Fridays are all about celebrating the Small Things thanks to a weekly blog hop created by author Lexa Cain. Joint co-hosts this week are authors L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog The mission coincides with what I’m hoping to do with my own writing, inspire and focus on the light when those slippery shadows creep around our shoes. Want to sign up? Click Lexa Cain’s link to find out more.

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This week, I’m celebrating unseasonably hot temperatures, sailing my own imaginary seas away from the heat and hot winds, and of course real dreams with real boats with author Ellen Jacobson.

Living in Kansas City, summer can become unbearable. It’s like a mirage too because just outside the giant glass window and beyond the tall exterior of a building, the sun shines across the green grass and softly highlights all the leaves in the green trees. The breeze gently teases the bushes and the loose leaves along the sidewalk. You can’t help but sigh. Then you place your hand on the glass door of your work building on your lunch break thinking, what a lovely day.

But only for a breath. The second the door cracks open hot steamy air sucks the air from your lungs, the moisture from your skin, and clings to your blow-dried hair making you wonder, why did I even bother with my hair of all crazy hot days?

The next great question? Why am I going home on my lunch break to paint my bathroom cabinets outside in the garage in this terrible suffocating 100 degree heat?

I guess I got tired of wishing and I started doing.

Speaking of wishes in the making, I’d like to introduce a lovely gal and her lovely new book, Murder at the Marina.

I first meet Ellen Jacobson in my IWSG writers’ group after our short stories were selected to publish in the Hero Lost Anthology by Dancing Lemur Press back in 2017. I can’t believe it’s been just over a year since then. In any case, Ellen is one of the sweetest, most organized, and kindest working ladies I’ve ever met. When I learned she lived her real life on a real boat sailing the seas, my mind started spinning with possibilities, adventure and how creative and wild her life might be.

I’m also lucky enough to have a peek at the book and I’d like to share why I love it so much with you …

Mollie McGhie has been married for 10 years and is meeting her husband Scooter for a romantic dinner to celebrate their anniversary. A chocolate lover and an honest down to earth girl you wished you had as your neighbor, she is eagerly hoping for something diamond related since it is after all, ten lovely years. Every woman should get diamonds after 10 years of marriage. Instead, she finds herself on her own train of anniversary thoughts while her husband keeps dropping the name Marjorie Jane into the conversation. He doesn’t seem to see Mollie just a few feet away at the dinner table while he’s glued to his phone, studying the pictures of all things.  Who is this Marjorie Jane?

Personally, I love Mollie. I love her ability to see through the cracks and all the dirt knowing, something just isn’t right.

About the book

A dilapidated sailboat for your anniversary—not very romantic. A dead body on board—even worse.

Mollie McGhie is hoping for diamonds for her tenth wedding anniversary. Instead, her husband presents her with a dilapidated sailboat. Just one problem—she doesn’t know anything about boats, nor does she want to.

When Mollie discovers someone murdered on board, she hopes it will convince her husband that owning a boat is a bad idea. Unfortunately, he’s more determined than ever to fix the boat up and set out to sea.

Mollie finds herself drawn into the tight-knit community living at Palm Tree Marina in Coconut Cove, a small town on the Florida coast. She uncovers a crime ring dealing in stolen marine equipment, investigates an alien abduction, eats way too many chocolate bars, adopts a cat, and learns far more about sailing than she ever wanted to.

Can Mollie discover who the murderer is before her nosiness gets her killed?

A Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery #1

About the Author

Ellen Jacobson writes mystery and sci-fi/fantasy stories. She is the author of the “Mollie McGhie Sailing Mystery” series. She lives on a sailboat with her husband, exploring the world from the water. When she isn’t working on boat projects or seeking out deserted islands, she blogs about their adventures at The Cynical Sailor.

You can connect with Ellen on:

• Author Website –
• Author Facebook Page –
• Goodreads –
• The Cynical Sailor Blog –
• The Cynical Sailor Facebook Page –
• Twitter –
• Newsletter Sign-up –

Where can you buy it?

Murder at the Marina—A Mollie McGhie Sailing Mystery #1

Release Date: June 21, 2018

Print ISBN 978-1-7321602-1-7
eBook ISBN 978-1-7321602-0-0
Mystery

Available at:

Amazon (US) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CHXQ29Y

Amazon (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07CHXQ29Y

Amazon (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CHXQ29Y

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/murder-at-the-marina

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-at-the-marina-ellen-jacobson/1128516692

Apple iBooks – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1373848719

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ellen_Jacobson_Murder_at_the_Marina

A Word of Advice from Ellen

A view of her real boat 🙂

I think my #1 tip for living on a boat is to be flexible and patient. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, usually at the most inopportune time. There will be times when you have to juggle your priorities to address the latest issue that crops up. Also, living in a relatively small space (our boat has probably around 400 square feet of living space) with another person means patience is often called upon. There’s not a lot of space to get away from each other.

When things get tough, I try to remind myself of all of the reasons we live on a boat – travel, adventure, an incredible community, and a simpler way of life – and remember all of the good times we’ve had on our boat. As long as the fun times outweigh the not-so-fun times, you’ll find us on board.

Stay tuned

The full review will come later this month so check out the book. You’ll love it. I sure know I do.