I’m Baxley Powell, and my days aren’t the usual run of the mill stuff. People usually have two reactions when they find out I’m a dreamwalker. Either they think I’m weird and they avoid me. Or they think I’m weird, and they try to test me. Luckily, I can parse out a lie faster than they can blink, so I always have their numbers.
Friends, true friends at least, are golden. My best friend is reporter Charlotte Ambrose, and she’s never been afraid of me or my family. Through thick and thin, we’ve seen it all, done it all. It’s her fault I got dragged into the haunted house murders. She was the one who came up with the bright idea of writing a newspaper series about all the ghosts around here.
Charlotte made me go with her to June’s Folly, reputed to be haunted by old slaves because of the clanking chains people heard out there. Last time I’d visited, my dad had to come get me because my extra senses short-circuited. This time I kept my mental defenses up because at 28 I was too doggone old to be rescued by my dad.
Soon as we arrived, Charlotte had to sit down on the steps of the crumbling mansion. She couldn’t go any farther. At first I worried her plus size caused her fatigue. Out here in the deep woods we were a long way from any medical facility, so I hoped it wasn’t that.
Much to my surprise she started shivering and freaking out because of clanking chains. Since I was shielded, I heard nothing. I touched her arm, and she felt ghostly cold. I couldn’t believe it. Charlotte found the ghost! And a ghost here meant my earlier mishap wasn’t my fault. I must’ve gotten mugged by the ghost last time.
Charlotte wasn’t thrilled about her new ghost detection ability. She knew what buttons to push, and she pretty much told me I was a wuss if I didn’t help her out. This was a ghost, I spoke to ghosts, and by God, she wanted it gone.
For months, I’d routinely crossed the Veil of Life and communicated with spirits. I wasn’t the same untested teen my dad had to rescue. I had skills, training, and experience.
Okay. I know you’re shaking your head and muttering “don’t do it” by now because I had none of my regular backup team. I already knew this place was trouble. But that’s the thing about peer pressure. It makes you believe you’re Wonder Woman.
As soon as I lowered my guard and raised my senses, I plunged into Otherworld murk and couldn’t get out. I heard Charlotte yelling at me to wake up and to quit rolling my eyes up in my head because it was creeping her out. I saw her trying to make me come around, but I couldn’t move on to the spirit realm and I couldn’t return to Sinclair County, Georgia.
Did I mention my indenture to Rose? She claims she’s an undercover angel, but she’s such a moody, malicious spirit, I have doubts about her true identity. My acute distress caught her attention. Rose showed up and offered to help, for a fee.
You don’t want to know what that cost me, but I took the name she offered. I summoned Oliver, the earthbound spirit that trapped me. Was I scared? Heck, yeah. Did I have any other options? Heck, no. It wasn’t like the fire department could save me, and I didn’t want my dad stuck in this terrible place with me.
I was so cold. Disembodied voices wailed. Chains clanked. My spirit form couldn’t stop trembling, but I kept calling Oliver, and the ghostly stuff intensified. Oliver stayed out of reach, his red beady eyes glowing. It took me a few moments, but I finally realized Oliver was a dog. I’d been trapped by a ghost dog, of all things!
Since I have a pet and plant care business as my day job, I’m a dog expert. I used my softest voice, enticing this Great Dane forward so I could remove the stout collar and clanking chains from his neck. Afterward, Oliver jumped and waggled and frolicked and was so happy that I forgot to be scared.
I showed Oliver the way to the next world, but he stayed put. Apparently, freeing him earned me his everlasting devotion. Now I have a ghost dog attached to me. Just another day in my life as a Dreamwalker.
Doggone It is the third book in the Dreamwalker mystery series, published by Five Star Publishing, October 2016.
Dreamwalker Baxley Powell can’t remember the last time she had such a crappy weekend. A twilight encounter with a ghost dog left her numb and disoriented, her dreamwalker abilities are wiped out, and the sheriff just summoned her to a double homicide.
With no access to the spirit world, Baxley bluffs her way through the crime scene where a movie star’s assistant and a charter boat captain were strung up and bled dry. In a haunted house, no less. Figuring out who killed these people will be a real challenge without her ability to speak to the dead.
Just when Baxley thinks her powers are returning, her dreamwalks malfunction. With the sheriff pushing her to solve the case quickly, Baxley teams up with a dognapping medium to boost her powers.
Suspects include the captain’s good-for-nothing brother, the assistant’s replacement, and, of course, his stalker. All of Sinclair County is on edge, and the media circus isn’t helping. At stake are the movie’s funding, the sheriff’s job, and Baxley’s senses.
Can Baxley safeguard her abilities and solve the case before the killer strikes again?
Haunted houses, lost pirate treasure, conniving in-laws, supernatural baddies, and a determined ghost dog test amateur sleuth Baxley Powell’s mettle in Book Three of Toussaint’s Dreamwalker Series.
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About the author
Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes mystery, suspense, and dystopian fiction. Her work won the Silver Falchion Award for best mystery, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the EPIC Award. She’s published fifteen novels as well as several short stories and novellas. The next book in her paranormal mystery series, Doggone It, has an October 2016 release date. Maggie serves on the board for Southeast Mystery Writers of America and Low Country Sisters In Crime. Visit her at maggietoussaint.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win either a print (U.S. residents only, please) or e-book (open to everyone) of Doggone It. The giveaway will end October 22, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
This is a new series for me – how did I miss it? {sigh} Sounds interesting though. Will definitely check out the first two before reading this one. I love finding a new series!
Boy this sounds good and I love finding new Authors I haven’t read. When like them I go back and buy more…just the perfect cool weather to take it outside and read. Thanks for the giveaway…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I have never heard of this author before, but I am excited now!
I have read the first book in this series, but I see this is the third so I need to catch up. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
I love Maggie Toussaint’s work. I hope to read this one soon.
Neat new series!
Thanks for the feature here, Dru Ann, from me and from Baxley Powell, my sleuth. LIke Baxley, I wholeheartedly am grateful for and value my friendships. To Jan, Mrily, Jody, Linda, Amy, and Gram: hello and nice to meet you!
And now you know what happens when I don’t proofread what I type. Hello to Marilyn (Mrily?? Really, keyboard, why would you do that to me? Oliver, is that you?)
This is new to me and will go back to read the others before picking this one up. Sounds interesting–pets,, plants and ghosts–talk about an interesting combination.
I’ve read most of the other books by this author, and every one gets better. This one kept me turning pages.
A new-to-me author to try. Thanks for a chance to win a print copy.
This sounds good to me
Thanks for the heads up about the new book in the series Dru Ann! I had forgotten about Baxley and this interesting series. Thanks Maggie for the chance to win a copy. I love the cover! 🙂
Doggone It sounds like a good book. Thank you for this chance.
Love this feature ans the delightful series. Thanks.
I’m fascinated by the concept of a ghost dog. I really want to see how he helps solve the mystery.
I’m usually not a fan of paranormal mysteries, but I LOVE Paxley’s voice and will read this one! Yeah, Maggie!
This book sounds exciting and unique, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
such a fun paranormal series. Really looking forward to reading this title. Thank you for the chance!
I want to find out more about Oliver.
I always have my BFF’s back and she always has mine, even when it may be something neither of us really would do. Maggie Toussaint’s book, Doggone It, sounds like a real page turner. It would be so great to win a print copy. Thanks for the opportunity. robeader53@yahoo.com
So wonderful to hear from all my new and current friends!
I love the sound of this, this a new to me series. I’ve got to look for the first one, thanks for bringing this to my attention.
I have been waiting for great anticipation for the 3rd book in this series! Love the series!
I’m honored to have read this book, and I can say, readers will love it. It has Maggie’s unique style and creative characters. Cheers to you, Maggie, for another wonderful book.
Nice to see a new series. My reading group likes a long series in case they get hooked on the author.
I love this series and the otherworldly elements.
This is a new author and series to me also. A book featuring a haunted mansion sounds like a great read to me. Definitely adding to my TBR list.
Wonderful review, thanks for sharing it with us. This sounds like a very interesting paranormal series that I will have to try.
I would love to win a copy of Doggone It. I really enjoyed the first two.
I love her books and can’t wait to read this one!!
I love mysteries! Thanks for the chance to win!
Looking forward to checking out another new to me author. Need more hours in a day.
I have not tried this series but have heard good things. Thanks for sharing with us today. I’m sold! I’ve got this on my list for next time I go to the book store. I appreciate the giveaway.
A new author and series to try. I’m glad I’ve been told about her.
I’m very excited to have so many encouraging comments. Thank you, readers and Dru Ann, for having an interest in my Dreamwalker series.
Thank you for telling us Baxley’s story
I like it when there is a mystery or murder is solved by an animal and a person.
These comments are doggone sweet – and a treat!