The Beach House

by Nancy Sakaduski (Editor)

What does “beach house” mean to you? Is it a sanctuary, a place to escape? The setting for treasured memories? A spot for wild and crazy escapades? Or is it a playground for romance, mystery, or adventure? The beach house was these things and more for the authors of these short stories, which were selected from submissions to the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Competition. There is something for everyone here, from romance, history, and intrigue to jilted brides, NASCAR drivers, cowboys, and even a ghost or two. One of the great joys of a beach vacation is reading. Curling up with a book—perhaps even one with a beach setting—releases the mind from its usual work and focuses it instead on an intriguing mystery, a romantic romp, or a heart-warming memoir. These stories provide that kind of experience. From a gangster noir thriller reimagined in a contemporary setting to a game of "cocktail croquet," and from a poetic tour of the seasons to a first summer romance, these writers created captivating stories you will want to read again and again.

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2013

About the author

Nancy Sakaduski has published 100+ articles and 24 books. She co-wrote Scientific English with Robert A. Day. Most recently, she authored How to Write Winning Short Stories, which is based on her experiences running the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest and working with dozens of writers to perfect their short stories.

Nancy has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Maryland and an Executive M.B.A. from Loyola College. She currently resides in Chadds Ford, PA, and Lewes, DE.

In 2012 she founded Cat & Mouse Press (http://catandmousepress.com), a small regional publishing company, to create books that are engaging, entertaining, or just plain fun. The company publishes short story anthologies, beach reads, children's books, and regional journals. Cat & Mouse Press also publishes collections of short stories selected by a panel of judges from entries to an annual competition.

AWARDS: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Award for Nonfiction, 1995, for article "Mapping the Mind"; Best Social Studies Book of the Year designation from Society of School Librarians International, 2003 CALIFORNIA COLLECTION. Passport to History: Ancient Greece named best social studies book for the year 2000 by the Society of School Librarians International. The Beach House was awarded a first place for editing in 2014 by Delaware Press Association and a national first place by the National Federation of Press Women. A Rehoboth ABC received a first place for children's fiction in 2014 from Delaware Press Association.

Reviews

[bethany m. planton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I visited the Delaware coast this summer, I visited Browseabout Books and wanted to find a book with a local flair. The Beach House is just that. It is a collection of the winning stories from the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Competition that is perfect to read one story at a time or all in one sitting.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent set of short stories, this book shows what people think and feel about a beach house. They showcase their memories, nostalgia, feelings of peace and calm, and many show how important a family beach house was to the well-being of families. These stories were part of the Rehoboth Reads Short Story Competition, and all are excellent.

[Dakota Smith]

(My Delaware book for my State Challenge)

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains the winning stories from the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Competition. It is an amazing selection of stories that can be enjoyed in short bursts while on the beach or read cover-to-cover. Either way, you will never want it to end.

[Karen Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delaware