Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus

Jack Templar Monster Hunter
The Templar Chronicles - Book One
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
ISBN: 9780988425903
Paperback: 204 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

About the Book:

Orphan Jack Smith has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. But the day before his fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day to prepare before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.

As if that weren't enough, Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

My Thoughts:

Jack is a character that I totally adore! Told from his point of view, I had no choice except fall in love with his character. Jack is to the point, quirky, hilarious and just a teen that wants to be a teen, however that's not in his future. When Jack finds out that his life is not what it appeared to be, he embraces what faces him and does what he needs to do.

I love the voice that Jeff Gunhus gave Jack - perfect for a  14 year old boy. I also love how when he is telling the story, Jack stops and interjects something for the audience and that pulls one into the story even more! But lets not stop with Jack - Eva is great, too, and she's a strong female character that "works" well with Jack.

Perfect for the male young adult audience, but not exclusive. This great beginning to the series will bridge both sex and age groups. Jack Templar Monster Hunter has been likened to Percy Jones, but I think it's better. I love the storyline and more importantly, I love Jack. Add this to your TBR list. It's a fun read and a must for a day when you need to unwind and just be entertained!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

# Giveaway "Fate Fixed" by Bonnie Erina Wheeler - Tour & Review

Welcome to Day 2 of the Fate Fixed Blog Tour. Today you are introduced and invited to read an excerpt of Bonnie Wheeler's YA paranormal romance. Bonnie has also offered an ecopy of "Fate Fixed to one lucky reader. Thank you, Bonnie!! (see below for details)

Fate Fixed
Bonnie Erina Wheeler

About the Book:

An Erris Coven Novel is young adult paranormal romance. When Lexie Anderson’s mother suddenly announces she is marrying a Romanian immigrant, Lexie willingly leaves behind her busy life in Connecticut for her penance in “The Moose Capital of the World.” Small town living is strange enough, now Lexie must cope with her overbearing stepfamily monitoring her every move. They disappear into the woods at night and keep a strange secret locked in their shed. Her once calm mother is now having violent outbursts and Lexie’s little sister is hearing sinister sounds coming from the forest behind their new home. Lexie’s biggest surprise comes when she discovers the boy she has been dreaming about since her accident is living in Maine. Despite Torin’s questionable reputation, Lexie cannot resist the physical and emotional attraction pulsating between them. Animals and people in town are turning up dead and Lexie learns the strange new world she lives in has real life monsters. Just when she decides she wants to be with Torin forever, she must fight to protect her mother and sister from being harmed by a formidable evil.

This the first in a 5 part planned series. The second book in the series, Blood Twist will be released in November.

Where to purchase:
AMAZON
AMAZON KINDLE
BARNES & NOBLE NOOK
SMASHWORDS


EXCERPT:

1

Lexie

Lexie ran with a confidence only found in dreams. She propelled her body through a lush forest that was full of rich colors and intoxicating scents. She knew where the trail would take her and smiled knowing she would see him again. As she rounded the corner of the worn trail, he stood there motionless. Surprise once again filled those intense blue eyes of his. She could never see his whole face, but his eyes always captivated her, drawing her in. Wrapping her arms around him, she breathed in his heady scent. His arms encircled her and she hoped the moment would last, that she could will herself to stay long enough this time to hear the sound of his voice wash over her. There was so much to say, but the sudden vile presence of death crawled up from behind her as her words turned into a scream….

Lexie reached out and felt the cool space next to her on the bed. As always, she was alone. The dream was so real. As much as the ending always terrified her, she could almost smell his pleasing scent on her pajamas and feel his touch. Her dreams were easily forgotten, but not this one. She had been having the same dream, with a few slight variations for months. Even while lost in slumber, she was always aware she was dreaming of him and hoped for a different outcome, but it never happened. Of all mornings, she wished it had a happy ending.

Mornings were never her specialty, but the hurried sounds of her new stepbrothers banging through the small condo made this particular morning disturbing. They awoke her from dreaming of him with their obnoxious shouting of directions and generalized complaints. Over the last month of getting to know them, it had been their noise that required the biggest adjustment. She no longer lived in a calm home with just her mom Ruby and sister Ella, she now lived in what felt like a testosterone zoo.

Or a psychotic reality show.

Stretching across her bed with a complacent smile, Lexie decided not to allow them the privilege of making her last morning in her childhood home unpleasant. They could try rushing her all they wanted but she would take her sweet time getting out of bed.

Once her heart rate settled from the dream’s frightful ending, the warmth and fulfillment of his embrace left her feeling content and flushed. As she rolled onto her side and hugged her pillow, she grasped on to the lasting image of him just behind her eyelids and wished her dreams of him didn’t always end so abruptly.

She never met anyone like him – tall and dark haired, he was intense but beautiful. Although he was an illusion, thinking of him was comforting. As a rule, Lexie never bought into the idea of ESP or the guy on TV acting like The Ghost Whisperer, but sometimes she wished she could. If there was a possibility he was really waiting for her in the woods somewhere, she would shake inside out with excitement and search the great northeast to find him.

My subconscious created perfection for me. It’s just a shame he doesn’t really exist.

With that thought, her enthusiasm faded. Even if she did find him here, she would be leaving him behind, just like she was leaving her home, friends and the remnants of her dad.

Why Lexie was being forced to move to the “Moose Capital of the World” was not her favorite topic to think about. She had so many plans for her senior year of high school, plans that would form lifelong memories with her best friend Liz. They were going to hop on a train and catch a Broadway show in New York, maybe visit some colleges in Boston, and most definitely skip a little school to go to Six Flags.

What will I do without her? She has kept me going through this last year.

Lexie’s father Ed died the year before. It was such a painful time; she did not think she would ever accept that he was really gone. His lasting presence in her condo was wrapped in the memories of him sitting in the living room grading papers or coming through the door after being at the college all day. The worst part was, she caused his death and moving was not going to ease that memory.

My Thoughts:

First, I must comment of the cover. This is what drew me to the book and made me want to read it. I know one isn't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I couldn't resist. Isn't the cover gorgeous?