The steampunk romance world of the Ether Chronicles (including my newest release, SKIES OF GOLD) is dominated by the men known as Man O’ Wars. What’s a Man O’ War, you might ask? Good question! A Man O’ War is, as his name suggests, a man who has been technologically enhanced through implants of a rare metal called telumium.
1. Have lots of stamina. Man O’ Wars are bigger, stronger, and faster than normal men. That means that not only can they fight longer than other men, they can do…other things…with greater endurance. So be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get some rest beforehand, and prepare to have a long, and fun, night!
2. Get used to being on an airship. Because of their implants, Man O’ Wars not only captain airships, but they power them, too. A side effect of that is that they can’t be away from their ships for too long, or else their energy builds up and it can drive them batty. So if you plan on dating a Man O’ War, I hope you like flying around the world having lots of adventures. Oh, and prepare to join the Mile High Club.
3. Give up your diet. Because Man O’ Wars are so powerful, they need a lot of fuel, i.e. food. A Man O’ War eats a lot more than a regular man. Get ready for dinners that last for hours. But don’t worry about calories, because you’ll be burning them off (see Tip 1)!
4. Enjoy the feel of warm metal. The telumium implants are grafted directly onto a Man O’ War’s skin, and look a lot like Roman armor. Plus the metal is heated by their extremely warm skin. If you like the look of a gladiator without all that pesky weaponry to get in the way of ogling their sculpted chests, then you’ll love a Man O’ War. Plus, they keep you very warm at night.
5. Know how to handle yourself in any kind of action. Some Man O’ Wars are military men—in fact, that was their original purpose, to patrol the skies and protect their countries. Some have gone rogue. But no matter what side they serve, action usually finds them. It’s always a good idea to know how to use an ether pistol if you’re dating a Man O’ War. And it’s also a good idea to practice your other moves—ahem—because with their strength and stamina, Man O’ Wars can be very creative in the bedroom.
And there you have it! 5 tips on How to Date a Man O’ War. Remember to take your vitamins!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ss4qQhZICkc/UfJ31_nErPI/AAAAAAAAIrU/mDCJykqpbNY/s1600/Zoe+brand+close+up+before+620.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]
Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there’s nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master’s degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together. Her new gritty Victorian romance series, NEMESIS, UNLIMITED, launched this Spring. Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles. photo © Christine Rose Elle.
Leave a comment about why you’d like to date a Man O’ War, and I’ll pick one winner (US and Canada) to win a print copy of the book, plus a deck of steampunk playing cards.
[tabs slidertype=”left tabs” auto=”yes”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Skies of Fire[/tabtext] [tabtext]Night of Fire[/tabtext] [tabtext]Skies of Steel[/tabtext] [tabtext]Nights of Steel[/tabtext] [tabtext]Skies of Gold[/tabtext] [/tabcontainer] [tabcontent] [tab]
Captain Christopher Redmond has just one weakness: the alluring spy who loved and left him years before . . . when he was still just a man. Now he’s superhuman—a Man O’ War, made as part of the British Navy’s weapons program—and his responsibility is to protect the skies of Europe. If only he could forget Louisa Shaw.
Louisa, a British Naval Intelligence agent, has never left a job undone. But when her assignment is compromised, the one man who can help her complete her mission is also the only man ever to tempt her body and heart. As burning skies loom and passion ignites, Louisa and Christopher must slip behind enemy lines if they are to deliver a devastating strike against their foe . . . and still get out alive.
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Night of fire, night of passion.
US Army Upland Ranger Tom Knox always knew going home wouldn’t be easy. Three years ago, he skipped town, leaving behind the only woman who ever mattered; now that he’s seen the front lines of war, he’s ready to do what he must to win her back.
Rosa Campos is long past wasting tears on Tom Knox, and now that she’s sheriff of Thornville, she has more than enough to do. Especially when a five-story rock-eating mining machine barrels toward the town she’s sworn to protect.
Tom’s the last person Rosa expects to see riding to her aid on his ether-borne mechanical horse. She may not be ready to forgive, but Rosa can’t deny that having him at her side brings back blissful memories . . . even as it reignites a flame more dangerous than the enemy threatening to destroy them both.
Tom’s the last person Rosa expects to see riding to her aid on his ether-borne mechanical horse. She may not be ready to forgive, but Rosa can’t deny that having him at her side brings back blissful memories . . . even as it reignites a flame more dangerous than the enemy threatening to destroy them both.
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In the world of The Ether Chronicles, the Mechanical War rages on, and appearances are almost always deceiving . . .
The prim professor
Daphne Carlisle may be a scholar, but she’s far more comfort-able out in the field than lost in a stack of books. Still, when her parents are kidnapped by a notorious warlord, she knows she’ll need more than quick thinking if she is to reach them in time. Daphne’s only hope for getting across enemy territory is an airship powered and navigated by Mikhail Denisov, a rogue Man O’ War who is as seductive as he is untrustworthy.
The jaded mercenary
Mikhail will do anything for the right price, and he’s certain he has this mission—and Daphne—figured out: a simple job and a beautiful but sheltered Englishwoman. But as they traverse the skies above the Mediterranean and Arabia, Mikhail learns the fight ahead is anything but simple, and his lovely passenger is not entirely what she seems. The only thing Mikhail is certain of is their shared desire—both unexpected and dangerous.
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Return to The Ether Chronicles, where the skies above the American West are about to get wilder than ever…
Bounty hunter Anna Blue always finds her fugitive. But her latest mission is filled with mystery: a high price for an eccentric inventor. And her biggest rival, Jack Hawkins—a startlingly handsome, entirely unsettling man whose abilities match her own—is hunting the same bounty. Neither will back down.
When a rogue Man O’ War flies his airship into the California skies, guns blazing, Anna and Jack are forced to team up or die. But it isn’t the danger that has them ready to flare like gunpowder. They’ve circled each other for years as competitors only. Fighters and outsiders, they never thought they’d find a kindred soul. As hot passion and raw need draw them together, can they survive this mission long enough to track the most elusive fugitives…their hearts?
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Two Lonely Hearts . . .
Kalindi MacNeil survived the devastating enemy airship attack that obliterated Liverpool, but even her engineering skills can’t seem to repair her broken heart. Seeking to put her life back together, Kali retreats to a desolate, deserted island—only to discover she’s not alone. Captain Fletcher Adams, an elite man/machine hybrid, a Man O’ War, crashed his battle-damaged airship into the island after the destruction of Liverpool, never expecting to survive the wreck. But survive he did.
One Desire . . .
Believing he is nothing but a living weapon, Fletcher is wary of his newfound companion—a pretty, damaged, but determined young woman. Together they are stranded on the island, and it is only a matter of time until desire gets the best of them both. Soon Kali and Fletcher each find that they may be just what the other needed. But a danger from beyond the island puts them to the test. Will it rip them apart or bond their hearts forever?
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Check out Richard Kadrey’s Stomp post then vote!
STOMP or ROMP
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I’m not familiar with this series. Might have to give it a try.
I haven’t read any of the other books but I really, REALLY enjoyed Skies of Gold and even though it’s the 5th installment, I didn’t feel lost at all not having read the first 4 novels. My review will be posting soon…
Mmm… Reading those points sounds a lot like STOMP. Could Archer be on the wrongs side?
LOL Well, now that you mention it, Kadrey’s post seemed more ROMP to me…
I’d quiz the guy all night about this fabulous new genre! Just learned about this series this week and already moved it to the top of my TBR list.
Glad to hear that you’re jumping on the Steampunk bandwagon! 🙂
I would date the dude because of Tip #4
Hehe yeah #4 would be great for me too because I am always cold. Our own personal Man ‘O War heater! Hehe
You had me with Tip 1 and 5. Lots of stamina and strength and creativity in the bedroom. Whoo, were do I sign up? I think this could go both ways they seem to be lovers and fighters, maybe you can share this one lol
LOL Where DO we sign-up!?
Heh. Why WOULDN’T you want to date a Man O’ War? Seriously. Their strength and stamina is reasons 1 through a million. Of course, I’d want a rogue Man O’ War to keep me warm at night. (Plus, Mikhail and his mohawk stole my heart.)
I haven’t met Mikkail yet *mental note… read hot mohawk installment*
Mmmmm…sounds like I have another new series to check out! Go Team Romp!!!
Team ROMP FTW!
ummm… all of the above!!! Thanks for sharing!
LOL You couldn’t pick just one, eh? 😉
Well, mostly because of muscles. Shallow, I know!
Well it you’re shallow then so am I!
Well, the stamina thing wins me over. 😀
Ya gotta love a man with staying power!
he can protect you
I never heard of this series before, but I’m loving those covers already 🙂
The series looks amazing- I would love to try it out. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
This is going to be a very interesting month, because stomp and romp seem to go perfectly together! 🙂
Sounds like a great read.
Looking forward to these reads!
He is strong and could protect you.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I would date them mainly because he would most likely know how to really control me in the bedroom. (TMI?)
All five tips are pretty great but 1 might just top all the rest. It’s not listed first for no reason.
Have you seen Zoe & Nico’s covers for this series…? That’s all I need to say as to why I’d date one. 😉
I would like to date a Man O’ Wars because I like my men built to last in all ways. 😉
haven’t read this series but i love steampunk and steamy hot guys so it seems like a win win situation!