Book two in the Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator
series opens with America Jones in search of Phaeton
Black who has been shanghaied.. in Shanghai of all places.
They arrive separately in London within a day of each other,
faced with what might just work up to be a worlds-shattering
catastrophe. A metaphysical assault not just on this world,
but an alternate world that exists cheek by jowl with the
London they know. The irrepressible America Jones and
cannily dangerous Phaeton Black are joined by a group of
dangerous and delightful characters in a grimy Steampunk
world threatened by monsters and megalomaniacs and infused
with powerful magic.
Unusually intense love scenes keep the romance going but the
story line is much more a gutsy, energizing fantasy with
plenty of action and a meaty plot instead of a standard
paranormal romance. I loved the characters' forays into the
Outremer, which bears a striking (albeit disturbing)
resemblance to our modern London. I also enjoyed the use of
Lovecraft as a character as well as referencs to such
authors as Ellis Peters and H.G. Wells
THE MOONSTONE AND MRS. JONES is a thoroughly enjoyable
Steampunk adventure, rife with humor, lusty encounters and
thrilling action scenes. And when you least expect it,
heart-rending moments with an emotional depth that moved me
to tears.
It is the first book I've read by Jillian Stone, but it
definitely will not be my last. Book one in the series is
The Seduction of Phaeton Black. Book three, The Miss
Education of Doctor Exeter, follows in Summer, 2013.
Barely escaping the clutches of a succulent succubus,
Phaeton Balck returns to London only to get sucked into
another unearthly scheme. Professor Lovecraft has been
tinkering with the secrets of life and death, replacing
body parts with the latest mechanical marvels. To succeed,
he needs to tap the power of the fabled Moonstone--and he
needs Phaeton's help. Of course, Phaeton would prefer to
investigate the more interesting body parts of Miss America
Jones. Perhaps, bringing his lady friend along for the ride
won't be to too much trouble. . .