A Day in the Life with Nicki Valentine by Susan O’Brien

Oct 2, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Sky HighI’d say today was “the most hectic day ever,” but that describes most days in the Valentine household. Each day seems to top the last, and I can’t decide whether traveling to Florida with Jack (seven), Sophie (five), and my irresistible colleague Dean (35, in case you’re interested) on a major case will take the cake.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled to have my own P.I. firm, Sky Investigations, but I’m worried maybe Dean and I took a major case too soon, especially since it involves a missing groom who is practically family. Meanwhile, the groom’s mother is desperately sick, and she needs her son in more ways than one. For these reasons and more, I said “yes.”

So now we’re following leads to Florida, and I’m scouring my suburban D.C. home for beach toys, sunscreen, and summer clothes we haven’t outgrown. Good thing it’s almost impossible to outgrow a sarong, since Halloween was last month, and I may have eaten a few too many organic, dark-chocolate pumpkins. I doubt Dean and I will hit the beach (while the kids are at my aunt’s beachside rectory), but just in case, I’ll prepare. I wonder what he’ll bring. . .

Sorry. I drifted off there for a second. Dean is hotter than a Florida heat wave, and this will be our first significant time together. In fact, we’d just started dating when the groom disappeared. Dean was extremely gracious and pitched right in.

Listen, it’s late at night (prime productivity time for a mom), and I better finish packing, downloading iPad games for the kids, and trying to comprehend why a beautiful, seemingly innocent bride was left alone on her wedding day. Unfortunately, it brings up old wounds for me, since my late husband had commitment issues. . .but I digress. I’m not going to let myself think about that, although it may resurface as this case progresses. I hope Dean and I can handle it—and whatever else comes our way.

You can read more about Nicki in Sky High, the second book in the “Nicki Valentine” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first book in the series is Finding Sky.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Friday, October 9 for your chance to win a print copy of Finding Sky and Sky High. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!

About the author
Susan O’Brien has been passionate about reading and writing since childhood, when she started a neighborhood newspaper and escaped tween stress with mysteries. Since covering her first big story (the birth of gerbils next door), she has worked with USA TODAY, PI Magazine, The Parent Institute and others. Her debut mystery, Finding Sky, was nominated for a Best First Novel Agatha Award. Among Susan’s diverse interests are photography, gardening, loud R&B music, healing prayer and reality TV. She lives with her husband and children in a D.C. suburb and donates part of her earnings to missing children’s organizations. Visit her online at www.SkywritingSusan.com.

55 Comments

  1. Jan
    Jan on October 2, 2015 at 1:49 am

    This sounds likt a book I’ thoroughly love to tead! Definiyely, you should pick me! 🙂

  2. Doward Wilson
    Doward Wilson on October 2, 2015 at 1:55 am

    Great post and an interesting series to check out. Thanks for the chance to win.

  3. Jen
    Jen on October 2, 2015 at 5:08 am

    Sky High sounds like a great mystery book! Thank you for the chance to win.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  4. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on October 2, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Sounds like a book I’d like

  5. Gram
    Gram on October 2, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Oh wow…both of them. Count me in!

  6. sallycootie
    sallycootie on October 2, 2015 at 7:20 am

    Sounds like Nicki might be in for some fun. Would love to read this.

  7. Peggy Hyndman
    Peggy Hyndman on October 2, 2015 at 7:34 am

    I did a Read & Review on Sky High … it’s an awesome read!! I would love to add a print copy of this book to my library.
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:20 am

      Thank you, Peggy! Those reviews mean so much! Good luck!

  8. Barbara daley
    Barbara daley on October 2, 2015 at 7:36 am

    Would love to read this…it sounds intriguing and I like the way she writes from the snippet given. Thanks for the opportunity!

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:20 am

      Aw, thank you Barbara! I love hearing that! Good luck!

  9. Donna Gantt
    Donna Gantt on October 2, 2015 at 8:06 am

    Female private investigators make wonderful characters! Thanks for a chance to win.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:22 am

      They sure do! Thanks Donna! Good luck.

  10. Karlene
    Karlene on October 2, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Sounds like a great beach mystery – I’d love to win it!

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Thanks, Karlene! (Yay, beaches!) Good luck!

  11. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on October 2, 2015 at 9:07 am

    I am going to get book one in the series right away. This sounds like it is a book that will be fun to read, and I always like to start at the beginning of a series. 🙂 Thanks Dru for the feature today and introduction! Thanks to both of you-Dru and Susan-for the chance to win a copy of SKY HIGH. 🙂

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:22 am

      Thank you, Barbara! I appreciate that you’re getting Finding Sky! I hope you enjoy it! I like to start at the beginning of a series if possible, too. Good luck! 🙂

  12. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on October 2, 2015 at 9:10 am

    This looks like a good read with a lot of humor in it. I would love a copy.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:29 am

      Thank you, Nancy! It makes me extra happy when my books hit the Amazon “humor” charts. Good luck!

  13. elainehroberson
    elainehroberson on October 2, 2015 at 9:18 am

    I’m always looking for a new series to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this one.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:31 am

      Thanks, Elaine! Good luck!

  14. marylouh
    marylouh on October 2, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Traveling with kids is always fun. Not!
    sound interesting. New series for me.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:31 am

      Totally. 🙂 Good luck!

  15. Grace Topping
    Grace Topping on October 2, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Hi, Susan — Congratulations on your latest book. Here’s hoping that it takes you to the best seller lists.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:33 am

      Thank you, Grace! Hope you’re doing well! The best seller lists…wouldn’t that be amazing? I love that Dru Ann helps spread the word!

  16. Susan O'Brien
    Susan O'Brien on October 2, 2015 at 10:19 am

    Thanks so much, Jan, Doward, Jen, Debbie, Gram, and Sally! Your compliments mean a lot! Good luck!

  17. Mary Jane H
    Mary Jane H on October 2, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Thanks for the chance. I’d love to have this book.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 10:34 am

      Thank you, Mary Jane. 🙂 Good luck!

  18. noraadrienne
    noraadrienne on October 2, 2015 at 10:41 am

    Okay, this is a cute one and I’d like to add it to my home library. Toss my hat into the contest ring please Dru.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thanks, Nora! Good luck!

  19. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on October 2, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Sounds like a fun read.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 11:49 am

      Thanks, Rita! Hope you enjoy it!

  20. Sherry Harris
    Sherry Harris on October 2, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I can’t wait to read this! Don’t add me to the contest but thanks for whetting my appetite to read Sky High even more!

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 11:51 am

      Hi, Sherry! Thanks so much! Looking forward to your next Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery, too!

  21. Julie Mulhern
    Julie Mulhern on October 2, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Susan,

    So thrilled that Nicki’s second book is out in the world! Congratulations!! No need to enter me – I, of course, already own Sky High!

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      Hi, Julie! Thanks so much! It’s always amazing to see a book you spent sooo long writing and editing (and fretting over) out in the world. I hope you enjoy it!

  22. rochf
    rochf on October 2, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Sounds like a great new series–I’ll go back and add the first one to my reading list.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      Thanks! So glad you’re adding Finding Sky to your reading list. 🙂 Good luck!

  23. Linda MH
    Linda MH on October 2, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I loved this line: “Listen, it’s late at night (prime productivity time for a mom)”–LOL. So very true!! Would love to win these books. Thanks so much for the chance.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks, Linda! So glad you identify with Nicki (and me). 🙂 Good luck!

  24. Anne
    Anne on October 2, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    What a captivating feature and wonderful giveaway. Thanks.

    • skywritingsusan
      skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      Thank you, Anne! I hope you enjoy the series! Good luck!

  26. robeader
    robeader on October 2, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Dru are you a magician? Instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, you are pulling new authors. I love following your blog because I have added several new authors and their books to my want to read list. Thanks for the opportunity. robeader53@yahoo.com

  27. Barbara Landrum
    Barbara Landrum on October 2, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    Sounds like an interesting book!

  28. skywritingsusan
    skywritingsusan on October 2, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Thanks Sue, robeader, and Barbara! Good luck! 🙂

  29. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on October 2, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    This brings back memories of early motherhood, in memories of that time for my daughters as young mothers, not always easy. So, this will be a fun book for me. On a personal note, I see you are interested in healing prayer, which has been a much talked about topic in our household.

    • Susan O'Brien
      Susan O'Brien on October 3, 2015 at 10:15 am

      Hi, Nancy. Yes, one of the reasons I wrote about motherhood is because of how difficult parenting can be. I never want any parent to feel alone in that, and Nicki is honest about its rewards and challenges. Thanks so much for noticing my interest in healing prayer. I am passionate about it — again partly out of not wanting anyone to feel alone in suffering. No one is alone, I believe, although sometimes suffering can feel so isolating. I’m glad you came by Dru’s Book Musings. I hope you enjoy Finding Sky and Sky High! (I’m also writing a nonfiction book related to healing.) Best wishes! 🙂

  30. Maria (BearMountainBooks)
    Maria (BearMountainBooks) on October 3, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I came across this series somewhere and blogged about it on my fb page! I never did get around to buying a copy so I’d love one!

  31. Susan O'Brien
    Susan O'Brien on October 3, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    Hi, Maria. Thanks for blogging about the series! I’m truly grateful to everyone who spreads the word! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

  32. Della Williamson
    Della Williamson on October 3, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    Since learning about Chatting About Cozies I have learned about Dru’s and a few others am in 7th heaven learning about all the new authors and series. I am looking forward to getting to know your work. Thanks for this chance

    • Susan O'Brien
      Susan O'Brien on October 5, 2015 at 12:02 am

      Thanks, Della! So glad you found Dru’s Book Musings. Good luck!

  33. cyn209
    cyn209 on October 3, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    New-to-me series….
    Thank you for the giveaway…..

  34. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on October 4, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    It sounds like a good one.

  35. Dru
    Dru on October 9, 2015 at 5:19 am

    Thanks Susan for commenting and interacting with my readers.
    Contest is closed.

  36. Susan O'Brien
    Susan O'Brien on October 10, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    Thanks, Dru, cyn209, Karen and everyone! I loved being here!