*Book 2: Ardent Ascension, is now available!**Cygnus Award Winner for 1st Place Young-Adult/Steampunk.*An improbable partnership. An unforgettable love.City Prosper is not an ordinary city. It hides a secret; a secret upheld by the ancients to protect its citizens from a horrific darkness.Brimming with steam-driven engines and carriages, City Prosper has been home to Lily Emerson, privileged daughter of the current Mistress of Science and Head of Council. For eighteen years, Lily has been oblivious to City Prosper's origin or location; oblivious to the corruption of the Council and the oppression of the citizens. On the night of Lily's coronation to become the next Mistress of Science, she begins to see the injustice surrounding her, seemingly led by her own parents. In a desperate attempt to stop the cycle of corruption and free the citizens from oppression, Lily makes the rash and dangerous decision to renounce her title and volunteer for the upcoming Barrage. A battle of sectors allowing the winners to change the Law governing City Prosper.In her quest for justice, Lily teams up with Xander, an Engineering Blacksmith raised in the outskirts of City Prosper. Equipped with his master engineering skills, natural street smarts, flawless fighting techniques, keen senses, and a unique ability to read people's aura, Xander becomes Lily's 'shadow', vowing to protect her eternally.Together they begin a journey into darkness and unknown worlds filled with epic battles, monstrous creatures, undying love and self-discovery.If you're a fan of fast-paced mature young-adult novels with action, adventure, and romance--then check out The Lotus Effect today!