Hook and Shoot

Woodshed Wallace Series #2

by Jeremy Brown

The scrappy martial arts fighter Aaron “Woodshed” Wallace prepares for his first big break stemming from the legitimate MMA promotion Warrior, Inc., in this second installment of the Woodshed Wallace series. Having fought to survive his entire life, Woodshed thinks such an opportunity will forever change his life for the better, but before he can put his shady past behind him, a band of Japanese mobsters threaten Warrior, Inc., and its president, Banzai Eddie Takanori. Seeking to collect on the debt Eddie owes, the gang wants to take payment in blood. Calling on all of his mixed martial arts skills in and out of the cage, Woodshed attempts to help Eddie and his ex-SAS bodyguard, Mr. Burch, stay alive and keep the company intact.

355 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Having a great book to read makes me happy, and I try to provide that for you.

I have written ten books across multiple genres, and my day job is writing lore and story arcs for a very popular video game. I used to write technical validation documents in the basement of a pharmaceutical company--novels and video games are much more fun.

My wife and I have a rescue dog who collects mud and two cats who aren't impressed by anything we do. We bought a lawn tractor last year and took turns posing with it. That was a great day.

If you'd like to contact me, please visit jeremywbrown.com.

Reviews

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Woodshed Wallace is back and with a punishing right hook. So, the scandalous eddie takanori is holding Woodshed's Warrior contract blackmail. He will sign Woodshed to the big time only if Woodshed becomes his bodyguard against poison-dart throwing, samurai-sword swinging, ex-Yakuza brothers. Evidently, Takamori has something they want and they are willing to kill to get it.

This sequel to Jeremy Brown's Suckerpunch: Round One in the Woodshed Wallace Series is faster and more action-packed than the first. The fights (both in and out of the MMA octagon) are big and bloody. Brown writes them so that I felt like I was ringside the whole story.

With the inclusion of the dirty (but honorable in his own way) Brit Burch, we see Woodshed Wallace in all his glory. He is an honorable and extremely likable brawler.

I, like many other Jeremy Brown fans, missed the Brazilian brothers and Marcela this go around. But fret not, Woodshed (and whatever fight Brown has planned for him) is going to Brazil. Game on!

[Dan Trudeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hook and Shoot is Jeremy Brown's second book starring Woodshed Wallace, a MMA fighter who has a habit of getting mixed up in the business' dirty underside. Second books often have the advantage of being able to jump right into the story without as much build-up and that's definitely true here. The first half of Suckerpunch (Book 1) was all about defining Wallace and the world he lives in, while the second half was an exciting sprint to the finish. This wasn't a bad thing, though, as Wallace and his world are truly interesting, even if you have no interest in MMA.

Hook and Shoot dives right into the thick of it, which means the pacing is more even. This also means the crime element is there from the beginning, which is great. One of the best things about both Wallace books is you never know what's coming next. They're wild without becoming too cartoony, which is a delicate balance to keep. Brown does it well, which makes this a great read from cover to cover.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hook and Shoot is the follow-up in the one-two punch combo that is the first two installments of Jeremy Brown’s “Woodshed Wallace” series.

Continuing just a few weeks after the fight, Woodshed is back in the gym training waiting for the contract with Warrior Inc. No worse for wear, Woody is again put in a position, by Eddie Takanori, to fight his way out of a game he has no business being in. Woody along with a brit, Burch, have to save, not only Eddie but Warrior from a complete takeover by facing a fearless enigma of a yakuza-backed fighter Zombi.

Hook and Shoot loses some of Suckerpunch’s charm with the absence of Marcela and her brothers but the hole left behind is quickly filled with Burch, Vanessa, and the pain-inflicting Snarl brothers.

It’s been a close fight for Woody, but only one round remains and he needs a knockout.

[Kaylah Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely more interesting than the first book. I admittedly had a little time putting it down. I'm excited for the third book to come out and see where Woodshed Wallace goes from here on.

[Yankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun romp in and out of the Octagon for Woodshed. Fun for me, a nightmare for the fictional lead character.

Many of the fun characteristics of the conversational narrative of Robert B Parker, smart-ass inner dialogue of Elmore Leonard, likable anti-hero of Larry McMurtry plus the modern twist of the MMA lifestyle.

[Mike Hector · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I have been to Las Vegas but did not know about all the shenanigans that JB describes! The action is quick and the story flies but it is the quick witted dialogue that makes the reader BLINK and say: I get this!

[Jynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both Hook and Shoot and Sucker Punch are awesome books, but I found Hook and Shoot a little bit better than Sucker Punch. The story was a lot more interesting, and there was a couple of moments I laughed hard at some of the silly jokes Woody made. Good job on your hard work Jeremy Brown.