Thursday, September 19, 2024

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Tallowed Ground (Magic Candle Shop Mystery, #3) by Valona Jones

 

Tallowed Ground
A Magic Candle Shop Mystery
by
Valona Jones


Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting - Georgia
Publisher: Muddle House Publishing
Publication Date: September 10, 2024
Digital Print length: 269 pages
ASIN: B0D9HLPS2W


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SYNOPSIS:

 

When a killer props his third and latest victim against the double tombstone of Tabby and Sage Winslow’s grandparents’ grave in Savannah, Georgia, the psychic twins are stunned. Even worse, the victim is the very man they filed a restraining order against a few months ago for trashing their book and candle shop. Coincidence...or a connection? Then a clue about the murders points to Tabby’s career as a candlemaker. Now, she is the number one suspect in the killing spree.

The twins investigate all three victims, finding little that might tie the cases together besides where the bodies were found—in or near Bonaventure Cemetery, a beautiful 100-acre historic graveyard with a storied past. Then Tabby’s Medical Examiner boyfriend is mysteriously pulled from the case, with his dream job in jeopardy. The situation reaches a flashpoint when new evidence points to Tabby. With her freedom and the family business in jeopardy, Tabby and Sage match their wits and psychic abilities against the wily killer.

That is, until Tabby’s spirited inquiry lands her in the worst kind of trouble. Can Tabby clear her name before the fiend snuffs her flame…for good?

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

This excellent next adventure in the Magic Candle Shop Mystery series really hit my cozy mystery comfort read sweet spot. 

Tallowed Ground is the third book in author Valona Jones’s paranormal cozy mystery series, the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries; however, first-time readers will easily be able to read and enjoy it without having read the previous novels. (Readers may better understand the concepts of the sisters’ special powers from having done so, though.) With its cool twin main characters, their engaging beaus, and well-plotted mystery, this warm and clever tale really hit my cozy mystery comfort read sweet spot. 

Fraternal twin sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow lead the way through the suspicion and intrigue as the local police target Tabby as a person of interest in a series of murders plaguing old town Savannah. Tabby, Sage, and her friends must investigate to identify and stop the real killer and clear her name. The story unfolds from Tabby’s point of view, so readers are privy to all her thoughts and actions as she tracks down clues. Tabby said it best when asked how she beat the professional detectives to the truth in the past, “I figured out who were the people in the victim’s lives, and then I learned more about them. Sometimes I talked to the suspects. That’s all. The clerks in our shop helped, as did my sister.” Of course, she also has the advantage of being an “energetic” with the ability to see auras and project soothing, calming vibes. 

The story is set during Valentine’s season, and emotions tend to run a little higher than usual during that time of year. Early on, EVERYONE seemed to be moody and snappish, a little wary of the romantic seasonal expectations, too. However, the mystery gets going immediately as two murders have already occurred before the story opens. As in the previous books, secrets abound in this family. Many of the main characters have trouble communicating clearly with each other. Tabby often speculates about the emotional motives of those around her, including Quig, her long-time friend and now significant other. I really am enjoying the various couples in the book. 

The author works in some interesting factual tidbits here and there, such as Savannah being the site of Johnny Mercer’s final resting place and explaining that taphophiles are people who are drawn to the rituals of death, many of whom make rubbings and take photos of unusual or memorable headstones in cemeteries. The story has twists and turns that kept me guessing, and I found myself finishing the book all too soon. This book may be my favorite of the series. 

I recommend TALLOWED GROUND to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a paranormal element in their stories and fans of the previous books in the series.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Valona Jones, aka Maggie Toussaint, writes paranormal cozies set in coastal Georgia. Her latest release, TALLOWED GROUND, book 3 in the A Magic Candle Shop Mysteries, came out September 10, 2024. 

Under the name of Maggie Toussaint, she also publishes cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. 

Her pen name for a three-book science fiction ecothriller is Rigel Carson. In total, she has published more than 27 works of fiction and won multiple awards. 

She lives in coastal Georgia, where time and tide wait for no one.

Valona Jones Author Links


Maggie Toussaint Author Links



TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

September 11 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 12 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 12 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 12 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 14 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
September 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 16 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW
September 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 17 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE
September 17 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 18 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – Binge Reading Books – AUTHOR GUEST POST
September 19 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
September 19 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
September 20 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POSTS
September 20 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT


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1 comment:

  1. Paula, Thanks so much for hosting TALLOWED GROUND on your lovely site. I am delighted to be here and thrilled by your review. I am so glad the book worked for you. Best wishes and thanks again! Maggie aka Valona Jones

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