Forbidden Love in 1850 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Briar Jones is a young engineer who invents a version of the typewriter. She has paid for a membership at the elite Franklin Institute to further her training and forge a career. But her world is not as promising as she envisioned. The men do not think she is a true engineer and that her work is nothing but a hobby. The twenty-fifth-anniversary celebration of the Franklin Institute is coming, and there will be a special exhibition. The competition is fierce, with three Benjamin Franklin silver medal awards on the line. Briar has two months to complete her typing device, or she cannot hope to enter the exhibition and win the award. If she wants to overcome gender prejudice in the engineering field, she needs that medal. Wages and bets from rival competitors are made, and Briar has no choice but to go to her secret admirer for assistance. What she doesn’t expect is a bloom of mutual love and a whole new world of technology.

Robert Socrates Abbott made a name for himself in Philadelphia. He developed revolutionary printing technology that changed the world of industry and communication. He’s a hero to young inventors and admired by his peers. He’s debonair, forward-thinking, and a major philanthropist for Philadelphia. But Robert realizes his empire is lonely when he has no one to share his success with. Briar changes his mind and heart with just one meeting. He is determined to help her win the Franklin Institute exhibition and earn her heart in the process. Fate isn’t so kind when an enemy from the past comes back to haunt Robert and attempts to destroy Briar’s chance to overtake the competition.

Join Briar and Robert on their expert and apprentice, age gap, forbidden love adventure as they navigate the world of science, society, and betrayal most foul.