Claire de Lune: Dual Author Interview

How on earth (or elsewhere) did two authors from opposite sexes and opposite genres--science fiction and erotic romance--ever get to join forces for a sexy mystery novel set on the moon? Head on over to the lovely Beth Anderson's blog to find out.

Hint: I'm the manly sci-fi half. ("Who's scruffy-looking?")

In the meantime, here's the blurb for Claire de Lune, our daring eBook recently released at Amber Quill Press - Amber Heat. (Paperback coming soon).

CLAIRE DE LUNE by Sloane Taylor & Robert Appleton

You’re invited to the galaxy’s most prestigious beauty pageant. Clothing optional. Romance and danger…fully provided…

Cocky young detectives Gerry Rappeneau and Sebastian Thorpe-Campbell arrive at the premier lunar resort expecting a week of eye candy and long massages. With a half-billion-credit purse up for grabs, this year’s pageant is the focus of a hundred worlds. And beauty isn’t the only thing in the eye of the beholder.

One contestant, Evelyn Lyons, is attacked and her assailant killed. Surely a simple case of a stalker gone mad, as nothing bad ever happens at the Selene contest. So the brochure says.

The closer Gerry gets to Evelyn, the more he is convinced she’s hiding something. His meticulous character sparks with her wild, sassy nature, and they embark on a torrid affair. Their forbidden romance isn’t the only thing set to ignite in Pont de Reves.

Sebastian’s infatuation with demure Claire Villiers, another contestant, threatens to put all four of them in harm’s way. A deadly trail of corporate conspiracy, monstrous assassins and hot bikini wax is more than anyone bargained for in this incendiary erotic mystery. Get ready for some serious heat on the dark side of the moon.

See you there,

Robert

New Release: Claire de Lune

And the day has finally arrived! Pack your swimsuits, lingerie and shiniest evening attire for a lunar vacation you'll never forget. Sloane Taylor and I are proud to present our erotic sci-fi mystery CLAIRE DE LUNE, our first co-written novel at Amber Quill Press (Amber Heat).

BUY LINK (eBook available now, paperback coming mid-December)

You are invited to the galaxy’s most prestigious beauty pageant. Clothing optional. Romance and danger...fully provided...

Cocky young detectives Gerry Rappeneau and Sebastian Thorpe-Campbell arrive at the premier lunar resort expecting a week of eye candy and long massages. With a half-billion-credit purse up for grabs, this year’s pageant is the focus of a hundred worlds. And beauty isn’t the only thing in the eye of the beholder.

One contestant, Evelyn Lyons, is attacked and her assailant killed. Surely a simple case of a stalker gone mad, as nothing bad ever happens at the Selene contest. So the brochure says.

The closer Gerry gets to Evelyn, the more he is convinced she’s hiding something. His meticulous character sparks with her wild, sassy nature, and they embark on a torrid affair. Their forbidden romance isn’t the only thing set to ignite in Pont de Reves.

Sebastian’s infatuation with demure Claire Villiers, another contestant, threatens to put all four of them in harm’s way.

A deadly trail of corporate conspiracy, monstrous assassins and hot bikini wax is more than anyone bargained for in this incendiary erotic mystery. Get ready for some serious heat on the dark side of the moon.

Read an excerpt here.

The story's epic two-year journey from initial outline to finalized book is a pretty fascinating one. Over the next several weeks, we're going to share it with you at various chats and romance/sci-fi blogs, where we'll also post excerpts and talk about our other book releases (including another joint effort!). Check back soon for detailed schedule info, and don't forget to visit Sloane's fabulous website here. She's a master of sexy romance.

Hope you enjoy your lunar vacation!

Best,

Robert

Claire de Lune Cover Art!

The cover has landed! Amber Quill's Trace Edward Zaber has outdone himself with this elegant, romantic cover for my upcoming erotic SF mystery novel, Claire de Lune. What? Me? Licking the screen? Nah, that would be my co-writer Sloane Taylor, who now plans to decorate her living room in lunar grey and star-pocked black. And no, we can't wait to ogle the paperback version due for release sometime in Decemeber.

Stay tuned for more from Sloane and I in the upcoming weeks...

In the meantime, check out the synopsis for Claire de Lune.

Amber Quill Signs SF Mystery Claire de Lune!

Friday 13th, all is forgiven! On that date last week, Amber Quill Press accepted my new novel, erotic SF mystery Claire de Lune, for both digital and paperback release. Look up. You see that slightly bemused-looking fellow in the moon? That's me figuring out how to get back down to Earth, post-celebration!

Here's the story blurb...

You are invited to the galaxy’s most prestigious beauty pageant. Swimwear optional. Romance and danger…fully provided.

Cocky young Detectives Gerry Rappeneau and Sebastian Thorpe-Campbell arrive at the premier lunar resort expecting a week of eye candy and long massages. One contestant, Evelyn Lyons, has been attacked, and her assailant is now dead. Surely a simple case of a stalker gone mad, as nothing bad has ever happened at the Selene contest before. So the brochure says.

The assassin turns out to be a horrific hybrid of man and feral beast. No one seems to know where it came from or why, including the wily resort administrator who is desperate to keep the whole thing under wraps. The closer Gerry gets to Evelyn, the more certain he is she’s hiding something. His meticulous character sparks with her wild, sassy nature, and they soon embark on a torrid affair. Their forbidden romance isn’t the only thing set to ignite in Pont de Reves.

Sebastian’s infatuation with demure beauty Claire Villiers, another mysterious contestant who may or may not be connected to the case, threatens to put all four of them in harm’s way. With a half-billion-credit purse up for grabs, this year’s pageant is the focus of a hundred worlds. And beauty isn’t the only thing in the eye of the beholder.

A deadly trail of corporate conspiracy, monstrous assassins and hot bikini wax is more than anyone bargained for in this incendiary erotic mystery. Get ready for some serious heat on the dark side of the moon.


When I finished the initial draft last year, it wasn’t as spicy as I’d envisioned (ie. I’d chickened out of the steamy stuff!) so I invited my favourite erotic romance writer, Sloane Taylor, on board to sexify the proceedings and breathe extra life into one of the characters. It must have worked a treat, because Amber Quill is one of the market's top digital publishers.

Claire de Lune is due for release at the end of the year!

To find out more about the uber-talented Ms. Taylor and her books, click here.

REVIEW: Finnish Fantasies by Sloane Taylor

FINNISH FANTASIES

Sloane Taylor

Published by Amber Quill Press (Amber Heat)

Length: Novella

ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-572-0 (Electronic)

Erotic/ Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Being Maid of Honor in Finland over Midsummer’s Eve is supposed to be fun, but for jingle writer Kate Adams it’s a nightmare. Things go from bad to worse when her high-priced rental car dies on an endless ribbon of bone-dry country road. Help arrives in the form of a delicious-looking, blue-collar local who just might make it all worthwhile.

Rurik Jaacko knows better than to stop for the princess perched on the hood of a Mercedes. Hot women and expensive cars are trouble, but he’s a sucker for any damsel in distress. The last thing he expects is to play bellhop to the sensual American, and love every sizzling moment.

A rustic pig farm and a friend who isn’t combine with deception to create the backdrop for earthy passion and international fraud...

So...what can a hunky pig farmer who owns a forest, and a strong-willed jingle writer on her way to be Maid of Honour at a posh wedding, possibly have in common? Well, this being a Sloane Taylor story, you already know there will be a lot of witty repartee, lots of neurotic fireworks, and LOTS of very hot sex. No one combines these elements of erotic comedy better.

Ms. Taylor is on fine form with this hugely enjoyable Scandinavian concoction. Kate’s snarky put-downs are a hoot, while Rurik, quickly revelling in his role as impromptu host, serves up plenty of surprises for his sexy American guest. Both characters are fun to be around. I was also intrigued by a sub-plot involving Kate’s best friend, Lucy, whose high society betrothal to the loathsome Lars takes a startling turn.

One thing I love about Ms. Taylor’s writing is the endless reservoir of wit she can dip into at will. Mundane exchanges become sparkling back-and-forths as her characters vie for dominance. Also worth mentioning is the satisfying research that goes into bringing these exotic countries to life. The customs, language, and genuine feel for this rural environment kept me immersed. I’ll definitely look forward to seeing where Ms. Taylor visits next. In the meantime, Finnish Fantasies is great fun.

Warning: contains scorching sex scenes, BDSM, a flagrant disregard for clothing, and the cutest spokes-pig ever.

Hurry on over to Amber Quill to purchase:

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/FinnishFantasies.html

And here's another by Sloane Taylor: Czech Mate

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/CzechMate.html

Don't forget to visit Sloane's website and blog. She's one of my favourite authors.

http://www.sloanetaylor.com/

REVIEW: French Kiss by Sloane Taylor

French Kiss by Sloane Taylor

Contemporary Erotic Romance

eBook

15,000 words

Aspen Mountain Press

Witty and crackling with sass, French Kiss, the fourth novelette in Sloane Taylor's Naughty Ladies of Nice series, is a standalone sexy short that promises and delivers a good time.

American children's author Rachel Conklin is washed up on a secluded beach during a wicked storm. Luckily for her, Dr. Henri Bernier, sheltering from the rough weather, is on hand to nurse her broken leg. He takes her back to his seaside home on the mainland. Sparks fly as they become reluctantly and intimately acquainted. They might be total opposites, but they can both speak candidly when the occasion calls for it, amusingly so. Then there's the question of Rachel's arrival. What was she doing alone in the sea? Who or what is she afraid of? Does it have anything to do with the unsavoury crew that's just reached port?

American sass meets provincial French in this lively romance, by turns sweet and sea-salty. I had a great time with this book. I don't normally read erotic romances, but Ms. Taylor's vibrant style isn't exclusive to the sex scenes, as it tends to be for some authors in this genre. Here she imbues the characters, scene setting and dialogue with quirky life all their own. Plus, the lovemaking is seriously hot.

My advice? Kick back and let the fizzy swells of French Kiss wash over you. This is one addictive series. Next up for me, French Twist...

Click here to purchase your copy

And don't forget to visit Sloane Taylor's website http://www.sloanetaylor.com/