The New Neighbor–Just Like Me.
By Donnell Ann Bell
Six years ago, when my husband decided to retire, he said, “I’d like to give Las Cruces, New Mexico a try. I think it would be a great place to live.” We’re both originally from New Mexico, but I’d lived in Colorado so long, I admit the idea seemed foreign to me. Still, my husband had worked hard, given our family a great life, and I felt he deserved the opportunity. What’s more, he qualified that if we hated desert living, we could always move back. As a writer, I can write anywhere, right? To me, a relocation combined with an escape clause, sounded like a win/win.
We settled in fine in our new home where we met the neighbors north and south of us and two families across the street to the east. During this time, there was also a vacancy on the HOA board. I’d served on one in Colorado and knew it was a great place to meet people, learn the ins and outs of the community, and at the same time give back.
My neighbor and author Bailey Herrington
All was going well until the vice president of the association said, “Donnell, did you hear? Your new neighbor catty-corner to you is a writer. He’s just like you!
Just like me? I gave an inward scoff. Divide writing into its myriad segments and genres, and you will find the profession is as big as the proverbial ocean.
I stared at the cute white stucco house on the corner. “Really? What does he write, do you know?”
“He’s a mystery writer,” came Glen’s reply. “Just like you.”
Hmmm. Suddenly, the ocean morphed into the size of a lake, and I became territorial of my new environment. I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet this interloper. I was the lone mystery writer on the block. I was working on edits and didn’t want to become sidetracked. Still, writers are notoriously curious, and I was no exception. Who was he? Did he write commercial fiction? Literary? Was he published? A newbie? Had he invested the considerable time necessary to learn the craft of writing? Or had he sat down at the keyboard one day and decided to write a novel?
When someone lives in such close proximity, your paths are bound to cross. I met my mysterious neighbor and his wife, and confess to being charmed by them both. I further learned he was a member of Sisters in Crime, an organization to which I belong. He mentioned, too, he would be attending Left Coast Crime, a reader/writer conference, in which I was also registered! The ocean that had morphed into a lake was now the size of a puddle. The day finally came when he asked if I would read a synopsis of his soon-to-be released novel.
As a former contest coordinator and judge, I’ve judged many synopses that were well written, the manuscript not so much. I’ve also read weak synopses in which the accompanying story was fabulous. Based on those experiences, I asked for an advanced reader copy with a lame promise to get back to him “when I could.”
“When I could” turned into every spare moment I had. I started The Girl in the Orange Maillot on a Friday evening and read into the wee hours, finishing a day or so later. I was consumed by Author Bailey Herrington’s fictional account based on a true story. So much so, here is how I describe this novel:
“‘No lie lives forever.’ Police procedure, courtroom drama, compassion, superb writing, filled with numerous twists and turns–author Bailey Herrington incorporates many of my favorite subjects in The Girl in the Orange Maillot. Readers will love this mystery featuring protagonist David Elliott. My recommendation? Rest up before starting; you’ll pull an all-nighter.” -Donnell Ann Bell, Amazon Bestselling Author and 2020 Colorado Book Award Finalist Black Pearl: A Cold Case Suspense.“
In fiction, experts will tell you to avoid coincidence. Even so, what were the chances a mystery writer of Bailey Herrington’s caliber would end up living catty-corner to me? I wouldn’t say he’s “just like me.” Our storytelling voices and life experiences are markedly different. But I have to admit we have much in common 😉
Fast forward to 2023. Mr. Herrington has a new release out called Dead to Rights. I’ve read this book as well. It features Herrington’s protagonist David Elliott and is equally well written and compelling as the first novel I’ve read by this author. Check out the author’s website to view a fantastic trailer of the story. baileyherrington.com There are so many books published each year it’s impossible to read them all. But if you enjoy thought-provoking edge-of-your-seat suspense, Dead to Rights is not to be missed.
About Dead to Rights: 
David Elliott returns in a new, action-packed thriller.
1953: David Elliott is a college sophomore American Literature major who also plays baseball and has a propensity to jump into things without looking. When his revered professor Steven Jeffrey ostensibly commits suicide, David receives a coded letter from him a day later. With the help of his cousin Judy, David is determined to decipher the message and make it public. However, they quickly become entangled in intrigue, murder, and peril masterminded by a cadre of CIA operatives. Only their courage and ingenuity can save them from also falling victims to staged murders. During their fight to survive, David and Judy face revelations both personal and political which will upend their lives.
Thanks for reading books, including mine.
Bailey Herrington
Author, Storyteller
About the Author:
“I write the David Elliott Mysteries to entertain and enlighten people who expect mysteries to have meaning beyond the plot, protagonists who use their minds instead of guns and knives, characters who linger in the mind long after their disappearance from the page, plots that are the natural consequences of the characters’s lives, to create a depth of feeling that is unusual for murder mysteries.” Bailey Herrington, June 2023.
Bailey lives in Las Cruces, NM with his wife Karen, striving to be a better writer, and a better person.
Karma or coincidence? Should your critique partner be worried? 😉
Never 🙂 I like the idea of Karma though. Thanks, Lois!
Thanks, Donnell, for bringing this writer to my attention. I believe I’ll be adding him to my TBR pile. A very interesting story of the way you met and I loved how your ocean became the size of a puddle. Nice analogy.
Ah, thanks, C.F. I think you’ll enjoy Bailey’s books. I sure did.
Thank you, Donnell, for this wonderful story of our meeting and growing friendship. Having an author of your stature living across the street who willingly shares thoughts and ideas is a blessing to me. Your generous way of encouraging and promoting others, including yours truly, marks you as a rare gem. Thanks again, good friend! Bailey Herrington (a.k.a. Skip).
My absolute pleasure, Bailey (Skip). Thank you for being my guest today.
What an interesting coincidence, Donnell. And Bailey’s books sound amazing.
Kassandra, I highly recommend. Thanks for stopping by!