Star Binder is Live Now at Kindle Scout

Hi guys!

Today is Day 1 of my Kindle Scout campaign for STAR BINDER, my new YA sci-fi novel. It's up for a publishing contract with Kindle Press, but it needs your support. With your nominations, it could get picked up by the Amazon publishing team.

http://amzn.to/2nyrbX5

How it works is this: my book page is up now on the Kindle Scout site. It shows my new cover art and an excerpt from the book. Amazon readers check it out, and if they like what they see, they can nominate the book for publication. The more nominations a book receives, the more likely the Kindle Press team will consider it for a contract with them. It's something I haven't tried before, but it sounds like a great opportunity.

Its all about reader support. So if you've got a spare minute, head on over to my STAR BINDER book page, and if you like what you see there, please nominate it. With your help, this one could go all the way.

http://amzn.to/2nyrbX5

I'll share the book cover on here at the end of the campaign, whether it's successful or not. Thanks for your support!

 Robert

Alien Safari

My new sci-fi adventure novel Alien Safari (read an excerpt there) is out now on Kindle! The print version is almost ready and will be available within the next few weeks--look for a giveaway contest on Goodreads. All other e-book formats, ETA January 2014. As ever, feel free to email me at sevenmercury7@aol.com with any questions, feedback, or just plain old interstellar banter. I always love hearing from my readers. Hope you enjoy the safari!

Robert

Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn

What begins as a fun, nimble little mystery in the first act soon kicks into comedy-action-adventure high gear when junior reporter Tintin, with his brave dog Snowy, stumbles upon boozy Captain Haddock (an excellent Andy Serkis), whose family legacy may prove pivotal in a race to uncover the secret of the Unicorn.

From that point on, it’s more or less non-stop comedy—some fizzles, most of it works—with gags ranging from jaw-dropping blockbuster chase antics to throwaway background humour. Captain Haddock works brilliantly for the most part: he’s unpredictable, endearing, and colourful in all the ways Tintin himself isn’t. While the youngster is well played by Jamie Bell, he’s mostly just there to work out the clues for the audience. Tintin and Haddock make for a good double-act, though: brains and brawn, cunning and in-over-his-head rashness; together they’d make a good Indiana Jones.

The plot is a by the numbers mystery/adventure/treasure hunt, complete with bumbling detectives (so-so comic support from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), exciting sea plane action and hidden clues, but it’s brought to life in gorgeous visual style. While the script only comes alive in fits and starts, the whole film is bursting with rich detail, and is given added depth by good, solid use of 3D. The virtual camerawork throughout is stupendous.

One extended chase sequence through the flooding streets of a North African city is so dazzling and dizzying it reminded me why no other filmmaker can match Spielberg when he lets his imagination out for a spin. Another action scene, told in flashback, depicts a breathless pirate showdown in a storm, and features some of the most playful transitions I’ve seen since Ang Lee’s Hulk. There’s a pretty good villain, too, played by a wily Daniel Craig.

Snowy, while definitely smarter than your average cute canine, is also given to chasing cats, digging up fossilised bones from the desert, and gobbling sandwiches at decidedly inopportune moments. In other words, he’s an instant audience favourite.

All in all, it’s a rollicking good adventure, one of Spielberg’s most fun movies in a long time, and I’ll be buying it on Blu-ray next year.

Rating: 4.5/5

New Release: The Mysterious Lady Law

And there she goes! Wind all clocks back to 1899, hold your breath (London was rather smoggy in those days) and delve into the exciting world of airships, giant burrowing machines, and all manner of steam-powered awesomeness. Today, The Mysterious Lady Law makes her debut at Carina Press. Come and find out what all the fuss is about...

In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...


The eBook is available at:

Carina Press (20% off!)
Amazon Kindle
Diesel Ebooks
Mobipocket
Books on Board
OmniLit

Or downoad the audiobook from Audible (a first for me!)

Tally-ho, dear readers! Hope you enjoy it.

Rob

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

The Mysterious Lady Law - Cover Art

Carina Press artist Frauke Spanuth hit the steampunk vibe dead centre with this corker of a cover for The Mysterious Lady Law. The mystery, attitude and retro-science are all here in spades--I couldn't have asked for a more fitting piece of artwork.

Thank you, Frauke!

Lady Law will make her debut on January 31, 2011, in digital format from Carina Press. Here's the official blurb:


In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...

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.

Upcoming Steampunk Mystery at Carina Press!

Seriously great news here! Carina Press, the mighty new digital publisher backed by Harlequin and fronted by epub queen Angela James, has signed my latest novella.

It's tally-ho with a clink and a clank and several uproarious bursts of steam, as The Miraculous Lady Law, my first ever stab at steampunk, is now undergoing the first round of edits. The setting is Victorian London; the genre is steampunk mystery with a dash of romance, as four disparate characters are thrust together in the wake of a puzzling murder.

Lonely airship waitress and part-time chorus girl Julia Bairstow arrives home one night to find her sister brutally murdered. Staying alive herself long enough to find justice is going to take more than fancy footwork.

Over-protective Constable Aloysius Grant has a vested interested in keeping Julia safe, but what deep scars from his past is he hiding?

Legendary explorer/scientist Horace Holly feels rather obsolete these days, but the disappearance of his young protege has a profound effect upon the old professor.

Beautiful Harriet Law is the most famous private investigator alive. Her record stands at one hundred percent. Never a crime unsolved in over six hundred cases, including Jack the Ripper. But this isn't any old case, as she and all London are about to find out.

In a time of grand airships, giant burrowing machines and pioneering astronomy, the biggest mystery may lie in the smallest of details.


We don't have a release date yet, but I'll keep you updated on Lady Law's progress. My editor at Carina is the lovely Alissa Davis, and she's already given some invaluable suggestions for improvements. Can't wait to share the finished book with you.

In the meantime, check out the terrific Carina Press website:

http://www.carinapress.com/


Cheerio for now,

Robert

3-Part Review for Esther May Morrow's Mysteries

I think even Esther May herself would be proud of these new reviews at Bitten by Books. All three EMM ebooks are praised, especially for their unpredictability--which makes me a very happy mystery writer indeed. Paranormal mysteries, I might add.

Check out Carol's views on the eponymous gift shop and its many enticing trinkets:

Esther May Morrow's Buy or Borrow:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=14623

Lot 62: An Esther May Morrow Mystery:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=14924

Fruitless: An Esther May Morrow Fantasy:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=14929

All titles are available as ebooks at Eternal Press & Fictionwise, or in paperback on Amazon.

Happy Holidays!

The Basingstoke Chronicles Cover Art!

Kudos to Judith Glad for this nifty piece of cover art for my upcoming time travel novel, The Basingstoke Chronicles. Jude is the brilliant Editor-in-Chief at Uncial Press, and she recently won the Quasar Award for Best Cover Art at EPICON. Talk about being in good hands. She's been nurturing Basingstoke through its editing process, and I think you'll be well pleased when you read the finished book. It's due for release in August. Epic is the first word that comes to mind...as well as gripping adventure.

More details coming soon...

ParaNormalRomance Review for LOT 62!

Make that three glowing reviews in a row for Lot 62: An Esther May Morrow Mystery. The latest is from ParaNormal Romance, home of the P.E.A.R.L. Awards. Here's a quote:

"LOT 62 AN ESTHER MAY MORROW MYSTERY is a short, thrilling story. Arthur Everest does a fantastic job of setting up the story and seamlessly weaves in Julie's past association with MI6. While this story can easily be read in one sitting, it's full of non-stop action and kept my interest. If you're in the mood for a quick, thrilling read with a very bizarre ending, don't pass this by."

Read the full review here: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=30685

First Review for LOT 62

ESTHER MAY MORROW'S LOT 62

ARTHUR EVEREST

ISBN#9781926640587/9781926647340

January 2009

Eternal Press

http://www.eternalpress.ca/esthermaymorrowLot62.html

E-Book/Print

$3.50

33 pages

Mystery/Paranormal

Rating: 4 Cups

Julie Blalock is an ex-agent with MI6, called up for an assignment by the Ministry of Defense. Widowed because of an error on the part of MI6, Julie never planned to go back in the secret agent business ever again -- until today. She is intrigued enough to impersonate Dorothy Buchan, a rich widowed socialite with an unsavory past.

Ms. Esther May Morrow is putting on an extravagant auction with known ties to the underworld. She is here to find out who killed her fiancé and is putting everything here tonight up for bid at auction, even enlisting the aid of “Dorothy Buchan” to help her.

Lot 62 is one of two existing works by the Mayan King Vichama. This is what everyone wants to get their hands on, or so Julie is being told. Having to go undercover and secure “The Archangel” at all costs is her assignment. Ms. Esther May Morrow believes the person responsible for the death of her fiancé is going to be bidding on Lot 62 and she is ready to unveil the killer by fair means or foul.

This is a very fast and furiously paced bit of whimsy that keeps you on your toes. I had no idea exactly what this was going to be about, and you will not care because you will be as caught up in it as I was. This is the second in the series and is able to stand alone quick nicely. But I must say I now want to read the first and be in line to get the next couple stories in the series hinted at in the book. The end is so surprising and the twists and turns this takes you on makes you wonder how this quick tale packs such a big punch.

Lainey

Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

New Release Today - Lot 62!

Today marks the release of my brand new Esther May Morrow mystery, Lot 62, at Eternal Press. It's a personal favourite of mine, set in the glamorous world of high-class auctions and undercover spies.

Blurb:

Julie Blalock is approaching thirty and has an unfulfilling job with an accountancy firm. But she also has a secret—she was once an MI6 Agent. A personal tragedy forced her to quit eight years ago, but a chance offer to return for a one-time op is too tempting to ignore. Her mission: to pose as a rich socialite at Sotheby's, to gain critical intelligence during the most anticipated high-class auction of the year—Esther May Morrow's sale of antique treasures, featuring Lot 62, a prize that has even the Ministry of Defence worried. What secrets will Julie discover on her impromptu return to espionage?

Excerpt #1

Unzipping and dropping her skirt, Julie rolled her eyes at the thought of any colleagues from the accountancy office seeing her now. She undid the buttons of her blouse with supple yet steady fingers. Where had the nerves gone? Had her little feminist barb deflated that momentary anxiety? She threw off the neuroses with her blouse; as it landed on the bed, she checked to see if Northam and Entwistle were watching. They weren’t. Each was leant over the sideboard; pen in one hand, mobile phone in the other. Julie felt a slight pang of regret. She was in superb physical shape, and she wanted them to know it.

“What have you got for me…sorry, what was your name?” she asked.

The petite girl cleared her throat, concentrated on the clothes rack. “Maggie. Hmm, let me see…we did say this at first.” She held up a garish, tight-fitting number with zebra stripes and multiple slits down each side. “But HQ found a photo of her wearing it a few weeks ago. Problem one, she never wears the same dress twice in public. Hmm.” She unhooked another design from its coat hanger and, after straightening her neck and tilting her head to imagine a figure inside the dress, held it up to Julie. “I’m with Northam. I think this one.”

It was a brand new, black silk cocktail dress by Chloe, with gorgeous jet beading on the shoulder straps, a low-cut neckline with a ruched bust, and an unfinished black silk trim. It closed on the side with a concealed zipper. A romantic and elegant number. Julie warmed to it immediately. “Try this one?”

Maggie clicked her fingers for the men’s attention. She handed Julie one side of the dress to hold. Without hesitation, both men gave the OK signal before resuming their studious note taking.
“That was easy!” joked Maggie. “We argued about this for ten minutes before you arrived. Right…” She fetched a laminated portfolio from the bed and opened it to a snapshot of Dorothy Buchan labelled ‘Marseilles, February ‘08’. “This should be no trouble.”

Julie remained silent. She knew she’d fraternised enough for one dressing session, and it was almost dark outside.

http://www.eternalpress.ca/esthermaymorrowLot62.html


Excerpt #2

Northam drove the limo slowly through gaudy canals of high street stores. Late-night shoppers watched wide-eyed. He didn’t say a word. As they turned onto New Bond Street, Julie saw a line of cars and limos blocking the road, then an awning over the red carpet at the entrance to Sotheby’s, and finally, ranks of paparazzi held at bay by suited security personnel. She swallowed hard, wondering what she’d be doing right now if she had turned down the assignment—enjoying a drink with friends? Snuggling up on the settee to watch a DVD? She’d be perfectly entitled. But no, she was at the mouth of the lion’s den, shipped first class to the auction to end all auctions.

Sotheby & Co.
Sale of
An Eclectic Array of Antique Treasures
And
‘The Archangel’ by the Mayan king, Vichama

Courtesy of Esther May Morrow
Admit one to the Main Sale Room
Mrs. Dorothy A. Buchan
Thursday, 3 September, at 8.30 pm precisely

For a few moments, her mind spun like a Catherine wheel as she stepped out into the chilly night air. Northam tipped his chauffeur’s cap and got back into the car. He’d be waiting for her outside after the auction, he’d assured her. My hero, she thought sarcastically.

Strutting along the red carpet, she felt the warm stings of flash photography on her legs and gaping cleavage. It lifted her confidence. When the uniformed commissionaire asked to see her invitation, she scoffed and snatched the catalogue he offered her. A mixture of strong tobacco and perfume filled the broad staircase. Not that anyone was permitted to smoke inside, but no doubt the limos all had ashtrays. The exquisite gallery led into the main auction hall itself—a room sleepy as Victorian England, kept awake by two brilliant chandeliers and about a hundred guests being shown to their seats, while a blind covered the glass roof for the night. About the size of a tennis court, the hall was adorned with traditional paintings and, on one side, a striking mural depiction of the Battle of Trafalgar.

http://www.eternalpress.ca/esthermaymorrowLot62.html

NEW Paranormal horror e-book published!

My new paranormal horror novella The Stag Antler is out now to buy at:

http://www.clublighthousepublishing.com/


Part Conan-Doyle, part Dennis Wheatley, it's a retro-style mystery set in 1913, in which a somewhat naive small-town Police Inspector is thrust headlong into a murderous supernatural pursuit. Who, or what, is The Stag Antler, the apparition responsible for a nationwide, and later international investigation into the occult? And can it be stopped? The ghoul's quarry, millionaire Edward Barnham, isn't telling all he knows. From the misty moors of Leighton, England to the dry desert of Cordoba, Spain, get ready for a chase into darkness and mounting fear.

Check out the book trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKuex6NXmp4