Brother's Ruin

Elements of steampunk pepper Newman's new series opener, set in 1850 Great Britain, but the gothic-style romance and generous helping of magic are what will draw teens. Attractive and self-assured, Charlotte Gunn is passionate about her work as an artist and plans to marry the dependable young man who's been courting her. But she is harboring dangerous secrets, including powerful magical abilities that are becoming harder to keep concealed. If the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts learns the truth, Charlotte will be forced into a life of servitude. Staying under the radar indefinitely is becoming increasingly unlikely, though, especially when her father can't pay off his debts. He intends to collect the past due amount by selling Charlotte's brother to the Royal Society as a mage. But her brother has little if any talent. When Charlotte discovers the debtor's deadly prison cell for clientele who can't pay up, she knows she must deal directly with the society to cover for her brother and save her father. Worse still, one of the members of the society may be linked to her father's debtors. Plus, another, disarmingly handsome member is taking particular interest in Charlotte. This is a satisfying story full of enticing possibilities and a promise of more to come.