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Bob and Nikki #2
Whammo Ranch
A saucer comes in damaged, with sick people aboard. A deadly plague threatens Earth. Can Bob and his crew save the day? Will Bob's good nature cost him his life?
Julie's boss wants to retire. Can she handle running the restaurant? Can Bob find her the help she needs?
Dee has come down with a terrible case of pedestrianism. Can Bob and the boys find the cure? Will she drive again?
Julie's boss wants to retire. Can she handle running the restaurant? Can Bob find her the help she needs?
Dee has come down with a terrible case of pedestrianism. Can Bob and the boys find the cure? Will she drive again?
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2019
308 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Boyd
67 books287 followersI’m a house husband. I keep things together while my wonderful wife makes our living. I’ve worked as a machinist, short order cook, electronics assembly tech, and several other jobs. My hobbies include vehicle maintenance, (I’ve had the transmission out of my truck. Twice) free flight airplanes, electronics, and shooting.
I was born and raised in the Ozarks, and now live in Mid-Missouri.
I was born and raised in the Ozarks, and now live in Mid-Missouri.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
February 20, 2023
Pretty good!
May 2, 2023
After giving the 1st book 1 star, I wasn’t looking forward to this title, I’m not even sure why I kept it on my “to read” shelf, Both books are full of childish humour, repetitive puns, unexplained pop-culture references from 60 years ago, and a story that goes nowhere. Read this bit, instead of the book:
Bob, Nikki and friends have food, talk cod-Sh!t, play frisbee, have food, go shopping, have food, sleep, let the dog out, have coffee, have food, play frisbee, tickle, have shopping delivered, fix a flying saucer, have food, play paintball then have food.
The End
I have the next 3 titles on Kindle, sorry, that should read as I had the next 3 titles on kindle…. Deleted now
PS… Goodreads, why cant we rate titles 0 stars? This book really deserves less than 1
Bob, Nikki and friends have food, talk cod-Sh!t, play frisbee, have food, go shopping, have food, sleep, let the dog out, have coffee, have food, play frisbee, tickle, have shopping delivered, fix a flying saucer, have food, play paintball then have food.
The End
I have the next 3 titles on Kindle, sorry, that should read as I had the next 3 titles on kindle…. Deleted now
PS… Goodreads, why cant we rate titles 0 stars? This book really deserves less than 1
October 18, 2022
Well I don’t know what most of you read. What I read was, Bob going into town to pick up some parts, if not parts then paper work. If he wasn’t going into town to pick parts up, he was having them delivered, then out for lunch or supper, then take the dog out for it to do its business. Then some robots did all the work, he fixed up a car, well the robots did all the work. I did struggle through it, but only just. I thought something exciting would happen, but it never materialized. Then he went paint balling with all his friends, and that’s another thing, he attracts friends like shit attracts flies. Then he played with a Frisbee, and then I lost the will to live.
December 4, 2023
The book can be irritatingly repetitive at times, I know the author is trying to be amusing but the same ‘jokes’ over and over again become annoying. However I actually enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of hours.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
Just one other thing, I can’t believe Bob’s new house only has one bedroom, every time it’s bedtime there is the discussion about where they are going to sleep, just buy some more beds!
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
Just one other thing, I can’t believe Bob’s new house only has one bedroom, every time it’s bedtime there is the discussion about where they are going to sleep, just buy some more beds!
July 22, 2020
Still Laughing
Oh the snark and satire are strong with this author! I do find the steady dialog can sometimes make it unclear which character has the stage in each scene.
Oh the snark and satire are strong with this author! I do find the steady dialog can sometimes make it unclear which character has the stage in each scene.
August 30, 2021
Fun but slow
This book is Fun, that’s its biggest pro. Maybe I just find jailbreaks on an old folks home too much fun.
Who what when and where are all details that could be used to set the scene. These details seem to be lacking for the most part. Conversations tend to be long and issues that arise tend to be fixed before they’ve begun. ~70% of this book is about a bunch of robots fixing a car. The number of robots and the names of the robots are inconsistent. 3 cargo bots, but they are sometimes called maintenance bots, but there are also maintenance bots that aren’t the cargo bots that are never mentioned but appear when convenient, sometimes. And they can be deployed by cargo bots, which are also maintenance bots.
I couldn’t tell you who was motivated by what, who/what looks like anything (3 named robot emblems aside), and what people like other than their SOs, chili, and paintball.
I think the robots have the most detail; they’re described as having 6 fingers, an emblem, slow on rough terrain, and seem to have tools and features that are described as needed (very briefly, as in: “robot deployed feature X, which it has”).
The first 20% of the book is dominated by a particular scenario; which then the main character takes “tactical” training for. This never seems to come into play or is touched on, despite the weight the training is given, and the fact that they all play paintball (where it’s application would’ve been pretty useful). It’s just kinda dropped; just like characters tend to drop in or drop out at a moments notice.
I’m wondering if people who gave it 5 * Were using audiobooks; where I can the issues being less obvious.
This book is Fun, that’s its biggest pro. Maybe I just find jailbreaks on an old folks home too much fun.
Who what when and where are all details that could be used to set the scene. These details seem to be lacking for the most part. Conversations tend to be long and issues that arise tend to be fixed before they’ve begun. ~70% of this book is about a bunch of robots fixing a car. The number of robots and the names of the robots are inconsistent. 3 cargo bots, but they are sometimes called maintenance bots, but there are also maintenance bots that aren’t the cargo bots that are never mentioned but appear when convenient, sometimes. And they can be deployed by cargo bots, which are also maintenance bots.
I couldn’t tell you who was motivated by what, who/what looks like anything (3 named robot emblems aside), and what people like other than their SOs, chili, and paintball.
I think the robots have the most detail; they’re described as having 6 fingers, an emblem, slow on rough terrain, and seem to have tools and features that are described as needed (very briefly, as in: “robot deployed feature X, which it has”).
The first 20% of the book is dominated by a particular scenario; which then the main character takes “tactical” training for. This never seems to come into play or is touched on, despite the weight the training is given, and the fact that they all play paintball (where it’s application would’ve been pretty useful). It’s just kinda dropped; just like characters tend to drop in or drop out at a moments notice.
I’m wondering if people who gave it 5 * Were using audiobooks; where I can the issues being less obvious.
July 22, 2022
I love these books 10,000 times over!!
There is very little "thought speak" just in this book and the first of the series I read. Most is conversation and there are a lot of movie, tv, cartoon, and even classic book references thrown around. Those references are rarely explained so unless you know them and can catch them, these stories may not be your bailiwick.
This book is like being a spectator of an old 1970s/1980s ensemble tv show. Anyone familiar with Barney Miller, Dark Shadows, or The Walton's?
This story introduces the very fascinating "The Boys" the main "Caveman" of the story, name of Bob Wilson, soon has working for him. Be prepared for Frisbee, for applauding with a lighter, and following along on the "Big Project" Bob, The Boys, and buddies are working on. A lovely Grandma and her granddaughter are rescued by Bob and his wife, "Space Cadet", the aptly named Nikki, when their saucer is sabotaged.
Do come and read. I think many of you will enjoy this series.
There is very little "thought speak" just in this book and the first of the series I read. Most is conversation and there are a lot of movie, tv, cartoon, and even classic book references thrown around. Those references are rarely explained so unless you know them and can catch them, these stories may not be your bailiwick.
This book is like being a spectator of an old 1970s/1980s ensemble tv show. Anyone familiar with Barney Miller, Dark Shadows, or The Walton's?
This story introduces the very fascinating "The Boys" the main "Caveman" of the story, name of Bob Wilson, soon has working for him. Be prepared for Frisbee, for applauding with a lighter, and following along on the "Big Project" Bob, The Boys, and buddies are working on. A lovely Grandma and her granddaughter are rescued by Bob and his wife, "Space Cadet", the aptly named Nikki, when their saucer is sabotaged.
Do come and read. I think many of you will enjoy this series.
October 15, 2021
Bob's Saucer Repair is up and running, with improvements on the way, but there's trouble. Big trouble. Schemes, capers, shooting, and rescues ensue.
Bob and Nikki (the alien from his garage) make new friends, and the number of people who know their secret increases. New problems with the galactic Patrol, and a lovely surprise or two.
Origin Story:
Bob is an ordinary straight-arrow bachelor, thinking a quiet car mechanic's life was all he had to look forward to, with occasional paint-ball outings with friends on Sundays. He arrived home from work one day and found an alien with a broken flying saucer in his garage.
*For more details, see my review of Bob's Saucer Repair (book #1).
3/5 Stars--Language content warning still necessary for this series as of Book #2. Less, but only a little.
Bob and Nikki (the alien from his garage) make new friends, and the number of people who know their secret increases. New problems with the galactic Patrol, and a lovely surprise or two.
Origin Story:
Bob is an ordinary straight-arrow bachelor, thinking a quiet car mechanic's life was all he had to look forward to, with occasional paint-ball outings with friends on Sundays. He arrived home from work one day and found an alien with a broken flying saucer in his garage.
*For more details, see my review of Bob's Saucer Repair (book #1).
3/5 Stars--Language content warning still necessary for this series as of Book #2. Less, but only a little.
January 29, 2024
Mostly all the same problems as the first book. Almost entirely dialogue with few descriptions of people, places, or minds. The plot is still just event after event after event, with no struggle or drama or pushback.
This book is a slight improvement in that in felt more focused. Most of the book hinges on building a car for Dee. This is the focal point of the only *almost* point of contention. There’s a good amount of buildup to this minor antagonist and concern about a mission to get a scan on his car. It felt like the mission might actually have stakes and things might go wrong. Finally we get to the mission, and it takes about half a page and goes perfectly well with no issues. What a fucking disappointment, I thought for a brief moment this author might have actually written something well. Don’t get your hopes up!
This book is a slight improvement in that in felt more focused. Most of the book hinges on building a car for Dee. This is the focal point of the only *almost* point of contention. There’s a good amount of buildup to this minor antagonist and concern about a mission to get a scan on his car. It felt like the mission might actually have stakes and things might go wrong. Finally we get to the mission, and it takes about half a page and goes perfectly well with no issues. What a fucking disappointment, I thought for a brief moment this author might have actually written something well. Don’t get your hopes up!
September 21, 2024
Hard to put down (no chapters)
Book 2 continues the momentum built in Book 1 and my main complaint was the lack of chapters, making taking a break difficult to schedule 😏. The (ahem) classic pop culture references continue in the main character's banter to the point of occasionally rendering it a tad tricky to glean the meaning. The story remains fairly straightforward, the reading comprehension will require a certain ability to comprehend banter, although explanations do occur on occasion. I'm able to follow enough having grown up on reruns and reads of a few of the tv, movie and books that I can follow 70ish % of it. It can be worthwhile Googling some of the cars referenced if you appreciate the visuals, and finding some of the songs if you want to try to listen on YouTube if you like such sounds.
Book 2 continues the momentum built in Book 1 and my main complaint was the lack of chapters, making taking a break difficult to schedule 😏. The (ahem) classic pop culture references continue in the main character's banter to the point of occasionally rendering it a tad tricky to glean the meaning. The story remains fairly straightforward, the reading comprehension will require a certain ability to comprehend banter, although explanations do occur on occasion. I'm able to follow enough having grown up on reruns and reads of a few of the tv, movie and books that I can follow 70ish % of it. It can be worthwhile Googling some of the cars referenced if you appreciate the visuals, and finding some of the songs if you want to try to listen on YouTube if you like such sounds.
April 2, 2021
I wish our world was this nice
I read the first book again. I didn't leave a good review the first time. t. This series of books is campy, absurd and a heavy dose of snark. But best of all the characters are kind to each other and generously accepting of each other in their diversities. I grew up in the sixties in New Orleans with Deep South manners. My very first friend was a little black girl. I never even thought about skin color. Now I realize that bigotry was all around me. But I never saw it. I didn't even feel it. These books are not about prejudice though. I mention my background because these characters evoke within me the same acceptance and forethought of my youth. They treat and honor each other the noble way we all should in real life.
I read the first book again. I didn't leave a good review the first time. t. This series of books is campy, absurd and a heavy dose of snark. But best of all the characters are kind to each other and generously accepting of each other in their diversities. I grew up in the sixties in New Orleans with Deep South manners. My very first friend was a little black girl. I never even thought about skin color. Now I realize that bigotry was all around me. But I never saw it. I didn't even feel it. These books are not about prejudice though. I mention my background because these characters evoke within me the same acceptance and forethought of my youth. They treat and honor each other the noble way we all should in real life.
August 30, 2021
If you want a light fun read with very little violence and no profanity this book is for you.
Excellent, fun read, some character development, characters that you like and enjoy. Fast paced, not a lot of violence, very little profanity. Just a fun light read. If you like cultural references quick and witty humor and a lot of banter you’ll enjoy this book I did. It is a good and refreshing change from the action filled, gore drenched and violent material that is also out there. If you want a change from the military science fiction fantasy, urban fantasy, or action filled books than this one is an excellent alternative. I will not review every book that I may read in this series but I will occasionally place a review on books that I think are outstanding.
Excellent, fun read, some character development, characters that you like and enjoy. Fast paced, not a lot of violence, very little profanity. Just a fun light read. If you like cultural references quick and witty humor and a lot of banter you’ll enjoy this book I did. It is a good and refreshing change from the action filled, gore drenched and violent material that is also out there. If you want a change from the military science fiction fantasy, urban fantasy, or action filled books than this one is an excellent alternative. I will not review every book that I may read in this series but I will occasionally place a review on books that I think are outstanding.
May 20, 2023
Been awhile since I read the previous book so it took awhile to “get into” this one. I don’t like a long recap of what came before, but a little reminder at the beginning would make it much more enjoyable. There also seemed to be no real closing to the book, it simply ended. I was expecting to turn the page and read another chapter, but it just wasn’t there. And speaking of chapters, in my kindle edition, there were no chapters marked. There was no natural spot to stop reading for the night. I will continue with the series because I am enjoying the totally unrealistic, fast paced, humorous action, and the crazy characters. Sometimes I just need something light and relaxing, and right now, this is it.
December 7, 2023
Better than the first book
Another fun read, less repetitive snark. Jerry's dialogue still needs some work, less "you're awesome, no you are", more character development.
Every emergency seems rushed, maybe take some time instead of " sick of injured, pop 'em into the autodoc " or push a button and turn the bots loose to repair a saucer - Bob's mechanic skills were a high point of the first book, for me.
I thought it was an Amazon thing with ebooks, a lack of rewrites and poor editing, but i have also found some in library books I've borrowed.
I sound negative, but in still reading!
Another fun read, less repetitive snark. Jerry's dialogue still needs some work, less "you're awesome, no you are", more character development.
Every emergency seems rushed, maybe take some time instead of " sick of injured, pop 'em into the autodoc " or push a button and turn the bots loose to repair a saucer - Bob's mechanic skills were a high point of the first book, for me.
I thought it was an Amazon thing with ebooks, a lack of rewrites and poor editing, but i have also found some in library books I've borrowed.
I sound negative, but in still reading!
January 19, 2021
This is the second in the series. Bob's Saucer Repair and Whammo Ranch are similar. Light, entertaining repartee among several characters one would like knowing. I went right from the first to the second book. Enjoyable reading to wile away the time during lockdown. Might also be called E.T. and his family meet the Dukes of Hazard. Mr. Boyd does not pay much attention to pronoun usage, but that is so common today it is hardly noticeable. I am looking forward to Shady Oaks, the third in the series. CMac
August 29, 2022
These are not high quality books - they're short and have a lot of typos. If you like a joke that was used in chapter one, don't worry, you'll hear it again a couple of chapters (or pages) later.
The story is painted with such broad strokes, you'd swear the author used a roller.
The only redeeming feature and why I may try the next one in the series is that the characters are likeable. They're good people, with good attitudes who like helping others. Sometimes you want to read stories about those kind of people.
The story is painted with such broad strokes, you'd swear the author used a roller.
The only redeeming feature and why I may try the next one in the series is that the characters are likeable. They're good people, with good attitudes who like helping others. Sometimes you want to read stories about those kind of people.
March 18, 2021
Boyd, Jerry. Whammo Ranch. Bob and Nikki No. 2. Kindle, 2019.
The silly but fun adventures of mechanic Bob, a.k.a. Caveman, and alien girl Nikki, a.k.a. Space Cadet, continue. They have moved to a farm out of town where it is easy to hide ailing flying saucers in the barn. The cast keeps growing. Most fun now come from two grateful shapeshifting robots rescued from the Moon. They enjoy playing Frisbee with the dog. Plot? Who cares? 3 stars.
The silly but fun adventures of mechanic Bob, a.k.a. Caveman, and alien girl Nikki, a.k.a. Space Cadet, continue. They have moved to a farm out of town where it is easy to hide ailing flying saucers in the barn. The cast keeps growing. Most fun now come from two grateful shapeshifting robots rescued from the Moon. They enjoy playing Frisbee with the dog. Plot? Who cares? 3 stars.
September 5, 2021
Now that I have gotten past the initial writing style concerns I had with the first book, I sat down and read the second in the series. These are a fun read! The characters are likeable, the premise is solid and the story is lighthearted and whimsical. I wish I had these books when I was a teen, these are a fun read and really solid for someone not necessarily into YA reading but light fun. Will definitely read the next one.
February 7, 2022
3.5 stars. Lighthearted for the most part, but the "dad jokes", nicknames and pop cultural references get repetitive after a while. Also, I appreciate the "John" reference, but it's from "Buckaroo Banzai" not "Bonsai"; don't get the name of one of my favourite movies wrong.
I'm not sure how far I can go with this series, but I need a third point for a curve, so probably one more book to see if the story has more to offer.
I'm not sure how far I can go with this series, but I need a third point for a curve, so probably one more book to see if the story has more to offer.
October 14, 2022
At a guess Jerry Boyd is a bit older than me - not necessarily a whole lot, but maybe 10 or so years. Why do I think this? The humor. It reminds me of the older kids at school. :-)
Bob and Nikki books tend to be quick fun, humorous reads that I enjoy. I think there's 20-something of them, so I'm not going to read them back-to-back, but I think I'll at least get the next one onto my kindle at least.
Bob and Nikki books tend to be quick fun, humorous reads that I enjoy. I think there's 20-something of them, so I'm not going to read them back-to-back, but I think I'll at least get the next one onto my kindle at least.
January 31, 2023
I'm on to the third book at this point but wanted to drop a line about the first two. Unusual storing telling style is simple and light hearted. No fancy science babble or sophicicated hard to understand plot twists. No gory details. Just good natured story telling in its simplest form. Some of the jokes get repetitive but I just skip over and enjoy the ride. The main characters are do gooders and are always helping right the wrongs. The books (so far) are short. Give them a try :-)
December 27, 2023
Pleasant, but slight
Honestly my biggest problem is that all th e dialogue starts to sound the same after a while. Every character has more or less the same sense of humor and speech patterns. Even where they start out different, like the aliens and robots, they quickly adopt the local jokes and speech. It's not unbearable, but it could easily be more fun with just a little bit of variety.
Honestly my biggest problem is that all th e dialogue starts to sound the same after a while. Every character has more or less the same sense of humor and speech patterns. Even where they start out different, like the aliens and robots, they quickly adopt the local jokes and speech. It's not unbearable, but it could easily be more fun with just a little bit of variety.
June 17, 2020
These books are written in a kind of clipped cadence which works especially when listening to the audiobook. The narration is hilarious and very good. I don't know much about these books as I just found them but I listened to books one and two all the way through laughing out loud constantly. These books are top notch!
November 7, 2020
Still amusing, and the story progresses nicely. Except for the whole being called caveman thing. I know it's supposed to be funny, and sometimes it is, but other times, it's more like Nikki is getting her digs in just because she can, and not because she's trying to be funny, and that detracts from the enjoyment a bit, but otherwise, I liked it, and am very likely to read more in the series.
November 11, 2021
Another winner
I loved the characters and the good story telling. Humorous without being comedic. Old style science fiction with an upbeat twist. Lots of Easter eggs movie references. The bots are in a class by themselves and I look forward to their continued humanazation. Will be reading the entire series, God help me....
I loved the characters and the good story telling. Humorous without being comedic. Old style science fiction with an upbeat twist. Lots of Easter eggs movie references. The bots are in a class by themselves and I look forward to their continued humanazation. Will be reading the entire series, God help me....
August 13, 2022
Whammo Ranch is clean, lighthearted fun! There is very little world description and the characters are not overly developed but, they are snarky with lots of conversations. It’s an easy read that made me smile which is exactly what I want occasionally. I recommend it and plan to get the next book in this series.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
November 4, 2023
Fun book from an enjoyable series
The author isn't much for chapter breaks, which bugs my wife, but it has clear breaks for scene changes and thats good enough for me.
This isn't epic sci-fi space opera, like Dune, Star Wars, and whatnot, but it's very entertaining light sci-fi fun and I'm glad there are a lot of books in this series, which I'm looking forward to reading.
The author isn't much for chapter breaks, which bugs my wife, but it has clear breaks for scene changes and thats good enough for me.
This isn't epic sci-fi space opera, like Dune, Star Wars, and whatnot, but it's very entertaining light sci-fi fun and I'm glad there are a lot of books in this series, which I'm looking forward to reading.
January 13, 2024
A different style of writing for sure. Almost completely dialogue. But if you made it to book two, you might as well continue. As an English major, I'm glad I'm listening to this rather than reading it. Much more entertaining and easy to overlook the issues with the story. Once you overlook them though, these books are a blast.
July 19, 2024
short sharp book
This book was shorter than the fist but a seamless transition from the previous book. These books seem like long chapters only taking a few hours to read. Fun story, more slice of life in a fun way as they play with alien technology and avoid some issues using earth smarts and brass balls for a little action.
This book was shorter than the fist but a seamless transition from the previous book. These books seem like long chapters only taking a few hours to read. Fun story, more slice of life in a fun way as they play with alien technology and avoid some issues using earth smarts and brass balls for a little action.
August 14, 2024
Third time will not be the charm.
Still the same old juvenile behavior and banter. Who does all this tickling stuff in real life? No descriptions of anyone or anything, not even the dog. Is it sunny or rainy? What color is the car- or any ofvtge trucks or saucers for that matter. Give us a hint. On second thought, forget it. I will not be moving on with this series.
Still the same old juvenile behavior and banter. Who does all this tickling stuff in real life? No descriptions of anyone or anything, not even the dog. Is it sunny or rainy? What color is the car- or any ofvtge trucks or saucers for that matter. Give us a hint. On second thought, forget it. I will not be moving on with this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews