Stage actress Emily Foster returns to the house she grew up in upon the death of her beloved grandmother, who raised Emily after her parents were killed in a terrible accident. Since childhood, Emily has been fascinated by the story of her ancestors Elinor Foster Langford and Nicholas Langford. Across the Kanawha River lies the burnt out ruins of Langford Manor, which was destroyed 100 years ago. It was said that Nicholas committed murder/suicide when he, his parents and Elinor all perished in the blaze.
Emily has never believed that Nicholas was guilty, but she wonders at her own sanity when she looks across the river and sees a restored Manor and two people standing on the other side. Emily could swear that it is Nicholas and Elinor. Then she starts experiencing strange dreams. It is almost as if she is traveling through time and inhabiting the body of her ancestor. Emily also continues to hear Nicholas's haunting call, "Come back to me Elinor". The love Nicholas and Elinor share seems to be too strong and deep to have turned to hate. Who is really responsible for the tragedy that happened a century before? There is an evil that still inhabits the ruined Manor and if Emily is not careful, she too may meet with a terrible fate.
A clever premise and an eerie atmosphere make this unusual time-travel novel a winner. Be sure to check out WHEN THE LILACS BLOOM.
Huntress Book Reviews
Let's begin in June 2000. Emily Foster left her career on Broadway and returned to her Gram's estate upon hearing of her death. Grams had always been there for Emily! With her best friend, Becky, and her life long housekeeper, Mattie, she would soon get all her mixed up emotions straightened out. The problem was that the past kept interfering. All the locals knew the tragedy of Emily's long ago relative, Elinor. They say Elinor's husband had become insanely jealous when he saw another man looking at Elinor at the Fourth of July Festival. When she had gone to rest before the evening Ball, he set fire to the manor house. Some say the ghosts of Nicholas and Elinor roam the Langford property.
Elinor Forster married Nicholas Langford in 1901. Everyone was happy except for Nicholas's mother, Harriet Langford. She was nice in Nicholas's company, but made it obvious that she had chosen a higher-ranking woman for her son. Elinor had ruined that when Nicholas fell in love with her. Harriet would do anything to rid Nicholas of Elinor being in his life. Anything! Somehow Emily must help Elinor and Nicholas rewrite history!
Dark and compelling! If this one does not give you goose bumps, then you are not human! I must say that I now believe that Linda Colwell is the master (or is it mistress) or gothic writing! This is a time travel romance that is set in both June 2000 and 1900/1901 of West Virginia. No matter if you prefer time travel, gothic, historical, or paranormal, it is all in here! You won't regret purchasing this book! Wonderful!
See all Editorial Reviews
