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4.0 out of 5 stars The House on Slocum Road, May 12, 2011
By Joan Vander Putten (Upton, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
This story captured my imagination and interest from page one. It was like reading two books at once -- the flashbacks to the Civil War period and the characters the author created there are just as wonderful, realistic and interesting as her main characters. It's a book that's well written, presenting family ties and ancestral lives in a way that makes them come alive and wish that they were yours! Ms Clair's writing is reminiscent of a gentler time, one that brings home the values of love, friendship, faith and hope. I'm so pleased with this book that I'm passing it on to my friends and family.
Joan Vander Putten, writer.
5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery of lost memories, July 13, 2011
By Carol McMillan - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
This book is a page-turning mystery. It is a story of present relationships and a puzzling lost memory with an unrelenting quest for answers. This is a story of love, determination, loyalty, and the power of the mind to determine behavior. Dahris Clair is a master of blending relatives of the past with present struggles. She displays a knowledge of the Civil War tragedy. She understands the complications of present relationships. Putting this all together in one book is a major accomplishment.
Carol McMillan MS., writer and psychotherapist
 A Spellbinding Story, April 12, 2010
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
I can't imagine any reader NOT enjoying this book! Clair shifts us effortlessly from 21st century to Civil War vintage events, from psychic phenomenon and out of body experiences to the cozy warmth of a family with cherished values, who support and care deeply for one another. Yet the pieces flow together as smoothly as a gentle stream on a breezeless day. Beautifully written, seamlessly crafted, The House on Slocum Road keeps the reader involved from beginning right through until that final page is turned.
Lois W. Stern
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY
TICK TOCK, STOP THE CLOCK
wwww.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com
 A WONDERFUL ESCAPE, June 10, 2010
This was a very engaging read. The author tells a good story with strong characters that you either love or hate. The book is intriguing because it inter-splices Lottie's present-day life and the series of conflicts she faces with herself, her colleagues and her husband with a strong male character in the midst of the his own battle of conscience as a Union soldier, who enlisted against his wealthy father's wishes and a young woman who will end up showing her things she never thought possible.
The paranormal element is credible without being cliché and the historic references are intriguing. I enjoyed the bond between Lottie and Paul, even in the midst of their arguments. The author did a great job capturing the elements of isolation that Lottie felt with her gift as well as with her illness. The descriptive elements drew me in moment one. My heart pounded through some scenes and though I am not one of much sentiment (I'm from NY, it comes natural), tears did well at some very poignant moments.
Overall, it was a nice escape, a strong stew of suspense, action, conflict and romance. Perfect for a lazy weekend in front of a fire or on the beach, it, in my opinion, was a worthwhile purchase and I would happily read it again.
BEST LINE
"Ferris wondered why they called it a Civil War when there was nothing civil about it."
June 14, 2009
I love this book. Usually, books don't seem to get really interesting until the middle, but this starts out good and stays that way.
Betty Pall - New Port Richey, FL
June 13, 2007 - From the Amazon site
D.H. Clair's "The House on Slocum Road" has so many twists and turns you won't want to put it down for a moment in fear of losing track of the story. The author has successfully created a labyrinth of characters and a storyline that are strung together and wrapped around the novel's heroine - Lottie Winslow. You will fall in love with Lottie at the get-go, and at first you'll be impatient when the story veers away from her temporarily, but never fear, when it comes back, you're in for a ride. Ms. Clair's clever weave begins to strengthen about a fourth of the way into the book and doesn't let go of the reader till the end.
The story is jam-packed with scenes of the personal effects of the civil war between the North and South: of Lottie's family then, and of Lottie's family in the present. At first it feels as if two stories are running parallel, but in a different manner than what you would expect. Ms. Clair has written a drama, a tragedy, a romance, a para-normal - all rolled into one, and her comedic sense shines through in Lottie's dialogue in Part Two. You will be intrigued, surprised, and will experience a satisfying read in "The House on Slocum Road." I certainly did. I recommend it highly.
Rebecca Buckley, CFO/Founder - WIZARDS OF WORDS. WOW WEBSITE (just click)
May 19, 2007
Thank you for your book....Oh my, it was enjoyable, breathtaking, emotional it took me away..... I started it about 2:30 yesterday, and finished by 10pm last night...
I was transported in time, your writing took me to The House on Slocum Road.
I will FOREVER, remember my journey.... this is a book I will read and re-read over and over.
I look forward to EXPERIENCING many more journeys from your future works. Thank You,
Darcy Rizzo, (Perich Eye Center) New Port Richey, FL
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average customer review: 5 stars
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A lot like taking a warm bath - relaxing, time slips by, and you feel great afterwards, September 13, 2006
I loved it. This is a rainy-day, dog-at-your-feet, cup of cocoa kind of book. Start reading it early - because before you know it, time will have slipped by and if you're like me, you'll have problems getting up for work the next day. It's a suspenseful story with goose-bumpy elements like time travel, psychic abilities and all the synergies of events that lead up to Lottie's ultimate discovery of what's been bothering her all these years - but at the same time, the story is about real people with real issues that we all grapple with. Love, loss, rejection, confusion, jealousy, illness.
If you're a Civil War buff, you'll love visiting that era. Perhaps best of all, The House on Slocum Road is suitable for everyone; I'm sharing my copy with my mother. No violence for violence's sake, foul language, or thoughtless cruelty, and the emphasis placed on family, friendship and fidelity make it a good choice for readers tired of flash-and-no-substance stories.
And, the ending looks promising for a sequel!
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An Awesome Page Turner!, March 19, 2007 Reviewer: Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews
"The House on Slocum Road" is, by far, one of the best works of fiction I've read to date! The pages literally turned themselves. From the first page I was hooked & I even had trouble forcing myself to stop reading & go to bed (smile) - it is that good! This story surrounds a woman named Lottie Slocum who, after recently being diagnosed as diabetic, begins having odd/frightening dreams - someone is beckoning her to another time, but who? and why? At the same time, she also begins having visions where she's able to see events before they happen - yet her husband (with whom she has a beautiful & close relationship with) doesn't believe her - or worse yet, he thinks she's beginning to lose her mind.
The answers to what is going on lie in Lottie's vacation home - a house that has been in her family for many, many generations. While searching for these answers, you get to follow Lottie on her journey to self-discovery & acceptance of her psychic "powers" - and what a journey it is! Through hidden journals re: her ancestor's Civil War experience & actually traveling back in time, Lottie finds her answers - & they are both shocking & wonderful at the same time. I don't want to give too much of the story away - so I'm going to leave it at that.
This is a beautifully written & researched book. In fact, there were times when I actually lost myself in the storyline - able to visualize in my mind the events as they unfolded. There are so many twists & turns that's difficult not to get caught up in this book. Overall, I HIGHLY recommend "The House on Slocum Road" to anyone who enjoys paranormal suspense/mystery books. It's truly an awesome read!
“THE HOUSE ON SLOCUM ROAD,” by Dahris Clair, is a must read for lovers of the esoteric. The title and cover perfectly encapsulate the mysterious aura of this tale of the supernatural, reincarnation, and time travel.
The protagonist, nurse Lottie Winslow, is propelled backward in time after her curiosity prompts her to search family records and photos. The discovery of an ancestor’s chronicles of the Civil War, including the Battles of Bull Run and Antietam, add extra depth to the story.
Lottie becomes obsessed with digging through her past in search of familial connection despite her strait-laced husband’s objections. Her reward is an encounter of the ghostly kind. The image entices her to “Come home.” Though at first she discounts the vision as low blood sugar, she learns otherwise. When a violent storm assaults the old house, Lottie seeks refuge in her great, great grandmother’s bed. She awakens to a different world where she meets Caroline Patterson, best friend of the first Lottie. As a team, the two experience and treat unexpected medical emergencies without benefit of modern medication or technology.
The author has done a creditable job of historical research of the Civil War period and subsequent years. The story, set in the Adirondacks, exudes warmth and gentility. Ms. Clair cooks up a tasty mystery and ends on a positive note with the inclusion of an old family recipe for Cinnamon Walnut Scones. Yummy!
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Just getting started, [read] several chapters, and I really like it. I'm intrigued by people with gifts . . . your story grabbed me from the start. More than that, I'm delighted with the way you write: unpretentious, down to earth, and true to life. I love your style.
Gordon Tucker, author of Shadow – www.gordontucker.com.
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I am very impressed with your writing – you have excellent structure and pacing, very identifiable characters, and a great story.
Ray Ryder, author of The Spirit of Whiskey River & The Rockwater Mountain Murders - www.rayryder.com.
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WOW!!! and double WOW! Your book is great. I was sad when I finished reading it because I wanted to read more and more of it. The recipe at the end was a real treat. I'm glad you left the ending open. When is the sequel coming out?
Maryann Rigby - Hudson, FL
A brilliantly descriptive story of the past history of our lives in this country, a true compassionate and romantic novel! . . . I could not put the book down and hope the author will write a sequel.
Frances Harris, Ft Lauderdale, FL
I have just one word—captivating! Barbara Machado – Hudson, FL
Sensitive and Thought Provoking, November 26, 2006
By Susan Haley "author" (Sarasota, FL The Sun Coast) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
The House On Slocum Road is encompassing. It's well written, well researched, timely, and entices the reader into the story on page one. Yet, it's one of those books which tends to slow the reader down as the end approaches in the hopes that it will go on. I found it especially endearing as the tenets often referred to as 'paranormal' are, to me, quite normal. I found myself relating to Lottie and wanting to embrace her.
Susan C. Haley, Author
"Rainy Day People"
"Fibers In The Web"
Great entertainment!, November 8, 2006
By Randi Odierno "rodierno" (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
This riveting story is also wonderfully readable. It centers around Lottie Slocum, a young woman with the capability of knowing things before they happen. Severely injured in the crash that orphaned her, Lottie suffers from retrograde amnesia. Her memory never came back, but the dreams and visions did. Twenty-five years later, the visions have resurfaced along with a persistent, repetitive dream she can't explain. Lottie is consumed with an irrepressible desire to connect with her roots and believes her ancestral home, the house on Slocum Road, holds the key. Frustrated by her husband's inability to accept her gift, she vows to "go it alone," despite the stumbling blocks along the way. This is also a story rich in history. of love and fidelity and one of enduring and timeless friendship. With uncanny flair, DH Clair transports her readers from the present to a well researched 1886 through a variety of twists that keep one turning the pages!
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A Paranormal Suspense Which Enlightens a Heart!, August 14, 2007
By The One and Only "Me" (Somewhere) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
When people read a great book they want to escape from reality and go somewhere else. Author Dahris Clair invites a reader into a cozy home setting which keeps one glued in literary creativity of a story that whisks one away from stress of daily woes to enjoy a beautifully written tale. With eloquent descriptions of history and nature, The House on Slocum Road-Echoes of the Past, is an incredible journey taken with her heroine, Lottie Slocum, who comes to terms with her own life and the gifts that she has to offer. I loved Lottie and the way that this story reflects on the remarkable talent of this notable author. Dahris Clair writes with a loving spirit that captures the heart of the reader as to where one never wants the story to end. Thank goodness for authors as D.H. Clair. What a blessing it is to have her as an author in our world.
Fellow Author D'Maria Scaglione
By Russ Heitz (Sarasota, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
Echoes of the past, July 31, 2007
This review is from: The House on Slocum Road (Paperback)
It all started with a warning from a carnival gypsy many years ago: a little girl named Lottie Winslow has a gift; she can look into the future. As years passed, this prediction was pooh-poohed by most of the girl's family. But the prediction was true nonetheless. And many facets of this gift were revealed through mysterious happenings that occurred in and around an old family home in Sacandaga, New York.
A letter edged in black, with blood dripping from a corner. Screeching tires as a car careened out of control. Dreams and nightmares that never seemed to go away.
This is not, however, a horror story. Nor is it a story about fantasies and mental aberrations. Far from it. This is a story of multi-generational family love and warmth as seen through Lottie's eyes, emotions and experiences. Her story includes gentle reminiscences, a persistent resilience, and the kind of resolutness that all can admire. Her life is also spiced with strange occurrences, vague impressions, and haunting visions.
Throughout this book, D. H. Clair provides sketches of the past and the present that are both authentic and colorful. Historical accounts of the Civil War era are blended with the blunt realism of everyday life today. Sensitive descriptions of the natural world are juxtaposed with the harshness of accidents and medical emergencies. The mysteries, however, are still there--in the center of it all. So, too, are the mystical, psychical parts of life that many readers have experienced in their own lives at one time or another.
All of these threads are woven together with skill and tenderness by the author. This is the kind of book that can warm you on a snowy afternoon or cool you on a sweltering August hammock day.
Russ Heitz
russheitz.com
myspace.com/russheitz
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