Jeff GunhusReviews
Author of Jack Templar Monster Hunter
Reviews
By Jeff Gunhus
This is one of those rare middle grade books that crosses the age barrier and is enjoyable to many people! The boy Jack, is turning 14 and doesn't realize what that means. He is an orphan and raised by his aunt. He is clueless about the real monsters that is hidden in plain sight. It's the day before his birthday and he feels different. Stronger, faster, and his reflexes are faster. His body is preparing to fight. Because the whole monster community has been waiting for years to kill Jack Templar on his 14th birthday!
It was so entertaining! Even for this old lady!
Thirteen year old Caroline lost her father, her friend, and her grief is overwhelming. She does have her mother, who has her own struggles with her own loss, Abby and her Aunt Betty, but nothing fills the void.
When she fell from the tree, she entered a world that would open her eyes as she finds her way through her sorrow. Her adventure will take her back to herself.
I feel this is a book everyone who has suffered a loss would benefit from. Even in sadness there is happiness, smiles with the tears…
May you feast on your dreams
If you check out Jeff Gunhus, you will see why this book came to be. It may be a middle grade read, but I feel it holds a wonderful message for us all.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Caroline & Mordecai The Gand by Jeff Gunhus.
See more at http://www.fudinmental.com
I usually don’t read fantasy book but this one is so different than others I have attempted to read. The characters are so wonderfully created and I enjoyed their development throughout the story. There is a lot going on in this book, too much to tell but I encourage you to try this one. It’s special in that Gunhus writes this for his children after his diagnosis of stage 3 cancer, just in case he didn’t survive. He makes sure his children, as well as any child that looses someone they love, will find peace and help in those dark times in their life. And the ending was a Wow moment for me. I love how Jeff Gunhus weaves everything together and comes up with this special ending. This book is a Five Stars for me. And it deserves more!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Caroline and Mordecai the Gand will be getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I would highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading fantasy and magical books. It is listed for readers who are eight years old and up, but I thought it could be for any age. It is, also, a good book for those who are experiencing the grief of losing someone they love. I would be interested in reading more by Jeff Gunhus in the future.
I received a digital copy of Caroline and Mordecai the Gand from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Caroline And Mordecai The Gand opens with a letter from Caroline written to her son. It describes certain events in her life, beginning shortly after her father died when she was 13 years old. Still grieving and feeling responsible for her father’s death, Caroline’s life changes with the opening of a magical window…
Audio Narration: Sarah L. Colton’s voice is soothing and pleasant.
Audio Production Quality: The production quality of this audiobook is clear with no distracting noises.
Overall Opinion: This is an entertaining, meaningful, and moving adventure story with themes of love, loss, grief, and healing. Recommended for anyone, young or old, who has experienced loss.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
A Scott and Mara Roberts Thriller #2
Omega is the threat…and Alpha Team, undercover operative group, is to find and take Omega down. Mara and Scott Roberts are on the team though Mara has taken some much-needed time off only to be called in before she was ready. Why? Omega is to be put on the back burner because a dangerous Russian spy everyone thought was dead has surfaced twenty years after he was supposedly buried. Will they be able to take down the spy? Will Omega be seen? Will Scott and Mara survive to show up in another book? Hopefully, they will.
Action-packed, global travel, plenty of bad guys to deal with and the hope that good will thwart evil in this book that is not the end of the series. I loved book one in this series and the opening scene of this book was intense and then I had to suspend belief a bit as the story continued. I am not thrilled with religious zealots and people out to end the world…perhaps because it seems to hit too close to home this year and where I live in the Middle East. The writing was well done, and the story flowed easily with a few flashbacks here and there with twist, turns and surprises as well.
Did I enjoy this book? For the most part
Would I read more in this series? I think so
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
I read about 70%, then skipped to the last couple chapters because I DID want to know how it ended, but just didn't want to read all the way through.
I believe the author has only recently made the transition from YA novels - the skill is there, and I would absolutely try another by him due to the creative plot and scene descriptions.
* Mara: tough cookie who knew what her priorities and truths were...or thought she did.
* Two men in the story that I won’t name BUT will say that I thoroughly admired by the end of the book
* The twists and turns I did not see coming
* The writing
* The plot and pace of the story
* Not wanting to say goodbye to the characters when I read the last page
What I did not like:
* The people and group I was meant not to like
* The fact that some people can be so brainwashed or deluded in believing the things they sometimes do
* What those deluded people, just mentioned, are willing to do to further their aims
Did I like this book? I really did
Would I read more by this author/in this series? As soon as I can!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
The cover and synopsis of this book sounded creepy, and I love creepy! I'm always after a great horror novel, and this was definitely didn't disappoint. In fact, it reminded me a lot of Richard Laymon's novels except a lot better (and Richard Laymon is one of my favorite horror authors).
How creepy is that cover!?! (Hint: the answer is very)! I'm not sure who the little girl is on the cover. I thought it may be Melissa (not going into details due to spoilers), but I could be wrong. Still, the cover definitely grabbed my attention.
I don't really know how the title pertains to the story, but it's definitely a creepy title nonetheless.
The world building was done very well which is what makes this story that much spookier. Gunhus does a fantastic job making the readers believe that something like this could actually happen. Not once did I doubt anything in the story line. I felt that all my questions were answered throughout the book except one question about Max although it's not relevant to the story.
The pacing reels you in from the very first sentence. I devoured this book, and it held my attention very much so throughout the whole book. Never once does it slow down or go too fast that I don't know what's going on.
The plot was super spooky! The idea that a stranger with supernatural powers is trying to kidnap your child, and no one believes what you say even though it's the truth is definitely frightening. While it's probably been done before, Gunhus takes the idea and nurtures it, giving it wings to grow into something horrorific. There were some good plot twists although I did predict one early on. The ending of the book leaves it open to become a series although you can read this book as a standalone. However, if there is another book, I definitely will be reading it!
I thought the characters were very well written. Jack came across as a very devoted dad. At first, I did doubt his sanity, and I did wonder if he was hallucinating, but he quickly quashed those ideas. I loved how Jack was willing to do whatever it took to save Sarah and keep his family together. I found Nate Huckley to be an awesome bad guy although simply referring to him as "bad guy" seems so wrong because he is so much more. Huckley is intelligent, witty, and knows exactly what he wants. I found him to be scary mostly due to how he could be anywhere he wanted no matter what. He could also make people do whatever he wanted them too. He's definitely one of my favorite baddies in a book. My favorite character, however, was Joseph Lonetree. I loved how hardcore he came across although he proved to be a big softie. I understood his need to do what he did. Lonetree didn't take any crap from anyone.
I enjoyed the dialogue and found that it flowed smoothly and freely. I mostly enjoyed reading about Jack though. There is some swear words as well as violence and gore so be warned if that's not your thing.
Overall, Night Chill is a creepy story that leaves you wondering what if this really did and has been happening. The plot is fantastic, the world building spooky, and the characters amazing!
I'd recommend this book to those aged 18 who are fans of classic horror and for fans of writers such as Richard Laymon.
(I received this title in ebook format for free from the tour host in exchange for a fair and honest review).
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khal_khaleesi | 12 other reviews | Nov 16, 2019 |
khal_khaleesi | 12 other reviews | Nov 16, 2019 | Jack is just an average guy. He loves his wife and his daughters. Like any great father, he'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. But how do you fight against what you can't understand? I was rooting for Jack with each page that I read. Despite the guilt hanging over his head, he was such a good guy. He's one of those characters that you can't help but want to succeed, even when he isn't sure he will.
In fact, what I really liked about this book was that it showed the way humanity reacts to events they can't explain. Shrugging off odd occurrences, jumping on any explanation that comes their way, and unintentionally skewing events to suit their needs. It was so heartbreaking to see a family slowly understand that something more was at stake. Jack's story wasn't only terrifying because of the paranormal aspect, but because it dealt with a real life family.
I actually can't even pinpoint what made this a four star read for me instead of a five. It's quite possible that I have standards that are entirely too high right now, because honestly? This book is pretty fabulous. If you're a fan of Horror novels, of the kinds of books that keep you up at night, this is a read you'll love. I'll leave you with that.
Gypsy Blood is my first book by Jeff Gunhus, and I am pleased to say I enjoyed my first climb down into the secret underground world and hidden crypts of Paris.
Witnessing a horrific attack on an old gypsy man, Gregor, lead protagonist Corbin goes to his rescue, but when he is attacked himself and gypsy blood gets into his mouth strange things start to happen to him. It's not long before he discovers the new blood in his body carries part of the man’s tortured
soul and it opens up a whole new world he never knew existed.
I thought the infected gypsy blood idea was a really cool concept, and I enjoyed the part the Romani woman Margot had to play, as the the mysterious lady who possibly knows more than she first lets on. How much of her being there is just a coincidence? Or is she more connected than we are first lead to believe?
I also really liked how we heard about Corbin's past, the sad loss of his daughter Rose, and how she was later used against him to complicate matters even more. Even the albino Alexis the baddie was intriguing enough for me to feel sorry for him and Les Fantomes de la Nuit at times. That's quite clever, getting me to sympathise with the antagonist. I was equally excited at how Detective Maurice Besson's character progressed, and he got more involved than he needed to, through no choice of his own.
Maybe there could have been a few more horror elements added, however, those it
did have were fun to read, and the sewer scenes made me want to puke. I found the end of the book to be quite satisfying and enjoyed how it became the beginning of a story for one couple. Plus it was nice to see Corbin start writing again. (I'd like to read that story, too!) In fact, there was a real sense of peace at the end, as the subplots gathered together for their final conclusion, and everything came to a breathtaking close where I could finally breathe again!
Overall, the characters were well developed and the story encompassed an exciting mixture of thriller, adventure, horror with a strong supernatural theme throughout. I'm certainly enticed enough to read more of Gunhus' books, as this was a fast and enjoyable read for me.
Thank you to Jeff Gunhus and Xpressso Book Tours for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of what I thought of this story.
Corbin is sitting at a cafe minding his own business, suffering writers block and trying to come up with something, when in walks a dame. Sounds cliche, but Margo is not just any dame.
The death of the old man brings about strange happenings, strange men, and danger with a capital D, which will dog his every step.
I think I know what will happen, but Jeff doesn’t make it so simple. This is so not what I was expecting and I do love surprises when it comes to my reading material.
Evil oozes off the pages and I wonder if they will make it out alive and in what shape they will be in, if they do. Corbin and Margo must work together, though neither trusts the other.
I thought Stephen King writes great stories of raising the dead, but he has nothing on Jeff Gunhus in Gypsy Blood and if you are a horror lover, like I am, this is one book and author you will want on your reading list.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Gypsy Blood by Jeff Gunhus.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Corbin isn't the only victim of the war. A woman named Margot and police detective Besson are also involved in circumstances beyond their control. Everyone has their own agenda and no matter who wins the war between the cults the result will be mass destruction from a supernatural event.
Gypsy Blood by Jeff Gunhus is a paranormal thriller that starts with a simple idea and expands into a complex tale about morals, making choices, dealing with a horrific past and hope for a new beginning. I loved how the three main characters in this book all have points where they do something bad but they also attempt to do what's right. Even the villains in the book show that they have a compassionate side. When you hear their back stories you understand why they are how they are, even though you may not agree with them.
One of my favorite scenes was when we hear the backstory of Alexis who is the head of the Fantomes de la Nuit. At this point in the book you see him as pure evil but as you hear his story you understand him more and see where he is coming from. At one point Alexis hears about the T'acho Rasa torturing his people, Alexis has committed some horrible acts himself but you see the anguish he experiences over how his people are treated and your opinion of him changes. The lead character Corbin starts to feel empathy for him but then decides that Alexis isn't worthy of redemption. This left me as the reader wondering: "Is he really not worthy of redemption? There are moments in the book where you experience that for all the characters and even the characters wonder if they are worthy of it. The characters in Gypsy Blood are fascinating and as you read on they show you that there is more to them then you see in the beginning of the story.
I also love the exotic settings of Gypsy Blood with parts of it set in the Paris Catacombs and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The settings adds a certain mood and the book comes across as highly original since it focuses on history that I only knew very little about. You learn about how badly the Romani people were treated and how African Albinos are used for their body parts because people believe that they're bones are magic.You see how certain people are affected by this and you feel for them even when the victims become villains. Jeff Gunhus has written an action packed character driven thriller that you'll find hard to put down.
Mr. Gunhus plays on some current public fears, but these are fears I do not share so the book does not rouse any emotions. The text is well enough written, but the elaborate scheme the madman cooks up is unneeded – squirrels with howitzers. He could have done something similar with far less work. The insanity of the bad guy did not ring true either.
I received a review copy of "Resurrection America" by Jeff Gunhus (Seven Guns Press) directly from the author.
Rachel Ames suffers from writer’s block. With her two best friends, Underwood and Daniels strapped into the passenger seat, she heads to an isolated cabin. As she gets closer and closer, something feels off. Not just right. But there’s nothing she can put her finger on.
The landlord, John, seems nice, and may be interested. He keeps bringing food and checking on her. The idea of messing around soon skittles out of her mind---she’s a married woman after all. There is another cabin across the lake, a gnarly old codger named Granger, who is ticked off at the world. Then there are the sounds…every time she lets her mind go quiet, the sounds of an intense fire and sirens can almost be heard. Is she near a forest fire?
One night, the cabin is attacked by a large bird and a wolf. But when Rachel finally gets up the courage to go outside and investigate, there are no bodies, no blood, no broken glass, nothing.
Soon she begins to question her sanity…yet something tells her it isn’t her.
Don’t want to give anymore away, but the last scene had me gasping. I feel lucky I didn’t have nightmares!
The book’s premise is the Jack Tremont has moved his family (wife Lauren, daughters Becky and Sarah) from California to the mountains of Western Maryland. The family, especially Jack, needed to start over after a horrible accident.
The book opens with the abduction of an eighteen-year-old girl by one of the novel’s central characters, Nate Huckley. This isn’t the first young woman/girl who has been one of Huckley’s victims. The story shifts to Jack and his daughters as he picks them up from school. After dropping the girls off for a play date, he goes to a local bar to console a friend who has a dying child. An ensuing rainstorm causes the gruesome death of a local n’er-do-well. (It’s closing in on bedtime as I finish this chapter, but knowing sleep won’t come easy, I read some more.)
The next few chapters are the most terrifying I have ever read. Since everyone hates spoilers, let’s just say you should read this in the daytime.
The Tremont’s have been living in Prescott City for a year now, but they had no idea of the evil secrets they were about to encounter. It seems like everyone in town is involved, from the sheriff to the bartender.
Before Night Chill, Gunhus has written a YA series in order to induce his son to read. That this is his first adult novel may be more terrifying than the book----he’ll get better as he writes, I’m sure.
I give Night Chill 5 out of 5 stars.
But now he’s turned to a new genre, the political thriller. In Killer Pursuit, the second in the Allison McNeil series, Gunhus takes on serial killers, FBI agents, and prostitutes in Washington, D.C.
High society call-girl, Catherine Fews, is brutally murdered in her Georgetown home. While Catherine is being dismembered, Allison is about to gun down another bad guy.
The D.C. detectives who are investigating Catherine’s death find not one, but two, cameras hidden in her bedroom walls. One is a traditional, security-like camera that has had its memory erased. The other is a highly sophisticated device that “is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection…and no one knows who’s on the other end.” Hence the FBI’s involvement.
As the news of Catherine’s death travels through the city, many high profile politicians start to sweat, especially the man most likely to be the next President of the United States.
Because of the nature of the crime, the FBI Director asks Allison to run an off-the-record investigation. Seems this case is similar to the one in the first book, Killer Within, which justifies Allison’s probe. I haven’t read the first book. When Gunhus refers to that case, he does an excellent job in supplying the details the reader needs.
Killer Pursuit is a good read, not a great read, which is why I give it 4 out of 5 stars. It had a strong plot (the killer was a surprise). The writing was good, the pacing was excellent. The dialogue was natural and flowed well, and the characters were well-developed. However, there just wasn’t’ anything to set the novel apart from the hundreds that are already out there.
I received this book through a random giveaway. Although encouraged as a courtesy to provide feedback, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
However, for a select few members of community, the reality of what actually happened so long ago still haunts them. Sixteen-year-old Sarah Tremont and her family's recovery has been very slow; Sarah was abducted ten years ago by a bloodthirsty cult and very nearly sacrificed to an ancient entity known as the Source. For Jack and Lauren Tremont - Sarah's parents - the knowledge that so many of their friends and neighbors were actually child murderers is horrific, but it is also knowledge they are willing to keep to themselves for the sake of the grieving families who were left behind; as revealing such gruesome information would only cause immeasurable anguish to people who knew absolutely nothing about their loved ones murderous and bloodthirsty double lives.
As far as her parents are concerned, Sarah's memories of her kidnapping and near death were mercifully blocked, and she can't remember anything of what happened to her. The truth is that Sarah remembers every last detail of her abduction and knows that she almost died, but since it eases her parents' minds to believe that Sarah has forgotten such a traumatic event, she is glad to give her parents some peace after what they all survived. In reality, her abduction has awakened an immense power within Sarah, one which she struggles to control to the best of her ability.
Determined not to frighten her parents, Sarah keeps her powers to herself and tries to be a normal teenager. However, as much as she has tried to suppress the power inside of her, it has grown dangerously strong and has drawn the attention of those who want to possess her power for themselves. The nightmare that she once believed was over, begins again as powerful forces descend upon Prescott City to seek her out.
Now, with her parents help and the help of an ex-Navy SEAL named Joseph Lonetree - someone who knows all about the evilness that was unleashed by that mine collapse ten years ago - Sarah must stand up to an evil much stronger and infinitely more powerful than the one she faced in the caves a decade earlier. But in the end, she discovers the greatest danger just might come from the power living inside of her.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story was very well-written, although certainly very shocking in some of the imagery that was created. I was completely immersed in the story by the end of the first chapter, and wrapped up in the Tremont family's plight. These characters were so well-developed and I avidly wanted to know what would happen to them next.
Night Terror can be read as a standalone, perhaps, because Night Chill is referenced so strongly; but I think I may have enjoyed reading Night Chill first - although, that's only because I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to reading books in a series. I give Night Terror by Jeff Gunhus a definite A!
At first, I was a bit confused, because I didn’t read the blurb, just saw Jeff Gunhus and knew I wanted to read it. This is horror of the human kind.
Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus begins when Rick goes to the mine to check on Manny, who was unresponsive on the radio. He ran into an electrified fence that wasn’t supposed to be there. Something smells rotten to me!
Rick carries a lot of baggage from his time spent as a marine in Iraq. His feelings of guilt weigh him down and his emotions create tough times and difficult relationships.He will need all his skills as sheriff.
Resurrection America is one of those books that rings so true, it will stick with me for a long time and it terrifies me of what a government, who is supposed to take care of its people, is capable of doing.
Keefer…well, right now the jury is still out. Is he a good guy? A bad guy? Is he a rogue? A terrorist?
I read the part about the mine shaft and my jaw dropped open as I thought WTF, Jeff! The evil and horror oozes off my Kindle and I thought I’d have to wipe it to down to continue reading.
Funny how someone is quick to sacrifice a life…as long as it isn’t his.
The future is in technology. What if one person had control of all of it? We have seen proof of the danger involved, in our current lives. Jeff hit so many buttons, so much that could come true…couldn’t it?…with the levels of greed, secrecy, conspiracy and megalomania going on today. We should be leery, fearful and INFORMED. Seek out the truth for yourself. Be vigilant.
We definitely live in interesting times.
The ending…WOW, Jeff. You have a way of surprising me, right to the very end.
So thought provoking, I will be thinking of this for a very long time.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus.
The story introduces you to Rachel, on her way to a writing retreat. She's literally a struggling author and looking to make something of herself. She became popular with the critics due to an odd situation with an instructor, but nothing she followed up with could maintain her success. That's not her real problem. She's seeing things in her rented cabin and a nearby local displays disturbing behavior, that causes Rachel to question her sanity and safety.
From a nosy neighbor to a huge, black man sweeping the forest, Rachel can't make head nor tail of what's happening around her. She can't remember things, she's struck with an immovable case of Writer's Block, and wolves along with monsterous birds are attacking. What can Rachel do for solitude and a peace of mind?
Let me just say, I didn't get this novella quite figured out- but I was close! It was baffling and funny to be honest, but not in a 'ha ha' way. At first I wanted to get mad because she was allowing things to take place that no one in their right mind would allow. Then I wanted her to just take some steps that could clear things up immediately- but she didn't! Then when things began to make sense, I was like, "Ahhh-ha! That shoulda happened!"
There is one part where I nearly cried- no lie. My heart breaks when situtiaons, like the one in this story; you'll know it. Anyone with a heart would take on The Feels, but I can't say much more- just know it's heart-wrenching. Gunhus has a gift for description and emotion. He writes with precision and gives only what's necessary to keep the reader hooked, eager to know what's coming next. Because of Rachel's reactions to situation, I continuously grew upset, but that's what interested (frustrated) me, yet kept me turning the pages. I love that with a book.
It really is hard to say much more without giving SPOILERS! What I can say is The Torment of Rachel Ames is a story with a much deserved ending. And if you're lucky enough to see it coming, you'll probably react like I did: So sad, but deserving....
I'm off to the next read. Have an amazing day!
http://www.areneehunt.com
Thirteen year old Caroline lost her dad a month ago and isn't able to cope with her grief. Nothing seems to help lessen the pain. One day, during a solo sojourn in the nearby woods, she discovers a window over a lake. While trying to peer inside it from atop an old oak tree, she falls inside and discovers a whole other world. The first "person" she encounters is Mordecai the Gand, who seems to be friendly but hiding his own secrets. What follows is a journey with Mordecai in this strange land, with surreal creatures and difficult situations. It's a journey of pain and courage, of self-discovery and self-realisation, of choices and compulsions.
The entire story is presented in the form of a letter that forty year old Caroline is writing for her son after she has been diagnosed with cancer. This is based on the author's own experience as he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. As he reveals on his introduction, he was worried about leaving behind his wife and 5 children, and "didn’t want them to forget all our wonderful years together built on laughter and joy and love." He wrote the book as a kind of moral guide to help his children deal with his death. (Glad to report that the author is cancer-free for five years now.) This story wasn't meant for public eyes. But because he received a positive response from his family and friend circle, the author decided to publish this book. Good for us!
The entire story goes at a relaxed pace, as if the author understands that concentration is difficult during times of grief. Caroline's pain feels very real and raw. And in times such as the present days, when everyone knows at least one person who has died because of covid, it becomes very easy to identify with that searing emptiness of the heart. We progress along with Caroline and learn from her experiences. And at the end, we realise that what the book says about grief is true. What does the book say? Read it to find out.
There are many beautiful lines in this book. Here are my top three favourites:
❤️ ‘Why’ is almost always the right question. If we try to understand other people’s why, then we have a better chance of understanding our own along the way.
❤️ People who wait for something to happen rarely have anything happen to them at all. Not the best way to solve a problem.
❤️ Those in the habit of calling things impossible often prove themselves right, but only at the expense of achieving the implausible
4.5 stars from me to this delightful and meaningful read.
Thank you, BookSirens and author Jeff Gunhus, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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