MOUNTAIN HOME by Bracken MacLeod wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still a very solid read.

Joanie is ex-military. She's purchased a home with a view up in the mountains. Trying to move on with her life after a tragic experience during her time overseas, she runs into more trouble with a local. This is the final straw. Life's kicked her ass, now she's ready to strike back. It certainly had a Rambo/First Blood vibe in spots, which was cool.

What this book needed was more Joanie. All the scenes and bits with her past and present were compelling. I would have liked it better if the entire book was written from her POV.

I just couldn't get into the diner characters. I found myself wanting the story to move along and get back to Joanie. Unfortunately, the majority of the book is the diner and its cast and how they are dealing with being under fire.

I loved the set up and the ending of MOUNTAIN HOME and really was captivated by Joanie and her background.

I give MOUNTAIN HOME 3 stars!

A compilation of short stories all pertaining to...you guessed it. Aahhrrrooooo! There were some absolute gems and a few clunkers. My absolute favorites were Maberry, Meikle, Newman, and Smith. Here's the breakdown of each story:

Like Part of the Family - Jonathan Maberry

Mr. Hunter is a private detective that moved to Philadelphia. He can be very persuasive to get what he wants. Even if he's up against something not quite human. Great story.

5 out of 5 stars

Baby - James Roy Daley

It's good to know who the man really is that you're marrying, especially if you ever plan to have a family with him.

4 out of 5 stars

Anniversary - John Everson

Every month Margaret prepares for her date with Charles when the moon is full. When the sex is that good, you'll do anything for your partner no matter how unorthodox their relationship is.

4 out of 5 stars

The Virgin O' Full Moon Falls - James Newman

Quick little tale of revenge when a pack of rednecks attack the high school virgin queen.

5 out of 5 stars

The Trojan Plushy - David Bernstein

Another revenge tale that combines the werewolf with witchcraft and the Trojan Horse. Has a Twilight Zone-kind of feel.

4 out of 5 stars

Jesus When The Sun Goes Down - Simon McCaffery

The church camp counsellors are hell-bent to save the souls of their campers. But, who is going to save the counsellors?

5 out of 5 stars

Three Dog Night - John F.D. Taff

An animal control officer brings in a strange stray dog.

4 out of 5 stars

Grandma, What Big Teeth You Have - Rob Rosen

Grammy has a secret. Sammy thinks he know what is. He's right...and he's wrong.

4 out of 5 stars

Scarred For Life - Michael Laimo

Fairly predictable yarn about the birth of a father's child.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Hairs and Graces - William Meikle

Set in a fairy tale, magical and medieval Britain which makes for the perfect setting for a werewolf story. A female investigator is hired by a Lord to find the original owner of a belt he recently purchased. Ah, but this is no ordinary belt. Love, love this story. The only downside is that it ended when I wanted it to keep going. But, isn't that the sign of a good story - you don't want it to end?

5 out of 5 stars

Out of the Light - Douglas Smith

Jan is a hunter of shape-shifters from the old country. After a tragic mistake takes the life of the girl he loved, Jan moves to Toronto into the big city and away from their habitat. But as time passes, all things evolve. Great story.

5 out of 5 stars

Hungry Like The Moon - Rob E. Boley

A tale about what happens if you're a werewolf and are caught in the zombie apocalypse. Nice merge of genres.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Unlucky Moon - T.J. May

Be careful when you answer those ads on Craigslist.

3.5 out of 5 stars

A Taste of Blood and Roses - David Niall Wilson

A woman's disabled veteran husband is a werewolf. While the writing was decent, the story had no substance and went nowhere.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Under A Civil Moon - John Grover

Werewolves Union soldiers racing through the south. This southern belle knows what to do. Not a lot of meat in this story to gnaw on.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Unleashed - Nina Kiriki Hoffman

What to do about childcare when you're a new mom AND a werewolf. Could've been so much more entertaining than this mess.

2 out of 5 stars

Steak - Randall Lahrman

Turning into a werewolf is like discovering the Fountain of Youth. Simple and fun story.

3.5 stars out of 5

Silver Anniversary - Stephen M. Wilson

Wedding gifts can come in handy. Another simple, fun one.

3.5 stars out of 5

Buy A Goat For Christmas - Anna Taborska

A werewolf attacks an African village, but the blacksmith has a secret weapon. Great storytelling with a nicely fleshed out setting

4.5 stars out of 5

Sq389 - David Wesley Hill

A werewolf attack in virtual reality, blah, blah, blah. Don't even waste your time.

1/2 star out of 5

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Jonathan Stiles is your typical 14 year old boy who idolized his older brother, Ryan.  Growing up, Ryan convinced Jonathan that there is no god and that all religion was false.  As Jonathan starts his first day of school as a freshman, Ryan is found dead at the bottom of a ravine behind the school.  Jonathan is convinced that it's murder and the murderer is none other than the star of the football team, Alistair.

That day, Jonathan meets up with Jesus.  Jesus Jackson that is.  Jesus Jackson has an uncanny resemblance to Jesus Christ except he dresses like he came straight from the 1970's - white leisure suit and all.  As Jesus learns that Jonathan is without faith in anything, he offers up his services by providing what Jonathan needs - restoring his faith.

And this is what this story is about (at least what I got out of it), finding faith to believe in something you can't see or touch.  Just that feeling that there is something greater out there and we just have to believe - in something.

I think my most favorite quote of the book came from the part where Jesus tricked Jonathan into falling several feet from the bleachers.  Although he came out of the incident unhurt, he asked Jesus what would have happened if he had gotten hurt.  Jesus replied,

".....it was worth a shot.  That taking a leap of faith is always worth a shot.  After all, whether you land on your feet or fall on your face, at least you'll know what's on the other side.  At least you'll know the truth."

Jesus Jackson was an absolute delight to read.  The writing is flawless and the story line flowed smoothly.  The only thing I did not like is the ending seemed a bit rushed or perhaps I just didn't want the story to end.  Either way, this was a touching and meaningful story that will make the reader think outside the box and provide some entertainment along the way.  Give this one a shot...you won't be disappointed.

A special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an Uncorrected Proof of Jesus Jackson in exchange for an honest review.

More Zombies!

Zombies are starting to get overdone, but in this 3rd volume or Zombie Tales, there are still surprises to be found. Not every zombie fits the generic Romero zombie type, and it's fun to be inside the head of a zombie. These tales are collected from other magazines, novels, anthologies, etc - but it's a collection so you have to expect that. However, I hadn't read any of these myself, so I was very happy with the selection of stories. Even though this was a 3rd anthology, the stories didn't feel like the dregs of the zombie-land, and they had plenty of fresh new ideas.