Tea Party Tuesday ~ Tea at the Empress Hotel

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday, everyone! This photo on Pinterest made me stop in my tracks -- isn't it wonderful?

Let me pour you a nice cup of tea. Milk? Sugars?

When I went to the photo site, I found it was taken by a lovely Russian travel agent who lives in Victoria, Canada -- setting for Book 10 "Murder at the Empress Hotel" coming 2015, so I simply had to post.

From the shiny silverware to the garnishes, I believe I've chosen well. My early family (we had two sets of children thirteen years apart) and both sets of grandparents made the trip to Vancouver Island from Sacramento, California, up the Pacific Coast. We took the ferry across to reach the island, and that afternoon we enjoyed famed afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. It was a wonderful experience.

I read they serve on average 500 teas everyday. Amazing!

The hotel is so renown that recently a man bought it without even seeing it, on reputation alone. It will certainly be fun to use as a setting. 

Let's try the finger sandwiches - they look delicious! And I think I'll take a scone, too. Please help yourself.

I pray as fall ushers in, we all stay healthy and safe. 

Cheers! 

~Nancy Jill

The photo is from the setting in 

Book 9 "Murder at Mirror Lake." 

Watch for it soon!

(Don't you love the shoe bomb?)

Tea Party Tuesday ~ In the Mood for PUMPKIN

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday! I'm so happy you stopped by today. These colorful polka dot cups caught my eye on Pinterest, as well as the link for the yummy crock pot recipe - feel free to click!

We'll enjoy a virtual cup now, but I want to try the recipe soon.

The weather has been delightful here in the Bay Area where I'm spending time with my family. Yet, I noted a huge hail storm reported not far away in Napa where an earthquake hit recently. Never a dull moment where the weather's concerned.

Oh, of course. I'd be happy to pour you a refill.

One of my all time favorites, no matter what kind of weather we're having, is Einstein Bagels - the apple spice one. They may even be featuring their pumpkin spice bagel now. I'll have to check. Found it! It's their pumpkin walnut crunch bagel. Sooo yummy, people.

Currently, I'm working on Book 9 "Murder at Mirror Lake" where Jillian and two of her garden club friends, Ann and Nicole, are taking a fall trip as leaf peepers in upstate New York. There's a freshly baked apple pie in there somewhere, I do believe.

The manuscript is with the beta reader team now. I can't wait to launch!

Have a wonderful week, dear readers. Enjoy the pumpkin spice latte and please let me know how it turns out.

Cheers!     

~Nancy Jill        

Tea Party Tuesday * A Toast To Betas

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday! I would like to raise a toast to my wonderful 
Beta Reader Team: 
Barbara Babcock
Tom Biggs (my wonderful brother)
Deborah Fox Belissio
Roxanne Day
Sid Frost
Brenda Burke Johnson
Donna Montgomery (who's been with me from the very first book!)
Gale O'Brien
Michelle Tucker Reed
Maxine Rohde
Shanan Shepherd
Ted Thames (my sweet husband) and
Karen Timmermann

These eagle eye readers will take the rough draft of Book 9 "Murder At Mirror Lake"

and make notes of suggested changes to enhance the work. Their input is invaluable to an indie author such as myself. As a thank you, I'll be sending them a signed copy when the book is hot off the press. Betas such as these often write the first reviews, helping to successfully launch a book.

So a huge thank you, Betas, as we begin this undertaking. Your input is most appreciated.

                     Cheers!

                    ~Nancy Jill