Fall is Here!

This is from Pinterest but it expresses exactly what I'm feeling at the beginning of this wonderful time of year. I hope you'll spend some time enjoying our books. 

For ideas, please check our Buy Cozy Books page. Thank you! Hope you have a very Happy Fall Season!

crisp air.

pumpkins.

true love.

hot coffee.

sweaters.

late nights.

good books.

cuddling.

bonfires.

tea.

renewal.

boots.

leaves.

Fall

Blessings dear readers!

~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, 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.

Facebook

Twitter 
Website

Pinterest

Top Tips for Keeping Love in your Marriage by Nancy Jill Thames

Tip #1: Always believe you're right, even if what your spouse says may make a little sense. You don't want to confuse them.

Tip #2: Spend as much time as possible away from your spouse. This will give you little reason to ever argue.

Tip #3: If you're the wife, always wear makeup even if it's only lipstick. Your husband doesn't like looking at the 'Before' picture.

Tip #4: If you're the husband, refrain from covering up your messy unkempt hair with a baseball hat. You're wife knows you're not paying attention to personal hygiene.

Tip #5: If you're the wife always demand gifts on Valentine's Day, your birthday, anniversary and Christmas. This is a real proof of your husband's love.

Tip #6: If you're the husband take your wife shopping starting three weeks ahead of any event to make sure you know exactly what she would like for Valentine's Day, her birthday, anniversary and Christmas.

Tip #7: Husbands should always remember "A Happy Wife is a Happy Life."

Tip #8: Wives should always remember their husbands live to serve.

Tip #9: If you're a wife remember that all men are the same so it won't do any good to trade yours in for a later model.

Tip #10:If you're a husband remember that if you are thinking the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, all cows eat grass.

What tips do you have for keeping love in your marriage?

~Nancy Jill
Married 47 years.

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.

Facebook

Twitter 
Website

Pinterest

Three Letters to God

Writing can be full of highs and lows. As a Christian I've often wanted to give up whenever I receive a negative review or sales are low (like at the end of the month when readers are pinching pennies). But here's one thing I've done for encouragement early in my writing career - I wrote letters to God. I'd like to share three I've saved. They begin a little over a year after I'd published "Murder in Half Moon Bay." I pray they may inspire you a little with whatever challenges you may be facing.

                                          Sunday, September 11, 2011

Dear Lord,

What do you want me to do with my life? You say, "Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Me. Take care of the orphans and widows." So, show me how to do those things. I think of widows and see a need for reaching out, really, seniors in general. I see a need at the SPCA. I need a community to be a part of, a tribe, a family.

I want to do more for my family. Food, support, attention. Please show me Your will for my life. I don't think it's in being an author.

I love You, Lord,

Jill

                                                                                                          Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Dear Lord,

It seems Ted (my husband) believes in my writing ability. The technology is in my favor. I can only do this with Your help and guidance so I continue to look to You for instruction.

Thank You!

I love You!

                                                                                                                           April 3, 2012

Dear Lord,

Thank you for affirmation that You want me to write books. I've never been so happy!

Book 1 is my free eBook gift to you to start the series.
Kindle  Nook  Kobo  Smashwords (iTunes)

I love You!

Nancy Jill Thames,

Author

Blessings on your day, dear readers.  

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 Leander, Texas, where 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 these sites.

http://www.nancyjillthames.com

Twitter @mystriterdva

Pinterest

Launch Party for 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

Wedding Bells - #4

by Nancy Jill Thames

This past Saturday our daughter Holly got married. Our last child married Hudson her beloved in a sweet ceremony led by my niece's awesome husband Nate - the only ordained minister I know who changes into his tuxedo T-shirt for the dancing!

For those of you who've happily experienced passing the baton of parenting over to the new spouse, you'll understand my husband and my feelings of joy and relief! Hudson will take good care of her.

I posted in October of 2012, "God has been so gracious to provide wonderful mates for three of our four children. We trust Him to provide for our youngest daughter Holly as well." And in 2015 He did!

The wedding had a few breaks from tradition - one being the guests were served chocolate cream pie instead of wedding cake. It was our daughter's wish so her father and I made 16 pies, transported them 35 minutes away, and served them to 110.

I've included my recipe at the end of this post in case any of you are feeling domestic.

Amazon Kindle, Nook, SW, and Kobo

Amazon Kindle, Nook, SW, and Kobo

At the end of Book 7 

"THE RUBY OF SIAM" Jillian Bradley gets married in London at an upscale hotel across the street from Buckingham Palace. 

But unlike our daughter's picture perfect wedding you'll read in Book 8 "THE LONG TRIP HOME" about a tragedy that occurs at the reception. It all ends happily, though - thanks to the vehicle of fiction.

There's still time to enter the $200 Amazon Gift-card Giveaway contest. Thanks to all of you who've followed our sites and liked our pages. Click here for your chance to win: 
http://cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com/p/cozy-raffle-200-prize.html

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill    

Nancy Jill's Chocolate Cream Pie  

For the Ganache:

1 c sugar
1/4 c flour
2 T cornstarch
1/4 t Salt
1 1/2 c whole milk
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
3 egg yolks. membranes removed
2 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
2 T butter
2 t vanilla

For Ganache and Topping:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

1. In a heavy 2 qt saucepan mix sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt together. Add milk and 1 cup of the whipping cream.
With a fork mix the egg yolks together and add to remaining 1/2 c of whipping cream. Mix then add to saucepan combining ingredients well.

2. Cook over high heat stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Stir until melted, then add butter and vanilla.

3. Pour mixture into freezer proof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressing down until no air remains and sides are sealed.
(Prevents skim from forming.)

 4. When cool, whip heaving whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in 1 cup of mixture to ganache.

5. Pour ganache into baked pie shell mounding to center.
Cover with remaining whipped cream and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles.
Chill for at least 4 hrs before serving.

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 these sites.

Twitter @mystriterdva

http://www.nancyjillthames.com

Pinterest

What's an Authormorph?

The Before

Welcome to an afternoon tea! Let me pour you a nice cup of Lady Grey. 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. 
To learn more about Nancy Jill visit http://www.nancyjillthames.com.

Here Comes Santa!

As some of you may already know, the authors of COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE have published our second holiday anthology. We'll be offering 

"A CUP OF COZY 2" FREE! each Wednesday until the week of Christmas as a way of saying thank you for your readership. I hope you enjoy the story I wrote introducing strategic planner Lawrence Rivers, who, like Jillian Bradley, is also a  dog lover and amateur sleuth. Lawrence is the husband of Jillian's new Horticultural Society friend, Vivian.

Besides six short holiday mysteries, you'll also find lovely holiday menus and recipes I think you'll enjoy.

Free on Amazon Kindle!

As we begin the holiday season, I hope and pray each of you will think of the reason for the season - the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

~Nancy Jill

Kindle Unlimited for Readers - A Cozy Choice?

Ah, a new buying choice for avid readers -- Kindle Unlimited. All the books...well not all the books, you want to read for only $9.99 a month. Let's see, $9.99 times 12 months is about $120 a year. Hum.

The program lets you download 10 books at a time on up to six devices. Those devices don't have to be Amazon devices, as their Prime program requires.The books go off devices at the end of the 30 day period so basically, you've rented the books.

So far, so good, maybe. But what about book choices? One reviewer of the program said he checked his wish list of 75 books and only found six matches.

An interesting fact -- of the 600,000 choices, around 500,000 are indie books, self-published like mine and three other CMM authors.

I checked Cozy Mystery Magazine authors for the KU program and  found three listings, all for Linda Kozar -- "Misfortune Cookies," "A Tisket, A Casket," and "Dead As A Doornail." All fun reads and normally priced at $0.99. If you were to get even seven more books in this price range you'd break even. If any of the other books you want are priced above $0.99 you may come out ahead. But what if you wanted to reread them as so many of us do? Sorry.

For authors to be enrolled in  Kindle Unlimited they must UNenroll their books on all other platforms like Nook, Kobo, and Smashwords, which includs Apple iTunes. For me, this is not an option. I like the fact that readers can purchase my books on any site they like and download it on any device they may own.

For some starving authors another cold hard fact is royalties are earned only if a reader reads at least the first 10 percent of the book. Great incentive to write good novels, but unnecessary since Amazon and many other sites allow refunds for unhappy readers.

For the first month, Kindle Unlimited offers a free trial. And I would add for some authors the program has offered wonderful exposure. If it offers more incentive for readers to discover new authors, I say give it a try. Then please let us know how it works for you.

See you in my books!

~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 whodunnits. In 2010, Nancy Jill published her first mystery, Murder in Half Moon Bay, introducing her well-loved protagonist, Jillian Bradley, and whimsical Yorkie, “Teddy.”

When she isn’t plotting Jillian’s next perilous adventure, she 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.

Member of Leander Writers’ Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW CenTex Chapter), and Central Texas Authors

To learn more about Nancy Jill's books, please visit http://www.nancyjillthames.com

Trials in the Mystery of Life

What do you do when trials arise? Do you say, "Oh, good - a trial! Can't wait to see the outcome." Or perhaps you crawl into your shell and wait, hoping it will end soon. As believers, we don't face trials alone; our faith in God gives us what we need to press on. We may feel overwhelmed, scared, or confused when faced with adversity, but have you noticed? Trials pass. Peace comes. We move forward.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes

"The Long Trip Home" is the story of how Jillian Bradley handles a terrible trial in her life. As  I wrote the book, it was important to include emotions of how she felt. Since I had not experienced a trial like hers, I had to glean from the experiences of others. Such is one of the challenges of being a writer. I write stories to not only entertain, but to depict how our loving Heavenly Father is always there for us. 

I hope you enjoy this latest adventure of Jillian and her Yorkie companion, Teddy. Here are the Reviews.

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill

Favorite Recipe Contest and Giveaway

My Meals in a Hurry Board

I don't know how many of you scroll down the Pinterest home page, but I do, and I'm here to tell you I've never seen so many delicious looking recipes in all my life! 

A Sample from my Meals in a Hurry Board

So many pinners (that's what you call us who post pins to our boards) are health conscious (I sort of am but not die-hard). There's paleo, which I just figured out means plant based, low-fat, and gluten-free. Cookbooks abound with all sorts of recipes catering to the health bunch.

So. I think we should have a contest and find out who has the best tasting healthy recipe in their possession. My favorite, so far, is taco seasoning salmon and fresh lemon spinach. The recipe is in our Cozy Kitchen and on my Meals in a Hurry Board. In fact, I'm making it for dinner as I write this post.

What about you? Do you have a healthy or time saving recipe to share? 

To Enter: 

*Send your recipe in a comment

*JOIN THE SITE with Google friend connect if you're new

*Leave your name or an email address so we can contact you if you win.

*Check back next week to see who won.
 
Next Wednesday, we'll announce the first and second place winners. The winners will receive a Jillian and Teddy book of their choice - paperback or ebook. Winners will be chosen by my husband who happens to be the taste tester at our house.

Good luck!

~Nancy Jill 

Nancy Jill Thames was born to write mysteries. From her early days as the neighborhood story-teller to being listed on Amazon Author Watch Bestseller List, she has always had a vivid imagination and loves to solve problems – perfect for plotting whodunnits.

In 2010, Nancy Jill published her first mystery, Murder in Half Moon Bay, introducing her well-loved protagonist, Jillian Bradley, and whimsical Yorkie, “Teddy.” She’s written seven books so far in The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series and is working on her eighth.

When she isn’t plotting Jillian’s next perilous adventure, she commutes between Texas and California finding new ways to spoil her grandchildren, playing classical favorites on her baby grand or having afternoon tea with friends.

Member of Leander Writers’ Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW CenTex Chapter), and Central Texas Authors

To learn more about Nancy Jill visit these sites.

Twitter @mystriterdva

http://www.nancy-jill.blogspot.com

jillthames@gmail.com
YouTube