really does need to hire a proofreader. It looks like the autocorrect demon has fun with his words. In this book Andrew Carnigie is a "Steel Magnet" instead of a "Steel Magnate." In another one a "furrier" instead of a "farrier" tends to horses feet, which lead me to laugh at the thought of horses wearing fur boots. 😆
February 14, 2023
Haddock always has a very interesting take on things, and this is no different. He leaves the fantasy realm for a historical fiction novel where a bit of good fortune allows a soldier to alter the history of the world and the timing of various inventions. My only criticism would be, and it's not a large criticism, is that the amount of money discussed in this novel in the civil war era would be absurdly large sums, akin to people walking around with millions of dollars today. It is certainly possible, but pretty unlikely for all this money to befall on our protagonist in such a short time. Regardless, it was a good yarn that I still thoroughly enjoyed.
February 23, 2020
OK story, a lot of errors
Story is meh. Typical fare from this author. MC enjoys windfall after windfall, never really having to struggle to achieve incredible success. I read through it, hoping to see some kind of adversity or believable danger, but none ever came.
Also, this story desperately needs an editor. Gross grammar errors, random capitalizations, and I swear the author only used spell check... Which is fine, except it doesn't know the difference between studder and stutter.
Story is meh. Typical fare from this author. MC enjoys windfall after windfall, never really having to struggle to achieve incredible success. I read through it, hoping to see some kind of adversity or believable danger, but none ever came.
Also, this story desperately needs an editor. Gross grammar errors, random capitalizations, and I swear the author only used spell check... Which is fine, except it doesn't know the difference between studder and stutter.
June 25, 2020
Steampunk in the Golden Age
How can you resist a hero like this? Harnessing the ingenuity of Americans in the post Civil War period, our hero builds a commercial empire to rival Rockefeller and Carnegie. It’s an absolute hoot. If you don’’t like this one,you’ve lost your sense of humor. Can’t wait for the nest book in the series.
Alt hist at its best.
The writing is awkward, and the diction is terrible. It’s a great example that plot dominates everything else. Still, enjoying!!
How can you resist a hero like this? Harnessing the ingenuity of Americans in the post Civil War period, our hero builds a commercial empire to rival Rockefeller and Carnegie. It’s an absolute hoot. If you don’’t like this one,you’ve lost your sense of humor. Can’t wait for the nest book in the series.
Alt hist at its best.
The writing is awkward, and the diction is terrible. It’s a great example that plot dominates everything else. Still, enjoying!!
July 9, 2020
Past the plausible/impossible.
This is surreal. It sounds good on the surface, such as honest dealing for all but under the surface is a Capitalistic "buy low-sell high" philosophy. In addition, it moves, faster than humanly possible. Nobody can get supplies, build, or move things that qiickly. It's as if Haddock decides that a dictatorship would work so much better and sets out to prove it in a pre-industrial story setting. It's fanciful and fast moving. I just found that it passed the plausible/impossible threshold.
This is surreal. It sounds good on the surface, such as honest dealing for all but under the surface is a Capitalistic "buy low-sell high" philosophy. In addition, it moves, faster than humanly possible. Nobody can get supplies, build, or move things that qiickly. It's as if Haddock decides that a dictatorship would work so much better and sets out to prove it in a pre-industrial story setting. It's fanciful and fast moving. I just found that it passed the plausible/impossible threshold.
August 13, 2020
Another Enjoyable Romp
As the title indicates I found this steampunk style adventure set in a post civil war war America thoroughly enjoyable tale. It has the author's usual likeable characters and to a non American a good grasp of the period and events. The interaction with real life personages and companies is fun as the introduction of technologies roughly 50 to 60 years in advance of the fact. The only minor niggle I have is the main characters never seem to suffer any sort of reverse in their fortunes. I however found it hard to put down and a worthwhile read.
As the title indicates I found this steampunk style adventure set in a post civil war war America thoroughly enjoyable tale. It has the author's usual likeable characters and to a non American a good grasp of the period and events. The interaction with real life personages and companies is fun as the introduction of technologies roughly 50 to 60 years in advance of the fact. The only minor niggle I have is the main characters never seem to suffer any sort of reverse in their fortunes. I however found it hard to put down and a worthwhile read.
April 27, 2021
Comes a different industrial Revolution
Had dock has taken the idea of a survivor of the Civil War on the Confederate side reinventing himself as a Yankee officer trying to make a new life. He meets and becomes involved with an extraordinary young woman, her sister and mother. They the proceed to create a business empire using new ( 20 th century) ideas . Dirigibles, automatic pistols cannons and rifles to name a few. Fun and interesting mishmash of ideas, inventions, social innovations and famous names from history of that time.
Had dock has taken the idea of a survivor of the Civil War on the Confederate side reinventing himself as a Yankee officer trying to make a new life. He meets and becomes involved with an extraordinary young woman, her sister and mother. They the proceed to create a business empire using new ( 20 th century) ideas . Dirigibles, automatic pistols cannons and rifles to name a few. Fun and interesting mishmash of ideas, inventions, social innovations and famous names from history of that time.
January 4, 2024
Simple Haddock story. Fun but little on the bone to fill you.
This was a simple historical fantasy, it was fun and fast-paced. Like almost all of haddocks writing this Incorporated and overpowered main character who just leads a charmed existence through confrontations or luck. There are quite a few plot holes in this, however it came off to me as whimsical, fun, and simple storytelling. It is not however a very deep or meaningful tale, and leaves you feeling like you wish there was more to the story... more substance at the very least.
This was a simple historical fantasy, it was fun and fast-paced. Like almost all of haddocks writing this Incorporated and overpowered main character who just leads a charmed existence through confrontations or luck. There are quite a few plot holes in this, however it came off to me as whimsical, fun, and simple storytelling. It is not however a very deep or meaningful tale, and leaves you feeling like you wish there was more to the story... more substance at the very least.
September 15, 2020
Excellent
A good story! I wish I was that lucky to find big money and to use it wisely. Unasked advice can be called criticism, so here is two of them. Save your money! Why? If a business opportunity comes up and you are broke... Yes, sometimes you will lose everything, but you might buy into Apple when it was still in the garage. Two: Find a plain English version of the Bible and read one book. Proverbs! Take it to heart when you are young and it will bless you.
A good story! I wish I was that lucky to find big money and to use it wisely. Unasked advice can be called criticism, so here is two of them. Save your money! Why? If a business opportunity comes up and you are broke... Yes, sometimes you will lose everything, but you might buy into Apple when it was still in the garage. Two: Find a plain English version of the Bible and read one book. Proverbs! Take it to heart when you are young and it will bless you.
October 4, 2022
Good enough engineering, poor plot development.
Fun for the Dreamers, not much on plot development. A fair amount of name dropping. No real explanation of how a Confederate Sergeant can pass as a gentleman. I suspect the language alone would be a challenge. But I have read enough about slobs who were supposed to be upper class, and sergeants who were true gentleman, who once they cought on dress and decorum. I would be tempted to add a bat man or butler to his team.
Fun for the Dreamers, not much on plot development. A fair amount of name dropping. No real explanation of how a Confederate Sergeant can pass as a gentleman. I suspect the language alone would be a challenge. But I have read enough about slobs who were supposed to be upper class, and sergeants who were true gentleman, who once they cought on dress and decorum. I would be tempted to add a bat man or butler to his team.
April 22, 2025
This story is set just after the Civil War but with a steam punk base.
Very early Industrial Revolution time frame. Set in the Kentucky and Ohio region. The MC gets a lucky break, takes a chance, and runs with it. Finds wealth and love (not necessarily in that order).
This story has no magic or modern science. Just steam and early mechanical/gas inventions.
Also has very, very few editing errors. YEAH!!!
Very early Industrial Revolution time frame. Set in the Kentucky and Ohio region. The MC gets a lucky break, takes a chance, and runs with it. Finds wealth and love (not necessarily in that order).
This story has no magic or modern science. Just steam and early mechanical/gas inventions.
Also has very, very few editing errors. YEAH!!!
January 27, 2020
Alternate history
Hero marries into smart technically gifted family and makes wise investments after civil war.
Money makes money, later investments banks, warehouses shipyards Alcoa, John Deere ,Carnegie.
Inventions promoted airships, tracked military vehicles and farm equipment, artillery and guns. Reasonable steam punk.
Hero marries into smart technically gifted family and makes wise investments after civil war.
Money makes money, later investments banks, warehouses shipyards Alcoa, John Deere ,Carnegie.
Inventions promoted airships, tracked military vehicles and farm equipment, artillery and guns. Reasonable steam punk.
March 29, 2020
Great Read
Captain Meyers is the new identity for a confederate officer who discovers that the war is over and decides to leave for St Louis. He never makes it, as he meet a beautiful, intelligent girl and gets sidetracked. I like the action, humor, business empire building, and romance. A sequel would be nice.
Captain Meyers is the new identity for a confederate officer who discovers that the war is over and decides to leave for St Louis. He never makes it, as he meet a beautiful, intelligent girl and gets sidetracked. I like the action, humor, business empire building, and romance. A sequel would be nice.
April 29, 2020
Great story so far, post American civil war era with a Steampunk twist. The editing is really sorely lacking though as I read through it seems this book was probably never edited!
But I loved the storyline as the character ended up delving into current American industry.
Next part of story please...
But I loved the storyline as the character ended up delving into current American industry.
Next part of story please...
May 8, 2020
Great Reads I read all 5 books in 4 Days
Yeah, he’s found a formula for writing e.g. start small
and end big. His stories are warm hearted and cold at the same time to his enemies. His protagonists are similar and
smart, you will enjoys how he handles his problems.
I hope he continues to write. Just ignore his typos, editing is expensive...
Yeah, he’s found a formula for writing e.g. start small
and end big. His stories are warm hearted and cold at the same time to his enemies. His protagonists are similar and
smart, you will enjoys how he handles his problems.
I hope he continues to write. Just ignore his typos, editing is expensive...
September 24, 2020
Very good story
I growing to like this author work very much. Loved his duty series. Being kindle unlimited this book is a no brainer. My only problem is the author seems to not finish his duty series. Been over a year no third book as was promised at end of book two. Plus this book could use a second.
I growing to like this author work very much. Loved his duty series. Being kindle unlimited this book is a no brainer. My only problem is the author seems to not finish his duty series. Been over a year no third book as was promised at end of book two. Plus this book could use a second.
August 1, 2023
A good story
Classic space opera done in steampunk.
Excellent editing, no spelling issues, no weird formatting, no changes in point of view or tense.
The story is improbable, and things keep going well for the hero, but at the same time it’s a fun story that keeps you engaged
Overall, the fun Reed and I’m looking forward to the next book
Classic space opera done in steampunk.
Excellent editing, no spelling issues, no weird formatting, no changes in point of view or tense.
The story is improbable, and things keep going well for the hero, but at the same time it’s a fun story that keeps you engaged
Overall, the fun Reed and I’m looking forward to the next book
April 11, 2024
great read, well written story and strong central character
Glad I picked this book. A good lead in to the story, in final days of the Civil War a confederate sergeant scouring a battlefield finds dispatches and money that begins to rebuild his life. Meeting a lovely single women the steam and machinery adventure starts.
The rest is pure entertainment.
Highly recommend.
Glad I picked this book. A good lead in to the story, in final days of the Civil War a confederate sergeant scouring a battlefield finds dispatches and money that begins to rebuild his life. Meeting a lovely single women the steam and machinery adventure starts.
The rest is pure entertainment.
Highly recommend.
September 8, 2019
Loved it.
Honestly I love everything I've read from this author. Really the only negative I can think of for the book is that it just kind of ends, no real conclusion or wrapping everything up but ultimately not that bad. I hope the author keeps writing these books.
Honestly I love everything I've read from this author. Really the only negative I can think of for the book is that it just kind of ends, no real conclusion or wrapping everything up but ultimately not that bad. I hope the author keeps writing these books.
December 29, 2019
Top Notch
Immediately engaging story telling with the easy feel of a craftsman who brings heart to his people! I will eagerly search out James as a sure thing for my hunger to explore adventure in great reading!
Immediately engaging story telling with the easy feel of a craftsman who brings heart to his people! I will eagerly search out James as a sure thing for my hunger to explore adventure in great reading!
January 13, 2020
Not bad
A solid 3.8 stars. All the typos slowed me down and affected the flow. Similar to the author’s The Queen’s Champion, the MC had a some good things happen and hardly any bad.
A solid 3.8 stars. All the typos slowed me down and affected the flow. Similar to the author’s The Queen’s Champion, the MC had a some good things happen and hardly any bad.
May 25, 2020
unsatisfactory.
Really enjoy all this authors work and this was no exception,but the ending was aweful,it's like a random spot was chosen and the story simple stopped,it didn't leave any cliffhangers or unanswered questions,it simply stopped,most unsatisfactory.
Really enjoy all this authors work and this was no exception,but the ending was aweful,it's like a random spot was chosen and the story simple stopped,it didn't leave any cliffhangers or unanswered questions,it simply stopped,most unsatisfactory.
July 7, 2020
Great story
Great book, not the steam punk I was expecting more like the old James West western I watched as a kid, Will it continue? I’ll admit that I got pulled into that world rather easily.
Great book, not the steam punk I was expecting more like the old James West western I watched as a kid, Will it continue? I’ll admit that I got pulled into that world rather easily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews