Summary:
Wes has a soft heart—even if it is a gear heart from when he was mechanicalized during the war. Now close to homeless and in desperate straits, he still finds himself taking on a stray dog—and helping out an injured man he stumbles across in an alleyway.
That's how he meets Kit. A harmless, gentle clock repairman with a heart condition of his own, Kit is in danger…because he's working on a certain clock.
He hires Wes to protect him until the danger is past…whatever its cause. But they find their feelings for each other are becoming too strong to ignore, despite the danger.
When a chance to solve the mystery presents itself, Wes finds he might just lose the man he's come to love…if he can't find Kit in time.
Summary:
Hired to redecorate the Skeffield country home, Louie is both attracted to Robert Skeffield and abashed by him in equal measures. Louie, who favors bright clothing and has never been called butch in his life, has little in common with gorgeous, masculine, and closeted army officer Robert. But not everything is as it appears, at Skeffield Manor or in their hearts…
Takes place after "Wes and Kit"
This story contains some minor steampunk elements, magical elements, mysterious elements, flirting, a dog, and a strawberry-colored waistcoat.
Summary:
Old friends, new friends, magic and mystery…
Join Wes and Kit, Robert and Louie, and their friends and family at Skeffield Manor. Except that there is mischief afoot here…in the beautiful country home and with a mysterious magical object.
A story told from multiple points of view.
Takes place after "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie." Other stories set in the same universe: "Like A One-Eyed Cat" and "Gear Heart."
This story contains some magic, some steampunk elements, and has a low-medium heat rating.
Summary:
Gareth Silverman has been locked up, away from his magic — and is slowly dying. Silus is desperate to get him free. With the help of friends from Skeffield Manor, he might just manage it...but at what cost?
Join friends old and new — magicians, mechanicalized men, and others, including one sparkly designer — at the revolving doors of Skeffield Manor, as it once again becomes a stage for magic, mystery...and love.
Takes place after "Mystery at Skeffield Manor," and in the same universe as "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie," "Like A One-Eyed Cat," "Cold Hands Warm Heart," and "Gear Heart."
Summary:
Jimmy's not good at trusting people. He grew up a chimney sweep and starving alleyway scruff. Even now, fully grown and an army veteran to boot, he's half-wild and only trusts one man, "the boss," a gentle man he works for occasionally. Jim certainly never intends to trust anyone else, but then he ends up working an investigation job for the boss next to a scarred ex-soldier with surprisingly gentle ways.
A touch of mystery, low sexiness, light steampunk elements.
Summary:
Living with a gear heart made from magic and machinery, Auden knows his lifespan will be shortened. Now a second-class citizen, he's part of the household of Dr. Gregory—the man who stitched him back to life years ago during the war. And now Dr. Gregory is being threatened.
A friendly (sometimes too friendly) police officer named Owen is assigned to help protect the aging doctor. Auden could resent the policeman who's come to help with security. Instead, he finds himself drawn to the attractive, flirtatious Owen, who somehow doesn't let Auden's cold nature scare him away. And that holds a different kind of danger for Auden's heart.
Summary:
Jason is self-conscious about his metal arm and uncomfortable with his sexuality. A big, quiet guy who intimidates a lot of people without even trying to, he works as a cook—and has a hopeless crush on his friend, Dr. Kingsley. Will Jason ever have a shot with his friend? Or does life have a different curveball to throw him?
Takes place in the same world as "Like A One-Eyed Cat," "Gear Heart," "Wes and Kit," etc.
A wonderful blend of romance, steampunk, friendship, and a little mystery. I'd be lying if I said it could have had a bit more of the technology that steampunk is known for but it's lack of said science fiction factor did not take away from the enjoyment I've come to expect from Hollis Shiloh.
Robert and Louie #2
The mystery that started in Wes and Kit continues with Robert and Louis, and just like book one, this entry is an entertaining blend of romance, steampunk, and mystery. Throw in jealousy and fear and book two is even better than the first one.
Mystery at Steffield Manor #3
With Mystery at Steffield Manor, we get Wes, Kit, Robert, and Louie all together making book three my favorite so far. Mystery is still a wonderful blend of romance, friendship, mystery, and steampunk although magic is becoming a bigger factor than science fiction but it all still works to bring the reader a great story.
Strands #4
Yet another great entry into Hollis Shiloh's Steampunk Mystery universe. It's always nice to see old friends and new working together to further the story we've come to love. Just like Mystery at Steffield Manor, magic is a bigger factor than steampunk but again it works.
Like a One-Eyed Cat
This entry in the Steampunk Mystery universe is more of a standalone read, it exists in the same world but not surrounding the storyline that stitched Wes & Kit, Robert & Louie, Mystery at Steffield Manor, and Strands together. I would suggest reading One-Eyed Cat before Strands, simply because this one tells the story of how Jimmy and Marcus came to be and they are briefly brought into Strands. It's not necessary to read this one before Strands but I found it would just flow a bit better. You can't help but love Jimmy and Marcus, I would have loved to known they're history a little better but it works just as is.
Gear Heart
This is actually the first one I read, not having known about the series until I was done. Just as with One-Eyed Cat, Gear Heart exists in the same universe but has no real bearing on the ongoing storyline of the first four. I did enjoy the fact that this Gear Heart has more steampunk than the others but the budding friendship and romance between Auden and Owen is what sits front and center.
Cold Hands, Warm Heart
Just as in One-Eyed Cat, Cold Hands, Warm Heart exists in the same universe but in Graeham's household, or as most of those who live there call him, The Boss. Jason and Jess are perfect together even if it takes them a while to discover it. Whether you think of it as a series or just as a universe, it is still a lovely read that entertains and warms the heart.
Reviewer Note: I have to say that I don't really get the whole terminology of steampunk. I know what it means and I know it is a sub-genre of science fiction but to me science fiction is science fiction, nothing more, nothing less. As a reader, I will be putting this and others labeled steampunk on my science fiction library shelf but as a book blogger I will defer to the whole steampunk terminology labeling. Just wanted to put that out there.
RATING:
Hollis Shiloh writes love stories about men, also called gay romance or m/m romance, with the preferred genres of contemporary, historical, and fantasy. Hollis's stories tend towards the sweet rather than the spicy. When not writing, the author enjoys reading, retro music, and being around animals.
SMASHWORDS / AMAZON / PAYHIP
EMAIL: hollis.shiloh@gmail.com
Wes and Kit #1
Robert and Louie #2
Mystery at Steffield Manor #3
Strands #4
Like a One-Eyed Cat
Gear Heart
Cold Hands, Warm Heart
