Rosa's Castle

by Deanna Edens

Samuel Taylor Suit was a dashing figure in West Virginian society-a man who made his fortune distilling whiskey. An investor in the growing railroad industry, he played host to US presidents. And when he fell in love, he fell hard.

Rosa Pelham was almost two decades younger than Suit, who courted her unsuccessfully for five long years. Then, in 1883, he found the chink in Rosa's romantic armor. She dreamed of living in a castle. Suit vowed to build her one if she accepted his proposal. He was as good as his word, and Berkeley Castle became part of West Virginian history.

Some say the story of Rosa and her castle ended badly, with heartache, financial ruin, and insanity. Some darkly hint that vengeful ghosts now walk the halls of Berkeley Castle, tormented by secret misdeeds.

Others tell a different tale-one of love and courage in the face of changing fortunes. "Rosa's Castle" tells this tale-a dazzling "what if" based on one of America's most striking love stories. As for ghosts...well, not all are vengeful shades. Some haunt out of love for those they left behind.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

162 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2016

About the author

Deanna Edens lives by a beautiful lake in Michigan, and is a native West Virginian. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty years. She teaches college classes in the areas of psychology and leadership. Deanna has several feline friends, and donates all proceeds from her book sales to her local Humane Society.

Reviews

[Susanne Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy Tale

I recommend this book to any one interested in history. A small family history. Interesting in how you can leave a foot print and not know it. Would love to visit.

[Laura Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book didn't want to put it down.

[Sherelyn Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for pure enjoyment!!!!

A sweet story anyone would enjoy! Rosa was not one to let circumstances bring her down and made the best of what life gzve...we should all be so adaptable.

[Ingrid Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to have been there

Going back and forth in time and seeing what life was like for Belle and Rosa, the differences in class perceptions. Yet Rosa says it so clearly when she tells Leo that Belle has a child, a husband, a home and her business is building while she (Rosa) has lost her daughter, her husband, her home and she’s broke. Yet we never hear self pity. She moves on.

We find out what happens to Belle, Rosa and Carolyn. What happened to Allison? She was such a qwuirky character that I couldn’t believe the story ended without telling us what happened to her.

[Barbara Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historic

This is a great story and I love the background of the West Virginia mountain region ...beautiful area and the castle is a wonderful building .I can feel the magic and see it unfold in this classic story ...

[SUSAN SKOGLUND · Rating 5 out of 5]

History comes alive again

DeanNa has a beautiful way of bringing history to life and this story is delightful. She relates the story as she tells her own once again in her funny charming way.

[Sue Pilski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this author giveaway on Goodreads, and lucky to have had the opportunity to read this whimsical story! I going to post my review of Rosa's Castle by way of adjectives: I've already said whimsical. Interesting, unique, fun, eerie, historically factual, well-researched, moments of sadness, quirky and highly recommended!
Definitely, oh yes most definitely, I will be reading Deanna Eden's other books and I suggest you do too!!

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to figure out the point of view of this book, I think because the introductory part made it sound like the author herself was going to be getting Rosa's story from Belle, but Belle actually gave it to a woman named Carolyn. Once I decided to just roll with it, though, I enjoyed the book just fine. It's kind of a plain / simple story compared to what I normally read, but I liked it, more than I like most realistic type books about older times. I'm not sure how true it's supposed to be, but it seemed like it could be true, at least.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Joan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting easy to read story. A memoir told by a friend of the local celebrity entwined with the narrator's own memories. Our elders have exciting poignant stories if we would take the time to listen and this story is a prime example. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who like folk stories. I received this book from Goodreads for free.

[Deb Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyeglass to the past

I thoroughly enjoyed Edens' flashback scenes connecting the initial toss of the pebble into the pond to the continuing affect of the waves on things not yet conceived!

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that makes you curious about the interesting spin on historical events.

[MARK EMBRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting subject and characters

I had heard of the castle and was drawn to learn about the history. The characters were interesting and the story enchanting.

[Kathleen A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, enjoyable read

Full of humor, mountain folklore, and fictionalized portrayal of Rosa Suit based on memories of her dear friend Belle. A kinder version than historians have portrayed Rosa, I choose to believe Belle's memories of this quirky, memorable woman many called Queen Rosa.

[Kivalina Mauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosa

I realy liked this book Rosa seems like she was a wonderful friend and Grandma or fill in Grandma. She was there when nobody else was . I myself have many kids who call me Grandma who are not blood related. I love them same. I love this author.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and heartbreaking historical story.

Such wonderful and amazing memories told and recorded about the castle in West Virginia. A quick enjoyable read. I do recommend this story to history lovers.

[Jeanne Offerdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Rosa

Reminds us that every woman is a queen if she behaves in the the southern graceful manner. Lovely and nostalgic

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet love story involving a man who falls in love with a much younger woman. When he learns of her deepest desire - to live in a castle - he sets about making her dream come true.

I really loved this story and will be checking on some of the author's other books also. Well worth reading.

This is a favorite for 2023 for me. I truly didn't want it to end.

[Kellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how it went back and forth in time. It didn't read like an interview. Well written.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story based on a real character, Rosa of Berkley Castle in WV. Most of the story was told through the recollections of her "best friend Belle."

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was an enjoyable read, I did not like the actual layout of the book. Belle's side of the story was fun to read, but I thought Allison was an incredibly annoying character.


*goodreads giveaway, free*

[Callitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. The story was rich and interesting and kept my attention. I liked the witty banter between the two older ladies, Belle and Allison... as they told their story to Carolyn.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about an unusual friendship presented in an easy to follow style. Delightful read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. I loved this story. Now I need to find out everything I can about the lovers & the castle. So enjoyable it left me needing to know everything.