Home Sweet Horror: Berwick Estate Curse, #1

By Kerry Daniels

A dream come true turns into a nightmare. . .

Jennifer Berwick always dreamed of having a place to call her own. When a long-forgotten aunt died and left her a beautiful old estate, she thought those dreams had come true.

Shortly after arriving at her new home, she starts experiencing things that are strange which quickly turn to horrifying.

The only person she can find to help her is the caretaker of the estate, William, to whom she finds herself drawn. As strange and mysterious as the house, he attempts to help her unravel the secrets behind the horror.

Will they find the information they need to break the curse? Will their budding attraction survive? Or, will the horrors that lie within the cursed house tear their very lives apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kerry Daniels
• Release date: Sep 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386741510

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Ican't believe it's mine.

That very thought played over and over in my mind as I sat in my car, staring at the old two-story farmhouse. I never dreamed I would ever own a home of my own, let alone one as beautiful as the one before me.

From what I had heard about Great Aunt Mallory and her questionable mental state, I was expecting a dilapidated structure with peeling paint, broken windows, and overgrown weeds. Instead, I found quite the opposite. Although it was old, the white wooden siding and green painted trim were immaculate and in good repair. Even the twisted railing along the wrap-around porch was intact, and the beautiful pink and white roses that draped the sides were perfectly trimmed and manicured. I figured my aunt must have had one hell of a green thumb.

As I got out of my car, I heard the crunch of gravel as another car pulled up the long, tree-lined driveway. I turned my head to see Mr. Fuller, the attorney for my aunt's estate, slowly pull behind my vehicle, right on time to give me a tour and hand me the deed, keys, and bank account information for my inheritance.

Good morning, Ms. Berwick, he said through his car window.

As I walked up and returned the greeting, he continued. I'm afraid an emergency has come up, and I won't be able to give you the tour. So, you'll have to fend for yourself there. I have the paperwork and keys for you.

He handed a pile of papers through the window with the keys set on top of the stack. I noticed the papers were shaking. His eyes were fixed solely on mine, as if he dared not look at anything else. He seemed nervous about something, but he had said there was an emergency, so I blew his behavior off as having to do with that.

I hope everything’s okay, I replied, taking the pile from him. I appreciate you taking the time to come out here this morning. I did have a few questions about...

He interrupted me. Everything should be in the paperwork, and I believe there are further instructions on the kitchen table. I really do need to head back to town now.

Before I could answer, he put his car in reverse and quickly turned it around, barely missing my foot with the back tire. He then sped down the driveway much faster than he had pulled up. I figured something dreadful had happened for him to be in such hurry.

If only I had known the real reason. If only I had read him better. If only. But, of course, I dismissed his odd behavior. I was too excited. I mean, it’s not every day a girl like me inherits a beautiful farmhouse and a modest fortune from a crazy aunt only remembered at family holidays as a child. You hear about it from time to time on the news or read about it in a storybook,