Haunted Spouse

by Heather Allison

A man, a woman, and a haunted house.

Normally, architect Jared Rutledge wouldn't be caught dead designing a haunted house. He considered them "frivolous structures." But then he was asked to build one to raise funds for a physical rehabilitation clinic, and he agreed to do it. After all, how hard could it be?

Before long, he realized that building a haunted house could be an absolute nightmare. And when things started to go wrong, Jared was forced to ask for help. That meant calling the Scream Queen, Lizzie Wilcox, a renowned haunted house designer who just happened to be his ex-wife!

Genres: Romance, Halloween, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Humor, Contemporary, Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Heather W. MacAllister lives in Texas and is married to her high-school sweetheart. Following the instructions in How to Get a Teen-Age Boy, and What to Do with Him When You Get Him by Ellen Peck, one of her all-time favorite books, she expressed an interest in his hobby — ham radio. He challenged her — learn Morse code and get her license, and he’d take her to the senior prom. She did, and currently sports her call sign, WB5RMA, on her car license plate.

Heather became addicted to romance novels in college, yet still managed to graduate and become a music teacher. And then her sons were born. Within seven months, nine baby-sitters quit, so she took pity on the childcare industry, quit teaching, and began avoiding housework by writing during her sons’ nap time.

Before she was published, Heather won the Romance Writer's of America Golden Heart Award. She published as Heather Allison and as Heather MacAllister. Her published novels have been nominated for the RWA RITA award three times, and eHarlequin.com readers voted LONE STAR SANTA favorite Laugh-Out-Loud book of 2006. In addition to awards for best Harlequin Romance and best Harlequin Temptation, Romantic Times Book Reviews has twice nominated Heather for a Career Achievement Award in Series Love and Laughter. She has published over 40 books with Harlequin. Her award-winning romantic comedies have been translated into 25 languages and published in dozens of countries.

When she's not writing, Heather spends her time collecting vintage jewelry, watching fireworks displays, and killing plants.

Reviews

[karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

before reading this book:

ok, i pretty much HAVE to read this. i have not heard a more hilarious premise for a romance novel since Hand In Glove. "goddammit - i am being asked to construct a haunted house, but i hate haunted houses. i know!! my ex-wife!! she designs haunted houses for a living!!! WHAT ARE THE ODDS?????"

i neeeed this!

after reading this book:

ugggh - no i didn't need this. this was not a good book. i don't know how i could have been so fooled! a haunted-house construction plot, a couple reunited for a project given a second chance at love after their divorce, a cat on the cover, a title that is a pun??

and yet - it was bad. how can this be?

there is no intercourse in this book. which is fine - i don't need to read about boring people doin' it - but it is odd, isn't it? for a romance novel to have no grown-up time? there are some kissy-face scenes, which cause toes (not mine) to curl and the world to move etc etc., and i guess since these people were married to each other before, the thrill of discovery is no longer there, it is just worth noting, i think.

but these characters = boring. he doesn't respect her because she designs haunted houses for a living and he thinks she should be making skyscrapers or something more lasting. and yet he is suddenly in the market for a haunted house, for some charity thing he has found himself in charge of. worlds collide - boom! they find themselves attracted to each other again, somehow, even though he is engaged to some society type and she (his ex-wife) wears sequinned sneakers nearly every day. and ghost earrings. she's a little...remedial, our heroine. she throws a lot of foot-stamping tantrums and wears a lot of pumpkins for a grown woman, is all i'm saying. not that there's anything wrong with an adult female wearing clothing intended for children.



but we can't all be charlize...

this book was just wicked dopey. and boring. i don't know what i was expecting, really, but next time i get excited over the name of a book, and a silly silly plot, i am going to maybe pause a moment before running right off to abe.com.

maybe.

come to my blog!

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

A man, a woman,
and a haunted house

Normally, architect Jared Rutledge wouldn't be caught dead designing a haunted house-he considered them "frivolous structures." But then he was asked to build one to raise funds for a physical rehabilitation clinic, and he agreed to do it. After all, how hard could it be?

Before long, he realized that building a haunted house could be an absolute nightmare. And when things started to do wrong, Jared was forced to ask for help. That meant calling the Scream Queen, Lizzie Wilcox-a renowned haunted house designer who just happened to be his ex-wife!

When I first found this book, my first thought was, Wow! The heroine designs haunted houses! How fun! Well, after I finished the book, my first thought was, Wow! That "hero" is such an asshat. An obnoxiously unthinking, unfeeling, and incredibly dense asshat. And for staying with such an asshat, that heroine must be pathetic and desperate.

*Sigh* It's such a shame too. This could have been so much fun. If only the writer could have toned down Jared's insensitivity. He spends the entire time belittling her. Making thoughtless and heartless jibes at her deportment, her choice of attire, her inability to conduct herself in a professional manner, and her unfortunate and lacking choice of career. He even says to her face, as she is running herself ragged for him, if he will ever be able to secure another Very Important designing job after he has been professionally associated with the Scream Queen. But it's okay, because when she mindlessly overreacts to his thoughtlessness, (sarcasm) he comes back with an, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Followed by an eyeroll when she's not looking over her silly artistic temperament.

When I say the entire book, I mean the entire book. Even as he's making his big speech at the end about how much he loves her and admires her, he still has to throw in a remark about how she could be designing "more conventional designs during her off-season." Maybe that remark would have been fine if it was by itself, but that comment heaped on top of all the other comments just showed me how he will never change his opinion of her. And since Lizzie hasn't changed during the course of the book, we all know how this make-believe romance is going to end up. In another fictional divorce.

And since this was the first book I've read in a while, this just pissed me off. I ended up throwing the book down after I was finished feeling disgusted, after realizing I'd just wasted my time on a hero who does not respect his wife. And since this seemed like such a fun, entertaining read, I felt blindsided. Ugh.

Humph. Thankfully my husband won't think I'm overreacting in a silly artistic snit when I kick this book across the room. He'll think me weird, but at least he'll still respect me in the morning.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

:: 4 Stars ::

When I picked up this book (I got it when it was a freebie) I was looking for a fun, holiday read for the month of October. Seeing some mixed reviews I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not. But, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The plot has me hooked from the first page. When introduced to Lizzie, I found her to be charming. She has a deep love for Halloween, designs haunted houses for a living, and is pretty happy considering she has been single ever since she became divorced from her ex, Jared, a few years ago. But when Jared calls asking for her help to design a haunted house for him and his work, Lizzie’s life becomes chaotic. Deep seated feelings all come rushing back and not only does Lizzie have to take time out of her busy schedule to help Jarod, but she must also come to terms with her feelings for him. Enter pure mayhem when plans don’t go right and an obnoxious and hateful finance, and readers will find themselves laughing and cringing as they read this story!

You can find my full review on my website: www.prettylittlebookreviews.com

[Kathy Shiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and easy read. Great vacation read.

[Shelby Hanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this for a dollar at a closing bookstore and it was fun to read but hilariously bad 😂

[Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the details involved in the building of haunted houses and the process fascinated me but the most important part of the story, the characters, were flat. Until this book I don't think I have ever read a "romance" where I didn't want the two main characters to end up together. I spent the whole book waiting for the heroine to meet the real guy she should end up with. I think their relationship is doomed to fail for the second time since they still don't seem to know how to treat eachother. I would have given this book only one star except I learned a little bit about something I hadn't given much thought to. Some interesting information about the science of scaring people for fun and construction of haunted houses saved it from being a total waste of time.

[F · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jared is a such a jerk and never gets any better. I did not want the couple to end up together. Lizzie could do better than him. Wow!

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

She should have dumped him.

[Suzanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, in fairness, this came out in 1993, and, like so, so many Friends episodes, it has not aged well.

That said, still no. We see Jared not only expressing incredibly hurtful views about really important things, but also clearly holding those views genuinely. His sudden 180 on some key issues at the end just doesn't track.

In addition, false equivalencies, and the resolution of same, are presented as compromises. Sure, there is some ground for Lizzie to cede, with the batik shirts and the Zulu mask, but those things do not balance against Jared belittling her passion and life's work, telling her to grow up, and turning a blind eye for *years* to the Mean Girls bullshit his mother and Helen were dishing out.

And seriously, Helen? She goes from straight up admitting and gloating about having broken up Lizzie's marriage to somehow having had a lingering passion for Rico that blossomed into True Love, transforming her into a kind person. That's not a redemption arc. That's three cats in a trench coat maskerading as Dick Tracy.

I finished the book bc it was short and bc I wanted to see just how many times Lizzie could definitively realize that she and Jared could have no future before the magic of the Great Pumpkin swooped in the fix everything. This is one best left to the recycling bin.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book, and was interested in the beginning. The more and more Jared opened his mouth, the more and more I hated him. If Lizzie said anything that he didn't agree with, he would tell her she was being childish and wouldn't listen. Even at the end, he never learned to respect her and barely acknowledges how much she helped him. She about kills herself by coming to his beck and call, and he still fails to say he was wrong. He's a real POS, and I was wanting her to hit him over the head and leave him in his own mess. He's a gaslighter, and is the type of guy that will choose his manipulative mom over you. At the end, they agree to have a commuter marriage. As if that will work. I kept waiting for Jared to have an ah ha moment, where he realized the error of his ways and strived to be a better man, but his only moment was when he called her Lizzie instead of Elizabeth???? This couple needs serious marriage counseling if it were to ever work. Other than sexually, they're just not compatible.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun, cute story!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an angsty book about two ex-spouses working together to open a haunted house before Halloween. I liked how this boook gave you a quick peek of the hero’s point of view, and not just the heroine’s POV all the way.

As jerks go, the ex-husband Jared isn’t any worse than the typical heroes in HP Lynne Graham, Charlotte Lamb or Sharon Kendrick books. I think his major flaw -- his disdain for her work -- stems from his preconceived notion of what a successful architect is. He truly believes that a good architect’s work should stand the test of time. (Think of a Frank Lloyd Wright house versus tract houses. Or think Tiffany’s versus Walmart.) Unfortunately, his ex-wife’s work is very much hoi-polloi and faddish. Therefore it bothered him greatly that her talents are being wasted on disposal designs. This fine distinction between insulting her work and insulting her talents shouldn’t be lost to readers.

That’s why I really couldn’t agree with the heroine when accused him of verbally abusing her. At least, in their A.D. (after divorce) encounters, a lot of their verbal sparring could be seen in context of a badinage or a flirtation with the excess baggage of a shared history together.

Take for instance, when he called her “Frizzy Lizzie, The Scream Queen.” They were badgering each other. She had snapped his suspenders and told him that he looked as if he needed someone to loosen him up. He responded with “Do you think Frizzy Lizzie, the Scream Queen” is a perfect candidate?” When he advised her on how to dress, admonishing her not to embarrass him, he deliberately said that (like reverse psychology) to ensure her presence at the fundraiser. Then, at the party, he entertained himself watching her and even chuckled at her antics. But by then, he had already admitted to himself that he had felt alive again, more “invigorated” after his encounter with his ex.

Which brings me to Lizzie, or Elizabeth as Jared would call her.
She was the reason I gave this book 4 stars. Despite her huffing and flouncing, I liked her precisely because she wore her heart on her sleeves. She wasn't one of those TSTL heroines, nauseatingly in-denial of her love for the hero but willing to jump in bed at the slightest wink. Three years after the divorce, she had moved on and built a business designing haunted houses, successful enough that she could gloat about it to her ex. (Again another welcome change: Too often we get an insipid heroine who fades into nonentity after the hero leaves her.)

She was an acknowledged expert in her field. She was exuberant, eccentric and very much self-confident...now that she had left the disapproving company of her mother-in-law. One of the parts I relished was when she single-handedly impressed the guests with her presentation at the fundraiser that her ex-in-laws were hosting. Comeuppance for thinking her too lowly for them!

I found amusing the many ways she made her hurt and anger over their divorce known. Like making the guy work out an appointment with her. Or taunting him with a sizzling goodbye kiss to show him what he’s missing all these years. Or repeatedly telling him that she was booked solid and in demand for her work. I bet she had more of a solid reputation that the guy at this point.

I also liked the scene when the guy accused her of sabotaging their work, she just didn’t skulk away in self-pity. She totally upended his accusations and eviscerated his argument. She left him speechless. But what I really liked the best was when the Jared sprang the news about his fiancée in a most awkward moment. She behaved with restraint and dignity when her heart must have been breaking in a million pieces.

I must admit that the whole time I was reading this I was making up the final pages in my head.

If I were the heroine and he asks me to marry him again, I’d pat his cheek and say no… a gentle but regretful no, carrying with it all my heart’s longing for what-could-be and my brain’s wise counsel that it could never be. I’d tell him not again with him. For these simple reasons: First, I would wish for my spouse to respect my life’s work. No matter how commercial the work might be to him who advocates a purist art-for-art’s-sake stance, designing haunted houses fulfils me. For him to dismiss my work as “frivolous” tells me he cannot appreciate my creativity and understand something integral to me. Second, I will not allow myself to agonize over being found inadequate again --be it in comparison to the perfect Helena or someone else. Even if I can forgive his cold-blooded engagement, I cannot forget his belittling complaints of why I couldn’t be more like Helena. Lastly, and more importantly, no matter how much he says he loves me, my faith in his commitment to us is no longer there. He has done nothing to gain my trust. Words are cheap; actions speak louder.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn't a fan of this one. I didn't like Lizzie at all. She seemed too immature or childlike at times. And how in the hell did she 're-fall in love' with Jared? I mean he had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Not counting supposed good looks. There was nothing. He was constantly talking down to her the whole time, making fun of her appearance and her career. Lizzie talks about how when they were married and Jared never stood up for her when it came to his mother and Helen. Still wasn't doing that. I don't get it?! This story was a joke!


Comments/Questions:

So Lizzie makes a living (year round) by designing haunted houses? IDK but I can't imagine someone being able to do that year round.

I get this book was from the early 90's but good god! The clothes Lizzie wore throughout it. haha Her clip on earrings, and different colored sneakers, and city shorts? I don't even know what city shorts are? The fact that she thinks that by wearing orange clothes to match her orange hair, that it all somehow makes it work? In a positive way? I don't think so.

What is a house pin?

With Lizzie going back and forth to Jared, whose paying for the plane tickets and rental cars?

So we find out that on graduation day, Jared and his friends are making fun of Lizzie. And seemingly out of the blue he goes over and proposes to her? And she says yes? No sense!

What's with Jared's family and friends trying to raise money for the haunted house...which will be trying to raise money for the rehabilitation clinic?

Helen and her piano playing for the guests. What year was this story taking place in? haha I mean that automatically made me think back to the 1800's.

Lizzie interrupts Rico and Helen having sex in the haunted house. How did she not recognize Rico's voice? I mean she thought it was Jared even after Rico talked. It's not like it was really loud or anything in the house either.

When Lizzie shows up at the Haunted Hotel at the end wearing dirty pants, a giant armadillo t-shirt and skeleton sneakers, how was that considered professional attire?

The turning point for Lizzie was when Jared finally calls her 'Lizzy' instead of Elizabeth. Seriously?

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie is an architect that designs her favorite thing, Haunted Houses. Its that time of the year where she is in really high demand, and her entire schedule is filled to the brim. She is really surprised one day when she receives a call from Jared Rutledge, an architect that designs really classy establishments. He is creating a Haunted House to gain funds for a physical therapy center and really needs her help. Though her schedule is really full, she can't help want to do the job to prove that haunted houses are not "frivolous structures" as he used to call them... Because a few years ago they weren't only business partners, they were also married...
Jared Rutledge was not happy with the way the Haunted House he designed. It is not turning out they way he wanted it to and he is really in need of help to make it a hit, so he breaks down and decides to call his ex-wife for her help. When they reunite, they are off to a bad start when Jake mentions that Lizzie is wasn't her talent on haunted houses and that she should design more classic type buildings, but as soon as they call it a truce and start to work together to get the haunted house completed, they soon realize the sparks between them never died...

I never read a book about Halloween that didn't have the usual vampires, werewolves, etc. involved. When I came across this one at Amazon for a Kindle e-book for free I figured I would give it a try, and I am happy that I did. It was a fun story about two people who were total opposites in many ways, but were able to figure out away to be together. When they reunited and they finally were able to talk to each other and was able to discuss about way their marriage didn't work out before, they were able to resolve it so that they can have a fresh start.
The story was a little short and I was kind-of hoping that their would be an epilogue that was set a year or two later to show the readers how the relationship progressed, but I guess it didn't end on a bad note.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a coffee break book with very little depth to it. If you want a light and fluffy book then this is the one for you.

There are some funny parts to it but on the whole, it was quite predictable - I think the most unpredictable part to begin with was that Lizzie literally dropped EVERYTHING to go to her ex-husband's beck and call. But that was only unpredictable the first time. After that, it was pretty much a given that if he crooked his finger, she would go running.

The premise was quite good and the book on the whole was enjoyable - just nothing spectacular.

* Verified Purchase - November 2012 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 17, 2013

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a short read about a couple who had split up who are now working together to build a haunted house for charity. Haunted houses being the very reason they split in the 1st place. Jarrod thinks that Lizzies work as a haunted house designer is frivolous and she should put her talent to work creating something worth while. Now he needs her help to make his charity creation a success.

[Jen McConnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming romance! Lizzie's ex husband has never respected her profession, but when he runs into trouble designing a haunted house for charity, he's forced to call his ex. Lizzie's made a name for herself as the best haunted house designer around, but she's an amateur when it comes to seeing Jared again. This is a sweet, easy read that all HEA fans will adore.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story about architects who are always at odds. Divorced Lizzie and Jared had problems with their firm. Lizzie designed haunted houses; Jared was much more conservative. Three years after the divorce Jared needs help with a haunted house he is building for charity. Who else can he call for help but Lizzie?

[Moondance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something mindless to read on Thanksgiving night. Lizzie designs haunted houses. Her ex, Jared, needs her help to raise money for a rehab center by building a haunted house. A rehash of their marriage, the emergence of a new fiancee and a nonscary haunted house. OK read. 2 stars

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little cheesey romance. I usually don't choose these kinds of books but this one was a fun quick read.

And I NEVER would've read it if it had those horrible covers from the original release of the book!!! Eeeeek!

[Mina Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise sounded like fun & I did enjoy the heroine & her very unique profession -- an architect who specializes in haunted houses. However, the hero was mostly a jerk & I kept hoping the real hero would pop in the story & steal the heroine from Jared.

[Brandi Gillilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got this book and finished it in one day! It's very intriguing and really fun to read.
I love the romance and the suspense, I think the setting of Haunted Houses is the perfect book for this time of year! Great book!
Brandi Gillilan

[Beverly Donnell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful book

[AH]

Kindle free download 11/5/12.

[Skeeter Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute halloween story about haunted houses and the building of them. This was a short story, but good, I enjoyed it.

[Darla Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still re-read this story, and it still makes me laugh to this day.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

good book, left me wanting more

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

lost count after the fourth eye roll. Hate to admit it, but I agree with the husband on her lack of career ambition and wasted education.

[Kristina Wiraatmaja · Rating 1 out of 5]

So bad. So so bad. Painfully bad.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute Halloween read.