Mullets

Greetings. So, I thought about making a few New Year’s resolutions. Honestly, though, what’s the point? Historically, my follow-through hasn’t been all that great. Instead, I’m pressing onward, hoping 2022 is a little kinder to everyone than last year.

And it looks like we’re starting the new year off right. Look what’s back. Yeah… You can read about it over at NPR.

Book News

This is not so much about resolutions as it is about taking a step back to reevaluate my direction as a writer. To date, I’ve published ten books, mostly in the horror and supernatural genres. Last year, I wrote a screenplay, which is something I used to do a lot before moving into fiction.

If you’re familiar with screenwriting, you’ll know it’s hard. Really hard. In fact, it’s way more difficult than writing fiction. Not that I’m complaining. But I need to complete several more drafts before I can even think about sending it out. Stay tuned.

In December, I began writing a comic novel that’s unlike anything I’ve attempted before. And I can’t wait to see where this thing goes. I plan to focus on that for the next few months. Wish me luck.

Recommended Reading

I’ve become a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A while ago, I reviewed Mexican Gothic, a macabre story set in 1950s Mexico. Recently, I read Velvet Was the Night, which is set in Mexico City in the early seventies. You may recall that at that time, student protesters were killed by government-trained assassins as part of Mexico’s Dirty War. If you enjoy historical fiction with fascinating characters faced with daunting choices, check out this novel. You can read my review here.

Book Blurb

1970s, Mexico City. Maite is a secretary who lives for one thing: the latest issue of Secret Romance. While student protests and political unrest consume the city, Maite escapes into stories of passion and danger.

Her next-door neighbor, Leonora, a beautiful art student, seems to live a life of intrigue and romance that Maite envies. When Leonora disappears under suspicious circumstances, Maite finds herself searching for the missing woman—and journeying deeper into Leonora’s secret life of student radicals and dissidents.

Meanwhile, someone else is also looking for Leonora at the behest of his boss, a shadowy figure who commands goon squads dedicated to squashing political activists. Elvis is an eccentric criminal who longs to escape his own life: He loathes violence and loves old movies and rock ‘n’ roll. But as Elvis searches for the missing woman, he watches Maite from a distance—and comes to regard her as a kindred spirit who shares his love of music and the unspoken loneliness of his heart.

Now as Maite and Elvis come closer to discovering the truth behind Leonora’s disappearance, they can no longer escape the danger that threatens to consume their lives, with hitmen, government agents, and Russian spies all aiming to protect Leonora’s secrets—at gunpoint.

Velvet Was the Night is an edgy, simmering historical novel for lovers of smoky noirs and anti-heroes.

Where to Buy

Amazon
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Books-A-Million

Books to Enjoy

What happens when a county coroner gets embroiled in a conspiracy with a high body count? Find out when you read The Reluctant Coroner by Paul Austin Ardoin.

Who doesn’t love a free story? Read how Detective Ava Locke fights to save the girls kidnapped by a madman in Vanished by Clara Lewis.

Here’s another free story. Check out Sandusky Burning by Bryan W. Conway. It’s a crime thriller that features a man in crisis and a very bad guy—all set in a harsh wilderness.

And if you like adventure, romance, and thrills, try Sullivan File by CB Samet.

Recommended Viewing

If you’re a Netflix subscriber and love wicked satire, be sure to watch ‘Don’t Look Up.’ It’s an end-of-the-world story starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and an all-star cast.

Logline. Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.

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Okay, that’s a wrap. See you next month when I try out a mullet. I’ll let you know if any Billy Ray Cyrus fans gang up on me. Peace and love.