Beth Green inherits a lake house on Lake Martin in Alabama from her estranged uncle. The house has been in her family for generations, but it comes with a dark history and a curse.
Beth's great-grandmother, Evelyn, built the house through deception and thievery. Shortly after the house's completion, Evelyn begins to suffer from dark visions and nightmares. Years later, she drowns mysteriously. Within each generation, one member of their family is cursed and begins to suffer in similar ways.
When Beth receives the will for the house, she finds that it comes with instructions not to enter the attic. The only exception is if she begins having nightmares. . . When she does, that's when her story begins and when she learns of the decision she must make.
This story is one of horror, impossible choices, and Christian faith.
Kelly Davis is an Alabama author and writes Christian horror. She is the author of "Waterways and Other Dark Short Stories and Poems", and the novel "Acceptance".
3.75/5 Acceptance by Kelly Davis introduced me to a genre I didn't even know existed—Christian horror. The combination of faith, spiritual warfare, and horror made for a unique reading experience that explored the timeless battle between good and evil.
The strongest part of the book was its overall message. I appreciated how it portrayed the reality of spiritual warfare and reminded readers that light ultimately overcomes darkness.
One detail I especially appreciated was the author's attention to the setting. Since I live near the area where the story takes place, I recognized many of the restaurants and locations she mentioned. That authenticity made the setting feel much more believable.
Where the story fell a little short for me was in the character development. While I was interested in what was happening, I never felt deeply invested in the characters the way I have with some other novels. Because of that, the emotional impact wasn't quite as strong as I had hoped.
Overall, Acceptance is an interesting read, especially if you're curious about Christian horror or enjoy stories that weave biblical themes into suspense and supernatural elements. Even though I didn't connect with the characters as much as I'd like, I appreciated the book's message, the authentic setting, and the fresh take on a genre that was completely new to me.
Postscript: I attended a book signing and never would have guessed her age. She is beautifully young.
It read with a grounding familiarity, and a dash of fantasy so realistic it made me think about ordinary life differently. There were a ton of themes for people to relate to: the strength of a mother's love and protection, desperation, addiction, and an ever-growing sense that some things can't be escaped or put off. I'm excited to read more of Davis' works! It's a book that will leave you thinking about your life, future for those you care for, and the messes that are either ignored or left for another generation. The only thing that makes me sad is I can't read this again for the first time.
This is a fantastic supernatural tale. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this story up, but I was drawn in.
Beth suddenly finds herself caught up in a battle for her soul instigated by her ancestor's choices. The house that she inherited binds her to her ancestors in a way she didn't expect. Can she break this or is she stuck, just as they were?
I was totally captivated by Beth's plight. If you like clean supernatural fiction that will make you think, this is it and I highly recommend it.
Although this is Kelly Davis's first novel, I doubt it will be her last!