WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
of
A Hush at Midnight
By Marlene Bell
A Hush at Midnight
by Marlene M. Bell
Book Summary
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)
Print length: 350 pages
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Tour-wide Giveaway:
The Grand Prize is:
*An autographed proof copy of A Hush at Midnight
* Vintage collectible hardcover book with dust jacket: Wildflowers Across America by former First Lady, Ladybird Johnson
* A one-pound bag of wildflower seeds
* $50 Amazon gift card
Second and Third prizes will be autographed copies of A Hush at Midnight.
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Author Interview
- At what point did you decide to be an author, and what was your path to publication?
Writing books came accidental. This venture began when our 4H club asked me to write a book on how to raise sheep. General animal husbandry. Once I wrote the book, I found it enjoyable and decided to try writing a novel. The publication path was difficult and took me almost ten years to publish my first series book. There is a huge learning curve to becoming an author with skills to keep readers wanting more. My experience took years of researching the different genres and knowing what readers expect in each one.
- What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?
I use a card system to outline each book. When I’m in the middle of a work in progress and something strikes me as a good point in a future series book, I jot down a note on a 3×5 card and put it in the book or file with situations for next books. Staying with the current work keeps the focus on a single story, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking ahead.
- Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite? If picking a favorite character would be like picking a favorite child, which character seems to be the most demanding of your attention and detail as a writer?
Villains are the preferred characters because I’m able to put crazy ideas in their heads and actually allow them to follow through on their plots to subdue my main character team, Annalisse and Alec. They do get themselves into fixes. On the good guy’s side, I like my private detective and their personal friend, Bill Drake because he’s the peacemaker between the mains in their many relationship issues. A good friend and good listener able to keep his wits and emotions out of their way.
- Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot, and plan, or is your writing more organic?
Outlining each book seems to be the best approach. When I began to write Stolen Obsession, I wrote by the seat of my pants and got into a whole lot of trouble with wandering subplots taking over the main story. It wasn’t until I found a developmental editor who showed me how to outline, that my work improved immensely. Using the card system allows my thoughts to flow easily from chapter to chapter without fear of too many subplots entering the course of the novel.
- What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
What I learned early on is; everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to writing styles. What I like in a novel or author might not be for everyone. Lately, I’ve switched beyond reading the mystery genres so much (because I write mostly mystery,) and venture more into crime fiction. Harlan Coben is an interesting author who writes humorous, full-of-themselves characters with lots of quirks. Being a serious person myself, I appreciate anyone who adds humor to their work, giving the reader time to unwind from their everyday stresses and laugh a little. I also enjoy reading police procedurals from lesser-known authors who work with my developmental editor. Liz is also a literary agent. When one of her authors publishes a new book, I typically buy it if it fits the genres I read. Authors such as: Louise Penny, Karen Rose, and many others have come to my rescue when I’ve had trouble finding my words in a new book I’m writing. Reading is the only way forward to writing well.
- Tell us what you enjoy most about writing mysteries.
Stumping the reader with the use of red herrings and having nearly all book characters capable of committing the atrocity on a victim. It makes me smile to hear from a reader who reviews a book and mentions how they were surprised or even shocked at the final outcome. Book four in the Annalisse series, Copper Waters, is like that. I’ve yet to hear anyone say they had the killer figured out. Avid mystery fans like to be surprised. It’s a letdown for most when they aren’t and ruins the ending.
- What have you found to be most challenging about writing in mystery/romantic suspense?
I added romantic suspense to the mystery genre in your question because the series books contain both elements. An ongoing relationship between Alec and Annalisse and murder will find its way into most all stories. The hardest part for me is staying within my genres. It’s not unusual to find thriller sneak its way into my books due to the depravity of the villains. I have to rein myself in at times because my imagination tends to go in places it need not go in that single installment.
- Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education in your writing?
Yes, A Hush at Midnight ventures into one of my old employment haunts. My first job fell in my lap as a counter receptionist at a city-county airport. I was 18 at the time. Handing out keys for rental aircraft to young men, (mostly) who were learning how to fly light aircraft. Not a bad job for a single girl fresh out of high school! Except for being propositioned there by a married man. My skin crawls just recalling that.
The victim in Hush is an elderly ex-WWII female ferry pilot with a colorful history. In the story, I was able to drop a little of the flying expertise I picked up at the flying service. My sheep raising experiences also came in handy in Copper Waters and the travel to a New Zealand sheep station. My own background seems to bubble up in most of my novels. The children’s book, included.
- Do you identify with your main character, or did you create a character that is your opposite?
The main character is indeed me at times. I write what I know and what feelings I’ve had over the years. As a teen, I was fifteen going on forty years of age. The teen years were wasted on me because it felt better to grow up faster than I needed to. Annalisse has a tragic beginning and some of the same hardships I had growing up. She lost her parents and went to live with her aunt, and I moved in with a grandmother who had a difficult time when my grandfather died and left her alone. “Mutually beneficial” for my grandmother and great for me as well. You’ll read all about that term in Hush.
- Describe A Hush at Midnight in 10 words or less for people just learning about it.
Suspenseful mystery merges with murder in the dark.
- Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
The importance of being true to oneself and not to delay in letting those around you know how much they mean to you. Second chances won’t always make their way around.
- Do you have any odd (writing) habits?
I wouldn’t call it odd, but rather a bad habit. Being an excessive editor of my own prose while I’m working is something I work through in every book. I spent so much time perfecting the first draft of Hush, only to have my editor scrap my opening chapters and ask me to begin the story in a different place, putting the protagonist into a stronger position. To Discover the body instead of someone else. This rearranging changed nearly every chapter, wiping out the careful edits I’d made. I’m a perfectionist who has to learn when to let go.
- What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism is a review such as: “I stopped reading beyond the first several pages. DNF.” (Short for Did Not Finish.) In those cases, my writing struggled to keep the reader’s interest and they couldn’t be bothered. I’ve been told that I have a short and punchy writing style in some editorial reviews. If readers prefer slow rolling, British-style historical mysteries, as an example, I completely understand. We each have our own way of telling/showing a story. And how it’s delivered might not be for everyone.
The best compliment I never tire of hearing is, “I kept turning the pages and couldn’t put it down. Stayed up all night to finish it.” Thankfully, I hear this more often than criticisms.
- Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?
The biggest thing I would offer to aspiring authors is to read, read, read, before taking the plunge as a writer. Secondly, I would recommend studying all of the genres (if fiction is where you want to be,) and understand that each genre has its own set of rules and pitfalls. Most writing rules aren’t meant to be broken by new authors. Bestselling authors are a different story because they’ve paid their dues and have a following waiting for their next book. Non-fiction is totally different than fiction. This genre also has its own rules. Learn them if that is where you want to go as an author.
In my own writing journey, I stayed away from reading other works of fiction for fear of plagiarizing and inadvertently stealing from other writers. In practice, that doesn’t happen if you allow your own imagination to take over and use other authors to unlock your skills. Not reading anything for the first few years hurt my writing progress terribly. How could I know what readers expected if I wasn’t reading what others were saying in print?
- What is your favorite line from your book?
I spend a lot of time on first lines in the opening chapter. In my opinion, that single sentence should set the tone for the rest of the book. This is the opening line from A Hush at Midnight:
“A KILLER SUNSET plunged toward the horizon, casting its tangerine glare on the Stenburg Estate’s green metal roof and aging bricks.” If you’ve seen the sunset book cover, this is the reason for beginning the novel here.
- To date, what is your favorite (or most difficult) chapter you have ever written?
Without question, the most difficult chapter would be the yacht scene on the Aegean Sea in the first Annalisse book, Stolen Obsession. I lost track of how many times that chapter was rewritten to capture the action properly. Marauding men approach in another boat and try to steal the vessel my main characters and his family are sailing. I won’t give away the scene, but I wanted to portray it accurately and put the reader on board experiencing the same horrors as the family endured. How many movements and thoughts were too much or too little? Did Annalisse have enough time to go over things in her head with detail when events happened so quickly? It is the most challenging chapter to date.
- What is your take on book boyfriends? Do they actually exist? Or do they set the bar for “real-life men” impossibly high?
Yes, and yes! Using the Outlander series as an example, the writer did an incredible job of portraying Jaime, the handsome and caring Highlander as a man who would make most of us swoon dead away. In real life, I doubt that a man like him would exist in a modern era, but we can all dream. The hard part for writers is making their leading man fit in the, “Whoa! He’s to die for,” mold and still make the character sound believable. I catch myself watching old movies and commenting how that would never happen in real life. Fiction authors have to be careful not to make the leading guy too perfect. At the same time, we want the reader to be swept away by the possibilities that a guy like that could exist.
- Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
Thankfully, I’ve had times where I found myself short of words or struggling to find the right words, but the solution I use is reading another novel by a good author. Having my trusty outline cards by the keyboard keeps me out of trouble in the writer’s block department. Some scenes are written extensively on the cards so I can’t stumble at the keyboard. It helps.
- What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
My husband and I raise various sheep breeds and have for the past 42 years. I’m also an artist and photographer who loves to photograph our beautiful landscape in East Texas. A Hush at Midnight takes place in the Woodlands area of East Texas in the fictitious town of Stenburg. My own photos from our ranch were used to create the story’s environment. If I get tired of sitting behind my desk, I like to walk outside and sit in a pen of lambs to take my mind to a kinder, gentler place.
Thank you for the opportunity to interview with your readers.
About the Author
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 follow the author at:
Website: https://www.marlenembell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlenembell
X/Twitter: @ewephoric
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
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
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.
https://karensiddall.wordpress.com
November 6th @ Journalling Joy
Author Marlene Bell is sharing a guest post with her thoughts on being an independent author.
https://www.saharsblog.com/
November 7th @ Book Reviews from an Avid Reader
A Hush at Midnight: come for the review, stay for the giveaway!
www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com
November 8th @ Michelle Cornish
Don’t miss today’s review of the Texas mystery A Hush at Midnight.
https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews
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.
https://silversolara.blogspot.com
November 11th @ Reading Is My Remedy
Have fun with a taste of Texas compliments of author Marlene Bell
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
November 12th @ Author Anthony Avina
Need a helping hand? Marlene Bell shares her advice for new writers.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
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.
www.FinishedPages.com
November 14th @ Knotty Needle
Searching for a new mystery? Read Judy’s review of A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
November 16th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Learn more about Marlene Bell in today’s interview.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
November 18th @ Life According to Jamie
Learn what Jamie thinks of the mystery A Hush at Midnight.
https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/
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.
https://litworldinterviews.com/
November 20th @ Create Write Now
Writing journeys are often surprising. Marlene Bell traces her journey with From Mail Order Entrepreneur to Published Author.
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
November 21st @ Words by Webb
Jodi shares her thoughts on Marlene Bell’s latest book: A Hush at Midnight.
www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
November 22nd @ A Storybook World
Forget about staying in your lane. Author Marlene Bell tells the advantages of writing in multiple genres.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
November 25th @ Chapter Break
Learn more about mystery author Marlene Bell and her latest book A Hush at Midnight.
https://chapterbreak.net
November 26th @ What Is That Book About
Enter to win Marlene Bell’s newest mystery: A Hush at Midnight.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
November 29th @ Word Magic
Need some Thanksgiving fun? Relax with a good book: A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
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
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
December 3rd @ Writer Advice
Look behind the curtain at an author’s life with mystery writer Marlene Bell.
www.writeradvice.com
December 5th @ Some Thoughts – Everything Creativity
Kaecey will be interviewing Marlene Bell, author of the cozy mystery A Hush at Midnight.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
December 8th @ Some Thoughts – Everything Creativity
Kaecey will be reviewing A Hush at Midnight.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
I look forward to reading!