When I came across this title I was intrigued enough to look into it, and when I read that it's a gay steampunk "rollicking romance" I couldn't resist!

Later: I found the story a bit in need of some editing - it does tend to sprawl a bit. The main characters, Mayport Titus ("sole scion of the Titus Chocolate fortune") and Joseph Thiervy, who's a pilot and engineer, are lovers, and manage to have steamy sex every few pages - not necessarily a bad thing {wry grin}. Their story is set in an alternate-history American South, where their love is still considered wrong by society, so they have to hide it - and in the meantime Mayport (that *name*!) tries to run the family business the way he wants to, while Thiervy has his hateful and violent father to deal with. There's an airship - of course! - named "The Dutch Process" {giggle}, and a journey to a remote spot where, just perhaps, they can build a life together...

I admit that the mix of "chocolate" and "steampunk" amused me, though it's actually handled rather well - after all, the raw materials for chocolate do have to be grown, processed, and transported properly, so it's an industrial effort even when the end result consists of elaborate chocolate flowers!

I didn't feel a lot of deep characterization in our heroes, but there were some exciting scenes - and plenty of sexy ones. And I give the author points for the unusual pairing of steampunk and chocolate!

I sent this book to BCer emmejo in New York, a fellow steampunk fan. Hope you enjoy it!

*** Released for the 2014 Four Elements challenge, for "wind". ***

*** Released for the 2014 Oh the Places We Can Go challenge, for "Wind River". ***

Thanks for the books (and postcard)! This sounds like a good light read.

Mayport Titus and Joseph Theirvy are lovers and, now, adventurers. They set out to revive Mayport's father's collapsed chocolate business, which will take them around the world, hunting ingredients, machines and people who know how to make this nearly-lost delicacy.

Not a brilliant book, but still fun. The plot is wandering, but that didn't bother me as much as the disconnected, confused backstories. It felt like the author had a lot more backstory planned, but hacked out chunks and left odd bits in. Supposedly important events in the mens' relationship weren't mentioned until the book was nearly done. The emotional connection between the characters felt similarly fragmented, and again, elements that were treated as vital didn't make an appearance until well into the book.

The writing was pretty good, but the weak arrangement of the author's ideas was annoying. A more through editor would have made this a much better book.

I am taking this book with me to The Steampunk World's Fair and hopefully releasing it there. My previous experiences with convention releases have shown that people, presumably with smart phones, tended to journal the books before I made release notes. So I'm making a note here now, and will post exact release info when possible.

Left on a railing ledge in the lobby.