What do you think?
Rate this book
Borrowing Trouble
When the Otherworld comes knocking, better put on your best pair of Bermuda shorts and get moving! For Rose and Andrew Bradford, newlywed and recently retired, this means transporting a 300-year old pregnant mermaid queen across the American West in a weathered Winnebago, with a heaping helping of hazards in the way. From swamp monsters to the Hound of Hades, they find themselves up to the challenge!
However, when Ba’algrim, the power-mad lord of the goblins, threatens to take over the world, the couple faces the fight of their lives. Will they defeat the monster and restore order? Will they deliver the mermaid safely to her home in Puget Sound before her baby is born? And will they discover why the Otherworld chose them in the first place? In Rose’s words, it’s as sure as God’s got sandals! After all, you’re never too old to figure out who you are, or what you can do.
However, when Ba’algrim, the power-mad lord of the goblins, threatens to take over the world, the couple faces the fight of their lives. Will they defeat the monster and restore order? Will they deliver the mermaid safely to her home in Puget Sound before her baby is born? And will they discover why the Otherworld chose them in the first place? In Rose’s words, it’s as sure as God’s got sandals! After all, you’re never too old to figure out who you are, or what you can do.
274 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2023
7 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 26, 2023
I loved it! Frankly, there are nowhere near enough adventure stories wherein the heroes are retirement age.
Boisterous and swashbuckling and funny and suspenseful and tender and violent (in the best way, with goblin heads rolling). Fairies and elves and goblins abound, along with a pregnant mermaid queen. And a road trip in a 70's Winnebago to the PNW coast. What, I ask you, could be better?
I absolutely adored Rose and her ridiculous, southern, nonsensical metaphors pulled out of her back pocket to the chagrin and amusement of her husband and daughter. I fell in love with each of the characters: Andrew and his nerdy devotion to Rose; Penny and her open heart; Graham and his humble bumbling; and Placida in all her mystical, mermaiden, pregnant glory.
Huge kudos, by the way, for the beautiful birth scene from this midwife! Well done. Very well done indeed. I didn't have to roll my eyes even ONCE. It was great!
One silly little thing I loved were the names given to all the fantastic creatures. I know some people don't care, but names are important. I really, REALLY, appreciated that the names suited each character beautifully without looking like a random assortment of letters were thrown together the hope that they might work. I really am like Anne Shirley--I can tell when a name isn't right, and this book got the names right.
I would like to say more, but...spoilers. It was amazing. This was a high adventure, modern-day romp of a fairy tale. It had me laughing out loud, crying, and white-knuckling my way through some battles. I couldn't put it down today, even though I'm sick and really needed a nap. Oh well. Worth it!
Boisterous and swashbuckling and funny and suspenseful and tender and violent (in the best way, with goblin heads rolling). Fairies and elves and goblins abound, along with a pregnant mermaid queen. And a road trip in a 70's Winnebago to the PNW coast. What, I ask you, could be better?
I absolutely adored Rose and her ridiculous, southern, nonsensical metaphors pulled out of her back pocket to the chagrin and amusement of her husband and daughter. I fell in love with each of the characters: Andrew and his nerdy devotion to Rose; Penny and her open heart; Graham and his humble bumbling; and Placida in all her mystical, mermaiden, pregnant glory.
Huge kudos, by the way, for the beautiful birth scene from this midwife! Well done. Very well done indeed. I didn't have to roll my eyes even ONCE. It was great!
One silly little thing I loved were the names given to all the fantastic creatures. I know some people don't care, but names are important. I really, REALLY, appreciated that the names suited each character beautifully without looking like a random assortment of letters were thrown together the hope that they might work. I really am like Anne Shirley--I can tell when a name isn't right, and this book got the names right.
I would like to say more, but...spoilers. It was amazing. This was a high adventure, modern-day romp of a fairy tale. It had me laughing out loud, crying, and white-knuckling my way through some battles. I couldn't put it down today, even though I'm sick and really needed a nap. Oh well. Worth it!
November 14, 2023
“Recipe to follow!”
So chirps our heroine from time to time as she takes us on a cross country adventure via hilarious blogpost summaries.
In Borrowing Trouble, J.W. Rose & Matthew Koenig take us on a rollicking roadtrip.
Recently retired newlyweds, Rose and Andrew Bradford, are offered the quest of a lifetime - would they please transport a disgruntled and snobbish 300-yr. old mermaid home to safety. And by the way, she's pregnant to boot!
What could go wrong?
These affectionate and unlikely heroes become unwitting deliverers of more than just a cranky merwoman!
The world hangs in the balance as Otherworlders intercept our duo each mile of the way.
With wit, our characters endear themselves to our hearts as I cheered at their successes, gasped at the gruesome while smiling at their antics.
If you want a fun-and-out-of-the-ordinary adventure, climb aboard the Bradford Winnebago where toothsome delights are served with cozy charm and paired with fairy folk, goblins, and Bigfoots. (Is that Bigfeet?)
So chirps our heroine from time to time as she takes us on a cross country adventure via hilarious blogpost summaries.
In Borrowing Trouble, J.W. Rose & Matthew Koenig take us on a rollicking roadtrip.
Recently retired newlyweds, Rose and Andrew Bradford, are offered the quest of a lifetime - would they please transport a disgruntled and snobbish 300-yr. old mermaid home to safety. And by the way, she's pregnant to boot!
What could go wrong?
These affectionate and unlikely heroes become unwitting deliverers of more than just a cranky merwoman!
The world hangs in the balance as Otherworlders intercept our duo each mile of the way.
With wit, our characters endear themselves to our hearts as I cheered at their successes, gasped at the gruesome while smiling at their antics.
If you want a fun-and-out-of-the-ordinary adventure, climb aboard the Bradford Winnebago where toothsome delights are served with cozy charm and paired with fairy folk, goblins, and Bigfoots. (Is that Bigfeet?)
March 10, 2023
This book was delightful. From our first introduction to the Otherworld to the conclusion of the story, the wit, humor, intrigue, and adventure draw you in and keep you wanting more. I hope there will be other books from this enchanting writing duo!
March 13, 2024
A very fun book to read. Characters were very good. Storyline was fun and kept the pages turning.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews