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

By 

Nancy Jill Thames

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

By 

Nancy Jill Thames - 

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

A PEEK INSIDE BOOK 6 AND BOOK 2

		New! Pat Peregrin reviewed Waiting for Santa (A Jillian Bradley Mystery) Good Book June 13, 2013 This was a good mystery. Her family for Christmas, a blackout, a murder and an old love calls her out of the blue. What a dilemma she has. Two men who love her. Now that's a dilemma all women of her age should have. It was an enjoyable read. While she is expecting them both to propose, she is trying to help Walter to solve the crime. We can only look forward to the next Jillian Bradley mystery, since this one ended with TO BE CONTINUED.
		New! Marina Blades reviewed The Ghost Orchid Murder (Jillian Bradley Mysteries, No. 2) (The Jillian Bradley Mystery... The Ghost Orchid Murder June 13, 2013 Nancy Jill Thames knows how to keep her novels clean and yet entertaining and if you are a dog lover you'll enjoy Teddy's escapades.  See you in my books!  ~Nancy Jill  Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie. When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW CenTex Chapter, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com  Nancy Jill is busy working on Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London. Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY on your ereader for free! Amazon Paperback $8.09  Kindle FREE! Barnes and Nobel Paperback $8.99 Nook  FREE! FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

SECOND CHANCES

By Nancy Jill Thames

Have you ever been given a second chance? A double entendre in this post, since Book 3 deals with the subject, and this recently happened to me. Let me start at the beginning.
About a week ago, I received a critical review of Book 2 "The Ghost Orchid Murder." The criticism was focused on grammar and punctuation (thus the reason for the graphic) with a few other issues thrown in. Okay, my spirit plummeted and I wanted to quit writing. Did any good come from this critic?
You bet it did!
First, I decided to check the manuscript for errors. Found a few, and did some revisions. After receiving a couple of good reviews on my other books, I picked my chin up off the floor, and started back to work. 
Yesterday, this same critical reviewer gave me a review on Book 3. This time it was five stars! But that's not the good part. She brought my attention to the fact that I had submitted the wrong file containing Chapter 19 twice! Oh, no! I immediately edited the file and sent it off to the most tolerating formatter in Canada (right at his bedtime no less) Rik Hall, and he graciously sent me the edited version.
Reviews can be tough. However, I choose to learn from each and every one. Now, back to the double entendre.
In Book 3, "From the Clutches of Evil," Jillian Bradley helps her main characters get a second chance. You'll have to read the book to understand how this happens. Here's the review I mentioned. I hope you'll agree with what she wrote. (Well, the good parts anyway!)

Exciting Book, June 5, 2013

By 

Pat Peregrin - 

This review is from: From the Clutches of Evil (A Jillian Bradley Mystery, No. 3) (Kindle Edition)

Paperback $7.99
Kindle $3.99
Nook Book $3.99
Smashwords $3.99
Kobo $3.99

After being disappointed with her second novel in this series, I was hesitant about buying this book. I am glad that I did. It was Jillian at her best. She has a lot of heart and cares about others.

She is not afraid to go where she needs in order to find the answer to a mystery. Her dog "Teddy is a remarkable animal and for a Yorkie very fearless. Even her friend Ann (from the first book) was back.

I thought they had the proofreading thing straightened out until the end. The last chapter was repeated. Oh well, at least it wasn't throughout the entire book. 

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com

 Nancy Jill is busy working on Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London.

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY for free! (Or buy it on Barnes and Nobel)

Amazon Paperback $8.09
 Kindle FREE!
Barnes and Nobel $8.99/Nook Book $2.99
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

How I Became a Murder Mystery Writer

Paperback $8.00
Kindle FREE!
Nook Book $2.99
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

This week  I spoke to The Leander Writer's Guild on How To Write A Murder Mystery. Nice to give back to fellow authors. 

In 2001, Murder in Half Moon Bay was my very first attempt at writing. I love reading murder mysteries but was burned out with the authors I had been reading, so I decided to write a mystery of my own. The timing was not conducive to complete my story, due to raising a second family, until October 2009. The Half Moon Bay Review showed an interest in my blog, featuring chapters from the manuscript I'd begun as a way to finish the book, and wanted to do an interview. I agreed, wrote the final chapters and published the book as an indie author in June of 2010. Since that time, I have written five additional books in the series, with two more on the way. 

   My inspiration for Jillian Bradley and her Yorkie companion came from staying at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, where my husband and I were attending an off-site board meeting for his company. I began taking notes of the surroundings and used my imagination to create a protagonist that might be a guest at a gardening conference. I used my husband's name Ted for her little dog, Teddy, since I would have her be a widow. As I continued to travel with my husband, I found more settings to write about, and continue to dream up scenarios for Jillian and Teddy to solve mysteries. Writing is a new journey for me, but it's turning out to be a rewarding one. 
Have a good day, dear readers.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren in two states, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

 Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London.

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

 

A GIFT FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND - ENJOY!

Please enjoy reading the first book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series on me - it's climbing up the ranks in Women Sleuths.  Thank you! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Paperback $8.00
Kindle FREE!
Nook Book $2.99
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren in two states, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London, England. To learn more about the author and check out her books, please visit her blog at  

Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames.

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

Save $1.99 + tx and Pass It On!

NOW FREE ON AMAZON KINDLE!

Yea! Amazon spiders have finally price-matched Book 1 in the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. Now, in addition to you KOBO and SMASHWORDS fans,  KINDLE owners can read MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY for free and test drive the series as well. If you like the story, there are five more to read now, one to launch by the end of June, and the final episode will be available in December. So excited about this plan!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of "Jillian Bradley Mysteries," Christian fiction based on travel adventures with her husband. The stories reflect Nancy Jill's love of art and serving afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller's List and won awards for her blogs. Nancy Jill is a Texas Longhorn, having earned her degree from The University of Texas in Austin, where she resides. The author donates 10% of book sales to the Central Texas SPCA-a no kill animal shelter.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" due out in 2013.
Member of the Leander Writers Guild.

ONCE UPON A TIME...

Ever wonder where authors get their ideas? True stories? Personal experience? How about pure imagination? An interviewer once asked Agatha Christie where her ideas came from. She told him her stories came from simply watching people, imagining what they were going through at the moment. A housemaid boarding a bus...an article from a newspaper regarding the then and now of certain people. A good author can take any situation or object and create a story. In Book 7 of the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series, the story is based on a jewel theft. My son challenged me to write a book based on this theme - I took him up on it and came up with "The Ruby of Siam." Unfortunately, most rubies come from Burma so I had to come up with a way to tie the story into Siam. "Siam" had a more romantic sounding name than "Burma." But how to make the segue? Well, that's what the story is about. If you'll notice the picture on the front cover, a statue of a young Siamese woman sits erect. And that is where the story begins...long, long ago -  over 128 years ago when a famous pair of rubies disappeared.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of "Jillian Bradley Mysteries," Christian fiction based on travel adventures with her husband. The stories reflect Nancy Jill's love of art and serving afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller's List and won awards for her blogs. Nancy Jill is a Texas Longhorn, having earned her degree from The University of Texas in Austin, where she resides. The author donates 10% of book sales to the Central Texas SPCA-a no kill animal shelter.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" due out in 2013.
Member of the Leander Writers Guild.

 
To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, Pacific Beach, and Waiting for Santa, please visit: 
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames
COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE 


CONTACT INFORMATION  
jillthames@gmail.com

Book 1 is FREE on SW and KOBO!

Since I want as many people  to read my books as possible, I'm offering the first one "Murder in Half Moon Bay" FREE on Smashwords and Kobo! I'm sure both have a file for your reader, so pop on over and download this mystery today! Now, I really must get back to work on "The Ruby of Siam."  I'll see you later. Enjoy!

Free on Smashwords!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren in two states, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London, England.

To learn more about the author and check out her books, please visit her blog at  
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames.

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

To view and purchase her books on this site, please visit the Cozy Book Store.

Traditions - The Family Glue

One of my dad's favorite Christmas traditions was a game we played called "Christmas Eve Gift." And even though our family is miles apart this year, by playing the game in family units, somehow, the tradition becomes the glue that binds us together. Here's an excerpt from "Waiting for Santa" that describes how the game is played. Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of Holidays this season.

~Nancy Jill

Paperback $8.99 
 Kindle $3.99

NOOK BOOK $3.99

 

From Chapter 2

 

    Now, our family plays a game during Christmas called Christmas Eve Gift. The object is to say, “Christmas Eve Gift” to as many family members as you can before they say it to you. If you sat it first to someone, that person is required to buy you an inexpensive present...  a dollar or less.

    The idea began in England years ago when people considered it rude not wish someone Merry Christmas first. The penalty was to give a gift for the rudeness. Our family always goes to great lengths to “get someone’s Christmas Eve Gift” as we would say. We hide, lying in wait for members to arrive for their visits in order to get the jump on them. Someone even placed an alarm clock under my dad’s bed once with a note attached just to get a gift from him later, but the family voted the action unfair.

     After getting each other’s names, everyone piles into cars and heads out to shop for gag gifts, which helps to relieve the children’s suspense waiting for Santa. The presents are normally exchanged after supper on Christmas Eve, and we enjoy the uproar caused by the funny gift selections. Even though Kenny’s condition was serious, our family agreed playing the game would be a good diversion.

    We all bid goodnight, and I went into the kitchen to set out breakfast for the next morning. I set a package of cinnamon rolls I’d purchased earlier on the counter, and prepared coffee to start on a timer. After cutting up fruit, placing it on a pretty platter, I assembled a breakfast casserole and placed both in the refrigerator. This would make tomorrow morning run more smoothly. I turned off all the lights except for the tree. Those I left on for the whole season. After turning off the fire and closing the screen, it was time to get ready for bed. Teddy was so tired I had to carry him into the bedroom and lay him at the foot of the bed.

    The rain began falling softly at first but became heavier as the night wore on. Small claps of thunder woke Teddy several times. Shaking, he cuddled next to me. Cuddle next to me… my thoughts turned to Prentice and the wonderful time we shared today.

    Where had the night gone? I thought I just closed my eyes when two pairs of feet scurried into the room and I heard shouts.

    “Christmas Eve Gift, Aunt Jillian! Christmas Eve Gift.”

    “You got me!” I laughed.

    Sydney and Kevin were thrilled at catching me first. Now they had at least one gift apiece coming tonight. Not wanting to be out shopping on Christmas Eve, the task had been finished well in advance picking up cute gifts at The Dollar Tree and Target. The children ran out, heading straight for the kitchen after I had mentioned cinnamon rolls would be available for breakfast. Better get up and get dressed. Christmas Eve was about to begin.

    Kaitlin poked her head in, holding Preston in his puppy pajamas.

    “Christmas Eve gift,” she called.

    I laughed and told her I’d be ready in a few minutes.

    “Mom and Dad are still asleep,” she said. “You might get theirs if you’re sneaky enough. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”

    Kaitlin—such an impressive young woman. To have three children so well behaved after observing many about town who weren’t was refreshing. Kaitlin may have looked like a pixie, but she was a formidable mother!

    I needed coffee. The more important task, though, happened to be dressing for the day. Luckily, the outfit was hanging in the front of my closet, prepped and ready. A Christmas penguin sweatshirt and black skinny jeans. Preparation. It would be the ticket to serving and entertaining so many loved ones in my lonely little home. After making the bed (as always) and scooping Teddy into my arms, we headed for the kitchen to begin baking pies.

FEELING LIKE A GIVEAWAY!

PLEASE HELP YOURSELF TO  A FREE COPY

OF MY LATEST BOOK 

"PACIFIC BEACH" 

SAT AND SUN ONLY

Amazon.com

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND, MY FRIENDS!

FIRST CHAPTER OF "PACIFIC BEACH"

                                                           

1The Nightmare

June 8 San Diego, California

Caroline  was playing innocently in her own front yard when the car struck her down. She was playing with her new puppy, a golden haired mutt she had named Buddy. Her father, a hardworking handy man, had rescued the runt before their neighbor could drop the defenseless dog off in the country to fend for itself. Buddy was gently licking the little girl’s face as she hugged him. She was coaxing him to be still while she put the pink doll dress over his head. She wanted to pretend he was her baby. Just normal play for a five-year-old girl. She finally succeeded and giggled at how funny Buddy looked in the frilly doll dress.

Caroline’s nine-year-old brother was in the driveway of their modest home. The boy stooped over the back tire of his bicycle, attaching playing cards to the spokes with clothespins. He imagined the cards made the sound of a motorcycle like his uncle’s 650.

The children’s mother had been watching her daughter but needed to go back inside the house to check on her cake baking in the oven. Her mind was burdened with how to pay the bills. The afternoon was late and it was almost time for their dad to come home from work. Supper was almost ready, a meager meal of hamburger helper. But there would be cake. No matter how hard they struggled just to survive, they remained a closely-knit family.

And then the unthinkable happened. A late model car came out of nowhere, speeding and swerving wildly. Caroline’s brother watched helplessly as the driver ran up over the curb and into their yard. Buddy scampered away in the pink doll dress, terrified, and Caroline sat frozen on the lawn, staring wide-eyed as the car came toward her. The boy watched in horror as the car struck her small defenseless body, hurtling it further back into the yard. He heard the tires squeal as the car raced off—the driver not even bothering to stop after what he had done.

The boy, almost in shock, had enough presence of mind to notice the license plate. His parents had drilled both of their children in the importance of protective safety measures and now the numbers were burned into his memory forever. He frantically ran to his sister, wondering how he was going to help her.

 The frightened boy bent down and cradled her bloodied body in his arms. Feeling angry and helpless, he vowed that the maniac would be caught.

The mother, hearing the screeching tires so close to her house had come outside, drying her hands on her apron, to see what was going on. She looked in the yard and found her son holding the lifeless body in his arms. She ran toward them, holding her head with her hands screaming, struggling to undo the terrible thing that had just happened.

The boy turned to her and cried, “Call 911!”

That was the beginning of the nightmare: for the mother, for the father, and for the nine-year-old boy.

June 18 Twelve Years Later

The nightmare had culminated in a tragic double-homicide at the Pacific Terrace Hotel where I was staying. Before the ordeal, I remember feeling so happy. The San Francisco Enterprise had just published two great articles for my Ask Jillian gardening column, and I had some time for a breather. I was also looking forward to attending our family reunion. My personal assistant, Cecilia Montoya, was coming with me to help take care of Teddy, my Yorkie companion. The three of us were flying into San Diego International Airport  two days before the tragedy occurred.

Buy on Amazon.com $2.99

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