What do you think?
Rate this book
Dr Ruth Parker is hiding out in her apartment since the world went to hell three months ago from a virus turning her neighbours into flesh eating braindeads. Captain Jack Lang has secured the Base, the one safe place left in the city, with his loyal commandos. But the Base is a lonely place without female companionship so when Jack rescues Ruth he is determined to convince her to stay. Ruth is used to giving orders, not taking them and she doesn’t plan on becoming a sex slave for the captain, which seems to be what he expects. Surviving on the outside isn’t an option nor is obeying Lang’s commands.
Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2015
7 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2018
Fun and fast and sexy read. Especially fin if you know the history and geography of the setting, the old base on George’s Head in Sydney.
November 10, 2015
It's a world gone mad and the zombie apocalypse has happened, or in this case, invasion of the braindeads. Cathleen Ross spins a fascinating tale of survival in a world where neighbours are eating neighbours, husbands having to kill wives who have turned, and only the strongest and toughest survive.
In the heart of all the craziness is Jack Lang, Navy captain. He's the leader of a group of highly disciplined Navy men who have answered his call to protect the few people there is left to protect from the braindeads. He's strong, tenacious and autocratic. His word is law and everything he does is for the survival of his people. I love Jack. If he wasn't so principled and so filled with integrity, if he wasn't so much about doing what's right for the protection of his people, he's be a total alphahole. As it is, he'd come across as a lot more of an alphahole with the way he treats Ruth, if not for all these qualities of his. Oh! Did I mention he's super hot? How could I forget that? I think it's because my Kindle melted from the heat he generated and it affected my brain!!
Ruth, on the other hand, has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. She's mean, selfish, opinionated, out of touch with reality and ungrateful. She also has the typical god complex that so many successful surgeons and doctors have. I don't understand why Jack likes her as much as he does, but then again, his choices are limited and she is physically attractive. It's a pity her personality is such a pill. It had a huge impact on how much I enjoyed the story. For the most part, I do not mind an independent, strong female character, but she needs to have qualities that make her likable. With Ruth those qualities don't show until almost too late, after she's been given a big dose of the reality of the world she now inhabits, and by then, my opinion of her had already cemented in my mind. After that, she shows a bravery and compassion that is admirable though I find myself hesitating over trusting her to not trample all over Jack after her behaviour in the beginning. It's not till the very end I stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The thing I really enjoyed about this story is that it's set in Mosman, an area I'm fairly familiar with. I even had lunch there very recently and saw where the naval base is located. I loved being able to picture in my mind where everything was. I know the Harbour Bridge and the Spit Bridge very well, and have even sat in the traffic while the Spit Bridge was raised to let tall ships through. I loved being able to visualise all of that. It brought so much of the story to life for me.
I would have liked to learn more about the virus, it's origins and finding a cure. I wanted to know why the antiviral worked on one person and not on another. Ms Ross has hinted about most of it but my inquisitive mind wants more information so I hope there will be another book which delves more into it.
In the heart of all the craziness is Jack Lang, Navy captain. He's the leader of a group of highly disciplined Navy men who have answered his call to protect the few people there is left to protect from the braindeads. He's strong, tenacious and autocratic. His word is law and everything he does is for the survival of his people. I love Jack. If he wasn't so principled and so filled with integrity, if he wasn't so much about doing what's right for the protection of his people, he's be a total alphahole. As it is, he'd come across as a lot more of an alphahole with the way he treats Ruth, if not for all these qualities of his. Oh! Did I mention he's super hot? How could I forget that? I think it's because my Kindle melted from the heat he generated and it affected my brain!!
Ruth, on the other hand, has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. She's mean, selfish, opinionated, out of touch with reality and ungrateful. She also has the typical god complex that so many successful surgeons and doctors have. I don't understand why Jack likes her as much as he does, but then again, his choices are limited and she is physically attractive. It's a pity her personality is such a pill. It had a huge impact on how much I enjoyed the story. For the most part, I do not mind an independent, strong female character, but she needs to have qualities that make her likable. With Ruth those qualities don't show until almost too late, after she's been given a big dose of the reality of the world she now inhabits, and by then, my opinion of her had already cemented in my mind. After that, she shows a bravery and compassion that is admirable though I find myself hesitating over trusting her to not trample all over Jack after her behaviour in the beginning. It's not till the very end I stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The thing I really enjoyed about this story is that it's set in Mosman, an area I'm fairly familiar with. I even had lunch there very recently and saw where the naval base is located. I loved being able to picture in my mind where everything was. I know the Harbour Bridge and the Spit Bridge very well, and have even sat in the traffic while the Spit Bridge was raised to let tall ships through. I loved being able to visualise all of that. It brought so much of the story to life for me.
I would have liked to learn more about the virus, it's origins and finding a cure. I wanted to know why the antiviral worked on one person and not on another. Ms Ross has hinted about most of it but my inquisitive mind wants more information so I hope there will be another book which delves more into it.
November 14, 2015
In ‘Base’ we meet Doctor Ruth Parker. Ruth has seen the beginning of the end of the world when she was working as a doctor in a hospital. A lot of patients turned into ‘braindeads’ and now Ruth and her two friends have been stuck at their apartment for a view months. Hiding from the braindeads and hoping to survive. When Captain Jack Lang rescues Ruth and her friends she isn’t as thankful as Jack would expect. Ruth isn’t used to being told what to do, especially not by men. But now she has to accept that Jack’s in charge and that he is the dominant type and doesn’t take no for an answer.
The beginning of this book was a little disappointing to me. I had a lot of expectations about this book and the beginning with how Jack ‘rescued’ Ruth and her friends felt off to me. I didn’t like the way Ruth’s friends were all in for going away with strange men and being their property. I probably felt just the way Ruth was feeling about being manhandled. It felt wrong and a long way from the romance I was hoping to read about.
But I kept going and slowly on this book began to grow on me. The two main characters Jack and Ruth began to connect more and I really started to get why they were the way they are.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the whole ‘braindead’ concept. I’ve read a view books about the end of the world in which people changed into a sort-of zombie, and this was a nice change to those books since it also involved some romance. It’s not like there was a lot of actual fighting in this book but the whole ‘braindead’ concept really made this a fun read.
There are some sexy scenes in this book, and although I found them a little strange I did enjoy reading most of them and I think these scenes fitted the main characters perfectly. Not what I expected but not bad.
This book was shorter than I thought it would be, but the ending was exactly right. Overall I did enjoy the last half of the book and I do think back to a fun read.
The beginning of this book was a little disappointing to me. I had a lot of expectations about this book and the beginning with how Jack ‘rescued’ Ruth and her friends felt off to me. I didn’t like the way Ruth’s friends were all in for going away with strange men and being their property. I probably felt just the way Ruth was feeling about being manhandled. It felt wrong and a long way from the romance I was hoping to read about.
But I kept going and slowly on this book began to grow on me. The two main characters Jack and Ruth began to connect more and I really started to get why they were the way they are.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the whole ‘braindead’ concept. I’ve read a view books about the end of the world in which people changed into a sort-of zombie, and this was a nice change to those books since it also involved some romance. It’s not like there was a lot of actual fighting in this book but the whole ‘braindead’ concept really made this a fun read.
There are some sexy scenes in this book, and although I found them a little strange I did enjoy reading most of them and I think these scenes fitted the main characters perfectly. Not what I expected but not bad.
This book was shorter than I thought it would be, but the ending was exactly right. Overall I did enjoy the last half of the book and I do think back to a fun read.
May 21, 2016
Wow. I don’t normally read or watch anything zombie related because I’m such a sook when it comes to anything horror, but this is different. Yes, there were some interesting moments, that didn’t’ sit well with me, but I persisted. This is not a horror. This is essentially a romance, albeit, a different take on romance.
Captain Jack Lang, a hot alpha male with an attitude but for all the best reasons, to save his men and anyone that is saveable. If I needed to be saved and protected, I would definitely want this man to be there for me, no questions asked, but that’s also the practical person in me.
Dr Ruth Parker, initially annoyed the hell out of me. Yes, very strong willed and highly intelligent but when it came to anything practical, dumb as they come. I understood her need for independence and loyalty to her friends and her sense of freedom. She refused to see reason when reason was needed during dangerous times. I soon changed my mind realising it was purely for her own self-preservation. Tough on the outside, but soft when it was needed – eventually that is.
The story had some highlights and some interesting side stories. I loved the connection between the two brothers, even shedding a tear for Mike’s illness and the possibility of finding a cure.
This is definitely a read by the seat of your pants story, in areas of Sydney that I am a little familiar with, which made it possibly more enjoyable, but even if you aren’t familiar, a quick look at a google map would help you there.
I have read a few of Cathleen Ross’ works. She is a wonderful intelligent and entertaining writer, using descriptions that are thought provoking and definitely well worth reading with some great sex scenes.
I struggled in giving this book a 5 star rating, thinking it was more a 4, however, given the thought provoking intelligence and horrifying possibilities and the hope for a cure I had to give it a 5.
Captain Jack Lang, a hot alpha male with an attitude but for all the best reasons, to save his men and anyone that is saveable. If I needed to be saved and protected, I would definitely want this man to be there for me, no questions asked, but that’s also the practical person in me.
Dr Ruth Parker, initially annoyed the hell out of me. Yes, very strong willed and highly intelligent but when it came to anything practical, dumb as they come. I understood her need for independence and loyalty to her friends and her sense of freedom. She refused to see reason when reason was needed during dangerous times. I soon changed my mind realising it was purely for her own self-preservation. Tough on the outside, but soft when it was needed – eventually that is.
The story had some highlights and some interesting side stories. I loved the connection between the two brothers, even shedding a tear for Mike’s illness and the possibility of finding a cure.
This is definitely a read by the seat of your pants story, in areas of Sydney that I am a little familiar with, which made it possibly more enjoyable, but even if you aren’t familiar, a quick look at a google map would help you there.
I have read a few of Cathleen Ross’ works. She is a wonderful intelligent and entertaining writer, using descriptions that are thought provoking and definitely well worth reading with some great sex scenes.
I struggled in giving this book a 5 star rating, thinking it was more a 4, however, given the thought provoking intelligence and horrifying possibilities and the hope for a cure I had to give it a 5.
August 8, 2016
I really liked the idea of the story...but I hated the female lead! At first I liked that she stood up for her and her friends but then she started pissing me off it was to much she is a smart girl these ppl are ur only help and they seem like good ppl. But she is rude to them at every turn! All in all good story the other ppl make up for her.
April 11, 2016
I would have given this 4 stars but the story just ends abruptly and there doesn't seem to be a sequel to finish Ruth and Jacks story or have other perspectives from the other characters. Disappointing as this could have been a really nice series.
April 19, 2016
Zombie stories amp up the giggle factor for me. Base was fun and games the whole way through. I loved the Sydney setting and enjoyed the tension between Ruth and Jack. How can you not love a well oiled drool worthy man in uniform? An entertaining read. Awesome!
December 2, 2018
A stubborn man, and a stubborn woman and put them in a changed world and the sparks will fly. I would like to see more of this series so we find out what happened to Mike a nd why.
April 12, 2016
So nice to read a zombie book based in Sydney, Australia! All these places are known to me which made it all the more believable. I liked Jack's character, he was the result of his career and one of the last defences against the braindead's taking over their little corner of Sydney. However, Ruth I could have just bitch-slapped. Did not like her AT ALL. Although saying that, there were times I was finding myself agreeing with her stance on women being handed out as rewards. That did not sit well with me. It was a good enough read. And hell, who know's how anyone would react in such a situation as a zombie apocalypse, so I often like to give these characters a bit of leeway.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews