Hi, Reader. Welcome back. This is the newsletter of author Juli D. Revezzo, and you're here because (likely) you joined my list from some point in the recent past. What's on my mind today? Well, portable forges. Why? Well, this question came up about my steampunk romance Vesta's Clockwork Companions. “Wait. Why portable forges? What's a portable forge?”

Well, when I was planning Vesta's Clockwork Companions, I knew Vesta's father is a blacksmith, and blacksmiths work with forges. Generally, something the size of barn stall, right?

Problem? Vesta and her father left their home in Texas at the beginning of the book to become guests in their friends’ London home. What their friends lacked was…. You guessed it, a forge.

I had to do something because Vesta, you might know, is working (present tense) on clockwork, and she needs to forge parts for her creations. Alas, back in 1890s, they didn’t have cute little kilns (like my sister-in-law uses for her fused glass creations!).

This one, from the 1860s, was similar to what I thought they could use, but still too big.

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I looked around even more, and found this video on Youtube called Portable Blacksmith Forge by the channel Homestead Pilgrim, you can go check it out if you like.

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His forge looked pretty big to me.

But Vesta is petite, and basically working out of her friend's parlor. Don't believe me? Here’s the scene, the boy she’s promised to just left after a visit and her father joins her in the parlor:

“Percy’s gone already? I thought he’d stay at least a little while longer. At least long enough for a kiss.”

Vesta frowned. “Father! What improper imp appropriated your brain?”

He winked at her. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I offend my squeamish daughter? I meant to say I expected he’d stay long enough for you two to stargaze—at least long enough to share afternoon tea.” He rubbed his hands. “Well, then. If he’s gone, then I can get some real work done.”

Vesta talked on as she watched him go to his forge, settle himself, and release a small column of flame, to which he added a drop of aether. “It was preposterous, Daddy.” The column hung suspended over the iron hearth pan, sparkled purple-blue, then green, then white. “They were quite rude in their feelings about the woman. It’s unfair, I tell you.”

She needed to get her mind off the Colchesters’ actions this morning and so set up her own little forge on another empty table. Calming herself, she pushed the distractions of the day, the week, even her minute doubts about this attempt into tiny compartments in her mind.

She lit a flame as he did, just tapping the pan with intent. But the flare wasn’t as bright as her father produced, only rising from the pan about three inches. Still, it might be suitable for creating a hinge or an earring.

“That’s a good try, my princess. You’re getting better.”

She didn’t realize he’d come up behind her. She let the fire fade. “I’m not as good as I’d like to be.”

“Well, who says you might ever need to power a whole steam engine like I did?”

“One never knows.”

Interesting, isn’t it? Did you know these existed in the 19th century? How in the world did they not burn the drapes? Their alchemists, and that's well, a tad like being a wizard. Plainly, they can control the fire so it won't burn the drapes. ;) You'll just have to see how else they use it for yourself.

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If you'd like to read more of Vesta's Clockwork Companions, you can find it here : https://storyoriginapp.com/universalbooklinks/943beaaa-4349-11e9-9b50-ebb45c825acd​

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Also, I have a giveaway for you:

This one was rescheduled from the newsletter before. Thank you, Katie, for letting me know! :) Anywho, the Clean Historical Fiction giveaway runs through May 31:

Check it out here.

and finally, the

The All Things, Squeaky Clean sale. Check this one out here.

Enjoy.

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I've got one special guest for you today. Wrought in Fire by Abi Barden:
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Capability Jones fed the analytical engine data and coal, believing each day brought her closer to freedom—until it calculated her womb as property. They both miscalculated.

She clawed out of her Welsh mining home, abandoning family, fiancé, and the life mapped out for her. Education was supposed to be salvation. But freedom just became another word for alone. When her friends vanish and her name appears on the breeding program's list, she realizes she didn't escape the mines—she traded one darkness for another.

The Emissary rescues her in his airship, offering purpose: Stop the analytical engines from reducing humanity to data points and breeding stock.

But the mission demands she return to everything she fled. Face her family. Confront the man who loved her. Acknowledge the devastating truth: maybe the trap wasn't the life she left behind. Maybe it was believing she had to choose at all.

Now Capability stands between two burning futures: Freedom or connection. Can she save herself and humanity?

Analytical engines deal in absolutes. The human heart doesn't.

A standalone steampunk adventure of intrigue, danger, and second chances. So steam along and buy your copy today! (Note: Clicking her cover should open the link for you).

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this peek into Vesta’s world. Have a great day!

Best wishes,

Juli

PS. If the salutation didn't include your first name, and you would like it to, click the "update your profile" link below.

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