Showing posts with label cozy murder mystery series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cozy murder mystery series. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Tea Party Tuesday * What to Wear for Tea

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday! Does anyone remember "come-as-you-are" parties? We used to do them all the time. They were so much fun! 

One time our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) had a "come-as-you-are" breakfast at my house as a kick-off for a mission study.  I collected women in aprons stained with spaghetti sauce, in hair rollers (now I'm dating myself), and in pajamas. 

Just for today, I thought we'd have a "come-as-you-are" time together and comment on what we're wearing. As you can see by the above photo, this is someone's idea of what to wear if we were going out somewhere, but what about now?

I'm wearing a black tee-shirt, baby blue jeans, and tan leather flip flops. No make-up, and hair clipped back with a barrette.

What about you? 

If Jillian were going for tea, usually at a resort, she'd wear a skirt or slacks. She would not wear jeans, unless she was at a dude ranch - and then there probably wouldn't be any afternoon tea!

It's funny -- sometimes I get a review telling me descriptions of what Jillian and her friends are wearing are unnecessary, and then another reader will say how much they enjoy reading such details. All I can do is write from my heart, and my heart says to live in my books the way I like to live in real life.

What do you like best? Settings, scenery, interesting characters (including what they wear) or plot?

Thanks for joining me today. Now we can enjoy our tea! 

~Nancy Jill


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

You're Invited for Tea With Jillian Bradley



Readers will always find afternoon tea in The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. Here is an excerpt from:

 "The Ghost Orchid Murder"
Book 2


At precisely four o’clock, there was a knock on my door. When I answered, Yvette stood in the doorway and smiled. Room service was right behind her. I motioned for her to sit down on the sofa by the fire as the server placed the tea tray on the table in front of her. I signed the bill and thanked him.

Teddy was yipping, trying to guard me from whoever entered his territory.

Yvette’s face brightened.

She looked surprisingly young for her age which I judged to be about forty-five to fifty. Her firm handshake confirmed that she was self-assured. She sat straight on the sofa with her ankles crossed. Although she was pretty in a country sort of way, the lines around her eyes told of a difficult life, not one of privilege.

High cheekbones spoke of her French ancestry. Like many Europeans, Yvette wore no makeup, only a little lipstick and yet her color looked quite healthy. She wore her shoulder-length blond hair straight and simple. Her clothes flattered her medium built figure. I wondered if Rene had been like her.

Teddy was yipping in the bedroom, trying to guard his territory from the present invader.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Thank you, I’d love some. Just plain, please.”

I took my time pouring the tea and stirring in the sugar for mine. I offered her a slice of decadent chocolate cake or a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. She took the cookie and white linen napkin. We sipped our tea and she told me again how much she appreciated the invitation.

“I would love to meet your dog, Jillian.” She placed her cookie on her saucer.

I walked over to Cecilia’s room and let Teddy out. He immediately ran over to Yvette and jumped into her lap.

She smiled and began to pet him.

“He’s adorable.” She rubbed his ears gently and stroked his fur. “I could never give Rene a dog because A.J. said we couldn’t afford one. Of course I regret it now, like so many things.”

“Is A.J. your husband?” I was glad Teddy was taking to her so.

“He was my husband. A.J. died when Rene was a teenager.”

“I’m so sorry. What did your husband do for a living?”

“He was a logger.” She sighed. “Six days a week he’d take logs from where they fell and load them onto trucks that took them to the mills. A.J. would work twelve hours a day and when he got home, all dirty and hungry, Rene would disappear into another room. The two didn’t really mix.

“A.J. and I would have a little time over dinner together where he recapped his day. Then to sleep…early…7 o’clock sharp every evening. The same routine started all over again the next morning.”

“He seems to have worked hard to provide for his family. I’m sure you miss him.”

Teddy licked her hand as if to say he was sorry she had suffered two deaths now.

“You’re a good dog, Teddy. Thank you.” She stroked his fur. “Please have your friend come in and have some tea. I feel like I’m encroaching.”              

I stood. “I’ll ask her if she’d like to join us.”

I introduced Cecilia. Yvette seemed comfortable sharing her personal life in front of her. I think she sensed I had her welfare in mind and trusted me.

She was hungry to talk to someone, so Cecilia and I listened sympathetically.

Yvette talked for some time, unfolding her life story as we drank tea together. I made sure her cup stayed full. 

Have a lovely week, dear readers!

~Nancy Jill

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Fun Authors to Read

If you're looking for some new authors of cozy Christian fiction, I'd like to suggest two.



Traci Tyne Hilton
First books in her series are FREE!














And author of Until the Fat Lady Sings Mystery Series




























Check the links for their websites and get acquainted! They love to meet new readers.

Have a lovely week, my friends. I know it's cold in most of the country right now - even in Austin we're having ice-storms and school closures. Time to read some new books! Wouldn't you agree? And just for fun, please let me know if you're acquainted with these authors. 

Thank you!


~Nancy Jill










Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Ten Great Gift Ideas for Mystery Lovers!

 By Nancy Jill Thames 


For those of you who like to do their holiday shopping online as I do, here are some great  gift ideas for readers on your list. All books are G-Rated and contain no profanity - just good stories! Books are written in a series but can be stand-alone.


FOR ADDED FUN, TEDDY (JILLIAN'S SIDEKICK AND SLEUTH-DOG) APPEARS IN EVERY BOOK ALONG WITH A NEW FRIEND OF HIS OWN




1. If you want to give your reader an ocean side stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel with all the amenities (plus a little gossip), give them a copy of
"Murder in Half Moon Bay." $9.99



















2. For readers who enjoy gorgeous sunsets  or insight into endangered species, a mystery set at Sanctuary Spa Camelback Mountain might make a good gift. Give them a copy of
 "The Ghost Orchid Murder." $10.79









3. To experience a bit of early California history in the Bay Area along with a heart-warming story, give them the Christmas adventure of 









 
4. Does your reader like whale-watching, Waikiki Beach, or perhaps a cruise to Catalina Island? Then they  might  enjoy 
"The Mark of Eden." $8.99





5. For a visit to San Diego complete with Jillian's family reunion at a five-star oceanfront hotel you might want to give a copy of 
"Pacific Beach." $8.09










 6. For Christmas lovers and those on your list who enjoy a bit of romance "Waiting for Santa" might be just the thing. $8.09



















7. A London adventure awaits in "The Ruby of Siam" and ends with Jillian's wedding. What happens afterward will have to wait until 2014 when the final book "The Long Trip Home" launches. $8.09
 















 


8. Besides "Murder in Half Moon Bay" as a free e-book gift, another suggestion is "A Cup of Cozy," a free e-book gift on Amazon and Smashwords to you from the authors of Cozy Mystery Magazine.




 







9. If you can't decide which book to buy for those on your list consider giving them the entire series. (Around $60) They'll love reading about the adventures of Jillian and her sidekick, Teddy, as they help solve homicides which fall across their path. Amazon.com






10. For yourself, when you purchase  paperback copies for those on your list, use the Kindle MatchBook program (new on Amazon) to purchase the e-book versions of the Jillian Bradley mysteries for half-price.  (Only $1.99 each.) Amazon.com


There you have it! Ten holiday gift ideas for everyone who enjoys a good whodunnit, cozy mystery, or animal mystery. Happy shopping, dear readers!




  See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 
Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames has published Christian fiction since 2010. The author of seven books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List. In addition, she won first place in her church's 4th of July celebration 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 personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers' Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW),  CenTex Chapter-ACFW, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. She resides with her husband in Leander, Texas.

CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com