Hi , 

Is it hot where you are? I live in Texas, so you can guess my answer to that question. I keep checking the weather app on my watch and wondering if the top of the daily temperature gauge will end up in the infrared.

When I think of the pioneers who survived Texas summers in the 1800s, or even people who lived here BAC (Before Air Conditioning), I feel fortunate to live in this era.

What's something you're glad for about the world today? Hit reply and let me know.

Though air conditioning ranks pretty high on the list of things I'm glad for, it comes in far behind the independent publishing revolution. With a few clicks, I can put a book on the market in dozens of countries in multiple formats. Even with their fertile imaginations, could great science fiction writers of the past like Robert Heinlein or Roger Zelazny have come up with that?

About a week ago, I showed you the cover of my next release, Love and Death in the City of Bone, a science fiction short novel hitting bookstores on June 30. (In case you missed it, scroll down to take a look). When I showed it to you, I mentioned how everyone does judge a book by its cover. A bad cover can cripple a book's sales.

A good cover, though, doesn't guarantee good sales. All it can do is get the reader curious enough to read the blurb, book description, whatever you want to call it.

Speaking of which....

Love and Death in the City of Bone

Decades ago, we made our separate ways to the desert planet of Elard. We shared a common purpose: enlighten the planet's low-tech, violent aliens with our different paths of uplift. Though we served different ideals, we became friends... until our friendship dissolved into illicit affairs.

And an unexplained disappearance.

Now, I return to Elard.

Older, yes.

Wiser?

I hope.

I've got only thirty days to solve mysteries buried in the planet's vast desert. And reveal the hidden agenda of the only woman I ever loved.

A woman loyal to violent forces who'll do whatever it takes to stop me from finding the truth.

We're in the home stretch before release. Just one week from today! I'll be in touch then with bookstore links. Plus, for one week only, it will be available at a special discounted price!

Happy reading!

Raymund Eich