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The world of Theorrey runs like a well-oiled machine. The elements are in balance, passion is tamed and the young queen is the heartbeat of it all. But in these two all-new stories of elemental steam, nothing is ever as it seems...
Earthly Desires
Demeter "Dare" Senedal is the Queen's Chalice-her protector and closest companion. So when the queen goes missing, Dare rushes to locate her, even though the search leads her straight into trouble.
A gentleman who trades in secrets and sin, Bodhan revels in carnal delights, but when a naked and bound woman appears on his shore, he finds his hunger to possess at odds with his need to protect. As Bodhan shares his knowledge of pleasure, Dare must decide if she can trust him, both with her mission and her heart.
Fiery Temptations
Seraphina always lands on her feet. After all, she is a Felidae-at times more feline than human-and an excellent thief. There has never been a job Phina wouldn't take or a man who could tame her...until she meets Cyrus Arendal.
As the Queen's Sword, Cyrus should have known better than to fall victim to a beautiful bandit. Now, to find and retrieve the moonfire dagger, he'll need to convince Phina not to judge a man by his station, but rather by how completely he can satisfy her desires.
As I began the first story: Earthly Desires, I was drawn in by the description of Dare's first experience with the masses. I felt like I was standing right next to her, experiencing for the first time the wonder and chaos of Centre City. Sent on a mission by her beloved queen, and disguised as a boy, she is quickly tricked by a nefarious woman and her goons. When she awakens in captivity, she manages to free herself and is once again on the move lead only by a mysterious mechanical bug. The journey that follows is full of rich descriptions and exciting adventure. As Dare attempts to fullfill her quest she is torn between wonder and confusion as she tries to reconcile the technology that she encounters with the fact that no one, save the palace, should possess it. And she struggles with feelings for the mysterious Captain Bodhan, whom she is sure is working towards a nefarious purpose.
Not just an adventure, this story is the ultimate love story. Two people destined to be together, before they even meet. Their love is passionate and true.
In the second story: Fiery Temptations, we finally get to learn more about Seraphina. We meet Phina in the first story and I was intrigued by her character. I was happy that we would learn more about her and Cyrus, who was also introduced in the first story. Unlike Dare and Bodhan, Cyrus and Phina have a history. One that makes their relationship fraught with misunderstandings and outright lies. There are huge hurdles to over come. Phina was complicit in the abduction of Cyrus, never realizing he would be drugged and tortured. They have strong feelings for each other but there is much to get past. Again this is all set against a rich backdrop of creatures both mechanical and alive, and the drama of the disappearance of the Queen.
Both stories are filled with passion and adventures that are a feast for the senses. When I finished the book I felt as though I had been on a grand journey! I am excited to read more about the wonderful and exotic world of Theorrey. Rachel Grace has captivated me with the best Steampunk novel I have ever read!
I give this book my most enthusiastic 5 stars. (If I could give it more stars I would) And it goes on my Keeper Shelf! It will definitely be one of my favorite books to pull out again and again each time I need to escape from reality and enter another world.
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So I am not huge into the steampunk world. It’s not that I don’t like it I just haven’t really read any of it yet. Lol I really didn’t have any ideas what this book was about when I started reading it. I’ve been doing this a lot lately and I like it. Since I have no idea of the plot it makes the story more exciting for me. Ms. Grace’s delve into the world of “clockworky steampunkitude” as she calls it was lots of fun. I really enjoyed the world building around Theorrey. She even has a map on her website to help you visualize if you are so inclined. I also liked that this book is broken into two separate stories. I love when authors do that. I get to get closer to the characters that way.
First up in Earthly Desires is Dare and Bodhan. As the Queen’s Challace Dare is tasked with hunting her down when she goes missing. Bodhan own an underwater brothel (cool huh?). Dare wakes up to find herself on Bodhan’s ship and doesn’t know who to trust. The sparks fly between the two of them but Dare is innocent in more ways than one. The tension between these two was ridiculous. I loved seeing all the things through Dare’s eyes. Her life in the palace prevented her from knowing the vast array of technology in the world. I can’t say much more without giving away plot points but this is a hot sweet story that leads nicely into the next story.
In Fiery Temptations we learn more about Seraphina AKA Phina and Cyrus. Cyrus is the Queen’s Sword and was betrayed by Phina early on. This one made me cry, laugh, smile, and laugh some more. Ms. Grace did an amazing job portraying the emotion between these characters. I cannot wait for the next in the series so we can read about Captain Amaranthe (I think her story will be my favorite) and Aurora Steele.
One of my favorite things about this world is that the women were based on some of Rachel Grace’s friends. Aurora Steel is Crystal Jordan, Seraphina Felidae is Feisty, Captain Amaranthe is Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin, and Dare Senedal is Ms Rachel Grace AKA RG Alexander herself. It was fun seeing the authors come to life in a new and different way. Great way to start a series and new name for Ms. Grace!
Rachel Grace has created a new and wondrous world, one where people are strong and brave, and ready to take on any challenge thrown their way. The characters are exquisitely detailed, bringing a sense of familiarity to each one. the women are beautiful, sensuous, yet not what they appear to be. The men are handsome, strong and determined to achieve their goals, letting nothing stand in their way.
Both women are strong and feisty heroines, ready and willing to do what it takes to accomplish their goals. Dare is a mix of innocence and sensuality, with a will to complete whatever is asked of her. She is stunned to find her attraction to Bodhan is returned, and confused by her feelings for this 'scoundrel'.Seraphina is worldly and yet strangely vulnerable, and determined to show no weakness to anyone. She is haunted by the unnamed man who crossed her path, and is stunned to meet Cyrus and learn who, and what, he is. Both are loyal to their Queen, and ready to jump in wherever they are needed.
The men are strong and handsome, with qualities hidden from the people around them. Bodhan is content to let others think the worst of him, but he is also loyal to his Queen. What better way to help than work undercover, appearing to be a criminal, and gain the trust of those who would harm Theorry and the Queen? He is handsome, and ruthless in his determination to have one woman-Dare. Cyrus feels as though he has failed, and shamed himself, by allowing himself to be tricked and lured from his post as Queen's Sword. Strong, loyal and courageous, he feels the need to prove himself over and over, not realizing he is the only one who thinks he is unworthy. As he realizes that there is only one woman fr him, he searches for a way to show Seraohina how he feels, without making a fool of himself yet once again.
Geared for Pleasure is Rachel Grace's debut, and what a marvelous debut it is. This is a new and different world, one where anything can happen, and often does. With Geared for Pleasure, Rachel Grace has raised the bar for all steampunk stories to come, giving the new genre a major infusion of sensuality and passion far exceeding expectations, but most welcome. This has my highest recommendation.
Anonymous
Posted March 28, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
The world of Theorrey runs like a well-oiled machine. The elements are in balance, passion is tamed and the young queen is the heartbeat of it all. But in these two all-new stories of elemental steam, nothing is ever as it seems...
Earthly Desires
Demeter "Dare" Senedal is the Queen's Chalice-her protector and closest companion. So when the queen goes missing, Dare rushes to locate her, even though the search ...