AustLit

'In the rough and tumble town of colonial Sydney in an alternative Steampunk world, Phyllida Thorn flies under the radar by cross-dressing. She can swank and swagger with the best gentlemen of the Antipodes without anyone ruffling her feathers.

Rich and beautiful Hilary Templestowe has had enough of London after the death of her husband. She settles her affairs and soon arrives at the Sydney docks in a luxury passenger dirigible, looking for adventure.

That's when the trouble starts.

Through kidnappings, dastardly plots, ingenious devices, and a little bit of swash-buckling (there has to be swash-buckling, dearest reader), Hilary and Phyllida must find their way to each others hearts.

Needless to say, they have a lot of fun trying.'

Source : Publisher's Blurb

'Part Two of the novella that puts the 'Steam' into Steampunk, The Deception Engine is a gender-blending steampunk adventure featuring gender-blending hero Phyllida Thorn and her companion, Hilary Templestowe.

Travelling in men's garb as Phineas Thorn's twin brother, Phyllida Thorn continues her attempts to destroy Phineas' evil plans for world-domination using the ingenious Deception Engine.

Phineas only needs one thing to make his plans a reality - the Gemini Ruby.

Phyllida plans on stopping him, but she seems rather more than a little caught up in finding love and adventure instead, with the beautiful Hilary Templestowe as her principal companion in that endeavour.

Will Hilary and Phyllida win the day, and at what cost?'

Source : Publisher's Blurb