tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-228995065772450172024-03-13T08:39:02.492-07:00Back Porch ReflectionsPositive conversations with old and new friends. I'd love for you to join me on my back porch.Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.comBlogger626125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-64145458396706245102020-09-02T07:11:00.003-07:002020-09-02T07:11:25.436-07:00Author June McCrary Jacobs: ~ GREAT ESCAPES DOG-GONE DEAD BLOG TOUR ~<a href="https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2020/09/great-escapes-dog-gone-dead-blog-tour.html?spref=bl">Author June McCrary Jacobs: ~ GREAT ESCAPES DOG-GONE DEAD BLOG TOUR ~</a>: ���������������������������������� ~ GREAT ESCAPES BLOG TOUR STOP ~ -- 'DOG-GONE DEAD' -- AUTHOR JACKIE LAYTON ~Post Includes: ...<div><br /></div><div>Thanks to June McCrary Jacobs for hosting my on the Great Escapes Tour. Go over and see her post and enter to win a copy of Bite the Dust and other prizes. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-25930410272966669602020-08-13T05:09:00.006-07:002020-08-13T05:11:11.625-07:00That's All For Now<p> </p><p><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Friends, thanks so much for joining me on my back porch the past few years.</b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>When Bite the Dust was published, the 'experts' all said I needed a website. It was also suggested my blog be on the website. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Here's the link to my website: </b></span><span face="" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhO7_-nLNk8/XzUsexVRFoI/AAAAAAAAKHA/tLD4UhUy9R0toKTcdu51tnuxt7BdQ7ITACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Jackie%2BLayton%2BCozy%2BMystery%2BAuthor%2BLogo%2B%25284%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhO7_-nLNk8/XzUsexVRFoI/AAAAAAAAKHA/tLD4UhUy9R0toKTcdu51tnuxt7BdQ7ITACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Jackie%2BLayton%2BCozy%2BMystery%2BAuthor%2BLogo%2B%25284%2529.png" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">I would love for you to join me over there. I already miss time on my back porch, but there's not enough time to do both well. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">I'll leave you with a happy note. I just signed a three-book contract to continue A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. You're the first to know! Thanks for your support!</span></p><span face="" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: accent1;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-53503206662934321562020-07-01T00:57:00.000-07:002020-07-01T00:57:02.161-07:00Patriotic Movies<br />
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July 4 always fills me with pride for our country. It's been a tough year, but we've weathered tough years before.<br />
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For fun, I thought it'd be nice to share some patriotic movies and quotes.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington: <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">“Liberty's
too precious a thing to be buried in books. Men should hold it up in front
of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to
speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444;">“When you pull on that
jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates; and the name on
the front, is a hell of a lot more important, than the one on the back.” Kurt
Russell in Miracle.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444;">Even The Muppet Movie chimes
in with, “Patriotism swells in the heart of the American bear.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #444444;">How about "Top Gun" with Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer? Did you cry? Did you cheer? It definitely deserves to be mentioned. </span></span></div>
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What about "Good Morning Vietnam" with Robin Williams?</div>
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<span style="color: #111111;">Denzel Washington won
an Academy Award for his performance in “Glory.” It also starred Morgan
Freeman, Matthew Broderick and is about the United State’s first all African
American regiment, the 54<sup>th</sup> Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111;">If you need a break from the heat this week, why not take time to watch a patriotic movie?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111;">Wherever you are, I hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July! </span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-55709380722897924082020-06-26T00:30:00.000-07:002020-06-26T00:30:01.253-07:00Release Day for Dog-Gone Dead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCwA2zPaLwA/XvJIPZKYh2I/AAAAAAAAKBg/iWZccC90r7UY3xCbPHGDkweevnjC0JGNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Dog-Gone%2BDead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCwA2zPaLwA/XvJIPZKYh2I/AAAAAAAAKBg/iWZccC90r7UY3xCbPHGDkweevnjC0JGNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Dog-Gone%2BDead.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Thanks to all of you who've joined me on my writing journey. I appreciate your support, and I'm so excited to announce <i>Dog-Gone Dead</i> is now available.<br />
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It's available in paperback and e-reader. If you're interested, here are the links.<br />
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Thanks so much, and I hope you have a great weekend!<br />
<br />
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk42530245"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Amazon: </span></a><a href="https://amzn.to/2AGWF4N" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://amzn.to/2AGWF4N</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Kobo: </span></span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/ybo4pr8t" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/ybo4pr8t</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Barnes & Noble: </span></span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycf7765c" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/ycf7765c</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Google: </span></span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/y8u6sf45" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/y8u6sf45</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Apple: </span></span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycyjno6b" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/ycyjno6b</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk42530245;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-62059680746738674292020-06-23T11:10:00.002-07:002020-06-23T11:10:44.132-07:00Bells, Tails, & Murder by Kathy Manos PennI recently met Kathy, and I'm excited to welcome her to my back porch. Kathy is a reader and author of cozy mysteries, and she's an animal lover. Kathy graciously answered some questions.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GmLwTld5ztM/XvJBVXGvaiI/AAAAAAAAKA0/QEcVS9hjmh8cWRprJfwtAxM5QXmEn13tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Headshot%2Bwith%2BBanjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1541" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GmLwTld5ztM/XvJBVXGvaiI/AAAAAAAAKA0/QEcVS9hjmh8cWRprJfwtAxM5QXmEn13tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Headshot%2Bwith%2BBanjo.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy and Banjo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Who doesn’t love hanging out on comfy porch? Thanks for the invitation to drop by. My
husband and I added a screened porch to our home in Georgia ten years ago, and
this time of year, you can find me there most mornings with Banjo and
Puddin’. Only after a relaxing hour or
so drinking coffee and reading the paper do we three head upstairs to my office
to write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These two are my muses and inspire the personalities of the
dog and cat in my Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series: <i>Bells, Tails
& Murder</i> and <i>Pumpkins, Paws & Murder </i>plus a third book due
out in August. Of course, they helped me answer the interview questions too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How did you choose the Cotswolds for the setting of your
books?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I’ve been an Anglophile my whole life, and I can’t recall a
time when I wasn’t reading books set in England—from historical fiction to mysteries. When I majored in
English, I always chose British literature courses first. And finally, after I
retired, I got to visit England—for
three weeks. The week we spent in the
Cotswolds was my favorite.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It helped that I
took copious notes while we traveled, mainly because I write a weekly newspaper
column. You can find the columns I wrote about our trip to the Cotswolds,
Dartmouth, and Oxford on my website (<a href="https://kathymanospenn.com/category/this-and-that/">https://kathymanospenn.com/category/this-and-that/</a>.) When I decided in 2019 to write cozy
mysteries, those notes came in quite handy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Tell us more
about Banjo and Puddin’.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Banjo is a
70-pound lovable lugger—part Great Pyrenees, part Golden Retriever, and part
Australian Shepherd—but his personality is pure GP. That means he’s a bit of a
layabout, a gentle giant who wants nothing more than to be touched by anyone
who comes near him. Like Dickens in my
books, he lives for belly rubs, and he’s a Mama’s boy who rarely leaves my
side. Dickens is a dwarf GP, and you can’t just go out and find one. They’re
anomalies. I googled mini Pyrs, thinking that would be the right size dog for
my character, only to discover there was no such thing. That’s how I stumbled
across dwarf Pyrs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, Puddin’ is a
feisty calico cat who rules the roost around here. Christie, in my books,
started out as a calico, but honestly, it was tough to find pics of calicos to
use for my covers, so she turned into a black cat. Since she’s named for Agatha
Christie, black is probably more fitting. Puddin’ spends lots of time in my
office—atop my desk or curled up in the file drawer—just like Christie. And, like my fictional cat, Puddin’ expects a
puddle of milk in her bowl when I get my coffee and is very picky about her
dabs of wet food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbkrWFHM7bA/XvJCV-0kKDI/AAAAAAAAKA8/SBT1aArxISEy34pprk08cItlOY4I4FbOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fun%2Bwith%2BSA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbkrWFHM7bA/XvJCV-0kKDI/AAAAAAAAKA8/SBT1aArxISEy34pprk08cItlOY4I4FbOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fun%2Bwith%2BSA.JPG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banjo<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do the people
in your real-life show up in your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Absolutely! They
say write what you know, and I do. Names have been changed to protect the
innocent. I do have two sisters, and though exaggerated, their personalities
are recognizable. Belle, the octogenarian who’s one of the main character’s
friends, was inspired by a ninety-year-old friend who never slows down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for Leta, the
protagonist, like me, she’s Greek and she’s a retired banker. Her cooking, the
books she reads, her addiction to Words with Friends—all of those traits come
from me as does her love of bicycling. I had to laugh when my editor inquired
about Leta’s age. She thought Leta was probably in her 50s and wasn’t sure
she’d be bicycling if she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
cracked me up, and I sent her a photo of me and my husband cycling in the Greek
Islands—when I was in my 50s. We’ve also cycled in France and the Netherlands,
though Greece was by far the most challenging.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the way, my
real-life husband is very much alive and none too pleased that I’m a widow in
the books. I keep reminding him I say lovely things about Henry, Leta’s
husband, and all those compliments are references to him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you write
with a theme in mind?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don’t know that
I’d call it a theme, but there are certain things that I plan to always include
in the books. My real-life girlfriends are hugely important to me, so the
camaraderie among Leta, Wendy, and Belle plays a big part in the series. I
don’t belong to a book club, but I’m an avid reader, and each book includes a
scene at the Book Nook, the village bookshop. When a book is read by the book
club, you can be assured I’ve read and enjoyed it. And you’ll notice that books
and authors are mentioned throughout. That’s the way conversations go with my
girlfriends here in Atlanta.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who’s your
favorite author?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Louise Penny is
at the top of my list, and I was fortunate enough to hear her speak at a small
college in North Carolina. I read two-three books a week, so the names on the
list shift around, but I adore Deborah Crombie, Elly Griffiths, and Jacqueline
Winspear. Of course, except for Louise Penny’s books set in Canada, all the
rest are set in England. And, yes, I’ve read lots of Agatha Christie and am
addicted to Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot on PBS. My description of Agatha
Christie’s summer home in book two comes from the visit I made there when I
visited Dartmouth in 2018. What a treat that was!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">What’s the
most meaningful thing a fan has said about your books?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">The statement
that made me glow was from a woman who said that Belle reminded her of her
grandmother. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">After that, I’m
delighted that two things show up time after time in my reviews. One is that
readers appreciate the relationship among the friends in the books and that the
women are well-rounded and intelligent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One review described them as “full-throated.” Another is that people are
pleasantly surprised they love the talking animals, that they add an
interesting element to the book. Yes, Dickens & Christie talk to Leta, and
she understands them. She’s the only person who does.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any parting
words to leave with us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We writers always have words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, thanks again for the invitation. And,
second, I hope your readers will grab a copy of <i>Bells, Tails, & Murder</i>
and get to know Leta and her friends—including the four-legged ones!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kathy, thanks so much for stopping by! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3LyNEufT5I/XvJFREct2WI/AAAAAAAAKBU/ARw1rwzuZuUx8j9d9HmZqvfSegcoeHBMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lakeside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="833" height="162" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3LyNEufT5I/XvJFREct2WI/AAAAAAAAKBU/ARw1rwzuZuUx8j9d9HmZqvfSegcoeHBMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Lakeside.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">BELLS, TAILS, & MURDER<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Cotswolds village, a grieving heroine, two furry
sidekicks . . . and a murder!</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Life can change in a heartbeat . . .</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tragedy propels Leta Parker to pursue a lifelong dream to leave
Atlanta and retire to the Cotswolds. When her dog Dickens stumbles across
a dead body—Leta’s</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> inner </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nancy Drew is awakened. One call to her friend Wendy
is all it takes to get the retired English teacher and her mum involved in
solving a murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two whipsmart retirees, one spunky senior citizen,
and a feisty dog and cat are on the case.</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who better to unearth clues in the village? Even
Dickens and Christie get in on the act gathering intelligence from their
four-legged friends. You’ll be captivated as this unlikely team of sleuths
ferrets out a long-buried secret—a scenario that would make any BBC cozy
mystery producer proud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And don’t miss the Greek Salad recipe in the back!<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase the books on Amazon</span></em><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: </span></em><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084X6546S"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084X6546S</span></a></span><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Meet the author<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Open Sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Picture Kathy Manos Penn sitting serenely at her
desk surrounded by her four-legged office assistants. Happily retired
from corporate America, she’d never considered being an author until a
friend suggested she write a cozy mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a child, she took a book everywhere—to family
dinners, to doctors’ offices, and of course to bed. Years later, a newspaper
article inspired her to put pen to paper and submit her thoughts to the editor.
Before she knew it, she was writing weekly columns and blogs—in addition to her
demanding day job. Then came a book co-written with her dog. As she says,
“Doesn’t everyone do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now, she’s writing cozy animal mysteries featuring a
dog and cat who converse with their owner. If a dog can write a book, surely
animals can communicate. Naturally, her office assistants help with the
dialogue. And, yes, they’re angling to be listed as co-authors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For a special treat, listen to Kathy’s interview on
the </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://alexandraamor.com/talking-to-animals-and-solving-crime-with-kathy-manos-penn/"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s
a Mystery Podcast</span></i></a></span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Visit her </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://kathymanospenn.com/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">website</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for information on the Dickens & Christie cozy mystery
series—photos, blogs, a map of Astonbury, and more. To stay up-to-date on book
news and releases, sign up for her </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://bit.ly/3bEjsfi" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">newsletter</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Find Kathy on these social media sites:<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal;">Website:</span></em><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></em><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://kathymanospenn.com/">https://kathymanospenn.com/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal;">Facebook</span></em><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/">https://www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal;">Instagram</span></em><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathymanospennauthor/">https://www.instagram.com/kathymanospennauthor/</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-1806316853719538472020-06-17T00:00:00.000-07:002020-06-17T00:00:14.933-07:00Bagel & Brew in Waco, TexasI recently met William Hoyt in Waco, Texas. He's a Waco native and has found his career selling bagels and schmear. Trey is super friendly and outgoing and just a real joy to be around.<br />
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We met Trey early on a Friday morning in front of Pinewood Coffee Bar. (I had an amazing latte at Pinewood.)<br />
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I ordered a blueberry bagel with strawberry and peach schmear. The bagel was huge and they applied a generous amount of delicious schmear.<br />
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It was the best bagel I ever ate.<br />
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Thanks Trey for a delightful breakfast. Every time I visit Waco, I'll eat a an amazing bagel from Bagel & Brew.<br />
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Friends if you're in Waco and spot William Hoyt's food truck, be sure to stop for an unforgettable bagel!<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-64933535866569869582020-06-11T07:49:00.000-07:002020-06-11T07:49:47.432-07:00Dog-Gone Dead Available for Pre-OrderThe second book in A Low Country Dog Walker series is <i>Dog-Gone Dead</i>, and it's up for pre-order as an e-book right now. COVID-19 has affected so many life issues, and the people who print books are way behind schedule. I'll update you on when it's available as a paperback.<br />
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I'm not complaining because there are so many more important things in the world these days than my book getting printed.<br />
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I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd like to share a little about <i>Dog-Gone Dead.</i><br />
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Andi Grace is back with no intentions of solving another murder. Until. She and her best friend, Juliet, find a dead body early one morning. As she solves another mystery, you'll meet new characters, relationships will grow, and Andi Grace will learn how to face fear.<br />
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Here's the blurb:<br />
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is
happy to score some free mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until
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have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice but to track down the real
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_Hlk42530245"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Amazon: </span></a><a href="https://amzn.to/2AGWF4N" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://amzn.to/2AGWF4N</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Google: </span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/y8u6sf45" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/y8u6sf45</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Apple: </span><a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycyjno6b" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://tinyurl.com/ycyjno6b</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-30637257314981965912020-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-25T00:00:00.622-07:00Cannonball JellyfishBefore moving to the coast, I knew getting stung by a jellyfish was painful. I researched what to do for a jellyfish sting. Take Benadryl and wash the area with ocean water. If you can rinse the area with vinegar, it's even better but who takes vinegar to the beach?<div>
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If you've heard urinating on a jellyfish sting is a cure, it's not. This so-called treatment can actually worsen the injury. The urine can trigger the stingers to release more venom. </div>
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There are a variety of jelly fish. The can be small or huge, and they come in different shapes. Most have nematocysts in their tentacles which are tiny stinging cells. A sting can be painful and even life-threatening. Proceed with caution if you're stung. </div>
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The most common jellyfish I come across in South Carolina are the cannonball jellyfish. Most of the time I see them washed up on the beach, but if I come across one in the ocean, you better believe I'm getting out of the way.<br />
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If you visit a Carolina beach, keep your eyes open. I'm sure you'll see a jellyfish.</div>
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Take care my friends and stay safe!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-15437565275242116092020-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-12T00:00:01.438-07:00Justice Undercover by Connie Queen<br />
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Hello everyone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jackie, thank you for inviting to your back porch for a
visit. I appreciate the opportunity to be with you today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though it’s May in Nebraska, the trees are just now
blooming. I don’t have a back porch, but if I did, this would be my view. Meet
Nash, my Great Dane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The image Back Porch Reflections bring to my mind are peace
and family. What a great title for a blog, Jackie!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I come from a large, close-knit family. We had our share of
laughs, debates, went to Church together, loved singing in the car, and us kids
were competitive in just about everything we did. Growing up, mom was a great
cook and eating meals together was just a part of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In <i>Justice Undercover</i>, my Love Inspired Suspense debut, the
heroine Kylie Stone is part of a big and boisterous family. Two years prior as
a US Marshal, someone tries to kill her, and she’s forced to fake her own death
and goes rogue undercover. This takes a huge toll on Kylie, and when she learns
her mom has cancer and is about to have a risky surgery, Kylie’s desperate to
return. Her greatest fear is her mom will die without knowing Kylie’s alive.
While dodging bullets, Kylie and Texas Ranger Luke Dryden are in a race to capture
a killer and find their way home before it’s too late.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Justice Undercover will be in Walmart on June 3<sup>rd</sup>
and is available for pre-order now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Connie thanks so much for taking time to stop by. </div>
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Readers, Connie has graciously agreed to give a copy of <i>Justice Undercover</i> to one lucky commenter. (For US residents only.)</div>
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Connie can be found on social media at the following places.</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Website:
conniequeenauthor.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Twitter:
@conniesuqueen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Facebook:
queenofheartthrobbingsuspense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Linkedin:
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-queen-303309168/">www.linkedin.com/in/connie-queen-303309168/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9QCoRkCKxc/XrHS_W2iBRI/AAAAAAAAJ6o/rsL9mT675vEBf8jVzM-TUQOc9UrYz9ZGQCEwYBhgL/s1600/connie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="551" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9QCoRkCKxc/XrHS_W2iBRI/AAAAAAAAJ6o/rsL9mT675vEBf8jVzM-TUQOc9UrYz9ZGQCEwYBhgL/s320/connie2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-19406680686438657402020-05-08T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-08T00:00:01.536-07:00Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Cover by 6-Year-Old Claire Crosby<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VlPdfLr1FSo" width="480"></iframe><br />
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This is from 2019, but it's too cute not to share. Have a great weekend!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-8607861694194808162020-05-02T08:32:00.000-07:002020-05-02T08:32:33.021-07:00Sharee Stover's German shepherd NikoSharee Stover is a friend of mine who writes romantic suspense. Many of you know I have a German shepherd in <i>Bite the Dust</i>. So I've grown fond of German shepherds, and Sharee is going to share about her dog and a little bit about her new book <i>Untraceable Evidence</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t5qGcHn1xAs/Xq2Q2t0L38I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/cVptgJWzOXssjxw9EkMsuS5f8bwxReBVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Niko1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t5qGcHn1xAs/Xq2Q2t0L38I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/cVptgJWzOXssjxw9EkMsuS5f8bwxReBVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Niko1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is Niko, my 100 lbs. German Shepherd who we are convinced, is actually part
cat. Seriously, he has more cat mannerisms than dog ones. But he’s a faithful
friend willing to wake me before dawn every morning for our walk/run regardless
of the weather. He’s a great guard dog, especially if you’re a threatening leaf
fluttering past the window. And he loves to play ball but refuses to give it
back unless you’re willing to bargain the ball for something better. Thus, we
have to take two balls, one for him to catch and hold onto, until we can
negotiate with the other one. Niko is also afraid of the dark. So, there’s no
way he’s going outside to do his business once the sun goes down unless you
accompany him with a flashlight. True story. With all his quirkiness, Niko is
still the best dog I’ve ever had. He’s great with people and he is very low
maintenance…provided he gets a morning and afternoon walk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sharee, what
is the farthest east in USA have you traveled?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
had the wonderful privilege of visiting NYC, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and
Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do
you have a favorite beach? It can be in California or foreign country or
wherever.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clearwater,
Florida is by far my favorite. The water is warm and beautiful and there are dolphins!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I always get excited when I see a dolphin. What's
your new book about? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Untraceable Evidence</i> is the first of three
books in my ATF Agents series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scientist Ace Steele is hired by the ATF to develop a top-secret project named Ghost—a 3D printer gun that uses frangible ammunition. The components are comprised entirely of plastic, making the gun untraceable via metal detectors. The ATF is certain a mole exists who is working with a local militia. The militia’s leader will do anything to get Project Ghost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you want to connect with Sharee, you can find her on social media. Here are the social media and links to buy her book:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Website: </span><a href="https://shareestover.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">https://shareestover.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:authorshareestover@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">authorshareestover@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/shareestover"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">https://twitter.com/shareestover</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Newsletter: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/c99ej9"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">http://eepurl.com/c99ej9</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">Bookbub:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover</span></a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Buy link for Silent Night Suspect: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335232532"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335232532</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Buy link for Untraceable Evidence: </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2SrYfhn"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">https://amzn.to/2SrYfhn</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Amazon Author Page: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://amazon.com/author/shareestover">https://amazon.com/author/shareestover</a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sharee, thanks so much for joining us on my back porch! </div>
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Stay safe and well my friends! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjbh638BI2Q/Xq2SRfjL98I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/61F_jYE5PRs1qSH4Eb18Xw0GHlb5OGWCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ecclesiastes%2B3_1%2BThere%2Bis%2Ba%2Btime%2Bfor%2Beverything%252C%2Band%2Ba%2Bseason%2Bfor%2Bevery%2Bactivity%2Bunder%2Bthe%2Bheavens.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjbh638BI2Q/Xq2SRfjL98I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/61F_jYE5PRs1qSH4Eb18Xw0GHlb5OGWCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Ecclesiastes%2B3_1%2BThere%2Bis%2Ba%2Btime%2Bfor%2Beverything%252C%2Band%2Ba%2Bseason%2Bfor%2Bevery%2Bactivity%2Bunder%2Bthe%2Bheavens.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-77589541918823657422020-04-06T00:30:00.000-07:002020-04-06T00:30:06.556-07:00DIY No Sew Face Mask Easy and Quick for Anyone<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1r2C1zGUHbU" width="480"></iframe><br />
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For those of us who don't sew and don't have material on hand, this is a possible way to make a face mask.<br />
What do you think?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-8711443616255188692020-04-03T08:20:00.001-07:002020-04-03T08:20:35.322-07:00Be A Light (Lyric Video)<span style="background-color: #606060; color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">I've been meeting my critique group online for coffee each morning for about two weeks. For different reasons this morning we all were a little down.</span><br style="color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><br style="color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><span style="background-color: #606060; color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">We shared our concerns and prayed. We also discussed how music can help us keep our eyes on God. In case music helps lift you, I'd like to share this song with you by Thomas Rhett.</span><br style="color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><br style="color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><span style="background-color: #606060; color: #d2d2d2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Stay safe my friends!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8YuWAZmD0aU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-14322016189640037142020-03-27T07:47:00.004-07:002020-03-27T07:47:59.145-07:00Stay Home Stay SafeIf you're like me, you can't quit watching the news. Over and over we're asked to stay home if we can.<br />
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Many in my family work in health care. Tim, Bill, Scott, and Chris. They don't have the freedom to skip work or work from home. The best way we can help those on the front lines is to pray for them and stay home.<br />
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Please friends, stay home.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-6958154201576633642020-03-18T09:45:00.001-07:002020-03-18T09:45:15.000-07:00What Are You Focusing On These Days?<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Shay Vaughn is a friend of mine, and she gave me permission to share this with you.</div>
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This was heavy on my heart this morning and I just had to share.</div>
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God is trying to show us something. Hear me out...<br />- Yesterday Italy woke up with low pollution and saw clean water in their canals and fish in them for the first time in almost 60 years.</div>
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God wants us to know he is making something NEW!</div>
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Though we may be fighting through the worst, Gods got this. He is bringing the world together by isolating everyone. He’s trying to get us to slow down and focus on the truly important things in life like your family and spending time doing some <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/selfcare?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">selfcare</span></span></a>.<br />Yes, that sounds crazy, but it’s true.</div>
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Though some are taking extreme advantage by stockpiling, most communities are coming together to make sure everyone is fed, being educated and offering childcare if their parents are still at work.<br />Communities are singing from their balconies in unison while being completely separated. This is what God wants of us. He wants us to lend a hand to our neighbors whether it been next door or across the world.</div>
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Some may disagree but this is what I’m seeing and it is amazing that God is turning this tragedy into his mighty work.</div>
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We may not be able to have church, but that is not stopping us. There is now a Tik Tok Church and it is reaching so so many. He is showing us all the good in this world!</div>
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Satan is driving this world apart!!!! It’s amazing our resilience is everyone just works together and does their part. That includes the fortunate and unfortunate. It may not be over and many have lost loved ones and I pray for those families but trust in him because he’s got this!</div>
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This came from my devotion this morning:<br />Whenever you find yourself overwhelmed by life, you always have two choices: you can focus on your circumstances, or fix your eyes on Jesus. If you choose to look to Jesus above everything else, you will begin to see that the storms you face are not nearly as powerful as the Savior choosing to walk through the storm alongside you.</div>
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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”<br />Philippians 4:6 NIV</div>
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“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”<br />Psalms 56:3 NIV</div>
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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”<br />Matthew 6:33-34 NIV</div>
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“If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the Lord your God.”<br />Deuteronomy 28:58-62 NIV</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-48051791675919638092020-03-11T06:38:00.000-07:002020-03-11T06:38:04.131-07:00The Birthplace of Sweet Tea<br />
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I recently learned South Carolina is the birthplace of sweet tea. I hope you enjoy this charming video about the tea plantations and the history of this beverage that has been talked about and sung about. It's part of our culture. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJZ5jR3u-08" width="480"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-65781131424995155942020-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:002020-03-03T00:00:00.283-08:00Bite the Dust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br9XkZ_mMjs/Xl2gbwZrzcI/AAAAAAAAJy0/eJQWX0xROCAYq5WmkWe7JUM0sPps-QZEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bookmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="121" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br9XkZ_mMjs/Xl2gbwZrzcI/AAAAAAAAJy0/eJQWX0xROCAYq5WmkWe7JUM0sPps-QZEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bookmark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Years of dreaming, praying, and lots of hard work have led to my first cozy mystery being published by BelleBooks. It's the first book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series.<br />
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Here's the back cover blurb:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Proving her innocence could be a tall order. The local police never solved the hit-and-run that killed her parents; Andi Grace isn’t sure they’ll solve this crime either…not when they have a convenient suspect—one caught with the possible murder weapon in her hand. She’ll have follow every clue and call in every favor, even if that puts her in danger.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I've been asked to speak and sign books at Wesley Village in Wilmore, KY. If you're in the area on April 8 at 1:15, I'd love to meet you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I'll also be signing books April 15 at The Lakes at Litchfield in Litchfield, South Carolina. I'm not sure about the time, but if you're interested I'll let you know.</span><br />
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While writing is hard work, it's also a joy. </div>
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Through this journey I've been encouraged by my family and many good friends. </div>
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Philemon 1:7 says, "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29946A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29946A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> because you, brother, have refreshed</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29946B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29946B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> the hearts of the Lord’s people."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-78372145124606877932020-03-02T00:30:00.000-08:002020-03-02T05:09:53.625-08:00Sweetgrass BasketsWe got our first sweetgrass basket for a wedding gift. We knew it was a pretty basket, but we didn't understand the tradition and history of a sweetgrass basket. The baskets are a Gullah tradition.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5G9NoNbQb4/XkNfElC-9hI/AAAAAAAAJxc/HpZU9YWwsGgqWodjaaBTa0o1dxo7LmjGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5G9NoNbQb4/XkNfElC-9hI/AAAAAAAAJxc/HpZU9YWwsGgqWodjaaBTa0o1dxo7LmjGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0236.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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West African slaves began weaving these baskets from bulrush which is a strong but supple marshgrass. The original purpose was to winnow rice from chaff on plantations. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubsemsq8VS8/XkNfYRAKgmI/AAAAAAAAJxo/C1mJmQMpCs0ZLt9eH775fnUtpos72-newCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubsemsq8VS8/XkNfYRAKgmI/AAAAAAAAJxo/C1mJmQMpCs0ZLt9eH775fnUtpos72-newCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0232.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fdQnMmHC8U/XkNfYaZ-8PI/AAAAAAAAJxk/OSKgw0AqNjQuCWvNA1Qz8nyeNeJBs_YywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fdQnMmHC8U/XkNfYaZ-8PI/AAAAAAAAJxk/OSKgw0AqNjQuCWvNA1Qz8nyeNeJBs_YywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0235.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Many people display these beautiful works of art in their homes. If you'd like to have a sweetgrass basket for yourself, they can be found at the Charleston City Market and many of the gift stores in South Carolina. There are many roadside stands where artisans sell baskets.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-14281745917754117972020-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:002020-02-24T00:00:00.699-08:00All Y'all Might Enjoy Carolina Treet at Your Next CookoutYou means one person.<br />
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Y'all means two people.<br />
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All y'all means three or more people. This was new to me because I thought y'all meant two or more people.<br />
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Years ago when I moved to Georgia, I learned pulled pork was the only barbecue worth eating. It took us a while to find our favorite barbecue place because my husband enjoys a sweeter tomato based sauce.<br />
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South Carolina has a barbecue association who says Germans came to our state with mustard. One of the favorite barbecue sauces here is mustard-based with vinegar and spices which gives South Carolina barbecue a zingy flavor.<br />
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One year on vacation, we discovered Carolina Treet Cooking Barbecue Sauce. It's perfect for grilling out pork chops. We used to stock up on Carolina Treet when we vacationed, but now that we live in South Carolina, we can buy it whenever we want to cook out.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-3928719511305080752020-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:002020-02-17T06:04:30.176-08:00Lowcountry or Low CountryA Low Country Dow Walker Mystery series is set in, you guessed it, the Lowcountry area of South Carolina.<br />
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I've been familiar with the term Lowcountry for years, but I've been confused if it's one or two words.<br />
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Here's what Merriam-Webster dictionary says..<br />
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Low Country</div>
<span class="fl" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a7d95; display: inline; font-family: "playfair display" , serif; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">geographical name</span></div>
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<div class="row headword-row" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 8px -15px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="col" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; flex-basis: 0%; flex-grow: 1; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 1px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 760px;">
<span class="entry-attr vrs" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #225f73; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">variants: <span class="vr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vl" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">or </span><span class="va" id="Lowcountry-anchor" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lowcountry</span> <span class="first-slash" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">\</span> <span class="prt-a" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mw" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ˈlō-ˌkən-trē </span><a class="play-pron" data-dir="gg" data-file="gglowcountry_1" data-lang="en_us" data-title="How to pronounce Lowcountry (audio)" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lowcountry?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=gg&file=gglowcountry_1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; background-image: none !important; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 22px 22px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #265667; direction: ltr; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin: -5px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: -9999px; vertical-align: middle; width: 22px;" title="How to pronounce Lowcountry (audio)"><svg alt="How to pronounce Lowcountry (audio)" class="svg replaced-svg" height="22px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 26 26" width="22px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><defs><lineargradient id="grad3" x1="0%" x2="0%" y1="0%" y2="100%"></lineargradient></defs><g class="Audio" fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g class="Icon/AudioPron"><g class="Audio"><circle class="outline Oval" cx="13" cy="13" fill="url(#grad3) #265667" r="13"></circle><polygon class="logo Path-2" fill="#FFFFFF" points="6 10.5031797 6 15.4563465 9.37102011 15.4563465 13 18 13 8.02789307 9.5 10.5031797" stroke="#FFFFFF"></polygon><path class="logo2 Path-3" d="M16,8.5 C17.4887382,10.0718463 18.2331073,11.569707 18.2331073,12.993582 C18.2331073,15.1293945 17.1165537,16.4498291 16,17.5894775" stroke="#FFFFFF"></path><path class="logo2 Path-4" d="M18.0189209,6.5 C20.0989176,8.3652264 21.138916,10.5318931 21.138916,13 C21.138916,15.4681069 20.0723674,17.6756672 17.93927,19.6226807" stroke="#FFFFFF"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></span> <span class="last-slash" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px 5px 0px -3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">\</span></span></span></div>
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<div class="hword2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #265667; display: inline; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Definition of <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Low Country</em> (Entry 2 of 2)</div>
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<div class="sb no-sn" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<div class="sense no-subnum" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="dt " style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; display: inline; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">low-lying region along the Atlantic coasts of South Carolina and Georgia</span></span></div>
<span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<div class="sense no-subnum" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="dt " style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; display: inline; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
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</span><span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="sense no-subnum" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="dt " style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; display: inline; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To celebrate the release of </span><span class="dt " style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; display: inline; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Bite the Dust</i></span><span class="dt " style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; display: inline; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, in the next few weeks, I'll share Low Country terminology with you. I hope you enjoy these pictures of my little slice of life in the Low Country. </span></div>
</span><span class="sb-0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 22px; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="sense no-subnum" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-61118906602990933922020-02-07T20:31:00.003-08:002020-02-07T20:31:52.469-08:00Cozy Mysteries<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Recently, I've had people tell me they've never heard of a cozy mystery. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Mysteries are stories deal with fictional crimes. Cozies involve crimes, but the crime isn't gory and in your face. An amateur sleuth solves the crime, and the setting is usually a small town.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">I'm a reader of mysteries, cozy mysteries, romance, romantic suspense and women's fiction. A few years ago, I spoke with an editor at a conference about mysteries and how they different from romantic suspense. As we talked, it was like a combination lock. The pieces slid into place, and I went home determined to try writing cozy mysteries. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">I'm thrilled to announce Bite the Dust, the first book of A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series will be available February 28, 2020. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Am I counting down the days? You bet I am. I'm excited and blessed to see this dream come true. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-32842203167401642042020-01-27T13:31:00.000-08:002020-01-27T13:31:03.785-08:00Sun ProtectionOne of the joys of living on the coast is the ability to spend time outside all year long. It always feels good when the sun kisses your skin, and the ocean breeze makes you feel alive. BUT there are some bad side effects of spending too much time on the beach. Sunburns, wrinkles, sun damage, and skin cancer are problems we face. <br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zCEhqJESqQ/XheYFh_POpI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/3fXfDN6DiHko-Fj1cT7l3vhPm72TcdIjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCN7787.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zCEhqJESqQ/XheYFh_POpI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/3fXfDN6DiHko-Fj1cT7l3vhPm72TcdIjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN7787.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
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I'm fair complected and try to be aware of the potential for harm. I wear sunscreen and sit under umbrellas. <br />
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Another thing we do is visit the beach late in the afternoon or early evening when the sun's rays are not as intense.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OV63TDlLHU/XheYFd1UVmI/AAAAAAAAJtM/lNM_cC6jkYIhCObOgAbRaX1MXDJgV5Q1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCN7831.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OV63TDlLHU/XheYFd1UVmI/AAAAAAAAJtM/lNM_cC6jkYIhCObOgAbRaX1MXDJgV5Q1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN7831.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
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I recently heard a man say he had skin cancer on his bald head but it didn't bother him. He accepted it as part of life on the coast.<br />
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Here are a few skin changes related to sun exposure:<br />
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Precancerous and cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) skin lesions caused by loss of the skin's immune function<br />
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Benign tumors<br />
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Freckles and wrinkles<br />
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Mottled pigmentation or yellow skin<br />
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Sallowness: a yellow discoloration of the skin<br />
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Skin cancer may be a part of life in South Carolina or wherever you live, but here are a few tips to lessen your odds of getting it.<br />
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Thirty minutes before going outside, apply sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more and reapply every 2-3 hours.<br />
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Wear sunglasses with UV protection. I recently discovered some contacts are made with UV protection.<br />
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The last tip I want to share is to void direct sun exposure if possible between 10 am and 3 pm.<br />
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Stay safe this spring!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-48233140992978295592020-01-20T05:52:00.000-08:002020-01-20T05:52:13.385-08:00Martin Luther King Day 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlS41t7zalw/XiWuPE2DWwI/AAAAAAAAJuY/0EN7FPq1MPAi2OenMueMJ0yVmD_ioqVDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-1500w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlS41t7zalw/XiWuPE2DWwI/AAAAAAAAJuY/0EN7FPq1MPAi2OenMueMJ0yVmD_ioqVDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-1500w.jpg" width="320" height="128" data-original-width="1500" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><br />
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I grew up believing Martin Luther King Jr. was a hero. The "I Have a Dream" speech he gave in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial is a historical speech often quoted. It helped bring light to the Civil Rights Movement.<br />
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I'd like to share a few of my favorite quotes from his "I Have a Dream" speech. Parts of his speech still apply to America today.<br />
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“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.”<br />
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“When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”<br />
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"Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”<br />
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And my favorite quote is, <b>“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”</b><br />
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In most pictures I found of Martin Luther King Jr., he wore a solemn expression. He lived a life full of purpose, and he worked tirelessly for his dream. I didn't give up and at last found this picture of him with a smile. The captions read, "Martin Luther King Jr. waves on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Aug. 28, 1963."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6VQwBqWH0g/XiWwWMy53iI/AAAAAAAAJuk/TwrlQPdkBTQxujq2m9GxUwXN0s2AxWovgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Martin-Luther-King-Jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6VQwBqWH0g/XiWwWMy53iI/AAAAAAAAJuk/TwrlQPdkBTQxujq2m9GxUwXN0s2AxWovgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Martin-Luther-King-Jr.jpg" width="400" height="225" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="901" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-12385654278722572762020-01-13T00:30:00.000-08:002020-01-13T00:30:03.810-08:00Dogs<b>“I don’t understand people who don’t touch their pets. Their cat or dog is called a pet for a reason.” – Jarod Kintz</b><br />
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My upcoming cozy mystery series revolves around dog walker Andi Grace Scott. Andi Grace has a German shepherd names Sunny. I have a West Highland Terrier named Heinz. Both dogs are thirteen years old.<br />
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Our friends joke that we spoil Heinz. We don't push him around in a dog stroller or take him into a store with us, but do we spoil him? Maybe. <br />
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One of Heinz's favorite things to do is go for a walk on the beach. I'm not a neat freak, but if I take Heinz to the beach he's going to get a bath. We all know this, but he still loves to walk on the beach.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEouKcddJzk/Xhib6imVFnI/AAAAAAAAJts/dyN9-qmhACA-7KM5zRD5peVG6mRxDTb0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8807.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEouKcddJzk/Xhib6imVFnI/AAAAAAAAJts/dyN9-qmhACA-7KM5zRD5peVG6mRxDTb0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8807.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="481" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqp20Cw0POM/Xhib6ckYssI/AAAAAAAAJto/u5iFggHl5Vsxn9ERwbHT5ZwFwBjB6-ArgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9721.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqp20Cw0POM/Xhib6ckYssI/AAAAAAAAJto/u5iFggHl5Vsxn9ERwbHT5ZwFwBjB6-ArgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9721.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RP4lDqATopI/Xhib6SuUDRI/AAAAAAAAJtk/0Svj9KQs3tQKzsydvmGZ7nRlyvixhXldQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9749.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RP4lDqATopI/Xhib6SuUDRI/AAAAAAAAJtk/0Svj9KQs3tQKzsydvmGZ7nRlyvixhXldQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9749.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a><br />
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On the beach, Heinz trots with his head held high. I don't know if the texture of the sand feels good to his little paws or what, but it's his favorite place to walk.<br />
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Do you have a favorite place to walk? I'd love to hear about it. <br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22899506577245017.post-30241654052397953362020-01-06T00:30:00.000-08:002020-01-06T00:30:08.671-08:00My Friend Janet Ferguson<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-enNTyFuoCAQ/XgqcZr5HFkI/AAAAAAAAJrk/J6qu11Ah5EsH69R6wjTMjUDi-cAFzEY3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7307-%2528ZF-1056-64043-1-001%2529%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-enNTyFuoCAQ/XgqcZr5HFkI/AAAAAAAAJrk/J6qu11Ah5EsH69R6wjTMjUDi-cAFzEY3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7307-%2528ZF-1056-64043-1-001%2529%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="311" height="320" data-original-width="1553" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
I first met Janet Ferguson in a critique group through American Christian Fiction Writers. It takes a special kind of nerve to share your stories with others to critique. Janet and I met in person at ACFW conferences and even roomed together one year. She always makes me smile. <br />
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Janet's newest book came out on January 4, and I wanted to introduce her to you. She was kind enough to answer a few questions.<br />
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First, for my own curiosity, how did you get started working for the legislature?<br />
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Oddly, it happened through writing! My author friend from Mississippi who I traveled to conference with for a couple of years worked at the Mississippi legislature. She said several times that I should come work for the session which is usually three months. It’s four this year because there is a new governor. I just emailed her one day and said maybe I’d like to try it. This will be my third session working at the Capitol.<br />
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When did you start writing? <br />
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I started in 2012 after the loss of both of my parents and my husband’s mother in a sixty-day period. I’d had a story idea, and after those losses, I realized life is short. So I began my first novel which eventually became <i>Leaving Oxford.</i><br />
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Do you have one word for 2020 to reflect on?<br />
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Good question. I don’t one, but I recently borrowed a book from my daughter called Present over Perfect. That sounded like something I need to work on. I’ve just started the book.<br />
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What is your favorite beach?<br />
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Most any! I love a beach! The one I get to go to most often is Fort Morgan, Alabama. It’s really nice!<br />
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Tell us about your pets. I know you're a cat person but can't remember if you have a dog. <br />
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I currently have two cats that hate each other, and a really sweet and well-behaved older dog name Remi.<br />
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Tell us a little, or a lot, about your new book <i>Star Rising.</i> <br />
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I was blessed to be able to go to Ireland and I had a lot of fun taking my characters there! Although there are some funny parts to this story, there is also a serious grapple with faith for the hero Paul. I hope your readers enjoy!<br />
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Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.<br />
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After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.<br />
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As Paul and Star strive to protect his mother in their own ways, they soon find their own hearts are at the greatest risk.<br />
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Janet, thanks for your time. <br />
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Be sure to look for <i>Star Rising.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9V_FHVG7k/XgqczjBAO8I/AAAAAAAAJrs/Fieqv5FrZsM2GFFazrS7Ol44TKpsjKZvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Star%2BRising.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9V_FHVG7k/XgqczjBAO8I/AAAAAAAAJrs/Fieqv5FrZsM2GFFazrS7Ol44TKpsjKZvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Star%2BRising.png" width="320" height="178" data-original-width="810" data-original-height="450" /></a></div><br />
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If you'd like to connect with Janet, here's her info:<br />
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janetwferguson@gmail.com<br />
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https://www.bookbub.com/profile/janet-w-ferguson<br />
https://www.facebook.com/Janet.Ferguson.author<br />
http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/<br />
https://www.pinterest.com/janetwferguson/<br />
https://twitter.com/JanetwFerguson<br />
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Series Info: (Coastal Hearts)<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4B6Y4F?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1485295503
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-rising
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star-rising-janet-w-ferguson/1134431372">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4B6Y4F?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420<br />
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1485295503<br />
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-rising<br />
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star-rising-janet-w-ferguson/1134431372</a><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jacsbacblo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615511716&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Jackie Laytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.com4