cover image Noble Metals

Noble Metals

L.A. Witt. Riptide (riptidepublishing.com), $4.99 e-book (196p) ISBN 978-1-62649-143-4

Science and romance collide in Witt's tale of love, lust, and ambition in the Klondike gold fields, where one prospector is looking for something far more precious. Dr. John Fauth needs a large supply of platinum if he is going to continue his research and save himself from becoming a laughingstock in front of his academic colleagues. He is joined by Robert Belton, a man whose gambling debts drive him into prostitution%E2%80%94and John's bed. Witt handles the twists and turns of the tale deftly, and the steampunk tech fuses seamlessly with the historical setting, never overshadowing the plot. The "love conquers all" ending feels a touch pat: the barriers to John and Robert's relationship are never satisfactorily eliminated, and their happy-ever-after raises the question of how Witt will generate tension for sequels. The compelling narrative is let down by a rushed ending, but this is still an intriguing start to a series that shows promise. (July)