Neighbors and Critique Partners

By: Donnell Ann Bell

Hello! I am the newest member of the Stiletto Gang, and as a mystery writer and a woman who loves shoes, I will do my best to fit in. I wrote an article for Stiletto Gang way back in the day https://donnellannbell.com/characters/  Call me biased, but I still think it’s relevant.

Much has changed since that article, however. I’ve written more books, I’ve relocated from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and with the exception of COVID-19, so far so good. This city, thirty minutes from El Paso, Texas, has an amazing culture and some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Imagine (pre-COVID by the way), walking into the grocery store when somebody sneezes, and from every surrounding aisle, people shout, “God bless you.” Also, while I may miss Colorado’s green, you can’t beat New Mexico’s sunsets.

Land of Enchantment's Sunset 

One of the hardest things about leaving Colorado after thirty-plus years was saying goodbye to lifetime friendships. Las Cruces has a way to go to compete, but my next-door neighbor is working hard at making the list. She arrived on my doorstep with cookies (my downfall), and our friendship quickly became reciprocal. Like me, she has a creative side. Where I write, she paints.  

Tuscany Village by Carol Oxford 

One of the things I love about my new home is my front courtyard. But it was kind of sparse, so I went to work decorating. I found this adorable chihuahua and put him just out my front door. Wouldn't you know it, though, my artistic neighbor pointed out something was missing.

Every chihuahua needs ...

... a friend

One person I didn’t have to say goodbye to although we live 1,882 miles apart is my critique partner, Lois Winston, who I'd met online, then in person on a transport van that delivered us to a conference. We’ve exchanged chapters and brainstormed for years. We walk while we talk (because we’re notorious multitaskers), and I can’t tell you how many “aha” moments we’ve had via our treks.

I’m also close to Stiletto Gang member Cathy Perkins. She’s a great conference roommate, by the way (Portland as I recall), and she and her husband have visited Las Cruces. She’s a major talent, and one day I hope to see her gorgeous home in the Pacific Northwest. 

Donnell, Cathy & spouses

That’s basically my introductory blog in a multi-cracked nutshell. Looking forward to sharing thoughts, ideas and hopefully a little laughter.

 Do you have a neighbor you love and/or a valued critique partner? In my opinion, they make the world a whole lot brighter.

About  Donnell's latest book: A cold case heats up when a 9-1-1 call puts police at a Denver murder scene pointing investigators to the abduction of a Colorado teenager fourteen years before. The connection? A calling card—a single black pearl—is found on the newest victim. Is the murder a copycat? Or has a twisted serial killer, thought dead or in prison, returned to kill again?

The hunt for a multi-state killer is on and brings together an unexpected team: a Denver Major Crimes police lieutenant; an FBI special agent who investigated the previous murders, a rookie FBI agent with a specialty in psychology; and the only living victim of the Black Pearl Killer is now a cop.

For Special Agent Brian DiPietro, the case is an opportunity to find answers. For Officer Allison Shannon, the case will force her to face down the town that blamed her for surviving when another did not. And for both DiPietro and Shannon, it’s a chance to find closure to questions that have tormented them both for years.

Bio: Donnell Ann Bell gave up her nonfiction career in newspapers and magazines because she was obsessed with the idea she could write a mystery or thriller. An award-winning author, including the 2020 Colorado Book Award finalist for her latest release Black Pearl, A Cold Case Suspense, Donnell’s other books have included Buried Agendas, Betrayed, Deadly Recall and The Past Came Hunting, all of which have been Amazon bestsellers. Currently she’s writing Book Two of her Cold Case series. For further information or buy information, please go to www.donnellannbell.com  

 

 

 

Whither Thou Goest

I’m married to a Kamikaze Tourist. Let me be very clear. He’s a wonderful man. There is none better. In fact, we just celebrated a milestone anniversary, in honor of which we took a 10-day vacation. But traveling with my husband is exhausting and I always need a vacation from my vacation. How could two such compatible people have such differing views of what constitutes a respite from work?

The man, who while home never misses the opportunity to nap on the weekends, is, when traveling, suddenly transformed into the energizer bunny. There isn’t a ruin, a cathedral, a graveyard, that doesn’t require close inspection. Now I have been known to “brake for garage sales,” but I could pass by a pile of rubble and never even feel bad that I had missed, according to my better half, an enormous event in the earth’s history.

Now that’s not to say that I wasn’t dazzled, overwhelmed, struck silent (quite a trick) by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Surely, it deserves inclusion on the Seven Wonders of the World List. But in 100+ degree weather, my husband had us criss-crossing the South Rim at a pace that rivaled a Marine platoon, climbing up 84 narrow steps of a watchtower (and then down again, although I suggested that he leave me at the top and save himself), and virtually hang-gliding off precipices that Evil Knievel would have declared unsafe.

If insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different result – call me crazier than a loon. I keep traveling with this guy – and then wondering why I come back so tired that hibernation is my only option. There is no lolling by any poolside, holding some fruity alcoholic drink decorated with a tiny paper umbrella. There are places to go and historic markers to read.

On the other hand, my guy is willing to keep a nice balance between the history stuff he wants to see, and the schlock and kitsch that I find interesting. For example, we started the trip in Las Vegas, despite the fact that he has zero interest in gambling. The reason we landed there, literally and figuratively, was because of my fear of flying. Don’t try and figure out why Vegas eliminates that phobia – it doesn’t, but in the context of this vacation, it made sense. Anyway, the point is that I wanted to see the Liberace museum, which according to AAA, is a “gem.” And despite the fact that my man neither liked Liberace, listened to him as a child, nor is that crazy about crystals, feathers, and rhinestones, he’s a good guy and drove me to the strip mall where the museum is housed. It actually was a fascinating historic review of the 1950s, the costumes were indeed way over the top, but best of all, my hubby led the cheers when I won the drawing at the end of the tour. I was presented with a CD of Liberace playing the piano and even better, my very own Liberace bear, complete with mirrored mini-capelet. We spent hours in the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, examining every rock and trail marker for miles…but we also spent hours at the Farmers and Crafts Market in Las Cruces where I could find a dozen different types of chili peppers, as well as gorgeous silverwork and pottery.

We drove more than 1100 miles in 10 days, making multiple stops in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Is it any wonder that I need him to go back to work so that I can get some rest?

Tell me Stiletto Faithful: Are you taking a vacation this year? Stay-cations count too. If so, what are you doing? And is your traveling companion compatible?

Marian, the Northern Half of Evelyn David
http://www.evelyndavid.com

Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David
Murder Takes the Cake by Evelyn David
Murder Drops the Ball by Evelyn David -- Spring 2011 !!!!