Losing a husband to the world of espionage and secrets made the heroine yearn to do her part for her country and finish the mission her husband started before his murder. Small, petite and unassuming, she's the only one capable of piloting a one of a kind aircraft which is silent and nearly invisible in flight. To travel low key into France however, she's going to need more than her skills as a spy and her aircraft- she's going to need a husband. Cue the hero. He's a great bear of a man but he's what you call a gentle giant. He's kind, resourceful, patient and will to agree to the sham of a marriage in order to aid the woman he's admired greatly if only through their letter communications. He sees past the cold exterior the heroine portrays to the world and deep into her soul where a fire burns brightly. And he knows that there will be no way for him to deny himself the pleasure to be found in her arms so they soon enter into an affair. Under the pretense that their marriage will be annulled after the mission is complete, the heroine agrees to entering a sexual relationship with her husband. In his arms she finds herself happier than she's been in a very long time. So different from her dead husband, the hero brings her alive as a woman, helps her to discover herself and let herself be free of the grief and the pain she's been harboring for all these years. When they arrive in France, she tries to distance herself from him and her growing feelings but to no avale. Her gentle yet passionate and demanding lover has firmly taken possession of her heart and though it scares her to death, the joy to be found in his arms is just to much of a temptation to deny. As they fall heavily into the world of spies and intrique the hero finds it harder and harder to sit back and watch the love of his life put herself in danger time and time again but he's man enough to accept that this is her job. Though he makes it clear how scared he is for her safety and how relieved he is when she's back home where he can hold her, he lets her be herself and never tries to change her. But he himself is no spy so when he's targeted, the heroine will do everything to get him back. Because she's realized just how much her bear has come to mean to her. Another great book in a great series. This steampunk romance done right and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were both so suited to each other so it made it extremely easy for them to find themselves falling for one another. The hero was amazing. He was such a support system for the heroine while still be useful and valid in his own merit. He was backbone to their partnership, the level headed one. Always quick with a smile or a joke, making the heroine laugh and slowly breaking down all her walls to reveal the passionate woman underneath. The heroine was amazing as well. She was the special agent, the one on the mission but she was also a very fragile woman at the same time, both physically and emotionally. She never truly grieved her dead husband before the hero made her comfortable enough to let it go and she was so small in stature and certainly much smaller than the hero in size. But she had smarts and the strength of will to see her mission complete and when the time came, she also had the strength to accept the man who loves her and whom she's come to love so much in return. The story was great, the passion and chemistry between the characters was great and you gotta love a good steampunk romance as they are so few and far between. Great book by a new author to watch. ( )

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Marta C:
*eARC received from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is the first book in Ms. Dryden's new Steampunk series entitled STEAM AND SEDUCTION. It's a book that captures the spirit of Steampunk whilst also giving the reader a sexy romance.

This captivating adventure tells the story of Charlotte Moncrieffe, a widow who seeks to continue her husband's work as a spy. Espionage is in her blood; her own father has secretly worked as a spymaster for the government for many years.

Charlotte is a trained pilot of a dirigible -the Gossamer Wing- and while she could easily sneak into France and recover vital lost documents, her father insists that she not go alone. Therefore, it's decided that a sham marriage to Baron Dexter Hardison will provide the perfect cover for them to travel through France on their Mission. Their marriage of convenience seems perfect, Dexter is an amazing inventor, and together they make a formidable team...

Their crossing brings them closer together, and the somewhat closed off Charlotte finds herself more than a little tempted by her new -albeit -temporary husband. As their journey and mission continue, they're led further into danger, and they ultimately cross paths with the person behind the death of Charlotte's late husband. Can they recover the secret documents before their cover is blown, or will the fire that's increasingly burning between them be their undoing?

This is my first book by this author, and only the second that I have read in the Steampunk genre. Although Steampunk novels seem to be set in an almost Victorian era and offer an alternative history, I found this one quite unique. In Gossamer Wing, the reader is treated to the possibilities of what could have happened if the American revolution hadn't been successful. A world that's quite unlike the one we inhabit; and surely that's the point!?

This is a fantasy that stretches the reader's imagination, and takes us on a ride. Yes, vehicles are steam powered and the field of invention has taken many twists and turns away from what we now view as 'normal', but this author has written a book full of intrigue and passion that sets the page alight!

I really enjoyed this book and will look out for the next in series -Scarlet Devices. Definitely recommended. ( )