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Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint

“Dog Days and More"

The hot days of summer are often called the “Dog Days of Summer.” I’ve heard the phrase all my life and assumed that the phrase described the lethargy that affects us during the sweltering heat of August. Throughout humanity’s recorded history, astronomers around the world have noted that the rising of Sirius, known as the Dog Star and the brightest star in the sky, brought about high ambient temperatures, malaise, rot, infections, drought, spoiled food, and other unpleasant circumstances in the Northern Hemisphere. For instance, back in the 8th Century, Alcaeus noted “women are at their…

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Win Two Free Books – August 2026

Contest Run: Aug 1-22, 2026
Win Two Free Books - August 2026
  • Enter to win two free books in our monthly giveaway:

    Lois Winston – Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, print (US only) or e-book
    Terry Ambrose – The Case of the Beguiling Brooch, print (US only) or e-book

Enter Here!


On The Bench

Authors on the Bench

Authors on the Bench

Whether it was a favorite teacher, a brand-new backpack, or the thrill of the first day of school, back-to-school season is filled with memories that last a lifetime. Find out which back-to-school moments the Book Lover’s Bench authors remember most fondly!

Read the complete "On The Bench"!


Latest News

  • Terry Ambrose

    has his fingers crossed that, with the constant back-and-forth between home and Palm Desert behind him, he can focus on writing again. Life, however, may have other plans. As the saying goes, only time will tell.

  • Nancy J. Cohen

    announces that Murder Pays a Call won a FAPA President’s Book Award presented at the Awards Banquet on Aug. 1, 2026.

  • Debra H. Goldstein

    is excited to announce that her collection of short stories, With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, published by White City Press, is a 2026 Killer Nashville Best Short Story/Collection Silver Falchion finalist. Awards will be announced at the Killer Nashville banquet at the end of August.

  • Cheryl Hollon

    is happily keeping cool at her keyboard. This season she’s diving into the fast-paced world of short fiction, crafting stories for five anthology submissions. It’s a refreshing creative challenge that lets her experiment with new mysteries, memorable characters, and satisfying surprises.

  • Maggie Toussaint

    is working toward publication of her next book in October 2026. She recently worked up the book blurb for the cozy paranormal mystery with the help of all the authors at Booklover’s Bench. Her book cover delivery has been slipped forward a month, so she’ll let you know when she has that part ready to go. Other than that, she’s sweltering in the heat!

  • C.B. Wilson

    is excited to announce that she will be a panelist at Killer Nashville this year. Come and see her to talk mystery, mayhem, and dogs. Glimmer, the Diamond Dog, and star of the Gem Hunter’s Mysteries, proves again that she’s got lots to say. Every Monday and Wednesday, she will share Glimmer’s Giggles. A funny photo of her friends (Please feel free to send me a photo of your dog) and herself up to no good on Facebook & Instagram. https://facebook.com/cbwilsonauthor and https://instagram.com@cbwilsonauthor

  • Lois Winston

    is happy to announce that Seams Like the Perfect Crime, the 14th book in her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, is a finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedy and also the Readers Choice Award. In addition, Lois will be presenting a breakout workshop on Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Three Building Blocks of Every Novel, Synopsis, Pitch, and Back Cover Copy, at the Killer Nashville Writers Conference, August 20th-23rd.