Monday, October 10, 2011

An Antho for Christmas

Posted by: J.K. Coi

I was very lucky to have been chosen to contribute to Carina Press’s Steampunk Holiday Anthology – A Clockwork Christmas – with my novella FAR FROM BROKEN. I feel even luckier now that I’ve had the chance to read the three other stories to be included in the collection because they are SOOOOO awesome!

Christmas can't come fast enough, and as I await this special release day, I'm going to keep myself busy getting ready for the holidays at home. What am I doing that I have to get started now, even before Halloween has come and gone?

Well, I like to make ornaments out of stained glass. I love the way they glitter and shine with the lights shining behind them when they're hung on the tree. Since each one will take me at least an evening, and I tend to make a good couple dozen (to give to family and friends) I have to get an early start.

What do you do at home to get ready for the holiday? (Whichever holiday you might be celebrating at this time of year)


WANTED: ONE SCOUNDREL by Jenny Schwartz

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is a man. A scoundrel to be precise. Someone who can be persuaded to represent her political views at men-only clubs. As the daughter of the richest man in Australia, Esme can afford to make it worth the right man’s while.

Fresh off the boat, American inventor Jed Reeve is intrigued by Esme’s proposal, but even more interested in the beauty herself. Amused that she takes him for a man who lives by his wits, he accepts the job—made easier by the fact that he already shares her ideals. Soon, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue, kidnapping and blackmail, and trying to convince his employer he’s more than just a scoundrel…



THIS WINTER HEART by PG Forte

Santa Fe, The Republic of New Texacali, 1870

Eight years ago, Ophelia Leonides's husband cast her off when he discovered she was not the woman he thought she was. Now destitute after the death of her father, Ophelia is forced to turn to Dario for help raising the child she never told him about.

Dario is furious that Ophelia has returned, and refuses to believe Arthur is his son—after all, he thought his wife was barren. But to avoid gossip, he agrees to let them spend the holidays at his villa. While he cannot resist the desire he still feels for Ophelia, Dario despises himself for being hopelessly in love with a woman who can never love him back.

But Dario is wrong: Ophelia's emotions are all too human, and she was brokenhearted when he rejected her. Unsure if she can trust the man she desperately loves, she fears for her life, her freedom and her son if anyone else learns of her true nature...



CRIME WAVE IN A CORSET by Stacy Gail

Roderick Coddington is on a mission to make Cornelia Peabody pay. After identifying her as the thief who stole a priceless Faberge egg from his dying sister, he finds her and shackles a deadly timepiece to her arm. If she doesn't return the egg by Christmas morning, she will die.

Normally seven days is more than enough time for Cornelia to carry out the perfect crime, but Roderick's intrusion into her life is beyond distracting. He challenges her mind, and ignites her body with desire she's never felt before. But worst of all, he threatens the independence she values above all else…

As Roderick spends time with Cornelia, he realizes there's a lonely soul hidden beneath her beautiful but criminal veneer. Falling for a thief wasn't part of Roderick's plan, but plans can change and he has no intention of letting another priceless treasure get away from him.


FAR FROM BROKEN by JK Coi

Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

13 comments:

  1. I'm in the midst of making Halloween costumes. I have a tough time thinking about any given holiday more than 45 days in advance LOL. The antho looks fabulous! Can't wait :)

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  2. These stories all sound great. I bought my first Christmas present today but that's as far as I've gotten with my holiday plans.

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  3. Holiday plans? What holiday plans? LOL this year, if someone doesn't want a copoy of my antho, they sure aren't getting anything else! *wink*

    Thanks for posting this, JK. I hadn't seen everyone else's blurbs, and I lurve the covers :)

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  4. Looks fabulous....think it is going onto my list :)

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  5. Looks like a fascinating bunch of stories. Well done.

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  6. Incredible artwork and intriguing stories. Will have to read this anthology.

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  7. The blurbs sound fantastic and the covers are just gorgeous. I hope the anthology does really well for you all!

    As for the holidays, I'm slightly addicted to Christmas decorations, and always buy at least one every year. In fact, just found a gorgeous Mrs Claus apron today, and HAD to buy it :-)

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  8. I love steampunk. So this looks great. look forward to reading it!!

    Kelly Ethan

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  9. As for holidays. Most of the time we are at family or are shifting at that time. Have done four shifts now right on xmas eve. But can't go past the xmas tree and lots of tinsel ;)

    Kelly Ethan

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  10. I'm looking forward to reading this anthology. I'm gradually becoming a steampunk convert.

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  11. Really looking forward to this. And I just love the covers.

    I haven't had a holiday (as in vacation) for awhile, though if I go to conferences, I try and attach a day or two for sightseeing. We used to have Christmas every year at our house and it was a week of cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and cooking, cooking, cooking. And once the day is over, cleaning up.

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  12. Thanks so much for posting this, JK. I just can't get over how beautiful these covers are. <3

    Since I'm a figure skating coach, my holiday season has already begun with Christmas show rehearsals. This time of year is INSANE -- finding and cutting music, choreography, costuming, rehearsal scheduling... wow, I'm tired just thinking about it. :P

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  13. COOL anthology! I'm new to the steampunk genre, and I'm loving it! Great post, and I'm looking forward to reading the stories.

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