Last week we had National Poetry Day. When I discovered my friend, Priscilla Bettis, had a book of poetry release last week, I wanted to share it with you. Priscilla and I have never met in person, but we connected years ago through social media.
Priscilla Bettis is an avid reader and a joyful writer. Priscilla lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members. She enjoys writing short stories and poems inspired by her awe of God and love for fellow human beings.
The story focuses on Mobile Cat Groomer, Molly Stewart. It starts with Molly visiting Lottie and Florence who are octegenerians and cat owners. The two ladies live in houses next door to each other and their Sphynx cats are sisters from the same litter. After Molly bathes the cats, they, and Molly’s own two cats who accompany her to pet visits, take off running for a spot between the two ladies’ houses. The cats come across a dead body lying in the tall grass. It’s a local woman, Carlotta Sykes, a nail technician. And she’s been stabbed in the neck with a nail file.
The local sheriff believes Florence and Lottie must be guilty. But Molly wants to prove they are innocent. She involves her boyfriend, friends, the postman, and people who live in the community.
You won’t want to miss the latest book by Ruth J. Hartman.
I’m excited to share a little about Axe Me No Questions by Paula Charles. I asked Paula to tell us a little about her latest book. (Release date 1/28/25–preorder available now.)
Axe Me No Questions is the second book in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series. Dawna Carpenter was originally based on my grandmother who owned and operated the hardware store in the small town where I grew up. Friends and family have told me they hear and see me in Dawna, so I guess we’re more alike than I knew!
The town of Pine Bluff is fictionalized, but when I thought about what Dawna might be getting mixed up in during the fall, I thought of the Timber Festival my hometown used to host when I was young, and decided it was the perfect event to showcase the area and get Dawna tangled up in another murder mystery.
During the Timber Festival in Pine Bluff, the main even is a lumberjack and jill contest. While I’ve attended these type of events, I’ve only ever been an onlooker, never scrambled up a pole or attempted to roll logs in the water with my fast feet. Though I’m no award-winning axe thrower, I can wield an axe with the best of them to chop firewood!
Here’s the back cover info for Axe Me No Questions.
Heads are on the chopping block as hardware store owner Dawna Carpenter finds herself on the cutting edge of a murder investigation.
In the quaint mountain town of Pine Bluff, Oregon, fall has arrived and it’s time for the annual Timber Festival, complete with Lumberjack and Lumberjill contests, and booths serving spicy chili and creamy pumpkin pies. Dawna and her daughter April have plans to watch the logging contest together. She’s looking forward to soaking in all her favorite things about the season, which includes having a conversation with her deceased husband, who she is certain is still hanging around the house.
But when Dawna falls over the body of one of the lumberjacks, with his own throwing axe imbedded in his chest, her focus turns to murder. With the town in turmoil, Dawna takes Chief Dallas’s request to keep her ears open as a full license to snoop. Who had an axe to grind with the charismatic lumberjack? Dawna had better stay sharp, or she might be the next one to get the axe.
Thanks, Paula.
Friends, I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about the second book in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series.
I was recently asked about my bookish goals in 2025.
I have two books releasing in 2025.
Bleeding Heart Librarian is the third book in A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery Series, and it’s scheduled to come out at the end of April.
At the end of August, Killer Secrets will release, and it’s the third book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series.
I want to promote these books, and I want to write a new book in 2025 after I finish polishing Killer Secrets.
I also want to read more this year. My goal is to read twenty-six books. I have so many books in my TBR pile and on my Kindle, and I want to make time to read them.
Whether you’re a reader or author or both, what are your bookish goals for 2025?
In case you haven’t read Bite the Dust, the eBook is on sale January 16-31.
Happy Thanksgiving! I am so appreciative of you and the time you spend with me. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, good food, and fun with family and friends.
I also hope you can find time to read a good book this weekend.
I’ve been busy the past few months, and I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. Here are a few highlights.
As you can see, I have a lot to be thankful for.
I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for this year. Email me or tag me on social media.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That’s right. My friend Connie Queen is the author of heart throbbing suspense, and her new book will release tomorrow, June 25.
Pursued in the wilderness…
Can they survive criminals and nature?
A camping trip turns into a search and rescue mission when investigator Josie Hunt’s adopted daughter goes missing. And as the only witness to her father’s murder, eight-year-old Everly is the killer’s next target. Now Josie has no choice but to accept help from her ex-boyfriend, wrongly accused fugitive Dane Haggerty, to stay alive. With threats closing in, can they outrun a killer who’ll stop at nothing to keep his crimes hidden?
Friends, I’m excited about Connie’s new book. I think you’ll enjoy it. Here’s the buying link:Â
Jackie Layton 