Author Interview – Jackie Layton – Cozy Mystery

Clutter Free JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Clutter Free by Jackie Layton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Clutter Free

Title: Clutter Free
Series: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery #1
Author: Jackie Layton
Publisher: Level Best Books
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Genre: Clean Cozy Mystery

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? Kate’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.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub


About the Author – Jackie Layton

Jackie Layton

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. She always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Be careful what you say around her, because it might end up in a book.

Connect with Jackie by visiting jackielaytoncozyauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joyfuljel

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/37RqGQ8

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/37slujv


Author Interview – Jackie Layton

When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

I think I always knew I wanted to write, and I’ve always loved to read. When my youngest son was in high school, I decided if I didn’t try, it was never going to happen.

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

I’m also a wife, mother, and grandmother. I’m a pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy in Myrtle Beach. I enjoy going for walks, reading on the beach, and golf cart rides on the island. There’s always something new and interesting to see.

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

I love cozy mysteries because of the characters, and I like solving problems. God gave me a love of math and solving puzzles, so I think it makes sense that I enjoy cozy mysteries.

What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

I live in South Carolina, and it’s been a hot summer. I enjoy the cooler temperatures of fall. It really doesn’t get cold until Christmas, and it’s a great season to be outside.

What historical figure do you admire and why?

I admire Queen Elizabeth II. She loved God, her family, her country, and her Corgis. She sacrificed so much becoming Queen at a young age, but she loved others and had a sense of humor. Here’s one of my favorite quotes from her, “Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.”

How does your faith play out in your writing?

I pray for my stories to touch the hears of readers. My goal is for my stories to plant seeds for seekers, and I like to connect with all readers.

As a former K-12 school librarian(and since this blog is geared toward school librarians) I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?

The Best Loved Doll by Rebecca Caudill. I checked it out of the library so many times, that my parents got me my own copy. I still have it today, and I bought a copy for my granddaughters. It’s a beautiful story.

Young Author’s Days were an important part of my work as a school librarian. What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

Start writing. I began by journaling and writing letters to my grandmothers, but I always wanted to write stories. Don’t give in to fear, just write. Also, if you can find others who enjoy writing, connect with them.

NanoWriMo has a program for young writers. I don’t know much about the program for young writers, but I have participated in NaNoWriMo a few times. It’s a challenge to write a 50,000 word story in the month of November, and it’s definitely a challenge. But I’ve learned a lot from participating. I’m including a link for youth. https://ywp.nanowrimo.org/

Thank you so much for joining me to day. My readers and I enjoy meeting new authors.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of Clutter Free and Weeding Out Lies, a $10 Starbucks gift card, and a polka dot shopping bag!

(1) additional winner will win a paperback copy of Clutter Free!

Clutter Free JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 11, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 18, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Read more Author Interview posts

6 thoughts on “Author Interview – Jackie Layton – Cozy Mystery

Comments are closed.