The Curse of the Brimstone Contract — Corrina Lawson

Magic--and love--balanced on the tip of a needle...

The Steampunk Detectives, Book 1

Magic existed at the fringes until Prince Albert discovered he was a mage. Now he and others like him are leading a revolution in steam technology that's held tight in the grip of the upper classes. A man of half-Indian heritage, rejected by his upper-crust, mage-gifted family, Gregor Sherringford lives in working-class London, investigating cases involving magic among the lower classes. But he's never met a client quite like spirited, stubborn Joan Krieger. Joan's dream was to lead a fashion revolution designing women's clothing suited to the new technology. But when her richest client mysteriously dies outside her shop, it deals a mortal blow to her dreams. She hopes the handsome, enigmatic detective can prove the death a magical murder. She never expected a dark plot would be woven right into the fabric of her family. Or that cracking the case will mean merging gifts, minds-and hearts-with the one man who could be her partner in every way. If they survive the release of a soul-binding curse.

Warning: This novel contains an intelligent, repressed detective and a woman who won't take no for an answer, not when she hires him...and not when she falls in love with him.