Today’s post by Wendy Webb, author of THE FATE OF MERCY ALBAN | @WendyKWebb
We’ve got a copy of The Fate of Mercy Alban up for grabs today. As usual, leaving a comment on this post will enter you in the drawing.
Update: the winner of this giveaway is karenk. She has been notified by email. Thanks to everyone who entered and check back soon for more great giveaways!
There’s just something about walking through a big, old house that sets my imagination on fire. I start thinking about what might have happened there, the secrets and scandals buried within its walls, the ghosts that might be lurking in its dark corners.
My new novel, The Fate of Mercy Alban, was inspired by a tour I took of Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota. Built by the rich and powerful Congdon family in the 1800s, Glensheen sits on the shores of Lake Superior and still is the most magnificent home in the city. It also happens to be haunted. Decades ago, Congdon daughter Marjorie and her husband killed Marjorie’s mother and her maid in the home, and rumor has it that their restless spirits remain.
The Fate of Mercy Alban is not their story — the Congdon murders are a well-known tale not in need of retelling. No, my novel is the story of the Albans, who live in a home similar to Glensheen and who have their own secrets and scandals, murders and mystery.
Their story started to swirl around in my mind as I stood on Glensheen’s patio one summer afternoon and gazed out over the lawn, Lake Superior glittering just beyond it. I could almost see a gala party taking place there long ago — women in flowing dresses, men in summer suits, children playing croquet, servants in black circulating with trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres, lively music wafting through the air.
And then, being the type of writer I am, I imagined a scream as someone discovered a body near the fountain on the lawn. What happened? Who died there, and why? A story started to take shape in my mind about that party, so long ago. And The Fate of Mercy Alban began.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
Sounds intriguing! I would love to be entered to win a copy.
I love mysteries and old houses, so this book sounds intruiging to me!
I am born & raised in Duluth, Minnesota & still live here! Love to read your book & see the similarities or not. How exciting!
ooooh, sounds really good. Can’t wait to read it.
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story
i think this sounds like a great story! i d love to win it. thank you for letting me commet.
This sounds enchanting! Murder, mansions, the crumbling of the American dream – and haunting – all my favorite things rolled into one.
Congrats on what sounds like a wonderful read.
Count me in!
I am THE same way when I enter older homes (or locales), imagining the lives lived so long ago. Your cover immediately caught my attention (in the same way, years ago, that Beth Gutcheon’s “More than You Know” caught my eye, and ended up being one of my favorite books – with a ghostly haunting as well). This sounds wonderful!
You had me at “old house.” Add secrets, ghosts and family — irresistable!
Sounds great – thanks for another good recommendation & the chance to win.
This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win. But now I am totally intrigued, so even if I don’t win, I have to get your book to find out the entire story. Thanks.
love she reads!! would love to win a book!
sounds like a great read!
On my must read list
This sounds so intriguing. I am already drawn in. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I love a good mystery. I love period novels. This sounds like the best of both.
A good mystery always tempts me to read from cover to cover to discover “whodunit.” The setting of the old mansion and the lure of the beauty of the setting should enhance this book. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win this book.
This book sounds very interesting. It reminds me of when I was young and my brother & I would spend the summers w/ our grandmother in upstate new york in a very small town. The house next door was haunted! We were sure of it!! we would spend nights peeking out the window at the huge old house next door trying to see ghosts floating by the dark windows….
Added to my list! Sounds terrific.
Sounds like a fun mystery!
My kind of read. I love exploring old houses. I remember my great-grandparents’ home. I loved the kitchen door entry to the upstairs and loved checking out the bedrooms. I would love to read The Fate of Mercy Alban.
I want to read this!
This is the second time today I’ve seen a review of this book and both times it has caught my eye. Love the cover and the book sounds even better. Would so like to have a copy.
I love old houses. Would love to read this.
Im intrigued and would love to read this book.
Hey! the book sounds good. Will it be available for kindle? I never win nuttin’, but I might be able to get it on ebook format. I want to write a book about my life, but I’m too chicken…so I just keep reading. In HIM, just me
I am adding this to my reading list. Thanks!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for entering me in the contest.