Publisher, Henry Fitzgibbons, Fitzgibbons & Associate, and his wife, Sylvia, aka Lana Longstreet, the house’s most prominent author, have been estranged for the past fifteen years, keeping the marriage in name only for the sake of their business.
The rift happened when Sylvia impulsively bought a mansion in Connecticut. Though she knew of the haunting rumors when she bought the house for a good deal, she never told Henry—believing the stories to be myths. Henry tries to settle into the new home, but there are too many strikes against his adjustment.
First of all, he’s claustrophobic. Secondly of all, he believes the house to be haunted and whatever entity lives in the ballroom seems to have it out for him.
Henry finds he cannot live in Connecticut, and the couple separate, agreeing to meet weekly for business matters. Henry will visit Connecticut to visit the children and attend book launches. His stays are as brief as possible.
After fifteen years of the charade, both Henry and Sylvia contemplate divorce. In the fifties, they wonder if they shouldn’t sell the business and move on with their separate lives.
Love between them has not been the issue. But the long separation has burned what few embers seem to remain. However, Sylvia is on a deadline for her new Johnny Gallant series. And the rose gardens, Henry’s one comfort when he visits Connecticut, are in complete disarray from years of neglect … much like their marriage. And the children are planning an anniversary party for their 30th. A divorce simply would not be doable at this time.
Sylvia convinces Henry to spend the summer in Connecticut to take care of the rose garden problem. The ghosts continue to disturb him, but he now has a path to avoid them. Soon after Henry settles in for the duration, Sylvia’s aide and housekeeper is injured, forcing her into early retirement. Sylvia is now dependent upon Henry to help manage the household until she can find a replacement. Henry cannot boil his own water, let alone cook, balance books, and run errands. He doesn’t drive. What help can he possibly be? Nevertheless, he accepts the challenge.
More challenges beset them. Their closeness has rekindled their love, and Henry entertains the idea of moving in permanently and retiring—in spite of the upswing in ghostly interruptions … now to both of them. However, they are beset with a lawsuit threatening both their livelihood and Sylvia’s literary credibility … largely due to Henry’s negligence. Tensions resume and a divorce seems almost inevitable.
Until each finds faith and the courage to face the evil abiding in their home and the destructive forces threatening their marriage. Recommitted through a new hope, God designs a different future for Henry and Sylvia than they had ever imagined.
There are times when a marriage, even a Christian marriage, can be beyond repair through human standards and world wisdom. However, God’s wisdom surpasses that of the world. He is in the business of restoration. If we will let him reignite our commitment to one another, miracles can happen.
Why do the ghosts in his wife’s ballroom attack only him? Or is publishing tycoon Henry Fitzgibbons insane?
Lana Longstreet is his star author … and his informally estranged wife. Now that the children are grown, maybe the time has come to officially end any obligation to his wife’s Connecticut estate and be free of their torment.
Sylvia Fitzgibbons has grown tired of the charade. She’d ask Henry for a divorce if the children weren’t planning a lavish anniversary party in August, and she has a deadline for her Johnny Gallant suspense series in the same month. Then there is the matter of the decaying rose gardens, Henry’s only allure to the estate and launch parties.
She insists Henry spend the summer to tend to estate matters, and Henry reluctantly agrees. Hoping for an early escape, he hires a gangly landscape artist who eerily resembles a washed-out country singer. But when Sylvia’s housekeeper must retire due to an auto accident, she begs for his help. Unable to resist her femme fatale pleas, Henry is trapped for the duration.
Forced closeness and Sylvia’s dependence on Henry draws them closer. As a reconciliation proves possible, Lana Longstreet is charged with plagiarism threatening their publishing empire and the malignant forces within the estate become increasingly aggressive.
Something evil seems to conspire against them that only Faith can conquer.
Buy Ghosts of Trumbull Mansion today.
A former Selah Award winner, and Carol Awards finalist, Linda Wood Rondeau writes to demonstrate that our worst past, surrendered to God, becomes our best future. Her books are inspired by her many years as a social worker, why her voice hits home with complex characters who walk off the page, and why readers relate to her non-fiction as well.
Humor, another guarantee in a Rondeau book, is also prevalent in her non-fiction. Readers will also enjoy her website blog, Snark and Sensibility: http://www.lindarondeau.com
The author is a breast cancer survivor and a recovering food addict. A Toastmaster graduate, she enjoys speaking to groups about her experiences as well as the writing life. The author loves to hear from readers. You may contact her through her website, on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Linked In, or via Elk Lake Publishing.
The author is also a writing consultant, and details are on her website http://www.lindarondeau.com.
Thank you for allowing me the chance to talk about this book.