“To the universe, every moment is the start of the next big thing in your life.”
I confess, I saw that on a Facebook meme.
It stuck with me—probably because it’s a good encapsulation of the attitude I try to live by and teach my littles to live by example. And it fits the protagonist in my mystery/crime thriller series so well she might’ve said it herself, though her “next big thing” is often fraught with blood and bullets. A day in the life of a cops and courts beat reporter is rarely dull, but Nichelle Clarke has had a few that make a chariot ride to the ninth ring of Hell look like a friendly weekend outing.
The thing Nichelle would tell you about days like that, though, is that paths you didn’t even know were there for you to take sometimes lead to the most amazing people and places. I remember a time in the not-too-distant past when I didn’t think I was even capable of writing a novel. I spent years as a working journalist, covering everything from ribbon cuttings to high-level police and corporate corruption, so I knew plenty about mysteries and crime-solving, but fiction writing was uncharted territory for me. And if I hadn’t looked at Nichelle as a new beginning full of possibility and fun that day, I would’ve missed out on so much.
For instance: I wouldn’t know Dru Ann. And boy, would my world be a sadder, quieter place for that. Dru is not only a staunch champion of books and writers, and of characters she loves, she’s an amazing friend. I am so fortunate to have her as a friend, so happy she loves Nichelle, and so excited to be here today to share Nichelle’s new look and next chapter with y’all. Coming off a long break from this series, I’m realizing that I have missed Nichelle and her whole newsroom gang something awful. Nichelle is smart, she’s strong, she’s fiercely loyal, and she has this amazing ability to cut through nonsense. She’s pretty much my perfect imaginary girlfriend.
Which is why I am downright over-the-moon thrilled to be working with the talented team at Severn River Publishing to give my first six Nichelle novels new faces (and a few updates, too), and to bring both new and existing readers more of Nichelle and her friends. I am having a lovely summer, back in Nichelle’s world in the Telegraph newsroom, and I can’t wait until y’all see how much high-stakes trouble she’s facing this time—my new Nichelle crime thriller, tentatively titled DEADLY POLITICS, will be out this winter.
In the meantime, if you need to catch up on the series, you can find the pretty new editions of the first six books HERE (and if you have kindle unlimited, you can read them for free with your subscription)!
Giveaway: Tell us about a time new beginning led you to wonderful places (or just tell us which new cover is your favorite) in the comments, and you’ll be entered to win the Nichelle Clarke kindle book of your choice.
All comments are welcomed.
I like the new cover for Lethal Lifestyles best.
Thank you, Sharon! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Cover Shot is my favorite cover.
Thank you! (I really love that one, it’s so perfect for that story…)
Being brave enough to learn a new language in high school opened up many travel opportunities that I’m happy I took. Love that you were brave enough to listen to the voices telling you to write. Can’t wait to see the new books!
Thank you, Samantha! I love that you were brave enough to try a new language and experience new cultures through it. 🙂
They are fabulous! I love Cover Shot. But don’t enter me in the contest.
Thanks, Sherry! I really love that one, too, I think it’s so perfect for that story.
I like the cover for Lethal Lifestyles the best. I am not familiar with your series but am always on the lookout for some thing new. New beginnings: probably was graduating from High School and going to college, 2 hrs from where my parents live. Lots of new experiences, new friends and learning about responsibilities.
Hi Dianne, thank you for stopping by today! I was just talking to my daughter yesterday about what a strange experience it was, that first might in the dorm, to not have anyone to tell me when to go to bed or what time dinner was ready.
I’m so glad you love the cover for Lifestyles, and hope you enjoy the series if you decide to try it! You can read a free sample at lyndeewalker.com if you’d like to check it out. 🙂
Lethal Lifestyles, because it reminds me of the simple yet gorgeous scenery in my home state of Ohio. But all the covers are great!
Thank you so much, Sally! I thought that one fit the story so well, the barn was a big part of that one, and I love the flowers in the foreground for the “spring wedding” touch. 🙂
I’m so excited to see this new direction! Kudos, my friend!
Thank you, lovely. <3
My favorite book cover is Lethal Lifestyles. It definitely caughts my attention! But the others look good too.😊
Thank you! I’m so glad you like them! 🙂
Cover Shot is my favourite new cover. Have read the series and eagerly await a new episode.
Thanks so much, Brenda! I love that one, too, and I’m having such fun with the new book. I really appreciate your patience with the long break between books, too! 🙂
I think Cover Shot is my favorite because of the lighting and colors…it looks like a walk into something that might turn out wonderful!
New beginnings? Like college or marriage? The biggest for me was when my children were born! We went from two to five overnight with the triplet’s birth. Talk about a learning curve and changes! Yesterday we had a baby shower for the first granddaughter coming soon. What a wonderful path motherhood has led me on, and now being a grandma! ‘Nuff said, right?
Oh! That’s a whopper of a change, right there. What a wonderful story, and congratulations on your soon-to-be grand baby!
Welcome back, LynDee! Cover Shot is my favorite, because of the colors and the lighting. It best illustrates “crime thriller.”
Thanks so much, Jane! Good to be here. I love the vibe of that cover, too, and I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
Love seeing these new covers! Will have to make more space in my library 😊
Thank you so much, Mark! I’m so glad you like them! 🙂
I can’t choose a favorite cover. I love them all. No need to put me in the contest. I have them all.
As for trying something new that changed my life: when I got up the nerve in 2001 to take my first mystery writing workshop and start writing fiction. I found my passion that led me on the road to two new careers (writing and editing) and led me to meet so many wonderful people. I can’t imagine who I’d be today if I hadn’t taken that chance.
Thank you, Barb! <3 And boy, I'm so glad you took that workshop! If you hadn't, I wouldn't know you, and that would be a very sad thing.
I love the color of the sky on the cover of Devil in the Deadline.
Thanks so much, Jana! I do too, and I think that cover is such a great metaphor for the story in that one.
Cover Shot is my favorite. I have read all your books and have been waiting for a new one. Nice to know it will released this winter 🙂
Thanks for your patience with me and Nichelle, Marcia, and thank you for coming by today! I really like that cover, too. Every element of it works together to make it pop. 🙂
I really like ALL the covers but the one that I like best is “Cover Shot”.
They all give me a chill when I look into the cover. I love the red barn on “Lethal Lufestyles”, but I’m not opening a door! Nor am I going into the woods in “Buried Leads”! 😧
“Lifestyles”*
I bet Nichelle wishes she’d stayed out of those woods, too, in some ways! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping in—I’m so glad you like the new cover art!
So excited for a new Nichelle book!! The new covers are amazing 💕
**** WINNER ****
Lethal Lifestyles is Dianne Bahn
Congratulations!