Laura and Mike Davis and their four children build an idyllic life with friends and family nearby in the beautiful Brandywine River Valley. Dreams and goals come to an abrupt end soon after Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast. Discovered in wood soaked by seawater, a virus thought to have the potential to decimate the population becomes the excuse to relocate thousands of citizens from beach towns. Fire is the only known way to eradicate the virus. Rumors spread that napalm is used to burn without evacuating the people. A neighbor warns Laura and Mike that their town is next as the destruction moves inland. Is it a drastic way to halt the spread of disease, or is there another catalyst?
Suzanne Jenkins lives at the west Michigan lakeshore. She is the author of Pam of Babylon and the series; Don’t You Forget About Me,Dream Lover, Prayers for the Dying, Family Dynamics and The Tao of Pam. The Greeks of Beaubien Street,and The Princess of Greektown from the Greektown Stories, Alice's Summertime Adventure, The Savant of Chelsea and Someone Like You. https://www.facebook.com/suzannejenki... Twitter @suzannejenkins3
An exciting prequel to get you interested in the Burn District Series. Once I started reading these 22 pages, I couldn't stop. Definitely look forward to reading the first book in this series. A deadly virus, the government destroying towns even with uninflected people still in their homes. A family fleeing to possible safety. Can they survive?
Burn District: A Short Story: Prequel to Burn. dIstrict the Series
I found the story very disturbing and hope that this situation never occurs. I don't know after reading the short story whether I could read an entire book about this no matter how well written
A deadly virus on US soil is being contained by destroying entire parts of towns and cities-without evacuating uninfected civilians. When a neighbour with inside knowledge warns that their district will be next to burn, Mike starts preparing supplies for their escape. When Pete tells him it will happen in two hours, Mike, his wife and kids, his parents and his wife's friend flee for a cross country journey to relatives in Yuma.
This was a different disaster book from what I've read before. Mike's neighbour Pete is able to give them a warning that allows the family to flee, but the family can't risk warning other neighbours in case they are reported by snitches, as nobody trusts anyone in this climate of fear. Doctors are refusing to report infected cases for fear of condemning entire districts to death so the government have bugged every house to find out themselves who is sick and who is preparing to flee, or who is anti-government. Those who manage to escape burning areas are regarded as criminals so there is danger in fleeing but certain death if you stay. I liked the idea of this evil government behaviour, the aspect of everyone being spied on and the innocent being sacrificed. There were lots of tense moments in this short prequel.
I also liked the characters that we will be following. Mike's wife Laura is our main MC. She has 4 kids under 18, her oldest having Down Syndrome. I think having a bit of diversity in the story is going to add something interesting to the plot. There is also an interesting subplot in that Laura suspects that her husband Mike and her best friend Kelly are attracted to each other, something that is shared by Mike's father Randy. This could really be interesting in the middle of a survival story! Laura honey, I would not have let Kelly travel with me in these circumstances, I would have told her nothing and let the bitch burn!
This is a short prequel to introduce the characters and show why they fled and what the background to the story was. I am now really interested to see what happens on the journey to Yuma, how Laura deals with Mike and Kelly and juggles the needs of her kids. I grabbed the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading it soon!
Burn District is a prequel to a new series. It was 22 pages of intense reading! Normally I don't read a lot of post-apocalyptic or science fiction but I thought this sounded interesting. It was a story that gets in your head and makes you think...what if this happened.
I am sure this is going to be an exciting yet terrifying series. I'd recommend it and look forward to reading more of the Burn District!
This is a VERY short story that is a prequel to the Burn District series. An intense, gripping read that ratcheted up the anxiety factor, it outlines the Davis family's choice to flee rather than listen to the Government propaganda concerning authorised Burns of areas they say contain "the virus". It's a enormous hook to get you to read on and find out what happens .... and it works. The first novel of the series has now made it onto my "To Read" list.
Burn District: A Short Story: Prequel to Burn District the Series (Burn District 0.5) by Suzanne Jenkins is a disturbing short story about abuse of government power. Surprises, great character development, and wonderful plot. Scary as heck. Great job!
This was excellent! A well written, high tension, fast paced thriller, a quick read prequel! Just enough to leave you wanting more! Brilliant! I do recommend & I am looking forward to reading book 1!
Oh my goodness!! Can you relate to the present day?? My imagination just kicked into high gear!! I'm telling you!! Place what's happening across the globe today,and all the BE stories coming out of our not -so-intelligent --and definitely ill-prepared --leader and his minions. Can you see it?? Well I most certainly can!! And it ain't pretty by a long shot!! Get a copy of this--very entertaining,and very well put together.--P/
A strong start to what looks to be a promising series. With many events being seeded ahead of time. The premise is dark, disturbing and scarily possible. I can only hope that one day we don’t reach this. Well written and looking forward to seeing how the series grows.
10/29/2012, TV News Flash: Hurricane Sandy hits the NJ coast. National Hurricane Center. A plane that was supposed to be spraying virucides to prevent the outbreak of the virus instead sprayed a different chemical. This caused residents to relocate because of astronomical costs of deterioration to their self, property/land. Towns/cities & urban areas had almost been obliviated. Laura Davis (37, wife/mother, narrator, former Ebay, nee Barnes), Mike Davis Sr. (husband/father), Elise (oldest daughter/sister), Ned Davis (8, son/brother), Mike Davis Jr. (son/brother, Down Syndrome), Mike’s parents: Randy Davis & Carol Davis, Carin, Kelly (55+, Laura’s former Ebay co-worker) were packed & ready to move on west. Yuma County, AZ. Grandpa Steve Barnes (55+, widower, USMC Persian Gulf War vet) welcomed them & got them all set up in his large 5th-wheel camping trailer. Miranda “Mandy” Garrison (daughter/sister, Rumor forum founder, Yale) had been murdered. Senator Victor Garrison (husband/father, VA) & Katharine Garrison (wife/mother) were going to have her cremated. Did Lexie Garrison (19, daughter/sister) & Danny Garrison (son/brother) get a big surprise. Later it was found out piolets had been dropping napalm like they did in Vietnam. What did Chris Monroe reveal to Grandpa Steve Barnes.
Andover Country Club Fairfax, Winston Clarke (Winston Clarke Humanitarian Fellowship head) was enjoying the sauna. Ralph Jones (bodyguard) & Terry Kirkland (secretary) weren’t really thrilled. Steve Hayward (retired USMC) was having flashbacks again. Kelly let Laura know she/Steve were just friends. Candy Silver (mother) body was on her front doorsteps leading & Jessica’s (daughter) was in front of her on the deck. Jess’ baby was stillborn. Steve Hayward & Chris Monroe had to explain to the guard why they were headed to Mesa, AZ. Kelly & Mike Davis Jr. were in the back of the vehicle.
What was Ralph Jones up to?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
Warning: This book contains descriptive accounts of adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (heterosexual relationships, Lesbian) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Greek family political thriller book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Greek family political thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC. book. Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
This tiny (22 pages) novelette sure pack a punch and demonstrates beyond question the incredible talent and versatility of Queen of the Apocalyptic Thriller, Suzanne Jenkins.
The premise of Burn District, #0.5 in the Burn District series, is that a saltwater-soaked piece of driftwood that floats ashore after Hurricane Sandy carries a deadly virus that could potentially wipe out any and all victims who become infected. MCs are the Davis family - led by parents Laura and Mike, living less than 2 hours ahead of the latest town to fall prey to this Apocalyptic destroyer. The eldest of their four offspring has Down's Syndrome and needs extra care and attention, which may slow down their covert exit from Brandywine. Negative influence is the Government, who are not only trying to control the virus' wildfire-like spread by allegedly spraying napalm on the victims but also wire-tapping everyone's home to discover who is infected and who is warning others to flee ahead of the end of the world as they know it - strictly illegal, but supposedly for the safety of the masses, who might panic and make things exponentially worse for their neighbors and friends. Having been secretly so warned, the family heads southwest towards what they hope will be a safe haven. However they've had little or no time to prepare a survivalist kit of supplies and now Mike's created an extra problem by involving and including their neighbor Kelly.
Can the group make it to safety in Yuma? Why did Mike risk everything to bring Kelly on board? Is there another hidden reason he wanted to save her in particular? Are Laura (and Mike's Dad Randy) right to be suspicious that they may be nursing a temptress/ viper in their bosom? Will they be proved right or wrong? Will the Government find out where they've gone and take retribution on the band of survivors?
Burn District will set your heart aflame in more ways that one - try it today -it's a 5-star winner!
You must read this book BEFORE you read Burn District 1 or 2, I read Burn District 1 first and it was a mistake as this book gives the necessary background to BD1. I think that as this book was written after BD1 the author realised it needed more explanation.
Hurricane Sandy is being blames for causing a virus that seems to manifest itself in soggy wood soaked by the salt water from Hurricane Sandy.
The way to get rid of the virus is to burn it and so the Government sets out a plan to burn certain areas that all happen to be more socially deprived with residents on social benefits or a drain on healthcare. They use crop dusting planes to spread Napalm on the target areas and don’t give any prior notice (unlike what they are telling the population) so residents can’t escape the burning.
Rather strange that there is no evidence of residents getting the virus or what are the symptoms.
US residents are starting to disbelieve the US Government and are getting very scared resulting in them fleeing their homes in the belief that it is safer in the West.
There doesn’t appear to be a genuine reason as to why the Government are taking the action they have embarked on.
Having read Burn District 1 before this prequel I wouldn’t use it as a yardstick as to whether or not your interest is piqued. Read Burn District 1 then decide if you want to go further in the series, after all this prequel is very economical.
First Sight: The Prequel: An interesting intro to Jack and Pam and how they met. The family and friends of Pam are interesting in their own right and I'm interested in reading more from this author. This book was well written and orderly, giving enough information about everyone and everything. 5*
Burn District - A well written short story about the horrors a Pennsylvania family must face while fleeing their home to safety in the Southwest. Introduces the characters and scenario before the burning. Sets the pace for Burn District: Yuma. 5*
Burn District (1 or Yuma) - Why are we worried about WMD, when the higher ups in our government can do this to the USA? Included is a prologue, which I appreciate. A well written, action packed suspense with believable characters and a fast paced, developed plot picking up where the prequel Burn District left off. This series definitely should have the reader rethinking social and constitutional beliefs. Editing didn't catch all the mistakes. It's helpful to read Burn District first. 5*
A short and not-so-sweet prequel to what looks to be a very queasy post apocalyptic tale. I personally didn't enjoy the narration and got confused by the number of named characters. That's not to say it's bad; just perhaps not my cup of tea. Worth a try if you want a big dystopian road trip with some slightly creepy characters.
This prequel has piqued my interest. I'll definitely be reading the first full book next. I hope it's as good as this short story and answers some of the questions I have now.
Is this our tomorrow's fate? It could be. Do we run? Do we stay? Do we burn? Who are to we to believe? This book falls to close to home. Start packing or in today's political hate filled country, we burn. Must read the next book. MUST!
I am definitely interested in what is to become of this family. I have been teased with the beginning of the story! This short story has got my attention!
This prequel gives you a quick peek into a possible future event, the systematic destruction of the world as we know it, thanks of our government. Scary stuff, and devastating. Intriguing story, a dead you won't forget.
Love Suzanne Jenkins. It's a really gripping book. I love how much detail goes into her books. One feels part of her characters in the story, and you can visualize yourself being in the plot of things. Enjoy the read. No spoilers from me
A moving short story. It is, however, definitely in need of a rewrite as a novel. Very interesting characters that you rather quickly become invested in.
An exciting tale of people escaping their home in search of a safer place, while the government secretly destroys areas under the guise of an virus outbreak killing everything even people.