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.
Scattered Legacy is the third in Marlene M. Bell’s thrilling Annalisse series, which weaves romance, crime, and historical mystery into addictive tales to instantly captivate fans of TV show Bones or Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.
Book Details:
Book Title: Scattered Legacy (Annalisse Series Book 3) by Marlene M. Bell
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 352 pages
Genre: Mystery-Suspense
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Release date: Oct 2021
Format available for review: print - softback, e-book (mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF)
Will send print books out: USA
Content Rating: PG+M. Brief kissing/romance. mild use of profanity like "damn." No F Bombs. Some violence and talk of an attack by villain that doesn't materialize.
Marlene M. Bell never ceases to amaze me at the intricate mystery she can expertly weave alongside suspense. In the previous book, we were kept stateside and I felt that the action made up for the lack of scenery. This time around, Annalisse and Alec are headed to Italy!
Intrigue and danger seem to follow the antiquities dealer and I couldn't way to immerse myself in it while imagining myself following along through Italy. We also get to dive into Alec's past and family this time around. As par for the course with these two, they're pulled into working while on vacation and this time around, it could have huge repercussions on Alec's family, including his late father.
With the stress of everything they've endured since the beginning of their relationship, it's easy to see how the new predicament forces that wedge in deeper. I disconnected a bit from Annalisse in the previous book and although she does manage to get me to circle back around, I hope she grows even more as a strong woman for the next book. I also hope we get more from Alec's point of view!
As always, I adore learning more about the world of antiquities and Bell did not disappoint with the story behind the rosary and I do love Annalisse's relationship with Alec's mother, especially in regard to her job.
Once I neared the end of the book, I felt an even bigger pull inside the storylines and was floored by the ending. So grateful there is another book coming!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.
The Annalisse series has received 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 romance are found at marlenembell.com. 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.
Follow the Book Tour:
Jan 30 –Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
Jan 30 - Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Jan 31 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
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Feb 2 -Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 3 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
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Feb 3 -Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 6 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 6 - Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 7 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 7 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 8 –fundinmental – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 8 –Book Corner News and Reviews– book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
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Feb 10 -Older & Smarter? – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 13 –Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 13 - Olio by Marilyn – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 13 – Bigreadersite – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 14 – Mystery Review Crew – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 14 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 14 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 15 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 15 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 16 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 16 - Olio by Marilyn – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 16 – Mystery Review Crew – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 16 - Lynchburg Reads – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
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Feb 17 - Lynchburg Reads – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 17 - Older & Smarter? – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 17 – Rockin’ Book Reviews –book review of COPPER WATERS / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 - Splashes of Joy – book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 20 - Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 20 – Bigreadersite – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
Feb 20 -FUONLYKNEW - book review of STOLEN OBSESSION / giveaway
Feb 21 – Liese's Blog – book series spotlight
Feb 21 - Splashes of Joy – book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 21 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 21 - Mystery Review Crew – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
Feb 21 -FUONLYKNEW - book review of SPENT IDENTITY / giveaway
Feb 22 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of COPPER WATERS / guest post / giveaway
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Feb 22 - Splashes of Joy – book review of SCATTERED LEGACY / giveaway
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Feb 23 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 23 - Splashes of Joy – book review of COPPER WATERS / giveaway
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Feb 24 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of COPPER WATERS / 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, protagonist of Marlene M. Bell’s series. (Described in the Annalisse series.)
One set 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)