Clifford Kinsley has a problem, He has inherited an English dukedom saddled with debt and plenty of problems. So he hatches a scheme with Sabine Diebin, the former airship pirate, who is hunting for a clue in the junk-filled house she bought off the estate of the Duke of Hartleigh. He helps her find the Heart of Ra and she will help him disappear. Of course, problems ensue, kidnappings, daring rescues, and romance. A fun read about two folks finding a family they did not expect. Just do not be afraid of spiders! Now, I just need to find volume 1 and 2 of this series!

Steampunk romance is not a genre that I've been particularly drawn to before, but after reading Dead Dukes Tell No Tales by Katherine Stein, I think this is an area I need to explore some more. It was unlike anything I have ever read before.

Initially it took me a while to work out the world we were in and how it worked, but once I got into it, I was HOOKED! Our hero, Cliff is a very, very reluctant Duke who offers to help our unconventional ex-pirate heroine, Sabine to find a very special treasure if she will help him fake his own death.

The story takes the reader on an exciting adventure through an alternate, steampunk 1900s, filled with crazy plot twists, biomechanical inventions. and, oh yeah, an airship.

I loved the big dramatic scenes in this story and was so invested in all the characters and how their journey would end. This was the third book in the series and I haven't read any of the previous books, but it didn't affect my enjoyment at all, but I do now really want to go back and catch up on the books I've missed.

This was a solid story with interesting characters. I believe it is the first time I have read a hr about a female pirate. The father/daughter relationship was by far my favorite.

3.5 stars

An American scrap dealer/newly minted duke & a retired airship pirate embark on a treasure hunt, faking the duke’s death, and defeating mortal enemies, & along the way fall in love. Super fun & cute!

[What I liked:]

•I absolutely love airship pirates! They are the best thing ever, & this book has lots of fun airship pirates!

•This is the kind of steampunk I enjoy. From fashion to flying machines to clockwork pet spiders to inventive bio mechanical medical devices, this book has lots of creative elements that give the world building flair & solidity without overwhelming the reader with long explanations. It’s just really fun!

•I like both Sabine & Cliff. Sabine is smart & successful & knows how to have fun. Cliff is snarky & a devoted parent who cares about others but can take care of himself. Both are practical & driven, & complement each other’s skills.

•The writing is decent. The tone of the story is whimsical & a bit silly without being ridiculous. The scenes flow well & the plot doesn’t drag.

•The ending is so cute! I love how they continue to have recycling treasure hunts as a family.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•Lola is cute, but sometimes her character feels more like a narrative device to insert more cuteness than she feels like an authentic portrayal of a child.

•Cliff leaves exactly when the person he’s been trying to win over opens up? That plot point made no sense.

•The romance is pretty cheesy, but I guess that fits with the tone of the story.

CW: murder, physical violence

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

I enjoyed this historical/ steampunk romance story with all of the characters. The three main characters were Sabine Diebin , Clifford Kinsley and his daughter Lola.

Clifford Kinsley has inherited a dukedom that has a mountain load of debt. Now he has to find a way out of having this title that he stuck with. The only solution he can think of is to kill the duke and he need some help to do this. His daughter might also know a way too.

Sabine Diebin is a infamous pirate captain that has a mission to find a special treasure before she can settle down into retirement. But when the duke and also his daughter come from next door stopping her from looking through all the old duke's stuff.

This was a fun advantages story with a lot of action going on. There were quite a few laughing along the way that had me laughing too.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley and Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

OMG - this book was so much fun. It made me think along the lines of the tv shows "The Librarian" with Noah Wylie. Cliff is exactly how I would picture Noah playing the part. Sabine is tough but soft on the inside. There were humorous parts as well as action. Story was fast paced and had a bit of a mystery/treasure hunt. My first read by Catherine Stein and it won't be my last.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I suppose the name of the series (Sass and Steam) should have clued me in to what this book would be like. But, alas, I must not have noticed it. The premise of the book sounded interesting and fun, and I suppose in some ways it was--pirates, airships, treasure, and a love story. But it could have been better.

Weaknesses:
The writing was just okay and at times bordered on a little corny. I've never been a big fan of characters' internal dialogue when books are written in third person. Other than that, I can't quite put my finger on what failed to impress me about the style. Although I dislike profanity, I won't begrudge its use in certain circumstances (Lone Survivor, anyone?); however, this book frequently employed it for seemingly no other reason but to use it, particularly the f word. In addition, I didn't care for the sex scenes (again, my fault for not taking the hint). On the bright side, even though they were rather crudely written, they were always very short and could be easily skimmed over without missing anything at all important to the story.

Strengths:
Cliff (30) and Sabine (?) are both strong characters, and I liked seeing them open up and care about each other. I appreciated that neither was diminished in order to build up the other.

Note: Swearing, including a lot of f words. A few crude sex scenes, which are short and easily skipped.

While this novel is a serious attempt to create an interesting world, I felt the author missed the mark. The action is uneven, characterization of main characters predictable with motivations inconsistent. Overall, the work failed to hold interest. I did not finish it.

Woohoo, it sure was some journey for me. Also LADY PIRATES!! who doesn't love them? I sure do. I loved reading this adventurous book about a treasure hunt and the romance blossoming between them.

Sometimes I felt like it was a little bragging but I kept up with it. And Happily ever after was so sweet for that. I adored the protagonists.

Also this is my first steampunk novel so I wasn't sure what yo expect. But it exceeded that non existence expectations as well.

So thanks a bunch NetGalley gor the e-book.
#DeadDukesTellNoTales

I absolutely loved the concept of this one - steampunk romance! hidden treasure! lady pirates! - but I struggled a little bit with the pacing of this. At 366 pages (according to Goodreads), it's towards the longer end for romance but by no means excessively long, but by about 25% of the way through I found myself impatient with the characters and the plot, and felt it was dragging. There were so many steps to the treasure hunt, so that felt a little repetitive, but I could have ignored that if I felt it offered opportunities for the romance to blossom; however, I wasn't invested in the characters or their chemistry, and I disliked how much of their relationship seemed to be derailed with constant miscommunication and assumptions. They repeatedly thought the other had betrayed them over the slightest thing, but every time it turned out they'd just been unclear about their actions or were doing it to try to help, and it really left me in doubt that they had any trust between them. It also made them both seem far too stupid for their roles!
That being said, I did like Cliff's relationship with his young daughter, which was lovely to read, and how Sabine fitted into their dynamic. Those who enjoy the quirky side of steampunk will love eight-year-old Lola and her love of spiders and mechanical constructs.
Overall, a fun read, but I wanted a little bit more spark from the romance and a pacier plot. Three stars.

Great, great story! Very imaginative with awesome world building. And what a journey this was. Surprise after surprise, you never knew what was going to happen next. I loved it all. And hey, I haven't even got to the people in the story yet.
The Duke (Cliff) was so out of his comfort zone when it came to being in England and holding a title. He was an American for crying out loud and didn't agree with a lot of the silly stuff they thought was important. What an incredible, funny idea that he had about getting out of that life. Add to that although he is a handsome man, he also admits to the fact that he is accident prone; a bumbler. He just became more and more likeable as time went on. The love he had for his daughter, Lola is shown so clearly and was wonderful to watch.
Sabine was one whole different kettle of fish and what a life she has led. As I got further into the story I got to know a whole lot more of her painful past. I already had come to the point where I liked her. She had such depth, a complex person.
One thing that I really liked is that both Cliff and Sabine wore glasses. What a great addition to the story.
Lola is the third main character in the story and what an interesting girl she is. She has a twist in her story-line as well.
Like I said there is plenty of surprises along with action after action. Plenty of friends/co-harts and enemies for Sabine. It keeps things hopping.
Were you hoping for a Epilogue? Well, it has one and it's a really good one. I hope there are more books in this series. Because I sure enjoyed my first one even if it is the third in the series.

"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was a really interesting story. I love the treasure hunting aspect of it. I've never read any steampunk before, but I thought it was kind of cool. Lola and Cliff were an adorable father/daughter duo.

I thought sometimes Cliff and Sabine's inner monologues got to be too much, and they kept leaving each other. I got the point of it, but it kept weakening their relationship in my eyes. I loved the end when their quest was finished.

I wasn't sure about this book at first because I have learned to be wary of steampunk novels but this? This is fantastic! The writing is flawless and the characters are real and vividly drawn.

I immediately fell for fierce ex-pirate Sabine, bumbling reluctant Duke Cliff, and adorable spider-loving Lola. I was completely hooked for the entirety of the treasure hunt and burgeoning romance, and Cliff's letter hit me like a punch to the gut. I will definitely be seeking out more books from this author. Actually, I would love to see a companion novel about Yvette.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Steam Cat Press, and BookBuzz.net for providing an e-arc for review.

I love Catherine Stein! She's such a master romance writer. I love her contemporary romances, and this is my first historical by her. I was not disappointed! Stein did a wonderful job writing a feisty heroine and a super sexy hero. I would definitely recommend this to friends!

Will she have to risk more than she expected to reach her goal …

Since I have read Steam Me Up, Rawley by Angela Quarles, I have from time to time looked for a good steampunk romance, but as it is not my usual read, it has been with not much success until I discovered the author’s unusual work with her previous book, and since I have decided to not miss any of her new releases. Sure I am a historical romance reader first, so steampunk romance is much different but it also has the society’s rules in common with spice and the fun side of steam and brass technology, like in the Miyazaki world I have always loved.
And after the fiasco of a book I read last month and couldn’t enter in with flying houses and crazy old ladies, this one was a breath of fresh air.

I adored the Duke, he is sweet, fun and caring, a big body of a kluntz but a devoted father and friend.
Cliff did not ask to become a Duke but some hazards of fate made him the last of a bloodline, and the heir of a bankrupt dukedom. He wants nothing of it and is ready to start all new if he can avoid to be saddled with this nightmare of a inheritance.
He is such a sweet fellow, ready to do anything to ensure his daughter is safe and cared for. She is the apple of his eyes. For her, he will saddle himself with a lady pirate, and even become a treasure hunter as the jewel at the end is what he has dreamed for since his daughter’s life had been endangered by an illness.
While he is no hero with armor and steed, but he stands his ground and plunges into the fray each time it is necessary. He is the perfect partner, not to steal the limelight but to hold one’s hand and stand by when necessary. With Sabine, he slowly falls deep for her, yet he does not wants crumbs from her, he wants all or nothing, and has a lot of patience and tenacity to go under her skin, if she would let him in.
Sabine is such an intriguing character, she made herself who she is, she never let others overpower her, always finding a way out. Yet since she lost too much some years ago, she closed her heart to others. She is still the spectacular pirate she was, on the hunt for a new treasure, but unable to let someone pass her defenses. Until a clumsy yankee of a duke lands into her new home and first request she kills him then offers his help to unravel the mysteries leading to the gem she is looking for.
She is a woman in mourning, she internally cries for those she has lost, which makes her unable to open herself she believes to others. Yet, despite everything she thinks, a gauche peer makes her insides tickle and her blood pumps faster.
And while it is a romance, it is a love story between three persons, as Lola, Cliff’s daughter is as much part in this relationship as the two others. She is in fact the glue between them, with her innocence and fun view of life, she breaks through Sabine’s walls.

So, do not miss this non-stop action treasure chase as love might be the end price, only if they are willing to involve their heart and soul.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Not only is this the first time I read a steampunk story, it's also the first time I read anything by this author so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Well, I must say I was absolutely delighted by the story and by Catherine Stein's way of writing! Such a fun, action filled adventure she brings us on!! I adored the main characters, Cliff, Sabine and Lola, each so special in their own way.

Cliff is the complete opposite of what a Duke should be! He's forever stumbling or tripping over things, is happiest when he's surrounded by scrap metal and delightfully awkward:) His devotion to his daughter is what made me fall in love with him even more.

Sabine is a female pirate and knows how to take care of herself. She is on a quest to find a special treasure and the last thing she needs is a fumbling duke that she is forever having to rescue. As they get closer to finding the treasure, emotions flare and romance is definitely in the air!

So, be prepared to be taken away on a steampunk journey that included mechanical spiders, hot air balloon ships, enemies, treasures and of course, romance!!

I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a rollicking adventure complete with treasure hunt, reluctant duke, airship pirate, and cute kid. Cliff is an American scrapyard owner and single dad who somehow becomes the Duke of Hartleigh. The estate is so impoverished that an airship pilot, Sabine, was able to buy the residence of the main estate. It turns out the only reason she moved in was to look for clues to a priceless treasure. After a few false starts, Sabine and Cliff join forces to treasure hunt together - oh, and his daughter, Lola, tags along, too. The longer they spend together, the more they realize they are super compatible.

If you like romance with all the steampunk trappings - airships, explosions, submarines, biomechanical limbs - plus a supporting cast of character including cute kids, sapphic duchesses, and double-crossing secret societies, you won't be disappointed in Dead Dukes Tell No Tales.

I loved this story and the characters in it. I just wanted to get to the HEA but the way it for there was so different than I thought it would be and I just adored that. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Clifford “Cliff” Kinsley is a scrap metal entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois. He inherits a dukedom in England and a mountain of debt. Cliff wants to kill off the Duke of Hartleigh, so he and his daughter can escape to California. The pirate next door may be the answer to his prayers. Cliff soon finds himself and his impressionable daughter swept up in Sabine Diebin’s treasure hunt. What dangers will the three find on their adventures? Can Cliff help Sabine find the treasure she seeks? Or will he be a hindrance?
Sabine Diebin is the renowned airship pirate La Capitaine. She purchases the late Duke of Hartleigh’s ducal manor in hopes of finding clues to a particular treasure. Sabine accepts the new duke’s offer to clear out the clutter his predecessor left behind. Cliff proves beneficial in deciphering the clues they find. She reluctantly drags him and his daughter on her dangerous treasure hunt. Can Sabine resist Cliff’s brand of temptation? Will they outsmart Redbeard to find the elusive treasure?
Clifford is such a fun and delightful character. He is the opposite of what I pictured a duke to be. I would like to see more of his kind in historical romance books. It would be a nice change of pace. I adore Cliff’s bumbling awkwardness. Things never goes the way he expects, yet he manages to make the best of his situations. What I love the most about Cliff is his devotion to his daughter. Everything he does is for her benefit.
Sabine is everything I enjoy in a heroine. She is wily and independent with a hidden vulnerable side. I like how Sabine proves that not all women need a man’s protection. Instead, she protects Cliff several times in their misadventures. What I love the most about Sabine is her interaction with Cliff’s daughter Lola. She adores the seven-year-old’s spirit and energy. Sabine encourages Lola to be whatever she wants.
DEAD DUKES TELL NO TALES is book three in Catherine Stein’s steampunk romance series, SASS AND STREAM. The story can easily standalone. There is no ongoing plot or reoccurring characters that require reading the prior two books. It just focuses on Sabine and Clifford’s escapades. I am new to this author. I could not help but enjoy the humor she infused into her writing style. It made it fun to read.
DEAD DUKES TELL NO TALES is a zany tale of an unlikely partnership between a duke and an airship pirate, and their hilarious hijinks. This story did not disappoint. It filled my steampunk needs.

*I've been given a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.*

• This review will be written in English then in Portuguese. •

Pirates, love and steampunk, with compelling protagonists and a setting meant for greatness.

I feel like when romance books are *really* good, they appeal to everyone, even people who aren't the greatest romance fans. I'm not much of a romance person myself, but I did find this highly enjoyable. A lot of it comes from the setting, and this was a well crafted plot and world.

Steampunk is hard to write for. I read quite a few books of the genre and many miss the mark because so much focus is put on world building, that the characters and plot seem lacking in comparison. This book did NOT feel the same as those.

Four stars because at some point I felt that things were getting rushed and the plot could use some pacing, but otherwise I have no complaints. Very worthy read. Also I damn love that duke.

Ultimatum: 4 stars of love and steam. And steamy love.

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Piratas, amor e Steampunk, com protagonistas convincentes e um cenário feito para a grandeza.

Eu acho que quando livros de romance são *realmente* bons, eles vão ser bons para todo mundo, mesmo pessoas que não são os maiores fãs de romance. Eu não muito de romance pessoalmente, mais eu achei esse livro muito divertido. Muito desse divertimento vem do cenário, e o mundo bem feito com grande enredo.

É difícil escrever Steampunk. Eu li muitos livros desse gênero e muitos pecam por focar demais na crianção do mundo e esquecerem os personagens e o enredo. Esse livro NÃO teve essa vibe.

Quatro estrelas porque em alguns momentos em achei que tudo ficou meio apressado e o enredo poderia ser feito de forma diferente, mas fora isso não tenho nada para reclamar. Valeu a pena a leitura. E eu amei o duque pra caramba.

Ultimato: 4 estrelas de amor e fogo, ou um amor cheio de fogo.