Tag: Weres

Book Review (SERIES): The Coldstone Case Files (Volume One)

Erin Penn

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One with the Wolf by Jason Gilbert

  1. Wolfbane
  2. Wolfmoon
  3. Wolfsong
  4. Wolfheart

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for ONE WITH THE WOLF

James Coldstone is the perfect eligible bachelor: he’s rich, he’s handsome…and he can turn into a werewolf at will.
What starts as an ordinary day turns into an investigation into the most horrific murders James’s hometown has seen since the infamous Wolf-Man Murders of years ago. But things are never uncomplicated, and the rabbit hole only goes deeper.

James is joined by his best friend, Phillip, as he chases a group of kidnappers down the east coast to rescue a little girl from a fate worse than anything he could’ve imagined.

Before it’s all over, James Coldstone will discover that evil knows no boundaries, and that his damaged past pales in comparison to what the dark and infinite world of human trafficking has in store for both its victims and the people who are willing to look beyond the veil that conceals its inhuman truths.

MY REVIEW for ONE WITH THE WOLF

One with the Wolf collects the first four novellas of the Coldstone Case Files into one volume:
Wolfbane, Wolfmoon, Wolfsong, and Wolfheart. My individual reviews for the novellas can be found under the named books. This review is about the overall series.

On one hand, this series starts with all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery series. A millionaire who is friends with a police detective investigating mysteries of the paranormal variety. On the other hand, it’s also paranormal urban fantasy with the millionaire containing a nearly feral wolf under his skin – making him a werewolf.

As the series continues, the plotline slides firmly into the urban fantasy end of the spectrum – but keeps the cozy mystery requirement that the mysteries and crimes could be real and worthy of police investigation, with child trafficking playing a big part of the investigation.

And Mr. Gilbert (the author), while placing this is as Urban Fantasy world, while going for cheap, easy laughs between friends, while doing all the things to make an ENTERTAINING book, doesn’t cut corners or belittle the seriousness of Human Trafficking, especially in relation to minor children.

At the end of the day, the collected works show that Mr. Gilbert is writing recreational reading, but also making sure that the story is REAL enough to not be fluff.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for WOLFBANE

James Coldstone is the ideal eligible bachelor: he’s wealthy, handsome, lives modestly…and he can turn into a gigantic Werewolf at will.

When a string of grisly murders are discovered in his sleepy South Carolina town, James agrees to help his friend Sgt. Phillip Brown investigate. But as the investigation take a turn down a dark path, James soon realizes that monsters aren’t always defined by their supernatural appearance.

As he digs for answers about this current case, James will have to face many things, including his father’s hellish legacy: the long-dead case of the Wolf-Man Murders.

MY REVIEW for WOLFBANE

Wolfbane is the first of a new action-packed urban fantasy, where the series-title character helps his police friend solve crime of the supernatural nature.

James Coldstone has it all but hates most of it – he has wealth, but will never touch it; famous family with long-history ruined by a serial killer father; and great power … as a werewolf. Living modestly, out of the way, helping his childhood best friend, Phillip Brown, with police cases that have supernatural culprits, James’ not-quite idyllic life comes to an abrupt end when a series of murders leave bodies torn apart, as if by an animal – but in their homes, as if by a human. Having had a werewolf father, all eyes turn to James.

Someone is framing him. While his best friend asks formal police questions like “Why?”, James’ wolf asks a more feral question: “When are you going to let me off the leash?”

A “cozy” mystery/crime solving, just not very cozy.

****

10/27/2020 BOOK CLUB REVIEW
The book came up on my book club and so I read through the book again since it had been over a year. The book still was entertaining as the first time around. Sometimes I wince at James relationship with Phillip, as they joke like boy-men who known each other a long time (and one has been in the military) including college together. Male humor for friendship is very prickly.

A good second read. Some books don’t stand up to a re-read, especially ones with mystery aspects, but this one does.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for WOLFMOON

Historic Charleston, South Carolina is a city filled with mystery, romance, and beauty.

And vampires. Lots of vampires.

James Coldstone and his best friend, Phillip Brown, head to Charleston looking for Mindy and Clara only to find a city under curfew thanks to a wave of disappearances with no explanation. James meets a vampire with a common cause, and he soon finds that the monsters he’s chasing will lead him into an even darker world filled with evil, perversion, and sin: all for the sake of greed.

MY REVIEW for WOLFMOON

Book Club Read
My book club decided to go through all existing Coldstone Case Files for their October meeting – werewolves make good Halloween lore, especially Mr. Gilbert’s version which is not the cute-fuzzy version of man-wolf, with the two forms of man and wolf, and the wolf is treated like a puppy.

Nope, James, the main character is limited to two forms but they are man and WEREWOLF – an 8 foot tall creature whose arms double as running legs as needed, and claws cut through stomach and tear off faces. Whose bite removes heads. Serious Monster here. Puppies who willingly take a leash and pretend to pass for a dog will get stepped on.

Last book centered around a murder, which gave it a “cozy mystery” feel when James’ police friend Philip brings him in on a case. This book continues to develop that mystery, now the murders are done, following the crime syndicate structure which supported the murders down the rabbit hole which is Human Trafficking.

And Mr. Gilbert (the author), while placing this is as Urban Fantasy world, while going for cheap, easy laughs between friends, while doing all the things to make an ENTERTAINING book, doesn’t cut corners or belittle the seriousness of Human Trafficking, especially in relation to minor children. North Carolina is 6th in the nation for Human Trafficking – so this is very real, and very urgent. Something I care passionately about. (#StopChildLabor; #AbolishSlavery; #NoChocolateThursday)

Wolfmoon is a good book that takes on the crime novel, but doesn’t go for the easy murder mystery. Murder is far from the only criminal activity. Human Trafficking is very profitable, so the layers to this mystery and investigation have to chug through some serious layers of Criminal Syndicate. All the while playing with vampires, werewolves, and succubus. Entertaining. The focus is on entertaining.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for WOLFSONG

There’s more to see in Florida than Disney World.

Like vampires who may (or may not) be into organized crime.

A clue in Charleston sends James and his friends to Jacksonville, Florida in search of Mindy and the trafficking group they’ve been chasing. They soon discover that Jacksonville is run by and home to some of the most powerful vampire houses in the Southeast, including a mysterious group known as House Wangenheim. Things go from bad to worse, and James finds himself embroiled in a world of conspiracy, crime, and ancient beings who can control the very seas.

MY REVIEW for WOLFSONG

Read for book club – Another Coldstone Case File Book (novella length).

The relationships are getting complicated, the search for the girl is getting long, and the wolf needs a good hunt. Who will get what they want?

What I wan is more information about Lucy. I have to wonder just how much of the information she has shared is incomplete – like she is “over” one hundred. How far over?

This un-cozy mystery-thriller urban fantasy series provides what a reader wants with action, character, supernatural creatures, and a bad guy to pound.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for WOLFHEART

Not all vacation packages offer free vampires, grisly murders, and those drinks with the little umbrellas in them.

James Coldstone tracks his quarry to Westenra Island-a remote manmade resort that caters only to the wealthiest people, some with an interest other than getting away for a weekend of lavish parties and walks on the beach. Between specific vacationers being slaughtered at night and the upcoming auction event, James begins to realize that even the people he trusts the most are keeping secrets from him. Despite the chaos, he is hellishly set on one goal: save Mindy and destroy the darkest evil he has ever faced.

MY REVIEW for WOLFHEART

The dynamic between James and Lacy is amusing and powerful. The layers of worldbuilding for this series of novellas keep on getting better. What is happening with each of these people: Lacy, Mindy, Phillip, the Wolf, and Agent Smith? – each person brings a wallop of complications for James. Everything is about relationships and the strings that come attached to these people (and the wolf).

But it isn’t all about brains, interactions, and worldbuilding – LOTS OF ACTION – lots of werewolf, rip-the-world-apart action.

The end of the first four novella arch delivers on everything building since Wolfbane.

Book Review (SERIES): All I Want for Christmas

Erin Penn

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All I Want for Christmas (series) by Liana Brooks

  1. All I Want for Christmas is a Werewolf
  2. All I Want for Christmas is a Reaper

(Fingers-crossed hoping – All I want for Christmas is another book to this series. I hope Ms. Brooks has room in her heavy schedule.)

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A WEREWOLF

Del hates Christmas. As a child, she spent too many Decembers on the streets after her parents abandoned her. As an adult, the enforced family focus, the clients who see the holidays as an excuse to get gropey, and the mistletoe her well-meaning colleague Maureen hung over her work desk just seals the deal: December sucks.

If only it could stay Halloween for a couple of months instead. Del loves the excuse to slay monsters, the spooky atmosphere—and of course, the werewolves. Because everyone knows werewolves make the best lovers… Pity they’re not real.

When Maureen conjures up a list of eligible bachelors for the holidays and insists Del take her pick, Del does the only reasonable thing: she lies. And when nosy office Grinch Rafael Kane asks who the lucky fellow is, Del announces it to the whole office: she’s getting a dog.

So now, the first item on Del’s holiday to-do list? Find a dog. Fast. Because if she doesn’t, nothing will protect her from Maureen’s list of Miami bachelor rejects.

A charming, sensual romance for everyone who believes in found families, happily ever after—and werewolves.

MY REVIEW for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A WEREWOLF

Do you want a light frothy romance story for Christmas? This gem delivers, complete with rich people, art parties, Miami beaches, and gorgeous abs.

Do you want a paranormal and angst capturing the loneliness of Christmas? This book delivers with a complicated main character overcoming her past emotional damage, and a mysterious man willing to help her heal.

Somehow a delightful mixture of both the Grinch and Hope of the season, of loving bumps-in-the-night and jogs along the morning winter beach, this novella should be on every Colorful Goths romance list.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A REAPER

Meet Meredith Kriesmas, forensic accountant who sharpens numbers the way killers sharpen knives—Chicago’s very own Grim Reaper of the business world. Whole divisions close in her wake, and her clients pay handsomely for it. But ten minutes into a three-day weekend, Merri craves a new job to sink her teeth into.

A call from an old friend saves Merri’s sanity. Can she visit the winter wonderland at Cozy TV studios—known for its heart-warming holiday movies—and take a look at the books? Horror movie mill Slasher Corp just bought the studio—and Cozy might not make it to the final credits.

Merri must dodge the mistletoe, dismember the finances, and disappear before dawn—all while avoiding the Cozy Curse, where no one gets off set single.

No problem there. For Merri, business always comes first. At least, until she meets hot horror hipster CEO Seth Morana, and uncovers the secret he hides…

A sensual stand-alone paranormal romance for everyone who believes people should be loved exactly as they are.

MY REVIEW for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A REAPER

FIRST REVIEW 1/8/2021
Are you looking for read where a Holiday TV Special Romance is mashed up with the Nightmare before Christmas for a vibe? Do you like your romance with a side of snide. This is the book for you!

Second in the series of “All I want for Christmas is …” (a werewolf was the first in the series), Reaper follows a Forensic Accountant, Meredith Kriesmas, as she investigates the corporate takeover of the beloved Cozy TV studio by the horror movie mill Slasher Corp. She is used to taking down corporate giants and destroying lives – she lives for the city and the thought of moving to the suburbs gives her the willies more than the daily death threats she receives. Slasher Corp is run by Seth Morana, who may have a monster of a secret, but mostly is a hot nerd who likes scaring people.

The story is delightfully warm in friendship, edgy in danger, googey in the holiday-romance tropes, and intimating with its powerful woman lead. All with a (VERY) light side of paranormal.

So much fun. It might be added to my annual Christmas read list.

Received for an honest review

(Addition – I should add, I LOVE Ms. Brooks writing and really enjoyed the cameos of some of my favorite characters in this book.)

SECOND REVIEW 6/21/21
At Atomacon in 2021, Liana Brooks was a guest and I got to meet her in person – so I picked up this book in PAPER format in addition to kindle … and, of course, I had to reread it. The little footnotes work better in paper format (they were fine in kindle form, just slightly better in paper), and there is a section of a few scenes from Seth’s point of view I didn’t get to see before – might have been because I got an advance reader copy (ARC) for the kindle as part of the honest review; sometimes the ARCs don’t have everything found in the final book.

The books still works wonderful second time around, knowing all the secrets. The humor and character interaction, the mystery and romance, all of it. Can’t wait to see the next monster given the Cozy Christmas Romance treatment for the next holiday cycle.

And, yes, I did read this book twice the same year, even with all my other commitments. I enjoyed it that much.

Flash: Phylactery (Purrson Part 3)

Erin Penn 1 Comment

Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash

“Stuck on the sixth floor again.” Parson commented while waiting in front of the elevator, giving a side-eye to the woman beside him. Her black business suit hugged her curves and her black stocking gave a hint of fishnet in their patterning.

She smiled at him, her vivid red lipstick making the lips stand out against her pale skin. “Does it do that often?”

“All the time.” Parson waved at the top of the art deco style elevators where the number six remained illuminated. “To be fair, that floor has two large families with small children, and four retirees who have mobility issues. But it also just gets stuck.”

“So do we wait, or what?” The woman turned to face him, flipping her long black hair behind her.

“I’m not walking up to the tenth floor.” He laughed, giving her one of his best sexy smiles.

“And I don’t want to attempt twelve flights myself.”

“Oh, you are the new 1203.”

“And you are Parson, in 1004.” She put out her hand. “I’ve heard about you.”

Parson took the hand, but lifted it to his mouth for a quick air kiss, just above the skin. Enough his breath touched it and nothing else, while keeping his eyes on her black ones, pleased to see the irises expand. “All good things I hope.”

The new apartment renter licked her lips as he lowered their joined hands, his thumb rubbing where he nearly kissed her skin. “Um, yes,” she gasped a bit. “Well,” she rolled her eyes around and bit her lip, containing a little laugh, “depends.”

“Depends on what, beautiful new 1203?”

“What? Oh,” she laughed, “please call me Lore, it’s short for Lorelei.”

“Lorelei.” Parson rubbed her hand knuckles again since she hadn’t pulled back her hand. “Lovely to meet you.”

“Yes.” Lore shook her head. “They weren’t kidding about you at all.”

“Oh,” he raised an eyebrow.

“Sex on a stick was how Connie put it.” She looked down and clearly, regretfully, pulled her hand away slowly. “They say you are the apartment’s skank, but worth it.”

Parson hadn’t realized his reputation was included in the basic get to know the building’s amenities, but he couldn’t fault the accuracy. He was a slut but had managed not to anger those that lived here.

They both jumped when the doors of the elevator opened, letting out the Wojciks, including the twins still in the stroller. The single adults stepped apart for the crowd to pass through before stepping into the now empty elevator.

He let her push the button first, then leaned over to press his and asked, “So, you would like to see if it is worth it?”

Lorelei smiled invitingly. “You know, I just might. Let me freshen up from work first. Come up about eight?”

“Want me to bring anything?” He looked up as the elevator beeped another floor, judging his window, “Food, wine, a movie, … lube?”

Snorting, she shook her head. “I got leftovers and don’t drink.” She waited until the doors opened on the tenth floor before adding. “And plenty of lube and toys. See you in two hours.”

Parson stepped out of the elevator before it closed. “Two hours.” After the doors closed, he walked down the hall. “Whoa, I’ve might have met my match. This should be fun.”

***

The woman presently going by the name of Lorelei stretched in the Saturday morning sun, feeling all the little bites and scratches of the night. Parson was a vigorous lover. Definitely worth it. She approved.

Him sneaking out in the night, less so. She frowned at the tangled pink sheets where he had drifted off after their last round of love play. Then frowned deepened when the mound of cloth moved.

A tabby kitten fought its way from underneath the fabric.

“Oh, well, look at you.” Lore studied its orange fur, a few shades lighter than Parson’s red hair. She laughed in delight. “Is that you Parson?”

The feline’s blue eyes, an exact match to her lover from last night, snapped up to her then grew round. Its entire body froze.

Lore moved up to her knees, her black hair flowing over her naked body. Slowing her breath, she waited.

Parson darted, and she jumped, grabbing him up in her hands.

Little kitten razors clawed and needle teeth bit. “No-no. Don’t do that.” Lore moved her hands to the scruff of the kitten’s neck and turned the male cat belly up in her hands. She stared down, and after struggling a moment, the cat stopped moving and just stared back up at her, panting as though frightened. “I’ve never seen one so young before.” Lore shook her head “I bet you don’t even know what you are, do you?”

The cat mewed a question.

“Yes, you are something, my sweet.” A wide possessive smile conquered Lore’s slightly swollen lips. “Something I will love to have very much.”

Narrowing its eyes, the kitten hissed.

“No, too late. I’ve seen you.” She moved one hand to start stroking the kitten’s cheeks, and used the hand on the neck to start a light massage, slowly turning the cat over as it eyes closed in pleasure. “Such a hedonist. I’ll take good care of you.”

“We are going to be such good friends.” Lore stood, walking into her living room. While holding the kitten against her body, risking bodily harm but Parson seemed quiet for the moment, she lifted her favorite throw blanket from the back of her sofa, thanking the universe once again people don’t ask about pentagram patterns, and spread it out on the floor.

Dropping Parson in the center, she said the closing word and the seal raised.

“Now you just stay there while I shower and get dressed.”

(words 965, first published 12/4/2022)

Purrson Series

  1. Naturally Nocturnal (9/26/21)
  2. Purrson (10/2/22)
  3. Phylactery (12/4/22)

Flash: Purrson

Erin Penn 2 Comments

Photo by Matthew Larkin on Unsplash

Wobbling to the end of the bed, I leap down to the rug. Late morning pee run is going to be a challenge.

I bolt through the house, leaping from the hallway, off the wall, to the shower curtain swinging into the thankfully dry bathtub and let loose. I hadn’t figured out how I got that much pee in this small of a body. Once done, I kick, kick, kick behind me and jump out of the tub onto the sink pedestal.

Yep, still a ginger kitten. Fucking ridiculous. I’m twenty-six. Why ain’t I a werewolf or a tiger? I mean, that is what all the shifter paranormal urban fantasy romance shit has. But, noooo, I’m a kitten.

Wonder how long I’m going be stuck like this this time.

Eleventh time the charm, right?

I stalk down the apartment hallway to the kitchenette area and jump up to the little counter I usually eat at when I’m human. Walking by yesterday’s mugs, I knock the middle one to the floor. An ex- gave it to me. It makes a satisfying crash on the linoleum.

Now where did I put that bag of cat food? Dry sucks, but no opposable thumbs for a can opener. Two more leaps has me on top of the fridge with the chips, and the bag of dry food buried beneath them. I shove everything over the edge onto the floor, then leap down to the counter than the floor. The fall broke the bag, so I shove my face in and eat my full.

Water. So dry.

Two leaps gets me up to the sink. I bat at the level until water starts coming out of the faucet.

If this thing was predictable at all, and I have run so many different calculations to find any sort of pattern, I would buy wet and put out food and water in preparation. But no dice. I could be doing this one hour or a week, and the next episode may be tomorrow or four months from now.

A couple more swats turn off the water. Don’t want to pay the bill later for letting it run.

Full belly, I’m just about done in.

I leap down and go to the pet bed I bought. Curling up, I mew as the weight sensor built into the bed turns on the heat. Best purchase ever.

***

The rattle at the door brings me instantly away. I flex my hand and the claw releases. Still a cat.

“Hey Parson, you awake?” Emma, my present not-yet-ex asked at the apartment entrance. She slips in, closing the door behind her. “Now where are you, you lazy bum?” she mutters, walking through my living space, right by where I tucked the pet bed behind the futon.

Lazy bum, am I? Pot calling kettle black much, sweetheart. I cautiously follow.

“God, what a mess,” Emma comments walking by the kitchenette area toward the bedroom. “Didn’t even make your bed before you left. Whatever do I see in you?” She starts fluffing the pillows and making the bed. “Right, I remember.”

My girlfriend runs a finger down what is my side of my bed to about where my waist usually is, before flipping the sheets in place.

What can I say, I got it going on.

I jump up on my dresser then the standing closet I bought since the apartment did not come with closets. It gives me a bird’s eye view of her, including the cleavage I love so much.

Someday I hope to grow into a full tom cat, because, you know, my human side is already there.

“Oh,” Emma’s head whips around, “what?”

Then she sees me.

“Aw, Parson got a kitten. That is so sweet.” She reaches out her hand. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty.”

I stand-sit, front up and back down, looking down on her regally. I know I look like perturbed cuteness.

“Oh, fine. Just stay up there.” Emma smiles before putting a finger to her lips. “Shh, don’t tell Parson I’m here. I wanted to surprise him with dinner tonight. He’s been working really hard all week.”

Oh god, no. She is going to try to cook for me? Please no.

She walked to the door. “And maybe, he might, you know, start thinking about how nice having me around all the time would be.”

I really need to move her to the ex- list as soon as possible if she thinks her cooking would make me think of anything permanent. Delusional, I don’t need.

I leap down to follow the psychopath.

Emma stops at the edge of where the carpet gives way to the kitchette tile. “Wait, did you do all this?” she asks looking back at me.

I sit on my haunches and lick my front paws.

“Oh, you did, you little rascal.”  Emma starts picking things up. She pours the dry into a bowl and fills another with water and places them in a corner under the counter. “Why doesn’t he have a cat bowl for you yet? And do you even have a litter box?”

The woman starts opening up all the doors in the apartment, looking for cat stuff.

“Oh, this needs to get fixed, pronto.”

I meow loudly at her.

“I don’t mean you silly. Although it looks like you are just about the right age.” Emma shook her head. “I bet Parson will fight it. He is such a man, but wait until you start spraying and getting aggressive, then I guarantee, snip, snip.”

Not in this lifetime babe.

“Let’s put together a list. Litter box, litter, litter scoop.” She walks over to my computer station and pulls out one of my neon pads.

I meow protest, walking over to her, batting at the pen in her hand.

“Oh, now you want to play.”

The woman reaches behind my ears and scritches me.

Oh.my.god. I can’t help but lean into it and purr.

“Who’s a good boy. Who’s a good boy.” She whispers back, drawing a hand down my spine, giving me tingle from one end to the other. I’ve never had another person around during one of these changes, and it is amazing. She picks me up and moves me to her lap. With her offhand, she keeps petting me and the other continues to write the shopping list.

I try to concentrate on interrupting her, but the petting!

PURRR

“Water bowl, food bowl, a scratching post.”

Yes, a scratching post, great idea.

“Maybe one of those feather things, would you like that?”

I rumble my approval.

“Oh, and dinner tonight. Some wet food. Chicken or beef?”

She stopped petting, waiting for an answer. I flip over and do at quick nip at her fingertips. Belly rubs commence.

“Right, beef. You are definitely Parson’s boy aren’t you? Beef for us, some mushrooms, bread, and garlic and butter. I should see if he has any of these. Ready to let me up yet?” She stopped moving her hand and the heavy thing pressed on my belly. I did not like that feeling at all. I bat at her hand, no claw, and she moves her hand. I flip and leap down.

“Well, thank you your highness.” She returned to the kitchette and opens the refrigerator door, looking inside. “I’m impressed, he actually has butter, eggs, bread, beer, more beer,” I hear her pull open the crisper drawer, “Lettuce? Yep, in the door I see Ranch dressing. He actually eats salad.”

Please, the lettuce is for my homemade hamburgers last week, and I keep the ranch for fried mushrooms.

“What’s in the freezer?”

Not liking her judgement on my lifestyle, I leap on the counter and knock over another one of yesterday’s mugs, this time on the carpet side. That one was from my dad and I would like to keep it.

“Oh no you didn’t.”

Emma comes over and gathers all the mugs and place them in the sink. Then walks around to pick up the last mug. “He is going to have to pick up after himself with you around. You are a handful.”

“But so cute.” She scritches the back of my head again. I swear my eyes roll back in my head. She lifts me up and holds me against her body. I can feel the heat and hear her heartbeat, and I close my eyes, purring. “Oh, you little angel. I wonder what he named you.”

I purr louder, just wanting her to shut up and let me rest. It’s been a long day after a long night.

“Purrson. Yeah, that is what I’m going to call you when he isn’t around.” She ran a hand down my back. “My little Purrson.”

I twist and bat her on the hand, this time with a little claw. Emma drops me and I race to my cave behind the futon.

She sucks at her hand. “Okay, Purrson is a no. We will work on something else. Maybe Little Shithead. Think on that while I go shopping.”

I glare from under the futon until she leaves.

(words 1,517, first published 10/2/22)

Purrson Series

  1. Naturally Nocturnal (9/26/21)
  2. Purrson (10/2/22)
  3. Phylactery (12/4/22)

Book Review (SERIES): Bubba the Monster Hunter Season 5

Erin Penn

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Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Bubba the Monster Hunter Season 5 (SERIES) by John G. Hartness

  1. Born to be Wilds
  2. Swamp Music
  3. Houses of the Holy
  4. Blaze of Glory

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for BLOOD, SWEAT, & TEARS

Bubba’s back from Fairyland, and sometimes it feels like they shoulda just stayed there!

Man, coming back to the real world sucks. Bubba and his whole team have been fired on account of going MIA for a year and a half (yeah, time moves differently in Faerie. Yay.), and now they’ve got to…get jobs? Oh, this is going to go well.

Blood, Sweat, & Tears tracks Bubba, Skeeter, Uncle Father Joe, and Amy as they re-enter society, get new jobs, almost burn down down the bar stupid enough to hire Bubba, end up owning a shifter crossfit gym, travel to Florida to learn way more about Uncle Father Joe’s new girlfriend than they ever thought they wanted to know, and then end up dealing with Quincy F’n Harker?!?

Yeah, that’s right. The Quincy Harker/Bubba crossover that you’ve all been waiting for happens right here, and the results are explosive, to say the least. No really, I’m not exaggerating. A lot of shit blows up. Because, well, Bubba.

MY REVIEW for BLOOD, SWEAT, & TEARS

Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Bubba the Monster Hunter Season 5 collects four novellas into one volume and hits a story out of the ballpark.

Born to be Wild – the perfect reintroduction of the cast after the year among the fairies. Gets our favorite redneck and his friends back on the saddle of doing what they do best – being in bars and blowing things up … sometimes both at the same time.

Swamp Music – another blast from the past where Father Joe’s girlfriend reaches out for help and Bubba delivers.

Houses of the Holy – Hartness writes two strong series which he said were placed in the same universe. Fans wanted a crossover – so Bubba goes to the Queen City. It’s not often Bubba is the backup team, but to stop an apocalyptic level spell he’s all for letting the wizard taking the lead. He’ll just sit back and guard a sword in a church. How hard can that be?

Blaze of Glory – Takes everything up a notch. Mr Card – sometimes known as Dracula – has gone off the reservation. One of the people the vampire cared deeply about died, and monster that he is, he normally doesn’t react well when that happens. For most beings, that might be a drinking spree — and for someone once called Vlad, a drinking spree has a very different connotation. Can Bubba find him in time? Or will something else find Bubba and his team first?

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for BORN TO BE WILD

He lost his job because he’s not exactly human. His girlfriend got fired just for dating him. His best friend…well, Skeeter’s okay, actually. It ain’t like this is a country song or anything.

Bubba the Monster Hunter is back from Fairyland and trying to figure out how he fits into the normal(ish) world again. He’s got a job as a bouncer at the Don’t Drop Inn, but that all goes up in smoke (way too literally) when his newest case comes waltzing in the front door with a mini zombie apocalypse in tow!

Bubba has to save a vampire from zombies and figure out who wants to make Caufield Evers Oglethorpe IV dead. Again. That investigation will involve magic, werewolves, rogue government agents, subcutaneous tracking devices, and crossfit. Just another day in the life of Bubba the unemployed Monster Hunter!

MY REVIEW for BORN TO BE WILD

4/21/2019 First Readthrough – At last, Season Five begins and we see Bubba back in his element.

Friends – including Skeeter’s high pitch voice in his ear!
Starting the story at a Bar!
Beating on people for fun and profit, killing bad things with high explosives, and deciding some bad guys just need talking to (after slugging a couple times).
Humor and wild tangents.
Taking his girl out to lunch and then visiting a necromancer for dessert.

Classic Bubba. I’ve missed you. Like fire ants in the Spring, makes me want to shout “Come and get some”.

2/27/2022 Second readthrough
Season five is complete and I carved out time to read it. This book is the perfect setup to the four novella series – reintroducing the characters, establishing their styles and methods, human and horror, blowing things up. The perfect beginning.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for SWAMP MUSIC

Bubba’s facing off against the most fearsome creature in history – Florida Man!

Well, not really. But kinda. Bubba’s hitting the road to to help a friend when Uncle Father Joe calls for aid. Bubba rolls into Orlando to help out the defrocked priest and his scientist/were-gator girlfriend, and ends up stumbling into something much bigger than even that giant lizard’s cloaca! Somebody’s hunting cryptids, and it ain’t him, so he needs to find out what’s going on back in them swamps, and why suddenly everybody is named Director Shaw?!?

Bubba will battle foes both human and cryptid, and some a little of both in this hilarious horror comedy novella. Season Five of Bubba the Monster Hunter continues with Swamp Music!

MY REVIEW for SWAMP MUSIC

This novella published in May 2020 – and is the perfect homage to the first half of the COVID, while still ALSO being the perfect Bubba book for crazy no-shit mayhem, while still ALSO being a continuation of character building and story progression of the overall story for the Bubba universe in the fifth season.

Born to Be Wild reestablished our hero and his team back on earth – reminding us what Southern Region Monster Hunting looks like. It was fun and lively, but not so deep on the characters.

Swamp Music picks up the action a pace, gives us additional depth and history of this long-running series when Father Joe needs help when his girlfriend’s cousin gets kidnapped. Now that he is an ex-priest … what is gonna happen with GF if the rescue is successful.

And that depends on Bubba dealing with a bunch of Florida weirdness including animal theme parks, were-gators, and keeping an eye on Geri who may still be itching to do a killin’.

Pitch perfect Bubba story. This is why we read Bubba stuff.

 

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for HOUSES OF THE HOLY

The long-anticipated Bubba/Quincy Harker crossover starts here!

Bubba is hired by the Department of Homeland Security to guard some relics in Charlotte, but there’s more going on than there seems. Doesn’t DHS have Quincy Harker, a mostly capable wizard type, right there in Charlotte? And Isn’t Bubba blacklisted from working for the government after DEMON decided they wanted to kill him? And didn’t he smear vampire guts all over College Street that last time he was in Charlotte?

Find out all this, and learn more about the nefarious Director Shaw’s plans for DEMON and world domination as Bubba the Monster Hunter meets up with members of Quincy Harker’s crew to stop the ultimate evil from going down in the Queen City!

Events in Houses of the Holy take place simultaneously with the Quincy Harker novel Conspiracy Theory.

MY REVIEW for HOUSES OF THE HOLY

The third novella of Bubba’s fifth season starts the core of the season’s story. In Born to be Wild and Swamp Music, Bubba was a little out of shape … okay, a lot out of shape. But he now owns a cross-fit gym so he started working out a bit and getting down to a fighting weight (if when you are “down” and still over 300 pounds can be counted as such – when you are over six and a half, it can). And good thing too.

Because Mr. Hartness, the author, did a fan service thing and had his two favorite characters meet. Quincy and Bubba in the same room.

Bubba is called to the Queen City (Charlotte, NC) from his Georgia stomping grounds to operate as the backup team during a little bit of apocalypse.

Normally Bubba is the “A” team, but he is okay to let this slide. Demons and spells and ending the world is more a Quincy thing. He and his team are happy to take the government paycheck … and sweet, sweet equipment.

Of course, being Bubba, he manages to get himself banned from a bar the first day. Next assignment has him guarding a sword inside a cathedral. Hope his day gets better – or EVERYONE’S day is going to get a lot worse.

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BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for BLAZE OF GLORY

The stunning conclusion to Bubba the Monster Hunter Season 5 is here!

Bubba and the team have been called to Charlotte to help the Department of Homeland Security on a job. Since being in North Carolina, Bubba has been tased, kidnapped, beaten silly, and met DEMON agents, actual demons, and an angel. Now he’s been hired to hunt down the literal most famous monster in history – Count Dracula.

Only problem is, Dracula’s nephew, the wizard Quincy Harker, doesn’t like the idea of Bubba hunting his family in his city.

Will Bubba and Harker finally throw down? Will Bubba get kidnapped and beaten up again? Will the be explosions?

That last one was a trick question. Of course there will be explosions! Get your hands on the thrilling conclusion to Bubba the Monster Hunter Season 5, because this one changes things forever!

MY REVIEW for BLAZE OF GLORY

Fourth and final novella of the fifth season of Bubba. This story overlaps with Mr. Hartness’ Quincy Hartness series but can be read without knowing all the background of the Quincy-verse.

What matters is the man the world once knew as Dracula just lost one of his favorite humans. When normal beings lose someone this close to violence, they go on drinking sprees. “Drinking spree” takes on new meaning when applied to the world’s most famous vampire. Bubba’s job is to bring him back before that becomes a problem.

But can he? Especially when while Monster Hunting, something is hunting him and his team. Can they all make it out alive? (or undead in one case.)

This is a masterpiece of a book with the laughter and tears only possible with a long-running series where you KNOW the characters.