I’ve been busy this past month doing work outside in our front yard, clearing out more grass, and getting our yard more water-wise. Starting early in the morning since it’s been quite hot here in Westminster. Taking out sections of sod a little at a time, trying not to tax the body, especially my lower back. One of the challenges that age presents all of us. Recently turning 63, knowing I can’t work myself quite as hard as I did when I was 43. The final results of the project are below.

One of the front garden areas we increased in size from last year, is doing quite well, along with the side section. The front garden with watermelons and pumpkins. Our plan for the pumpkins is to share them with some of the kids in the neighborhood when they are ready in October. Here are a couple of pictures of the garden areas and how they are progressing. These sections were originally all grass, now with mulch, flowers, and fruits requiring less water.

Last month I mentioned I’d have some exciting news in the next newsletter which I’m ready to announce. Drum roll, please!! Private eye, Jarvis Mann. will be returning. A book I’ve been working heavily on over the last two months. Over 74k worth of words written so far. Jarvis stepping out of retirement to take on a case involving an old friend, dealing with a serious matter affecting many in Colorado. Which is all I’ll say about it for now, though I plan on teasing more in future newsletters. I hope the book will be ready by December. As I begin wrapping up the first draft, I will be reaching out to my beta readers. If you have an interest in beta reading, send me an email. All I ask is for you to read the story in a timely matter and provide me feedback on the characters, storyline, and any obvious errors you might discover. My beta readers in the past have provided me valuable input to make my books all the better.

This week I’ll be off to Nashville Tennesse for the Killer Nashville 16th Annual Author Conference. A three-day gathering of readers and authors in the Crime, Suspense and Thriller genres. I’m looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones. There is also a book store in the hotel, where you can buy books from many of the authors attending and have them sign them. I will have all three of my Divine Devils books available in the store and will sign them. You can learn more about the event via this link. Here is a list of the book signing times and which authors will be available. If you live in the area, be sure to stop by and check it out.

Last year I had the honor of winning the Silver Falchion Award for best thriller, The Divine Devils taking the top prize. This year, Fallen Star: The Divine Devils Book 2 is up for the same award. All the winners to be announced at the dinner at the hotel on Saturday Night (8/20). I will be on one panel this year. Writing the Irresistible Villain, held in the Birch room on Sunday from 11:40 to 12:20 PM. I along with authors TM Clark, J.L. Delozier, Jane B Lee, S. Lee Manning, and Jacob Thomas Moon, will be hosting the panel. It should be fun listening to what makes an Irresistible Villain.

Along with the Silver Falchion Award for various genres, there is the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Reader’s Choice Award. You can vote for your favorites via this link, and I’d be thrilled if you voted for Fallen Star.

With the new Jarvis Mann book coming soon, I’ll plug the other 8 books in the series. Starting with the first short story, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card, that introduces Jarvis, to the 8th book, Mann in the Crossfire. All 8 books have received great reviews through the years, over 700 on Amazon and Goodreads, averaging 4.2 stars. You can find them in two eBook box sets on Amazon, or individually. And all are available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback through Amazon or direct from me if you send an email. Check them all out today.

You can also find the first two books in the series, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card and Tracking A Shadow, in Audiobook format. Available on Audible and iBooks. If you have an interest I do have a few codes available for Tracking A Shadow. Send me an email and I’ll send you the code. You will need an Audible account to use them. All I ask is to leave a review once you’ve finished listening.

Besides Killer Nashville, I will be doing one other event on August 27th. The Denver Makers Market, held at The Shed @ Midtown in Arvada, which runs from 12-5PM. Be sure to stop by and say hello. I will have all my paperback books for sale.

Here are this month’s Prolific Works free eBook giveaways. A chance to check out new authors who write in the same genres as I do.

Sun Down Motel – Thriller & Crime Giveaway runs until Aug 21st with 13 eBooks to choose from via this link.

Justice Served – Mystery and Thriller GG runs until Sept 6th with 21 books to add to your eReader. Find them via this link.

Mysteries Your Mother Never Told… is an ongoing giveaway with 54 free eBooks. More great stories are available via this link.

I will step away from the newsletter, as I need to get packing for Nashville. My wife and I plan to enjoy a mini-vacation by staying an extra day, hoping to see a few of the sights in the area. If we can stand the heat and humidity. 🙂 I will share a few pictures from the event in next month’s newsletter.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

R Weir