Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Copper Waters: A New Zealand Cottage Mystery (Annalisse Series) by Marlene Bell. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Copper Waters: A New Zealand Cottage Mystery (Annalisse Series)
by Marlene Bell
Copper Waters: A New Zealand Cottage Mystery (Annalisse Series)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – New Zealand – South Island
Ewephoric Publishing (October 7, 2022)
Paperback : 342 pages
A rural New Zealand vacation turns poisonous.
Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.
Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.
But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.
Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.
The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.
As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.
Guest Post: My Dream Travel Itinerary New Zealand
Because our home is surrounded by heavenly Texas scenery, I can walk through my door with camera in tow—smack into a fragrant pine and oak forest containing majestic whitetail does, gray squirrels, and the occasional skunk, or at least the telltale odor one leaves behind. However, there ARE countries I’d like to visit for a week or two. That’s where my novels come in…
Securely on my bucket list is New Zealand for its magnificent snow-capped mountain ranges and thousands of sheep grazing the craggy hillsides. This is the reason why Copper Waters, book #4 in the Annalisse series takes place there. I had to experience it if only in my mind!
Since I’m a longtime sheep breeder and understand the livestock industry in the US, I’ve wondered how the Kiwi’s raise their sheep below the equator from an island point of view. My research gave insight into their practices allowing me to sprinkle Copper Waters with newsy bits of sheep lore and a ram character that readers will visualize up close. New Zealand is the fourth exotic destination for main characters, Annalisse Drury and Alec Zavos. In books one, two, and three, heroine and love interest are brought to the Greek island of Crete, a Turkish castle, and Italy’s Mediterranean coastline, in that order. Seeing these countries are three more bucket list goals of mine.
A future destination in store for my characters is yet another dream getaway of mine. Since the Outlander saga hit, I’ll admit I’ve caught the Highlander bug as many have. On personal sheep projects, I’m drawn to a whimsical Scottish artist from Dumfries and Galloway, and frankly, absorb anything Scotland—especially the writer’s retreats available in the area. (I met my developmental editor who’s also a literary agent at a Texas retreat in 2014.) How I’d love to attend a writer’s retreat in the British Isles and recreate the magic! The rough Scottish and Irish landscape with its soaring, straight cliffs and ocean views is awaiting Annalisse and Alec in the future, perhaps in book six or seven. Scenic variety from exciting backdrops are the happy beginnings for twists and dangers lurking ahead for the couple.
As an artist and photographer, the main reason why I write is to paint beautiful pictures in the minds of book lovers in case they’re homebodies like me and prefer to turn pages for their adventures. Why not pick up a book and go there—no packing required!
About Marlene M. Bell
Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep on a ranch in wooded East Texas with her husband, Gregg.
Marlene’s Annalisse series boasts 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 romantic suspense are found at her websites or at online retail outlets.
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.
Author Links
Author Website: https://www.marlenembell.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/marlenembell
(Personal Page) https://www.facebook.com/marlene.bell.3194
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ewephoric @ewephoric
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marlene-m-bell
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17642396.Marlene_M_Bell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenemysteries/
Purchase Links – Amazon – Barnes & Noble
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Copper Waters TOUR PARTICIPANTS
May 22 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
May 22 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
May 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
May 23 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
May 24 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 24 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
May 25 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 25 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 26 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 26 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 27 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 28 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 29 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
May 29 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
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Sounds good, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for adding the Copper Waters Guest Post and Spotlight to your website!
You’re welcome! Thank you for stopping by today!
A Fabulous Giveaway with a Fabulous Book to read🍀❣️🍀
I love the cover art. It really caught my attention!