{Release Day Review} The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller (@DCBiller @StMartinsPress @SMPRomance)

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.

​Alva Webster isn’t the woman that all the swirling society rumors proclaim her to be.  She’s just trying to leave all of scandal surrounding her husband’s death far, far behind. After fleeing Europe for America, she purchases an old mansion with plans to chronicle its glorious renovation in her upcoming book.  Until the disarmingly handsome Professor Moore offers to help her find out why no one wants to work in Liefdehuis.

“I beg your pardon, ma’am. Henry warned me—that is, I shouldn’t have; my proposition is not of an intimate nature.” 

“I’m coming to understand that,” she said. 

“You thought … do men … they must—good lord.” 

She began to feel in charity with this befuddled giant. “Indeed,” she said. “I quite agree. But I must ask again—what is it you want with Liefdehuis?” 

“To study it,” he said. “One of my personal interests is in metaphysical energies, you see, and from what I’ve heard, your house may prove a most interesting case. Your ghost story is so recent, you know. I hardly ever hear one claiming to be that new—” 

He broke off as she shook her head. “You almost had me convinced that you were unlike the majority of your sex,” she said. “And now I see you are. I’m just not sure insanity is much of an improvement.” 
​
To her surprise, he smiled again. “You’re not the only one who thinks so,” he said. The embarrassment had left his face; he was quite relaxed once more. A man who apologizes for a proposition and grins at an insult, Alva thought. Where did you come from, Professor Moore?

​Samuel Moore comes from a long line of scientists. He’s eccentric, brilliant and utterly irresistible. He wants to somehow find an explanation for the strange happenings at Alva’s mansion. And if everything goes as planned, that means that he gets to spend endless hours with the alluring widow.
 
She’s a mystery that he is determined to solve.  Behind her carefully constructed wall is a woman with equal amounts of beauty and strength.
 
If only he can help her overcome the ghosts of the past – both corporal and otherworldly – and find the love of a lifetime.

The next time she looked up, the city outside was dark, with twinkling, wavering lights forming constellations of avenues and neighborhoods. There was a fire in the small cast-iron fireplace—one of the few details she’d allowed to stay—and Sam was sprawled in his desk chair, watching her. 

She closed her notebook. “Hello.” 

“Hello,” he said, his lips twitching upwards. “You’re beautiful.” 

“You’re going to wear that compliment out,” she said, but inside she preened. 

“You’re beautiful, and you’re in my room.” 

“I am,” she agreed. 

“On my bed.” 

“You put me here.” 
​
“Did I? What a terribly clever fellow I am.”

​Diana Biller makes her witty and atmospheric debut with The Widow of Rose House.  It doesn’t matter that the story is set in 1875 because her characters are light years ahead of their time.
 
Alva is a modern woman who can stand proudly on her own and Samuel is the perfect quirky combination of brains and fiery passion. I love how they embraced the unconventional - in each other and in the world around them.  Their strength as individuals is only complimented by their strength together - never diminishing and never overshadowing.  A truly amazing blend of past and present.
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Add a touching ghost story into the mix and the result is a sweetly charming, whip-smart love story that’s simply perfect for the season...  

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