I am excited to Welcome LynDee Walker and her
Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour here today!
Mickey, Magic, and Malice—a fairy tale vacation
by LynDee Walker
I am a total Disney nerd.
Yep. There, I said it (typed it, anyway).
The movies, the parks—I love it all. We have several pieces of framed Disney artwork in our home, all of which have been here since way before we had children.
It goes back as far as I can remember: the movies were a big part of my childhood. My mom loved them almost as much as I did. But as a single mom with a career and a lot of responsibility, vacations were scarce. I didn’t visit Disney World for the first time until I was married.
My sweet hubby took me for our first anniversary, and I had more fun than any ten children. We’ve been back every 12-24 months since, and it’s still my favorite place in the whole world.
We’ve marked a milestone there with each of our three little ones: they all get a Disney trip for their third birthday. This year, it was my baby girl’s turn to “go to Mickey’s house.”
It turned out to be a dream vacation in just about every way I can imagine—and a few I wouldn’t have dared to.
We got off to an iffy start with a nine-hour flight delay that ate up our first day in the park. But my children—even the three-year-old—were such good babies that day. No less than a dozen other women made a point to tell me so at some point before we finally made it out of Orlando International Airport. Any mom who’s ever had a rough day knows how proud I was of them.
We salvaged the evening and made it to Magic Kingdom for our must-do rides, then rushed to Chef Mickey’s for the baby’s birthday dinner with her favorite mouse.
The next morning kicked off clear and perfect, with sunshine and breakfast with Winnie the Pooh. We rode roller coasters (my little daredevils love anything the height restrictions allow them on) and played and walked off all the amazing food. They hugged their favorite characters. We took photos and made wonderful memories.
And then on Tuesday, a little extra touch made this the Disney trip to top all Disney trips (for me, anyway). A phone call came, in the most perfect time and place, and added the perfect sprinkle of magic.
Let’s back up a bit: y’all, I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I can remember. For most of my life, that dream was pretty Lois-Lane-shaped. I loved being a journalist. I was conscious of the fact that people trusted me with their stories, and I worked hard to tell them right.
But when I became a mom, everything changed. Reporting means long, unpredictable hours. Not super-conducive to family life. I’ve never regretted my decision to leave the newsroom, but boy, I missed writing. Then Nichelle and her friends took up residence in my head, and I discovered I could have it both ways. I am a girl blessed.
I can say without reservation that the past year has topped every dream I had about being an author. I am so thankful for each reader who has had fun with Nichelle, and those of you who’ve taken time to let me know that have made my days brighter.
Back to Disney: I never expected this call. Didn’t even dare to dream of such a thing, because so many writers who are far wiser than me, who have been generous enough to give me advice, said it’s easier when you don’t.
Yet there she was, the Agatha Awards committee chair, shouting over the din of the crowded restaurant where I stood that my debut novel had been nominated for best first novel of 2013.
Holy. Cow.
I asked her about 10 times if she was sure she was reading her list correctly. I thanked her. I hung up. And then I burst into tears. After I managed to tell my family that nobody died, we celebrated. With cupcakes (the grey stuff one really is delicious).
Seriously, y’all—on vacation at my favorite place in the world, surrounded by the people I love most. Standing in the dining room in Belle’s castle—because where is more perfect to receive such news than in the palace of Disney’s bookworm princess? I couldn’t have written it better.
My own personal fairy tale.
I think that’s why I’m such a Disney geek: I am a sucker for a happily ever after.
As a journalist, I saw some of the most horrifying things human beings can do to one another and watched people survive the worst days of their lives. As a mom of three, I have the daily honor of guiding these wonderful little people through the big scary world. I want for them what every mom wants for her little ones: happiness.
I know that’s what my mom wanted most for me, too, and let me assure you: I was pretty darned happy that January Tuesday, riding a roller coaster with my oldest (she’s nine going on 29) and watching her grin when she turned to me and said “that award thing is seriously cool, mommy. I’m so proud of you.”
Heart. Melted.
Thank you all so much for being part of this fabulous year. I’m so, so excited about the launch of the third Headlines in High Heels novel, Small Town Spin, and I hope you have fun following Nichelle to the beach.
Now y’all tell me: what’s your most magical vacation memory?
~LynDee
About LynDee Walker
LynDee Walker’s award-winning journalistic work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the nation. After nearly a decade covering crime, courts, and local politics, she left full-time reporting for motherhood with a side of freelancing and fiction writing. Small Town Spin is the third in her bestselling Headlines in High Heels Mystery series. The fourth arrives January 2015.
LynDee adores her family, her readers, and enchiladas. She often works out tricky plot points while walking off the enchiladas. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is either playing with her children or working on her next novel (but probably not cleaning her house).
Author Links
www.facebook.com/lyndeewalkerbooks
Small Town Spin
(A Headlines in High Heels Mystery)
(Volume 3)
Cozy Mystery
Published by Henery Press (April 8, 2014)
Paperback: 280 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1940976037
E-Book File Size: 584 KB
ASIN: B00JH2RAFA
When a superstar athlete’s son turns up dead in a tiny town on the Virginia coast, crime reporter Nichelle Clarke gets the inside scoop. But she quickly spies a gaping hole her inner Lois Lane cannot ignore.
Determined to unravel the mystery, Nichelle fights off paparazzi cameras and an unexpected rival. She uncovers an illegal moonshine operation, a string of copycat suicides, and a slew of closets stacked with more skeletons than slingbacks. Chasing a killer who’s a breath from getting away with murder, Nichelle realizes too late the culprit has her number—and it might be up.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
LynDee Walker is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and Nichelle Clarke one of my favorite protagonists. I started this story and just couldn’t put it down.
Even when she is sick Nichelle keeps going. Those darn allergies have to take a back seat when her co-worker asks her to check out a story. His friend’s son is dead and the cops say it’s suicide. The boy’s parents just don’t believe it and want Nichelle to investigate and find out what really happened. Let me say Nichelle works better sick than most of us work healthy. She puts on Manolos, channels her inner Lois Lane, and starts digging and following clues. She is bound and determined to get her exclusive story and leave TV reporter Charlie in the dust. She also wants to give the boy’s parents some kind of closure.
Walker has written quite a mystery with some corkscrew turns and twists and fabulous characters. She also adds the perfect amount of romance and humor. I really love “bad guy” Joey. He has it Nicey bad and he is always there just when he needs her most. But Kyle is still fighting to have her give their relationship another chance. Stay tuned I think things will heat up even more in the next installment.
LynDee is giving away a Super Prize!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Participants
April 8 – Mystery Playground – Interview
April 9 – readalot blog – Review
April 9 – Escape With Dollycas – Cozy Wednesday
April 10 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
April 12 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
April 14 – Community Bookstop – Review
April 15 – Beth’s Book Reviews – Guest Post
April 16 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review
April 17 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview
April 18 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review
April 19 – Books-n-Kisses – Review
April 20 – Brooke Blogs – Interview
April 21 – Queen of All She Reads – Review – Guest Post
April 22 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
It sounds like I’m as big a DisNerd as you are, so I completely get how special getting the news there at Disney World was. And Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney film, so I really want to go back now that they’ve updated Fantasyland. Living in So Cal, it is so much easier to get to Disneyland.
I understand, Mark! We’re on the east coast, so I feel the same way about your park—I’ve never been there, but it’s on my list of things I’d really like to do. 🙂
I love Disney. How can you not? You are a new to me author and I look forward to your reads even more now that I have more insight into just who you are.
Thank you so much! I hope you have fun with Nichelle. She’s a Disney girl, too. 😉
Congrats to LynDee on the new release, I can’t wait to read it! I have a good friend who seems to love Disney as much as you!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book. 🙂 My hubby and I have decided we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves on a non-Disney vacation. We’re too used to having something to do every second of the day!
Great review, I can’t wait to read it.
Congratulation!! Also I enjoyed the review and am anxious to read this book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Great series!
This sounds like a book that I will love.
Great post, and I share your love of all things Disney. My daughter got to go to Disney World for the first time for her fifth birthday–but you know which “kid” really had the most fun. My friends tease me that the reason I wanted kids was to have an excuse to go to Disney films (like I wouldn’t go alone? HA!) Glad you got your great news in the Belle setting. I’ll think of you now every time I look at the collectible Belle & the Beast plate that has its place of honor on the high (safety) shelf of my kitchen. LOL!
Wow what a wonderful place to get the news that you were nominated for an Agatha award. That is so cool!!!
Enjoy those girls. Don’t they grow up quickly?
Loved Disney, we made so many family memories! Thanks for reminding me of the great times we had there.
I don’t do twitter and it’s really too bad so much of the giveaway depends on it.
Libby, I will keep that in mind in the future. Leaving a comment on each blog was something we added so offset this a bit. 🙂
I love this series!! I adore Henery Press and so very glad I found them. And you..and Nichelle…
And my favorite vacation memory was my very first vacation that didn’t involve a visit between duty stations while I was in the Air Force. I was stationed in England and had a chance to go to Greece for a ten days. My friend and I chose the island of Rhodes. So relaxing and perfect. We walked the beaches, visited ancient ruins, hung out the pool, met neat guys from Scotland and England, ate fab food and danced each night away. So much fun.
Wow, Vickie, that does sound pretty daggone perfect. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by today and sharing. I’m so glad you like Nichelle!
Sounds like a great series! My husband and I honeymooned on a Disney Cruise, then spent time at Disney and Epcot!! Unforgettable!!
How FUN! We’ve never done a Disney Cruise, but it’s on our list for when the little ones are a bit older. 🙂
Congratulations on the new book. Can hardly wait to read it.
In the 80’s I got to stay in a 300 year old castle in Ireland. Wonderful and the bar was in the dungeon.
Ooooh, I think that wins for coolest lodging ever! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for having me, Lori! I’m so glad you enjoyed Nichelle’s latest adventure. 🙂
This sounds like an awesome series! Thank you for the chance to win.
I guess my most magical vacation was when we went to Israel in 1986. We went with a group from the Chapel at Spangdahlem (US Air Force Base) Germany. And to this day we still talk about it — even my kids who were in Jr High & High School at the time.
My first time at Disneyland was when I was a Junior in High School [that’s a LOT of years ago 🙂 ]. Neighbors were going and asked me to go as a companion for their daughter. Then after I was married, hubby and I went for an Armed Forces Weekend — at that time we were stationed at Vandenberg AFB & living in Santa Maria, CA. I’ve gotten to go back once or twice since – but the last time was probably 35 – 40 years ago. Hubby is a native California and lived in LA, so growing up he spent plenty of time there. [We live in Oklahoma now, so it’s a bit far, but I’d love to go back.
I think your trip and learning of your nomination for an award had to be magical — the perfect place and time.