Page 41 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 48

Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell is a thrilling blend of mys- tery and romance. The captivating plot, rich with historical intrigue and vivid settings, keeps readers on edge. Annalisse’s character is compelling, and the unexpected twists make it a page-turner. A must-read for mystery enthusiasts seeking adventure
ment of the story?
sheep gifts in a printed cata-
log and online. My husband
and I raise various sheep
breeds and have for well over
40 years. Having sheep as
part of our family has made
it essential to create stories
with sheep and lambs making cameo appearances in novels
and children’s books. You could say, I write what I know! Mia and Nattie is based on raising a bottle lamb in our home and how she became important to our sheep operation.
Your work spans both adult mystery novels and children’s books. How do you approach the different challenges these genres present, and what do you enjoy most about writing for such diverse audiences?
Raising Natalie, our bottle lamb we called “Nattie,” taught me several life lessons. Mia and Nattie covers several of these les- sons important for young people to learn as they mature and enter society. When Nattie passed on at the age of 13, it hit me harder than expected. I felt compelled
to get her story out to children and their parents. Writing novels gave me the courage to jump out of my genre comfort zone and try something new to work through the grief.
As an accomplished artist and photographer, how does your visual creativity intersect with your writing process? Do you find that your artistic ba- ckground influences how you describe settings or develop the visual elements of your stories?
Without question my ability
to draw and paint what I see in nature has made me better at de- scriptions for my books. Through purchasing coffee table books and the visuals they provide, I can
Because of my sheep husbandry background, New Zealand was chosen for its beautiful scenic landscape and a place to showcase their sheep stations. Readers who might not know how other coun- tries raise their sheep would find the information interesting and
see the international locations for how they actually look, giving the reader an accurate view for their mind’s eye as they read my novels. I rarely use the internet for research and depend on peo- ple who have actually been to the locations I write about.
With multiple awards under your belt, what advice would you give to aspiring writers who are trying to find their voice and establish themselves in the competitive world of publishing?
I went the longer route and learned as I published each book. Ten long years for Stolen Obsession. The first book in the Annalisse series required a lot of research on how to write fiction and what readers expect in every genre. I did what Traditional Publishers do for their authors when offering them a publishing contract.
The best advice I can give new authors is to research the genre they plan to write and read, read, read the work of other authors both inside the genre and outside. Reading opens the flow of words and helps with writer’s block. When I’m blocked at the blank page, the best medicine is to pick up
an excellent learning experience. This New Zealand getaway was necessary for my main characters to have time apart to work out their differences.
In A Hush at Midnight, the pro- tagonist Laura Harris is a for- mer celebrity chef entangled in a murder investigation. How do you go about creating such complex characters, and what role does the culinary world play in heightening the tension and intrigue in the story?
Marlene M. Bell masterfully blends mystery and heart, cap- tivating readers with her vivid storytelling and unique pasto- ral charm.
Another personal pastime of mine is cooking from scratch using fresh ingredi- ents for the best dining ex- perience. I thought it would be a challenge to create a character who loves to cook (bake) and bring another book out with an interna- tional flair due to Laura’s training in France at one of the best culinary schools in the world.
Sheep often make appearan- ces in your books, including your children’s picture book Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! How does your life on a sheep ranch influence your writing, and what draws you to incorporate these animals into your stories?
My company, Ewephoric, was created in 1985 due to the lack of merchandise available depicting sheep in the retail world. I’m an artist and decided to bring out my own sheep-related products which led me to include other artisan’s
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