Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Hickey and Prentice - No, That's Not a Trapeze Act

Cynthia Hickey
Multi-published author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries published through Barbour Publishing, with a novella releasing in March 2013. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at www.cynthiahickey.com






Candice Prentice
Candice Prentice is the author of Murder in the Milk CaseBand Room Bash, and Kitty Litter Killer(Print, Barbour Publishing, 2005-2006), andMayhem in Maryland—a cozy compilation (Print, Barbour Publishing, 2008). She also co-authored three romances published in 2010 by Barbour. In 2013, MacGregor Literary Agency re-released Candice’s cozies as e-books. You can find out more about them here.

Candice lives in Maryland with her husband and Jack the Whiney Dog, who is the subject of many of her personal blog articles. She reads and researches for fun and especially enjoys medical history, which explains her collection of antique medical bottles and memorabilia.    

Candice Speare Prentice
Intriguing Stories. . .Inspiring Hope. . .Finding Joy in Restoration
Represented by: Sandra Bishop at MacGregor Literary

Find me on Facebook

Enjoy!

~Nancy Jill

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Justice - Jillian Bradley Takes it Personally

When asked, "What are your books about?" I often say, "In six words or less - Gardening columnist and Yorkie solve homicides."

True. But intrinsically speaking in all of the books Jillian Bradley seeks justice.





 
Justice for her conference associate and those Jillian finds murdered in connection in Book 1 "Murder in Half Moon Bay."

Justice for her colleague suspected of murder and for the victim's mother in Book 2 "The Ghost Orchid Murder."


Justice for an amnesia victim caught in a crime web in Book 3 "From the Clutches of Evil."








Justice for victims suffering from grief in Book 4 "The Mark of Eden."

Justice for Jillian's nephew arrested for the murders 
of a mother and daughter and justice for them in Book 5 "Pacific Beach."








Justice for several victims killed around Christmas Eve in Book 6 "Waiting for Santa."

And justice for a swindled victim, the death of her husband, and the murder of a London police officer in Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam."

 







To get started in the series Book 1 "Murder in Half Moon Bay" is free on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and Smashwords. Books 2-7 are only $3.99. Not a bad price for reading stories about justice. Please visit the Books page to order.

I hope you'll give the books a try and cheer Jillian and Teddy on as they seek justice along their journeys.

Have an awesome week, dear readers!

~Nancy Jill


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

A Look at Two Cozy Mystery Authors

By Nancy Jill Thames

Authors have unique styles or voices they use in telling their tales. Some readers like a dramatic voice, others prefer some humor as they read. These authors definitely have both plus a cozy feel to their mysteries.

Deborah Malone
Deborah Malone writes mysteries taking place in her home state of Georgia. The characters are fun and memorable, two qualities readers look for in books.

Here's my review on Deborah's first book, "Death in Dohlonega."

Available on Amazon.com





5.0 out of 5 stars Great First Book for Deborah Malone!, August 15, 2012



This review is from: Death in Dahlonega (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery) (Kindle Edition)
"Dahlonega" sounds like "bologna" should sound like, but this book is no baloney! The story has all the elements readers like me look for in a cozy mystery - good characters, interesting setting and tight plot. Trixie, Dee Dee and Nana were fun characters to watch as the story unfolded from Trixie's beginning a simple job assignment as a reporter, to her battling for Dee Dee's life as an accused murderer.





C.L. Ragsdale
The other author I'd like to introduce for your reading pleasure is the extremely funny C.L. Ragsdale. Cindy writes the Reboot Files Series and has published her first superhero cozy mystery recently.
I've read all the Reboot Files and "Chasing Lady Midnight." Since I can't decide on which one I enjoyed most I'll give you my review on "The Wrong Ghost," Book 4 in the Reboot Files.




Available on Amazon.com
 4.0 out of 5 stars Clever Title - Clever Plot, June 29, 2012


This review is from: The Wrong Ghost (The Reboot Files, #4 - A Cozy Christian Mystery) (Kindle Edition)
What a fun read for only $.99!(Which it was at the time.) C.L. Ragsdale is a wonderful story teller pulling you in immediately with the lore of Lake Morona's resident ghost. The tension is well developed between Irene and Troy, infused with witty dialogue. I also liked the story itself and the way it unfolded - giving clues to the mystery here and there to keep my interest through the whole book. When it ended, it left me wanting more adventures of the Reboot Team. I immediately ordered book 1 on my Kindle. Cute series!

Have a great week, dear readers. I hope you enjoy these authors as much as I do.

~Nancy Jill






Wednesday, February 5, 2014

You're Invited for Tea With Jillian Bradley



Readers will always find afternoon tea in The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. Here is an excerpt from:

 "The Ghost Orchid Murder"
Book 2


At precisely four o’clock, there was a knock on my door. When I answered, Yvette stood in the doorway and smiled. Room service was right behind her. I motioned for her to sit down on the sofa by the fire as the server placed the tea tray on the table in front of her. I signed the bill and thanked him.

Teddy was yipping, trying to guard me from whoever entered his territory.

Yvette’s face brightened.

She looked surprisingly young for her age which I judged to be about forty-five to fifty. Her firm handshake confirmed that she was self-assured. She sat straight on the sofa with her ankles crossed. Although she was pretty in a country sort of way, the lines around her eyes told of a difficult life, not one of privilege.

High cheekbones spoke of her French ancestry. Like many Europeans, Yvette wore no makeup, only a little lipstick and yet her color looked quite healthy. She wore her shoulder-length blond hair straight and simple. Her clothes flattered her medium built figure. I wondered if Rene had been like her.

Teddy was yipping in the bedroom, trying to guard his territory from the present invader.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Thank you, I’d love some. Just plain, please.”

I took my time pouring the tea and stirring in the sugar for mine. I offered her a slice of decadent chocolate cake or a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. She took the cookie and white linen napkin. We sipped our tea and she told me again how much she appreciated the invitation.

“I would love to meet your dog, Jillian.” She placed her cookie on her saucer.

I walked over to Cecilia’s room and let Teddy out. He immediately ran over to Yvette and jumped into her lap.

She smiled and began to pet him.

“He’s adorable.” She rubbed his ears gently and stroked his fur. “I could never give Rene a dog because A.J. said we couldn’t afford one. Of course I regret it now, like so many things.”

“Is A.J. your husband?” I was glad Teddy was taking to her so.

“He was my husband. A.J. died when Rene was a teenager.”

“I’m so sorry. What did your husband do for a living?”

“He was a logger.” She sighed. “Six days a week he’d take logs from where they fell and load them onto trucks that took them to the mills. A.J. would work twelve hours a day and when he got home, all dirty and hungry, Rene would disappear into another room. The two didn’t really mix.

“A.J. and I would have a little time over dinner together where he recapped his day. Then to sleep…early…7 o’clock sharp every evening. The same routine started all over again the next morning.”

“He seems to have worked hard to provide for his family. I’m sure you miss him.”

Teddy licked her hand as if to say he was sorry she had suffered two deaths now.

“You’re a good dog, Teddy. Thank you.” She stroked his fur. “Please have your friend come in and have some tea. I feel like I’m encroaching.”              

I stood. “I’ll ask her if she’d like to join us.”

I introduced Cecilia. Yvette seemed comfortable sharing her personal life in front of her. I think she sensed I had her welfare in mind and trusted me.

She was hungry to talk to someone, so Cecilia and I listened sympathetically.

Yvette talked for some time, unfolding her life story as we drank tea together. I made sure her cup stayed full. 

Have a lovely week, dear readers!

~Nancy Jill