Author: Jackie Layton

I love God the creator of all things. I live on the coast of South Carolina and write cozy mysteries. I'm a wife, mother, and Gigi.
Cozy mystery

Heather Weidner’s Done it Again

Jackie Layton

Deadlines and Valentines: A Jules Keene Glamping Mystery is the fourth book in Heather’s series, and it’s out now.

Heather is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She’s also a fabulous author, and you don’t want to miss reading this book.

Fern Valley, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is ground zero for all things romance. The town has pulled out all the stops for the first Valentine’s Day “Love is in the Air” Book Festival with events like Death by Chocolate, author speed-dating, a character masquerade, and a male cover model fashion show.

Everything is candy and roses until the sparks start to fly. Jules Keene and her team at the glamping resort spend their time trying to tamp down fiery tempers because opposites may not always attract.

When a popular author with a heart of gold is found murdered in the barn at the resort, Jules has to find the culprit before more than just hearts are broken.

Here’s a link: https://amzn.to/4d8KnPf

Happy reading!

Cozy mystery

Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe

Jackie Layton

I’m excited to share with you Ruth Hartman’s upcoming book. Ruth and I became friends when we were both authors for Dawn Dawdle.

Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe is scheduled to release on November 19. This is the second book in the Senneca James Mystery series.

Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, ends up in hot water, when she’s accused of stealing a wallet from an angry customer in Seneca’s Painted Wings Café. The customer also happens to be the local bank manager, who Evie pleads with for a much-needed loan, resulting in a public spectacle as the bank manager refuses, and ridicules Evie. When the manager later turns up dead inside the cafe, and Evie is the most likely suspect, it will take all of Seneca’s sleuthing and help from her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, to get Evie out of trouble.

Here’s a preorder link: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Painted-Wings-Cafe-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DLCSLW3R

Isn’t the cover beautiful? I’m excited to read Ruth’s newest book! Congratulations, Ruth!

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Moveable Feast

Jackie Layton

The Moveable Feast is a lunch event hosted by C.L.A.S.S. every two weeks. Community Learning About Special Subjects is led by Linda Ketron, and Bess from My Sister’s Books brings books from her store to the luncheons. Moveable Feast has been around for twenty-seven years, and it’s an honor to be part of the tradition.

I had three books published in 2024, and Linda asked me to speak about all of them. A Suspicious Breed, Clover Covered Corpse, and The Con were all released this year.

The event took place at Wahoo’s Fish House in Murrells Inlet. The view was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the company was amazing!

Bess introduced me, and then I spoke for an hour about myself and my books. Tim, my husband, came and took pictures before, during, and after. There was time for questions, and the audience was engaged. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed meeting so many great readers!

It was a lovely event, and I appreciate everyone who took part. And thanks to you for letting me share the fun.

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It’s a Blog Tour with prizes

Jackie Layton

I’m excited to announce The Con is going on a blog tour with Lori Caswell and Great Escapes.

https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/upcoming-great-escapes-book-tours/the-con-an-organized-crime-cozy-mystery-by-jackie-layton

Professional organizer Kate Sloan is hired by Ben Houser to organize his office at Seaside Hideaway Resort on Fox Island. Ben tells everybody he’s planning to revamp the resort. Ben throws money around and convinces people to invest with him. The first problem is, Ben’s a con man. The second problem is, Kate finds his dead body.

The killer believes Kate has incriminating evidence, and she must solve the mystery before she’s next on the hitman’s list.

Here are the tour participants:

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 10 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

October 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

The Prize Package includes Peach Tea, Praline Pecans, $5.00 Starbucks card, Tervis 16 oz tumbler, with travel lid with lighthouse emblem, bookmarks and stickers.

I hope you join the tour, and good luck.

Uncategorized

You’re Invited

Jackie Layton

Today is the release of The Con. It’s the second book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series.

Professional organizer Kate Sloan is hired by Ben Houser to organize his office at Seaside Hideaway Resort on Fox Island. Ben tells everybody he’s planning to revamp the resort. Ben throws money around and convinces people to invest with him. The first problem is, Ben’s a con man. The second problem is, Kate finds his dead body. The killer believes Kate has incriminating evidence, and she must solve the mystery before she’s next on the hitman’s list.

So, what are you invited to attend? At 7:00 tonight, August 27, at 7:00pm EST, I’m participating in a virtual book launch on Facebook. Sydney Leigh and Kate B. Jackso will be there too because we all have books releasing this week.

https://www.facebook.com/share/cqjnoSUgfrUPkero/?mibextid=9l3rBW

If you’re interested in ordering The Con, here are some links.

Amazon ebook: https://amzn.to/3AzR6nO

Amazon paperback: https://amzn.to/4fYAhmR

Kobo: https://binged.it/3Z1bB73

Kobo Canada: https://binged.it/3XhE8Ee

B&N ebook: https://bit.ly/3MiI41g

B&N paperback: https://bit.ly/3Mjsfr2

Thankful Thursday

Priscilla’s Thankful

Jackie Layton

I’m excited to introduce you to my friend Priscilla Bettis, and she’s here to share what she’s thankful for.

I’m thankful for Jesus, my faith, and my family. I’m also thankful for our small town in Eastland County, Texas. I like that I know my neighbors. We share storm shelters, shovels, and fence repairs. I get fresh chicken eggs; they get a little free labor and a lot of free books.

At night, there are no bright city lights fading the starry sky. Here’s a picture of the Lagoon and Trifid nebulas taken from our backyard just last week. The picture is actually twelve images, one stacked on top of another to bring out the colors and details. We couldn’t see the nebulas at all if we lived in a big city.

I like how the slower life of our little town gives me time to stop and observe. I get character and setting and story ideas that way. (“Prayers Heavy with Smoke” in Radix Magazine is set at a generic grocery store that’s actually the store we shop at.)

What’s more, I’m thankful for Jackie letting me share my small town musings.

Priscilla chats about life and writing on X, Here’s the link: https://x.com/PriscillaBettis

Thankful Thursday

Teresa’s Thankful

Jackie Layton

Teresa Trent’s with us today, and here’s what she decided to share.

Why I’m Thankful

By Teresa Trent

I’m an optimistic person, and part of that is because I’m surrounded by good things I’m thankful for in my life. Of course, there is my family, and the love of my life who I married 35 years ago, but it also comes back to the way I was raised.

I grew up in an Army family, and when you move every one to three years, things can get stressful. Still, we stuck together and found our place in every new town or city. My mother, who never swore, always tried to stay positive.

The one time when I thought she was going to let one rip, she said, “God….”

 here it was, proof she was human, “bless America.”

Seriously, that’s what came out of her mouth. 

When her body was crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, and her hands curled up, she still stayed positive. She had to be in terrible pain, but our conversations tended to be about me. That was her gift—listening. What a wonderful thing.

A child learns from the adults around him or her. Not so much what the adults tell them to do, but how those people react under stress, frustration, and fatigue. I am thankful my role model kept the rest of us calm through the storms.

She also taught me the value of resilience, which is important for a writer. Like I said, at 42, her body became her enemy, but that didn’t stop her. She decided she wanted to sell houses, and that’s what she did, eventually becoming the broker of the agency.

 I’m thankful for that example every time I get rejected for a story. Just like my mom, I don’t plan to give up. 

Thanks, Mom.

Friends, Teresa’s the author of The Swinging Sixties Mystery Series. You can learn more about Teresa and her books at https://teresatrent.com/

Teresa, thanks for sharing.

Thankful Thursday

Grateful for Hard Times

Jackie Layton

This week Rosalie Spielman is sharing her heart provoking thoughts on being grateful. Rosalie and I have been friends for a few years, and we’ve spent time together at conferences. I always enjoy hanging out with Rose.

Here’s what she shared about gratitude.

I am grateful for those hard times in life, because without them, I wouldn’t be able to recognize the better times for being as good as they are! 

I am also eternally grateful to my family. They were my rock, my hope, and my motivation. 

You can find Rosalie Spielman online many places, and you can get to know more at her website. https://www.rosalie-spielman-author.com/

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for being fired?

Jackie Layton

Today my friend, Annie McEwen, shares what she’s thankful for.

Yes, as embarrassing as it is to admit, and not many people outside my “inner circle” know it, but I was fired several years ago. I was devastated, to say the least. I’d faithfully
performed my duties and then some. Not to get into the nitty-gritty, but in my state, employers can dismiss the employee without cause. Let’s just say the whole situation was questionable. (I guess that happens when you stand up for what you believe is right…but I won’t get into all
that.)
After sobbing and sleepless nights, I realized it was out of my control, and surely there was a reason for this. I had to keep telling myself that, or else my husband Brian would find me
curled up in a ball on the couch, questioning my self-worth and watching Friends through my tears. Brian told me he’d noticed a change in me over the past year; I’d not seemed as happy or
excited about my work as before. I was constantly stressed out and exhausted. I hadn’t realized it.
Fast-forward to a job interview for a PRN (as needed) x-ray tech position. I’m talking with the managers; they have offered me the weekend tech position. I’d be paid the same as if I’d
worked five days, but I’d have the whole week off. Plus, I could work during the week if I wanted more hours. At first, I thought, no way! Weekends? But I prayed, talked to Brian, and took the
job! Brian’s police job requires him to work most weekends, and our kids are adults, so I can see them anytime.
What else did this mean? I finally had the time to pursue my dream to be an author! Five years later, I’m a published author of two books and working on my third. That never would’ve
happened with the ridiculous hours I was previously working. Bonus – I’ve met talented, lovely authors like the sweet Jackie Layton. Since then, we’ve welcomed two grandsons who spend
lots of time with us during the week. I’ve made amazing friends at my new job and have the best managers I’ve ever had, all of whom incredibly support my writing.

Do I still have a little bit of hurt about how it all went down? You could say that… but it also makes for a great storyline. (wink, wink) Was getting canned a giant punch to the gut? Yes.
Definitely. But, it was a gigantic blessing in a bizarre disguise.

Thanks, Annie.

I’m sure you all can tell how special Annie is. I am blessed to be her friend. Here are some ways you can connect with Annie.

www.anniemcewenauthor.com

Instagram

Facebook

Cozy mystery

A Party and Prizes

Jackie Layton

Tonight is the Cozy Mystery Mid Year Party on their Facebook group. Here’s the link. https://www.facebook.com/share/Zq6a1zmWxErn72rK/?mibextid=A7sQZp

If you’re not a member of the group, be sure to join. The party begins at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

I’ll takeover at 7:00 PST which is 10:00 EST. I hope you can join us. It should be fun!

Oh, I’ll be giving away an eBook of Clutter Free.

Returning to Fox Island where she grew up, Kate Sloan begins her career as a professional organizer. When a woman accuses Kate’s police chief brother of having an affair, Kate’s priority shifts from organizing to proving her brother’s innocence. Kate visits the woman, hoping for a confession. The woman won’t admit she lied, and to make the situation worse, the accuser is found dead the next day by Kate and her business partner.

Kate has an eye for seeing what’s out of place, and she knows how to fix problems. Can she utilize her organizational skills to toss red herrings and focus on legitimate clues? Emma’s business is at risk as well as her brother’s career. The clock is ticking, and this could be the deadliest deadline of Kate’s life. She must discover the truth behind the victim’s vicious lies, but most of all, she needs to solve the murder before she becomes the next victim.

I hope you can drop in tonight. Have a great week!