Enjoy the Weekend - Read a Free Book!

How many of you carry workloads through the weekend? Been there - done that. But here's what I've found: BURNOUT! For me, anyway, when I take off and have a little fun on Saturday the work stress leaves me alone. Bye-bye! And when I worship on Sundays, my spirit is renewed for the week. 

I hope you'll take some time this weekend to enjoy the fruit of your labor. And if you're a believer, take time to worship. 

By the way - you can have some fun for free by simply downloading Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY. See you on Monday!

~Nancy Jill

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY on your ereader for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09

 Kindle FREE!

Barnes and Nobel Paperback $8.99

Nook FREE!

FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

Ever Have One of Those Days? Weeks? Months?

By Nancy Jill Thames

So,  Book 7 THE RUBY OF SIAM was supposed to be launching by today, July 1st. "So where is it?" You may ask. The answer? Lying in chapter piles on my dining room table with little yellow sticky notes telling me how many comments from my editor need addressing. One chapter has 20! Egad! My editor is one of those cerebral writers who's in love with language and envisions herself as an artist with words. And yes, she is a wonderful writer. But me? I just want to TELL THE STORY!

Except there's more to it than that.

First, an author has to 'show' readers what's happening. We must 'show' characters  because otherwise you the reader will have no idea who they are! Not as easy as it sounds. Especially when I just want to TELL THE STORY!

"Patience." My editor says. "Give us an image here of what we're seeing."

But I just told you what you're seeing!

"I know." She replies as if talking to a child. (Which I feel like - an author child anyway.)

So, I take a chapter, run through the suggestions and rewrite the paragraph. Unless you're an author you have no idea how long this takes. And guess what? It has to be done otherwise you'll always know in your heart IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER!

Not only am I trying to launch THE RUBY OF SIAM but I'm going back and improving the first six books. Editor number three is the killer-diller with mileage in the writing business and a Chicago Style Handbook at her fingertips. She also doesn't allow me to get away with anything like mixing point of view or extra commas. Nope!

And now it's another Monday. I have six books to print off for editor number three to proofread, a Meet the Author Event at the library to see to for July 13th (my birthday), homework for editor number two's writing class on Diving into Character, and collecting goodies for Camp Grandma I'm doing for a week with my two granddaughters in California week after next. Sigh. Not to mention ramrodding two more Meet the Author Events for fall.

Get this: I'm not really complaining. I've never had so much fun in all my life. This morning over coffee my husband says, "You're a career woman now." I had to stop and think a moment letting the phrase sink in. He's right! I hope in spite of whatever challenges you are facing in your work life or at home, you'll gather the strength, courage and fortitude to get the job done! Now back to those edits...

May your week be a good one!

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, the American Christian Fiction Writers, CenTex Chapter of ACFW 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.

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY as an ebook for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09
Barnes & Nobel Paperback $8.99
 Kindle FREE!
Nook Book FREE!
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

Time to Relax, Have Fun, and Learn!

By Nancy Jill Thames

Wow! The weekend is here again. Sure I'm going to relax a little, like always. I'll sleep in, linger on the porch with my coffee, and play a few games of Rummikub. Saturday afternoon, however, I'll attend a writing class on Character Creation, given by talented creative writing major, Jennifer Steen. Jenny has published short stories, formed a publishing company called Inkception Books, and written a play for a performance in Scotland this summer. Yes, she's a dynamo and plenty of fun. She's also a member of our Leander Writer's Guild, which met last Tuesday evening. I can't say enough good things about being an integral part of our local writing community.

I want to thank all of you for reading my books. Sales have soared since I've offered Book 1 for free on all platforms. Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" is on it's final rewrite and should launch within the next two weeks. If you're interested in the news about Paula Deen, you may want to hop over to Cozy Mystery Magazine and check out the post I wrote. I do feel sorry for her and for the pain racism still causes. 

May your weekend be a good one!

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 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.

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY as an ebook for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09
Barnes and Nobel $8.99
 Kindle FREE!
Nook Book FREE!
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

I LOVE THE WEEKENDS!

I believe God designed weekends for us to relax or have fun part of the time, rest for another part, and worship Him for the other. Whenever I get one of these facets out of balance, the new week goes kaflewie! (Anyone care to spell this differently?)

While I wait for my editor to return my manuscript for Book 7 THE RUBY OF SIAM, this weekend my hubby and I will be celebrating our 45th anniversary early, since he's out of town next weekend. 

We live in an awesome destination point, so we'll stay downtown Austin and dine at Truluck's - a restaurant that reminds me of one you'd find in downtown New York or Manhattan. The weather will be warm, so on Saturday, we just plan to have brunch at the South Congress Cafe and take in a movie at a dinner theater later. I'm good with that! What a blessing to have been married all these years to the most wonderful man I know.

I hope you have a nice weekend planned  - relax, have fun, rest, and if you're a believer - I'll be joining you in worship and praise.

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 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.

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY as an ebook for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09
Barnes and Nobel $8.99
 Kindle FREE!
Nook Book FREE!
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

How I Became a Murder Mystery Writer

Paperback $8.00
Kindle FREE!
Nook Book $2.99
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

This week  I spoke to The Leander Writer's Guild on How To Write A Murder Mystery. Nice to give back to fellow authors. 

In 2001, Murder in Half Moon Bay was my very first attempt at writing. I love reading murder mysteries but was burned out with the authors I had been reading, so I decided to write a mystery of my own. The timing was not conducive to complete my story, due to raising a second family, until October 2009. The Half Moon Bay Review showed an interest in my blog, featuring chapters from the manuscript I'd begun as a way to finish the book, and wanted to do an interview. I agreed, wrote the final chapters and published the book as an indie author in June of 2010. Since that time, I have written five additional books in the series, with two more on the way. 

   My inspiration for Jillian Bradley and her Yorkie companion came from staying at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, where my husband and I were attending an off-site board meeting for his company. I began taking notes of the surroundings and used my imagination to create a protagonist that might be a guest at a gardening conference. I used my husband's name Ted for her little dog, Teddy, since I would have her be a widow. As I continued to travel with my husband, I found more settings to write about, and continue to dream up scenarios for Jillian and Teddy to solve mysteries. Writing is a new journey for me, but it's turning out to be a rewarding one. 
Have a good day, dear readers.

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 in two states, 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 and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

 

A GIFT FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND - ENJOY!

Please enjoy reading the first book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series on me - it's climbing up the ranks in Women Sleuths.  Thank you! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Paperback $8.00
Kindle FREE!
Nook Book $2.99
FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

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 in two states, 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 and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London, England. To learn more about the author and check out her books, please visit her blog at  

Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames.

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

Enjoy a good book this weekend!

MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY 

           FREE on Kindle, Kobo,and Smashwords!

Did the woman jump or was she pushed over the balcony? When the shocking murder disrupts the West Coast Garden Club Society's second annual conference, Jillian Bradley and her garden club friends join with Chief Frank Viscuglia to find the killer. Jillian and her friends move through the Ritz-Carlton hotel to private mansions searching for the truth, pausing for afternoon tea along the way, of course. The unlikely team helps the chief uncover a series of mysterious events that lead to solving several murders, both past and present. 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.

Murder in Half Moon Bay, first book in the Jillian Bradley Mystery series, introduces Jillian's little  companion 'Teddy,' a Yorkie who falls prey to danger but rises to become sleuth dog in the next book.

 THE GHOST ORCHID MURDER

It's been eight years since gardening columnist Jillian Bradley helped solve a string of murders in Half Moon Bay. But when a friend and colleague in Scottsdale, Arizona finds a young technical assistant dead on the floor of his private office, Jillian doesn't hesitate to answer his plea for help in the investigation. After all, a $2 million research grant depends on it.
Together with Detective Jack Noble and Jillian's clue sniffing dog, Teddy, the three set out to track the killer who leaves a porcelain orchid over the wound as the only clue. Even though it means personal sacrifice for Jillian, she is determined to uncover the truth. A faith-based novel.

FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL 

     Christmas – the busiest time of the year! And on top of everything, Jillian is throwing an engagement party for two dear friends. But on a final errand before the party begins Jillian witnesses a horrific car crash and notices two witnesses leaving the scene of the accident. She and Teddy pull a survivor from the wreckage, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of the amnesia victim, a 17-year-old boy she and Teddy take under their wing. After one of the witnesses is found brutally murdered, Jillian discovers an ominous connection between the boy and a string of heinous murders in a nearby remote farming community. And when Jillian stumbles across a mysterious compound, she is determined to unlock old family secrets to solve the mystery of his identity even though taking the risk creates the ultimate test for her and Teddy's survival. 

THE MARK OF EDEN

After a frantic call from a couple on their honeymoon, Jillian returns to Half Moon Bay to help. Two elderly men have been found dead in their recliners, and now another man is missing—the distraught father of the bride - Jillian's personal assistant. Their investigation must be incognito since the groom is a detective and can’t work on the case due to conflict of interest. The clues the threesome find lead Jillian and Teddy to take a cruise to Catalina Island, but it’s only an entrée into a strange clinical world, where she almost becomes a victim herself before she identifies who is responsible for a bizarre series of deaths. Will Teddy be in time to save the day?

  

PACIFIC BEACH

The quaint surfing town of Pacific Beach becomes a destination for murder when a young starlet and her mother are found brutally murdered at the Pacific Terrace hotel where Jillian’s family reunion is taking place. Their reunion takes a terrifying turn when Jillian's nephew is arrested as a prime suspect and Jillian must move quickly to find the real killer and prove her nephew's innocence. There is no shortage of suspects, including an unsavory doctor who attended the popular teen star and a mysterious guest at the party where the starlet dies. But why is her mother murdered with her? Working at Jillian's side to find the perpetrator of these bizarre killings are her faithful assistant Cecilia Montoya, and Teddy, Jillian's Yorkie companion who sniffs out his own clue.

 WAITING FOR SANTA

The family has gathered to celebrate Christmas at Jillian’s house in Clover Hills, but Jillian’s plans for a lovely Christmas Eve are rudely interrupted by a power failure. And a homicide. Not only does Aunt Jillian find herself with a house full of company to entertain in the dark, but she also receives a call from Detective Walter Montoya who finds himself in the dark trying to solve the bizarre murder of a worker found dead in a maintenance shed at the power station. With Teddy at her side, Jillian is determined to solve the mystery.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of "Jillian Bradley Mysteries," Christian fiction based on travel adventures with her husband. The stories reflect Nancy Jill's love of art and serving afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller's List and won awards for her blogs. Nancy Jill is a Texas Longhorn, having earned her degree from The University of Texas in Austin, where she resides. The author donates 10% of book sales to the Central Texas SPCA-a no kill animal shelter.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" due out in 2013.
Member of the Leander Writers Guild.

Who Does She Think She Is?

"I LOVED her book!"
"I loved her book!"
"Dahling, I absolutely adored her book - fabulous!"

Depending on who you are as a reader - one of the above will appeal to you more than the others. I like the third one. After writing seriously for almost three years now, I've discovered readers either love your writing style, hate it, or hope improvement comes with time. Go figure! With millions of books on the market I finally decided to write in my own voice and study the craft every chance I get through creative writing classes at the library, which I'm currently attending, and then auditing a class this summer at Concordia University.

Now, having a degree in music, I could tell you the difference between a perfect authentic cadence and an imperfect authentic cadence, but ask me about usage difference between an endash, an emdash and an ellipsis and I begin to scratch my head! Add to that different conventions of grammar styles and I go into a tailspin. So what's an author to do?

Just keep writing!

Think of books as meeting the author in person. Authors may be informal in their habits and speech and write that way, or more formal as in my case. To address the title of this post, I think I'm a good story teller on a mission to write a mystery series of eight books. Those of you who have joined me on my journey and supported me with favorable reviews I consider friends. All others are mere acquaintances just as in life there are both. Thank you for downloading "From the Clutches of Evil" over the weekend. If this is your first book in the series, by doing so you've entered my world of gentility coupled with my imagination. I hope to see you as a new friend in the rest of the Jillian Bradley mystery series. If not, thank you for sampling my work. If you'd like to sample it for free - download "Murder in Half Moon Bay" on Smashwords and Kobo.

Now I must get back to writing "The Ruby of Siam" - after all, readers need to find out what happens to Jillian and Teddy in London.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill