Duke City splash

Big week for my alter ego Max Austin, with the publication of his latest Duke City crime novel and a big e-book sale.

DUKE CITY DESPERADO releases Tuesday, and thanks again to all who pre-ordered the e-book. It's only $2.99, and I'm hoping lots of folks get a copy on the first day to pump up the rankings on Amazon and such sites. Sales will determine whether I publish more of these Duke City books with Random House/Alibi, so please tell all your friends to give it a try.

The Duke City novels are standalone "crook books," though some cross-over characters pop up in all three stories.

DUKE CITY DESPERADO is the story of two nimrods who try to rob a drive-thru bank, and what happens to them on the lam. Best-selling author Charlaine Harris said the book is "more fun than a barrel of heavily medicated monkeys." Lefty Award-winning author Bill Fitzhugh calls DESPERADO a "page-burner of tart dialogue and breakneck pacing."

The second of the three novels, DUKE CITY HIT, is on sale for only 99 cents this week. DUKE CITY HIT features Vic Walters, a middle-aged hitman who finds something worth fighting for.

On Tuesday evening (6/9), I'm giving a talk to Rogue Writers, the new offshoot of SouthWest Writers here in Albuquerque. The 5 p.m. event is free and open to the public. Details here.

I've had a nice break from writing over the past few weeks, culminating in a visit to lovely Olympia, WA, where I met with longtime editor/partner-in-crime Frank Zoretich and picked up my latest manuscript, which is covered with red ink, as usual. So, it's time to get back to work.

Hope you're all having a terrific summer. Read more books!