A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 29
March 6, 2018
Timothy (book #1), by Mark Tufo
*I'm such a dork- I posted book 2's review before book 1. Sorry!
If you've never read a Mark Tufo novel, I feel bad for you; he's amazing. If you've been with me a while, you've already been introduced to the Zombie Fallout series I shared to celebrate Halloween. Well today, through Wednesday, I'm sharing the Timothy series.
I have to warn you, this isn't like his previous novels. Timothy was not a good guy in life, and he carries a lot of his wretchedness with him, into the afterlife. Check out my review for Timothy, Book 1... He's a giant of a man, standing at 6'5", and he's wearing a clown outfit- complete with red nose. He looks nothing like Pennywise and smells worse than the sewer system It came from. But what makes him worse is, he's no ordinary zombie. He's got a conscious- even though he totally ignores it!
This book is extremely vulgar and totally gross! The things he describes and what he does, even when he's in control, will gross you out. But it's good. So bad, it's good, and that's an honest, review! I also love that no matter where Tufo's novels take place, you can bet you're gonna run into the Talbot clan!
So check out Timothy, available anywhere you can grab book and audiobooks. I can truthfully say that if you purchase it in Audible, you'll be able to stop and go much easier than if you get it in iBooks. But seriously- grab yourself a copy while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Timothy
Mark Tufo
Published December 23rd 2011
by Severed Press
March 5, 2018
Friend Request, 2016
*Movie Review 
If you've been following my reviews, you know I reviewed Friend Request, a novel, on Tuesday. That Friend Request (see review here) by Laura Marshall was how a stalker used Facebook to exact revenge. This Friend Request, that released in 2017 but made in 2016, is a movie about witchcraft. Strange how many FR's there are, huh? Now the novel was pretty good, considering I wanted to knock a bit of brain power into the main character. Did I feel the same about the movie? #element-62969042-4269-4787-89f8-c642642a6d24 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
Friend Request tells of a girl who's über-popular. She's the girl with hundreds of online friends, a tight circle of besties, in college and has the man of her dreams- a doctor in training! Wooo, right? Well Laura Woodson, the main character, is also a girl with a pretty good heart. When she sees a lonely classmate, she befriends her. But the girl has issues man, major issues! A few events later and Laura's online friends total has diminished and her besties are dropping dead every few days! Her only message: Now you'll know what it feels like to be lonely.
Friend Request felt like a reach for The Ring (2002-2017). They wanted to make it creepy, scary, and carry a lot of cryptic meaning, but to me it didn't work. Though unpredictable, it was a psychological thriller with no psycho. It was entertaining, but not a good movie. Once it hits cable, I may watch it once more, but I don't know. Not bad, but not very good either. Sorry folks.
Have you seen Friend Request? What did you think about it? I'd love to know. Cheers!
Friend Request, 2016
Written by Matthew Ballen, Philip Koch and Simon Verhoeven
Directed by Simon Verhoeven
Produced by Max Weideman
Starred Alycia Debnan-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette and Liesl Ahlers
If you've been following my reviews, you know I reviewed Friend Request, a novel, on Tuesday. That Friend Request (see review here) by Laura Marshall was how a stalker used Facebook to exact revenge. This Friend Request, that released in 2017 but made in 2016, is a movie about witchcraft. Strange how many FR's there are, huh? Now the novel was pretty good, considering I wanted to knock a bit of brain power into the main character. Did I feel the same about the movie? #element-62969042-4269-4787-89f8-c642642a6d24 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Friend Request tells of a girl who's über-popular. She's the girl with hundreds of online friends, a tight circle of besties, in college and has the man of her dreams- a doctor in training! Wooo, right? Well Laura Woodson, the main character, is also a girl with a pretty good heart. When she sees a lonely classmate, she befriends her. But the girl has issues man, major issues! A few events later and Laura's online friends total has diminished and her besties are dropping dead every few days! Her only message: Now you'll know what it feels like to be lonely.Friend Request felt like a reach for The Ring (2002-2017). They wanted to make it creepy, scary, and carry a lot of cryptic meaning, but to me it didn't work. Though unpredictable, it was a psychological thriller with no psycho. It was entertaining, but not a good movie. Once it hits cable, I may watch it once more, but I don't know. Not bad, but not very good either. Sorry folks.
Have you seen Friend Request? What did you think about it? I'd love to know. Cheers!
Friend Request, 2016
Written by Matthew Ballen, Philip Koch and Simon Verhoeven
Directed by Simon Verhoeven
Produced by Max Weideman
Starred Alycia Debnan-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette and Liesl Ahlers
The Timothy series- Tim2 by Mark Tufo
A 3-Day, 3-Book Zombie series! 
Okay, so as I read this book, I transitioned from thinking Timothy was doing his best to survive to being absolutely disgusted at him. Them. It.
Somehow he managed to turn the tide, yet again, and escape every terrible situation he found himself or replaced himself in. I got to the point, I just wanted someone to kill him. He found way too much pleasure in going along with Hugh, the infection who'd taken possession of his body- but then something new was added!
This is one story that gets into you and makes you want to just vomit. Tim is disgusting and his sociopathic tendencies are beyond any nightmare. I began to think, "He's gotta die now", but the freak wouldn't die! I wanted the Swede's to take him out, but even they fell. I didn't think he'd ever get his come-up'ns!
Until the end...
Tim2, by Mark Tufo, is one of those books you have to have the stomach for. And if your imagination is detailed and vivid, be prepared to be absolutely even more grossed out. But you have a hero in all this. She's good and you root for her, instead of Tim. As a matter of fact, you begin to despise Tim; at least I did.
Something else I enjoy with Tufo novels is, he does a crossover with them. There were activities, people and even incidents that happened in his other books that I recognized. Now that's creating your own, personal world! I haven't even read the Indian Hill books, yet, and I know some of what's taken place. If you're Tufo'nian, you know what I'm talking about.
If you can handle deep-seated disgust, you may be able to tolerate Timothy's ramblings and horrible puns as he teases his victims. And his face- which is worse than before is explained. It's a fanatical tool, as well as a sort of punishment. Check it out Tim2 while I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
Tim2
Written by Mark Tufo
Published by Tracy and Mark Tufo
Released by Audible.com on May 24, 2013
Okay, so as I read this book, I transitioned from thinking Timothy was doing his best to survive to being absolutely disgusted at him. Them. It. Somehow he managed to turn the tide, yet again, and escape every terrible situation he found himself or replaced himself in. I got to the point, I just wanted someone to kill him. He found way too much pleasure in going along with Hugh, the infection who'd taken possession of his body- but then something new was added!
This is one story that gets into you and makes you want to just vomit. Tim is disgusting and his sociopathic tendencies are beyond any nightmare. I began to think, "He's gotta die now", but the freak wouldn't die! I wanted the Swede's to take him out, but even they fell. I didn't think he'd ever get his come-up'ns!
Until the end...
Tim2, by Mark Tufo, is one of those books you have to have the stomach for. And if your imagination is detailed and vivid, be prepared to be absolutely even more grossed out. But you have a hero in all this. She's good and you root for her, instead of Tim. As a matter of fact, you begin to despise Tim; at least I did.
Something else I enjoy with Tufo novels is, he does a crossover with them. There were activities, people and even incidents that happened in his other books that I recognized. Now that's creating your own, personal world! I haven't even read the Indian Hill books, yet, and I know some of what's taken place. If you're Tufo'nian, you know what I'm talking about.
If you can handle deep-seated disgust, you may be able to tolerate Timothy's ramblings and horrible puns as he teases his victims. And his face- which is worse than before is explained. It's a fanatical tool, as well as a sort of punishment. Check it out Tim2 while I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
Tim2
Written by Mark Tufo
Published by Tracy and Mark Tufo
Released by Audible.com on May 24, 2013
March 1, 2018
Nightmare Home Giveaway
Purchase Nightmare Home NOW! AMAZON You literally have until 5 pm to purchase Nightmare Home, in order to be entered into the giveaway. Watch the video for details! #element-b654328b-cd5d-430d-9764-0ae06b7e8c55 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
Nightmare Home Giveaway! email: a.reneehunt@aol.comFebruary 28, 2018
Wrong Place Wrong Time
A True Story by David P. Perlmutter 
Id' seen the book for months- wondering if I'd ever get the opportunity to read the story that was plastered all over LinkedIn.com. Finally I got to read it and managed to finish it in one Saturday afternoon. So what did I think of Mr. David P. Perlmutter's novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time? #element-93c198d6-5382-4935-94b8-cb2e5dc77253 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Talk about bad freaking luck! It's so good, you can't stop. It's one of those stories that makes you excited, feel a little dirty, angry, and well, like a fugitive!
David makes a mistake that lands him in the unemployment line. Instead of getting back on the wagon, he decides to take a trip to Spain. In doing so, he embarks on a journey that lands him on the streets, a beach bum, then a wanted man. He seems to draw himself to all sorts of attention, but you find yourself rooting for the poor guy.
First off, it's a true story. He is giving you look at his life. So many times, I found myself saying: This really happened. This is what he went through. It's unreal! Honestly, I believe it, whether true or not. I really do. It sounds like something that would have taken place. Probably would have happened to me! Well, maybe not all of it. Maybe not a lot! LOL
The things is, it's written very well, and though he says at the end that he's not an author, he's done an amazing job to me. Check out Wrong Place Wrong Time: A True Story, by David P. Perlmutter. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Wrong Place Wrong Time: A True Story
by David P. Perlmutter
Amazon Digital Services, Dec. 2013
236 pages
Books/Media/Biography/Spain/True Crime
Id' seen the book for months- wondering if I'd ever get the opportunity to read the story that was plastered all over LinkedIn.com. Finally I got to read it and managed to finish it in one Saturday afternoon. So what did I think of Mr. David P. Perlmutter's novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time? #element-93c198d6-5382-4935-94b8-cb2e5dc77253 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Talk about bad freaking luck! It's so good, you can't stop. It's one of those stories that makes you excited, feel a little dirty, angry, and well, like a fugitive!David makes a mistake that lands him in the unemployment line. Instead of getting back on the wagon, he decides to take a trip to Spain. In doing so, he embarks on a journey that lands him on the streets, a beach bum, then a wanted man. He seems to draw himself to all sorts of attention, but you find yourself rooting for the poor guy.
First off, it's a true story. He is giving you look at his life. So many times, I found myself saying: This really happened. This is what he went through. It's unreal! Honestly, I believe it, whether true or not. I really do. It sounds like something that would have taken place. Probably would have happened to me! Well, maybe not all of it. Maybe not a lot! LOL
The things is, it's written very well, and though he says at the end that he's not an author, he's done an amazing job to me. Check out Wrong Place Wrong Time: A True Story, by David P. Perlmutter. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Wrong Place Wrong Time: A True Story
by David P. Perlmutter
Amazon Digital Services, Dec. 2013
236 pages
Books/Media/Biography/Spain/True Crime
The Shape of Water
*A Movie Review 
A romantic movie that crosses lines I never imagined. It shared a love that crossed not only color but species. It was sweet, funny, horrific, evil and freaking insane! It made me ask, how in the world did it receive so many nominations? Then why didn't it win more? Today's review is The Shape of Water.
(artwork found on Google)
#element-e566f72b-4810-427b-b128-44862764c84f .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
The story told of Elisa, a woman along. Found in the water, a mute with slashes on both sides of her neck, she lives in a world of her own. Though she has one a few friends, she feels she doesn't belong. A dreary life, boring and repetitive job and purposeless, she discovers her employer has taken on something magnificent! She forms a bond with the creature, at the risk of her life. The Russians want it, the Americans want to vivisect it. She just wants to save it.
The Shape of Water feels like fantasy, a musical and a romance all in a burrito in the shape of The Creature From the Black Lagoon. It's so whimsical and fairytale-ish, and rather gross in other parts, but sorta necessary. I was able to figure out why early on, but the movie is nowhere near predictable! Oh no, it's just... something else! I can't say much else without telling it.
It's available everywhere, but I got my copy from iTunes. See it and let me know what you think! Cheers! The Shape of Water
Directed by Guillermo del Torro
Written by Guillermo del Torro and Vanessa Taylor
Starred Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon and Richard Jenkins
A romantic movie that crosses lines I never imagined. It shared a love that crossed not only color but species. It was sweet, funny, horrific, evil and freaking insane! It made me ask, how in the world did it receive so many nominations? Then why didn't it win more? Today's review is The Shape of Water.(artwork found on Google)
#element-e566f72b-4810-427b-b128-44862764c84f .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
The story told of Elisa, a woman along. Found in the water, a mute with slashes on both sides of her neck, she lives in a world of her own. Though she has one a few friends, she feels she doesn't belong. A dreary life, boring and repetitive job and purposeless, she discovers her employer has taken on something magnificent! She forms a bond with the creature, at the risk of her life. The Russians want it, the Americans want to vivisect it. She just wants to save it.The Shape of Water feels like fantasy, a musical and a romance all in a burrito in the shape of The Creature From the Black Lagoon. It's so whimsical and fairytale-ish, and rather gross in other parts, but sorta necessary. I was able to figure out why early on, but the movie is nowhere near predictable! Oh no, it's just... something else! I can't say much else without telling it.
It's available everywhere, but I got my copy from iTunes. See it and let me know what you think! Cheers! The Shape of Water
Directed by Guillermo del Torro
Written by Guillermo del Torro and Vanessa Taylor
Starred Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon and Richard Jenkins
February 27, 2018
Friend Request by Laura Marshall
*Not Linked to the Horror Movie Friend Request 
Okay, so this novel came out in September, right before the same time the movie Friend Request commercials for release in theaters. So I thought I'd lucked up on a super-cool purchase! I was thinking, "I've got the 1-up on people going to see it!"
Man, I was so freaking wrong! This Friend Request, by Laura Marshall, and the movie Friend Request were not the same friend request! I was so darn wrong, but was I disappointed by the book- that's the question, yeah? I am so happy to say, I was very pleased.
It's about Louise, a woman tormented by her high school, ignorance mistakes. The need to be adored and part of the In-Crowd placed her in a situation many readers could probably relate to. Sadly, Louise's ended with a tragedy...
So first, I loved their accents- it was so freaking British, and you know me! I couldn't find much on the author herself, but I really walked away from the book, satisfied.
Someone was done terribly wrong, and it was time for the offenders to receive their due. Don't you just love horrific, 'Get yer up-coming' endings? The way the antagonist lurks about is suspense-filled, but the story moved along in such a way, I near sped ahead to see what happened. Louise was a mess and took things to such an extent, I grew weary of her.
But the story isn't about a case of someone being trolled or pursuing an act of revenge. There was a deeper theme, concerning knowing those around you. Being involved in a person's life, in actual person. It was about keeping secrets and honesty and family. How your actions can come back and bite you in the behind and when to open your mouth and speak out. It was also about bullying and being a hypocrite. Yes, there was a great deal involved, and because of those issues, I was able to endure Louise's foolishness and insecurities.
Friend Request didn't connect with me when it came to the social ignorances of social media. It annoyed yet opened my eyes. I found appreciation for the story where it related to knowing the people you see each and every day. How fake people can be, as well as how the smallest thing causes a complete 360 in personality and behavior. The story was good, but not what I'd hoped. Mostly because I'd wanted it to be tied in to the horror movie which released September 22nd. Oh well. If you like stalkers, mysterious texts and Facebook trolls, then this is your dramatic story!
Cheers; I'm off to the next read!
Friend Request
Laura Marshall
Grand Central Publishing
Released September 5, 2017
384 pages
Okay, so this novel came out in September, right before the same time the movie Friend Request commercials for release in theaters. So I thought I'd lucked up on a super-cool purchase! I was thinking, "I've got the 1-up on people going to see it!" Man, I was so freaking wrong! This Friend Request, by Laura Marshall, and the movie Friend Request were not the same friend request! I was so darn wrong, but was I disappointed by the book- that's the question, yeah? I am so happy to say, I was very pleased.
It's about Louise, a woman tormented by her high school, ignorance mistakes. The need to be adored and part of the In-Crowd placed her in a situation many readers could probably relate to. Sadly, Louise's ended with a tragedy...
So first, I loved their accents- it was so freaking British, and you know me! I couldn't find much on the author herself, but I really walked away from the book, satisfied.Someone was done terribly wrong, and it was time for the offenders to receive their due. Don't you just love horrific, 'Get yer up-coming' endings? The way the antagonist lurks about is suspense-filled, but the story moved along in such a way, I near sped ahead to see what happened. Louise was a mess and took things to such an extent, I grew weary of her.
But the story isn't about a case of someone being trolled or pursuing an act of revenge. There was a deeper theme, concerning knowing those around you. Being involved in a person's life, in actual person. It was about keeping secrets and honesty and family. How your actions can come back and bite you in the behind and when to open your mouth and speak out. It was also about bullying and being a hypocrite. Yes, there was a great deal involved, and because of those issues, I was able to endure Louise's foolishness and insecurities.
Friend Request didn't connect with me when it came to the social ignorances of social media. It annoyed yet opened my eyes. I found appreciation for the story where it related to knowing the people you see each and every day. How fake people can be, as well as how the smallest thing causes a complete 360 in personality and behavior. The story was good, but not what I'd hoped. Mostly because I'd wanted it to be tied in to the horror movie which released September 22nd. Oh well. If you like stalkers, mysterious texts and Facebook trolls, then this is your dramatic story!
Cheers; I'm off to the next read!
Friend Request
Laura Marshall
Grand Central Publishing
Released September 5, 2017
384 pages
Billy the Bug by Uncle Amon
There are two things I love about ebooks: One is that they're FREE! Nothing better than free. The second is when it's a children's book. I totally adore children's books, so I when I received a list of bargain books from one of my daily newsletter emails, I hopped right on over to Amazon.com to snatch it up. Billy the Bug Short Stories, Games, Jokes and More, by Uncle Amon put me in mind of a chapter book, filled with the silliness of an inquiring bug that could easily be replaced by my Ewoks. I thought it would be a fabulous read.
So, was I right...?
The first and second chapters had me a little confused as to who the bug was. Chapter one says his name is Billy Marvello Oswalt Braxton Bugswell, right? Yet chapter two and so on say he's Bill Marvello Aballach Braxton Bugswell. So.... that was the first thing that caught my attention.The rest of the book was filled with cute stories that were nice but not very entertaining. I found myself bored with them. I think what lost me was the fact that each story was about a page and a half in length. They were too short.
Check out Billy the Bug through Amazon. I'm on to the next book! Cheers!
Billy the Bug
Uncle Amon
Amazon Digital Services
March 29, 2015
February 26, 2018
Residue
A horror movie review 
When this movie began, I was sure it was going end with my demanding my ninety minutes or so back. I was wrong. It was a bit cheesy and there wasn't a great deal of money spent on FX and the story was mind-boggling, but guess what: I liked it! So what, exactly, was Residue about? #element-bb6ce618-03ea-4f56-aa4c-9c6e2f1436f1 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When this movie began, I was sure it was going end with my demanding my ninety minutes or so back. I was wrong. It was a bit cheesy and there wasn't a great deal of money spent on FX and the story was mind-boggling, but guess what: I liked it! So what, exactly, was Residue about? #element-bb6ce618-03ea-4f56-aa4c-9c6e2f1436f1 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Kisses for Kindergarten by Livingston Crouse Illustrations by Macky Pamintuan
*Children's Book 
I love children's books! Oh hey- have I mentioned how much I love children's books? Well, I do. I love children's books!
They can be repetitive but they still appeal to the child in me. The bold colors, the imagination, the soothing rhythm and rhyme; it's all magic to me. Maybe because I'm a teacher and Nanna, who knows, but I can say that if you take the time to read a kid's book, you will understand.
Kisses for Kindergarten, by Livingstone Crouse and Illustrations by Macky Pamintuan, is a fun book that takes you back to pre-school. Back to the days where everything you looked at was like Disneyland, Wonderland and Sesame Street! I think this book is also a book for the parents who are preparing to send their little one off to Big Kid's School. It's about taking on adventure and letting go, so yes, I loved this book. #element-20d4b9ab-f38a-49d7-a5fc-d292df735f52 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Kisses for Kindergarten is about a girl who is having to walk away from her freedom for scheduling, classmates and recess. That can be terrifying for a young one. That's why it's amazing how Crouse shares Stella Isabella Harden's story. Stella, along with her adorable pup Buster, run through a day of what it's like to not be in Kindergarten. She make a very strong point on why she should stay home, but as with the rest of the world, it doesn't matter.
The story is well-balanced with Pamintuan's rich illustrations make Kisses for Kindergarten a courageous journey in to all of our first steps into the "real world". Read this book, Crouse hasn't written many, and see how this book will take you back.
Kisses for Kindergarten
Livingstone Crouse
Illustrations by Macky Pamintuan
Silver Dolphin books, June 2017
Children's Book/Illustrations/Adventure/School
I love children's books! Oh hey- have I mentioned how much I love children's books? Well, I do. I love children's books! They can be repetitive but they still appeal to the child in me. The bold colors, the imagination, the soothing rhythm and rhyme; it's all magic to me. Maybe because I'm a teacher and Nanna, who knows, but I can say that if you take the time to read a kid's book, you will understand.
Kisses for Kindergarten, by Livingstone Crouse and Illustrations by Macky Pamintuan, is a fun book that takes you back to pre-school. Back to the days where everything you looked at was like Disneyland, Wonderland and Sesame Street! I think this book is also a book for the parents who are preparing to send their little one off to Big Kid's School. It's about taking on adventure and letting go, so yes, I loved this book. #element-20d4b9ab-f38a-49d7-a5fc-d292df735f52 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Kisses for Kindergarten is about a girl who is having to walk away from her freedom for scheduling, classmates and recess. That can be terrifying for a young one. That's why it's amazing how Crouse shares Stella Isabella Harden's story. Stella, along with her adorable pup Buster, run through a day of what it's like to not be in Kindergarten. She make a very strong point on why she should stay home, but as with the rest of the world, it doesn't matter. The story is well-balanced with Pamintuan's rich illustrations make Kisses for Kindergarten a courageous journey in to all of our first steps into the "real world". Read this book, Crouse hasn't written many, and see how this book will take you back.
Kisses for Kindergarten
Livingstone Crouse
Illustrations by Macky Pamintuan
Silver Dolphin books, June 2017
Children's Book/Illustrations/Adventure/School
