Title: Vesta’s Clockwork Companions ( book one)
Series Title: Gears, Cogs, and Puppy Dogs
Author: Juli D. Revezzo
Genre: Steampunk romance
Book Blurb:
When Vesta Bartlett, a wealthy alchemist and inventor, arrives in England to finalize an arranged marriage and help overhaul a family friend’s outdated ironworks, she never expects to find the family so secretive, nor to develop feelings for her fiancé’s younger brother, Henry.
But the growing attraction between Vesta and Henry is just the beginning of their troubles. Things really heat up when they’re drawn into a secret project for Queen Victoria’s military, one that requires Vesta’s knowledge of clockwork and Henry’s iron.
An epidemic has wiped out all the dogs in Britain, and beyond. If the military fail in their effort to restore the species, a clockwork creation may be all that stands in the way of a world without canine companionship.
Are Vesta and Henry up to the challenge?
Excerpt from Vesta’s Clockwork Companions (Chapter 13):
“Now then, you promised to tell us who these friends of yours are for whom you wish our help—Elise’s, mine, my daughter’s.”
Elise? Vesta eyed her father. She didn’t know when the woman had given him permission to call her by her first name.
Acton, meanwhile, perched on a chair, turned backwards, explaining why his friends wished to see them.
“I’m doing some work for someone rather important.” Acton tapped his foot on the floor. Vesta wondered if he was nervous, and why. “I can’t give you his name, you understand, but I can assure you he is trustworthy.”
Vesta’s father glanced at her before he spoke. “If the man is unwilling to introduce himself properly, I doubt that.”
“Johnathon,” Henry cut in, “trust me then. This person is someone with high-level government clearance. Well, not quite, but still, I think it might not be the best idea to turn down his offer.”
“You’re a military man, Bartlett,” Acton said. “You must understand the rank and file aren’t privy to what goes on between their superiors.”
“So this is a military operation.” Vesta shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t be a part of that.”
Henry sighed and looked to his friend. “Can we show them?”
“He’ll have my head, if I do, Colchester. Sorry, ole boy.”
Her father leaned back in his chair. “Then I’m sorry, Mr. Wren, but I can’t help you.”
Acton rubbed a hand over his face. “All right. I can’t tell you who, but it’s someone who works for someone who works for Queen Victoria. She’s asked us to help … some of her men.”
How intriguing it would be to work for the queen, even if indirectly! Unfortunately, Vesta knew her convictions against violence stood in her way. “No. Thank you, Mr. Wren, but I have to decline, since you refuse to say which men. I don’t want to be a party to slaughter.”
Wren rose and inserted himself between her and her father. He knelt down, facing her father.
This close to Wren, she smelled spirits, though she was unsure whether the scent came from his breath or his clothing. His hair wasn’t exactly what she’d call neatly combed, either. How long had the man been awake? It seemed as if he’d rushed straight here from leaping out of his bed with little time to check on his appearance.
“It’s for the ill.” Wren’s statement drew her attention away from his physical state. “Does that change your mind any?”
She opened her mouth to answer.
Her father cut her off. “There’s sick, and then there’s sick, Mr. Wren.”
“You’ve been in battle, sir.” Wren tapped his temple. “I’m sure you might understand what use her work might be put to.”
His gaze went distant. “Yes, I’ve been in a battle or two.”
“What we—they—hope to achieve will help those who’ve lived through it. Let me show you something.” Wren looked to her as she too rose. “Uh, I meant your father, miss.”
She sank back to her chair; her father paced away.
Wren led him out of the office. Henry tapped her hand. “Don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry. Your dubious friend’s making off with my father and you tell me not to worry?” She shook her head. “You British have a funny sense of what’s worrisome.”
Henry laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
A few minutes later, her father returned, and took his seat beside her. “I’ve told Mr. Wren we’ll help. He’s correct. You’re the right woman for the job.”
“What did he show you?”
Her father opened his mouth, then closed it. His gaze turned distant for a moment before he spoke again. “Let’s say, they want their retired soldiers to have this assistance—as well or moreso than those in battle. But how can we help is my main question.”
“I asked the very same. I was surprised by what they had to say.” Acton nodded to the far door. “You saw one possibility a moment ago.”
“I didn’t. I know I’m a woman but if you wish my help, I need a little more information.”
Her father looked to Acton and Henry.
“The first use that comes to mind is … the retrieval of certain items,” Acton said.
Henry tapped his fingers together. “A job usually reserved for military dogs, from what our friend says.”
Did they want him to conjure dogs from thin air? Vesta wondered. Impossible. She’d never met an alchemist who could do such a thing.
“Since the canine population has died off, they’ve been out of other options for the job, other than to make their men do it, and that’s not acceptable.”
“If it will save imperiling the life of a human soldier—” Her father looked at her. “—I have no problem with working on such a project. There’s more to it, though, isn’t there? If not, Elise wouldn’t be attempting to make them seem more pliable.”
“Lifelike. You’re right. They’ve requested bark, bite, grip.” Henry curled his fingers into a fist. “A sensitivity to touch.”
“A tall order.”
“So I hear. But they have a more important reason for the project, as well, as far as I’m concerned.”
“And that would be what?” her father asked.
“They claim a side discovery is that the soldiers actually like the few prototypes they’ve managed. As if they played with living dogs,” Henry explained. “So that’s why our … mutual friend wants to see them designed with more realism.”
“Man can’t bond to a machine,” Vesta said.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Vesta’s Clockwork Companions is also available in audiobook from Audible:
and Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/vestas-clockwork-companions-gears-cogs-and-puppy-dogs/id1602302713
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Learning if Henry and Vesta get their happy ending, and if the world can find a solution and restore Man’s Best Friend again.
There are two more books in the series, should you like to continue the journey:
Iron Paws and the Tinker’s Forged Marriage (book 2)
and
Clockwork and Courtship (book 3)
You can find the full series at Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MSNXS7M
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs May 22 – May 28, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2024.
Author Biography:
Juli D. Revezzo writes fantasy and romantic stories filled in with elements garnered from a lifetime love affair with magic, myth, witches, wizards, and fated lovers and legend. She is the author of the steampunk romance series Gears, Cogs, and Puppy Dogs, along with the historical romance series the Lost Slipper Society and the Camden Girls. She’s also penned the urban fantasy series Antique Magic and the fantasy romance Celtic Stewards Chronicles series. Her short stories are published in ETERNAL HAUNTED SUMMER, LUNA STATION QUARTERLY, among others. She is also a member of the Independent Author Network and the Magic Appreciation Tour. To learn more about this and future releases, visit her at: https://julidrevezzo.com/
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