A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious

June 18, 2012
Steamy sexual tension and secret societies fuse together in Wine’s electrifying first steampunk romance. Janette Aston is fascinated by all things scientific, and couldn’t care less that her thirst for knowledge is regarded as unladylike by Victorian society. Enthralled by the Illuminists, a group of individuals committed to scientific discovery, she sneaks into their headquarters and is caught by Darius Lawley, an Illuminist Guardian. The attraction between the two is instant and magnetic. When the Illuminists realize Janette is a rare Pure Spirit who can harness the power of crystals, she’s targeted by a rival society, the Helikeians. It’s up to Darius to protect her for the sake of science and love. The pages spark with manners and mayhem. Wine (Unexpected Pleasures) has created a world readers will want to return to, especially after a conclusion that leaves many questions unanswered. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

August 1, 2012
Steampunk fans will happily embrace the altered history offered by this escape into 1840 Great Britain as Wine steps away from her Scottish series (Highland Heat, 2011). After Lady Janette Aston sneaks into a Solitary Chamber enclave of the Illuminist society in London, much to her surprise she discovers that she's a Pure Spirit. This means Janette is able to handle Deep Earth Crystals, unlike most of those in the society, who must shield themselves from the crystals' powerful force. Charged with protecting Janette is Illuminist Guardian Darius Lawley. Both the Illuminists and their Helikeian rivals want control over the crystals' power, which in the right hands could rule the world. As she is captured and recaptured, Janette is taken by airship to the crystal fields in Hawaii, where she's forced to harvest some of the most valuable and dangerous crystals. Janette will need Darius' help and her own ingenuity to save herself and humankind from the Helikeians' dastardly plans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)