Steampunk Mystery Series by Hollis Shiloh

Wes has a soft heart—even if it is a gear heart from when he was mechanicalized during the war. Now close to homeless and in desperate straits, he still finds himself taking on a stray dog—and helping out an injured man he stumbles across in an alleyway. That's how he meets Kit. A harmless, gentle clock repairman with a heart condition of his own, Kit is in danger…because he's working on a certain clock. He hires Wes to protect him until the danger is past…whatever its cause... moreWes has a soft heart—even if it is a gear heart from when he was mechanicalized during the war. Now close to homeless and in desperate straits, he still finds himself taking on a stray dog—and helping out an injured man he stumbles across in an alleyway. That's how he meets Kit. A harmless, gentle clock repairman with a heart condition of his own, Kit is in danger…because he's working on a certain clock. He hires Wes to protect him until the danger is past…whatever its cause. But they find their feelings for each other are becoming too strong to ignore, despite the danger. When a chance to solve the mystery presents itself, Wes finds he might just lose the man he's come to love…if he can't find Kit in time. Length: 37,000 words Steampunk elements, mystery elements, some violence Heat level: Low less

Hired to redecorate the Skeffield country home, Louie is both attracted to Robert Skeffield and abashed by him in equal measures. Louie, who favors bright clothing and has never been called butch in his life, has little in common with gorgeous, masculine, and closeted army officer Robert... moreHired to redecorate the Skeffield country home, Louie is both attracted to Robert Skeffield and abashed by him in equal measures. Louie, who favors bright clothing and has never been called butch in his life, has little in common with gorgeous, masculine, and closeted army officer Robert. But not everything is as it appears, at Skeffield Manor or in their hearts… Takes place after "Wes and Kit" This story contains some minor steampunk elements, magical elements, mysterious elements, flirting, a dog, and a strawberry-colored waistcoat. Sensual rating: very low Length: 30,500 words less

Old friends, new friends, magic and mystery… Join Wes and Kit, Robert and Louie, and their friends and family at Skeffield Manor. Except that there is mischief afoot here…in the beautiful country home and with a mysterious magical object. A story told from multiple points of view. Takes place after "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie." Other stories set in the same universe: "Like A One-Eyed Cat" and "Gear Heart... moreOld friends, new friends, magic and mystery… Join Wes and Kit, Robert and Louie, and their friends and family at Skeffield Manor. Except that there is mischief afoot here…in the beautiful country home and with a mysterious magical object. A story told from multiple points of view. Takes place after "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie." Other stories set in the same universe: "Like A One-Eyed Cat" and "Gear Heart." This story contains some magic, some steampunk elements, and has a low-medium heat rating. Length: approx. 62,000 words less

Gareth Silverman has been locked up, away from his magic — and is slowly dying. Silus is desperate to get him free. With the help of friends from Skeffield Manor, he might just manage it...but at what cost?Join friends old and new — magicians, mechanicalized men, and others, including one sparkly designer — at the revolving doors of Skeffield Manor, as it once again becomes a stage for magic, mystery...and love... moreGareth Silverman has been locked up, away from his magic — and is slowly dying. Silus is desperate to get him free. With the help of friends from Skeffield Manor, he might just manage it...but at what cost?Join friends old and new — magicians, mechanicalized men, and others, including one sparkly designer — at the revolving doors of Skeffield Manor, as it once again becomes a stage for magic, mystery...and love.Takes place after "Mystery at Skeffield Manor," and in the same universe as "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie," "Like A One-Eyed Cat," "Cold Hands Warm Heart," and "Gear Heart." A story told from multiple points of view. Length: approx. 54,000 wordsHeat level: LowEXCERPT"It's only a cup of cocoa." I heard the familiar voice outside my door, bargaining with the guards. At least he was being polite today: that was a definite improvement.I sat in the dark cell and listened, waiting. It was too dark to see, and I had my arms around my knees, drawing up to my chest. It was the high point of the day when Silus visited. The cell was specially treated so that no magic could be worked in it, and I was not trusted with any sort of natural light or window. I sat in the dark for nearly twenty hours a day, and had a few supervised hours of light, so that my eyes did not atrophy, and so that I did not go mad.The matron who supervised me frightened me, though, and so the light was little better than the dark. I was not allowed any books, which would have been a help. Instead, I got to see the condition of the cell, myself, and the matron staring at me with hard eyes, while I waited through those few hours with light. She never seemed to tire, and rarely took her eyes away from me. By the end of three hours, I welcomed the dark.The fourth hour, that was when I was allowed visitors. I had only one."Gareth," said Silus.I uncurled from my position and looked up at him, raising my head and squinting against the bright light of the glowing lantern he brought with him. He'd talked — or bribed — the guard into allowing the cocoa in, so he held that in one hand. The guard held the lantern and followed him in.Alas, we couldn't do as much as we'd have liked in our hour together. He smiled at me, and I saw it, despite how his face was thrown into shadow by the bobbing lantern light, and how the rest of the light dazzled me a little, though the lantern was turned low."Drink this," he ordered me. "I've gone to a lot of trouble."I knew his gruff words hid his concern. Silus Smith was my boyfriend, and our magic was sewn together. I could always sense his arrival at the prison, and when he drew closer. It made me feel a little more alive. When he was far away, I sometimes thought dark things, and wondered if he would abandon me after all — cut the ties between us as easily as he had once snapped them, and leave me on my own to face the wrath of the magical ministry and the whole justice system come down on my head.I had been involved with a man of the magical ministry, Bauer, who had turned, who had been working towards his own ends. He'd interfered with and contaminated a number of cases, not to mention stolen things and interfered with the law. Bauer was set to be locked away for life, after they got the information they needed from him.I was imprisoned for an indeterminate amount of time, perhaps forever, in a cell in which I could not touch my magic, nor even have light most of the time. less