Dreams of Mariposa
by L.T. Getty
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GENRE: Steampunk Horror
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BLURB:
Every decade, Marie must leave her home and everything she loves to start anew. She can’t risk the locals learning the truth of her immortality, much less her vampiric need to feed off fear. Fortunately for Marie, fear comes easily, and she spends her endless days mourning the loss of her beloved.
When she is summoned to the leaders of the masquerade, she is persuaded to assist them in uncovering a mystery of powers possibly more ancient than their own order.
As a rare daywalker of exquisite beauty, there is no society she cannot infiltrate. Having spent the last few centuries growing into her power, she expects to learn of the old powers then return to her lonely eternity of mourning.
She doesn’t expect to fall in love, and everything changes.
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Excerpt Three:
I spooked my horse while we traveled alongside a creek, but I managed to keep the gelding under control. It was Theo who was nearly thrown from his horse. Since Rosa and I preferred to keep no staff, the maintenance of the creatures was often something we did not do of our own volition.
“Steady! Steady,” he said. He quickly dismounted and petted her nose. “What is wrong?”
“Does she have a nervous temperament?” I asked. He shook his head.
“She is my uncle’s horse, and is all the more calm in her maturity.” He made clicking noises to soothe the mare, turning his attention to the started beast. Involuntarily, I reached out toward him, I wanted to feel his hair between my fingertips. At once the mare’s eyes widened, and she reared. Theo let go of her bridle and fell backward. I almost leapt at the horse to force her back, but she didn’t come down on him. Instead, she galloped the way we came.
“Are you injured?” I asked.
“One who is afraid of horses shouldn’t be riding them,” he told me, rolling up almost effortlessly. He dusted himself off before he caught my eyes “A twelve-year-old animal, and she still rides like the wind.”
“I shall fetch her for you.” It would be easy enough, once we were out of sight, to leap from my horse and run until I found the mare.
“Lend me your horse. I can recover my own mare,” he said. “You would leave a lady on the road, defenseless?”
“You and I both know you are far from defenseless. I shan’t be more than a minute, but each minute we delay only adds to the duration of this situation. She’s likely calmed down and eating berries. She knows my voice.”
“Help me down,” I said.
My horse was too slender a beast to pick up any real speed with two passengers, though my weight was negligible. Theo was no small fellow. I needed no help, but I knew how to play my part in my society and his. He put his hands about my narrow hips, and I put my arms around his neck, and slowly he boosted and then lowered me, ever in control. He had beautiful eyes, and I knew he could not deny mine as his gaze lingered.
“Is this yours?” a familiar voice broke the trance, and I glanced at Hilda, who had caught the mare.
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So I went way outside my comfort area when I agreed to read this book. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was just not my typical book to curl up and read.
First off, I normally read anything paranormal (Thank you Twilight. I hated that series), nor horror. Then let’s just throw in some urban fantasy and yep, I’m so lost. But here’s the thing, in this book it all made sense. Marie is an old vampire that is stuck mourning the loss of her great love. With that thought, she has turned into a narcissist and it shows. At times, you want to hug her and others, punch her. Ms. Getty makes sure to skirt the fine lines of making Marie good or evil, abuse versus necessity, and how it has changed Marie as a vampire for all of those years.
Knowing that she is more powerful than most, and dealing with the council, unfortunately it leads her down a path that even she couldn’t have predicted. I really enjoyed Ms. Getty’s writing here and how she uses it to further Marie’s journey. Marie can be trying at times but trust me, there is light at the end of the tunnel with her. While the book isn’t what I would normally read, Ms. Getty sucked me into Marie’s world and I loved it. The writing is smooth, nothing was explicit and the world building is phenomenal. Ms. Getty paints a picture that is beyond reproach. You don’t want to feel sorry for Marie but in a weird way you do.
Ms. Getty sets up the twisty parts perfectly. The hints are there, you just need to pay attention. I wasn’t prepared for the ending even though I should have been. That’s on me. You might see it differently and that’s great. Reading a book is different for everyone and Ms. Getty knows that. She gets it. There is some sort of redemption but that’s about all I can say right now.
If you are looking for something completely out of your comfort zone, this book is it. Read it. Think about it and let’s discuss. There is more to this book than just a pretty cover and blurb. You’re welcome.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
L.T. Getty is a science fiction and fantasy writer who hails from the Canadian Prairies. When she’s not writing, you can likely find her driving an ambulance and dreaming about travel.
Blog: https://ltgetty.wordpress.com/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6479207.L_T_Getty
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48991028-dreams-of-mariposa
Champagne Books:
http://champagnebooks.com/store/
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/dreams-of-mariposa
Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/Dreams-Mariposa-Beautiful-Immortal-Deadly-ebook/dp/B084G9RV9D
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
L.T. Getty will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m new to Steampunk Horror.
Thank you for the review. Sounds like a good book.
I always like a story with a strong heroine. Thanks for the review.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and, if so, how do you overcome it?
I love the cover! The graphics and colors are great.
Thanks for hosting!