Title: Dead Dukes Tell No Tales
(Sass and Steam Book 3)
Author: Catherine Stein
Published: July 2021
Genre: Historical Romance, Adventure, Science-Fiction, Fictional Pirates

Blurb:

Airship pirates, mysterious inventions, and a treasure beyond compare? All in a duke’s work.

Chicago scrap metal mogul Clifford has never encountered an obstacle he couldn’t dismantle. Until he inherits a dukedom burdened with mountains of debt, stifling rules, and people who want to ship his seven-year-old daughter off to boarding school. He’s stuck with the title for life. Which leaves only one solution: kill the duke. And for that, he’ll need the assistance of a professional.

Sabine Diebin, the infamous pirate captain La Capitaine, has one final treasure to find before she settles down to a well-deserved retirement. Unfortunately, the key to finding her prize is buried somewhere in the mess left behind by the late Duke of Hartleigh. To speed up her search, Sabine makes a deal with the oddly charming new duke-next-door. If he sorts through her, she’ll help him disappear.

Working together, Cliff and Sabine uncover a trail of clues that sends them on a world-wide search for a potentially life-changing device. With their combined skills, they can dodge murderous enemies and unravel baffling messages, but they can’t deny their growing bond or the desire sparking between them. Pirates don’t have partners. But if they dare to open their hearts, they might discover that the greatest treasure of all can’t be buried.

My Review:

I was momentarily bereft of words after having finished reading this, it’s brilliant! Clifford Kinsley or Cliff just inherits a dukedom and moves to England with his daughter, Lola, managing the unfinished debts that left by the late Duke of Harleigh who is famous for its eccentric, madness, antiquity, albeit genius. Cliff can’t stand the constant budging from the duchess to play his role as a duke, pay the debts and marry therefore he plans on murdering himself and going back to Chicago as scrap metal businessman. Cliff has a little daughter who has been acquainted with the neighbor next door, the infamous pirate, Sabine. When he visits Sabine, he finds her rather mundane from the appearance with her brown hair and brown eyes on the other hand, Sabine finds him so attractive with his blue eyes, black hair and pair skin, similarly both wear spectacles. They end up making a deal and begin their adventure on airship to find the life-changing treasure through the encoded code left by the late duke that leading into danger. At first, Cliff doesn’t want to be involved however after learning what Sabine pursues, he is determined to pretentiously help her because the treasure can also change Lola’s life as she has lived with biomechanical heart. Yes, indeed, this book is full of science-fiction, highly sophisticated technology, mechanical animals and pets, biomechanical body and other. The leading code takes not only Sabine but also Cliff and his daughter to dangerous adventure where Sabine’s enemy, Readbeard has finally tracked them down.

Since the first appearance, I was so smitten by Sabine’s character. Not only is she independent, elegant and clever but also strong and talented as a captain. Her style of fashion is so adorable from the description until the revelation of why she always wears the dress up to the neck unfolds. Further I couldn’t cease admiring and waiting how Sabine and Cliff finally succumb toward their mutual sexual attraction. Sabine has always stubbornly denied and refused to have sex with Cliff whereas Cliff delightedly announce in the brothel where Sabine wants Cliff to satisfy his need that he will only have it with Sabine. Whoaaahhh love it!! Another gripping surprise I didn’t expect was that the truth would be revealed one by one when Sabine, Lola and Cliff have certainly looked like a real family during the adventure that some of emotional turmoil is inevitable as both want to protect one another including the crew of the airship especially when Redbeard nearly kill them!

Despite the setting, this book brings unexpected imagination of science, very imaginative technology, emotional turmoil, undeniable desire and eventually leads to really uplifting and satisfying ending. It was perfect to escape from whatever work I was doing! If you are a fan of science-fiction, mystery, pirate wrapped in romance, this book is highly recommended! Thank you, Catherine Stein, for the ARC!

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Award-winning author Catherine Stein believes that everyone deserves love that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Her books are full of action, adventure, magic, and fantastic technologies. Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious kids. She loves steampunk and Oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in Renaissance Festival clothing, drinking copious amounts of tea. --This text refers to the paperback edition. Follow her on Twitter @catsteinbooks.