Robert Appleton’s THE MYSTERIOUS LADY LAW (Jan 31, 2011, Carina Press) is a steampunk mystery with romantic elements, and he’s giving us an exclusive first look at the cover!
The cover art is by Frauke Spanuth, and I must say, what a fabulous job! The images promise pure steampunk adventure. It's also proof that stock images can work magic in the right combination.
Now that your eyes have feasted, here’s the story blurb to wet your mind’s appetite:
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...
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Additionally, the author, with Sloane Taylor, also wrote CLAIRE DE LUNE, an erotic SF mystery with romantic elements. It’s out this month in eBook from Amber Quill Press (paperback edition follows in December). As you can see, this one also has a lovely cover.
Here’s the story blurb:
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.
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Thanks for all the eye candy, Mr. Appleton!
What are your thoughts about the cover for THE MYSTERIOUS LADY LAW? Is this a template publishers should adapt to help give steampunk romance a distinct look? How do you think it compares to covers for other books in the subgenre?
Joyfully yours,
Heather