Review & Giveaway: The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

Publication Date: October 8th 2019 by St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

About the book:

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 debut novel

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.

My Thoughts:

Alva’s back in New York after the death of her estranged husband, partly to salvage her reputation from the rumors and gossip written after their separation, and to revamp Liefdehuis, an old Hyde Park house.  She plans to publish the process of renovation as well as interior design ideas for the middle classes, an new and emerging market. But the ghost stories surrounding Liefdehuis threaten to derail her plans, so she has no choice but to investigate and hopefully dispel. Here’s where Sam Moore, the famous inventor comes in, much to Alva’s dismay.

I loved The Widow of Rose House! Parts were a bit scary, (hello, ghost story!) and tragic, but a large part of the story was so much fun, thanks to Samuel Moore and his wonderfully quirky family! Sam’s eccentric, sexy, and handsome, and Alva’s reactions to him were a complete delight! Alva tried to resist Sam’s charm, but he was impossible to put off and completely irresistible. Loved the banter and chemistry between them!

I adored Alva! Enduring everything she did, from her unloving family to her abusive husband (now dead, thank goodness) while still retaining her spirit showed a strength I admired. If anyone deserved a happy ending it was Alva. Dealing with the possibility of the ghost on top of salvaging her reputation proves to be a daunting challenge, but one Alva’s determined to take on.  

The Widow of Rose House was a captivating story, a wonderful debut!  While the story wraps up nicely, I’d love to have more stories centering on the Moore siblings, Henry included!

4 Suns

About the author:

DIANA BILLER lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their very good dog. The Widow of Rose House is her debut novel. Visit her at www.dianabiller.com or follow her @dcbiller.

St. Martin's Press has generously offered up a Paperback Copy of The Widow of Rose House to one reader.  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only.  Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!

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