Wicked Temptation (Nemesis, Unlimited #3) by Zoe Archer

Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

Award-winning author Zoë Archer returns with another novel of breathtaking suspense as Nemesis, Unlimited schemes to avenge injustice…and conquer a woman's heart.

Fate Brought Them Together.

Newly widowed, Bronwyn Parrish's fortune has been spent settling her late husband's debts—thanks to an unscrupulous business manager—and now there's nothing left. Society has no place for a woman without means, and with nowhere to turn, Bronwyn is lost…until, from out of nowhere, a handsome gentleman steps in and makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Will Desire Tear Them Apart?

Secrets and subterfuge are in Marco Black's blood. As one of Nemesis, Unlimited's most senior agents, Society women aren't his usual cup of tea. But Marco's sixth sense tells him that there's more to Bronwyn than meets the eye…and he wants to help the brazen beauty retrieve her lost fortune. But is his attraction to her worth the risk? His mission will lead him all the way to Les Grillons, France's most ruthless crime syndicate. Soon, Marco and Bronwyn will find themselves facing a danger that could cost them their lives—and a passion that is priceless.

Marco Black has been the stoic member of Nemesis Unlimited.  He seems to have ice water in his veins but when he start to help Bronwyn Parrish that ice water starts to heat up.  Bronwyn has that effect because she also changes.  She learns to stand up for herself, to see the world in a very different way and to face danger without backing down.  I loved how she grew and matured as she and Marco worked together to recover her stolen money.  For Marco it is a wake up call.  He did not want to help Bronwyn.  He felt she was part of the problem but soon saw that she was not like others in her class.  Even before her husband's death she cared about all the people around her not just those in her social class.

The two have an exciting journey to recover what was stolen from Bronwyn.  It takes Marco awhile to realize what he has in Bronwyn and to let go of his past and grab a future full of love.

So far three of the Nemesis Unlimited members have found love.  It will be interesting to see who is next.

St. Martin’s Paperbacks published Wicked Temptation by Zoe Archer in 2014.

Book Beginning and Friday 56

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56.

 Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and

Come Join us!

My book this week is Dangerous Seduction by Zoe Archer. This has been on my TBR pile for several months. It is book two in the series and it went to the top of my pile when I saw that book three is out.

Book Beginning:

'Trewyn, Cornwall

Wheal Prosperity Copper Mine

1886

The granite room shook. Hissing and grinding filled the chamber."

Page 56:

'Yet he didn't miss the cautious glances thrown is way by many of the other miners nearby or the wake of space around him."

From Goodreads:

"In Zoë Archer's Dangerous Seduction, Alyce Carr has no time for the strange man in her little Cornwall village, no matter how breathtakingly handsome he is. Life in Trewyn doesn't allow for much fun—the managers of the copper mine barely provide the miners and their families with enough food. Outsiders are suspect and flirts are unimaginable, but Simon Sharpe is as keen as his name…and Alyce can't ignore him for long.

As the founder of Nemesis, Unlimited, Simon Addison-Shawe is well accustomed to disguise and deceit. Yet he's not prepared for Alyce's dogged defense of her people and the injustices the copper mine has dealt them. With Alyce's help he can change the fate of an entire town, and convincing her to join him is only part of the thrill. Together, they ignite a desire in each other much too powerful to deny. But at what cost?"

Skies of Gold (The Ether Chronicles) by Zoe Archer

Steampunk

What Goodreads says:

"Kalindi MacNeil survived the devastating enemy airship attack that obliterated Liverpool, but even her engineering skills can't seem to repair her broken heart. Seeking to put her life back together, Kali retreats to a desolate, deserted island--only to discover she's not alone. Captain Fletcher Adams, an elite man/machine hybrid, a Man O' War, crashed his battle-damaged airship into the island after the destruction of Liverpool, never expecting to survive the wreck. But survive he did.

One Desire . . .

Believing he is nothing but a living weapon, Fletcher is wary of his newfound companion--a pretty, damaged, but determined young woman. Together they are stranded on the island, and it is only a matter of time until desire gets the best of them both. Soon Kali and Fletcher each find that they may be just what the other needed. But a danger from beyond the island puts them to the test. Will it rip them apart or bond their hearts forever?"

I though I had read all of The Ether Chronicles but somehow I missed reading Skies of Gold when it first came out.  I discovered it a few days ago when Marline Harris listed it as one of the best ebook romances of 2013.   I really like this series and I am sad to find out this is the final book.

Both of the characters in the series are wounded but in very different ways. 

Kalindi MacNeil is a engineer who creates wonderful inventions.  One is her artificial leg, created after she loses her leg in an enemy airship attack.  She wants solitude to recover and is on the island by choice.

Fletcher Adams is there by chance.  He crashed his airship after helping defeat the enemy in the battle where Kalindi was injured.  He is injured in a different way.  He is Man of War and has been rejected by the woman he though he loved.  After the battle he thinks all he is good for is killing other people. 

An all but deserted island and two lonely people, of course they find they like and then love each other but that is only one part of the plot.  Fletcher expected the Navy to rescue him but after months that had not happened.  That is the rest of the plot.  While the romance is expected the danger they find themselves in is not.

Skies of Gold is a great addition to The Ether Chronicles.  It has it all; romance, danger, and two wonderful characters.  I was pulling for them from the first meeting and I was not disappointed in how everything progressed.   Skies of Gold can be read as a stand-alone but read the entire series.  You won't be disappointed.

Avon Impulse published Skies of Gold by Zoe Archer in 2013.

Sweet Revenge, A Nemesis Unlimited Novel by Zoe Archer

Historical Romance

What Goodreads says:

"The first in a breathtaking new series about the dangerous business of undercover revenge—and the undeniable pleasure of passion…
In the Business of Vengeance
When Jack Dalton escapes from Dunmoor Prison, he has only one thing in mind—finding the nobleman who murdered his sister and making him pay. But when he reaches the inn where the Lord Rockley is rumored to be staying, three well-dressed strangers are there to meet him instead. And the pretty blonde is aiming a pistol right at his head…
Desire Is Always Dangerous
Joining Nemesis, Unlimited has made Eva Warrick much more than the well-mannered lady she appears to be—one who can shoot, fight, and outsmart any man in the quest to right the injustices so often suffered by the innocent. She’s not afraid of the burly escaped convict, but she is startled by their shared attraction. She and her partners need Jack’s help to get to Rockley, but Eva finds she wants Jack for scandalous reasons all her own."

Characters:  This is the first book in a new series so the main characters have to be introduced.  Eva Warrick is a strong woman who believes in helping those who have no place else to turn.  She is part of Nemesis Unlimited and is the focus of this book.  Jack Dalton is the other focus.  He is a very strong personality who starts out thinking of himself as good for nothing but a dumb bodyguard.  With the help of Eva and others his character develops and he starts to see that he is a man with great intelligence and strength.  He and Eva both change and become a great team.  Other members of the team have an important part in the book and while they their characters development is not complete it is enough to help carry the story.

Plot:  This is interesting and different.  It starts with Jack Dalton in prison and being told his arch enemy is in the neighborhood.  This starts a chain of events that include a jailbreak, introduction to Nemesis Unlimited and the job they have signed up to do.  An important part of the plot is the fact that Nemesis helps those who have no other place to go for justice.  While action is a big part of the plot so is the character growth that brings Eva and Jack together.  This is after all a romance and needs a HEA.

Writing:  I have had mixed feeling about books written by Zoe Archer.  She writes in the passive mode in some books and the active in others.  I always like a story told written in the active.  Sweet Revenge hits the mark in active writing.  There is dialog, action, more dialog and more action that kept my attention and kept the story moving at a fast pace.  I never questioned Archer’s writing skill just the mode she writes in.  This is a very well written book.

World Building:  Much of this is based on the class history of the times.  Using that history Archer has created an undercover group that helps those who have no voice that allows them to get justice when treated unfairly by the upper class.

I found Sweet Revenge to be a great start to a new series and I will be looking for the next book Dangerous Seduction coming in December 2013.

St. Martin’s Paperbacks published Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer in 2013

Skies of Fire, The Ether Chronicles by Zoe Archer

Steampunk Romance

Skies of Fire is the first in The Ether Chronicles, a new Steampunk Romance series from Zoe Archer and the first eARC I have received since signings up with Edelweiss.  Both Zoe Archer and her husband, Nico Rosso will be writing stories in this series.   His will be Steampunk Westerns and Zoe’s will be Steampunk Everywhere Else.   The fact that there would be another husband and wife team writing in a series caught my attention.

Here is what Goodreads says about Skies of Fire.

Man made of metal and flesh

Captain Christopher Redmond has just one weakness: the alluring spy who loved and left him years before…when he was still just a man. Now he's superhuman—a Man O' War, made as part of the British Navy's weapons program—and his responsibility is to protect the skies of Europe. If only he could forget Louisa Shaw.

A most inconvenient desire

Louisa, a British Naval Intelligence agent, has never left a job undone. But when her assignment is compromised, the one man who can help her complete her mission is also the only man ever to tempt her body and heart. As burning skies loom and passion ignites, Louisa and Christopher must slip behind enemy lines if they are to deliver a devastating strike against their foe . . . and still get out alive.

Skies of Fire is novella length and was a quick and easy read.  Here are my though after reading the story.

Characters:  Christopher and Louisa have to carry the story and with the short length the side characters are just that, mostly names and titles.  I did learn a lot about both Christopher and Louisa.  There were gaps in their development but those were a result of the story length and did not affect my overall enjoyment.

World Building:  Zoe had to do a lot of world building in a short time.  Some of the background history is just touched on.  England is at war and has developed the technology that allows people to be turned into Man O’ Wars.  They are part metal and this allows them to power airships.  That part is well developed but background history of this time is sketchy.  Again it did not affect the story and I expect more will be revealed in future stories.

Plot:  This is pretty standard but still enjoyable and with some twists.  Christopher and Louisa have a history but did not part on the best of terms.  He and his airship are behind enemy lines when he sees someone in trouble and detours to help.  It is Louisa who he rescues and is then pulled into helping her with her mission.  Everything flows from that rescue. 

Conflict:  There is plenty of conflict, both the conflict between Christopher and Louisa and the conflict generated by the mission.  Both are enough to keep the story moving.

Pacing:  There was conflict and then a small rest to let both the characters and the reader catch their breath.  The story flowed evenly each action and reaction keeping my attention.  There was just enough of each to keep everything moving in a believable direction. 

All in all it was a fun story to read and I am looking forward to other stories in the Ether Chronicles.  When I went to Amazon I found the price for Skies of Fire was right, $1.99 for the Kindle edition.  It is slightly more for the paper copy.

Avon Impulse published Skies of Fire by Zoe Archer in 2012.

Waiting on Wednesday (WOW) December 7, 2011

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Zoe Archer has a new series, the Hellraisers, coming out in December.   I am waiting on The Devil's Kiss, the first book in the series.  I have the book pre-ordered so it should be on the way now.  Here is what I found on Zoe's web page:


"James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger - and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends. Which was how Whit found himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey's smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands - watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind. Zora can't explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can't stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts' desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can't save Whit, she still has to escape him."  

The Ninth Circle, A Novel of the U.S.S. Merrimack by R.M. Meluch

Science Fiction/Space Opera

The Ninth Circle is science fiction written the way I love.  There is action, adventure, great characters and a wonderful plot.  Once I started reading I did not want to put it down.  

There is peace between the Terran and Palatine Empires but that peace is very fragile.  There are problems on the planet Zoe.  Glenn Hamilton is traveling with her husband Patrick, a xenolinguist, where they discover DNA based life and another alien race on the planet.   The expedition leader refuses to take any action so Glenn reports the aliens to Admiral John Farragut.   He sends the Merrimack under Captain Calli Carmel to see what is going on.   Zoe attracts more than the Merrimack.   There is a pirate group made up of exiled Romans, an alien Mother ship, and a Roman ship carrying the Emperor all arriving in Zoe space.

There is a lot going on in The Ninth Circle.  The U.S.S. Merrimack was featured in four previous books.  While The Ninth Circle has some of the same characters it is an entirely new story. It appears to be the start to a new series featuring the Merrimack.  When I went to Meluch’s web site I found that her husband had recently died.  Having been there and done that I know that it changes what was normal in your life.  It takes awhile to find a new normal.  I hope that when she finds that new normal she continues to write.

DAW published The Ninth Circle by R.M. Meluch in 2011.

Scoundrel by Zoe Archer

Paranormal Romance

Scoundrel is the second book in the Blade of the Rose series, Because Zoe Archer did not have to include as much world building in Scoundrel I think it is even better than the Warrior, the first book.  (Follow the link to see my post on Warrior.)

Bennett Day is a love them and leave them guy.  He is also a Blade of The Rose, a group sworn to keep ancient magical relics out of the hand of the Heirs who will use them for world domination. London Harcourt is the daughter of one of the leaders of the Heirs.  She knows nothing of the Heirs or their mission but because she is the only one who can read a dialect of ancient Greek that will lead to a relic her Father brings her to Greece to help with the mission.

Bennett and London meet by chance on the streets of Athens and feel an instant attraction.   Even though they should be on different sides they join forces and are pulled into a quest full of adventure and danger.   The Greek Islands lend a great background for the story.   Like Warrior, Scoundrel is filled with wonderful fully developed characters and a plot that keeps you reading.  Bennett and London make a great team and both find something very unexpected as they work together.

There are four books in the series;   Rebel and Stranger have been published and are the last two.

Zebra published Scoundrel by Zoe Archer in 2010.

I purchased Scoundrel from Borders.