After the Flash

Tag Stevens #1

by J.R. Madsen

Tag Stevens is a youth hockey coach on his way home from a tournament in Colorado, when his flight is forced to crash land after a mysterious white flash leaves them powerless. Now on a six hundred mile journey home, without power, cell phones, or modern transportation, he fights for survival against the elements and new enemies that desperately want what he has. Accompanied by women he has saved along his path, he struggles with relationships that tempt him at every turn as he searches his heart for love and the truth, while piecing together the puzzle that has left millions dead and the world as he knows it changed forever.

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

JR Madsen’s debut novel, After the Flash, is a modern day, post-apocalyptic western inspired by over thirty years of camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, snow skiing, and horseback riding, anywhere between Montana and California. He uses that experience, with a mix of humor and romance, to write this character driven plot line. He is an avid outdoorsman, a framing contractor, and loves spending his free time on projects in his wood shop or coaching a local youth hockey team. Born and raised in Utah, he has lived in Idaho and Nevada, but presently resides in southern California with his wife of twenty years, two kids, and four quirky dogs. He is currently working on the next two books in the Tag Stevens series.

Reviews

[Linda B.D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how this book got such high reviews. I don't think it was by women. The novel was suppose to be about a similar EMP type flash (dystopian)novel. The writer tried to write a story line of this nature, but got off course with the actual story, with his starring roll being about what women look like. By page 367 the words, boobs, large boobs, small boobs, built great, great body, sex was used over 360 times. Basically the book was about a main characters viewpoint of "boobs", as the author put it. (quoted) All women wanted him and had a crush of some type on the main character.Of course, he always refused them, but "felt their breast and body, spooned with them every night." I thought this was a cheap, sick, perverted book. I stopped reading on page 367. I got so sick of the constant use of words. Most chapters ended with everyone in bed saying- these are DIRECT QUOTES FROM THE BOOK: "Her body pressed against him", "she lay on top of him and he drifted off to sleep", "He wrapped his arms around Elsie and drifted off to sleep", "She smiled as she covered her exposed chest, Then he went to sleep", They all laughed and drifted off to sleep, Fell asleep with Kayla's warm silky body against him, He pulled her close in and drifted off to sleep with her in his arms, He spooned with her with tears in his eyes and fell asleep, He closed his eyes and took in her scent as he dreamed of lying with her as he drifted off to sleep. Another example: "You've never been on a horse? You've never been on top? Ride it like you were on top." "I like small boobs-as he fondled her all night." This book constantly says things like this. In fact, it is in every two paragraphs or more. Sometimes an entire page or two is nothing but how large a woman's boobs are. If I could give it a zero, I would. It gets one star because of the cover picture. I couldn't help but analyze why it was all about sex & not the real topic, because I've been a psychiatric nurse for a long time, but it sure doesn't take an Einstein to see through this.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definate must read. You won't be able to put it down until your at the end!!! Tag is a great character and takes you along on his journey.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in what is to become a series in the post-apocalyptic genre. I really enjoyed how this book played out and left me waiting for the sequel.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler:

One long horse ride.

[Brad Theado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Not your typical apocalyptic fiction. Great character development.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great start but after a few pages (100 or so) it gets better. Many plot holes but fun none the less.