Whether it's kitsune running rampant in the museum, were-gorillas rampaging at the zoo, or a cupid wreaking havoc on her daughter's birthday party, Jess Friedman can handle any monster the supernatural community of Cleveland can throw at her.
Except maybe the disapproving stares from the women at her daughter's day care. Or the awkward conversations with her rabbi about her working for the Catholic Church as a New Templar, hunting down the things that go bump in the night.
That's right, Jess Friedman isn't just an ordinary mother of three trying to make it through the world, she's also the official Cleveland Regional Monster Hunter for the Holy Roman Catholic Church (What? You thought Bubba was the only one?). This Jewish mother is anything but stereotypical as she battles demons, tames monsters, negotiates with a vampire lord, and tries to get snacks delivered to her daughter's kindergarten class on time!
This hilarious volume collects the first four Monster Hunter Mom novellas by J.D. Blackrose (The Soul Wars) - Tweety & the Monkey Man Runaway Handle with Care End of the Line
The Monster Hunter Mom stories take place in the popular Bubba the Monster Hunter shared universe, along with the escapades of Mark Wojcik, Mason Dixon, Caitlin Kelley, and of course, Bubba himself.
J.D. Blackrose loves all things storytelling and celebrates great writing by posting about it on her website, www.slipperywords.com. She has published The Soul Wars series and the Monster Hunter Mom series, both through Falstaff Books, as well as numerous short stories.
When not writing, Blackrose lives with three children, an orange cat, her husband and a full-time job in Corporate Communications. She’s fearful that so-called normal people will discover exactly how often she thinks about wicked fairies, nasty wizards, homicidal elevators, treacherous forests, and the odd murder, even when she is supposed to be having coffee with a friend. As a survival tactic, she has mastered the art of looking interested. She credits her parents for teaching her how to ask questions, and in lieu of facts, how to make up answers.
The Devil’s Been Busy by J D Blackrose Tweety and the Monkey Man by J D Blackrose Monster Hunter Mom series #1, season 1. New Templars novella. Urban fantasy, Horror with humor, paranormal monsters, and a vampire. Jess Friedman is a monster hunter. There’s a phoenix running around town and a were-gorilla going nuts at the zoo. Jess has deal with those monsters but she also has to get snacks to her daughter’s kindergarten class. With the whole monster thing, it seems like it’s going to be Cheetos for the class. That will not go over well with the other mothers. Jess is kept busy between monster hunting with whatever tools she can find around the situation and toddlers that can get into trouble in seconds.
This was pretty funny between the gorilla turned into a man, the toddlers repeating things they shouldn’t, and Jess’s impromptu solutions. Sure, a bit violent since it’s her job to either kill or somehow get rid of the problems. She get the job done with a lot of humor and not a lot of gore details. I’m looking forward to more of these Monster Hunter Mom novellas.
Runaway by J D Blackrose 2nd book in the Monster Hunter Mom series, Season One. New Templar Knights. Horror, urban fantasy. Jess Friedman is a mother of three, Jewish, and a secret monster hunter. The monsters tend to come out in the most inappropriate times which is one of the reasons Jess doesn’t want to chaperone a grade school field trip. Others mothers criticism is a huge concern as well. But she can’t resist her child backed up by her husbands pleading eyes, so it’s off on a field trip she goes. Where, of course, there will be monsters to hunt and kill. She just to keep that part hidden from the other parents.
Funny antics as Jess and the various monsters tangle. She needs to just ignore those other “perfect” parents. Backstory adds more depth to Jess and the adorable children add a bit of joy.
“Luckily I speak toddler, which as it turns out, is very close to fish.”
Handle with Care by J D Blackrose Monster Hunter Mom series #3. New Templars Knights. Horror, urban fantasy novella. Jess Friedman is a mother of three in Midwest Ohio. She is also a monster hunter loosely connected with the Catholic Church. Her best skill is making use of whatever weapons she can find at the time. Emergency fire equipment, museum displays, etc. She will keep everyone safe but the children may end up knowing more about the hidden world than wise.
A birthday party with balloon animals becoming stinging insects, a phoenix in disguise, a friend kidnapped, a wolf protecting, and zombie mall mannequins, plus imps and more make Jess’s job a full time fight for good while protecting her family. Non stop action, adventure and danger for Jess, family and friends. Surprise ending / cliffhanger.
End of the Line by J D Blackrose Monster Hunter Mom series #4. New Templar Knights. Horror, urban fantasy novella. Last in Season One. Jess’s daughter wants a sleepover. As a monster hunter, Jess knows the danger of having additional children in the house will cause the monsters to come out in force given the bounty on her head.
Piskies come to help protect Jess’s home behind the protection barrier. A magic bow and arrow causes confusion. Cupid takes over Daniel’s body (the baby, of course) and causes lust among the neighbors. This is just the beginning of the chaos around Jess’s home as she fights the monsters, supervises the children and deals with unexpected problems. Crazy. From monster to monster and always, Mom, the monster hunter, for the win. What a ride!
Holy heck! I think I found a new favorite monster hunter. Though I have thoughts on how she deals with the babysitter lady with a stick up her butt. And the wine, y'all, I about died laughing. I also really liked how it seemed like this was going to be just 3 random encounters with monsters, but in the end there was a meta plot. Something to tie it all together. Seriously good book.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased the hardcopy version of this book for full price.
I adore the concept behind this collection, and Jess is a fabulous character, but unfortunately, the writing style didn't grab me. I've enjoyed Blackrose's work in the past, so I look forward to reading her other projects.
The most deeply rooted in reality of the Bubbaverse, edging out the mechanic Mark Wojcik of the Martin's Spell, Salt, & Steel by three small children, Jess Friedman is Monster Hunter Mom - a wonderful bundle of contradictions and chaos.
A Jewish woman who works for the Catholic Church. An kickin' monster hunter scared of the perfect normal women around her. The happily-married mother of three with a vampire best friend. Jess collects things - an ex-were gorilla, an overly-friendly tomahawk, a phoenix who gives pony rides to children, and a bounty on her head. Reading the four novellas of season one is like going through the pockets on laundry day - always a surprise.
These books have my type of humor, all about family and life. Venues for the books include going to the zoo, being a parent chaperone at a museum, visiting the mall, and a child's slumber party.
Lots of monsters, kickin' them back where they belong, all the while throwing the humor of life at you. How do you go from fighting a gorilla to taking snack to your son's elementary school class? With a quick side trip through the grocery story, of course.
I really loved these novellas. If I was writing in the Bubbaverse, this is what I would have written. Just not nearly this good. Ms. Blackrose did an awesome job melding family life and monster hunting.
A mom, a vampire, and a rabbi walk into a fantasy book set in Cleveland, OH.
I admit, that hook was enough to grab me, but what kept me reading was the vibrant depth of emotion that runs through all the zany supernatural antics in this 4 novella collection.
Jess and her family are people I would love to have as neighbors (and given what happens to some of Jess's neighbors, that's a big endorsement!)
Also, when I got to the fight in the mall with mannequins, I laughed loud so loud I scared the cat.
It's fun, it's full of feels, the pace is zippy, and the characters stick with you. Good stuff.
I bought this book from an author I met at Concarolinas last year. I read about half of it and then, for reasons I don’t really remember, I sat it down and didn’t pick it back up until a few days ago when I finally finished it. But that was ok. The book is a series of four interconnected but separate stories so it’s fine to read either all at once or with breaks in between.
It’s a fun read, set in the Bubba the Monster Hunter shared universe. I recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy. If the author has other books for sale at Concarolinas this year, I definitely plan to check them out.
This was an outstanding listen. Many authors should not narrate their own work but JD is the exception. JD knows the work and characters better than anyone and is able to share their interpretation of the voices better. The only complaint I had, if you can call it that, is that there are moments where there is a background noise, like a furnace turning on. This does not distract from the story at all though. JD's performance improves with each book as they become more comfortable with their role as narrator.
If you want an action packed story full of monsters, fighting, and tongue in cheek pop culture references...this is it. J.D. Blackrose packs her world with creatures and predicaments. This multitasking mom (with a great sense of humor - she needs it) never gets a moment of peace. There are both terrifying and endearing characters, and an epic battle...but that's all I'll say. I don't want to spoil any of the fun.
Enjoyed all the book and movie excerpts. My mind works a bit that way as well. Would have enjoyed the book more though if it had been edited. There were numerous missing or erroneously added words throughout. I would do it for free, hint, hint. A great imagination and consistency of story. Loved all the “allies”. Where can I get a “rescue pony”?
This was so funny I couldn’t stop laughing. It had everything—-vampires, were-gorillas, imps, piskies— you name it it was in there. And of course our favorite Monster Hunter. A great read!
Another great collection of stories about an extraordinary monster hunter! Jess is a Jewish mother of three who not only is a monster hunter for the Catholic Church but, has a vampire for a best friend and partner. This first introduction to her was awesome!
From the opening to the end, Jess' adventures as the Cleveland Monster Hunter will keep you turning pages and laughing out loud at her exploits. The audiobook, narrated by the author, adds to the fun and I would highly recommend it.
Overall an okay read, but the “humour” is mostly childish and detracts from the suspense. Essentially the author seems to be trying too hard to be funny rather than letting the story flow.