Location: United States
Member Since: Nov. 21, 2010

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Elaine L. Orr

Biography

Elaine L. Orr is the Amazon bestselling author of the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series. "Behind the Walls" was a finalist for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. Annie Acorn Publishing issued the first book in Elaine's River's Edge cozy mystery series ("From Newsprint to Footprints") in late fall 2015; it was followed by "Demise of a Devious Neighbor." Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground", published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time, was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. Elaine conducts presentations on electronic publishing and other writing-related topics. Nonfiction includes "Words to Write By: Getting Your Thoughts on Paper" and "Writing in Retirement: Putting New Year's Resolutions to Work." Comments on the latter led her to create several online courses to help other prospective authors fulfill their dreams. You can find these at http://lifelong-dreams.teachable.com.

A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.

Her fiction and nonfiction are at all online retailers in all formats -- ebooks, paperbacks, large print, and (on Amazon, itunes, and Audible.com) audio in digital form. Support your local bookstore!

Smashwords Interview

When did you first start writing?
I enjoyed writing by the time I was in my early teens, but did not see it as a full-time career possibility until I was in my early thirties. I started writing more seriously then--first plays, then screenplays, and finally, novels.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
In a word, age. Through the years of writing I had rejections, many with very nice notes of encouragement. I would lose interest in submissions and go on to the next project. When I decided to write a mystery series I worked on the first two books in tandem, fine-tuning the characters and getting the humor where I wanted it. When I finished, I thought, "Heck, it could be years before these could get published." I was in my late fifties. Thankfully, self-publishing was a reasonable option.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Elaine L. Orr online

Website: http://elaineorr.com
Twitter: @ElaineOrr55
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/elaine-l-orr/14/30a/5b5
Blog: http://elaineorr.blogspot.com

Where to buy in print

http://www.createspace.com/3699771

Books

In the Shadow of Light by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 20,430. Language: English. Published: June 25, 2018. Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Adventure » General
Even their mother's bravery is not enough to keep Corozón and her brother with her when they get to the U.S. border. A freelancer's photo brings them to the attention of the man they wanted to reach -- Colonel Bill, whose life their father and grandfather saved many years ago in Honduras. He, his wife, and a Post reporter try to find the kids. Corozón's strong voice propels the story.
Mildred Mistletoe Fixes Christmas: A Holiday Short Story by
Price: $0.99 USD. (Free!) Words: 8,600. Language: English. Published: December 11, 2017. Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Christmas, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family
Mildred Mistletoe was born under a Christmas tree, but her life isn't problem-free. When her human, Fergie, is accused of stealing coins from a Christmas collection tub, Mildred needs to make things right. She also has to find a new home for Mittens, a socially awkward cat.
Falling Into Place by
Price: $2.99 $1.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 20,880. Language: English. Published: October 13, 2017. Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Inspirational
Everett was a stay-at-home dad before it was a choice. Only his wife Sue Ellen had a clue why he found it hard to cope. His children wished he could do more than create gardens and fix breakfast. Sue Ellen's illness means he has to fend more for himself. It also brought his World War II secret to light. And from the sadness grew understanding, An important story told with humor and grace.
The Unexpected Resolution by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 60,420. Language: English. Published: July 24, 2017. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
A midnight wedding, Army veterans who face repercussions of two wars, and a startling wedding guest. Wedding days don't usually pack as big a surprise as Jolie and Scoobie's New Year's Eve nuptials. A 9-1-1 call during the wedding changes everything. Jolie has to help Scoobie figure out what he wants to know, and determine who seems to want someone in his family dead. Jolie Gentil Book 10.
Demise of a Devious Neighbor by
Series: River's Edge Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 59,450. Language: English. Published: January 13, 2017. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
The reverberating bangs shake Melanie Perkins' nerves. Either someone's aiming at her truck, or they don't know fireworks are supposed to go upward. Could things get any worse? Yes. The next day she discovers a dead body in the barn on her late parents' farm.
Tip a Hat to Murder by
Series: Logland Mystery Series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 52,650. Language: English. Published: December 18, 2016. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
When the owner of the Bully Pulpit Diner decided to stop letting servers accept tips, he figured the raise he gave them would keep them happy. Apparently not. Or were some of his other hobbies what got poor Ben Addison killed? Join Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman, Medical Examiner Skelly, and an offbeat group of characters who will tackle a murder and tickle your funny bone.
Jolie Gentil Mysteries - Books Five to Seven by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $4.99 $2.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 231,620. Language: English. Published: January 6, 2016. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(4.00)
Enjoy books five through seven of the Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. They are Trouble on the Doorstep, Behind the Walls (finalist for 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards), and Vague Images. Jolie has a lot to do with real estate appraising, but she just can't stand things that don't add up. Get ready for friends, pets, and laughs. Readers love the Jersey Shore and its Ocean Alley Crew.
From Newsprint to Footprints by
Series: River's Edge Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 83,070. Language: English. Published: November 18, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
“You're fired!” Grouchy news publisher Hal Morris sends reporter Melanie Perkins packing for taking too many photos of flowers. Panicked at being unemployed, she lands a job as a landscaper, but an ugly surprise greets her on her first day. A pile of mulch, a tangerine, and a stolen hoe cast suspicion on Melanie. But her efforts to find a murderer instead put a target on her back.
Holidays in Ocean Alley by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 9. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 36,600. Language: English. Published: October 29, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
Aunt Madge is in Ocean Alley's Silver Times Assisted Living Apartments. Her broken bones are healing so she hopes to be at her Cozy Corner Bed and Breakfast for Christmas. The body that falls into her apartment one morning changes things. Does the killer think Aunt Madge knows something? Will she follow the advice she gives Jolie -- to accept that she may not ever know all the answers? Not likely.
Ground to a Halt by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 8. Price: $2.99 $1.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 62,460. Language: American English. Published: December 26, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
(5.00)
An SUV smashes Jolie's car, a break-in at the home Jolie and Scoobie share, and a terrifying kidnapping. Jolie needs to know who's telling the truth and what the thugs will do to find what they want. Only solving the puzzle will keep her safe, protect a vulnerable Iraq war vet, and make sure everyone stays alive. But if Jolie keeps searching, her budding romance with Scoobie may grind to a halt
First Four Jolie Gentil Mysteries by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $4.99 $2.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 286,420. Language: English. Published: November 5, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
The first four books of the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series are now in one set. First is Appraisal for Murder, followed by Rekindling Motives, When the Carny Comes to Town, and Any Port in a Storm. Jolie is a real estate appraiser in a New Jersey Beach town and her flexible schedule allows plenty of time for trouble. Join her and friends for fun fiction you can share with your family.
Vague Images by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 7. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 82,550. Language: English. Published: June 26, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
Jolie finds a dead woman in Ocean Alley Hospital's restroom, and soon she's on the lookout for a runaway teenager and whoever planted the dead hospital budget cutter in her path. Jolie’s also planning another crazy fundraiser for Ocean Alley's food pantry—this one a Corn Hole Contest. Is Jolie putting her trust in the right people, or will misplaced trust see her hurt—or worse?
500+ Hashtags for Writers by
Price: Free! Words: 4,250. Language: English. Published: May 30, 2014. Categories: Nonfiction » Reference » Publishing and books, Nonfiction » Publishing » Self-publishing
"500+ Hashtags for Writers" you'll learn what a hashtag is and how choosing the right ones help you reach readers who will want to read your book. There are several sections that describe how to use Twitter and its hashtags, and thirty-four specific lists of hashtags. They are listed by such things as genre, marketing, and audiobooks.
Behind the Walls by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 6. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 87,120. Language: English. Published: November 30, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
Behind the Walls was a finalist in the 2014 Mystery and Mayhem Awards, sponsored by Chanticleer Book Reviews! Something was hidden behind the walls of the Jersey shore house Jolie bought. Something someone seems willing to kill for. A purse thief and a burglar pursue Jolie, but she’s most worried about the body on her porch swing.
Jolie and Scoobie High School Misadventures by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $2.99 USD. (Free!) Words: 34,800. Language: American English. Published: September 13, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Humor
Jolie's parents take her to Aunt Madge for junior year so they can work on their marriage. She’s mad. Some kids snub her but she makes friends with the irreverent Scoobie. He’s quirky & fun but he's skipped school & smoked pot, so people avoid him. Jolie shoots a squirt gun from under the boardwalk & sits for a family with a secret that's trouble for her. Same humor, different challenges.
Trouble on the Doorstep by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 5. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 68,240. Language: English. Published: March 21, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
(5.00)
From Hurricane Sandy to Cozy Corner B&B repairs to Aunt Madge's wedding in three weeks. If Jolie can handle that surely she can deal with a sobbing woman who shows up at midnight playing a scary message on a cell phone. Between burning muffins for guests, appraising houses, and murder Jolie may be in above her head. The police, best bud Scoobie, & boyfriend George think so. And maybe the murderer.
Any Port in a Storm by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4. Price: $2.99 $1.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 73,090. Language: English. Published: March 9, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
Jolie, Scoobie & friends plan a Talk Like a Pirate Day fundraiser for the food pantry. They don't expect a body under the pirate ship. Someone wants to frame Jolie for the murder. She and her nemesis, reporter George Winters, are determined to find out who the murderer is and why someone is targeting Jolie -- before the killer strikes again.
When the Carny Comes to Town by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 3. Price: $2.99 $1.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 71,630. Language: American English. Published: February 16, 2012. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
Jolie did not want to sit above the dunk tank at the carnival's food pantry fundraiser. She never dreamed what Scoobie saw that day would nearly kill him. His ex-con mother shows up and there's murder to add to the mix. Soon Jolie is doing more than appraising real estate, and even that is complicated by home burglars. She asks reporter George Winters for help, so you know she's desperate.
Rekindling Motives by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 2. Price: $2.99 $1.50 USD. (50% off!) Words: 71,510. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00)
Jolie Gentil appraises the Fisher house & dances with a skeleton hidden in the attic. She & friend Scoobie see a link to the family's Prohibition era business & seek clues from old photo albums and ledgers. A present day murder says they're on the right track. Between running a food pantry at Christmas time and escaping a burning building they hope to find the killer before someone else is hurt.
Appraisal for Murder by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 72,480. Language: English. Published: September 25, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Real estate / buying & selling homes
(5.00)
Can a real estate appraiser in a New Jersey beach town get in this much trouble? Jolie Gentil dumps a husband who put their assets in the toilets that masquerade as slot machines and moves to Aunt Madge's B&B in Ocean Alley. Jolie is rekindling friendships, dodging a low-level wise guy, and (oops!) finding a dead body. Her old buddie Scoobie looks down and out, but he may be smarter than anyone.
Biding Time by
Price: $0.99 USD. (Free!) Words: 12,760. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2011. Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » General
Frank Myers never met the uncle he was named for. He was in Vietnam and he's still MIA. The young Frank learns about himself as he hears more about Uncle Frank from those who served with him. Is it enough to help Frank overcome the challenges of the streets of DC?
Tess and All Kinds by
Price: Free! Words: 2,820. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(5.00)
Tess lives with Grandma Wilma now. Grandma manages a storage facility, and Tess watches people come and go. She places them in categories, and for a seven-year old she has some insightful thoughts.
Secrets of the Gap by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 34,730. Language: English. Published: September 13, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
Secrets of the Gap is a modern mystery set the ancient Roman Baths of Bath, England. Can events of centuries ago matter today, and will archeologists Carolyn and Greg sort them out in time? In school they butted heads, now their lives may depend on working together. They need solve a secret that has lived through the ages and unmask a colleague who will do anything to find the ancient prize.

Elaine L. Orr's tag cloud

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Elaine L. Orr's favorite authors on Smashwords

J. D. Webb
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Jeffrey Marks
Latest book: Who Was That Lady? Craig Rice: Queen of the Screwball Mystery. Published April 22, 2011.
Follow them on Twitter: @Jeffrmarks
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Smashwords book reviews by Elaine L. Orr