If you fancy a bit of light spirited fun with Victorian setting then the parasol protectorate books by Gail Carriger may just what your looking for. Well written and creative they have vampires, werewolves and a bit of steam punk all at once. Throw in a mystery and some adventure and you get the Parasol Protectorate series.

The series starts with “Soulless” in which we meet Alexia Tarabotti who struggles to be a proper Victorian lady while hindered by her spinster status and of course her soulless nature. A run in with a vampire starts off her adventure and then she gets off on the wrong foot with Lord Maccon who serves not just for Queen and country but is also pack leader of a local group of werewolves.

I looked at the first book in the series at least a half dozen times on the shelf before I bought it. I wasn’t sure what a soulless was and I’m not always keen on some of the recent spat of books with vampires or werewolves. I decided to risk it and was glad I did. My guess is that the books will appeal more to women readers. It has a bit of a love story and many details about clothing and interiors that may not appeal to men. The whole series will make great light summer reading or spirit lifting winter reading for that matter. I recommend this for quick read when you want something light and a little bit fluffy. Start with Soulless and work your way through all five.

The other books in the series are Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and Timeless.