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Edge of Twilight: Legends of Madeira
Death comes to those who seek the treasure…
Two hours before her wedding, Blaire Edwards walks away from everything—comfortable home, lucrative job, accomplished fiancé—rather than bending to her mother’s pre-laid plans for her life. In a sad but serendipitous turn of events,Blaire inherits a 25,000-acre ranch from her maternal grandfather, a man she never met because she was told he died years earlier. Within days, she moves to Madeira, New Mexico, to claim her birthright despite knowing nothing about ranching or country living.
Employees quickly warm to her. Not only does she intend to keep operations as they are, but she’s nothing like her mom. Many remember Roslyn, and few have a favorable impression.
Blaire soon realizes her mother lied about a lot of things, but family secrets aren’t the only mysteries. A rash of rustling costs the ranch several head of cattle, unexplained lights linked to a legend about treasure appear on her property at twilight, someone nearly kills her dog, and one of the wranglers is murdered.
Then comes the most shocking news of all.
Two hours before her wedding, Blaire Edwards walks away from everything—comfortable home, lucrative job, accomplished fiancé—rather than bending to her mother’s pre-laid plans for her life. In a sad but serendipitous turn of events,Blaire inherits a 25,000-acre ranch from her maternal grandfather, a man she never met because she was told he died years earlier. Within days, she moves to Madeira, New Mexico, to claim her birthright despite knowing nothing about ranching or country living.
Employees quickly warm to her. Not only does she intend to keep operations as they are, but she’s nothing like her mom. Many remember Roslyn, and few have a favorable impression.
Blaire soon realizes her mother lied about a lot of things, but family secrets aren’t the only mysteries. A rash of rustling costs the ranch several head of cattle, unexplained lights linked to a legend about treasure appear on her property at twilight, someone nearly kills her dog, and one of the wranglers is murdered.
Then comes the most shocking news of all.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
Joan Hall
14 books56 followersJoan Hall has always enjoyed reading or listening to stories about inexplicable events, so it's not surprising she writes mystery and romantic suspense. A lover of classic rock music, songs often serve as the inspiration for her books.
When she's not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats. Learn more about Joan at her website, http://JoanHall.net.
When she's not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats. Learn more about Joan at her website, http://JoanHall.net.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 17, 2025
I read the first two in the “Legends of Madeira” and loved them. So I dove into this third story as soon as it was released. It did not disappoint, and I think this is Ms. Hall’s best story to date. A dual timeline set in the 1870s and the present on a ranch outside Madeira. In the present time, Blaire escapes a loveless marriage and finds out she’s inherited a cattle ranch from a grandfather she thought had been dead for years. The story starts in the past with a young wife, Julia, in a loveless marriage to Nathan, and a new ranch hand who is running from something in his past. In both timelines, there is a strange phenomenon of lights. Legend says they are around buried treasures. This leads to greed in both times, but with any legend, there is a consequence. I loved Blaire and her journey to find what she wanted in her life. Her relationship with Eric, who ran the ranch, had a rough start, but they developed a quick friendship. But there are secrets, theft, and murder that make this hard to put down. As with Blaire, I was rooting for Julia in her time, too. The settings were detailed enough so I felt like I was watching the sunset with the characters. The pup Blaire inherited was a favorite; who wouldn’t want that loyal companion by their side? A well-written dual timeline mystery that I can easily recommend!
October 2, 2025
Having read the other books in the Legends of Madeira series, I knew I wanted to read the story that concludes it. So, when the author offered an ARC, I grabbed it!
This story fluctuates between 1875 and present day. There are so many different layers that unfold in each time period that it held my attention from page one to the last.
Set near the small New Mexico town of Madeira, it offers keen insight into life in the 1800s and how a person can lose sight of what's important when there's the lure of hidden treasure. That theme carries forward into present day as well.
The story opens with Lucas Vaughn, who has fled from Texas to avoid repercussions of an action he'd been forced to take. He wants nothing more than to settle down and own his own ranch. When he reaches New Mexico, he takes shelter for the night on a small ranch outside Madeira. That night changes his life forever.
Move forward into present day time, the owner of the Vaughn ranch has passed away, leaving his entire empire to a girl he's never met. Blaire Edwards has left her groom standing at the altar and fled to avoid a forced and loveless marriage. Her dominating mother has ruled her life for far too long and Blaire has finally reached a breaking point. So, when news arrives that she's inherited a lucrative ranch in New Mexico from a grandfather she didn't know existed, it's just the beginning of the unraveling of secrets that go way back in time.
Eric Wolfe has worked for Travis Vaughn for a long period of time and has only respect and admiration for the man. But he's leery of this granddaughter who will now become his new boss.
Eric's Native American heritage adds another layer to the story. Then, there's the mysterious light orbs that show up now and again near the old windmill where the treasure is believed to be buried. But the legend states that anyone who seeks the buried treasure will surely die.
The author did a fantastic job of weaving these two storylines together in a seamless way. But the way she describes the settings really puts the reader there. It's definitely a writing strength! If you are a lover of dual timelines, mysteries and secrets, this story is for you!! In my opinion, it's the author's best work to date!
This story fluctuates between 1875 and present day. There are so many different layers that unfold in each time period that it held my attention from page one to the last.
Set near the small New Mexico town of Madeira, it offers keen insight into life in the 1800s and how a person can lose sight of what's important when there's the lure of hidden treasure. That theme carries forward into present day as well.
The story opens with Lucas Vaughn, who has fled from Texas to avoid repercussions of an action he'd been forced to take. He wants nothing more than to settle down and own his own ranch. When he reaches New Mexico, he takes shelter for the night on a small ranch outside Madeira. That night changes his life forever.
Move forward into present day time, the owner of the Vaughn ranch has passed away, leaving his entire empire to a girl he's never met. Blaire Edwards has left her groom standing at the altar and fled to avoid a forced and loveless marriage. Her dominating mother has ruled her life for far too long and Blaire has finally reached a breaking point. So, when news arrives that she's inherited a lucrative ranch in New Mexico from a grandfather she didn't know existed, it's just the beginning of the unraveling of secrets that go way back in time.
Eric Wolfe has worked for Travis Vaughn for a long period of time and has only respect and admiration for the man. But he's leery of this granddaughter who will now become his new boss.
Eric's Native American heritage adds another layer to the story. Then, there's the mysterious light orbs that show up now and again near the old windmill where the treasure is believed to be buried. But the legend states that anyone who seeks the buried treasure will surely die.
The author did a fantastic job of weaving these two storylines together in a seamless way. But the way she describes the settings really puts the reader there. It's definitely a writing strength! If you are a lover of dual timelines, mysteries and secrets, this story is for you!! In my opinion, it's the author's best work to date!
November 12, 2025
What a Way to End a Series
Joan Hall is an auto-buy for me, and for so many reasons. Not only does she write clean romantic suspense, which is a genre I enjoy, but she gets better with every book—and she started strong!
In this novel, the third of an outstanding dual-timeline series, readers follow a full cast focusing on Blaire and Eric in the present and Julia and Lucas in the past. Each story is compelling in its own right, leading to an explosive climax in the modern timeline.
In the past, Nathan—Julia’s first husband—is an unsavory fellow who falls victim to the allure of a legendary treasure. Once she’s well rid of him and with Lucas, her life should be easy. Of course, it’s not. Trouble has a way of finding people who least deserve it. That was true in the 1800s and is true in the contemporary timeline. In the present, Blaire’s life implodes in spectacular fashion, and she gives up all she knows for a second chance in New Mexico. What should be smooth sailing and an exciting adventure ends up being the scene of thefts and murder—all tied into the same folktale that seems to doom all associated with it.
The local lore and attached curse would be enough to carry a story, but the author managed to infuse this tale with multiple mysteries, tons of family drama (perhaps my favorite part), and a burgeoning romance. I loved both seeing cameos from favorites in earlier books of the series and getting to know these new characters.
The plot is cleverly crafted and unwinds at the perfect pace. The way the timelines and mysteries intertwine was brilliant. The characters are three-dimensional, genuine, and believable people you can imagine meeting on the street, and the setting came to life through vibrant description. I couldn’t put it down.
This is the author’s best work yet. I’m sorry to see this series end but look forward to the next world Hall crafts.
Highly recommended.
Joan Hall is an auto-buy for me, and for so many reasons. Not only does she write clean romantic suspense, which is a genre I enjoy, but she gets better with every book—and she started strong!
In this novel, the third of an outstanding dual-timeline series, readers follow a full cast focusing on Blaire and Eric in the present and Julia and Lucas in the past. Each story is compelling in its own right, leading to an explosive climax in the modern timeline.
In the past, Nathan—Julia’s first husband—is an unsavory fellow who falls victim to the allure of a legendary treasure. Once she’s well rid of him and with Lucas, her life should be easy. Of course, it’s not. Trouble has a way of finding people who least deserve it. That was true in the 1800s and is true in the contemporary timeline. In the present, Blaire’s life implodes in spectacular fashion, and she gives up all she knows for a second chance in New Mexico. What should be smooth sailing and an exciting adventure ends up being the scene of thefts and murder—all tied into the same folktale that seems to doom all associated with it.
The local lore and attached curse would be enough to carry a story, but the author managed to infuse this tale with multiple mysteries, tons of family drama (perhaps my favorite part), and a burgeoning romance. I loved both seeing cameos from favorites in earlier books of the series and getting to know these new characters.
The plot is cleverly crafted and unwinds at the perfect pace. The way the timelines and mysteries intertwine was brilliant. The characters are three-dimensional, genuine, and believable people you can imagine meeting on the street, and the setting came to life through vibrant description. I couldn’t put it down.
This is the author’s best work yet. I’m sorry to see this series end but look forward to the next world Hall crafts.
Highly recommended.
November 6, 2025
Edge of Twilight is a dual-timeline mystery that takes place on a ranch in New Mexico. It alternates between the late 1800s and the early 2000s. The timelines are tied together with land and ancestors/decendents. And strange lights hinting at buried treasure!
With whispers of buried treasure, you know the theme of greed will be present in the book. It is, along with vengeance and forgiveness. Hall handled each of the topics in believable, heartfelt ways.
In the 1800s, Lucas Vaughn wants to flee to Colorado, maybe up to Montana, to escape a bad event in Texas, but the weather holds him up in New Mexico. Love is in his future, but it doesn’t overtake the plot. His “bad event” eventually does.
In the present day, Blaire escapes her domineering, secretive mother and flees to New Mexico. I love the people she found there, especially Eric who is now running the Vaughn ranch. He doesn’t need the new-money Blaire poking around the ranch. I was cheering for them to get along, but people have hurt each of them in the past. They need to face truths, forgive, and move forward.
The mysterious lights that were there in the 1800s are there in Blaire’s time, too. Rumor has it that people die when they go digging for the treasure that the lights signal. I was hoping that none of the many likeable characters would go digging!
Hall’s story is fun in that there is a shocking surprise up front, a big surprise later on, and an even bigger surprise after that. I devoured the book! And Hall’s writing style makes the characters come to life. I feel like I’ve spent time in New Mexico with Blaire, Shane, Chad, Gary, and the rest (even Ranger, the German shepherd).
Wonderful characters, clever plot twists, good mystery. Five stars!
November 9, 2025
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Joan Hall’s Legends of Madeira series and found this final book (which can easily be read as a standalone) a wonderful wrap. Hall really stepped up her game with this tale of modern day cattle rustling, murder, and a legend about mysterious lights and buried treasure with roots in the 1800s.
As with the other novels in this series, the story weaves mysteries from two timelines—present day and 1875—along with two sets of characters. In the present, Blaire Edwards upends her life in the east to move to New Mexico when she inherits a ranch from a grandfather she never knew. Stepping into an operation she knows nothing about, she has to learn the ropes of a cattle operation while dealing with rustlers. Watching Blaire’s growth is one of the highlights of the book. She’s a strong character willing to admit when she’s wrong, and open to learning from others. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of her friendship with Eric Wolfe, the ranch foreman who initially views her with distrust.
The timeline from the 1800 is just as gripping with a man who is running from an incident in his past, a woman caught in a loveless marriage, and mysterious glowing orbs that randomly appear in the evening sky.
Additional plot lines involve a twists in the Vaughn family tree, resulting in surprising revelations, second chances, and the power of forgiveness. The elements of family drama pave the way for compelling characterizations which Hall delivers with aplomb. Whether this is your first trip to Madeira, or your last, don’t miss this wonderful novel of suspense and mystery that will keep you absorbed from beginning to end!
As with the other novels in this series, the story weaves mysteries from two timelines—present day and 1875—along with two sets of characters. In the present, Blaire Edwards upends her life in the east to move to New Mexico when she inherits a ranch from a grandfather she never knew. Stepping into an operation she knows nothing about, she has to learn the ropes of a cattle operation while dealing with rustlers. Watching Blaire’s growth is one of the highlights of the book. She’s a strong character willing to admit when she’s wrong, and open to learning from others. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of her friendship with Eric Wolfe, the ranch foreman who initially views her with distrust.
The timeline from the 1800 is just as gripping with a man who is running from an incident in his past, a woman caught in a loveless marriage, and mysterious glowing orbs that randomly appear in the evening sky.
Additional plot lines involve a twists in the Vaughn family tree, resulting in surprising revelations, second chances, and the power of forgiveness. The elements of family drama pave the way for compelling characterizations which Hall delivers with aplomb. Whether this is your first trip to Madeira, or your last, don’t miss this wonderful novel of suspense and mystery that will keep you absorbed from beginning to end!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews