I’m writing to dispel the misperception that the Achilles series is a trilogy. While there are 3 books at the moment, many more are to come. I expect to be writing Achilles stories for decades.

The confusion results from Amazon offering of a 3-book bundle and calling it the “complete series.” That book set is something Amazon automatically generates whenever a series adds a third book. It is not a sign of completion.

After 40+ years of wanting to give it a try, I just enjoyed my first surfing lesson (along with my wife and daughters.) Felt great to check that experience off the big list. We went down under for the summer, and our trip included time in Surfer’s Paradise. (Isn’t it cool that a country would officially name a place Surfer’s Paradise? Got to love a government that doesn’t take itself too seriously.)

Don't look for me surfing in the picture above (I’ll need a few more lessons before posting one of those pictures) but rather my youngest running along the beach we surfed. I included it because it resembles the painting hanging over our living room fireplace, the one I stare at when I want to relax and it’s too hot to light a fire. It’s nice to have lived the picture.

My thriller FLASH currently has 996 reviews on Amazon.com and 936 reviews on Audible.com. I'm excited to be hitting 1000, so it's time for a little fun. If you write the 1000th review and leave your name, I'll be sending you something special.

On that note, consider leaving your contact information on your Amazon reviewer page. Authors often want to reach out to reviewers to thank them or answer questions but can't because there's no contact information. Leaving your email is a great way to connect with the authors you love and get free stuff from other vendors, which is why most top Amazon reviewers leave their contact information.

I just devoured an advance copy of Timothy Hallinan’s latest Junior Bender novel, Fields Where They Lay. It was a sweet and savory experience.  Speaking as a fellow writer, I have to tell those of you who haven’t yet discovered him, that reading Hallinan is like licking ice cream. He has such a wonderful way with words that each sentence is a treat for the tongue. Wit and wisdom, humor and insight, all gathered together into splendidly simple prose that never fails to make me jealous of his gift.

The plot of Fields Where They Lay was classic for Junior Bender, Hallinan’s bungling, big-hearted thief. You journey with him as he solves mysteries in his own quirky manner, with colorful, clumsy interactions, and an investigative style reminiscent of Inspector Clouseau.