Rain, Rain, Go Away

     Bryan Harden’s extended family continues to grow on his small farm. Everyone is expected to pull their weight for the safety and well-being of the group. While nature is a danger in and of itself, mankind is even worse. Coming together with their neighbors seems to be the best way to help protect everyone in the long run.

Allen’s second novel in The Tertiary Effects Series, Storm Warning sees Bryan and his family pulled into conflicts not of their own doing. Information is sparse and law and order are even less so. All Bryan wants to do is keep a low profile and keep his family safe.

There seems to be no end to the rain and the storms that are producing it. The government is totally silent about the meteor. What is their reason, and is there more bad news to come?

Five out of five stars.

Keep The Home Fires Burning

     Lauren Russell is far from home trying to determine her place in the new world. But home keeps pulling her back and that is where she will go. Her father, Alan Russell is still out of her life not knowing who he is but determined to find out. Will the two of them ever find each other?

Rudolph’s sixth novel in the What’s Left of My World Series, Indivisible Is an emotional roller coaster for the reader as well as the characters. The valley where Lauren lives seems to draw unwanted attention and death. Alan runs into many obstacles on his quest to find his family. He has hopes that when he does his memory will come back.

This book is full of well-paced action. We see new sides of some of the supporting characters. Overall, it’s a very well written book.

Five out of five stars.

Level Three of Jumanji

     Bryan Hardin has returned to his small-town roots after having lived in the big city of Houston. He has settled his law practice in a small town about 25 miles from where he grew up in east Texas. Being a widower, he is making his homestead a place for the remainder of his family to gather together on the weekends. Then a large meteor strike happens thousands of miles away causing immediate changes to their weather patterns.

Allen’s first novel in The Tertiary Effects Series, Rockfall follows Hardin and his family after they receive a heads up about the meteor strike. They rally together at his farm and take stock of what they need to survive in the long term should that be necessary. Hardin himself is still struggling to fit into the small town yet keep a low profile at the same time. The last thing he wants to do is draw attention to the resources that they have.

The big question is why the government is being silent on the meteor strike. Sure, they’ve talked about the earthquake and resulting tsunami in the Pacific. But nothing on the cause. In the meantime, Bryan’s family members are going about their business back at their respective homes while monitoring all forms of communication.

Five out of five stars.

Out Foxed

     Freya Walker is not content to sit still and wait to see if the Biocentrics will attack again. While most of the clans seek shelter further into the rainforest, Freya gathers a group to take out the Biocentrics once and for all. Realizing they are undermanned and outgunned they seek another clan to join in their quest. They plan to use Cassidy Warden, a Biocentric governess to help them gain entrance into the stronghold.

Fanning’s third novel in The Red Fox Series, Earth of Foxes concludes Frey’s story. It is a long book and much better written than the second one. I was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out to be a very good story with a satisfying conclusion.

As the saying goes, not everything is as it appears. And, that can be said more than once throughout this book. Though Freya is the main protagonist we also see things from Khar’s point of view. What surprised me the most was Fanning’s ability to make me cry.

Five out of five stars.

Here Comes Trouble

     Conor Maguire has earned the reputation as The Mad Mick within the community he lives in the mountains of West Virginia. It’s a moniker that’s been with him for as long as he can remember and before relocating to the area. He will do whatever it takes to keep this family and friends safe. Now, there is a gang a former military known as The Bond wreaking havoc throughout the north and heading south towards his neck of the woods.

Horton’s third novel in The Mad Mick Series, Brutal Business is every bit as exciting as the previous two. It is also a coming of age story for Conor’s daughter Barb. She has no choice but to find out who she is and what she is made of separate from her father.

The Bond represents a unique challenge in such that The Mad Mick can take the fight away from home. It is always better to fight an enemy on your own terms.

5 out of five stars.

The World Will Be Forever Changed

     Darren and Darla Brooks are living their dream in the Ozarks of Missouri. Even though Darren doesn’t have to work he is head of security at The Underground, a storage facility within a mountain carved out by a limestone mining company. Darla has ‘retired’ after selling her successful arms manufacturing firm. A CME has hit three weeks earlier leaving some of the country’s infrastructure struggling. Though warnings were heeded there was only so much that could be done ahead of time as the government has never implemented a hardening program. Now, another CME is headed their way with rumors of something much worse.

Forstchen’s novel, 48 Hours does a decent job of explaining the science behind am EMP causing CME. It also parallels the continuity of government against what is best for humanity. This is a standalone novel that is not tied to The One Second After series.

Once Darren realizes what the government plans to use The Underground for, he and Darla hatch a bold scheme to try and stop them. Lives will be lost. Predictions will come true. The world will be forever changed.

5 out of 5 stars.

Rise to that Occasion

     Mike Crenshaw is an ordinary young man who does his best to stay away from confrontation. When a fast-moving plague grips the world, he becomes the unlikely hero. Unprepared for any type of crisis Mike and his coworker friend, Brice search for anything that or anyone who can help them survive.

Abrahams first novel in The Scourge series, Unprepared is set in the early days of the outbreak within the US. It is the same world as The Traveler Series. Some of the same characters show up in their much younger version. This helps provide their backstory.

It’s a heart-wrenching tale that brings out the true nature of the characters. There’s no place to hide from this plague.

5 out of 5 stars.

Fast Learner

     Mark Josephson is the youngest person to ever make Detective on the Capital City Police Force. But, then again, he had the best mentor, Inspector Thomas Sullivan. What makes him tick? What is his story? Is he as hardnosed as Sully?

Sivils’ third novella in The Capital City Characters series, The Young Detective gives us insight into who Josephson really is. As much as he tries to emulate Sully, he still has a lot to learn. When Sully is off-world Josephson must put his skills to the test.

Another engaging, fast read from the Inspector Thomas Sullivan series spinoff.

5 out of 5 stars.

And Then There Were Three

     Sarah dreams of nothing but freedom from the lab in which she and her two identical sisters were created. They are clones, and therefore, illegal in their existence. Each of the sisters is gifted with special abilities unique only to themselves. Once they realize that Maria is scheduled for organ harvesting Elle and Sarah hatch a plan to escape.

Sivils’ fourth novella in The Capital City Characters series, The Girl Who Wasn’t There is a gritty look at the underworld of cloning. Set far into the future it is an in-depth look at Sarah, Inspector Thomas Sullivan’s partner, and her origins.

What sets this story apart from the others is the illustrations throughout. It wouldn’t take much to turn this into a graphic novel. It’s a fast read and well written.

5 out of 5 stars.

A Shift In Power

     Robert Hardwick is finally on his way home. Once there his family will finally be all together again. In this new post-apocalyptic world, they must work harder than ever to stay together and to stay alive. Some would do anything to take away everything.

Horton’s fourth book in The Locker Nine series, Blood Bought is a contrast in emotions. There is the joy Robert and his family experience once they are reunited. Then there is the grim reality of the outside threats they continue to face. They can never let their guard down as if things were back to normal.

Congressman Honaker failed in his attempt to overtake the compound he had scoped out for years in northern Georgia. He believes that since Robert is friends with the owner and writes post-apocalyptic novels for a living, that Robert must have a similar compound in Virginia. Never one to be denied, the congressman sets his caravan off to confront the Hardwicks.

Reminiscent of the David and Goliath story, Honaker is confident that he has the numbers on his side. Robert and his family know they will be overwhelmed if they don’t place some outlying deterrents in hopes of buying them time and element of surprise.

I read this book in one sitting on a Friday afternoon/early evening. It’s a fast read, enjoyable read.

5 out of 5 stars.