Interview with Jackie Layton, author of Caught and Collared!

 Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3

Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Jackie Layton, author of Caught and Collared!

Former Kentuckian Jackie Layton loves her new life in the Low Country. She enjoys time on the beach, despite one vacation that ended with cracked ribs from riding her boogie board with the kids and another trip that ended with a fish hook in her foot and a trip to the emergency room. There’s nothing like time at the beach, although she tends to be a bit more cautious these days. Jackie is the author of four Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries, including Bite the Dust, Dog-Gone Dead, Bag of Bones, and Caught and Collared.

Connect with Jackie Layton on her website, blog, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon, and on Facebook her pages Jackie Layton Author and Joyfuljel!

Interview ~

This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL! 

*drum roll*

What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?

I changed from tea to coffee when my youngest son was in college. He and his girlfriend enjoyed it so much, and before I knew it, I was hooked. 

What a fun story! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Provisions is a restaurant in Holden Beach, North Carolina. I would order a grouper sandwich, onion rings and Key Lime Pie. It’s one of my favorite meals.

YUM! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

I enjoy my office because it’s sunny and has enough room to spread out my maps, story boards, and research material.

Sounds perfect! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

I’m not sure if it’s odd, but I like to write early in the morning and/or late at night. 

Nice! What inspired you to write Caught and Collared?  

I enjoy the characters in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series so much, and it’s fun to visit with them. In Caught and Collared, a newcomer is murdered, but will his secrets die with him? The victim has a radio show and a podcast where he examines cold cases.  

I love visiting with old characters! What led you to write in this genre? 

I’ve loved cozy mysteries since I read my first Nancy Drew book. I can still remember visiting my grandmother’s house and finding my mother’s books. I’ve been reading mysteries ever since.

Love the generational side of your story! What message do you hope to convey to your readers? 

Love others. Throughout the investigation, Andi Grace learns to care for strangers. She’s always been able to shelter and care for stray dogs, but people were different. 

Love that message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

I am contracted to write two more books in this series. I also have a contract to write a series set in Lutz, Texas. The main character is a flower farmer, and Lutz is another small town.

YAY! Lots to look forward to reading! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.  In 2022, my goal is to be more focused on writing and ignore distractions.

Such a good goal!!! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know! ;-)

I’m reading Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks and The Purpose Driven Life. 

Agatha Christie's been on my TBR pile for some time now -- I'll have to remedy that! Thank you for answering all of my prying questions, Jackie!

Be sure to check out Jackie's upcoming release, Caught and Collared! It's available for preorder now, and -- #dealalert -- if you preorder the eBook, it's only $3.99! After releasing on February 15th, the price will go up to $4.99.

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 . . .

Praise for the Books of Jackie Layton

“Andi Grace is adorable, resilient, and has a doggedly curious need to solve a murder. A pleasure to read.” —C. Hope Clark, award-winning author of Edisto Tidings

“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

“I promptly fell head over heels for this cast of characters, and the dogs burrowed quickly into my heart. The plot of Bite the Dust was intriguing and complex, with plenty of surprising twists and turns. What impressed me the most, though, was the warm tone of the author’s writing voice . . . you just want to snuggle in and keep reading.” —MeezCarrie

Purchase Caught and Collared on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!