His Clockwork Canary by Beth Ciotta Release Day Book Tour and Giveaway
HIS
CLOCKWORK CANARY
(The
Glorious Victorious Darcys
2)
BLURB:
History
is repeating itself.
For
ambitious engineer Simon Darcy, winning Queen Victoria’s
competition to recover lost inventions of historical significance is
a matter of pride—and redemption. After all, it was Simon’s
failed monorail project that left his family destitute, and winning
the tournament would surely restore the Darcys’ reputation.
Simon
sets his sights high, targeting no less than the infamous time-travel
device that forever changed the world by transporting scientists,
engineers, and artists from the twentieth century. The Mod technology
was banned and supposedly destroyed, but Simon is sure he can
re-create it.
His
daring plan draws the attention of Willie G., the Clockwork Canary,
London’s sensationalist reporter. Simon soon discovers that Willie
is a male guise for Wilhemina Goodenough, the love of his youth, who
left him jilted and bitter. He questions her motives even as he falls
prey to her unique charm. As the attraction between the two
reignites, Simon realizes that this vixen from his past has secrets
that could be the key to his future…as long as he can put their
history behind him.
EXCERPT:
He’d
waited for her. Here. At this railway station. Their agreed-upon
meeting place. They were to elope to Gretna Green. Only Mina never
showed.
Simon
navigated the crush of morning travelers whilst shoving aside the
smarting memories of the redheaded sprite’s betrayal. His heart had
long since healed, but there was a lingering sting to his pride. He’d
been so sure of their love, so sure of her. True, she’d been young—
sixteen to his nineteen— but her keen mind, adventurous nature, and
worldly views had rendered the two of them kindred souls.
Or
so he’d thought.
Leaving
Paddington, Simon signaled an automocab, and a scant few minutes
later abandoned the foul-smelling, gear-grinding vehicle, choosing to
walk the remaining distance rather than waste time in congested
traffic. Glancing up, he briefly envisioned the tracks of a monorail
system and mentally calculated the advantages the alternate mode of
transportation would have upon this thriving area. There were times,
by God, when Simon felt as though fate had deemed him undeserving and
schemed to rob him of notable success. Resentful, he shut down his
dream and focused on his immediate goal. Unfortunately, navigating
the cobbled streets of Notting Hill threw him back in time,
intensifying his prickly mood. He envisioned Mina’s playful smile,
her long vibrant red tresses, and brilliant green eyes.
Taking
her innocence before marriage had been reckless and irresponsible,
but blimey, she’d stirred his blood, seducing him with her striking
beauty and kinetic spirit. This moment his senses sparked as though
she were hot on his heels. Absurd, as she had moved to Scotland years
ago with her parents. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being
followed.
Simon
pulled his derby low over his brow, then glanced at the shop’s
display window to his right. Indeed, he spied a familiar reflection.
Familiar because he’d noticed the ill-tailored bohemian when he’d
stopped to purchase the morning newspaper and then again on the
train, slouched in a seat close to his own. Dipper? Newshound? Or
perhaps the disgruntled brother of a woman Simon had dallied with.
Indeed
he had no shortage of lovers.
Even
though Thimblethumper’s was just ahead on the corner, Simon crossed
to the other side of the street. Sure enough, the peculiar chap
followed.
Simon
stopped and whirled, attacking the puzzle head-on. “What’s your
game, boy?”
“I
. . .” The bloke met Simon’s gaze and dithered, stumbling back
two paces and into the path of a steam-powered automocoach.
Cursing,
Simon yanked the flustered chap from harm’s way and into a
sheltered alcove. “Get a grip, man,” he said, although it was his
turn to falter. His body responded to their close proximity in a
curious and bothersome manner.
In
a heartbeat, Simon assessed the smooth skin and slight bone structure
of the face all but hidden beneath a floppy newsboy cap and obscured
by shaggy, ink black hair. “I say, are you a man?”
The
kid shoved at Simon’s shoulders, pushing him back whilst tugging
his cap even lower. “I’m no Miss Nancy, if that’s what you’re
suggesting.”
Indeed
it was not, but that would explain the effeminate aura. It did not,
however, explain Simon’s keen sexual awareness. Although
adventurous in the bedroom, he had never been attracted to another
man. “Why are you following me?”
The
kid fussed with his colorful scarves, stealing a glance at his bronze
time cuff. “I have a proposition.”
Simon
raised a brow.
“Not
that kind of proposition.”
“Do
I know you?” Simon couldn’t shake the sense of familiarity even
though he was most certain he’d never met this dark-eyed bohemian.
A pretty boy with an intense, caged energy. A source of increasing
fascination.
“Undoubtedly,
you know of me.” He offered a worn gloved hand in greeting. “The
name is Willie G.,” he said in a clipped, gruff tone. “Known
professionally as the Clockwork Canary.”
Simon
ignored the proffered hand and grabbed the Canary by his ridiculous
lapels.
“Cheese
and crackers!” the kid exclaimed.
Simon
froze. He hadn’t heard that particular curse in a long time,
Another reminder of Mina. Damnation. Shaking off a bout of déjà vu,
Simon whisked the Canary into the alley. Blood boiling, he pinned the
focal point of his fury against a brick wall and glared. “You made
a laughingstock of my father.”
“I
apologize.”
“Not
accepted.” Simon stared into the Canary’s wide eyes. The damnable
pressman trembled beneath his touch. Was he a coward as well as a
nance? Meanwhile, Simon’s own heart pounded with something more
troublesome than rage. He couldn’t get that curse, Mina’s curse,
out of his mind. Unsettled, he released the lad and distanced himself
posthaste. “What do you want?”
“I
have it on good authority that you are joining the Race for Royal
Rejuvenation.”
“So?”
“I
want to tag along.”
“To
report my misadventures?”
“To
chronicle your journey. Your success.” Simon narrowed his eyes.
“What makes you think I’ll succeed?”
The
Canary gave a cocky shrug. “You’ll have me as your secret
weapon.”
Simon
snorted. Of all the cheek.
“If
you need answers, I can get them. Information? Scoop? I can be of
service. It is what I do. What I am good at. Ferreting out data. Have
you never read one of my candid interviews?”
“I
prefer respectable broadsheets to the Informer.” He had in fact
skimmed random accounts. And if he hadn’t, they were often the
subject of tavern gossip. The Clockwork Canary, though
sensationalistic, was a perceptive interrogator and a gifted writer.
“I’ll
pay you,” the Canary blurted. “That is, the Informer will pay you
a generous sum if you allow me to experience and chronicle your
expedition. A serialized version highlighting the more adventurous
and romantic elements.”
Simon
crossed his arms over his chest. “Romantic?”
The
Canary copied his stance and cocked his head. “Your endless affairs
and scandalous liaisons are almost as famous as your engineering
flop.”
The
insult would have stung more if Simon had been less intrigued by the
cutting delivery. By God, the kid sounded jealous. “How much?”
The
Canary blinked and then mumbled a hefty sum.
“That
much?”
“You
are a Darcy. Therefore, you command great interest and high payment.”
Difficult
to ignore a lucrative offer that would greatly benefit his mother and
sister. Still, of all the pressmen. The damnable Clockwork Canary?
Did Simon’s recent ill luck know no bounds? “Your condescending
tone suggests this feature is not of your choosing.”
“My
job was threatened, if you must know.” The kid stared daggers into
Simon’s skeptical gaze. “Secure a posh story on Simon Darcy, or
else, I was told.”
That
snagged Simon’s attention, if not sympathy. Knowing he was a person
of interest buffered many a recent sting. He shifted his gaze from
the arrogant pressman to Thimblethumper’s Shoppe. “Advance my
cause with a certain merchant, Willie G., and you have a deal.”
Video
Book Teaser:
Buy
links:
(available
in print and digital format)
Amazon
Barnes
and Noble
Apple
iTunes
Google
play
Giveaway
Beth will be giving away 5 print copies of His Clockwork Canary tour wide which includes both the release day blast and the review blogs. Good luck.
About
Beth
Storytelling
comes naturally to award-winning author Beth Ciotta. Dubbed "fun
and sexy" by Publisher's Weekly, Beth specializes in writing
Romantic Comedy with a Twist of Suspense and is published in
contemporary, historical, steampunk, and paranormal romantic fiction.
"I can't think of anything more fulfilling than writing stories
where everyone (except the villain, of course) gets a happy ending!"
Beth lives in NJ with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com
Beth lives in NJ with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com
I don't know if I would be a fan of Steampunk or not, I haven't had a chance to read one. But this one sounds good and I'd like to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
If your going to try one Beth's book is one you should. She's a great author.
DeleteThank you for the feature!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteI like Beth's sense of humor. I've tried her historical and contemporary. Going to try the steampunk.
ReplyDeleteSmart move!
Delete