Deep Trouble (Spells, Salt, & Steel, #3)

Spells, Salt, & Steel #3

by Gail Z. Martin, Larry N. Martin

Mark Wojcik is back, and this time there are ghosts, gnomes, dragons, and way more than you ever wanted to know about a gnome's fiddly bits! When there's trouble in the Pennsylvania wilds, there's only one person to call. It's out of Bubba's jurisdiction, so the monster mashing falls on part-time mechanic, part-time cryptid killer Mark Wojcik. He's got a gun, a cast of supporting characters you won't believe, and more ammunition than you can shake a stick at. This time, Mark's not sure what's more dangerous, a haunted hotel, or the live guests at his girlfriend's work soiree! Set in the popular Bubba the Monster Hunter universe, the New Templar Knights novellas are comedic horror/urban fantasy tales of ordinary men and women battling to keep the world safe against the things that go bump in the night, often trying to balance normal lives with extraordinary side gigs. Fans of Bubba, Mason Dixon Monster Hunter, and the Monster Hunter Mom Jess Friedman will enjoy Mark Wojcik's hilarious adventures.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2018

About the author

Gail Z. Martin discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy and ghost stories in elementary school. The first story she wroteat age fivewas about a vampire. Her favorite TV show as a preschooler was Dark Shadows. At age 14, she decided to become a writer.

She enjoys attending science fiction/fantasy conventions, Renaissance fairs and living history sites. She is married and has three children, a Maltese and a golden retriever.

Gail Z. Martin is also Morgan Brice, which is her pen name for urban fantasy MM paranormal romance.

In addition to the online sites listed below, you can find me on
Facebook.com/Groups/MartinShadowAlliance
Facebook.com/Groups/WorldsOfMorganBrice
Twitter: @GailZMartin and @MorganBriceAuthor
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/GailZMartinAuthor
IG: @MorganBriceAuthorGail & Larry newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dd5XLj
Morgan Brice newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dy_8oL
BookBub for Morgan: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/morga...
Bookbub for Gail: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gail-...
Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Brice/e...?
Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/Gail-Z-Martin/...
Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) www.Pinterest.com/Gzmartin

Reviews

[Jodi]

I'm really enjoying Mark's monster hunting stories. Each story is packed full of creepy, or creepy bad monsters and a whole lot of 'try not to kill myself' self-talk. Of course my favorite story included Gus, and as always Father Leo who is a fabulous friend. Mark's romance is moving along sweetly, and very slowly by both of them.

[Tina]

This is some great writing by the authors. As frightening as some of this is to me, I just can't stop reading them. I am loving getting to know all of the side characters as we watch Mark blow stuff up. Although I will say, after reading these books, I don't think I can live in PA. :-)

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook)]

I really like when we get to see Mark’s more vulnerable moments like the charitable dinner with Sara. But I also love the humorous moments like trying to fight a gnome. Get you a man who can do both!

[Shirley]

Another installment in the Spells, Salt, & Steel - Season 1 that makes me adore Mark Wojcik even more. He gains even more unlikely allies in Deep Trouble that add to the menagerie.

One of the things that make me like Mark so much (and there are many, many things) is the fact that he doesn't just arbitrarily eliminate every "monster" he hunts down. If they're not a danger to anyone around them, he finds a way to help them.

There's only one more story left in Season 1 and with the promise of more to come, I can't wait to get to know Mark and friends even better. ;)

I received Deep Trouble as part of the Spells, Salt, & Steel - Season 1 in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Tiffany Ehrob]

I have really enjoyed reading this series so far. I have come to enjoy reading about all Mark Wojcik many adventures in monster killing. I have grown very found of Father Leo. I enjoy the dynamic between him and Mark. I can't wait to read the fourth book in this series and see what adventures come next for Mark.

[Dolorianne]

This was the most intense one yet. Mark goes from one case to another, upping the ante each time. I like that he doesn't rush in and just kill everything in sight. As much as he likes his explosives, he takes the time to relocate a creature if possible. I especially liked the time he spent with Sarah, as it shows he is making time for himself. They're sweet.

[Wendy]

Another great installment Mark and the crew have some great adventures. It was hard to pick a favorite – I think it might be the gnome story – crafty little guy! A close second would be the story of when he attended a work event with Sarah. Mark was recognized and someone at the table was announcing that ghosts aren’t real – the ghosts basically said hold my beer and they made their presence known. Mark and Sarah are getting closer which is nice for him!

[Debbie Benson]

The fight with the gnome was comical even if it involved danger for Mark. In this book, Mark shows more that he'll relocate a monster instead of destroying it if the option is available. I like how the ghosts at a hotel where Mark and Sara were having a dinner at an Innkeeper's event showed themselves to shut up a belligerent skeptic who wanted to pick a fight with Mark. The wost ones that Mark deal with in this book are the shubin, a mine spirit, who was not a nice creature and could only be banished not destroyed. The mine ghosts were still there to protect others from the shubin. The other nasty one was a Tulpas, a shape shifting demon who fed on fear and lost hopes. The Tulpas was using an abandoned fun park as its hunting ground. The good is that Mark's relationship with Sara is progressing even it is slowly by both of them.

[Erin Penn]

Third Novella of the Spells, Salt, & Steel series, Deep Trouble, continues the short vignette format - a chapter per monster (including a dragon chapter!) with no character growth or change. Yes, we see Mark and Sara continue their slow dance, but the courtship has stabilized. Maybe I shouldn't be reading all of these books the same day - they were published over months, like a series of TV shows and I am pulling a Netflix binge.

Here's hoping the fourth book introduces something to shake things up.

(Kindle unlimited borrow)

[Alisha Henri]

An interesting and scary tale.

While the subject matter is not my preference, perhaps because I'm too familiar with the reality of some of it, the stories of ghost hunting and ghoulie bashing are well written, have good forward motion, excitement, and intrigue, and one never knows if our hero will survive his battles. The creatures are unusual for the most part which makes the stories even more fascinating. Read the book! It's good.

[Wayne Blood]

Mikke Wojcik’s Monster hunting adventures are a fun, easy read. Each chapter is a new “hunt.” The side characters are fun and engaging. I really like the author’s selection of lesser known monsters, demons and cryptids. He’s a fun character and the world building is a solid addition to the existing universe. (These books take place in the same universe as Deadly Curiosities, Badlands, Witchbane.) One to his next book of ass-kicking adventures.

[Cheryl]

An excellent book of novellas. We have lots of unusual creatures but Mark has some friends who help him including a priest, Father Leo, witches and even a ghost. I love the humor and look forward to seeing what happens to Mark and Sara’s relationship!
Read this selection of stories and try not to laugh to much because the stories a enjoyable and interesting!

[Angela]

I love the humor in these stories! The unique creatures are a real plus as well. Martin shares in her notes at the books end some of the facts behind these local paranormal pests. The overall character arc and development doesn't expand in this one but I didn't mind with such inventive stories.

[irv Russell]

A great book to get.

Once again the author did what she wanted to due and keep you wondering what will happen next. Well done , it is not a long book to read but it well worth while to get.

[Loretta Edgar]

Oh yeah

Gnomes ,zombies, ghosts ,pigman ,dragon, Coal mines, abandoned theme park. Well you get the idea. Banishing bad things is what happens. Some humor, snark, and a budding romance. A great continuation of the templar knights saga.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb]

3rd book in Series

If you enjoy reading about supernatural beings and ghosts this is a great set of enjoyable stories with some humor for a fun read.

[Sctechsorceress]

A good collection of stories! I enjoyed reading this book.

[Mstay]

Snickering

Oh how I’m loving this series. The snarky commentary from the main character and the great supporting characters means I am looking forward to the next.

[Jai Oni]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Valerie - Cats Luv Coffee Book Reviews]

Spells, Salt, & Steel is a collection of four novellas. Each follows Mark Wojcik (Voy-chick, not Whoa, chick!), mechanic and monster hunter extraordinaire on his nightly escapades tracking down and sometimes not-so-quietly ridding the world of things that go bump in the night. Sure the monster hunter thing has been done before, but never so well as this. I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself at the end of the first novella. Why? Because I had forgotten that it was a novella!

Read more at Cats Luv Coffee

[Madeline]

I received a free copy of this novella (and three others in the series) in exchange for an honest review. That review, which covers my thoughts on the first four novellas - Spells, Salt, & Steel; Open Season; Deep Trouble; and Close Encounters - can be found here.