Maggie Toussaint – G-1 is featured in the HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

The Showcase is a special feature of the Author's Spotlight. It is designed to highlight Spotlight author's NEW releases and their soon to be released novels.

The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Maggie Toussaint New Book: G-1.

Award-winning southern author Maggie Toussaint is the Mystery and Romance writer who writes the The Cleopatra Jones Mystery Series. G-1 is book 1 of the science fiction The Guardian of Earth series written under the pen name Rigel Carson.

G-1

The Guardian of Earth series Book 1

Author: Maggie Toussaint
Pen Name: Rigel Carson

AVAILABLE
Amazon


Though plague, locusts, and earthquakes riddle 2065 Earth, Dr. Zeke Landry focuses on the one resource vital to the survival of Earth: the world’s quickly vanishing water supply. When his uncle disappears, Zeke abandons his hydrology research to find Uncle John. His efforts land him in deep trouble.

The Chameleons, a secret society, believe Zeke has the keystone, an object of great power. This group has already murdered in its quest to find the keystone, so if Zeke can’t produce it, his hours are numbered.

Time’s running out for Zeke . . . And the world.

Excerpt

Footsteps stopped nearby. A shadow fell across Zeke’s body. He turned to gawk at the gigolo robot.

It grinned at him. “Sir, I believe you’re expecting me.”

Zeke blinked, aware that every person on the platform was watching him converse with an oversized sex toy. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. Move along.”

“No mistake, unless you’re not Dr. Zeke Landry, super brain and ultra cool guy?”

Zeke ignored the flattery. “I ordered a Bob. Not a Gary. Never a Gary.”

The A.I. unit cocked its head to the side like an inquisitive parrot.

Genetically altered human skin and hair covered the artificial life form’s inner machine, which were maintained at a precise ninety-eight point six degrees. “Sir, my programming—”

Zeke’s hand shot up to silence the bronzed Adonis. He was not amused.

Leaning in, he read the name inscribed in gold on the mandatory identification collar. “Forman. While I’m sure your programming is extensive, I’m not looking for a hookup. My request was for a laboratory unit to assist in my hydrology research. Catch the next tube back to Hollywood.”

Forman’s blue eyes widened and his head bobbed back, a perfect mimic of human disbelief. “Sir, I can explain—”

“Not interested. Excuse me.” The hovercraft would dock any minute now, and Zeke’s com link wouldn’t work in transit to Tama Island. Turning his back on the robot, Zeke hailed Supply Central on his wrist com. After being routed through six automatic menus, he reached an interactive prompt. “This is Dr. Zeke Landry.” He sucked in a breath, and fury flowed out on the exhale. “You have a big problem. You shipped me the wrong unit.”

“Sorry for the error, sir,” the androgynous voice soothed. “Do you have your authorization number?”

“No, I do not have my authorization number. I’m standing on a pier notifying you of your screw-up. I need it corrected immediately.”

“One moment while I query requisitions.”

The silky voice returned. “Sir, we were unable to fill your request, and due to your Level Five priority, shipped you an alternate unit. You are dissatisfied with the Forman?”

The leaden clouds offshore and the changing barometric pressure aggravated his headache. “You sent me a gigolo. I need a research assistant. Where’s the Bob robot I requested?”

“We show a two-month backlog on the Bobs. Rest assured we will fulfill your request when possible. Our inventory will replenish once the World Collective approves the Ginright circuitry modules. Unlike the defective Bobs, Forman has been extensively mapped and shows no killer tendencies.”

Did they think their standard reply would placate him? Zeke’s voice sharpened. “Two months? Hell, I waited a month for the boy toy you sent.

I have critical deadlines to meet. Besides, this killer robot myth is a giant hoax.”

“Your request is in the system, Dr. Landry,” the voice soothed again. “In the interim, the Forman unit will assist you.”

“Christ.” He broke the com connection.

Across the lush fields of cord grass, a gleaming white hovercraft approached the wharf. The ferry would dock soon. He needed time to assess the situation. He had none.

His sponsors pushed hard for conclusive results. Even with his three-hour sleep pattern, he couldn’t finish the global hydrology computations before the International Water Summit. His uncle had promised skilled help. And now this sex toy had been assigned to him…

An unusual error for Uncle John. Zeke turned to study the robot. No way this pectoral wonder in a vivid pink shirt dotted with white palm trees knew a thing about science. As Zeke watched, the unit gave two passing women the once over. An athletic male got the same treatment.

He was so screwed.

The publish or perish mentality ruled the research field. Once he missed his deadline, his sponsors would bail. Then what? Back to making his living as a fisherman in the dying sea?

He had a few minutes. Better make good use of them. He crossed to Forman. “Is light a particle or a wave?”

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance,Suspense

Website: Maggie Toussaint - Romance Danger Mystery
Author's Blog: Mudpies and Magnolias
Blog: LinkedIn
Twitter: @MaggieToussaint
E-Mail: maggie@maggietoussaint.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Pinterest: Check Out Pinterest


Author Description: Award-winning southern author Maggie Toussaint is published in romance and mystery genres. She's a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America.

Maggie uses real life inspiration to flavor her books. Her rich scenery and colorful characters have received much notice, but at heart, she tells a darn good story.


Author's Book List
Rough Waters - A Mossy Bog Book
Former Navy SEAL Rock Mackenzie wants his stolen gold sovereigns back. Time is running out on the loan repayment for his treasure hunt and unless he finds the coins, he will have to forfeit a family heirloom and all hope of finding the sunken ship carrying the gold.

Pink-haired florist Jeanie Munro learned responsibility the hard way after her ex-husband abandoned her and their two children. Once a wild child with a heart full of adventure, Jeanie finds herself falling for yet another bad boy dreamer—until thieves ransack her shop and home and Rock reveals her ex is to blame for their troubles.

Is he? Or did Rock bring danger to her doorstep? In return for his protection, Jeanie agrees to help find the missing coins. Will their thirst for adventure get them killed, or will they discover the true meaning of treasure before it’s too late?


Order the Book From: Amazon - KOBO
Gone and Done It - Dreamwalker Mystery
While planting a cherry tree, landscaper Baxley Powell discovers a human skull buried in the sand. After calling the sheriff, Baxley uses her dreamwalking abilities to get a jump-start on identifying the victim. Then deputies arrive, and, believing she’s tampering with evidence, taser her. Emotions flare, but the sheriff agrees to hire her as a consultant. With a daughter to support and bills she can’t pay, Baxley is motivated to succeed.

Things get dicey when she unearths a murder victim on the same jobsite, planting Baxley in the suspect pool. For calling unwanted attention to her private retreat, Baxley’s landscaping client fires her, stiffing her for the plants and labor.

Meanwhile, her father retires as county dreamwalker, passing the community service responsibility along to her.

Baxley’s dreamwalking sideline competes for her time with her day jobs of landscaping and pet-sitting. Folks show up on her doorstep at all hours to pass messages to the departed. Though her money problems persist, food randomly appears at her door, and her hair develops a telltale white streak in the forelock overnight.

Just what every young woman wants, a permanent bad hair day.

Threats to her safety mount as Baxley delves into the victim’s life—in both worlds. With a killer dogging her heels and spirits nipping at her mind, Baxley follows her dreams to find the truth.


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Dime If I Know - Cleopatra Jones Mystery
Cleopatra Jones wants to get married, but her golf pro boyfriend, Rafe Golden, prefers the freedom of dating. With three puppies, a St. Bernard, two teenage daughters, a free-spirited live-in mother, a kooky best friend, and an accounting firm to run, Cleo's life is busy. To top it off, her best friend is running for mayor, and Mama is wearing the engagement ring Cleo longs for. When Rafe's red Jaguar is spotted at a homicide scene, the cops are sure Rafe committed murder. Cleo's just as certain he didn't. Rafe's been keeping secrets from her, but are they deadly secrets? DIME IF I KNOW features fast-paced family life and Southern humor. Cleo's troubles with golf contrast with her nose for following the money.


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Hot Water - A Mossy Bog Book
Solving Mossy Bog's first fire fatality could net police officer Laurie Ann Dinterman the promotion she desperately wants. When the state arson investigator arrives to take over the case, Laurie Ann is assigned to give the man everything he needs while keeping him alive. The fact he's the sexiest man ever to hit town shouldn't make a difference.

Hot on the trail of a serial arsonist, Wyatt North demands justice for his partner, the arsonist's first victim. He'll find the murderer or die trying--no matter how distracting the tall, lithe figure of his local partner is.

As the investigation zeroes in on a suspect uncomfortably close to Laurie Ann's life, her cop instincts conflict with her feelings for Wyatt. Worse, the arsonist will do anything to protect his identity. Can Laurie Ann accept the truth in time…or will she and Wyatt go up in flames?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
In For A Penny - The Cleopatra Jones Mystery Series
Amateur sleuth Cleopatra Jones of rural Hogan’s Glen, Maryland faces an unwanted hazard when she skulls her golf ball across the number six green and it lands in the inseam of a very dead banker. Though the victim is a longtime friend of Cleo’s, his ongoing dispute with Cleo’s best friend and golfing partner, Jonette, is public knowledge. When the police key in on Jonette as the prime suspect, Cleo sets out to find the real killer.

Amidst the fun of wacky meals, dueling daughters, Mama’s heart problem, lovesick Saint Bernards, a sexy golf pro, a repentant ex-husband and a host of murder suspects, Cleo does what she does best. With her trusty spreadsheets and logical accountant’s brain, she organizes the information and ferrets out a crazed killer.

Set against the lush splendor of mid-Atlantic springtime, this fun-packed mystery with a dash of romance will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.

"an amusing addition to the cozy ranks"
Kirkus

"reading a Cleopatra Jones mystery is a nice way to spend the afternoon"
Romantic Times


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Death, Island Style - Five Star Mystery Series
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.

When detectives uncover a connection between a 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. 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 riptide. The killer is crafting up a new murder--MaryBeth's.


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Murder in the Buff
With her marriage in the toilet and her reporter job dangling by a slim thread, conservative Molly Darter can’t refuse her latest assignment, that of collecting the family-placed obituary of a dead nudist. To her chagrin, she discovers she knew the dead woman, Barbara Jean McAllister, as the nice lady at the Marshview organic produce stand.

The head nudist insists Barbara Jean’s death was murder, but Molly has no intention of writing more than that obit. Her mind changes when revealing photos of her father and other community leaders consorting with Barbara Jean come her way. To protect her father and save her job, she delves into the dead woman’s life.

Things heat up when her estranged husband’s undercover drug ring collides with Molly’s dead nudist investigation. Will Molly find the woman’s killer, or will the killer find Molly?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Seeing Red
Emma Heartly's deam of owning a Bed & Breakfast is shattered when she learns she can't afford the rehab of her family's run-down Victorian. Undaunted, she moves in and begins renovating the house into a Bed & Breakfast.

Quentin Stone of Stone Construction loves old houses. His gorgeous eyes light up at the classic lines of Emma's fixer-upper, but it's her fiery red hair that keeps returning to his thoughts. To see her again, he volunteers to help her make improvements after hours.

Emma jumps at his offer of free labor. They lay the foundation for more than a B&B, but will their blossoming romance survive the malicious intent of their enemy?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Muddy Waters
Is someone watching her?

Roxie Whitaker is struggling to make her grandmother’s real estate business a success. When her coastal home is burglarized, her rosy worldview dims. Atlanta security expert Sloan Harding distracts her from her troubles, but is Mossy Bog’s former bad boy serious about her?

Never one to shy away from muddy waters, Sloan is determined to find his alleged missing inheritance. Sparks fly as he enters into a business arrangement with Roxie to oversee the restoration of his childhood home. With her help, Sloan resurrects old secrets while a dangerous predator stalks them.

When passion meets danger, will love win the day?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
Publisher of ebooks, writing industry blogger and the sponsor of the following blogs:
eBook Author’s Corner
Mystery Reader’s Circle

Check out the index of other Spotlight authors. Spotlight Index.