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Fall of Houston Series #1-5

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An EMP attack leaves the nation in the dark. When the lights go out, cars stall, and communications fail, panic grips the city. With no way out of Houston, Will Fontenot is ready to do whatever it takes to keep his son alive. But, one good deed hurls them into a deadly game of cat and mouse they fight to find a way Houston. There’s no other choice. Houston is a powered keg ready to blow, and it’s only a matter of time before the city falls. Will, Cayden, and Isabella fight for their lives against seemingly insurmountable odds as insurgents unleash their attack on Houston. Danger awaits them at every turn as they make their way across East Texas. Desperate and dangerous people have flooded the roadways fleeing the fighting ravaging the city. It becomes a constant struggle for survival. But with Houston now a war zone, there’s no turning back. Meanwhile, Will’s sister, Savanah, must pull her community together to defeat the trouble lurking in her neighborhood. She’ll be tested in ways she never dreamed possible in her fight to keep her children safe. A new community is formed as residents of Sugar Cove Road band together to protect their loved ones. Danger only increases for Savanah and her community as they become unable to secure their community against a much more powerful foe than the Blanchards. Will’s homecoming to Calcasieu Parish, is anything but welcoming as he comes face to face with the Blanchards, a local crime family who have taken over the town. But long-strained family ties are strengthened when Will’s cousins come to the rescue. With foreign fighters quickly approaching, a decision must be made: flee with what they can carry--or stand and fight. They are outnumbered and ill-equipped for the battle that is again at their doorsteps. Torn between protecting family and defending the nation, Will makes agonizing choices that places him in the center of the war and the in fight of his life. The lives of everyone Will loves are on the line, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect them. As war torn survivors cling to life, Will and Isabella are assigned to an Army cavalry unit tasked with a special mission. With the aid of new friends from Evening Shade, Missouri, they battle to save the country from Dempsey and his sinister forces bent on total control. Will and Isabella’s friends from Missouri have had their own Turbulent days since the EMP. Check out the companion series, Days of Want, to find out how survivors have struggled in Missouri and succeeded against all odds.

1240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

431 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

T.L. Payne

59 books169 followers

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5 stars
284 (68%)
4 stars
96 (23%)
3 stars
25 (6%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
14 reviews
January 4, 2024
First of all, let me say that I do respect the imagination it takes to put together this kind of series, so hats off to you for being able to create all the characters and how they interacted with both the good and bad civilians, and doing so at the same time they are interacting with the CIA, our good and bad military groups, and foreign invaders! Being from Houston is what originally attracted me to downloading the series. Although I did read all the books, I can't say I was enamored with it. Book 2 by the way, was just a repeat of book one, word for word, so I'm not sure what happened there? The characters were interestingly portrayed and story line well thought out, but I have to say to the author, your editing really needs to be improved! Quite often I had to stop and re-read a line to get the meaning of the sentence, because errors were made or words left out. Also, the constant non stop action became a bit over the top. What normal citizens could physically sustain that many life or death struggles without a few breaks with some down time at least? Yes, there was a little of it but not near enough for me to see this as believable. I did enjoy the characters and finding out what was happening next, so I guess that's what kept me reading.
125 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2023
The action and suspense never let up!

Overall, a very satisfying dystopian novel. It definitely has me searching for other books by this author. I have them all in my want to read list. The best part of Mr. Payne's writing is his attention to each character. I feel that I know Will, Isabella, Savanah and Jason, along with many others, as well as I know my own friends. Once you know the people we'll, it is almost as though you are in the story with them. Looking forward to more of Mr. Payne's books!
61 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2024
Outstanding!

Totally understand that this was a book That took us through a supposed world war so-to-speak, but it was so real in its descriptions that I truly found it hard to put it down! When I wasn’t using my phone for normal functions, anyone could find me reading on my Kindle cause I just couldn’t put this down! Great read!
6 reviews
September 5, 2024
My nightmare for the USA's future under Blue control

I have had this nightmare scenario for the USA's future with the many wars and aggressive challenges from our enemies (China, Russia, N Korea and the Middle East) and their lack of respect or fear of the USA. Very weak diplomacy and open borders allowing terrorists to sneak in under Democrat control!!! MAGA
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877 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2023
Loved this set!

I have read the companion series and loved it. This one filled in some details of the other. These characters were very well written and the story was very engaging. A definite recommend if you enjoy the apocalyptic Emp type of book.
6 reviews
August 13, 2023
I enjoyed this series

It was nice to read a apocalyptic series that wasn’t just fighting the elements. The idea of a physical invasion was new and frightening to me — expectations since I come from the Midwest. The only reason it didn’t get a five, was the punctuation.
29 reviews
May 17, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed it!

TL Payne sure knows how to spin a tale!

Can't wait to find out what happens to Will,
Jason, Walker, Savannah, Isabella, Stephens,
Tank, Light and the rest of our Houston heroes!
103 reviews
June 1, 2025
Awesome

Action packed, true to life, I loved the way the story followed the exact terrain of east Texas. I've lived there for 40 years and know the entire region well, along with Hurricanes Harvey, Rita, and Like and it was spot on!
22 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2023
good what if read

I enjoyed reading a plausible outcome to an EMD. The characters were real as was the government response under a horrific situation.
36 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2023
Very good!

The story is very exciting and well written. The 5 volume set was very inexpensive, so I was pleasantly surprised at the interesting storyline. Highly recommended
27 reviews
July 3, 2023
Fall of Houston Series

Those books were so good it was hard to put them down. I loved every book and new characters that they had. Thank you
1 review
August 4, 2023
EMP

Great story line, sad that this could really happen. Make a person think. Times they are a changing, be prepared.
7 reviews
September 4, 2023
Fall of Houston

Absolutely mind capturing adventure in reading this series! Love reading how we can overcome any adversity and cope with what we may have been left with!!!!
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Author 34 books145 followers
October 11, 2023
Amazing!

I couldn't put this book down. Action pack, page turner! No matter how much I read, I want more. define a new favorite author.
89 reviews
March 7, 2024
Great Book

One of the best series I’ve read. T.L Payne is now my favorite author. I’m going to look for more books written by him.
11 reviews
June 24, 2024
Houston

Its written in a way where you get to know the characters personally. Very hard to put this series down.
9 reviews
November 2, 2024
great read

Very probable good character s good setup of events and possibilities leave you on edge and want to read more
Profile Image for Linda.
757 reviews18 followers
November 4, 2024
**This isn't the apocalypse you're looking for. Move along.**

Note: This review is only for the first book, which all by its lonesome managed to eradicate any lingering interest I had in completing the remainder of the series. Because no. Absolutely NOT will I finish this journey. I don't even want to spend too much time reviewing this astoundingly bad first entry. I guess I'm just THAT desperate to carry onward to bigger and better things, and that's that. So lemme keep this short and not-so-sweet:

In short, this thing's a mess. And I mean that literally. A big ol' mess. Grammatically and structurally. If this story had an editor, they failed. And if it didn't, it damn well should have. Punctuation marks were either missing or improperly used. Yelling without exclamation points, questioning without question marks. I mean, just LOOK at these actual examples (and these are just scratching the surface):

“Let her go,” Cayden yelled.
“Just let it go,” Will yelled as he ran toward them.
"We need to help this guy,” Cayden yelled.
“What are you guys doing,” Cayden asked.
“Who the hell are you people,” a pudgy kid in athletic shorts and a ballcap said.
"What about the crack under the door,” Isabella said.


Characters were either underdeveloped, inconsistent, or unrelatable. Pacing and structure were erratic and just all. Over. The. PLACE. Plot points were repetitive, uncompelling and frankly, rather dumb. Look, I totally get trying to lace subplots into the main one, but at the very least make them believable.

There was literally nothing to like in this story, sad to say. I can't deal with more of the same. It's possible that things would likely get better, but I certainly am unwilling to find out. In fact, I even had another series to read by this same author that I won't be reading thanks to my experience with this story. I shall now be moving on to delete both with the utmost haste.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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