Copper Waters – A New Zealand Mystery (Annalisse Series Book 4) by Marlene M. Bell | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ $360 Grand Prize
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. 
Book Details
Copper Waters by Marlene M Bell
Published by Ewephoric Publishing on 10/07/2022
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 340
Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.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.
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Purchase Links for Copper Waters
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
Copper Waters: A New Zealan...Shop on Amazon
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Book Trailer
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My thoughts on Copper Waters
Copper Waters by Marlene M Bell is the fourth book in her Annalisse series.
Anna and Alec are a wonderfully real couple. They aren’t perfect and have issues much like “normal” lovers. Outside influences conspire to create turmoil in their lives. Annalisse decides to travel to New Zealand alone to search for her mother and to give the relationship a little room to breathe.
Naturally, nothing goes as planned. With murders popping up and a never-ending suspect list, Anna is happy to welcome Alec when he follows her to the island nation. The plot twists in this tale are amazingly complex, creating false trails amid intricate details. I can say without hesitation that I did not have his mystery figured out early.
Marlene M Bell writes mysteries that captivate the imagination and put a chill in the heart. Her smooth descriptive prose puts the reader in the middle of every scene. Whether she is writing about sheep farms or wealthy fiancés, she captures your attention.
I recommend Copper Waters to lovers of destination stories, intricate murderous plots, and psychological thrillers.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Read more of my reviews for this series:
Scattered Legacy: Murder in Southern Italy (Annalisse Book 3)
Stolen Obsession (Annalisse Book 1)
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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
Writer’s Block: What I do to Overcome it
To be honest, I can’t recall the last time I had a true case of writer’s block. I attribute this luxury to having a busy life and living so close to nature. You see, my husband and I live on acreage in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We came to this state in 2012 with one-hundred-twenty head of Dorset Sheep, the breed with horns!
Between my endless photo-taking of sheep as subject matter for my artwork, and the beautiful scenery that surrounds us each day, at any moment I can leave my computer or laptop, go out my door, and take a stroll to the pond to clear my mind of any negativity due to things beyond my control. My best writing is done in complete silence after a walk in the woods—smelling the pin oak’s leaves, pungent cedars, and fragrant pines swaying in the Texas breeze.
A great way to leave writer’s block behind for those who live in town and can’t get away from household voices or neighborhood barking dogs is to pick up a book and read. It doesn’t take long. All writers have days where the words won’t flow easily on the page, no matter how we try to get a point across. There’s nothing worse than opening sentences that never feel right.
Opening paragraphs in Chapter One are the worst for me! When frustration hits, I immediately go into our personal library and pick up a book I’ve started, or pull out a new one from my TBR list. There are usually twenty novels waiting and research publications to be read as homework before writing the next series installment. Amazingly, after as little as thirty minutes of reading, I can return to my work in progress and nail the sticky section in the last written paragraph.
Take a break and concentrate on something else is almost certain to loosen up a case of writer’s block. Sit quietly and notice what’s around you, listen to mockingbirds steal other bird’s speech in the trees, and smell the sunshine or ozone in the rain from outdoors on your porch. I’ll bet you hear something you never noticed before and your writing will naturally improve! Turn that block into a positive.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Enter the Copper Waters – A New Zealand Mystery (Annalisse Series) for a chance to win:
One – William Morris design layered Tapestry Throw. 50 x 60. (Made in USA)
One – Vintage Copper Tea Kettle (Circa 1960s)
One – New Leather Tote Bag as carried by Annalisse, the protagonist of Marlene M. Bell’s series. (Described in the Annalisse series.)
One set of Autographed Copies of Stolen Obsession, Spent Identity, Scattered Legacy, and new release Copper Waters.
One – $50 VISA Card
GRAND PRIZE VALUE: $360.00
(USA only) (ends Mar 3)
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Copper Waters
COPPER WATERS Book Tour Giveaway
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Thank you for the review. I was not aware that New Zealand mysteries were a thing, but now I’m actually intrigued.
Marlene’s books are a treat to read!
Thank you, Gina, for your nice review of Copper Waters during the iReads Tour! I appreciate your previous reviews from earlier installments as well. A big THANK YOU for posting my books to your blog ~
I’m always happy to have you on the blog, Marlene…for all your books, including the children’s stories.
Very kind of you Gina. Thanks for that.
Thank you for sharing your review of Copper Waters, the author’s guest post, bio and book details, this sounds like an excellent mystery book and series, a must read for me
You will love it, Bea!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book.
Copper Waters by Marlene M Bell sounds like a mystery that is unique and entertaining.