Victory Over Struggles!

By Nancy Jill Thames

The struggles of being an author simply fly out the window when we receive five-star reviews like this one. Thank you Margie Jessie of Washington, USA for taking the time to submit your comments. Readers like you make writing worthwhile. 

Here's what Margie says: Murder in Half Moon Bay, May 22, 2013

By 

Margie Jessie (Washington, USA)

This is the first time I have read any Nancy Jill Thames writings. Thoroughly enjoyable. She holds your attention and your interest with the twists and turns, makes it hard to put down. Jillian Bradley truly comes to life with her partner (and adorable dog) Teddy. The descriptions of the areas and people makes them all real.
I have purchased more of her books and I know I will enjoy each one as I did the Murder in Half Moon Bay. 

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!

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

 

Just for Fun

See if you can match the first sentence in each book to its title. 

Good luck!

1. Caroline was playing innocently in her own front yard with her new puppy when the car struck her down.  2. The invitations had gone out a few days ago to three of my dearest friends in the world.  3. Daisy Larsen bustled.  4. Warmed by the fire, Teddy had fallen asleep on the sofa.  5. Madison looked about nervously toward the back of the house, hoping and praying that no one would notice their departure.  6. The gun discharged during the struggle, and the bullet struck his heart.  

A. "FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL"

B. "WAITING FOR SANTA"

C. "THE GHOST ORCHID MURDER"

D. "MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY"

E. "PACIFIC BEACH"

F. "THE MARK OF EDEN" 

To win, leave your answers in a comment and follow the site. First one to guess all six correctly wins an e-book of their choice (including an upcoming copy of Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam") in the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. Winner announced next Monday. Thank you for playing! 

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.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

 

A Heartwarming Story for the Weekend

From Marc and Angel  Chernoff
Marc and Angel Hack Life

Marc and took a walk this morning when we saw a homeless man holding a cardboard box with five kittens meowing inside.  The man had a really worried expression on his face.  When I asked him about the kittens, he said that someone had abandoned them next to a dumpster in the alleyway where he sleeps.  “I’ve been feeding them whatever food I could find,” he said.  “But I could use some help if you have some food for them or know someone who could give them a better home.”

Marc and I had a large, unexpected expense pop-up recently, but we decided to use some of the money we’ve made from our book this week to help the homeless man out.  We walked over to the bank, withdrew $80, went to the grocery store and bought two-dozen cans of cat food, filtered drinking water, and a footlong prepackaged deli sandwich.  We then walked back over to the man and delivered the groceries.  He was in shock – smiling from ear to ear and he thanked us repeatedly.

When we got back home Marc called our cat’s veterinary physician, who is the ultimate animal lover, and told her the story about the kittens and where to find the homeless man.  This evening we received a voicemail from her.  She said, “I just wanted to thank you and let you know that I have temporarily adopted the kittens.  I will make sure each of them finds a permanent, happy home.  Also, I was so moved by Shawn’s (the homeless man) goodwill, and the fact that he seems levelheaded, that I have offered him a part-time job at the animal clinic and a free place to stay until he can get his act together.  Not sure how that will go, but I figured it was worth a try.”

The events of today reminded me that, even when we least expect it, every one of us has the power to make a difference in the world.  Our small gestures of kindness can completely change the trajectory of another person’s life.




                                      Enjoy your weekend! 

 ~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.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com