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

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Elaine L. Orr

Biography

Elaine L. Orr writes three mystery series, including the eleven-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series. Behind the Walls was a finalist for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. The first book in her River's Edge series, From Newsprint to Footprints, came out in late 2015, and the Logland series began with Tip a Hat to Murder in 2016. Demise of a Devious Neighbor, the second River's Edge book, was a Chanticleer finalist in 2017. She also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act play, Common Ground published in 2015.

Her novella, Falling into Place, tells the story of a family managing the results of an Iowa father’s World War II experience with humor and grace. Another novella, Biding Time, was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. In the Shadow of Light is the fictional story of children separated from their mother at the US/Mexico border. Elaine conducts presentations and teaches online classes on book publishing and other writing-related topics. Nonfiction includes Writing in Retirement: Putting New Year's Resolutions to Work, and Words to Write By: Getting Your Thoughts on Paper.She graduated from the University of Dayton and the American University. 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

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Series

Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series by
These Jersey shore mysteries mix murder with a compassionate group of friends and a good bit of humor.
Appraisal for Murder
Price: $0.99 USD.
Rekindling Motives
Price: $0.99 USD.
When the Carny Comes to Town
Price: $0.99 USD.
Any Port in a Storm
Price: $0.99 USD.
Trouble on the Doorstep
Price: $0.99 USD.
Behind the Walls
Price: $0.99 USD.
River's Edge Cozy Mystery Series by
Life along the Des Moines River in Iowa can be peaceful, but the occasional murder disrupts the tranquility. Iowa nice meets murder.
From Newsprint to Footprints
Price: $2.99 USD.
Demise of a Devious Neighbor
Price: $2.99 USD.

Books

Jolie Gentil Coz Mysteries: Books 8 to 10 by
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 159,060. Language: English. Published: February 15, 2020. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
Jolie Gentil still solves mysteries. She also becomes more involved in Ocean Alley and is starting to realize her feelings for an old friend are growing beyond friendship. Enjoy three books in this box set. Ground to a Halt -- problems in the Java Jolt Coffee House. Holidays in Ocean Alley -- Aunt Madge and Scoobie are the sleuths. The Unexpected Resolution - weddings and murder bring changes.
The Twain Does Meet by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 33,730. Language: English. Published: December 20, 2019. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family
I promised readers tthe story of Jolie and Scoobie's twins' birth -- an anything-but-calm event -- but it didn't seem right to mix it with a murder. So, we have a nearly 33,000 word novella that features laughs and angst with the Ocean Alley crew and more than a few surprises. A fun read with familiar characters. Join Jolie, Scoobie, and their extended family and friends for a heartwarming time.
Mildred Mistletoe Rescues Christmas by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 7,490. Language: English. Published: December 12, 2019. Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Christmas, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family
(4.00 from 1 review)
Mildred Mistletoe has her paws full. She needs to get her high school humans, Fergie and Frank, to get over being mad at each other about a silly school dance. And then she spots a deserted puppy in the snow! Can she get her humans' attention in time to save it? With little help from Dog or the local mouse, Mildred has to make things right or Christmas won't be merry. A heartwarming tale.
Demise of a Devious Suspect by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 64,590. Language: English. Published: October 31, 2018. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
Melanie finds a body in the coat closet at the Farm Bureau dinner. Tired of fingers pointing toward her and curious about why someone burned some of her late father's files, Mel does some poking on her own. The kidnapping of a local woman raises the stakes. With pets who have a nose for trouble, Melanie seeks a devious suspect.
Underground in Ocean Alley by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 52,330. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2018. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Jolie Gentil has sworn off butting into other people’s business. Sounds as far-fetched as finding used bubble gum on Mars. Her life revolves around her husband Scoobie, her twins, appraising the occasional house, and helping run the Cozy Corner B&B. Nothing could drag Jolie into solving crimes. Really. Except maybe a request from the most unlikely source. Sergeant Morehouse needs a favor.
Mildred Mistletoe Fixes Christmas: A Holiday Short Story by
Price: $0.99 USD. 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: $0.99 USD. 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: $0.99 USD. Words: 60,430. 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: 60,210. Language: English. Published: January 13, 2017. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 1 review)
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.
Jolie Gentil Mysteries - Books Five to Seven by
Series: Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 231,730. Language: English. Published: January 6, 2016. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(4.00 from 1 review)
The Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series box set, books 5-7. The books 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: 81,460. 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: $0.99 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: $0.99 USD. Words: 62,430. Language: American English. Published: December 26, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
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: Free! Words: 286,420. Language: English. Published: November 5, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 1 review)
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: $0.99 USD. Words: 82,550. Language: English. Published: June 26, 2014. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 1 review)
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 & 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: $0.99 USD. Words: 87,120. Language: English. Published: November 30, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 1 review)
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: $0.99 USD. 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: $0.99 USD. Words: 68,240. Language: English. Published: March 21, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
(5.00 from 1 review)
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: $0.99 USD. Words: 73,140. Language: English. Published: March 9, 2013. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
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: $0.99 USD. Words: 71,630. Language: American English. Published: February 16, 2012. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
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: $0.99 USD. Words: 71,510. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 1 review)
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 from 5 reviews)
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.
Tess and All Kinds by
Price: Free! Words: 2,950. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
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: $2.99 USD. Words: 34,660. Language: English. Published: September 13, 2011. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(4.00 from 1 review)
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

amateur detective    amateur sleuth    archeological mystery    archeology mysteries    assisted living facility    bath england    beach boardwalk    beach mystery    beach mystery female protagonist    beach read    bestselling cozy mysteries    bestselling cozy mystery    book marketing    book promotion    books for authors    books on how to write a book    box set for nook    boxed sets for mystery    burlington iowa    cats at christmas    christmas    christmas cat    christmas cats    christmas mystery    christmas short story    clean mystery    coffee cozy    coffee shop murder    coming of age    coming of age adventure for tweens    coming of age in new jersey    cozy cat    cozy christmas    cozy crime fiction books    cozy culinary    cozy fiction    cozy historical mystery    cozy humor mystery series    cozy mstery    cozy msytery    cozy murder    cozy mysteries    cozy mysteries with cats    cozy mysteries with pets    cozy mystery    cozy mystery authors    cozy mystery best sellers    cozy mystery boxset    cozy mystery female amateur sleuth    cozy mystery series    cozy mystery set in iowa    cozy mystery with dogs    cozy mystery woman sleuth    cozy mystery women sleuth series    cozymysteries    death with dignity    des moines river    dry humor    family fiction    family relationships    female sleuth    food pantry    gardening mystery    grandmother and granddaughter    grandmothergranddaughter relationship    halloween murder mysteries    hanukkah    hashtags    having twins    high school angst    high school friends    holiday christmas    holiday mystery    homeless people    hospital stories    how to sell your ebook    how to write books    humorous fiction    humorous murder mystery    humorous mystery    hurricane sandy    iowa    iowa author    iowa farm    iowa fiction    iowa mystery    iowa nice meets murder    jersey girl    jersey girl amateur sleuth    jersey girls    jersey shore    jersey shore cozy mystery    jersey shore fiction    jersey shore mystery    jolie gentil cozy mystery series    lonely child    lonely children    marketing    military veterans    murder on a farm    murdermystery    mysteries with cats    mysteries with pets    mysteries with recipes    mystery amateur female sleuth    mystery amateur sleuth    mystery and humor    mystery cats    mystery cozy    mystery humorous    mystery series    mysteryhumor    new adult    nontraditional cozy mystery    parlor cozy    pets    presbyterian    prohibition    ptsd    real estate    real estate appraiser    roman baths    romance with kidnapping    romantic suspense    rural america    rural mystery    selling books    series mysteries    sleuth mystery    small town msytery    small town murder mystery    small town mystery    small town mystery romance    storage locker story    storage unit business    storage unit rental business    sulis minerva    twitter    veterans with ptsd    weekend read    witness protection program    women sleuths    world war ii    world war ii planes    world war ii veterans    ya fiction    young adult   

Elaine L. Orr's favorite authors on Smashwords

J. D. Webb
Visit their website
Jeffrey Marks
Latest book: Who Was That Lady? Craig Rice: Queen of the Screwball Mystery.
Published April 22, 2011.
Follow them on Twitter: @Jeffrmarks
Visit their website
View their blog

Smashwords book reviews by Elaine L. Orr