Getting Away at Christmas Time

By Nancy Jill Thames

Ah, wouldn't you love to dive into this lovely pool? Especially at this busy holiday season. Our present visit to Scottsdale doesn't include a stay at the Sanctuary Spa Resort at Camelback as in my book "The Ghost Orchid Murder," but the Marriott in Old Town is just fine. And they serve homemade peanut butter and oatmeal raisin cookies at six o'clock in the evenings...works for me! 

Getting away allows me to focus on important things like what to blog about at Christmas time. Sure I want everyone to buy my books, but more importantly I want everyone to know the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Jesus.

Many may regard His birth as a mystery, but I believe it's a gift. "Here," God says, "accept my Son's birth, the way he lived, his death, and resurrection and I'll give you redemption and eternal life." I accepted His gift at the age of nine. At that time God's love became real in my life - no longer a mystery. 

It is my wish for you, too, if you've never invited Him into your life. Jesus is the greatest gift anyone could ever receive.

It's good to get away to a beautiful place like Scottsdale. Thank you, readers, for letting me share my heart. 

Merry Christmas!

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 frequently 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

 

Shotgun Start-the Reason for the Season

By Nancy Jill Thames

If you're like me, thoughts of the Christmas holidays now loom first and foremost your my mind. When should we decorate the house? Or, what does everyone want for Christmas? Turkey or ham (or both) for Christmas Day? Well, Today is Black Friday, the big Christmas shopping kick-off tradition. This launched after my time I'm happy to say. For some, like my sweet sister-in-law, it is a day looked forward to for weeks! For her, whose language of love is giving gifts, this is understandable. 

Gift giving is, sigh, is not how I show love. Shopping for others is difficult and why my family prefers cash, or gift cards. As a grandma, maybe I'm not alone. But when it comes to Christmas, my thoughts turn to God's perfect gift of his only son, Jesus.  

Joseph and Mary's baby is still the most perfect gift anyone could ever give or receive. I accepted Him at the age of eight and a half, and followed Him in baptism the following Sunday evening, February 26, 1956. After I was raised from those waters, joy and purpose filled my life as I found ways to serve Him.  God gave me the gift of music and administration so I became the department pianist and secretary in my Sunday school class.  His gifts, in turn, became my gifts to share. 

Although material gift-giving is hard for me, I've found a way to share God's gift of the Savior with others. By weaving the message of His unspeakable love into my stories, hopefully, this gift will reach people who may have never understood how simple it is to receive the Christ child.

As we begin to celebrate this year, let us remember the reason for the season and be ready to share the gift of Jesus' birth.

May I be the first to wish all of you, dear readers, a Merry Christmas! It begins today. Oh, just a gift idea: "Waiting for Santa" releases next week. For only $2.99, it might be an excellent choice to e-gift your friends and family this holiday season. 

~Nancy Jill

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.

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.
Visit her blog at http://www.nancy-jill.blogspot.com or email her at jillthames@gmail.com