Delia’s Heartthrob (Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 2)

Gadzooks! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching — what’s a scientist to do? Edward knows naught of romance. Can steam power prevail over chocolates to win Delia’s heart?

The second story in my queer, polyamorous erotic romance Steampunk series, The Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles.

PRE-ORDER LIVE!
Published by Viridium Press, 2026.
Purchase ebook: Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Amazon Australia
Apple Books * Barnes & Noble/Nook Press
Eden Books * Google Play
Kobo USA, Kobo Canada, Kobo Australia, Kobo New Zealand, Kobo UK, Kobo Ireland, Kobo South Africa, Kobo Worldwide
Smashwords * Tolino * Books2Read
Coming February 2026: Request from your local library & read for free!

Delia’s Heartthrob by Regina Kammer

The stress of looming deadlines threatens to thwart any Valentine’s Day plans Professor Edward Ockham might have for his assistant — and lover — Delia Bennett. Compounding the tension, Edward insists the two maintain professional restraint once the workday begins at the Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory. But testing erotic machines with a formal demeanor proves to be quite challenging for Edward — and terribly frustrating for Delia. Something’s got to give. Will Edward find the inspiration to melt his icy reserve?

Delia’s Heartthrob continues the Steampunk workplace-romance-with-a-rom-com-vibe series as our nerdy engineer suffers a crisis regarding how best to woo his tantalizing assistant. The 6,000-word short is the second story in The Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles, a queer, polyamorous, Steampunk romance series of nine short stories set in an alternate Victorian world meant to be read in order.

Sexy fun includes: erotic Steampunk machines, role play, semi-public sex
Tropes include: workplace romance, Valentine’s Day

The Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles

In an imagined Newcastle, England, circa 1878, Professor Edward Ockham and Special Assistant Sebastian Broadchurch toil in obscurity at the Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory, creating unprofitable machines, and finding solace in each other’s arms.
Until new assistant Delia Bennett joins the lab, sparking unfamiliar desires and inspiring erotic inventions.

Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 1: One Cheek or Two?
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 2: Delia’s Heartthrob
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 3: Swing Follies
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 4: Before Delia, Part 1: The Revolution
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 5: Before Delia, Part 2: The Partnership
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 6: A Thrilling Combination
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 7: That Perfect Fit
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 8: [TBD]
Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory Chronicles 9: [TBD]

Inspiration for Delia’s Heartthrob

Read about the inspiration for the Ockham Steam-Works Laboratory chronicles and the machines in “Delia’s Heartthrob” in my blog post “Steampunk Inspiration (Part 2): Burning Man”.

Reviews for Delia’s Heartthrob

“It’s a humorous and sexy read and also a comedy of manners…Some very interesting Steampunk contraptions and characterisations make this read stand out.” — 4 stars from Tina Williams, A Reader’s Review Blog
“I found Ms. Kammer’s writing style to be engaging and her steam-punk world had a surprising amount of development. I highly recommend this story, even if you haven’t read the first one yet.” — Notes From ‘Round the Bend, Goodreads
“Loved the three characters involved in this one, it’s going to be fun to see where it leads.” — Erica Smith, A One-Click Addict’s Book Blog

Delia’s Heartthrob Excerpt

Read an excerpt on the Naughty Literati website.

Delia’s Heartthrob Older Editions

Naughty Phantasia: Eighteen Fabulous Fantasies, published by The Naughty Literati, 2017.
Sadly the paperback and ebook editions of Naughty Phantasia are no longer available. But check your bookshelves and ereaders to see if you already own it!

 
 

Naughty Hearts: Eleven Naughty Romance Stories, published by The Naughty Literati, 2015.
Purchase paperback: Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Barnes & Noble