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 … 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.
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I loved this book! It has ghosts and a mystery and a really delightful romance. Alva, the widow of the title, comes from a cold family and her husband was abusive, leaving her with some deep emotional scars and fears, but she has taken charge of her life and gained strength from her past troubles. Sam is a different and enormously likable love interest, a warm and absent-minded scientific genius, and his entire family is fun. It’s set in New York City in the latter part of the 1800’s, a period I’m not terribly familiar with, and I enjoyed learning a little more about it.
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
I absolutely enjoyed this amazing Historical Fiction read that blew me away. I did not know that I would be a fan of a gothic romance, but it seems that Biller has made me a fan of this genre. The book is set in 1875 New York City, a period piece that is both romance and ghost story that is engaging, intriguing with a complex story and characters that will surely haunt you with the spooky twist that is so eerily addicting and a fantastic read.
I devoured this book! I am amazed that this is a debut novel for Diana Biller and I will definitely be looking forward to her future works. Her writing is crisp and close to perfection as it could ever be.
This is such an amazing supernatural read that is highly entertaining and one that I will be recommending time and time again.
I
A solid debut with a small “woo woo” element (in fact, that was what I liked least about the book, how the ghostly presence contributed to the resolution, but your mileage may vary) that sets up future books with a fascinating family of scientists during the Gilded Age. There’s a hunky hero who gives new meaning to “absent minded professor”, heroine who discovers her true self, and entertaining secondary characters.
I look forward to reading more from Ms. Biller.
When I first started reading Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But this book surprised me in the best of ways and I ended up absolutely loving this story.
Alva Webster is a recent widow and has moved back to New York from France to start renovating a home known as Liefdehuis. She wants to document the renovation of Liefdehuis to add into the interior renovating book that she is publishing. The only part that she wasn’t aware of when she purchased the house was that…it’s haunted.
Professor Sam Moore is an engineer of sorts and is very interested in researching the ghosts that haunt Liefdehuis. But Alva isn’t so inclined in letting him visit her house for research purposes. This is where their story starts and Alva and Sam were such a fun couple! I love how Sam is sort of this nerd while Alva keeps this complete cool at all times. The two of them had such great chemistry and I loved their scenes together. Sam is always brining so much warmth and laughter to every situation.
I was also very invested in the story of Liefdehuis. This is Diana Biller’s debut book, but it definitely doesn’t read like one and she does such a wonderful job weaving the romantic aspect between Alva and Sam, but also the story of why the house is haunted and the very important backstory of what makes Alva seem a bit cool and detached. I’m almost wishing that Diana Biller writes a follow up to Widow of Rose House with stories of Sam’s siblings! His family was just so much fun. Overall I give this book a solid 4.5 stars!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters in this book almost feel like they are from two different books–she is dark and damaged and he is light and humorous but the author weaves their story together so well with fantastic dialogue, staying consistent with the characters throughout, and doesn’t rely on cliches for the ghost element–whose backstory was thematically relevant and haunting in a very realistic sense. My catnip is when a book offers humor, angst, steaminess, and damaged heroines who are healed by the love of an inherently good man who knows she’s worth the effort. Though the heroine is strengthened by him, she still finds her own power to fight her own battles. Nicely done!
Alva Webster returns to New York from Paris in the midst of false scandalous rumors after fleeing her abusive husband three years before. Now that her husband is dead, Alva wants to move on with her life and purchases Liefdehuis, a neglected mansion in Hyde Park. Her plan is to restore it and write a book about the process. Stories of it being haunted circulate quickly, getting the attention of famed inventor Samuel Moore who wants to research it, scientifically of course. When he sees Alva for the first time, he’s as equally captivated by her as he is her house.
I thought I was getting a creepy, spooky story about ghosts and got a creepy, spooky story about a ghost, a house AND two utterly delightful characters in Alva and Sam. She’s darkness and resilience and he’s a magnificent bright light and energy. Together they make the most fascinating combination with some of the best, most clever and witty banter I’ve experienced in some time. I had this categorized as historical fiction and the 1875 setting makes that completely appropriate but it’s also a paranormal with its ghostly elements, a mystery as the identity of the apparition is explored and a combustible romance as Alva and Sam will rank as a favorite couple of fiction.
This turned out to be much more than I’d anticipated when I agreed to read this story. I read it in one day, not wanting to put it down. Alva’s story is tragic and Sam’s was rather glorious, coming from the most delightful family of inventors. Their presence gave me insight into this free-spirited man whose quirky nature just made him more endearing. But these two fit so perfectly because their imperfections balanced so beautifully. The ghost story is not your ordinary tale either, with an angle I hadn’t foreseen. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel as it’s so well constructed with outstanding characterizations. It turned out to be a wonderful reading experience and my hope is we haven’t seen the last of Alva & Sam. This needs to be a series…seriously! 4.5 stars
(Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Alva Webster is a ruined woman. Rumor, scandal, and salacious stories have followed her from Paris to New York. She wants nothing more than to make a new life for herself and she has a plan to do it. She just needs to set it all in motion.
Professor Samuel Moore, famous genius inventor, is the picture of the absent minded professor. Except, you know, hot. Sam might be a little higgledy-piggledy with his avenues of thought but he’s steadfast, true, and… sexy as hell. And, there are two things he wants: To investigate the existence of ghosts. And Alva Webster.
Alva’s been hurt. Emotionally, physically. She doesn’t have room in her life for any man, let alone Professor Sex Muffin. But, if her plans for a new life are to succeed, she’s going to have to let Sam in because her new house (and the key to her fresh start) is haunted.
Biller’s novel is a triumph in marrying legitimately spooky Gothic literary traditions with a romance that manages to develop a modern sensibility without ever losing touch with its beautifully rendered setting: New York in the Gilded Age.
I love gothic fiction but I could never get behind the brooding, often abusive Byronic hero. WoRH solves this problem in cheeky, savvy style: The Byronic hero is the first husband. The dead husband. The memory of the man. And, if Alva can rid herself of the cold ghosts from her past, she might just have time for the warm generosity of Samuel Moore.
Folks, I’ve had a book hangover since finishing this one. I got my copy from NetGalley but I plan on buying an actual copy as well. Highly recommended.
I enjoyed this book filled with romance, scientists, insane asylums, suffragettes and ghosts. I love how each of these items are woven into one great story. These are wonderful characters. I really liked how Alva and Sam become friends and lovers. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
This story had chills, humor, a little wackiness, science, attraction, and of course, love. Alva and Sam were wonderful people separately and as a couple. The danger surrounding Alva had me waiting to see how it would end. Sam’s confidence that he could help Alva before he fully knew her and her problems had my heart thumping a little faster. He was an absent-minded professor with a gentleness and protectiveness inside. I loved the two of them, and I highly recommend this story.
I received an ARC of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
I didn’t know what I was expecting when I started reading The Widow of Rose House. I was interested in reading the book. Anything with ghosts and romance in it, and I am reading it. But, I was a little iffy on the Gothic description. I haven’t had the best luck when it comes to reading books in that genre. That was my only hold back from being delighted in reading The Widow of Rose House. I am happy to say that, I was pleased to read this book. I did have an issue with the ending, but other than that, it was a great read.
The Widow of Rose House’s plotline was medium paced. It wasn’t too fast or too slow. Which was perfect for me, and it made reading the book enjoyable. There were no dropped storylines. But there were storylines that I felt needed clarification like how Henry ended up with the Moore’s or why Alva’s mother hated her. The latter gave me a feeling that there was more going on in that relationship than what was said.
Alva was such a complicated woman, and I found her hard to get to know in the beginning. The author held back a lot when it came to her marriage to Alain. There was a point in the book where I did wonder if she was as scandalous as the gossip made her out to be. Then the author explained that Alain was abusive. That is when she started to come to life in my eyes. Alva was vulnerable but at the same time had a backbone of steel. She was damaged goods, and she knew it. She had such a hard time trusting people, after what her husband did, and it took her forever to trust Sam.
I loved everything about Sam. He defined the term absent-minded professor. People could be standing in front of him, and if something caught his attention, bam, they would cease to exist for him. It was awesome!! Take, for instance, the serving tray conversation. I was dying laughing as I read that scene. It was hilarious. I also loved how deeply he loved his family. They were everything to him and vice versa.
Sam and Alva’s romance was unique. I say unique because Sam knew right away that Alva was his other half. But, he also saw that she was damaged. He did pursue her, but everything that happened was on her terms. On Alva’s side, she fought her feelings for Sam tooth and nail. It was amusing and sad to read. Amusing because she blustered a lot and sad because she felt she wasn’t good enough for him.
I didn’t get any sense of sexual attraction or chemistry between Alva and Sam. So when they had sex, it was a surprise. It was a clean sex scene. Nothing explicit. It was descriptive but didn’t go over the line. I loved it!!
The ghost storyline was interesting. I say interesting because I enjoyed the search that Alva and Sam did on the previous owners of the house. I also enjoyed seeing how paranormal research would have looked like in the late 1800s. But then the ghost storyline took a weird turn that involved possession and being able to see slightly into the future. I was a little “eh” on that part, but it did add a unique flair to the storyline.
The storyline with Alva’s brother-in-law and Alva’s marriage was sad. I liked how the author didn’t get graphic with the abuse that Alva and her mother-in-law suffered. Alva’s brother-in-law was skeezy. He was trying to blackmail her into giving him money each month. Considering how divorce was looked upon in that century, I didn’t blame Alva for caving into him. But, I wasn’t expecting what happened to him at the end of the book.
The end of the book was alright. But I got a sense that it was rushed. But overall, it was a good read. I do hope that there will be other books about the other Moore siblings!!
I absolutely adored this book! Sam was the most charming and adorably scattered Hero. His family was just as fantastic. So awesome, in fact, Alva didn’t know what to do. It was the complete opposite of anything she had experienced. I loved the ghost story that brought them together and I was fascinated by the history sprinkled through out. I googled so much while reading! A fantastic debut and a new author to add to my favorites!
Perfect book for October! The Widow of Rose House weaves a captivating story of Alva Webster, the infamous widow of Alain Webster, a seemingly affluent gentleman well known in New York and Parisian society. The notorious Mrs. Webster returns to New York to reclaim her life after the mysterious murder of her husband.
Filled with twists and turns that eventually detail Mrs. Webster’s life to be not quite what everyone thought it to be. As she works toward rebuilding her life and a career, which was not an easy feat in 1875, Alva meets Professor Samuel Moore, an absent-minded, rather brilliant inventor who has an obsession with ghosts. With the purchase of the old deBoer estate, Alva inherits all the stories of hauntings and ghosts to go along with it.
The setting is rich in sensory detail adding depth to the story. The secondary characters add dimension and I enjoyed the historical detail scattered throughout this story. Read this intriguing, ghostly tale from days past to see if Sam and Alva can get to the bottom of the ghostly hauntings. An enjoyable read and fitting for the season!
This ARC copy was received from St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
Wow! This is a stunning debut with an entertaining storyline that has a bit of the paranormal and a lush romance. But the really stunning parts are the spectacular characters and their interactions. Alva as the disgraced widow with a backbone of steel is a heroine for any age but in this time of women being little more than their husband’s chattel and the beginnings of women’s suffrage rights, she is outstanding. Feisty, strong, beautiful and so smart she doesn’t have to use her beauty to survive. A chance meeting with our divine hero changes her life. Oh, Sam! He’s marvelous and brilliant and smitten from the first encounter with the infamous widow. It’s the combination of brains and beauty that keeps this uber intellectual man enthralled…as well as her haunted house. The banter between the oh so charming and handsome Sam and Alva is a delight. Smart dialogue from this new author had me from the first chapter and I had to see where this relationship went and if there really was a ghost in Alva’s house. The house is as much a character as the people. Speaking of people…Sam’s family of whacky, quirky scientists with big brains, including his “brother” and faithful friend, Henry, is hilarious and wonderful. Poor Alva has no one in her corner until Sam finally makes some in roads to her heart. The romance was thrilling and steamy and funny. Go figure! There’s nothing like well placed humor in the bedroom. The paranormal and Sam’s research was believable for me until the very end. It sort of went a little far and seemed rushed but didn’t deter from my enjoyment of the overall story. Sure, if you don’t believe in the supernatural, ghosts or afterlife on earth it may be a stretch for you but that’s only a small part of this beautifully written story about love, loss, survival along with a ghostly mystery. The author paints vivid pictures that reach out grab you from the beginning all the way to the last page. The details of everything from the movement of muscle on a man’s back to rotting decay of a house left to long on its own are exceptional. I felt like I was in the moment. Absolutely fantastic. I look forward to more from this new author. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy.
The Widow of Rose House is the debut book of author Diana Biller, and it’s the perfect book to read during the Autumn season. It’s not a spooky book but does involve ghosts and mystery. I was excited to read Diana Biller’s debut novel because of the synopsis, but also the beautiful cover. This is one book I plan on buying in paperback so that it can be included in my library.
The main female protagonist Alva Webster has purchased the Liefdehuis house, which is supposedly haunted to renovate it hopefully. She wants the designs from the renovation of the house for her book that she is planning on having published. She doesn’t believe in ghosts, though. The male protagonist Samuel Moore does believe in ghosts and will do anything to discover the spirits of the Liefdehuis house. Unfortunately, Alva doesn’t want anything to do with Samuel and his quest. She is haunted by her past thanks to her late husband. She’s a widow, and rumors had spread about her due to what her husband told everyone when she separated from him and tried to divorce him. Instead, though, he is killed in Paris, and now she is back in New York to hopefully live a better life after being married to such a monster. Her family doesn’t want anything to do with her, and everyone chooses to believe the rumors of Alva thanks to her late husband. Although Sam is fascinated with her and doesn’t believe the rumors, he will do anything to win her over in this story.
I enjoyed every minute of reading Diana Biller’s debut novel not only because of the storyline but because of the characters. Although I’ve marked this as a Historical Fiction novel, it has romance in it. There are some very steamy moments between the characters, and let’s say that Alva needed Sam. Sam won me over in this book. He is the perfect book boyfriend. He’s a smart, sexy genius who I adored every minute in this book. Whenever Alva was turning him down, I wanted to go into the book and slap her silly for her nonsense.
Sam is always trying to make things better for everyone with his scientific discoveries. He comes from a family of geniuses, and everyone knows who he is and his family. Alva, in the book, has never known real love until she meets Sam and his family. I loved how Sam stood up for Alva several times in this book, and he also bluntly made it clear he was in love with her.
Let me not forget about the crazy storyline of the ghosts that haunt the house that Alva owns. There is the mystery behind the spirits, and Alva and Sam will discover what happened. I loved how everything came together at the end of the book. I would recommend this book for readers that enjoy Historical Fiction (Victorian Gothic flair) with romance elements in it. Forewarning, you will fall for the male protagonist. I know I did.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE by Diana Biller (dcbiller) Paranormal Romance set in 19th century NY; hunky scientist, spunky widow +a ghost. HIGHLY recommend.
The Widow of Rose House is more romance than paranormal, although that’s definitely in there too. This one is a bit of a hodge-podge of genres and tropes that Diana Biller has tossed together and somehow made it all work wonderfully. The characters are developed and relatable, and the writing style gives us an engaging tale. The romance is full of fun banter between a too-cute couple that you just can’t help but root for. I’ve read a number of these creepy old house stories lately and going by what I’ve found so far, I wasn’t holding out a lot of hope. So, I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. I can’t say that I was scared by anything in this one, but we do get some suspense, and it certainly held my interest. And as the icing on the cake, it’s a debut and an excellent one at that.
Get ready to devour Diana Biller’s magnificent debut novel in one sitting. The Widow of Rose House boasts memorable and vibrant characters, a delicious romance, great period detail, and a hint of the supernatural. Alva and Sam spring off the page and to life, so that I now feel as though they are friends of mine. This novel is a treat not to be missed!
Set in 1875 New York City and the Hudson Valley, this book is quite delightful.
Alva’s life had not been easy in Europe, so when her husband passes she returns to America, her homeland. She desires to enter the world of publishing by way of home decorating designed for everyone, not just the crème of society. To this end she purchases a neglected home she remembers from her childhood and has the renovations started.
Then all work stops, the rumors of a ghost circulate rapidly and attract the attention of scientist Samuel Moore. He happens to be in the area working on street light designs, when he hears of the house and the ghost. Ghosts have been a hobby of his and he sets out to gain Alva’s permission to investigated the possibilities.
This tale is suspenseful, fun, naughty and full of surprises. I do hope this becomes a series, I loved the Moore family and would like to see Samuel’s brother and sister both find their soul mates.
The Widow of Rose House is a charming and unique historical romance by Diana Billar. Most historical romances don’t interest me due to my dislike of the aristocracy that always seems to be present. Alva and Sam are better than that world. Alva is venturing to succeed on her own, and Sam lives in his scientific world pursuing his ideas. The supernatural in the form of ghosts is fascinating and mysterious, but what I most enjoyed is witnessing the romance between Alva and Sam unfold. Alva and Sam are charismatic, and their banter is tremendous fun. I enjoyed reading an early copy of the Widow of Rose House by Diana Billar. This book is worth checking out for those who enjoy a bit of paranormal with their romance, in a gothic mansion setting.