Wearing the Author Hat

By Nancy Jill Thames

Yes, as an author I work at least seven hours a day. And, if I could choose to wear a hat of choice as I work, it would look something like the hat on my left.

The past two weeks have been filled with traveling from California to New York. One of the main reasons I love to travel is meeting new people. They find out I'm an author and usually happily download Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY when they find out it's free.

Meeting new friends is my favorite way to engage readers, but the next best way is through reviews. One sweet lady wrote this review recently defending my writing style. I'm including her review because I'm working on improving the books every single day. So, whenever you're finished reading a book and contemplate whether or not to write a positive review, please know how much they brighten an author's day.

Here's what she said:

New! RiverCat reviewed Murder in Half Moon Bay (Jillian Bradley Mysteries, No. 1) (A Jillian Bradley Mystery) 1 of 1 people found the following helpful A Light Summer Read July 25, 2013 ok. I read the other reviews; and, the problem seems to be if one is a person who wants heavy duty, logical mysteries, they are disappointed with this book. If you accept the premise and just want a FUN, light read, this is the book for you. True there are punctuation problems, but come on, cut some slack. I liked this little story, I liked the characters and I could see 1/2 moon bay in my mind's eye as I read. I always enjoy the back-biting of these little clubs, whether garden or animal and there are diverse personalities here. If you can accept a book for what it is, this would be a good read for you. Reading on the Fourth Level ruins the reading experience for me after years of editing student papers. LOL great little story

Have an awesome week!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her chocolate cream pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers' Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW CenTex Chapter, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com

 Nancy Jill is busy working on Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London.

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SUCCESS STORY

It has always been my goal to entertain readers with stories of intrigue and mystery, interlaced with beauty and the good life.When a reader writes reviews like these, my success is complete. Thank you!

Customer Reviews

		decency1st reviewed From the Clutches of Evil: A Jillian Bradley Mystery Worth Reading! November 28, 2012 This was a book I had to read straight to the finish without interruptions. It read like history from the East Bay of Central California. I could picture those canyons and trees. Yes, it took place in modern day with the main sleuth I've grown to love, but the story stretched back a century. Even though it took place in her home surroundings instead of a fancy resort, it was none the less satisfying. I have read uncountable mystery stories but this was a very new and unexpected storyline. Good entertainment!
		decency1st reviewed The Ghost Orchid Murder (The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series, Vol. 2) Lovely, comforting mystery! November 28, 2012 Can a murder mystery be lovely and comforting? By this author it can. This book gives fresh meaning to the term "cozy" mystery! The setting of the southwest was vividly described, along with good meals at a posh resort, well-rounded characters, and a very original mystery to boot. The comfort part comes in with the ease in which the author has the main character share her faith in God and heartfelt prayers. Also, zero profanity and other such offensive things. Filoli House was mentioned also which I love. Looking forward to the next book. Quite a bargain for the kindle price of $2.99.

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

THE HIGH DIVE

I've only jumped off a high dive twice. I didn't like it either time. In fact, swimming is just not my thing. I dislike getting my hair wet, and I've had the same black bathing suit for the past ten years. I wear it to the pool, and then back to my hotel room never having entered the pool. A reviewer who works for a major rag has offered to review my books, and I feel just like the little boy in the picture. And yet, I need to find out where I'm doing a good job, and where my writing needs work. I feel vulnerable and yet, I have to spring up, point my arms in the air and dive into the water. Good or bad, this is a dive I have to make.