Clockwork Countdown Day Three

G'day, mates. Welcome to day three of the Clockwork Christmas antho countdown. My apologies, Jenny, but you know I had to do it. ;)

Today's post is devoted to Wanted: One Scoundrel by our Aussie co-author Jenny Schwartz. Jenny's the genius behind our Facebook page (just so you know) and if you haven't "liked" us yet...well, I sure don't know what you're waiting for.

Now, on with the blurbage...

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is a man. A scoundrel to be precise. Someone who can be persuaded to represent her political views at men-only clubs. As the daughter of the richest man in Australia, Esme can afford to make it worth the right man's while.

Fresh off the boat, American inventor Jed Reeve is intrigued by Esme's proposal, but even more interested in the beauty herself. Amused that she takes him for a man who lives by his wits, he accepts the job—made easier by the fact that he already shares her ideals. Soon, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue, kidnapping and blackmail, and trying to convince his employer he's more than just a scoundrel...

26,000 words

Read an excerpt

The first romance novel I remember reading (way back in the day) was Victoria Holt's Pride of the Peacock, which was set in Australia. I walked away from that book with a new passion for three things. The romance genre, opals and Australia. Reading Wanted: One Scoundrel was like being reunited with an old friend...oh, and did I mention the hero is from California? Really, what's not to love about that?

Aside from all of that, however, this is a bright, light-hearted, romantic read. He has secrets, she has an agenda and the reader has a lot of fun watching them sort it all out.

Reading thru the Night had this to say about it: "Now this was a fun one.  And it was totally PG-13.  This setting is in the Outback, which totally rocks my world because I don't think I've ever read anything set in Australia.  And then, furthermore, I don't know if I studied anything that HAPPENED in Australia.  My American education lacking somewhere along the way.  I guess I assumed that Australians went through the same woman's suffrage movement, but it just seemed out_there.  Wanted: One Scoundrel is sorta about that BUT with a cool *scoundrel*.  Oh there were also some nifty inventions, a villain, a heiress, some kidnapping, and overall ACTION-PACKED PLOT.  Two thumbs up over here. "


Read more here

 Reminder: every comment enters you for another chance to win a full set of these lovely Romance Trading Cards, which I should mention were designed by our own JK Coi (yes, we're all just multi-faceted that way *cough* I wish *cough*).

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:

Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail

This Winter Heart by PG Forte

Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz

Far From Broken by JK Coi

Stories also available for purchase separately