The House by Anjuelle Floyd

What would you do if you learned the person you were divorcing is dying?

On receiving the very thing she wants, a divorce and the power to sell their house, Anna Manning learns that Edward, her soon-to-be ex-husband, is dying. A faithful wife for over three decades, Anna endured Edward's constant absences while traveling on business for his international real estate firm, and his extra-marital affairs.

Anna takes Edward to live out his last six, possibly three, months in the house she fought so vigorously to sell. But letting go of someone who has caused so much pain does not come easily.

Edward has changed.

As their children return home, and say their farewells Anna confronts the challenges that Edward's impending death delivers each of them. Then there is Inman who loves Anna, and provides the one thing Edward denied their marriage—passion and intimacy.

Anna must also face the hopes and dreams she abandoned as an art history major turned wife, and mother out of college. In requesting the divorce she had planned to use her proceeds from the sale of the house to move to France. She would study the great art works of Europe, perhaps work as a docent in a Paris museum.

News of Edward’s terminal illness provokes Anna to understand the present rooted in the wellspring of the past, and pouring into a future without him. The House shows what happens when we adopt the belief that, All hold regret, and are seeking forgiveness. Our salvation rests in the hands of others—most particularly the ones whom we love most, and who have treated us wrongly.

Review 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 1, 2011 By Martha A. Cheves (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) This review is from: The House (Paperback) The House - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat `For the past year, Edward and his attorney had fought Anna's request for a divorce. Edward had canceled three times in the last month of the proceedings. As a result, her realtor had lost potential buyers for the house she and Edward had shared.

Time is money and money is time. That's what Edward, as a realtor, always said.

Now, as Anna's soon-to-be ex-husband, he was squandering away her time and money. Anna had entered the divorce process certain that Edward would welcome the end of their marriage.

Now, fifteen months later she had grown weary of fighting to sell the house. `

`Inside the conference room, Anna took her seat next to Henderson. Edward and his attorney, Bryce Withers, sat across from them. Edward gave Anna a faint smile then turned to Bryce who slid the open folder to Henderson.

'As you can see, everything's signed,' Bryce said.

'Everything's in order,' Henderson said as he closed the folder.

And what about the house?

'I've signed over the house to Anna,' Edward said. It's hers.

Anna remained dazed by the turn of events. 'Something's not right,' she said.'

All Anna wanted to do was divorce Edward and sell the house they had built to raised their 4 children in and move to France. After 30 years of being married to a man that provided wonderfully for the family but couldn't stay true to his marriage, she had had enough. But after spending 15 months of trying to get Edward to sign the divorce papers as well as allow her to sell the house, splitting the proceeds, his sudden turn of heart brought up a red flag for Anna.

This just wasn't like Edward and she was determined to find out what made him change his mind. What she found to be the reason for him agreeing to her demands, would forever change not only her life but the lives of their children as well.

We are all aware of the problems that arise from a broken marriage, but as I read The House, it made me aware of the real damage to the children that can be brought on by infidelity in a marriage. There can be and probably are many effects that the kids from broken homes can carry into their own marriages.

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