Reviewed by Pamela-Mae
TITLE: London Steam
AUTHOR: Lynn Townsend
PUBLISHER: JMS Books
LENGTH: 99 pages
BLURB:
In a reimagined 1890’s London, where steam-driven airships rule the skies and monsters roam the streets, the Galileo Observatory’s Club for Gentlemen welcomes all — Gwr, shape-changers, vampires, and lords. A high-stakes game leads more than a few men astray.
Poindexter Fitzhughes, renowned hero and scientist, learns just how much trouble a full-blooded Gwr can be when he attempts to cure his lover, Lord Seth Maitland, of the disease. But when their backs are against the wall, the two must learn to trust in each other, and more importantly, in their true natures, to prevail.
Meanwhile, Duncan Farnsworth discovers being a vampire has not improved his social life, his chances of finding love, continuing the family line, or getting a bite to eat. Maneuvering his way around a sarcastic butler, his spinster sister, a run-in with an amorous werewolf, and a confrontation with a dead soldier and a French airship captain, Duncan finally finds exactly what he is thirsting for.
REVIEW:
This book surprisingly was two interlocked stories. The first story is about Dex and Seth, and we learn of their histories. Dex was attacked by a Gwr he was trying to save, blinding him in one eye and scarring him. However he’s made himself a half-mask with an artificial eye in order to remain part of society. Seth, on the other hand, is a Gwr changed in a moment that skirts too close to non-consensual for my tastes.
When they meet they find a connection together and love grows between them as they seek to bring changes in society where non-humans are concerned. The story is fast-paced, which makes things feel a little crowded together. Dex and Seth are kidnapped, with a goal for Seth to become nothing more than a creature used for breeding. This leads to the climax in a bloody battle.
When this story concludes, there is a very loose link to the second. This is where the problems started for me. There is no warning in the blurb of ménage and the M/F aspects were very much in the fore. I still loved the premise of the world, but I couldn’t enjoy the story as I don’t do M/F even as part of ménage.
The airship captain, Agnes, is a friend of Dex who is aboard with Seth. There is a brief scene where all the characters meet and then we see no more of Dex and Seth, but instead continue with Duncan, Agnes and her lover, an interesting version of a clockwork zombie, Nigel. Regrettably, the M/M/F combination of Duncan, Nigel and Agnes, especially with the M/F heavily detailed kicked me out of the story.
When Duncan is kidnapped, Agnes, who hides a secret of her own, and Nigel must find him.
I thought long and hard about rating this book as I felt there should be clear warning about the second story. I decided on the score because the first story was very good although the second considerably less so. If you enjoy steampunk and paranormal, and don’t object to ménage and girly bits, you may enjoy this.
RATING: 
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