Friday, August 30, 2024 - Read Previous Newsletters

Hello 'Unputdownables!'

A daring redhead, swindled out of everything she owns, embarks on a thrilling global quest for revenge—will true love be collateral damage?

That's the one-sentence description of Passion, Power & Sin, which I have always called Lust, Money & Murder's "kissing cousin." I wrote the story at about the same time that I wrote the first LM&M books, and they share a lot of similarities in terms of the writing style, action, fast pacing, and plot twists.

But now, with the release of Outback Diamonds, the 16th LM&M book, the term "kissing cousin" applies even more - especially the kissing part. 😃 That's because Heather Bancroft and Gareth Martin, who both play major roles in Outback Diamonds, are the main characters in Passion, Power & Sin. In fact, since Passion, Power & Sin takes place (in story time) about ten years prior to Outback Diamonds, one could call the book a prequel, at least in terms of Heather's and Gareth's backstories.

Give Passion, Power & Sin a try — I think you'll enjoy it. Readers always tell me that it's a wild rollercoaster ride.

If you're waiting for the next Lust, Money & Murder book to come out, you won't have to wait much longer. Stay tuned and make sure to open this newsletter to find out when the book is available for pre-order.

Since its release, Outback Diamonds has been met with rave reviews from readers who love the intense action in the Australian Outback and plot twists. If you haven’t yet read it, you’re missing out on one of the most thrilling installments in the series. Click the book cover below:

*** Giveaway Winner ***

Congratulations to Karen, of Cleveleys, Lancashire, UK, on winning the prize! Wishing you all the best in your new home.

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 a few simple questions. Here's this week's edition!

Meet David!

Where you're from/hometown: Goa, India
Favorite book of all time: On Dangerous Ground by Jack Higgins
Favorite author: Jack Higgins
Favorite Mike Wells book: Lust, Money and Murder series
Last book read: Over My Dead Body by Jeffrey Archer
Favorite reading place/time: My bedroom/After work hours and paperback
Fun fact: Witty sarcasm and humor
Question: How do you balance staying true to your creative vision with the commercial pressures and expectations from publishers and readers?

Nice to meet you, David, and thanks for reading my books. I'm flattered to be included with Jack Higgins!

Your question is an interesting one. As an indie author, I publish all my books myself, partly to avoid the struggles that come with traditional publishers, who often pressure authors to change books to make them more "commercially viable." Early in my career, I tried the traditional publishing route but was repeatedly asked to make these kind of changes with no guarantee of publication. And many times their ideas about improvement were just plain wrong.

One of my early books, Wild Child, is a perfect example. It's a short thriller. When I tried to find a publisher, I was told the book had to be twice as long to sell. Well, I tried making it longer, first by padding out scenes with more description, which slowed down the pacing, and then by adding on more plot at the end, which dragged out the climax. Beta readers didn't like it nearly as much as the original.

So, I decided to publish it myself. The rest is history—it sold well right off the bat and continues to do so. In addition, to please enthusiastic fans, I went on to write two full-length sequels. Both are highly acclaimed books and readers still can't get enough!

Having said all that, as an indie author, I do have to balance creativity and marketability. I maintain a file packed with story ideas I'm passionate about, and before starting a new book, I review the list with my marketing hat on and prioritize those that I believe have the most commercial potential. This approach ensures a decent balance between my creative vision and commercial success.

Choosing the indie route has allowed me to connect directly with readers, like I'm doing this very moment, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see my books reach international bestseller status and build a loyal fanbase around the world. And I love you all!

I hope that answers your question, David.

To everyone, I hope you've had a wonderful summer and have had a lot of time to read!

Mike