Showing posts with label memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memories. Show all posts

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Fond Memories and Halloween

By Nancy Jill Thames

The dress I'm wearing in this picture is a hand-sewn, satin which belonged to my Grandmother McKenzie. I like to wear it on Halloween for two reasons: it's black, and it reminds me of her.

In all my books you'll find scenes and snippets of memories I hold dear. Book 1 "Murder in Half Moon Bay" holds memories of my beloved garden club in California. Book 2 "The Ghost Orchid Murder" is set in the beautiful city of Scottsdale where I visit often and love looking at majestic Camelback mountain. In Book 3 "From the Clutches of Evil" I tried to capture memories of the quaint towns of Pleasanton and Sunol. Early California history also plays a role in that story.

Book 4 "The Mark of Eden" captures  fond memories of a trip to Hawaii with my husband and two of our children. I wrote about the afternoon tea at the Banyon Tree veranda courtyard, the acquarium within walking distance of Waikiki, and chocolate covered macadamia nuts to name a few.

Book 5 "Pacific Beach" almost reads like a travel log at first. In this book you'll read about our family reunion near San Diego and all the wonderful times we shared over a fourteen year period.

Christmas memories abound in Book 6 "Waiting for Santa" from my love of  fruitcake to a game our family played called Christmas Eve Gift.

Book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" reflects memories of a trip my husband and I took to England, Scotland and Wales for our fifteenth wedding anniversary. Many of the restaurants and sites we visited found their way into this latest story in the Jillian Bradley mystery series.

So if you find yourself reading elements which sound like a travel experience or a family tradition, you may be right. Whether I sell thousands of books or millions, in the end I'll have a string of wonderful memories of the life I've lived. I hope they bring smiles to you as well.

If you like to read about lovely places and fabulous cuisine, enjoy 
Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY 
on your e-reader for free! 
All books are G-rated and contain no profanity.







  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






Monday, October 22, 2012

And the point is...

Family Members
Ever wonder if you are in control of things, or just the opposite? For instance, last week I truly believed I was in control of every detail of the wedding week from my end. Really. Then the guests left, the caterer came and took his equipment back and I put my house back together, leaving only the guest linen laundry (14 loads of sheets, towels and blankets). So far, so good. 

But then I study the big picture and realize life is going in slow motion. Sure, taking care of details is mind boggling and fun, but what really happens is a family heritage builds, slowly and surely. As one son marries, grandchildren grow older and so do I. 
My Mother and Me

In the midst of celebrating life's wonderful milestones, time passes slowly. What will remain after I'm no longer a part of this world? Hopefully, fond memories of a daughter, wife, mother and grandma who loved lavishing attention on her family members and yes, even memories of the books I'll have written that loosely document the wonderful times we've shared. 

How are you spending your days? Happily working at your job or career? Making warm memories of love and laughter for those you love? The point is, how we spend the few moments of time we're each given is really up to us. I'm choosing to create great times our family can remember and share.

Like the song says, "May your days be merry and bright... "

~Nancy Jill