After falling in love with historical romances during my years as an elementary
school teacher, I eventually decided to try my hand at writing one. Since the
publication of my first western historical romance, SUNFLOWER, I’ve been blessed
with a long and fruitful career as a published author. I’ve written thirty
novels, numerous novellas and short stories that include both Historical and
Contemporary Romance fiction in both paperback and hardcover, Inspirational
Western Romances, and most recently, a series of cozy/amateur sleuth mysteries
set in Hawaii.
The reason I turned to writing who-done-its set in Hawaii is no mystery.
Many of my books always contained an element of suspense and because we owned a
summer home in Hawaii, I was always trying to get away with island settings. GLASS BEACH, is a Victorian
Western set on Kauai. The heroine of DAY DREAMER, ends up on an
island in the Caribbean. One of my more humorous historicals, THE ORCHID HUNTER, is set
in England and on a fictional island off the coast of Africa. Thanks to E-book
publishing, all of my backlist historical romances are available to a new
generation of readers.
In 2005 we became permanent residents of Kauai, the northernmost major island in
the Hawaiian chain. Our island lends itself to quirky characters and crazy
stories. Living in paradise isn’t for everyone. You can’t just jump in the car
and drive to another state. In fact, on Kauai you can’t even jump in the car and
drive for more than a couple of hours before you have to turn around and go back
to where you started.
With no natural predators who are a threat to them, chickens and roosters have
taken over the island. They run wild in the jungle, backyards, front yards,
parking lots, scenic turn outs, restaurants, and hotels. They even outnumber the
tourists running around in their flashy Aloha shirts who seem to spend a lot of
time taking photos of our famous “jungle fowl.” If only they would take them
home as souvenirs.
My husband is passionate about what he calls his rooster relocation program. He
baits a humane trap with tortilla chips, catches roosters and relocates them to
unpopulated areas. In the past week he’s relocated four roosters and it’s
blissfully quiet around here for now. But it won’t be long before another
strutting cock-a-doodle-dooer moves into the territory.
One day our island newspaper featured a story about how a chicken knocked out
the main transformer and for hours, half the island was out of power.
How could I not use that in a scene in my latest in the Tiki Goddess
Mystery series, HAWAII FIVE
UH-OH?
The series centers around a rundown tiki bar, The Tiki Goddess, owned by a Don
the Beachcomber type character named Uncle Louie. He’s a famous mixologist known
for creating legendary tropical cocktail recipes and making up legends to go
with them.
A gregarious troupe of aging hula dancers can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The
Hula Maidens hang out at the Tiki Goddess where the rich and famous rub elbows
with locals and tourists alike sipping Mai Tais at happy hour.
Throw in an aging hippie who communes psychically with his dolphin fiancé, Uncle
Louie’s niece who’s newly transplanted to Kauai, and a devastatingly handsome,
fire dancing detective and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH is a
recipe for hilarious, nonstop action.
Giveaway
Escape to the Islands with Jill! Just leave a comment to win a copy of the
first Tiki Goddess mystery: MAI TAI
ONE ON.
Em Johnson is prepping for the biggest catering gig she's ever booked, this
time at the world famous Tiki Goddess Bar. Then she hears Kiki Godwin has just
been released from the psych ward at Kukuoloko. If the unpredictable leader of
the Hula Maidens isn't completely recovered from her PTMAD (Post Traumatic
Monkey Attack Disorder), Em knows all hell co could break loose at the upscale
event.
But for once, Kiki isn't the problem. When the guest of honor's
multi-million dollar paintings are stolen and a se security guard turns up dead,
Kiki's convinced the best way to to get her mojo back is to capture the art
thieves. Kiki an and the girls come up with a plan to lure the felons out by st
staging a grand hoax. Their bait will be a cocktail party fe featuring paintings
by the reclusive Alphonse Cappuccino, an an "up and coming artist" who is none
other than Kiki's fu furry nemesis.
Hawaii Five Uh-Oh is hilarious, non-stop action. So pour yourself a tropical
beverage, kick back, and join Uncle Louie, Em, Sophie Chin, and the Hula
Maidens at the always unpredictable, ever-entertaining, Tiki Goddess Bar.
Known for the emotional intensity of her stories and the depth of her
characters, Jill Marie Landis is considered one of the country's foremost
authors of romance and women's fiction.
Her career in publishing began in 1988 with the historical romance,
SUNFLOWER, the first of her many books to earn distinguished awards and slots on
such national bestseller lists as USA Today's Top 50 and the New York Times'
Bestsellers Plus.
A seven time Romance Writers of America Finalist for the RITA Award in both
Single Title Historical and Contemporary, she is a Golden Heart as well as a
Rita Winner. In 2005, her hardcover novel, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, was chosen by the
American Library Association’s Booklist Magazine as one of the Top Ten Romances
of 2005, by Library Journal as one of the Top Five Best Romances of 2005, and by
RWA as a Rita Finalist in the Single Title Contemporary.
Jill Marie has penned five Inspirational Historical Romances. With stories
set in Texas in the 1870's the author added an element of faith as the heart of
the novel. Written for Harlequin’s Steeple Hill and also Zondervan, the novels
contain all of the rich characterization, page turning tension, and heartwarming
family drama that has made her previous books “keepers.”
In 2011, Bell Bridge Books launched Jill Marie’s current project, the Tiki
Goddess Mystery Series. Set on Kauai, Hawaii, Book #1, Mai Tai One On, starts
off the fun. In this hilarious series centered around the antics of an aging
troop of hula dancers and a rundown tiki bar, tourists rub shoulders with locals
and celebs, the surf hits the beach with a hypnotic rhythm matched by the beat
of exotic drums, and the hum of ukulele music floats on the trade winds. Who
knew murder and mayhem existed in paradise?
Jill Marie Landis resides full time in Hawaii with her hubby, Steve. When
she’s not writing or sitting on the beach reading, she enjoys raising orchids,
working in her garden, playing the ukulele and dancing the hula.
I would love to go to Hawaii but since that will never happen this book will be the next best thing to imagine I am there while reading it. (Jeri Dickinson 5:07pm May 23, 2016)
Thank you Jeri! Hope you enjoy it and maybe you will get to Hawaii some day! (Jill Landis 9:07pm May 23, 2016)
Your hubby and mine must be cut from the same mold. My hubby "relocates" squirrels to a housing addition across an expressway. He uses peanut butter on apples as his bait in his humane trap. I'm looking forward to reading Mai Tai One On! (Joanne Hicks 10:50pm May 23, 2016)
Thanks Joanne! Isn't life a hoot sometimes? Aloha! (Jill Landis 4:24am May 24, 2016)
What a great post. I love the covers of the books. I like the island of Kauai the best but all have their features. I hope you have pictures of your husband and his rooster relocation program. (Leona Olson 8:30am May 24, 2016)
I loved reading your post and I must admit I've only read one of your books and loved it! Looking forward to reading more! (Bonnie Capuano 8:49am May 24, 2016)
Sounds like a good read. (Wilma Frana 11:38am May 24, 2016)
Wonderful post and love the covers! (Peggy Clayton 2:14pm May 24, 2016)
This sounds captivating and delightful. (Sharon Berger 2:23pm May 24, 2016)
I have always wanted to visit Hawaii but since I hate flying that probably isn't going to happen. (Linda Henderson 1:17pm May 26, 2016)
I always wanted to go to Hawaii but I got older an older and now I'm afraid to get on a plane ( afraid they will disappear ) and afraid to get on a cruise ship for fear they will catch on fire or sink , so I stay home . That's my excuse now and I'm sticking to it !!!!!! I'd much rather read a good book and this one sounds very interesting . I go places in the books I read . Thanks for this chance to win . (Joan Thrasher 2:09pm May 26, 2016)
Your book looks like a great read so look forward to having a fun trip to Hawaii through your book. (Jean Benedict 2:18pm May 26, 2016)
Haves always wanted to go to Hawaii it looks so beautiful (Jeri Dickinson 6:52pm May 26, 2016)
Your book sounds like fun. I have only been to Hawaii once, but I preferred Kauai. The pace seemed slower and friendlier. The view from the caves of refuge was so peaceful. (Sharon Mitchell 2:45am May 27, 2016)
I love the rooster relocation and also look forward to reading your story. (Sharon Mitchell 2:58am May 27, 2016)
Would love to go to Hawaii, maybe someday (Patricia Wagner 2:03pm May 28, 2016)
You need to watch out--those chickens can be mean! (Carol Gowett 4:30pm May 28, 2016)
When I win the lottery Hawaii is first on my list to do (Jeri Dickinson 6:32pm May 28, 2016)
This is def going on my must read list. been to northshore many of times and I would LOVE to read this great book (Julie Nish 8:45pm May 28, 2016)
Hawaii has always been my dream but that is all I can do is dream, (Jeri Dickinson 1:44pm May 29, 2016)
I like the rooster relocation. We have a small fish pond in our backyard, which attracts raccoons. We have a live trap, and my husband relocates the racoons by the riverbank. He also managed to successfully relocate a skunk we found in the trap one morning. He's now my Skunk Whisperer. (Deb Philippon 6:55pm May 30, 2016)
MAI TAI ONE ON sounds like a plot I'd enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway! Happy Memorial Day! (Betsy Pauzauskie 7:26pm May 30, 2016)
This looks like a super cute series! I'm getting thirsty just looking at the covers! Thank you for giving us the chance to win! (Jamie Stein 12:16pm May 31, 2016)
I've always wanted to visit Hawaii, sounds like a great book! (Nicole Bouchey 1:40pm May 31, 2016)
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