Small town Sheriff Penny Miller and her outlaw friend Scratch managed to survive a nuclear blast in Nevada and a brutal attack on their peaceful lodge in Colorado. They head for Los Angeles, looking for a fresh start. It seems the citizens of Southern California remain blissfully ignorant of the coming war. They believe zombies are simply an urban legend.
As usual, there’s no rest for the wicked. When they find themselves in a suspiciously run Malibu rehab facility, Miller can't relax. She knows the gore is about to hit the fan. It seems that Miller can sense when zombies are near. And they’re almost always near.
When all hell breaks loose around them, Miller and Scratch must survive deadly experiments, resist an ongoing government conspiracy, and battle another horde of ravenous zombies. And that’s just for starters.
Like many authors, I've held far too many jobs. My most favorite was not really a job, but a volunteer position as the seneschal of the SCA Canton of St. David's at UC Santa Cruz. My least favorite was being a taxi driver. Today I am very happy being the publisher at Genius Book Publishing. Who knows what the future will bring?
I have earned a BA in Economics/Business with a minor in Medieval History from UC Santa Cruz, an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Judaism (now called American Jewish University), and a Masters in Teaching from National University. I consider myself heavily over-educated (which is not necessarily the best thing to be), but still have aspirations to get a PhD in my 60s and write a book on the history of deregulation in the United States. What's that got to do with zombies, I have no idea.
I have collaborated on every published project I have, and I really admire and appreciate my collaborators. I do have aspirations to publish solo projects, and I am currently working on a YA thriller that may actually see the light of day. I also plan to write short stories and novels in the future, but one project at a time.
I have been married for 14 years (in March 2014) to a wonderful and brilliant woman, Leya Booth. She is a genius--hence the name of my company--and she also works from home, so I get to see her all day, every day, which is all I could hope for. We are proud humans owned by a couple of cats. You'll see pictures occasionally at my personal page.
Weeks have passed since 'At the End of the World' came to an exhilarating end. Penny and Scratch arrive in Santa Monica doing their best to blend in. Despite Sheppard's insistence, Penny and Scratch have been indulging in some sexy time. As with the previous books, the prologue introduces a new character. But unlike previous books, this new character becomes an integral part of the story.
Californian residents have been told a creative version of the Nevada incident and continue on with everyday life; oblivious to the danger lurking among them. Penny and Scratch are detained by authorities, but instead of being arrested, they're brought to the Malibu Serenity Center. The staff may appear innocuous on first glance, but their toned and muscular physiques scream military. An orientation to the facility reveals a shocking discovery and so it begins...again.
It doesn't take long to go from bad to really bad. Apparently sex makes the pair uber stupid and they let their guard down. 'Rise of the Triad', while still an excellent book, falls victim to some redundancies in plot. The act of an ally betraying Penny is a bit stale, and the fact that she doesn't see it coming is perplexing. The character is so well rounded that any slip in continuity is glaringly overt to readers. Her judgment has become questionable and her usually authoritative personality is replaced with meekness.
While much in the way of plot lines are revealed, the deceit of characters readers have become emotionally invested in is a disappointing pill to swallow. Once again, references are made to Penny's old flame, Elko County Sheriff Charlie Robinson. Could these mentions foreshadow a reunion in the making? Perhaps he didn't perish after all.
So many new questions arise with 'Rise of the Triad'. Are the zombies truly dead? Or can they be saved? What relevance does Penny's new ability have on things? Could the incessant undead chanting actually be an attempt at communication?
One thing not in question is the need to read more in The Sheriff Penny Miller Series.
Penny Miller, Sheriff of Flat Rock and her once prisoner, now lover, Scratch have seen a lot. From Nevada, to Colorado, they’ve encountered countless zombies. Losing some of their own, forced to take the lives of others, the undead have left them constantly questioning their safety and the fate of the world.
Nomads, without a destination, Penny and Scratch end up on the sunny beaches of California. A state, community, and population of people who once again refuse to believe the rumors that zombies are coming. However, it isn’t the zombies that they need to watch out for in this one, but the National Guard and military presence that lurks at every corner.
Instantly, this book draws you in. From the cover, presenting Penny in a bikini, readers can’t help but wonder ‘what now?’ Opening in Venice Beach “Rise of the Triad” promises to be yet another fun ride from authors Steven Booth and Harry Shannon. Whether the first in the series or the fourth, each book carries a plot so engaging you forget the world around you and begin watching your six for zombies.
Consistently playing with the sequence of where and when the zombies arrive, and how, each book from Booth and Shannon keeps you on your toes. With more fire, more military presence, and more government ‘fun’, “Rise of the Triad” kicks the series up a notch, accelerating the plot and uncovering more secrets and conspiracies along the way.
With Penny and Scratch just barely scraping by they are caught off guard by some unlikely characters that re-enter the fray and drive this exhilarating story onward. “Rise of the Triad” brings with it the knowledge Penny and Scratch have gained from their many zombie encounters as they recognize the evolution of the undead, their habits, preferences, and organized attacks. As they become more familiar with the zombie outbreak plaguing America, their fear only exacerbates. Never a dull moment when Booth and Shannon grip the pen, they once again leave us with the ultimate cliff hanger, blowing things WIDE open.
You would think after three other entries in this series it might start to get a bit tedious. Not so at all. The writers continue to breath life into the Penny Miller saga, this time taking the action to the California coastline where the threat of zombies is little more than the occasional rumor.
At the outset, it's just Penny Miller, the former Sheriff of Flat Rock, Nevada and her boyfriend, Scratch trying to keep a low profile. If you've read any of the previous books in the series, you already know that can't last long.
I was excited to get my hands on The Hungry 4: Rise of the Triad. It was akin to being on a crash diet for six months and stumbling onto a bag of Halloween candy left unattended. It might not be good for you, but it sure tastes sweet.
I love how the story gets right to the action, "The woman moved like a heat-seeking missile. She closed the gap, lifter her bloody hands, reached out, and grabbed Carlos by the sides of his head. She leaned closer in, as if to kiss him on the lips. Alex felt queasy. It was on." It certainly was.
There were several plot twists that allowed us to get away from the incessant onslaught of zombies, oh there are still plenty of zombies, just that it's not ALL zombies, ALL the time, which I found refreshing. Plus, there are characters and places that I thought were gone forever, but are back in book 4 and the explanations are quite acceptable.
One thing I found missing in book three was the snarky dialog from Penny Miller. Well, it's back. Stuff like, "We have to careful as a virgin with a vibrator." And, "They were both as dead as Lindsay Lohan's acting acting career." As well as many not suitable for this review. Did I mention The Hungry 4: Rise of the Triad is recommended for a mature audience?
The official release date is Friday, September 20th, but I see it available now as a paperback and for the Kindle at Amazon.com. It's not 100% required that you read the first three books in the series to enjoy The Hungry 4: Rise of the Triads, but you're missing out of some great zombie fun, if you don't.
I absolutely give my highest recommendation to this one. Will there be a book 5? I think the authors already have the story idea, it all depends on if the interest in the series continues to grow and I don't see why not. Enjoy!
Well, book 4 of THE HUNGRY series starts out quickly and doesn't slow down much.
Sheriff Penney and biker Scratch have become cozy since book 3. They have headed to southern California to get away from the zombie hordes in Nevada and Colorado. California residents have been told the zombies are an urban myth - and are totally unprepared for the zombies that are showing up on the warm sandy beaches.
Penney and Scratch get rounded up and taken with other eye witnesses to the actual zombie attacks. They end up at a Malibu rehab center and the SHTF, so to speak.
They end up back dealing with government bureaucracy and trying to figure out who the good guys actually are.
This was my favorite book in the series so far - less fluff and more substance.
Luckily I have book 5 of the series right here - The Hungry 5: All Hell Breaks Loose - so I'm going to start it tonight.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
Loved it. Just when Penny and Scratch are off regrouping in sunny Cal, they are whisked away again and embroiled in more covert operations and zombie turmoil. Hope Rat, Penny's friend/adversary continues to be ever present in the next installment of The Hungry. Great series.
OH MY GOSH!!!! This book is amazing. After everything that Penny has been through the ending just leaves you guessing. Great book. There were some very satisfying moments and a few sad moments. You read the first three you will love this one.