01/11/2021

Pittman (Loving Luther) introduces in this excellent time-swapping inspirational three women who are in some way connected to San Antonio’s Menger Hotel. In 1915, Hedda Krause checks into the Menger when her stepsons evict her from her home after the death of her husband. She quickly begins looking for a new benefactor and sizing up single guests, but it’s the ghost of Sallie White, a murdered Menger housekeeper, who seeks out Hedda. When Hedda’s room is ransacked and robbed, she fails to convince flirtatious detective Irvin Carmichael that the culprit was the ghost of Sallie. In the contemporary story line, magician Dini Blackstone leads ghost tours of San Antonio, part of which includes Hedda’s and Sallie’s stories. Quin Carmichael, the great-great-grandson of Irvin, arrives in San Antonio hoping to make sense of a shoebox full of memorabilia his ancestor sequestered away. After taking Dini’s ghost tour, Quin becomes convinced Dini can help him find the answers to his questions. Quin and Dini separate fact from myth and enjoy a blossoming relationship as the mystery of how Hedda became the Menger’s Lady in Residence, as well as the truth about Sallie’s ghost, are revealed. Though faith elements are light, readers who enjoy Tracie Peterson will love this. (Mar.)

Allison Pittman’s newest novel is hauntingly delicious. I savored every page, from the colorful descriptions of San Antonio and the historic Menger Hotel, to the entertaining lessons in magic. Readers are transported to the past in a unique way, leaving it hard to decide which time period and set of characters is my favorite. The Lady in Residence is a thoroughly charming read that I highly recommend.”
–Michelle Shocklee, author of Under the Tulip Tree

“This fun dual-timeline romance is a must-read for proud native Texans and those who’ve always longed to explore the home of the Alamo. Fans will delight in Pittman’s beautifully written prose, witty dialogue, and organically infused tour of San Antonio. As rich in history as it is in modern San Antonio’s vibrant culture. Bravo!”
–April W. Gardner, San Antonio author of Christian historical romance

“Visions of a spirit that reside in a historic hotel are always on the top of my list for haunting heaven. The Lady in Residence will leave the reader turning pages faster than they can drift away into the darkness of the Menger Hotel. The vivid mystery is delicious and a few goosebumps might even find their way onto the reader’s arms. A high recommendation from me!”  
–Jaime Jo Wright, author of The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus and the Christy Award–winning, The House on Foster Hill

“The Lady in Residence is that perfect blending of history with gothic story that pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. Told in split-time, I was vested in each story and couldn’t wait to flip the page to learn what would happen next. The weaving of the two worlds worked, with a sweet romance and intrigue that left me wondering what was real. A book that readers of split-time stories laced with mystery will love.”
–Cara Putman, award-winning author of Flight Risk

“Open the door to a breathtaking read but beware! Do not start reading The Lady in Residence at bedtime, or you’ll never get any sleep. Pittman’s deft hand at weaving the twin stories of Dini and Hedda kept me guessing while the growing romance kept me smiling. This book is a keeper!”
–Kathleen Y’Barbo, Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The Black Midnight and Firefly Summer
 

An original, deftly crafted, and inherently riveting read from cover to cover, "The Lady In Residence" showcases author Allison Pittman's impressive talents as a novelist in general and her impressive narrative driven storytelling skills in particular.