Proud Parents

by Kristopher Rufty

He’s still their son. No matter what. Greg and Sheila wanted a baby. Unable to conceive, they signed up for the project. Their prayers were answered when they were selected for the risky experiment. And it worked. All of the chosen families conceived. Then came the mutations—followed by the men with guns, killing everyone, and the fire that burned the place to ashes, erasing its failure from existence. But it didn’t eliminate them all. Six years later, Greg and Sheila are still on the run with their son, Gabe, moving from small town to small town, just wanting a life to call their own. Gabe’s getting worse, his appetite is voracious, and his temper is untamable. And now Gabe is changing…again.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

Kristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels, including ALL WILL DIE, THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD, DESOLATION, THE LURKERS and PILLOWFACE. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food.

His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.

He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care for this book at all. It’s a shame, too, because the premise sounded promising. However, I struggled to finish the last half and even contemplated not completing it several times. And honestly, it wasn’t so much the story or the writing. Both were ok, but nothing special, and were the only reason I gave this a 3 star review. The thing that I took great issue with was the way the author wrote the female characters. They were all extremely oversexualized. I had a hard time finding any scene with a female character which didn’t vividly describe their breasts, short skirts, modelesque appearances, or overly focused and randomly placed sexual encounters. And I tried to look past this annoyance, but it was just constant throughout the entire book, taking away any chance of me enjoying the horror content. Now I am in no way, shape, or form overly prudish or conservative, so for all this to bother me, it really should speak volumes. I went into this as a new reader to Rutfy, hoping for a straight up horror story, but it came off more like a cover to write something much more in line with an erotica/horror mash up, neither of which were successful. Now there are many more tactful and creative ways to describe women in a story. One of the many reasons it took me so long to write my Preternatural trilogy was because I wanted to be sure of how my writing was perceived, namely my female characters. I did research, asked a number of women for their input, and took my time putting it all together. Now I’m not placing myself up on a pedestal, and understand that I am very far from being the best writer. But I pride myself in how I kept my female characters with a very tame sexual presence, focusing moreso on their purpose, growth, and strengths, all as it pertained to the main plot and character arcs. I did receive some criticisms for not making my vampires and characters more sexual, but I firmly stand by my decision. I am glad that while many critiques of my books have been, and will be, made, one of them will never be that my female characters came across as over enthusiastic adult film performers, which is basically it was done in this story. With all that being said, after almost 300 pages of a tough read, I don’t plan to revisit Kristopher Rufty again.

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greg and Sheila wanted a baby. Unable to have one of their own, they signed up for the project. Things go awry when mutations start appearing in the newborns. The project is terminated, including all the babies, except one. Managing to escape, Greg and Sheila go on the run with their son, Gabe. Six years later, Gabe has "changed". How far will one couple go to keep their child alive, no matter what he is?
Pretty decent horror read.

😺😺😺

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proud Parents by Kristopher Rufty has it all. Privately funded evil experiments gone awry, grizzley murder, missing pets, mutated children and general good time bloody mayhem.

Greg and Sheila were having some troubles having a baby, so decided to enroll in an experimental procedure. It worked…sort of. Ok, not really. Project: Newborn went sideways fast and the children were either stillborn or came out mutated with a taste for human flesh. The program along with its participants was terminated. All except for Greg and Sheila and their beautiful baby boy Gabe.

Now on the run, these proud parents are searching for answers to Gabe’s worsening “condition” and for the doctor at the clinic who ran the experiments to see if he can help.

There has got to be a sequel to this bad boy. I would like to see Gabe grow up a little and really do some damage. Looks like Greg and Sheila could do some damage themselves now that they are good to go with stocking the freezer for Gabe. Proud parents for sure.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Proud Parents' - Really enjoyed the idea running through the story which seemed refreshingly original.

Horror elements - very good and cleverly thought out.

Sexual elements - mentioned far too much which was extremely noticeable, inevitably unfortunately becoming very OTT, repetitive, slightly boring and predictably, unrealistically 'fantasy-heavy'.

Looking forward to reading more grisly and gruesome horror from the mind of Mr Rufty, but perhaps with any given sexual content dialled down a notch or two - the frequency of its use rather than the level of actual detailed carnal activity, which here, I found to be absolutely fine.

Rating: 4.1 stars.

[Brenda Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I had no idea how this one was going to go. I purchased it because it was on a list in one of the groups on Goodreads. I'm so glad I did. The story was fast paced, and kept me quite entertained. I found it easy to feel bad for the monster in this one. I will most certainly be reading more by this author!!

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fun time with this creature feature meets slasher horror story! There's some small town horror vibes, a little of coming of age with some characters, some interesting and hard situations for adults, etc. It's really got a lot of different elements that I love in my horror stories all blended together. Poor little Gabe...

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: PROUD PARENTS by Kristopher Rufty

Whenever I read a novel containing a child with a terminal illness, I think, "this must be a parent's worst nightmare." Then I read about a stranger abduction: "no, this is the worst!" While both of these are terrifying and all too prevalent, another nightmare exists: what if your child is born "deformed"?

The child in PROUD PARENTS, through no fault of his own, is not completely human--hardly at all, in fact. His parents still love him immensely--they've moved cross country to protect him and hide his secret. See, Gabe possesses unusual appetites. And he'll go to extraordinary lengths to protect himself.

[Dallas Kitchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. I read it in like 2 1/2 days. Kristopher rufty, Hunter Shea, Jason parent, Jonathon janz, Jeff strand, Mike duke, and others are incredibly adept at keeping me hooked. Since I first picked up Hunter Shea and I've discovered Goodreads, the books just keep getting better and better. Proud parents let's you behind closed doors. How far would you go to protect your offspring. Now I don't know how I would react to a kid that looks like a cross between a snake and a green quisinart. Gabe has a face only a mother could love. Just so you know be wary of neighbors bearing gifts. I love Mr Ruftys work, just been hard to get a hold of his work. But I will, I will. The end of the story left me wanting more. Thank you for reading my review, If you haven't read it, you will. 4 and 1/2 stars. That's my review and if you don't like it, o well, it's mine.

[Stephen Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really starting to enjoy Kristopher Rufty's work. All seems to have a creature feature mixed with Slasher style element to it that definitely appeals to me. This one has a real melancholy vibe at times with the struggles of parenthood and life mixing with the creature feature element. A fascinating read and ultimately something that reaffirms my position that I shouldn't have kids lol. Great read and will continue to read more of his work.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

“His eyes started to glow. Henry stifled the scream that tickled the back of his throat.”

“Proud Parents” by Kristopher Rufty gets 3 out of 5 stars.

If you yearned for a child, would you do anything? Sheila and Greg Heyman were desperate to have a child of their own and volunteered for an experimental opportunity. Their dream came true with a son but the agency was compromised leading them to go on the run. Their son, Gabe, is a miracle to them but there were side effects such as mutations and an extreme appetite. They settle near the doctor from the agency to figure out a cure for Gabe but there’s other plans.

This book is somewhat of a slow burn. The plot point about what Greg and Sheila did for a baby as well as what happened to make them run was sad yet understanding within their chaos. They knew nothing of what was to come with their child’s changes and adapted to keep him safe, even if that means murder. The doctor and his yearn to learn about Gabe was slightly tarnished by his relationship with his coworker. There was a lot of unnecessary intimacy and innuendos throughout the story. The ending was flat and I had expected better closure to this family’s transient life protecting their son considering they have been located by the agency that started it all. Overall, this was a slow read that had me intrigued in some parts but was anti-climatic.

Please visit my GoodReads or Instagram (Ashesandlore) profile for more reviews. Thank you!

[Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally good slasher novel

I didn't have any real expectations for this book. The synopsis was pretty self explanatory. Monster kid that likes to eat people. Pretty simple. Overall it wasn't anything special but it was still good. Plenty of gore as Gabe gets out.

A couple things I noticed: the author loves using the word rump instead of butt or behind. It's used so often it's hard not to notice. When a neighbor is attacked by Gabe, the author spends a lot of time describing her breasts, continually pointing out how big they were. Really weird to read as the lady is getting murdered. There's a bunch of teenage drama that happens that is kind of annoying and super predictable. But it's okay because they all die in really gruesome ways. Another instance of the author's weird fascination with breasts is when two characters fight to the death, and the female's breast keep getting brought up. Again, it's super weird to have someone in a fight for their life, and the author keeps describing their breasts

[Indy Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud Parents happened to catch my eye whilst looking for something to read at the local library and I am so glad I decided to borrow it. What an absolute ripper! A brilliant and unique concept, brilliantly narrated. Loved everything about it, from the nail biting suspense, the plausible characters, the blood and gore to the surprising finish. One can relate so well to the need to procreate and then nurture offspring at all costs. Questions spring to mind as to how far would you go to protect your child. I think most parents would agree, you would go all the way. I imagine there will be a sequel and I look forward to reading it.

[Lucille Bransfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this creepy book, but honestly didn’t love the ending. Not sure if it’s open ended in order for a part 2, or if we are supposed to fill in the blanks. Story was good though. Will look for more books by this author.

[Joe Hempel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit science fiction, a little bit horror, a little bit family drama, Kristopher Rufty swerves in and out of these genres with the precision of seasoned surgeon.

Gabe, the lone survivor of a project gone wrong for those that couldn’t conceive their own child is just a little misunderstood, that’s all. He is still deserving the love and affection of those around him. It doesn’t matter that he’s a growing carnivore that has insatiable bloodlust. At least, that’s what his parents believe. Just how far can this unconditional love go though?

The first half of this book you are getting to know Greg and Sheila and all sorts of things about their little boy Gabe. You learn that they’ve moved around a bit, you learn a little about the experiment, and after they find one of the doctors that worked with them during the project, you learn a bit about what is behind it all. While a little slow it still captivated me. I wanted to know more about this experiment, and most importantly, he put Gabe in a sympathetic light with parents that are just doing what any parent would do in order to protect their child.

In come the neighbors who are just doing what they do to be neighborly. Inviting them to dinner, out to conventions etc. The only problem is that Gabe can’t be alone. With the help of the doctor they are able to begin to go out and lead a somewhat normal life, but that’s when the problems begin, and the book begins to take a turn for a bit of the ultra-violent.

The feasts of Gabe are bloody, and sickeningly described. There may not be many words, but Rufty chooses them carefully and to maximum impact. Hide your dogs, lock up your daughters, it’s going to get rough.

While all of this was entertaining I felt a little bit let down at the end. You really had a solid feeling of where the book was going to go, and how it would end, and I really just wanted more on the whole project side of things. There was enough to frame the story, but that’s all it really felt like. The other issue I had was the way I think law enforcement would have handled the situations. I mean, I know Greg and Sheila have experience in dealing with situations that arise with Gabe, but I really find it hard to believe that so many people could disappear in the suburbs like that right when they move in and only one detective makes an entry.

The Bottom Line: Despite my wishes for a stronger background on the project, and weak handling of law enforcement, this was a solid book. The characters from top to bottom were well written and you made some sort of connection to most of them which is all the more important when they die a horribly violent death. Not all by Gabe…..

I’d pick this one up and give it a read before Halloween, you never know, Gabe may come and visit you and ask for more than just candy!

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome!! I couldn't stop reading. Plot was well-done and tied up nicely. Characters were relatable and interesting and he created great emotion in them and for them. Cool concept and underlying social issues addressed in society and people. I like his descriptions. His sentences are getting better with each book. He writes visually but with dimension. He is soft in places and visceral in others. There is some quirky humor that made me laugh. Story is beliveable though it could never happen. I am so happy I had the chance to pre-read this book. Highly recommended for an entertaining late summer read. By the end I almost cared for the kid too. And the irony....

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I don't think I will ever forget this book. I was always on the edge of my seat whenever things happened. I was very sad at the end because some of the characters I liked were killed. I could see this being a movie but it might be too gory. I envisioned all the characters and the scenes so clearly. This book is absolutely one of my favorites, and it is unforgettable. The author did an amazing job telling the story giving very clear details of every scene, and character. I almost felt like I was one of the characters in the book, and wanted to scream and help them out towards the end. LOVEEEEEEE this book.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a parent is never easy, but it is even harder for the Heyman family. I wasn't sure of the direction this book would take and I was left guessing all the way up until the end. There is nothing a parent won't do to support their child. This book held a mix of horror, compassion and hope which is as it should be, considering that is what life holds for us daily. I definitely plan to read more from Kristopher Rufty!

[Michele Benchouk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was imaginative and creepy. You really ask the question of "what would I do as this parent". Only three stars though because of the parallel story lines (re: teenage angst and comic book illustrating) that weren't necessary and didn't add anything to the main story for me.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! Usually I don't go for grisly, gory novels but when I found out it was about parents with a monster for a son, I couldn't help myself. The only thing that I didn't like was the ending-it was a perfect cliffhanger and I want so much more!

[Cliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story. among his best

[Noigeloverlord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rufty brings the joy of Parenting to life in this tale of love and how far Parents will go to protect their child.A great read that screams for a sequel.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great set up, well written characters, but the ending seemed like the author wrote themselves into a corner and solved it by simply killing everyone.