Attack of the Automatons by Lara Nance-A Review and Guest Post with Giveaway

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ATTACK OF THE AUTOMOTONS (Airship Adventure Chronicles #3-Vol 1) by Lara Nance

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release February 2013

The adventure continues as Lady Arabella, Rett and friends chase after the evil Dr. Krakov in hopes they can stop his attack on Aereopolis. Faced with albino cannibal pygmies, snow monsters and angry mountain men, while fighting devastating storms against impossible odds, they are forced to use every possible resource to stay alive. Krakov escapes all attempts to thwart him and rains his deadly automatons on the capital city in a conflagration that will spread to the entire world. Belle and Rett must put their feelings for each other on hold while they face the evil doctor in a final showdown for the fate of all mankind.

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REVIEW: ATTACK OF THE AUTOMATONS is the third storyline in Lara Nance’s Airship Adventure Chronicles-Volume one. Although this installment wraps up this particular arc, there is plenty of room for future storylines.

Once again, Lara Nance takes the reader on an ‘Indiana Jones’ style airship adventure around the imaginary globe to places with mythical flesh eating creatures, the open waters of the ocean, the dry arid desert and the frozen tundra of a snow bound land. When last we saw Belle, Rett and the gang, they were still in pursuit of the infamous Dr. Krakov.

This particular storyline focuses more on the journey and the hazards of flying with limited supplies and fuel. The crew must battle winter storms and cannibals, a dwindling supply of fuel, a struggle to keep the airship afloat, the angst and anxiety of two people who refuse to acknowledge their love-all the while sending messages back to the queen about an impending war between the humans on earth and Dr. Krakov’s army of armed and dangerous automotons (robots). Thank goodness for the talented and crazy ideas of Benji-Belle’s foster brother-who continues to amaze and astound the others with his inventions for and against armed attack. Without Benji, they would have died within the first couple of chapters of book one.

Lara Nance pulls the reader into a fantasy world where science fiction meets the industrial revolution resulting in the steampunk writing genre where your imagination can go wild with any number of mechanical and steam driven inventions. Attack of the Automotons is a story of adventure and the building relationship, albeit frustrating, between Belle and Rett but in the end, Belle knows where her heart belongs.

If you like steampunk airship travel adventures ala Indian Jones and the wild west (think about the TV show or movie WILD, WILD WEST), Lara Nance’s Airship Adventure Chronicles is a fascinating series and one that will peak your curiosity about steampunk and science fiction.

Reviewed by Sandy

Reading Order 
1. Revenge of the Mad Scientist
LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

2. Rescue From The Baron
ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

3. Attack of the Automotons

 

The Allure of Steampunk
By Lara Nance

So, what is it about steampunk that is alluring?

Perhaps you’ve thought about writing a steampunk novel? Now may be the best time ever. Or maybe you’d like to try reading a book in that genre but don’t know where to start.

First of all, What is steampunk? There are as many definitions as there are people giving them. Here’s mine:

It’s a Victorian themed world, where steam is the power of the day, running everything from furnaces to automatons. There are iconic images that pop up in this world, such as: corsets (worn on the outside, of course), goggles, top hats, pocket watches, airships, an occasional octopus, and lots of gadgets made from clockwork parts.

People are flocking to steampunk. The last convention I attended, Steamcon IV in Seattle this past October, had around 3,000 attendants. And that’s only one of hundreds of other conventions and events around the world. You can check out information about conventions and local groups at www.airshipambassador.com

What’s the allure? Speaking for myself, I think it’s the romance of the era. There’s adventure on every corner with airship pirates, mad scientists and clockwork monsters. Fashion is at the forefront with everything from bustled satin ball-gowns, to bustiers and fishnet hose, to leather, chains and studs.

Some people say steampunk is when Goths discovered the color brown…But the beauty of steampunk is that you make of it what you want. You can go for a genteel Victorian flavor or a leather bristling with weapons look. Or, a combination of the two. If you don’t want to create your own outfit, there are shops on the internet with everything you need. My favorites are steampunkthreads.com and clockworkcouture.com. Etsy has a huge variety of folks selling their original steampunk jewelry.

Inventions are key. You can invent a steam powered computer or a clockwork robot. Weapons are only as limited as your imagination, as long as you stick to the clockwork/steam scenario.

For the winter fashion shows I saw major fashion designers incorporate steampunk into their fall lines, Movies add steampunk elements that never existed in the original story (think Three Musketeers with its airships and corsets, even Oz had some goggles), TV shows focusing a segment on the steampunk culture (remember the Castle episode?). Take a look at women’s boots these days – you’ll see lots of buckles and retro styling.

Now there are steampunk themed restaurants like this one: http://steamhausgastropub.com

How about a steampunk card game: http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2012/11/ruse-steampunk-murder-mystery.html

Want to play an online steampunk game? Try Steampunk Odyssey here: http://www.begamer.com/flash-game/242519/steampunk-odyssey

Okay, you get the picture. Steampunk is everywhere.

In 2012, people said steampunk had peaked. But in my opinion, the culture is on the rise. A recent IBM analysis said steampunk is on the rise to emerge from sub-culture to mainstream. On-line games and series are coming out everyday, new cons are popping up everywhere, and new books are coming out with interesting steampunk characters and environments.

So, if you’re interested in writing or reading steampunk, the time is now. You can choose between a variety of base genres in which to incorporate the steampunk theme. Sci-fi, fantasy, romance or mystery/thriller. Add some spunky, resourceful, characters and a splash of imaginative adventure and you’ve got a steampunk novel. Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of goggles, top hats, and corsets!

Don’t forget the father of steampunk (in my humble opinion), Jules Verne. His book, Around the World in Eighty Days inspired my own trilogy. Books like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, are great examples of an imaginative high-tech Victorian era.

If you’re looking for movies, check out The Golden Compass, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Wild Wild West, or Hugo. They’ll give you some great images of different steampunk worlds.

Some people argue whether steampunk is alternate universe or alternate history. To me, it’s both…or either. It’s what you want it to be. And that’s the beauty of this genre– freedom to create an imaginary world, or simply say “what if” within the real Victorian world. You can add magic, or paranormal creatures, or stick with plain old humans.

This is a chance to unleash your imagination and take a new look at the world through a pair of goggles. Steampunk folks are some of the most imaginative people I’ve ever met. And they definitely know their history. So if you plan on using real historical events in your novel, do your research and get it right.

Oh, by the way, you’ll have to learn the proper way to drink absinthe, too.

Right now the first book in my steampunk trilogy, Revenge of the Mad Scientist, is only 99 cents on Kindle. It’s a great time to give steampunk a try!

Here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Mad-Scientist-Book-ebook/dp/B008XJ8LJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359073277&sr=8-1&keywords=revenge+of+the+mad+scientist

 

Let me know if you like it. You can e-mail me from my website: www.laranance.com Plus, if you sign up for my newsletter you’ll get news of upcoming books, and for a limited time you’ll receive a free copy of my steampunk short story, The Asylum Prodigy.

Have you read any steampunk books? What are your favorites?

Thanks, Lara Nance

 

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cites throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres, but the basis of all of her stories is a great tale of entertaining women’s fiction that will take you on an adventure of imagination. Smart stories that make you wonder, and live the romances you dream about.

If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales to paranormal romance and adventure, she’s willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, along with a touch of romance.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories. Lara loves to weave interesting true historical tidbits into her fiction which invite the reader to explore further after the novel is finished.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.

Follow Lara: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Lara is offering an ebook copy of the first book in her steampunk series: REVENGE OF THE MAD SCIENTIST to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the login at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. Giveaway is open internationally

3. Giveaway runs from June 25 to June 27, 2013