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Monday, April 29, 2013

Meet Goliath the Cat in "The Mark of Eden"

GOLIATH
Teddy, Jillian's Yorkie, is an important character in the series. Having friends for Jillian's pet is a good way to add to the story, especially for all the pet lovers out there. In "The Mark of Eden" Goliath appears as an adopted stray in the home of Chief Frank Viscuglia. Margaret, his wife, invites Jillian and Teddy to stay with them in Half Moon Bay as the two investigate the disappearance of a dear friend. Teddy must co-exist with the huge cat as a house guest. Read the book to find out how they get along.
Paperback $8.99
Kindle $3.99
 Nook Book $3.99
Smashwords $3.99
Kobo $3.99 

 



The idea for Goliath came from an incident that happened to my father when I was a teen. Loving cats the way I did, I was always bringing home strays. Unfortunately my dad was allergic so he'd wind up carrying them off and depositing them in the country.

One cat was dropped off not too far from the Air Force base where my dad worked. The next morning the same cat sat on my dad's desk, waiting for him. I believe one of his colleagues took the poor thing and gave it a home. The idea found it's way into "The Mark of Eden" only the cat shows up on Chief Viscuglia's desk. If you like cats, you might enjoy the read. Have any of you ever experienced cats or dogs finding you after you've tried to distance them? I'd love to hear your story. Have a great weekend, 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, England. To learn more about the author and check out her books, please visit her blog at  

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







Friday, April 26, 2013

IT'S THE WEEKEND!

How many of you carry workloads through the weekend? Been there - done that. But here's what I've found: BURNOUT! For me, anyway, when I take off and have a little fun on Saturday the work stress leaves me alone. Bye-bye! When I worship on Sundays, my spirit is renewed for the week. I hope you'll take some time this weekend to enjoy the fruit of your labor. And if you're a believer, take time to worship.
See you on Monday!



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  

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

Monday, April 22, 2013

A SETTING FOR MURDER

HAY GRAPPLER AT THE OLD MERCANTILE
SUNOL JAZZ CAFE
I always found the tiny, tucked away town of Sunol, California mysterious. Sunol's main attraction was and still is its Jazz Cafe, a gathering place for the locals. I renamed the town "Canyon Grove" and then imagined a body, grasped in the clutches of the hay loader, suspended from the old warehouse roof, and concocted the story. Jillian finds herself solving this mystery not at a resort, but very close to her own home. When she gets into dire trouble, Teddy plays the part of the hero. 



Christmas – the busiest time of the year! And on top of everything, Jillian is throwing an engagement party for two dear friends. But on a final errand before the party begins Jillian witnesses a horrific car crash and notices two witnesses leaving the scene of the accident. She and Teddy pull a survivor from the wreckage, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of the amnesia victim, a 17-year-old boy she and Teddy take under their wing. After one of the witnesses is found brutally murdered, 
SCENE OF THE CRIME
Jillian discovers an ominous connection between the boy and a string of heinous murders in a nearby remote farming community. And when Jillian stumbles across a mysterious compound, she is determined to unlock old family secrets to solve the mystery of his identity even though taking the risk creates the ultimate test for her and Teddy's survival. 
Get your copy today! 
"From the Clutches of Evil"

 Thank you for your readership!

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.





Monday, April 15, 2013

I Write Murder Mysteries


MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY 
           FREE on KindleKobo,and Smashwords!

Did the woman jump or was she pushed over the balcony? When the shocking murder disrupts the West Coast Garden Club Society's second annual conference, Jillian Bradley and her garden club friends join with Chief Frank Viscuglia to find the killer. Jillian and her friends move through the Ritz-Carlton hotel to private mansions searching for the truth, pausing for afternoon tea along the way, of course. The unlikely team helps the chief uncover a series of mysterious events that lead to solving several murders, both past and present. Could it be the mean spirited conference director? Perhaps it's the wealthy widow on the make for her next husband; or maybe the killer is the haughty business woman who shows no regard for her brow beaten husband.

Murder in Half Moon Bay, first book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery series, introduces Jillian's little  companion 'Teddy,' a Yorkie who falls prey to danger but rises to become sleuth dog in the next book.


 THE GHOST ORCHID MURDER

It's been eight years since gardening columnist Jillian Bradley helped solve a string of murders in Half Moon Bay. But when a friend and colleague in Scottsdale, Arizona finds a young technical assistant dead on the floor of his private office, Jillian doesn't hesitate to answer his plea for help in the investigation. After all, a $2 million research grant depends on it.
Together with Detective Jack Noble and Jillian's clue sniffing dog, Teddy, the three set out to track the killer who leaves a porcelain orchid over the wound as the only clue. Even though it means personal sacrifice for Jillian, she is determined to uncover the truth. A faith-based novel. 



FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL 

     Christmas – the busiest time of the year! And on top of everything, Jillian is throwing an engagement party for two dear friends. But on a final errand before the party begins Jillian witnesses a horrific car crash and notices two witnesses leaving the scene of the accident. She and Teddy pull a survivor from the wreckage, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of the amnesia victim, a 17-year-old boy she and Teddy take under their wing. After one of the witnesses is found brutally murdered, Jillian discovers an ominous connection between the boy and a string of heinous murders in a nearby remote farming community. And when Jillian stumbles across a mysterious compound, she is determined to unlock old family secrets to solve the mystery of his identity even though taking the risk creates the ultimate test for her and Teddy's survival. 


THE MARK OF EDEN

After a frantic call from a couple on their honeymoon, Jillian returns to Half Moon Bay to help. Two elderly men have been found dead in their recliners, and now another man is missing—the distraught father of the bride - Jillian's personal assistant. Their investigation must be incognito since the groom is a detective and can’t work on the case due to conflict of interest. The clues the threesome find lead Jillian and Teddy to take a cruise to Catalina Island, but it’s only an entrée into a strange clinical world, where she almost becomes a victim herself before she identifies who is responsible for a bizarre series of deaths. Will Teddy be in time to save the day?
  

PACIFIC BEACH


The quaint surfing town of Pacific Beach becomes a destination for murder when a young starlet and her mother are found brutally murdered at the Pacific Terrace hotel where Jillian’s family reunion is taking place. Their reunion takes a terrifying turn when Jillian's nephew is arrested as a prime suspect and Jillian must move quickly to find the real killer and prove her nephew's innocence. There is no shortage of suspects, including an unsavory doctor who attended the popular teen star and a mysterious guest at the party where the starlet dies. But why is her mother murdered with her? Working at Jillian's side to find the perpetrator of these bizarre killings are her faithful assistant Cecilia Montoya, and Teddy, Jillian's Yorkie companion who sniffs out his own clue.



 WAITING FOR SANTA

The family has gathered to celebrate Christmas at Jillian’s house in Clover Hills, but Jillian’s plans for a lovely Christmas Eve are rudely interrupted by a power failure. And a homicide. Not only does Aunt Jillian find herself with a house full of company to entertain in the dark, but she also receives a call from Detective Walter Montoya who finds himself in the dark trying to solve the bizarre murder of a worker found dead in a maintenance shed at the power station. With Teddy at her side, Jillian is determined to solve the mystery.



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.




Saturday, April 13, 2013

Enjoy a good book this weekend!

MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY 
           FREE on Kindle, Kobo,and Smashwords!

Did the woman jump or was she pushed over the balcony? When the shocking murder disrupts the West Coast Garden Club Society's second annual conference, Jillian Bradley and her garden club friends join with Chief Frank Viscuglia to find the killer. Jillian and her friends move through the Ritz-Carlton hotel to private mansions searching for the truth, pausing for afternoon tea along the way, of course. The unlikely team helps the chief uncover a series of mysterious events that lead to solving several murders, both past and present. Could it be the mean spirited conference director? Perhaps it's the wealthy widow on the make for her next husband; or maybe the killer is the haughty business woman who shows no regard for her brow beaten husband.

Murder in Half Moon Bay, first book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery series, introduces Jillian's little  companion 'Teddy,' a Yorkie who falls prey to danger but rises to become sleuth dog in the next book.


 THE GHOST ORCHID MURDER

It's been eight years since gardening columnist Jillian Bradley helped solve a string of murders in Half Moon Bay. But when a friend and colleague in Scottsdale, Arizona finds a young technical assistant dead on the floor of his private office, Jillian doesn't hesitate to answer his plea for help in the investigation. After all, a $2 million research grant depends on it.
Together with Detective Jack Noble and Jillian's clue sniffing dog, Teddy, the three set out to track the killer who leaves a porcelain orchid over the wound as the only clue. Even though it means personal sacrifice for Jillian, she is determined to uncover the truth. A faith-based novel.



FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL 

     Christmas – the busiest time of the year! And on top of everything, Jillian is throwing an engagement party for two dear friends. But on a final errand before the party begins Jillian witnesses a horrific car crash and notices two witnesses leaving the scene of the accident. She and Teddy pull a survivor from the wreckage, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of the amnesia victim, a 17-year-old boy she and Teddy take under their wing. After one of the witnesses is found brutally murdered, Jillian discovers an ominous connection between the boy and a string of heinous murders in a nearby remote farming community. And when Jillian stumbles across a mysterious compound, she is determined to unlock old family secrets to solve the mystery of his identity even though taking the risk creates the ultimate test for her and Teddy's survival. 


THE MARK OF EDEN

After a frantic call from a couple on their honeymoon, Jillian returns to Half Moon Bay to help. Two elderly men have been found dead in their recliners, and now another man is missing—the distraught father of the bride - Jillian's personal assistant. Their investigation must be incognito since the groom is a detective and can’t work on the case due to conflict of interest. The clues the threesome find lead Jillian and Teddy to take a cruise to Catalina Island, but it’s only an entrée into a strange clinical world, where she almost becomes a victim herself before she identifies who is responsible for a bizarre series of deaths. Will Teddy be in time to save the day?
  

PACIFIC BEACH


The quaint surfing town of Pacific Beach becomes a destination for murder when a young starlet and her mother are found brutally murdered at the Pacific Terrace hotel where Jillian’s family reunion is taking place. Their reunion takes a terrifying turn when Jillian's nephew is arrested as a prime suspect and Jillian must move quickly to find the real killer and prove her nephew's innocence. There is no shortage of suspects, including an unsavory doctor who attended the popular teen star and a mysterious guest at the party where the starlet dies. But why is her mother murdered with her? Working at Jillian's side to find the perpetrator of these bizarre killings are her faithful assistant Cecilia Montoya, and Teddy, Jillian's Yorkie companion who sniffs out his own clue.



 WAITING FOR SANTA

The family has gathered to celebrate Christmas at Jillian’s house in Clover Hills, but Jillian’s plans for a lovely Christmas Eve are rudely interrupted by a power failure. And a homicide. Not only does Aunt Jillian find herself with a house full of company to entertain in the dark, but she also receives a call from Detective Walter Montoya who finds himself in the dark trying to solve the bizarre murder of a worker found dead in a maintenance shed at the power station. With Teddy at her side, Jillian is determined to solve the mystery.



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.





Friday, April 12, 2013

Date Night!

Okay, for we seniors this has a whole new meaning from our college days. Or does it? Friday night out meant a date with someone different every week. But after meeting my husband it meant going out for Mexican food (chicken enchiladas in particular). Nowadays, Friday night out means our time together, yes, but on a different note. First we go grocery shopping (Walmart and HEB) and then we go out for dinner. It's kind of nice because we get an errand done and then get a reward - dinner out! 

My protagonist, Jillian Bradley, isn't married so she goes out for dinner occasionally with whomever she's in contact with - either at home (Prentice Duvall, the art dealer) or a friend/colleague she's associating with on a trip (Vincent Fontaine or Ira Sinclair). In book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" (due out at the end of June) she actually marries one of them. (You'll have to get the book to find out who.)

In book 4 "The Mark of Eden" Jillian and Teddy actually go on a cruise to Catalina Island with a gentleman. But was that a good date? Read the book to find out. 

Whatever your plans are for tonight and this weekend, I hope you'll have a good time!
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.




Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Fabric of Our Lives

This has been quite a week for my family and I. Our family reunion of almost 20 years came to end unexpectedly - a huge disappointment for everyone, especially our children. A few days later we learned a family member has inoperable cancer. We're waiting for the outcome of treatment suggestions this week. Not fun. But as my husband and I sit in our morning room, drinking coffee together, it is apparent that life is always going to have its ups and downs. However, it's not the ups and downs that are important - it's how we deal with them that counts.

As far as the idyllic reunion in San Diego at a fabulous beach hotel goes, yes, it will sadly be missed. But the good thing is our family will go on finding ways and opportunities to be together. Perhaps not the entire clan, but we'll see loved ones at upcoming weddings...and a funeral here and there.

And now, we're having to deal with cancer - a horrific reality that touches most of us, either directly or indirectly, through family and friends. When it affects us directly, huge challenges of coping arise. I've prayed with a woman who had just discovered her cancer of eleven years prior resurfaced in a different part of her body. She was devastated knowing, once again, the painful treatments and therapy she would have to endure. What she shared, though, touched me. She told me how good it was to be able to share her suffering in a support group of fellow cancer victims. 

Yes, it is a fact that life is full of ups and downs. But we're not alone in our struggles. We have each other and we have a loving God who is there for us whenever we call. One final thought I'd like to share that I find extremely helpful - Live for today, for tomorrow may never come. Tell me, how are you coping ? Are you at sea with your life, or do you find something to be grateful for everyday? Thanks for letting me share my heart.

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.


Monday, April 1, 2013

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.