Dragons & Dirigibles by Cindy Spencer Pape [Review]

Dragons & Dirigibles (Gaslight Chronicles #7) by Cindy Spencer Pape
Format: ebook
Source: provided by Carina Press through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: April 21, 2014

Gaslight Chronicles
1. Steam & Sorcery
2. Photographs & Phantoms
3. Kilts & Kraken 
4. Moonlight & Mechanicals
5. Cards & Caravans
6. Ashes & Alchemy
7. Dragons & Dirigibles - Kindle
8. Ether & Elephants

Cindy Spencer Pape
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Synopsis (Goodreads):

When airship engineer Melody McKay's dirigible explodes and plunges her into the yard of a gothic manor, she suspects foul play. With her ankle injured--an indignity far too feminine for her taste--she resolves to crack the mystery while in the care of Victor Arrington, the stuffy-yet-disarming Earl of Blackwell.

Ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor runs a tight house and is on a mission to protect his niece and foil a ring of smugglers using fire-breathing metal dragons. He has no time for romantic attachments. Particularly not with women who fall from the sky wearing trousers and pilot's goggles.

As he and Melody navigate a treachery so deep it threatens the lives of everyone in Black Heath, the earl becomes unexpectedly attached to his fiery houseguest, and Melody discovers a softness in her heart for him. But when the smugglers strike, there's more at risk than just their future together.

Thoughts on Dragons & Dirigibles: I really, really liked this book and I enjoyed the prickly romance between Melody and Victor, but it was a single line by one of the background characters that absolutely broke my heart this time around. *gives everyone a sad panda face* One line. Well played, Cindy Spencer Pape. Well played.

But let's get back to the couple whose book this is, shall we? Melody and Victor. She's opinionated and knows her way around mechanicals. He's convinced he wants a nice, demure lady for his wife. Yeah, he pretty much doesn't know what hit him when Melody drops on his doorstep. Having her around shakes up his life, in a good way. She makes him see things in ways he didn't before.

The thing I loved, though, is that Victor is willing to change his way of thinking when he sees the value in what Melody is saying. *thumbs up*, Vic. Everybody likes guy who isn't so set in his ways he's strangled by it.

As with other books in this series, the theme of family being more than blood is explored (STILL a favorite theme of mine!), as well as the idea that strength comes in many guises. These books are just so darn fun. Well, except for the part that broke my heart. However, I'm holding out hope that time and patience can fix anything. *glares sternly at a certain character*