I found the premise for this book intriguing. A main character magician? Yes, please.
Not to mention an intriguing ghost story 😉

I enjoyed how the main characters in the present came together to solve a mysery murder from the past, while trying to keep to what they know as true rather than believing to quickly in legends. There’s a mix of suspense and curiosity that keeps you turning the pages. Overall a very enjoyable novel.

Delightful love story that pops between enigmatic and mysterious Hedda Kraus and modern day Dini. Captivating plot twists and unexpected resolution to the ghost mystery. Great read!

Modern day Dini Blackstone is a tour guide on a haunted story tour in San Antonio, near the old site of the Alamo, and also a magician. She's been obsessed with one of the women from that time and her story for years. Then Quinn comes to her tour, with artifacts from his relative who was the detective investigating the old case. Both descendants of these people, they begin their own story of discovery. Good read. Christian. Goes back and forth from the original characters over 100 years ago to present. Well told and well woven. Although time lapse stories are not my favorite, I was impressed with this one.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheLadyinResidence #NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

A dual timeline with a ghost story set in a famous hotel in Texas. There is a bit of mystery and romance and the first in the Doors in the Past

It was a good read but I was craving a much more gothic type sleep with all the lights on sort of vibe. However, I really enjoyed the author's note and would certainly be interested in reading the rest of the series.







Publication Date 01/02/21
Goodreads review published 15/04/21

This was an intriguing read. It is a split time book that is historical and paranormal. It was an interesting plot and I liked reading the mysterious portions of it. I had an issue with big parts of it that just seemed dry to me, but I did enjoy different parts of it.

I liked Dini and the 'current' time period more than the historical portion, but the historical portion had to be there to make the book work. There is a lot going on and a ghost mystery. I liked how Dini got so into the historical story and that did tie in together well. Overall, it was a well-written story.

3/5.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

I give this a 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for Goodreads. This is definitely one of the most unusual stories I have read. I enjoyed the dual timeline and the contemporary thread was probably my favorite of the two. The story is interesting and I wanted to see how it ended, but I never really connected with the characters or the storyline. "Ghosty" stuff in a Christian Fiction novel was a bit jarring to me so that's probably a big part of my personal disconnect with the book. I also would have liked to see more of a faith thread in the book. That was lacking in my opinion. The ending was good and I enjoyed seeing the mystery solved and the pieces finally come together. Interesting read!

Allison Pittman has long been one of my favorite authors. To this day, I still remember reading her Sister Wives series, and wishing that there were more stories like it being written within the Christian fiction genre. Her style of writing has always stood out in my mind as being refreshingly unique.

I was intrigued when I read this book's synopsis as 1) it's a split-time novel and 2) there's jewelry involved (like, lots of jewelry). What I failed to fully comprehend at that time was that I would be reading a ghost story. Very different indeed, especially in Christian fiction! I have never been one for paranormal tales, tv shows, etc. so I read through with a great deal of skepticism. My hesitancy was shortly proven to be overblown as these aspects are really just a subplot to the greater story. That greater story was getting to know Hedda Krause and Dini Blackstone on a personal level, and how their circumstances shaped their character.

I loved that Hedda's story was told in an autobiographical style. She controlled her own narrative, and deciphering her words was left up to future generations. Dini and Quin both shared a love for this long-unsolved mystery, and their chemistry was electric - both in their approach to Hedda's words and to each other.

The only thing that kept me from giving this novel 5 stars was that the Christian messaging was watered down at best. I kept hoping that I would get to a moment with more depth, but it never came, and the book overall felt like more of a mainstream novel.

I am excited to read more from this new series by Barbour - Doors to the Past - and very curious to see what historical secrets and stories that will bring. Bravo to Allison Pittman for getting us off to a great start!

Just my type of book.
Things that go bump in the night,a whispering voice calling in the dark hotel corridor .
Reading this first book in the Doors to the Past series may cause you chills.
This is a time split novel bouncing between the Menger Hotel in 1915 , San Antonio,Texas and 2017 where we meet a woman with a variety of jobs including giving ghost walk tours also in San Antonio .
As we delve further into the mystery we become aware of the connection between past and present.
I look forward to reading more books in this exciting series.

Pub Date 01 Feb 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I found A Lady in Residence to be just fascinating! A split-time storyline is most successful when I can’t decide which storyline is my favorite, and this one definitely fit that description! Modern day Dini and Quin delve into some found family artifacts (so significant, because Dini has a dearth of family, while Quin is positively teeming with it) and find themselves plunging into the 1915 life of Hedda Krause, Bert, and Detective Carmichael as they try to sort a story that begins long before WWI. I’ll be honest, the Gothic ghost story aspect of this book didn’t initially grab me, but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down! The author’s historical notes were very informative, and I’d love to someday visit this area just to put all of the players in their places. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

I have mixed feelings about this story. For the most part, I would say that I liked it, since it was good and well written, as well as plenty suspenseful with some interesting history. I didn't care for either of the heroines though. Something about them didn't click for me, but I still recommend this story.

As a Christian, what do you believe concerning ghosts? This is a deep question and I love the way this book takes you on a long journey combining two eras making up the storyline. It took me a while to adjust to how the book was written, in a back and forth manner. Dini is quite the character, performing magic tricks, carrying on the family trade. As a guide for the famed Menger hotel, she is intrigued by the horrible murder of Sallie White, a long-ago employee of the hotel. The author weaves so much into the story, you have to read it to fully grasp it all. No matter your belief about ghosts, I encourage you to read this story and let it take you on a journey of discovery. The author certainly fulfills her mission of creating a tale of haunting. The story will haunt you until the end when all the pieces come together.

This Split-Time Book Has Me Eager to Read More

In what is a potential stroke of literary genius, Allison Pittman has told a dual-time story that leaves you wondering why it is so believable and so impossible at once. Every bit of it that shouldn't make sense, feels inauthentic, or has some other "flaw," actually works perfectly in the setting that the author has put it.  

As Pittman says in her Author's Note,  the story has an unreliable narrator.  That makes all the difference. Had we been meant to take it all as fact, I'd be singing a different tune. Indeed,The Lady in Residence is a rare example of this literary device in Christian fiction, and I for one loved it.

So where does that leave us?  Two fascinating stories woven around one small true crime. Characters who are both loveable and deplorable.  I imagine some readers will not like Dini, but oh, boy do I love her.  She's so blessedly real, broken, socially awkward, and eager for a chance to live a "regular" life while being her total self at the same time.  In other words, she's a perfect picture of some part of all of us whether we admit it or not.

Do I have issues with the book at all?

I do.  Despite excellent writing, some seriously great characters, a fabulous combination of plots, and the wisdom not to rush the telling, there are problems.

First, while the spiritual content is subtle, it is there.  We see a man's spiritual growth through his admission of past flaws and present focuses. However, one of those past flaws is still a big problem.  He completely neglects any focus on Dini's faith or lack thereof.

Add to that a couple of (in my opinion, anyway) over-the-top sensual scenes that frankly cut to black at the last possible second it seems and yeah. There are problems. Actually, the sensuality level is high regardless. That part was disappointing.  Still, they're skippable.  

The Lady in Residence is recommended for lovers of illusion, history, ghost stories (or not!) and split-time novels.  Not recommended for those who don't like to have to skip intimate-leaning scenes and the investigation of paranormal activity.

Dini is obsessed with the story of Hedda Krause, a young widow that came to live at Menger House in 1915. When Hedda comes into hard times, she hears the tales of a ghost within the hotel. She sees the ghost and then all her jewelry is missing. Dini has made it her life mission to find out what really happened. Did Hedda set up an opportunity to con the world to her advantage? Dini meets the great, great grandson of the detective that was trying to solve the very same question who help her with some of her questions.

This was a different genre than I usually read. I am not too crazy about ghost stories, but it took me a while to get into the book. The book was artistically created that I was soon into the story wanting to solve the mystery as well. The story went back and forth through the past and the present, leaving many lingering questions so the reader has a hard time putting the book down.

I felt like Hedda’s story didn’t quite seem like it was from the 1915s. Possibly it is just because I didn’t relate to her very well. Dini was quite a unique character as well. It was a contrast between the characters was interesting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

Deliciously spooky and fantastically intriguing! I very much enjoyed this novel. The writing is such that it is effortless for the reader to get to know the characters and learn about their interesting quirks. The setting is easy to picture with its vivid descriptions and the fascinating mystery kept my attention throughout the entire book. I could not put it down! The novel was unpredictable (in the best sense) and took twists that I did not expect. The book is written as a split time story and the way the plot comes together is truly interesting to read. There are mentions of ghosts and the supernatural, but I thought the author did a good job of using the idea of an illusion to illustrate larger themes in the book (which is as specific as I can be without giving anything away!). I liked this novel and recommend it to those who love split time stories and uncanny mysteries!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This story, like no other in a very long time, had me jumping at every noise around. My daughter just setting her water mug down on the table scared the snot out of me, as that was the precise moment when the ghost was knocking on Hedda's door.

This was an intense mystery and it was a story wrapped in a story wrapped in a story. Mystery abounded in this timeslip novel as we went from the past to the future and back. All three of the women characters were sad and yet were tough and enterprising in their own ways. So what happens when Dini, in present time, has such a fascination with a woman from the early 1900's by the name of Hedda. And Hedda has a fascination of a woman who died some 40 years earlier by the name of Sallie. Fascination, obsession, and what blurs the line when you need to live your own life?

This was a fascinating and intriguing read that had me turning pages even late at night (though that was probably not a good idea with how jumpy I was). The way the story and stories were told kept me coming back for more and thinking about the story again and again till I could get back to it. If you are looking for a good mystery with a little chill, give this one a try. I also enjoyed the author's notes about this haunted hotel near the Alamo in Texas and what was true and what was fiction.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. and all views and opinions are my own.

If you enjoy time-slip stories then give this one a try! Author Allison Pittman does a really good job of tying 2017 and 1915 together, weaving all the ends in neatly. Not your typical story, this one involves magicians and ghosts. Or does it?

The characters were really interesting, and very different from each other. Quinn and Dini were well developed and likeable. Even though Dini is a bit quirky it adds to the charm of the story. Hedda was a piece of work and I really didn’t care for her. All the marks of a good story!

This story does have a faith element. However it is not preachy and happened very naturally. I did appreciate that we are told Dini doesn’t perform magic but does illusions.

Do make sure to read the author’s notes at the end. They are very interesting and help tie things together. A story based on real happenings, I recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Not being a fan of the supernatural I had reservations about reading this book when I saw that there was a ghost story intertwined within. Having read several of Allison Pittman's other works though I felt okay to proceed, and I'm glad I did!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Hedda Krause, recent widow; ousted by the adult sons of her dearly departed husband and left to make it on her own with limited funds, at a time when respectable women did not do such things.

Hedda takes up residence at the Menger Hotel and ends up being haunted by more than just her past!

In the current day we meet Dini Blackstone, a young magician who is mildly obsessed with Hedda's story. She is contacted by the relative of someone connected to Hedda and the two of them begin a journey to find out the truth behind Hedda's haunting, but end up finding more than they expected.

The Lady in Residence gives the Doors of the Past series a strong start and sets the bar high for the authors who will follow. The characters are fascinating (although I was partial to Dini and Quinn’s storyline) and the two time periods, set 100 years apart, were seamless.

While this book is about a supposed ghost haunting one of the characters, Allison Pittman handles the subject well while giving readers an engaging story that gets more appealing as you pull back another layer until the truth is exposed.

This story may have begun as a ghost story, but Pittman has put skin and bones on it and make it so much better than the few nuggets of fact you would get when walking the San Antonio ghost tours or visiting the Menger Hotel. And that is what makes The Lady in Residence one for the keeper shelf.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

“The spirit of Sallie White had stolen the spirit of Hedda Krause, and I was determined to reclaim it.”

After turning the last page of Allison Pittman’s “The Lady in Residence”, my first thought is that this is a very cinematic novel that plays out on the pages as would a film on the screen. It is at once simple and multifaceted. A split-time story, interplay between the two time periods forms a mirror of sorts that becomes apparent as the tale progresses. The book opens in 2017 with magician Dini Blackstone, a young, somewhat reclusive performer from San Antonio who has had a lifelong obsession with Hedda Krause. Hedda’s account forms the other half of the storyline, focusing on her life at the Menger Hotel beginning in 1915 and related through excerpts from her autobiography entitled “My Spectral Accuser: The Haunted Life of Hedda Krause, Published by the Author Herself.”

When the two stories converge across the century that separates them, the power of the past to inform and guide the present becomes apparent, as does the bittersweet influence of love. First-person narration in Hedda’s account reinforces this truth, which forms the basis for all that will unfold. With five words, Hedda’s brokenness and sanity teeter on the edge: “Something for you, Hedda Krause.” In the present, Dini meets Quin Carmichael, whose own connection to the Hedda Krause case shares uncanny features with her own. With Quin, too, comes the only explicitly Christian content in the novel, marked by his brief but sincere comments about God and His working in the world.

“The Lady in Residence” offers a unique addition to the dual-timeline category and to Barbour Publishing’s new “Doors to the Past” series. I would have liked to have seen more Christian thematic elements, but I still enjoyed this story very much, and I do find the author’s note to be informative with regard to this and other topics in the story. I appreciate Pittman’s definition of a haunting as a memory of something that stays with you, expanding it beyond and even eclipsing the paranormal aspect. Also, for as much as I usually do not like magic being used, I do respect that it was defined as illusion, which forms one of the main themes of the story. Despite my reservations, I do recommend “The Lady in Residence” for readers of romantic split-time novels with a Gothic, somewhat supernatural feel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Can a Legacy of Sadness be Broken at the Menger Hotel?

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young widow Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel in 1915 with a trunk full of dresses, a case full of jewels, and enough cash to pay for a two-month stay, which she hopes will be long enough to meet, charm, and attach herself to a new, rich husband. Her plans are derailed when a ghostly apparition lures her into a long, dark hallway, and Hedda returns to her room to find her precious jewelry has been stolen. She falls immediately under a cloud of suspicion with her haunting tale, but true ghost enthusiasts bring her expensive pieces of jewelry in an attempt to lure the ghost to appear again.

In 2017, Dini Blackstone is a fifth-generation magician, who performs at private parties, but she also gives ghost walk tours, narrating the more tragic historical events of San Antonio with familial affection. Above all, her favorite is the tale of Hedda Krause who, in Dini’s estimation, succeeded in perpetrating the world’s longest con, dying old and wealthy from her ghost story. But then Dini meets Quinn Carmichael, great-great-grandson of the detective who originally investigated Hedda’s case, who’s come to the Alamo City with a box full of clues that might lead to Hedda’s exoneration. Can Dini see another side of the story that is worthy of God’s grace?

My Thoughts: This was a unique mystery. With the intriguing storyline, it keeps the reader glued to the pages until the very end. In this story, we learn of Hedda Krausem a widow with a past we know nothing about, and the Menger Hotel with its hauntings. I did enjoy how the past reflected into the future with Dini and Quinn. The author has done a terrific job of creating the characters and using the characters that are real to the story. The writing is very easy to follow and enjoyable. Those who love history and a good mystery will certainly like this .