Release Day! Cold Copper

COLD COPPER, the third in my Age of Steam series, is out today!

If you haven’t had a chance to read my steampunk books, I’m happy to say the first in the series DEAD IRON is out in (cheaper) paperback format, so you can start there if you’d like.

However, I’ve already seen people reporting that they began the series by reading COLD COPPER and they didn’t feel lost in the storyline.  That was nice to know since it was my hope that if anyone picked up any of the books, they’d be able to fall right in and have a good time.  They aren’t exactly stand alone books, but they don’t require sequential reading.

Now, how about a quick excerpt?

COLD COPPER

   “Do you know what is this about?” Cedar asked over the creak and jostle of the carriage.

“It’s about old debts and new wars, Mr. Hunt,” Alun said. “Mayor Vosbrough has never quite sided with the people who have the best interests of this country in mind. We’ve wondered why he settled in Des Moines. Now that the railroads hub here in the town connecting rivers and lands and coasts, well, seems to make some sense as why he’s here.”

“He’s powerful and wants more power,” Bryn said.

“Power,” Cadoc mused. “Perhaps that is all the town is made for.”

“And what does this have to do with you?” Cedar asked. “He wouldn’t be the first man to use money or other means to bend the law and the progress of civilization to his favor.”

“He’s not a man,” Cadoc said so softly, only Cedar’s sharpened hearing allowed him to make out his words. “He’s a devil.”

“Oh, it’s worse than that, brother Cadoc,” Alun said. “He’s a devil with plans. The worst sort of devil to have. Mr. Hunt, promise me this. You will look for the Holder. No matter what happens.”

“I’ve never gone back on my word, Mr. Madder,” Cedar said. “I caught the scent of the Holder. I think it’s nearby.”

“Is that so?” Alun said. The brothers exchanged a look.

“Lucky for us,” Bryn said.

“Lucky for someone,” Cadoc said.

“Luck or otherwise, I expect you to be looking for it,” Alun said. “If, of course, we survive meeting the mayor.”

“That sounds rather final,” Mae said. “Do you think this is dangerous?”

Alun raised on bushy eyebrow and dug in his pocket for his pipe. “Don’t think it, I know it. Life is danger, my dear woman. Today we happen to know just exactly where the danger’s coming from.”

“What did you do to him?” Cedar pressed.

Alun paused and gave Cedar a hard look. Then he patted his pockets and Bryn offered him a welding striker, from which Alun lit the tobacco in the bowl.

“The Madders and Vosbroughs have history, Mr. Hunt. It is a long history. That’s all you need to know.”

Alun puffed away on his pipe and folded his arms over his chest, staring out at the passing city. It was clear he would say no more.

Drama or foolery. Cedar didn’t have time for either.

“A man deserves to know what foe he might be facing,” Cedar said.

But none of the brothers said a word.