Bleeding Heart Librarian: Read an Excerpt + Enter to Win

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Bleeding Heart Librarian by Jackie Layton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Bleeding Heart Librarian
Series: A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery #3
Author: Jackie Layton
Publisher: Level Best Books
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Emma Justice is friends with the local librarian and brings her extra flowers once a week. On a hot July morning, when people are gathered outside the closed library past opening time, Emma calls the police. The librarian’s body is found in the building and beside the body is a pink and white bleeding heart plant. 

Tess Carranza was a lovely person dedicated to children and patrons of the library in Lutz, Texas. Tess recently confided to Emma about her fear someone was using the library to gather information to commit crimes. Emma didn’t get the entire story from Tess before her death, but now she’s determined to stop the crime and catch Tess’s killer.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

More In This Series

 

Book Excerpt

 

Tuesday morning, I walked to the library with a bouquet of fresh-cut sunflowers. It was already humid, but I enjoyed walking at my pace. Since adopting Cowboy, I’d been forced to move faster to keep up with him.

My hand throbbed from an early morning bee sting, and doctoring it was the reason I was ten minutes late. Surely, Tess would understand.

A group of women stood under the library’s awning, chatting, and holding travel mugs. 

I slowed my stride. 

Faith Meier stepped away from the group. “Hi, Emma. Are you joining our group?”

“What group?”

“We’re the Tuesday morning coloring and coffee group. The library provides coloring pages, pencils, and pens. We bring our own coffee, or whatever. It’s been a fun way for me to get better connected in Lutz. Running the bed-and-breakfast has allowed me to meet interesting people, but they always leave.” She chuckled. “I need more lasting friendships.” 

“It sounds fun, but I’m here to see Tess. Unfortunately, I’m running a tad late. Maybe I’ll see you inside.” I went to the front door and knocked on the glass. 

There was no sign of life. I leaned closer to the glass and peered in.

“Tess’s car is in the parking lot.” Faith joined me and pointed to an electric car. 

“Hmm. Have you seen her?”

“No, but she makes it a habit to arrive early. When we enter, the event is prepared for us, lights are on, and she welcomes us.”

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About the Author

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. Jackie always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Many of her ideas come from people watching and watching Dateline and American Greed.

Connect with Jackie by visiting jackielaytoncozyauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Texas-and-flower themed prize bundle which includes an ebook of Bleeding Heart Librarian, a $5 Starbucks card, lip balm and holder, a blue and white bag, a fabric coaster, a designer Wet-It swedish cleaning cloth, a journal, a car coaster and an alarm key chain!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 19, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 26, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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