Of Mages and Makers (Mage Maker, #1)

Of Mages and Makers, the debut novel from author Rel Carroll, is a gaslamp romantic fantasy set in a vibrant world with magic, manners, witty banter, some lighthearted thievery, and a swoon-worthy scarlet pimpernel! Mr. Art Keays has one goal in life: to appear as useless as possible. But when his sister recklessly unveils a dangerous new invention at the Maker Exhibitions, an elite competition for the coveted title of maker, and her blueprints are stolen, Art is forced to intervene or risk losing everything he pretends not to care about. With an unwelcome mage looking over his shoulder and a looming timeline to find and return the blueprints to the queen, all clues point to a suspicious carriage conveying a most delightful obstacle. Miss Audrey Clune longs to be Robin Renegade, the fearless heroine from the old adventure stories. In real life, however, her choices are rather limited. Before accepting a sudden proposal from the man of her grandmother's choosing, Audrey sets out on one last journey to visit her beloved aunt. But when her carriage is ambushed by two mysterious highwaymen, she embraces a novel world of industry and magic with opportunity for adventure far greater than she imagined. As both Audrey and Art playact different roles in society, the "honest truth" is a precious commodity, especially when dangerous secrets come to light and power has terrible consequences. "A delightful debut packed with airship pirates, untrustworthy mages, stolen inventions, and just the right touch of sweet romance. This cozy blend of steampunk and magic with original worldbuilding and an engaging cast of characters had me hooked." - Jacquelyn Benson, author of Empire of Shadows