Hi gang, gather ’round. Joan Hall is here with her latest release. Joan is one of my Story Empire partners, and a great author. This one is smart, because it’s a prequel short story. I like the idea of something to whet appetites for the main event.
Make sure she feels welcome, check out her book, and use those sharing buttons before you leave. We all thrive on comments, so don’t be shy. I’ll let Joan take it from here.
House of Sorrow: April 1970
Thank you for hosting me today, Craig. I appreciate the opportunity to tell your readers 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/early 1970s, so I included historical events into the story along with a few personal memories. Today is the fifty-first anniversary of one such event.
In April 1970, John Wayne won his first Oscar for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in True Grit. Midnight Cowboy received the award for Best Picture.
But not all was rosy that month. Paul McCartney announced the break-up of the Beatles on April 10, leaving thousands of fans in mourning. The following day their song, “Let it Be” reached number one on the charts, where it stayed for two weeks. A rather bittersweet farewell.

On April 13, an explosion crippled the Apollo 13 spacecraft carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert. The next four days were tense as NASA worked diligently to bring them home alive. With the command module virtually useless, the lunar module became a lifeboat.

Many people believe the number thirteen brings bad luck, including Ruth’s neighbor, Sam. He’s a bit of a curmudgeon who doesn’t believe men should be “Messing around in the heavens.” Sam tries to convince Ruth the Apollo 13 accident was inevitable.
Excerpt:
Like many Americans, Ruth had grown accustomed to moon launches. When Apollo 13 blasted off on April 11, she didn’t give it a second thought. Even Lee had grown disinterested, which was a good thing since none of the major television networks carried the astronaut’s live broadcast on the evening of April 13.
The following morning, Ruth sat in the porch swing, enjoying the cool spring breeze.
The Marsh girls waved to her from next door as they left for school.
“I’ll have cookies when you get home from school.”
“Chocolate chip?”
“If that’s what you want. How about you, Tina?”
The older girl shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Is something wrong?”
Tina shrugged again.
“She’s in mourning,” Amanda said.
Ruth cocked an eyebrow. “Mourning? Why?
“Because the Beatles broke up.”
Ruth suppressed a smile. She’d been a teenager and knew what it was like when inconsequential things seemed like the end of the world. She watched until the sisters were out of sight.
Sam waved to her from his yard. It was Millie’s day to volunteer at the nursing home.
“Did you hear about Apollo 13?” he shouted.
“No. I haven’t turned on the television.”
He hurried across the street. Sat in his usual chair. “There was an explosion.”
“Explosion? How horrible. Are the astronauts okay?”
“Had to move them into them lunar module, hoping to keep them alive. NASA is working to bring them home.”
“Let’s pray they do.”
Sam shook a finger. “What did I tell you about messing around with the moon? Somebody’s trying to tell us something.”
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 convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.
Purchase Link:
https://www.Amazon.com/House-Sorrow-Legends-Joan-Hall-ebook/dp/B091HX4BHR
Connect with Joan:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Goodreads | Instagram

I loved House of Sorrow and so look forward to Cold Dark Night! (Brilliant titles!) It’s lovely to see Joan and her book here today. Best of luck to Joan with this series 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Craig 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony! The title Cold Dark Night came easy. I wrote House of Sorrow under the working title of Woman in Black because I couldn’t come up with a title until near the end.
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A fabulous look at Joan’s newest release. I loved House of Sorrow, especially all the historical references she wove throughout the story. It’s an excellent novella! Wishing her all the best with the release!
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Writing about the 1960s was so much fun, Mae. Thanks for the good wishes and I’m glad you liked the story!
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Craig, thank you for hosting me on this 51st anniversary of the Apollo 13 accident.
It’s alway a pleasure to visit you.
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That seems so long ago when you say it like that. You’re welcome here any time.
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House of Sorrow was wonderful. I can’t wait for the novel. Best wishes, Joan.
Thanks for hosting, Craig.
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Thanks, Staci!
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What a great way to kick off this tour, Joan. I love this excerpt and how you bring historical events into the story. I remember the Apollo 13 event as well as the demise of The Beatles and the heartbreak that caused. 🙂 Your book is next up on my TBR list, Joan and I look forward to it. Thank you for hosting, Craig!
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Those days seem like yesterday. Hope you enjoy the book, Jan.
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I love the idea of a prequel to whet appetites for the upcoming novel, Joan. Brilliant! Love the titles, too.
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Thank you, Sue!
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How can you not love a woman who bakes cookies for her neighbor girls? Nice excerpt! Nice to see Joan at your blog, Craig!
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I love having visitors.
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Every kid needs a neighbor like Ruth. Thanks, Judi!
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Great post and excerpt! I’m so ready to read this prequel. Congratulations, Joan, and thank you, Craig, for spotlighting her today. 😊
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Thanks for visiting, Gwen. Hope you enjoy the story.
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Thanks for hosting Joan today, Craig. Great post! And congratulations on this one, Joan. I’ve already downloaded it, and it’s up NEXT, as soon as I finish the book I’m currently reading. (At the 80% mark now, so not much longer.) I’m really looking forward to this one, and wishing you great success with it, too! 😊❤
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It’s a quick read, Marcia. I hope you like it.
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This was a great read, and I can’t wait to read the series. All the history weaved in was amazing and triggered some memories.
Thanks for hosting, Craig!
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I had so much fun writing those parts, Denise!
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Looks like a fascinating read.. thanks Craig and Joan.. will share later in the week in a blogger daily..
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That’s wonderful, thanks.
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Thank you, Sally!
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I have my copy. Good luck on the release, Joan.
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Thanks, Michele!
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Thanks for sharing a peek at Joan’s newest release. Great excerpt! Thanks for sharing, Craig.
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I like having guests. Thanks for the comment.
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Thank you, Jill. Craig is a gracious host.
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I still watch the movie Apollo 13 every time I see it on TV. Thanks for hosting Joan!
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I do, too. Ha ha!
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Ha! We rented it from Amazon prime this past weekend 😊
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A haunted house AND Apollo 13? I’m in! 😀
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Lucky 13, right? 🙂
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That’s great.
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