Chains of Silver — Meredith Rose

If all the world's a stage, then I am utterly screwn…

In the high-stakes world of the theater, stage fright can seriously crank your career, so apprentice Minx Mellor hides her phobia, studying as a technomancer to create fantastic, steam-powered devices.

But when the mysterious serial killer known as The Peacock targets one of their own, Minx can hide no longer. To save the life of the actress she loves like a mother, she teams up with her sworn enemy and a dashing young director whose powerful magic wakes the nightmares she's kept secret for years.

When disaster strikes, Minx must face the horrors of her past and find the courage to do what she vowed she'd never do again.

Even if it means risking her life as bait to trap a murderer.

From the shadows of cobblestoned alleys and the glittering world of an aristocracy gone mad for theater comes the first book in a young adult dark fantasy romance series about the power of creativity and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Victorian fantasy in an alternate universe…

Chains of Silver is a young adult steampunk romance novel set in world where theater reins supreme. Expect lots of steampunk clothing, tea, and excessive politeness -- as well as humor, and some surprisingly modern touches -- all in a boarding school for theater geeks.

Oh, and watch out for sewer alligators.

It's not all steampunk devices and gadgets. Minx is a strong female character, flawed, but well-meaning. She has powerful shapeshifter magic and has suffered the worst abuse for it, leaving her with stage fright, claustrophobia, and a deep fear of men. She masks her fears with a sassy attitude and her talent as a genius inventor. Few people know the extent of her true abilities.

Her best friends are apprentice stage manager Thea and playwright apprentice Raymond. Her nemesis is haughty apprentice actress Delphine. They are overseen by the young, brilliant director, Dietrich Wolff. He refuses to let Minx remain scared of him even though his peculiar kind of magic reminds her of the terrors of her past.

To fulfill their mission, they must set aside old hurts and work together, finding courage to make the sacrifices necessary to save the ones they love.

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Excerpt 1:

I smiled tightly. “You're not going to let her push you out, are you?”
“Do you think she can?”
I gave a speculative little hum, like I was weighing the question. “The seventh-years have the odds at three to one in your favor.”
He chuckled. “Seriously? That's flattering. The staff is only giving me a fifty-fifty chance.”
I giggled, and brought my hand to my mouth to stifle it. “So who do you think is right?”
His eyes took on an intensity that had my heart thudding again. “Anyone who bets against me is a cog-brained idiot.”
My breath caught. “I believe you,” I murmured.

Excerpt 2:

I chuckled. “That's…so kind of you.”
Thea patted her upswept hair. “No, it's not. It's rule-breaking with malicious intent.”
I put my arm around her waist and squeezed. “Yes, but it was for me. That makes it kind.”
She hugged me back. “What she did to you last year was unforgivable. Just because you told on Director Hyll doesn't give her the right to sabotage your work.”
“She can hate me all she wants, but I don't like how she's trying to get rid of Presul Wolff. And I despise how she bullies people like Walter. She needs to be stopped.” I pulled back from Thea and extended my hand. “Miss Wright, I say it's time to find out what a certain diva is up to.”
Her lips curved in a slow smile. She clasped my hand. “Miss Mellor, I am all agreement.”

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If you like your dark fantasy romance with…

• A smart heroine


• A sexy hero


• Real, yet magical, characters


• Strong female friendships and male female friendships


• Action, adventure, and coming of age

…the Alchemy Empire steampunk series await