Building Celebration House

Liked it

I liked it. Even though it was predictable, the journey was lovely and fun.

I would read more of this author! Sad/happy story!

I really liked this story. I found the story to be poignant; moving, touching, just plain sad, and tender. But there are many scenes that bring smiles and quiet chuckles.

Carrie is a young woman who had worked in the cardiac ICU unit for almost ten years then she becomes a patient because of her failing heart. She had a heart transplant, but now that one is failing. Carrie turns down her cardiologist’s suggestion to get on the list for another heart. She doesn’t want to spend more time in hospitals and having surgery. Carrie had been married until her husband “found his once-in-a-lifetime love” after she became ill with heart trouble.

Her grandmother had lived in Lexington, Missouri, and her father would take the family on summer vacations there. Carrie has a dream. She returns to Lexington and buys the Stratton House. She wants to restore the Stratton House as a place where people can gather to celebrate weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, anything that will give them fond memories

Carrie has several challenges in her quest. Although it will take a lot of work and money to restore the three-thousand-square-foot house, time is her biggest concern because she knows she is dying. And, there are the current two-legged residents. There are five residents that people whisper about but haven’t seen: Colonel Stratton (who built the house), his wife Victoria, Mrs. Stratton’s maid Violet, Violet’s son Henry, and the young Major Thomas (Tom) Gentry.

Carrie has an older sister, Melanie. As Melanie put it, she is the city mouse and Carrie is the country mouse. Melanie wants her sister to move back home to be with her and their mother. Although they are opposite in nature they do care about each other. There is not a lot of interaction between them in the story because Mel stays in the city. A close friend, Beth, is Dr. Lionel’s nurse but they have become close. Because of concerns of Carrie’s health Beth goes to stay with her. Beth is friend, companion, and her nurse.

And we have Major Thomas (Tom) Gentry. He was killed during the Battle of the Hemp Bales. He had graduated from West Point and later volunteered for Colonel Mulligan’s command. He died near the Stratton house and has stayed there.

Even though there are plenty of young men in town none had really interested Carrie, but she does feel a draw to Tom, and the feeling is mutual. But one is a ghost. Then again, it is almost like lovers meeting across time.

This is just general background of the major characters but the others fill out the events and happenings of the story. Don’t miss the part about the teenagers daring each other to drink on the Stratton House porch. The meeting of Beth and Josh may be the beginning of something. There is an old trunk with treasures (not the jewels and gems kind) to explore. There are some interesting history points related.

When did Carrie see Dr. Eric George?
When did Carrie first realize she could talk to ghosts?
For financial reasons Colonel Stratton had moved north. How did he tempt his wife to join him?
The Stratton House went through a few owners after the General died. Who was the first to lose the house in a poker game?
What was the Battle of the Hemp Bales?

Another easy to read, romantic book for when you aren’t into heavy reading.

I could not get into this book. I guess talking to ghosts just. Is not my thing.

Haunting, as in the protagonist can see and interact with the ghosts living in the old home she wants to restore. Cute

This is an entertaining story. I enjoyed the ghosts as characters and the originality of the story. An easy, enjoyable read.

Fun read with ghostly advice for restorations

I liked this book and want to read the others in the series.