Fri. May 16, 2025 - See Previous Newsletters

Not long ago, I mentioned that writing a book allows me to “escape” my day-to-day problems in the same way that the finished book does for readers.  As I said in that post, it's probably because when I’m writing, I never know exactly what will happen next. While I do have a rough idea of where the story will go, I always try to surprise myself.  This causes the story to fly off in unexpected directions.  That's probably what creates the unpredictable twists in my books—if I don't think of them until I get there, you probably won't, either.

Right now, I’m writing two different novels at the same time, which I often do. One is a new Lust, Money & Murder short novel called Sky Trap, a jet-fueled sting operation involving fake art, fake money, and one not-so-fake criminal mastermind.

The other is Blob, a global standoff between humanity and an extraterrestrial who “strongly suggests” we stop all development of AI.

I didn’t plan it this way. Two stories. Two completely different vibes.

One makes me think. The other helps me escape.

Blob is the kind of story that taps into everything happening in the world right now—AI, paranoia, politics, out-of-control social networking, conspiracies—you name it. Is AI just another wave of technology—something we’ll eventually get used to, like we did with machines during the Industrial Revolution or nuclear power during the Cold War?

Or is this time different?

Is AI something we won’t be able to control—a technological advancement that is fundamentally more dangerous?

Although it's fast-paced and can certainly be called escapism, it's big, layered, and asks a lot of heavy questions. Just like real life.

Sky Trap is the opposite. It’s fast, fun, and sharp. Elaine gets pulled into a globe-spanning sting operation that starts with a single suspicious $100 bill and leads her to infiltrate a criminal luxury jet service that’s flying over international waters to avoid taxes, scrutiny, and the law.  Elaine faces some moral dilemmas, as always, but they are more personal than global in nature.

One book to let me ask some big questions. One book to let me forget them.

And maybe that’s why I needed to write both at the same time.


When Blob gets too intense, I dive into Sky Trap. When Elaine’s mission hits turbulence, I return to the eerie calm of Blob’s mission to save humanity from being enslaved by its own creation.

Back and forth, page after page, chapter after chapter.

Sky Trap: A Short Lust, Money & Murder Novel is now available for preorder on Amazon and on my web store.  IMPORTANT:  If you want to read on a non-Kindle device, you must preorder it from my online bookstore.  The moment it goes live, it will only be availble on Kindle and as a free read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Blob is a free read right now, serially, chapter by chapter, as I publish it on Substack.

If you had to choose, would you go with the mind-bending AI thriller or the undercover jet sting with a surprise villain twist?

Or would you read both books and switch back and forth, the way I'm doing as I write them?

(Hit reply and tell me—I’m always curious what readers are in the mood for).

Hope you have a great weekend!

Mike

P.S. Have you read all my books?

Catch Up on the Lust, Money & Murder Series With

These Discounted Trilogy Boxed Sets

More 'Unputdownable' Books by Mike Wells
(Click on the photos for full synopses)

International Crime Thriller - Lust, Money & Murder (Series)
The deeper she goes, the more she risks becoming a criminal herself.

International Crime Thriller - Outback Diamonds
In the Outback, trust is the most valuable gem of all.

International Crime Thriller - Marilyn's Secret Lipstick
The past never stays buried.

Crime/Psychological Thriller
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Crime Thriller - The Drive-By Wife
Takes "home invasion" to an entirely new level.

Crime Thriller - Renata's Revenge
They. Picked. The. Wrong. Girl.

Crime Thriller/Serial Murders - With Mother's Approval
A mother's love is eternal. For some, it's lethal.

Romantic Suspense - Forbidden (Series)
Temptation has its price.

New Adult Sci-Fi Adventure - Wild Child (Series)
You don't choose the green water...the green water chooses you.

Horror/Black Comedy
Babies always know...and they don't forget.

Technothriller - The Tesla Secret
Unlocking Tesla’s free energy secret could power the world...or end their lives.

Technothriller - Blind Scorpion
He could walk away a hero...but for which country?

YA Sci-Fi Romance - The Mysterious Disappearance of Kurt Kramer 
Lost in between worlds, will his heart lead him home?

Romantic Comedy - Secrets of the Elusive Lover
He plays the field, but she changes the game.

Coming of Age Suspense - The Wrong Side of the Tracks
First love in the teenage hell known as high school.

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