Hello again from Colorado. How is everyone holding up with all the “Stay At Home” rules going on throughout the world? Here in the Mile High City, all non-essential businesses are shut down and they’re asking us only to go out when getting food, gas or medical assistance.  Though we can take walks, which we do each day with our dog Abby. With my wife being in the medical care industry, working for SCL Health on the Administrative side, she is working from home daily with some long hours. I spend my time editing my new book, while I’ve started writing the second book in the new series, with 18K words written to date. All in all, we’re healthy and trying to stay busy, doing work around the house, mostly outside getting our garden ready for the sunny days ahead.

One item in need is protective masks for health care workers. There is a critical shortage for those on the front lines putting them at risk. These workers are around the virus every day for hours at a time. They are heroes working impossibly long hours in tough positions. A hardy thanks to them for all they do. With that in mind, my wife and daughter had reached out on Facebook wondering if they could make cotton masks for medical workers, giving them something to use when nothing is available. She heard from a Facebook friend who works at a Boulder Nursing Home in need. Kim has lots of extra material and this last weekend she and my daughter Dakota went to work making masks, which were a huge hit. A great job by them during this trying time.

This month I’m going to quickly talk about Kindle Unlimited or KU as most refer to it. If you’re not aware, KU is a subscription service Amazon offers for books. For the monthly fee of $9.99, you can download and read all the books you want. But it can only be books enrolled in KU by the author. For the reader, it’s great, especially if you read a lot of books in a month’s time. But again not all books are available on KU. An author can put his books on KU, but they can’t be available via any other eBook vendor. They must remain exclusive only to Amazon Kindle. This is why most major published authors are not on KU, as they like their books widely distributed. For me, I didn’t sell many eBooks via any other eBook retailer, so I’m exclusive, with the exception of The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card which I give away free via all major eBook vendors.

For readers, this is a great deal. For authors, it can be, but we get pennies on the dollar compared to when I sell a book. We are paid a certain amount for each page read on your Kindle or via the Kindle app, normally between $0.004 and $0.005 per page, The program still brings in income, but not as much as book sales. If you subscribe to KU, great, take advantage of this great deal. Please read all my books through the last page and I’ll get paid. If you don’t, please consider buying the eBook instead. It doesn’t cost all that much. My eBooks run from $2.99 to $5.99. Whereas most major book publishers charge $11.99 or more for their eBooks. Either way, I thank everyone for supporting my books.

I received emails from several people after my last newsletter, which was wonderful to see. I never get tired of talking to people, whether it’s about what is happening in the world, books in general or just to blow off steam. To help people I’ve been giving away free eBooks and Audiobooks. For those requesting Audiobooks, I’ve been asking them what they enjoy about them. Here is one reader’s response:

What I love most about audiobooks is that they allow me to continue reading when I have a flare-up of my eye disease. I’ve been struggling with Uveitis and accompanying side effect problems for 20 years, and I’m only 49. There have been many long stretches that I couldn’t see well enough to read, my favorite pastime, and audiobooks have gotten me through those times. I also love being read to, so they are very relaxing, and I listen daily – Mary

Those whom I’ve heard from with disabilities have sounded out a similar theme. Audiobooks allow them the joy of reading which they would miss out on. If anyone is interested in a free Audiobook of my short story, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum, email me and let me know what you love about Audiobooks. I have codes for the US and UK to give away via Audible.

Speaking of The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum, it has been number #1 for five days now on Amazon’s One-Hour Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Short Reads and for two days on Amazon’s One-Hour Literature & Fiction Short Reads. This is the sixth time it’s reached #1 on an Amazon Bestseller list. A fun achievement to pound my chest about. With all of those downloads, I hope to get more people checking out my Jarvis Mann PI series. If you haven’t already downloaded it, you can do so here.

Is all sports on hold for the time being, causing you withdrawals? What about a book dealing with an athlete. Twice As Fatal, the third in the Jarvis Mann PI series deals with two cases. One where a college football player with concussion issues is getting into trouble with a vicious criminal and Jarvis steps in to assist. Here are some of the 5-Star reviews it’s received.

Wow this book packed a punch with 2 cases therefore twice the drama. This author has you continually guessing what is going on but in a good way – Soph

This is an author I started reading at the beginning of the year and I am so glad that I found him. He writes murder so good that while you are reading you are wondering if your doors are locked – Peggy

This book keeps you reading, wondering if these two cases somehow connect to each other. On top of trying to solve both cases, he is trying to have a long-term relationship. I love how this author can have so many different situations going on with the charter and you still want to keep reading – Bill

Twice As Fatal is available on Amazon in ebook, paperback or via Kindle Unlimited. If you haven’t already read it, be sure to check it out today!

This month I have a couple of new Prolific Works giveaways for free eBooks both ending soon.

Rather Be Reading giveaway of 61 eBooks which ends today, April 2nd. Check them out here.

It’s Your Lucky Day – All Genres giveaway of 78 books ends April 3rd. Check them out here.

I’ll wrap up my newsletter with a picture from the side of our house. It’s reassuring to know with all the craziness going on in the world, Springtime remains beautiful and the plants and flowers continue to bloom!! Stay safe and healthy!!

R Weir