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Road Markers
Dean is a forty-something sales rep for a company that ropes small, mostly blue-collar firms into long term cellphone plans. Heading home from a bad sales meeting, he begins to see evidence that he can will things to happen just by thinking about them.
Now this tantalizing realization may lead Dean to cross the line for good.
VOTED as one of the TOP 20 DEBUT AUTHORS --goodreads.com Choice Awards
"Completely unpredictable! Like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film, a memoir, and something so bizarre...out of the Twilight Zone." --Jennifer Nessen
"[McIntyre] writes some of the most beautiful sentences being published today." --Vincent Zandri, author of "The Remains"
"Definitely felt like reading Neil Gaiman with occasional creepiness of Stephen King. Jason is my all-time favorite writer, his stories keep me up all night" --Evie Seo, Bookish Reviews
"This is a roller coaster you're in the hot sun, chugging to the top, anticipating the drop the whole way and then--boom--the drop comes and you're gasping for air. The hot wind blasts you and your guts are in your throat. In the last half of the book, some scenes had me by the larynx. Highly recommended!" --Sony Reader Store
"A must read, but not for the faint of heart." --EZread.com
Now this tantalizing realization may lead Dean to cross the line for good.
VOTED as one of the TOP 20 DEBUT AUTHORS --goodreads.com Choice Awards
"Completely unpredictable! Like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film, a memoir, and something so bizarre...out of the Twilight Zone." --Jennifer Nessen
"[McIntyre] writes some of the most beautiful sentences being published today." --Vincent Zandri, author of "The Remains"
"Definitely felt like reading Neil Gaiman with occasional creepiness of Stephen King. Jason is my all-time favorite writer, his stories keep me up all night" --Evie Seo, Bookish Reviews
"This is a roller coaster you're in the hot sun, chugging to the top, anticipating the drop the whole way and then--boom--the drop comes and you're gasping for air. The hot wind blasts you and your guts are in your throat. In the last half of the book, some scenes had me by the larynx. Highly recommended!" --Sony Reader Store
"A must read, but not for the faint of heart." --EZread.com
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
12 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Jason McIntyre
29 books170 followersJASON MCINTYRE is the #1 Kindle Suspense author of THE NIGHT WALK MEN, bestsellers ON THE GATHERING STORM and SHED, plus the multi-layered literary suspense THALO BLUE. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and won several awards.
His debut novel ON THE GATHERING STORM earned McIntyre a spot in the Top 20 Debut Authors for the Goodreads Choice Awards.
THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND is the latest instalment in the THE NIGHT WALK MEN saga and it's available now.
* * *
Acclaim:
"Five stars! Grows up around you like a vine."
- Art Lange, Smashwords
"Completely unpredictable! Like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film, a memoir, and something so bizarre...out of the Twilight Zone.”
- Jennifer Nessen
"I needed to keep reading (until four in the morning!!) to see how it would turn out."
- Will Kagan, Smashwords
"This is a roller coaster ride: you're in the hot sun, chugging to the top, anticipating the drop the whole way and then--boom--the drop comes and you're gasping for air. The hot wind blasts you and your guts are in your throat. In the last half of the book, some scenes had me by the larynx. Highly recommended!"
- Dvier, Sony Reader Store
"[McIntyre] writes some of the most beautiful sentences being published today."
- Vincent Zandri, author of "The Remains"
* * *
His debut novel ON THE GATHERING STORM earned McIntyre a spot in the Top 20 Debut Authors for the Goodreads Choice Awards.
THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND is the latest instalment in the THE NIGHT WALK MEN saga and it's available now.
* * *
Acclaim:
"Five stars! Grows up around you like a vine."
- Art Lange, Smashwords
"Completely unpredictable! Like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film, a memoir, and something so bizarre...out of the Twilight Zone.”
- Jennifer Nessen
"I needed to keep reading (until four in the morning!!) to see how it would turn out."
- Will Kagan, Smashwords
"This is a roller coaster ride: you're in the hot sun, chugging to the top, anticipating the drop the whole way and then--boom--the drop comes and you're gasping for air. The hot wind blasts you and your guts are in your throat. In the last half of the book, some scenes had me by the larynx. Highly recommended!"
- Dvier, Sony Reader Store
"[McIntyre] writes some of the most beautiful sentences being published today."
- Vincent Zandri, author of "The Remains"
* * *
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 8, 2011
Yet another good story, story weaves you into images of present and past and places you in the thought and thick of it a short and good story.
January 27, 2011
A story that many will relate to. Dean is a 40 something sales rep who is tired of his humdrum life and job, and of the things in his life, like the road markers, that keep him hemmed in. He wants to break free. In the past he has had suicidal thoughts. We follow him on a ride along a dark highway as he deliberates about the consequences that would follow if he were to cross that line and end it all. His mind meanders like the twists and turns of the highway and McIntytre keeps the reader hooked with many a diversion in this skillfully structured short story. A recommended read.
September 7, 2010
Saturday is upon us and here we go again, Digital Short Saturday. Each week that I investigate this new tool authors are using to help us see into their creative process, the more I am getting sucked into the enjoyment of it. I happened upon this digital short because I became friends of the author on Goodreads. We exchanged messages and he said as a side note, I have some novels written but I don’t know if they are your thing, having checked out my blog. I didn’t take it as a challenge, but I was intrigued. What is so far out there about his work that I, Giovanni Gelati the G-man, would not enjoy? I went to Smashwords , checked out his stuff there and began to read his digital short that is absolutely free, no cost at all, Road Markers. It is a 7850 word digital short that I snapped up immediately and read as quickly as my eyes would follow.
Road Markers is the story of a cellphone salesperson and the trials and tribulations that he is going through. Simple enough story, but at the same time very twisted. Jason McIntyre has penned a very interesting narrative, and gets his points across very quickly, after all how long does it take to digest 7800 plus words? Dean our salesperson goes through many mood swings during the digital short and by the time we are getting to the ending we are drawn into his life and begin to care about a character some would loath; it is easy enough. The story moves swiftly, it is gritty, has plenty of emotion and overall is nice neat package.
We have heard from heard from Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, this week in our Wednesday Guest Post Q&A on some of the fine points of the site. If you haven’t stopped there and setup an account it takes very little time and no money. What lies ahead for you after that is a new world where authors like Jason McIntyre await you, to be discovered. They are offering some of their work at no charge so you see their chops and decide for yourself if you wish to purchase their full size novels at a small cost. I am impressed by what I enjoyed, for me it is a simple choice and one I plan to follow up on. Add Jason McIntyre to your Smashwords library, check out Road Markers at no charge and go on an adventure and discover something new; I am going to bet you find it is your thing. McIntyre’s forthcoming novel is the first in a dramatic suspense trilogy called "Thalo Blue" and it will be available in mid-September:
“A young man on the brink of true adulthood, Sebastion Redfield experiences the trauma of his life when a trespasser breaks into his home. Sebastion and the psychiatrist assigned to help him recover from the break-in begin to unravel a more disturbing truth about his ordeal: that someone or something has been following Sebastion for some time...and he has no idea what kind of power and determination it has to ultimately find him.” Check it out, mark your calendars. Find him on the web here: http://www.theFarthestReaches.com
Also his full-length novel "On The Gathering Storm" is now available for Amazon's Kindle!! All you need to do is click on the picture of the novel at the beginning of the post or the one right here at the bottom.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin . Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, Visual Book Shelf, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day.
Road Markers is the story of a cellphone salesperson and the trials and tribulations that he is going through. Simple enough story, but at the same time very twisted. Jason McIntyre has penned a very interesting narrative, and gets his points across very quickly, after all how long does it take to digest 7800 plus words? Dean our salesperson goes through many mood swings during the digital short and by the time we are getting to the ending we are drawn into his life and begin to care about a character some would loath; it is easy enough. The story moves swiftly, it is gritty, has plenty of emotion and overall is nice neat package.
We have heard from heard from Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, this week in our Wednesday Guest Post Q&A on some of the fine points of the site. If you haven’t stopped there and setup an account it takes very little time and no money. What lies ahead for you after that is a new world where authors like Jason McIntyre await you, to be discovered. They are offering some of their work at no charge so you see their chops and decide for yourself if you wish to purchase their full size novels at a small cost. I am impressed by what I enjoyed, for me it is a simple choice and one I plan to follow up on. Add Jason McIntyre to your Smashwords library, check out Road Markers at no charge and go on an adventure and discover something new; I am going to bet you find it is your thing. McIntyre’s forthcoming novel is the first in a dramatic suspense trilogy called "Thalo Blue" and it will be available in mid-September:
“A young man on the brink of true adulthood, Sebastion Redfield experiences the trauma of his life when a trespasser breaks into his home. Sebastion and the psychiatrist assigned to help him recover from the break-in begin to unravel a more disturbing truth about his ordeal: that someone or something has been following Sebastion for some time...and he has no idea what kind of power and determination it has to ultimately find him.” Check it out, mark your calendars. Find him on the web here: http://www.theFarthestReaches.com
Also his full-length novel "On The Gathering Storm" is now available for Amazon's Kindle!! All you need to do is click on the picture of the novel at the beginning of the post or the one right here at the bottom.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin . Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, Visual Book Shelf, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day.
January 20, 2015
I used to live an hours drive away from work, and bugger me if when I was on my home at 1 or 2 am that my mind didn't wander onto all the random tangents one might wonder on at that time of night, tired and shitty at how the day went. I am wondering if mr McIntyre was in The backseat reading my thoughts. The imagery in this short story is so vivid and evocative you will feel as if you are right there inside the story and for the time it lasted I neither, wanted reality to pull me back.
December 11, 2010
Road Markers puts you behind the wheel and inside the psyche of a lonely and quietly desperate man. As he makes his way down a dark and deserted highway, his internal screaming for fulfillment, purpose and love are manifested in a stream of perversely chilling thoughts that pull you in and speed away with your sympathies. When the ride is over, your mind will still be rolling.
August 23, 2010
From gskidz at Smashwords: We should loathe the guy in "Road Markers" but we don't. I for one feel pity for him...and want him to be okay in the end. McIntyre keeps us engaged and makes us feel something for him. How is that even possible after the line he crosses?
March 9, 2012
Goodreads Description- Dean is a forty-something sales rep for a company that ropes small, mostly blue-collar firms into long term cellphone plans. Heading home from a bad meeting, he begins to see evidence that he can will things to happen just by thinking about them. But will this tantalizing realization lead him to cross the line for good?
I'm not really sure what the point of this story was. Dean, the main character, kept repeating himself and I was confused the entire 20 something pages. I guess maybe we are supposed to feel Dean's lonliness as he is driving in the night or that feeling that we don't know how we got to where we are because out thoughts were wondering while driving. I am not even positive of what really happened at the end. 1 star.
I'm not really sure what the point of this story was. Dean, the main character, kept repeating himself and I was confused the entire 20 something pages. I guess maybe we are supposed to feel Dean's lonliness as he is driving in the night or that feeling that we don't know how we got to where we are because out thoughts were wondering while driving. I am not even positive of what really happened at the end. 1 star.
March 11, 2011
Jason takes us all for a wild roller coaster ride of raw emotion, sprinkled with a bit of self-reflection, and topped-off with a chunk of gut-wrenching deviance. Haven’t we all been close to crossing the line? If you haven’t done so already, please check out this talented writer.
September 8, 2010
An interesting, albeit brief, glimpse into the mind of a world-weary traveling salesman as he returns home from a failed sales pitch.
July 25, 2012
Anyone who's driven late at night on an empty highway can relate to the unconscious thoughts of Dean. He's an unhappy worker bee who hates his boss and feels trapped in a dead-end sales job. The reality of Dean's real-life imprisonment is as dark as the narrow road he's on, with only the thump-thump of the road markers to guide him.
McIntyre's brilliant storytelling lures us into the mind of an ordinary and lonely man. He makes us like him even though Dean is not particularly likeable. And then, just when we feel comfortable that everything's going to be okay, he forces us to make a sharp turn.
"Road Markers" will leave you thinking long after you've finished the story.
McIntyre's brilliant storytelling lures us into the mind of an ordinary and lonely man. He makes us like him even though Dean is not particularly likeable. And then, just when we feel comfortable that everything's going to be okay, he forces us to make a sharp turn.
"Road Markers" will leave you thinking long after you've finished the story.
December 14, 2011
I enjoyed the writing style and pace of this short story the most. In a short time, I felt like I knew the character and saw him as a real person rather than just a name in a story. There was also a feeling that something was going to go wrong at any time throughout. There was also discomfort in one particular theme/scene but I would prefer some discomfort to what I feel is sometimes lazy gore in horror stories/novels. Overall, there was enough there to motivate me to try more works by this author.
March 29, 2011
Beautifully written story that once again makes me look at life a little differently. This story is so well crafted I liked the character before realizing what was happening. McIntyre has the rare ability to guide me along the path in the story where HE wants me to travel. Anyone that describes themselves as an "avid" or "voracious" reader should start consuming everything Jason McIntyre has written, they will be sated.
August 16, 2011
A dark tale of a worn out, depressed salesman pushed to the breaking point. Many middle aged people would totally get it after life's failures and disappointments. I liked the story. It held my attention and I felt empathy for the dude. Good story. Well done.
Read
November 19, 2017A story where the line between reality and imagination blurs. Does one's thoughts influence reality, or does reality conjure its own thoughts? Are you the dreamer having a dream, or is the dream dreaming of you?
June 3, 2011
Free for my Nook at www.barnesandnoble.com
Want to read
August 8, 2011Kobo free download 8/8/11.
August 9, 2011
This short story is excellent!
January 25, 2014
I'm not fussy on short stories but I have come to like Jason's style. He does a good job with detail and making sure you are into the story and picturing where he wants you to be.
October 24, 2011
Unique story line.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews