#ReblogAlert – This Week on #StoryEmpire

July 23, 2021 / Marcia / 11 Comments

Another week gone by in a flash, but the good news is, it’s time for a recap of all the great posts over on Store Empire. Here goes:

MONDAY: Joan Hall is beginning a new series I think I’m going to love, and her first post is entitled Character Types: The Attention Seekers. It’s great! Check out Joan’s post HERE

WEDNESDAY: Staci Troilo’s post, Three Elements of Horror, really struck a chord with me. I have always had a fascination with truly scary stories, and if I ever decide to write one, I’ll be paying close attention to her guidelines. Check out Staci’s post HERE.

FRIDAY: John Howell asks a question in his post today that I’m sure will resonate with each of us: Why Am I Avoiding Working on My WIP? I know it made me stop and think. Check out John’s post HERE.

And there you have the latest from the good folks at Story Empire!
Happy Reading!

#GuestDayTuesday – #Promo – #BlogTour – Cold Dark Night by Joan Hall

June 22, 2021June 21, 2021 / Marcia / 50 Comments

First #GuestDayTuesday in some time, and I’m happy to say that today’s guest is a good friend who has an outstanding new book to share with you. (Finished it last week and absolutely loved it!) Please welcome Joan Hall to The Write Stuff. Joan, take it away!

Cold Dark Night: Inner Voices

Thank you for hosting me today, Marcia for this last stop on my promo tour for my newest release, Cold Dark Night. It’s the first novel in the Legends of Madeira series. Each book begins with a historical event that ties to modern day.

I think a lot of writers use personal experiences in their books. I know I do. Today’s excerpt isn’t something that happened to me, but to my mom.

Some of my earliest memories are when my mother told me stories of real-life experiences. I think hearing those tidbits of family history is part of what fueled my desire to become a writer. The ones that most intrigued me were those steeped in mystery or unexplained events.

When I was a small child, we lived in the country where my parents purchased forty acres of land. We lived in a rented house across the road. Mom and Dad also bought a milk cow. Anyone who has lived on a farm knows milking is an every-day occurrence. One winter evening near dusk, Mom left the house to do the daily chore, leaving me and my older brother, who had the flu, at home.

She hadn’t walked far when an inner voice said, “Don’t go.” Knowing she had to milk the cow, she argued with herself. The inner voice spoke to her a second time, the tone more urgent. “Don’t go.” When it happened the third time, “I. Said. Don’t. Go,” Mom heeded the warning.

It was that incident that inspired a scene in Cold Dark Night.

EXCERPT:

I’ll still feel better once you get your carry permit.

Jason’s words replayed in Tami’s head, and her apprehension increased as she got closer to home. Not a gut-wrenching fear, but an annoying feeling like moths niggling her stomach.

She turned on the satellite radio, hoping music would help ease her mind, only to hear the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Catchy tune but not the words she wanted to hear tonight.

“Well, that’s just peachy.” She quickly changed to a station playing holiday tunes. By the time she reached her driveway, the upbeat song, coupled with the glow of Christmas lights, lifted her spirits.

I wonder what this house looked like when Ruth first moved here.

From everything Tami had heard, the woman spared no expense when it came to decorating. What she and Jason had—a few lights around the porch overhang, a wreath, and a modest Christmas tree couldn’t compare, but they gave the old house a warm and inviting feeling. She hoped to do better next year. Maybe even host a Christmas party.

Her calmness was short-lived. As Tami neared the garage, she noticed the light at the back door wasn’t burning though it had been when she left.

Maybe the bulb is burned out. Strange. Jason changed it only a couple of days ago.

After putting the SUV in park, she killed the engine, then started to reach for the door handle.

Don’t go in the house.

Where had that thought come from? Except for the porch light, everything looked normal.

She needed to get a grip on her over-active imagination. Shrugging, she reached for the door again.

Don’t go in the house.

Tami tried to ignore the shiver that went down her spine. She was being ridiculous. All she could do was sit in the car and wait for Jason to get home. Or ignore the inner voice. She touched the handle a third time.

DON’T. GO. IN. THE. HOUSE.

~~~

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.

Buy Cold Dark Night HERE

Reach Joan on Social Media Here:

#GuestDayTuesday – House of Sorrow by Joan Hall

May 4, 2021April 25, 2021 / Marcia / 51 Comments

#GuestDayTuesday Banner

Today, please welcome Joan Hall to The Write Stuff. Joan is going to tell us a bit about her short story, House of Sorrow, and she also has a wonderful excerpt to share, as well. I’ve read this story, and I can attest to it being a perfect lead-in to her next series, and a great stand-alone short story of its own, even with the lingering mystery at the end. I’m very happy to have Joan here, especially since she’s talking about an era I remember all too well. Joan, the floor is all yours!

~~~

House of Sorrow: Vietnam

Thank you for hosting me today, Marcia. I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit with your readers and to talk about my newest release.

House of Sorrow is a short-story prequel to my upcoming novel Cold Dark Night, book one of my Legends of Madeira series. It’s the story of Ruth Hazelton, a reclusive older woman who lives in a two-story Victorian house in the fictional town of Madeira, New Mexico. Ruth reflects on her life, particularly when she and her husband Lee first moved to town.

Most of the scenes occur in the late 1960s, so I included historical events into the story as well as a few personal memories. One of the biggest stories about that period is the Vietnam War.

As a child, I remember Dad turned on the NBC Nightly News with Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. Every. Single. Night. Naturally, there were always stories about the war.

Vietnam wasn’t a popular war (not that any of them are) but the men who fought in Southeast Asia didn’t receive a hero’s welcome when they came home.

They were told to keep a low profile. I know of at least one veteran who was advised not to wear his uniform upon arriving in the states. It’s sad because those who fought didn’t have a choice. I had two cousins who served there, one in the Army, the other in the Navy. One carried the scars of that war until he died.

Vietnam Memorial Photo by Joan Hall

Today, the Vietnam Memorial and Wall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in DC. The Wall lists the names of over 58 thousand who died or declared missing in action.

In the early seventies, MIA and POW bracelets became popular items. Between 1970 and 1976 approximately 5 million bracelets were sold. Those who wore them vowed to keep them on until the soldier named on the bracelet, or their remains, were returned to America.

In House of Sorrow, Ruth’s brother was listed as missing in action after his plane was shot down. Ruth wears a commemorative bracelet.

Excerpt:

“Is that a new piece of jewelry?” Margaret asked as Ruth entered the room.

She extended her arm. “Yes. It’s an MIA bracelet.”

“I’ve heard a lot of people are wearing them. It’s a wonderful way to remember those who are missing. Shows their families that others care.”

“This one is pretty special to me.”

Margaret read the inscription.

Lt. Col. Michael Morgan, USAF, 12 April 1967, Laos.

“Any particular reason, dear?”

“Michael Morgan is my brother.”

“Oh, my. I had no idea.”

“I don’t talk about it a lot. So many people are against the war. You never know how some will react.”

“Honey, you can tell me anything. I’m not judgmental. As far as the war, it doesn’t matter if a person is for or against it. The men who are fighting aren’t there by choice. It’s foolish to blame them.”

“I agree. It’s hard enough not knowing Mike’s whereabouts. We don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

Margaret patted Ruth’s arm. “Not knowing can be worse.”

><><><><

Blurb:

Dream home or damned home?

Ruth Hazelton is over the moon when her husband Lee agrees the nineteenth-century Victorian in Madeira, New Mexico, is the perfect home for them. While he starts his new job as police chief, she sets about unpacking and decorating.

But it’s not long before Ruth needs more. She becomes a fixture in the community, making time for everyone, volunteering, hosting events—she’s every bit the social butterfly her husband is not. Through her friendships, she learns several former residents of her home met with untimely deaths. If she were superstitious, she might fear a curse, but such nonsense doesn’t faze her.

Until the unthinkable happens.

Now, as the end of Ruth’s life draws near, she must find a way to convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.