Don’t miss the tour-wide giveaway! Marlene is giving away a Grand Prize Package of A Hush at Midnight, Wildflowers Across America by former First Lady, Ladybird Johnson, a bag of wildflower seed, and a $50 Amazon card. Second and Third prize winners will each receive an autographed copy of A Hush at Midnight.
About the Book:
Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.
She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state.
When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation. Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing (October 1, 2024)
ISBN: 979-8-9863409-6-8
ISBN: 979-8-9863409-5-1
Print length: 350 pages
You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. Be sure to add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author, Marlene M. Bell:
Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter.
Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels with her creativity. Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series. Her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team!, written primarily for younger kids, is based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.
You can find her online at: https://www.marlenembell.com/
X/Twitter: @ewephoric
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlenembell
--Interview by Jodi M. Webb
WOW: Congratulations on the publication of A Hush at Midnight, your first standalone mystery. What inspired you to write A Hush at Midnight?
Marlene: Writing a standalone brought me back to the beginning of my book journey—a reminder how I’d veered too far from my early characterization skills. A little history…
The idea of an Annalisse standalone book originated in the romance genre fourteen years ago with a draft full of subplots suitable for multiple books. It wasn’t until the second draft and finding a savvy developmental editor, that I understood the entire novel required a severe restructuring and its many subplots made into separate installments for a book series. I had too many things going on in the story confusing the main plot. The genre too, needed direction. Sticking to one focus instead of thriller, mystery, and romance all rolled into one. What began as a single romantic novel, took eight long years to materialize as Stolen Obsession, the first book in the Annalisse series. I settled on Romantic Suspense as the main genre for the saga.
Research was the main task. How to write fiction in a way that readers would enjoy. It took a year of bootcamp classes and purchasing how-to books on what to expect for each genre before I could get back to finishing that first novel.
WOW: Sounds like quite the journey for your first book. So what made you put aside your series for A Hush at Midnight?
Marlene: By the time reviews began to trickle in with Copper Waters, the fourth book in my series, it exposed a weakness I’d developed unknowingly. Readers were noticing a complacency with details in familiar characters, so I created a challenge for myself to fix the problem. To write a single book unrelated to the series.
A Hush at Midnight was the mechanism to hone skills I had temporarily misplaced. Writing a standalone brought me back to the basics. A place where I could create different character quirks and circumstances in a locale unrelated to the Northeastern US and outside the country like the Annalisse series. I chose to write A Hush at Midnight in the state of Texas, where we reside.
WOW: What an amazing way to improve your writing! In addition to Texas, you’ve had books set in spots around the world. Are these all places you’ve lived or visited?
Marlene: The areas I’ve written about, (with the exception of Texas and California,) are places I’d like to visit from my giant bucket list. The method used for researching and writing about other states and international countries always include coffee table and travel books for each location. Comparing notes and verifying the author’s information also plays a part. Photographers who have actually been to areas I plan to write about in each novel have given me the tools to offer accurate mind’s eye visuals and narrative to my books.
I decided long ago not to use general internet searches for locale information to keep my stories as accurate as possible. The internet is a maze and mixture of ideas and fact. A good example of a mine field is Wikipedia. I no longer use the tool because it is a collection of opinion and information from many perspectives.
WOW: You contact so many people before you write word one. What about when your manuscript is complete, do you have beta readers or editors to help you refine your manuscripts?
Marlene: My first novel included tons of beta readers. Unfortunately, everyone held a different opinion regarding leading men and female protagonists. Too many bakers can spoil the dessert, I quickly found out. Between my beta readers and what literary agents were saying about my work in critique sessions, I endlessly changed my manuscript to suit comments—and made myself miserable. Professional editors, on the other hand, are vital to publishing a clean and enjoyable product.
There were a few trials with editors in the early books because every author’s style requires the right touch. Editor styles vary a great deal. My short and punchy style had suffered under the first copyeditor I chose from ten other editing samples. My already shortened prose became a jerky mess of stilted dialog and missing action between characters, and I never saw it, content to allow her vision for the story. All manuscript changes were made to her liking because I trusted her expertise and didn’t understand how to work with an editor. In 2022, I addressed areas in Stolen Obsession to smooth out the prose, vowing never again to allow my work to become someone else’s vision.
Today, I hire many editors. A developmental-type from a literary agent I met at a writer’s retreat, various copyeditors depending upon the storyline, and proofreaders—at least two passes by different people. Hiring editors with experience in the genre is expensive, but worth every dollar. Oh, and I love my publicist, too! Writing for me is a team effort.
WOW: So many times writers are portrayed as locked away toiling alone on their manuscript. I love your idea that writing is a team effort. Your writing includes a suspense series, cozy mystery standalone, children’s picture book and memoir. Do you enjoy the challenge of trying new genres?
Marlene: I do love genre hopping.
I’m thankful to be blessed with natural abilities, but the written word has not come easy for me. Drawing, painting, general art projects, and sheep photography are as normal as breathing. Writing novels is the hardest task I’ve ever undertaken. Reader experiences are subjective based on an individual’s likes and dislikes. Most writers have no idea there are 8,200 new books published every day! The odds of being seen in the sea of authors takes time to grow and develop. With each new release, it’s my job to improve the entertainment value of my work and gain visibility in a saturated market.
Art and photography are visual and much more forgiving to the creator. It wasn’t until our 4H club parents asked me to write a book on how to raise sheep, that becoming an author entered into the scheme of things. That single exercise has led me to the world of writing mysteries and the occasional children’s book. If the 4H club hadn’t asked me to write the little sheep book/journal, I doubt that I’d be in the publishing world beyond our sheep website. Sometimes events happen for a reason!
WOW: And it’s turned out wonderfully for you. So, what’s up next?
Marlene: A Hush at Midnight gave me the break from the Annalisse series I needed and the opportunity to take my own refresher course on writing fiction and characterization. The fifth book in the Annalisse series has begun in outline form and I’m pondering another children’s book featuring our Horned Dorset ewe, Harley. Much farther down the road…
It might be time for the Annalisse series to turn more “thrilleresque” in the next installment. Readers are flocking to thrillers these days. Perhaps my extensive research on serial killers will come in handy for the new book!
WOW: On one hand a children’s book about a sheep named Harley. On the other hand a thriller that makes use of your research of serial killers. Marlene, no one could ever call you predictable.
--Blog Tour Calendar
November 4th @ The Muffin
Join WOW as we celebrate the launch of Marlene Bell's blog tour of A Hush at Midnight. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book
November 5th @ Boys' Mom Reads
Author Marlene Bell shares the beautiful blooms of Texas, several which appear in her latest mystery A Hush at Midnight.
November 6th @ Journalling Joy
Author Marlene Bell is sharing a guest post with her thoughts on being an independent author.
November 7th @ Book Reviews from an Avid Reader
A Hush at Midnight: come for the review, stay for the giveaway!
November 8th @ Michelle Cornish
Don't miss today's review of the Texas mystery A Hush at Midnight.
November 9th @ Silver's Reviews
Read an interview with Marlene Bell's latest sleuth. Plus, a chance to win books and prizes in A Hush at Midnight giveaway.
November 11th @ Reading Is My Remedy
Have fun with a taste of Texas compliments of author Marlene Bell
November 12th @ Author Anthony Avina
Need a helping hand? Marlene Bell shares her advice for new writers.
November 13th @ Finished Pages
Have you ever wondered about the challenges of writing a mystery series? Author Marlene Bell writes about her experience writing the Annalisse series.
November 14th @ Knotty Needle
Searching for a new mystery? Read Judy's review of A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell.
November 16th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Learn more about Marlene Bell in today's interview.
November 18th @ Life According to Jamie
Learn what Jamie thinks of the mystery A Hush at Midnight.
November 18th @ Lit World Reviews
Learn author Marlene Bell's tips on Building an Advanced Reader Team and read a review of her latest mystery: A Hush at Midnight.
November 20th @ Create Write Now
Writing journeys are often surprising. Marlene Bell traces her journey with From Mail Order Entrepreneur to Published Author.
November 21st @ Words by Webb
Jodi shares her thoughts on Marlene Bell's latest book: A Hush at Midnight.
November 22nd @ A Storybook World
Forget about staying in your lane. Author Marlene Bell tells the advantages of writing in multiple genres.
November 25th @ Chapter Break
Learn more about mystery author Marlene Bell and her latest book A Hush at Midnight.
November 26th @ What Is That Book About
Enter to win Marlene Bell's newest mystery: A Hush at Midnight.
November 29th @ Word Magic
Need some Thanksgiving fun? Relax with a good book: A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell.
November 30th @ A Wonderful World of Words
The spotlight's on A Hush at Midnight with author Marlene Bell posting Tales from her Sheep Ranch
December 3rd @ Writer Advice
Look behind the curtain at an author's life with mystery writer Marlene Bell.
December 5th @ Some Thoughts - Everything Creativity
Kaecey will be interviewing Marlene Bell, author of the cozy mystery A Hush at Midnight.
December 8th @ Some Thoughts - Everything Creativity
Kaecey will be reviewing A Hush at Midnight.
***** COZY MYSTERY & GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY *****
Enter for a chance to win a copy of A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell and more! Don’t miss the tour-wide giveaway!
The Grand Prize Package includes and autographed copy of A Hush at Midnight, Wildflowers Across America by former First Lady, Ladybird Johnson, a bag of wildflower seed and a $50 Amazon card. Two more winners will win a copy of the book. The giveaway ends December 15 at 11:59 pm CT. We will draw a winner the next day via Rafflecopter and follow up via email. Good luck!
