Age 16 in 1984
I’m pretty sure every parent on the face of earth says it just once: “You’re so lucky; these are the best days of your life! Enjoy them!” Being a teenager. . . yeah, it’s a bucket of laughs.
So, my life? Right now it consists of school and babysitting my infant sister, Jaymie. While other kids get to go to football game, the movies, bowling, on dates, I go home right after school so I can babysit Jaymie so that Dad can work and Mom can get some sleep.
And that’s about it. I mean, I’m not complaining, right? Or. . . I guess am. I love my little sister. She’s so cute, a bundle of pink, squirming baby. She smells so good right out of the bath, I just want to smoosh her little face. And I want to help, because I’m worried about my mom, who isn’t well right now and just doesn’t have the patience for Jaymie when she’s crying, and for my dad, who always looks so worried.
But as for my life? My friends are all mad at me for not doing stuff with them, and even Delores Paget, my summer friend, who I went to ride horses with whenever I got a chance, is distracted and half the time not speaking to me. She’s hung up on Brock (I know, right? Brock Nibley? Eeuw to the max!) and there’s something else worrying her. I wish I had time to find out, but maybe it will all straighten out by the new year. Dad says nothing bad lasts forever, and he’s optimistic it’ll all work out with Mom and Jaymie and everything. He’s trying to get Mom to agree to have Grandma Leighton come stay with us for a while to help look after Jaymie. That would help so much. Trouble is, she and Mom don’t get along all the time.
But. . . maybe. I hope so. ‘Cause right now, a day in the life of Becca Leighton, age 16? Blech. Check on me in a few years.
You can read more about adult Becca in Leave It To Cleaver, the sixth book in the “Vintage Kitchen” mystery series, coming June 23, 2017.
Jaymie Leighton, planning a big event in her own life along with her sister, Becca, is distracted by the 33-year-old mystery of two missing local teens, schoolmates of Becca’s. It’s a very odd trip back in time and gives her a glimpse of her sister’s life as a teenager when Jaymie was just an infant. But some of the secrets she uncovers may have devastating repercussions in the families of her best friend in the world, Valetta Nibley, and others close to her!
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About the author
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. 
She now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking and dead bodies for Berkley Prime Crime in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mystery series. Besides writing about murder and mayhem, and blogging at Killer Characters, Victoria collects vintage kitchen wares and old cookbooks, as well as teapots and teacups. Victoria also writes the Teapot Collector Mysteries as Amanda Cooper!
For more information, visit victoriahamiltonmysteries.com and sign up for the newsletter, or find me on Facebook.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a limited edition “Cozy up to a great mystery!” mug, pen, fridge magnet and bookmark. US and Canadian entries only, please. The giveaway ends June 23, 2017. Good luck everyone!
I love this author’s books. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Love Victoria ‘s books. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Love this giveaway! Count me in!!!
I am so happy this series is continuing!
I love, love, love Victoria’s books and can’t wait to read this new one….sounds super exciting! Thanks dear Dru for the contest and chance to win!
Thank you for such a fun giveaway….
Cute giveaway…thanks.
I think this is a fun series-Jaymie is such an eclectic person! It will be interesting to step back in her sister’s lifetime.Thanks for alerting us that it is out in a couple days!
I really love her books and cannot wait to read the next one. Her characters are fabulous
Thanks for this delightful feature and giveaway which resonates with me since the era is mine.
Thank you for hosting this series on your blog. It sounds like a great book/series. The giveaway is great also, a lot of cute items. Thanks for alerting us of the release of this book and also for the giveaway.
I remember when I was sixteen. A sophomore in H.S. and a band geek. Not many school friends and just a few close ones on my block. I was that lonely kid whose parents never let them have anyone over.
I can always use another cute mug and magnet for the fridge. Please enter me in the giveaway.
A very lovely and special giveaway.
This is a great series which interests me greatly as does this beautiful giveaway.
Sounds like a great read.
Love this author and series! Fun giveaway – thanks.
Sounds like a great series.
I have been reading Victoria’s MERRY MUFFIN MYSTERY series, and now it is time to begin the VINTAGE KITCHEN MYSTERIES. A cup to drink my coffee in while I read would be awesome.
donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
I love this series, and I am so glad that it is continuing. I am not so patiently waiting for the release of Leave it to Cleaver. Thank you for the chance to win!
Haven’t read the series but I collect a bunch In a series and binge read. I have slowly been getting books so this series is slowly coming together for a binge read. Thanks for such a great giveaway.
love this series and love vintage kitchenware!! thank you for the chance to win in your contest
She has such shallow friends. I love Victoria Hamilton’s books!
What a fun mug! And I love the clever mystery title!
WOW, I love that mug!!!
What a fabulous generous give a way ! Thank you for the opportunity I love this series and adore her series. Its one of my top 3 cozy favorites
Great giveaway for a great series. Thanks for the chance.
I believe all 16 year olds think their lives are “Bleh”.
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
One of my favorite authors and cozy mystery series, Thanks for the chance to win a cool giveaway.
It will be fun addition to my mug collection if I win this time!
This would be fun. I love mugs and teacups…thank you for the review and contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Congratulations on the release on the new book in your delightful “Vintage Kitchen Mysteries”. Lovely post. Gorgeous mug. Perfect for starting the day with a cuppa hot chocolate. And the perfect motto to go with it — “Cozy up to a great mystery!” Thank you for the heads up about the upcoming release. And a chance for these lovely gifts in honor of the release.
What a clever post! I am so excited the stories will continue! Thanks for the chance to win!
Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!!
This book story sounds really interesting. I enjoy her books very much.
I’m a huge fan of Victoria Hamilton, and actually just started Much Ado About Muffins last night. Loving it so far.
Ah, to be 16 again…. sounds like a great book. Thank you for the generous giveaway.
Would love to win
**** WINNER ****
of a limited edition “Cozy up to a great mystery!” mug, pen, fridge magnet and bookmark is Della Williamson
Congratulations