GET LOST IN A STORY READERS. Today's guest is Mystery & Romance Author Maggie Toussaint.
KIRKUS REVIEW says about DEATH ISLAND STYLE “Toussaint creates a gutsy heroine whose struggles with murder and romance add up to a very enjoyable read”
A little sun, a little fun,
and a dark shadow from the past
Recent widow MaryBeth Cashour moved six hundred miles to escape memories of her late mother’s betrayal and her husband’s mysterious death. While beachcombing for seashells to use at her artsy Christmas shop, MaryBeth finds a corpse rolling in the surf on Sandy Shores Island.
The horror doesn’t end there. When detectives uncover a connection between the murdered man and MaryBeth, she’s their prime suspect. It’s not her fault the dead guy had one of her hand-painted Christmas sharks in his pocket—she doesn’t even know him. Besides, lots of people from the Mid-Atlantic region vacation in coastal Georgia. She insists it’s a coincidence he’s here. The cops don’t believe her.
As her world comes unglued, MaryBeth strips the shellac from her memories, discovering secrets that endanger her life. But time to prove her innocence is running out faster than a rip tide. The killer is crafting up a new murder – MaryBeth’s.
Death, Island Style is a cozy mystery flavored with eccentric southerners, Christmas music, and hand-painted holiday decorations. Set in sunny coastal Georgia, the book reveals the struggles of a young woman trying to make her Christmas gift shop profitable while dodging a murder rap. Beach scenes, a hunky pharmacist, and disastrous craft projects add sparkle and humor.
Death, Island Style, Five Star
ISBN: 9781432825669
Hardcover
EXCERPT:
http://www.maggietoussaint.com/death_island_style.html
AND NOW LET'S LEARN ABOUT MAGGIE TOUSSAINT:
DONNELL: Hi,
Maggie: What’s your favorite room in
your house?
MAGGIE: I love relaxing on my sunporch. It’s so bright and welcoming.
Just outside is a very active bird feeder, and I try to keep several pots of
pretty flowers out there as well. Right now, I have two lovely pots of pansies,
and their cheerful colors make me smile.
DONNELL: Favorite
activity outdoors?
MAGGIE: This sounds like a cliché, but I love, love, love
walking on the beach. Always have. I like the way the warm sand crunches under
my toes, hearing the sound of the surf, wading in the breaking waves, and even
sitting down at the high water mark and watching all the action. Even if the
beach is deserted, there’s always something going on at the beach. Now with sun
issues, I have to be a lot more creative about my beach time, but its still my
all-time favorite thing to do.
DONNELL: What’s your
preference -- small towns or big city?
MAGGIE: I’m definitely a small town gal. Don’t get me wrong,
I enjoy the shopping a big town has to offer, but there are too many people
there to suit me. I feel like they are using up all my air.
DONNELL: When you’re
not writing, what will we find you doing?
MAGGIE: I have a
part-time job at our weekly newspaper, I sing and play guitar in our church
choir, and I help with the care of a family member who is having memory issues.
DONNELL: Who’s braver
your protagonist in Death Island Style or you?
MAGGIE: MaryBeth in Death Island Style doesn’t start out
very brave at all, but by the end of the story, she’s got all the moxie of a
Stephanie Plum. I fit in the middle of that spectrum. I don’t like surprises. I
like to know what happens next, something that’s rare indeed in a family
setting. So, I’d definitely say MaryBeth is braver than me.
DONNELL: What’s in
your refrigerator right now?
MAGGIE: Jello, cheese, fake eggs, V-8 juice, fresh veggies,
strawberries, and about 6 kinds of salad dressing. This is a South Beach Diet season
for my husband and me. So far, it’s working great!
DONNELL: Do you read
your reviews?
MAGGIE: That’s like asking if I chew my food! Of course, I
read reviews. The wonderful ones lead to euphoria; the less stellar ones cause muttering.
I realize you can’t please all the people all the time, but it is nice to know
that a reader/reviewer got what you intended from the story.
DONNELL: What sound
do you love?
MAGGIE: The sound of moving water.
DONNELL: If you could
meet anyone in your lifetime, alive or dead, who would it be?
MAGGIE: I’d like to meet Walt Disney in his heyday. The man
was such a font of creativity, imagination, optimism, and entrepreneurship –
I’m in awe of his accomplishments. I’d like to talk with him about wellsprings
of creativity and how he overcame the challenges he faced along the way to
fame. The classic Disney features were mainstays of my childhood and strongly
affected my storytelling decision. I’d love to meet the man behind the magic.
READERS: NOW MAGGIE GETS TO ASK *YOU* A QUESTION
MAGGIE: What inspires you to do the things
you love each day?
One lucky commenter will win a copy of Death, Island Style.
Check out my links:
www.maggietoussaint.com
http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/maggietoussaint/
Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be
mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the
post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings
are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not
claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost
In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed
prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless
the commenter publicly posts their email address.
what inspires me to do things i love each day is my mom:). Her encouragement and her love makes me strong:), arethazhenATrocketmailDOTCOM
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on DEATH, ISLAND STYLE, Maggie. I love Southern stories.
ReplyDeleteI miss Walt Disney. "The Wonderful World of Disney" was a staple of our Sunday nights. He was a comforting presence, and I still think of him at Uncle Walt.
I suppose it sounds simple, but knowing how cranky and empty I feel without them inspires me to do things I love each day. Life is short.
Hello Everyone! What a thrill to be here at Get Lost in a Story. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's responses to my question of what inspires you!
ReplyDeleteFirst up, hi to arethazhen and kudos to her for saying her mom inspires her. What a lovely sentiment.
And hello to my Killer Nashville pal, Jane. So great that we share a love for Walt Disney. My motto for this year is to go for it because, as you said, Life is short.
I encourage everyone to get lost in a story, but also to grab for that dream. Don't wait until tomorrow!
Maggie
What inspires Me? I think it varies from day to day--no one person in particular, but numerous friends who like the same things I do. Celebrities don't particularly inspire me, nor do politicians.
ReplyDeleteSomeone like Billy Graham, though, is an inspiration just by his very presence in the world.
I liked your answer, though..good one.
And give the hard copy to someone else--it's on reserve for me at my library. I'll let you know when I get it.
My inspiration is my husband and daughter and your book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Donnell and Maggie,
ReplyDeleteHaving read and enjoyed Murder in the Buff, I can't wait to read Death, Island Style, now.
Hi, Mona, lovely to see you, my dear ;)
DeleteHi Celia,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your answer. You're so grounded true to yourself. That's a blessing in this day and age when folks change philsophies with the wind.
Hullo to Tammy, Thanks for chiming in. Inspiration is in the eye of the beholder. You gave a great answer.
Welcome Mona! Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment.
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteMy inspiration is all of the amazing people who have taken time out of their crazy lives to make a positive difference in my life. So, my life goal is to pay it forward by making a positive difference in others lives.
Maggie, I enjoyed this book, and I wish you continued success. So proud of you! *Hugs*
Hi Maggie, I love that you chose Walt Disney! My inspiration is that stack of books on my night table, waiting to be read. I know how much I look forward to picking up the next good one and want to be a small part of that chain. Best of luck with the new book~
ReplyDeleteHa! I worried you would be all over here by your lonesome, Maggie, and you've already had company. I can't wait to read Death Island Style. What a great answer about Walt Disney. Imagine, doing something so ingenious, you've made people smile for eons to come. Best wishes on your release!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Maggie, and spending the day with us. There's just something about the water lapping onto the shore that makes it great, so I totally agree about your favorite spot.
ReplyDeleteDEATH, ISLAND STYLE sounds fantastic.
~Angi
Hi Diana, It's nice that you have such an active pay it forward philsophy. So many people expect the world but wait for it to miraculously appear. It's people like you that make their own luck with hard work and great timing. I'm proud to call you a friend and critique partner.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marni and Donnell for validating my Walt Disney choice. Hi to Angi who also loves beaches. Thanks for the love, ladies!
Maggie
What inspired me to do what I love (with the people I love) is a sense of mortality. The are no re-takes in life. I've come close enough to dying to decide to eat dessert first.
ReplyDeleteHi Warren,
ReplyDeleteLife is short. Any one of us can be recalled at any moment. Spending time with friends and family is important and so is how you conduct yourself on the journey of life.
We make choices each day, and we can choose to be happy or to live in fear. Choosing to be happy, I think, really adds to your quality of life.
I'm so happy you stopped by!
Maggie
I enjoyed the interview. I'm inspired by my mom.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Ah, Walt Disney - a man who truly made his mark on the world. Who inspires me? I'd have to say my friends, who pop up to show a little support when I least expect it, and probably most need it. Also, remembering each day is one you can never get back helps keep me on track. Great post!:) xx
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie, I love the look of your book and I would be SO pleased to win it. I think I'm not so much inspired as obsessed. If I don't have my writing fix every day I start to twitch!
ReplyDeleteLove
Jenny
xxx
casahoya@gmail.com
Here I am again! Thanks to bn100 for sharing how she's inspired by her mom. And hullo to Sheryl across the pond for her friendship and unsinakble attitude.
ReplyDeleteJenny, welcome and great news - you're my winner! I'll send you an email to get your mailing address.
Donnell, Thank you so much for hosting me on Get Lost in a Story. It was fabulous hanging out over here, and I very much enjoyed the hospitality.
Happy reading, all! Maggie
My pleasure, Maggie, come back and see us!
DeleteI look forward to reading DEATH, ISLAND STYLE. It sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI miss Walt Disney and the movies he put out. I understand that now parents can't trust Disney movies or the Disney TV channel anymore. I've heard the kids portrayed are rude to their parents and others. Such a shame. Walt was to be trusted.
Hope to read this soon! Nice interview!
ReplyDeleteExcellent question, Maggie. The sun reflecting on my stained glass projects, undiscovered hiking trails, writing that perfect chapter, and the encouragement from my critique group and family and friends inspires me to keep doing what I love to do, even when I'd like to stretch out with a good book and a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the interview and getting to know more about you, Maggie. I, too, play guitar and sing at church. I have a 12-string Martin.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I am inspired to do what I do every day; write, tend to my little ranch, and support the local art center, because they all bring me such joy. I love stories, my animals, and theatre.