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  • Beauty and the Clockwork Beast

  • The Steampunk Proper Romances, Book 1
  • By: Nancy Campbell Allen
  • Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
  • Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (143 ratings)

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Beauty and the Clockwork Beast

By: Nancy Campbell Allen
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Summary

Like the classic Beauty and the Beast, this steampunk romance features an unlikely love story.

The Lord of Blackwell Manor, Miles, is plagued by a family curse that changes him into a shape-shifting wolf every month during the full moon.

Lucy, a smart, attractive, and well-respected botanist, travels to Blackwell Manor to take care of her sick cousin, Kate, who is married to Miles' younger brother. For Lucy, the trip is a welcome respite from her work and recent discovery of a breakthrough serum that could eliminate the scourge of vampires from London. But Lucy finds more than she bargained for when she arrives at the Manor.

Miles, who is brash and inhospitable, does not take kindly to visitors. He is still unsettled by the mysterious death of his newlywed wife. And then there's Marie, Miles' sister, who was attacked and murdered just weeks earlier. Miles is horrified to think that he might be to blame for the deaths. And who is the ghost that haunt the halls?

Lucy is convinced that the death of Miles's wife and sister - as well as her cousin's mysterious illness - are tied together, but how? Lady Charlesworth has her eye on inheriting Blackwell Manor for her family. Could her daughter, Candice, or her son, Arthur, have had a hand in the mysterious deaths? The clues make a vampire suspect highly likely. During her investigation, Lucy finds herself caring deeply for Miles, but he fights to keep his distance in order to protect Lucy from his family's secret. And, yet, he feels attracted to the woman who is able to look past the fearsome-looking scar that has marred his handsome face. With no other option, Miles and Lucy must work together if they are to find the answer to the mysteries at the manor.

But that's not all Lucy wants to solve. There's a deeper mystery behind Miles. Can she solve that too? Ultimately, she must decide if she can love the man - beast and all.

Includes bonus novella, Marie's Story.

©2016 Nancy Campbell Allen (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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What listeners say about Beauty and the Clockwork Beast

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun

This was quite enjoyable. I'm a big fan of Gail Carriger and whilst I think this isn't quite the same ( Carriger has a few tongue in cheek moments and this is a little more serious) I think Anyone enjoying a murder mystery with some Supernatural Steampunk Victoriana mixed in will like this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A delightful twist on Beauty and the Beast Tale

I really enjoyed this. I've read other Beauty and the Beast (my favourite fairy tale) steampunk stories but this is my favourite. I thought the characters were all extremely well drawn and easy to relate to, especially Miles and Lucy. Lucy is so strong and a good match for the rather dour Miles, although she does have a tendency to weep quite a lot for such a strong character (but considering what she suffers, and her compassion for those she loves, I guess she's entitled to shed some tears.) I love the way the romance gradually unfolds, and the author skilfully combines ghosts, vampires and shapeshifters in a way that seems completely natural, although I haven't often come across all three in a steampunk novel.

Having read the other reviews, I tend to agree about the Americanisms which did seem out of place in an English setting, but it did not spoil my enjoyment of the story. However, with respect, I have to disagree, with the reviewer who only read three chapters before dismissing it as 'trying to be all things to all people'. After all, this is what makes Steampunk so refreshing and intriguing - at its best, it is a delightful mish-mash of Science Fiction and fantasy, set in the Victorian era, with modern and futuristic inventions powered by steam and clockwork, including clockwork horses, and anything else the author's imagination wants to dream up! For me, it's the slightly incongruous melding of historical and futuristic elements that make Steampunk so compelling - and this author is a master of the craft. The mystery running through the book is an added layer which makes it even more enjoyable and the narration was excellent. I can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good Steampunk romance and look forward to listening to the next in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good

I enjoyed the book. A little predictable but still good. Excellently narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Pleasantly Different

I really enjoyed this departure into the world of SteamPunk that was brilliantly entwined with the familier Victorian era. Skilfully read , highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Didn't finish...

If you like Victorian steam punk stories. This might be for you! Especially since it currently is part of the Plus program so no credits needed! Give it a try if you have 10 hours over!

Unfortunately, it seems that I don't like Victorian steam punk romances.

I gave up about 1/3rd of the way through. I just didn't find myself engaged by the characters, plot, or world-building. The potential was there, but when I realized I wasn't looking forward to listening, it was time to move on.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Engaging

Engaging listen. Well read. Story was pretty good balance of Austin and thriller.
Pretty decent twists. Ended a little soon. Could have had more post final twist to satisfy the journey

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating!

A well written and well read/ performed story.
Though it is a romantic novel, it is also a supernatural mystery. It was only very near the end that I thought I knew " who dunnit," !

I recommend this book, whilst I myself am about to begin the next audiobook in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A very satisfying audiobook

This drew me in straight away. A great story with good characters and excellent narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Really enjoyable

This was the first steampunk book that I've listened to and I really enjoyed it.
I have already got the rest of the series and only hope that the other narrators are as good.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful

Such a delight to listen to this book. so much drama and suspense. can't wait to listen to the other books.

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