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Quotes from Joanne Fluke

Jackie Layton

In case you don’t know who Joanne Fluke is, she’s the author of the Hannah Swensen books. Hallmark also picked up some of the books to make into movies.

In honor of National Chocolate Chip Day, I decided to share some quotes from Joanne.



“IT was the time of day when Lake Eden residents decided it was too late for a breakfast cookie and too early for a lunch cookie.”
― Joanne Fluke, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder



“The secret of high finance…if you really need a loan, you won’t qualify. And if you don’t need a loan, all the lenders will line up to give you money.” Peach Cobbler Murder

“If chocolate were a mandatory part of breakfast, people wouldn’t be so
grouchy in the morning.” Strawberry Shortcake Murder

“If God gave Dad Alzheimer’s, He’s got to understand when Dad forgets what church he belongs to.” Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

“You’ll never see a hearse towing a U-Haul.” Joanne Fluke

“There was no greater gift than making someone laugh. People who laughed were happy.” Apple Turnover Murder

“Solving crimes certainly wasn’t as easy as they made it seem in the movies.” Chocolate Chip Murder

I hope you enjoyed these quotes from Joanne Fluke, and I hope you get a chocolate chip cookie soon.
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The First to Lie

Jackie Layton

In 2019 I met Hank Phillippi Ryan. I still wasn’t published at the time, and she’d written so many books which was intimidating. I was excited and nervous at the same time to meet her. It turns out, I had nothing to fear.

Hank was kind and gracious. She believed in me enough to offer to promote me when my first book came out. When my first book was about to be released, I debated bothering Hank. My husband encouraged me to reach out, so I did.

Once again, she was gracious. Here’s what she came back with after I sent her my book.

Completely charming–and exactly what a cozy mystery should be. Amateur sleuth (and dog whisperer) Andi Grace Scott is wonderfully endearing, and her devotion to her pooches–and to justice–will have you rooting for her from the absolutely irresistible page one.  Bow WOW–What a terrific debut!  
Hank Phillippi Ryan  Nationally best-selling and award-winning author of  THE MURDER LIST

On August 4, Hank’s new book comes out. I’ve pre-ordered The First to Lie and look forward to reading it. I’ll be sure to review it for you in a few weeks. Publishers Weekly calls it, “Stellar.”

To learn more about Hank Phillippi Ryan check out her webiste. http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/

Stay safe my friends!

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New Resource & Giveaway Alert: The Occupation Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Here!

Jackie Layton

Hi everyone! Today I have something fun to share…a special chance to win some help with your writing bills. Awesome, right?

Some of you may know Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi of Writers Helping Writers. Well, today they are releasing a new book, and I’m part of their street team. I’m handing the blog over to them so they can tell you about their Writer’s Showcase event, new book, and a great freebie to check out. Read on!

Certain details can reveal a lot about a character, such as their goals, desires, and backstory wounds. But did you know there’s another detail that can tie your character’s arc to the plot, provide intense, multi-layered conflict, AND shorten the “get to know the character” curve for readers?

It’s true. Your character’s occupation is a GOLD MINE of storytelling potential.

Think about it: how much time do you spend on the job? Does it fulfill you or frustrate you? Can you separate work from home? Is it causing you challenges, creating obstacles…or bringing you joy and helping you live your truth?

Just like us, most characters will have a job, and the work they do will impact their life. The ups and downs can serve us well in the story.

Maybe you haven’t thought much about jobs in the past and how they act as a window into your character’s personality, interests, and skills. It’s okay, you aren’t alone. The good news is that The Occupation Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Jobs, Vocations, and Careers is going to do all the heavy lifting for you. (Here’s one of the job profiles we cover in this book: FIREFIGHTER.)

GIVEAWAY ALERT: THE WRITER’S SHOWCASE

To celebrate the release of a new book, Writers Helping Writers has a giveaway happening July 20th & July 23rd. You can win some great prizes, including gift certificates that can be spent on writing services within our Writer’s Showcase. Stop by to enter!

Resource Alert: A List of Additional Jobs Profiles For Your Characters

Some of the amazing writers in our community have put together additional career profiles for you, based on jobs they have done in the past. What a great way to get accurate information so you can better describe the roles and responsibilities that go with a specific job, right? To access this list, GO HERE.

Happy writing to all!

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Happy Bastille Day

Jackie Layton

In my last post, I shared a few pictures of my trip to France. If you’ve read any books in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series, you know Andi Grace Scott dreams of visiting France. So it seemed like the time celebrate Bastille Day.

My research shows the most respectful way to say happy Bastille day is, bonne Fete Nationale.

What is Bastille Day? Glad you asked.

Bastille Day incorporates two French historical events in one day. 

The storming of the Bastille, which marked a turning point in the French Revolution is the main focus on the celebration. The holiday also acknowledges the Fête de la Fédération which is an 18th century holiday festival in France.

July 14, 1789 a mob attacked the Parisian political prison in search of more ammunition. It the process of attacking the medieval fortress, seven prisoners were released. The mob took control of the Bastille and kindled the revolution which would lead to the French Republic.

History has never been my strong suit, so if you want to learn more this seems to be a good time to research it.

Instead I’ll share a few more pictures to honor the French as they celebrate Bastille Day 2020.


BONNE BASTILLE MES AMIS!

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Plans Changed

Jackie Layton

How many times in 2020 have we had to change our plans? Everything from vacations to doctor appointments. Today we were supposed to go to Kentucky to visit our family. We haven’t seen them since Christmas, and we were so ready for this trip.

We live in South Carolina, and if you’ve listened to the news at all, you know we’re one of the hot spots. It didn’t matter because we had a plan. We’re already super cautious because of my husband works with elderly people. Our plan was to only go to three homes. We wouldn’t go shopping or out to eat. All we care about is seeing our family.

Then more and more people were getting tested. If we left for Kentucky, would we possibly take the virus to our loved ones? We have family members aged one to ninety-two. Was it fair to them? What about the people my husband works with? Would it be fair for us to leave if they needed him?

So, we finally decided to stay home. We’re not going to give up though. We’ll get there, but it won’t be today.

Aubrey Hepburn was known for her inspirational quotes, and I want to share three.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!

Paris is always a good idea.

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

I agree with Aubrey Hepburn. Paris is always a good idea. I hope you enjoy these pictures of my trip to Paris. It did not disappoint on little bit. I hope you all have a great summer!
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The Occupation Thesaurus

Jackie Layton

Today’s post is geared toward writers, but I think readers might be curious how we come up with careers for our characters.

The creators of The Emotion Thesaurus have now created The Occupation Thesaurus. Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman are the hard-working authors of this series of books.

Finding the right career can show the reader your character’s beliefs, longings, and what concerns them. For instance, Andi Grace Scott is a caretaker. In A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series, you’ll discover how she takes care of family, friends, and dogs.

The Occupation Thesaurus will help authors choose the best profession for their protagonist and the secondary characters. There are over one-hundred-twenty entries, and this book is as amazing as the others they’ve published. I received an ARC, but I’ll buy the paperback to have in my library.

It releases on July 17, so keep your eyes open my friends!

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Decorating With Shells

Jackie Layton

Whenever I vacationed at the beach, I collected seashells. It always amazed me how many beautiful shells washed up on the beach. Red, gold, white, blue, black, purple, and many more colors. And there are so many different shapes of shells. Flat and curved, big and tiny shells.

Last week, my sister-in-law asked me about decorating with shells. Carol made me think, and I started looking around my house at the different shells. I won’t share pictures of all the places I have shells, but the most common way I display seashells is in bowls.

I found these shells once the beach reopened after the renourishment in Pawleys Island.
Random bowl of shells on my kitchen counter.
I placed shells with blue tones in one of my favorite bowls.
More random shells in a wood boat we bought in Georgetown, SC.
We even place shells around the outside of our house.

I’d love to hear how you decorate with seashells. Or do you get home and stuff them in a box never to be seen again?

I don’t ever want to miss out on the beauty around me, so I’ll probably continue collecting shells as long as I can walk on the beach.

Have a great week!

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Dog-Gone Dead

Jackie Layton

Thanks to all of you who’ve joined me on my writing journey. I appreciate your support, and I’m so excited to announce Dog-Gone Dead is now available.

It’s available in paperback and e-reader. If you’re interested, here are the links.

Thanks so much, and I hope you have a great weekend!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2AGWF4N 

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/ybo4pr8t 

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/ycf7765c

 Google: https://tinyurl.com/y8u6sf45

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/ycyjno6b

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More Fun Quotes

Jackie Layton

Last time I shared quotes, I realized they were mostly from men. Today, I intend to be more balanced. Let’s start with Maya Angelou. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”


“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” ― Bill Keane

Bill Keane made me laugh many times through the years with his comic Family Circus.

Bill Keane Creator of The Family Circus

“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
― Mother Teresa

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
― C.S. Lewis

I hope you find a large cup of tea and can find time to enjoy a good book today!

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Fun Quotes

Jackie Layton

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde

“So many books, so little time.”
― Frank Zappa

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
― Robert Frost

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
― Mark Twain

I’ll end with one of my all-time favorite quotes. “Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
― Albert Camus

Have a great day my friends!