Book Signing on Aisle 9

You may have heard about author Shawn Warner, who went viral on TikTok after someone filmed him signing books at a Fort Worth, Texas Krogers. As a fellow Texas author, our paths have crossed a few times since then at Bouchercon and other book cons. Shawn is extremely down-to-earth and just an all-around good guy. During one conversation, he mentioned he was at Krogers, thanks to a program called "Authors in Grocery Stores." I recently joined the program for 2026 and will be posting where I'll be signing once my registration is complete. (It takes about 30 days after approval for the books to be entered into the stores' system.)

Believe it or not, there is a history of authors signing in grocery stores. At my very first Romance Writers of America conference (I'd joined just weeks before and knew NO ONE), I sat down to lunch next to a woman who I learned was a published author. I was so new at this, I didn't even know that Sharon Sala was a bestselling author. A very kind woman (she described herself as "a farmer's wife from Oklahoma), she regaled me with her adventures traveling with a busload of romance authors around the country, signing books at grocery stores.

While I'm not expecting to go viral like Shawn, or even become a bestselling author like Sharon, I do hope to meet some new readers. I'll post my upcoming appearances, and if I come to your area, I hope you'll stop by on the way to frozen foods and say hi!

If you'd like to learn more about Shawn's incredible story, you can watch his interview on NBC's Today show.

Just Out!

As you may recall, "The Beast of Baker Street" was written as part of an anthology of stories by The Crew of the Barque Lone Star, a Dallas/Fort Worth Sherlock Holmes society. Holmes, Rejected features works that the Strand Magazine rejected for various reasons. You can now read all the rejected stories, either in EPUB or PDF form, for free on the society's Website, or purchase a paperback copy from Barnes & Noble.

Giveaways

Free Historical Mystery Books

January 1 - 20

Twenty free history mystery books for a limited time only. You can download 20 ebooks for free, featuring murder mysteries, hidden plots, bold heroes, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried. Visit the giveaway page here to claim all 20 free books before the offer disappears.

Crime Fiction Giveaway

Ends January 17

Booksweeps is giving crime fiction fans the chance to win an incredible prize pack featuring ten thrilling crime novels from standout authors, the perfect opportunity to build your crime fiction library with page-turning reads full of suspense and intrigue. The Grand Prize winner will receive the WILL TRENT Atlanta Series 12-Book Collection by Karin Slaughter, along with one copy of each participating author’s book. The Runner-Up winner will receive one copy of each author’s book.

Enter to win here.

Free Book!

THE NEXT WORLD WAR WILL NOT BE FOUGHT WITH SOLDIERS. IT WILL BE WON BY THE FIRST NATION TO CONTROL A GOD-LIKE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

A catastrophic blackout plunges Veridia—the technological crown jewel of the Kaledon Republic—into darkness. It’s the opening salvo in a digital Blitzkrieg, and the first shot in a war that will redefine humanity. For Elena Reyes, pregnant and just days from motherhood, the city's collapse is only the beginning. Hunted and alone, she is forced into a desperate battle to protect her unborn child from a world descending into chaos, where autonomous kill swarms patrol the skies and critical infrastructure is paralyzed by invisible enemies.

Get a free copy here.

Meet Charlie Davidson

A New Character, From a Different Time!

Last year, I wrote a story published in the Sisters in Crime, North Dallas chapter's anthology, Trouble in Texas. I'm not sure where Charlie came from, other than I knew she had to be a Texan. She simply appeared to me in her mini-skirts and go-go boots and demanded I write her story. (I understand Harry Potter similarly appeared to J.K. Rowling, scar and all). Having fulfilled my obligation of waiting the requisite period of time before I could share the story, I give you the first part of "Elvis Has Left the Building." If you'd like to read all the mysteries in Trouble in Texas, you can get your copy here.

Elvis Has Left the Building

Part 1

Charlie Davidson instinctively grabbed for her office’s front door when her foot skated on something on the floor. Righting herself, she ensured her beehive hadn’t flattened, retrieved the bills and advertisements the mailman had inserted through the door slot, and grimaced at the one showcasing a print of her Go-Go boot. “Do You Know Jesus?” it asked and provided a church address about two blocks from her Oak Cliff office.

Actually, she did. Jesus Martinez, 15, had hotwired a Cadillac and taken it on a joyride. She’d managed to plead out his case to keep him out of juvie. Unfortunately, that was several months ago, and if she failed to find another case with a decent retainer, she would be evicted from her current low-rent storefront.

She flopped into the cracked green vinyl desk chair behind her desk and sorted the mail, deciding what needed urgent attention (the ones marked “Past Due”) and those that could be put off a while longer.

How had she sunk so low? She might have a law degree from the University-of-Almighty-Texas, but it didn’t save her when she refused to bend over the desk for the managing partner at her firm. Right after, he decided her work wasn’t up to par, and she found the doors closed at every law firm in town. Just because she preferred her skirts short didn’t mean her morals were too.

When the bell over her door jingled, she jerked her head up from the electricity bill, hoping that her prayer had been answered. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach as the woman approached her desk. 

Nothing about the woman was real. Her wavy hair was too red, her lashes too long and black, and her too-tight dress barely avoided an indecent exposure arrest. Without even thinking about it, Charlie recited the Texas penal code regarding handguns in her head. Her trial-tricks professor taught this method to keep one’s face neutral. She almost missed what the woman was saying when she reached the penalties portion.

“I need you to get me my money,” she said in the West Texas drawl Charlie had worked so hard to erase. She slid into the visitor’s chair in front of the desk, somehow bending at her hips without popping a seam. “Miss…?”

Charlie reviewed the definition of tax evasion, gave a little cough, and rose from her seat to extend her hand. “Davidson. Charlotte Davidson. But everyone calls me Charlie. And you are…?”

“Candice O’Connor, but I go by my stage name. Kandy Kane.”

 Charlie took her seat. “You need me to get your money? Where is it?”

“My boss has it. The no-good cheat. He owes me six months’ back salary.”

“How much are we talking about?”

“I’m supposed to be gettin’ two hundred a week. That’s eight hundred a month. Six months would be forty-eight hundred.”

Charlie swallowed. The average annual salary in Dallas in 1968 hovered around seventy-two hundred. Charlie’s, of course, was lower. Maybe she needed to look into changing her career from lawyer to….?

“Where do you work?

“The Lone Star Lounge.”

Who knew removing one’s clothes was so lucrative?

“And you have proof of your employment?”

The woman leaned forward, and Charlie kept her gaze fixed on her face. “That’s right. Got hired just before the Christmas rush.” She pulled a newspaper clipping from her purse and slapped it onto the stained desk blotter between them. Her red-tipped nail tapped a large advertisement featuring the woman, her bare back to the camera, staring coquettishly over her shoulder. A fur stole, a pair of black panties, and three-inch high heels completed the ensemble. Peeking above the stole, a small crown tattoo showed on her right shoulder. The headline read, “Our newest employee, Kandy Kane.”

Before she could ask another question, Miss Kane slapped one advertisement after another on top of the first. “This is for New Years, Valentine’s Day, Easter—aren’t the bunny ears cute?—Spring Break—those college boys are so generous—the first day of summer. See, six months. I have more if you need them.”

“This shows you were employed there, but what about a contract? Something about a salary?”

“Vincent—Vincent Devereaux—the owner said it wasn’t necessary. Just a handshake was all we needed.”

“And what did you agree to with this handshake?”

“I told you. Two hundred a week. Plus tips. All I’ve ever gotten was the tips.” She leaned forward as if sharing a secret. “They put those in my costume.”

“Miss O’Conner, without a contract—”

“It says right here.” She pulled out the original ad and poked at the headline. “‘Employee.’ Don’t that mean I’m working for them? Not just gettin’ tips?”

She might have a point, but….

“And you’ve had this discussion with Mr. Devereaux?”

“He says I just don’t remember correctly.”

“Without a written contract, it’s your word against his. I’m not sure—”

Kandy’s previously defiant expression crumbled, her eyes filling with tears. “You don’t understand. My tips are good, but I need more.” She pulled out another paper from her purse and laid it on top of the ads. In big letters, it read “Notice of Eviction.” “If I don’t pay my back rent, I’m goin’ to be on the street.”

The crack in Kandy’s voice pushed all the air from Charlie’s lungs. She was just a week or two away from finding one of those notices on her office door. Given her financial straits, no way could Kandy afford a retainer, but neither could Charlie turn her away. She knew what it meant to cross your boss. Her present predicament was proof of that.

“Tell you what. Sometimes, having a lawyer is enough to make a man like Devereaux rethink his position. I’ll go see him. If I get your back pay, you give me ten percent. If I’m unsuccessful, you don’t owe me anything.”

The stripper’s eyes rounded. “You’d do that for me?”

“I know what it feels like to be hustled by a man. No promises, but I’ll try. Now give me all your details, leave me the clippings, and I’ll go over to the lounge as soon as I can. When will Devereaux be there?”

To Be Continued.....

Those links again:

Shawn Warner's story: NBC's Today show

Holmes, Rejected: Barnes and Noble

Historical Mystery Giveaway: here

Crime Fiction Giveaway: here.

Swanwake: here

Trouble in Texas: here

See You in February!

Liese