Good Morning, Booklovers!
With Spring teasing us in the Midwest—here one day and gone the next—we’re staying warm in front of the fireplace today as cozy mystery writer, Jackie Layton joins us, bringing her latest dog walker mystery, Caught and Collared!
Welcome, Jackie! How do you take your coffee?
JL: I enjoy my morning coffee with fun creamers, and they usually involve chocolate.
Ally: Then chocolate it shall be. While I pour, please introduce yourself to readers.
With Spring teasing us in the Midwest—here one day and gone the next—we’re staying warm in front of the fireplace today as cozy mystery writer, Jackie Layton joins us, bringing her latest dog walker mystery, Caught and Collared!
Welcome, Jackie! How do you take your coffee?
JL: I enjoy my morning coffee with fun creamers, and they usually involve chocolate.
Ally: Then chocolate it shall be. While I pour, please introduce yourself to readers.
BIO:
Author Bio: Former Kentuckian Jackie Layton loves her new life in the Low Country. Jackie enjoys time on the beach despite one trip that ended with cracked ribs from riding her boogie board with the kids and another trip that ended up with a hook in her foot and a trip to the emergency room. There’s nothing like time on the beach, although she tends to be a bit more cautious these days. Jackie is the author of Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. Bite the Dust, Dog-Gone Dead and Bag of Bones were published in 2020.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “When I had my first son, I decided to learn about sports. I have two sons, and over the years I grew to enjoy watching sports. I’m not very coordinated or athletic, but both of my kids grew up playing sports. They even played tennis in college. Now that we’re empty-nesters, I continue to watch sports on TV. Tennis, football, and basketball are my favorites. One year we went to the US Open, and it was so much fun. I also love going to college football and basketball games.”
Author Contact Links:
https://twitter.com/Joyfuljel
https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/Joyfuljel
https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/jackielaytonauthor.com
Author Bio: Former Kentuckian Jackie Layton loves her new life in the Low Country. Jackie enjoys time on the beach despite one trip that ended with cracked ribs from riding her boogie board with the kids and another trip that ended up with a hook in her foot and a trip to the emergency room. There’s nothing like time on the beach, although she tends to be a bit more cautious these days. Jackie is the author of Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. Bite the Dust, Dog-Gone Dead and Bag of Bones were published in 2020.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “When I had my first son, I decided to learn about sports. I have two sons, and over the years I grew to enjoy watching sports. I’m not very coordinated or athletic, but both of my kids grew up playing sports. They even played tennis in college. Now that we’re empty-nesters, I continue to watch sports on TV. Tennis, football, and basketball are my favorites. One year we went to the US Open, and it was so much fun. I also love going to college football and basketball games.”
Author Contact Links:
https://twitter.com/Joyfuljel
https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/Joyfuljel
https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/jackielaytonauthor.com
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
JL: I’m traditionally published, because I enjoy working with others. Writing can be lonely, and it’s fun to have others to work with once I’ve finished writing a book.
Ally: Do you write from an outline?
JL: I start with a loose outline, and I know my characters, victims, and suspects. But I have changed the killer midstream. I’m writing the fifth book now, and this morning I had a new idea concerning the killer. I’ll think about it for a while, and I may adjust the motive and killer. Sometimes the first idea isn’t always the best.
Ally: What book or movie character would you like to be? Why?
JL: When I had COVID, I got reacquainted with Jessica Fletcher and the Murder She Wrote series. Jessica is spunky, smart and travels a lot. I think it’d be fun to be her.
Ally: Are you a speed reader or do you settle in and savor a book?
JL: I took speed reading in high school, thinking it would help me in college. I made a B, and my teacher said it was because I savor what I read. I’ve always enjoyed reading and absorbing all the details.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
JL: Caught and Collared just released February 15. I’m contracted for two more books in this series, and they’ll release one a year.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
JL:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
JL: I’m traditionally published, because I enjoy working with others. Writing can be lonely, and it’s fun to have others to work with once I’ve finished writing a book.
Ally: Do you write from an outline?
JL: I start with a loose outline, and I know my characters, victims, and suspects. But I have changed the killer midstream. I’m writing the fifth book now, and this morning I had a new idea concerning the killer. I’ll think about it for a while, and I may adjust the motive and killer. Sometimes the first idea isn’t always the best.
Ally: What book or movie character would you like to be? Why?
JL: When I had COVID, I got reacquainted with Jessica Fletcher and the Murder She Wrote series. Jessica is spunky, smart and travels a lot. I think it’d be fun to be her.
Ally: Are you a speed reader or do you settle in and savor a book?
JL: I took speed reading in high school, thinking it would help me in college. I made a B, and my teacher said it was because I savor what I read. I’ve always enjoyed reading and absorbing all the details.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
JL: Caught and Collared just released February 15. I’m contracted for two more books in this series, and they’ll release one a year.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
JL:
- Book you’re currently reading – I’m reading Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks. It’s interesting to see how her mind worked.
- An author (living or dead) you’d love to chat with – Years ago, I read my first mystery by Diane Mott Davidson, and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait for each new book to release. I’d love to talk to her about how she kept her books fresh and how she kept readers yearning for the next book. I think she lives in Hawaii now, and wouldn’t it be fun to go visit her there?
- Favorite accessory (jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc.) – I love jewelry. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but I think it’s fun. If you meet me, I’ll probably be wearing earrings and multiple bracelets.
- Have you written a book during NaNo? – I’ve written many books during NaNo. My husband always dreads when I announce I’m going to participate. I like the fellowship of writing with others at the same time. We cheer each other to victory, and it’s fun to participate in writing sprints together.
- Pie or cake? What kind? – I adore pie. I’ve lived most of my life in Kentucky, and Derby Pie is my favorite pie. If you like chocolate, you need to try Derby Pie. You won’t be disappointed.
Ally: You are the second guest author who has recommended Derby Pie. Since I consider chocolate an essential food group, I may have to find the recipe. Jackie it has been a pleasure meeting you. Before we finish for today, please show us your featured new release, Caught and Collared.
Caught and Collared
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: PG-13
Blurb:
When a scavenger hunt turns up a dead body, dog walker Andi Grace Scott will have to make a dogged effort to collar the culprit . . .
Setting out for a day of fun on her town’s first-ever scavenger hunt, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is dismayed to find an unattended dog wandering the streets—but that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she finds a dead man floating in the swimming pool of the dog’s owner. What’s more, she’d seen the very same man having a very public altercation with his wife just the night before. Despite being warned off the case by the local sheriff, Andi Grace can’t help nosing around to find out who’s behind the foul deed.
It turns out the victim was a well-known radio personality who focused on cold-case investigations and was rumored to be breaking a huge story on his next show. As Andi Grace digs deeper to learn who may have wanted him dead, she’s faced with a suspect list that includes a cold-hearted widow who stands to inherit a bundle, a local country star with family demons to hide, and any number of unknown criminals who may have been the focus of the victim’s big reveal. Whether the motive was love gone bad, a career under duress, or a killer’s deadly secret, Andi Grace knows she’ll have to act fast before she becomes the next cold case herself . . .
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Q97LD5M?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-and-collared-jackie-layton/1140871860?ean=2940161056226
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jackie_Layton_Caught_and_Collared?id=IdJYEAAAQBAJ&hl=en
Apple iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/caught-and-collared/id1604628619
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/caught-and-collared-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1126350
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: PG-13
Blurb:
When a scavenger hunt turns up a dead body, dog walker Andi Grace Scott will have to make a dogged effort to collar the culprit . . .
Setting out for a day of fun on her town’s first-ever scavenger hunt, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is dismayed to find an unattended dog wandering the streets—but that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she finds a dead man floating in the swimming pool of the dog’s owner. What’s more, she’d seen the very same man having a very public altercation with his wife just the night before. Despite being warned off the case by the local sheriff, Andi Grace can’t help nosing around to find out who’s behind the foul deed.
It turns out the victim was a well-known radio personality who focused on cold-case investigations and was rumored to be breaking a huge story on his next show. As Andi Grace digs deeper to learn who may have wanted him dead, she’s faced with a suspect list that includes a cold-hearted widow who stands to inherit a bundle, a local country star with family demons to hide, and any number of unknown criminals who may have been the focus of the victim’s big reveal. Whether the motive was love gone bad, a career under duress, or a killer’s deadly secret, Andi Grace knows she’ll have to act fast before she becomes the next cold case herself . . .
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Q97LD5M?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-and-collared-jackie-layton/1140871860?ean=2940161056226
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jackie_Layton_Caught_and_Collared?id=IdJYEAAAQBAJ&hl=en
Apple iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/caught-and-collared/id1604628619
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/caught-and-collared-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1126350