Scattered Legacy (Annalissa Series #3) by Marlene M Bell

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We’re celebrating the release of the third book in the Annalisse series, Scattered Legacy! Today, we interview author Marlene M Bell. Next, she shares an excerpt from the book. On the final day, we learn the author’s Top Ten activities for winter. Plus, there’s an awesome 3-winner giveaway to enter below. Enjoy!

Scattered Legacy (Annalissa Series #3)

By Marlene M Bell

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Scattered Legacy
(Annalissa Series #3)
By Marlene M Bell
Mystery, Christian Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
October 6, 2021 by Ewephoric Publishing

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.

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Scattered Legacy Book Trailer

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Interview with author Marlene M Bell

For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?

The best place to start is at the beginning with book one, Stolen Obsession. Annalisse’s love interest is a Greek/Italian-American. With his ancestry, this gave me plenty of places to take my main characters. Book one- Greece and Turkey. Book two- upstate New York and Massachusetts. And book three- Italy. Alec comes from a wealthy background and the main character, Annalisse is more upper middle-class. This makes for an interesting comparison brewing in their relationship.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?

I am of Italian ancestry, and thought characters of a similar background would be fun to research. In early drafts of the first book, Alec was not a good guy. The book was set up more like women’s fiction. By draft four, my editor recommended it would be easier to write this male character if he were a good guy instead of evil in his deeds. We altered the character, changed Stefan’s name, and I softened up the characterization.

What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

By book three, the main characters are showing their personalities and all the flaws clearly. Book one, Stolen Obsession was supposed to be a standalone book, not a series. Because there were so many sub-plots, it was decided that those plots would be additional books. It was the best thing that happened to my character, Annalisse. This also gives me time to simmer on each installment and move the couple around the globe.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

The book takes place in Bari, Italy, my maternal grandfather’s home town. The research took me to his childhood home until he left there at the age of 16 for his trip to America. Grandpa was born in 1893 and came over by ship, entering through Ellis Island. The research gave me an opportunity to see firsthand what his life was like as a child.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Scattered Legacy?

Annalisse Drury is an antiquities valuator from the Manhattan area. She is partners with her love interest’s mother, Generosa Zavos. Alec Zavos is a wealthy tycoon taking over the family sportscar business following his father’s death. (book one) His notoriety and reputation is a stumbling block for Annalisse throughout the series. Generosa Zavos is of Italian background and she is a colorful, mothering individual trying her darndest to get Alec and Annalisse married off so that she can have grandchildren. Anna isn’t sure she wants kids of her own. There is a detective friend, Bill Drake, who accompanies them on hunts for clues in various murder situations. (Books two and three.) Bradley is Alec’s chauffer and personal body guard. He is from London with a Britty quirkiness to him. Bradley goes with Anna and Alec to Italy in Scattered Legacy, as does Bill Drake. There are a few more characters that will make another resurgence in book four.

If you could spend the day with one of the characters from Scattered Legacy, who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.

I would have to choose Bill Drake, their detective friend from Florida. He’s an unassuming person with a past that hasn’t totally been revealed yet. More on that in book four. Bill is single, thoughtful, professional and will become a good friend to Annalisse in the next book. I would like to go to his home away from home, the Florida Keys to understand how he went from being a fireman to a detective working for his friend, Alec Zavos. There’s a history and friendship with him and Alec that needs to be explored further. If I were to get Bill alone, I could quiz the heck out of him!

Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?

Book four will land Annalisse into another country, leaving Alec behind, The ending of Scattered Legacy will explain their situation in the next book. Anna will meet up with some old characters from a previous book when her trip takes her to the South Island of New Zealand. There, she will be introduced to raising sheep at a New Zealand sheep station…and she’ll get into more trouble, of course!

How long have you been writing?

I started writing later in life. My first book was published in 2009, based on our experience with sheep.

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

If you’ve read the Annalisse series to date, you know that I like to color outside the lines. My mysteries are complicated and filled with other genre material like romance, adventure and thriller/suspense. If you’re someone who likes to be taken on a thrill ride you’ll want to stick with the series until the end. I don’t know where the end is yet, so hang on to that thought. My writing is based upon my background in raising sheep and living in a ranch environment. Alec studies to become a veterinarian, and Annalisse is brought up to appreciate livestock and ranch living, also. To those who’ve read my books, thank you for reading the series and your thoughtful reviews. I also write children’s books. If you’d like to venture into my picture book, check out: Mia and Nattie: One Great Team!

About Marlene M. Bell

Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning writer and acclaimed artist as well as a photographer. Her sheep landscapes grace the covers of livestock magazines such as, The Shepherd, Ranch & Rural Living, and Sheep Industry News. She has a mystery series available as well as a children’s book featuring their bottle lamb, Natalie. Marlene and her husband, Gregg, reside in beautiful East Texas on a wooded ranch with their horned Dorset sheep, a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, along with Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks, the cats that believe they rule the household—and do.

Enter the giveaway

GRAND PRIZE
A Nicole Miller 50 x 60 inch ultra-soft throw in neutral colors
A signed copy of Scattered Legacy by Marlene M Bell
Two (2) 18 oz. mugs. One says: GRATEFUL the other, BLESSED
Box of 15 Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Mix

2nd place winner: A signed copy of Scattered Legacy by Marlene M Bell
3rd place winner: A signed copy of Scattered Legacy by Marlene M Bell

US Only
Ends January 22, 2022

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