Romancing the Inventor

Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one is for everyone who loved the character of Genevieve Lefoux in the Parasol Protectorate (or Vieve in the Finishing School series) and wanted to see her find love.

A character-driven novella wherein Imogene Hale takes a job as a parlourmaid for Countess Nadasdy's vampire hive in an effort to help feed her mother and siblings whilst simultaneously avoiding matrimony. Imogene never imagined she'd meet the love of her life: the eccentric inventor busily creating things in the hive's potting shed. The course of true love never did run smooth, though, and this love must navigate hurdles both external and internal--from a vindictive footman and vicious vampires to Genevieve's disastrous relationship history.

For readers' advisors: character doorway is primary, setting secondary. Plenty of sexual tension, but only a couple of not-explicit lesbian sex scenes. Some physical abuse from the footman and vampire queen. Alexia and the Woolsey pack make several delightful appearances, and the wicker chicken has a cameo. A couple of mild historical swear words. It's best to have read at least the Parasol Protectorate series first to understand the nuances of the setting and characters.

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Blameless

Blameless by Gail Carriger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series! Book #3 continues with Alexia fleeing London to escape the vampires determined to kill her unborn child. However, it's not just the London hives that are out to get her--she must also deal with French and Italian vampires, as well as the fanatical Templars & a scientist who wants to study her...via dissection. Meanwhile, back in London, Lord Maccon comes to his senses and realizes that a great deal of grovelling will be required before his wife will let him out of the "wolfhouse," so to speak. But first he must put a halt to the machinations of the potentate and attempt to make it safe enough for her to return.

This book/series has it all: great characters, fast-paced action, humor, and great world-building. The violence isn't graphic--battles occur regularly but without gory details. Since Conall and Alexia are apart for nearly the entire book, sex scenes aren't an issue. Only a "damn" or two and a "merde," so I'll label it a "clean read" for everyone except the most sensitive.

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