Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones
About Snuffed Out
Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery)
Twin sisters Tabby and Sage co-own a candle shop, but will it all go up in flames in Valona Jones’ series debut, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Bailey Cates.
30-year-old fraternal twins Tabby and Sage Winslow own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. Sage is hot-headed and impulsive while Tabby is calm and collected, making them the perfect partnership. When one of their customers is found murdered, from a blow to the head, that partnership is put to the test.
Blithe McAdam had been seen in a heated argument with shop clerk Gerard, which immediately makes him suspect number one. The twins are convinced of Gerard’s innocence and start digging into Blithe’s past. But no one is cooperating. The neighbor who found the body isn’t talking, medical examiner Quig won’t give any details about the autopsy, and nasty rumors begin surfacing about the drowning of Blithe’s father years earlier—evidence that could seal Gerard’s fate.
Tabby and Sage dig desperately for the truth. But it’s not only their friend who’s in peril. With the clock ticking, the twins find themselves in the grip of an unseen and deadly energy that has seeped into their midst—and in the sights of a ruthless killer.
Hello everyone! We have something fun for you today! Today’s post is a guest post, but not just from the author (although that would have been a treat as well), it’s from Harley the Shop Cat from Snuffed Out. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Harley the shop cat’s daily log
A Day in the Life of a Shop Cat by Harley
10 am Harley the shop cat logging in for first watch. Gerard and my person, Tabby, are staffing in the Book and Candle Shop today. Gerard unlocks the people door. Tabby dusts. Norah Jones music fills the air, and my eyelids droop to half-mast. So easy to relax in this shop. All is well within my domain.
10:30 am A slender man-child visitor fondled the newest dragon statuette in the shop. I deemed him unworthy of such a prize. I stalked his way, hackles rising, and hissed. He moved on, instead purchasing one of Tabby’s new Savannah Sunshine pillar candles and a dragonfly wind chime. What? You think I don’t know what items are called? I’ve lived in this shop for six years. I’ve picked up a few things over time.
11 am A sticky-fingered child tried to catch me. Oh, the horrors of it! Doesn’t she know the first rule of order is nobody but nobody touches the Harley? My only exception is Tabby. She’s allowed to touch me whenever she wants. Because that’s what I want. Her touch feels like I’m rolling in catnip.
11:30 am Danger approaches. A sick female enters, and her life force is wobbly. I crouch-run into the stillroom, the space where Tabby works her magic with candles, and keep an eye on the intruder. My tail points straight up, stiff as a rod, and I utter a growl of warning. She yowls about her last purchase. Darkness throbs in the air around her. More yowling happens. Tabby’s twin arrives and gives the female a treat to make her leave. It works, and Gerard shoos her away. Whew, problem solved. I edge into the shop, leaping onto the checkout counter and purring at Tabby, who looks like she’s seen a ghost. Perimeter is once more secured.
High noon. Some days Tabby orders a three initial sandwich from the tea shop across the street. I hope today is such a day. In case she is undecided about the midday feeding, I beam the word at her eyes. Bacon. Bacon. Bacon. No judgments, people. I’ve had a rough day. Gerard gets the lunch from Southern Tea. When he returns, I sniff the air to see if my cat-apathy worked. It did! I let Tabby know I will help her finish her chow. She hands me a strip of bacon. Life is very good.
12:30 My sister Luna pads in looking like a glamor cat on parade. About time, though she’s early for second watch. Luna might be an overachiever, but I don’t know where she gets it from. Since she’s here, my work is done. I stroll into the stillroom to knead the pillow in the sunny fern window. Time to get some serious napping in.
For more about Harley, his people, and his shop, read “Snuffed Out,” book one in A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series.
About the Author
Valona Jones writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in Southern locales. Her work blends mystery and the unexplained, along with a sprinkle of romance. A former scientist, she’s drawn to the study of personal energy. She sharpened her people-watching skills as a lifelong introvert and thankfully had a bank vault full of personal observations when she began to write fiction. Her forthcoming release, Snuffed Out, A Magic Candle Shop Mystery, is slated for January 10, 2023, release. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where time and tide wait for no one. Visit her at https://valonajones.com
Author Links
Website: https://valonajones.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/valonajonesauthor
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valona-jones
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22140872.Valona_Jones (Valona is not on twitter, Instagram, TikTok, nor Pinterest)
Purchase Links – Amazon Kindle – Amazon Hardcover – Nook – B&N Hardcover – Kobo –
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
January 12 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
January 12 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 13 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 13 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 14 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT
January 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 15 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
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January 16 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 17 – Mythical Books – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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January 19 – The Book’s the Thing – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 20 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT*
January 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 21 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
January 21 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
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The Book's the Thing 
love to win a copy
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the drawing is handled through a Rafflecopter widget so everyone has an equal chance, but I’m happy to wish you good luck with your entry! Maggie aka Valona Jones ps if you happen to miss out, ask your library to order the book!
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Thanks for the review. I like the cover and way the story begins. Definitely one to find.
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Thanks for stopping by, cpbonham! and thanks to Book’s the Thing for giving the shop cat Harley a place to be heard. I appreciate your blog being on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. Thanks for your hospitality. Maggie aka Valona Jones
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Hi Maggie – my pleasure! Thank you for coming by.
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