Agnes Barton/Kimberly Steele Cozy Mystery Series

Book one of the Agnes Barton/Kimberly Steele Cozy Mystery series is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo.

Kimberly Steele had barely recovered from her wedding reception the day before, and now, she’s just discovered the body of her husband’s former girlfriend, Clare Barnett, someone whom she had argued with hours ago at a photo shoot for the Pretty and Hip perfume line. It’s no wonder she was the prime suspect, at least in the eyes of Deputy Danworth.

Jeremy Preston wasn’t about to allow his new wife, Kimberly, to be railroaded, although he was upset that Kimberly had pushed Clare into Lake Huron right before Clare’s death, or so Clare said. He hired Agnes Barton, a senior-aged sleuth, from East Tawas, who had a high success rate of crime solving, never expecting that his pregnant wife would begin to traipse around with Agnes and her partner, Eleanor Mason, as they dug into the background of Clare that led all the way to Hollywood.

Agnes and Eleanor were rooming at Mrs. Barry’s house during the case, the same beer-toting senior and mother of Sheriff Clay Barry who not long ago ran for sheriff in East Tawas, much to the chagrin of Agnes and Eleanor. But this time around Mrs. Barry had changed her tune and gave them the use of her car.

Now available on the following sites.

Amazon US http://amzn.to/1eUJ3LK

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1isHzN9

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/LQEFGv

Agnes Barton makes a splash as a USA Today Bestseller

When I go back to the beginning of my writing career, I'd never have dreamt that any book I'd write would soar this high. Armed and Outrageous was first devised in 2010, but I never got around to finishing it until 2011 as I was writing a thriller at the time. That thriller never made the cut. I focused on Armed and Outrageous as it had the most potential. It was published May of 2012 and over a year later found it's way to the bestsellers list. While it never made it to the USA Today Bestsellers list until October of 2013, it has been an Amazon bestseller since June of 2013, where it remains today alongside all of the other books in the series, in both the cozy mystery and humor categories.

Funny thing was I never knew it made it to USA Today and was only told about it last Wednesday, but by Thursday, Grannies, Guns and Ghosts made the USA Today Bestsellers list at number 101.

If I can say anything about everything that's happened to me the last year, it's that dreams are possible. I have made them my reality.

New Agnes Barton Mystery

I'm proud of my fourth installment in my Agnes Barton mysteries for many reasons. I've worked hard to develop the characters and I've faced enough adversity that I overcame to prove to the world that I could do it. When I wrote this book it was under what's been the worst moment in my life as I continue to cope with the death of the father of my children and love of my life. It's been challenging, but writing means too much to me to quit, it means too much to my reader who love the series.

Agnes Barton has been waiting years for this day. She’s always told Sheriff Peterson he would rue the day when his re-election time came around and now — it’s finally here.  What will Agnes do? Will she cause conflict or support the other candidate?

When the sheriff’s father Hal goes missing, Agnes and Eleanor Mason are on a mission to find him, leading them to the Soaring Eagle Casino. But when they haul him home it’s only to find that his companion, Raul Perez, is dead at the bottom of the stairs. When the cops show up it doesn’t look good for Hal who is in possession of the dead man’s credit cards. With Hal now as a suspect, and Sheriff Peterson off the case, the sheriff hires Agnes and Eleanor to clear his father’s name.

Will Agnes be able to clear Hal’s name in time to save Peterson from failure at the polls or is this case too bizarre as a tenant claims aliens are involved?

Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Madison shocks and awes with a newly released romance

Do you love mystery as much as I do? I'm betting most of you do. I'm currently writing my next installment of my Agnes Barton mysteries, Trouble in Tawas. I'm 17,000 words shy of a finished book and believe me I'm working hard to finish the book this month. I hired an editor and I'm penciled in for November. I know I'm so putting the cart before the horse here, but I'm confident I can have my book ready in time. I'm hoping for a late November to December release date.

When it comes to writing I can really focus and get it done. Unfortunately I can't only write Agnes Barton books. I have a paranormal mystery in the works with romance elements too, but more recently my book Redneck Romance was published by Tirgearr Publishing. This book also features the same high humor you can always expect from me. It's very quirky and a bit zany at times. Rednecks are hot right now what with reality television shows such as Duck Dynasty and Honey Boo Boo. I had not intended to do this purposely but rather was inspired to tell my backward story. In this book you won't find the standard southern family, but rather one who is deep in the mountains of North Carolina. I created a world that I hope you'll love or at least have a look at.

Why not take a walk on the wild side and try out my Redneck Romance. I promise you'll love it.

Amazon US http://tinyurl.com/mzc62tb

Amazon Uk http://tiny.cc/k4934w

Smashwords http://tiny.cc/o5934w

Cover makeover alert

Senior Snoops just had a cover makeover by http://www.coverkicks.com/Susan Coils did an excellent job and I finally got exactly the look I have always wanted for a book cover! I just love working with people across the pond!

True to his words, Sheriff Clem Peterson sends Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason packing to Florida via a Cessna, but things go haywire when during a fuel stop, two men shoot the pilot. Agnes springs into action slamming the door just as shots are fired while Frank Alton jumps into the cockpit flying them out of there.

When they land in Florida, they’re asked tough questions by Putner and Palmer from Homeland Security. They keep asking if they found a packet on board the plane, a packet that Agnes has tucked in her purse, but they never mention what’s in the packet. She decides to hold onto it; after all it contains twenty-five thousand in cash.

Sheriff Calvin Peterson, Sheriff Clem Peterson’s brother, picks them up from the airport in Florida, but tells them the bad news. His brother Clem made arrangements for them to stay at Sunny Brooke Retirement Village and work as the hired help to pay for their room and board. They go unwillingly, but discover in town that two maids have disappeared at Sunny Brooke.

It’s a race against the clock; will Agnes and Eleanor solve the case of the missing maids and finally figure out what happened to their pilot before they also show up on a milk jug?

Writers Block and new beginnings

Summer hasn't been the best for me writing wise, but I'm trying to put an end to that. I'm beginning to work on my forth installment of my Agnes Barton mysteries, Trouble in Tawas. It's time for Sheriff Peterson to run for office. What will Agnes do? Will she cause conflict, support the other opponent? Another person from Agnes' past comes into town with a mission in mind. Will Agnes figure out what it is or will she retire? Whatever she plans I'm sure it will involve that meddling partner of hers, Eleanor Mason.

I have a personal plea via the optician I go to. He wants a character named after him, well sort of. Lem McGroovy is that character. Will he be friend of foe or will he be Eleanor's lasted obsession?

I have some great ideas and did I mention that Sheriff Peterson's dad is missing! I'm planning to do my best to both finish this novel and have it published by Christmas!

Wish me luck!
Smiles :)
Madison

It's official ~ Agnes Barton is a hit!

Two promos I did in June carried over into July and my book Grannies, Guns and Ghosts is a proven winner. With the reduced price of $.99 my book stayed on the Amazon bestsellers list for the entire month of July in the humor category! 

I'm completely blown away with my sales and past happy. Of course I know the price point is the only reason my book fared well, and it's the only reason it still is doing so. I also know there have been websites and blogs that have posted my book on them.

They say there is a point when your books start to sell themselves and I believe I have reached that fork in the road. This too will change in time, but for now, I'm humble and thankful. Agnes and Eleanor deserve to have their shining moment and all they can say is, "We told you grannies rule!" 

I have decided for the time being to leave Grannies, Guns and Ghosts at $.99 for the time being. I hope you all take advantage of the great price point.

I want to thank all of my readers — thanks for all your shares and book suggestions. You are the best for I could do none of this without you!

Writer's Pause

June wasn't just a great publishing month for me... it was a time of reflection.

In June I published the third installment of my Agnes Barton mysteries, Senior Snoops. Sales were slow to begin with and I now know I'll never again have a summer book release. Summer readers don't really exist. Who would be reading a book or buying one when you could be outdoors enjoying the sunshine? Others might disagree with this, but this was my experience. It was so discouraging for me that I contemplated giving it all up. I thought maybe I didn't like to write that much anymore. I guess that is the result after publishing two Agnes Barton mysteries plus a novella that has yet earned out the editor fees. Writing is a struggle... finding an audience for your books is a struggle. I continue to work hard to find that audience.

In June I ran two different promos on high profile website that had me reducing the price of my book Grannies, Guns and Ghosts to 99 cents, the price it still is. I had intended to raise the price as of the 1st, but Amazon's rules are clear. If it's cheaper on another site, the price will be matched on Amazon. I'm not entirely sad that is the case because Grannies, Guns and Ghosts has landed on some bestsellers lists for humor and woman sleuth. The best stats to date was a #215 spot on kindle overall. That is the best to date for any of the books of my series. My other books in the series are selling including the first book, Armed and Outrageous.

I think the success of my most recent book had to do with the fact that it has never been promoted before. I no longer partake in Kindle Select and won't be offering any of my books for free again. It's my personal choice. I have devised a much different marketing ploy.

Going forward I will continue to write the Agnes Barton mystery series for the audience that craves it. It has found a following of sorts and I will continue to bring them more Agnes and Eleanor adventures. 

Writing is a struggle.... I embrace it. My family deserves more of my time... I try to fulfill my obligations to them. Writing is my passion and the one thing that makes me feel better about life. I will continue to live life to the fullest...

Coming in the fall of 2013.... Redneck Romance, which will be published by Tirgearr Publishing. It will be my first published book.

True to his words, Sheriff Clem Peterson sends Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason packing to Florida via a Cessna, but things go haywire when during a fuel stop, two men shoot the pilot. Agnes springs into action slamming the door just as shots are fired while Frank Alton jumps into the cockpit flying them out of there.

When they land in Florida, they’re asked tough questions by Putner and Palmer from Homeland Security. They keep asking if they found a packet on board the plane, a packet that Agnes has tucked in her purse, but they never mention what’s in the packet. She decides to hold onto it; after all it contains twenty-five thousand in cash.

Sheriff Calvin Peterson, Sheriff Clem Peterson’s brother, picks them up from the airport in Florida, but tells them the bad news. His brother Clem made arrangements for them to stay at Sunny Brooke Retirement Village and work as the hired help to pay for their room and board. They go unwillingly, but discover in town that two maids have disappeared at Sunny Brooke.

It’s a race against the clock; will Agnes and Eleanor solve the case of the missing maids and finally figure out what happened to their pilot before they also show up on a milk jug?

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

WOW Wednesday ~ Digitus 233

When Zeph, the adventurous son of a millionaire hid in the cargo hold of the Learjet carrying his brother Zander to camp he had no idea there was anything dark or ominous going on. That was until he watched Zander ejected from the plane onto a barren arctic island and Zeph, trapped on the plane, found himself headed for South America. Will he be able to expose the truth behind Digitus, the world's dominant corporation, or will they succeed in their sinister plan to control his brother and destroy the world?

This is more than an action packed book series; it's a wakeup call to the world. Will we allow ourselves to go blindly into slavery or will we stand up and fight for freedom and our basic human rights before it's too late?

Amazon

My take: you have to check out this YA story, it grabs you from page one. 

Kim Emerson isn't just a great author, she's a great motivator and friend. She runs one of the most helpful writers groups on Facebook... MasterKoda.com... she's a publisher... running Master Koda Select Publishing. Please check out her book Digitus 233 you won't be sorry you did.

Coming Soon ~ Senior Snoops

Coming June 16, 2013

True to his words, Sheriff Clem Peterson sends Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason packing to Florida via a Cessna, but things go haywire when during a fuel stop, two men shoot the pilot. Agnes springs into action slamming the door just as shots are fired while Frank Alton jumps into the cockpit flying them out of there.

When they land in Florida, they’re asked tough questions by Putner and Palmer from Homeland Security. They keep asking if they found a packet on board the plane, a packet that Agnes has tucked in her purse, but they never mention what’s in the packet. She decides to hold onto it; after all it contains twenty-five thousand in cash.

Sheriff Calvin Peterson, Sheriff Clem Peterson’s brother, picks them up from the airport in Florida, but tells them the bad news. His brother Clem made arrangements for them to stay at Sunny Brooke Retirement Village and work as the hired help to pay for their room and board. They go unwillingly, but discover in town that two maids have disappeared at Sunny Brooke.

It’s a race against the clock; will Agnes and Eleanor solve the case of the missing maids and finally figure out what happened to their pilot before they also show up on a milk jug?

Check out Madison Johns' Amazon page for her other books in the series.