Reviewed by Heather C
Title: Gossamer Wing
Author: Delphine Dryden
Series: Steam and Seduction #1
Heroine/Hero: Charlotte Moncrieffe/Dexter Hardison
Genre: MF, Steampunk
Length: 300 Pages
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Available at: Berkley Sensation, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Kobo
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: A Spy. An Airship. And a Broken Heart.
After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.
Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.
But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.
Review:
Think 007 meets romance and steampunk; that is Gossamer Wing. Filled with espionage, fake-married sex and lots of ridiculous endearments, this book was A TON of fun.
Lady Charlotte Moncrieffe is a spy, out to avenge the death of her murdered husband. First, she needs a fake husband who will honeymoon her in France. And who better to play her new husband than the Baron Makesmith Dexter Hardison. Its a perfect cover. Charlotte can spy with her little airship the Gossamer Wing, and Dexter can work at creating his new seismograph-thangy-ma-jig. How long do you really think these two will keep things between them strictly business??
The Romance: Charlotte and Dexter were HOT together! Even though Charlotte was a widow, she was still pretty innocent…and it didn’t take long for Dexter to teach her the ways her body could be pleasured. I really felt the connection between them, and Dexter was such a sweet, possessive bear. Charlotte did start to annoy me there towards the end when she was acting like she couldn’t be with Dexter as a real wife, but she redeemed herself nicely. I’m just sad I didn’t get to see their makeup.
The Endearments: Ha! Since Dexter and Charlotte were only pretending to be newlyweds, they had to put on show in front of other people…so they were constantly using silly endearments for each other. Hardly any were ever repeated and I was laughing my ass off every time Dexter called Charlotte another succulent dessert (dumpling, my sweet brioche, my delicious slice of coconut cream pie, etc). Haha! And Charlotte struggled finding fitting ones for Dexter (Mister Woolly Bear). Hahahaha!! I’m laughing here thinking about it…
“Charlotte was actually running out of ridiculous endearments, a circumstance that annoyed her as Dexter seemed to have a constant supply. It was easier thinking up sugary nicknames for ladies, she thought. One could hardly call a man honey muffin or cream puff.”
The Espionage: Ohmygod I was so confused! I think what kept from loving this book was that I struggled so much in following the political dynamics and history of the war between the French and English. There were to many names and entities that I couldn’t tell whose side I was supposed to be on. Who was good or who was bad. So my confusion continued for so long that it caused the story to drag in some places. It eventually all made sense…I think.
The Villain: Some parts of the story were told from Coeur de Fer’s POV, and I found myself really feeling bad for the guy…even after all the horrible crimes he committed. Such a well done villain.
I’m so happy I found this series and will definitely be continuing on with Scarlet Devices very soon.
Recommended!
Overall Impression: I Liked It
*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*
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