To Exist

by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

When up-and-coming screenwriter Shelby Weiss gets the news that she has the beginning stages of breast cancer, she thinks that life, as she knows it, is over. Little does she know, it is ... but not for the reason she believes. A massive bi-coastal storm rocks the United States, followed by a terror attack that wipes out all infrastructure. Shelby is one of the few women to survive — and by the looks of it, the only remaining woman of childbearing age. Joined by an unlikely cast of characters, neurotic Shelby has to get out of her own head, figure out who she is, and get over lost loved ones in order to move forward. She and her newfound friends will trudge on through a dismal and dangerous new existence that could position her as the Holy Grail of post-apocalyptic America. The hunt is on; Shelby is the prey. Her choices now will shape not only her own future, but the potential future of a nation.

326 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2015

About the author

Hello! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Ashley Boynes-Shuck. I am an award-winning author, blogger, social media pro, and advocate based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

My three internationally-published books include two nonfiction health memoirs called "Sick Idiot" and "Chronically Positive," and a post-apocalyptic fiction novel, called "To Exist." I was also a co-author on the locally-published book, "Empowered in Pittsburgh.

Additionally, I am a reporter for www.Healthline.com, where I write research-based news articles about rheumatoid arthritis and similar topics.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, friends, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. I am on several nonprofit boards and a member of several service organizations. I enjoy exercise, pop culture, fashion, concerts, camping, boating, and astronomy.

I hope you'll take the time to read my books!

Reviews

[x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Boynes-Shuck's debut novel is one of those journeys which is better if you just go along with it rather than reading too much about its plot in advance. Its deceptively simple title refers to the existential crises of a woman thrust into a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. The book begins in a similarly crafty way, with details that may at first seem nonsequiturs or cliches, but pay do pay off in interesting ways later. It does cover some extremely dark territory and themes; think more "Handmaid's Tale in a violent wasteland" than "Hunger Games". This page-tuner is ripe for a film and/or graphic novel adaption.