Monday, March 21, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
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.
Friday, January 1, 2016
A New Year Ahead
I promised to share a major life shift that occurred over the past two years. It wasn't always easy, but in the end having our son and his family live with us while he earned his degree was totally worth it.
And if living with the seven of us wasn't interesting enough, after our son got his degree and an amazing job in Frisco, Texas, my husband decided it was time to downsize.
Okay. Pack up and move. Not an easy task for someone who collects beautiful china, teacups, teapots, floral arrangements, and paintings. Sigh. But as my daddy used to say, "There's nothing more certain than change." How true in this case. We're moving north to a small town where we'll be living out in the country. Literally.
Being an eternal optimist, I decided to look on the bright side. A smaller home to maintain will be good. A new home is always nice. I'll be getting the cozy cottage I've always wanted and with not much to do living waaaay out in some pastureland, there will be more time to write!
Some great news! My husband Ted (yes, I named Teddy after him) has carved out some time to join my writing as publicist and marketing manager which will allow me even more time to write. A good thing.
Look for three new short stories in the poplular Happy Homicides anthologies - the first, a Valentine's tale called "Sweets, Treats and Murder" will be out for pre-order in January. A beach read called "Birthday Bash" launches in Summer, followed by a story for the Fall edition that I've yet to come up with, and then Book 11 "Murder at the Met" due to launch in November of 2016.
I hope you're as excited about the new year as I am. As always, it's my great pleasure to entertain you with adventures of Jillian and Teddy.
Cheers! And Happy New Year!
~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 Texas and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) CenTex Chapter.
To learn more about Nancy Jill, visit these sites.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
25 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays
1. Spread the cheer! Do one act of kindness for someone each day of the holiday season.
2. Go ice skating!
3. Have a holiday movie night and watch all of your favorites. What is your favorite?
4. Grab some warm cider and drive around one night looking at the beautiful Christmas lights.
5. Buy a CD of holiday tunes and sing along to it in the car as you travel this season.
6. Build something creative and fun out of gingerbread.
7. See a local holiday play, show, or Christmas pageant.
8. Choose charities for holiday donations. You could sponsor a child for Christmas, donate food to an animal shelter, or give coats and blankets to the homeless.
9. Go sledding on a favorite mountain.
10. Give a waiter or waitress an extra large tip.
11. Wear at least one festive outfit.
12. Take blankets and a thermos of cocoa and go see a Christmas parade.
13. Make a gift for someone special.
14. Attend a holiday party and learn a new recipe to bring along.
15. Make a DYI Christmas photo booth with props and have a silly photo shoot with loved ones.
16. Read Christmas stories. 
17. Make winter treats for your backyard wildlife.
18. Make treats for your neighbors.
19. Shop at a Christmas market.
20. Try a creative hot chocolate recipe with flavors like orange cayenne pepper, or peanut butter.
21. Create a one-of-a-kind wreath for your front door.
22. Bundle up and enjoy the beauty of winter by taking a nature walk.
23. Bake Christmas cookies. Try something new like rum balls or lemon crinkles.
24. Get a new pair of pajamas for everyone in the family to open and wear to bed on Christmas Eve.
25. Remember what the reason for the season is and be grateful, humble, kind, compassionate, and generous each day.
Deborah Malone's first novel, Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Category Five writing contest! Deborah was nominated for 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine, "Georgia Backroads." She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in "Tales of the Rails," edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer's Association and Advanced Writers and Speaker's Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction. Friday, November 20, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide for Cozy Mystery Lovers
I hope this holiday season finds you and your family well and safe. In these turbulent times, I'm reminded that we must treasure each day God gives us. As we press on, Thanksgiving seems to be officially blended in with Christmas as more and more people choose to decorate early, including myself. With traveling more to grown children's homes for the holidays, I find myself compelled to decorate earlier every year when the holidays get closer. Now, instead of decorating the day after Thanksgiving, we will be having our tree-trimming party the weekend before. Anyone else experiencing this change of events?
The next thing to start thinking about is gifts and what to give. I find parents are the most challenge. My mom doesn't need a thing, but she does love to read. Books bring a different world to readers and provide great entertainment for hours. I count a new book as a definite treat!
If you'd like to give a friend or a loved one a gift that keeps on giving, the Jillian Bradley mysteries might be a good choice. Rated G with no profanity or offensive scenes, they are the perfect gift choice for readers on your list. Books range in price from $7.99 to $11.99 for paperbacks and FREE to $3.99 for eBooks. Not bad when you consider one can purchase the entire series for under $99.00 + tx and s/h. (Amazon Prime members enjoy free s/h!) 
Besides the 10 book series, there are short stories about Jillian and Teddy included in the holiday anthologies "A Cup of Cozy" series, and the latest one out "Happy Homicides." The "Cup of Cozy" anthologies include recipes and menus, and recipes and crafts abound in the bonus issue of "Happy Homicides."
Whatever gifts we give and receive, may we be reminded of the greatest gift of all - Jesus, God's only begotten Son.
Happy Holidays!
~Nancy Jill
God has blessed me beyond even my wildest imagination, always guiding my life, giving me a loving husband, four wonderful children, and a number of precious grandchildren. I hope you enjoy the Jillian Bradley mysteries - they are works of love.
To stay in touch please visit these sites.
Twitter - @mystriterdva
Blog - Author Nancy Jill Thames, Queen of Afternoon Tea
Pinterest - mystriterdva
Blog - Cozy Mystery Magazine
Goodreads - Nancy Jill Thames
Facebook
Linkedin
Google+
jillthames@gmail.com
Pinterest - mystriterdva
Blog - Cozy Mystery Magazine
Goodreads - Nancy Jill Thames
jillthames@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Book Cover Reveal for "Buckhead Dead"
Well it's that time of year when I usually have a new book coming out. This year will be no exception. I am proud to present the cover and back blurb for my next book, "Buckhead Dead." Buckhead is an affluent part of Atlanta, GA. Since I live about an hour away from Atlanta it was easy to gather the information I needed to make the setting true to life - as they are in all my books. This is number one in the Skye Montgomery Cozy Mystery Series. I hope to have a least three books all together. I have another big announcement, but I will wait for my next post to tell you about it - and I'll even provide pictures. Without further ado here is the cover!
Deborah Malone's first novel "Death in Dahlonega," finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Category Five writing contest! Deborah was nominated for 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine "Georgia Backroads." She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in "Tales of the Rails," edited by Olin Jackson as well as the Christian Communicator. She is a member of Georgia Writer's Association and Advanced Writer's & Speaker's Association. As a current member of American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.
Skye Southerland and Honey Truelove have just finished an interior design job for Sylvia Landmark, one of Buckhead's most eccentric characters, and their designs are to die for. After a celebration at Sylvia's home where they reveal the new décor, including a desk with a possible link to the pirate Blackbeard, Sylvia turns up dead, leaving the ladies wondering if this desk is worth more than they bargained for. Skye and Honey are now suspects in the murder of a woman who had few friends, and plenty of enemies. In an attempt to clear their names, Skye, Honey, and Honey's loveable cousin Ginger embark on a journey to find the real killer, figure out the history behind the desk, and clear their names before they end up going to jail, or even worse, becoming the next victims! With plenty of warnings from Skye's husband Mitch, and the ruggedly handsome Detective Montaine assigned to Sylvia's case, these girls still manage to get right in the middle of the investigation, while having time to enjoy all that Georgia has to offer.
Deborah Malone's first novel "Death in Dahlonega," finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Category Five writing contest! Deborah was nominated for 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine "Georgia Backroads." She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in "Tales of the Rails," edited by Olin Jackson as well as the Christian Communicator. She is a member of Georgia Writer's Association and Advanced Writer's & Speaker's Association. As a current member of American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
"A Cup of Cozy 3" Now Available!
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| Amazon.com |
This issue introduces Janice Hanna Thompson, a popular award-winning and well-loved author familiar to many in the Christian literary world.
Linda P. Kozar writes a story taking place in Turkey, while Cynthia Hickey's story revels in a masquerade mystery. My story "Final Performance" takes place in San Francisco when Jillian and her garden club friends attend "The Nutcracker" in the heart of downtown.
I hope you enjoy the stories as well as the yummy recipes at the end. Happy Holidays! And reviews would be simply lovely. Thank you, dear readers.
~Nancy Jill
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| NANCY JILL THAMES |
I suppose the most logical explanation of where imagination for writing my books comes from would be the fact I was an Air Force brat who moved around constantly until I was in the sixth grade. We lived in interesting places, too. Casablanca, French Morocco, where camels and gendarmes (French policemen) passed our house on a daily basis and Las Vegas, Nevada - boy, was it hot! Valdosta, Georgia, Albuquerque, New Mexico....One night I lay awake counting the number of places I've lived and it came to fourteen!
My mother was always off playing bridge or bowling with the other officers' wives while my three brothers and I entertained ourselves, making up adventures and getting into mischief. We had servants or baby-sitters, of course, but as long as we were busy, they left us alone.
Coupled with the fact that I never saw a TV until I was eight and having two type-A parents, I guess it was inevitable I would be a writer someday.
I became a believer when I was almost nine thanks to my parents who were devout Christians. They made sure we attended Sunday school and church every week. It was at that time I was given piano lessons. I went on to playing in church, singing in a Madrigal group in high school, and getting a music degree from UT Austin.
God has blessed me beyond even my wildest imagination, always guiding my life, giving me a loving husband, four wonderful children, and a number of precious grandchildren.
I hope you enjoy the Jillian Bradley mysteries - they are works of love.
To stay in touch please visit these sites.
Twitter - @mystriterdva
Blog - Author Nancy Jill Thames, Queen of Afternoon Tea
Pinterest - mystriterdva
Blog - Cozy Mystery Magazine
Goodreads - Nancy Jill Thames
Facebook
Linkedin
Google+
jillthames@gmail.com
Pinterest - mystriterdva
Blog - Cozy Mystery Magazine
Goodreads - Nancy Jill Thames
jillthames@gmail.com
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