Tag Archives: kimberly kurth gray

Magic, Folklore, and Otherworldly Encounters at the Beach!

Shell House Front CoverLooking for the perfect read for the end of beach season or a trip to your own back yard? Check out SHELL HOUSE,  the latest anthology  by Year of the Book Press with stories by members of the Mindful Writers Retreat. Print and ebook versions are available everywhere and the ebook is on sale for $0.99!

Proceeds benefit the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes, DE.

Several SHELL HOUSE authors will be signing copies at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE on October 1, 2022 at 4PM. If you’re in town, stop by, say hi, and grab a copy!

Browseabout Books
133 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE


SHELL HOUSE is also available from:

Mystery Lovers Bookshop

Amazon – Kindle

Amazon – Paperback

Barnes & Noble – Nook

Barnes & Noble – Paperback

Kobo – eBook


Each piece in the anthology takes place at SHELL HOUSE. The famous historical home on Rehoboth Beach provides the backdrop for stories of every genre, spanning from the roaring 20’s to present day. Beach life is magical in so many ways whether you live there or stop by for a short trip. The following stories beautifully bring magic, fantasy, and science fiction to the page.

The inspiration for Stephanie Keyes’ “Wren and the Sea Captain” came from an old, black and white movie, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. It’s one of her favorites—spooky, very romantic, with sweeping vistas and sporadic comedic moments. There was a lost, forgotten quality to that film that came back to her as she reviewed the pictures of Shell House and the sea beyond. Read her story to see just how life meets the afterlife.

When Hilary Hauck began researching the Shell House for “The Heart of the Home,” it didn’t take long for a rather cheeky little character to be born. You know the kind, those often found in folklore, the ones who steal odd socks and knit dust bunnies to spread beneath furniture. With all the mischief these folkloric characters create she began to wonder what if they’re really sending a message to pay attention? What if their real quest is to encourage people to value what they have?

Michele Zirkle’s story, “Seashells and Cockle Tales of High Magic” was inspired by her experiences. Mysterious symbols appeared in the hands of her shamanic mentor and serendipitously connected her with a group from around the world who were seeing them in their palms too. This led to an energy healing modality called Belvaspata which Michele practices and makes an interesting Shell House tale for the curious-minded reader who wants to see beyond the 3D veil.

What exactly inspired the “magic” in Madhu B. Wangu’s story “Life in the Mirror?” As she studied the Shell House, the one hundred-year-old sprawling mansion with balconies, corridors, Victorian furniture, manicured gardens, beach in the front and wilderness at the back she began to hear the haunting sounds of a sorrowful voice as if searching for itself. And she hadn’t even written the story yet! Written in a day Madhu felt as though the character, Jada, was feeding her the tale, drawing her to the mirror… There’s nothing like a beautiful mirror to draw a person in.

Denise Weaver’s “Molly’s Magic” was largely inspired by her sweet aunt and her own life in the kitchen. But Molly is so much more than a simple cook in an enormous, historic beach house. She seems to have been the Shell House cook forever… Denise’s inclination to show love through food was the impetus for Molly’s role. What if Molly somehow always made the right recipe to create just the right experience for those who are searching—searching for love, for peace, for a new beginning? The magic of a lovingly prepared meal can work wonders.

Kimberly Kurth Gray’s “A Sunday Séance at Sea” was inspired by Kim’s Aunt Evelyn Norton. Auntie Ev, with her bleached blonde hair and kitten heels, was the perfect model for the character of Linda Porter. Like Auntie, Linda is fascinated with the afterlife and spirits. Auntie could spin frightening tales, and once even moved from her home because she was convinced a loved one would make good on his promise to haunt her. When Kim began to read more on Spiritualism she found that the actress Mae West was also a believer. Who better to help the spirits move from one existence to the next? It gives a whole new meaning to, “Come up and see me sometimes,” don’t you think?

My own tale of science fiction comedy, “See You Around the Cosmos, Sweet Cheeks!” originated on a sweltering July evening while walking the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. Dramatic lights in the night sky almost convinced me that I was witnessing experimental military crafts or even extraterrestrials. But the silent light show was nothing more than kites laden with LEDs. Nevertheless, my writer’s brain began conjuring a story idea and I ran with it all the way back to autumn of 1983 when Rehoboth was less developed and the Shell House property would have been dark and deserted on an off-season night. This tale of a cynical college student and a snarky alien takes elements from my science fiction novel in progress, which is set in Wyoming. However, when the Shell House anthology was announced, I realized that I could carve out the opening scenes and rewrite it as a beach adventure.

Ghosts, Aliens, and Bootlegging at the Beach

Shell House Front CoverLooking for the perfect read for the end of beach season or a trip to your own back yard? Check out SHELL HOUSE,  the latest anthology  by Year of the Book Press with stories by members of the Mindful Writers Retreat. Print and ebook versions are available everywhere and the ebook is on sale for $0.99!

Proceeds benefit the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes, DE.

Several SHELL HOUSE authors will be signing copies at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE on October 1, 2022 at 4PM. If you’re in town, stop by, say hi, and grab a copy!

Browseabout Books
133 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE


SHELL HOUSE is also available from:

Mystery Lovers Bookshop

Amazon – Kindle

Amazon – Paperback

Barnes & Noble – Nook

Barnes & Noble – Paperback

Kobo – eBook


Each piece in the anthology takes place at SHELL HOUSE, a historic mansion that once stood on the border of Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches between the Atlantic Ocean and Silver Lake.

The famous site provides the backdrop for stories of every genre, from the roaring 20s to present day. There’s nothing like the beach to bring out the fun in life. Read on to see what inspired some of the more lighthearted tales in the collection. In later posts, we’ll explore some of the other tales in various genres.

“A Sunday Séance at the Sea” by Kimberly Kurth Gray was inspired by her bleach blonde, storytelling, obsessed with the afterlife, kitten heel wearing Auntie Ev. Drawing from flamboyant relatives and researching Spiritualism, Kimberly found the pieces of her Shell House story falling together in the perfect, otherworldly way. She even discovered that the actress Mae West was a believer in Spiritualism. And who better to help the spirits move from one existence to the next? It gives a whole new meaning to, “Come up and see me sometimes,” don’t you think?

Kathleen Shoop offers two lighthearted tales set nearly a century apart and connected by champagne and pineapple upside down cake! The first story, “Flora & George” was inspired by the 1920s bootlegging that sprouted up along the Delaware coast. The roaring 20s was the perfect back drop for witty banter and insta-love to bloom. The inspiration behind “Frannie & Eli” is the story of Flora and George and the illicit party that brought them together. A message in a bottle, a secret hidey hole, and a century of fabulous Shell House stories. Oh, if the walls could talk …. Sometimes they do.

Cindy Moldovan’s “Love Dawns at Shell House” was inspired by, well, love! Main character Lacey is taking an early morning stroll when she realizes that she is in love. But this fun story explores more than romance. Lacey is soon tasked with finding a way to save Shell House from demolition. Conflicts arise threatening Rehoboth’s beloved home and the guy who has captured her heart! Can love win out?

My own tale of science fiction comedy, “See You Around the Cosmos, Sweet Cheeks!” originated on a sweltering July evening while walking the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. Dramatic lights in the night sky almost convinced me that I was witnessing experimental military crafts or extraterrestrials. But the silent light show ended up being nothing more than kites laden with LEDs. Nevertheless, my writer’s brain began conjuring a story. I took the idea and ran with it, all the way back to autumn of 1983 when Rehoboth was less developed and the Shell House property would have been dark and deserted on an off-season night. The perfect location to encounter a massive alien ship? You’ll have to read to find out!

We Three Scribes

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover)Our delightful winter holiday anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods was edited by the talented Demi Stevens of Year of the Book Press. Her story also marks her first foray into writing fiction.

“Even though I’ve edited 200+ fiction titles, I’ve only ever written non-fiction before… so I decided to be a masochist and write about characters who live somewhere I’ve only visited, with lives wildly different from mine, who throw parties and actually seem to like being around people, who’ve faced serious health traumas, and excel at the sport of golf. Needless to say I relied on the help of many friends, and a master editor, Ramona DeFelice Long, to save me from the abyss!” —Demi Stevens, anthology editor and author of “Christmas Pearl”

Two more creative stars in our anthology are Kimberly Kurth Gray and Hilary Hauck. Each put their own unique twists on holiday themes, clearly thinking outside the gift box!

“The name, or character rather, of Joyce came to me before the story did. I knew Joyce was a lost soul who had tried to make the best of the bad choices she had made in her life. When the theme for the anthology was decided, I began to wonder how Joyce might be spending her holidays. It was then that I realized she spent her time trying to avoid her mother-in-law. Through that story, I discovered who Joyce was and it’s where I met Beau, Joyce’s true love. From there the story practically wrote itself.” —Kimberly Kurth Gray, author  of “Tidings of Comfort and Joyce”

“My story, “Once Upon a Life Well Spent,” was inspired by the first story I ever wrote in primary school. I remember having an incredible feeling of elation and freedom as I took my character, a candle, on an adventurous journey. My writing style has evolved over the years, but that rush of elation when a story comes together or a character comes to life has not.” —Hilary Hauck

Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center, home of the Mindful Writers Retreat. We thank you for your support!

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover) Over the River and Through the Woods (back cover)

Over the River and Through the Woods!

Over the River and Through the Woods Advance CopiesA beam of sunlight on an otherwise dreadful day. My two advance copies of the winter holiday anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods, featuring my story, “Limited Time Offer.” The book will debut on October 8! Whoo-hoo… or Ho-Ho-Ho… or something like that… 😄

The full roster of authors includes Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet, Jennifer Diamond, Abigail Drake, Phil Giunta, Kimberly Kurth Gray, N.J. Hammer, Hilary Hauck, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts, Lori M. Jones, Ramona DeFelice Long, Janet McClintock, MaryAlice Meli, Amy Morley, Sherren Elias Pensiero, Cara Reinard, James Robinson, Jr., Larry Schardt, Kathleen Shoop, Demi Stevens, Denise Weaver, and Michele Zirkle.  Edited by Demi Stevens.

All of the writers listed above are attendees of the Mindful Writers Retreat, which  occurs three times per year at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, PA. I had the pleasure of attending my first retreat in October 2018 and it will not be my last!

Proceeds from the sale of the anthology benefit the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center. Stay tuned for more info!