Elena Harrington's widowed father rules her life with an iron fist. Even worse, he intends to force her into a loveless marriage in order to expand his business empire. An innocent bird trapped in a gilded cage, she can do naught but daydream about an adventurous life forever out of reach. Elena resigns herself to a doomed existence until the day she meets her father's dashing new employee. Daniel Miller is a brilliant inventor who crafts extraordinary devices... moreElena Harrington's widowed father rules her life with an iron fist. Even worse, he intends to force her into a loveless marriage in order to expand his business empire. An innocent bird trapped in a gilded cage, she can do naught but daydream about an adventurous life forever out of reach. Elena resigns herself to a doomed existence until the day she meets her father's dashing new employee. Daniel Miller is a brilliant inventor who crafts extraordinary devices. His astonishing machines fill her with delight. What else might this mysterious inventor have in store? Determined to find out, Elena begins visiting Daniel's workshop in secret. One hot, sultry night, he awakens her passion with all manner of sensual clockwork devices. Elena is certain she's discovered her soul mate. Then an unexpected danger threatens to derail not only their burgeoning romance, but also their very lives. Reader Alert! Lock the doors and loosen your drawers because you're about to experience an erotic adventure in forbidden romance, kinky clockwork sex toys, and a delightfully dark twist on the Happily Ever After. To My Readers: Thanks so very much for your interest in The Inventor's Wife! 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, and is the Releases Editor at Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly, a free SFR digital magazine for readers. She writes about the genre for Heroes & Heartbreakers and Coffee Time Romance. Additionally, her articles have been featured in Germany's LoveLetter magazine and at sites like SF Signal, Dear Author, and Tor.com. She’s also an author. Her stories will entertain you with fantastical settings, larger-than-life characters, timeless romance, and rollicking action. So sit back, relax, and pour yourself a cup of space java as the stories unfold. You deserve it. When Heather’s not reading or writing, she’s watching cult films and enjoying the company of her husband and daughter. The Inventor's Wife by Heather Massey EXCERPT Elena approached the inventor’s workshop flushed with anticipation. She clutched a tray of savory food, stepping carefully to avoid wayward roots. The silver dinnerware clinked as she navigated the dirt path. Scents of roasted chicken and fresh baked bread rose from the plates. Ahead lay the workshop. The enormous building—grey blue and built to complement the Georgian design of the main house—was flanked by dense forest on either side. Her father had ordered part of the grounds cleared especially for the inventor's needs. Lawrence Harrington, as usual, had grand plans. Plans, of course, that did not take his daughter's needs into consideration. She brushed aside the distressing thought. Before her, the immense double doors of the inventor’s workshop yawned wide open. Her heart raced. What kind of devices resided within? Miss Beaumont hadn’t questioned Elena at all when asked to surrender the tray. Elena gave silent thanks it was the new, young servant who had been ordered to deliver the food instead of Miss Farley, the head housekeeper. With her father away on business, now was the perfect time to investigate the inventor’s mysterious machines. Elena paused inside the doorway. "Hello? Mr. Miller? I’ve brought you dinner." No answer. She didn't hear anything else, either. Had he stepped out? She surmised he might be somewhere in town purchasing supplies. All the better for her, then! Elena couldn’t wait to begin exploring. She set the tray down on a nearby worktable. less