Tag: werewolves

#BadMoonRising Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker (The Werewolf PI #2) by Wayne Turmel #thriller #paranormal #werewolves

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising26 Comments

This author made his BMR debut two years ago with the first book in his Johnny Lycan series, and he returns today with book two that releases in December. Saying Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror? Only at a snooty brunch. But he and The Candyman are acquaintances. Welcome Wayne Turmel!

Have you ever said Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror?

I know what you mean, but the only time I ever said Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror was at a snooty brunch in West Hollywood, and the waiter ignored me every time. Candyman, on the other hand, and I are on speaking terms.

Would you rather visit a haunted house or a haunted graveyard?

I’d much rather visit a graveyard. They are so much more atmospheric than haunted houses, there’s the smell of newmown grass, and there’s a lot more room for running, dodging and hiding when #%$#^ gets real.

Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?

The Dead Zone freaked me out when I read it the first time, and it still does today, maybe more so. It takes the old “what if you had a chance to kill Hitler?” question and brings it home. There are too many similarities to what’s going on now in the world. I’d rather take my chances with rabid Saint Bernards.

What books did you grow up reading?

I was—and am—bibliographically promiscuous. (I’m a book slut, I’ll read anything.) I grew up with a lot of classic “boy books,” Kim, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, and started reading adult books early. My mom let me read Jaws, because she was fine with me reading the blood and guts. She didn’t know there was a sex scene that left a mark.

Do you regret leaving out something in the final draft of any of your books?

My daughter has too much influence on my writing. When I wrote Acre’s Bastard, it was supposed to be a one-off, standalone book. I had a lovely epilogue saying what happened to Lucca after the Crusades. She told me if I left that in there and didn’t continue the series she wouldn’t look after me in my old age and would put me in a home when I got old. That wasn’t so bad, since I consider the sequel, Acre’s Orphans, some of my very best work.

I nearly ended the second Johnny Lycan book with a tantalizing sexy scenario, and her considered literary opinion was, “ewwwww.”

So, no threesome for Johnny. The world’s loss.

What are you working on now?

I am at about the third-way mark of the third Johnny Lycan adventure.  Fun creepiness and hijinks will ensue as he deals with a 400 year old witch finderand a haunted book. Oh and a buttload of rats.

The world’s favorite werewolf P.I. is off to Las Vegas. What could go wrong?

Life’s good for Johnny Lupul. He has a steady gig and a growing reputation as a guy who gets things done. He’s even learning to keep his Lycan side under control—mostly.

But when he’s sent to Sin City on a simple retrieval job, things go sideways. He bumps up against a coven of badass witches, a psychic pawn broker, and a mysterious enemy with a secret darker and more violent than his own.

“Like Jack Reacher with bite. Even more fun than the first installment.”

“Turmel has created a series that’s part detective noir, part urban fantasy, with plenty of snarky humor.”

Purchase Links

Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KQHJQ7D

Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker (preorder) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B89LQTKR

The Lucca Le Pou Stories (2 book set)  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8TV3YGB

Author Bio and Social Media

Wayne Turmel lives and writes in Las Vegas. He’s the author of 10 nonfiction books, but writes fiction to save what’s left of his sanity. He’s a former standup comic, car salesman and still a consultant since he needs to pay the rent. He lives with his wife, The Duchess, and Mad Max, Defender of the Realm, Scourge of Lizards, and Most Manly of Poodles. You can find him at www.WayneTurmel.com, on Twitter @Wturmel, and his Facebook author page

Twitter   @Wturmel

Facebook Author Page  https://www.facebook.com/Wayne-Turmel-Author-105157635590618

Blog and Website www.WayneTurmel.com

Amazon Author Page  https://www.amazon.com/Wayne-Turmel/e/B00J5PGNWU

Lobizona (Wolves of No World #1) by Romina Garber #bookreview #YA #fantasy #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews21 Comments

 

Some people ARE illegal.

Lobizonas do NOT exist.

Both of these statements are false.

Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who’s on the run from her father’s Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.

Until Manu’s protective bubble is shattered.

Her surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past–a mysterious “Z” emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to belong.

As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it’s not just her U.S. residency that’s illegal. . . .it’s her entire existence.

While this may be a fantasy novel, it deals with very real topics prevalent in today’s society.  And just look at that stunning cover!

Manu has never felt like she belonged anywhere.  She has no friends and very little family.  She’s rarely permitted to leave home, and you’ll empathize with her immediately.  Thrust into a frightening situation and fearing for the lives of her loved ones, Manu discovers she’s stronger than she knew, and you’ll root for her as she begins her journey.  The story parallels Harry Potter in some ways, and as an ardent fan of the books, Nau mentions them often.

Argentenian folklore is entwined with the world-building, which is fabulous and one of the things I enjoyed most.  One of the other positives is the supporting cast.  It’s rather extensive and can seem overwhelming at first, but the focus narrows by the middle of the book.

It’s difficult to give much of a review without revealing spoilers, but I’ll say this is a powerful story with several layers and a series I absolutely plan to continue.  Recommended for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong and struggled to find their path.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hood Academy by Shelley Wilson #bookreview #YA #urbanfantasy #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews18 Comments

Will she follow the pack…or destroy them?

A dead mother. A violent father. A missing brother.

When Mia’s father is murdered, it’s her estranged uncle that comes to the rescue, but what he offers her in return for his help could be worse than the life she is leaving behind.

Taken to Hood Academy, a unique school deep in the forest, she discovers friendships, love, and the courage to stand on her own.

Mia takes the oath that seals her future as a werewolf hunter, but not everyone wants Mia to succeed.

Screams in the night. Secret rooms. Hidden letters. Mia becomes an important piece in a game she doesn’t want to play.

Loyalty, friendships, and family bonds are tested as Mia discovers her true identity, but will the truth set her free, or will it destroy her? 

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book featuring werewolves (Twilight maybe?), so I was excited to get into this novel.  And the cover designer did a magnificent job at capturing readers’ attention.

This novel starts out with a heart-pounding sequence when Mia witnesses a werewolf killing her father.  From there, the plot takes off at a fast pace and rarely slows down.  Mia is a strong protagonist, occasionally leaping into action before thinking things through, and she’s suffered the loss of her mother, abuse from her father, and feels abandoned by her brother.  Without giving away spoilers, the author did a fantastic job at introducing conflict to the story, and Mia’s loyalties are pulled in several directions.

The transformation of human to werewolf is described in detail with vivid imagery, including both the immense pain involved and the feeling of power and animal instincts upon completion.  Being a science nerd, Sebastian’s research fascinated me, and this is an angle I haven’t seen explored in other werewolf books.  I also enjoyed the loyal friendship between Mia and Elizabeth and, lacking a female presence in her life since the death of her mother, her relationship with her teacher, Miss Ross.

Something I missed was more interaction between Mia and a character from her past who turns up again.  In the beginning of part two of the book, part one was summarized, giving the impression of two separate books being combined.  As I read an ARC, this is something that may change in the final version.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced urban fantasy with likeable characters and strong friendships, add Hood Academy to your TBR.  It also boasts some pretty cool werewolves!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.