Hi Reader,

I think a lot of us are experiencing this right now - that moment where you're staring at your screen, coffee's getting cold, and your brain is on mute. You just cannot process the latest plot twist in this absolute dumpster fire of a timeline otherwise known as "reality."

This is where the book comes in.

Trafficking is inherent to the plot of Havana Girls, which evolved as I was researching the Black Dahlia case for a character in Vegas Girls(book 2). I guess took for granted that selling women was an evil we all agreed on?

Here I am telling Maggie Rodriguez as much on WFLA, just last week. But honestly, that's not how things look from where I'm sitting.

On this project, the invoices from my Havana Girls editor and audiobook narrator were held up by PayPal. Not over fear I might be selling girls, heck, they hadn't batted an eye over Florida Girls or Vegas Girls, but because HAVANA. Like, whoa! You want to do some Havana business? That requires investigation! But selling "girls"? No problem! Have at it!

Have we as a culture backslid on protecting women, all humans, from sex trafficking?? I would LOVE to hear your opinion over at my post about this in my Ill-Behaved Women blog.

My entire Queenpin Chronicles trilogy operates on the premise that powerful men who exploit vulnerable women should get their asses handed to them on a platter, preferably by the women they tried to screw over.

The fact that these charges didn't stick doesn't magically erase their damages. We need to hear from survivors. That's how we heal. And that's why I'm going to keep writing about women who refuse to be victims, who fight back, who survive. As long as I can anyway because...

Your Love for Book 3 Is Everything

Your reviews are giving me happy tears over my morning coffee. Check these out!

• "Be prepared to go on a journey… once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down."
• "I couldn't tell you how many nights I was reading until the wee hours of the morning—schedules be damned!"
• "The thrilling storyline and plot twist kept me happily turning the pages."
• "Strong heroines navigating a man's world, corruption, and criminals."
• "Thelma is a likable and relatable main character, and her friendship with Sam added to the overall story."
• "Great character growth makes the story easy to read and hard to put down."

But here's felt so gratifying - the atmosphere comments:

• "I was once again transported back in time and felt fully immersed in both the settings and time periods."
• "This book is the most complex and dark of all in the series, dealing with strong human emotions and events in history."

You get it. You understand that these aren't just crime stories - they're stories about women who refuse to let the world break them. Even when the world tries really, really hard. 🙏🙏🙏

Oh, Haaay, Flash Sale Alert!

Speaking of books that matter (and because a girl's gotta eat), Vegas Girls ebook is going on sale for $0.99 on July 14th and 15th only!

If you haven't met Thelma in 1945 Las Vegas yet, now's your chance to see what happens when a young widow decides to take on the mob. Spoiler alert: she's not going down without a fight.

Grab it Monday or Tuesday - because after this week's news, we could all use a story where the women win.

VEGAS GIRLS SALE - JULY 14 & 15

ICYMI

🎥Here's me reading from the prologue to Havana Girls.

🎙️And here I am talking to St. Pete Catalyst!

The Bottom Line

This week reminded me why I write what I write. As Thelma Miles says in Havana Girls, justice is not a zero sum game. Knowing the wheel will keep turning helps me stay in the fight.

But when it comes to fiction? Stories let me imagine a world where wrongs get righted. Where survivors get their power back. Where justice feels good.

I'm not giving up on that world. Are you with me?

XO,

​L.L. Kirchner • Author, The Queenpin Chronicles​ ​​​

P.S. - If this newsletter resonated with you, forward it to a friend. We need more people who believe survivors deserve better than disappointing verdicts.

P.P.S. - Seriously, don't forget about that Vegas Girls sale. July 14 and 15, Monday and Tuesday only. $0.99. Thelma is waiting for you.