Great Escapes Review: Cover Shot by LynDee Walker

Cover Shot

Headlines in High Heels, #5
LynDee Walker


Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Henery Press
Date of Publication: November 10, 2015
Number of pages: 312
Cover Artist: Stephanie Chontos

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo

Book Tour Review: Devil in the Deadline by LynDee Walker

Devil in the Deadline

Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery, #4
LynDee Walker

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Henery Press
Date of Publication: January 6, 2015
Number of pages: 268
Cover Artist: Stephanie Chontos

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo

Review: Small Town Spin by LynDee Walker

Small Town Spin is the third book in the Headlines in High Heels Mystery series by LynDee Walker.  I was super lucky enough to have discovered the first book, Front Page Fatality, early in April of last year during one of the very first book tours I ever signed up for and fell in love with the book.  In October, another book tour company had her 2nd book, Buried Leads and I have a great guest post from Ms. Walker along with the review. There is also a novella available in the Heartache Motel Anthology, that covers events between Buried Leads and the beginning of this book. This has been a consistently great series, so when I saw that it was available on Netgalley, I was super excited.

This book opens with Nichelle fights a losing battle with her allergies. Since she is feeling so poorly, she gets a rare afternoon off, to go home a rest.  Unfortunately, the news doesn't respect sick days and Parker, Nichelle's co-worker and former super star baseball player turned sports reporter has a scoop for her - and its personal.  Parker's college buddy, and football legend's son has apparently committed suicide and they are willing to have his story told - by Nichelle.

So Nichelle heads out to meet with the family, but the more she learns about the boy and what happened, the more the pieces just don't mesh for her. Afraid that she is bringing her personal feelings into the story, she slowly starts digging all the while second guessing her gut instincts. When the boy's girlfriend is also found dead in an apparent suicide, more clues begin to point to murder.

This was the best book yet in the series, honest! Finding out some of the backstory about Nichelle and how/why she chose journalism, and particularly investigative journalism was masterfully done and left me wanting more. We also get introduced to an old friend of Nichelle's, that promises even more backstory in the future. Plus there was such great tension and struggle as Nichelle tries to figure out her relationship with both Joey and Kyle that I am as confused as Nichelle about which guy to root for. I gave this book a 5 star rating and can't wait to see what happens next for Nichelle.

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.

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN

Review: Heartache Motel Anthology

I first discovered LynDee Walker during a book tour, followed by Larissa Reinhart during yet another tour. These were two of the first authors I read from the Henery Press group.  This was quickly followed up by Susan Boyer and finally Terri L. Austin. The tag line at Henery Press is if you like one, you will probably like them all.  They aren't kidding!  Needless to say that when I saw an anthology of three of these wonderful authors, I immediately requested a copy on Netgalley.

In Diners Keepers, Losers Weepers by Terri L. Austin. we catch up with Rose at Christmas time a few months following book 3, Diner Impossible. Ma, the namesake and owner of Ma's Diner, where Rose Strickland works the breakfast to lunch crowd that Ma's caters to. Ma has decided that she wants to visit Graceland and to do it this year and to see it all lit up for the holidays. After all, a woman only turns 80 a few times, right? ;) Needless to say with the crew of Rose, Roxie, Ax and Ma, there is plenty of hi jinx, laughter and adventure.

For Quick Sketch by Larissa Reinhart, we actually go back in time and get the prequel and the backstory that is hinted at in Portrait of a Dead Guy.  Cherry is on a cross country road trip with her boyfriend Todd, as he is headed to Vegas to gamble in a high stakes Christmas poker tournament. They make a short stop in Memphis at the Heartache Motel to help out Todd's cousin Byron.  With Cherry involved you can be assured that there is plenty of Southern Charm and Down Home Attitude to spare.

The final story in this anthology is Dateline Memphis and we catch up with Nichelle Clark on her way home for the Christmas Holidays.  This story picks up about three months after Buried Leads and Nichelle has stopped off in Memphis to visit Graceland on her drive from Virginia to Texas.  Finding an Elvis themed room that takes pets were her only basic requirements. When she gets a text from her editor asking if she is having fun yet and reminding her that crime doesn't take a holiday, she has no idea how true that statement will become. But when she turns out to be one of the few people in-the-know during an unexpected lock down during her tour of Graceland, Nichelle is quick to don her investigative hat and get to work.  Especially when this could lead to a once in a lifetime scoop.

If you have been following my reviews, you already know how much I love novellas. Each of these three stories were well written and stayed true to the character, even in the condensed format.  My only single disappointment was that I kept looking and hoping for some kind of cross over where the characters got to meet or at the very least all take part in some over all grand mystery cross over.  Alas, it was not to be, but there is always hope for a future book.  There were some cross over of the characters at the Heartache Motel and it was fun to read each of the characters take on them and how they reacted. Overall this was a great book and a wonderful addition to the each of the series.  I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.

Elvis has left the building, but he’s forever memorialized at the Heartache Motel. Filled with drag queens, Rock-a-Hula cocktails, and a vibrating velveteen bed, these three novellas tell the tales of three amateur sleuths who spend their holidays at the King’s beloved home.

DINERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS by Terri L. Austin
A Rose Strickland Mystery Novella (follows DINER IMPOSSIBLE)

When Rose and the gang head to Graceland right before Christmas, they get all shook up: the motel is a seedy dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Rose discovers missing jewels tie into the death and her suspicious mind flips into overdrive, questioning her fellow guests, the staff, and even a cute impersonator who keeps popping up. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It’s now or never.

QUICK SKETCH by Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery Novella (prequel to PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY)

Sassy Southern artist Cherry Tucker and her poker-loving boyfriend, Todd, pop into Memphis to help Todd’s cousin who’s been hustled out of his savings, right before Christmas. Staying at the shady Heartache Motel, Cherry can’t tell a shill from a mark and fears everyone is playing them for chumps. Cherry and Todd quickly find themselves in a dangerous sting that could send them to the slammer or mark them as pigeons from cons looking for an even bigger score.

DATELINE MEMPHIS by LynDee Walker
A Headlines in High Heels Mystery Novella (follows BURIED LEADS)

Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke thinks she’s going home for Christmas. But a quick stop at Graceland proves news breaks in the strangest places. When the King's home gets locked down with Nichelle inside, she chases this headline into the national spotlight—and the thief's crosshairs. Christmas dreams of blue suede Manolos fade, and all Nichelle wants from Santa is to land the story before the thief cuts off her news feed for good.

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN

Waiting on Wednesday: Heartache Motel Anthology

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.


Heartache Motel Anthology

Elvis has left the building, but he’s forever memorialized at the Heartache Motel. Filled with drag queens, Rock-a-Hula cocktails, and a vibrating velveteen bed, these three novellas tell the tales of three amateur sleuths who spend their holidays at the King’s beloved home.

DINERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS by Terri L. Austin
A Rose Strickland Mystery Novella (follows DINER IMPOSSIBLE)

When Rose and the gang head to Graceland right before Christmas, they get all shook up: the motel is a seedy dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Rose discovers missing jewels tie into the death and her suspicious mind flips into overdrive, questioning her fellow guests, the staff, and even a cute impersonator who keeps popping up. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It’s now or never.

QUICK SKETCH by Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery Novella (prequel to PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY)

Sassy Southern artist Cherry Tucker and her poker-loving boyfriend, Todd, pop into Memphis to help Todd’s cousin who’s been hustled out of his savings, right before Christmas. Staying at the shady Heartache Motel, Cherry can’t tell a shill from a mark and fears everyone is playing them for chumps. Cherry and Todd quickly find themselves in a dangerous sting that could send them to the slammer or mark them as pigeons from cons looking for an even bigger score.

DATELINE MEMPHIS by LynDee Walker
A Headlines in High Heels Mystery Novella (follows BURIED LEADS)

Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke thinks she’s going home for Christmas. But a quick stop at Graceland proves news breaks in the strangest places. When the King's home gets locked down with Nichelle inside, she chases this headline into the national spotlight—and the thief's crosshairs. Christmas dreams of blue suede Manolos fade, and all Nichelle wants from Santa is to land the story before the thief cuts off her news feed for good.

Release Date: December 10th 2013

Why This book?

I am waiting on this book because I have become such a fan of these 3 authors and have really enjoyed all 3 of their very different voices.  For there to be an anthology with all 3 of their stories in 1 book and the possibility of them interacting together, makes this high on my must read list. 

Review, Guest Post & Giveaway: Buried Leads by LynDee Walker

Buried Leads

Buried Leads
Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery, Book 2
LynDee Walker

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Henery Press

Date of Publication: October 15, 2013

Number of pages: 276

Cover Artist: Fayette Terlouw

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo

When an Armani-clad corpse turns up in the woods, crime reporter Nichelle Clarke smells a scoop. A little digging, and Nichelle uncovers a web of corruption that stretches all the way to Washington, D.C. Politics. Murder. And a dead lobbyist. It’s everything Nichelle’s ever dreamed of.

The cops are playing it close, the feds even closer, and Nichelle’s afraid her boss will assign the story to the political desk any day. Richmond’s new ATF SuperCop makes an arrest before she can say “Louboutin,” but Nichelle’s gut says he’s got the wrong guy.

Her sexy Mafia boss friend warns her off the case, her TV rival is hot on her designer heels, an ambitious copy editor wants her beat, and victims are piling up faster than she can track them down. As Nichelle zeroes in on the truth, it’ll take some fancy footwork to nab this headline before the killer nabs her.

Guest Post: 

Book birthdays: for authors, they’re like Christmas and the Fourth of July rolled into one. You wake up, stomach tingling with anticipation, and hope for fireworks by bedtime.

I’m happy to say that at least on book number two, it has not gotten old. BURIED LEADS launches today, and I’m every bit as thrilled as I was when FRONT PAGE FATALITY came out in January.

I will say that the nerves leading up to the launch have been different this time around. Releasing a book into the wild is a little akin to sending your children off to college, or moving them into a first apartment. You’ve put years of effort and love and tears into something, and you have to let it go off into the world. You know it’s not going to be loved by everyone, but you hope it will find a place to live with people who love it, and that it will bring them joy.

Last time, no one knew who the heck Nichelle was. Or who I was. My eyes popped open on January 29 with mild expectations. I had spent enough years hanging out and learning about traditional fiction publishing to know that a debut by an author no one had ever heard of would have an uphill road. I remember telling myself all that day, “if five people I’ve never met before buy it and love it, I’m happy.”

By the end of that week, Front Page was number one on amazon’s hot new humor list. Number one. Me and Dave Barry, hanging out at the top of this list. And number two in mystery—between James Patterson and J.D. Robb, at one and three, respectively. It was truly like walking around in someone else’s life.

And I wasn’t the only person who stared at those charts all day. My mother-in-law called me from Texas about 657 times, she was so excited. I distinctly recall one point where she said, “Stop watching it. When it hits number one, I’ll call you back. Go to dinner and have fun.”

At that time, we were watching the mystery list, because I didn’t even know about the humor one. I laughed and said, “three is as high as I’m getting. No way I’m passing J.D. Robb.” 

“Whatever. Go eat something,” she said.

Ten minutes later, she called back as I was putting my new Nichelle shoes on to go celebrate number three (because that’s amazing in itself).

“Number two!” she singsonged.

“No way.” I muffled the receiver and asked my oldest daughter to bring me my cell phone. Then I had to sit down. I thanked MIL and hung up, looking at my husband. “What is going on here? Where is Rod Serling?”

Four minutes later, the phone rang again.

“Did you KNOW that J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts?” My mother-in-law shrieked.

“I do. That’s why I told you I wouldn’t pass her on this list.”

“My mom just told me that. I had no idea.” She said she was hanging up to call everyone she knew. 

I lived pretty much all of February in a fog. I honestly think it took a whole month to get my head around it.

Today, there’s a new book. And there are people who know who Nichelle is. A few even know who I am! The fanfare is a little bigger—I have a TV appearance this morning, some preorders to sign, and the Richmond launch party tomorrow night is part of this year’s Virginia Literary Festival. I am amazed and excited by everything on that list.

Am I expecting number one because it happened last time? Nope. I’m still not sure what combination of star alignment and Heaven smiling on me caused all that. But there are readers—way more than five—waiting for this book. That is mind-boggling to me. I love it. I’m proud of it.

One of the coolest things that happened to me this year was that I stumbled into having cocktails with one of my idols (any other Harlan Coben fans in the house?) at a conference in May. He gave me some good advice: “Write a better book next time. And the time after that. That is how you build a career.”

I’ve tried very hard to follow that, and I hope other folks think so, too.


Thanks so much for stopping by to celebrate this day with me. I’m so thankful for every reader who loves Nichelle and her friends, and I love hearing from y’all. The Headlines in High Heels books don’t have to be read in order, but if you want to check out FRONT PAGE FATALITY before you read BURIED LEADS, Front Page is on sale this week as part of the launch celebration—all ebook formats are only 99 cents!


Review: 

This is the second book in the Nichelle Clark Headlines in Heels Mystery by LynDee Walker. One of the first book tours I was a part of was for Front Page Fatality and really enjoyed it. So I was thrilled to be able to be part of this tour and get my hands on Buried Leads early! Check out my review of Front Page Fatality here.

This book starts out a couple of months following the ending in book one. Nichelle, or Nicey as she typically goes by, is living the glamorous life of the investigative journalist - tromping through the woods at night, looking for the dead body she heard about on her police scanner. When Nicey gets there, she finds the gruesome remains of a man wearing an expensive suit, shot in the face and left in a shallow grave. The teenagers that found the body give Nicey a quote for her article the next day, but otherwise there is little to go on. While the officers are busy, Nicey takes a closer look at the grave and finds a strange piece of paper in the surrounding grave. Hoping this will get her some brownie points (and perhaps lead to a scoop), Nicey brings it to their attention. Little does she know how important that little piece of paper will prove to be.

In this book we get the return of Joey, the shady mafia guy who visits with Nicey after dark and Kyle, Nicey's high school flame and currently the new ATF agent. Nicey has occasions during her investigation to work with both of the guys separately and we get the joy of being on hand for their first face to face meeting at Nicey's house. All that testosterone in one small space, it's enough to make a girl swoon! *fans self* But seriously, though Alpha guys they be, Nicey is a woman who takes care of herself and calls her own shots. She is not going to let someone tell her how to do her job or live her life. Even when faced with a massive professional set-back, Nicey kept her head high and kept moving forward. Nicey shows us that a woman can be aggressive, yet classy and tough, yet feminine. If you like strong female characters, you are going to want to check out this series. This earned a 4 star rating from me on Goodreads.

Giveaways: 

1) LynDee Walker is giving away a Swag Package Prize at each stop on the tour. Make sure you follow the tour and comment at each site.

Make sure you leave your email address in separated format. I will choose a random commenter at the end of the tour.

2) There is a Cool Gift Package, including a $25 gift card to the bookstore of the winner’s choice available tour wide.

US Addresses only for both giveaways.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

October 14:
Mommasez… - Review & Giveaways

October 15:
Musings and Ramblings - Review, Guest Post & Giveaways

October 16:
dru’s book musing - Guest Post & Giveaways

October 17:
Thoughts in Progress - Interview & Giveaways

October 18:
Lily Pond Reads - Review & Giveaways

October 21:
Mystery Playground - Guest Post & Giveaways

October 22:
Kaisy Daisy’s Corner - Review & Giveaways

October 23:
Melina’s Book Blog - Review, Interview & Giveaway

October 24:
Escape With Dollycas - Review, Interview & Giveaways

October 25:
Brooke Blogs - Review & Giveaways

October 27:
Socrates’ Book Review Blog - Review & Giveaways

October 28:
SavingFor6 - Review & Giveaway

October 29:
rantin’ ravin’ and reading - Review, Interview & Giveaways

October 30:
Traveling With T - Review, Guest Post & Giveaaways


Author Bio:

LynDee Walker grew up in the land of stifling heat and amazing food most people call Texas, and wanted to be Lois Lane from the time she could say the words “press conference.” An award-winning journalist, she traded cops and deadlines for burp cloths and onesies when her oldest child was born. Writing the Headlines in Heels mysteries gives her the best of both worlds. Her debut novel, Front Page Fatality (A Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery), is an amazon new humor #1 bestseller. 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 working on her next novel. You can visit her online at www.lyndeewalker.com.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Little Read Hens Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google +

Waiting on Wednesday September 25th

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.


Buried Leads by LynDee Walker

When an Armani-clad corpse turns up in the woods, crime reporter Nichelle Clarke smells a scoop. A little digging, and Nichelle uncovers a web of corruption that stretches all the way to Washington, D.C. Politics. Murder. And a dead lobbyist. It's everything Nichelle's ever dreamed of.

The cops are playing it close, the feds even closer, and Nichelle’s afraid her boss will assign the story to the political desk any day. Richmond’s new ATF SuperCop makes an arrest before she can say “Louboutin,” but Nichelle’s gut says he’s got the wrong guy.

Her sexy Mafia boss friend warns her off the case, her TV rival is hot on her designer heels, an ambitious copy editor wants her beat, and victims are piling up faster than she can track them down. As Nichelle zeroes in on the truth, it’ll take some fancy footwork to nab this headline before the killer nabs her.

Release Date: October 15, 2013

Why This book?

I am cheating on this bone, just a little.  I am actually hosting a Review & Guest Post of this book on October 15th, release day.  Which means, I will have read it before that day.  But since this was the next book in my line up, and if I hadn't signed up to host a tour stop, I would be waiting for it to come out just like everybody else.  The first book in the series was fabulous, and I have no doubts that this one will be equally great. 

Book Tour, Giveaway & Review: Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker

This is the first book in the Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery Series.  In this story we are introduced to Nichelle, or Nicey (nee-see) as her friends call her.  Nichelle is the reporter who covers the crime and courthouse beats for the Richmond Telegraph.  She has a good rapport with the Richmond police officer spokesman Aaron, wants earn a Pulizer like her mentor/boss Bob and has a love of designer shoes.  (Thank goodness E-bay put the price of gently used Pradas, Monolos & Louboutins within her budget.)

Nichelle has just spent an entire week at the courthouse covering a capital murder trial case dubbed the Barbie and Ken case due to the double homicide of a good looking flaxen haired couple.  She is planning a big Friday night out with her best friend Jenna, artist, bookstore buyer & mother of a newly weaned child and ready to get her drink on after a long dry spell.  On her way into work that morning, she hears about a dead drug dealer, the second in just a few weeks.  With all the drugs and cash being left at the crime scene, Nichelle wonders if it might be the work of a vigilante, but after speaking with Aaron agrees to hold that information back for an all access pass to be used at another date on the story of her choice.

That Friday night, everything seems to be going great.  Jenna and Nichelle are enjoying margaritas, mexican food and dishing on Nichelle's lack of a love life when she checks her phone and sees a missed call from Aaron.  There was a boating accident involving several baseball players and the Richmond PD boat. The strange thing is, the boat should not have been out, yet the officers who were on it were by the book types.  Next, it is discovered that all the drugs and cash from the 2 drug dealers has gone missing and was assumed to be on the boat.  When a prosecuting attorney, the last to sign to see the evidence turns up dead, Nichelle has her hands full figuring out just what is going on, who exactly is involved and how high up the ladder it goes.  To add to confusion, Bob has a heart attack, Aaron suddenly takes a highly suspicious vacation, an informant in the police department goes missing and a member of the mob seems to want something from her.

Great book!  I was quickly sucked into Nichelle's world and kept guessing right along with her.  The action was fast paced, exciting and believable.  By the time I got to the end I was so worried about what was going to happen.  I knew intellectually that obviously everything would work out in the end for Nichelle, after all this is the first in a series.  But in the thick of things, I forgot all that and was freaking out about how she was going to get out of danger and wondering who she could trust.  Excellent Job Ms. Walker!  I hope the second book is on its way soon.  That little romantic cliffhanger you left us with needs to be answered.

Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke’s days can flip from macabre to comical with a beep of her police scanner. Then an ordinary accident story turns extraordinary when evidence goes missing, a prosecutor vanishes, and a sexy Mafia boss shows up with the headline tip of a lifetime. As Nichelle gets closer to the truth, her story gets more dangerous. Armed with a notebook, a hunch, and her favorite stilettos, Nichelle races to splash these shady dealings across the front page before this deadline becomes her last.

LynDee Walker is giving away a $20 Amazon Giftcard during the tour, so make sure that you fill out the giveaway for a chance to win.

Book Tour Info: 

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

April 16, 2013 - Musings and Ramblings
April 17, 2013 - According to Squenn
April 18, 2013 - Shelley Reads and Reviews
April 19, 2013 - Brooke Blogs
April 20, 2013 - Lily Pond Reads
April 21, 2013 - Omnimystery and Mochas, Mysteries and More
April 22, 2013 – Day Off
April 23, 2013 - A Blue Million Books and Chloe Gets a Clue

Author Bio:

LynDee Walker grew up in the land of stifling heat and amazing food most people call Texas, and wanted to be Lois Lane from the time she could say the words “press conference.” An award-winning journalist, she traded cops and deadlines for burp cloths and onesies when her oldest child was born. Writing the Headlines in Heels mysteries gives her the best of both worlds. When not writing or reading, LynDee is usually wrangling children, eating barbecue or enchiladas, or trying to walk off said barbecue and enchiladas. She and her family live in Richmond, Virginia. 

 Amazon Purchase Link: Front Page Fatality