
It’s release day for my new novelette, “The Hay Bale”!
A little background:
In 2020 my daughter suffered a miscarriage. She got pregnant again, but that pregnancy also ended with a miscarriage. The second one was particularly difficult to manage emotionally. And I’m talking my emotions. What was she going though?
Both she and her sweet husband handled it with aplomb, grieving then moving forward.
But what happens to a woman who can’t move forward after two miscarriages, or three, or four? And what if she ended up in a rural setting where weird horrors arise?
Thus, my story’s protagonist, Claire, came to be.
Not since Shirley Jackson have I read something so dark and twisted. Bettis nails the creepy vibe of a tainted small town while redefining the power of a mother’s love. A must read for horror fans.
Staci Troilo, author of the Cathedral Lake Series
With “The Hay Bale,” Bettis delivers a bold yet haunting tale of a woman whose yearning and loss are overwhelming but not enough to destroy her capacity for love.
Lionel Ray Green, horror author and columnist at HorrorAddicts.net. Read Green’s full review here.
I hope you’ll give “The Hay Bale” a read.
Amazon US link
Universal link
p.s. Third time’s a charm. My daughter got pregnant again and recently gave birth to an adorable baby boy.

Feature image is altered image of original photograph by Sindy Süssengut on unsplash.
Baby image by BrittanyJensonPhotography.
Congratulations on the book launch!! And also to your daughter – so glad all went well this time, and sorry to hear about her earlier losses, miscarriage must be so difficult :(. You’re right about your grandson – he’s adorable! Love the photo!
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Thanks all around, Valinora!
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Congratulations on your book launch!! I hope this year brings joy and happiness to everyone’s life. Can’t wait to read another great story!
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Thank you, Shruti!
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Hi Priscilla – congratualtions on the release of The Hay Bale – that’s great! And also on that cute little baby – third time is always a charn. So sweet!
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Thank you, Barbara, on both counts!
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Downloaded a copy, looking forward to reading it.
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Thank you, Yvonne! I hope you like it.:-)
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Congrats on the release. Hope it does well.
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Thanks, Rami, and an extra thank you for your help with it!
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Happy to help!
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Congratulations on the birth of your book and the birth of your grandson. My copy is waiting on ice for me to get the time and the nerve to read it. Horror is not my thing. I made an exception for you. 😁
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You made an exception for me? That is so kind, thank you, JM!
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Congratulations on your lovely grandson and on the story. It sounds compelling and harrowing, both. Good luck!
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A double thanks, Olga!
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Congrats on your new release, Priscilla, and to your new grandbaby! I’m heading off to get my copy.
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Thank you, Denise.:-) I hope you enjoy the story!
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Congratulations, Granny. Just bought the book. Looking forward to reading it.
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Thank you, Pat! I hope you enjoy the story.:-)
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I expect to–will let you know.
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Wow! I am so impressed by your taking the pain of your losses and turning them into art. And your grandson is adorable!
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Thank you, Fawn.:-) Yup, the grandkid is a cutie!
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Congratulations all around! I just bought the Kindle of The Hay Bale. Quite a mysterious title. Can’t wait to dive in. We’re in frigid temps here in New York so a good day to stay in and read!
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It IS cold there. I just took a peek at the weather map, brr! Thanks for the congratulations.:-) I am actually in the middle of your new story and loving it! I’ll submit a review as soon as I’m done.
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Congratulations on the book release! Oh my goodness, two back to back miscarriages must be so emotionally devastating. I’m glad your daughter got her adorable boy in the end. ^.^
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Thank you, Olivia-Savannah, on both accounts.:-) He IS quite adorable, isn’t he?!
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Congrats on the new release! The new grand baby boy! The comparison to Shirley Jackson! 👏🏻
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Yeah, I’m on cloud nine.:-) A triple thank you, Crystal!
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Congratulations, Priscilla. I see you are already getting high praise. I can’t wait to read it, even though horror isn’t typically my choice.
And congrats on the new grandbaby! What’s your grandma name?
Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks, Teagan! How kind of you to read the story even though it’s not your typical reading genre.:-)
You know the Beverly Hillbillies show? I was quite fond of Granny . . .
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W00T!
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Haha, thanks, Deby!
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Congrats on the release! It sounds really interesting. I’ve downloaded it to read!
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Awesome, Ashley, thank you! I hope you like it.:-)
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Great story – really enjoyed reading it. And I am glad to hear your daughter finally had success. Kids are tough, but they are so worth it.
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Thank you, Anthony, on both counts. And I really appreciate your help on the story pre-publication!
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Congratulations 🥳
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Thank you, Saania.:-) I hope your New Year is starting off well!
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It’s started off on a weird note with online school all over again, but yeah haha 😆
Hope you’re well.
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