I'm delighted to announce that there's an audio version of my short story "Sand Dollar Secrets." This story features the characters from my Cleopatra Jones cozy mystery series. It's a weekend getaway for Cleo and Rafe and darn if there aren't secrets and a mystery to boot. CLICK for Free Podcast download.
I love beaches and I admit that the St. Joe's of the story is patterned after St. Simons Island, GA, where I spent my middle school and high school years. Though the SSI of today is bustling and condo-friendly, light years ago it was a family vacation place where rambling clapboard cottages lined the beaches.
It was a different time in so many ways. We kids were allowed to walk the beach for hours on end (and that was my first love!). I thoroughly enjoyed the sound of waves and shorebirds, the scent of salt air, the wind in my long hair, the crunch of sand between my toes, and oh my gosh, what treasures washed in with every tide. It could be a perfect shell or an object from clear across the world. The possibilities were endless! I was truly in heaven.
As you might imagine, I collected seashells for decades and have lamps and boxes and bags filled with my beach treasures. Now I'm writing a new cozy mystery series entirely set on a laid-back island like that, and the first in that series, Seas the Day, is now available for pre-order. CLICK here to pre-order this cozy culinary mystery. I hope you'll check it out. (More vendors shown at my website )
Also, have you checked out the Booklover's Bench contest this month? The winner receives 6 cozy mysteries, each written by a different author. This is a marvelous set for your She-Shed, Woman Cave, or wherever you enjoy reading. It's a mystery 6-pack! And it could be yours. CLICK on over to enter!
Lastly, I'm appearing in an author extravaganza over at the House of Clues Facebook page tomorrow, Feb 14, at 9:30 am EST, talking about my forthcoming Seas the Day, and I hope you'll click over to be part of the excitement. I'm giving away a print ARC of the new book. CLICK HERE for House of Clues Feb 14 Valentine's Giveaway party. Remember, it doesn't start until 9 am EST on Feb. 14.
Happy reading - and happy early Valentine's Day!
Maggie