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On the road with author Joan Hall

6/8/2021

51 Comments

 
Hello friends! I'm on the road with author Joan Hall, helping her announce the first book of the Legends of Madeira series: COLD DARK NIGHT. Joan offers us an exciting excerpt and also includes the blurb. These two were enough to prompt me to run to Amazon! I'm looking forward to the read. 

Let's see what Joan has to say! 
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Thank you for hosting me today, Gwen, on this stop of my promo tour for Cold Dark Night. As you mentioned, it’s the first novel in the Legends of Madeira series. Each book begins with a historical event that ties to modern day.

I often use real life experiences in my books. When I was younger, I had several dreams that came true. When creating my character Abbey Lane, I decided she would have premonitions in the form of dreams.

Readers first hear of Abbey in the short story prequel, House of Sorrow. She is the local librarian, grew up in Madeira and returned there after college. She lives in the house once occupied by Ruth Hazelton’s neighbor, Same.
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When Tami moves into Ruth’s house, the two women soon become friends. Abbey soon has the first in a series of dreams involving a house. She suspects it may be the one Tami lives in, but she’s reluctant to share her premonitions because of an experience with one of her best friends.

Excerpt:
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Abbey Lane sat at the breakfast table, hoping a second cup of coffee would revive her. She’d tossed and turned for the latter part of the night. It had been a long time since she’d had one of those dreams.

She was seventeen when she dreamed an uncle lost his job. Three days later, it happened. Another time she dreamed a classmate had been in an accident. When she went to school on Monday, he was late arriving. Abbey saw him in the hall later that morning, and he said he’d been in a car wreck. She told her sister about both dreams. Penny said it was a gift.

In a way, Abbey guessed it was. There were times she had been able to warn someone they were in danger. But others scoffed at the idea of someone knowing impending events. A neighbor once accused her of fortune-telling, saying it was evil.

She shrugged off the accusation. But when one of her best friends refused to listen to her warning, she looked upon her gift as a curse.

Please don’t go.

Abbey, I have to. I made a commitment and I’m going to stick with it.

I don’t want anything to happen to you.

It’s not like that’s going to happen. Anyway, it’s silly to think something would because of a dream.

Abbey shook aside the memory. After all these years it was too painful. Except for Penny, he’d been the one who never judged her.

As the years passed, the dreams became less frequent. Guess it was like any other talent. If you ignored it, the ability eventually went away.

Most of her visions were vivid and easily recalled. This time, she couldn’t grasp all the details no matter how hard she tried.

Someone was lurking outside a two-story house. She couldn’t tell whether the person was a man or a woman, only that they were intent on harming whoever lived there.

Last night’s dream meant something. She hadn’t felt this strongly about one in years. If only there was someone to talk to. Maybe she’d tell Penny.

Abbey glanced at the clock on the stove. There was much to do before the library opened. Sleeplessness or not, this was no time to dawdle. She rinsed her coffee cup in the sink, grabbed her purse, then walked outside.

Across the street, Tami sat in the porch swing, watching Jason drive away. Abbey called out to her, “Taking advantage of the mild weather?”

“Yeah. I hear it won’t last long, so I thought I’d enjoy the outdoors while I can.”

As Abbey slid into her car, a chill enveloped her. The house… older… two-story…

The memory faded as quickly as it appeared. Tami’s house was similar.

No. The house in my dream didn’t have others nearby. I’m sure of it.
​

But when she drove away, she couldn’t shake the feeling someone close to her would soon be in danger.

                                                                ><><><>< 

This isn’t the only dream Abbey has about an older house. Her dreams are a key role in solving the mystery.


Blurb:

New husband, new house, new town… and a new mystery to solve.
Tami Montgomery thought her police chief husband was going to be the only investigator in the family when she gave up her journalism career and moved with him to Madeira, New Mexico.

But after the historical society asks her to write stories for a book celebrating the town’s history, she becomes embroiled in a new mystery. If she can’t solve this one, she could lose everything. Her research uncovers a spate of untimely deaths of local law enforcement officials. Further digging reveals a common link—they all lived in the house she and Jason now share.
​
Tami isn’t a superstitious person, but the circumstances are too similar for coincidence. Then she unearths an even more disturbing pattern. And if history repeats itself, her husband will be the next to die.
​

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Purchase Link at Amazon:
 
 
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Cold Dark Night is available on Amazon. It’s on sale for .99 through June 15. After that, the price goes to $3.99, so this is a good time for readers to grab a copy. Just click on the image to travel to Amazon. 

​Connect with Joan:

          Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |   Bookbub  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram
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51 Comments
Harmony Kent link
6/9/2021 03:32:10

Reblogged this on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/blog-reflections-fiction-and-life-from-the-desk-of-gwen-m-plano/

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 03:36:29

Thanks so much, Harmony. 😊

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 04:37:44

Thank you for the reblog, Harmony!

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Harmony Kent link
6/9/2021 03:34:00

Another great post, Joan. I have Cold Dark Night teasing me on my ereader and can't wait to get to it. Best of luck with everything :)

Gwen, thanks for sharing :)

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 03:37:49

It's a pleasure supporting Joan with this new release. Just like you mentioned, it's on my kindle waiting to be read. 💗

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 04:38:33

Thanks, Harmony. I hope you enjoy the book!

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Sarah Stuart link
6/9/2021 03:51:13

Found you via Harmony, Gwen.

I shall reblog if a button appears when I post.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 04:40:28

Thank you, Sarah!

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 05:59:22

Thank you so much, Sarah. For some reason, Weebly did not send notices out to followers. I'm elated you're helping to announce Joan's new series. 💗

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Priscilla Bettis link
6/9/2021 05:17:05

I expect to finish reading Cold Dark Night today. Oooo, the story just keeps getting more and more exciting!

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 06:00:34

I've yet to read it, but I'm anxious to do so. Thank you, Priscilla, for the added nudge. 😊

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:24:15

Thank you, Priscilla. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!

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Staci Troilo link
6/9/2021 06:05:38

I think this is Joan's best work yet. I really enjoyed it. Wishing her all the best.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 06:53:05

I'm so looking forward to reading it!! Thank you, Staci, for stopping by for Joan's celebration today. 😊

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:21:53

Thank you, Staci. I really appreciate your support.

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Mae Clair link
6/9/2021 06:24:31

I'm going to echo what Staci said. I've read all of Joan's books, but this is my favorite. She really outdid herself with Cold Dark Night. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery!

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 06:54:04

Thank you for joining the party, Mae. I'm looking forward to the read. Warmest regards! 💗

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:21:15

Thank you, Mae. I'm so glad you liked the book.

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CS Boyack
6/9/2021 07:09:07

Another great post. I have my copy in the stack and love the concept of Abby.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 08:21:22

Thank you for stopping by, Craig. I'm excited for Joan. Cold Dark Night sounds amazing.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:25:47

Thanks, Craig. I enjoyed writing about Abbey. After telling a couple of my critique partners about having dreams that came true, one of them suggested I write that into a story. Thus, Abbey was born!

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Jan Sikes
6/9/2021 07:10:11

This excerpt gave me goosebumps. It would be such a heavy burden to have that kind of gift. I am anxious to read this book! It's waiting patiently on me. Thank you for hosting today, Gwen and best wishes to Joan!

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 08:22:24

Thank you for visiting, Jan. I'm with you - it gave me goosebumps as well. All the best! 💗

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:40:59

That would be a heavy burden to carry. Especially in light of Abbey's previous experiences. Thanks so much for stopping by today, Jan!

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Jill Weai link
6/9/2021 07:11:47

I’ve got Cold Dark Night loaded on my Kindle. It sounds great! Thanks for sharing, Gwen.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 08:23:14

Thank you for visiting, Jill. It's on my Kindle as well, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the read.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:41:36

Thank so much, Jill. I hope you enjoy the book!

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D. L.Finn
6/9/2021 08:53:49

I loved Abbey Lane's character, and her premonitions. Her inner confliction in wanting to warn people but not feeling believed, felt very real.
I admit when I saw her name I thought of Abbey Road:)
This was a great post and read, I can't wait for more.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen:)

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 09:37:38

Thank you for visiting, Denise. It's a pleasure to host writer friends. I'm so happy for Joan! 😊

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 10:43:10

I was driving to work one day was was listening to the Abbey Road album. The idea popped in my head to have two sisters named Abbey and Penny (with the last name Lane). Writing about Abbey was fun. Thanks for stopping by, Denise.

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Patricia Anne Pierce-garcia Schaack link
6/9/2021 10:53:37

Hi Gwen, Hi Joan,
Joan, I truly enjoyed reading your excerpt. It stirred my interest so much that I went to Amazon Germany to see it the book was offered on sale there and it was. I bought it. I am also following you on Twitter now too.
Gwen, thank you so much for introducing me to this engaging author..

Shalom aleichem

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 11:34:18

Thank you for visiting, Pat. I'm so happy the excerpt stirred your interest. It did mine as well. Happy reading! Shalom

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:21:56

Thank you so much, Pat. I think you're probably the first one to purchase one of my books in Germany. I do hope you enjoy it. And thanks for the Twitter follow. Following you back. :)

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
6/9/2021 11:58:19

Hi Gwen, it is lovely to see Joan all over the blogosphere with this book. I am sure it will do very well.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 13:28:08

Thank you, Roberta. I'm hoping that is the case. After reading the reviews, I'm anxious to delve into the book! 🙂

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:22:51

Thank you, Robbie. Fingers crossed the book does well. And thanks for following the tour stops as well.

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Karen Ingalls
6/9/2021 13:11:34

A book that is on my Kindle. I am anxious to read it. Congratulations, Joan. Thank you for hosting, Gwen.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 13:29:11

Thank you for joining in the celebration, Karen. I'm anxious to read it as well. All the best...💗

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:23:27

Thanks so much, Karen. I do hope you enjoy the book.

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John Howell link
6/9/2021 13:28:29

A lovely post, Joan. Best wishes to you and thanks to Gwen for hosting.

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 16:01:18

Thank you for joining us on this book tour, John. It's an exciting one for sure! 🙂

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:23:57

Thanks so much, John. I appreciate your support.

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
6/9/2021 14:09:19

Wow! What an intriguing book! I enjoyed the excerpt and blurb. I will be purchasing my copy today. Congratulations to Joan on her fabulous new release!
Thanks for hosting, Gwen! :D xo

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Gwen M Plano
6/9/2021 16:03:11

Thank you, Vashti, for visiting and cheering Joan on her way. Happy times for sure! 😊

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:24:43

Thank you, Vashti! I hope you enjoy it.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 16:25:44

Gwen, thank you so much for hosting me today. It's always a pleasure to visit with you and connect with your readers.

I absolutely love the graphic you made!

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Diana Peach link
6/9/2021 17:00:18

This sounds so good. I read House of Sorrow and now I can see what a great lead it was to this book. I'm immediately invested in Tami and her situation. Congrats to Joan on all the great feedback and successful tour. Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 17:03:41

Thanks, Diana. I don't often write (in fact House of Sorrow was the first) "open-ended" stories. I had wanted to write Ruth's story for years and when the idea for Cold Dark Night came to me, HOS was the perfect place to tell about Ruth.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

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Wendy Scott link
6/9/2021 17:41:09

Joan, congrats on your new release - it's sounds like a fascinating read.

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Joan Hall link
6/9/2021 18:55:35

Thank you so much, Wendy!

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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