Perhaps the first novelette that I have read, at least in recent memory, Susan Beatty’s “House of Courage” can be read in one sitting. Nevetheless, it probes several significant issues and is in that way not a light read. This Italian American family experiences heartache and challenges common to so many, with a prevailing bedrock of faith that is tested but never defeated. The main character, Marissa, is battling metastatic breast cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy while working with her cousin Dante and her father to salvage the family’s orange tree farm. Marissa’s mother has dementia and vacillates between lucidity and confusion. The extended family also owns a restaurant that is under financial distress.

Through it all, this godly family persists and sacrifices, trusting God even when their circumstances seem to not make sense. While reading, I continually thought of Jesus’ parable about the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7. Regardless of our outward circumstances, we have a choice as to whether we will build our lives on the Rock or on shifting sand. As Beatty writes, “The Cinzanos had remained strong here through many trials. Her father often said they lived in a house of courage.” We, too, can live in a “house of courage” when we seek the Lord’s will and truly trust Him in all things, with all things, and through all things. Only then will our hearts be satisfied.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

The changing of POVs is a good tactic, imho. It definitely helped to shed more light on MCs relationship. 

Waiting for book 3! :D

Fifteen years ago, Casey Brown and her college friends did something very, very bad to an innocent girl.

What really happened to poor Mary Blake that night?

There are whispers in the woods that surround that old abandoned house. Urban legends are repeated, and sightings of their usual suspects are sworn on – by a friend of a friend of that guy’s second cousin who knew a dude who swears they saw ‘He/She/It’ one dark, and stormy night. Bloody Mary, the Slit-Mouth Woman, Click Clack, the Slender Man… they aren’t the only boogeymen in those woods…
People say that the house is haunted by it’s original owner… The things that Mr. Jones did to his wife and two daughters went way beyond ‘slaughter’ – the depravity of his actions makes the family’s eventual slaughter a blessing.

Now, Casey’s nightmares are invading her waking life.
Mary Blake is back, and she’s not alone.
Only the truth will set her free.

You can still find MARY BLAKE, and other titles by Sam West, for #free on Amazon with your Kindle Unlimited plan – FOR NOW.

Find MARY BLAKE: A Nasty Novelette on Amazon, Goodreads, BookLikes, and LibraryThing.

Find SAM WEST on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing, and BookLikes

Treman Mills, A Serial Killer Novelette by Dan Padavona is a creepy story. I gave it four stars. I look forward to reading more of his writing.

Charlie and Rachel are in front of a deserted building in upstate New York. She wants to leave, but he is focused on new silver screws in the battered wood panels. They go inside and her life is changed forever.

The Black Thorn made her drop the glass she had made as a weapon. Then when she was attacked she slashed the attacker with it without having picked it up from the darkened floor. That's why I gave it four stars.

I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016V5VRP4