Homeland Security Gone Rogue

Scott Keller is working hard with the rest of his family and those who have joined them on the farm to survive in this post pulse dystopian world. New threats to his humanity seem to keep coming no matter how well they try to protect themselves. It seems that one faction of the remaining government has gone off the deep end and is in bed with the worst of mankind. What horrors must the Keller’s eradicate to stay alive and establish a new society?

Allen’s sixth book in the Walking in the Rain series, Lines in Shadow, concentrates on the Keller farm and the area immediately impacting it. The story is told from Scott’s point of view and really brings out the depth of his character. As he faces the spawns of Hell he must fight his own inner demons.

While I loved the story and can’t wait for the next installment, this book contained an unusual number of typos and failed to address a couple of points that left you hanging. Hopefully, when you read the book the typos will have been corrected. **Possible SPOILERS** What was Katrina’s ultimate fate? Maybe I missed that somehow. And, what about the drones? Their final disposition wasn’t addressed.

3 out of 5 stars.

You Can’t Save Everyone

Mark Bishop and Maeve Tildon are struggling to survive in the mini ice age that is worsening day by day. Bishop realizes that in order to stay alive that they must relocate to more favorable conditions. Their supplies are limited and dwindling fast. It won’t be long before the worst of mankind rears its ugly head. Finding and securing a new redoubt is only half of the equation. Getting everyone there alive is going to be the hardest part even if everyone agrees to go along.

Shaw’s second novel in the Surrender the Sun series, Sanctuary: A Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller, continues the tale of the folks in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho as they cope with the realization that help is not coming. Even with pooled resources they know that their days are numbered. The story explores the harsh contrast between the haves and the have nots. It is well paced and minor characters from the first book are more developed.

The brutalities of this new environment touch both young and old with heart wrenching consequences. My emotions were stripped raw on more than one occasion. But, as the story is yet to be complete I am looking forward to the next book.

5 out of 5 stars.

Can you really ever go home again?

James Rockwell had succeeded in bringing his family home after surviving the initial event and fighting through the obstacles that sought to keep them away. But, all is not as they had hoped. There are sketchy squatters living in their home and they aren’t willing to leave. James is determined to do whatever is necessary to regain control of his home. At what price though?

Abrahams third novella in The Pilgrimage Series, Advent, continues the story of the Rockwell family and introduces us to their neighbors. A quiet little cul-de-sac with six houses, they were a close knit community. Would they step up and help James evict the squatters? This well-paced story shows the dynamics of friends of similar and different beliefs wrestling with their new reality.

I applaud Abrahams on his ability to dovetail into The Perseid Collapse Series of Steven Konkoly through Kindle Worlds. These novellas have been a great addition without the main character being a prepper.

5 out of 5 stars.

No Place is Entirely Safe

James Rockwell and his family are trying to get back home after an EMP-like event hit across America. He almost drowned and is suffering infection from not only pneumonia but a nasty cut to his leg. His wife, Leigh, finds the only doctor in the rural Pennsylvania that is open. This doctor, a veterinarian, brings the Rockwell family to his compound so that James can rest while recovering. Dr. Steve Driggers and his family built a survivalist compound after the Jakarta Pandemic six years earlier. It seems ideal – a virtual fortress. But, will it stand a true test from outsiders with nothing to lose?

Abrahams second novella in The Perseid Collapse Series, Refuge, continues to follow the Rockwell family as they struggle to get home. In this new society of lawlessness and the mounting shortage of resources everything seems to be against them. This fast paced story brings new characters whose distinct personalities provide a good mix of perceptions.

Novellas are a great quick read. And, I’m enjoying these spinoffs. The personal struggles are real. The characters are flawed. All facets of human nature are being presented regardless of how ugly. I can’t wait to read the final part of this story.

5 out of 5 stars.

Not Everyone Can Be Your Neighbor

Jim Powell wants to further isolate the valley from outsiders by blocking the road. He only has the supplies readily available for one end. In the meantime, at the other end of the road a group from a wealthy community has discovered a cattle farm to which they want to relocate. Randi and her family have found themselves caught up in a deadly feud with neighboring scumbags. Will Jim and his tribe find the new neighbors a welcome addition to the valley or a threat to their way of life? What will Randi do to save her family?

Horton’s forth novel in The Borrowed World Series, No Time For Mourning, continues to explore how a group of friends and families might manage their lives in a post-apocalyptic collapse of society in America. Live and death decisions must be made on the spot to keep the group as a whole safe. It’s us versus them no matter how things were in the past. That can be a hard lesson for some to learn.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I am enjoying this series. It’s real. It’s gritty. And, it’s heartfelt.

5 out of 5 stars.

An Artificial Intelligence With An Attitude

Suri is a high school senior with a lot of anger that she has been feeding since the death of her mother six years ago. Her 12-year old brother, Tommy, joins her regularly playing a virtual reality Mesh game. They are two of the best players. A clandestine government agency has been studying their tactics and want to use a model of Suri’s brain to fight the cyber war with China. Will Suri agree? Will she be able to protect Tommy from this agency? How will this affect her family?

Whaler’s novel, Suri Five, is a cyber punk dystopian thriller. It has a good storyline with believable characters and a fast pace. There are several twists that keep you guessing and a surprise ending that had me saying “No!”.

What was disappointing for me was the bad editing. I don’t mean a few typos here and there. There were several major plot holes and continuity errors that should have never seen the light of day. These were distracting and ruined the chapters where they were located. I pointed the first two within the first three chapters to the author. So, hopefully, he will hire a good editor and upload a corrected copy before you have a chance to read it.

2 out of 5 stars due to editing.

I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.