There's a side of steampunk romance that's
larger-than-life and over the top, aspects that lend themselves to tales with
humorous elements. This genre includes so many fun gadgets and characters that
inevitably some of them are going to be funny as well! Plus, quite a few
stories feature "opposites attract" hero and heroine pairings, which
is a gold mine of both conflict and humor.
As part of this week's Cosmic Laughs & Love event,
I'm going to highlight a few steampunk romances that will tickle your funny
bone.
Lara Nance's Airship
Chronicles series, which begins with REVENGE OF THE MAD SCIENTIST, has a
breezy tone much of the time and includes a variety of humorous character
interactions and situations. The quirky ensemble cast and a hero who can never
seem to catch a break with the heroine provide many of the comedic moments.
Beth Ciotta's HER SKY COWBOY is an action-adventure
steampunk romance with banter galore between the hero and heroine. The
combination of fantastical elements and playful tone makes it a story to read
when you want something purely for the fun of it.
Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris are the authors behind
the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.
This romantic steampunk series, which starts with PHEONIX RISING and continues
in THE JANUS AFFAIR, includes quite a bit of humor arising from the odd couple
pairing of straitlaced Ministry agent Wellington Books and his firecracker
partner Eliza D. Braun. The action-adventure stories deliver lots of witty
banter, dry humor, and the occasional comical situation.
Meljean Brook's Iron
Seas steampunk romances are usually serious in nature, but book two, HEART
OF STEEL, features a few comedic moments and dialogue courtesy of the dashing treasure
hunter hero, Archimedes Fox. His intriguing foil is a ruthless mercenary known
as Yasmeen. HEART OF STEEL reads like a pulpy penny dreadful, and I mean that
in a good way!
My erotic steampunk romance short WILBERT E.
HORNBECK'S FANTASTIC ADVENTURE was written with my tongue firmly in my cheek.
It features a quirky, bewildered hero who experiences fantastical erotic
escapades with two unusual people. I also mined many a comedic moment with Arthur
the automaton gunslinger in my steampunk romance tale IRON GUNS, BLAZING
HEARTS.
Steampunk romances deliver many humorous situations
and much of it has to do with heroes and heroines who are light on the angst
and heavy on the derring-do. Even if the stories aren't outright comedic,
they're bound to involve at least a few chuckle-worthy moments.
Joyfully yours,
Heather