Jurassic Florida

By Hunter Shea

FLORIDA. IT’S WHERE YOU GO TO DIE.
Welcome to Polo Springs, a sleepy little town on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s a great place to live—if you don’t mind the hurricanes. Or the flooding. Or the unusual wildlife . . .
 
IGUANAS. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE.
Maybe it’s the weather. But the whole town is overrun with the little green bastards this year. They’re causing a lot of damage. They’re eating everything in sight. And they’re just the babies . . .
 
HUMANS. THEY’RE WHAT’S FOR DINNER.
The mayor wants to address the iguana problem. But when Hurricane Ramona slams the coast, the town has a bigger problem on their hands. Bigger iguanas. Bigger than a double-wide. Unleashed by the storm, this razor-toothed horde of prehistoric predators rises up from the depths—and descends on the town like retirees at an early bird special. Except humans are on the menu. And it’s all you can eat . . .
 
Raves for The Montauk Monster
 
“Old school horror.” —Jonathan Maberry
 
“A lot of splattery fun.”—Publishers Weekly
 
 “Frightening, gripping.”—Night Owl Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyrical Press
• Release date: Jun 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781516107933

Hunter Shea

Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot was real. He’s the author of over 17 books, including 'The Jersey Devil' and 'We Are Always Watching'. Hunter’s novels can even be found on display at the International Cryptozoology Museum.

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www.kensingtonbooks.com

Books by Hunter Shea

The Jersey Devil

Tortures of the Damned

The Montauk Monster

Just Add Water

Optical Delusion

Money Back Guarantee

Jurassic Florida

Rattus New Yorkus

The Devil’s Fingers

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Jurassic, Florida

Hunter Shea

LYRICAL PRESS

Kensington Publishing Corp.

www.kensingtonbooks.com

Copyright

Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2018 by Hunter Shea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund-raising, and educational or institutional use.

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Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: June 2018

eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0793-3

eISBN-10: 1-5161-0793-4

First Print Edition: June 2018

ISBN-13: 1978-1-5161-0793-3

ISBN-10: -5161-0793-4

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

For Jerry Mulcahy

Quotes

We are the people our parents warned us about.

—Jimmy Buffet

I think most of the dinosaur specimens we find represent subadult sizes.

—Jack Horner, paleontologist

SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS AND SUSPECTS CONTINUES

March 4. Search crews are still scouring the Gulf of Mexico today for survivors of the massive Maxxon oil rig explosion that has rocked the region. Shockwaves from the disaster plummeted through the extensive pipeline, sending ripples across the Gulf’s floor that measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. Extensive damage is being reported by numerous oil rigs in a ten mile radius.

The eco-terrorist group, Earth Matters, has claimed responsibility for the blast that at last count has claimed the lives of twenty-three people, with dozens more injured, some in critical condition. It is estimated that fifteen of those reported casualties were on board the Great Gaia, a boat loaded with explosives that slammed into the Maxxon supports at five a.m. on Monday. Earth Matters declared the calamity a ‘victory for mother Earth’.

Authorities have arrested five key members of Earth Matters overnight, with talk of them being taken to Guantánamo Bay for questioning. Numerous eco-activist groups have been quick to disassociate themselves from Earth Matters, though there is suspicion that they were working in tandem with several cells throughout the South to execute one of the most stunning homegrown terror attacks in US history.

Joining the Coast Guard and hundreds of other first responders is a team of environmental engineers to assess the extent of the damage to the ecosystem.

These jobless animals not only have taken the lives of innocent men and women, they have just murdered innumerable fish and plant life, fouling the waters in a way that may take a generation to overcome. All that matters to them is their cause, no matter how misguided. If they truly cared about the earth, they wouldn’t take such drastic measures to destroy vital parts of it, a spokesman for the corps of environmental engineers said. Looking out over the spreading oil slick, the waters littered with the bodies of thousands of fish, he said, The death penalty would be too good for these people, if you can call them people.

The President will be speaking out about the tragedy at a press conference later today. Earth Matters has been moved to the top of the FBI’s most wanted list, and a special task force is being gathered to apprehend all those involved with the eco-terrorist group.

Meanwhile, a special vigil is being held in . . .

Chapter 1

They fed Tony to an alligator!

Frank Ferrante woke up in a cold sweat, heart galloping to break free from his rib cage. His mouth was gritty with sand, the sour taste of thick morning breath compounded by the fact that he hadn’t brushed his teeth in two weeks.

He rubbed his sunburnt lids with filthy knuckles. The image of Tony, screaming like he’d never imagined a man could scream, the alligator clamped on his leg like a vise, refused to dissipate like the ghost of a dream.

Because it wasn’t a dream.

The crying gulls overhead were drowned out by Tony’s pleading cries within his head.

The sun stabbed his face when he sat up, the Gulf of Mexico surf creeping toward his hiding space in the tall beach grass. He spat into the sand, the yellow gob of mucous quickly absorbed.

You’re safe. You’re safe, he muttered, hoping if he said out loud enough, he’d eventually believe it. So far, it wasn’t working.

What he did know was that he was safe for the moment. That didn’t mean his ultimate fear wasn’t standing right behind him, waiting to ruin the next moment.

An old couple walked along the surf, gray hair standing on end against the breeze. A guy wearing nothing but a nut hugger and headphones jogged past them, his body glistening with sweat or sea spray. Frank really didn’t care which.

Every joint and muscle in Frank’s body hurt. He was used to sleeping on one of those sleep-number beds, not within itchy beach grass, alleys and dark stairwells. He was sore and tired and hungry and scared. He wondered how long his heart could hold out, always on the brink of disaster and misery like this. He was young, only thirty-two, but he’d aged at least fifty years over the past couple of weeks.

Shit, being forced to watch what they did to Tony had taken him right to the front of the old codger line.

What the hell?

Something tickled his back. He reached an arm to pull what must have been grass out of his shirt. His shoulder popped, ripples of pain shooting down to his fingertips. The pad of his index finger touched something long and hard. It moved up his back. More like scampered.

Frank yelped, the old couple pausing in their morning walk to see him pop out of the reeds like an overexcited meerkat.

Something was in his shirt, clawing its way up and down his back. He went into an impromptu St. Vitus dance, clawing at the dirty rag he called a shirt. Now there was something in his front and back!

He stepped on his own foot, toppling backward. He heard and felt whatever was in his shirt give a soft pop. A sticky wetness oozed down his spine. Tearing his shirt open, the buttons popping free, a sleek green shape leapt off his scarred belly and tore ass along the beach.

Goddamn lizard.

Which meant the thing that had exploded on his back was one, too. Disgusted, but not as much as he would have been weeks ago, he slipped his shirt off and inspected the Turin-like stain that was in the vague shape of a lizard. He scooped the sticky remains off his back, flicking it onto the sand but refusing to look.

Still in his clothes, he walked into the warm waters of the Gulf, washing the remains from his flesh.

There were more goddamn lizards in this poor excuse for a Florida town than squirrels in all of New York. He’d gotten used to them flitting over him while he slept. But this . . . this was an intrusion that would not stand. He was glad he’d crushed the one, pissed he’d let the other get away.

After a thorough soak, Frank left the beach, wet shoe prints in the sand. He needed to find food and something to drink. Worsening dehydration was making his heart beat all kinds of funky. He should be home in Ozone Park right now, having a hot cappuccino, huevos rancheros and a side of home fries at the North Avenue Diner.

Frank choked back tears at thinking he could never go back there again.

That life was as good and done as Tony’s.

Dripping seawater, he didn’t bother to make himself presentable. Let everyone think he was a bum, a nothing that wasn’t even worth a second glance. There was safety in that. For now.

He spied baby lizards darting in and out of the grass and up the palm trees as he shambled toward what passed for a town square.

Get out of here, he spat, stomping his foot to make them run away.

They were looking at him. They knew what he’d done. They’d be waiting for him tonight, when he was too damn tired to keep vigil.

You’re fucking losing it.

Picking up rocks along the way, he flung them at the lizards, hoping there would be some of yesterday’s sandwiches in the dumpster behind the luncheonette.

Huevos rancheros weren’t going to be on the menu for a long, long time.

Chapter 2

Gary’s scream got Don Hendricks running for the door.

Where the hell was he?

Don listened for his son, who had gone eerily silent.

This

Reviews for Jurassic Florida

[thereadingmermaid · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delightfully cheesy!The state of Florida is being overrun with green iguanas. But these aren't just any green iguanas. Definitely not the pets that you would buy at the pet store. These are aggressive. Not to mention BIG! Will anyone make it out of this mess alive?Hahaha I loved this book! Classic B-rate horror at its best. The author writes in a very to the point manner so the story is extremely easy to follow. Even though you are following through several different point of views. Like a monster movie out of the 1950s this book has a great biting wit. Great storytelling. Great book!I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes horror or Monster stories, or anyone who generally likes a nice cheesy monster flick.

[misspider-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another highly entertaining creature feature, this one starring giant iguanas - which sounds weird and maybe even cute at first, but the cover already gives a very good impression of what to expect on the inside (BTW, I love the slightly retro cover art on this one!).I was surprised by the amount of character building taking place here, featuring several very different people with interesting backgrounds (teenage mayor, gangster on the run). That definitely added to the appeal of the book and made it more than just another creature story, though the iguanas definitely ruled the place...I can't wait to visit the rats of New York in the second part of this series.(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)

[gothamajp · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This quick read (I read most of it over a single lunch break) delivers exactly what it promises on the cover - giant lizards stomping all over a small town in Florida. Despite its breezy nature the lead characters are well developed and you end up caring for them as they battle their way through the carnage around them. If you love giant monster 1950s bad-science B-movies, then this is a book for you.

[sumisbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delightfully cheesy!The state of Florida is being overrun with green iguanas. But these aren't just any green iguanas. Definitely not the pets that you would buy at the pet store. These are aggressive. Not to mention BIG! Will anyone make it out of this mess alive?Hahaha I loved this book! Classic B-rate horror at its best. The author writes in a very to the point manner so the story is extremely easy to follow. Even though you are following through several different point of views. Like a monster movie out of the 1950s this book has a great biting wit. Great storytelling. Great book!I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes horror or Monster stories, or anyone who generally likes a nice cheesy monster flick.

[charrlygirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The quiet town of Polo Springs, Florida, (It's where you go to die!), is about to suffer from an invasion the likes of which it has never seen. Hurricanes? No problem! Climate change? No worries! Giant Iguanas? What the..what???

That's right, lizards! At first they're cute and remind you of those television commercials. Then, they seem to be larger than your average geckos. Then, they seem like they must be on steroids or something. And then? Then, they are bigger than your car and threatening to destroy your house! Will the people of Polo Springs survive? You'll have to read this novella to find out!

Hunter Shea is the man when it comes to fun creature features. That's all there is to it. There's no shame in serving up fine horror cheese, (and this is cheesy, have no doubt), because, let's face it - sometimes we are just in the mood for some chasing and chomping! What creature is doing the dining? Who cares? Who's getting eaten? Perhaps some of us like to substitute certain members of our families or co-workers for the actual characters... what? Who said that? Anyway, pretty much everyone is getting eaten and that's what's fun about it! There's no fake, drippy sentimentality here. Everyone is fair game.

Once again, I came away from this creature feature interlude totally entertained and with another story to tell my friends. "I just read this great book about..."

Highly recommended for fans of creature feature FUN!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

[veronica.sparrow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If there is one thing I have discovered about Hunter Shea, it is that his books are consistently gory, fun, and well worth the read. A small town in Florida + a horde of very hungry iguanas = a book straight out of a B movie. Polo Springs is your typical American small town until it is invaded by hungry aggressive lizards. Honestly, I always get a kick out of Hunter Shea's books because they are very often gory to the point of a bloodbath, hilariously cheesy, and a fast and enjoyable read.

[montzaleew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jurassic, Florida by Hunter Shea is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. It is a hoot! I can picture this as the next hot B movie like Sharnado or Tremors! It has suspense but just enough silliness to be fun. I loved it! Action, adventure, lizards everywhere! A good brain break to enjoy a good dino/horror book, yeah, it works for me! LOL

[irenecole · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I saw this cover and read the description I was hoping it would be along the lines of Hunter Shea's Mail Order Massacre trilogy. (which I loved) This one was just not as fun for me. Even though I just this minute finished reading it I can not even remember the name of a single character. I think of them as the old man, the teenage mayor, the family, and the gardening lesbian couple. This was just an ok read for me. It lacked the humor and the terror I was expecting.
3 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy for review.

[booknookretreat7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WOW!!! This was a great book and it is loaded with so much action, I thought I was in the middle of a movie!

Small town of Polo Springs, Florida, have endured all kinds of things together. When an oil rig out in the Gulf of Mexico is shut down from some earth eco activists, the town of Polo Springs becomes a sight seeing place for little green lizards. Not just a few lizards, but a plague of lizards that start spewing up from the earth itself.

The citizens of the town try to get the lizards under control, but when Hurricane Ramona comes barreling through, tiny green lizards is the least of their worries. Giant lizards start showing up and all hell breaks loose.

The focus of the book is also centered around certain families that try to make it through the craziness of the lizard invasion. It is very easy to get attached to all the characters in this book as they try to control the situation.

I was pleasantly surprised by all the action throughout the whole book and I could not put the book down to the point of reading it within a 24 hour period!

This book introduced me to the work of author, Hunter Shea and everything that I have read by him since has been great! Five "action packed" stars for this one!