Happy Wednesday! Welcome to this week’s edition of the MFRW Book Hooks blog hop.
Yesterday I got a swooning email from a reader who told me he absolutely loved my novel The Master’s Mark (book 3 of my steam punk trilogy The Toymakers Guild). Needless to say, that made my week - and convinced me to feature the book today.
Like many of my stories, this one mingles elements of romance and erotica. Anyway, my hook today captures the first meeting between my heroine Gillian Smith and one of the two men who win her heart.
The Hook
The boat had already passed the barrier that protected the harbour. The famous chalk cliffs shrank toward the horizon as the steamer’s bow sliced through the waves. Gillian had read that modern steam engines could travel as fast as 20 knots, with a fuel consumption of less than an ounce of coal per mile travelled. The swift, smooth passage was indeed a marvel.
The powerful engine twisted the water into a braided trail that stretched back toward the land. With the fine weather, Gillian scarcely noticed any rocking. She leaned over the rail slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the sub-surface screw.
“Have a care, Miss! ‘Tis a fair day, but we might hit a swell that’d topple you into the deep in two whisks of a pony’s tail.”
The tenor voice had a mellow tone and a lilt that was unfamiliar. Gillian looked up to find a tall, slim young man in the uniform of a ship’s officer standing beside her. Despite his implicit criticism, he wore a broad smile, all the more noticeable because his skin was nearly as black as the coal that fuelled the Invicta. His warm brown eyes held more than a hint of humour.
“I’ve got a good grip on the rail,” she replied. “I was just curious about the screw.”
“Oh?” His brow furrowed in surprise. “Why’s that?”
“I’m—” she started to tell him she was an engineer, then remembered that she should be discreet about the Guild and her role in its somewhat scandalous endeavours. “I’m a teacher. I teach science in a private secondary school. And I want to be able to explain the workings of modern steam engines to my students.”
“Indeed! I don’t meet many young ladies who’re interested in such things.” His grin widened, his excellent teeth gleaming like pearls. “And what would you like to know, Miss?”
“Well – it’s a triple expansion design, is it not? What’s the maximum boiler pressure? Can it handle 200 pounds per square inch?”
Astonishment quenched his teasing smile. “That it can, Miss, though I’m rightly stunned that someone like you would know, or care.”
Gillian shrugged. “I’ve always had an interest in the inner workings of things.” She gave him a closer look and liked what she saw. He had the same lanky build as Rafe, and some of the same restless energy that distinguished her lover. His facial features were more angular than she would have expected; popular depictions of black men tended to show bulbous, flat noses and thick lips. His high forehead signalled intelligence, at least according to common belief. Tightly curled hair clung to his well-shaped skull.
Given Her Majesty’s far-flung empire, it wasn’t that unusual to see dark-skinned individuals around London, but she rarely had the opportunity to interact with them.
As he noticed her scrutiny, his smile returned. “Imagine I could do a bit to satisfy your curiosity, but right now I’m supposed to be working.” Arms by his sides, he gave a stiff little bow. “Jeremiah Manley, Second Engineer of the SS Invicta, at your service.”
“I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, Engineer Manley. I’m Gillian Smith.”
“And where do you hail from, Miss Smith?”
“I – um – currently I’m working in Devon.”
“As a school teacher?”
She nodded, aware that he didn’t quite believe her. “I don’t suppose you could give me a tour of the engine room, could you?”
“I’d love to, Miss, but that’s strictly off limits – watch out!”
A sudden gust had snatched her hat and sent it flying toward the ship’s wake. She flailed, trying unsuccessfully to catch the fugitive headgear and in the process lost her balance, stumbling into the deck rail. Jeremiah Manley reached out, caught her upper arm in a strong grip, and pulled her against him, away from the edge.
She had an impression of strength, warmth, and energy. His muscles shifted under the well-fitting uniform as he tightened his hold on her. She found herself a bit breathless, though whether this was the consequence of her near-disaster or his masculine presence she couldn’t quite say.
He held onto her for longer than was really necessary to stabilise her position.
“I did warn you, Miss Smith,” he said in that odd, musical accent when he finally released her. “The sea can be perilous.”
“So you did.” She shook her head ruefully. “Amelia will be so cross with me, arriving in Paris without a decent bonnet.” Noting his curiosity, she added, “My travelling companion. Another teacher.”
“You must be employed by a rather peculiar school,” he commented.
Gillian smiled up into his eyes, which were warm and dark as melted chocolate. “Some people might say that.” She rested her palm on his arm. “So there’s no chance of my seeing the engines? It would be just our secret...”
Buy Links
Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/976-the-masters-mark-the-toymakers-guild-book-3/
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRHGN35L
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BRHGN35L
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1306694
Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165993299
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-master-s-mark-the-toymaker-s-guild-book-3
Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6445290161
Audio Book – Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Mark-Toymakers-Guild-Book/dp/B0DTB1FDJF
Audio Book – Audible - https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DTB2X6T1/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-430131&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_430131_rh_us
Add on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75611538-the-master-s-mark
Be sure to visit the other authors joining today’s Book Hooks!
4 comments:
I like how she interacts with him and her ability to swiftly lay out a "truth" that suits her purpose. You write such strong women! And you reveal that about them in so few words. It's a real talent, Lisabet.
Wonderful scene. I like how he is intrigued.
Hi,
This story has aroused my curiosity! I can feel her interest in him and his interest in her. Gillian is a teaser and she sounds like a woman that doesn't give up. I have put this book on my to be read list.
Great job, Lisabet.
Shalom shalom
Kayelle's right. You write wonderful female characters. It's kind of sad she has to hide how smart and accomplished she is, though. Great excerpt!
Post a Comment
Let me know your thoughts! (And if you're having trouble commenting, try enabling third-party cookies in your browser...)