The Lady in Residence

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this story, but I loved it. It's very atmospheric and full of Gothic elements, with plenty of mystery and suspense, all revolving about the main question driving the plot in both times: was there a ghost or not?

I really liked Dini and her interesting career. It was very interesting to see the kind of tricks she did, how quirky she is, and how unusual her upbringing was.
Quinn is more down to earth but he's also trying to find out the truth.

Then there's the hotel with all its residents and staff, the visitors, the city, and of course Hedda, who's the center of everything. Was she genuine or a con lady?

This is was the first time I read the author and it won't the last.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

First of four books in “Doors to the Past” series to be released in 2021 by Allison Pittman

Travel back to 1915 when voluptuous widow, Hedda Krause, begins her journey into life without a man to financially support her. Hedda uses her beauty and elegance as a web as she attempts to capture a suitor. At first, men fall under her spell enabling her stay at the Merger Hotel but her luck ends as suitors dwindle.
During her elongated residence at Merger, mystery unfolds surrounding the historical site. A history that includes romance, betrayal and murder. A violent murder of a women whose ghost resides
at the residence eliciting rumors and visitors hoping for a glance of the ghost or of Hedda who describes her encounters with it.
102 years later, intrigue surrounding Hedda Krause is pursued by Dina Blackstone and Quinn Carmichael, who are initially unaware of their historical lineage to Hedda. Quinn introduces Dina to a biblical interpretation of the events. Their new-founded relationship results in freedom from the past and vision for the future.

I am a fan of Allison Pittman. This book was different from what I have read from her before. This is a mystery, a romance within another romance. The characters were interesting, the setting was a historical location. I enjoyed the journey.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley, my review is my own.

This was a book that had a little of everything. Which is why I liked it and plus I love this author's works.
This wasn't quite what I was expecting but I liked it either way it went.
Pittman has a unique writing style which of course is her own and I appreciate that.
She kept my interest throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down until I was finished.
I stayed up until 4 am to finish this book that I must say that I'm still thinking about Carmichael, Hedda, Dini, Quinn who all seemed very real to me.
I loved visualizing them as Pittman put them through their adventures and heartbreak or whatever the case may be at the time.
There were a few things that I didn't like but the other 90% was wonderful.
She will make you hold your breath in certain places and have you wondering if Hedda is as innocent as she claims.
I liked Hedda's story much more than Dini's.
I have the story four stars because I'm my opinion the cover didn't really go with the story inside. I guess I've never seen a cover quite like it before.
I guess u can say it's interesting in a weird sort of way. Gothic?
Not sure but anyway, I loved the story that was inside.
I recommend this book. Gothic lovers will be sure to devour this book like I did.
My thanks to Netgalley/Barbour publishing for this ecopy.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Allison Pittman is one of my top favorite authors by the way..
My favorite series by her is The Sister Wives.

A fun read about a legend of Houston Texas. I found myself reading well into the night because I had to know the rest of the story.
A ghost that haunts a hotel, a woman looking for a home and a young lady looking for a place to belong. They become tangled in a story many years apart, but they will bring answers to each other's story.
I love Pittman's writing. She tells a story bluntly but with finesse. You are drawn in by the characters and how they are so very normal. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for not only a good creep factor in a book, but mystery that needs solving.

This book was completely captivating. The plot was engaging to the end with plenty of twists and turns! I'm excited to read more from Allison Pittman. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

When I started reading this novel, I was intrigued from the first sentence. And the more I read, the more I did not want to stop reading. The author truly had me hooked.

The plotline itself was different. It is not every day you can find a Christian Fiction book where one of the main characters sees what she believes to be a ghost and the other main character is a magician. And I personally enjoyed how unique it was. After a while, some of the Christian Fiction Romance all seem to be the same. But this one was different.

Hedda Krause is a head-strong character. She is independent and stubborn. I liked reading her story. And I especially liked the fact that she was an unreliable narrator. I wasn't sure which parts of her story to believe and which not to, which made it all the more intriguing to me.

Dini is obsessed with the mystery of Hedda Krause. She's read her book a million times (probably not quite that many, but she does have it memorized). And this obsession of hers leads her to the handsome and charming Quin Carmichael, the great-great-grandson of the detective that works Hedda's case. And if there is any way a person can have a crush on a book character, I did. I fell in love with Quin right away. He is sweet, kind, gentle, Godly...everything I would want in a man and more. Even if the plotline of this book does not interest you, I would say just read the book for Quin.


What I most liked about this book, however, was the attention to detail the author gave it. I am one of those readers who likes a lot of description. I felt like I was actually a part of the story. And it tells me that the author really did her research. Reading the author note, I was surprised and pleased the lengths the author went to to research this book. I won't spoil it for you, but it made me respect her and her writing more. I also appreciated her writing style.

I do have to say, though, there is one thing about the book that I did not like. I'm usually not one to care about how strong the Christian aspect of a book is. As long as the novel is clean, I am okay. But there doesn't seem to be a lot of Christianity in this book, just a few references. And with how Godly of a man Quin seems to be, I expected there to be more and found myself oddly disappointed by the lack of it. However, it did not take away too much for me, personally, but if you are looking for a novel with a strong Christian message, this isn't it. Otherwise, though, I loved the book and will be reading more from this author.

I would give it five out of five stars.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley and this is my honest review.

A spell-binding time slip novel that'll make you turn up the lights!
Meeting Dini Blackstone in the opening pages, I wasn't at first sure I'd like this heroine. but the aura is so completely enveloping right there, I was compelled to go on. Sure enough, true to form (because I've yet to be let down by one of Allison Pittman's stories) Dini soon grew on me. I think the fact that the author so winningly captures the mindset of a truly introverted person was part of it. It wasn't long before I was completely charmed by Dini the magician's individualism and bits of weirdness.
Then there's Hedda. What a 1920s goddess. I wasn't sure what to make of her either. We are given a deep look into her mind, and yet we can't decide if she's a looney or being gaslighted.
One thing is sure, Allison Pittman gaslights her readers along the way--in the most delightful sense. She doesn't make us think we're crazy, but she makes us wonder what to think until the very last page.

The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman is a mystery and ghost story based on a real-life crime. Sallie White was murdered by her husband in front of the Menger Hotel in San Antonio Texas in the early 1900’s and is said to haunt the Menger; the hotel is rumored to be haunted to this day. Hedda Kraus is a widow who looking to start a new life and is a fictional part of the story. Dini Blackstone is an illusionist and leads ghost tours has also studied Hedda’s life for some time. Some say she is obsessed with Hedda’s story.
I enjoyed this book and got so engrossed I tended to forget that some of the characters were fictional. The story mainly revolves around Hedda writing her story which Dini has read and practically memorized. It goes back and forth between Hedda’s story and Dini’s life in the modern-day San Antonio. The transition between the two is done very simply without drawing away from the overall story. I loved this story and could hardly put it down until the end. I highly recommend it. It will appeal to the history buff, the mystery buff and the romantic in all readers.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Lady In Residence is a dual time line story set in historic San Antonio Texas. This was a fascinating story that kept me turning the pages. You'll find this tale to be a mystery in history with magic and romance!! The characters jump off the page and into your heart. The author did a beautiful job segueing back and forth from modern time to the early 1900s.
This is the first book I have read by this author and will be making a goal of working on her back list for the upcoming year. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be telling my friends to put it on their TBR immediately.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

This book was so good!! It hook's you on first page and doesn't let go. This is one of those books that you don't want to end, but you just have to know what happens next. Don't start reading this book at night unless you want to pull an all-nighter because you won't be able to put it down. I loved everything about this book, it's definitely a Must Read. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The only reason I'm giving this book 5 stars is because a 6th isn't available! I started this book cautiously...I love time-slip novels, but I'm pretty skeptical on the subject of ghosts. But Pittman's comfortable prose drew me in, and before I realized it, I was goosebumps deep in Dini's and Hedda's parallel stories. Two very strong yet fragile women, bound by ties to a haunted hotel. Both isolated themselves after enduring loss and pain. Both lived their lives as illusionists of sorts, and both bravely uncovered a secret that had long shaped their lives. As they each made a decision that would shape their futures, I was torn between racing to the last page, and wanting to make this book last. Beautifully paced and tender, this tale moves me to add anything by Pittman onto my TBR list. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and was not required to post a review.

This was such a good split time story. In 1915 the Menger Hotel in San Antonio sounds like a great place to visit except for the ghost of Sallie White that terrified Hedda Krause during her lengthy stay there. .
Dini Blackstone is dealing with her own ghosts as she gives ghost tours of San Antonio and relates the story of Sallie White to tourists. Who is Dini really and where does she fit in at the Menger Hotel or any place in life?

Bert and Gil were great fits to this story. Everyone needs good friends like these two men.

I enjoyed how the author put the pieces of this puzzle together. It’s a story where I needed to pay attention to details, remember which century I was in, but that did not detract from an enticing story.

I received an ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.

The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman was a fun read! That may be an odd thing to say considering the story is about a ghost, a robbery, a brutal murder and a heartbreaking love story. Pittman gives us a delightful character in Dini, a magician and storyteller. Dino's obsession with the author of a book written years in the past seems to be the only important thing in her life. I really loved Dini! Her personality and quirky spirit had me wanting to see her happy. I still want an epilogue. I have so many questions!
Pittman kept me obsessed with where the plot was going from the first page. I loved the way the story wrapped itself around the past and the present. Sometimes it's hard to keep a story fluid when the plot jumps back and forth.. The Lady in Residence does this smoothly and keeps building the suspense! Truthfully, I was so caught up in enjoying the characters and descriptions that I didn't realize there was a mystery to solve until I was well into the book!
My reviews tend to give my opinions of the story, my likes and dislikes. I discuss very little about the plot. I figure if you are interested enough in the story to read a review then you know what it's about. But I would love to sit down and talk about the book with another reader. The Lady in Residence has so many layers and surprises. It would make a great book for a book club!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

This book was really a fascinating book. It took me a few pages to get totally into this book, but when I did, I had to keep reading. It was so interesting and I couldn't put it down. I loved that it took place in San Antonio and as the author described a Mexican restaurant with murals on the walls, I am sure I have been there while visiting this city. So I felt totally immersed in the location setting, the plot and the characters. It was excellent!
It had mystery, suspense, romance and the ghost, well, that was fabulous. You gotta read this one!

I received a complimentary book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the two different story lines in this book. The main character in the present day story was quirky and embraced it, I loved that about her. All of the characters were likable for a variety of reasons. It was interesting to learn about historical aspect of this story. I'm excited about this new series.

This is a dual time line story and both stories are just as interesting. It’s part love story, part ghost story and I really enjoyed it! It did take me a few chapters to get into the rhythm of the book but then it took off and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Definitely recommend
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

This book was absolutely enchanting. This was my first book by Allison Pittman, but will not be my last. When Barbour reached out to recommend this one to me, I almost didn't take it as I had several others that I needed to read, but the premise sounded interesting enough for me to try it and I'm so glad I did! I was sucked in from the very beginning and stayed enraptured until the very end. This book follows Dini, a ghost tour leader and magician, who has trouble letting people "in". She is obsessed with the "victim" of one of her ghost tour stories (Hedda Krause) and so when the descendant of the detective who worked on Hedda's case shows up with a box of items that he doesn't understand that came from his great-grandfather's home, she can't resist working with him to learn even more. Interspersed in chapters of Dini and Quin, are the writings of Hedda detailing her experiences 100 years prior. While not a traditional dual timeline novel (as the past timeline is a book being read in the present timeline), it still has the feel of a daul timeline novel, which are among my favorites. Both story lines are engaging and have wonderful characters who are deep and likable. The overall plot-line drew me in and kept me interested throughout. The romances were super fast, but not at all cheesy and so they didn't feel ridiculous like some quick romances do. The faith thread was a bit subtle, but definitely present as Quin stated frequently that he didn't believe in coincidence or fate, but that God brought them there at that time. And the ending was sublime. I loved how the mystery was solved and how their relationship progressed. Even the author's note at the end was enlightening. It was cool to know that there were elements of the story that were factual and now I want to visit the Menger hotel someday. This is a story that will stick with me awhile. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would strongly recommend it!

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

The Lady in Residence is a time-slip novel about Hedda Krause who is convinced that a ghost stole from her and the inability to prove her innocence and her sanity.

2017: Dini Blackstone a fifth-generation magician is obsessed with Hedda Krause doesn't believe that she could maybe be telling the truth. Someone did, in fact, steal her jewelry just not a ghost. She meets Quin Carmicheal the great-great-grandson of the detective, Irvin Carmicheal who investigated the case regarding Hedda Krause, and together they discovered what really happens, and in the process, they find love most unexpectedly.

I liked the character of Dini Blackstone, I felt her character was real and sad, but I was able to feel a connection to her. She felt a connection to Hedda through her own loss of her parents years earlier, and the author uses this to connect her loss to that of Hedda, who first loses her husband and all that she loved, to a life of obscurity. This novel had an air of bittersweetness that never quite left me. But it wasn't until the end that I saw how essential this nostalgia was integral to Hedda's story but also to Dini's as well so that we could experience this heart-rending and fitting ending. My gratitude to Barbour Fiction and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

"The Lady in Residence" by Allison Pittman
Wow. I just finished reading this story and … Just WoW. This story is worthy of your reading time, in my humble unbiased opinion. If you enjoy a really good mystery and clean sweet romance, with a bit of history too, and excellent story-telling, you will be ever so glad you spent your time within this story. Oh, and be sure to read the author's note at the end. You will be glad you did. I was. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction - usually less so when there’s a dual timeline with part of it taking place in the present. But honestly, with this story, the present-day half of the story was my favorite. I loved Dini and Quin’s story!! I loved the descriptions of the characters‘ and their clothes for some reason - it gave them so much personality. I could easily picture Dini’s cute little house and her various work outfits for different types of gigs. I felt like I got a good picture of Quin. What I missed (TERRIBLY) was more description of Hedda’s beautiful wardrobe. And her jewels. I just felt like after the beautiful description of her traveling trunk things kind of got lost. And this was THE era for gorgeous gowns.
I loved watching Dini transform as she connected with Quin. Working with foster kids, I see kids in Dini’s situation all the time. And there’s nothing like getting to see them finally find something or someone they can’t help but connect with.
I enjoyed watching Dini and Quin unravel the history-mystery together. I enjoyed the chapters interspersed from Hedda’s own biography, and although she seems a bit of an unreliable narrator, I still liked getting her story from her own perspective. I did feel like the ending of Hedda’s story made some giant leaps there at the end and was rather confused for a bit. And, like Dini, I wasn’t super fond of the end Hetta’s tale, but I adored Dini and Quin’s story.
This was my first Allison Pittman book, but it won’t be my last.

Dini Blackstone is a fifth generation illusionist/performer in San Antonio. Orphaned at 16, she leads an unusual life - one with very few close relationships and a focus-bordering-on-obsession with a decades old mystery.

Teacher Quin Carmichael arrives in San Antonio with a mystery of his own - a packet of very old papers that Dini is VERY interested in - because they contain more clues to some of the secrets she has been wanting to figure out for essentially what feels like her entire life.

The Menger Hotel, Hedda Krause, Sallie White, Gil (who I am pretty sure is also Bert, but you let me know what you think), are all amazing characters themselves. The dual-time format that bounces between present day Dini and Quin with Hedda Krause's story is well done and appropriately nuanced.

This book was excellent. Unusual topic, compelling characters who make unexpected choices, lovely mystery, a great deal of heart...I cannot recommend it enough!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really wasn't sure what to expect with this one... a ghost story in a piece of Christian fiction? I was pleasantly surprised by how that all came together. I'd like to clarify that even though I read Christian fiction and still enjoy a good ghost story so no judgment on that front - I just wasn't sure how it would work.

The author created a spectacular split period timeline. I enjoyed both the historical aspect and the contemporary telling and how the differences are brought together through a deftly woven mystery. The romance thread is sweet and subtle. Overall, an enjoyable work of fiction with colourful settings and atmospheric nostalgia.

I received a complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley - opinions expressed are my own.

I could not put this book down and so for the four days that it took me to read this book, that’s what I did. Of course, some things demanded my attention but every chance I had I allowed myself to be swept away to Texas. Pittman’s fantastic characters grabbed my attention and I wanted to learn everything about them. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the characters as well as the two narrator’s perspectives. The humor added was a delight. The dual time frames were expertly weaved together, well connected and perfectly paced. I found myself enjoying both stories equally as I watched layers unfold. The lessons and themes within this novel easily lend to great discussion topics. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for more except perhaps a sequel to spend more time with these characters. Allison Pittman is now a must read author for me. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Delightful and unexpected! The premise alone was intriguing, but the delivery was outstanding. A dual timeline story that captivates the attention of the reader from each perspective. On one end is Hedda Krause in 1915 and on the other end is Dini in modern times. Both women in the same space during different times create an impressive story. Hedda’s mystery draws the eye of Dini, a magician, and the search is a seamless tale to find resolution and closure. The faith strand adds a layer of richness that is not to be missed. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

Wow! Simply wow! This book kept me awake long into the night, a ghost story that I could actually feel good about reading, characters whose stories tangled themselves in my mind refusing to let me rest until I got answers. Was Hedda's early 1900s story of abuse, love, loss, fear, and determination wrapped
up in Dini's contemporary story of being orphaned, living a life dominated by isolation, fear, and determination, or was it the other way around? Who was the most haunted, the most obsessed? I encourage readers who enjoy just a touch of the macabre alongside an old mystery and a bit of romance to read The Lady in Residence, preferably at a time when they've got several uninterrupted hours to immerse themselves in the tale.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Lady in Residence from Barbour Books via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed her are my own.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in to this book. I’m not one for ghost stories and my only experience with this author was a DNF. But The Lady in Residence was a pleasant surprise that totally sucked me in and had me reading every spare second I had, finishing less than 24 hours after I began.
The historical was written as excerpts taken from the heroine’s autobiography. And the author gave Hedda such a unique voice that honestly captivated me. Her story is unveiled slowly and I won’t spoil it by saying anymore.
The contemporary heroine was definitely unique as well, you don’t often run into young female magicians! Dini hadn’t had an easy life but I admired the way she had carved her own place in the world. I loved watching her introduce Quin to Hedda’s story and was totally invested as they pieced together the mystery! Quin and Dini made an interesting couple and I wasn’t sure they fit at first but honestly by the end I was totally rooting for them!
This book definitely fascinated me and wasn’t what I was expecting-in a good way! This series has the history nerd in me fully hooked and I can see myself adding a lot of historical landmarks to my bucket list!

Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Fiction for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is a time slip story. In 1915 beautiful Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel hoping to snag a new husband. She is rich with some jewels and beautiful dresses. Things heat up when she claims to see a ghost, and the ghost stole her jewelry. In 1917 Dina, who is a magician and a ghost walk tour guide, meets Quinn, who is the great-great grandson of the detective who investigated the crime. Together they try to figure out what really happened, using some old documents left by the detective. I liked this book-it took me a few chapters to figure it out, but once I did I was hooked. I also liked the setting of the Menger Hotel and Dina's unusual jobs. I recommend this book if you like historical fiction and mystery.

Wow, Wow, Wow! This book is just awesome and page turner! This book takes you back and forth from present to past. When Hedda becomes a widower, she makes a plan to move to the Menger Hotel and stay there until she fits a new husband. She never thought her plans would be squashed when she sees the hotel ghost and all her jewels are taken one night. That was in 1915, now in 2017 Dina, a ghost tour guide, has been researching for many years about Sallie the ghost that Hedda saw and where the jewels are. While one day at the hotel she meets Quinn, who has ties to past, will he have the answers she is looking for? What happend that night at the hotel with Hedda? Is the hotel really haunted?

I would recommend this to anyone that wants a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a book that you can't put down, I stayed up late into the night because I just needed to know what happens. The story has so much going on and twist / turns that it is hard to review without spoilers. I just loved this book and want more!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

An incredibly intriguing ghost story that'll leave you turning pages as quickly as you can read the words. This time slip novel is wonderfully written with enough spook to give you goosebumps, enough mystery to keep you guessing, and enough romance to satisfy! Dini Blackstone, a modern-day magician, named after Houdini himself, gives ghost tours in the evenings to share her obsession with the story of Hedda Krause and Sallie White. When Quin, the Great-great-great grandson of Irvin Carmichael, the detective involved in Hedda's story, comes to town, the two spark up a friendship. They spend their time together learning, sharing, and filling in missing parts of Hedda's story. Their friendship turned more, is absolutely delightful. I enjoyed their shared story and attraction brought them together. Everything about this book is enjoyable and I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this new Doors to the Past series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

"The Lady in Residence" by Allison Pittman is really good! 5⭐. I couldn't put this book down! I had to know what happened and how it would end. I even teared up and laughed out loud. I also loved the characters and the modern romance! So good.
Thank you to Netgalley & Barbour Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Delightful romantic mystery. Allson Pittman weaves a magical tale with ghosts, romance and time shift all blended together in a captivating tale of unlikely romance between a slightly nerdy teacher and a very quirky girl who does magic shows. Blend in a historical hotel with the guests and history of folks who lived 100 years earlier and you have a story to keep you awake and listening for sounds you usually ignore. Romance is not usually my favorite genre but this one was mixed with historical and just wonderful.
Thanks to NetGalley for early ebook copy. #NetGalley

** “I had a value far beyond rubies and a Father in heaven who saw past my faults and would loosen the pain that bound me.” **

Allison Pittman delivers a delightful time-slip novel with “The Lady in Residence,” the first in the Doors to the Past series by multiple authors.

Bringing together the story of two women who lived 100 years apart in San Antonio, “The Lady in Residence” tells about the lives of present-day Dini Blackstone, a young woman who gives ghost tours and works as a fifth-generation card trick illusionist, and Hedda Krause who finds a home in the Menger Hotel after her husband dies.

When Dini, who is obsessed with the story of Hedda, meets Quin Carmichael, a man with a box of relics from Hedda’s life, the two dig deeper into Hedda’s mysterious story — including a ghost who may have robbed the widow.

As Dini and Quin learn more about Hedda and her connection to Quin’s relative, the two find themselves drawn closer and closer. By solving the mystery of Hedda, will the two find a new beginning themselves?

Pittman does an incredible job of blending the two stories that span a century, inserting enough enigma and romance to intrigue the reader. She creates intriguing characters with unseen connections.

She also fills “The Lady in Residence” with several great themes, like starting over; a haunting is just something that stays with you; we all have value; and the need for finding respectability. It also reminds us that God has a plan for each of us and is purposeful in His plan. As Quin tells Dini: “Coincidence and fate are random. I’m a math person. I don’t do random. God is purposeful. We live in an equation of His design.”

“The Lady in Residence” will delight readers. Fans of time-slip novels, like those by Kate Morton or “Set the Stars Alight” by Amanda D., as well as historical fiction will love this story.

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Author Allison Pittman keeps readers spellbound in an incredible journey to uncover the mysterious haunting of the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX, a popular historic landmark. Moving between the story of widow, Hedda Krause, in the early 1900’s, and modern day magician, Dini Blackstone, this story immerses readers in a tale rich in history, romance, passion and intrigue! It is a must-read for readers who enjoy historical fiction and mysteries!

Pittman completely enraptured me with The Lady in Residence. I could hardly put this story down! From the very first chapter, I was hopelessly immersed in both the characters and the story line. By the end of the story, I wanted to weep, I wanted to shout for joy, and I certainly didn’t want it to end. The Lady in Residence was a thrill to read and has already made its way to my top ten list for 2021!

Pittman brings the Menger Hotel to life with the timeless, tragic tale of widow Hedda Krause who's story was broken and beautiful. I became quite fond of her as I viewed her through excerpts Pittman masterfully penned as Hedda in her final years, telling her own story in a book.

As a reader who is always fascinated with time-slip novels, I loved the present day aspect of this story as well! Dini Blackstone and Quin Carmichael were perfectly quirky, charming and relatable. Pittman matched those characters well and built a passionate, fantastic tale around them of history and romance. I could say so much more, but I don’t want to give too much away!

The Lady in Residence is well written, expertly planned, beautifully delivered and it was rich in history, romance and intrigue. The faith-based elements are subtle and add to the story in a soft, inspiring way without detracting from the historical or contemporary timelines. Pittman delivers just a hint of an edge to this story, making it feel quite contemporary and even passionate, while still maintaining clean reading. I believe both religious and secular readers will enjoy this captivating book. Fans of author Jaime Jo Wright will especially enjoy this story. This book is appropriate for ages 15+.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book which I received from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

This was a great historical fiction tale that I couldn’t put down. I liked the stories of both Hedda and Dini and found them to be interesting characters. I enjoyed the dual connected timelines and the references to San Antonio.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

The Lady in Residence is a story that will surprise you, excite you and leave you joyful. This is a dual story about two different souls but with a shared humanity.

Told in dual narration with past and present story lines the author manages to weave together a very real, very human story that left me in awe and will leave you the same.

In in the past, 1915, Hedda Krause finds herself in need of shelter and space as her husband has died and her stepchildren no longer care for her. She finds herself at the Menger Hotel. Here she lives her life, and we experience along with her the highs and lows and twists and turns of her life until the end.

In the same place in a different time, 2017, Dini Blackstone is a magician that is also fascinated and maybe a bit obsessed with the history and people of the Menger Hotel. She spends her free time researching and trying to understand the past. Hedda’s story catches her eye and she tries to delve deeper into the mystery of this woman, her past, her secrets and her death.

The author really creates a magical journey for not only both characters but also the reader as well. The story is presented in such a way where the reader is connected to and desperate to find out the truth, to help understand and maybe help heal some of the past.

I thought the characters were well developed and were intriguing personality wise and the atmosphere the hotel provides really adds to the story. I do not normally enjoy past and present stories but this one was written so well; I had no issues going back and forth and following along. The journey is amazing, and the ending is memorable. This was a pleasure to read. I received an ARC via NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and I am laving my honest review. 4.5 stars.

Allison Pittman’s The Lady in Residence is a breathtaking novel with mystery, romance, and just the right amount of tension.

Pittman creates this delicious tension as she slowly reveals bits and pieces of Hedda’s story interspersed with Dini’s. I love how Hedda’s story was “excerpts” from her memoir, especially since that very memoir is one of Dini’s most treasured possessions.

And because Dini knows the story of Hedda and the reader doesn’t, I found myself relating even more to Quin. His perspective isn’t even shown in the novel, but I could relate to each question. Could understand his quest for answers. He and the reader both catch up to Dini’s extensive knowledge about the same time. And I was on the edge of my seat as they tried to solve the ultimate mystery: What really happened the night Hedda was robbed?

And Pittman also does a great job with characterization. She gives Dini all these quirks that make her unique, and she doesn’t even have to fully explain them. Once I learned more of Dini’s backstory, the quirks began to make sense. I thought this was genius on Pittman’s part.

As for the spiritual element, Quin and Delia have a great discussion about how life can seem like a set of coincidences but is actually arranged by the deft hand of God.

Overall, The Lady in Residence is an expertly written tale historical and contemporary fans alike will enjoy. One of my favorite dual timeline novels to date.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Unforgettable story! The characters in this story are wonderful and embed themselves into your very being. I was pulled in immediately, the obsession with Hedda became mine. The mystery and intrigue of this story wraps itself around your mind, so many twist and turns. I caught myself wanting to jump to the end just to find out how the story ended. I’m so glad I didn’t because each page of this book is a gem. The unraveling of what really happened and all the circumstances that lead up to present day was mind blowing. A old romance and a new romance that have common ground will leave the reader’s chin dropping in aww! This is a story that will be embedded into mind until I can walk through the Menger hotel myself some day!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Allison Pittman is always a delight to read. Her latest, A Lady in Residence, is the perfect book to hold you in sus-pense – a mixture of history, time slip, romance, and intrigue. I was kept guessing as the story progressed, details unfolding in ever darkening layers until the truth finally broke free. Pittman’s writing style quickly pulled me into the story and demanded my attention until the very end. Arresting characters, clever dialogue, and a spinning plot made this a fast read that thoroughly entertained.

Pittman is an author I can count on to deliver a story that is slightly different than the standard mystery or romance. She has a way with her plot that sets her apart and never ceases to grip my imagination. I recommend this and all of her books!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A ghost story from generations past and those in the present trying to understand it....an interesting and captivating tale that made me want to keep reading every time I reached the end of a chapter.

An amazing, arresting and gripping storyline
filled with period details, multifaceted
characters, intrigue plus class conflicts.
A story with well defined characters that jump
off the pages into your heart. I was able to feel
their pain, understanding their circumstances
as the descriptive writing pulled me right into
the mix of the story.
It is 1915 in San Antonio when an independent
widow arrives at the Menger Hotel with a
trunk full of dresses, jewels and accessories.
Hedda Krauss plans to find a suitable husband
to replace the one she lost. But instead she
meets a ghost. A ghost who terrorizes then
robs her of all her jewelry.
Forward ahead in time to 2017 where Dini
Blackstone is a tour guide and a fifth-generation
magician. Her favorite tale is the one of Hedda
Krauss who she believes to be a con woman
who made her living from her ghost story.
Then Quinn Carmichael arrives. Quinn is the
great-great-grandson of the famed Detective
Carmichael who investigated the Hedda Krauss
robbery. He has come with a box full of items
regarding Hedda’s time at the Menger Hotel.
I was throughly engrossed in this story. I loved
the secrets of the past mixing with the present.
The concept of this book made it an entertaining
read.
A Highly Recommended Read.
I volunteered to read The Lady in Residence.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing via NetGallery for
the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.

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 .

I loved this book. When I first picked it up I was very wary of it. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. I mean, I’m not a fan of ghost stories. They’re not my cup of tea. But this one is different and it’s not just any ghost. It’s a historic ghost and an old story.

So of course I had to read it. And once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down. I have to confess it was almost annoying that I couldn’t just have the story of Hedda. I wanted her story! And yet I also really did like Dini’s story too but I hated jumping back and forth because it always left me wanting more from the storyline I had just left.

I know that’s the sign of a good book and it really is one! You’re going to love this book as you travel along with Dini to find out the true story of the Menger Hotel and what happened to Hedda Krause.

Dini has always liked Hedda’s story. It’s one she loves to tell and that includes the story of Sallie White. Because how can she tell Hedda’s story without telling the story of Sallie? The poor servant girl who was murdered right there outside the hotel and is said to haunt the hotel.

And Hedda’s story includes Sallie. Not that she ever knew her, but that she had an experience that involved the ghost of Sallie White. Dini has the journal of Hedda and has read it so much she’s got it memorized. But when a handsome young man shows up with clues of his own she is all too eager to take on Hedda’s story to prove whether there was or was not a ghost.

I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.