Surviving the Fall

Walking in the Rain #1

by William Allen

Sixteen year old Luke was trapped in Chicago when the lights went out and civilization began to unravel. Determined to get home to his family, Luke begins a thousand mile odyssey that will show him the depths of human depravity while also giving him a chance at redemption.

In an abandoned house in Missouri, Luke makes a discovery that changes the way he acts and feels as the suffering of another forces him to fight yet again. Luke is already haunted by what he has seen, and he fears what is yet to come as he takes on a partner in his travels.

This is not a romance tale, or a zombie story, or a book about the end of the world. The world will still be here after civilization falls. This is a story about a boy who becomes a man in the most trying of times, and this story is filled with the violence of those lawless times.

Look for Home Fires Burning, Book Two of the Walking in the Rain saga, just released exclusively here on Amazon.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Fiction, Survival, Science Fiction, Zombies

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2015

About the author

William Allen was born and raised in the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas, a place of great natural beauty and a scarcity of decent paying jobs. Growing up on a farm, he dreamed of one day finding one of those jobs involving working indoors and enjoying air conditioned comfort. Most of the farm work was outdoors, rain or shine, and air conditioning was something he read about in books. They even talked about something he'd only dreamed of before, something to do with health insurance. No, that was probably just science fiction.

Books were a refuge for young William, and as he grew older, he decided to try his hand at creating his own fantasy worlds. To his way of thinking, writing seemed to involve way more "brain sweat" that the other kind. So far, so good. And at least the air conditioning still works.

"Walking in the Rain" started as a short story and over time developed into a series of novels exploring the changed world a young man who finds himself stranded far from home when the lights go out. Everywhere.

Luke is a capable survivor who quickly hardens his heart in order to live a day-to-day existence while making a seemingly hopeless trek home to his family. Along the way, Luke meets someone special who helps him rediscover his lost humanity. Make no mistake, though. Luke learned to be a cold-blooded killer to survive, and having something to lose merely makes him all the more vicious when he is forced to act.

To date, the first three books, "Walking in the Rain: Surviving the Fall", "Home Fires Burning", and "Hard Rain Falling" have been published exclusively here on Amazon. Book Four in the series, "Dark Sky Thunder" will be released in September, 2015. These first three titles are all now available in audiobook form from Audible.com. The incomparable Pat Young provides the dramatic readings for these books and adds an extra dimension to these powerful stories.

Also, the short story "Hunger Driven" will shortly be joined by a full length zombie novel currently in production, entitled "A Feast for Crows". The sixty plus page tale represents the author's own take on the Zombie Apocalypse in Southeast Texas and is a jumping off point for the forthcoming full length novel. The scenery is still pretty except for all those nasty walking corpses littering the landscape.

The author is proud to have contributed a short story, "'Ware, Goblins" for the recently released zombie anthology "Bite Sized Offerings." This collection of stories represents a lineup of the best talent in the horror business, and I can only assume they included me by accident. Oh, well, it was my gain, after all.

Look for these and more books from William Allen coming soon. For any questions or comments, you can reach him on Facebook at William Allen-author. Or, e-mail him at walkingintherain6@gmail.com. He might not be able to give you the winning lottery numbers, but otherwise, feel free to ask questions.

Reviews

[Womble · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much for well-reviewed books!

This is a poorly written effort, and a poor excuse for a "novel".

Just some of the problems I had with this book:

- GUNS, GUNS, GUNS! The author obviously loves guns, and spends much of the book talking about the different types, calibers, manufacturers and specifications of the dozens of weapons you'll need in the impending apocalypse! The fetishism on display is somewhat disturbing, particularly given the target audience.

- it's such an obvious attempt to cash in on the current kids-kill-adults trend in YA fiction.

- the story is delivered with the emotional weight of an instruction manual. The author prefers to lecture rather than entertain. Like other "prepper" fantasies, this reads much like a religious tract.

- the story ends at a random point, after only 3 hours or so. There isn't even the pretence of a resolution, only a pitch to buy the next book. It feels like they took a simple story and split it up in order to sell a series.

- the "16 year old" protagonist is simply unbelievable. He has knowledge and experience well beyond his years. When he's not killing adults he is is explaining things to them. His sidekick (a young girl) is one-dimensional, and barely described beyond her role as student-vessel for our hero's survivalist teachings.

- the writing itself is of the "what I did during my Summer holidays" variety. But with guns.

Avoid. This is juvenile, gun-culture drivel trying to be the next Hunger Games.

[Britanny L Grossman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but very short and semi uneventful

Ok let's start out by saying i like this book. It was a easy read that held my attention. But, it was very short and events where the author could of went into details with he ended up being very bland with. Basically he could of put a other 50 pages in, but didn't. There is not a lot of action in this book and I think the attention grabber was the somewhat suspense. There's so much I would of like added with out changing the story line at all and its sad that even tho it's a good read And a end of the world book, the story was just bland i.e.: trying to get home, people try to kill us, try to find food, sleep, drive some more. Idk...I like it but it could of been better sorry

[Dodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another "end of the world as we know it" book told from the perspective of a 16-year old who should have his own survival and wilderness show.
In fact, his vast knowledge of survival during the breakdown of the US, creates a belief in numerous people that he's much older than his years. Plus, his expertise concerning weapons is impressive--his dad's a marine who taught his little Padawan abundantly.
We meet him the moment he rescues a young girl from rape, for in this world the majority of men are rapist, murderers and cannibals, not necessarily in that order.
He decides to let her travel with him to his home, which he's diligently trying to reach. Hopefully, he will make it back to his parents--there's nothing comparable to a little world-wide catastrophe to bring out the desire of seeing one's mommy.
Luke's that guy that anyone would aspire to have nearby while enduring the breakdown of society, but what are the odds that he would ever exist or be that perfect companion after the downfall. I would undoubtedly meet a computer nerd that never leaves his house, and doesn't know the first thing concerning survival. Murdered and served up as dinner for "Some Fine Young Cannibals" would be an appointment in our day planner
The biggest problem I have with the book is the lack of an ending--it just stops in the middle of nothing. Books should always leave us with absolute wonderment about what happens to our characters, or as in this case a hook to create a desire for the second book, and never to fizzle out into nothingness.
Even though there wasn't a hook, I want to learn what happens-- I will be reading the second book soon.
This review is from blog: http://somanybooksssolittletime.blogs...

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, exciting, characters you care about

What else can you ask of a story except it be well told, exciting, with characters you care about?
This one has all that and more. It is fast paced and involves you.
A young man, almost too young to believe he is as smart and ready for the apocalypse as he is, finds a younger girl in trouble, about to be used by men doing what many will if there are no laws. Why is that, I wonder? But that is for another book.

If you have read as many stories of the apocalypse as I have, with and without zombies, you know there are lots of them out there, but only some are really well written, well edited and very involving. From one apocalypse reader to another, if you haven't read this one yet, you won't be disappointed.

[MICHAEL GALLOWAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another "End of the World as we know it", but better.

I liked this story better than most of the others, and I'll be starting the next one in a few minutes. I look forward to more of the same ; Better story, and characters I could believe in, as well. I will certainly let you know as soon as I'm done. I may buy this to read again.

[Rodney G. Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rain...

Not a bad yarn. Lots of truths here. Always looking for new ideas. Characters would be a little more believable if a couple years older.

[Sofa Grizz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I typically rate books using some fairly broad guidelines. Usually, 1 star reviews are reserved for books that are: 1) poorly written (prose); 2) with bad dialogue; 3) poorly thought out and executed plots; 4) and obviously books that I simply do not like.

Yet, those guidelines are not why I am rating this book one star. Don't get me wrong those statements do apply; but, my real beef with this book is its underlying ideology.

As an aside, I love fiction of all type, I love action and have no qualms with violent stories. I am even tolerant of the grim-dark genre.

This type of book is dangerous because it stokes irrational fears that only serve to fragment this country. The overtones of this series a) mythologize preppers as superheros while demonizing the federal government, b) highlight social class fears and misconceptions, c) glorifies militias and states rights(historically violent and incompetent, d) and are racially charged.


I dont even know where to start with all that is wrong with this "novel". I use scare quotes for novel because this is more of a short story that acts as a hook for the larger story. Books 1-3 or 4 should all really by one novel, but trilogies are more profitable I guess.

I am a fan of action movies and stories, so a friend recommended this series to me. The author does a good job creating set pieces, describing action, and spinning a good yarn for the combat sequences if a bit heavy handed in his gun descriptions and inventorying.

The action is done well for the most part, it is everything else that that makes this story terrible and ultimately providing a disturbing look into the psyche of this subculture.


SPOILER TIME...
Lets break down some of why this series is awful
The protagonist is a Gary Stu/MarySue this doesn't necessarily ruin a series, there are plenty of great stories with protagonist who are "perfect". Instead the real issue is what the author perceives as perfect ideal that he has molded this character into. He is essentially apocalypse, end of the world Batman/wizard. His father is an ex-marine, his uncle is a former UFC champ, and he is a human aimbot. He is a dispassionate murdering sociopath.

It's not just that he starts the book perfectly executing 3 would be rapist instantly, sneakily infiltrating a camp and killing 3 men with just a knife and shooting more, or even when he (repeatedly) kills trained military personnel that outnumber him 15+ to one, single handedly.
Aside from the fact that he is just BORING. The problem is that perfect in this world is an emotionless killer, who is essentially infallible and whose background reads like every box on some preppers checklist has been checked So, the hero is a perfect killing machine, who at 16 repeatedly murders trained soldiers who out number, and out gun him in increasingly improbable fashion.

The real hate comes from the alternate reality this setting creates.

The author very clearly HATES Obama, liberals, federal government, northerners, city folk, and likely every non white anglo-saxon protestant.
This is a series where the Civil War is renamed the War of Northern Aggression despite the fact that the confederates attacked first and started the war.

The Author has no faith in his fellow American's and creates a world where the evil northern, city folk have turned to cannibalism within two weeks of the inciting incident. The entire city of Chicago kills itself in 6 days. Everyone in this story has become murdering, raping, and pillaging "raiders", well unless you're just a simple southern farmer, member of the national guard, or one of the ubermensch preppers. These groups, with their strong christian American values, are immune to whatever made everyone else in the country instantly evil and thus cannon fodder.

The Oath Keepers are idealized and spoken of with warmth and admiration like they are some sort of group of elite domestic bad asses. Despite the fact that you can join one of their Anti-government AA meetings for 40 bucks a year and your dignity. Sure, they take the constitution as seriously as you would expect. They are also conspiracy theorist who think "crisis actors" are being paid to fake mass shootings to fuel anti-gun laws, that the federal government is constantly dunning false flag operations, and believe ALL the conspiracy theories (as long as the paint the federal government in an evil light).

This is a world where the president is incompetent, and the federal government (homeland security, fema, and the like) isn't just power hungry, wasteful, and ineffective. Here, the Federal Government is straight up EVIL

In this author's mind, the Federal Government knew of this impending crisis and immediately looks to use it to become a totalitarian regime. They withhold information to ensure more people die, they arm prisoners, they want to nuke their own country, they want to use biological warfare weapons on citizens, and oh so much more. They dont just want to redistribute your food, dadgum they want to take every kernel and kill you and your whole family. Anyone who is self-sufficient must die. Think about how stupid that would be even if your goal was to set up a dictatorship. The Feds in this story are evil for evil's sake http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php... , but sadly the author doesn't even notice the absurdity of it all.

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Revising my review of this series

The first books were violent but I enjoyed the character of Luke and that storyline. I originally gave the first few books 4 and 5 stars but by the 6th in the series only 3 stars. Now I’ve tried reading book 7 and I can’t finish. The last two books I read, book 6 and part of 7, kept getting more violent and extremely gory. By the 7th book every other page was about cannibalism, describing it on great detail. It was too much. All the raping and murders of children and then descriptions of them getting cut up, cooked then eaten. I can’t read anymore. It’s terrible and I won’t recommend this series to anyone.

[Eila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. And as I often do when I enjoy a book, I read the one-star reviews out of curiosity. I had to laugh because some of these reviews claim it is too filled with gun information. Maybe I read too many books that involve detailed descriptions of guns, but I found the author's explanations of the weapons in the story refreshing—just enough information without going overboard. That's not the main reason I like this book, though. It's not easy to write a book in first-person POV and not many authors pull it off successfully, but this author does. He keeps the perspective consistent and does a great job telling the story through the eyes of the main character. It also helps that I like the main character. Is he young? Yes. Believable? It's fiction... there's going to be some stretch. I didn't find him to be completely unbelievable. The main character is both tough (because he has to be) and somewhat innocent. He's respectful and not cocky. I like that. The story flows well; I didn't find myself getting bored or wanting to skim parts because of tediousness. Anyway, I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said by the number of positive reviews this book has received. I will definitely read the next book in the series.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book is a really action-packed and informative story. From the very beginning the reader is thrown into a world of chaos where survival is not guaranteed. The main character, Luke, is only sixteen-years-old, but is trying to survive while pulling everything he has ever learned from his Boy Scout training and his Marine father's advice. The absolute unpredictability of his environment forces him to exist in the moment and attempt to protect himself tactically.

As he encounters more people, his own intuition and observations are his only guides to their demeanor and humanity. A really great story that has me ready to start the next book as soon as possible!

The only drawback was in the editing of the story. There are a few jumps in the story that are not fully developed and a few grammatical errors in word use and spelling. But the story is extremely strong and pulls you in! Despite the errors, this was a very enjoyable read!

[Joe Stamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walking in the Rain is a post apocalyptic novel about a 16 year old boy, Luke, who is clever, streetwise and knows everything about guns. He knows (thinks) he's really cool, and ambles through the story making all the right decisions and casually taking down any bad guys who happen to be about. He takes their guns and treats the reader to a technical description of each weapon, right down to the accuracy and ammo. He has a 14 year old girl as a companion, and 14 is the upper end of the age range of girls who might be impressed by such a smartass... although somehow all the adults think he's cool too. Luke tells his tale in a rambling and amiable way, so despite everything it's quite an enjoyable ride. However, be warned that as seems to be getting annoyingly fashionable, Walking in the Rain isn't actually a complete novel, it's part of one.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book.

I do recommend this book because it's easy to read. It's a steady pace and it did keep me reading. I liked the characters, Luke and Amy who he rescued and because she has no one they end up travelling together to Luke's home and his parents. They help a couple who are being attacked and because they are going in the same direction they stick together, safety in numbers. Luke is sixteen and the picture in my head is he is a lot older, at the very least in his late twenties although Amy is only fourteen life has been hard so I expect her to look and act older, I suppose. An easy enjoyable read and worth a read.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 4 stars but it's more like 3.75. Great action, great villains and problems. It's just a bit hard to believe the age of the main character. Having said that--I'm currently on the 3rd book. Because it is a bit ridiculous to say I can't "believe" the main character when the book is about the end of the world--I have no problem believing that!

[chucklesthescot · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very grim and dark with no bright spots to it, just a catalogue of attempted rapes and murder and a young vigilante dishing out what is deserved. It felt more like one of those revenge westerns where the guy saves an innocent but doesn't really want her holding him back. I just didn't take to this one from the start and didn't connect to the characters.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walking in the Rain is the first in a series of short stories/novellas about a 16 year-old named Luke trying to make it home to Texas from Chicago after the lights go out (exactly what happened and why is not explained). As he travels, he intervenes in a couple of attacks on innocents, and they join him on the journey.

For a debut novel, this is not bad. The book had some editing issues which could easily be fixed. The author spends a lot of time explaining why a 16 year-old has the kind of knowledge that Luke has. The adults follow his lead. He has an answer for everything. While not completely implausible, giving him some weaknesses, some fear, some doubts, some failures would go a long way in making him more believable. Also acceptable would be adding a few years to his life or moving the story more than 2 months out from "the event" so that he's had to learn these survival skills along the way. Right now he doesn't read as a teenage science geek. He comes across as a 30 year-old military vet.

Adding to that perception is the focus on all the different guns they come across - where they are made, what kind of ammo they use, what they are best used for. Now, a teenage boy with a military father might well have that kind of knowledge, but the continuous description of guns doesn't add to the story.

All in all, an OK beginning to this series. It's a very quick read with some violence and language, but nothing that would be inappropriate for young teens. Note - to protect themselves, the teenagers kill anyone who is a threat, especially adults.

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like another series that I will go all the way through!

Realistic, suspenseful and fast moving. The lead players are both males one with his wife and 6 month old baby in tow and the other only in his mid trend with a girl a year or two younger he saved from a group of rapists and took along to protect... Though only a teen he was an Eagle Scout, an honor student in science and had a seasoned former Marine and a prepper for a father. And, the few weeks and foot travel across several states had already taught him many hard lessons on self preservation...Far from dull, this book does have a much heavier dose of reality than many I have read. I expect to follow this series all the way through... It is very good so far and it only looks to get better!

[mike rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

NO RAIN! 😁

An interesting story, I liked the way it began, with the hero on the road already.
Some other reviewers criticised the "gun stuff", seriously? The author simply names the weapons & makes very brief comments about the firearm.
In a post apocalyptic world, weapons will be a prime concern, get over it.
Character development is coming on nicely, the men are manly, the women are not stero-typical commando types, which are making recent dystopian tales a shill for third wave feminism, & a lot less readable.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but this sucks.
I have now read tree books but not for the mc's sake, because he is just boring.
Was curious about why the homlandcsecurity was trying to fuck with the other pepole, but I have now decided it's not worth more of my time.

I like the main plot of the story.
If you spent more time in making the pepole more komplex, I would had loved it.

On the bright side, I now know much more about guns then I ever wanted.

[DB · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to Willam Allen

This was my first experience reading one of Williams books. The book was well written and I enjoyed the story. William sprinkled the chapters with survival techniques and tactics that I hope all that read should appreciate. William told a great story in a few short pages and was able to build a connection with the characters. Great read looking forward to book II can’t wait to see where we go from here.

[Alan Lee Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jolly Green Giants employees book 1

You guys know how to write a book and Amy is a good anyway when it's spelled right too. You are good people spells it out in the book well. I enjoyed this and will be reading the second one shortly

[Kelly Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Glad I bought all of the books out so far. Loving Luke and Amy. Guess I should have paid more when the other Boy Scout leaders were working with the boys. Here I was obsessed with washing hand and cross contamination of food.

[mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this author been?

Jumped right into the storyline. Great descriptions as the book developed. Cannot wait to read more of this. I have found a new author to look forward to reading.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of the walking across the country after or during a dystopian event. That said this is one of the best of it's type and the three star rating reflects personal feelings more than book quality.
A good read if y'all like this kind of novel but is too short

[Susan Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story, but not particularly well written. It jumps around too much and you don't get a sense of who the characters are or why they are doing what they're doing or why they're in the position they're in.

[Kim Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy of your time to read

No pie in the sky or stupid agendas here.
Just a young man growing up fast with a lot of useful knowledge from father and grandfather.
Very realistic and that’s actually the sad part!

[mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primer on survival

William Allen has written an informative story on what it will take to survive without electronics. Luke has done well and has even rescued a few people. I find that I care about what happens to these people.
Looks like another good series.

[Karina Halt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book! It is interesting and has good characters that I care about and want to make it to their destination safely. I look forward to reading more in this series. Recommended!

[Leon Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!

What an excellent read, I can't wait to get the next books, I left my other reads when I read a few lines, and was transfixed!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story

This story has been in my wish list for a little while. Now kicking myself for the wait. Great story, narration is very good.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.. series is must read