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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

This Split-Time Book Has Me Eager to Read More

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Split-time novels can be some of the best, and this one has all the earmarks of being a perfect example of ghost story, historical, and contemporary novel. via @chautonahavig

This split-time novel has the unique distinction of keeping me completely riveted even while I battle lack of sleep.  No, really.  It does.  I don’t know if you can get “jet lag” coming home after a short flight from South Carolina to Ontario, California, but if you can, I’ve got it. After spending three-times the amount of time it usually takes for me to read half as many pages, I finally am giving up.  So much for my leisurely book reading tonight.

But this was my first impression of The Lady in Residence.  

The book is well-written, intriguing, and with more than one quirky character. I love the character of Dini, and I suspect I’m going to love Sallie.  Was it true?  Did I?  Let’s find out!

The Lady in Residence Review

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me a small commission at no extra expense to you.

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.

The Lady in Residence PittmanAbout the Book

Book:  The Lady in Residence

Author: Allison Pittman

Genre: Christian Historical

Release date: February 2021

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?

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Comments

  1. Roxanne C. says

    March 10, 2021 at 6:47 am

    Even the little that Chautona said about the book indicates that is a very good read. The storyline sounds very exciting.

    Reply
  2. Megan Allen says

    March 7, 2021 at 7:18 am

    Yep..I’m definitely excited to start reading this story. I keep hearing amazing things! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    March 5, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    I’ll be very interested to see what you have to say–I’ve read very positive and very negative reviews on this one.

    Reply
  4. Amelia says

    March 5, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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