TOP TEN HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR COZY MYSTERY LOVERS

 By Nancy Jill Thames 

For those of you who like to do their holiday shopping online as I do, here are some great gift ideas for readers on your list. All books are G-Rated and contain no profanity - just good stories! Books are in a series but can be stand-alone.

FOR ADDED FUN, TEDDY (JILLIAN'S SIDEKICK AND SLEUTH-DOG) APPEARS IN EVERY BOOK ALONG WITH A NEW FRIEND OF HIS OWN

1. If you want to give your reader an ocean side stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel with all the amenities (plus a little gossip), give them a copy of
"Murder in Half Moon Bay." $8.09

2. For readers who enjoy gorgeous sunsets or insight into endangered species, a mystery set at The Sanctuary Spa Camelback Mountain might make a good gift. Give them a copy of

 "The Ghost Orchid Murder." $10.79

3. To experience a bit of early California history in the Bay Area along with a heart-warming story, give them the Christmas adventure of 

"From the Clutches of Evil." $7.99

 

 

4. Does your reader like whale-watching, Waikiki Beach, or perhaps a cruise to Catalina Island? Then they  might  enjoy 

"The Mark of Eden." $8.99

 

5. For a visit to San Diego complete with Jillian's family reunion at a five-star oceanfront hotel you might want to give a copy of 
"Pacific Beach." $8.09

 6. For Christmas lovers and those on your list who enjoy a bit of romance "Waiting for Santa" might be just the thing. $8.09

7. A London adventure awaits in "The Ruby of Siam" and ends with Jillian's wedding. What happens afterward will have to wait until 2014 when the final book "The Long Trip Home" launches. $8.09

 















 


8. Besides "Murder in Half Moon Bay" as a free e-book gift, another suggestion is "A Cup of Cozy," a free e-book gift on Amazon and Smashwords to you from the authors of Cozy Mystery Magazine.




 







9. If you can't decide which book to buy for those on your list consider giving them the entire series. (Around $60.) They'll love reading about the adventures of Jillian and her sidekick, Teddy, as they help solve homicides which fall across their path. Amazon.com






10. For yourself, when you purchase  paperback copies for those on your list, use the Kindle MatchBook program (new on Amazon) to purchase the e-book versions of the Jillian Bradley mysteries for half-price.  (Only $1.99 each.) Amazon.com


There you have it! Ten holiday gift ideas for everyone who enjoys a good whodunnit, cozy mystery, or animal mystery. Happy shopping, dear readers!

  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

 

10 Reasons Why Kids Love Their Grandmas

 By Nancy Jill Thames

                                                                   

What Could Be Cozier Than a Grandma's Lap?

There are some grandmas in this world who rise above the rest. My sister-in-law in New Jersey is one of them. When I think of her, the picture of her holding her infant son snuggled into her lap fast asleep with not a care in the world comes to mind. She still holds children in her lap only now they're grandchildren.

My children couldn't wait to get out of my lap and into their own beds. What makes the difference?

I believe there are 10 logical reasons why kids would prefer their grandmas over their moms.

1. GRANDMAS ARE NOT MOMS. Moms know all a kid's faults (well, most of them anyway). Grandmas tend to think their grand kids are perfect.
2. GRANDMAS LET KIDS BUY WHAT THEY REALLY WANT. (Unless they're the kind who insist on buying clothes because they enjoy shopping for them. Ah, sometimes I'm guilty here!) I remember my grandmother letting me buy a corncob pipe because that's what I wanted.
3. GRANDMAS LISTEN. Let's face it - Moms are usually too busy working outside the home and are not able to give much time to their kids when household chores and homework are calling.
4. GRANDMAS KNOW STORIES. After living so long, who wouldn't? Moms are barely creating their own life experiences let alone recapping what's happened already.
5. GRANDMAS DON'T PUNISH. This is probably the best reason why kids love their grandmas. Grandmas have figured out that if they oversee a child's activities with love and attention, the kids won't be coloring on the walls, cutting their own hair (or their brother's/sister's/ dog's) or clogging the toilet with marbles.
6. GRANDMAS SAVE KIDS' STUFF TO SHOW THEM LATER. Who doesn't love looking at thank-you cards they wrote or works of art they created when they were little? This is called validation that a person is important to someone.
7. GRANDMAS HAVE PATIENCE. After the children grow up and leave the nest, who wouldn't?
8. GRANDMAS PRAISE. Parents are usually too busy instructing. Not all and not all the time. My own daughter and daughter-in-law praise good manners and good grades. But grandmas can praise kids' character development, milestone achievements, and small achievements (tying shoes, learning to ride a bike etc.) in such a way that the child feels special. Remember, grandmas are not parents.
9. GRANDMAS GIVE MONEY. Parents usually pay kids for chores or babysitting. Grandmas don't need a reason - they just give because they love their grand kids.
10. GRANDMAS ARE SOFT. Like aged beef, grandmas' bodies have settled just enough to wobble and float. Not that beef wobbles and floats, but it does get more tender the older it gets. Kids are tactile. I remember asking my own grandmother if I could feel the underside of her upper arm because I loved how soft it was.

So there you have it - my 10 reasons why kids love their grandmas. I could have listed more but I thought I'd let you add yours. If you're a grandma (or have one), what makes you or them special? 

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 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, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY on your e-reader for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09

 Kindle FREE!

Barnes and Nobel Paperback $8.99 

Nook FREE!

FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!

BETTER THAN ROYALTIES!

 By Nancy Jill Thames

The struggles of being an author simply fly out the window upon receiving five-star reviews like the one I got today. Margie Jessie of Washington, USA - thank you for taking the time to comment so favorably on my books. Here's the review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder in Half Moon Bay, May 22, 2013

By 

Margie Jessie (Washington, USA) - 

This review is from: Murder in Half Moon Bay   (A Jillian Bradley Mystery) (Kindle Edition)

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

This is the first time I have read any Nancy Jill Thames writings. Thoroughly enjoyable. She holds your attention and your interest with the twists and turns, makes it hard to put down . Jillian Bradley truly comes to life with her partner (and adorable dog) Teddy. The descriptions of the areas and people makes them all real.
I have purchased more of her books and I know I will enjoy each one as I did the Murder in Half Moon Bay.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

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.

Time for the Drawing! Drum Roll Please...

Last Friday I bared my soul asking for penance by giving away two books. 

Thank you for helping me feel better, dear readers! 

~NANCY JILL THAMES

And the winners are...Cindy A.! Congratulations, Cindy! You win a copy of Book 3 in the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - "FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL."

And Michelle Fidler! Congratulations, Michelle! You win a copy of Book 5 in the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - "PACIFIC BEACH."

Your books are on their way! Have a great weekend, everyone. I'll be spending mine on a getaway with my hubby to the River Walk in San Antonio.

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

To view and purchase her books on this site, please visit the Cozy Book Store.