Can a house really feel what the owners experience? The legend is that Claire's House could and did just that. The implications of this are freightening!
Deep in a bayou of Louisiana, there existed a hidden plot of land. Outwardly, the beauty of those two acres was overwhelmingly peaceful. It was covered with large magnolias, ancient oaks, and low flowering shrubs. A small lake with cobalt blue water flowed gently past the shore. Although it appeared calm, this land was not a friendly place. Folklore from the area traced the tales of violence and murder back as far as the Louisiana Purchase. Yes, Thomas Jefferson may have made the "Deal of the Century" but the Gautier family obtained the strange land.
Many people died over the years attempting to own and tame this raw place. Ancestors from Paris eventually inherited it. The young Gautier family fell in love with such a magical location. Dreams of building the most beautiful home in the New Orleans area enticed them. They planned everything even down to the two perfect white-blond haired children with azure blue eyes who would play in the great halls of their magnificent antebellum home. What they didn’t understand was the power that existed there.
Once the house was built, strange things began to occur. A bond between "House" and Claire, the original owner, tied the young woman strongly to the mansion. Her children became a part of this strange alliance. Doom and death waited hidden in the shiny, white structure. Was it the land, the house, the history, or the family who created the unusual events? Innocent people die to discover the truth.
Excerpt
ONE: CHRISTOPHE & CLAIRE GAUTIER
Deep in a haunting bayou of Louisiana, a strange plot of enchanting land exists. Beautiful, green grass covers a square plot of two acres. The Gautier family owned two hundred and twenty acres of the land that encompassed this unique piece of earth. Surrounded by massive swamps, the savageness of the area abounds in the folklore from earlier generations concerning this isolated place. Alligators roam as well as large lizards and snakes. Still, the square of land is lovely to behold. A magnetism exists here unlike any other land in Louisiana or the world.
Christophe and Claire Gautier inherited it from Christophe’s Cajun uncle, Louie. Claire felt hesitant even to consider building a home on such a raw piece of land, but her husband convinced her that it would make a gorgeous destination from their Paris mansion.
Years went into planning a paradise for their future children. At least quarterly each year, they visited the site from their base in France. Each time, Claire developed a stronger bond. Was it the land, the location, or the dream of a large white home with lacquered, dark green shuttered windows, and a giant, sparkling pool surrounded by flower and vegetable gardens which enticed her? Someday, two blonde and perfect children would ensure years of happiness in their euphoric paradise.
To the surprise of the couple, the land proved hardy and rich. Although surrounded by swamps, the land was black and appeared fertile. Christophe planted a trial garden. It consisted of tomatoes and brightly colored peppers. The fertility of the land surprised them. Not only did the seedlings grow rapidly, but they flourished. Locals commented that they had never witnessed such healthy and vibrant plants.
All of this persuaded the hesitant wife to build here, in this strange place. So, on a bright summer morning in June, the heavy equipment arrived with plans to build a ten-thousand square foot home of exquisite luxury. It would accompany a large pool as well as extensive flower and vegetable gardens. One side bordered a pristine lake of the bluest waters. Gentle winds seemed to blow consistently around this paradise.
The French couple’s extended family was also excited. Everyone looked forward to spending glorious summers in the United States with this beloved duo. That was everyone except Aunt Michelle.
Uncle Louie’s descendent, Michele, was ninety-seven years old. She was named for Louie’s wife, Michelle Gautier, who lived during the earliest years of Louisiana history. During those early years, Louie’s wife threatened to burn the Deed of Ownership to this awful land. The deed disappeared. The widow Gautier thought that it was lost. That was good news! Michele knew the power of the innocent-looking place. Horrible repercussions existed whenever someone fell in love with L’Euphorie. The name was given many years earlier to this place of chaos, terror, and Cajun nightmares. Now, sadly Michelle flicked a tear from her wrinkled face.
“Please, not Claire and Christophe. What have they done?”
Christophe Gautier, born into a family of wealth and prestige in Paris, was showered with love from parents driven and stern. When he was born, they changed their earlier thoughts on rearing the only son born into the Gautier family in over twenty-five years. Instead of harshness, the couple doted. His every wish was their command.
A nanny gladly arrived at the elaborate home in Paris. Highly educated, she would tutor this exceptional child. Thrilled that they chose her over hundreds of applicants, she loved the boy. As he grew, she became enthralled with him. Eventually, her motherly love changed into an intense desire for him. She lusted for the teenager. Soon, Madeline received payment from the boy’s father, LaMar, to sleep with his only son. He was only fourteen years old.
Christophe believed this was normal. Always, he was given anything that he wanted. No person, place, or thing was off limits to him. Why had it taken so long for Madeline to give into his advances?
Such an event could have damaged the young boy, but it did not seem to cause serious repercussions. Christophe went to college with normal desires and expectations. He maintained a healthy love and admiration for women all of his life. Never did he harbor misogynist thoughts.
Not only did he possess unusual good looks, with his dark Cajun features, but academically he was at the top of his class. Obviously, he was gifted and talented. No woman was off limits to him. That is until he met Claire.
One summer day, just before summer vacation, the most beautiful woman walked past him on the college campus in Paris which they shared. Claire was tall and thin. Her long blond-white hair fell around her slim shoulders. Large eyes of the bluest azure looked at him. He melted. Never had desire overcome him to this extent. Claire appeared unnerved. Not remotely interested in him, she did not even smile as she strolled slowly past with her best friend, Adriana.
Claire desired to become a pédiatre. Nothing would stand in her way of becoming a doctor of children, she swore.
Christophe tried everything to gain her attention, but it was all in vain. Eventually, he called on his father, LaMar, to help. Claire’s family was prosperous but not in the Gautier family’s league. LaMar called her Père. The two fathers scheduled lunch at Gautier’s club for the young people. Soon afterward, Claire agreed to attend a party with the handsome son. The rest was history.
Their attraction was strong. Immediately after graduation, they married. Young Claire never realized that such a life waited for her. Each day, flowers filled the ten room apartment which she and Christophe shared in Paris.
Papa Gautier welcomed the couple back from Belize, where they celebrated a month-long honeymoon, to a grand 6,500 square foot home. Nestled in the 18th Arrondissement, they enjoyed a view of the Eiffel Tower each day from the balcony which surrounded them. French-white walls reflected the softest hint of blue. Eighteen-foot ceilings soared with a faint cobalt glow. Although the structure dated back to 1929, recent renovations tastefully demonstrated the latest in technology as well as gorgeous accessories.
The first day back, Claire could hardly wait for her new husband to leave for the office he shared with his father. Like a young child, she ran from room to room touching and spinning until she was dizzy. The excitement pulsed through her young body making it impossible to contain.
“Mama, you must come to our home. It is magnifique!”
Of course, Mama came at once. The two women were inseparable. Daily exercise at the Ritz-Carlton followed by two-hour lunches was the rule, not the exception. Claire also surrounded herself with young women who were captivated not just by her intellect but her vast wealth.
Dreams of a selfless life of medicine quickly were forgotten. Life was too much fun to add misery and misfortune to the equation. She dreamed of a little white-haired boy and girl with azure eyes.
Christophe thrived under his Papa’s tutelage. The making of money came effortlessly for him as it had for his ancestors. He adored his new wife and home. Life could not be more idyllic.
Years trickled past. Only happiness graced the young family. Their joy shrouded them in love. The land waited silently for the arrival of the future owners of the most beautiful antebellum home in the New Orleans area. Deep in the transition zone of the earth, something trembled.
Professional Reviews
Claire's House is not a house of cards!
Claire's House is a unique hybrid novel genre wise: half southern Gothic and half romance. While that may annoy a literary agent, I found that it made it more interesting. The author put a lot of work into her novel, including obtaining a manuscript editor who is from Louisiana originally. She also worked in her redemption theme with a female character who changed names which was reminiscent of the Biblical Saul/Paul. The only minor criticism I have of her book is that the setting lingered in Europe a little too long before returning to Louisiana.
I Guess Anything Is Possible When You Live In House, Right?
lorida author Linda Heavner Gerald has retired from her medical background and is living and writing along the Gulf of Mexico. She has already established a solid reputation as a writer of eight mystery thrillers, winning awards both in this country and abroad. Linda’s keen eye for evil in her books is matched by her conviction that ‘regardless of our actions, God is always ready to welcome us back with forgiveness.’ Rather than simply titillate her readers with superbly terrifying stories and psychological drama she offers a bit of a rainbow at the end – a sense of hope or encouragement for the characters of her books.
Linda’s ability to paint a setting for a novel grows with each of her books. In this wonderfully strange story she manages to capture the allure and the mystery of Louisiana (the site of the title Claire’s House) in her opening paragraphs – ‘Deep in a haunting bayou of Louisiana, a strange plot of enchanting land exists. Beautiful, green grass covers a square plot of two acres. The Gautier family owned two hundred and twenty acres of the land that encompassed this unique piece of earth. Surrounded by massive swamps, the savageness of the area abounds in the folklore from earlier generations concerning this isolated place. Alligators roam as well as large lizards and snakes. Still, the square of land is lovely to behold. A magnetism exists here unlike any other land in Louisiana or the world. Christophe and Claire Gautier inherited it from Christophe’s Cajun uncle, Louie. Claire felt hesitant even to consider building a home on such a raw piece of land, but her husband convinced her that it would make a gorgeous destination from their Paris mansion.’ Prepared for mystery that touches on paranormal the reader steps though this atmosphere with both trepidation and excitement and of course, rewards at the ending.
The plot is well condensed by Linda’s synopsis: ‘Local folklore in the bayous of Louisiana states that Claire’s House once stood on a special plot of land. Many men perished trying to own it. The Gautier family obtained the cherished place. Beloved members of this French family finally decided to build a second home there. The beautiful antebellum home which they designed won everyone’s heart in the New Orleans area. Eventually, tales of strange occurrences resulted in fear for the locals. Was it true that it even became a "House of Ill-Repute" by the Madame Savannah? Such strange stories circulated. Many stated that House could feel emotions of those who inhabited her. This noble structure stood for many decades until the death of the most beloved owner, Savannah. Upon her death, it is said that Claire’s House self-imploded. Although she was named Claire’s House, someone else won her heart… a house can feel emotions of the owners.’
Hopefully this leaves enough ravenous suspense for any reader to proceed into this strange place, this space of mystery – so eloquently written that it becomes obvious that we are in the presence of a very fine author indeed. Grady Harp, October16
Darkness And Joy!
In the bayous of Louisiana tales that prick the imagination are plentiful. The history of Claire's House is one. It is the perfect setting for strangeness, a house that is much more than a building. "House" has a soul within its walls, capable of feeling emotion.
Almost immediately the reader recognizes that House is not ordinary. She is almost a living being. Is there a subtle, unknown, almost evil, almost joy to the persona of this magnificent home meant to bring happiness?
The beautiful home's job was to protect the family that built it, so it thought. When the family decided to return to France for the sake of the Children's education, House felt betrayed.
This is the story of House and the various people who inhabited her through the years. But most significantly, it is the story of Savannah and her rise from the depths of pain and immorality.
The novel is different than most. Its appeal is in the vignettes of those who occupied her, especially the life of Savannah.
There is strong characterization , heart arousing, a rich tapestry of personalities.
Entertainment with a paranormal touch that ends with a smile. Reviewed by the author of The Children's Story, About Good and Evil.
Tasked by his Goddess to find, relocate, and then quicken, the last three Heart Tree gem-seeds, Vanx the bard, and his motley crew of adventurers, set out to do just that.
