Pages

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Dawn's Early Light Blog Tour

Yes! This is a series I have enjoyed (a list of reviews and other fun stuff with the book) and those wanting to get into steampunk with a great mystery NEED to get this series. It is just so much fun. Love the characters to death! :)

A selection from Chapter Two

of Dawns Early Light by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

released by Ace Books

As they walked farther in, she noticed a slight girl seated at a table at the rear of the pub. It was not just her purple petticoats and stripes that made her stand out, but also her tidiness, etiquette, and carriage. Eliza hated stripesthough they were all the fashion. Their contact also had a pair of sun spectacles balanced on the tip of her nose. Eliza could only surmise that was her notion of blending in.

I think we found our contact,Eliza whispered to Wellington.
She made to walk to the table when the archivist caught her arm. We are supposed to meet at the bar,he hissed.

He wasnt serious. Was he?

Its like dealing with a child, Eliza thought, but she knew she had to pick and choose her battles. She forced a tight grin as she followed Wellington to the bar. He leaned against its weathered wood and motioned for the publican. The barkeep appeared, and his brow knotted as he looked the new arrivals over.

Eliza realised that they stood out nearly as much as the woman in purple.

Sir, a whiskey, if you please,Wellington ordered in a tone far too loud and purposeful.

Welly,Eliza whispered tersely, perhaps you should just order a beer? Same effect.She cast a wary glance at the woman who was trying, but failing, to blend in with her surroundings. So far she had pushed her sun spectacles up to the bridge of her nose, smoothed out her skirts, and then looked at the two of them, placing a hand upon her chest, as if noticing them for the first time.

Bloody hell, Eliza thought, burying her face in her hand. Its Amateur Night at the Alhambra.

Through his clenched teeth, he replied, All part of protocol. Just play along.The shot glass was placed in front of him, which immediately went up in the air as Wellington toasted those assembled. God save the Queen,he proclaimed, and God bless America.

The amber dram disappeared from its glass, and Eliza crossed her arms in front of her as Wellington struggled for air. His free hand caught the bar as the other gripped the shot glass tightly. How, she marvelled, could this man have been such a master of deception during their time with the Phoenix Society and yet here be about as convincing as a street urchin running for a seat in Parliament?

Not quite the quality youre used to?Eliza asked sweetly.

Wellington coughed in reply. At least he was still breathingand standing.

The waif had now gathered up enough courage and was standing before them. She looked between Eliza and Wellington quickly and then leaned forward. At midnight, the lion roars.

Oh for Gods sake. Eliza found herself frozen in disgust.

But at dawn,her partner wheezed, his voice creeping back to its normal baritone, the eagles cry will be heard.

Subtle,Eliza stated wryly.

She thrust out a gloved hand, shaking theirs in an enthusiastic greeting. Felicity Lovelace. Welcome to the United States of America. Would you care for something to drink?

Another whiskey, Wellington?Eliza asked with a sly grin.

I think not,he answered quickly. Perhaps something less . . .

Potent?
Volatile.
Ive read your particulars, Miss Braun,Felicity returned quickly, and then spoke in what sounded like a baited breath. A white wine for the gentleman, a beer for the lady, and Ill have another . . .She paused. Well, Ill have another.

Right then,the barkeep said, looking at the three of them. Wine, beer.And his eyes twinkled a bit as he said, And a Coca-Cola.

Eliza and Wellington looked at Felicity askance. It helps calm my nerves,she said with a shrug, her speech getting a little faster the more she spoke.

Calm her nerves? Then it dawned on her when the beer reached her hands. Ye gods, you must be joking.This is your first assignment, isnt it?

No, actually, this is my tenth,the American returned, but the tremble in her posture hardly reassured Eliza. When the womans bubbling tonic arrived, she took a long sip from it before adding, Im not necessarily in the field is all. Im usually working on logistics, but this time the director agreed to let me accompany my partner.

I see.Eliza smiled, nodding slowly. Doctor Sound did say we were working with our counterparts. Youre the archivist then?

Librarian,Felicity corrected.

Theres a difference,Wellington contributed, if youd care—”

Elizas eyebrows raised slightly, and he stopped mid-sentence. He was learning. So,the New Zealander continued sweetly, why exactly have you reached out to the British Empire for help, Miss Lovelace?

Please, call me Felicityeveryone does.


Eliza raised her beer at her. Eliza.She motioned to Wellington. Welly.

Dawn's Early Light
Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #3
Working for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, one sees innumerable technological wonders. But even veteran agents Braun and Books are unprepared for what the electrifying future holds…

After being ignominiously shipped out of England following their participation in the Janus affair, Braun and Books are ready to prove their worth as agents. But what starts as a simple mission in the States—intended to keep them out of trouble—suddenly turns into a scandalous and convoluted case that has connections reaching as far as Her Majesty the Queen. 
Even with the help of two American agents from the Office of the Supernatural and the Metaphysical, Braun and Books have their work cut out for them as their chief suspect in a rash of nautical and aerial disasters is none other than Thomas Edison. Between the fantastic electric machines of Edison, the eccentricities of MoPO consultant Nikola Tesla, and the mysterious machinations of a new threat known only as the Maestro, they may find themselves in far worse danger than they ever have been in before
Book Links:
Book Order for the Order:
1. Phoenix Rising
2. The Janus Affair
3. Dawn's Early Light
The others are mini stories and they also have a lot of podcast mini stories for their adventures as well! 

 Bio:
Photo by J.R. Blackwell.

New Zealand born fantasy writer and podcaster Philippa (Pip) Ballantine is the author of the Books of the Order and the Shifted World series. She is also the co-author, with her husband Tee Morris, of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels. Her awards include an Airship, a Parsec, and a Sir Julius Vogel. Morris is the author of Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana and the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels. In addition to his work as a fantasist, he is also a social media pioneer and the author of Podcasting for Dummies and All a Twitter.

Pip's website: www.pjballantine.com
Pip's Twitter: philippajane

Tee's website: http://teemorris.com/
Tee's Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeeMonster

The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinistryOfPeculiarOccurrences

Giveaway!

Open to both U.S. and Canadian readers and sponsored by the tour. 

PRIZE ONE
Three paperback set (signed) of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences
Signed Abney Park Poster
Signed Abney Park CD Ancient World
Signed coverflats of Phoenix Rising and the Janus Affair

PRIZE TWO
Three paperback set (signed) of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences
The Extraordinary Contraptions CD
Signed cover flat of Phoenix Rising

PRIZE THREE
Three paperback set (signed) of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

Just fill out the rafflecopter form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to check out the other stops on this tour!

3/6: Patricia D. Eddy (Review)
3/7: Jennifer Melzer (Excerpt)

3/10: A License to Quill (Q+A)
3/12: Switzy Thoughts (Guest Post)
My World in Thoughts and Pages (Character interview)
3/13: Books and Things (Excerpt)

3/14: Ria @ Bibliotropic (Excerpt)


3/17: asylos (Guest Post)
3/18: Paul K Ellis (Q+A)
3/19: Katharina Bordet (Excerpt)
3/20: The Pew Reviews (Review)

3/21: Black Satin (Guest Post)

21 comments:

  1. I love these two so much! It's been so long since the second book came out, but better late than never, right? I've pre-ordered my copy ages ago and judging by this excerpt, I have a lot to look forward to.
    Thanks for sharing this. I missed you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missed you too! I've been enjoying it so far, but real life keeps getting in my way of reading! :p

      Delete
  2. I've seen this series around but I've yet to pick them up. Must change that soon. Thanks for the reminder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you will enjoy this one. Hope you get them soon!

      Delete
    2. Rum, you must read!! It is one of my favorites! Well-written, smart and lots of fun!!

      Delete
  3. You've certainly peeked my interest with that excerpt! Thanks for sharing. I've had this series on my wishlist for a while now, so I'm DEFINITELY entering the giveaway. Thanks for the chance! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have about 20 pages left in DEL... Another excellent story! I just adore this series!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like kind of a bad-assed gun she's carrying there. And I liked the excerpt, too! Might have to check this out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have got to read these! I keep buying them but not getting them started. I suck. Thanks for the invite Melissa! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love steampunk and I keep wanting to read this series! Thanks for the giveaway. :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Added book one to my wishlist, this sounds fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Melissa what is the first book? I cannot seem to tell from Amazon, Goodreads or the author's website.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. Phoenix Rising
      2. The Janus Affair
      3. Dawn's Early Light
      The others are mini stories and they also have a lot of podcast mini stories for their adventures as well!

      Delete
  10. I'm so curious about this book, I love steampunk and I heard great things about the series.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think I really like Eliza!! This sounds like a lot of fun to read. Especially with Welly as a partner!! I'll have to go back and read your other reviews. I don't remember the series.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like the excerpt, this sounds like a fun one! I'll have to check out the prior books. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!