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

An Introduction to "The Ruby of Siam"

I love murder mysteries! In this story the murder has a twist that Jillian discovers later in the plot. As in previous books Teddy uncovers an important clue that helps bring the investigation to a close. I hope you enjoy this murder mystery. It was fun to write.

When Jillian and Teddy travel to London with her wedding attendants they become embroiled in a jewel heist with a man left stabbed to death. Can Jillian solve the crimes in the midst of her wedding plans? An old friend from San Diego offers his aid but will his help be enough? Perhaps the jewel has a curse.

And so the story begins....(Excuse the funny font sizes - the blog has a mind of it's own.)

Prologue

Lucas Sansurin crouched in a thick cluster of trees along a dark stretch of road on the outskirts of London and waited. He used the back of his hand to wipe beads of sweat from his brow. The anxiety of pulling off the heist increased moment by moment. The treasure he had so long pursued was within his grasp...only a few more moments before the courier would arrive. He was ready.

To mark the arranged meeting place, he’d dragged a fallen tree branch to block the car’s path. Yes, with one simple diversion, The Ruby of Siam would be his – the legendary stone believed to bring success and invulnerability to its possessor. Soon, he, Lucas Sansurin, an utter failure in the eyes of the world for his entire thirty-two miserable years, would be that single powerful owner.

 The sound of a vehicle approaching caused him to stiffen. When the headlights grew brighter, Lucas inhaled and slowly released his breath.

 As the car neared, Lucas took out a small flashlight and checked his wristwatch to confirm the time. The thief stepped from where he’d hidden and waved his arms, a signal for the black Renault to slow and pull over.

 He would concoct a story of being stranded if the leather-jacketed figure inside was not his friend. The tires squealed to an abrupt stop where Lucas now stood on the side of the road. He approached cautiously as the driver rolled down the passenger window. 

Even in the darkness, Lucas recognized the longtime friend of his family. Without a word, Lucas reached inside the car and removed the brown paper bag from the front seat. His eyes never left the face of his collaborator who simply nodded. This friend, the thief realized, had risked the possibility of losing his job to help him. 

The accomplice rolled up the window and drove away as Lucas stepped back and watched the car disappear. 

Now the Ruby of Siam belonged to him. The bag felt weighty. He smiled to himself, and was relieved the plan had succeeded. Then he placed the small sack inside his jacket and dashed to his bicycle hidden in the thicket, eager for home and safety. 

Before setting off, Lucas took the bag from his jacket, opened it and took the necklace out. He stroked every facet, marveling at his prize. Relishing the taste of his coup, he thought of how his luck would change, how he’d finally bring a better life to his beloved wife and children.

He pulled the amulet over his head and tucked the treasure beneath his linen shirt. The ruby radiated warmth – a sure sign of the stone’s power. Now honor and respect would return to him. He wadded the sack into a tight ball, stuck it in an outside pocket, and peddled with haste back to his village.

Dawn crept from the horizon as he approached the tiny hovel where his loved ones awaited. He flinched at the sound of a vehicle coming from behind. Had someone followed him?

His heart caught in his chest at the thought of losing his prize. In a mad breathless dash, he reached the alleyway and hid in the shadows. Back against the wall, he waited for the menace to pass.

In the dim light, he realized it was not the accomplice. Fear washed over him. Someone appeared to be searching for him. 

With a final glance at his house, Lucas turned his bike and rode north another hour to the most populated place he could think of to seek the shelter of anonymity and divert danger away from his dear ones – Heathrow Airport, London’s busiest hub for travelers.

Paperback $8.09

Kindle $3.99

Nook Book $3.99

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Have a great weekend!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 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



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