We are back from our Tucson vacation. Sixteen busy days of fun and a few challenges, including, thanks to the brutally hot weather, even for Arizona, a change to our travel plans, which I’ll explain later. The day before we left, a snowstorm hit the Colorado Front Range. The first snow we’d had in nearly two months. It was wonderful to have the moisture, but bad timing for us. We needed to leave later on Saturday morning than we wanted. Once enough snow melted, we left, our first destination, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The roads were extremely sloppy in Denver until just past Colorado Springs. On the drive, we lost one of our magnetic tow lights, it being dragged on the ground behind our tow vehicle, destroying it. This had never happened to us before, the lights, about 15 years old. When we arrived in Santa Fe, there was a local Harbor Freight, and they thankfully had them on sale. We purchased two sets, to have one as a backup, just in case. The next day was a longer drive, as we went south through New Mexico, then into Arizona, arriving that afternoon in Tucson. I-10 was a brutal drive, with lots of traffic, strong winds, and the pavement was horrible, with lots of bad patch jobs and potholes. Thankfully, we made it in one piece and were ready to settle down for our week at the Tucson KOA Resort. One of the nicest KOA RV parks we’ve stayed in. Beautiful flowering bushes and lots of lemon trees, from which you could pick fresh lemons. They even provided poles for those staying to easily pick the yellow fruit.
One of my old friends, Teresa, whom I used to work with here in Colorado, and who now lives in Queen City, Arizona, met Kim and me for lunch in Coolidge, Arizona. We had a great time catching up. We had such a good time talking that we forgot to get a photo with her. From there, we went to see the Casa Grande Ruins in Coolidge.
On another day, we went to the Sonora Desert Museum, followed by the Saguaro National Park West, which was essentially a huge park of cactus.
Then it was time for the Tucson Festival of Books. We got to walk the area on Friday in advance while they were still setting up. And what a huge event it was, which spanned several blocks of the University of Arizona campus. We got a sense of where we would need to park and where I’d be setting up for my three-hour window to sell books, which was quite helpful. And we also got a sense for how hot it was going to be. Even hotter than normal for Tucson that time of year. Upper 80’s and low 90’s. We needed to be prepared for the heat. Saturday morning was all about visiting a few tents where other author friends were selling and trying to stay cool. Thankfully, there were air-conditioned buildings you could sit in. When it was my turn to set up and sell in the afternoon, we made the long trek back to the car and wheeled my books to my table location. From what I was hearing from others who were selling before me, sales were slow, so I didn’t wheel all the books I brought. Which was good, because in my three hours, I sold only one book to a young lady about 15 minutes before my time was up. She bought The Front Range Butcher and planned to read it on her plane trip to Hawaii.
Day two of the event was spent going to panels to listen to other authors. The first panel had Reed Farrel Coleman and Elle Cosimano. The second with C.J. Box, J.A. Jance, and Elle Cosimano. I got to talk with C.J. Box briefly while he signed a book for me. He even answered a question I asked during the panel. Kim got Elle Cosimano to sign one of her books for her. Again, the weather was hot, but Kim and I had a great time. Not sure if we’ll go back if invited for next year, but you never know.
Then we spent a day at the Reid Park Zoo.
As I mentioned, it was Too Darn Hot! which forced us to change our plans. We were going to move to a different RV Resort in Mesa, Arizona, with plans to watch a baseball game or two. But the forecast was for 107 degrees in Mesa. With no desire to vacation in that type of heat, we drove back the way we came and spent several days in Santa Fe, where the temperature was about 25 degrees cooler. This allowed us to scope out the city, since the 2027 Left Coast Crime event will be held there, which I plan on attending. Our original idea was to take the motorhome for that event. But once we saw the parking situation in downtown Santa Fe, where the event is being held, we changed our minds. Now we plan to stay in the hotel. We loved walking downtown Santa Fe, seeing all the shops with all the beautiful Southwestern merchandise, and the endless art shops. We even purchased this stunning blanket for our motorhome.
After walking and shopping downtown, that afternoon we went to Pecos National Monument to see some of the cliff dwellings and learn more about those who lived there all those years ago.
Then on our last day in Santa Fe, we went to Los Alamos, where Robert Oppenheimer and others worked on the Manhattan Project. Which is now a National Monument. A fascinating museum walking tour, which included the Fuller Lodge, Groves and Oppenheimer Statues, Oppenheimer’s House, and the Bradbury Science Museum. An eye-opening history lesson of all that happened in this city, which was built around this secret World War II project.
And then we went to Bandelier National Park to see more cliff dwellings. The exciting two-week vacation had come to an end with a drive back home the next day.
Since I sold only one book, I have a lot of stock on hand. To help clear them out, I have a new Coupon Code for 20% off all of my books. NO LIMIT! and good until June 1st. You can use it on as many books as you’d like and any merchandise at the R. Weir Book Store. Use Coupon Code: TUCSON when you order, and I’ll get them shipped out right away.
We were so busy on vacation that I had little time to work on the next Steel Wheels Cold Mystery. Now that I’m back, I’m gearing up again, hoping to finish the first draft before our next trip in June. I’m reviewing what I’ve already written, since I hadn’t worked on it for more than two weeks. Right now, I’m sitting at 73k words written, and the ideas are coming fast and furious. I will be reaching out to my beta readers here soon, looking for their feedback on what I’ve written to date. If you’re interested in beta reading, send me an email. I’m always looking for reliable readers who will share their thoughts and suggestions on my works in progress.
In my last newsletter, I ran a contest about a picture I posted. I had only one person properly guess. The photo is of the base for a Little Free Library, which will be gracing our front yard once it’s completed. The winner was Iris H. I’ve reached out to her, and I’m waiting to hear back, so I can get the prize of a signed paperback of her choice, mailed to her. Once the Little Free Library is completed and in place, I will post pictures.
Don’t forget to watch and tune in to my vodcast, Bringing Life To Characters, where I interview fascinating authors to learn more about their lives and their books. This past month, guests were Ann Charles and T.K. Cassidy. Future guests scheduled are Amy Shannon, Dwayne Brenna, Ben Leman, and Pat Daily. You can find all 65 episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Apple Podcasts.
Last month, I heard from Denise G. about her book club wanting to have me as a guest. The club has plans to read Justice For The Forgotten. The meeting is scheduled for October. If you’re in a book club and would like to have me as a guest, please don’t hesitate to send me an email. I’d be happy to come talk about any subject you’d like. If your group gathers on the Front Range of Colorado, I’d be happy to attend in person. If you’re outside Colorado, I can always join via conferencing software. All done at no charge.
Here are this month’s Book Funnel books, featuring free, discounted, or Kindle Unlimited books for you to check out from other great authors.
2026 All-Year Crossover Promo (Thriller/Horror/Sci-fi) has 86 free eBooks available to download until Jan 1st 2027 via this link.
Edge of Your Seat Promo has 22 eBooks to check out until April 18th via this link.
YEAR-LONG Mystery Newsletter Builder has 42 free ebooks to download until Dec 31st via this link.
Midnight Mysteries: A Mystery, Thriller & Horror Mega Sale with 22 eBooks to check out until April 24th via this link.
Find your next favourite author! giveaway with 24 free eBooks until Dec 31st via this link.
KU MYSTERY & THRILLERS BOX SET PROMO has 13 great book boxsets on Kindle Unlimited you can find until May 30th via this link.
When we got back, I started work on the front yard. The dry, warm weather has been hard on our plants and shrubs. I have plans to remove more grass from the front with the help of the city (the blue outline area) and add more drought-resistant plants. This past week was spent clearing weeds and strimming the dead. Hopefully, we’ll see lots of April showers, for we certainly need them.
I do have one event this month. The Art and Author Showcase will be held at The Mac in Westminster on April 25th from 9-3. If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by to check all the great works of art and books.
Thanks for reading and sharing the newsletter. Welcome to all the new subscribers, as my list continues to grow. Don’t hesitate to reply to the newsletter or send me an email, for I love to hear from everyone. If you have any pictures to share, send them my way.
All the best!!
R. Weir