by 
Book Details:
Title: Chasing the Star Garden: The Airship Racing Chronicles (Volume 1)
Author: Melanie Karsak
Title: Chasing the Star Garden: The Airship Racing Chronicles (Volume 1)
Author: Melanie Karsak
- Series: The Airship Racing Chronicles
Publication Date: November 14, 2013
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Page Count: 314 Pages
Blurb:
An
opium-addicted beauty.
opium-addicted beauty.
An infamous poet
living in self-imposed exile.
living in self-imposed exile.
An ancient
treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.
treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.
Melanie Karsak’s
Chasing the Star Garden takes
readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored
waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a lovable but reckless airship
racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges
into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan
Brown meets Mary Shelley.
Chasing the Star Garden takes
readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored
waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a lovable but reckless airship
racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges
into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan
Brown meets Mary Shelley.
It all begins on
one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To
top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her
pants, told her to fly to Venice,
then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the
answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium.
one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To
top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her
pants, told her to fly to Venice,
then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the
answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium.
Lily’s lover,
Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart
of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love
and the stars along the way.
Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart
of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love
and the stars along the way.
Excerpt:
Chapter 1
I was going to
lose-again. I gripped the brass handles on the wheel and turned the airship
sharply port. The tiller vibrated in protest making the wheel shake and my
wrist bones ache. Bracing my knees against the spokes, I tore off my brown
leather gloves to get a better feel. The metal handgrips were smooth and cold.
My fingers tingled from the chill.
lose-again. I gripped the brass handles on the wheel and turned the airship
sharply port. The tiller vibrated in protest making the wheel shake and my
wrist bones ache. Bracing my knees against the spokes, I tore off my brown
leather gloves to get a better feel. The metal handgrips were smooth and cold.
My fingers tingled from the chill.
“Easy,” I
whispered to the Stargazer. I looked up from my position at the
wheelstand, past the ropes, burner basket, and balloon, toward the clouds. They
were drifting slowly left in a periwinkle blue sky. There’d be an updraft as we
passed over the green-brown waters of the canal near Buckingham House. I locked
the wheel and jumped from the wheelstand onto the deck of the gondola and
looked over the rail. The canal waters were a hundred feet away. I ran back to
the wheel and steadied the ship. If I caught the updraft, it would propel me up
and forward and give me an edge.
whispered to the Stargazer. I looked up from my position at the
wheelstand, past the ropes, burner basket, and balloon, toward the clouds. They
were drifting slowly left in a periwinkle blue sky. There’d be an updraft as we
passed over the green-brown waters of the canal near Buckingham House. I locked
the wheel and jumped from the wheelstand onto the deck of the gondola and
looked over the rail. The canal waters were a hundred feet away. I ran back to
the wheel and steadied the ship. If I caught the updraft, it would propel me up
and forward and give me an edge.
“Cutter caught
it, Lily,” Jessup yelled down from the burner basket below the balloon opening.
“Up he goes,” he added, looking out through his spyglass. The gold polish on
the spyglass reflected the fire from the burner.
it, Lily,” Jessup yelled down from the burner basket below the balloon opening.
“Up he goes,” he added, looking out through his spyglass. The gold polish on
the spyglass reflected the fire from the burner.
“Dammit!” I
snapped down my binocular lense. I saw Hank Cutter’s red-and-white striped
balloon rise upward. At the top, he pitched forward with great momentum,
catching a horizontal wind. I could just make out Cutter at the wheel. His
blond hair blew wildly around him. He turned and waved to me. Wanker.
snapped down my binocular lense. I saw Hank Cutter’s red-and-white striped
balloon rise upward. At the top, he pitched forward with great momentum,
catching a horizontal wind. I could just make out Cutter at the wheel. His
blond hair blew wildly around him. He turned and waved to me. Wanker.
I was not as
lucky. Just as the bow of the Stargazer reached the water, a stray wind
came in and blew us leeward. The balloon jiggled violently in the turbulent
air. I missed the air pocket altogether.
lucky. Just as the bow of the Stargazer reached the water, a stray wind
came in and blew us leeward. The balloon jiggled violently in the turbulent
air. I missed the air pocket altogether.
“No! No, no,
no!” I cursed and steadied the ship. I had chased Cutter from Edinburgh across the Scottish and English
countryside. He had been off his game all day. I’d had him by half a mile the
entire race. With the bottom feeders lingering somewhere in the distance behind
us, I’d thought the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix would be mine.
That was until St. Albans, where Cutter caught
a random breeze that pushed him slightly in front of me. Cutter had a knack for
catching favorable winds; it was not a talent I shared.
no!” I cursed and steadied the ship. I had chased Cutter from Edinburgh across the Scottish and English
countryside. He had been off his game all day. I’d had him by half a mile the
entire race. With the bottom feeders lingering somewhere in the distance behind
us, I’d thought the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix would be mine.
That was until St. Albans, where Cutter caught
a random breeze that pushed him slightly in front of me. Cutter had a knack for
catching favorable winds; it was not a talent I shared.
“We’re coming up
on Westminster,”
Jessup yelled down from the basket. “Lily, drop altitude. Cutter is too high.
Come in low and fast, and you might overtake him.”
on Westminster,”
Jessup yelled down from the basket. “Lily, drop altitude. Cutter is too high.
Come in low and fast, and you might overtake him.”
The airship
towers sat at the pier near the Palace
of Westminster along the Thames. A carnival atmosphere had overtaken the city as
it always does on race day. Colorful tents were set up everywhere. Vendors
hawked their wares to excited Londoners and international visitors. I could
hear the merchants barking from their tents even from this far above. I fancied
I could smell roasted peanuts in the wind.
towers sat at the pier near the Palace
of Westminster along the Thames. A carnival atmosphere had overtaken the city as
it always does on race day. Colorful tents were set up everywhere. Vendors
hawked their wares to excited Londoners and international visitors. I could
hear the merchants barking from their tents even from this far above. I fancied
I could smell roasted peanuts in the wind.
I jumped down
from the wheelstand, ran across the deck, and pulled the valve cord, opening
the flap at the top of the balloon. Hot air released with a hiss. I kept one
eye on the balloon and another eye on Tinkers’ Tower. At this time of day, the
heat coming off of the Palace
of Westminster and
Tinkers’ Tower would give us a bump. I looked up. Cutter had started preparing
his descent. It would be close.
from the wheelstand, ran across the deck, and pulled the valve cord, opening
the flap at the top of the balloon. Hot air released with a hiss. I kept one
eye on the balloon and another eye on Tinkers’ Tower. At this time of day, the
heat coming off of the Palace
of Westminster and
Tinkers’ Tower would give us a bump. I looked up. Cutter had started preparing
his descent. It would be close.
I ran back to
the wheel.
the wheel.
“Angus, I need
more speed,” I yelled down to the gear galley, rapping on the wooden hatch that
led to the rods, belts, and propeller parts below.
more speed,” I yelled down to the gear galley, rapping on the wooden hatch that
led to the rods, belts, and propeller parts below.
Angus slapped
open the hatch and stuck out his bald head. His face was covered in grease, and
his blue-lense monocle glimmered in the sunlight. He looked up at the clouds
and back at me.
open the hatch and stuck out his bald head. His face was covered in grease, and
his blue-lense monocle glimmered in the sunlight. He looked up at the clouds
and back at me.
“Let’s giddyup,”
I called to him.
I called to him.
“You trying the
Tower sling?” he yelled back.
Tower sling?” he yelled back.
“You got it.”
He laughed
wildly. “That’s my lassie,” he yelled and dropped back down, pulling the wood
hatch closed with a clap. I heard the gears grind, and the propeller, which had
been turning nice and steady, began to hum loudly. The ship pitched forward.
Within moments, we were coming up on Tinkers’ Tower. The airship towers were
just a stone’s throw away.
wildly. “That’s my lassie,” he yelled and dropped back down, pulling the wood
hatch closed with a clap. I heard the gears grind, and the propeller, which had
been turning nice and steady, began to hum loudly. The ship pitched forward.
Within moments, we were coming up on Tinkers’ Tower. The airship towers were
just a stone’s throw away.
I aimed the ship
directly toward Tinkers’ Tower. Just as the bowsprit neared the clock, I yanked
the wheel. The warm air caught us.
directly toward Tinkers’ Tower. Just as the bowsprit neared the clock, I yanked
the wheel. The warm air caught us.
“Whoa!” Jessup
yelled as the balloon moved within arm’s length of the tower.
yelled as the balloon moved within arm’s length of the tower.
The sound of
“Ohhs!” echoed from the crowd below.
“Ohhs!” echoed from the crowd below.
A mix of warm
air and propulsion gave us some go, and seconds later we were slingshotting
around Tinkers’ Tower toward the airship platforms. Gliding in on warm air and
momentum, we flew fast and low.
air and propulsion gave us some go, and seconds later we were slingshotting
around Tinkers’ Tower toward the airship platforms. Gliding in on warm air and
momentum, we flew fast and low.
Cutter had kept
it high, but now he was dropping like a stone toward his own tower. Damned
American. I didn’t blame him; I would have used the same move. His balloon was
releasing so much air that I wondered if he would be able to slow down in time,
not that I would have minded seeing him smash to the ground in a million
pieces.
it high, but now he was dropping like a stone toward his own tower. Damned
American. I didn’t blame him; I would have used the same move. His balloon was
releasing so much air that I wondered if he would be able to slow down in time,
not that I would have minded seeing him smash to the ground in a million
pieces.
“It’s going to
be close,” Jessup yelled as he adjusted the heat pan.
be close,” Jessup yelled as he adjusted the heat pan.
I guided the
helm. The Stargazer was temperamental, but we understood one another. A
shake of the wheel warned me I was pushing too hard. “Almost there,” I
whispered to the ship.
helm. The Stargazer was temperamental, but we understood one another. A
shake of the wheel warned me I was pushing too hard. “Almost there,” I
whispered to the ship.
The Grand Prix
Marshalls were standing on the platform. Cutter and I had the end towers. I was
going to make it.
Marshalls were standing on the platform. Cutter and I had the end towers. I was
going to make it.
“Cut
propulsion,” I yelled toward the gear galley. On the floor near the wheelstand,
a rope led to a bell in the galley. I rang it twice. The propeller switched
off.
propulsion,” I yelled toward the gear galley. On the floor near the wheelstand,
a rope led to a bell in the galley. I rang it twice. The propeller switched
off.
A soft, sweet
wind blew in from the port side. It ruffled my hair around my shoulders. I
closed my eyes and turned the wheel slightly starboard, guiding the ship in.
Moments later, I heard a jubilant cheer erupt from the American side and an
explosion from the firework cannon signaling the winner had been declared. My
eyes popped open. I tore off my goggles and looked starboard. Cutter’s balloon
was docked. I threw the goggles onto the deck and set my forehead against the
wheel.
wind blew in from the port side. It ruffled my hair around my shoulders. I
closed my eyes and turned the wheel slightly starboard, guiding the ship in.
Moments later, I heard a jubilant cheer erupt from the American side and an
explosion from the firework cannon signaling the winner had been declared. My
eyes popped open. I tore off my goggles and looked starboard. Cutter’s balloon
was docked. I threw the goggles onto the deck and set my forehead against the
wheel.
The Stargazer
settled into her dock. Jessup set the balloon on hover and, grabbing a rope,
swung down to the deck. He then threw the lead lines and anchors onto the
platform. The beautifully dressed crowd, gentlemen in suits and top hats and
fancy ladies in a rainbow of satin gowns carrying parasols, rushed toward the
American end of the platform to congratulate the winner.
settled into her dock. Jessup set the balloon on hover and, grabbing a rope,
swung down to the deck. He then threw the lead lines and anchors onto the
platform. The beautifully dressed crowd, gentlemen in suits and top hats and
fancy ladies in a rainbow of satin gowns carrying parasols, rushed toward the
American end of the platform to congratulate the winner.
I was, once
again, a national disgrace. Lily the loser. Lily second place. Perhaps I would
never be anything more than a ferrywoman, a cheap air jockey.
again, a national disgrace. Lily the loser. Lily second place. Perhaps I would
never be anything more than a ferrywoman, a cheap air jockey.
“Good job, Lily.
Second place!” Jessup said joining me. He patted me on the shoulder.
Second place!” Jessup said joining me. He patted me on the shoulder.
I sighed deeply
and unbuttoned my vest. The tension had me sweating; I could feel it dripping
down from my neck, between my breasts, into my corset.
and unbuttoned my vest. The tension had me sweating; I could feel it dripping
down from my neck, between my breasts, into my corset.
“You did great,”
I told Jessup. “Sorry I let you down.”
I told Jessup. “Sorry I let you down.”
“Ah, Lily,” he
sighed.
sighed.
Angus emerged
from below wiping sweat from his head with a greasy rag. He pulled off his
monocle. He frowned toward the American side. “Well, we beat the French,” he
said with a shrug and kissed me on the cheek, smearing grease on me.
from below wiping sweat from his head with a greasy rag. He pulled off his
monocle. He frowned toward the American side. “Well, we beat the French,” he
said with a shrug and kissed me on the cheek, smearing grease on me.
“Good job, Angus. Thank you,” I said, taking
him by the chin and giving him a little shake as I wrinkled my nose and smiled
at him.
him by the chin and giving him a little shake as I wrinkled my nose and smiled
at him.
Angus laughed
and dropped his arm around Jessup’s shoulders. They grinned happily at one
another.
and dropped his arm around Jessup’s shoulders. They grinned happily at one
another.
“You stink,
brother,” Jessup told him.
brother,” Jessup told him.
“It’s a wee bit
toasty down there. Besides, I pedaled this ship across the entire fucking
country while you were up here looking at the birds. That, my friend, is the
smell of success.”
toasty down there. Besides, I pedaled this ship across the entire fucking
country while you were up here looking at the birds. That, my friend, is the
smell of success.”
I laughed.
“You pedaled the
ship?” Jessup asked mockingly. “Like Lil and I were just up here playing cards?
If I didn’t keep the balloon aloft, your ass would be kissing the ground.”
ship?” Jessup asked mockingly. “Like Lil and I were just up here playing cards?
If I didn’t keep the balloon aloft, your ass would be kissing the ground.”
“Now wait a
minute. Are you saying your job is more important that mine?” Angus retorted.
minute. Are you saying your job is more important that mine?” Angus retorted.
I could see
where this was going. “Gents.”
where this was going. “Gents.”
“More important?
Now why would I say that? Just because I’m the one . . .” Jessup started and
then his mouth ran.
Now why would I say that? Just because I’m the one . . .” Jessup started and
then his mouth ran.
“Gents.”
“ . . . and
another thing . . .” Jessup went on.
another thing . . .” Jessup went on.
“Gentlemen! Our
audience awaits,” I said cutting them both off, motioning to the well-shod
crowd who waited for us on the loading platform outside the Stargazer.
audience awaits,” I said cutting them both off, motioning to the well-shod
crowd who waited for us on the loading platform outside the Stargazer.
I grinned at my
crew. “Come on. Let’s go.”
crew. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I patted the
rail of the Stargazer. “Thanks,” I whispered to her, and we exited onto
the platform.
rail of the Stargazer. “Thanks,” I whispered to her, and we exited onto
the platform.
A reporter from
the London Times and several race officials stood waiting for me.
the London Times and several race officials stood waiting for me.
“Well done,
Lily! Well done!” the British race official congratulated me with a pat on the
back. “Second place! King George will be so proud. One of these days you’ll
have it, by God.”
Lily! Well done!” the British race official congratulated me with a pat on the
back. “Second place! King George will be so proud. One of these days you’ll
have it, by God.”
I was pretty
sure that the last thing I needed was the attention of George IV, the
extravagant, unpopular lush. But I bit my tongue and smiled politely.
sure that the last thing I needed was the attention of George IV, the
extravagant, unpopular lush. But I bit my tongue and smiled politely.
“Lily, how did
Cutter beat you? You led the entire race,” the reporter asked. She was a round
woman wearing a very thick black lace collar that looked like it was choking
her. Her heavy purple walking dress looked hot under the late afternoon summer
sun, and the brim of her black satin cap barely shaded her nose. I noticed,
however, that she had a small clockwork fan pin attached to her chest. The fan
wagged cool air toward her face.
Cutter beat you? You led the entire race,” the reporter asked. She was a round
woman wearing a very thick black lace collar that looked like it was choking
her. Her heavy purple walking dress looked hot under the late afternoon summer
sun, and the brim of her black satin cap barely shaded her nose. I noticed,
however, that she had a small clockwork fan pin attached to her chest. The fan
wagged cool air toward her face.
I pulled off my
cap, mopped my forehead, and thought about the question. “Luck,” I replied.
cap, mopped my forehead, and thought about the question. “Luck,” I replied.
“Lily, that was
some move around Tinkers’ Tower. How did you learn to do that?” another
reporter asked.
some move around Tinkers’ Tower. How did you learn to do that?” another
reporter asked.
“My father,” I
lied.
lied.
“Make way, make
way,” one of the race officials called, ushering a Marshall forward.
way,” one of the race officials called, ushering a Marshall forward.
The Marshall
looked like someone who lingered an hour too long at supper. The gold buttons
on his satin, marigold colored vest would take an eye out if they popped. His
overly tall top hat was adorned with a ring of flowers that matched his
striking orange colored dress coat.
looked like someone who lingered an hour too long at supper. The gold buttons
on his satin, marigold colored vest would take an eye out if they popped. His
overly tall top hat was adorned with a ring of flowers that matched his
striking orange colored dress coat.
“Miss Stargazer,
congratulations,” he said, shaking my hand. “The Spanish airship is coming in
now. Will you please join Mr. Cutter at the winners’ podium?” he asked politely
as he guided me forward by the hand.
congratulations,” he said, shaking my hand. “The Spanish airship is coming in
now. Will you please join Mr. Cutter at the winners’ podium?” he asked politely
as he guided me forward by the hand.
From below there
was a commotion. A man dressed in an unusual costume rushed up the stairs. The
London constables, a full squadron of the Bow Street Runners, chased him. When
he got to the loading platform, the man pushed through a crowd of well-dressed
ladies and gentlemen, many of whom were gentry. It was then I could see he was
dressed as a harlequin. He wore the traditional red and black checked outfit
and a black mask. He scanned the towers until he caught sight of me. He jumped,
landing on the tower railing, and ran toward me. A woman in the crowd screamed.
Moments later the constables appeared on the platform. The race Marshalls
pointed toward the harlequin who was making a beeline for me.
was a commotion. A man dressed in an unusual costume rushed up the stairs. The
London constables, a full squadron of the Bow Street Runners, chased him. When
he got to the loading platform, the man pushed through a crowd of well-dressed
ladies and gentlemen, many of whom were gentry. It was then I could see he was
dressed as a harlequin. He wore the traditional red and black checked outfit
and a black mask. He scanned the towers until he caught sight of me. He jumped,
landing on the tower railing, and ran toward me. A woman in the crowd screamed.
Moments later the constables appeared on the platform. The race Marshalls
pointed toward the harlequin who was making a beeline for me.
I let go of the
Marshall’s hand and stepped back toward the ship.
Marshall’s hand and stepped back toward the ship.
“Lily,” Jessup
warned, moving protectively toward me.
warned, moving protectively toward me.
Angus reached
over the deck of the Stargazer and grabbed a very large wrench.
over the deck of the Stargazer and grabbed a very large wrench.
Was it an
assassin? Christ, would someone murder me for winning second place? I turned
and ran toward the Stargazer. A moment later, the harlequin flipped from
the rail, grabbed one of the Stargazer’s ropes, and swinging over the others, landed on the platform
directly in front of me. Any second now, I would be dead.
assassin? Christ, would someone murder me for winning second place? I turned
and ran toward the Stargazer. A moment later, the harlequin flipped from
the rail, grabbed one of the Stargazer’s ropes, and swinging over the others, landed on the platform
directly in front of me. Any second now, I would be dead.
He panted and
muttered “Lily?” from behind the mask.
muttered “Lily?” from behind the mask.
“Stop that man!
Stop him!” a constable yelled.
Stop him!” a constable yelled.
“Get out of my
way!” Angus roared at the crowd that had thronged in between us.
way!” Angus roared at the crowd that had thronged in between us.
The masked man
grabbed me, tugged on the front of my trousers, and leaned into my ear. The
long nose of the mask tickled the side of my face. “Go to Venice,” he whispered
as he stuffed something down the front of my pants.
grabbed me, tugged on the front of my trousers, and leaned into my ear. The
long nose of the mask tickled the side of my face. “Go to Venice,” he whispered
as he stuffed something down the front of my pants.
“We got you
now,” a constable said, grabbing him, raising his club.
now,” a constable said, grabbing him, raising his club.
The man shook
him off, took two steps backward, and with a jump, leapt off the tower.
him off, took two steps backward, and with a jump, leapt off the tower.
Several people
in the crowd screamed.
in the crowd screamed.
I rushed to the
side of the tower to see the harlequin lying at its base. His body was twisted,
and his arms and legs bent oddly, contorted into three distinct points. Blood
began pooling around him.
side of the tower to see the harlequin lying at its base. His body was twisted,
and his arms and legs bent oddly, contorted into three distinct points. Blood
began pooling around him.
“Miss Stargazer,
are you all right?” a constable asked.
are you all right?” a constable asked.
“A man just
killed himself in front of me. No, I am not all right.”
killed himself in front of me. No, I am not all right.”
“I mean, are you
harmed? Did he hurt you?”
harmed? Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head
and looked down at the mangled body which lay in the shape of a three-sided
triskelion. It was the same symbol that was painted on the balloon of the Stargazer.
and looked down at the mangled body which lay in the shape of a three-sided
triskelion. It was the same symbol that was painted on the balloon of the Stargazer.
About the author:
Melanie Karsak grew up in rural
northwestern Pennsylvania where there wasn’t much to do but read books and go
for hikes. She wrote her first novel, a gripping piece about a 1920s stage
actress, when she was 12. Today, Melanie, a steampunk connoisseur, white
elephant collector, and caffeine junkie, lives in Florida with her husband and
two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.
Twitter:
twitter.com/MelanieKarsak
twitter.com/MelanieKarsak
Email:
melanie@clockpunkpress.com
melanie@clockpunkpress.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieKarsak
www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieKarsak
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/melaniekarsak/
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