Alex McGilvery

Author:
Alex McGilvery has been reading since before he can remember, and writing almost that long. He has published 18 books and is author and editor at his imprint Celticfrog Publishing. He lives in Kamloops with his dog and the stories clawing their way out of his head.

They’re chasing a myth in the name of science.

Calliope works for her explorer father as an artist, recording what he brings back from his journeys in her sketchbooks. When she’s given a chance to go along on a trip to capture a sea serpent she doesn’t hesitate.

Life at sea isn't what she expected, and she ends up fascinated by the engine room of the steamship HMRV Peregrine. A tragedy makes her assistant engineer, but Pentam, her father’s protégé, is even more determined than her father to make Cal a fine lady. That means protecting her from danger, even if it drives her crazy.
When science and legend collide, Cal is the one who must take up the challenge of survival, even if it means risking her new-found feelings for Pentam.

Calliope

Crysabel fussed with the finishing touches on the gown Cal was wearing to the Lord Admiral's Summer Ball.


"It is too bad you keep your hair so short; there isn't much I can do with it."


"That's entirely the point." Cal grinned. "I don't have the time to fuss."


"It suits you." Crysabel poked through the jewellery box on Cal's dresser. "You must have something to add.


"I'm not much for jewelry," Cal shrugged.  "Most of those were my mother's and I can't bear to get rid of them."


"What about this?" Crysabel held up a tiny lens set in brass hanging from a chain.


"Pentam gave that to me." Cal took the chain and looked more closely at the lens. "I used it to see tiny details for my sketches; when I came ashore I must have put it in the box."


Crysabel slipped the chain over Cal's head. It gleamed on the black satin bodice.


Chapter 33: New Connections Part 2