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

PULLS YOU IN...

Paperback $13.95 Kindle $6.99

Thought I'd share a review I just gave for an excellent writer and celebrity author friend of mine.


Promises of the Heart, written by Scarlett Rains, is an eighteenth century tale of a young girl’s coming of age. The first thing I really liked about this book was the lovely graphics reflecting the time period in London, England. The reader is also pulled into the story at once with carefully crafted prose appealing to all five senses. For example: watching the fluffy clouds lazily form shapes that quickly swirled into other shapes in the gentle breeze…a cacophony of sounds bombarded the weary coachman: the hue and cry of merchants and street people rose up above the clopping of the horses hooves in a relentlessly forlorn lament. Scarlett Rains does a masterful job on style continuity throughout the entire novel. Somewhat like Charles Dickens, but more like the Victoria Holt novels I read profusely at one time in my life, Promises of the Heart resonates with cleverly woven intrigue surrounded by authentic characters of the day. Historical novels should inform about the life and times of the era—Promises of the Heart did not disappoint! The segue to her second novel Seduction of a Bluestocking was a perfect cliffhanger, enticing the reader to find out what happens next. Well done, Scarlett Rains! Five Stars!

NO PAIN, NO GAIN

If it was easy, everyone would do it...Think working toward your goal is difficult, fraught with hurdles and distractions? Great! You will succeed at whatever you've decided to accomplish. Hats off to a few people I admire this week: Scarlett Rains, for working hard getting reviews and spreading the word about her blog, Tonya Kappes, for getting her Street Team up and running while raising a family of three busy teens, and Terry Stark (Terry Tyler) for getting back up when she felt overwhelmed wearing all the hats of an indie author. Thank you for your inspiration! Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK" CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"
CELEBRITY AUTHOR
SCARLETT RAINS

                                                     


Welcome!
Let me pour you some tea, which is Lavender today, and please help yourself to some finger sandwiches and a raisin nutmeg scone. I made them fresh this morning.


Thank you, Nancy. I’m happy to be here. These scones are to die for!


Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.


I’m an Ohio girl. I never reveal my city anymore. I’m a little gun-shy since a stalker showed up at my home. I write under a pseudonym, partly because of that and because I’m a private person. I was reared non-traditionally. Most of my early childhood was spent in foster homes, the remainder in an orphanage. I learned some incredible life-lessons there that have contributed to my ability to write characters that feel real. I have a Masters degree in a clinical field and hope to be learning the rest of my days. Believe it or not, at the age of fifty-three, I’m enrolled full-time, taking courses that interest me. I’m a wife, mom, granny, student, loyal friend and many other things. I’m a Christian. My faith has always been central to who I am. It is my anchor.


Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?


I love answering this question. There are so many obstacles for Indie authors: mentioning the word can set traditional heads nodding. My contract offer from a traditional publishing house (which shall go un-named) is in my desk drawer. Perhaps I’ll frame it. I found the formulaic scripts they were interested in too restrictive for my style. I started my own imprint, and published. I hope to publish other authors in the future.


What are your hobbies?


I’m a reading freak. My tastes are eclectic. The only genre I don’t often explore is horror. But, maybe I just haven’t read the right horror story? I’ll have to put down my trowel and check it out. Trowel? Funny you should ask. I’m seldom without one in hand. If there is a pot to be found with dirt in it, there has to be a plant that needs a home. Aside from reading and gardening, I’m a tennis player blessed with a husband who is not only my life-partner, but not half-bad as a doubles partner either.


Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration?

 The Finishing of Lady Amelia is my latest release. The book really shouldn’t have happened. It sprang to life as I was working on Betrayals of the Heart (the third book in my Sisters of the Heart series and one my fans are waiting on). But, too many memories of my childhood at the Home, and thoughts of three sisters-in-law who grew up in similar institutions, kept flooding my mind. It seemed to me that this YA story, set in 18th century England, was just the thing for young female readers. The fact that it was cathartic to write was a bonus.


How did you become a writer? When did you start?


I’ve written, off-and-on, since I was able to hold (and chew) a pen. Writing stories has been an escape for me. I took a break from writing, other than for my own pleasure, for years. My career as a clinician was so demanding of my time that I could barely drag myself through the door at night. I had nothing creative left at the end of the day. My husband might beg to differ. I whipped up some amazing concoctions that I passed off as dinner during that time. (Beanie and Weenie, meet Mac and Cheese. I’m quite sure you were meant to be together.) My perspective on life changed after my battle with breast cancer in 2008. Writing has become even more important to me since I kicked cancer to the curb. It gives me such joy to create a tale that takes a reader away from their troubles awhile. I know how important that is.


How long did it take you to finish your first book?


I’m guessing here, but, I think it took about 2 years for the first version of Promises of the Heart and nearly seven for the final.



Where do you like to write?


I close myself off in my office, surrounded by my collection of books, watch the sun shine through the stained glass ornaments dangling in the window…listen to the birds sing (and my dog snoring) and let the stories come. It’s Heaven on Earth!


Favorite author(s)?


I have so many. My two favorite novels would have to be Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell) and Katherine (Anya Seton). I love Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte. I can become somber at times in my writing. I blame that on my past and their influence. The thought of reading books by Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer can set me to quivering with excitement. I am also very fond of Julia Quinn’s work. Her humor appeals to me. There are just too many others to mention.


How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?

I’ve written three in my Sisters of the Hearts series: Promises of the Heart, Seduction of a Bluestocking and The Finishing of Lady Amelia. The series is set in 18th century England. Betrayals of the Heart, the 4th book, coulda-woulda-should’ve been finished at the start of the year but that pesky Amelia kept bugging me to tell her tale. Betrayals is in the ‘tweaking’ stage now, so it will be out soon. I promise.


Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?


That would be lovely, thank you. The following links are a starting point to find books in my series:


http://www.amazon.com/Scarlett-Rains/e/B005D5IQ1W
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promises-of-the-heart-scarlett-rains/1018716817?
ean=9780615328911&itm=2&usri=scarlett+rains
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Scarlett+Rains&adult=on


What about a link to your website?


You can find me at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CWNEPO. I enjoy hearing from readers and friends. My favorite means of doing that is via my blog. Please, stop in and visit at: http://
scarlettrainssistersoftheheartsblog.blogspot.com/.


Scarlett, it's been a privilege to interview you. Thank you so much for stopping by and I wish you great success with your books.


Thank you for inviting me to spend time with you, Nancy. I hope you will come visit my blog for an interview soon. I’m excited to hear about your latest work. Your book, the Ghost Orchid Murder, is on my GoodReads TBR list: can’t wait to read it.


Blessings to you, and all your readers.