Tea Party Bridal Shower

The Tea Table

What could be better than a tea party for your daughter's bridal shower? In the first photo, our daughter Wendy (far left) flew in from California for the occasion to honor her little sister Holly (second from left). Daughter-in-law Jen (far right) was also on hand to help with the festivities.
It was such fun to serve dainty tea sandwiches, pasta salad, and desserts. And we mustn't forget the sherry. Some had never tasted the quintessential English drink.

For the Guest of Honor

Dessert Bar~French Macarons,  Chocolate Mousse in Demi-tasse cups, Fruit Tartlets, Madeleines, and Cupcakes-Champagne and Chocolate-Chip

Opening Gifts~The Best Part!

I hope you enjoy the photos and will read more about afternoon tea in all of the Jillian Bradley books. See you next time!

Cheers! 

~Nancy Jill 

A Tea Party Review of Murder & Moonflowers by Leslie Leigh

It's lovely to have you join me for tea today. Please help yourself to some refreshments while I pour out. 

   I've been busy writing the last chapters of my new book "Murder at the Empress Hotel" and can't wait to finish the story.   In the meantime a few books have crossed my path. I wanted to share about one I enjoyed reading called "Murder & Moonflowers" by Leslie Leigh because I liked the way the heroine Melissa Michaels serves tea to her customers. Of course!

   The author has a good grasp on herbal medicine and this shines forth as the mystery unfolds. The plot centers around the death of a rather ill customer with no apparent cause of death - until Melissa hooks up with a handsome private detective from out of town. Their escapades into ferreting out the facts keep the read interesting and suspenseful at the same time. 

   I hope you'll download a free copy soon. Thanks Leslie Leigh for a great mystery! Click the link to get yours now. Have you read any good mysteries lately? I'd love to hear about them.

Free on Amazon Kindle

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill

In A Perfect World

In Texas, many of us are sitting around looking out our windows watching for rain. In a perfect world, it would rain when the forecasters predict.

Not so.

In the world of Jillian Bradley, wardrobes and makeup are perfect and there is always time for tea. In a perfect world our clothes and makeup would match perfectly everyday like hers.

Not so.

At times I feel a little blah because I'm not Jillian. But it is not a perfect world.

Instead, I must remember that as a human there are still meals to cook, laundry to do, and houses to clean. And, lucky for me, a husband to spend time with.

Perhaps these are some of the reasons to enjoy afternoon tea. 

The ritual provides:

#A welcome break in an ordinary day

#A chance to use pretty dishes longing to escape from cupboards

#A reason to enjoy a tasty snack

#An opportunity to share with a friend or loved one

#As close to a perfect world as it gets.

If you enjoy afternoon tea or reading about it try the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. To get started, Book 1 "Murder in Half Moon Bay" is my free gift to you as an ebook.

All Jillian Bradley wants is to spend a quiet weekend by the ocean and enjoy her afternoon tea. But a startling discovery draws Jillian and her garden club friends into solving a mystery that threatens her life and changes her future.

"Murder in Half Moon Bay" Book 1 in the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series, introduces Jillian's little companion Teddy, a Yorkie who falls prey to danger but rises to become a sleuth dog in the next book.

#Kindle http://ow.ly/3oCxMY 

#Nook http://ow.ly/3xFOGj 

#Kobo http://ow.ly/3xIO1a 

#SW http://ow.ly/3xG30B   

Amazon International Links: http://authl.it/b3 

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill

Wedding Bells and Chocolate Cream Pies

This past Saturday our daughter Holly got married. Our last child married Hudson her beloved in a sweet ceremony led by my niece's awesome husband Nate - the only ordained minister I know who changes into his tuxedo T-shirt for the dancing! 

For those of you who've happily experienced passing the baton of parenting over to the new spouse, you'll understand my husband and my feelings of joy and relief! Hudson will take good care of her.

I posted in October of 2012, "God has been so gracious to provide wonderful mates for three of our four children. We trust Him to provide for our youngest daughter Holly as well." And in 2015 He did!

The wedding had a few breaks from tradition - one being the guests were served chocolate cream pie instead of wedding cake. It was our daughter's wish so her father and I made 16 pies, transported them 35 minutes away, and served them to 110.

I've included my recipe at the end of this post in case any of you are feeling domestic. 

Amazon Kindle Nook SW and Kobo

Amazon Kindle Nook SW and Kobo

At the end of Book 7
"The Ruby of Siam"
Jillian Bradley gets married in London at an upscale hotel across the street from Buckingham Palace. 

But unlike our daughter's picture perfect wedding you'll read in Book 8 "THE LONG TRIP HOME" about a tragedy that occurs at the reception. It all ends happily, though - thanks to the vehicle of fiction.

There's still time to enter the $200 Amazon Gift-card Giveaway contest. Thanks to all of you who've followed our sites and liked our pages. Click here for your chance to win: 
http://cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com/p/cozy-raffle-200-prize.html

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill    

Nancy Jill's Chocolate Cream Pie  

For the Ganache:

1 c sugar
1/4 c flour
2 T cornstarch
1/4 t Salt
1 1/2 c whole milk
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
3 egg yolks. membranes removed
2 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
2 T butter
2 t vanilla

For Ganache and Topping:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

1. In a heavy 2 qt saucepan mix sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt together. Add milk and 1 cup of the whipping cream.
With a fork mix the egg yolks together and add to remaining 1/2 c of whipping cream. Mix then add to saucepan combining ingredients well.

2. Cook over high heat stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Stir until melted, then add butter and vanilla.

3. Pour mixture into freezer proof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressing down until no air remains and sides are sealed.
(Prevents skim from forming.)

 4. When cool, whip heaving whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in 1 cup of mixture to ganache.

5. Pour ganache into baked pie shell mounding to center.
Cover with remaining whipped cream and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles.
Chill for at least 4 hrs before serving.

Nancy Jill Thames was born to write mysteries. From her early days as the neighborhood story-teller to the Amazon Author Watch Bestseller List, she has always had a vivid imagination and loves to solve problems – perfect for plotting whodunits. In 2010, Nancy Jill published her first mystery Murder in Half Moon Bay, introducing her well-loved protagonist Jillian Bradley, and clue-sniffing Yorkie, “Teddy.”

When she isn’t plotting Jillian’s next perilous adventure, Nancy Jill travels between Texas and California finding new ways to spoil her grandchildren, playing classical favorites on her baby grand or having afternoon tea with friends.

She is a member of Leander Writers’ Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW CenTex Chapter), and Central Texas Authors

To learn more about Nancy Jill, visit these sites.

Twitter @mystriterdva

http://www.nancyjillthames.com

Pinterest

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Tea for One

   Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in an assisted living place? This past week, I had the opportunity of spending the day in one with my mom and her friends.

   It was a delightful experience. In spite of the aged residents, often in wheelchairs and walkers, there was such a wonderful spark of life about them as we laughed and shared during a meal together, or as we sat and listened to the news, or played a game of bingo.

   One lady in particular by the name of Jackie brought her blue and white teapot to the dinner table in the dining room. The attendant filled the pot with hot water and Jackie placed the teabag inside. 

   At 93, Jackie had suffered a stroke and needed to wear an adult size bib for meals.

   It was an inspiration to watch someone continuing to enjoy their teatime in spite of transitioning to assisted-living.

   Hopefully, we'll all continue to enjoy the niceties of life such as afternoon tea no matter where our lives may lead.

   As I left to return home I turned to Jackie and said, "I hope we'll meet again." She replied, "If I'm still here."

Cheers! ~Nancy Jill

Tea Party Tuesday ~ What's an Authormorph?

The Before

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday! Let me pour you a nice cup of tea. Please help yourself to some yummy treats. 

Do you like to read autobiographies? I do. To me, some celebrities' journeys are better than fiction! Some of my favorites are Jackie Kennedy, Lauren Bacall, and Coco Chanel. Do you have any? Today, I wanted to share how I morphed into an author. I'd love to hear your comments on morphing as well!

How does an ordinary housewife become a writer? It's not like one dreams of writing a book. Being an author was probably the farthest thing from my mind until things began to happen that changed my trajectory. 

Martha Hyer

Years ago, a fellow juror handed me a newspaper clipping of an actress named Martha Hyer and told me I looked like her. Maybe to him I did. But the real kicker was someone telling me I looked exactly like Angela Lansbury. Now, as many may know, Angela Lansbury starred not only in Gaslight, The Manchurian Candidate, and Blue Hawaii, but she also starred in a 10-year run of Murder, She Wrote.

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote

After I believed I looked like Angela, I think I tuned in for all ten years of that series, which left quite an impression on my brain coupled with discovering a special display in the library where I took my young children every week.

A library benefactor had bequeathed the entire leather bound set of the Agatha Christie Mystery Collection, and those books called to me until I had checked out and read every one...again and again.

Over the years raising children, leading the PTA, organizing Vacation Bible School, spending time with girlfriends giving luncheons, throwing tea parties, and reading Agatha Christie, little did I realize it was all a dress rehearsal preparing me for writing the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. 

When time came for an empty nest and an outlet for my creative urges, it was if the Lord turned on the switch and the stories began to flow. 

That was the fun part. 

The struggle came when readers would give critical reviews. I wanted to give up, but I prayed hard, asking God for direction. Ever been there? 

He directed me to writing groups and blogs where I found help. There are amazing people out there who I consider to be super heroes. When you ask God for direction, He will always show you what to do.

Four years and nine books later I finally realized I had morphed into an author. 

Worth the struggle? You bet! The only thing I could live without are the "stretch" marks. 

Seriously, it's humbling to know people all over the world read the adventures of Jillian and Teddy. Many have said they can't wait for the next one.

If you want to read a mystery where you find an inexpensive escape to luxurious hotels, a place to eat fabulous food without gaining weight, indulge in afternoon tea without all the work, and have an adorable little fur ball for a virtual companion, then you'd probably enjoy the adventures of Jillian Bradley and her Yorkie, Teddy. 

Begin with Book 1 - "Murder in Half Moon Bay" 

Available on Amazon.com for only $3.99 

Cheers!

The After

~Nancy Jill

P.S. You can also read Murder in Half Moon Bay for free on Wattpad.com.

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Christmas Week is Here!

So glad you stopped by for a cup of tea! Please have some sweets - don't they look scrumptious?

   The month of December has been quite busy for me with baby sitting grandkids and granddog's for two wonderful weeks. What a joy to cook for them and bake their favorites.

   An unexpected event extended my stay another ten days - moving my 90 year old mom to assisted living. Have any of you gone through this?

   The good thing about this huge undertaking was the time we shared together as we sorted through photos and memorabilia.

   Happy to say move is complete - now on to Christmas!
   Mary and Joseph went through a difficult situation but counted on The Lord God to see them through. I've learned that when we depend on Him, we can endure whatever comes our way. For me, this means preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day coupled with recuperating from the past three week's physically demanding events. I'll fill you in next week.

Have a Very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. 

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill

Tea Party Tuesday's Top Ten Gift Ideas for Cozy Mystery Lovers

 

For those of you who like to do their holiday shopping online as I do, here are some great  gift ideas for readers on your list. All books are G-Rated and contain no profanity - just good whodunits! Books are written in a series but can be stand-alone.

FOR ADDED FUN, TEDDY (JILLIAN'S SIDEKICK AND SLEUTH-DOG) APPEARS IN EVERY BOOK - MOST OF THE TIME WITH A NEW FRIEND OF HIS OWN.

1. If you want to give your reader an oceanside stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel with all the amenities (plus a little gossip), give them a copy of

"Murder in Half Moon Bay." $10.99

2. For readers who enjoy gorgeous sunsets or insight into endangered species, a mystery set at Sanctuary Spa Camelback Mountain might make a good gift. Give them a copy of  "The Ghost Orchid Murder." $13.99

3. To experience a bit of early California history in the Bay Area along with a heart-warming story, give them the Christmas adventure of "From the Clutches of Evil." $9.99

4. Does your reader like whale-watching, Waikiki Beach, or perhaps a cruise to Catalina Island? Then they  might  enjoy 

"The Mark of Eden." $11.99

5. For a visit to San Diego complete with Jillian's family reunion at a five-star oceanfront hotel you might want to give a copy of 
"Pacific Beach." $10.99

 6. For Christmas lovers and those on your list who enjoy a bit of romance "Waiting for Santa" $10.99 might be just the thing. 










7. A London adventure awaits in "The Ruby of Siam" and ends with Jillian's wedding.  $10.99

8. A terrible tragedy causes Jillian to come to the defense of a friend accused of murder in "The Long Trip Home." $8.99

9. In "Murder at Mirror Lake,"Jillian's garden club friends decide she needs a girl's getaway to view the fall color in New England, but when the head chef where they're staying is murdered, Jillian and her friends must help defend the accused son of a dear friend. $9.99

10. Another suggestion is "A Cup of Cozy," a free e-book gift on Amazon and Smashwords to you from the authors of Cozy Mystery Magazine. A collection of short stories, recipes, and introductions to author's works.






Along with the first addition, why not give "A Cup of Cozy 2" to those on your list who love holiday mysteries, menus and mirth? A collection of six new short stories by the authors of COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE. $2.99

If you can't decide which book to buy for those on your list consider giving them the entire series. (Under $99 + SH) They'll love reading about the adventures of Jillian and her sidekick, Teddy, as they help solve homicides which fall across their path. Amazon.com

There you have it! Ten holiday gift ideas for everyone who enjoys a good whodunit cozy mystery, or animal mystery. Happy shopping, dear readers!

  See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill