I should retire more often! Last month, I mentioned I had officially retired from the working world, and I received numerous emails congratulating me. Thanks so much to everyone who reached out. My previous employer also sent me congratulations and a couple of gifts, including a pretty dove planter with a succulent. It will join the rest of our indoor plants.
Last month, I mentioned all the failed orders I was getting. These orders are being sent by bots testing stolen credit card orders. Well, they got out of control, orders coming in every few minutes. After a lot of research, I made a change to the store, and now payments for any orders will go through WooCommerce or G-Pay, which does a better job of blocking them than PayPal. Since making the change, I’ve not received one failed order, which is wonderful and makes it easier to see the real orders and get them shipped out. If you’re interested in any of my merchandise, I do have two Coupon Codes for a discount on any purchase. Both are good until the end of April. Enter: Mayhem to get 20% off any order for a signed paperback of Mayhem in Music City. This Code is good only for this book. Enter: Hunter to receive a 10% discount on the total purchase cost of any other items on the website, whether it be signed paperbacks, bags with my various logos, or the handmade stuffed Kogel dog. Just enter the Coupon Code when checking out in my Book Store.
This month, I’m going to run a little contest. I have a picture (below) of a wood project my wife and I have been working on. The first to email the correct answer identifying what it is, I’ll provide a free signed paperback of your choice (US Only) or, if you live outside the US, an eBook of your choice. You can choose any of my current books. All you need to do is reply to this email or send a message to my newsletter email address. Looking forward to seeing what answers are sent my way.
I’m often asked how long it takes to write a book. The answer is a complicated one. I’ve completed 16 books, one being a short story of 8k, another a novella of 18k, and the rest novels ranging from 70k on up to 150k. When I start writing, I have no idea how long the story will be. Being a Pantser, a person who doesn’t outline the story in advance and writes from the seat of their pants, this can have a lot to do with how long it takes to write. Now that I’m retired, I should have more time to write, but that isn’t how my brain works. When I start a book, it can often be a slow go, feeling my way around in the story, working through the characters. When I get to the middle, and the story is taking shape, then it can go much faster. I can write that second half in a month or two. From beginning to end, including the editing process, it normally takes 6-9 months to complete. Lately, more along the lines of 9 months, since my most recent books have been in the 120k to 150k in size. I will say, how long it takes isn’t the most important aspect. It’s the quality of the characters and the story that matters the most. I plan to have two books out this year. Mayhem in Music City was released in January, with the next book in the Steel Wheels Cold Mystery series coming later in 2026. Which I will talk about next.
I’ve been on a bit of a roll (knock on wood!) on my next book, Justice for the Accused. I’m now past 66k words written. This story will take Donnie and Kogel to Minnesota to help a retired Army Ranger who was the prime suspect in the death of his girlfriend. A murder that happened a year earlier. This is shaping up to be another emotional rollercoaster ride for our main protagonists. As I get closer to the release, I will have preview chapters on the website to read. If you haven’t already read book one of the award-winning Steel Wheels Cold Mystery series, Justice For The Forgotten, it’s available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited. Or order a signed paperback from my Book Store. And don’t forget to use the Coupon Code I mentioned earlier.
Be sure to add to your reading list the newest Jarvis Mann PI book, Mayhem in Music City. It’s available on Amazon in eBook, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited. And get signed paperbacks from the Book Store. Here are more excellent reviews for Mayhem in Music City.
What a story mixed with danger and suspense, and intrigue, and the twists you don’t see coming. Jarvis’s sharp wit, humor, humanity, and his dedication to solving whatever is put in front of him makes him a complex and yet relatable character. The plot is gripping, blending crime, mystery, and personal drama seamlessly, while the vivid descriptions of Music City add depth and atmosphere to the story. This is a must-read for fans of detective fiction. Need a detective, Jarvis Mann is the guy. Both thrilling and alluring, all the way to the end. Mayhem In Music City is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.
Randy Weir’s Mayhem in Music City was my introduction to his Jarvis Mann private investigator series. After the invigorating read, it became apparent that Jack Reacher would be sharing time with Jarvis Mann during my leisurely reading! Mayhem in Music City is non-stop action – Gregory
Mayhem in the Music City was my first introduction to Jarvis and it was a great one. This book is filled with delightful twists and turns that kept me entertained and immersed in the pages. As someone who is familiar with Nashville, it was easy to imagine myself on the scene right along with Jarvis and the gang. Hebah is a spitfire and found myself identifying with her from time to time, while her mother, Kadija, portrayed brilliant strength. If you’re looking for a good mystery, I highly recommend that you pick this book up. 10/10 recommend – Adara (Kristin)
By the time this newsletter is sent, we will be in Tucson for the Tucson Festival of Books. I will be selling and signing books from 1:30 to 4:30 PM on Saturday, March 14th, at the Pavilion ~ Indie Authors ~ Adult Fiction and Nonfiction area. I will have copies of Justice For The Forgotten and a selection of other books for sale. I hope to see and talk to many eager book readers at this huge event, with over 100,000 people expected to attend. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather.
More episodes of Bringing Life To Characters are available to watch and listen to. Guests this past month were Kristine Jensen, Jim Nesbitt, Liisa Kovala, and Seth Voorhees. Future guests scheduled are Ann Charles (Mar 23rd 6PM Mountain), T.K. Cassidy Fleming (Mar 30th 6PM Mountain), and Amy Shannon (Apr 7th 6PM Mountain). Bringing Life To Characters is now available on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Apple Podcasts. And it’s still available on YouTube. Thanks for the support by watching and listening to this fun show. I love talking to all these fabulous authors, with more great guests in the pipeline.
The featured author for this month is Liisa Kovala. Liisa is an award-winning Finnish Canadian author, certified fiction and memoir book coach, and host of the Women Writing podcast. Like Water for Weary Souls (House of Karhu 2025) is her second historical novel and recently won a Global Book Award in the Women’s Fiction category. Her debut novel, Sisu’s Winter War, was released by Latitude 46 Publishing in 2022. Surviving Stutthof: My Father’s Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017) was translated and published by Docendo in Finland and short-listed for a Northern Lit award. Her most recent release, under the pen name A. L. Jensen, is the first in her Nordic-inspired Hygge house Cozy Mystery series called Hygge and Homicide. Midsummer, Marriage, and Murder and Murder by Nordic Design are soon to be released. As a certified Author Accelerator fiction and memoir book coach, Liisa works with writers both in small group settings and individually. She features fellow writers in her Women Writing newsletter, hosts the Women Writing Podcast, and co-hosts Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreats. She inspires writers to develop their sisu–courage, strength, and determination–to finish their projects. Learn more about Liisa on her website and subscribe to her newsletter to download a free copy of the workbook “The Sisu Writing Method: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Writers.” You can find her historical books on Amazon as well as her cozy mysteries here. And check out Women Writing on YouTube.
Liisa was recently a guest on Bringing Life To Characters, and she mentioned her grandmother’s chocolate cake recipe. I asked her for it, and my daughter Dakota whipped it up, and it was fantastic. Liisa mentioned buttermilk was the secret ingredient. If you’d like a copy of the recipe, you can contact Liisa through her website, or you can email me, and I’ll send it your way.
This month, I have more Book Funnel free, discounted, or Kindle Unlimited eBooks for you to check out.
2026 All-Year Crossover Promo offers 81 free eBooks until Jan 1st 2027, you can download via this link.
JJ Jax Thriller Promo offers 41 free eBooks until Mar 26th, you can download via this link.
Edge of Your Seat Promo offers 22 excellent books at great prices, until Apr 18th via this link.
Giveaway with crime, thrillers, mystery, and suspense offers 68 free eBooks until Apr 8th via this link.
March 2026 Promo offers 50 free eBooks until Apr 7th via this link.
Tingle With Excitement: Suspense, Mystery & Psychological Thrillers offers 38 free eBooks until Mar 31st via this link.
Thanks for reading and sharing this newsletter. Next month, I’ll be back with news and photos from the Tucson Festival of Books and our vacation in Tucson and Mesa, Arizona.
Stay healthy and keep reading!!
R. Weir