Welcome to my Book Review Blog. My goal is to connect readers with the wonderful and amazing books I am blessed to reveiw. And to introduce you to the talented and wonderful authors responsible for writing these books. May my love for books show through my reviews on this site.
Book Title: Scattered Legacy (Annalisse Series Book 3) by Marlene M. Bell Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 352 pages Genre: Mystery-Suspense Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing Release date: Oct 2021 Format available for review: print – softback, e-book (mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF) Will send print books out: USA Content Rating: PG+M. Brief kissing/romance. mild use of profanity like “damn.” No F Bombs. Some violence and talk of an attack by villain that doesn’t materialize.
Book Description:
To outsiders, the relationship between Manhattan antiquities assessor Annalisse Drury and sports car magnate Alec Zavos must look carefree and glamorous. In reality, it’s a love affair regularly punctuated by treasure hunting, action-packed adventure, and the occasional dead body.
When Alec schedules an overseas trip to show Annalisse his mother’s birthplace in Bari, Italy, he squeezes in the high-stakes business of divesting his family’s international corporation. But things go terribly wrong as murder makes its familiar reappearance in their lives – and this time it’s Alec’s disgraced former CFO who’s the main suspect.
Accompanied by friend and detective Bill Drake, Annalisse and Alec find themselves embroiled in a behind-closed-doors conspiracy that threatens the reputation and legacy of Alec’s late father – linking him to embezzlement, extortion, and the dirty business of the Sicilian Mafia. The search for the truth sends the trio straight into riddles, secrets, and an historic set of rosary beads. Annalisse leads Alec toward a discovery that is unthinkable, and events that will change their futures forever.
Scattered Legacy is the third in Marlene M. Bell’s thrilling Annalisse series, which weaves romance, crime, and historical mystery into addictive tales to instantly captivate fans of TV show Bones or Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.
Scattered Legacy is the third book in Marlene Bell’s Annalisse series, and boy is it awesome. Each book I read gets better. I was excited to get into this book and the journey to Italy with Annalisse and Alec. It seems everywhere the two of them ends up, so does a dead body. This story is more about Alec and his family, since they are mostly on Italy. I think the multiple story lines in this book and the twists and turns give this one a stronger plot. This was a fun story, and I enjoyed the detailed scenes so much, I felt as though I was in some of them. I’m glad to get a glimpse of that part of Italy and it’s likes and differences from our land.
Marlene M. Bell again gives her readers an amazing fast paced mystery/thriller with just enough suspense to keep the story pushing toward the finish line. I am so glad I was able to read this series in orrder, one after the other. I think readers can relate to the characters quicker when you already know some of them. Each of these books can survive as a stand alone, there is enough background in each book to bring you up to where you will need to be. So if you cant read them all back to back, thats ok. For me, i had thr time, and I just like reading series in order when I can. I think Scattered Legacy is very well worth the Five Stars I am giving it. If you enjoy suspense thrillers with a bit of mystery running through, this is the book for you, and really the series for you. Go check it out at your favorite book retailer. **just a tip. I have reviewed the first two books in this series on Monday February 20, 2023 and February 21, 2023 on my blog, and I encourage you to check on those reviews as well. And I thank you!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Meet the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.
The Annalisse series has received numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity,) and FAPA— Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award for two other installments, (Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy.) Her mysteries with a touch of romance are found at marlenembell.com. She also offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.
Book Title: Spent Identity (Annalisse Series Book 2) by Marlene M. Bell Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 378 pages Genre: Mystery-Suspense Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing Release date: Nov 2019 Format available for review: print – softback, e-book (mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF), audiobook (audible download) Will send print books out: USA Content Rating: PG-13+M. Main Character is accosted and fights an assailant in one chapter. Mild profanity.
MY RATING: Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Description:
Antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury drives to her family farm in upstate New York to consult with Aunt Kate about her troubled relationship with Greek tycoon, Alec Zavos. When Annalisse arrives, she learns the beloved farm she expects to inherit is for sale.
That same morning, they find a stranger’s body decaying in the barn. Then her aunt vanishes.
In Spent Identity, Annalisse and Alec join forces for the second time. They must find the mastermind behind her aunt’s abduction before Kate’s health issues worsen. Was the corpse in the barn a coincidence or a warning? The clock ticks for Annalisse to find her aunt and repair what she has left with the man she loves.
Spent Identity is book 2 in the Annalisse Series by Marlene M. Bell. Annalisse is at it again as she makes a trip from the big city to the farm, where things are cozier, and she liked spending time with her aunt. But this time around, Annalisse is shocked that a dead body turns up in her aunts barn. Who could it be and who is responsible for the murder of this person. Annalisse was also shocked to find that her aunt’s son is selling the farm. But how can that be? What is the story behind selling the farm and who is this person in their barn.
Join the journey as Annalisse, again finds herself wrapped up in another murder case, and trying to find out how to keep her aunts farm. But then when her aunt went missing, this was the main case for Annalisse. What on earth was happening? As each issue hit Kate head on, I think her attitude and the way she dealt with each of these things was admirable, and I so much enjoyed tagging along with she and to find out the guilty one.
I couldn’t put this fast pace Murder mystery/suspense/thriller down once I started reading it. The plot is so intense, and with the twists and turns throughout the book it’s difficult to figure out who is responsible for everything going on, so I had to read on to see who the bad person was. I’m giving Spent Identy Four Stars. If you enjoy sudpense/thrillers and a little mystery added in, you don’t want to miss this one! I’m giving Spent Identity Five Stars! Such a.good read
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Meet the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.
The Annalisse series has received numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity,) and FAPA— Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award for two other installments, (Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy.) Her mysteries with a touch of romance are found at marlenembell.com. She also offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.
Book Title: Stolen Obsession (Annalisse Series Book 1) by Marlene M. Bell Adult Fiction (18 +), 296 pages Genre: Mystery-Suspense Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing Release date: March 2018 Format available for review: print – softback, e-book (mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF), audiobook (audible download) Will send print books out: USA Content Rating: PG. Subtle romantic interludes. No profanity.
Book Description:
People die, but legends live on.
New York antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury’s best friend was murdered. The killer’s identity may be linked to her friend’s expensive missing bracelet—a 500-year-old artifact that carries an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family.
Weeks later, Annalisse sees a matching necklace at a Manhattan gallery opening. She begs the owner to destroy the cursed piece, but her pleas fall on deaf ears—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act. Desperate, Annalisse enlists the gallery owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.
Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his parents, feared kidnapped or even dead. When the killer changes tactics and goes after Alec behind Annalisse’s back, can her plan to rescue Alec’s mother save them all?
Stolen Obsession is the first book in the Annalisse Series by Marlene M. Bell, and I think it is a nice introduction into the series. This story focuses on an old artifact, a 500 year old bracelet that’s already responsible for the death of two people. Can Annalisse find this piece of jewelry before anyone else gets hurt?
This is my first book by Marlene M. Bell, and I enjoyed this one very much and can’t wait to read and review book two. I like Bell’s writing style, the fact that she makes you feel right there in her stories is a plus for me. I really enjoy stories more when the author has this ability.
Annalisse and Alec were quite the two to follow, taking readers to places we love, and with them, the plot is so intense it was difficult to put the book down. The author’s writing style is enjoyable and I thought pretty easy to read. The entire story is full of fast paced thrills and mystery, and is a pretty quick read. I did find myself going back to re-read some parts, to make sure I didn’t miss anything. If you enjoy a good suspense thriller/mystery, you will enjoy this one, so i encourage you to check it out. I’m giving Stolen Obsession Four Stars.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Meet the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.
The Annalisse series has received numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity,) and FAPA— Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award for two other installments, (Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy.) Her mysteries with a touch of romance are found at marlenembell.com. She also offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.
Book Details: Book Title: Mia and Nattie – One Great Team by Marlene M. Bell Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages Genre: Children’s Picture Book Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing Release date: October 3, 2020 Format available for review: print (USA and Canada), ebook (gifted kindle) Tour dates: Jan 18 to Feb 5, 2021 Content Rating: G for everyone. Family based book for all ages, https://www.youtube.com/embed/aslSfHmESPU
Book Description:
Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect. In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story. MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving, teamwork, and love. On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around—one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.
Mia and Nattie is a cute story of a little lamb that was born different, so Mia brought Nattie home and kept her inside the laundry room. That is until her grandma made her move Nattie outside. Grandma still wants to get rid of Nattie but then find out she is a special sheep. But will Nattie be able to earn her stay, as far as the grandma is concerned?
I love Mia and Nattie and Mia was such a good girl to take care of the little lamb. And after Nattie grew into a sheep, Mia still loved her special animal. The love between these two shines bright. Though sometimes grandma doesn’t seem so happy with Mia. I thought the author did a really nice job of telling their story. As well as showing that an animal that is different does have a purpose. And I love the story at the end of the book about the real Natalie. How cool is that, knowing Nattie was real, and that this story is based on the real life Nattie. I just love the illustrations by Grace Sandford, they are so adorable. She was able to capture the story through the pictures she created. I love the vibrant, beautiful colors and the adorable Nattie. And Mia and her grandma were so cute, though grandma did have some weird facial moments in there that were very comical. I found this story a really sweet and adorable read. A read that should be in every daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and all elementary library. Be sure to ask you child’s school library, ad well as your public library to get copies of Mia and Nattie’s story. This is one book that will sure be checked out by every student, especially the little girls.
This precious little book, with it’s sweet story, it’s precious characters, with the illustrations that tell the story so well, is beautiful inside and out. I will save this one for my new grandaughter! And this one is a Five plus Stars for me! I would love to be able to give this one more Stars, it sure deserves more!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Were there any real-life inspirations behind your writing?
When I met my husband in 1979, he was in the middle of a nasty divorce. They were in the process of selling the ranch they’d built together when oil prices were high and banks were loaning at a whopping 17% interest rate. No one could afford expensive homes in the Tracy, California area at that time. His soon-to-be-ex made outrageous personal charges, and her attorney letters were a weekly occurrence. I could write an entire novel over her accusations. It was a miserable three years for the man I was dating.
When she left and filed for divorce, she also stripped their ranch of furniture and all that wasn’t tied down. She brought a moving truck home one day and took everything inside their home. A hateful thing to do. The neighbor had watched the van fill up with belongings and told my husband this had happened while he remained at work.
After we married, the old ranch finally sold—with a first mortgage, a second mortgage and my husband’s ex-wife and new husband carrying back the third note. Thankfully, we were out of that arrangement living on a small ranch of our own. (They later sold that third note for cash and lost half of the value!) For all the trouble she’d caused us, as the saying goes, “It comes back to bite you.”
After the sale, I packed the kitchen at the old ranch and found a full drawer she’d missed emptying out. It held condolence letters inside. While my husband packed from another room, I nosed around the envelopes. It’s a terrible thing to read another person’s mail, but in this case, I made an exception because they were left behind. All were addressed to my husband’s hellish ex-wife. I was surprised to find them, especially when I skimmed a few of the notes.
I asked my husband about his ex-wife’s father since the notes told of his untimely death. I was shocked to learn that he had been a successful dentist in the bay area and had jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, but no one knew why. I didn’t press further, and we gathered all of the cards and letters for the burn bin. The story left me with so many questions.
About ten years later, my husband mentioned that he’d heard his ex-father-in-law had reappeared in their home town of Livermore. How intriguing! Had he faked his death because of debt? Did he run away to be with another woman, or man? I have to wonder why he came back when he’d hatched the perfect escape plan where no one bothered to look for him. It mystifies me to this day. Read Mia and Nattie as well as my novel, Spent Identity. Some of these principles are shared there!
If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
I would use the power of time travel as long as I could return to my own time. My favorite time travel series is Outlander. Anyone who has read Ms. Gabaldon’s books falls in love with the main character, Claire and her Scottish hunk, Jamie. I have an idea for a time travel series to New Zealand in and around the latter part of the 19th century. One of my editors cut a section from an early draft of series book one stating simply, “No, no, no!” She was right to keep fantasy out of my current WIP series of mystery/romance, but I can still dream of using this idea going forward for a new series with a different protagonist.
If one of your books were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
I would like to pair two unlikely directors together for Spent Identity. Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. Both are seasoned directors who excel in portraying broody mysteries and real-life drama. My lead actress to play Annalisse would be Anne Hathaway, and her love interest Alec would be played by Bradley Cooper. Alec’s mother, Generosa, would have to be Meryl Streep.
The locations in the series are international— winging to places like, Crete, Turkey, Grand Cayman, New Zealand, Sicily and Southern Italy. Home base for the movie will always be Manhattan or upstate New York where Alec’s estate is located. I’d also have James Cameron write the screenplay based on the novel. There would be big bucks involved to produce this movie!!
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
My advice to those who listen to books versus read would be simple. Do whatever is easiest to pick up a good story and transport yourself to another place. Not everyone has the time to pick up a book or use an ereader to go page by page. Listening is the next best thing, and authors will adore you either way!
Children’s picture books are quick reads, as I would imagine that parents and grandparents wish to read the books prior to giving them to young readers.
How did you celebrate after finishing a children’s book or novel?
To celebrate the completion of Spent Identity I went online and shopped until I dropped. My husband Gregg knows my habits and doesn’t bat an eyelash, which helps!
He calls me the mail order queen because I found printed catalogs when I was a teenager, ordering the moment I opened my first checking account. My mail order business, Ewephoric, began in 1985 so I’ve been producing resale products for literally decades. Unique items not found in brick-and-mortar stores is my weakness. Making our sheep gift clients happy is a goal through my websites as well as my writing. We raise sheep and the business is tied to the sheep industry. Mia and Nattie: One Great Team is based on a true story about the lamb we raised in the laundry room. We did this only once, thankfully!
What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
If you are serious about putting in the hours that it takes to become an accomplished author, I would suggest picking up as many books as possible on crafting good fiction or non-fiction. I must have gone through a hundred books before I realized how many bad habits I’d picked up by just reading the bestselling authors. Best Selling authors can break every writing rule there is. There are rules for most of us. Only when you’ve sold thousands of books can you willy-nilly break these rules. Speak to as many agents and editors as possible as well. Never edit your own work before publishing. We all have to self-edit during the process, but make sure that you’ve paid a professional editor or two to help you polish your work prior to publishing. Be diligent at getting the book proofread many times. If you miss a typo or two, trust me, your readers will mention it in their reviews!
What’s next for you?
Novel three in the Annalisse Series, SCATTERED LEGACY! My editor recently changed the placemark title of the book from Calico Raven to Scattered Legacy after she read and edited the first draft. The novel has a stunning cover that I’ll reveal to my followers and readers soon. I’m working on the second draft in January 2021. I hope to have Scattered Legacy out in 2021 if I don’t run into any snags and editing goes well.
Annalisse and Alec are drawn into a murder that takes place in Bari, Italy. At first, they believe the victim is random, but soon find out that Alec is tied to the murdered woman by other means, and Annalisse’s past is drawn into events as the mystery unfolds.
This book will also be available in audio once it’s released in paperback and eBook.
A CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK makes its debut in 2020! MIA and NATTIE: One Great Team is my first book in this genre for children ages 3-7. This book has special meaning to me because it’s based on the true story of Natalie, the bottle lamb we raised in the laundry room. She lived with us for 13 years. It’s a heartwarming, read-aloud book for the entire family. Mia and Nattie is available in hardbound and eBook. The picture book also includes the option of a plush Nattie character that can be ordered on our sheep website: https://www.texassheep.com.
You will find Mia and Nattie to be a happy break from the sea of mindless children’s books without a plot or theme.
Meet the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning writer, artist, and crazy sheep lady who resides in beautiful East Texas. Her renown sheep photographs grace the covers of many livestock magazines where she also writes newsy articles about raising sheep from her hands-on experience. Marlene offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team which is based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. It’s a touching story of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb. Marlene shares her life with her husband and dreadfully spoiled horned Dorset sheep: a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, and cats, Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks. The cats believe they rule the household—and do.
splashesofjoy 