Zoë Archer

Gabriel Huntley has sold out of the military and returned to England. Upon arrival he happened on a 6 on 1 alley fight and tries to help the underdog. He kills 2 and chases off the rest but the underdog, Morris, is fatally wounded. With his dying breath he charges Gabriel to deliver a message to a Franklin Burgess in a Outer Mongolia and gives his compass as an identifier. Gabriel has no plans so he accepts the message and sets off. A when he meets Burgess he discovers him with a broken leg and the message means an immediate trip. He offers to help but is turned down. Burgess daughter, Thalia, will go. Gabriel follows and saves her from attack, then joins the mission. This was not only a paranormal adventure but an interesting look at a people and part of the world I was unfamiliar with in Victorian time. Looking forward to more of the series.… (more)

Catullus, brilliant Black inventor, has always felt awkward with women. When he is followed by Gemma, intrepid reporter, he doesn’t know how to handle her. This is the final chapter in the Blades saga and the one with the most quests on the way to the final showdown with the Heirs of Albion, the bad guys. Each time the group seems to make a little headway they run into a problem that requires achieving something to move forward. I loved all the little inventive things he produces along the way. Great final chapter.

Did a reread of this and had pretty much the same opinion. I loved meeting up with all the couples from the previous volumes. I did find it a little bit off putting to see how much time the lead couple found to have sex in the middle of their urgent travel across country. Just skimmed this to get on with the action.… (more)

Friends, Lady Grace (herpetologist) and Sebastian Holloway (anthropologist) are drawn to each other but afraid of losing their friendship if they explore other feelings also Seb is poor and gets anxiety attacks. Grace is also drawn to Mason Fredericks, a well to do naturalist who only sees her as a colleague and not a woman. When Grace's father becomes ill he insists Grace find someone to marry, so she will be secure if something happens to him. To draw Mason's attention she and Seb attempt to transform Seb into a rake who's pursuit of Grace will wake up Mason. This was a fun story with no real bad guys and the first in a series about 5 boys who meet and become friends at Eton.… (more)