1. Hi, Valona (aka Maggie)! I hear you have a cat in your paranormal cozy mysteries. Tell us about the series.

Yes, I do have a cat in my latest series, A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series. But first, thank you, Marcia James, for inviting me to appear on your site.

NOTE: Here are the first four books in the series:

There is a brother and sister pair of black cats. Harley, the larger male cat, claims my amateur sleuth, Tabby Quigsly, as his person, while Luna, his sibling cat, is quite attached to Tabby’s twin, Sage Winslow. Both Tabby and Sage are psychic in that they can give or take energy from others. Along with that, Tabby can read the aura of a person. That’s the energy field around each living thing that’s usually invisible to human eyes.

On four previous occasions, Tabby has been involved in solving homicides that the police haven’t been able to close. Tabby has no specific training in solving crimes, but she’s very good at solving puzzles. She sees a crime as a big puzzle and once she sorts through the pieces or clues in this case, she discovers new evidence that helps solve the case. Harley the cat plays a key role in comforting Tabby. They have an emotional connection, and he always knows when she needs him.

 

2. Why did you add cats to this series?

While pets are expected in cozy mysteries, I have always loved being around pets. My kids had pets, including fish, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and a horse, though the horse had the personality of a big dog. I personally enjoy the loving attention of cats and dogs and seem to be a pet magnet. It’s my belief that many cozy mystery readers have pets, and that they like people (or characters) with pets. Further, pet people trust others (people and characters) who have pets. Having a pet, especially a savvy cat in a mystery, is an automatic “yes” check mark for cozy readers. The real question is: why wouldn’t I add a cat to this series?

 

3. What other books have you written?

My most recent book, Flamed Out, in A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series, is my 30^th book of genre fiction. I’ve traipsed through several genres so far, including romantic suspense and science fiction, before landing firmly in the mystery realm. I’ve also ventured into a subset of cozy mysteries, paranormal cozies, of late. I enjoy writing characters who have a little something extra to give them a leg-up on law enforcement types.

Flamed Out Book Blurb:

Supernatural intrigue, a web of lies, and deadly secrets

When a loyal customer begs Tabby Quigsly to look into her uncle’s suspicious death, Tabby can’t say no—even if the police rule it an accident. Dr. Willim Rosemont, a respected psychiatrist, took a fatal tumble down Savannah’s infamous Stone Stairs of Death, but the five people who were with him that night all claim to have seen nothing.

Tabby’s ties to the case run deep—friends, frenemies, and even her husband’s best friend are among the witnesses. Then she uncovers a chilling truth: Rosemont was part of Savannah’s hidden Paranormal Council—the very group Tabby’s been hiding from all her life.

As the August heat rises, so does the pressure. Tabby’s new marriage is reeling from revelations about her husband’s shocking powers, her psychic gifts are spiraling, and the killer is closing in.

Can she unravel the mystery before everything—including her freedom—goes up in flames?

Flamed Out Buy Links:

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLW15JCB
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flamed-out-valona-jones/1148023680?ean=2940182462754
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/flamed-out?sId=4819101e-5b1f-45c1-917c-cbca5eec55c4
Apple iBook: https://books.apple.com/us/book/flamed-out/id6749814072
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1829482

Flamed Out Trade Paperback: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flamed-Out-Magic-Candle-Mystery/dp/B0FRMGHRKX
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flamed-out-valona-jones/1148023680?ean=9798992357127

My sleuths have been pet walkers, accountants, scientists, caterers, candlemakers, newspaper reporters and more. For a list of all my books in series order, check out the printable book list on my website at: https://maggietoussaint.com/pdf/printable-booklist.pdf

 

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

My books have been reviewed by Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, MidWest Book Review, and all manner of book bloggers and reader reviews. Defining characteristics of my body of work are: fast-paced plots, amateur sleuth solves a homicide, and a romantic subplot is included.

Here are a few review snips from FLAMED OUT’s recent Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour:

“Flamed Out offers a spellbinding conclusion to the Magic Candle Mystery series. This fast-paced novel provides an action-filled conclusion to this fantastic mystery series.” ~Storybook Lady

“Flamed Out delivers a sizzling mix of magical intrigue, a twisty murder case, and high-stakes personal revelations that set a new standard for the Magic Candle Shop Mystery series.” ~Books to the Ceiling

“I really enjoyed everything. Ms. Jones has a fantastic imagination, and I love her writing style.”~Baroness’ Book Trove

“Flamed Out is the fifth, and final, wonderful book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. I love the characters in this series and am sad to see them go. I have enjoyed Tabby, Sage, and Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. This series is amazing and I’m happy I can revisit these books and characters anytime I want.”~Sapphyria’s Books

 

5. How do you promote your books?

I send out a monthly newsletter to subscribers, along with using social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to promote sales and new releases. I network through my professional organizations of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. I also am a founding member of an eight-member author’s co-op, where we’ve pooled our talents to create a website that touts our books and connects with readers. Last but not least, I encourage readers to leave reviews because that directly helps other readers find good books.

 

6. Where can readers learn more about your book and connect with you online?

Maggie Toussaint’s Links:

Website URL is https://MaggieToussaint.com
Newsletter signup: https://maggietoussaint.com/newsletter-signup.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaggieToussaintAuthor
Book Lovers Bench: https://bookloversbench.com/maggie-toussaint/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-toussaint
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MaggieToussaint
X: https://www.x.com/MaggieToussaint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/maggie-toussaint/30/1a5/572/
Amazon author page, Maggie: https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Toussaint/e/B004SB0Y1C

Valona Jones’s Links:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ValonaJonesAuthor
Amazon author page link: https://amazon.com/author/valonajones/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22140872.Valona_Jones
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valona-jones

 

MARCIA: Thank you, Valona (aka Maggie!), for being my December interviewee! I love cozy mysteries and look forward to reading yours!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!

 

Each month, I’ll randomly pick one blog commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!