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Oil to Ashes #1
Picnic
Linc Freemore - Apocalyptic Science Fiction Short Story. 32 pages (7.915 words)
The war on terror has escalated to a nihilistic brawl for oil. Brutal and incessant gang violence now rules the headlines. Is it a forecast for the end of justice and consequence?
For Linc Freemore, another drudge at the office, another broken promise looms. He stumbles on a savage crime, half-done. Unarmed. Deserted. In a tranquil wood, the kind of place he longs for time with his family. Today filled with violence and despair. Should he bolt for safety? Or viciously defend, his own brand of justice?
Linc discovers how deep he's willing to dig for a stranger. How far he's willing to blur the lines.
Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords.
Give feedback / Help with next book.
The war on terror has escalated to a nihilistic brawl for oil. Brutal and incessant gang violence now rules the headlines. Is it a forecast for the end of justice and consequence?
For Linc Freemore, another drudge at the office, another broken promise looms. He stumbles on a savage crime, half-done. Unarmed. Deserted. In a tranquil wood, the kind of place he longs for time with his family. Today filled with violence and despair. Should he bolt for safety? Or viciously defend, his own brand of justice?
Linc discovers how deep he's willing to dig for a stranger. How far he's willing to blur the lines.
Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords.
Give feedback / Help with next book.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 30, 2014
Oil To Ashes 1: Picnic is a short story that I picked up free for the kindle. Set in the not-so-distant future, we are introduced to Linc Freemore, who works for a company dedicated to the war effort. A war that appears to be occurring between the United States (or perhaps, more generically, the “West”) and the oil rich countries of the Middle East. The U.S. is actually being bombed in this war and gas has reached around $10 a gallon. Linc is just trying to finish a project so he can get a day off, but his day starts off dealing with some gang violence and saving some school children who are almost ran over by a runaway car that was shot up. Gangs have grown more courageous and willing to assault just about anyone, and later that same day Linc discovers that first hand when he comes to the rescue of a girl on a rural road who is being chased on foot by another biker gang. Linc’s cowardly coworker flees, forcing him to take action and improvise ways to keep the girl safe and to stay alive.
The story is short, sweet, and to the point. Better yet, it was a free introduction to the Linc Freemore saga and it appears that the second short story is also available via the kindle.
This short tale was a fun introduction that can somewhat stand on its own, though the author made sure to give you reason to want to check out what is next. Linc is probably more than what he appears to be given his willingness to jump into a fight and become the hero. A simple corporate schmo he is not. The bits and pieces of the near-apocalyptic world the author has created is interesting and fairly plausible, which in some ways makes this story somewhat tantalizing. A precursor to the world of Mad Max and company, where fuel is rapidly disappearing along with civility, law, and order? Perhaps.
The story is short, sweet, and to the point. Better yet, it was a free introduction to the Linc Freemore saga and it appears that the second short story is also available via the kindle.
This short tale was a fun introduction that can somewhat stand on its own, though the author made sure to give you reason to want to check out what is next. Linc is probably more than what he appears to be given his willingness to jump into a fight and become the hero. A simple corporate schmo he is not. The bits and pieces of the near-apocalyptic world the author has created is interesting and fairly plausible, which in some ways makes this story somewhat tantalizing. A precursor to the world of Mad Max and company, where fuel is rapidly disappearing along with civility, law, and order? Perhaps.
August 21, 2014
This novella is everything I look for in apocalyptic fiction. There is just enough background detail given, and hinted at, that you can grasp the events that are unfolding, as well as what must have happened in the world to bring us to this point. I enjoy a bit of mystery as to the overall story (blame it on "Lost"), and this one has just enough intrigue and action that it pulls you into the story effortlessly.
There is a great sense of atmosphere and foreboding which is, again, just the right touch to make you feel you're living in this world and experiencing everything as it happens to the protagonist.
Which brings me to the lead character, Linc Freemore, another thing the author got exactly right. I love heroes who are your average, everyday person. Ones thrust into harrowing and excruciating circumstances who use their own resourcefulness and cunning to extricate themselves from each situation.
Overall, this is a great start to a series and I'm looking forward to the rest of the episodes in this trilogy. But I definitely hope that won't be the end of this world or more stories about Linc Freemore.
There is a great sense of atmosphere and foreboding which is, again, just the right touch to make you feel you're living in this world and experiencing everything as it happens to the protagonist.
Which brings me to the lead character, Linc Freemore, another thing the author got exactly right. I love heroes who are your average, everyday person. Ones thrust into harrowing and excruciating circumstances who use their own resourcefulness and cunning to extricate themselves from each situation.
Overall, this is a great start to a series and I'm looking forward to the rest of the episodes in this trilogy. But I definitely hope that won't be the end of this world or more stories about Linc Freemore.
August 6, 2014
This is a novelette set in a not to distant future. Linc is a company man with a mind of his own. He believes in the company's goal but feels he is surrounded by dilettantes. This short story appears to be a setup for a sequential story line. Linc follows his conscience and ends up doing the right thing but paying for it in guilt.
The story is fast paced and in some areas brutal. The realization that to protect his family, Linc must do some things that grossly breach his self image. You feel that society and it's failures lead to personal actions that would be abhorrent in another time and place but are necessary in this declining society.
Premise is good, plenty of action and thought provoking analysis of social mores.
I enjoyed the book.
The story is fast paced and in some areas brutal. The realization that to protect his family, Linc must do some things that grossly breach his self image. You feel that society and it's failures lead to personal actions that would be abhorrent in another time and place but are necessary in this declining society.
Premise is good, plenty of action and thought provoking analysis of social mores.
I enjoyed the book.
May 29, 2014
I usually don't read short stories, I'm more the novel reader however, this one caught my attention when reading the description so I picked it up, really glad I did. At first Linc seemed to me to be the humble type, expecting things at work and not getting them however, and not giving any of the plot away, I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome of the book. Mr. Brait has certainly got a winner in this one. I'm recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an apocalyptic thriller that is a quick read.
June 19, 2014
Lee Brait knows how to introduce a series. This short novella featuring Lincoln Freemore is a complete story, though the cliff hanger ending preps you for the desperate saga and series to follow. Plenty of unanswered questions, but they're seeds for the future and don't overly distract from this fast-paced survival thriller. A bit gruesome at times, so be forewarned. It's an adult read for those who want an alternative to the angsty YA post-apocalyptic material out there. Well written and captivating.
August 10, 2015
The best point about this novel was the style of writing. The unique aspect kept me fully engaged.
However, this short novel disappointed me. Firstly, the main character had no purpose. He lived his life, fitting in with his colleagues and doing a job he didn't believe in until fate caught him in a trap. Because he'd kept himself fit, he had a good chance to escape a bunch of evil men intent on torture. That's where the tension came in. When the story reached the end, the plot left me high and dry, with the option of buying the next book. I like a satisfying ending.
However, this short novel disappointed me. Firstly, the main character had no purpose. He lived his life, fitting in with his colleagues and doing a job he didn't believe in until fate caught him in a trap. Because he'd kept himself fit, he had a good chance to escape a bunch of evil men intent on torture. That's where the tension came in. When the story reached the end, the plot left me high and dry, with the option of buying the next book. I like a satisfying ending.
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January 23, 2016An entertaining short story set in an apocalyptic future with a simple plot. Poses the classic fight or flight scenario. Author does a good job of painting a rich text for the story and developing Linc as a sympathetic character. Maybe I have read too many mysteries but the end was fairly predicable.
April 18, 2015
A good start to a dark future. There are hints that things are just beginning to fall apart. An everyday man is tested and finds that violence is the only answer in order to save himself and his family.
I look forward to reading more of this!
I look forward to reading more of this!
May 22, 2014
A terrific short story and great start for this character. Gotta love Linc Freemore.
August 24, 2016
Another rating: 7,5/10
Not bad, I liked action in this one. The flow of it was good but I've read better ones.
Not bad, I liked action in this one. The flow of it was good but I've read better ones.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews