Looking Back #20: A Dream-Come-True Day

I’m counting down to the publication of The Unbreakable Code with highlights from the past two years since Book Scavenger was published. So much has happened in such a short time, and I’ve been so busy trying to keep up, that I’ve neglected to share many of the big and small moments. So here we go, in no particular order . . .

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I was going to post this memory tomorrow, but then Facebook reminded me this happened exactly one year ago today, so I hope you’ll enjoy this little walk down memory lane with me.

I was in Southern Pines, NC, for the last day of my paperback tour. Southern Pines is the most charming town, and if you are ever out that way looking for a place to stay, I loved the Jefferson Inn.

Bright and early that morning, I walked from my inn to a coffee shop around the corner called Swank. Great coffee and they also sold all sorts of creations from local artists.

Since it was the last day of my tour, I decided to treat myself to a pair of earrings and chose this pair because #5 was my son’s favorite number. (I can still hear his little voice and how it sounded then, dragging out the “i” sound: fiiiiive.)

I had two school visits that went very well–attentive, polite kids who asked great questions–and then the Country Bookshop put on the nicest store event, hosting a fun trivia game that I competed in with the kids.

Walking back to my inn late that afternoon I was feeling tired, but very content because my long week of travel was coming to an end and it had really been a lot of fun. I looked at my phone and saw there was a voicemail from my editor, which seemed weird. Her message said to call her right away. She said it was good news but I was still feeling nervous–I don’t know why, but I was. It took me by complete surprise when she told me the Book Scavenger paperback had debuted at #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

I couldn’t believe it! Honestly, it’s a year later and I still can’t quite believe it. I called my husband, I called my mom. I walked back to the bookstore to tell Angie Tally, the owner, but they were closed so I took a selfie in front of their store window display.

I celebrated with a nice meal, got some mint ice cream to go (which tasted just like Baskin Robbins’ mint, even though it wasn’t Baskin Robbins’ mint, which seemed like a magical coincidence since that is my most favorite ice cream and probably the first thing I would choose to celebrate a special occasion with).

I sat on the patio at the Jefferson Inn with my ice cream and a good book and enjoyed the spring evening and live music and marveled at what an amazingly great day it had been. To add to the magic of it all–guess how many weeks Book Scavenger stayed on the bestseller list last summer? Fiiiiiiive.

In case you missed it:

Looking Back #1: Re-visiting my alma maters

Looking Back #2: Meeting my editor

Looking Back #3: Meeting Ann M. Martin

Looking Back #4: A Memorable San Francisco Trip

Looking Back #5: Steves and pencils

Looking Back #6: Atlanta Book Group

Looking Back #7: A Story Behind the Story

Looking Back #8: Battle of the Books

Looking Back #9: Detective Day

Looking Back #10: Hicklebee’s

Looking Back #11: All School Read