Sunday, June 26, 2011

New Look, New Reviews, a Giveaway, and a Free Read

Ta Da! Everything is brand new around here, but I think the paint is finally dry. I simplified my blog format, have some great reviews to share, a book or two to give away, and a free read to chat up. Read on!

My latest release - the Large Print version of On The Nickel - will be available at Amazon in Large Print after July 6, but you can pre-order now if you want to be the first to get your hands on a copy. In this book Cleo has to figure out who ran over the church lady. She hopes it wasn't Mama, but there's a person-sized dent in Mama's car.

I recently received two wonderful reviews for On The Nickel:

Do you like cozy mysteries with a Southern flair, a little bit of sexiness, and a lot of fun in-between the murder and mayhem? Then On the Nickel might be the satisfying read you've been waiting for. The novel stars Cleopatra Jones, an accountant, a struggling nine-hole golfer, mother of two teenage girls, and daughter to a mother who often needs corralling more than the young girls in the household. Throw in a mighty sexy golf pro and a pregnant Saint Bernard, and you have an entertaining read in itself.
To make the story even more interesting, a murder occurs in the church parking lot where Cleo's mother often meets with the Ladies Outreach Committee. And Mama's car has an unexplained dent in the fender.
On the Nickel is the second in the Cleopatra Jones Mysteries. The first is In for a Penny, which will entertain you as much as the second. Maggie Toussaint should know how to write "Southern"—she IS Southern to the core. I recommend both novels. -- Celia Yeary-Reviewer

THANKS CELIA YEARY!
 
Witty and suspenseful. All Cleopatra Jones wants is to raise her two teen-aged daughters, improve her golf game and advance her relationship with handsome golf pro, Rafe Golden. She has no desire to get drug into the center of another homicide investigation. (see In for a Penny).
But when Erica Hodges is killed by a hit and run driver in the Trinity Episcopal Church parking lot, and Cleo's own mother is the prime suspect, Cleo has no choice.
On the Nickel is a fun read with enough humor and intrigue to keep you turning the pages while Cleopatra tries to thwart the advances of her ex-husband, Charlie; encourage advances from Rafe and clear her mother's name, all while raising two teen-aged daughters and caring for a pregnant St Bernard.
A good curl-up-on-the-couch mystery. -- Ruthann Heidgerken, Amazon reviewer

THANKS RUTHANN HEIDGERKEN!

Previously, On The Nickel was reviewed by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Harriet Klausner, The Reading Reviewer, and Mysterious Reviews. My web guy is in the process of getting all the reviews posted to my site, http://www.maggietoussaint.com/
 
In honor of the large print release, I created a free read with my Cleopatra Jones characters. Basically, Cleo and Rafe spend a weekend at the beach. Sand Dollar Secrets has a little romance, a little bit of coastal Georgia, and a little mystery to solve. This short story will also be up at my site soon, but it's already posted here. Where, you ask? Go back to the top of the page and just before the first post are two tabs - "home" and "sand dollar secrets" - all you have to do is click on the words and you'll see my short story. I hope you love it!
 
Lastly, I'm running a week long comment fest. Stop by and leave a comment (and make sure I know how to get in touch with you!). For every 20 comments that aren't mine, I'll give away a copy of your choice of my titles.
 
So dive on in, leave a comment, and check back here next Sunday when I'll announce the winners!
 
Beat the heat - with a fun summer read!!!
 
Maggie Toussaint

31 comments:

  1. Maggie--I love the new look of your blog. Cleo is a fun character and her mother is very special. Good reviews, very acurate.

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  2. Maggie--I thought I'd be first, but Mona beat me. I love this new look for your blog. It beats the original one hands down. The peachy/coral shades remind me of sunsets on beaches--is that possible on any Georgia beach?
    The short story is perfect, and I'm so glad you got your page constructed.
    Nice work--now you're ready to roll. Celia

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  3. Very attractive blog spot! Congrats on the new, well-deserved reviews.

    Jacqueline Seewald
    THE TRUTH SLEUTH

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  4. Hi Maggie,
    Excellent job on your blog! ^5 Great flow, love the color. Congratulations on much deserved reviews. I'm so proud of you and wish you continued success! ^5
    *Hugs*
    Love,
    Diana

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  5. Hi Mona, Thanks for stopping in and saying hello. I'm glad you enjoy Cleo and her Mama.

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  6. Celia,
    Thanks for your help in figuring out how to upload the free read. I'm excited to have something like this available for fans, friends, and family.

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  7. Jacqueline,

    Thanks for stopping in. Your comment means a lot since you are the Truth Sleuth!

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  8. Hi Diana,
    I'm happy to have you in for a visit! Thanks for your continued support and encouragement. I appreciate your faith in me.

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  9. The new look is great. I'm getting ready to do the same, but don't have a clue as to what I want yet. And, I'm not exactly the most computer-savvy person in the world. Anyway, good job!

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  10. I'm a peachy, orangey person, so I love the colors, Maggie. They shine bright like you do. And the new Cleo will be an welcome addition to your already impressive body of work.

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  11. Hi Lee,

    Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment. I'm sure you'll come up with a smashing format for your blog. Hey, if I can do it, so can you!

    Maggie

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  12. Thanks for coming over to my place, Polly. I didn't set out to make the place orangey/peachy as I'm always drawn to blue-greens but this is where I ended up. I really like it, and I hope it is great fun for others as well.

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  13. I like the new look of the blog, and congrats on the great reviews.

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  14. Thanks, Maryann, I'm excited to have these reviews, and even more excited that folks like what I wrote. I'm gaining a foothold in the one of mysteries one review at a time!

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  15. Maggie, the blog is a great set for those sterling reviews--congrats! I write mysteries myself and do a weekly book review blog, so I'll be happy to give you a review if I'm chosen that will run for a week. Catch me at www.auntiemwrites.wordpress.com.
    Marni Graff, THE BLUE VIRGIN: A Nora Tierney Mystery; bluevirgin.graff@gmail.com

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  16. Maggie,

    I really enjoyed "Sand Dollar Secrets", sounds like Cleo's man is a bit of a mystery himself. Hope he turns out to be the good kind. You can reach me at tracy.riva2@gmail.com if I'm lucky enough to win. Thanks, I'll definitely be stopping by again.

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  17. I love mysteries with a southern flair...so glad I dropped in!
    Hugs and happy reading, ya'll.
    Nancy Naigle
    nlnaigle@aol.com

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  18. Maggie, I adore your writing. I'm so excited that On The Nickel is going to be published in large print. Cleo sounds like a really fun heroine. I can't wait to meet her. :)

    Steph

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  19. Maggie,
    Congratulations on the great reviews. I'm buying both of your Cleopatra Jones novels as soon as I finish this post. I hope to see you at Killer Nashville this year.
    Kay

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  20. Maggie, I am very new at blogging and don't quite get it yet. Got your message from LinkedIn and am throwing my hat in the ring to win a copy of your book. Here's hoping I win. Great job on yoour blog.
    Please follow me at: FollowSherriandCritter.blogspot.com also you can follow me on Twitter @SherriWrites4U.

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  21. Yes, I love cozy mysteries. Count me in!

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  22. Your blog looks very good Maggie. And the mysteries sound good. Please count me in for a chance to win.

    angel.graham.1(at)gamil.com

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  23. I had a busy day today and I'm just now getting back to the blog. Glory Be and Hallelujah, look at the comments. That's so cool!

    Nice to meet you, Marni. How very cool that you review mysteries.

    Tracy Riva, I'm happy to have you visit. Please come back as often as you like.

    Nancy Naigle, Thanks for loving southern mysteries. I'm happy you stopped in.

    Hey Steph, It's always a joy to connect with old friends. Thanks for the comment and the visit.

    Hi Kay Elam, I'm ultra thrilled you like my Cleopatra Jones character. I hope that you enjoy the series as much as I do.

    Hi Sherri, For someone new at blogging, you did well to get over here and leave a comment. I'll dash out and connect with you as requested as soon as I finish up here.

    Hi Anne Albert, It's always nice to meet a fellow mystery fan. I appreciate you swinging over and leaving a comment.

    Hullo to Angel Graham, It's so nice to meet you. Thanks for coming over from my social media blitz last night and leaving a comment.

    Sally Carpenter wrote to me by private email and said Blogger was not cooperating with her and try as she might, she could not leave a comment. Sally, I've entered you in the drawing.

    Whew! How fun to have such nice company. Please visit again, friends.

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  24. its such a nice blog, i like it, especially the titles of your releases.

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  25. Maggie, ON THE NICKEL sounds delightful. I love your new blog format, too.

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  26. Hullo to Jeniffer and Caroline! I'm delighted that you ladies stopped by Mudpies.

    Jeniffer, I've been lucky enough to keep the titles I suggested. I hope my luck continues to run smooth.

    Caroline, thanks for your thoughts on the blog and my latest Cleopatra Jones mystery. I know how crazy busy you are.

    Thanks for the love folks. Continue to comment - I'll decide upon the book giveaway winner at dinnertime on Sunday. Happy weekend one and all!

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  27. Great new look to your blog Maggie. Congratulations on the wonderful reviews, looks like another great book!~

    PS I have just finished reading 'No Second Chance' (I know it's late but I have a large TBR pile!:) )

    I really enjoyed it. A wonderful suspence, hot romance - and horses as a bonus! I can recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

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  28. Hywela Lyn,

    I'm glad you enjoyed No Second Chance. I know how much you like horses, so to get your approval, I must have a lot of things right!

    Thanks for stopping in.

    Maggie

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  29. I'm closing my giveaway contest now. Gonna put names in a hat. Be back in a few minutes!!!

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  30. In honor of the 4th of July, I decided to up my giveaway from 2 books to 4. The following names were pulled out of a hat as winners:

    Tracy Riva
    Angel Graham
    Marni Graff
    Sherri Carpenter

    Please contact me via email to let me know which book you'd like to receive.

    Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments. I am thrilled to have had such a great response.

    Happy summer reading everyone!

    Maggie

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  31. Thank you very much! I can sort of hear the final i on chiisai, though it's very faint. Having the romaji makes memorizing so much easier.



    Cheap Runescape Gold
    RS Gold

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