A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Quick Summary
A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell is a perfect fit for readers who crave a culinary mystery that combines the intrigue of a small-town secret with the suspense of a tantalizing whodunit. It’s a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and culinary enthusiasts alike.
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Enter below to win this fabulous prize package!
Levenger Oxford Book Tote with six outer pockets.
Autographed Proof copy of A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT
10 oz bag of Moon Pie ground coffee
32 oz insulated drink container by Bru-Mate
New “Moon Pie” corgi plush by Aurora. (Moon Pie the corgi is a character in HUSH)
$50 Amazon Gift Card
RETAIL VALUE OF GIVEAWAY $200.
(one winner) (USA and Canada) (ends Feb 11)
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A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell ~ $200 Prize Pack #BookReview #Mystery @ireadBookTours @MarleneMysteries #Bookstagram #BookTok #BookSky
Book Details
A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M Bell
Published by Ewephoric Publishing on 09/01/2024
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Mystery
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 368
Source: iRead Book ToursA manipulator.
A fatal plan for revenge.
Award-winning author of the Annalisse series, Marlene M. Bell, brings distant friends together in the rural South only to have one of them become the victim of a brutal crime of passion.
Once celebrated for her show-stopping pastries and irresistible desserts, former celebrity chef Laura Harris is now making headlines for a far darker reason.
Laura has been accused of murder.How could this petite chef have brutally smothered the beloved small-town matriarch, World War II ferry pilot veteran, Hattie Stenburg? Hattie wasn't just a pillar of the community; she was Laura's confidant and mentor. The shocking twist? Hattie’s will contained recent changes, bypassing next-of kin and leaving her entire fortune and historic estate to Laura.
As Laura scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the town’s idyllic surface. The real murderer is always one step ahead, leaving taunting clues and threatening Laura to leave Texas—or face deadly consequences. With time not a luxury, Laura must untangle the web of deceit before the killer makes her the next victim.
In "A Hush at Midnight," Marlene M. Bell twists an amateur sleuth crime mystery into a race against the clock to solve her mentor's murder.
Content Rating: G. No profanity or intimate situations
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Purchase Links for A Hush at Midnight
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bell, Marlene M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 303 Pages - 10/01/2024 (Publication Date) - Ewephoric (Publisher)
If the above link does not route you to your country’s Amazon page for A Hush at Midnight, please let me know, and I’ll gladly get a link for you.
Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount from their share, and every penny helps support this blog.
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Book Trailer
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My thoughts on A Hush at Midnight
Marlene M. Bell’s “A Hush at Midnight” is an absolute treat for anyone who loves cozy mysteries and a dash of culinary drama. The award-winning author of the Annalisse series stirs up a captivating whodunit that’s as layered as one of her protagonist’s show-stopping desserts. Set in a charming yet secretive Southern town, this story grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go.
Laura Harris, a former celebrity chef, thought she left her chaotic past behind when she settled into a quieter life in rural Texas. But everything comes crashing down when her beloved mentor, Hattie Stenburg—a local legend and WWII ferry pilot veteran—is brutally murdered. To make matters worse, Laura becomes the prime suspect after it’s revealed that Hattie’s recently updated will leaves her fortune and estate to Laura, bypassing her family. As accusations fly and sinister secrets bubble to the surface, Laura is thrust into a high-stakes race to clear her name. Can she untangle the web of lies before the killer strikes again?
Bell perfectly captures the charm of small-town life while keeping you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is flawless, the twists will genuinely surprise you, and Laura’s grit makes her a protagonist you can’t help but root for. If you love culinary mysteries or gripping amateur sleuth stories, this book is for you. Brew a cup of tea, curl up in your favorite reading spot, and dive into this deliciously suspenseful tale.
I read this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription as part of a virtual iRead book tour. This review reflects my honest opinion, freely given.
Read more of my Marlene M. Bell reviews HERE.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Marlene M Bell
Marlene M Bell is an award-winning writer, artist, and crazy sheep lady who resides in beautiful East Texas. Her renowned sheep photographs grace the covers of many livestock magazines where she also writes newsy articles about raising sheep from her hands-on experience.
Of Marlene's first novel, Stolen Obsession, Kirkus Reviews said, "Debut author Bell delivers a great, slow-building romance, gently examining her characters' painful pasts." Stolen Obsession also won the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Award (IRDA) for Best Fiction Cover. Stolen Obsession— and Spent Identity, books one and two, have received numerous awards including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery in 2020. The third book in the Annalisse Series releases in 2021. Calico Raven is an international mystery with touches of romance--at a killing pace.
In October 2020, Marlene offers the first of her children's picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! 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.
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Guest Post by Marlene M. Bell, Author of A Hush at Midnight
Beginning Writer – 5 Things You Should Know
- Learn the craft before you begin. It doesn’t matter what genre you choose, writing a novel is unlike anything else you’ve ever written. Read as many self-help books from the masters like James Scott Bell and Donald Maass. Pick up tons of material on sentence structure and the basics. Buy all of the Emotion Thesaurus installments that you can afford by Angela Ackerman. They will come in handy for future novels. Once you’ve exhausted English basics, then it’s time to fine-tune your writing and know what readers want in your genre.
- Authors must write for the reader, not themselves. It’s okay to write a first draft the way you want, but in your edited drafts, the story must reflect what your reader is expecting from the genre. As an example: Romantic Suspense requires the protagonist’s love interest be central to the story with some early fireworks between them. Characters, protagonist and love interest, must have a wedge that keeps them apart. Something that drives them from each other in the beginning. The plot slowly works them back together for a finish with a Happily Ever After ending. Romance genre endings are expected to be HEA or happy for now. If you plan to kill off a main interest in the book, consider how your readers will feel and think twice about the approach. Never, ever kill a family pet or an animal in your novels if you can help it. Readers will forgive a character’s murder but most won’t stomach the killing of animals, especially those that are beloved.
- Invest in the best editors you can afford. It doesn’t pay to skimp on the editing. I went through eight (8) drafts before I published Stolen Obsession. Nine, if you count the rewrite in 2022 to address issues readers had mentioned in the original book. I had used beta readers, developmental editors, critique groups, copy editors, and proofers before heading to a graphic artist for a stunning cover and still my work suffered.
Cover art should always be left to someone other than the author. With millions of books out there, your soon-to-be reader has seconds to make a choice. Readers DO buy their books by its cover at times. Professionals make your work shine.
Once a book is published with errors, expect that book to suffer. Obtain sample work from several copy editors before settling on your favorites. It’s easy to lose your writer’s voice if a strong editor prefers to rewrite the story for themselves. Readers are subjective and have different preferences. The same goes for an editor. Choose those who will enhance your work.
That said, it’s hard to know when the author’s book is a debut. I know, because serious editor issues happened prior to my first book’s release. Learn the editor’s street cred and read testimonials to see what others think. If an editor does not have a website, run the other way. Find one who has years in the business, glowing examples of their work, award-winning authors as clients, and offers a free editing sample.
- Writing, Reading, and Editors are all subjective. So are reviewers. Your written work will affect every person differently. Some may not like the style or voice; others won’t like a character’s personality. Still others might not be expecting romance in a mystery even though your work is designed to include romantic interludes. This does happen! Grow a thick skin and shrug off your critics. Your story might not resonate with some. I see this a lot with younger readers who have a different world view. The old saying, “You can’t please everybody,” holds true here. Please yourself with your reader in mind and you’ll sort it out.
I also pay attention to negative reviews. It’s amazing how much there is to glean by seeing what irks your readers. Not all criticisms are authentic or worth more than a few seconds of your time, but if several reviews point out the same flaws in your writing, it’s time to address it. Make notes. Try not to make similar mistakes in subsequent books. A good rule of thumb: never respond to negative online reviews! It can bring on a storm of more negativity from others who support the reviewer.
- Have fun writing, and don’t kill yourself doing it! Typing for long hours in front of your laptop or PC takes perseverance. Everyone has a life beyond the keyboard. Take walks and read lots of books in and out of your genre. You’ll be amazed how reading helps with the writer’s block. Having a bad day writing means a better day reading. It’s where I go when the words won’t come smoothly. If that doesn’t do it, I take a walk in nature or sit with my sheep. They are my stress relievers ~
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Giveaway!
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for A Hush at Midnight
Full Tour Schedule:
Dec 27 – @michellegodardricherauthor – book mail post
Jan 13 – @this.human.reads * – book review / giveaway
Jan 15 – Kristy Centeno – book spotlight
Jan 15 – Reading Excursions – book spotlight
Jan 15 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
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Jan 16 – Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s– book review / guest post / giveaway
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Feb 4 – @onemorechap * – book review / giveaway
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Book Title: A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 368 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Release date: October 2024
Content Rating: G. No profanity or intimate situations
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This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing & Ty for the chance at this awesome giveaway!
I’ve read a couple of her Annalise books and enjoyed them. This sounds like a good story.
I’m a foodie and love suspense so this is perfect!
Incredibly amazing
Looks like a great mix of cozy and suspense!
This sounds like a delicious cozy read that I will enjoy!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds like a very interesting read and I appreciate the advice about writing a novel. I’m working on my first one and it’s always nice to learn more from published authors.