Dead Dukes Tell No Tales

*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.

Oh boy... I loved this story. It's my first time reading a steampunk anything. Pairing steampunk genre, pirates and romance... it's my absolute new fav thing. This is the wild romance of Cliff and Sabine. She's the pirate. Right here... you know this story will be out of the ordinary. She's on a treasure hunt and has purchased some indebted/impoverished Duke's house where clues lie. She is most definitely our heroine in all sense of the word. The new Duke is American, and in harmony with the historical backdrop... was not at all interested in being a Duke way over there in England. He was definitely not interested in pouring his hard-earned dollars into the estate. No use spending good money after bad. He was interested in "killing" off the Duke and starting a new life with his daughter in CA. He becomes interested in the treasure hunt and most definitely interested in the lady pirate. His little girl idolizes her, and he can see the appeal. Single-Duke-Dad meets Steampunk-Lady-Pirate with a cutie-mini-heroine and fantasy-inventions-that-could-have-maybe-would-have-been-possible? Oh yeah. So, these 2 decide to work together, and in doing so... we get their amazing adventure romance that takes us around the globe. I highly recommend this and look forward to more from this author!!

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

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.