The House on Biscayne Bay

construction Robert has planned. It looks to be rough work, heavy pieces of stone being carried from one side of the house to another, the radiant sun beating down on the men. It must be hell doing such strenuous physical labor in this stifling heat.

A few cast curious glances our way, no doubt wanting to get a measure of the new owners; some low chuckles drift toward us, and my cheeks burn as I realize they're likely laughing at me and how out of place I look in such a rugged environment. When Robert told me he was taking me for a trip to Miami for my birthday, I fancied a romantic weekend at one of the luxurious resorts that have cropped up along Florida's east coast. I thought the surprise he mentioned would be an elegant necklace or perhaps a pair of earrings. After all, forty feels like a momentous occasion that should be marked, albeit with something smaller than real estate.

"What do you think, Anna?" my husband asks, spreading his arms out expansively as though he could encompass the whole of the property in his reach, seemingly oblivious to my obvious discomfort. "Isn't it amazing? There's no other house for as far as the eye can see and then some."

I'm saved from a response by an insect swarming perilously close to my face.

It hovers in midair, likely calculating its plan of attack, before it finally retreats with an irate buzz as though recognizing me as an interloper and reluctantly ceding its territory.

I wish I could hie off with it.

There are those who hate city life, the houses close together, the streets teeming with people, the noise, and the bustle, but I've grown accustomed to it, find familiarity in the sounds that play in the background of my days.

The silence here is deafening.

"Anna?" Robert asks again.

I take a deep breath, lifting my skirt out of the swampy muck.

"I would like to see the rest of it," I announce, biting back a s

the area s changes through the decades.  
The South Florida Sun Sentinel

"[W]ell worth the read. Cleeton unfolds the story in a way that grabs the reader and keeps the suspense going until the very end."
New York Journal of Books

Cleeton is known for her vivid, transporting tales. Her latest takes readers to a glamorous estate on Biscayne Bay.
Woman's World

The House on Biscayne Bay shows a new facet of Chanel Cleeton s talent and I m utterly enthralled-between the hair-raising character that is the house, the expertly crafted murder mystery, a dash of romance, and quick pace, I couldn t put it down for a moment. Brilliantly done!
Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Portrait of a Scotsman

Lush, evocative, and shimmering with Gothic eeriness, The House on Biscayne Bay is a riveting page-turner with two dynamic women at its core. Chanel Cleeton s marvelous writing drew me in from the first page and kept me riveted to the last. Unputdownable!
Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Belle of Belgrave Square

"I devoured this lush, propulsive, and twisty gothic in one sitting. The House on Biscayne Bay is an atmospheric and haunting tale with deliciously tense scenes and superbly delivered surprises. With Chanel Cleeton's expertly rendered historical detail and evocative imagery this haunting and atmospheric novel is the perfect read."
Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author of An Island Princess Starts a Scandal

Cleeton s dual-period mystery intermixes tropical heat and gothic chills in a satisfying way as two women, decades apart, face up to shocking truths. ... The action moves fast, and Cleeton proves a daring writer as the plot twists unexpectedly."
Historical Novels Review

"Cleeton artfully weaves together two storylines, each featuring a different but equally sympathetic heroine, to create a compelling mystery with plenty of gothic atmosphere. Recommended for fans of suspenseful historical fiction about courageous women determined to uncover the truth no matter the cost.
Library Journal

This is a sure bet for Cleeton fans and lovers of mansion-centric gothic tales.  
Booklist

Praise for the novels of Chanel Cleeton
 
A beautiful novel that's full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice.
Reese Witherspoon

A sweeping love story and tale of courage and familial and patriotic legacy that spans generations.
Entertainment Weekly
 
Next Year in Havana reminds us that while love is complicated and occasionally heartbreaking, it's always worth the risk.
NPR

A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly unputdownable.
PopSugar

A remarkable writer
The Washington Post

You won't be able to put this one down.
Cosmopolitan

With rich historical detail, incisive dialogue and a firebrand heroine, Cleeton paints a vivid portrait of a woman caught in the currents of a turbulent time yet determined to make her own way.
Shelf Awareness

An exhilarating read with a fearless heroine.
Woman s World

Has sex, drama, suspense and pairs perfectly with a mojito.
People

This Cuban-set historical novel is just what you need to get that ~extra-summery~ feeling
Bustle

The Ultimate Beach Read
Real Simple
 
Historical fiction fans will love this novel and its perfectly detailed descriptions of a long-gone era. This is another slam-dunk from Cleeton.
Library Journal (starred review)