Old News



July 25, 2015

Married To Murder and Masked Rider: Origins are on sale at Smashwords through July 31, 2015.

FREE! (Through July 31, 2015)

Just enter “SW100″ at checkout.

The soon-to-be Mrs. Ella Westin doesn’t remember adding “solve a murder” to her bridal to-do list but when she stumbles over the dead body of her matron of honor, it looks like she’ll have no choice. Especially as her groom is the one and only suspect. Throw in bad weather, a deaf hairdresser, a ruined wedding cake and a not so retired pirate and it’s enough to make Ella want to throttle everyone in sight.
Can she catch the killer before the wedding is called off? Or will she be Married To Murder?

Married To Murder is a fun whodunit with snappy dialogue and a tongue-in-cheek delivery of the plot. Mystery readers should enjoy this story – I know I did.” -Evelyn David, author of the Sullivan Investigations Mysteries

Jennifer Oberth’s Married To Murder is a fresh and quirky new addition to the cozy historical mystery scene. Ella Westin is a witty and determined sleuth and Oberth’s writing is wonderfully comedic.” -Jamie Freveletti, author of Running From the Devil, winner of the Lovey Award & ‘Best First Novel’ by the International Thriller Writers & Barry Award for ‘Best Thriller.”

*****




50% off! (Through July 31, 2015 – regularly $2.99)
Just enter “SSW50″ at checkout.
Maverick Flatts was a tranquil village until the yellow fever outbreak of 1872. After three years, life was settling down when cavalry soldiers nearly destroy the square hunting for a fugitive.
When a citizen is murdered, the village blames the soldiers and the soldiers blame the villagers.
The Westin family gets involved — which surprises no one — while a masked figure appears from nowhere — which surprises everyone.
The Masked Rider allows the fugitive to escape capture, is blamed for the murder and seems quite comfortable leaping from windows, holding people hostage and foiling everyone’s best laid plans.
Holly Westin is determined to find out who killed her neighbor but with the captain of the unruly soldiers attempting to court her, the fugitive hiding somewhere on her land, her brother arrested for murder and her father drinking himself into a stupor when his in-laws visit, she wonders if she can keep it together long enough to protect her family, unmask the killer and save the quiet village from itself.
Masked Rider: Origins is 128,507 words.
December 27, 2014
I have published three short stories (really short) for FREE. They star Ella (the unconventional, newly married government agent) & Jasper (the not-so-retired pirate father-in-law).
Description:
When Ella marries Joe Westin, she inherits a father-in-law who gets her into more trouble than the bad guys. As a former thief turned government agent, Ella thinks she’s up for any assignment that comes her way, but Jasper Westin just might be more than she can handle.
In Ernest Effort, a parrot-keeper is kidnapped, and a dangerous pirate orders Ella to find his son immediately. Not one to give in to demands, Ella makes an announcement that stuns everyone.
In Missing Monkey, Jasper’s cohorts have misplaced their pet monkey, but the primate isn’t the only thing that’s vanished. Ella needs to track the monkey down before nightfall or Jasper will pay the consequences.
In Close Quarters, Ella is in a grim predicament—she and Jasper are about to be hanged for murder, and while she’s armed to the teeth, the only weapon at her disposal is her tongue. What could go wrong?
Set in the 1820s, these three quick reads offer a fun glimpse into Ella’s new family life.
Ernest Effort (2,205 words)
Missing Monkey (1,479 words)
Close Quarters (3,500 words)
You can download the stories at Smashwords (with any ereading device you may have – or read directly on your computer screen).
Very soon, you’ll be able to download the book at Barnes & Noble, iTunes (Apple) and Kobo.
Amazon is a special case. As an author, I can set any price I want at Smashwords (and everywhere else). At Amazon, they won’t let me set a price to free. Amazon will price match – eventually.
If you’re of a mind, you can go to the book page (here – but don’t buy it!) and scroll down to the Product Details. You will see “Would you like to give feedback or tell us about a lower price”. Click on the “tell us about a lower price” hyperlink and fill out the little form. For now, you can use the Smashwords link which is this: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/505191. Other authors have said Amazon gives more credence to other retailers (which is a shame because I adore Smashwords, both as a reader and an author) but the Ella & Jasper Shorts haven’t been added to the other retailers yet.
UPDATE: The Ella & Jasper Shorts is now at Barnes & Noble. Please copy this link (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ella-jasper-shorts-jennifer-oberth/1121004839?ean=2940046490725) and tell them of the lower price!
I hope you enjoy the Ella & Jasper Shorts!
November 2014
I wrote more than 50,000 words in the month of November – yeah NaNoWriMo!
I wrote the next two Ella Westin Mysteries and I had so much fun doing it. I’ve got a sixth Ella on my mind and will write it soon. All should be published next year.
Ella is back from her honeymoon and moving into her new home. When she unpacks a particularly heavy crate, she gets a nasty shock. All Ella wanted to do was put her books on the bookshelf. She wonders if it’s too late to close the crate and send it back…
After Ella investigates a supposedly haunted house, she finds herself in the midst of a plot to rob the Port Bass Museum.
She wonders if it’s too late to abdicate…
Ella is back at work and her boss is convinced someone is trying to kill him. He orders Ella to find out who – but won’t let her leave his side. Does Ella really have to be a babysitter? Is it too late to call in sick?
Check back in 2015 for the next three Ella Westin Mysteries!
August 29, 2014
Ellie Oberth has published a new short story in The Hudson Agency series featuring Carl Danby!
Only 99¢
Description
Carl Danby returns to tackle another unusual case.

During a séance, a psychic claims the late Samuel Bittner has accused his family of murder. Concerned for the psychic’s well-being, her husband hires the Hudson Detective Agency to investigate.

Danby hits the streets with his tag-along sidekick, Junior. Samuel’s doctor reports death by natural causes—a fatal heart attack. With no body to autopsy, Danby relies on his best skill—talking. As they search for proof that a murder has indeed taken place, they run across a useful ally—an extremely observant funeral director.

Tension increases as Samuel’s relatives refuse to believe the psychic’s claim, insisting the patriarch died of natural causes. With little physical evidence to process, will the veteran detective ever discover the truth?

The word count is 18,444.

You can buy the new Danby short story at any of the following locations:

Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes (Apple)
Kobo
Jennifer says:
From Beyond The Grave is a fun adventure starting with a psychic who swears a ghost told her he was murdered. If you’ve read The Hudson Agency-Chicago Style, you can just imagine Danby’s reaction to this assignment.

And if you haven’t read the first book, The Hudson Agency-Chicago Style, go get it now. It’s not necessary to read in order but it sure is more fun!
December 28, 2013
Ellie Oberth has published a new short story!
Only 99¢

During jury selection, drama in the courtroom leaves rookie defense attorney, Jazz Kincaid, as lead counsel for a man accused of a hit and run.

As the charges mount against her client, Jazz’s only allies are her firm’s paralegal and private detective.  The partners of Kline, Evans and Strombinski are involved in office politics, and Jazz is convinced that the two minority partners are trying to sabotage the case.

Her client’s refusal for a continuance pits Jazz against a hardcore prosecuting attorney.  Does the rookie have what it takes to run with the big boys and win her first major trial?

Crash Course In Homicide is a light-hearted, fast-paced romp through a courtroom procedure.

The word count is 18,910.

You can buy the short story at any of the following locations:

Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes (Apple)
Kobo

June 9, 2013


Two New Reviews of the Masked Rider: Origins.

December 1, 2012

 Check out Page 99 of the Masked Rider: Origins!!!
Would you like a sneak peek? Go for it on Page99Test!
What is Page99Test.com?
From the website:
“The Page 99 Test is simple: After reading page 99, would you want to turn the page?
For decades, readers have used the Page 99 Test to judge the writing of a book before buying it. That’s the idea here… but with a twist.
Here, published and unpublished writers share their page 99s with readers like you. And you get to rate their writing…”
You can vote on it – would you turn the page to see what happens next?
It’s fun to surf the site and check out a bunch of authors’ Page 99’s. The authors are published, self-published and not published. You can also search Page 99’s in your favorite genre.
You can even leave feedback for the author (in this case, ME!).

June 22, 2012

 I have published two books today, in honor of my Oma’s (grandmother’s) birthday.
   
Each book is the first in a new series.
Georgia Meets Virginia is 25,664 words.
Masked Rider: Origins is 128,507 words.
Click on the respective covers to learn more about about these fun, cozy mysteries.
Georgia Meets Virginia is especially important to me in regards to Oma.
Oma had a maiden name of Heumannskemper.
A long time ago, she told me that the Heumannskempers had a lot of girls. A lot of girls. They kept having only girls. Back in our line (way back in time when permission of a father was needed) Oma said that in order to marry a Heumannskemper girl, the husband had to take on the Heumannskemper name.
They kept having girls.
Oma told me she was the last Heumannskemper and the name would die with her.
So I named my detective, Georgia, with this mouthful of a last name.
Oma died last year.
I’m publishing this book on what would have been her 85th birthday.
The name Heumannskemper will live on.
MAY 2012
Toxic Train, the third Ella Westin Mystery, was published on May 27, 2012!

December 2011


CONTESTS I WON:
Song
I won the World’s Stupidest Business Ideas Contest at Car Johnson’s Blog. I got music sung by Car Johnson (a fictional character). He sings about Ella Westin (my fictional character). How cool is that?!



Amazon

I also won a $100 Amazon gift card via Emlyn Chand’s Farsighted Blog Tour.
 Cool Book
I also won Graham Norton’s book, Ask Graham via the BBC America Blog’s Comment Contest. You had to answer a question regarding which you would prefer if you were the twin – to be the evil twin or the good twin and why. The book is going to be autographed!

 November 2011
 NaNoWriMo is starting up again! The challenge? Write 50,000 words in 30 days (the month of November).
NaNoWriMo 2011 Participant - JennyJenn
Click here to keep updated on my progress. You can check out my Blog, too. I may update that from time to time in November.
 WRITER’S POLICE ACADEMY
Check out my Blog posts about the Writer’s Police Academy that took place in September in North Carolina. It was the most unique writer’s convention I’ve been to!
Mom (Ellie Oberth) and I got to co-guest blog on Lee Lofland’s Graveyard Shift. It was a ton of fun to do.
Grave Digging