03 April 2013 by Published in: Jet 31 comments

It’s officially April, and I’ve only released one new novel so far in 2013. While there’s no excuse for this slacking, I can only hope that you are looking forward to reading the next in the JET series as much as I’m looking forward to releasing it.

To that end, I’m happy to say announce that JET V – Legacy is now live.

Readers of the series will find all the elements they’ve come to enjoy, along with some twists and a few surprises. I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that if you’re looking for something to read to help you nod off at night, this ain’t it. I’m particularly proud of the way the language shaped up, and believe that’s a trend now that I’ve crossed the two million words mark on my fledgling writing career. Seems like not only can old dogs learn new tricks, but also the odd bit of wisdom on the use of punctuation, adverbials, adjectives, and so on. Blood of the Assassin, JET IV, and now JET V all typify this hopefully elevated approach.

In JET IV we had Jet fleeing the country after taking on her nemesis. JET V picks up as she’s on the road, a few days later – or more accurately, less than 48 hours later.

It’s been a ball writing this, and I hope you enjoy it. If you don’t, simply lie to protect my delicate feelings. I won’t know the difference. Ask any of my exes.

In other news, I fleshed out Night of the Assassin some more, and added around 4K words, retooling some paragraphs and adding depth to El Rey’s early romantic dalliance. In fact, I got so carried away, I actually went back and re-edited all the tomes in that series, and they’re the better for it. I’ve already done that with Fatal Exchange, so next up will probably be The Geronimo Breach, although I started on that one and found that as of four chapters in, there wasn’t anything I could think of to change that would improve it. That’s a good sign, as I’m always scheming about how to make things a little better.

I also just finished a short story titled Clay for an anthology – The End of the Road. That was a new experience, as I’ve only written one other short story, and it involved Hollywood, sex, drugs, and a chimp. This is much darker – think No Country for Old Men kind of dark. It’s interesting, trying to hit a number of emotional beats all within 2000 words, and make them tangible and real. I’m very excited by that, and might just write one short story a month until I have a book’s worth. Stay tuned.

March was now officially my biggest month ever. 22K books sold. Can’t complain. As of now, it looks like April will be more of the same, so 2013 is being very kind to me, for which I’m grateful.

Anyhow, here’s the cover for JET V. I think it’s a stunner.

jet 5-final with credit-low res

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Comments

  1. Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 10:48 am

    Just bought Jet Legacy. The cover looks great!
    You went back and added more romance to Night of the Assassin? I haven’t read that one yet. Sounds…um…fascinating. 🙂

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 11:12 am

      And it’s still FREE, for a limited time! Very limited.

      If you haven’t read Night, read King of Swords first, then Night. Makes for a much better experience, I think.

      Reply
      • Kim Cano  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 11:35 am

        I have Night of the Assassin on my kindle, just haven’t read it yet. To get the new version do I delete this one and then download the other? Sorry… I’m kind of technoplegic.

        Reply
        • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 12:17 pm

          I believe that would work. And it’s worth deleting and reloading. The new rev is greatly improved, I think. I actually went through the entire Assassin series after I wrote Blood and cleaned them up, fleshed them out, etc. But Night got the most attention.

          Reply
          • Yonatan  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 3:42 pm

            Hi,

            I just did it and it worked.

            Russell, I want to say that your work ethic and success are inspiring. It goes to show how hard work, diligence, and the constant strive for improvement pays off.

            If I had a hat it would be off to you.

          • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 5:01 pm

            Thanks. Although in truth, there’s a certain honesty to the idea that the work is its own reward. When I get it right – turn a phrase just the way I wanted, or hit one out of the park like I believe I did with Blood or this new short story, it’s thrilling, and gives me hope.

            I’m reading some James Lee Burke right now, and can only hope to match his ability to craft evocative scenes. As long as there are guys like that writing, I’ll have to keep raising the bar.

            Thanks for the kind words. I feel most successful when readers tell me they loved something I wrote. The rest – the booze, the strippers, the private jets, the mega-yachts, the dream cars, the fabulous vacations hobnobbing with nude celebs, the first name basis with heads of state, the adoration of the paparazzi… All that’s nice, and don’t get me wrong, wouldn’t trade it for the world, but when readers respond, well, that takes it to a whole new level.

  2. Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Really cool cover, Russell. Another margarita for your graphic designer.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 10:47 pm

      Gracias. It is pretty cool, no? Probably my favorite to date.

      Reply
  3. yoon
    Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 9:43 pm

    I can’t believe you redid most of your books. I hate you. From now on, I’m going to wait a couple of years to buy your book after its release.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 10:46 pm

      It wasn’t that big a change. Except for Night. Mostly just adjusting things so they were more as I had hoped they would be. Worst case you can always reread them. Try sober. That makes every book a new experience for me.

      Reply
      • yoon  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 11:22 pm

        None of your books is marked with update available, so to reread them, I’d have to buy them again. I think I’ll go with waiting a couple of years route. And when did you have time to do all that anyway? What did you REALLY do on your “vacation”?

        Reply
        • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 11:24 pm

          That was just before I left. The only one material is Night, and it’s free. The rest, just little tweaks here and there.

          What did I do besides gain weight and shorten my life? Oh, nothing, really.

          Don’t be hatin’ on me. You know how I roll…

          Reply
          • yoon  –  Thu 04th Apr 2013 at 1:39 am

            Well, alright. I big fat dripping bloody red puffy heart you.

          • Russell Blake  –  Thu 04th Apr 2013 at 2:00 am

            Who’s your daddy?

            Respectfully, of course.

          • yoon  –  Thu 04th Apr 2013 at 10:15 am

            You are, sugah. You sweet thang.

          • Russell Blake  –  Thu 04th Apr 2013 at 10:55 am

            It’s why they call me Silk.

  4. Gerri T
    Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 9:57 pm

    Hola from Chapala. You finished with Jet V just in time as several of my friends are heading up your way on their Harleys for Bike Week in Mazatlan. Might get pretty loud and noisy. Just finished Night Of, now I have to read the new Night Of to see if Lake Chapala gets mentioned again.
    Also liked your word choices in Blood Of, I have to admit I used the Kindle dictionary on a few words.
    Got to buy Fatal Exchange next.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Wed 03rd Apr 2013 at 10:49 pm

      Hola right back atcha. Fatal’s a good read, as is The Geronimo Breach. But I’ll tell you what – JET V is going to be a tough act to follow. Although I think Blood sets a new bar for me. Actually, every bar is new for me the next day. Urp.

      Reply
  5. Ken
    Thu 04th Apr 2013 at 7:25 am

    Congratulations on getting Jet V out. Good to hear you had another banner month with your books. Quick question, if I may–who does the fomatting for your ebooks? I’m trying to upload a short story to Kindle (and also planning on using Smashwords), but after numerous attempts, have been utterly defeated.

    Reply
  6. Sat 06th Apr 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Awesome. You’re a powerhouse and an inspiration.
    You’ve probably answered this question before, but I’ll ask it anyway. Do you use an editor?

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sat 06th Apr 2013 at 5:23 pm

      Of course. I use an editor, a line editor, and a proofreader. And an awesome beta reader.

      I wouldn’t even consider releasing a book without at least a good line edit and proofread.

      Reply
  7. Stacey
    Thu 11th Apr 2013 at 4:31 am

    Nooo…he’s leaving…)<;

    Reply
  8. Asim Asghar
    Mon 02nd Sep 2013 at 10:47 pm

    Hi,

    I’m sorry if this has already been addressed but any update on the future jet books?

    They’ve been an awesome read.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Tue 03rd Sep 2013 at 11:48 am

      See my response to Shelley. Glad you like em. I’ll keep writing them as long as readers keep wanting to read them. Seems like a win-win all around!

      Reply
  9. Shelley Stevens
    Mon 02nd Sep 2013 at 11:14 pm

    Just finished reading Jet V. Have purchased and read ALL the Jet books, and love them! My 85 year old mother loves them as well! Just wondering if you have and idea as to how many more books will be in the Jet series?

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Tue 03rd Sep 2013 at 11:47 am

      I’m outlining JET VI as we speak, and hoping to start on it shortly, in time for Xmas release. Probably one more after that, possibly two. And maybe a prequel. I’m kind of intrigued by the idea of her life while in the Mossad, and her relationship with David and her team. Figure the prequel will probably be the final in the series. So maybe eight to ten, total. Considering it was intended as a trilogy that extended into four, and then five, that’s quite a run for Jet.

      Reply
      • Asim  –  Wed 04th Sep 2013 at 11:26 pm

        Cheers Russell,

        I look forward to the release of the sixth book! Jet was the first book I read on my kindle, not sure what to read now! Any suggestions from your other books that are similar to jet?

        Reply
        • Russell Blake  –  Sat 07th Sep 2013 at 5:49 pm

          Similar to JET? Well, I’m partial to King of Swords. It’s grittier, but it’s a hell of a story. Give it a try. JET and the Assassin series (King of Swords is the first book in the series) are my bestsellers. And a lot of JET readers go on to discover the Assassin books and like them as much, if not more. Let me know what you think.

          Reply
  10. Sat 17th Jan 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Love your Jet series. I read thru series volume 8. Can you tell me when volume 9 is ready by e-mailing me? Thank so much.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sat 17th Jan 2015 at 9:13 pm

      Sure. Just sign up for the mailing list and it will happen automatically!

      Reply
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