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Gaslight Chronicles #3
Kilts & Kraken
Magnus, Baron Findlay, longs to bring the wonders of the steam age to his remote island home, but his hands are full fighting the vicious kraken ravaging the coast. When he's swept to sea during battle and washes up on the shore of an isle in the Hebrides, he is near death.Struggling to establish herself as one of the first female physicians in Edinburgh, Dr. Geneva MacKay is annoyed when The Order of the Round Table sends her north to care for an injured highlander. To heal him, Geneva escorts the handsome warrior home, just in time to defend the villagers from another onslaught.As the attacks escalate and they work together to fight off the threat, neither Geneva nor Magnus can resist the overwhelming attraction between them. But as their relationship deepens, a new threat arises-from within the village itself...37,000 words
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2012
32 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Spencer Pape
84 books251 followersCindy Spencer Pape has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, though she swears she got better. She volunteers in environmental education, when she can fit it in around writing. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two teenage sons, a dog, a lizard, and various other small creatures, all of which are easier to clean up after than the three male humans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 14, 2017
Fun, steampunk romp.. and extra half a star for a kraken!
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
November 22, 2012
This time, the Gaslight Chronicles moves to the highlands. A young Lord, Magnus, Baron Findlay, washes up from the sea nearly dead after fighting a kraken. Dr. Geneva MacKay is dispatched by the order to see to his care. Though she is not pleased to once again leave her practice behind even briefly after struggling to establish herself as one of the few female physicians in Edinburgh, she assents to her father's wish. Geneva does what she can for Magnus but fears that it won't be enough and decides to help fulfill his dying wish to return home. Once in Torkholm, much to her surprise, the magic of the island quickly heals Magnus. Though his health has returned, they must still deal with the fact that krakens continue to leave the deep to attack the tiny island. Can Magnus and Geneva discover the source of the attacks? How will the two deal with their deepening attraction, when Magnus cannot leave the island?
Kilts & Kraken is an exceedingly quick read coming in at one hundred and eleven pages. I actually found the mystery itself quite interesting and which that it had been expanded. In many ways, the mystery of the kraken attacks was too often displaced to center the romance between Magnus and Geneva. We did get some of the legend that has been customary from this series with Magnus clearly being a descendant of the vikings and the name Torkholm being derived from Thor. The people of Torkholm are still very suspicious and there is a strong belief that the Gods are angry about the modernization of the island as the cause of attacks, making Kilts & Kraken and age old story of superstition and old religion versus progress.
In some ways the character of Geneva is progressive. She becomes one of the first female doctors and is not shy about being sarcastic when there is a suggestion that her gender disqualifies her from being a good doctor. While Magnus is brandishing weapons to fight the kraken, it is Geneva who uses her intelligence to get to the root of the mystery. Many of the weapon in Kilts and Kraken are employed in some way and are not waiting on a man to make their life complete. Geneva in fact makes it clear that her practice is her life.
Sexually, though Geneva has not had intercourse, she does have some experience. Magnus however views himself as having taken her innocence, because Geneva's hymen was intact. This of course privileges intercourse as the only kind of sex that matters and is problematic given that once again, there are not GLBT characters in this series. Geneva even admits to masturbating but is too embarrassed to admit it to Magnus though he has no problem acknowledging that he self pleasures during his time of abstinence. This casts a veneer of shame and over Geneva' desires. The following passage was further troubling:
Right, so the sudden presence of a penis inside her vagina makes Geneva fulfilled. Why then did she spend all of this years becoming educated, going to medical school and building up a practice if all it took was a little dick to make her whole? In this one phrase, Pape destroyed much of the independence she had imparted to Geneva. If further does not help that of course Geneva and Magnus fall passionately in love after only knowing each other for a short time. Though this is a staple of the romance genre, I wish that romance writers would begin to make a separation between love and lust. The latter is most certainly not like the former, even when magic is used to authenticate it, as it was in this case.
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Kilts & Kraken is an exceedingly quick read coming in at one hundred and eleven pages. I actually found the mystery itself quite interesting and which that it had been expanded. In many ways, the mystery of the kraken attacks was too often displaced to center the romance between Magnus and Geneva. We did get some of the legend that has been customary from this series with Magnus clearly being a descendant of the vikings and the name Torkholm being derived from Thor. The people of Torkholm are still very suspicious and there is a strong belief that the Gods are angry about the modernization of the island as the cause of attacks, making Kilts & Kraken and age old story of superstition and old religion versus progress.
In some ways the character of Geneva is progressive. She becomes one of the first female doctors and is not shy about being sarcastic when there is a suggestion that her gender disqualifies her from being a good doctor. While Magnus is brandishing weapons to fight the kraken, it is Geneva who uses her intelligence to get to the root of the mystery. Many of the weapon in Kilts and Kraken are employed in some way and are not waiting on a man to make their life complete. Geneva in fact makes it clear that her practice is her life.
Sexually, though Geneva has not had intercourse, she does have some experience. Magnus however views himself as having taken her innocence, because Geneva's hymen was intact. This of course privileges intercourse as the only kind of sex that matters and is problematic given that once again, there are not GLBT characters in this series. Geneva even admits to masturbating but is too embarrassed to admit it to Magnus though he has no problem acknowledging that he self pleasures during his time of abstinence. This casts a veneer of shame and over Geneva' desires. The following passage was further troubling:
"This was what her body had been made for. Much of her life, she'd felt mannish and ungainly because she was tall, sturdy and interested in science. With Magnus, she was pure woman, and that sensation was almost as blissful as the feel of his body lodged so deeply inside her it seemed he'd filled her very soul." (pages 70-71)
Right, so the sudden presence of a penis inside her vagina makes Geneva fulfilled. Why then did she spend all of this years becoming educated, going to medical school and building up a practice if all it took was a little dick to make her whole? In this one phrase, Pape destroyed much of the independence she had imparted to Geneva. If further does not help that of course Geneva and Magnus fall passionately in love after only knowing each other for a short time. Though this is a staple of the romance genre, I wish that romance writers would begin to make a separation between love and lust. The latter is most certainly not like the former, even when magic is used to authenticate it, as it was in this case.
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July 10, 2012
Review posted on Demon Lover's books and more
4.5
This is a great Steampunk romance and it has an edge of magic to it.
In this world, which was really easy to get into, Geneva is a physician in Edinburgh, Scotland who has just established her practice. As a female doctor, it's hard enough, but her father tells her to just up and leave her practice because he needs her to heal a stranger. Her father is part of the Order of the Round Table, as is not just asking her on behalf of the Order, but also as a personal favor. She finds she can't say no.
Magnus is chief of his clan and lives on a magical island. He is tied to the island magically in the sense that the island can heal him, but if he leaves the island, he weakens.
Someone has called up the kraken-giant squid who live in deeper waters- and nearly daily his people are attacked, and many killed. Magnus is washed away during one such battle. A woman finds him on her shore, near death, and calls in a favor. Enter Geneva.
Taking him back to his island is an act of mercy on Geneva's part-she thinks it's Magnus' last wish to die in his home. But once he's near his island, he's healing rapidly and unexpectedly. She is only partially shocked because she has a wee bit of magic of her own, and while magic is looked down upon, or not believed in, she knows there's more than just the practical things in this world.
The two of them have a sweet and passionate love, each knowing it cannot last beyond the week. but in the meantime, the kraken are not the only enemies on the island.
I really enjoyed this one. I'm thrilled to have the first book on my nook, and just bought the second in the series. I really think any Steampunk lover and any paranormal romance lover can enjoy this series-it's not just for Steampunk readers.
4.5
This is a great Steampunk romance and it has an edge of magic to it.
In this world, which was really easy to get into, Geneva is a physician in Edinburgh, Scotland who has just established her practice. As a female doctor, it's hard enough, but her father tells her to just up and leave her practice because he needs her to heal a stranger. Her father is part of the Order of the Round Table, as is not just asking her on behalf of the Order, but also as a personal favor. She finds she can't say no.
Magnus is chief of his clan and lives on a magical island. He is tied to the island magically in the sense that the island can heal him, but if he leaves the island, he weakens.
Someone has called up the kraken-giant squid who live in deeper waters- and nearly daily his people are attacked, and many killed. Magnus is washed away during one such battle. A woman finds him on her shore, near death, and calls in a favor. Enter Geneva.
Taking him back to his island is an act of mercy on Geneva's part-she thinks it's Magnus' last wish to die in his home. But once he's near his island, he's healing rapidly and unexpectedly. She is only partially shocked because she has a wee bit of magic of her own, and while magic is looked down upon, or not believed in, she knows there's more than just the practical things in this world.
The two of them have a sweet and passionate love, each knowing it cannot last beyond the week. but in the meantime, the kraken are not the only enemies on the island.
I really enjoyed this one. I'm thrilled to have the first book on my nook, and just bought the second in the series. I really think any Steampunk lover and any paranormal romance lover can enjoy this series-it's not just for Steampunk readers.
September 6, 2012
Pape's Gaslight Chronicles, with their mix of magic and steam, have always had potential but this one finally realizes it. In Kilts & Kraken the story is better fleshed out than in the earlier books and I really liked the leading lady physician Geneva and it was fun seeing characters from the past, can't wait for the next one.
July 17, 2015
Still fun, just like the first, but I think the shorter format fit the author's writing style a bit better. This isn't a book to tell our descendants about, but it was quite fun and I enjoyed the pace of it. A super quick read. Recommend to readers of steampunkish romance and historical fantasy.
Okay for Aayesha :p
Okay for Aayesha :p
July 24, 2012
It was a decent read but everything just happened too quickly and everything came too easily for the h and H in my opinion.
November 15, 2024
I did like this 3rd entry in the Gaslight series, however it didn't measure up to the first 2. It seemed a bit less steampunk and a lot more magic. Set on one of the Scottish northern isles, giant Kraken attack relentlessly, somehow urged by magic to come up from the depths and cause havoc to boats and to homes on the rocky shore. It's pretty clear who is at the root of the problems, so I didn't feel there was a great mystery. One of the things I loved in bk 2 was the inclusion of the Hadrian clan from bk 1. In this entry, Wink and Thomas do show up to help with the battle, but that's it. Overall, decent but not quite on par with the others. Still, recommended.
June 10, 2025
I have read a lot of reviews on this one where readers had an issue with insta-love and Geneva losing her independence. I never got that from the book. The book is short, but I feel like the author managed the content very well.
Who is causing the problems was just too obvious and it was disappointing when it wasn’t just a red herring. It made me wonder how the rest of the characters ignored the signs. These books are simple easy romances, and I get a great escape from them. So, I will continue with the series.
Who is causing the problems was just too obvious and it was disappointing when it wasn’t just a red herring. It made me wonder how the rest of the characters ignored the signs. These books are simple easy romances, and I get a great escape from them. So, I will continue with the series.
July 18, 2017
Read as part of Gaslight Chronicles Box Set 1: Steam & Sorcery\Kilts & Kraken\Moonlight & Mechanicals
Other than KRAKENS! this was a bit of a let down. The heroine was a bit of a dumb muppet in places and the insta-lust was just terrible and the mystery plot was just terrible. Urgh
Other than KRAKENS! this was a bit of a let down. The heroine was a bit of a dumb muppet in places and the insta-lust was just terrible and the mystery plot was just terrible. Urgh
October 16, 2024
I really really loved Steam & Sorcery, so Kilts & Kraken was a big disappointment. Maybe if it had been fleshed out into a full novel it would've been more fun, but everything felt rushed and all the characters very shallow. The villains are stereotypical and boring, and characters fall in love quickly even for a romance novel.
April 23, 2020
Totally loved this story. We are in Scotland this time. I listened to it on Audible and totally enjoyed the narration and the tale. A good quick read full of mechanical objects and steampunk characters. All the books are linked slightly, they are a stand alone read. Highly recommended.
Read
October 27, 2024Knew nothing about this going in and it was just the light fare I was looking for. It would have benefited from fleshing out a bit, but I thought it worked like this. I appreciated the importance of their relationships with their friends, new and old.
December 15, 2017
Adorable, a bit predictable and worrisome as the main love story in this book doesn't appear as though they will be able to interact much with the rest of the characters in this series.
December 10, 2017
I really loved this book...because krakens. It was short, light, and romantic. Normally, I can't just jump in a world built series. I was pleasantly surprised that I could with this one.
March 4, 2018
Tried too hard to be Julia Garwoods "The Bride".
December 17, 2017
lot of fun. Not quite as well-executed as the first in the series, but still a lot of fun for romance readers. So far this series is an awesome escapist read!
October 12, 2018
3.5 stars
October 29, 2018
Okay sure, this book is not "good" in the _literature_ sense, but it took me two hours to read, there were strong female characters, and a happy ending. A nice book to read when you have insomnia.
July 14, 2019
Better than the first two books.
This one had more depth to the characters and world building. Plot was better too. Could have been longer & spicier.
This one had more depth to the characters and world building. Plot was better too. Could have been longer & spicier.
December 14, 2019
2.5 stars
Liked it, but instantly forgettable.
Liked it, but instantly forgettable.
May 21, 2020
The books in this series are all fun, easy, quick reads. However, they're also saccharinely sweet and could use better editing as there are quite a few distracting typos in each book.
January 1, 2024
Delightful, enjoyable steampunk romance. More soonest, plz! (Also, must reread series asap!)
November 2, 2012
Originally published at Reading Reality
Steampunk has two sides to its equation. On one side of the scales, technology went a different path from our history, and parts of it developed sooner than in the world we know. The obvious sign of the change is the prevalence of airships in Victorian England. But there are other technologies that work as well, often teletext or some other fast communication.
What balances those scales? Usually a form of magic. In Spencer Pape's world, some people have arcane powers. And the things that go bump in the night are real. Vampyres are just hungry undead. And they stink. Werewolves are people who get furry every once in a while.
But what about the rest of the uncanny beasties? Them too. In our history, kraken are the stuff of legend. But so are the Knights of the Round Table.
In Spencer Pape's Gaslight Chronicles, the descendants of the Knights of the Round Table are still protecting Great Britain. And in the north of Scotland, there's an island that is getting attacked by kraken, one right after another. Even it's hereditary laird, Magnus Findlay, who may wear a kilt but looks (and fights) just like a Viking berserker, can't seem to stop them.
If you've got good magic, you've got bad magic. Like witches. The laird is tied to the island. It's part of his power. But if he can't leave, he can bring modern technology to Torkholm. Until a kraken attack sweeps him far away, all the way to the mainland, where the healing power of his homeland can't save him.
But the healing power of Dr. Geneva McKay, daughter of the Knights, can keep him alive until his men get him home. And once there, her medical knowledge and her ability to see things as they are, upsets the local herb-women who don't want anything to change. Ever.
She might even change the heart of a man who has sworn that he'll never try to marry a woman from the mainland again. Not after his first wife threw herself off out a window rather than stay isolated on Torkholm another minute.
And why would bringing roads to this tiny island cause the kraken to start attacking, after 100 years of quiet seas?
Escape Rating A-: I can't say that I didn't know exactly who was bringing the kraken, even the first time I read the story. It's pretty obvious. It doesn't matter. The important part of this story is the love between Magnus and Geneva, and the conflict they face about what to do about it. Magnus absolutely must stay on Torkholm, and Geneva won't stay for anything less than love. But she has a medical practice in Edinburgh, and a life there. Magnus is rightfully afraid to bring another mainland woman to his remote island, after his disastrous first marriage.
The opposition forces were, well a bit obviously witchy. And bitchy. They liked being the most important females because they had healing skills, and wouldn't have wanted a real doctor on the island, but the attacks started long before that. Some people really, really hate change. Something that is still true.
At least, no one can call up sea monsters. About that recent hurricane...
Steampunk has two sides to its equation. On one side of the scales, technology went a different path from our history, and parts of it developed sooner than in the world we know. The obvious sign of the change is the prevalence of airships in Victorian England. But there are other technologies that work as well, often teletext or some other fast communication.
What balances those scales? Usually a form of magic. In Spencer Pape's world, some people have arcane powers. And the things that go bump in the night are real. Vampyres are just hungry undead. And they stink. Werewolves are people who get furry every once in a while.
But what about the rest of the uncanny beasties? Them too. In our history, kraken are the stuff of legend. But so are the Knights of the Round Table.
In Spencer Pape's Gaslight Chronicles, the descendants of the Knights of the Round Table are still protecting Great Britain. And in the north of Scotland, there's an island that is getting attacked by kraken, one right after another. Even it's hereditary laird, Magnus Findlay, who may wear a kilt but looks (and fights) just like a Viking berserker, can't seem to stop them.
If you've got good magic, you've got bad magic. Like witches. The laird is tied to the island. It's part of his power. But if he can't leave, he can bring modern technology to Torkholm. Until a kraken attack sweeps him far away, all the way to the mainland, where the healing power of his homeland can't save him.
But the healing power of Dr. Geneva McKay, daughter of the Knights, can keep him alive until his men get him home. And once there, her medical knowledge and her ability to see things as they are, upsets the local herb-women who don't want anything to change. Ever.
She might even change the heart of a man who has sworn that he'll never try to marry a woman from the mainland again. Not after his first wife threw herself off out a window rather than stay isolated on Torkholm another minute.
And why would bringing roads to this tiny island cause the kraken to start attacking, after 100 years of quiet seas?
Escape Rating A-: I can't say that I didn't know exactly who was bringing the kraken, even the first time I read the story. It's pretty obvious. It doesn't matter. The important part of this story is the love between Magnus and Geneva, and the conflict they face about what to do about it. Magnus absolutely must stay on Torkholm, and Geneva won't stay for anything less than love. But she has a medical practice in Edinburgh, and a life there. Magnus is rightfully afraid to bring another mainland woman to his remote island, after his disastrous first marriage.
The opposition forces were, well a bit obviously witchy. And bitchy. They liked being the most important females because they had healing skills, and wouldn't have wanted a real doctor on the island, but the attacks started long before that. Some people really, really hate change. Something that is still true.
At least, no one can call up sea monsters. About that recent hurricane...
July 27, 2013
Review from Backchatting Books
Magnus, Baron Findlay, has a very strong connection with his island home. Unfortunately someone has unleashed the kraken on his formerly tranquil retreat and he spends his days fighting the creatures. He is swept out to see during a particularly brutal battle and eventually washes up on Mull where Alice MacDonald takes him in. Unable to heal him herself, Alice contacts Sir Fergus MacKay for help and he sends his daughter Dr Geneva MacKay.
Geneva runs a successful practice in Edinburgh and isn’t exactly happy about running off to the Inner Hebrides. Although this world is quite advanced with its mechanical inventions and magic, Geneva often has to deal with sexism. Many simply can’t believe that a woman could make a successful physician. She’s pragmatic, intelligent and fiercely independent which is at odds with the speed at which she yields to Magnus. Magnus has a very strong connection to his island and refuses to leave it for very long. He knows he ought to marry but would prefer an islander so as not to inflict isolation onto his spouse. Geneva is not a sensible choice as she is so wedded to her medical practice but love is rarely logical, is it?
This is quite a lot packed into this short book. The world is probably the best rendered part of the book and I enjoyed the blend of steampunk and magic. The as the plot was fairly predictable though and the villains practically had neon signs over their heads identifying themselves. In a longer novel it would be easier to hide them with a variety of red herrings but we don’t have that luxury here.
This is a very quick and fun read. Although it is the third in the series it can be read as a standalone.
Magnus, Baron Findlay, has a very strong connection with his island home. Unfortunately someone has unleashed the kraken on his formerly tranquil retreat and he spends his days fighting the creatures. He is swept out to see during a particularly brutal battle and eventually washes up on Mull where Alice MacDonald takes him in. Unable to heal him herself, Alice contacts Sir Fergus MacKay for help and he sends his daughter Dr Geneva MacKay.
Geneva runs a successful practice in Edinburgh and isn’t exactly happy about running off to the Inner Hebrides. Although this world is quite advanced with its mechanical inventions and magic, Geneva often has to deal with sexism. Many simply can’t believe that a woman could make a successful physician. She’s pragmatic, intelligent and fiercely independent which is at odds with the speed at which she yields to Magnus. Magnus has a very strong connection to his island and refuses to leave it for very long. He knows he ought to marry but would prefer an islander so as not to inflict isolation onto his spouse. Geneva is not a sensible choice as she is so wedded to her medical practice but love is rarely logical, is it?
This is quite a lot packed into this short book. The world is probably the best rendered part of the book and I enjoyed the blend of steampunk and magic. The as the plot was fairly predictable though and the villains practically had neon signs over their heads identifying themselves. In a longer novel it would be easier to hide them with a variety of red herrings but we don’t have that luxury here.
This is a very quick and fun read. Although it is the third in the series it can be read as a standalone.
December 4, 2013
This is the very first steampunk romance that I’ve ever read and it took a little getting used to but I did end up enjoying it. This book came in the Carina Press Editors Choice eARC on NetGalley and I was really stoked to read the Stacey book so I requested it. I’d never heard of this author before getting this book for review but after reading this book, I know her now.
The story follows Magnus Findlay and Dr. Geneva MacKay as they bumble along toward their happy ending. Magnus is the Laird of his clan and he lives on the a magical island that helps heal him when he’s injured and in order for him to survive this last attack against the kraken, he has to return home. Dr. Geneva MacKay came to Muir to attend this patient at the request of her father. Since Magnus was on his deathbed, she thought she was take him home to die but once they got back home, in a couple of days, he’s good as new (well, almost).
I thought Pape did a wonderful job of packing a great story into a small page count. This story was short but it didn’t feel like it. It was interesting to see the steampunk world come alive in this story but to be honest, I spent most of the book trying to make sense of the steampunk world. I’m not too familiar with the steampunk genre but I can’t say that I was disappointed in the romance that bloomed between Magnus and Genny. The story flowed well, the characters were enjoyable but all of the monster squids coming out of the sea to attack people didn’t really do much for me.
Overall, the story was good but as much as I enjoyed it, I don’t see myself becoming a fan of steampunk. But still, this was a good story.
Grade: 3 out of 5
The story follows Magnus Findlay and Dr. Geneva MacKay as they bumble along toward their happy ending. Magnus is the Laird of his clan and he lives on the a magical island that helps heal him when he’s injured and in order for him to survive this last attack against the kraken, he has to return home. Dr. Geneva MacKay came to Muir to attend this patient at the request of her father. Since Magnus was on his deathbed, she thought she was take him home to die but once they got back home, in a couple of days, he’s good as new (well, almost).
I thought Pape did a wonderful job of packing a great story into a small page count. This story was short but it didn’t feel like it. It was interesting to see the steampunk world come alive in this story but to be honest, I spent most of the book trying to make sense of the steampunk world. I’m not too familiar with the steampunk genre but I can’t say that I was disappointed in the romance that bloomed between Magnus and Genny. The story flowed well, the characters were enjoyable but all of the monster squids coming out of the sea to attack people didn’t really do much for me.
Overall, the story was good but as much as I enjoyed it, I don’t see myself becoming a fan of steampunk. But still, this was a good story.
Grade: 3 out of 5
August 20, 2014
When I started reading this I wasn't too sure what to think to be honest with you. One of my favourite genre of books to read is Steampunk and when I find a book in the genre to read I’m always afraid it will disappoint me. I can honestly say that this novella did not. It had all the intrigue I look for in a book and I couldn’t put it down.
The characters in this book were fantastic. I loved Magnus the most because he reminds me of a favourite character a friend wrote in a story of her own. His need to protect his loved ones and people at all costs and to see them thrive was the biggest resemblance between them. That and the suspected Berserker descendant part. Geneva was another amazing character. For the time this takes place, women weren’t among those who held jobs or professions usually and she was of all things, a doctor. And a good one at that. All the characters in this were very well written and amusing and entertaining in their own right. Though I could live without having had Catriona in this. She just grated on my nerves all the times she made an appearance in this.
I went in knowing this wasn’t a full length book. I really wish it was though. This was so good that I just wanted to know more about how the kraken attacks started, what made the people responsible snap and need to do something so atrocious, how things go on for Magnus and Geneva after this ends, how Rannulf and Alice fair after the whole attacks ordeal is over. I’m greedy and just want more of this.
I really do plan on reading the first two of this novella series and any others that come after this one. They’re just too good to put aside and ignore.
The characters in this book were fantastic. I loved Magnus the most because he reminds me of a favourite character a friend wrote in a story of her own. His need to protect his loved ones and people at all costs and to see them thrive was the biggest resemblance between them. That and the suspected Berserker descendant part. Geneva was another amazing character. For the time this takes place, women weren’t among those who held jobs or professions usually and she was of all things, a doctor. And a good one at that. All the characters in this were very well written and amusing and entertaining in their own right. Though I could live without having had Catriona in this. She just grated on my nerves all the times she made an appearance in this.
I went in knowing this wasn’t a full length book. I really wish it was though. This was so good that I just wanted to know more about how the kraken attacks started, what made the people responsible snap and need to do something so atrocious, how things go on for Magnus and Geneva after this ends, how Rannulf and Alice fair after the whole attacks ordeal is over. I’m greedy and just want more of this.
I really do plan on reading the first two of this novella series and any others that come after this one. They’re just too good to put aside and ignore.
June 4, 2012
In 1858, the Hebrides, Baron Magnus Findlay, Lord of Torkholm Island, fought for his life against the enormous Kraken. The giant squid took on the island’s leader who possessed the magick of the isle. The Baron fought his attacker, but to no avail. The Kraken stole away with Magnus, diminishing his power placed upon him from the island. Half dead and in the hands of strangers Magnus fights for his life.
Dr. Geneva MacKay, physician and daughter of Sir Fergus MacKay, a member of The Order of The Round Table, kept a comfortable practice in Edinburgh. Her life was busy between her patients and those needing to be tended to whenever “The Order” called up on her skills. When the call came, she was needed upon the Isle of Torkholm. When Geneva lays her hands on the broken Baron, she finds his condition grasps more than just her skills. She senses the magick coursing within him and is distracted by the feelings his presence awakens within her. With help from “The Order”, Geneva is able to discover the anger behind the evil which haunts the island, but is she in time to save her Baron and herself?
Author, Cindy Spencer Page has written a titillating, steampunk romance. The tale transports the reader back to a world of legend and lore while adding in the positioning of modern day mechanics upon a magickal island. Her characters ooze stubborn, intelligence while discovering the unchartered territory of love. Riveting and fast-paced, this is a tale you will enjoy from start to finish. I look forward to reading more from Cindy Spencer Pape.
Dr. Geneva MacKay, physician and daughter of Sir Fergus MacKay, a member of The Order of The Round Table, kept a comfortable practice in Edinburgh. Her life was busy between her patients and those needing to be tended to whenever “The Order” called up on her skills. When the call came, she was needed upon the Isle of Torkholm. When Geneva lays her hands on the broken Baron, she finds his condition grasps more than just her skills. She senses the magick coursing within him and is distracted by the feelings his presence awakens within her. With help from “The Order”, Geneva is able to discover the anger behind the evil which haunts the island, but is she in time to save her Baron and herself?
Author, Cindy Spencer Page has written a titillating, steampunk romance. The tale transports the reader back to a world of legend and lore while adding in the positioning of modern day mechanics upon a magickal island. Her characters ooze stubborn, intelligence while discovering the unchartered territory of love. Riveting and fast-paced, this is a tale you will enjoy from start to finish. I look forward to reading more from Cindy Spencer Pape.
August 31, 2021
"Geneva... il suo amore, e se Dio avesse voluto, la sua salvezza. La abbracciò. «Vieni, ragazzina. Andiamo a casa.» Non poté resistere alla tentazione di posare un bacio su quella testa adorata"
Dopo un secondo volume un po' sottotono, con questa terza storia la serie torna a volare alto...del resto quando sento le parole vichinghi&berserkir non capisco più nulla *ç* Mi è sembrato anche più presente l'elemento steampunk, l'isola di Magnus con la sua natura selvaggia e la fortezza impenetrabile fa da perfetto contrappunto a dirigibili, spararazzi e chi più ne ha più ne metta XD Il ritmo è incalzante, c'è tanta avventura, tanta magia e anche tanto amore, Magnus e Geneva sono una bellissima coppia, entrambi con un forte senso del dovere e una forte testardaggine e tanta passione da donare alla persona amata *ç* Ci ho messo un po' a capire che fosse il responsabili degli attacchi delle piovre, non si può fare a meno di sospettare un po' di tutti ma alla fine i cattivi avranno quel che si meritano! Anche qui non mancano i rinforzi sottoforma degli Hadrian (sono ovunque XD Anche se solo con un componente stavolta...) e ce ne sarà un gran bisogno considerato che spade e pistole poco possono contro taaanti kraken arrabbiati! XD Molto dolce la storia d'amore tra Alice e Rannulf e l'epilogo chiude degnamente il tutto...ora non resta che aspettare il prossimo della serie, sperando continui così! *ç*
Dopo un secondo volume un po' sottotono, con questa terza storia la serie torna a volare alto...del resto quando sento le parole vichinghi&berserkir non capisco più nulla *ç* Mi è sembrato anche più presente l'elemento steampunk, l'isola di Magnus con la sua natura selvaggia e la fortezza impenetrabile fa da perfetto contrappunto a dirigibili, spararazzi e chi più ne ha più ne metta XD Il ritmo è incalzante, c'è tanta avventura, tanta magia e anche tanto amore, Magnus e Geneva sono una bellissima coppia, entrambi con un forte senso del dovere e una forte testardaggine e tanta passione da donare alla persona amata *ç* Ci ho messo un po' a capire che fosse il responsabili degli attacchi delle piovre, non si può fare a meno di sospettare un po' di tutti ma alla fine i cattivi avranno quel che si meritano! Anche qui non mancano i rinforzi sottoforma degli Hadrian (sono ovunque XD Anche se solo con un componente stavolta...) e ce ne sarà un gran bisogno considerato che spade e pistole poco possono contro taaanti kraken arrabbiati! XD Molto dolce la storia d'amore tra Alice e Rannulf e l'epilogo chiude degnamente il tutto...ora non resta che aspettare il prossimo della serie, sperando continui così! *ç*
June 5, 2012
My Review:
Whenever people approach me for book reviews, I state two genres that I prefer not to review in the romance spectrum...steampunk and historical. This book was both, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it regardless of the fact that I normally don't enjoy this genre.
Geneva is a doctor and a family friend has found someone in desperate need of a doctor, Magnus. He washed upon the shore in the grasp of a dead kraken (giant octopus) and is dying. Geneva comes to his aid, but he continues to decline until it becomes apparent that his health is tied to his own land. He needs to get back to his island so he has a chance to heal.
This was a historical book filled with a mixture of magick and industrial/steam technologies. From the Knights of the Round Table to mechanical dogs, this book had a bit of everything and I truly enjoyed the way the story was put together.
It's a novella with a lot going on. As a result, I don't feel like I got to know Magnus and Geneva as well as I would have liked. But what I did see, I liked. Geneva is a tough female doctor in a time when that is not the norm. Magnus is a laird who is willing to make the tough sacrifices for his people. In their own ways, they each are all about caring for other people...many times at their own detriment. For that reason, it was fun to see them find happiness in each other. It was a fun book to read.
Whenever people approach me for book reviews, I state two genres that I prefer not to review in the romance spectrum...steampunk and historical. This book was both, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it regardless of the fact that I normally don't enjoy this genre.
Geneva is a doctor and a family friend has found someone in desperate need of a doctor, Magnus. He washed upon the shore in the grasp of a dead kraken (giant octopus) and is dying. Geneva comes to his aid, but he continues to decline until it becomes apparent that his health is tied to his own land. He needs to get back to his island so he has a chance to heal.
This was a historical book filled with a mixture of magick and industrial/steam technologies. From the Knights of the Round Table to mechanical dogs, this book had a bit of everything and I truly enjoyed the way the story was put together.
It's a novella with a lot going on. As a result, I don't feel like I got to know Magnus and Geneva as well as I would have liked. But what I did see, I liked. Geneva is a tough female doctor in a time when that is not the norm. Magnus is a laird who is willing to make the tough sacrifices for his people. In their own ways, they each are all about caring for other people...many times at their own detriment. For that reason, it was fun to see them find happiness in each other. It was a fun book to read.
September 27, 2012
Kilts and Kraken, a steampunk romance, is the third in the Gaslight Chronicles Series by Cindy Spencer Pape. Set at Torkholm Island in the Hebrides in July, 1858, is the story of Magnus Findlay and Dr. Geneva MacKay. Geneva, the daughter of Sir Fergus MacKay, a Knight of the Round Table, is one of the first female doctors in Edinburgh, Scotland. Begging a favor, her father sends her to check on one Alice MacDonald on the isle of Mull. It seems Mrs. MacDonald has found a man who was attacked by a kraken and is in need of medical care. Because the Order investigates magickal occurences, Sir Fergus wants Geneva to go and investigate the kraken as well as tend the man.
Magnus Findlay, Baron of Torkholm, is gravely injured. All he knows through the blur of pain is that he must get back to Torkholm or he will die. He tells as much to the angel at his bedside and prays she will listen. Thinking she is taking him home to die, Geneva listens, and she and Alice journey to Torkholm. Thus begins the investigation into the kraken and a journey into love for Magnus, Geneva and Alice! Along the way betrayal, attempted murder, murder and black magick all are discovered.
What a marvelous read! Best of the series by far! I loved this novella and look forward to the next installment of the series. Ms. Pape is getting better and better.
5 of 5 stars
Magnus Findlay, Baron of Torkholm, is gravely injured. All he knows through the blur of pain is that he must get back to Torkholm or he will die. He tells as much to the angel at his bedside and prays she will listen. Thinking she is taking him home to die, Geneva listens, and she and Alice journey to Torkholm. Thus begins the investigation into the kraken and a journey into love for Magnus, Geneva and Alice! Along the way betrayal, attempted murder, murder and black magick all are discovered.
What a marvelous read! Best of the series by far! I loved this novella and look forward to the next installment of the series. Ms. Pape is getting better and better.
5 of 5 stars
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