I’m Josie Toadfern-Applegate, former Laundromat owner, but still the best stain expert in Paradise… and in Mason County, Ohio. And, I’ll go ahead and say it, in all of the United States. Maybe in the whole world!
Now, in case that sounds like I’m getting too big for my britches, I’ll go ahead and explain. As some of you already know, for years I owned Toadfern’s Laundromat (which I inherited from my aunt and uncle) in Paradise, Ohio, and I wrote a local stain-removal and household tips column, sharing what I learned from helping customers. I also might have poked my nose into a murder case or two (or six) and helped solve them.
After solving my last murder case (involving tie-dyed costumes and a former 1960s singing act), I married my boyfriend, Levi Applegate, who is the director of the residential care home where my dear cousin Guy lives. (Guy is an adult with severe autism.) And my locally-published column became nationally syndicated as Josie’s Tidy Tips: Stain-busting and More!
To promote the column, I set up a web site sharing my stain-removal and household hints, past columns, and communicating back and forth with fans. Well, that took off like a squirrel spotting a hound dog. Before I knew it, I had thousands of followers… on my web site. And Facebook. And Twitter. And even Pinterest.
Then a fan posted on my wall that she had a full-time job and three kids and no time to go gathering up all these supplies—squirt bottles and vinegar and what-not—and really, who in the world had time for all these home-made cleaning remedies? Well, she sounded more harried than my cousin Sally with her triplets, Harry, Barry and Larry, and that’s pretty harried. So I posted in reply that I’d put together a starter kit of my environmentally friendly and cost-effective supplies along with a write up of my tips and send them to her.
Next thing I knew, I was the harried one. Thousands of commenters wanted their starter kits and tips write-up!
I was pretty dismayed at first. All of the dollar stores in all of Mason County didn’t have that many squirt bottles. But then a big time agent contacted me (I can’t say who, due to contractual obligations), and, well, one thing led to another, and soon I had a book published, (Josie’s Tidy Tips, which is still at number one on Amazon in the Books: Nonfiction: Household: Tips category). Then I ended up with a professional manager of my blog, and a weekly segment on Good Morning Live! With Kerry and Micah, giving demos of my expertise. Now, that is usually fun and goes well, although a few weeks ago Kerry was none too pleased when I accidentally squirted her right in the face with my trusty all-purpose vinegar, Dawn detergent and water solution. Turns out, the solution is great for removing makeup…
Anyway, I’ve become so busy that I sold my Laundromat to my cousin Sally and her husband Eddie, and they do a fine job running it. Meanwhile, I drop in when I can, and I’m happy with Levi, the love of my life, and with running my own stain-removal-based media empire.
Which is kind of ironic, since the very first murder I solved was that of Tyra Grimes, a home and lifestyle media mogul, as documented in Death of a Domestic Diva… which, by the way, has just been re-released as an “eBook” along with the other five stories of my mystery solving days. This happy development is, I am sure, due to my national… international!… popularity.
Well, I’ll wrap up by wishing you a happy holiday season, and this tip for removing red wine stains: blot up as much as you can. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Dab on stain and let it soak. Then wash. Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, so use it carefully on darker dyes, always testing an inconspicuous area first.
Until we meet again, may your whites never yellow and your colors never fade,
Josie Toadfern-Applegate
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon, December 22, and you will be entered to win (winner’s choice) a copy of either the print OR Kindle version of DEATH OF A DOMESTIC DIVA, OR of Sharon’s newest novel, MY ONE SQUARE INCH OF ALASKA, which doesn’t feature Josie, but does include a mystery subplot! Print copy is U.S. only; kindle copy is open to all.
Meet the Author
In addition to having written the Josie Toadfern mystery series, now re-released by HarperCollins as ebooks, 
Sharon Short is the author of the novel My One Square Inch of Alaska (Penguin Plume, 2013) in which a pair of siblings escape the strictures of the 1950s industrial Ohio town on the adventure of a lifetime. Opening chapters of this novel earned Sharon a 2012 Ohio Arts Council individual artist’s grant and a 2011 Montgomery County (Ohio) Arts & Cultural District Literary Artist Fellowship.
Sharon is the Literary Life columnist for the Dayton Daily News, directs the renowned Antioch Writers’ Workshop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and is an adjunct instructor of creative writing and composition at Antioch University Midwest. Additionally, Sharon’s book Sanity Check: A Collection of Columns includes 100 reader-favorites of her weekly humor and lifestyle column that ran in the Dayton Daily News from 2002-2012.
Sharon’s two mystery series are “Josie Toadfern Stain-busting” mysteries, and “Patricia Delaney, eGumshoe” mysteries; she’s also the author of short stories and essays. Sharon lives in Ohio with her husband and is the mother of two adult daughters.
Sharon loves to connect with readers! Find her on:
Website, blog
Subscribe to Sharon’s eNewsletter
Follow Sharon on Facebook
On Twitter
On Pinterest
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
Sounds like a great book would really love to win
Thank you! Glad the book sounds good to you!
Wow – sounds like a great series. I can’t wait to read them!!
Thanks! Josie is a lot of fun, I must say…
What a neat giveaway! New to me author so I would
I’ve to win !
Hello; it’s always nice to meet a new reader, too!
Sounds like a book I’d like to win- either one! Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Happy Hanukwanzmas – Merry everything!
Merry everything to you, too!
I like the sounds of this book.
Thanks for the chance to win.
You’re welcome!
I read Sharon’s Josie Mystery Sampler and now I want more! Would love to read this series..Josie is one great and kooky character. Thanks Dru!
Marcy–glad you liked Josie’s mystery sampler! She is fun… I think of her as a pal!
I miss Josie! Look forward to the new series! Happy to read you are still writing!
Aw, thank you Theresa! I can’t imagine NOT writing.
This looks like a totally different series. I would like to read her books!
I will have to look her up on my Nook.
Staci–hope you do! All my books are available on the Nook (except my very first series… but that’s for another guest post!) Hope you enjoy reading my work.
Would definitely love to have you back, Sharon.
What a terrific idea for a series – aren’t there days when being a domestic diva feels like it will do you in?
Yes… and today was one of them. But I’m learning to scale back and ignore the urge to do too much, especially at the holiday season.
thanx for the intro!!! this is a new-to-me author!!!!
also thank you for the giveaway!!!
Nice to meet you!
Sharon is a new author to me, but I would be more than interested in reading her books and to get caught up to the current one out now. She sounds like a very interesting author to follow as well. Thank you for letting us know about her and perhaps winning her book will give me the head start that I could use. Very interesting blog; thank you.
Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia! Always glad to meet new readers!
Sounds good! Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you… and you’re welcome!
Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments, dear readers! I’m excited at the idea of sharing this series with you.
Sounds like a fun series.
Each story has lots of humor, a bit of social satire, and plenty of stain-removal tips!
This series sounds like pure fun!
Thank you! Had fun writing it, that’s for sure.
I love this cover, this book sounds good. Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve been blessed throughout my career with outstanding covers! Thanks for the comment and for entering.
Boy would I love one of those started kits!
Libby–Josie is really on to something, yes? 🙂
Goodness, why would anyone with a name like Toadfern choose to keep it after marriage? I’ve got to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
The name (like Josie) is funny… and the Toadfern family is definitely quirky!
It’s hard to choose between the two offers, but print copy it is for either Domestic Diva or Alaska. Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome! They’re different in many ways, but both about strong women finding their way in the world.
I’d love to win a print copy of either book. They sound good! Thank you!
Carol, I’m glad they sound good to you! I had fun writing them.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the giveaway. Print would be good.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for reminding me that I should do a load of laundry.
LOL! My washing machine is chugging away… hoping to get caught up by Christmas!
Thanks for all the entries!
It sounds like a fun series and I’d love to win a print copy of either book.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Thanks Sharon for introducing us to Josie.
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read both of the series. Print please, and thank you. I can’t wait to read about Josie.
Thanks, Debra!
I have read “My Square Inch of Alaska” and loved it so I can hardly wait to read the Josie series.
Michel, I’m so glad you loved ALASKA and I hope you enjoy Josie, too!
Ms. Short,
This is a wicked laugh your rib out hysterical spin on a cosy if I ever laid eyes upon one! I’m thankful I *discovered!* this lovely blog a few short days ago, as it will now become my ‘window’ into new reads I was not expecting to find at all! Your main character is a stitch and a half of glee for me to read, even in this short & brief introduction of her! I found myself smiling into a gigglement!! Laughs. Always a good sign!
I’m thankful to cast my hat into the pile to win, but know, I will definitely be seeking out this story even if the win goes to someone else! Awesome! 🙂
I’m a print girl myself, and am thankful for the option! 🙂
Jorie–always glad to hear I’ve made a reader laugh and smile!
I want to be a domestic diva!
Lisa–LOL! Me too… but just in my imagination through my characters!
contest is closed.
Thanks so much for hosting me and Josie! It was fun to read all the feedback to her guest post. 🙂