Paperbacks or eBooks?

Is it just me or am I a creature of habit to prefer reading paperback books? Like many readers, I upload eBooks on my Kindle app to my phone but I also order paperbacks. Boy, do I order paperbacks!

To me, they are treasures to enjoy again and again. Books on a device are out of sight and most of the time out of mind. And what do you think the future of books will be?

Do you have favorites? What about hardback verses paperback? My favorite collections are Agatha Christie mysteries and short stories, Dorothy Sayers mysteries and short stories, Murder She Wrote books by Donald Bain, The Hobbit and Trilogy of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. For my birthday, my husband is giving me The Red Wall Series by Brian Jacques. It will coincide with my latest acquisition of The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Whitig Albert. I adore Beatrix Potter and have all of her books, too.

Most of my books are paperback but the hardbacks, like Harry Potter and some classics, give my library a classy look. One thing's for sure, I'll never NOT have anything to do! I hope you'll try The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. In them you'll find interesting settings, unusual plots, and an amateur sleuth who loves afternoon tea and her little Yorkie companion, Teddy, a sleuth in his own right. For the synopsis of each, you may check the book page: Books

By the way, the books come in paperback and eBook formats so the choice is up to you!

See you in my books!                        

~Nancy Jill 

In Memoriam

Aunt Gayle with some of  her beloved grandchildren.

What's the best way to honor someone after they pass away? For me, I chose to dedicate Museums Can Be Murder to my sister-in-law, Gayle Elaine Biggs, known in my family as Aunt Gayle, a saint, and the most loving grandma — hands-down — that any child could wish for. Gayle had a dry wit that kept us laughing at family reunions. She also cooked non-stop for her family. My sister-in-law was so loving that she encouraged my brother to build a pool just so their family would congregate at her house and she could cook for them.

Available on Amazon  Smashwords Kobo iBooks

I based one of Jillian Bradley’s sisters-in-laws, Paige, on Gayle. Her character first appears in Book 5 Pacific Beach, again in Book 6 Waiting for Santa, and lastly in Book 11 Museums Can Be Murder. I gave her only one child, Kaitlin Romero, who plays an important role in Book 11 as it's her boss Amanda Corbin who's murdered. In reality, Gayle had three amazing children.

I don't understand why Gayle got cancer. Does anyone understand this horrible disease? The only good thing I can surmise is in remembering the old saying, “Only the good die young.” Gayle was good. She was young. Fortunately, her death was painless and she died knowing the Lord had prepared a place for her when she left her earthly home. And amazingly, she was able to say goodbye to her pastor, her husband, her children and their spouses, and all nine grandchildren, one by one. They will never forget her.

Neither will I.

It's a good thing to remember those we love. Now Gayle can also be remembered every time someone reads these books.

Thanks for letting me share my heart.

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill

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, California, and Georgia finding new ways to spoil her grandchildren, playing classical favorites on her baby grand, or having afternoon tea with friends.

She lives with her husband in Texas and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) CenTex Chapter.

To learn more about Nancy Jill, visit these sites.

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Website

Pinterest

A Bright New Year Ahead

The good thing about enjoying a cup of tea together is that we can do it any day of the year. It has been wonderful interacting with all of you in 2015, whether talking about new books launched or life events.
     I promised to share a major life shift that occurred over the past two years. It wasn't always easy, but in the end having our son and his family live with us while he earned his degree was totally worth it.
     And if living with the seven of us wasn't interesting enough, after our son got his degree and an amazing job in Frisco, Texas, my husband decided it was time to downsize.
     Okay. Pack up and move. Not an easy task for someone who collects beautiful china, teacups, teapots, floral arrangements, and paintings. Sigh. But as my daddy used to say, "There's nothing more certain than change." How true in this case. We're moving north to a small town where we'll be living out in the country. Literally.
     Being an eternal optimist, I decided to look on the bright side. A smaller home to maintain will be good. A new home is always nice. I'll be getting the cozy cottage I've always wanted and with not much to do living waaaay out in some pastureland, there will be more time to write!
     Some great news! My husband Ted (yes, I named Teddy after him) has carved out some time to join my writing as publicist and marketing manager which will allow me even more time to write. A good thing.
     Look for three new short stories in the poplular Happy Homicides anthologies - the first, a Valentine's tale called "Sweets, Treats and Murder" will be out for pre-order in January. A beach read called "Birthday Bash" launches in Summer, followed by a story for the Fall edition that I've yet to come up with, and then Book 11 "Murder at the Met" due to launch in November of 2016.

     I hope you're as excited about the new year as I am. As always, it's my great pleasure to entertain you with adventures of Jillian and Teddy. 

Cheers! And Happy New Year!

~Nancy Jill

Tea Party Launch of "Murder at the Empress Hotel"

O Happy Day! Book 10 is out this summer! Thanks for joining me today. Please have some treats - zero calories online. We'll also need a nice cup of tea. 

I'd like to share with you a few notes on why I wrote the story of "Murder at the Empress Hotel." 

The main reason I used Victoria, British Columbia for the setting was in remembrance of a family trip in 1986.  That was when my husband and I started our second family together, unbeknownst to us. We were on a road trip up the Pacific Coast with our two older children at the time and both sets of grandparents. What a wonderful vacation we had visiting many attractions along the way. In Victoria, we strolled the docks of  the inner harbor and fisherman's wharf, and took a day to see the Butchart Gardens. 

Some things have changed since our visit, like moving the Ann Hathaway Cottage as it was called to a nearby island, and the addition of Blue Heron House at Royal Roads University. But one thing remains the same. Afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel still serves their famed spread every afternoon. 

In doing research for "Murder at the Empress Hotel," I learned about the First Nations people who were the first inhabitants of Vancouver Island. It wouldn't be an authentic setting without a few of their stories, even though they're from my imagination. The book is dedicated to them.

"Set in the beautiful city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, a bitter conflict over fishing rights and the love of one woman turns deadly with the murder of a young attorney, drawing Jillian and Teddy into yet another intriguing adventure."

Well, that sums up the story all right, but there's a little more to it. Like the characters for instance: 

Jillian Bradley, garden columnist and amateur sleuth
Teddy, Jillian's Yorkie companion and fellow sleuth
Arthur Wingate, fellow collaborator and good friend
Diana Wingate, wife of Arthur and newly appointed hotel reviewer
Father Goodman, priest and university professor of aboriginal relationships 
Rainbow Knight, sister of Badger and grad assistant to Father Goodman
Gerald Dawson, associate professor of aboriginal studies
Leo Hunter, Director of Canadian Oceans and Fisheries
David Blackwolf, lawyer for Canadian Oceans and Fisheries
Badger Knight, opposing lawyer for First Nations
Kelly Morrison, administrative assistant to David Blackwolf and Leo Hunter
Sergeant Nick Stone, head of Victoria homicide division

Mix all together and somewhere you'll discover a victim and a motive for murder! 

To order copies of "Murder at the Empress Hotel" and Books 1-9, please follow the links:

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

KOBO

SMASHWORDS

Enjoy!

~Nancy Jill 

NANCY JILL THAMES

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:

http://www.nancyjillthames.com

What Do British Royals and Queen of Afternoon Tea Have in Common?

When I saw the news of Prince George viewing his first Trouping of the Colors last week, I was transported back to my visit to see Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. 

At the time, Prince Charles was still a bachelor with no apparent heirs to the throne. 

What a thrill to see Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip step from their limousine, wave to the crowds, and tour Sutter's Fort in downtown Sacramento, California, where we lived.

I took my two children out of school for the event, and bought them British flags to wave. I wore a navy hat in honor of the occasion.

Back then, we used Polaroid cameras to take photos instead of our iPhones. Alas, the hard copies faded. Here is what's left of that memorable day.

If it hadn't been for a professional photographer next to me in the crowd offering to sell me one of his images, the picture of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip would have faded, too.

Perhaps seeing the British Royals in person and inheriting the last name of Thames, it was inevitable that I would come to love afternoon tea and include it in all of my books. 

Free on Amazon Kindle!

And now, you may ask, what do the British Royals and Queen of Afternoon Tea have in common? Well, today, the Queen Mum is a Queen Great Grandmum, Prince Philip is a Prince Great Granddad, and my two children have made me a Queen of Afternoon Tea Grandma six times. I think that qualifies us having something in common, don't you?

Have you seen any members of the Royal Family in person? I'd love to hear about it.

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

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.