Fighting Against Time

     Author and Wendy Steele have been reunited and are continuing their quest to safeguard their property and the ever-growing family of orphans. The Rudolph flu has been kinder to infants and young children. So, every time the Steeles go out for supplies they seem to find more kids. But, soon leaving the homestead will become too dangerous as wildlife and nature go unchecked.

The Watsons’ second book in the Viral Misery series, Miracles follows the Steeles as they expand their house and teach their young charges how to survive. Even with all the little ones around they still miss their son, Joseph very much. Author continues to take advantage of the fear invoked by The Caravan Man. Though they refuse to take in the adults they come across, they do offer help to those that genuinely seem willing to work to survive.

Again, the Watsons had me laughing out loud at the many antics of the younger kids, especially Robin. And, they had me cringing over some of the methods used to dispatch their enemies. The ending was quite the shocker. Overall, a well-rounded emotional rollercoaster.

The one thing that I still find hard to believe is how well behaved all the children are. With minor infractions by the youngest members, no one else seems to ever bicker or act out. The adults get into more squabbles than anyone.

I do have to say that this has become my favorite post-apocalyptic series and I can’t wait for more!

5 out of 5 stars.

Does Safe Refuge Exist?

     Marcus Battle has secluded himself in the backwoods of Virginia. He wants to stay as far away from trouble as he can. But Lou needs him. She is the one person that can pull him back into society. He will do what he must to help get her and her family safely to the Harbor.

Abrahams eight and final book in The Traveler series, Harbor brought out a lot of emotions from me. I laughed out loud as he helped Andrea. I cheered when Lou ran into Rickshaw. And, I cried first when Norma saw Battle and then again when he said his last words. These are the scenes that stand out the most to me.

This novel is probably the best of the series. It’s a bit philosophical in nature. I loved how Battle has aged. The back and forth between him and Lou always bring a smile to my face. And, the other story arcs are interwoven in such a way that they help move the story along.

The book could have been better edited. One whole chapter has the sun beaming down in the wrong direction. I hope that by the time you read this that all the errors will have been corrected.

4 out of 5 stars.

Wanderlust

   Sarah hates to be confined indoors. To relieve her stress, she often takes to wandering around the city at night. Tonight, her wandering has a purpose. There’s a predator on the loose.

Sivils’ short-story, A Night On The Town takes an intimate look at Sully’s partner, Sarah. As a companion to the Inspector Thomas Sullivan Thriller Series, we obtain more insight as to how Sarah thinks and does her job.

It’s a very satisfying quick read.

5 out of 5 stars.

Evil From Within

    Robert Hardwick feels like a caged animal waiting to go home from his friend’s compound in north Georgia. A greedy congressman has waged war against the compound with the intent of overtaking it and occupying it. During the current stalemate, Robert has an idea that might get the congressman to leave them alone. But, at what cost to Robert and his friends?

Horton’s third novel in The Locker Nine series, Compound Fracture see Grace and her friend, Tom have made it to Robert’s compound where they are awaiting his return. Robert declined to leave with Grace so that Sonyea had time to heal enough to travel. Now, with Author’s compound in lockdown, there seem to be limited options for them to leave.

This fast-paced book is full of surprises. There’s betrayal and new found resolve. The true meaning of friendship is tested. Family dynamics are examined. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.

5 out of 5 stars.

No Rest For The Weary

Marcus Battle may have disappeared, but he is neither gone or forgotten. Nearly a decade after leaving the town of Baird, Texas and going north of the wall friends from his past seek his help. Battle isn’t young anymore and had hoped his days of vigilante justice were behind him. But, the only people that he loves are in trouble, and he will step back into the world to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Abrahams seventh book in The Traveler series, Hero: A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure brings back an even harder and more grizzled Marcus Battle. We see a mixture of familiar characters with some interesting new ones. The new ones foretell of a future story arc.

This has to be one of my favorite series. It’s a shame the author rushed through this book and made it so short. It wasn’t one of his best edited either. It seems really weird that ALL of the women waited until they were about to give birth to try and leave. Why not flee when you find out you are pregnant? Or, at least not so late term. And, ALL of the women brought their other child. Why couldn’t other relatives have taken them or possibly the daddy?

In Chapter 13 Lou has labor pains. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said. “Now?” And, again in Chapter 19. “Now?” she growled. “Are you kidding me?” Lou has more depth than that. The dialogue is almost the same.

From Chapter 24: He counted a half dozen women.
Nope. There were only 6 to begin with. One was shot after giving birth. Another was shot while behind the horse with Lou and Andrea. Andrea is behind the horse with Lou. So, the most he could see would be 3.

Otherwise, it is a good story, and I love Marcus Battle.

3 out of 5 stars.

Daddy’s Little Girl

     Inspector Thomas Sullivan (Sully) is offered a case on another world that pays beyond anything he has ever imagined. The catch, he will be working for someone whom he’d rather never hear from again. Not only that but he receives news that will shock his very core. His assistant, Sarah will be thrown into a major emotional conflict like none she has ever experienced. Will Sully stay or walk away?

Sivils’ sixth novel in the Inspector Thomas Sullivan Thriller series, City of Broken Lights: Hardboiled Noir From The Future is an emotional rollercoaster for both the characters and the reader. Never has Sully been so torn. Can he keep his professional demeanor intact and not let the realities of the case undermine his abilities?

Time is of the essence and Sully must decide what to do. Politics is never been dirtier than when lives are at stake. This gut-wrenching book will leave you exhausted but satisfied.

5 out of 5 stars.

Friend or Foe?

     Sidney Bannister is still struggling to survive at a rural homestead outside of Liberal, Kansas. Her group was lucky enough to be accepted into the Carpenter fold over the winter so long as they agreed to help with spring planting. It is not time to become complacent though. Not only do they must stay vigilant to ward off the infected they now have to watch out for the Iranians who are making the local airport into their base. Who knows if they or friend or foe?

Parker’s novel is the sixth in the Five Roads to Texas series. The Road to Hell: Sidney’s Way continues Sidney’s story shortly after she gives birth to her son. To add to her street smarts Jake Murphy has been training her and the others in self-defense and the use of firearms. Her character is growing and maturing especially with the responsibility of motherhood.

The book was well edited. It is a fast read and full of action.

Even though the reason was explained I still find it hard to believe that the Army would waste the resources in an apocalyptic event such as this to track down a soldier who was AWOL.

5 out of 5 stars.