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Mark McNease Mysteries Podcast #77: A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due (Chapters 13-15)
Today’s episode continues ‘A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due.’ This story was inspired by an old house along the road where we live. It’s since been torn down—too many ghosts hanging around, possibly—but every time we walked by it when it was empty I kept imagining something evil behind the old faded door. It helped that we live in the woods, providing a read-made title. We called it the spooky house. It soon became the center of two books: A House in the Woods, and A House in Woods 2.
Now you can enjoy the entire audiobook purchased directly from me! You’ll receive both a single MP3 file with the full book, and a zip file with individual chapters. Click here to see it on my PayHip storefront.
A House in the Woods 2 picks up where A House in the Woods left off. Laurel Calloway is still in the mysterious town of Strickland, New Jersey, where nothing is as it appears to be. Two years have gone by, and they’ve been good to the Calloways. Laurel and her husband Jeremy have a new house, and a new family with baby Isabel about to celebrate her first birthday. Everything seems perfect, until Laurel begins to have dreams. Bad dreams. Something tells her these dreams could really be memories. But of what? Of whom, and of when?
Did she really run over a woman in the road at night? Had they once had a dog? Why are these things trying so hard to surface, swimming slowly up from her subconscious? The more she begins to tell the people around her about these dreams, the more convinced she is that they’re part of it, and that these nightmares aren’t really dreams at all. Page after page, the pace escalates as Laurel begins to learn the truth and plot her escape. But will she succeed? The Devil is in the details. Narration provided by Wondervox.
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Act 2 Books Hosting Scary Story Fest September 13 – Look for Me Among the Tombstones!
I’ve attended Act 2 Books‘ Flemington Book Festival twice in the past few years, and this year they’re offering something special: Scary Story Fest, for authors in the horror and supernatural genres. I’ve written a few books myself under the name M.A. McNease (it’s my initials, not really a pen name), and I’ll have a booth among the tombstones. I’ll also be able to promote my writing workshops, as well as the audiobooks for A House in the Woods, narrated by Daniela Acetelli, and A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due, narrated by my own Wondervox
It’s been a nice boost, too, for finishing Spellbound, the second book in my duology that began with I, Warlock: The Warlock Wars Book 1.
It’s my favorte time of year, in one of my favorite locations, offering books in my favorite genres (after mysteries, of course). Hope to see you there!
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On the Map: A Triple Treat with Tarrytown, Mystic, and P-town
Narration provided by Wondervox
By Mark McNease
Who doesn’t need a vacation in these challenging times? We made our annual pilgrimage to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where we have a timeshare at a lovely development called Eastwood at Provincetown. Opened in 1983, it has the feel of a sprawling motel complex that’s very popular with gay men and lesbians. My husband Frank bought our unit not too long afterward, though he and his late partner Michael rented it out most years. We began coming here about seven years ago and now it’s a regular event as August and summer come to an end.
Eastwood is about a thirty minute walk from the center of town, providing us with a twice-daily hike to accumulate at least 15,000 clicks on the step meter. We head over to Commercial Street in the morning and then again at night for dinner and shows. That’s a good two hours of walking each day, helping to mitigate the damage of all the food we eat here.
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Happy Anniversary in Song! August 22, 12 Years in Paradise for Mark and Frank
Yes, we’ve been married for 12 years! We’ve been together for almost 19. This is for my husband Frank, all the memories, and the adventures yet to come. – Mark
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Reel Talk with Emma Zoe Lyons: Mr. Rogers ‘It’s You I Like’ Documentary
Welcome to a new feature at LGBTSr, and big thanks to Rick Rose and Emma Zoe Lyons for sharing this here as well as at The Twist Podcast. Reel Talk with Emma Zoe Lyons’ is Emma’s insightul and often delightful reviews and analysis of movies, TV, documentaries and more. This week she talks with Rick about the PBS documentary ‘It’s You I Like’, a look at the venerable and beloved children’s television icon Mr. Rogers.
“Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like pays tribute to Fred Rogers and the nearly 900 episodes of the children’s television program. Hosted by award-winning actor Michael Keaton, enjoy memorable segments, archival performances, and lots more!”
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Mark McNease Mysteries Podcast #76: A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due (Chapters 10-12)
Today’s episode continues ‘A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due.’ This story was inspired by an old house along the road where we live. It’s since been torn down—too many ghosts hanging around, possibly—but every time we walked by it when it was empty I kept imagining something evil behind the old faded door. It helped that we live in the woods, providing a read-made title. We called it the spooky house. It soon became the center of two books: A House in the Woods, and A House in Woods 2.
A House in the Woods 2 picks up where A House in the Woods left off. Laurel Calloway is still in the mysterious town of Strickland, New Jersey, where nothing is as it appears to be. Two years have gone by, and they’ve been good to the Calloways. Laurel and her husband Jeremy have a new house, and a new family with baby Isabel about to celebrate her first birthday. Everything seems perfect, until Laurel begins to have dreams. Bad dreams. Something tells her these dreams could really be memories. But of what? Of whom, and of when?
Did she really run over a woman in the road at night? Had they once had a dog? Why are these things trying so hard to surface, swimming slowly up from her subconscious? The more she begins to tell the people around her about these dreams, the more convinced she is that they’re part of it, and that these nightmares aren’t really dreams at all. Page after page, the pace escalates as Laurel begins to learn the truth and plot her escape. But will she succeed? The Devil is in the details. Narration provided by Wondervox.
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The Twist Podcast #302: P-town Bound, Rick Reunites with Bev, and Emma Visits Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose in this pre-Provincetown vacation podcast. Rick fills us in on some hot new Rice Krispy treats, chats with Bev about their game show past, and joins Emma for her review of the Mr. Rogers documentary.
SURVEY RESUKLTS
Imagine yourself doing something else at the moment. What would it be?
Walking along a country road or hiking path. 44 percent
Taking a nap. ZERO –
Reading a favorite book or watching a favorite show. 20 percent
Eating a favorite meal or snack. 6 percent
Something else entirely. What would it be? 22 percentSOMETHING ELSE / OTHER:
Traveling somewhere new and exciting.
If time travel is permitted: An afternoon of sex at the age of 32!
Writing.Grocery shopping!
Relaxing by the Italian seaside with a handsome Italian man. -
Journals and Diaries: Are They the Same?
Narration provided by Wondervox
By Mark McNease
People sometimes ask in the workshops I conduct: What’s the difference between a journal and a diary? Autobiographical writing (or journaling) focuses on themes that often require revisiting our lives, and writing about specific events, people, experiences and memories. I refer to it as a process of re-discovery. When we journal, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves remembering things we’d forgotten, or not thought about in a long time. It’s not so much that we’re discovering things about ourselves and our lives, as that we are coming upon them again. You may realize that one of the effects these memories have is to reawaken us to who we already are: those parts of our character and personality that began long ago and remain foundational to our identities.
A diary, in contrast, may be described as a daily, or near-daily, recording of events, people, and experiences. It can be kept in a spiral notebook, or typed into a document, or written down in a formal diary designed for that purpose.
Here are some broader thoughts about the differences between the two:
Journal versus Diary
A journal and a diary are both personal writing tools that people use to record their thoughts, experiences, and reflections. However, they differ in purpose, style and content.
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The Weekly Readlines August 17
From the Editor’s Desk:
Good news, folks! Every rainbow is now considered gay. In an unsurprisingly petty move, the Trump regime has fired the family that has made the Kennedy Center Honors medals for the past 47 years. They made them for free in their home, providing them under both Republican and Democratic presidents. The new medals will be from Tiffany’s, and almost certainly not for free. Adding in Trump’s cut, who knows how much they’ll cost the taxpayers? The traditional rainbow sashes worn by the honorees are also being replaced by … prepare for the shock … gold sashes. All rainbows are now considered woke (and gay by association). The silver lining? Every time you see a rainbow in the clouds it means God loves woke, and may be the Ultimate Woke. She works in mysterious ways. – Mark
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S STOP STORIES
Or maybe just my favorites …
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Trolls Trump
Hitting all the nerves and better at itKim Davis Still Alive, Hopes to Kill Marriage Equality
And with this SCOTUS she’ll probably succeedTrump Does Takeover Trial Run in D.C.
Gestapo or ICE? Is there a difference?Three Red States Re-Enact Civil War, Send Natl. Guard to Washington
This may end as ugly as the last oneLGBTQ
Same-Sex Couple Gets State Recognition In Historic Lithuanian Court Ruling – LGBTQ Nation
The Trump Administration’s “Divide And Conquer” Approach To LGBTQ Rights
Supreme Court Faces Decision on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy – Newsweek
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NEW! Audiobook for ‘A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due’ Now Available Directly!
LISTEN TO THE PREVIEW!
I’ll be distributing this through INAudio to Spotify and other select retailers, but I’ve also made it available directly from me for half the cost! Just click here for the product page on my PayHip storefront and check it out. There’s even a free preview you can listen to (or just listen to it with the audio above). This is exciting, and it’s only $8.95 from me. Fasten your headphones!
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Mark McNease Mysteries Podcast #75: A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due (Chapters 7-9)
Today’s episode continues ‘A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due.’ This story was inspired by an old house along the road where we live. It’s since been torn down—too many ghosts hanging around, possibly—but every time we walked by it when it was empty I kept imagining something evil behind the old faded door. It helped that we live in the woods, providing a read-made title. We called it the spooky house. It soon became the center of two books: A House in the Woods, and A House in Woods 2.
A House in the Woods 2 picks up where A House in the Woods left off. Laurel Calloway is still in the mysterious town of Strickland, New Jersey, where nothing is as it appears to be. Two years have gone by, and they’ve been good to the Calloways. Laurel and her husband Jeremy have a new house, and a new family with baby Isabel about to celebrate her first birthday. Everything seems perfect, until Laurel begins to have dreams. Bad dreams. Something tells her these dreams could really be memories. But of what? Of whom, and of when?
Did she really run over a woman in the road at night? Had they once had a dog? Why are these things trying so hard to surface, swimming slowly up from her subconscious? The more she begins to tell the people around her about these dreams, the more convinced she is that they’re part of it, and that these nightmares aren’t really dreams at all. Page after page, the pace escalates as Laurel begins to learn the truth and plot her escape. But will she succeed? The Devil is in the details.
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A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due (Chapters 7 – 9)
CHAPTERS 7 – 9
Welcome to the episodic audio edition of A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due. Fasten your headphones and enjoy one new chapter each week. You can find all the episodes here.
A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due picks up where A House in the Woods left off. Laurel Calloway is still in the mysterious town of Strickland, New Jersey, where nothing is as it appears to be. Two years have gone by, and they’ve been good to the Calloways. Laurel and her husband Jeremy have a new house, and a new family with baby Isabel about to celebrate her first birthday. Everything seems perfect, until Laurel begins to have dreams. Bad dreams. Something tells her these dreams could really be memories. But of what? Of whom, and of when?
Did she really run over a woman in the road at night? Had they once had a dog? Why are these things trying so hard to surface, swimming slowly up from her subconscious? The more she begins to tell the people around her about these dreams, the more convinced she is that they’re part of it, and that these nightmares aren’t really dreams at all. Page after page, the pace escalates as Laurel begins to learn the truth and plot her escape. But will she succeed? The Devil is in the details.