The Seduction of Phaeton Black (Paranormal Investigator1) by Jillian Stone

Hello to all!

                    Today it's the National Day ," la Fête Nationale", for me and all Belgian ones  so i decided to concentrated on my reading so i could enjoy next a good meal with my family without negleting you.

Today, i will share with you my second experience with the Steampunk Romance subgenre. When i learned i had to read this kind of book for the Romance and Me Challenge i was i bit disappointed because at first it was crime romance not Steampunk and i was afraid i didn't have any books of the genre. I even did know at all what kind of genre it was, After a little moment of panick general ( there is only me who could panick for a reading challenge^^;;) i found i had one book perhaps even two and that i could find some free one.
Then, a blog i follow had an international contest for a new book and one of steampunk romance, we had to guess who inspired the male character and the first one who got it right got a signed book as well as two others. I tried and by luck i was the first one! I started jumping around because the book seemed good and i was going to have it for the challenge so perfect. ( to be precise we were only 5 to get the right answer so the author kindly offered each of us a book- being international i got one non signed but still so happy).

So without waiting more i'm really pleased to offer you my review of The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone and if you like it check internet there is a blog tour going on where you could win a copy.

Publisher: Brava paranormal romance

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0758268963

Genre: Steampunk romance, paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: very strong
Public: 18+

Source: won from Jillian Stone at My Bookish Ways

Short description from goodread :

 In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all. . .

He's The Man With The Magic Touch

A master of deduction, seduction and other midnight maneuvers, Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard's secret weapon against things that go bump in the night. His prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he's asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks right into the arms of the most dangerous woman he's ever known. . .

She's The Devilish Miss Jones

Pressing a knife to his throat--and demanding he make love to her--Miss America Jones uses Phaeton as a willing shield against the gang of pirates chasing her. As deadly as she is, with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampiric killer he's been staking out--but she may be just what Phaeton needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possesses uncanny powers. As a fearless fighter, she can handle anything from Egyptian mummies to Jack the Ripper. But when an ancient evil is unleashed on the world, she could be his only salvation. . .or ultimate sacrifice.

My opinion:

          HOT! Is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel, really not for young peoples or too sensitive ones.

Now I’m still new to steampunk  subgenre since it’s only my second book and I wasn’t really sure what to expect of it but I like it!. I absolutely loved the paranormal twist and secret investigations and all because that does remind me the role playing game called “Call of Chtullu”. It’s the first time I find a book that transport me in this kind of universe with an atmosphere dark but not horrifying and all the suspense around it. Magical.

It was really a good read  even if I admit the sexy part was just a bit too much for me^^;; It was so well written, even those part they are sexy but not vulgar at all, that I was captivated in the story.

The plot is magnificent with the historical aspect and the mythological inputs and mysteries. The Characters are well constructed and complete with their strengths, secrets and weaknesses.  Phaeton is a detective very different from others and that isolates him. Since his childhood he had to keep his faculties a secret, and thus being those faculties aren’t understood nor mastered well even if he now uses them in his job. He has a really bad reputation one he encourages a lot. He is secluding himself however in the same time he is dreaming of someone who could really understand him, of a mentor.

Miss Jones isn’t the typical woman from the 19^th century far from it. Growing on a ship travelling the world she is speaking several languages, has a variety of knowledge and can fight. She isn’t uneducated, not at all but she had a very different childhood than most. Add to that her mixed origins and you get a strong and independent woman with magical abilities and one who knows who she is. She ignores the reasons why her mother put her in her father’s care while she in the same time taught her their magic and all supernatural aspects. This secret could be important in the future but for this first book we are discovering a very strong willed woman who dares to take risks to get what she want and who speak her mind. A good complementary mate for Phaeton.

Others characters are also important and intriguing. Doctor Exeter has a lot to teach to Phaeton and we want to learn more about him. How he got his powers, who taught him, what else he can do. Edvar is a cute gargoyle, shape shifter, one that Phaeton should recognize more because he is also very helpful and a good guardian.  I also loved the old curator ^^  and Ping/Jin from who we knows nearly nothing as of yet.

I spend a wonderful time even if it seems that I’m reading steampunk more slowly that others genre. I’m really curious about book two and a certain egg.

I will glady recommend it to my fellows at the role playing club^^; we could learn from Miss Jones and Phaeton (only for the bluff ‘s part,  no worries). For the Readers of Steampunk romances or the reader of paranormal romance who want to try something different that’s a book to recommend!

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge