The Harvest

by Anne Ferretti

A bizarre blizzard strikes Florida in the peak of summer, unleashing more than just snow. Aliens have invaded the Earth, and they are dropping corpses from the sky. Captain Austin Reynolds, a Marine commander, is the only survivor of his unit. He loses contact with his pregnant wife, who disappears in the chaos. His only hope is a cryptic message from General Roth, who tells him to come to Cheyenne Mountain if he wants to see her again.Austin embarks on a perilous journey across the country, picking up other survivors along the way. Luke, a college football star, Maddie, a detective, and Edward, an accountant, have all lost everything they held and loved. They look up to Austin as their leader and protector. But Austin has a secret that he can’t explain, even to himself. A mysterious woman named Eve, who has always been by his side, is somehow connected to his fate.As they fight their way through the bloodthirsty alien hordes, they realize that they are not only facing a ruthless enemy but also a hidden threat from within. They must learn to trust each other and themselves if they want to make it to Colorado alive. However, what awaits them there may be more shocking than anything they have seen so far.

Genres: Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Horror

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2013

About the author

Anne has been writing for over a decade. Her debut series, The Harvest, is a thrilling psychological tale that draws readers in from page one. If you enjoy the unpredictable then The Harvest series won’t disappoint.
In addition to science fiction, Anne has a murder-mystery series underway that follows a gifted detective named Riley Finn as she pursues serial killers. The fourth installment Sacrifice Your Knight is now available on Amazon.

You can find Anne at the following:
anneferretti91@gmail.com
https://www.goodreads.com/anneferretti

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so pleased to find that there is to be a sequel to this book, as the main criticism I would make is that the ending was too abrupt. This is an exciting post-apocalyptic story with believable characters. The plot is well set out and clear but with twists that keep the reader in a constant state of tension. There are a few instances where I felt Austin and the team had rather an easy time, with state of the art weapons, technology and survival equipment handed to them on a plate. On the other hand, if they hadn’t they’d have died, and there wouldn’t have been a story.
This is a story that kept me turning the pages, kept me awake at night, and gave me nightmares when I finally went to sleep. There had better be a sequel, not only to tie up the loose ends, but because I want to know if we survive!

[A.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very seldom does a book make me stay up most of the night to reach the ending like this one did. Normally, I only stay up late in writing when the story is really flowing. All I can say right off is "WOW" Anne Ferretti's The Harvest kept me locked into reading most of the night. It took hold of me and I had to even read while eating my dinner. LOL! If I could have given this book six stars, I would have. Great writing and great story for those that love this kind of book. Now for the review-

A government top-secret program takes an unexpected turn when Aliens use it to come to Earth. Feeding on human organs and their blood, these creatures are unstoppable by human weapons. The author by her writing places you there making you feel their emotions, including their sorrows, hatred, utter confusion on what is going on and despair. I found myself cheering on the small band that is trying to stay alive and stop the killing of their fellow humans while trying to find lost loved ones.

Main Characters are-
Captain Austin Reynolds. U.S. Marines commando commander in search of his wife (Jenni) and his son(Ryan) taken by the aliens. He has the skills to keep the others alive in his group while avoiding falling in love with one of them. Revenge and the search for his family is his driving force. One of his secret weapons was a creature called Eve that saved his life when he was nine. She kept showing him glimpses of the future.
Lieutenant Madison Capra the tough cop that worked her way up to lieutenant. She does not take crap from anyone but ends up falling in love with Austin even though she knows she has no chance of him returning the love, his family was all that mattered to him. Tough enough to survive on her own until she meets Austin and Luke joining with them to rid the world of this new terror.
Luke, the football quarterback that finds surviving in the new world harder than quarterbacking a team on the field. He depends on Austin to keep him alive and to teach him how to survive.
Zack, the intelligent one that made a fortune when marijuana was legalized in Colorado. Thinking he was no more than a drug dealer, Austin at first has no use for him but soon learns Zack has talents that he kept hidden.
Edward, the tax accountant joins the team after being prisoner of a gang of teenage hoodlums that think they can do anything they want including sacrificing humans so the Aliens would leave them alone.
Eve, the alien creature that kept Austin alive not knowing why he was important to her but would speak to Austin in his head for him to rescue her from captivity by a crazed General. She had one downfall, she existed by living on human blood.
I will highly recommend this book to readers all over the world that likes to get lost in a book that will keep their attention from beginning to the end.


http://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Anne-Fe...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this from the author to read. And I can honestly say I liked it. Alot. Could...not...put...it..down. Its one of those books that you have 'I need to slow down"..."But I have to know what happens next" inner battles. The need to know what happens next won. And I have said this before, I LOVE aliens. Well...I don't love aliens...especially not these. But aliens are SCARY. Like to the core scary. And this was a good to the core scary.And it was cold. Scary and cold. I think the cold amplifies everything.(I know I live in Alaska)

[BookzBookzBookz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! I started and finished it in a day! It's one if those tales that began with a bang, didn't kill you with too much detail, and ended with an even better bang! Unpredictable, interesting and full of awesomeness!

[Anne Ferretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would share some reviews posted on Amazon
Amazon UK
5.0 out of 5 stars The Harvest by Anne Ferretti, 5 Nov 2013
By K.J.Rollinson
I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. I couldn't put it down, it was gripping. I know 'the end of the world' books have been done before but, notwithstanding, this was up with the best. In my opinion it should be a best seller and I could see it made into a film.
Amazon US
4.0 out of 5 stars was a good book, September 30, 2013
By James DeVidts -
Please take the time to read this book from a new author. The book was very entertaining, and I look forward to a sequel.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining must read, October 6, 2013

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining must read, October 6, 2013
By J. Sollinger
This was a fast paced action adventure alien apocalyptic mystery... An engaging story line & characters made this a fun book to read. From page one the story captured the interest & imagination of a reader. I'm looking forward to other books from this new author in the near future.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange drop in temperature precipitates an attack from unseen alien assailants. Survivors band together lead by a man who's destiny is linked to those who have attacked.

This book has it all, post apocalypse, aliens, different aliens! Cannot praise this book enough. The back stories of the main protagonists fit perfectly within the story. The action is none stop, and most importantly - the aliens are actually scary.

I loved the way that the story started off with the murders and disappearances, it really upped the tension in the book from the off, and was perfectly intertwined with the protagonists own story. And boy does the action get exciting. The book leaves you wanting for more, and I will definitely be reading the follow up. For a book that I picked up on a whim, I couldn't be more happy.

[Dennis Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s cover captured my attention and imagination right from the start. However, I had no idea what I was in for until I started reading. This is a fine piece of fiction with interesting, well-defined and believable characters. The storyline was unique with enough unexpected twists and events to keep me on my toes right to the very end. Ms. Ferretti has a wonderful ability to write dialogue, which for me makes all the difference between an okay novel and a great novel. I often felt as if I were a fly on the wall hearing rather than reading the words.
I don’t know that I’ve ever read another alien novel but I can tell you this, The Harvest will not be my last, especially if it’s written by the talented new author, Anne Ferretti. When can I expect the sequel?

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well paced with a solid story line and great characters. Interesting alien invasion or were they here first senario with a pinch of 'vampire' thrown into the mix. Loved the Stargate reference (well I think it was but the author didn't use the actual title).
5 stars and a bargain price on Kindle. Part 2 very soon I hope.

[Dan Otten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a “good read”. While reading it, I didn’t take well when interrupted. This book was one of the few where you are not able to guess what will occur next. Many books I read are so predictable but this book was not the case. Not too many dull moments as it keeps the reader interested and liking the main characters. Good ending as well.

[Meghan Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I love a suspenseful apocalypse read and the plot took some really imaginative turns.

[Rain · Rating 2 out of 5]

My reviews are mostly notes to myself, but although I reached the end of this novel, I will not be continuing.

I dont tend to like alien apocalypses at the best of times, but the initial premise grabbed me on this occasion. Unfortunately, all of the human characters are cardboard cutouts, shallow stereotypes and the story arc became sillier and sillier as time went on.

[Geryl D Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique and Terrifying!

While the author doesn't appear to have appreciable understanding of the military, it's officers and Marines in particular, the story is a unique slant on the apocalypse with a interesting twist at the end.

[Mark Muska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good read. Liked the whole alien taking over the world....then turns out the true aliens were really more like vampires....
I liked it and will be moving onto the second book

[Christine Fortier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best post-apocalyptic books I have read. I am drawn to the apocalyptic books, can't help it. Something about survival. I won't go through the plot like others do. Simply put, Sam's writing is excellent in every way. The characters are interesting, the plot intriguing and very different in that the ghouls are organized, intelligent and they are not Zombie's (I don't like Zombie's). The survival techniques are cautious. Just really, really like this series and can't wait to read #5 The Ashes of Pompeii. Thanks so much for great story telling Sam.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good sci fi

This book I got via Amazon at a reduced price I figured what the heck... This book was great I read it in one sitting! There is more than one totally unexpected plot turns, and multiple story lines which tie up nicely in the end. I will read more work by this author...

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Good A pretty good read, although I do wish the sequel hook hadn't been quite so obvious.  A lot of the technological details seemed a little fudgy, as well, but it didn't really detract from the story at all.  I did enjoy the character development.