Shannon here: One of the things I love about Christian Fiction is that there are so many genres with something for every reader. Ever heard of Victorian Steampunk? Morgan Busse shares an excerpt from her title, Tainted. Comment or answer the question at the end of this post to enter the giveaway for a signed copy. Deadline: May 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Morgan:
Tainted is a Victorian steampunk novel that follows Kat Bloodmayne, a young woman who—when she loses control of her emotions— is able to tap into the physical laws of science and manipulate the matter around her. However, there is a catch: every time she does this, a part of her soul dies and it is changing her into something dark. So she is trying to find a cure for her soul.
After graduating from the Tower Academy, Kat meets a man that night at the World City gala. Stephen Grey is a cold but intriguing man. Later, she finds out he is a bounty hunter and one of the best at finding people. She heads to his office the next day to employ his service in finding the one doctor she thinks can cure her.
Because of Stephen’s painful past, and the fact that Kat looks like his past fiancé, he’s not sure about taking her case. But he’s finally persuaded and they both embark on a journey that reveals there is a dark agenda deep within World City. Along the way, Stephen is confronted with the question can he love again after being hurt, and could he love this strange woman he is helping?
Excerpt from Tainted when Kat and Stephen first meet:
“I already said I’m not interested in finding a woman.”
Patrick looked at him. “Just one dance.”
Stephen worked his jaw, his gaze roving across the room. Most of the women present were only interested in fashion, titles, and money. He had thought Vanessa was different, but he had been proven wrong.
“There.” Patrick pointed across the dance floor. “Ask her. She looks like a nice, sensible kind of girl.”
Stephen looked in that direction and froze. It was the woman from the balcony. She stood beside another young woman with carrot-colored hair and a long green gown. A tall gentleman walked toward them and a moment later the carrot-topped woman left for the dance floor.
The young woman rubbed her arm and looked around the room.
Stephen narrowed his eyes. “Who is she?”
“I don’t know. But I do know she is one of the ladies from the Tower Academy.”
Smart, then. He liked that. It meant she wouldn’t be giggly or boring. Hopefully. He finished half of his cup of tea, then turned back toward Patrick. “All right. I’ll ask her. But then you need to get off my case.”
Patrick’s smile came back. “I won’t say another word tonight.”
Stephen tugged at the hair beneath his chin. “And you’re sure you don’t know her name? She looks familiar.”
“No. But she is beautiful. Who would have thought a woman like her would have ended up at the academy instead of out in society.”
Stephen dropped his hand and shrugged. “Times are changing.”
Before Patrick could say anything else, Stephen placed his cup down and made his way around the dance floor.
As he approached, she looked up. Her cheeks turned bright pink and she looked away. Oh, that’s right. He had been a bit abrupt on the balcony. He straightened his duster. He would just have to apologize. “Excuse me, miss.”
She glanced back, her eyes dark, her cheeks still flushed.
“I am sorry about earlier this evening. You caught me off guard.” And she was doing it again. She was similar to Vanessa, but younger, with an innocence to her countenance that he now realized Vanessa had never possessed. Stephen worked his dry mouth and gave her a short bow. “Please accept my apology.”
She gave him a small nod. “I accept. I’m afraid I was out of sorts myself.”
Stephen straightened. “And how are you now?”
“Much better, thank you.”
He held out his hand. “Then perhaps you would join me for a dance.”
She hesitated, her gloved hand hovering in the air. Then she took his hand with a firm grasp.
Stephen led her to the floor just as the waltz began. Her fingers were small and curled around his hand. He slid his other hand around her waist.
She stiffened and looked at him. Stephen led her along the floor. “Have you never waltzed before?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid I spent the last two years studying rather than dancing.”
“It is a fairly easy dance. I will lead and you follow.”
She nodded and bit her lip.
Stephen guided her, moving slowly, placing a small amount of pressure on her waist to turn her.
After a minute, she was moving as if she had always known how to dance.
Stephen found himself relaxing. Patrick was right. It had been a while since he had danced with a woman. It felt … good. “You’re a natural.”
She laughed—a strong, throaty laugh. “And you are a good teacher.”
They made another round before Stephen spoke again. “I feel like I know you from somewhere. What is your name?” Blast it, where were his manners? He should have asked her before they started dancing. Come to think of it, he should have told her his name.
Her smile dropped from her face and she glanced away. “Kathryn. Kathryn Bloodmayne.”
About Morgan: Morgan L. Busse writes fantasy and steampunk for the adult market. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, including Daughter of Light, Christy and Carol Award finalist. Morgan lives on the West Coast with her husband and four children. Learn more and connect:
Morgan’s Website Morgan’s Facebook Morgan’s Twitter Morgan’s Books
About the book – Tainted:
What happens when your soul dies?
Kat Bloodmayne is one of the first women chosen to attend the Tower Academy of Sciences. But she carries a secret: she can twist the natural laws of life. She has no idea where this ability came from, only that every time she loses control and unleashes this power, it kills a part of her soul. If she doesn’t find a cure soon, her soul will die and she will become something else entirely.
After a devastating personal loss, Stephen Grey leaves the World City Police Force to become a bounty hunter. He believes in justice and will stop at nothing to ensure criminals are caught and locked up. However, when Kat Bloodmayne shows up in his office seeking his help, his world is turned upside down.
Together they search World City and beyond for a doctor who can cure Kat. But what they discover on the way goes beyond science and into the dark sphere of magic.
Book one of The Soul Chronicles series.
Question for Readers: Can you dance? If so, what is your favorite dance?
Come back May 2nd for Sarah Varland!
not very good but do like to do the twist
I can dance (tap and jazz) and really enjoy tap!
I did love Tainted! It was a great read.
No, I cannot dance. But I loved Stephens comment/advice to Kat ” It’s a fairly easy dance, I will lead and you follow.” A picture of our Savior – Come, follow me. My yoke is easy.
Sadly, I cannot dance! But there’s nothing sweeter than slow dancing with my hubby because he doesn’t care if I step on his feet! 😉 I love the sneak peek of Tainted!
I thought I would chime in 🙂 I secretly love to dance and when we were first married, my husband and I took a swing class. We quickly learned my hubby cannot dance to save his life, but I still grab his hand and swing him around the kitchen when big band music comes on my pandora station!
I can’t dance to save my life, but it looks like fun!
I can’t dance either. Absolutely no rhythm in any fiber of my being. My son learned for a school dance and was trying to show me. He said, “Mom. You are a TERRIBLE dancer.”
When i was much younger I loved to dance but I married a man with little sense of rhythm who had no interest in it. So with no partner I gave up dancing except for occasional private moments when no one was watching. Tainted sounds like a book I would enjoy. Please enter me.
I can so NOT dance. My kids laugh at me, I’m so bad.
Congrats on the book release. Definitely a new genre to me!
I can dance, but generally only do so at home. 🙂 I don’t know how to dance with someone- like ballroom dancing. I can do a little disco and the running man (woman).
I do not really dance much, butr really enjoy doing sign art to music or intrepretative movement to Christian music
I do dance, but no specific style and mostly when we go to weddings. I would love to learn swing dancing. My daughter says it’s a blast! Tainted sounds very intriguing! Thanks so much for the opportunity to possibly win a copy!
Well … I took a class in college and learned the cha cha and we had swing dancing at our wedding, but once my husband tried to flip me over his shoulder in a swing dance and I freaked out halfway over and grabbed him around the waist and threw out his back. Then there was the time he spun me into a post in the middle of the room and broke my glasses. So dancing isn’t exactly a safe exercise for me, but it is fun if you can survive.
Some people are born graceful, but I am not one of them. I trip on myself, frequently run into the corner of tables, and I’ve just recovered from a broken toe. No, I do not dance.
I am very bookish. Tainted would be my second venture into Steampunk. Kat’s ability to manipulate matter sounds a little Storm Siren-ish. 🙂
@AmandaGeaney
Some people are born graceful, but I am not one of them. I trip on myself, frequently run into the corner of tables, and I’ve just recovered from a broken toe. No, I do not dance.
I am very bookish. Tainted would be my second venture into Steampunk. Kat’s ability to manipulate matter sounds a little Storm Siren-ish. 🙂
AmandaGeaney
I’d love to learn to dance ballroom or something someday … =)
Thanks for the chance to win “Tainted” –I adore steampunk fashion and have wanted to read the genre since I first found out about it a couple of years ago … It’s always cool to see the Christian fiction market branching out!
I took two years of ballroom, and we touched on waltz, cha-cha, nightclub two-step, and swing.
Not very good at it, though. Although it is MUCH better when the guy leading knows what he is doing!!!
I have a winner. Pamela Morrisson won the drawing. I appreciate Morgan for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.