A Clockwork Christmas by JK Coi, PG Forte, Stacy Gail, Jenny Schwartz, Angela James

Summary:

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:
Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

Reviewer: Fashionta
I would have to say that my two favorite stories of the four would be Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacey Gayle and Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz.

Crime Wave in a Corset - this is about a woman thief who is very good at what she does and what she does is survive. She steals from organizations that can afford to replace what has been stolen. Her mother taught her to be a thief and when she failed she was beaten, so she learned to keep her life private and to remain alone, she relies on no one but herself.

She steals a Fabergé egg from a university and sells it. What she does not realize is that the building that she stole it from is not part of the University nor was the Fabergé a property of the University. It belonged to a sick young woman who whenever she saw it, it would brighten her day no matter how ill she was feeling. The twin brother of the girl, vows revenge when his sister dies a week after the egg is stolen. He uses all his skills and brains to track down the thief who stole it. When he tracks her down he tells her she has seven days to retrieve the stolen egg or she will die.

This story shows just how cruel life can be for those who have to make their own way in the world. Regardless of whether it is an alternate world or if it is just our real world. When she finds out who now owns the stolen Fabergé egg, she realizes that getting it back will be a lot harder than it was to steal it. The person that now owns it is an underworld boss who if crossed will kill without hesitation. This book will take you to heartache and back while she tries to figure out how to steal the egg back and live. This becomes even harder when she realizes that the mob boss that has the egg now bought it for his sick little girl, this puts her back in the same situation that started the seven days or die situation! You will cry right along with the main character but it will also warm your heart to know that no matter how bad things are good can come of it.

The decision that she reaches does not come lightly but I will let you to read to find out the ending. All I can say about this book is it is a definite must read. It gives a lot of insight into how hardship can change to love regardless of how it starts. I give this story 4 1/2 Stars. It is well-written and brings you into it as if if you are actually there while it's happening.

My second favorite is by Jenny Schwartz's Wanted: One Scoundrel.
This story takes place in the steampunk universe of Australia. The main female character, Esmeralda is a firm believer in the Women's Suffrage Movement, but in their infinite wisdom the men have decided that women cannot speak out about politics, women's suffrage movement, or anything like that. So, she decides to look for a man, a scoundrel, whom she will pay to speak about her beliefs. The man she finds is American Jedediah Reeves, things seems to go well, especially against the competition, Nicholas Bambury who is an insufferable know it all.

Nicholas comes to her one day and tells her that if she does not marry him, he will kill her father. She agrees but enlists Jedediah's help in trying to find her father. Once her father is found and safe, Jedediah and her father come up with a plan to expose Nicholas as the evil man he really is. When they confront Nicholas grabs Esmeralda, Jedediah uses his extensive knowledge and science to stop her from getting hurt and captures Nicholas. It is a very nice love story and I will leave you to read the rest of it so you can find out what happens. But I will say this story is worth the read from beginning to end. I give it 4 stars as it was a little rambling for an anthology or short story but by the time you get to the endit is well worth the read. The storyline makes you laugh and realize that all struggles and obstacles can be overcome just by simply using your brain; regardless of whether they are back in the 1800's or in today's society.

The four books in this anthology were all very well written but I enjoyed the two I mentioned best. It was a hard chioce, as I love the uniqueness of all four stories. This is a must read anthology for those who love a little twist to their historical romance. Overall I give the anthology a 4.5.

Publisher: Carina Press
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley