Winnerland

by J.R. Barrett

What happens when a sheltered only child and a street-wise orphan are forced to work together in order to stay alive? Two strangers, Caleb and Jael, are thrown together under dire circumstances, joined at the hip, as their captors say. Their singlular focus? Survival.

A gripping story of courage, determination, sacrifice and survival. A pre-apocalyptic tale told in vivid terms by our hero, Caleb Wiseman.

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2014

About the author

This author also writes as Julia Rachel Barrett and Julia Barrett.

If one word describes me, it's eclectic. Or so my friends say. I'm a lover of books, poetry, art, history, baseball, barbecue, chocolate, coffee, children, animals and the great outdoors. I'm a hospice nurse as well as a writer, but I got my first job at the age of twelve so believe me when I tell you if my heroines are doing it, I've probably done it. At the heart of every one of my stories is a real life event. (Even in Captured!)

If I was pressed to brand my romances, I guess I'd say I write romance for the thinking woman. Or I try. I layer my stories with meaning - I have fun, yes, but I draw on my literary background and I love nothing more than to sprinkle a special pixie dust composed of one part mythos, one part symbolism. I'm quite fond of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung.

Family is everything to me. I keep my kids private, but my mom and dad and my poor husband are occasionally fair game! And I talk about my German shepherd, Jake, all the time.

I am also a hospice nurse and I write nonfiction-- articles for medical and nursing journals. I have a full-length work of nonfiction regarding my experiences with hospice: One Foot In Heaven, Journey of a Hospice Nurse.

Come by and visit anytime! juliarachelbarrett(dot)net

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful, well-written novel. Unlike many novels where people are preparing for Armageddon, what is disturbing about this one is the thought that something like this could actually take place. It seems more like someone recounting an abduction, rather than a story that came to the author in a dream. The book is small by today's standards, but it is long enough for you to see two teens learn harsh lessons in life and mature from their trials. It is a book that YA and adults both can enjoy.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! It grabbed me right from the start and held me close throughout the whole journey. This could be a full-length novel and I'd read it in a heartbeat, but it's also perfect at it's current length. Loved it.

[Barbara J Wicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I can breathe now

I spent reading the whole book rooting for the kids. As I read I could imagine that somewhere, some place this is actually going on.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written book about a cult of men who want to build a super-army to survive the apocalypse. Various teenagers kidnapped and brought together to train and breed. Great characters, believable action.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this book on Amazon's sample, couldn't put it down, so I bought it and continued reading. Winnerland by Julia R Barrett is a pre-apocalyptic tale which centres around the kidnapping of teenagers to form a "new" army. Caleb is snatched and thrown together with a girl called Jael, and the two become joined at the hip, with their sole focus that of survival. The story is told from Caleb's point of view, and the characters, plot, and world building are all done well. From page one, the reader is pulled into the world of these teenagers, their trauma, and the need to grow up fast. Will their plots and plans end in their escape? Or will they just put the kids in further danger? I found this an enjoyable read of about 2 hours, and I hated to put it down when I had to. I shall be looking out for more from this author.

[Maggie Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and how it was written. It's one of those stories that just pulls you in, you feel the pain, the fear, the anguish, the hope, the drive, the determination of the young adults. It is a dark topic but is written in a way that it isn't graphic and could be read by anyone. I think what I enjoyed the most was that this story not only kept you flipping the pages but kept you hanging, even if by a thread at times, to the drive, the determination to succeed.

The characters were incredible - alive, real and in an incredibly difficult situation. Caleb and Jael are two characters that you connect with right away, teenagers, who handle their situation in a very different way. I thought all the characters had depth, were people you knew.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it. I am excitedly waiting for book 2.

[Diana Stevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about two unlikely teens caught in an ugly web, with no way out. From the beginning, Julia Barrett brings the reader inside the heads of both central characters, Caleb and Jael, and the dilemma that forces them to question every move. Will the next step lead them to further danger or escape from the evil circle they find themselves in.? The author has the incredible ability of keeping us engaged, as we watch these two teens struggle with their emotions and their need to grow up fast. A well written and timely book, given the age we're living in.

[Kimberly C. Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid! Read straight through!

Well written and the author did a great job with the characters and storyline. I connected to the characters and cared about what happened. I felt the ending was rushed and incomplete. Left me feeling dissatisfied. To follow the journey just to end so abruptly with so many unanswered/unresolved questions makes what could have been a five star book less. No sequel that I am aware of but would love if the author reconsidered and released the book with additional chapters to complete the story!

[T.C. Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes you on an emotional and intense journey of a parent's worst nightmare. It's written from the heroes point of view. The author vividly describes the experience through Caleb's eyes from the time he was abducted to the heartfelt conclusion. Many lessons can be learned from this story. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read ya or adult books.

[Pamela Canepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was riveting from start to finish. I'd call it fictional perfection. The characters were quite believable, although placed in an outrageous situation , which actually could be possible. I rooted for their survival nonstop. The ending gave satisfying closure.

[Landis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Friend gave me an audiobook of this title so it didn't take long to get through it. Not bad by any means but didn't blow me away either.