"QUEEN OF THE WEEK" CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

NANCY JILL THAMES

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"

CELEBRITY AUTHOR

DEIRDRE TOLHURST

Author of  "A Christmas I Remember"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.nancyjillthames.wordpress.com

                        

Join us for tea and get Deirdre's recipe for Carrot Torte!

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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Thought for the Day

Stop and smell the roses. From our yard in Tracy, California.

 

SEE IF YOU CAN GUESS...

Okay, I know, I know...there is a lot of food descriptions in my books, but hey, I'm constantly eating in wonderful hotels and resorts so this is a major part of my world. (Oh the weight gain price I pay when I get home!) See if you can match the clip with the book. I've included a few characters to give you hints. Good luck!

  Taking a bite of my crumpet, I said nothing. There’s a trick to getting information from someone—just wait. The other person will usually say something of interest, at least most of the time. Lee set his tea down and looked at the table.

“Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it. All the hard work I do, all the travel, all the difficult clients I have to deal with. I don’t know. Used to think I was doing it for Birdie and Victoria, but after they were successful on their own, it didn’t feel like they really needed me.”

“Did you ever talk to Birdie about how you felt?”

“No. She never had the time, and we hardly talked anymore. You might say we went in different directions. But I honestly loved them. Really loved them! And now, it’s too late.” He buried  his face in his hand.

“I’m so sorry, Lee. I know it hurts. But my sister and brother-in-law will also feel that hurt if their son is convicted of murder. He didn’t kill your wife or Victoria, bet my life on it.” 

  A. Pacific Beach

  

     B. From the Clutches of Evil

     C. The Mark of Eden

To vote, please leave a comment. The first winner's name will appear in tomorrow's post!

A FREE GIFT FOR YOU!

I've been having so much fun downloading books on my Kindle, iPhone and iPad recently. So many great books out there online! Just learned that once you download a book you can read it on all three - very convenient.

To celebrate the launch of my new book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery
series "PACIFIC BEACH" I'm offering book 4 as a promotion this weekend. You may download the Kindle version of "The Mark of Eden" free (a $3.99 value)! Hope you enjoy the read. And thanks again for those of you who have given me readerships and reviews! They're very much appreciated.

The promotion runs through Sunday, July 22nd. And please feel free to share this post. Thanks. ~Nancy Jill

The Mark of Eden 

Jillian returns to Half Moon Bay where two elderly men are found dead in their recliners. And now, another man is missing—the distraught father of Jillian's personal assistant. The investigation draws Jillian and Teddy into a strange clinical world, where she almost becomes a victim herself before she identifies who is responsible for a bizarre series of deaths. A classic whodunit!

Here is the link: "THE MARK OF EDEN"  Free book!

 

SUPRISED!

One of the loveliest things I can think of is being completely surprised by my husband with a gift that is absolutely perfect! For my birthday this year, he brings home a box and suggests that it's software to help me in my writing. Great...how romantic and feminine - right? Like giving me an iron for Christmas! 


I toss off the gift wrap and can't believe my eyes! An iPad! Wow - it's what I wanted for Christmas. But that sweet wonderful husband of mine didn't want me to have to wait. Blogging and emailing on your iPhone is like being Gulliver in the land of Lilliput typing on the small screen. Well, I'm just blown away and so grateful for having such a thoughtful husband. Makes me almost sorry I made him the dog in my Jillian Bradley Mystery series. He is cute, though. What a nice birthday I'm having. Until next time - Blessings my friends.
~Nancy Jill

DOES A BODY GOOD

SOLITUDE

How lovely to enjoy a few days of solitude. Time to break free of demands on body and soul - waking when fully rested, working when inspiration hits, eating only when truly hungry...solitude for me refreshes my being. You may ask, "Isn't that what spas are all about? Hot tubs? Vacations?" Yes, those are lovely, too. But they don't take the place of having some moments of solitude where a person has to come to grips with who they are and what their purpose is. As much as I find moments of solitude to be a lovely gift though, I wouldn't want too much of a good thing. For instance, my protagonist Jillian Bradley is a widow and childless - her solitude is difficult at times. But peace, tranquility, listening to that still small voice coming from your heart...does a body good. Have a lovely day, my friends.
~Nancy Jill

MEET "QUEEN OF THE WEEK"

MARY ANN BERNAL, AUTHOR

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"

ON "QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA" CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"LEGACY"

                  

SO PROUD OF MY MOM!

You've probably read about my mom on my blog a few times, but if you haven't, just know that she's 87 going on 88 in September. When you get to be that old sometimes you think you should just sit down and fade away. After all, how can a person keep up with all the new technology? 


I challenged her, no, strongly encouraged her to get an iPhone and an iPad so she would have a life. Don't get me wrong - she attends Sunday School and church, plays bridge once a week, volunteers at the homeless shelter once a month etc., but it's still not enough when she has so much time on her hands now that she's living alone. Quite honestly, I never thought she'd take the plunge. But she did! 


You should see how happy she is being able to talk to her kiddos on Face Time, see photos on Facebook on such a nifty size screen and being able to do everything she used to do on her computer, where ever she chooses. And wait until she can read my books on a lighted screen in bed. She's going to love it! Transformation from a boring existence to joining the world online. Amazing. Can't wait for Christmas when I get one. Have an incredible day, my friends. 

~Nancy Jill

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

When I was in high school, our choir went to the all state music festival one spring and sang a song that has always lived in my heart. Lyrics are by Don Raye and the music is by Al Jacobs. The words go like this:

THIS IS MY COUNTRY, LAND OF MY BIRTH

THIS IS MY COUNTRY, GRANDEST ON EARTH

I PLEDGE THEE MY ALLEGIANCE

AMERICA THE BOLD

FOR THIS IS MY COUNTRY

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD. 

 

                               

I WILL NEVER TAKE MY FREEDOM FOR GRANTED. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

REFRESHMENTS

Do join me for a cold glass of sweet tea and some refreshments. It's so hot in many parts of the country today - my heart goes out to those with no electricity. I thought it would be nice to pause and share a break together. I hope you enjoy some of our famous Texas sweet tea. Cheers!

~Nancy Jill Thames
"Queen of Afternoon Tea"

BUILDING CHILDREN'S CHARACTER

COME MEET CELEBRITY AUTHOR SANDRA McLEOD HUMPHREY 
THIS WEEK ON "QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA" 

NANCY JILL THAMES

CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

SANDRA McLEOD HUMPHREY

            

SOMEONE BELIEVES IN YOU!

A MESSAGE ON MY HEART TO SOMEONE READING THIS POST TODAY. LIFTING YOU UP FOR HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, MY FRIEND. ~NANCY JILL

Join me on Cozy Mystery Magazine today!

Read what I have to say about Beginning with the Ending in Mind. You'll also find my recipe for Fourth of July Potato Salad over in the Cozy Kitchen. See you there!

Nancy Jill's Fourth of July Potato Salad

COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE

MAD DOGS CAFE ALL THE WAY!

What a delightful experience this morning! Breakfast at the Mad Dogs Cafe. Brenda's homemade lightly buttered crumpet with strawberry jam was superb. The cappuccino was so lovely that my husband bought their signature cups to take home, just so we could relive the memory!

The Mad Dogs Cafe in Pacific Beach, California

Enjoy a lovely cappuccino with your breakfast!

Homemade crumpets with  strawberry jam, honey, 

or lemon curd - to die for!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Brenda - Owner and Creator of Mad Dogs Cafe. Brenda bakes everything from scratch!

CALL ME CRAZY!

Sigh! I love being in airports. I love seeing all the people, all the workers, all the different luggage. I love watching the ticket agents, the pilots and crew members getting ready for their next flight. The airport environment is so stimulating to me. There is life here! And if all this was not enough fun, there are interesting people to sit next to on the plane. I'm still friends with many of them on Facebook, staying in touch. Call me crazy, but I believe you can meet some of the nicest people on earth at an airport. Today I'll be in Laguardia, Midway, and San Diego. Sigh...I really hate for it to end. (Yes, I'm probably crazy!)

10 REASONS TO BE JUMPING FOR JOY!

1. I'm a Believer!
2. I'm happily married.
3. I have plenty to eat.
4. I have a place to sleep every night.
5. I am in great health.
6. I have wonderful children.
7. I have wonderful grandchildren.
8. I have a rewarding writing career. 
9. I have too many friends to count.
10. I have no time to complain.

Can you count 10 reasons to be jumping for joy? 

NICE REVIEW BY SCARLETT RAINS

Something’s fishy at the Ritz…and it doesn’t sit well on a cracker!  

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Murder in Half Moon Bay

My Review

By Scarlett Rains

Murder in Half Moon Bay, (Jillian Bradley Mysteries, No. 1) is an entertaining, fast-paced, read. Nancy Jill Thames’s clever protagonist, Jillian Bradley, doesn’t miss a beat.  She, and her garden club friends, arrives at the West Coast Garden Club Society’s Annual Conference in Half Moon Bay expecting to relax, spend the weekend gleaning gardening tips, whiling away pleasant hours surveying plant specimens, and sampling great food.  Jillian quickly realizes there is something fishy going on at the Ritz…and she’s not talking about fertilizer! The soil at the Ritz-Carton doesn’t need enrichment.  Bodies are popping up over there faster than bean sprouts on steroids!  Good thing Jillian is not only a gardening expert, but a VERY good listener, a keen observer of detail…and a list-maker.  Put all that together, stir in the ‘contributions’ of Teddy (Jillian’s little Yorkie –who may just be telepathic!) and you’ve got yourself a great potting mix for a budding detective. 

As Nancy Jill Thames’s delightful story unfolds, a botanist might prove more useful than the FBI or the local police department.  All sorts of cross-pollination seems to be going on, what with social butterflies flitting around, landing in who knows whose room, and things taking root where they never should have been planted!   I’m not one for spoilers, but there are weeds that need pulling at the Ritz-Carlton and Jillian’s just the gal for the job. She and her friends waste no time. They get to work, digging in the dirt, to solve the mystery.

I enjoyed Thames’s family-friendly mystery very much.  This charming book earned 4/5 hearts. I would have given it 5/5, but one of the plot points troubled me.  As brilliant as Jillian clearly is, I couldn’t see a police chief allowing her to question suspects, until later in the series —after she establishes her stellar reputation as a sleuth. That trifle aside, Murder in Half Moon Bay is the sort of book to enjoy on a rainy day, snuggled in a recliner with a nice cup of Jillian’s favorite, Lady Earl Grey, tea.  I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clever mystery that’s not soaked in blood and gore.  I look forward to reading all of the Jillian Bradley Mysteries.

Book Description (per Amazon)

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

When a shocking murder disrupts the West Coast Garden Club Society's second annual conference, gardening columnist Jillian Bradley joins with Chief Frank Viscuglia to help in the investigation. 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.

Set in beautiful Half Moon Bay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jillian moves through the exclusive hotel property, local nurseries, colorful restaurants, and private mansions searching for the truth, pausing with her friends for cups of afternoon tea along the way. She uncovers a series of mysterious events that lead to solving several murders, both past and present. With the help of her garden club friends and her Yorkshire terrier 'Teddy', Jillian discovers not only a killer, but a far greater menace that could threaten us all.

Product Details

·         Paperback: 178 pages

·         Publisher: CreateSpace (April 10, 2012)

·         Language: English       

      ISBN-10: 1452882088
·         ISBN-13: 978-1452882086

QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"
CELEBRITY AUTHOR 
SHARON LEAF
 

COME JOIN US FOR SOME PEANUT BUTTER PIE AND A CUP OF TEA!

"QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA"

                                                                     

SUNNY OR DARK SIDE? YOU CHOOSE...

Sometimes I could just explode with happiness! Do you ever feel that way? Sure, it's partly temperament, but I believe it's also a choice. No matter what happens, we can decide to find the good in any situation. Try it today and see what happens. I think you'll find you'll feel happier if you do. 


Blessings on your day, dear friends!
~Nancy Jill