Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Blog Tour/Review: The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen


The Lady in the Coppergate Tower, by Nancy Campbell Allen
2019, 355p, Clean Steampunk Romance
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way



Hazel Hughes has spent her life believing she is a Medium—someone who can talk to ghosts. But as of yet, that skill has remained frustratingly elusive. She is also suffering from a reoccurring childhood dream of someone who looks almost exactly like Hazel, but this dream version of herself is slowly going mad.

Sam MacInnes is a talented surgeon who runs in the highest social circles thanks to his family’s position and history. When Sam hires Hazel to assist him with his medical practice, he is immediately drawn to her intelligence, wit, and beauty.

Their potential relationship is derailed one evening when a mysterious count arrives in London and reveals to Hazel the truth about her past: she was abducted at birth and her twin sister has fallen dangerously ill.

Hazel agrees to travel to Romania with Count Petrescu in order to save her sister, and Sam insists on accompanying her. The count has secrets, though, and the journey grows more sinister with every mile that draws Hazel closer to her homeland. Even as her feelings for Sam become deeper and more complicated, she fears she might not survive the quest to save her sister with her heart intact, not to mention her life. She must learn to draw on gifts she doesn’t know she has if they are going to ever return home again.

Hazel and Sam must fight their way past dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out.

This is an enjoyable steampunk, fairy-tale retelling of Rapunzel. Sam and Hazel work together to solve a mystery which centers around her family that she has just learned about--a twin sister and Count Petrescu, her uncle. I loved Sam and Hazel, and it was fun to watch their friendship grow and develop into more. The middle of the book slowed down some, but once it picked up again, I couldn't put it down until I found out how it ended.

I read the first book in this series, and loved it, but that was a few years ago, and unfortunately, I don't remember everything I read, so I would say this works well as a standalone. It has twists and turns, odd characters, mystery, suspense and romance. I love this it's dark enough to be creepy, yet light enough for some sweet romance. If you've never read steampunk before, this is a great author to start with!


Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of fifteen published novels and numerous novellas, which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she received a Whitney award for My Fair Gentleman. She has presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and the mother of three children.



1 comments:

sherry fundin said...

enjoyed the review. thanks for sharing
sherry @ fundinmental

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