Marta Stephens 70, Female Midwest USA United States: Share on Facebook MySpace Tweet

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Started Oct 12, 2017

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Hometown:: Muncie, IN

About Me:: I love creating complex plots that keep readers glued to the edge of their seats and the pages. I'm happy to take on the challenge of developing protagonists that are sharp but not always perfect. Even the bad guys—the ones readers will love to hate are sometimes more fun to create. To be honest, though, I simply enjoy the process of writing; the plot development, research, creating scenes and characters. I don’t even mind editing—it’s nothing for me to cut thousands of pages from my work in progress.
The real joy for me, however, is having the opportunity to connect with my readers and hear or read their reaction to my work. That’s totally fulfilling.

I Am A:: Reader, Writer

Website:: http://www.mstephensbooks.com

Books And Authors I Like:: My favorite book and author is the one who grabs my attention at the moment.

Silenced Cry was released on April 23, 2007, but the creation of this book and its diverse set of characters go back to a fall afternoon in 2004. That was the day I wrote The Black Pearl. It will now be the second book in the Sam Harper Crime Mysteries series. Although I’ve changed the story line considerably, the idea for that book was sparked by a tale of a cursed ring my mother once told me when I was eight. It will be released in late 2008.

I wrote The Black Pearl and book three but needed a third story to complete the series, however, instead of moving forward in time, I decided to show the beginning. I felt there was much more to this character than catching criminals and wanted the reader to understand who Homicide Detective Sam Harper is and what drives him.

Silenced Cry is a detective murder mystery with enough police procedures, investigative work, and bad guys to make even the pickiest mystery lovers happy, (or so I'm told). You’ll find all the reviews on my website, listed under The Body of Evidence. But reviews aside, this book is a story about the events, disappointments, and successes that transform the character, Sam Harper, into the man who emerges in the final pages of Silenced Cry.

My only hope is that the reader will find this book entertaining and will be drawn to follow the series.

Other places where I hang out:
www.martastephens-author.com
http://mstephens-musings.blogspot.com/
Murder by 4

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"The Devil Can Wait" Book Trailer

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Silenced Cry

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Marta Stephens's Blog

Susan Whitfield, guest blogger on Novel Works

Susan has written and published mystery novels, GENESIS BEACH, and JUST NORTH OF LUCK. HELL SWAMP, the third novel, will be released by publisher L&L Dreamspell on February 21st. She is currently writing GATOR CREEK, set along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington.

Her article, "Inside the Mind of A Mystery Writer: Challenges" is posted on Novel Works today.… Continue

Posted on December 10, 2009 at 12:55am

"The Devil Can Wait" is a IPPY Bronze Medal Finalist!

Here's an update on my previous blog. "The Devil Can Wait" was selected as a 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards IPPY) bronze medal finalist in the mystery/suspense/thriller category!

Posted on May 26, 2009 at 1:08am — 2 Comments

"The Devil Can Wait" is a IPPY Award semifinalist

The second book in my Sam Harper Crime Mystery series, "The Devil Can Wait," is a semifinalist in the annual IPPY Awards in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category in the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards). The 120 entries in this category were narrowed down to 12 semi-finalists.

The winners will be announced on May 29th on the first evening of the BookExpo America convention in… Continue

Posted on May 9, 2009 at 5:18am — 1 Comment

One of my blogs selected by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for writers!

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around this, but my authors' blog, MURDER BY 4 http://murderby4.blogspot.com , has been selected as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest for 2009!

For those not familiar with MURDER BY 4, this writers' blog was launched in February 2008 to give readers and writers and insider's look at the lives of four published authors; Aaron Paul Lazar, Kim Smith, S. W. Vaughn and me :)… Continue

Posted on April 12, 2009 at 8:29am — 3 Comments

Murder By 4/Celebration/Book Give Away

Hey everybody! Stop by Murder by 4 http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com today and join authors Aaron Lazar, Kim Smith, S. W. Vaughn, and I as we celebrate our first anniversary on cyber space group blog. Murder By 4 is where readers will discover new authors, read great articles, and where writers promote their works.

If you were a featured guest on Murder By 4 in the past 12 months or popped in to read one of our posts, stop by and say… Continue

Posted on February 19, 2009 at 3:15am

Comment Wall (38 comments)

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At 12:49am on May 26, 2009, J. F. Juzwik said…: Hi Marta, Sorry it took me so long to reply. I'm in a knock-down, drag-out with a story, but I think I may win the match soon. I HOPE SO since deadline for submission is this Saturday. Indy is so close for me too and I'd love to attend Bouchercon, but I'll have to see how things go. Right now, I've got the grandkids all the time (SUPER FUN!), but my granddaughter is a bit young to attend. My grandson is a crimewriter (God bless him) at the age of 9 and a good one too, so he'd like to go, but we'll just have to see how I could work it out. Hope all is well with you. Joyce

At 1:27am on January 24, 2009, Susan Whitfield said…: Absolutely! Just give me the details. Thanks for asking.

At 11:05am on January 21, 2008, Marta Stephens said…: At 10:04am on January 21st, 2008, Marta Stephens said…
Hi Neil! Yes, my publisher is in the UK, BeWrite Books and Silenced Cry is available on all the Amazons and other shops. If you'll look in the "Buy Now" section on my site, I have several British locations listed including the London Book Depository. It's also available directly from my publisher at http://www.bewrite.net/merchant2/4.00/merchant.mv?

Thanks so much for taking time to view my video. If you're interested, I developed a 6-part series of articles on developing and Internet presense. They too are available on my website in the "Author to Author" section. I'm posting one a week. Thus far you'll find three posted. "The Public Author," "The Author's Website," and "Book Trailers." Upcoming titles are, "Spreading the Word," "Virtual Book Tours," and "The Hometown Advantage."

You asked how the book is doing. I'm not getting rich, but Silenced Cry is doing well, I think. My publisher is happy. I had great sales in this past fall (the book came out in April 2007) and I thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing. For the moment that's what counts. :)

So glad we "met!"
Marta

At 10:50am on January 21, 2008, Neil White said…: Thanks for the invite, Marta. Great video. I would never have thought of doing a video for a book site, but it looks like a good idea now. I'll look out for the book. Is it for sale in England, and if so, how is it doing?

At 9:17am on January 13, 2008, Susan Whitfield said…: Marta, Luck has taken off in a hurry. I'm tickled so far although it has only been a couple of weeks. We'll see how it does over the long haul. Best to you!

At 8:27am on January 13, 2008, Marta Stephens said…: Hey Susan!! Thanks so much! :)

At 7:13am on January 13, 2008, Susan Whitfield said…: Marta, your video is awesome. Even though I've already read the book ,Silenced Cry, the video gave me chills. Congratulations!

At 3:14am on January 13, 2008, Douglas Quinn said…: Douglas Quinn
Author, Editor, Book Reviewer
rivercitypress@hotmail.com
www.douglasquinn.com

12 January 2008

Dear Family/Fans/Friends/Readers

Please join me in the first week of my Virtual Book Tour. Beginning tomorrow, Sunday, January 13th, writer Brenda Kay Wynn will publish an interview with Douglas Quinn on her webblog site at (click on the following or cut and paste into your browser) www.chronclesofelydir.spaces.live.com.

You are invited to go to Brenda’s site, read the interview and comment and/or ask questions. I am looking forward to responding to your comments and queries.

The interview will be posted throughout the four week tour. Weeks two, three and four will have different articles hosted by and posted at other webblog sites. Would love to interact with you along the way.

In addition, each time during the four week tour you leave a comment and/or ask a question your name will be placed into a drawing for a Free Signed Copy of Blue Heron Marsh.. Hope to see you all there.

Smiles,
Douglas Quinn

P.S. Please feel free to forward this invitation to your own email address list. The more people who participate, the happier I will be.

At 4:27am on January 4, 2008, Darren Laws said…: Seems we are both in midst a crime trilogy. You are bang on when you write that it's all about entertaining the reader. There is no higher cause. If a reader obtains anything else from a novel then it is a bonus.
Have a great 2008!

At 4:08am on September 19, 2007, Douglas Quinn said…: When you get a chance, check out my Crimespace Blog re the info and pics from my recent book signing event.

Smiles,
Douglas Quinn
www.douglasquinn.com