#BadMoonRising Cold Dark Night: Legends of Madeira #1 by Joan Hall #thriller #suspense #mystery

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

Happy Friday! The urban legend tale shared by today’s author may send shivers up your spine and encourage you to pick up the pace when driving past cemeteries – it’s an eerie one. She brings the first book in her Legends of Madeira suspense/thriller series, Cold Dark Night. Welcome Joan Hall!

Which urban legend scares you most?

The Legend of La Llorona doesn’t really scare me, but I’m fascinated by it. This legend varies from state to state, but in Fort Stockton, Texas a “woman in white” was seen as late as the 1960s along a stretch of highway outside of town. She would “attach” herself to cars and ride for about ten miles. As a child, I heard a family story about my grandfather’s brother who died in the early 1900s. Three weeks before his sudden (and unexpected) death, he encountered a woman in white near a cemetery. She “rode” alongside his horse until he passed the cemetery gate.

Have you ever had a tarot card reading?

I haven’t had a tarot reading, but a relative used to read cards using a regular deck. Some things she “saw” actually came true, including the death of a neighbor. She said there would be a lot of controversy surrounding the death and she was right.

If you watch horror movies, are you the person who yells at the characters, covers your eyes, or falls asleep?

I don’t watch a lot of horror movies, but I used to cover my eyes if there was blood in any scene. I once made the mistake of eating dinner while watching the movie Seven. I had to stop the film. The only reason I wanted to see it is because I’m a fan of Morgan Freeman.

What do you do to get inside your characters’ heads?

I picture the scene or situation, then ask myself, “What would I do in this situation?” Sort of like acting out a movie in my mind.

Which book have you read more than once?

Mary Higgins Clark was one of my favorite authors. I’ve read several of her books more than once. Among my favorites are Remember Me and Moonlight Becomes You. A favorite childhood book was The Incredible Journey. I used to read it every year in the fall, even after I became an adult.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a collection of short stories for some time. They’re a mixed bag of ghost fiction, contemporary, suspense, and possibly one military fiction story. I’m also beginning the second book of my Legends of Madeira series.

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.

Purchase Link

https://amazon.com/Cold-Dark-Night-Legends-Madeira-ebook/dp/B0968CXZQ9

Bio and Social Links

From the time she was a small child, Joan Hall always enjoyed listening to a good story. The ones that often intrigued her most were those steeped in folklore, and her Scots-Irish relatives had plenty of them to tell.

At the age of ten, Joan decided she wanted to become a writer. Having written in the mystery and suspense genre, her Legends of Madeira series is the first in which she delves into folklore and legends.

When she’s not writing, Joan likes to spend time outdoors, observe the night skies, and explore old cemeteries. She also enjoys ghost walks and hearing the stories behind the “hauntings.” She and her husband share their Texas home with two cats.

You can connect with Joan at the following sites:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |   Bookbub  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram

86 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising Cold Dark Night: Legends of Madeira #1 by Joan Hall #thriller #suspense #mystery”

  5. Pingback: On The Road With Teri Polen #BadMoonRising – Joan Hall

  7. I remember the story of La Llorona around Fort Stockton. At one time, heard the story behind her death and that she was dressed in white looking for her lover she was to marry, but it’s all fuzzy. Thank you for sharing that, Joan. And thank you for hosting, Teri!

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  8. I loved Cold Dark Night. I really enjoyed the fact that you borrowed characters from your last series, and I’m fascinated with dual timelines. Hit this one out of the park. Best wishes with it. (And on a side note, your grandfather’s brother’s story gave me chills.)

    Thanks for hosting, Teri.

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  11. Wonderful to see Joan here today, Teri, and Joan, I LOVE your urban legend story! Talk about creepy! And last, GREAT news that you’re working on the second book in the Legends of Madeira series. I truly enjoyed the first and am looking forward to reading the second one, too.

    Super post!! Will be sharing it on TWS shortly. 🤗 💖

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  13. Gwen M. Plano

    Great interview, Teri and Joan. I loved reading the responses. Unlike you two, if a movie gets too scary or too intense, I tend to walk out of the room. Covering my eyes doesn’t do it. And hubby reminding me that “it’s just a movie” doesn’t do it either. 😂

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  15. I never watched the movie SEVEN or THE EXORCIST, too much of a chicken. I was a fan of cheap, B-grade horror movies because they were so cheesy, they didn’t scare me as much:) Good luck with your writing and your books!

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  16. Fantastic interview, Joan. I saw Se7en at the movie theater when it first came out. I don’t really consider it so much a horror film. I see it as a study on a very disturbed individual–though it does have its spooky moments.

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  17. Pingback: #BadMoonRising – Post 8 Featuring Joan Hall | The Write Stuff

  23. That is a very creepy urban legend Joan, especially when you factor in the story about your grandfather’s brother. Fascinating stuff!
    For the record, I loved Cold Dark Night and am eagerly looking forward to the sequel, though I’m quite excited about your short story collection, too. I love the mix of genres!

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    1. I had heard the story of my grandfather’s brother years before I heard the legend. You can imagine why it intrigued me so. Thanks for the comments about Cold Dark Night. I enjoyed writing a dual timeline story.

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  24. petespringerauthor

    I guess I’m just a big wuss. I like the thrill of roller coasters and such, but I’m a hard no when it comes to scary movies. I did enjoy reading Joan’s responses to the questions, though.

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  25. alexcraigie

    La Llorona is a new one on me – and now I’ll never be able to forget it! Ten miles with a woman clinging to the outside of the car is ten miles too far. Loved this, Joan. Thanks, Teri for the Halloween vibes!

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  27. Catching up today and happy to see Joan over here at BMR, Teri. The legend of La Llorona gave me the chills, Joan, and the personal connection to your family is creepy! And I’m looking forward to reading more of your Legends of Madeira series. Happy Writing!

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  29. What a fascinating legend La LloronaI is, Joan. Can you imagine seeing the woman in white riding on your car to the cemetery? I wonder if passers-by also see her or if only who she is riding with sees her? I’d be tempted to stop and check the car, but only if I had another passenger inside the car with me.

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    1. it would certainly freak me out, Hugh. I’m not certain if passers-by could see her or not – it’s been a while since I read the story. What I do recall is that one man who frequently made the trip into San Angelo ended up committing suicide. Whether it was because of the woman or not, I can’t say.

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      1. This reminds me of something I put as my answer to one of the questions Teri asked us as part of this feature, Joan. It wasn’t so much an urban myth but terrified me. You’ll find out more on 28th October when my answers are revealed.

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    1. Teagan, other than frequent vacations there (and it being the state I would most likely choose to live in outside of Texas), I don’t have connections. I love the northern part of the state around Santa Fe and Taos. I just hope I did it justice. Thanks for the visit!

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