Ugly As Sin by James Newman

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Suspense

Format: eBook

Pages: 218

Read: 06/22/23

Synopsis:

Nick Bullman was a wrestling superstar.

His alter ego, The Widowmaker, was the monster heel all the marks loved to hate.
Now, after a brutal encounter with two psychotic fans that left his face horribly disfigured, he's just a monster.
Yanked from the spotlight and thrust into the shadows, these days Nick tries to live the life of an average Joe. He avoids mirrors. He's angry. He's alone. And he likes it just fine that way...

Until he receives a desperate phone call from a young lady he barely knows-his daughter.

For the first time in over thirty years, Nick returns to his hometown of Midnight, North Carolina. There he will come face to face with old demons, forge new friendships, and make enemies far more dangerous than those who ruined his face, all in a quest to save the granddaughter he's never met...and maybe find a little bit of redemption along the way.

Ugly As Sin is an electrifying tale of "white-trash noir," a taut page-turner that skates the razor edge of a familiar, horrifying reality. At times heartbreaking, funny, and terrifyingly suspenseful. Encyclopocalypse Publications is proud to bring one of Newman's best works back into print.

Review:

"I didn't just fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, right? I planted the tree, watched it grow, then one day the fucker fell on top of me."

At the top of his game, Nick was a big time wrestling star until that fateful day when he was brutally beaten and disfigured. Now, he is "Ugly As Sin", frightening to all encounter him, he now prefers a life of solitude. Estranged from his family for many years, he suddenly recieves a phone call from his distraught daughter pleading for his help. Not knowing what to expect, he meets with his daughter and learns some disturbing news. He must now fight to save the life of his granddaughter. 

When I first started reading this, I wasn't sure how I felt about it as I am not a wrestling fan. But the wrestling is not the main focus of this thrilling and suspenseful story of revenge and redemption. There is rediscovering family, forming new friendships, and learning to accept ones self again. Action packed and full of mystery with moments of full on brutality, Nick's story is exciting. I was so invested in his character, rooting for him all the way. There are some character's in here that are deplorable, as well. The ones that you can't wait to see get their just do. 

Do you ever have those moments while reading when you find yourself talking or yelling out loud at the character's? Well, that was me with this one. Mostly yelling at Nick, telling him, "Hell yeah, NIck, kick their ass!" "Those disgusting, creeps deserve it!" 

What I loved most is the relationship developed between Nick and his granddaughter, warmed my heart and soul!

Horror, gore, shots fired, bodies hit the floor, laugh out loud bits, and a touch of compassion. Completely entertaining!

"Those who had next to nothing appreciated what little they did have. Those who had never known what it was like to go without took their posssessions for granted, too much was never enough, and the thrill of the hunt was like a drug to them."

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Newman/author/

Publisher Link:

https://www.encyclopocalypse.com/

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/