Hello 'Unputdownables!'

Something curious happens when the boundary between fiction and reality blurs.

Consider the case of Futility, a novel written by Morgan Robertson in 1898. This story tells of a massive, "unsinkable" ocean liner that strikes an iceberg and goes down in the North Atlantic, resulting in a massive loss of life. The similarities between the fictional ship and the real Titanic, which sank 14 years later, are uncanny: both ships were British, both were the largest and most luxurious of their time, both carried too few lifeboats, and both struck an iceberg in April at around midnight.

The oddest coicidence of all?

The name of this fictitious ship in the book was The Titan!

(How to explain? Interested in your thoughts)

Another instance of life imitating art occurred with the 1979 film The China Syndrome, which depicted a nuclear reactor meltdown, a scenario that seemed far-fetched at the time. But just 12 days after the film's release, the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial meltdown, bringing the fictional catastrophe to life in a chilling way.

This strange phenomenon has touched my work as well. The very day I finished the final draft of Outback Diamonds, my newest Lust, Money & Murder novel, I found myself staring at the following New York Times news headline:

FAA Investigating How Counterfeit Titanium Got Into Boeing and Airbus Jets

This was a shocker because the similarity of this story to the plot of Outback Diamonds is uncanny. In fact, I was afraid that you might consider my plot a bit far-fetched. In Outback Diamonds, counterfeiters in Australia are selling fake pink diamonds to a number of large customers, including the US Department of Defense, which is using them to develop top-secret laser weapons. Like in the real-life Boeing scandal, the bad guys are selling fake materials into an application that could endanger human lives. As far as I know, this Boeing case is one of the first high-profile instances where a counterfeit component, complete with counterfeit documentation, has been sold to a major US government contractor and potentially posing a significant risk to human life.

As an author, this isn't the first time I've experienced life imitating my art. Sometimes I wonder if I will eventually be investigated by the FBI!

Anyway, the big release ...

It's fascinating when the lines between fiction and reality blur so dramatically. It makes one wonder: is life imitating art, or do writers simply have devious minds? Until the next uncanny coincidence, stay curious and keep reading!

I want to remind you that you'll save 20% by ordering prior to the release next week (pre-order price is $7.99, and after June 28th, the price will be $9.99). Also, if you buy from my online bookstore, you can enjoy another 10% off using the coupon code H2GPL0GWWU at checkout.

Don't miss out on the discount!

Outback Diamonds Release Clock

countdownmail.com

************ LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNER! *************

Congratulations to XXXX XXX, of XXX, who won a signed paperback of Outback Diamonds!

NEW GIVEAWAY

Outback Diamonds T-Shirt

If you're interested in winning this high-quality T-shirt, please answer the survey question below and you'll automatically be entered into the giveaway. The winner, chosen by Random.org, will be announced in the next newsletter (in about a week).
Note: I listed the same choices as last week, but there was a glitch and they weren't recorded.

To enter, click on your answer:

a) AI-narrated audiobooks are fine with me

b) I only listen to human-narrated audiobooks

c) I don't currently listen to audiobooks

READER SPOTLIGHT

Time for our Reader Spotlight, where I give a shout-out to one of my amazing readers and offer you the chance to enjoy your 'moment in the spotlight.' All you have to do is answer six simple questions. Here's this week's edition!

First name: Gisela
Where you're from/hometown: Germany
Favorite book of all time: The English Patient
Favorite Mike Wells book: the whole Lust, Money & Murder series
Favorite author: Anne Rice
Last book you read: The Vampire Armand (re-read)
Favorite reading place/time format: Weekends, paperback or ebook
Fun fact: I love books with paranormal aspects

Thank you, Gisela! Anne Rice is certainly a legend. I'm not surprised that you love sinking your teeth into her novels!

In closing, next time you're tempted to complain about the heat during a summer wave, just think of the resourceful folks in Coober Pedy and how creatively they've adapted to their extreme environment. It's a testament to human ingenuity and resilience—a fitting backdrop for the thrilling adventures in Outback Diamonds.

Happy reading and stay cool!

Mike

Note: Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends and family who might be interested.