Jan Bono’s essays have been featured in 56 “Chicken Soup” books, making her one of the series’ TOP FIVE CONTRIBUTORS, WORLD WIDE. Her ten years writing an op-ed newspaper column garnered 11 Washington Newspaper Publisher Awards (WNPA). She has written 5 humorous, personal experience short story collections; two poetry chapbooks; a collection of short romances; a book about her 252-pound weight-loss journey; nine one-act plays as well as a dinner theater play. She also has been published in numerous magazines, including “Guiding Post,” “Star” and “Woman’s World.” Winner of multiple regional writing competitions, Bono was the grand prize winner in the 2012 Coast Weekend serial mystery chapter contest. That experience inspired her to write her mystery series she describes as being like “Murder, She Wrote” –with a lot more humor.
Is there Room in the Backyard for One More Body?
Twelve “murderous” short stories, all set on the Long Beach Peninsula, wherein all the plotters are all women, and the men they plan to bump off naturally “have it coming".
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Pen Pals
In her no-holds-barred correspondence with an incarcerated man, Delia finds herself falling for him, despite the fact her pen pal resides in the penitentiary and her so-called “soul mate” is an inmate who may soon be paroled.
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Bottom Feeders – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book One
Cozy mystery *1 set on the SW Washington Coast. Something evil has happened at the Clamshell Motel, and early retiree Sylvia Avery is right in the thick of it. With insider help from Mercedes, her mature but mischievous lounger friend at the Spartina Point Casino and Resort, Syl works to prove that Harold Rodman the Third, a.k.a “Uncle Harry,” is up to something fishy.
More info →Starfish – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book Two
Cozy mystery *2 set on the SW Washington Coast. A movie production crew has come to the coastal community of Tinkerstown, but before they first scenes are shot, two murders have been committed. Although the MOs are quite different, Sheriff Donaldson doggedly searches for any possible connection between the two deaths.
More info →Crab Bait – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book Three
Cozy mystery *3 set on the SW Washington Coast. The merry geriatric belly dancing troupe may be just a tad too merry, considering all of them have become recent widows. But what about those hefty life insurance policies? Is it the money that’s putting a spring back into their step? Sheriff Donaldson, with a little help from some unexpected sources, is determined to get to the bottom of these untimely deaths.
More info →Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series BEST DEAL MYSTERY BUNDLE: Books 1-3
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Get books 1, 2, & 3 of the Sylvia Avery Mystery Series:
Cozy mystery *1 set on the SW Washington Coast. Something evil has happened at the Clamshell Motel, and early retiree Sylvia Avery is right in the thick of it. With insider help from Mercedes, her mature but mischievous lounger friend at the Spartina Point Casino and Resort, Syl works to prove that Harold Rodman the Third, a.k.a “Uncle Harry,” is up to something fishy.
In cozy mystery *2, a movie production crew has come to the coastal community of Tinkerstown, but before the first scenes are shot, two murders have been committed. Although the MOs are quite different, Sheriff Donaldson doggedly searches for any possible connection between the two deaths.
In cozy mystery *3 the merry geriatric belly dancing troupe may be just a tad too merry, considering all of them have become recent widows. But what about those hefty life insurance policies? Is it the money that’s putting a spring back into their step? Sheriff Donaldson, with a little help from some unexpected sources, is determined to get to the bottom of these untimely deaths.
More info →Hook, Line, & Sinker – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book Four
Cozy mystery *4 set on the SW Washington Coast. Those frolicsome geriatric belly-dancing widows of the North Beach Peninsula are looking for love again, and Sylvia Avery is recruited to help them navigate the hoops, hurdles, and hustles of online dating.
Love is in the air, online and elsewhere, but Sheriff D’s background checks reveal that a few of these fellows are up to no good. Can they be stopped before someone gets killed?
More info →Oyster Spat – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book Five
The feud between Shallowwater Bay oystermen Brent Booi and Tom Diamond is decades old. Environmental issues, tideland ownership, and burrowing shrimp control are only a part of their ongoing disputes which escalate as time goes on.
When recent UW Marine Biologist grad Nautika Henry arrives, she enlists Sylvia Avery to help her find out what really happened to her missing father, while also working to save the oyster fishery from extinction.
Sylvia and Nautika uncover many long-standing secrets in the tiny burg of Willoopah. But must someone die before all the fences can be mended?
More info →Tsunami Warning – Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series, Book Six
Sylvia Avery gnawed on her lower lip as she looked out across Shallowwater Bay. The sun was just cresting the hills on Elk Island, and the sky was painted with a screaming scarlet wash. “Red sky at night, sailors’ delight,” she whispered aloud. “Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”
In this sixth and final book of the Sylvia Avery Mystery Series, Syl has been away, trying to sort out her feelings for the men in her life. But the sudden disappearance of someone she loves forces her return. Now she wonders if she’s next on the kidnapper’s list.
More info →Sylvia Avery Cozy Mystery Series BEST DEAL MYSTERY BUNDLE: Books 4-6
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Get books 4, 5, & 6 of the Sylvia Avery Mystery Series:
Hook, Line and Sinker
Some of those same belly dancers are trying out online dating, and the sheriff does his best to keep them safe, despite their efforts to disregard his suggestions.
Oyster Spat
A decades old murder and a very recent one take place among the oystermen, and women, in the tiny town of Willoopah along the northern tide flats of Shallowwater Bay.
Tsunami Warning
A kidnapping sets the stage to bring the events of the previous 15 months full circle before it’s resolved and the series is concluded.
Fisher Girl, Fisher Wife, Fisher Poet
Poetry BUNDLE
Back from Obesity: My 252-pound Weight-loss Journey
Without resorting to gastric bypass, lap band surgery, liquid fasts, diet pills, or extreme exercise, I lost a total of 252 pounds, and am maintaining a healthy weight between 140 and 145.
More info →Romance 101
Forty-two light, sweet, delicious, G-rated short stories. Those who enjoy short romance fiction in mainstream women's magazines will love these stories, where boy meets girl, and the future is full of unlimited possibilities.
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It’s Christmas
Doesn’t every family have a sibling who’s never on time, a Christmas tree that refuses to stand straight, and a daughter who wants a car, or nothing at all, for Christmas?
“It’s Christmas” is a quirky collection of humorous personal experience, romantic seasonal fiction, and the scripts from three one-act holiday plays. "It’s Christmas” has a little something for everyone!
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Through My Looking Glass: The View from the Beach
Sixty-eight humorous personal experience stories gleaned from Jan’s former 11-time award-winning newspaper column. “Writing a column for a small town newspaper is like walking naked through the streets.” These stories are sure to tickle your funny bone.
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Through My Looking Glass Volume II
71 more of Jan's award-winning humorous personal experience newspaper columns. “Writing a column for a small town newspaper is like walking naked through the streets.” These stories are sure to tickle your funny bone.
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Just Joshin’ – A Year in the Life of a Not-so-ordinary 4th Grade Kid
Sixty-three funny and true classroom anecdotes. Every teacher has taught many kids like Josh; many parents have raised one. A great gift for anyone who’s ever known a wonderfully precocious child!
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Bar Talk: Poetry for Mature Audiences
A chapbook of 48 poems, written in the dubious company of various assorted and sundry barflies. If you've ever spent any time hanging out where alcohol is served, you've undoubtedly met all these people! Dedicated to Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, Captain Morgan, Old Mr. Boston, Jose’ Cuervo, Ernest and Julio Gallo, and all the Christian Brothers.
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