Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen

As both a librarian and a book blogger, I am always trying to expand my mind as far as books are concerned. I'm always pushing myself to try new genres and look for new things I can recommend. Admittedly, steampunk is not a genre I typically gravitate towards but I love a fairytale retelling (even though Sleeping Beauty is not my favorite) so I thought I'd give this a try! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Kiss of the Spindle was so much fun to read. I loved the unique world and the chemistry between Isla and Daniel was wonderful. I also loved the unique spin the author put on the Sleeping Beauty story. Isla is no damsel in distress, and can absolutely take care of herself. I loved Daniel (I'm a sucker for a pirate). He's so kind and caring. The magical twists and turns were very entertaining, and I'm interested in reading Beauty and the Clockwork Best now!

I devoured Kiss of the Spindle in practically one sitting. It was exactly what I needed at the time, fitting solidly in my wheelhouse, yet completely out of my wheelhouse, my wheelhouse being Proper Romance, not Steampunk. The romance was sweet and the Steampunk setting was a complete escape. I enjoyed it all. 4 stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

This was another enjoyable read from the Steampunk Proper Romance series. It’s always fun to see what new adventures and mysteries await Allen’s clever characters. Highly recommended for anyone who likes clean romance, strong independent female leads in steampunk universe.

Gripping

This was a unique twist on Sleeping Beauty that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the steampunk and magical elements the author wove together. The romance was sweet and clean, I'd rate this PG-13 for thematic violence and kissing.

I tried multiple times to get into this book, but though well written, it just didn't appeal to me. It was my first foray into Steam Punk, and I just had a hard time acclimating to the world in which the novel was set. I think that I would have enjoyed it more if Steam Punk was more my genre, but I guess that I just discovered that it isn't really my thing.

Good descriptions, and intriguing characters, with unique attributes. I liked the fairy tale twist and the headstrong heroine.

Overall, honestly this just wasn't one that I personally enjoyed.

Fun easy adventurous read if you love clean and proper romance! Perfect book if you love the steampunk era and books. There was adventure and mystery involved and the romance wasn't over the top too. Nancy Allen Campbell always seems to deliver a fun book!

Kiss of the Spindle was an incredibly enjoyable read with an intriguing curse and a very sweet romance.

Doctor Isla Cooper is cursed and her window to reverse the curse before it becomes permanent is rapidly closing. Desperate to find the witch who cursed her, Isla blackmails her way onto Daniel Pickett's private airship bound for the Caribbean only to discover there are three illegal shapeshifters aboard as well as a government official determined to eradicate all shifters. Isla and Daniel are forced to work together to keep the identities of the shifters hidden long enough to reach their destination.

Kiss of the Spindle is a sequel to Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, but can be read as a standalone easily enough. If you've read the first book you get more backstory on the world and characters, but the author does a good job in the second book bringing new readers up to speed.

Isla is a renowned shifter empath who is an advocate for the rights of shifters who never hurt anyone but are being persecuted simply for being who they are. She's wonderful at her job and I found her abilities to be quite interesting. Isla is a woman who know how to take care of herself and I admired her courage to stand up for what's right. The curse she's under that forces her to sleep as though dead from midnight until six is definitely hindering her ability to work as well as her life in general.

Daniel owns and operates one of the most successful airship companies in the world. He's fascinated by new technological advances and his tendency to upgrade to new methods has helped him stay ahead of his competitors. Daniel is sympathetic to shifter struggles and helps relocate unregistered shifters so they may find better lives outside of England's forced registration and anti-shifter laws.

Isla and Daniel work well together and their romance is slow to develop. They find themselves intrigued by each other but due to Daniel's business and Isla's curse, they don't believe there's a future for them. One of the things I loved about their relationship was how much Daniel liked Isla's skills with knives and how he found himself more attracted to her because of it. This book is a clean romance, so there is no sex in the books but there are a few great kissing scenes. Despite my preference for more explicit books, I found myself really enjoying their pairing and didn't mind the lack of sex scenes.

Isla's curse and the presence of a government official onboard the airship with three hidden shifters definitely made for an interesting plot. As we got to know the three shifters I found myself really liking their characters and was worried about if the official would discover them. Isla's curse added a sense of urgency to the book as she's told the deadline for it becoming permanent is less than two months away and it will take at least three weeks to travel to the location where the witch who cursed her is located. The resolution of both plot points were well done and I really enjoyed the ending of the book.

Overall Kiss of the Spindle was a very enjoyable read and offers quite a unique story. I definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a different kind of romance and I'm looking forward to the third book releasing next year.

This was my first foray into steampunk fiction. I was a little confused at first, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. I haven't read the first book in the series yet, but it didn't really make a difference. I asked my sister about some things I'd missed, but that was just because I knew she'd read it; if she hadn't, I would have been fine. Nancy Campbell Allen is a great author and really diverse. I found myself smiling as I was reading (and had to prevent myself from laughing out loud sometimes...didn't want to annoys the people in the plane). :). It was a lot of fun. The characters were totally believable and it was easy for me to picture what was going on. I hope she continues with the characters in future books. Thanks to Net Galley and Shadow Mountain for an advance copy of the book.

If you’re looking to be completely immersed into a story that has strong characters, unexpected twists, a sweet romance, and exciting suspense, then this book is for you!

I enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book. After reading the first book, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, I couldn’t wait for more. While that book follows Lucy Pickett, this one focuses on her brother Daniel and a new protagonist, Isla. Each book can stand on its own, but I liked reading them in order- I am excited and anticipating future stories about other supporting characters!

Isla was a fantastic female protagonist. She is smart, kind, fearless, and determined. She has no problem facing down many scary creatures and situations, yet also is quick to show kindness and forgiveness when needed. The steampunk elements woven in fit her character perfectly and added to her strengths. I really enjoyed the fairytale elements woven into her story as well.

Daniel is a perfect swoon-worthy hero. He comes across as hard and gruff at the beginning, but deep down he is a strong man with a good heart. Watching the things he does and the way he acts as he falls in love was comical at times but so very endearing.

The supporting characters in this story really drew me in. I quickly came to care for them and enjoyed the camaraderie they all shared on this voyage together. I loved the twists in the plot that came- the author does such a great job weaving the story and just when I thought I had it figured out, it changed.

Another fantastic steampunk romance from Nancy Campbell Allen- and I am really hoping she continues to write more!!

Mmmm, re-tellings of fairy tales are always a bit tricky. Sorry to say that this version of Sleeping Beauty was a bit off. The blurb looked very intriguing: a doctor who can't stay awake at night, because of the curse of a witch. Therefore, Isla forces herself on the airship of captain Daniel to go to the place where this witch, Malette was last seen. On the airship there are also three shifters, seeking shelter on the same island. And we have Nigel, the government official, who is determined to hunt down all illegal shifters.
The journey on the airship seems to take forever in the book and I nearly stopped reading. When reaching the island however, the story picks up pace and then the real story starts unfolding. That's when it got interesting and when I couldn't put the book down.
So, if you're able to plow through the first part of the book, you'll find yourself immersed in the action of the second part. In all, three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

This is my first book from Nancy Campbell Allen and it definitely won’t be my last!
It’s a very original tale, a kind of modern-vintage retelling of the Sleeping Beauty. It was so original it has practically nothing to do with the classic tale, except for the main theme about the sleeping curse. Dr Isla Cooper needs to find Malette, the evil witch who cursed her, so she can undo the curse, which makes her fall into a death-like sleep from which she cannot awaken for the next 6 hours. And the curse is about to become permanent if she doesn’t stop it in time... so she blackmails Captain Daniel Picketts into getting into his ship and travel to Port Lacy where Maletta is... The story has plot and twists that keep you captivated and on the edge of your seat. There’s action, adventure, mystery, romance, and definitely humor! The dialogues are witty and not without spunk. The hero and heroine are strongminded and very likeable. The secondary characters are charming as well. The villains are, well, definitely villains. It was a very enjoyable read!
The romance was clean, which is something important to me.
I definitely recommend this book to teens and adults as well. Very worth the read!
I revieved a copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Just wow! I liked this story even better than the first steampunk proper romance, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast. I need to find more books by Nancy Campbell Allen. She is an amazing author. She creates a unique world for her characters with unexpected twists. I always love fairytale retellings. This one is quite original, with some elements from the classic story we know and love. I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly at the witty dialogue and fun characters. There are some amazing secondary characters in this story that I would love to see have their own story in the future. Isla and Daniel captured my heart. I almost want to go back and reread their story now. These characters all really came to life for me. Can't wait for more!

I've not read a lot of steampunk, but what I have read I have really enjoyed. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty but with a paranormal twist with witches (well there are some in the original fairy tale) and shifters. There is also the historical aspect of how people act and dress but there is a slightly modern feel with some of the technology they utilize.

Dr. Cooper is a tough woman and not one to be trifled with if you are smart. She is an empath and her ability to calm shifters was remarkable. But despite being tough, I felt like she really wanted to be cherished and loved. She had a tough life growing up and this curse she is now under is not helping matters. I did appreciate knowing how to say her name from the beginning since I would have pronounced it wrong in my head through the whole book.

Following Isla on her quest to undo her curse, making new friends, discovering deception from others around her, to saving herself despite all odds. This book is action packed with some touching, romantic moments to round out the story. There are some things that will be obvious (who will break the curse) but other aspects were quite the surprise. It made for an interesting read and I felt differently about certain characters once more was revealed.

Truly enjoyed this story and will have to check out some other steampunk whenever possible.

Wow. This is the first steampunk book I've ventured to read, and it was such a fun ride! It took me a little bit to get comfortable with the some of the terminology and concepts, but the story and characters immediately grabbed me and pulled me into the intriguing plot. I loved Isla's grit, confidence, and determination. I loved Daniel's strength, charisma, and protective nature. I loved the dynamics between the passengers on the airship, the race against time, and the mysterious spell that Isla is desperate to reverse. The friendship and romance between Isla and Daniel develops naturally but swiftly, and their chemistry was amazing! I appreciated that they allowed themselves to be vulnerable with each other; it instilled a foundation of trust in their relationship that made the quick timeline work for me. The adventure was epic and this book would make such a great movie! Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Calling all you steampunk fans! If you love fairy tales and steampunk, you should read this book as well as the first book in the series, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast. And might I highly recommend that you read them in order. It isn't necessary but Daniel, the main character for this book, has a lot of history and backstory in the Clockwork Beast book. This was a fun read that I read right after I finished Clockwork Beast. These characters were a lot of fun to read about and discover. I'm really excited to see if the author does a third book, and if so, what character it will be about.

I was not expecting the ending of this book. Although, when I started reading it, I may have been doing a little face palm. Ha! Honestly, hello myself, how could I have been blind to that ending and been surprised by it. Ok, I know why. I was completely and utterly exhausted. So I'll give myself a pass on not catching it right now. If you all know your Sleeping Beauty fairy tale history then I'm pretty sure you know what to expect. I really enjoyed how the author spun and twisted it to make it come alive in a steampunk setting.

Daniel and Isla were so great! And the secondary characters aboard Daniel's ships were so fun to add more friendships and experiences into this story. Great read! I enjoyed watching Isla as she was struggling to come to terms with a family member. I thought the author did a fabulous job of showing her coming to a better understanding of what her life had become, especially after she had struggled for so long to create a life she loved. That might be vague but I don't want to spoil anything!

Honestly, grab these two books for a fun set of summer reads, or save them for the fall for some cozy at home suspenseful reads with some sweet and clean romance too! Daniel and Isla were a fun couple. I loved their initial banter and then budding friendship. The romantic tension until that first kiss was sweet. I loved seeing more of Daniel after initially reading about him in the first book. I loved watching him find peace and healing, as well as his own happy ever after. And Isla, well she was a spitfire and very kind and giving as well. Her character was fun to read about as well and one that I connected with very easily.

Content: Clean. Some suspense. Steampunk novel, so there is talk about creatures such as werewolves, zombies and vampires. I would let my teenagers read it.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Love, love, love. Nancy Campbell Allen is a genius in melding together steampunk and gothic and regency romance. The world building was fantastic. I loved the vampires and werewolves and hunters and witches. Isla is awesome and Daniel is really a big softie. I adored this book as much as I adored Beauty and the Clockwork Beast.

Nancy Allen does it again. This is a great Sequel to Beauty and the Clockwork Beast. However you do not need to read the first book in order to enjoy this book. I did like that the story is about a minor character from that book. I really enjoyed the series that are independent books with repeat characters.

The steampunk world that she created was fabulous. I could visualize the Victorian era meshed together with an advanced gadget world. The retelling of Sleeping Beauty where is creative and clever.

Romance, clean; Steampunk, PG-13 for some mild violence; series, but stand alone read
Dr. Isla Cooper is under a deadline to escape a curse. As she tries to find the witch who put her under a sleeping spell that will soon become permanent, she enlists the help of Daniel Pickett.
They both have their secrets, and one of Isla's enemies is aboard Daniel's airship with her. Trying to hide the secrets of the other passengers who are shape shifters, and Daniel's secret as well proves difficult. Daniel and Isla are drawn together, and Daniel finds out Isla's curse he watches over her and protects her.
As they band together to fight the curse, and fight for Isla to break the curse prior to her completely succumbing to the power of the curse, secrets and hidden agendas come out.
Fun, well written, and a cute retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. Nods to the story (the ship is named Briar Rose, for instance), and other story elements that follow the fairy tale, make this a fun adaptation. Daniel and Isla have a definite attraction that they learn to lean on each other and open up to each other as they share about their lives, and share their secrets.
This is a second story in this series. Enjoyed it, but wasn't quite as intensely drawn in as the first. Still a good read though! This can be read without reading the first story although their are characters mentioned from the first novel.

This is the second book in the steampunk series, I had a hard time putting this book down. A spin off from Sleeping Beauty, I love the cover. Isla Cooper has a spell cast on her, one that if she doesn't find a cure, will soon become permanent. Isla has to get to port Lucy to find the witch who cast the spell. Isla decides to board an air ship with Captain Daniel Piickett, A fast paced read, that kept me turning pages

Kiss of the Spindle is a wonderful retelling of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty...with a few twists. Instead of one witch there are many, good and bad. Thrown in are shifters and of course my favorite...steampunk. You will enjoy this book immensely!