Between the Darkness and the Dawn

by Paula Cappa

Is the Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts haunted? Does the ghost of the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne stalk the front parlor? Edward Fane, ley line hunter aims to find out. Armed with his EMF meters, Edward tests the Old Manse for ghosts that might be streaming the reported ley lines in historic Concord. What Edward finds is more than just the ghost of Mr. Hawthorne. Because yesterdays and tomorrows can and do merge—but only inside the shadows between the darkness and the dawn.

This historical ghost story was originally published by Whistling Shade Literary Journal.

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2015

About the author

For her three novels, Paula Cappa is the recipient of the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award, the Gold Medal and the Silver Medal from Global Book Awards, the Bronze Medal from Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, and a Chanticleer Book Award. She is named a Best Book Award Finalist by American Book Fest and achieved the Gothic Readers Book Club Award in Outstanding Fiction.

She is the author of Greylock, The Dazzling Darkness, and Night Sea Journey—print editions published by Crispin Books, Milwaukee WI. Night Sea Journey was featured as an on-air reading at Riverwest Radio, Fearless Reader Radio in Wisconsin.


Cappa’s short fiction has appeared in ParABnormal Literary Magazine, Coffin Bell Literary Journal, Unfading Daydream, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, Whistling Shade Literary Journal, SmokeLong Quarterly, Sirens Call Ezine, Every Day Fiction, Fiction365, Twilight Times Ezine, and in anthologies Journals of Horror: Found Fiction, Mystery Time, and Human Writes Literary Journal.

Paula Cappa is a freelance copy editor and writes a short story blog, Reading Fiction, at paulacappa.wordpress.com. She is Co-Chair of the Pound Ridge Authors Society in Pound Ridge, NY.

Follow her Reading Fiction Blog at her website:
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/

Follow her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/paula.cappa.94

Follow her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PaulaCappa1

Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Paula-Cappa/e/...

Reviews

[Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't do a full-scale review of this one, because it's been awhile since I beta read it. But I remember it as an excellent story, and still recall a great deal about it even after the lapse of time! Paula Cappa is an extremely talented writer, and an explorer of things supernatural whose modern style is rooted in the classical tradition. Like some of her other work, this tale draws on the rich vein of literary gold afforded by her familiarity with 19th-century literature; you don't have to be a Hawthorne fan to enjoy it, but it will be particularly rewarding for readers who are. A delightful read, from a rising author whose fiction I want to experience much more of!

[D. Peach · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this beautifully written short story, Edward Fane is an employee of the Institute of Perceptual Studies, and he’s traveled to Massachusetts with his instruments to measure ley lines that connect past and future realms. He books a tour of an old manse once inhabited by Nathanial Hawthorne but it’s what he feels as he gazes through the window on the Old North Bridge that captures his attention. On that bridge, he meets the past, and though Nathaniel warns him away from his pursuits, can he forget the lovely woman he meets there? Highly recommended to fans of short stories who enjoy atmospheric writing, and haunting tales.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Paula Cappa's novel, NIGHT SEA JOURNEY, I was most impressed with the beauty of her prose. There is almost nothing that makes me want to read more from a single author than a great turn of phrase and use of words that is evocative. When I saw a request for reviews of her short stories, on Goodreads, I contacted her immediately.

It isn't often that a story connects to some other event in the reader's life, but having recently watched "The Devil's Graveyards" on The History Channel, I immediately connected with this tale. To be perfectly honest, I much prefer "Between the Darkness and the Dawn" to the pseudoscience of the program.

The Old Manse, in Concord, Massachusetts has been associated with spirits since the time of Nathanial Hawthorne, which makes it a perfect setting for supernatural happenings. Paula Cappa has capitalized on this reputation to combine a real, documented occurrence with a modern, devilish hypothesis.

Whether or not you believe that there are vile vortexes on this planet, you will not find fault with the captivating storytelling you find here.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining supernatural listening 🎶🔰

This is a free novella on Amazon.

This supernatural fantasy novella takes place in Concord, Massachusetts involving a woman 🚺 and Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is a cute interesting novella. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers looking for a quick read. 2023 😀👒👻🏡

I lived with in ten miles of where this story takes place.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of history where the lines cross makes for an interesting short paranormal read. I think the author does a great job with descriptive writing and would love to read a novel by this author. This is the third short story I have read by this author and all are interesting and well written and may bring out a goose bump or two.

[Dori Sabourin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha's Destiny


Paula Cappa's classic Rip Van Winkle ispired short story, “Between the Darkness and the Dawn,” begins with Edward Fane; taking his EMF meters, to test the Old Manse for ghosts in Concord, Massachusetts.

In addition to finding Hawthorne's ghost, a mysterious woman from Hawthorne’s day is also found.

Who is the young woman that Edward Fane finds? Where was Martha discovered by Nathaniel and Mr. Channing?

[Joan Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read, Between the Darkness and Dawn, is a well-written story with supernatural elements. The setting is the historic Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts.

The author did a superb job putting the reader into the setting and crafting a rich story in only 27 pages. Perfect for reading just before bedtime.

[sharon ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors

Just finished the author's novel, Grey Lock yes


Just finished the author's novel, Grey Lock, yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not



Paula Capps writes beautifully. I do like a story with a vein of the supernatural running through it.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kind of supernatural tale. Atmospheric without being scary, it made a great short read between longer books. I enjoyed the Concord Mass. setting and the way the author kept me wondering...

[Anne (w/ an E) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite my style

This was not a terrible story but it was not my kind of story. I am not really interested in the supernatural or ghosts. I should have known what to expect.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story was loosely inspired by Hawthorne's "Haunted Mind," as well as historical events. A lay-line hunter seeks a paranormal encounters at "The Old Manse" museum in Concord, Massachusetts. While Cappa's prose is admirable, the quick-paced plot could have been further developed. This is a light and fun read, playing with the idea that there are energy lines that allow people to interact through dimensions in time. Select pieces of Concord history are well-presented in the short span of the story, through the main character's experiences and ghostly vignettes. The tourist industry is caricatured with costumed employees and tour guides, who are fussy, old women out-of-touch with visitors' interests; this satire is common to the popular treatment of historic houses and inns in some fiction and adds a comedic element to the ghostly story.