The Condor's Feather now an e-book

I am pleased to announce that one of my 5 Robert Hale published titles – The Condor’s Feather (Halebooks 2007) - was released today in the US by Belgrave House as an e-book.

Belgrave House ebooks are on sale for $5 or discounted, and are available in 10 formats to suit most reading devices.

"We offer ebooks in ten formats: epub (industry standard), PRC (Mobipocket, Kindle), PDF, Microsoft Reader (LIT), PDB (Palm, eReader), HTML, Word, Rich Text Format, RB (Rocket and ebookwise), and Hiebook (KML), etc."

Update: 14 May - Now featured on Amazon at a discounted price.

I selected the cover image from www.bigstockphoto.com - Belgrave added the condor.
The Condor's Feather is an Historical Equestrian Adventure set in Patagonia in 1885.
I hope to see my other Hale titles up there very soon.

Cover captures essence of Patagonian story

It is said that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
But it is the cover image which often attracts a reader or buyer to a particular book.
More importantly, in today’s cyber-savvy world many books are ordered via the internet and the jacket image is the only indication of the essence of the story.
Hence the need for a good cover.

Last night I received a digital copy of the jacket cover for The Condor’s Feather and I am delighted with it.
Artist, Michael Thomas, has not only depicted the sweeping pampas with the jagged peaks of the Andes in the background, but also a pair of Criollo horses, the riders, and the ever-faithful Newfoundland dogs, Byron and Bella, which accompany the party on their exciting and often dangerous expedition across the wilds of Patagonia.
Of course the soaring condor is not forgotten.

To learn more about the book, my recent visit to South America and to discover what inspired me to write this novel, go to: http://www.squidoo.com/thecondorsfeather

The Condor’s Feather is due for publication in July, 2009 and will be available for order on-line from Hale Books, Amazon or good book stores.

My thanks to Michael Thomas.

Promotion – The Condor’s Feather’s USPs

My forthcoming Hale novel, The Condor’s Feather, is due July 2009.
It is an equestrian adventure set in Patagonia in 1885.
This story contains three distinct unique selling points (USPs).
1) Criollo Horses
2) Newfoundland Dogs
3) Location - Patagonia

Having investigated the numerous Equestrian, Dog/Pet and Travel/Trekking magazines which address these areas, I will contact them around the time the book goes to print.

1) Horses/Equestrian/Criollo horses/Equine history
Criollo horses are the wild horses of the pampas.
They are descended from the Spanish war-horses left behind by the Conquistadors in the 1500s. They are not handsome horses but they are extremely hardy and have incredible endurance.
Criollo horses were used for centuries by the gauchos (South American cowboys).

In The Condor’s Feather, my party of Victorian travellers ride Criollo horses.

2) Newfoundland Dogs
The most famous and enduring fictionalized Newfoundland dog is ‘Nana’ the Darling children’s nanny in J.M. Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’.
In The Condor’s Feather, a group of English adventurers are accompanied on their journey across the pampas by a pair or Newfoundland dogs.
The dogs are present throughout the story and, though not taking a major role, they add to the drama and emotional tension on more then one occasion.

3) Location/Patagonia/trekking
South America, particularly Patagonia, is a prime tourist destination these days.
Horse trekking holidays in this region are very popular.

From experience, I believe that editors of speciality magazines are always on the look out for articles of interest.
They may be prepared to publish a feature article submitted by the author or may welcome a copy of the book with a view to writing their own review.

For more information go to: http://www.squidoo.com/thecondorsfeather

Photos: Modern day Argentinian Gaucho (MM)
Ishmael – a Landseer Newfoundland owned by American historical novelist, Karen Mercury http://www.karenmercury.com
Statue of condor - Punta Arenas, Chile (MM)