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Gnome Wars - a short tale
When Doug Baker moved into a new apartment, the last thing he expected to inherit was a gnome with a nasty temper claiming squatter's rights. Doug has tried everything to get rid of the gnome but the little bugger refuses to leave. Now it's war. And Doug is just about at the end of his rope until he meets Trina, a kooky chick who claims to have the answer to all his problems.
Have you hugged your gnome today?
From the author of the Stacy Justice Mystery series.
Have you hugged your gnome today?
From the author of the Stacy Justice Mystery series.
21 pages, ebook
First published March 10, 2011
48 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Barbra Annino
35 books620 followersBarbra Annino writes about strong women with a flair for humor and a penchant for trouble. Her bestselling Stacy Justice Mysteries books have hit the top ten in the Amazon charts multiple times, with Opal Fire claiming the #1 slot in the entire store. Check out her Everafter series if you like grown up fairy tales, and Fury Rising for a steamy urban fantasy. Sign up for freebies, exclusive content, release dates, and fun stuff at www.authorbarbraannino.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 24, 2011
Very funny, and a very cute ending, with a little twist, and a wee little Brownie-sized cliffhanger (which I hope means there will be more.) This little short story (about 20 pages,) was a diabolical little tale about sharing living space with a little tyrant with an agenda.
In some ways it reminded me of "Spook" by Peter S. Beagle. If not quite as polished, in some ways it was just as much fun. A great little read and $1 well spent. This would be FABULOUS as an illustrated story.
In some ways it reminded me of "Spook" by Peter S. Beagle. If not quite as polished, in some ways it was just as much fun. A great little read and $1 well spent. This would be FABULOUS as an illustrated story.
June 3, 2011
This was about as funny as it gets for a believer in the evil of gnomes like me. Oh, and it was good, too.
November 10, 2011
Hysterical! Review coming soon!
January 19, 2012
This short read pits Leroy, a misunderstood "brownie," against Doug, the owner of Leroy's dwelling. It's difficult to say too much without giving away the surprises and endearing moments of this read. It offers a very fast glimpse into the life of the "wee folk" and tickles the imagine to ponder what you would do if you found one living in your home.
Although it is a self-proclaimed short tale, I was left wanting more. I didn't want Leroy's antics, nor his "friendship" with Doug to end. And with some unanswered questions lingering, I feel as though I've been teased without the promise of fulfillment. I hope Annino will write future stories including Leroy and the characters from this short story. I see even a full-length novel (heck, a whole series) in the brownie's future!
Tip: This short does include several swear/curse words. They're appropriate for the tone of the characters and do not detract from the story, but felt it important to mention for prospective readers who may not be aware the words are present.
Although it is a self-proclaimed short tale, I was left wanting more. I didn't want Leroy's antics, nor his "friendship" with Doug to end. And with some unanswered questions lingering, I feel as though I've been teased without the promise of fulfillment. I hope Annino will write future stories including Leroy and the characters from this short story. I see even a full-length novel (heck, a whole series) in the brownie's future!
Tip: This short does include several swear/curse words. They're appropriate for the tone of the characters and do not detract from the story, but felt it important to mention for prospective readers who may not be aware the words are present.
February 24, 2014
"Leroy shot up, delivered a roundhouse kick to my shin, and returned to the coffee table. “Ouch! You stupid lawn jockey. Can’t we just flush him down the toilet?” I said, rubbing my leg. Leroy mooned me. I picked up the lamp and was about to implant it in his ass when Trina shouted, “Stop it! Both of you.”"
Gnome Wars is lovely little story that is great if your're looking for a quick and yet compelling read to pass the time but that will not keep you awake at night wondering what it all means. It lacks depth. And even though it did not have me laugh out loud, it does have some amusing parts - and I unashamedly side with Leroy much more than with Doug.
Review first posted at BookLikes:
http://brokentune.booklikes.com/post/...
Gnome Wars is lovely little story that is great if your're looking for a quick and yet compelling read to pass the time but that will not keep you awake at night wondering what it all means. It lacks depth. And even though it did not have me laugh out loud, it does have some amusing parts - and I unashamedly side with Leroy much more than with Doug.
Review first posted at BookLikes:
http://brokentune.booklikes.com/post/...
March 11, 2011
I loved this!! Very funny!
November 21, 2011
Oh how I LOVED reading this little tale!!!! I would dearly love to read more about Doug and Leroy's family. If you're in the search for an adorable story to read I highly suggest this one.
December 22, 2011
Omg this was the cutest story ever. I laughed throughout the entire thing. I sure hope there will be more
June 26, 2012
This was a fun short read and I loved every minute. I would love to read more about LeRoy.
November 14, 2012
Cute short read. I would like to see what the author does with a full length.
February 17, 2014
It's okay. I felt it was trying to hard for the humor. Good ending though, so I'm bumping it up a star because I can't leave half stars.
September 18, 2024
The most HILARIOUS book EVER WRITTEN!😆😂
Kudos to Barbara Annino! This book had me laughing so hard I almost peed my pants! I recommend this to anyone who has a bad day at work, A good day at work, or just wants to laugh!
Kudos to Barbara Annino! This book had me laughing so hard I almost peed my pants! I recommend this to anyone who has a bad day at work, A good day at work, or just wants to laugh!
January 26, 2022
Funny short tale that leaves you wanting more.
August 30, 2022
A short story with magical elements.
Not a sweet fairy tale.
Not a sweet fairy tale.
June 3, 2023
Quite fun!
This was a really fun read and I would love to see more from this line of work. I'm such a fan of this author.
This was a really fun read and I would love to see more from this line of work. I'm such a fan of this author.
April 29, 2017
When Doug Baker moved into his new apartment, the last thing he expected was to inherit a gnome with a nasty temper and a serious case of territorial jealousy. But that's exactly what he got with Leroy. Apparently the little troublemaker saw absolutely nothing wrong with misplacing Doug's keys, hiding the remote control for the television and cracking the refrigerator door open just long enough to allow the milk to spoil.
Doug has tried just about everything he can think of to get rid of the annoying little pest, but Leroy refuses to leave. Between having to walk three miles back to his apartment in the freezing rain, because Leroy snagged his wallet and left Doug with no bus fare; to shelling out one hundred bucks to his irate landlord when a heavy, very expensive glass paperweight is mysteriously hurled through a window; to getting punched in the gut by his girlfriend when she discovers a strategically placed earring beside his bathroom sink - Doug is convinced that Leroy is a menace, although he can't for the life of him figure out why the blasted gnome is causing him such grief.
Determined to get rid of Leroy once and for all, Doug is just about at the end of his rope when he meets Trina. She may seem to be one sandwich shy of a full picnic, but the cute, bouncy shop owner claims to have the answer to all his problems. The Realm of the Fae is about to be unveiled, and for Doug Baker, there will be no turning back.
First of all, let me tell you that despite the humorous plot and fairy-tale like quality of the story, this book may not be to everyone's taste. I must admit that I was looking for something fast and fun to read, when I picked up Gnome Wars: A Short Tale on Thursday night. To be perfectly honest, I've been somewhat stalled with my reading for the past couple of days - not too badly - but just enough to know that I need a tiniest bit of a nudge into March.
I've never read anything by Barbra Annino before, although I may have some more of her books on my TBR pile, I'll have to see. Anyway, I certainly found what I was looking for with this book. It was funny, fast-paced, and left me wanting more Adventures of the Fae Realm. I give this book an A!
Doug has tried just about everything he can think of to get rid of the annoying little pest, but Leroy refuses to leave. Between having to walk three miles back to his apartment in the freezing rain, because Leroy snagged his wallet and left Doug with no bus fare; to shelling out one hundred bucks to his irate landlord when a heavy, very expensive glass paperweight is mysteriously hurled through a window; to getting punched in the gut by his girlfriend when she discovers a strategically placed earring beside his bathroom sink - Doug is convinced that Leroy is a menace, although he can't for the life of him figure out why the blasted gnome is causing him such grief.
Determined to get rid of Leroy once and for all, Doug is just about at the end of his rope when he meets Trina. She may seem to be one sandwich shy of a full picnic, but the cute, bouncy shop owner claims to have the answer to all his problems. The Realm of the Fae is about to be unveiled, and for Doug Baker, there will be no turning back.
First of all, let me tell you that despite the humorous plot and fairy-tale like quality of the story, this book may not be to everyone's taste. I must admit that I was looking for something fast and fun to read, when I picked up Gnome Wars: A Short Tale on Thursday night. To be perfectly honest, I've been somewhat stalled with my reading for the past couple of days - not too badly - but just enough to know that I need a tiniest bit of a nudge into March.
I've never read anything by Barbra Annino before, although I may have some more of her books on my TBR pile, I'll have to see. Anyway, I certainly found what I was looking for with this book. It was funny, fast-paced, and left me wanting more Adventures of the Fae Realm. I give this book an A!
March 30, 2019
Short read
Really good and funny short read! Little bit of a twist at the end, which is definitely not what you would expect from the start. The only problem that I had was that it was just too short! I needed more before it ended!
Really good and funny short read! Little bit of a twist at the end, which is definitely not what you would expect from the start. The only problem that I had was that it was just too short! I needed more before it ended!
January 10, 2014
Did you know a gnome is not the same as a brownie? You did? Well, I didn’t! And neither did Doug, the main character in this delightfully charming little novella. And seeing as his life is being made a living hell by the gnome living in his apartment, he sure as heck doesn’t care if it's a brownie or a gnome; he just wants it gone.
Admittedly, life can’t be easy living with a housemate who’s hiding your remote, moving your keys, peeing in your shoes, and doing oodles of really nasty things to make your habitat more like living in “the Bowels of Hell”, and even has you spending a night in the ER. Nope, the apartment just isn’t big enough for Doug and mischievous nineteen-inch tall Leroy. One of them has to go.
“Gnome Wars” is a marvelously hilarious and fun ten-minute read. It had me doubled over with laughter, and the ending left me grinning. This was a good introduction for me to Barbra Annino’s writing and I’ve enjoyed every second thereof. I’m excitedly looking forward to reading more of her books.
Five stars and a well deserved standing ovation!
Admittedly, life can’t be easy living with a housemate who’s hiding your remote, moving your keys, peeing in your shoes, and doing oodles of really nasty things to make your habitat more like living in “the Bowels of Hell”, and even has you spending a night in the ER. Nope, the apartment just isn’t big enough for Doug and mischievous nineteen-inch tall Leroy. One of them has to go.
“Gnome Wars” is a marvelously hilarious and fun ten-minute read. It had me doubled over with laughter, and the ending left me grinning. This was a good introduction for me to Barbra Annino’s writing and I’ve enjoyed every second thereof. I’m excitedly looking forward to reading more of her books.
Five stars and a well deserved standing ovation!
May 3, 2015
I thought that this was pretty good. It was well written and well edited. The narrator was amusing. I liked his tone and the way he was sometimes painfully honest about things. The story looks like it will be interesting. Please note the will be. This story is only 21 pages long and ends on what some might call a cliff hanger, though I think that's an abuse of the term. A fairly important event occurs, opening a whole new can of worms and then the story ends on something along the lines of 'well, that's another story.' I always find that dissatisfying, but especially so in a short story.
January 3, 2014
I giggled. Now, I am not a giggle girl, but I. Giggled. FUNNY!
Gnome Wars (Adventures of the Fae Realm) by Barbra Annino was a giggle a minute, and I loved it. Very short, only 19 pages, the story of Leroy the Gnome (OK, OK, he is a Brownie, but Dang, he sure Looks like a Garden Gnome) and his poor apartment-mate, Doug, is hysterical.
Shorts are a great way to meet new authors and meeting Barbra this way was a perfect introduction to her work. It is funny, free, and well worth the short amount of time it took to read it. And I will absolutely be looking into her works more closely.
I think I will try My Guardian Idiot next – how fun does THAT sound?
Gnome Wars (Adventures of the Fae Realm) by Barbra Annino was a giggle a minute, and I loved it. Very short, only 19 pages, the story of Leroy the Gnome (OK, OK, he is a Brownie, but Dang, he sure Looks like a Garden Gnome) and his poor apartment-mate, Doug, is hysterical.
Shorts are a great way to meet new authors and meeting Barbra this way was a perfect introduction to her work. It is funny, free, and well worth the short amount of time it took to read it. And I will absolutely be looking into her works more closely.
I think I will try My Guardian Idiot next – how fun does THAT sound?
July 19, 2012
If you are looking for a quick and amusing fantasy read, this is it. Some short stories feel like incomplete versions of long ones, but that didn't happen here. Writing comedy is difficult, and once in a while it felt like the author was trying too hard, but most of the dialog felt natural and the characters carried the story forward well. Recommended for fantasy readers who need a moment of comic relief from all the dark and epic alternatives in their TBR pile.
December 20, 2012
From the author of the Stacy Justice series comes this 20 page short story; and be warned it is NOT a children’s tale. It is hard to review a short story but suffice to say author Barbra Annino manages to pack a lot into 5,000 words. there is slapstick comedy as Leroy and Doug try to outwit each other; then there is pathos when you discover why Leroy is being a little monster; and then there is the twist at the end.
January 3, 2014
A Fun well written SHORT read
good thing it was free cause it only took me 20mins to read. left me disappointed because I wish there was more to the story. why did he get a tattoo? who is this odd girl? why is he "special"? all I know about Mr baker is where he works. who is the main character? this leaves you with more questions and I hope the author writes a full follow up novel. it could become something great.
good thing it was free cause it only took me 20mins to read. left me disappointed because I wish there was more to the story. why did he get a tattoo? who is this odd girl? why is he "special"? all I know about Mr baker is where he works. who is the main character? this leaves you with more questions and I hope the author writes a full follow up novel. it could become something great.
July 26, 2013
This was short and sweet. A few grammatical/spelling errors, but nothing so annoying that I couldn't continue.
The story was fun. It had some good little insults and one liners. I'd happily read more of these.
Leroy seems like a total jackass, but the stuff he gets up to is funny.
I have no idea how this came to be on my kindle. A freebie perhaps? I'm glad I found it.
The story was fun. It had some good little insults and one liners. I'd happily read more of these.
Leroy seems like a total jackass, but the stuff he gets up to is funny.
I have no idea how this came to be on my kindle. A freebie perhaps? I'm glad I found it.
January 27, 2014
when Doug Baker moves into his new apartment he doesn't expect to go to war with a gnome. LeRoy is actually a brownie, looking to be reunited with his family but can't ask Doug for help. When Trinia Oberon gets involved with Doug, LeRoy is happy to find his family and bring them home. Whether Doug likes it or not.
Its a funny amusing short story, that you just smile through
Its a funny amusing short story, that you just smile through
June 30, 2012
What an absolutely delightful cute read! I think I've fallen in love with Leroy and can't wait to read of his further adventures with his whole family! Super nice to just have a pure fun read! Off to look for more by Barbra Annino!
January 28, 2013
I thought it would be fun to read a quick story called "Gnome Wars"... I anticipated a silly plot about the antics of a grumpy gnome. However, I couldn't even read the first page of the story, because of the awful language that was used. I definitely don't recommend it to anyone.
December 2, 2013
I managed to snag this short story one day when it was free, and it wound up being a fun find. I enjoyed reading the saga of Doug vs. Leroy, though I found myself wishing it went on for just a bit longer. I'm definitely interested in seeing what else Annino has to offer!
January 20, 2014
This was a cute little short story. She definitely could have done much more with the story and made it an actual story, but it was cute none the less. Only about 19 pages, will have to up my quota of books to read one more as I don't feel this actually counts as a whole book.
May 3, 2018
Brownies are good...
Well most of the time. Brownies or Leroy the Gnome as our main man calls him wants him gone. He is a pain, malicious violent and will lead to chaos of the nth degree. Mayhem and fun ahead.
Well most of the time. Brownies or Leroy the Gnome as our main man calls him wants him gone. He is a pain, malicious violent and will lead to chaos of the nth degree. Mayhem and fun ahead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews