In The Spirit of Elmer's Woods
Don't Be Afraid
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In The Spirit of Elmer's Woods
Don't Be Afraid
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BOOK SUMMARY

“In the Spirit of Elmer’s Woods”

Playing out across the thick woods, blueberry fields, deep blue lakes, and thick forests of rural Maine, In the Spirit of
Elmer’s Woods is set against the larger landscape of good and evil, heaven and earth and human nature, through the character of the reclusive but principled Elmer.
 
Welcome to the rural town of Jessup, Maine, where Elmer gets to know the local families, and the story develops.  Childhood buddies Darryl Potter and Ricky Hibbot had created plenty of mischief over the years, but the concept of murder had only recently surfaced. Ego and desperation, paired with circumstance, bring the unconscionable possibility to the forefront.  Darryl’s power and control with the townspeople is being threatened and exposed.  His sometimes sober friend, Ricky Hibbot, has 24 hours to come up with $18,000 he owes to some shady and sometimes violent businessmen. What follows is an almost comical series of desperate decisions, emotional blackmail, family machinations, and twists and turns in the characters’ self-serving justification to consider the murder of two local family men.

 

“Don’t Be Afraid”

Inspired by the author’s Grandsons, “Don’t Be Afraid” includes twelve scary stories for children who are old enough to listen, and young enough to have their imagination stirred.  Are they made up stories from Pop-Pop, or could they be real?

From encounters with strange creatures to chilling experiences, each chapter presents a tale of suspense and intrigue.Each story unfolds against a familiar setting—a frozen lake, a dimly lit basement, or a fog-shrouded graveyard—heightening the suspense as the characters confront mysterious phenomena. From the haunting presence of a monstrous frog to the unsettling voice from behind a basement wall, the narratives are rich with tension, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Through spooky encounters and unsettling twists, this book offers a thrilling exploration of the unknown, leaving the characters questioning what lurks in the shadows and what lies beyond the realm of ordinary perception.

Excerpts

In the Spirit of Elmer's Woods

A strange noise came from outside. Elmer ignored it at first. It sounded like an animal, and he was not concerned. He turned the volume up to drown the outside noise, but the noise persisted, and he now heard human screams. He turned the volume down and opened his door to figure out what was going on. It was clear to him that the noise was coming from the pond, a short walk from the shack. He could tell the screams were that of a dog and at least one child. This was not something he wanted to deal with, but it sounded as though they had fallen through the ice and were screaming for help. He thought about his daughter, and how he and Elizabeth had been devastated by her death. He thought about how he had missed his family every minute of his life to the point where it sometimes seemed unbearable. Who was the child, or children, and the dog? He knew all too well that a family's life could be ruined if anything happened to their children. He lit a cigarette, grabbed his axe, his blanket, and a six-foot length of rope. He walked briskly toward the pond. As he got closer, the screaming began to subside. Fearful that it might be too late, he flicked his cigarette butt and began to run, something he had not done in years.

Excerpts

Hermit on the Hill

Fifty years ago, your grandparents lived in a cozy house in the woods, surrounded by trees. One evening, a loud crash interrupted their peaceful night, caused by a pickup truck colliding with a tree. They discovered that the truck belonged to the reclusive Hermit on the Hill, who mysteriously vanished after promising to return each year on his birthday. The eerie event repeats annually, haunting the area with the hermit’s chilling promise to return.

ABOUT

Dennis Corcoran

Dennis Corcoran grew up in Severna Park Maryland, spending summers with his family at a lakeside camp outside of Camden Maine. After his family moved to Maine, he made the decision to follow, and attended the University of Maine at Orono. He began his working career in New Jersey in the shopping center business leasing space in major malls around the country to retailers. Dealing with so many entrepreneurs led him to aspire to have his own business, and he acquired a small home improvement company. He has remained in the home improvement industry, recently moving back to his roots in Annapolis, Maryland. After a lifetime of writing as a hobby, he published his first books, ” In the Spirit of Elmer’s Woods” and “Don’t Be Afraid” in 2024. His fascination with the natural beauty and uniqueness of the rocky coast, the wandering mountains and pristine lakes created a backdrop for his first published work. Owls Head Spirit is his new venture to continue the style of writing he enjoys – Where Creativity Meets Imagination.

BOOK REVIEWS

Following are some of the comments from readers who have read and reviewed “In the spirit of Elmer’s Woods.” 

"The descriptive language is outstanding - I felt like I was there, experiencing the sights and sounds of Maine".

"A gripping, well crafted novel. It draws you in quickly and never lets you go."

"The character development and vivid description of rural Maine make this a must read."

"Outstanding, not at all what I expected...A lot of thoughts and emotions go along with the story.

Barnes & Noble Review by "Herds"

Perfect Summer Read

Took this book to the beach and couldn't put it down. I was impressed by the amount of character development this first time author wove into the storyline. Great job Dennis! Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Reading Glass Author interview

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