Don’t Poke The Bear

Jake Klein is a 20-year-old college student who happens to be a genius when it comes to computers. He’s bored with his studies and is ready to make his mark on the world. Little does he know that he’s poking the bear. He believes he can solve the election fraud if he can only find out who the culprits are.

Barak’s fourth novel in the Brooks/Lotello series, JK’s Code is an amazing work of art. The attention to detail is evident throughout the entire book. I do not doubt the amount of research that was put into writing this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one of the better ones that Barak has written. The story is timely and very believable. I look forward to reading whatever he comes up with next.

5 out of 5 stars.

Property Rights Trump

Dale Hardy, his daughter Brooke, and his nephew Colton along with Dale’s German Shepherd Duke are surviving outside of town on his family’s land in Arizona after a devastating virus has killed many of the population. Folks show up every day at their gate asking for food and water or try to steal it during the night. A corrupt mayor and Sheriff try to force Dale to give up everything he has worked for.

Webber’s first novel in the Defending Home series, Defiance has a little bit of everything from property rights to romance. The characters are well developed in the story is fast paced. The story is told from both Dale’s point of view and that of those that are against him.

The book ends with a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next one.

4 out of 5 stars.

Reality Is Harsh

Jim Powell is convinced that his presence in the valley is causing his family harm. His best friend Lloyd accompanies him as he leaves on a soul-searching journey. In his absence, Charlie feels that he should step up and take on some of Jim’s responsibilities.

Horton’s eighth installment in the Borrowed World series, Blood and Banjos has got to be one of the saddest books that I have ever read. The transformations of Lloyd and Charlie are heartbreaking. The pace is steady but has plenty of action.

This reads as though it could be the end of the series. But I am hoping that more books are coming.

5 out of 5 stars.

If It’s Too Good To Be True . . .

Jeffrey Rutherford’s brother is killed in a plane crash. When he goes to Washington, DC to take care of his brother’s estate he is unwittingly pulled into a plot to kill most of the world’s population. This causes him to question everything about his life.

Blake’s novel upon a pale horse is a fast-paced thriller. He mixes real-world events with a plausible fictitious story. It is every bit as scary as it is entertaining.

Even though this book was written many years ago I am reading at a time when we are dealing with the COVID-19 virus. It made me nervous and gave me a lot to think about.

5 out of 5 stars.

When Worlds Collide

Dharma Bednarski is an app developer and Black Hat hacker. When her family gets shot down at church along with a host of others, she unwittingly becomes a vigilante. She uses her skills to enlist the help of others to track down her family’s killers. William David is a worker at a gun store who is attacked by a mob as he leaves to go home. He uses his gun in self-defense and kills several of the attackers.

Craven’s first novel in the Anonymous Justice series, Breaking Point follows both Dharma and William as their stories intertwine. It is well written and very believable. I was fascinated by the use of technology.

The cliffhanger definitely has me wanting to read the rest of the series.

5 out of 5 stars.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Brian Hardin’s desire to stay below the radar is shot the heck as he and his extended family are drawn into conflicts that have nothing to do with them. A family member’s betrayal rocks their entire small community. And love is in the air!

Allen’s third novel in the Tertiary Effects series, Bite of Frost takes place as an early winter descends on mid-Texas. With the weather patterns around the globe knocked off-kilter due to the meteorite displacement in the Pacific it looks like it will be a long, hard winter that may never actually end. Brian and his family are doing the best I can to prepare. Oh, and three more meteors are headed towards earth.

I am pleased to know that there will be a book four. I’m looking forward to seeing how the families manage during the cold harsh winter.

4 out of 5 stars.

America No More

Zack Johnson is in Oregon on vacation when a nuclear Holocaust is leashed upon many parts of the world including the United States setting off a nationwide EMP. He must somehow find a way to navigate around the devastated areas to get back home to Kentucky to his daughter. There he owns a ranch that has all his preps. He hopes to get his brother and a few trusted friends there to survive.

Newman’s The Day America Died trilogy is a study in determination and adaptability. He is an engaging storyteller.  I normally read one book at a time and write a review. But, in this case, I read the entire series straight through.

As with many of his earlier works it could have been edited better.   

4 out of 5 stars.

So Many Layers

Will Rhodes is a travel writer who has just been caught up in a classic honey pot supposedly by the CIA.  To keep his marriage from being destroyed he must supply intelligence at their request. Is it the CIA, and if not, then whom?

Pavone’s latest novel, The Travelers is an international spy thriller. There are so many twists and turns that you can get whiplash. No one is whom they claimed to be, and secrets run deep and close to home.

I enjoy reading his books. I just wish he wouldn’t take so long to publish them. 5 out of 5 stars

Don’t Mess With Dan

Dan Slaughter’s best friend has passed away, and his friend’s mother has asked him to assist her with the estate in Boise, Idaho. After much trepidation, Dan finally arrives only to be caught up in an EMP or coronal mass ejection type event. Several odd occurrences lead Dan to believe that his friend did not die a natural death. This Tennessee boy is determined to avenge his friend’s death and to figure out a way to get back home.

Horton’s first book in the Way of Dan series, Burning Down Boise combines a murder mystery with an apocalyptic event. Dan’s life in Tennessee had become careless and boring. He does a total 180 in Idaho. The new Dan is calculating and determined.

I have read every Horton book. He consistently delivers.

5 out of 5 stars.

Ch-ch-changes

Cavatica Weller is trapped outside of the Juniper, and she is illegal within the old United States of America. Life has dealt her a crap sandwich, and she seems to have given up. The young man she loved betrayed her and her family. Don’t count her out yet!

Ritchey’s fifth novel The Juniper Wars series, War Girls has each of the Weller girls go through some complicated changes. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Some familiar characters in previous books pop back in when you least expect it. And of course, our favorite priest is back in the saddle again.

As much as I love this series, I had thought that this was going to be the last book. Fortunately, it leaves open the possibility for one more.

5 out of 5 stars.