Steampunk romance heroines are pretty special women. For one thing, they’re often progressive in terms of gender roles. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve met a heroine in this subgenre who wasn’t progressive in some way. Steampunk romance’s alternate world setting gives authors a lot of freedom to place heroines in new roles and situations.
Steampunk romance heroines are frequently part of the action. More often than not they can defend themselves handily with a weapon in the face of an enemy attack. Refreshingly, they’re engaged in occupations usually reserved for men (e.g., airship captain, scientist, spy). Not only that, but they’re outspoken, smart, and proactive.
Because there’s so much to love about steampunk romance heroines, I’ve rounded up seven who are at the top of their class. Take a look:
The heroine: Louisa Shaw from Zoe Archer’s Skies of Fire
Why she’s great: She’s a fearless British Naval Intelligence Agent who keeps a level head in the face of danger.
The heroine: Angelina Calamity from Angelia Sparrow’s Adventuress
Why she’s great: 1) She’s an airship pirate. 2) Hands down, she wears the coolest outfit ever.
The heroine: Dr. Geneva McKay from Cindy Spencer Pape’s Kilts and Kraken
Why she’s great: At a time when female medical professionals are much frowned upon, she doesn’t let anyone stop her from being the best physician she can be.
The heroine: Sophie Farrel from Melisse Aires’ Starlander’s Myth
Why she’s great: Sophie is a) a Gryphon shapeshifter and b) a mom (Never underestimate the power of maternal instinct!)
The heroine: Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth from Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke
Why she’s great: She’s an Asian female working in a man’s world but relishes the challenge. Plus, she’s not afraid of Rhys Trahaern, a.k.a. the fearsome Iron Duke.
The heroine: Miss Olivia Carstairs from Pauline Baird Jones’ Tangled in Time
Why she’s great: Olivia may be a prim and proper scientist’s assistant, but she has a flair for adventure. She also keeps an open mind, a handy trait when one’s time machine veers wildly off course.
The heroine: Jessaline Dumond from N.K. Jemisin’s The Effluent Engine
Why she’s great: She’s a Haitian undercover agent who’s willing to sacrifice everything for love.
The above list is only a taste of the types of available steampunk romance heroines and their adventures, but I hope it leaves you hungry for more. So we can continue the conversation, tell me about your favorite heroine(s)—from any genre!
Giveaway Time!
Leave a comment for this post and you’ll be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win a digital copy of Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts, my new Western steampunk romance from Lyrical Press!
* Winner’s choice PDF, ePub, or .mobi.
* The deadline to enter is 2/28/2013.
* Please include your email address and preferred format.
Now for the blurb:
The West just got a whole lot wilder.
A woman on a mission... Scientific achievement isn't enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits…until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet's father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.
A man with a secret... Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can't let Violet waltz into the villain's lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she's also the most compelling woman he's ever known.
A perilous quest... Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father's latest invention and the world's most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan's resistance isn't clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion's diabolical devices, and by then, it's far too late.
About the author
Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express.
She’s also an author in the subgenre. To learn more about her published work, visit www.heathermassey.com.
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