BOOK BIRTHDAY FOR CANDLE WITH CARE

 Today, Tuesday, Feb. 11, is the release day of CANDLE WITH CARE, book 4 in A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series, which I write under the pen name of Valona Jones. This book features amateur sleuth Tabby Winslow, a psychic and candlemaker who is a fraternal twin to her sister Sage. The twins live in Savannah, GA, and they co-own and operate The Book and Candle Shop on Bristol Street.

In CANDLE WITH CARE, Detective Sharmila Belfor is seriously injured from a hit-and-run accident when she is off duty. Soon thereafter, Sage's former coworker and friend, Larry Rau is murdered in his home. Then the twins' high school nemesis is kidnapped, and her mother begs Tabby to investigate. To make matters worse, Milly Quigsly, Tabby's fiance's mom, is throwing them an engagement shower and now Tabby has to come up with a suitable pastel gown for the June occasion. How on earth can she possibly get everything done, investigated, and bought when she's working full-time in the candle shop? Can Tabby identify the culprit(s?) before she becomes the next victim?

 CANDLE WITH CARE is available in print and digital format across the web. 

Digital Buy Links: KINDLE   NOOK    iBOOKS     KOBO  

Print Buy Links:   AMAZON    coming soon to B&N et al

 

Online Launch Activities

Cozy Mystery Party Takeover on Facebook, Wednesday, February 12, 7-8 pm EST

  A Love for Mysteries Party on Facebook, Friday, February 14, 7-8 pm EST, with 6 other authors

 

 Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour, February 13-22

 

 

 

Follow the Book Tour!

 

February 13 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

February 13 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

February 14 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

February 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 15 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 16 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 18 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

February 18 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

 February 19 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 20 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 20 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW

February 22 – Deal Sharing Aunt – RECIPE 

February 22 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 22 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

 

 In Person Appearance

Also, for my local readers, I will be appearing at the Old Jail Art Center and Museum in Darien, GA,for a booksigning on Saturday, March 15, from 11-1pm.  You're invited!

 

I hope to see you on my tour, and I hope you LOVE the new cozy paranormal mystery.

 

Maggie Toussaint

writing as Valona Jones

https://maggietoussaint.com

 

 

 

Shrimply Dead Releases today

The third book in my Seafood Caper Mystery series, Shrimply Dead, released today in print and digital formats. This book is a doozy of island fun, business changes, and a super-duper whodunnit for you and catering sleuth River Holloway Merrick to solve. You'll be scratching your head as you try to figure out who shot the veterinarian and amateur naturalist.

 BOOK BLURB

When veterinarian and amateur naturalist Jasmine Garr is shot in her yard, residents of Shell Island press caterer River Holloway into investigating the homicide. River dons her amateur sleuth cap and sets out to discover who killed her former catering customer.

Between Jasmine’s estranged cousin, a rival veterinarian, a wild animal trapper, the chicken lady, and a real estate broker, River has plenty of suspects to consider. As she peels back the layers of Jasmine’s life, dangerous secrets come to light.

Jasmine’s orphaned kitty, Iris, along with River’s cat Major, and her husband Pete help River sift through the evidence. At the same time, River recently expanded her catering business. She must service her regular catering clients, plus provide fresh baked goods for Pete’s ice cream shop.

The killer follows River’s every move relishing the thought of another victim. Time is running out. Will River solve the murder before she becomes a cold dish?

Book 3 of Maggie Toussaint’s Seafood Capers Mysteries brims with action and adventure in a lush island setting. Authentic Southern recipes included.

Digital Buy Links:      Kindle     Nook     Kobo     iBooks

Print buy link:            Amazon

EARLY REVIEWS

“I enjoyed the latest adventure in this wickedly solid whodunit that had all the elements I love. A good storyline, a great cast of characters, engaging dialogue, and an atmosphere of camaraderie. " Dru's Book Musings

“Colorful characters and tasty recipes add welcome spice to this clever culinary mystery.” Diane A.S. Stuckart, award-winning and NYT bestselling author of cozy mysteries

"This delicious cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the final twists at the end. If you have a hankering for some southern delights, snatch this book up now. " Nancy J Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Day Mysteries

GREAT ESCAPES VITUAL BOOK TOUR AND THE LAUNCH PARTY

Shrimply Dead's Great Escapes Blog Tour starts tomorrow. Check in at the central link to find out where the posts are every day!

Also, you're invited to the Shrimply Dead Launch party tomorrow evening on Facebook from 7 to 8:30 pm EST at https://www.facebook.com/newreleaseparty For more information, visit maggietoussaint.com 

Join the fun! Try the series! Solve the whodunnits-if you can! Prepare the recipes!

Digital Buy Links:      Kindle     Nook     Kobo     iBooks

Print buy link:            Amazon

Happy Book Birthday, Shrimply Dead!

Maggie Toussaint

Rebirth of House of Lies and No Second Chance

 Two of my romantic suspense/romantic mystery books formerly published by The Wild Rose Press are now on preorder and will release on September 17, 2020. Please take at look at these newly updated books and covers! These books are exclusively available on Kindle for 90 days.

HOUSE OF LIES

This was my first published book, and it won the 2007 National Readers' Choice Award. House of Lies is also the only book I ever wrote with secret agents and international spies! Here's the brand new cover (with a nice thank you to help from Polly Iyer), the book blurb, and the buy link:

It’s too late to win her father’s love. Instead, Hannah Montgomery must deal with the remote mountain cottage she inherited. The caretaker of the property, wounded ex-CIA agent Jake Sutherland, promised his dying partner that he’d help Hannah get settled.

But Hannah is very unsettled by the hidden letters from her father, letters which put Jake and Hannah on a collision course. As secrets from her father’s life are revealed, Hannah’s deep-seated quest for the truth challenges Jake’s loyalty and honor.

To make matters worse, the double agent who betrayed Jake and killed her father tracks them down. Caught in a web of deceit, Hannah must make a choice. Will she risk her heart—and her life - to learn the truth about her secretive father?

Buy Kindle version of HOUSE OF LIES

NO SECOND CHANCE

This book came about through my volunteering for a horse rescue charity and it is near and dear to my heart. I hope you will be keenly interested in this Cinderella tale of corporate espionage and redemption. Again, many thanks to my friend Polly Iyer for help with this cover.

Hope Farrier rescues unwanted horses, but she’s saddled with debt. Without help she’ll lose Second Chance Farm, the first home she’s ever known. An endowment brings the promise of future relief and the presence of shrewd business manager, Devlin Temple.

Trouble is, Devlin has his dreamy blue eyes on more than her bottom line.

Playboy Devlin Temple lays a trap for the thief that’s fleecing his company. When his cousin sets his cap for Devlin’s job, Devlin knows he needs Hope’s help to secure the CEO position. In her arms he finds the solace and support he craves, but their blossoming romance prompts the thief to raise the stakes.

Will Devlin and Hope pay the ultimate price for love?

Buy Kindle version of No Second Chance.

SAVE THE DATE!

PARTY! There will be a launch party to celebrate the release of these two updated books and three updated futuristic romances from Nancy J Cohen on September 22, Tuesday, at 7 pm EDT over at https://www.facebook.com/NewReleaseParty/ 

Free Mystery from Maggie Toussaint

Some of you may not know I use the pen name of Rigel Carson for a futuristic mystery series. The first book in this series, G-1, is now available for free. Previously a Kindle Scout winner, this book is now out under my imprint.

At the time I wrote this, 60 years in the future of Earth seemed so far away, and yet, with recent world events, the future I envisioned has many similarities with this book. This is an eco-thriller, where a secret society with a bent on world domination will do anything to get their hands on the Keystone.

Only one man can save the world. Dr. Zeke Landry, a brilliant but reclusive scientist with a very cool entertainment model android, uses strategy and island smarts to stay one step ahead of the bad guys in each Guardian of Earth book.

If you're a fan of my other mysteries, you will find this series to be written in that familiar light vein but with serious subject matter. In any event, I hope you give this one a try. It's free!

DOWNLOAD NOW

Here's a quick description of my book: The Big Bang Theory meets the Q Continuum 

Though plague, locusts, and earthquakes riddle 2065 Earth, brilliant and reclusive hydrologist Zeke Landry focuses on solving the problem of the world’s vanishing water supply with the help of a souped-up A.I. named Forman. When his uncle disappears, Zeke and his dashing sidekick search the country for Uncle John. A routing error lands Zeke’s travel pod far from its destination. Worse, every step he makes puts him in harm’s way and has him questioning his employer’s agenda.

Chaos reigns as food and water shortages destabilize governments. The Chameleons, a secret society poised for world domination, believe Zeke has the keystone, an object of great power. They’ve already murdered in their quest to find the keystone, so if Zeke can’t produce it, his hours are numbered.

A fish out of water, Zeke must face his worst fears to outwit his enemies. He must step into his late father’s shoes to protect his heritage...and more.

What are you waiting for? This is a free book! 

DOWNLOAD NOW

Dreamed It releases today, August 13, 2019

Seemed like it took forever for August 13 to arrive, and then it came on fast like a freight train! Wow! The wonderful feeling of a book release never gets old.

Dreamed It, Book 6 in my Dreamwalker Mystery Series, features my amateur sleuth, Baxley Powell and an ensemble cast of family, friends, and pets. This time she squares off against a wily serial killer.

Oh, man! She is in such a pickle. Not only is she trying to solve the Suitcase Murder, a teenage girl goes missing. With the girl's life clock ticking in her team, Baxley and her team keep digging, putting Baxley in dire straits.

Here's the book blurb: 

Justice for the dead and solace for the living is Baxley Powell’s creed, but she faces uncharted territory in this sixth book of the Dreamwalker Mystery Series. The Suitcase Killer has struck again, only this big city menace is now a problem for Baxley’s hometown. As that investigation heats up, a local woman is reported missing. The sheriff orders Baxley to work the missing person’s case.

Listening to the dead is familiar ground for Baxley but finding a missing young lady isn’t in her skill set. Besides, her dreams rarely follow a timeline. With the clock ticking, can this crime consultant discover a way to reach the living?

Her main source of help in the afterlife, a mentor named Rose, is unavailable. Instead, Baxley must rely on her wits and her Native American boyfriend, Deputy Sam Mayes, to find leads. Each shared dreamwalk and energy transfer binds them closer together, creating another issue. Mayes wants to marry Baxley but it isn’t that easy. They’re hampered by their community roles in opposite ends of the state.

Baxley juggles the pressure of two high-profile cases, a determined suitor, and expanding her limits. One thing is certain. Without her extrasensory sleuthing, the missing woman will die.

~*~

An excerpt is available at my website: https://maggietoussaint.com/dreamed-it/

Early reviews of Dreamed It follow:

“A tense, outstanding whodunnit,” 

- Midwest Book Reviews 

“One of the best books of the series!“ 

- Dru’s Book Musing

“An excellent adventure into the paranormal,” 

- Map Your Mystery

"A suspenseful page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.”

 - Nancy J Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Day mysteries

“Maggie Toussaint is a master of quiet suspense,” 

- Anna Gerrard, author of Peach Clobbered

~*~

 “A dream come true for fans of paranormal mysteries,”

 - Leigh Perry, author of A Family Skeleton Mysteries, on Confound It 

~*~

The book is available on wide distribution. Here are the links currently available:

KINDLE                  AMAZON                     BARNES & NOBLE

I hope you'll follow along on this amazing journey and that you enjoy the entire Dreamwalker series as much as I do!

Keep in touch!

Maggie Toussaint

https://maggietoussaint.com

Two Mossy Bog books out now!

They're here! The Author editions of HOT WATER and ROUGH WATERS are now available across all digital platforms. These books have a mystery plot line and a romance plot line, with different sleuthing couples in each book. Each books is described below.

In HOT WATER small town cop Laurie Ann Dinterman assists the state arson investigator, Wyatt North, who's tracking a serial arsonist turned killer. Wyatt needs to catch the guy that killed his partner, and Laurie Ann needs to keep Wyatt alive to ensure her promotion to investigator. All too soon clues put them at cross purposes. Can they catch the serial killer and arsonist before they go up in flames?

Order from  Nook     

                   Kindle     

                   Kobo

                   iBooks

"Exciting action scenes, sizzling romance, and a nail-biting climax."

- Nancy J, Cohen, author of Trimmed to Death

In ROUGH WATERS former Navy SEAL Rock Mackenzie believes pink-haired florist Jeanie Munro is the key to recovering his stolen sovereigns. A single mom who learned responsibility the hard way, Jeanie turns to Rock for protection when her shop and home are ransacked. After spiriting the kids off to safety, Jeanie and Rock hit the road to catch a thief and a stone cold killer.

Order from  Nook     

                   Kindle     

                   Kobo

                   iBooks

"A story about knowing what you want out of life and not letting the trials get in your way. I intend to read more of the Mossy Bog stories, you should too." - FRESH FICTION

If you like my cozies, you'll like these romantic suspense novels. I certainly hope you'll give them a try!

Also, I'm having a Facebook launch party on Thursday, May 7, from 6:30-8 pm EST over at https://www.facebook.com/NewReleaseParty   I hope you'll join in with the revelry! You're invited.

Happy Reading, y'all.

Maggie Toussaint

The Trouble With Cupid, round two!

This fun mystery anthology just went live for 2019. I hope you'll consider purchasing this short story collection all of which feature Trouble the sleuthing cat from Wetumpka, AL, because all the proceeds go to charity.

$2.99

Buy from KINDLE 

Fun-sized bites of Trouble, Cat Detective! All proceeds from the sale of THE TROUBLE WITH CUPID will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The famous black cat detective from Wetumpka, Alabama is at it again in this collection of sometimes poignant, often amusing short mystery tales.

Bestselling authors Carolyn Haines and Laura Benedict lead the lineup with the sassy “Calling All Cupids” and the sweet “Of Mice and Munchkins,” followed by Claire Matturro’s heartwarming contribution, “The Madonna in the Garden.”

With additional stories by eight other authors, including critically acclaimed veterans and exciting new talents, The Trouble with Cupid is a delightful offering of wicked fun for anyone who loves mysteries, cats, and a touch of romance.

Authors: Laura Benedict, Carolyn Haines, Greg Herren, Michelle Broussard Honick, Eve Osborne, Fran Roberts, Nancy Sartor, Maggie Toussaint, Lisa Wysocky, Claire Matturro, and Jaden Terrell.
The Trouble books are a multi-author coalition published by KaliOka Press with each mystery novel featuring Trouble, the black cat detective. All the full-length mysteries are available in e-format and print.

Come on, you know you gotta have it!

Happy Reading!

Muddy Waters cover reveal, Author Edition

As is the way with books and publishers, from time to time, rights revert to the author. That's what's going on here with the forthcoming Author's Edition release of Muddy Waters, the first book in my Mossy Bog Romantic Suspense series. It will soon be available from all digital venues.

My first priority is to reissue ebooks of the five romances that I just had rights reversion on. After that, I will see if issuing print books are warranted.

Meanwhile, please enjoy this new cover, put together with the loving hands of my friend Polly Iyer. My goal is to use the same font and font placement for all three books in this series to create a series look.

Originally issued in 2010, this book has been edited from front to back to update the content.

Muddy Waters is currently up for pre-order at Amazon, to go live on Tuesday, Feb 5. Other vendors have already pushed the listing through their sales channels so there's no waiting at Nook, Kobo, or iBooks.

Here's the new blurb:

Real estate broker Roxie Whitaker is juggling skittish clients, an anxious bride, and her wayward brother. She’d very much like to sell some property, soothe her friend’s wedding jitters, and knock some sense into her party-boy brother’s head. Meanwhile, she needs a date for the wedding. In walks Sloan Harding, the town’s former bad boy and now an Atlanta security expert, and Roxie believes he’s the answer to her dreams.

Sparks fly as he escorts her to the wedding and asks her advice about his property. While he’s home, Sloan hunts for his missing inheritance. Sloan’s search uncovers family secrets and painful memories. To make matters worse, someone in the shadows is after his inheritance, someone who will do whatever it takes to walk away with the fortune.

Also, reviewers from before loved Roxie and Sloan's story. Here are a few snips from those earlier reviews: 

“Great book, wonderful mystery and a red hot love story underlying it.  Roxie and Sloan really mix it up in and out of the bedroom and that is what makes for a great romance.  You can’t ask for more than that now can you?” –  Mary Gramlich, THE READING REVIEWER

“Toussaint pens a pleasant read for a nice fall afternoon. With its home realty and repair subplot, the author obviously knows her stuff.” – Cindy Himler, ROMANTIC TIMES

Buy Links:

Ready now:   Nook    iBooks    Kobo  

Pre-order for Feb 5 delivery    Kindle

More information at my website, including an excerpt!  Click here for the website listing.

Thanks, readers, for demanding more in this fun series that blends cozy mystery and romantic suspense. Hot Water and Rough Waters will be reissued next.

Happy Reading!
Maggie

 

Permanently bad hair and a fiery tale

Hi friends and fans!

I have a guest post up today at Paranormal Romance Guild. They invited me to help launch their new feature "Tell Me More Tuesday."  https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/tell-me-more-tuesday-maggie-toussaint-shares-new-release-confound-it/

I'm very excited to have the opportunity to share my Dreamwalker Mystery series, which has a strong romantic subplot, with paranormal romance readers. My sleuth Baxley Powell has some serious psychic mojo going on!

Many new-to-a-series readers are purists, so that's why, even though Confound It is a really cool, ultra-absorbing book, I'm giving away a copy of the first book in the series, Gone and Done It. To have a chance to win, you must comment on the post at   https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/tell-me-more-tuesday-maggie-toussaint-shares-new-release-confound-it/

The Dreamwalker Mystery Series in order from first to last are: Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, and Confound It. There will be 7 books in this series, with Dreamed It slated for release next summer. To find out more about my books, visit https://maggietoussaint.com/books/

But to have a chance at winning Gone and Done It, you must comment on the Tell Me More Tuesday post at Paranormal Romance Guild. See you over there!!!

https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/tell-me-more-tuesday-maggie-toussaint-shares-new-release-confound-it/

Maggie Toussaint's Podcast Interview

I'm delighted to share a link to a podcast interview by Tyler Wagner of Business Insights. This brief podcast is a great way to get to know me and my mysteries. You'll learn why Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham was a sentinel book in my childhood.

Best of all, the audio interview is concise and only 5 minutes long.

Please check it out!   https://tinyurl.com/y9nf522r

Maggie Toussaint https://maggietoussaint.com

Dadgummit Wins Award!

I'm thrilled to announce that Dadgummit, Book 4 in my Dreamwalker Mystery Series, won the honor of finalist in the Detective/Mystery category on June 16, 2018, at the Georgia Author of the Year Awards.

The stiff competition had me sweating in my boots! Out of 19 category entries from the entire state of GA, Dadgummit came in second (finalist). A good friend, Roger Johns, took top honors in the category, and I highly recommend his book, Dark River Rising. Thank you, Georgia Writers Assn., for honoring Dadgummit. I am most appreciative!

Pictured above, the event emcee Michelle Khouri presents me with a certificate. GA Writers Assn also presented finalists (and winners) with cool stickers to place on our winning books.

I had a brief moment at the podium to thank my new publisher, Camel Press, for picking up this ongoing series. I did my best to sound rational and coherent but it wasn't easy. My heart was racing from excitement, and the room was crowded - somewhere between 150 and 200 people in attendance. Still, for an introvert, I did pretty good.

By now you must be wondering what the certificate looked like! I posted a photo holding the certificate above. All of these lovely photos are courtesy of my brother, Clifford Watson. He and sister Virginia Baisden accompanied me to the award banquet.

It was a great night of celebration, of making new friends, of finding a long-lost cousin, and of reminiscing with my brother and sister. Somehow Cliff managed to get these nice photos without a flash (something about bouncing the light off the wall) and I was impressed with his photography skills.

Now I just need to decide where on the book cover to place the Georgia Author of the Year finalist sticker. Decisions, decisions!

I hope you'll check out Dadgummit and all the Dreamwalker Mysteries at my website.

Maggie Toussaint
https://maggietoussaint.com