Happy Hour Chat: "Clockwork Tangerine" by Rhys Ford

Greetings, BMBR friends! Happy holiday season and all that jazz! In case you missed it, we have a ton of giveaways still live on the blog from our November of insanity, a.k.a. the Anniversary Shenanigans last month. Check 'em out here. We're even giving away a DOZEN books (plus a $20 Amazon gift card from Finn Marlowe)!

This month, we're chatting up a storm about steampunkery! *adjusts goggles and fiddles with whatzits and doodads* 

Don your steampunkiest finery and assemble your favorite concoction to join us in our Happy Hour Chat about Clockwork Tangerine by Rhys Ford.

Rhys Ford will be December's Author of the Month, so keep an eye out for more reviews of her work and an interview (with....maybe...a giveaway?? :D) with her later this month!


Warning: This chat contains spoilers.

Audrey: Today we're chatting "Clockwork Tangerine" by Rhys Ford.
Audrey: Quick copy/paste of the blurb: The British Empire reigns supreme, and its young Queen Victoria has expanded her realm to St. Francisco, a bustling city of English lords and Chinese ghettos. St. Francisco is a jewel in the Empire’s crown and as deeply embroiled in the conflict between the Arcane and Science as its sister city, London—a very dark and dangerous battle. Marcus Stenhill, Viscount of Westwood, stumbles upon that darkness when he encounters a pack of young bloods beating a man senseless. Westwood’s duty and honor demand he save the man, but he’s taken aback to discover the man is Robin Harris, a handsome young inventor indirectly responsible for the death of Marcus’s father. Living in the shadows following a failed coup, Robin devotes his life to easing others’ pain, even though his creations are considered mechanical abominations of magicks and science. Branded a deviant and a murderer, Robin expects the viscount to run as far as he can—and is amazed when Marcus reaches for him instead.
Lorix: I actually really, really enjoyed this book chat book.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Me too LORI!
Sunny: I wish it had been longer, I really liked the MCs
MANTICORE of SRAL: I liked the book chat book. I just didn't feel like writing a review today. I'm reviewed out. Tomorrow.
Jenni Lea: Do I even have to tell you guys if I liked this book? It's pretty much a given that I liked it.
Lorix: I always write my review after the chat anyway
Natasha: i feel like rhys ford's writing is excellent
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I loved it!
Audrey: I haven't quite finished it, but the story so far is great. >__<
Cuppers: it's my first Rhys Ford
MANTICORE of SRAL: I have issues but overall it's good
Audrey: My first Rhys Ford story, too!
MANTICORE of SRAL: My first Rhys Ford too!
Sunny: It was my first, too, Cupcake
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I reviewed it for the blog many moons ago
Justin: First line: The stink of St. Francisco crept into Marcus’s nose and stayed there, an unwelcome sensory vermin plaguing him at every step. *gags*
Ann of Ween Gaybles: J and his smells
Natasha: overall, steampunk ain't my thang, but still, RF is an excellent writer
Audrey: Ditto, SRAL. Some issues, but so far I've enjoyed it. :)
Ann of Ween Gaybles: She writes very viscerally. I love that!
Justin: I'm with Nash...steampunk ain't my thang.
Sunny: I really like steampunk
Cuppers: she's got a unique voice
Sunny: I wish there hadn't been so much happening off page, though
Cuppers: ditto Sunny
Cuppers: i like all the punks

Find out more about what we think of the punks....AND manticore porn, peen, and dildo machines! All of that and more, after the jump! :)



Without further ado, here it is in all of its wacky, steampunkery, manticorian glory! December's Happy Hour Chat!


Audrey: Today we're chatting "Clockwork Tangerine" by Rhys Ford.
Audrey: Quick copy/paste of the blurb: The British Empire reigns supreme, and its young Queen Victoria has expanded her realm to St. Francisco, a bustling city of English lords and Chinese ghettos. St. Francisco is a jewel in the Empire’s crown and as deeply embroiled in the conflict between the Arcane and Science as its sister city, London—a very dark and dangerous battle. Marcus Stenhill, Viscount of Westwood, stumbles upon that darkness when he encounters a pack of young bloods beating a man senseless. Westwood’s duty and honor demand he save the man, but he’s taken aback to discover the man is Robin Harris, a handsome young inventor indirectly responsible for the death of Marcus’s father. Living in the shadows following a failed coup, Robin devotes his life to easing others’ pain, even though his creations are considered mechanical abominations of magicks and science. Branded a deviant and a murderer, Robin expects the viscount to run as far as he can—and is amazed when Marcus reaches for him instead.
Lorix: I actually really, really enjoyed this book chat book.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Me too LORI!
Sunny: I wish it had been longer, I really liked the MCs
MANTICORE of SRAL: I liked the book chat book. I just didn't feel like writing a review today. I'm reviewed out. Tomorrow.
Jenni Lea: Do I even have to tell you guys if I liked this book? It's pretty much a given that I liked it.
Lorix: I always write my review after the chat anyway
Natasha: i feel like rhys ford's writing is excellent
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I loved it!
Audrey: I haven't quite finished it, but the story so far is great. >__<
Cuppers: it's my first Rhys Ford
MANTICORE of SRAL: I have issues but overall it's good
Audrey: My first Rhys Ford story, too!
MANTICORE of SRAL: My first Rhys Ford too!
Sunny: It was my first, too, Cupcake
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I reviewed it for the blog many moons ago
Justin: First line: The stink of St. Francisco crept into Marcus’s nose and stayed there, an unwelcome sensory vermin plaguing him at every step. *gags*
Ann of Ween Gaybles: J and his smells
Natasha: overall, steampunk ain't my thang, but still, RF is an excellent writer
Audrey: Ditto, SRAL. Some issues, but so far I've enjoyed it. :)
Ann of Ween Gaybles: She writes very viscerally. I love that!
Justin: I'm with Nash...steampunk ain't my thang.
Sunny: I really like steampunk
Cuppers: she's got a unique voice
Sunny: I wish there hadn't been so much happening off page, though
Cuppers: ditto Sunny
Cuppers: i like all the punks
Audrey: Ditto, Sunny!!
MANTICORE of SRAL: one of my issues.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I want all her books to be made into movies. Especially this one. I want to see ALL the things
Ann of Ween Gaybles: That was my only complaint when I read it the first time. I wanted more
MANTICORE of SRAL: And it was too condensed for me to believe the relationship
Natasha: i think i listened to sinner's gin before on audiobook... and that didn't work for me, but i blame the fact that it was an audiobook
Jenni Lea: Natasha, I think you would like her Cole McGinnis series
Lorix: Sinner Gin didn't work for me - great writing but just not for me. I really wanted to love it because I could see how well written it was..
Natasha: I have to read that still, JL! I plan to give it an honest shot
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I think you're right JL. Cole is the shit.
Lorix: I want to try Cole McGinnis
Audrey: Is it just me or is Robin adorable and ADORABLE and adorable? :D
Sunny: Yes! He was, Audrey
Ann of Ween Gaybles: You are SO right Audrey
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I felt so bad for him, but he was still tough
MANTICORE of SRAL: I liked the Viscount. Gimme a big, brawny blonde bloke with $10 words any day
Sunny: I liked both men, and I was bummed we didn't get to see their relationship develop on page
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I love Steampunk stuff. The visuals are too fun
Lorix: I'm finding I quite like Steampunk
Natasha: yeah, i've read steampunk quite a good amount before, and it's just not for me
MANTICORE of SRAL: You gotta read Wicked Gentlemen Lori
Lorix: I will put it on my TBR list L!!
Lorix: I read one RF before and I didn't love it, but this I really, really enjoyed. (Also watched the first Penny Dreadful so I was in that kinda zone)
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Penny Dreadfuls is AMAZING
Cuppers: i learned something w/the penny dreadful comment from this book!
Sunny: What did you learn, Cupcake?
Cuppers: that they were stories that were directed at men that were lurid
Cuppers: cupcake didn't know. puts a whole new spin on Penny Dreadful
MANTICORE of SRAL: S'good
Ann of Ween Gaybles: oooooh - I like that word "lurid"
Sunny: that's why we read these books...education ;)
Cuppers: LOL
Ann of Ween Gaybles: and PEEN
Ann of Ween Gaybles: and BUNS
MANTICORE of SRAL: Buttsex
Cuppers: i didn't like that he lost his duck confit
Cuppers: WTF, Dude!!! Control. Control.
Lorix: I agree, I'd have liked it longer (ha!!) and more on page!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: That's what she said
Jenni Lea: Lori, I think you would LOVE her Cole McGinnis series. That series happens to be my all-time favorite M/M series forevermore and always to infinity
Lorix: I'll read Cole McGinnis for Dec then!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Do it Lori, you'll LOVE it
Audrey: I never got used to the time jumps between chapters. They were always a little too jarring for me.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I didn't even really notice time jumps. Hmmmm
Audrey: But I adored the characters. Even the smaller, secondary characters had so much character within such a tiny appearance on the page!
Sunny: Grandmother!
Lorix: Agreed with all of that Audrey
Ann of Ween Gaybles: She writes great female characters. They are always badass
MANTICORE of SRAL: Grandma was pretty awesome
Cuppers: I think for all of 6 chapters it was well done
Sunny: She was fun :)
Ann of Ween Gaybles: And the doc - she was awesome
Lorix: Fantastic characters. All of them!
Sunny: Yes! I liked the doc, too
Audrey: The doc was great! I loved how she swore like a sailor, and Marcus just rolled with it.
Lorix: The setting felt authentic to me too...not that I was around at that time, but I could see the research in to the England of that era.
Cuppers: I liked even the specter of the dad & all his pearls of wisdom.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: You are so right Cuppers. I highlighted the hell out of the DAD quotes
MANTICORE of SRAL: Oh and the purple unicorn in chapter 69. I loved how it deep throated the Manticore. No gag reflex, I was impressed.
Lorix: SRAL. I love you.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Nice pull SRAL!
Cuppers: that was subtle, Baby.
Sunny: SRAL...no words, lol...
Audrey: hahhahahhahahahha, SRAL!
Jenni Lea: What I've noticed about Rhys Ford is she gives great characters. Every single character in her stories, be they the main ones or secondary (and sometimes tertiary) are always so well fleshed out and have, well, I guess you'd call it 'character' :P
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Too true JL. I don't feel like the secondary characters are secondary at all
Lorix: Lol Jl. + 10 for use of the word tertiary!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: JL wins!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Tertiary + Lurid
Lorix: ding, ding, ding - everyone's a winner!
MANTICORE of SRAL: Big words!
Jenni Lea: I'm just hoping I used the word correctly. ;)
Lorix: Jl - it is now. It is now sanctioned by the Unicorns
Audrey: Look how much we're learning!
Lorix: J & Natasha, was it just not your cuppa at all?
Natasha: naw, dawg
Cuppers: I liked that the gramma was legit disappointed that she couldn't shatter that dog trinket
MANTICORE of SRAL: That was cute
MANTICORE of SRAL: The grandma didn't annoy me. I was happy.
Lorix: Yes!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: It's the little things that make the story for me. Just like that. I liked that Marcus called Robin "Crow" all the time
MANTICORE of SRAL: I love nicknames.
Lorix: Awww - Little Crow. YES!
MANTICORE of SRAL: Yes!
Audrey: Yeah, the nickname was so cute. ^__^
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Especially because his name was Robin, cuz you know, birds.
Audrey: Any favorite quotes? :)
Sunny: I forgot to save quotes :(
Lorix: Ack, I always forget to highlight quotes.
Cuppers: because you speed read!!!!
Lorix: Me. *innocent face*
MANTICORE of SRAL: “I… have an unnatural fondness for him, Duchess. One might even say that I love him. As a man should love a woman, really.” “Well, I would imagine the mechanics of that would be different.”
Sunny: oh, yeah! That was a good one, SRAL :)
Jenni Lea: I just love the way she writes. It's so visceral. Like "They'd lost the sky to the fog." Simple stuff like that but written so damned well.
Lorix: And I agree Jl. She's a very talented writer and her prose is great.
Cuppers: "If I do this right, there will never be anyone for you but me."
Cuppers: awwwwwwwwww
Lorix: I swooned at that bit Cuppers.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: "we're not allowed to throw tantrums past the age of ten. I don't see any reason why anyone else gets to. . . .literary or otherwise"
Audrey: I loved Robin's POV. Some of his adorableness like "Mortification overruled any emotion, because Robin's turgid cock bounced along with him, waggling about like a buoy set adrift on the high seas."
MANTICORE of SRAL: I loved the tantrum bit that was funny
Audrey: Or "Suddenly, upstairs didn't seem too far away. In fact, Timbuktu seemed like a nice place for a holiday, and if he hurried, he could catch a steamer to Africa before the tide went out."
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Her men are very manly no matter what they look like or what they've been through. Just like I like 'em
Jenni Lea: Yes Ann!
Audrey: I just adored Robin. :)
Cuppers: I like em horny. These two dudes could've been hornier.
MANTICORE of SRAL: YES!
Cuppers: MORE PEEN!
Sunny: lmao...
Lorix: Characters that are real, rather than perfect are what I love and Rhys does write them eautifully.
MANTICORE of SRAL: Push him against a wall, suck his face
MANTICORE of SRAL: or ass
Sunny: maybe a bite or two?
Cuppers: precisely!
MANTICORE of SRAL: biting is always on the menu
Audrey: A bite on the ass, even.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Dudes, read the McGinnis series, you will get ALL the smexing. ALL of it
MANTICORE of SRAL: And "Damn baby you hoovered me real well," said the Manticore as he fingered the unicorn's arse.
Lorix: I'm going to have to check the text for the manticore/unicorn reference. I may have sped past it. O_________o
Sunny: lol...Lori. You didn't see that one?
MANTICORE of SRAL: That chapter was britches popping just saying
Lorix: Nope. Missed it entirely. Maybe I need to read SRAL's version!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: britches popping - LOL
Audrey: hahahahhaha
Sunny: lol...Were there two versions of this story, too?!
Lorix: Britches popping FTW
Sunny: And another great memory :)
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Oh no - not that again!
MANTICORE of SRAL: There must've been 2 versions
Lorix: I loved that book chat. I love Anyta Sunday!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: "That is what I'm risking - a life without the man who makes me feel alive"
Ann of Ween Gaybles: With PEEN
Sunny: aww...Ann, that was sweet :)
Audrey: awwwwww! Ann <3
Cuppers: I liked that speech myself. I would've liked it more if he would've slapped 'little crow' on the ass & told him to get his little ass upstairs cuz some shit was bout to GO DOWN!!!!!!
Lorix: You thought he need tenderising CC? (That always makes me think of steak....)
Cuppers: SENSITIZING!!!!!!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: STEAK!!!!!
Cuppers: sheesh. you're going to scare the stallion!
MANTICORE of SRAL: My version had the steamier stuff - sensitizing asses, deep throating, hair pulling
Sunny: maybe a little breath play?
Lorix: That's the one. Okay that doesn't make me think of steak.
Audrey: Some pony play, even?
Lorix: Fuck Me! I'm thick. :)
Cuppers: PONIES!!!!!!!!
Justin: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Sunny: J!
Audrey: *sensitizes J's rump*
MANTICORE of SRAL: That happened in Ch. 69 - breath play, CBT
Cuppers: and chastity. for reasons.
Cuppers: FUCK YEAH, HOMES!!!!!!
Lorix: Manties.
Lorix: Justin.
Sunny: Lori has her mom voice on *nods*
Lorix: I do.
Lorix: Play nicely young man
MANTICORE of SRAL: Manties under the britches...this is why the Manticore was summoned
Cuppers: MANTIES UNDER A KILT!!!! Don't look at me like that.
Lorix: Under a kilt. ooooh.....
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I like nothing under a kilt - as in nothing covering the nether regions
Cuppers: i know. work w/me here, Peach.
Sunny: omg...what is Rhys going to think about this chat?!
MANTICORE of SRAL: a little bondage with Robin's automatons
Audrey: Or one of those penis dildo machines like in porn. O__O
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Oh hey - dildo machines are cool
Sunny: lmao...I can't stop laughing
MANTICORE of SRAL: It'd trill like a peacock
Jenni Lea: Rhys is gonna laugh her ass off at this chat cuz she's awesome like that.
Audrey: Robin could totally make those dildo machines, though. Just sayin'.
Lorix: He could be the first inventor of sex toys.
Lorix: I wonder who did invent sex toys?
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Cave pervs
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Some neandethal backed into a PEEN shaped rock and was like "ooooooooga boooooooga"
Audrey: hhahhahahahahhhahaahah ANN
Sunny: they've been around as long as people have been, but he'd invent automated sex toys
Ann of Ween Gaybles: And they'd be fancy dildo machines too
Audrey: Light-up blinky ones with arcane and magicks.
Lorix: The world needs them Audrey.
Audrey: They would have different settings - like "tender lover" and "rough Stallion pounding."
MANTICORE of SRAL: mmmm...rough stallion pounding
Lorix: That needs to be a thing
Cuppers: "rough Stallion pounding" F.T.W.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: RSP
Audrey: RSP
Audrey: IS ON THE MENU
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I sense another t-shirt coming on
Jenni Lea: OMG, I love all of you so very much!
MANTICORE of SRAL: That's the setting the Manticore always is set at, RSP
Cuppers: i sense another band name coming on
Justin: Silly Unicornz
Audrey: Peen Shaped Rock is made to be a hair band from the 80s.
Lorix: Ahhh - if those dastardly rocks weren't in the way would anal pleasure ever have been discovered?
Sunny: I love all of this
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Dead Goat Fuckers is gonna open for the Stallion Pounders
MANTICORE of SRAL: LMAO
Audrey: I can't stop laughing.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Peen Shaped Rock is an underground alternative garage band
MANTICORE of SRAL: Manticore will cum out for the Encore and fuck that purple unicorn on stage! They like being watched
Cuppers: that concert… is gonna be hella weird
Sunny: ...Where is Breann? She is missing all the fun!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I hope she's eating ice cream
Lorix: Breann, come back
Justin: Breann is backing up onto a rock.......
Ann of Ween Gaybles: LOL - J!
Lorix: Is that a yooofunism?
Breann: I'm here. I just don't have anything to say about the book...
Cuppers: what about RSP?
Ann of Ween Gaybles: But you have to have something to say about Dildo Machines and PEEN shaped rocks
Lorix: Anything to say about the book. Pah, when have we ever managed to chat about the book?
MANTICORE of SRAL: And the Manticore!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Never forget the Manticore
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Can his bestie be the COCKatrice?
Lorix: Manticore and the Unicorns are the backup singers
Ann of Ween Gaybles: for reasons
Sunny: "Never forget the Manticore" - THAT should be on a tshirt
Ann of Ween Gaybles: The Cockatrice Trio is playing in the lounge
MANTICORE of SRAL: Holy shit that is awesome!
Breann: I'm also making a scarf *hides*
Sunny: Breann, I'm knitting a scarf, too!
Audrey: Should we wrap up the book chat portion?
Lorix: Yes to Sunny and Audrey.
Breann: I'm crocheting. I haven't ventured into knitting yet. But I'm obsessed with it.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: TENTACLES
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I crocheted a snake once
Sunny: I like tentacles
Ann of Ween Gaybles: As do I Sunshine
Justin: What's the difference, B?
Sunny: crochet is with a hook, knitting is with two needles
Breann: which is why I'm doing that instead of raining on your Rhys parade :D
Cuppers: i donnae think B enjoyed the book…
MANTICORE of SRAL: OMG do you think if we release a Manticore porn request in the universe, it'll be answered? Because I want a Manticore PWP now
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Well, it is the interwebz. Doesnt it answer ALL the wishes?
MANTICORE of SRAL: Hey there fancy erotica authors, if you're checking this out, two words: Manticore Porn
MANTICORE of SRAL: It's a most awesome beast that likes anal
Ann of Ween Gaybles: With a Cockatrice sidekick!
MANTICORE of SRAL: Think about...he'll lock his massive paws around his lover and pound that massive beast cock into that unsuspecting hole
Audrey: Dude, you have it half-written, SRAL!!! Do it do it do it!!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: That book is pretty much writing itself SRAL
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Can you crochet a beast cock?
Cuppers: you crocheted a snake, Peach, I'm pretty sure you just fluff that up a bit. I said fluff.
Ann of Ween Gaybles: I crocheted the hell out of that snake
MANTICORE of SRAL: LOL that sounds like a sex thing but I know it's not
Jenni Lea: LOL, I think this is the farthest we've ever gotten away from a book chat before. SQUIRREL!
Audrey: hahhaha, I really liked the story! My first Rhys Ford, and two thumbs up. :)
Lorix: I really did enjoy this book, thanks for suggesting it JL!
Ann of Ween Gaybles: You would love all her stuff Audrey
Lorix: I think I four starred it. If you need to know for the rating type thing!
Sunny: I really liked it, especially the characters, but too much happened off page...3.5 hearts for me
Justin: No rating from me. I didn't get through the 1st chapter.
Sunny: :(
Ann of Ween Gaybles: 4.5 stars for the Peach
MANTICORE of SRAL: 3.75 hearts
Breann: eeehhhh.... i don't know. 2.5?
Natasha: ummmm... B said 2.5? will I get in trouble for 2?
Lorix: Nope, our rating is our rating Natasha.
Natasha: then 2 stars, and no disrespect to RF's writing, because I think its actually very good
Ann of Ween Gaybles: Try a not Steampunk one, you'll love it
Jenni Lea: I'm not a fan of steampunk either apparently but I love Rhys Ford's writing so much that I had to give this 4 hearts.




*whew*

What think you? Manticore erotica is totally in SRAL's wheelhouse, right? *nudges her to write some*

Have you read steampunk m/m before? Any interest in doing so now? Let us know what you think in the comments, and keep your eyes peeled for more Rhys Ford stuffs this month!

Thanks for joining us for the chat!


For more info on Clockwork Tangerine, check it out on Goodreads.


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