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Buckle up for thrills, chills, and plenty of spine-tingling action and suspense in this high octane thriller/suspense novel. Riveting!

Synopsis

Ghini Freeman is a single mother who doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. Even six months after her thirteen-year-old daughter, Jeannie, was taken from a class field trip, she continues to pour everything into finding her daughter.

Could monsters be responsible for Jeannie’s abduction? Ghini doesn’t want to believe it. But could it already be too late?

As temperatures heat up, the colony of monsters begins to expand its reach throughout the Black Hills but is the hive fracturing? Or is everything going to plan?

Meanwhile, Ghini, Samuel, Dak, and a handful of other allies must come face to face with the paranormal, and survival means avoiding assimilation or becoming dinner.

Beware. The Vespids.

Warning: Do not begin this book late at night. If you do, you’ll be turning one heart-pounding page after another into the wee hours to find out what happens next in this gripping adrenaline rush.


Indeed, once opened, A.J. Humphreys's Season of the Monster: Summer is hard to put down! It’s that absorbing.


Todd Powell and his main squeeze, Maria DeSantos, are out for a stroll in the eastern Badands of South Dakota with their Yorkie, Kelso. Maria suddenly slips on “an amorphous blob.” Giggling can be heard. Two women approach. There’s something about them. Something about their eyes...


This is how this rip roarin’ thriller opens. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats as this gripping suspense story unfolds, wondering what dangers truly lurk in the wilds of South Dakota’s Black Hills. The answer is plenty. You'll be turning pages furiously as the story picks up speed like Secretariat rocketing around the final turn in the Belmont Stakes.


Superbly well-written with pitch-perfect pacing, this story has a “We are the Borg, resistance is futile” vibe going. It’s also a bit reminiscent of Them and The Thing From Another World. It's not for the faint-hearted. But adult readers will find it highly engaging and immensely entertaining.


The story also includes find the Vespids. Like, totally. “Freeing” Queenie’s daughters “from the horrors of humanity.” The “burning itch of an idea.” And just what or who do the Montoya brothers have chained up in their basement, and why? “All legends are based on fragile truths.” Pheromones. Likkle scarlet one. “She did not like the cold.”


Oh, and whatever you do, do not make eye contact with any strange woman from the forest. And by the way, what’s that smell?!


A Preface recaps Part I of the series, Season of the Monster – Spring. It helps fill in any blanks and makes the connections necessary with Season the of the Monster – Summer. Thus, reading the first book in this series is helpful but not mandatory. Summer has a cliffhanger ending ripe for a sequel.

 

Finally, Season of the Monster: Summer may have to come with its own warning label: Caution! Contents under pressure. Buckle up for one heckua ride! Prepare for thrills, chills, and plenty of spine-tingling action and suspense in this high octane, riveting read.



My Rating: 3.5.


Note: This title may have earned a higher rating except for the gratuitous use of profanity.

Reviewed by

Lifelong bibliophile. Library Board Member. Select book reviews featured on my blog and Goodreads, etc. I'm a frank but fair reviewer, averaging 400+ books/year in a wide variety of genres on multiple platforms. Over 1,550 published reviews. Still going strong!

Synopsis

Ghini Freeman is a single mother who doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. Even six months after her thirteen-year-old daughter, Jeannie, was taken from a class field trip, she continues to pour everything into finding her daughter.

Could monsters be responsible for Jeannie’s abduction? Ghini doesn’t want to believe it. But could it already be too late?

As temperatures heat up, the colony of monsters begins to expand its reach throughout the Black Hills but is the hive fracturing? Or is everything going to plan?

Meanwhile, Ghini, Samuel, Dak, and a handful of other allies must come face to face with the paranormal, and survival means avoiding assimilation or becoming dinner.

Beware. The Vespids.

First Light

Todd is grateful for this warm morning air. He knows summer heat and humidity are right around the corner, but ever since he and Maria began dating, life has been, well, magical. This morning is one of the most yet.

The sun has barely poked its first rays over the eastern Badlands. The sky glows with a bounty of colors as he and Maria enjoy their morning stroll alongside her little Yorkie, Kelso. He’s a goofball of a dog, but Todd is as much infatuated with Kelso as he is Maria. 

This particular morning they’re walking around the House of Japan Gardens. A quaint little area with cherry-blossom trees, a veiny spiderweb of footpaths, and four miniature ponds that geese love to frequent. The main features are the old-fashioned, arcing, red, Japanese garden bridges that cross the ponds, leading to grass mounds perfect for a picnic — when not covered in goose excrement. 

As they stroll through the vein-like walkways, the pair take a fork on one of the paths. Kelso, ever the curious pup, goes to sniff the bush in the center of the intersecting stony paths. Maria gives him a quick tug, pulling up on his harness, and calls for a ‘heel.’ Only, the little goober remains persistent. His attempts become increasingly more desperate as he tries to get his sniffer into that bush. Thankfully, it seems that a training treat from Maria’s fanny pack is motivation enough to distract Kelso and bring him back to her side. However, not without engaging in one last stare-down against that pesky bush.

Todd looks back wondering what the little guy smells. Maybe some birds or squirrels have taken up refuge in there. Though it’s more likely some lazy asshole just shoved their garbage between the branches. Or another dog marked it, or —

Wait what was that

“Did you hear that?” Maria had heard it too.

It sounds silly to Todd, but he could have sworn he heard — giggling.

“I don’t know. Maybe?” He looks down into her big caramel eyes. “It kinda sounded like . . .” He looks back to the bush as the path bends around one of the ponds. “Ah, never mind. I think it’s just a bit early and we’re hearing things.”

“Oh, my big baby. Are you spooked handsome?” Maria laughs and playfully nudges him with her arm. 

He knows they have to be a funny sight. She’s all of 5’1” in her running shoes, while Todd stands nearly seven feet tall. But she’s been good for him. It hasn’t been a long official relationship, but it’s been the best he’s ever had. Their ritual involves walking Kelso early in the mornings, which has been helping his knees and hips more throughout the day. They still ache, but nowhere near as bad. He feels loose and has managed to even drop a few pounds.

“As long as I have you, I can never be spooked, my beautiful Latin goddess.” He leans down and offers his lady a kiss, which she takes with a fervor that lets him know what’s in store when they get back to her house. 

“Where have you been all my life Todd Powell?”

“Right here. I’m kinda hard to miss!” It’s one of those moments of shared laughter that seems to sync the entirety of the couple’s worlds. 

Now hand in hand, they follow Kelso’s lead as he tugs against his harness to take the bridge over one of the ponds. It’s a bit darker here, as a large grove of blossoming trees blots out a patchwork of the morning’s rays. 

A fluttering sound catches Todd’s attention. It looks like Kelso may have heard it too because they both turn and look around them in a state of confusion. All Todd sees are the groves of cherry blossoms and large drooping willows. 

As they continue their venture, Todd’s head remains on a swivel until he hears a shattering cry from the woman beside him. It’s a piercing screech that slices through the early morning air. Her legs come out from under her. Thankfully, Todd’s reflexes are quick this morning, and he somehow manages to catch her by the armpit before she wipes out entirely. Frozen in mid-descent, he notices the sheer terror carved into her face. 

“What happened?”

“I slipped on something.” She huffs out through ragged breaths.

Todd looks around and can sort of make out something on the bridge a step behind them. It’s a pile, but the shadows and early morning hues make it hard to discern anything beyond an amorphous blob. Todd’s first thought is goose droppings, but the ambiguous mass is too large and curiosity eats at his fingertips, which slide into his pocket and grasp his aging cell phone. He flips out the antiquated device and turns on the flashlight to get a better look.

Instantly, Maria gasps loud enough that a group of robbins decide to flutter skyward at the minor disturbance. She rips Kelso back to her side, keeping him close. “Dios Mio! Is that what I think it is?”

Todd crouches his giant frame down to get a closer look. His knees pop like a firecracker going off. What he finds as he settles on his heels, is a pile of — meat. Red meat. It looks too lean to be from the usual suspects, but maybe someone dropped their groceries, and its shape has just morphed while sitting out overnight. 

He can see where Maria’s heel caught the edge of the pile and she slid forward. The slick trail had to have been close to a foot in length. No wonder she was startled.

“Todd, I don’t like this. I think I just heard someone — giggling.”

Todd nearly leaps off his feet at that word — giggling

With a cautious strength, he rests his hand on the small of her back. He wants her to know he’s here for her. 

“Listen, if you’re out there, this ain’t funny!” He looks back to Maria and takes her hand in his. “Let’s get movin’, we got a long day ahead, anyway.”

She smiles up at him. She is quite possibly the most emotionally strong person he knows, behind Ghini of course. But, even though Maria does well to hide her fear, Todd can see the panic pressing against her soft round features. He’ll be the strong one. Getting them back home without issue is his main priority right now. He knows it’s all probably nothing, but quickly takes a photo of the meat pile, feeling that if it isn’t nothing, and therefore is something, he’ll need to prove it to someone.

As he steps off the bridge, he knows he’s heard that giggling again. Maria must have heard it too because she looks up at him. Deep, doe-like eyes widen with a clear expression of worry and fear. He keeps a tight hold on her hand, and she returns the favor. He cannot help but appreciate how strong the tiny woman’s grip is. 

Suddenly, there’s that fluttering sound again. It’s subtle and quiet, but unmistakable. They increase their pace, and Todd does his best to not let his strides get too long. But Maria’s no slouch and hurries her short, powerful legs with a fervor that seems all too common of women who share her stature.

WOOOF! WOOOF! WOOOF! 

Kelso’s barks shatter the heart-pounding silence before quickly turning to a guttural growl. The sun peaks over the hills, showering the little pathway in a sea of warm golden glow. Just then, two young women, more like girls, materialize from the shadows. Despite thinking how young the pair are, Todd’s first observation is that they are significantly overdressed, wearing thermals, vests, and stocking caps on this warm summer morning. 

Kelso continues to bark and growl. His ears pin straight back against his skull as his lips inch backward into a snarl. Maria holds his leash tightly, fighting off the dog’s continued desire to press low and forward toward the two girls.

 One of them, young and dark-skinned steps forward, “Good morning. How’s it going?” She has an unsettling sneer on her face. 

Todd places himself between the girls and Maria, who has managed to wrangle Kelso to her side. Todd is not sure what this is, but the situation feels wrong. Like one false move could mean life or death. It’s a sense he’s honed throughout his lifetime. “We just walking. What you and yours doin’?” His nerves confound his mind into shortened bursts of words.

Maria screams before Todd realizes anything has happened. Slowly, his mind registers a tight burning pinch in his thigh. Something hot eats away at his nerves as if he’d just poured rubbing alcohol or IcyHot all over a series of deep cuts. That’s when he looks down, finally noticing that the other girl is right there in front of him. 

In his space. 

Dark curly black hair hangs just above her shoulders. She looks familiar, but he can’t place her. Where would he know a little white girl from? Maybe one of the boys’ basketball games?

“Hi there. I’m Sierra. And, you and I, we’re gonna be friends.” 

Todd looks down past the girl’s unsettling grin to see her pale fingers end at his shorts. No, not end. Her fingernails are completely buried into the meat of his thigh. There’s an unsettling fluid pumping beneath the surface of her fingers. It’s like something out of a nightmare. Whatever the liquid is, looks to be flowing toward the fingernails concealed within his quad. He can feel it pulsing and burning as it enters his bloodstream, like a hot injection.

This can’t be real! 

The last things he sees before blacking out, are Kelso hightailing it out of the park with the leash flapping behind him, and the other girl — the little sister with the sneer on her face — standing over Maria, whose luxurious cocoa-colored hair lies in the grotesque meat pile, while her caramel eyes seem to drain of their natural luster. 

He only thinks about what could’ve been. This woman whom he’d thought was helping him find happiness. A life he could tell his best friend, Ghini, about. He’d had images of one day going on double dates with Ghini and some new man in her life, all the while Maria and he would let little Jeannie babysit…

 Instead, there is the reality of the moment. Maria’s hand limply rests across her throat. A deep dark scarlet courses between her fingers, while a faint and final gurgling cough worms its way across her lips. 

The little sister’s hand is held high. As if in slow motion, Todd notes her fingertips, capped with tiny barbs, which drip that same visceral red. Each drop appears to glow as they fall to the Earth below, reflecting a similar color from the silhouetting sky’s first dawning lights. 

AJ Humphreys
AJ Humphreys shared an update on Season of The Monster : SUMMERover 1 year ago
over 1 year ago
Found another review, but this one is for SUMMER (i.e. book 2 of the Season of The Monster Saga)! Now I do have some concerns for the reader because "experiencing everything" sounds like a nightmare, considering I wrote this creepy paranormal thriller! But hey, to each their own, and clearly experiencing the transformation into a wasp monster hybrid didn't deter them from wanting to read book 3. So hey, join the Hive, we'd love to have you! 🐝😈
AJ Humphreys
AJ Humphreys shared an update on Season of The Monster : SUMMERover 1 year ago
over 1 year ago
5-Stars for SUMMER! I'm pretty bad about checking for notifications on goodreads for reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised to catch a familiar(ish) face, having completed reading my second book! This reader also read and review book 1 in the series, but this newest one may or may not have brought a tear to my eye. This is why I always get a little soapboxy about leaving reviews. Even the bad ones mean something to an author, at least they do to me. Anywho, that is all! Hope everyone else can experience the joy of finding a pleasant surprise in their inbox this weekend. If not, oh well, it'll happen next weekend! Cheers, AJ
AJ Humphreys
AJ Humphreys recommended a book over 1 year ago
over 1 year ago
A reader reached out to share their advanced review following beta reading part 3 on Kindle Vella. How does this sound? "This is the third book in the series out of 4. The horrible situation was defined in book 1. The bad guys built their forces and had the good guys back pedaling in book 2. In this book, the good guys came back in force! The books all capture the feelings of the characters (even the baddies) without gore and shock value of blood and bits. The story builds over time until in this book, you want to grab a machete and help Ghini, Dak, Bernie, and Sommers out. The emotional pain and anguish is what you see, and for me, built my angst and worry about what might be coming. This is way more of a paranormal suspense thriller with a splash of horror, not horribly unlike some of Hitchcock's works. The yucky does happen, but how the characters are described and their actions and thoughts are conveyed, you just want to scream, DON'T OPEN THE DOOR! I highly recommend this book if you like paranormal, suspense, and that overall dread when something is just not right, but you still have to figure out what that noise was in the dark basement... All 3 are wonderfully entertaining and I really enjoyed them! Can't wait for book 4, Winter!"
Season of The Monster : SUMMER
AJ Humphreys
Ghini Freeman is a single mother who doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. Even six months afte...
AJ Humphreys
AJ Humphreys shared an update on Season of The Monster : SUMMERalmost 2 years ago
almost 2 years ago
Would you read, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell xXMeetsXx Salems Lot by Stephen King? Then do i have a series for you...

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About the author

AJ Humphreys is an emerging author of thrillers, horrors, & mysteries. Season of The Monster is his debut novel. When AJ isn't writing he can often be found in a hammock, probably reading, but almost always with his best buddy, Kobe The Husky. Together, they both enjoy hiking, camping, & swimming. view profile

Published on February 03, 2023

40000 words

Contains mild explicit content ⚠️

Genre:Thriller & Suspense

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