DUKE CITY HIT on sale now

My latest crime novel came out this week and it's a doozy. DUKE CITY HIT, written as Max Austin, is the second in a trilogy I've written for Random House's Alibi imprint, and it's available as an e-book original for $2.99.

DUKE CITY HIT is the story of an accomplished hit man named Vic Walters, an Albuquerque resident who learns he has a grown son. And the son wants to get into the family business. It's a tight, gritty novel with a big, shooty finish.

Early reviews have been good and the book currently is featured on a tour of book blogs. You can see reviews here and here. Also, an interview with "Max Austin" is here.

The third Duke City novel, DUKE CITY DESPERADO, is now available for pre-order. It's scheduled for publication next June.

I just finished work on what would be the fourth Duke City book, assuming the series continues, and I've started outlining a new novel that I'll start writing in January. Whenever people ask if I'm working on a new book, I say, "Always."

December also finds me gearing up for my Jan. 3 speech to SouthWest Writers and preparing for the spring semester at the University of New Mexico, where I'll be teaching "Meet the Authors" in the Honors College.

Busy time, but happily so.

Happy holidays to you and yours!