The House That Held Her: A Mount Dora Reader Experience

With Ellis Hart

January 21-24, 2027 | Mount Dora, Florida

Welcome to The House That Held Her Experience

Immerse yourself in a literary weekend at Mount Dora, Florida, where the historic Lakeside Inn becomes the backdrop for a unique reader retreat. Explore the real-life inspirations behind The House That Held Her, enjoy guided tours, author sessions, and interactive mystery activities, all while connecting with fellow book lovers in a charming lakeside setting.

Who This Journey Is For

This retreat was created for readers who:

Love mysteries, thrillers, hidden clues, and stories with secrets waiting to be uncovered
Want more than a traditional author event or book signing
Enjoy connecting with authors in smaller, more personal settings
Are curious about the real locations, history, and inspiration behind a novel
Love independent bookstores, historic towns, local experiences, and meaningful conversations
Want to meet fellow readers who love getting lost in a great story
Enjoy immersive experiences where fiction and reality come together
Are fans of Ellis Hart’s books who would love a unique chance to meet the author

Whether you arrive with a friend, a book club, or on your own, you’ll leave with new connections, shared memories, and a completely new relationship with the story.

What's Included

What's included

3 nights accommodations at the historic Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora

Exclusive Ellis Hart reader experiences

Interactive weekend mystery experience

Welcome reception

Mount Dora History experience and historic downtown discovery walk with Ellis Hart

Lake Dora & Dora Canal experience

Special literary & cryptology session

Build a Story with Ellis Hart workshop

Final Black Tie Dinner

All transportation, meals and sights/admissions as indicated on the itinerary

Local Tour Guide

La Belle Route Representative

Exclusive Retreat Welcome Bag

What's not included

Transportation to/from Mount Dora, Florida

Alcoholic beverages outside of included experiences

Personal purchases and souvenirs

Optional activities during independent exploration time

Optional Travel Protection/Insurance (strongly recommended)

Exclusive Ellis Hart Merchandise (special edition books, stickers, and more!)

Retreat Pricing

Land Only Package
(Airfare and transportation to Mount Dora, Florida are not included.)

Double Occupancy

$1,458 per person
Based on two guests sharing one room.

Guests registering together may request either:

One shared bed
Two separate beds

Room configurations are based on availability and will be confirmed as part of the registration process.

Traveling Solo?

Many of our guests join La Belle Route experiences on their own, and we welcome solo travelers.

If you are traveling independently but would like to share a room, you may request to be paired with another solo traveler. We will do our best to match interested guests; however, roommate pairings are not guaranteed and depend on availability.

If a roommate match is not available, the single occupancy rate will apply.

Single Occupancy

$1,969 per person
Includes your own private room throughout the retreat.

A limited number of rooms are available. Early registration is recommended to secure your preferred room type.

For our first 10 Retreat Guests, Ellis Hart is creating something unforgettable - the chance to have your own name appear within the pages of his upcoming novella!

As part of this exclusive experience, you'll also be part of a private, exclusive gathering with Ellis during this retreat, sharing stories, inspiration, and conversation beyond the pages. Because the best journeys don't just follow stories...sometimes they become part of them!

Limited to the first 10 registrants!!!!

Retreat Highlights

At a Glance

Welcome to The House That Held Her Experience

What's Included

Map

About the Author

Day 1 - The Prologue: Entering the Story

January 21, 2027

Arrive, Settle In, and Begin the Mystery

Lakeside Inn

Arrive in Mount Dora and settle into Lakeside Inn, the historic lakefront hotel that becomes the backdrop for the weekend’s unfolding mystery.

Reader Welcome Bag

Your weekend begins with a welcome bag created exclusively for retreat attendees. Each bag will include a weekend T-shirt, an exclusive Nora Chen mystery novella, and additional bookish items and surprises.

The First Envelope

Waiting in your room will be a mysterious envelope containing your first clue. Some readers may receive different pieces of evidence, encouraging conversation, collaboration, and speculation from the moment the weekend begins. No single attendee will have the full story.

Welcome Mixer

Gather for a lakeside reception with wine, cocktails, and light bites. Meet fellow readers, compare the evidence waiting in your rooms, discuss favorite thrillers, and begin forming your earliest theories. Ellis Hart will deliver a brief welcome toast and introduce the mystery that will weave through the retreat.

Day 2 - Mount Dora - Atmosphere, Observation & The First Threads

January 22, 2027

Curiosity, History, and Discovery in Mount Dora

Breakfast overlooking Lake Dora

Begin the morning with breakfast overlooking Lake Dora, followed by a guided wellness session with light movement, breathwork, and mindfulness.

Guided Wellness Session

A guided wellness session with light movement, breathwork, and mindfulness. Like any good mystery, the work begins with observation: slowing down, paying attention, and noticing the details other people miss.

Mount Dora History Experience

Visit the Mount Dora History Museum, a location featured in The House That Held Her. Explore the town’s layered past and cultural identity, then meet the real woman who inspired one of the characters in the novel.

Donnelly House Historical Talk

Continue with an exterior historical talk at the iconic Donnelly House, where you will learn about the home’s architecture, local history, and the stories that have gathered around one of Mount Dora’s most recognizable landmarks.

Historic Downtown Discovery Walk

Walk together through downtown Mount Dora, exploring lakeside streets, hidden alleyways, historic storefronts, and architectural details that inspired locations and scenes from the novel. Ellis will pause at select locations to share behind-the-scenes stories, real-world inspiration, and connections to The House That Held Her. He will also read an excerpt from the book at one of the places that helped shape the story.

Lunch in Town

Enjoy lunch with the group at a local restaurant.

Free Time in Mount Dora

Experience Mount Dora at your own pace. Wander through boutique shops, antique stores, independent bookstores, lakeside walking paths, scenic docks, and quiet corners of town. Your welcome bag will include coupons and offers from participating local businesses, giving you an excuse to explore a little more deeply.

Author Session 1: Behind the Pages of The House That Held Her

Join Ellis for an intimate, spoiler-filled conversation about building The House That Held Her. Explore the real places, historical threads, discarded ideas, creative decisions, and unexpected details that shaped the final novel. This is a chance to ask questions, revisit favorite moments, and hear the stories behind the story.

Welcome Dinner

Enjoy a casual dinner with the group. Over the course of the evening, the first major turn in the weekend’s mystery will be introduced. Readers will leave with new evidence, new questions, and a few reasons to reconsider the theories they formed the night before.

Day 3 - Clues on the Water - Secrets Beneath the Surface

January 23, 2027

Boat Tour, Bookstore Visit, and Cipher Session

Breakfast on Your Own

Begin with a slower morning and breakfast on your own, allowing time to sleep in, compare notes, or enjoy the lakeside setting before the day begins.

Lake Dora & Dora Canal Boat Tour

Board a guided boat tour through Lake Dora and the famed Dora Canal with the same local company referenced in The House That Held Her. The group will be led through slow-moving waterways, towering cypress trees, hanging Spanish moss, and secluded shoreline homes.

Lunch Together

Enjoy lunch with the group after returning from the water.

Afternoon Exploration at Grantham Point

Visit Grantham Point to see Mount Dora’s lighthouse and spend a little time along the water. Use the afternoon to reflect, journal, talk through theories, enjoy nature, or simply take in the setting.

Book Shopping at Barrel of Books and Games

Afterward, visit Barrel of Books and Games for book shopping, then enjoy a mid-afternoon drinks stop at Serendipity Brews before heading back to the hotel.

Author Session 2: The Gold-Bug, William F. Friedman & the Cipher That Changed History

Join Ellis for a deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s treasure-hunt story, the cipher at its center, and the extraordinary path connecting fiction, codebreaking, and American history. The session will also include a cipher activity inspired by the novel's history.

Dress-Up Dinner: An Evening to Remember

Gather for an elevated dinner experience and an excuse to dress up, take photos, and enjoy a memorable evening together. At some point during the evening, something unexpected will happen. An important piece of the weekend’s mystery will come into the open, pushing the case closer to its conclusion.

Day 4 - Closing the Case - Reflection & Farewell

January 24, 2027

Final Breakfast, Story Session, and Farewell

Final Breakfast at Lakeside Inn

Begin with a final breakfast at Lakeside Inn. Compare theories, revisit the clues gathered throughout the weekend, and prepare to close the case.

Author Session 3: Build a Story with Ellis Hart

Pull up a chair for a live story-building session designed to feel like a real writing group. Together, brainstorm the premise, setting, characters, motivations, secrets, twists, turns, and ending for an original mini-story. Watch the idea evolve in real time as the group tests possibilities, discards the obvious choices, and follows the most interesting version of the story wherever it leads.

Closing the Case

Gather for the final reveal, tying together the evidence, conversations, and small details scattered across the retreat. The weekend’s mystery will come to an end, but readers may leave Mount Dora looking at a few familiar places a little differently.

Book Signing Experience

Ellis will host a dedicated signing session with time for personal interaction, photos, and meaningful exchanges. This is designed to feel special rather than rushed, allowing each reader a true moment with Ellis before the weekend comes to a close.

Departure at 12:00 PM

Departure at 12:00 PM.

Loading Map…

Map

1. Lakeside Inn

100 N Alexander St, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

2. Mount Dora History Museum

450 Royellou Ln, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

3. Donnelly House

535 N Donnelly St, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

4. Grantham Point & Mount Dora Lighthouse

311 S Tremain St, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

5. Barrel of Books and Games

128 W 4th Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

6. Serendipity Brews

144 W 5th Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757, USA

About the Author

Meet Ellis Hart

Ellis Hart is an independent author based in Orlando, Florida, where he lives with his wife, three children, and delightfully curious cat, Jovie. His debut psychological thriller, The House That Held Her, is on sale now—and has reached readers nationwide through strong social media engagement and grassroots word-of-mouth. Ellis is also the leading contributor and editor of the anthology As Told Under the Moon, available now, with a third book slated for release in late 2026. Always eager to connect with fellow book lovers, you can reach out to Ellis through any of his official author platforms to talk books, swap recommendations, or say hello.

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