The Widow of Rose House on October 8, 2019 Buy on Amazon|B&N|Kobo
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** A "MOST ANTICIPATED ROMANCE" of 2019 (BookPage) **
A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age romantic comedy debut
It’s 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time.
However, fresh starts aren’t as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn’t believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor Samuel Moore appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn’t need any more complications in her life—especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history—and her heart.
Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.
The Widow of Rose House It is not my typical read. I took a chance and stepped out of my comfort zone based on high praise from an early review/recommendation by Natasha is a Book Junkie. I’m ecstatic that I did because it was an absolute delight to read. The tale of Sam and Alva held me rapt for hours. I enjoyed the story so much I purchased the audio version so I could experience it a new.
It’s hard to believe this is a debut. The writing is elegant, layers rich with exquisite detail, adding to both the visual of the setting, as well as to the depth of the characters
Sam is a gentle soul, blessed with a silent strength, genius brain, quick wit and charming personality. Alva is a caring, intelligent, resilient woman who is determined to fight for her future. Together, along with a ghosts of the past they embark on a discovery of hope, love, and romance determined to put the past where it belongs.
This multi layered story bridges past and present in a thoughtful, intriguing and at times scary manner. The Moore family is endlessly interesting. I hope the author considers writing more of their stories. I highly recommend reading The Widow of Rose House.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I think the best way to you about myself is to tell you about the things I love. So here’s a completely inexhaustive list: I love my husband, my dog, my family, and my friends. I love ballet–both watching it and taking adult beginner classes. I love hiking alone, writing in gardens, and jumping in waves. I love Disneyland. I love Los Angeles, where I live. I love reading–it’s my oldest passion and my favorite.
And I love playing pretend, which is, for me at least, the thing underneath all the words and writing. I love living in worlds I’ve imagined, and I love meeting every new character who walks into them. I hope you’ll love them too.
