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Mountain Man #1
Badlands
Although Tom Miller calls the Manti-La Sal mountains of Central Utah his home, he's roamed all over the Southwestern United States in the ten years since global nuclear war destroyed civilization. When a convoy of settlers from Utah Valley fleeing the horror of a fallout zone larger than they'd realized offer him a job guiding them to a new life in Texas, he's dubious of their chances of even making it through the badlands. But he needs a new horse and the pay is right, so he agrees.
Kristy Graham hasn't left her little farming community in Utah Valley since before the nukes flew. But now, mourning the death of her husband to radiation sickness, she must get herself and her young son Skyler to Texas and the new life they plan to start there. It's going to be a brutal journey pushing a handcart for hundreds of miles through some of the hottest, driest, most inhospitable terrain in the US. Thankfully she's not alone, sharing the burden of handling the large cart with her friends the Hendricksons, who've been a second family to her and her son since their tragic loss.
It's a long ways to Texas, where word of prosperity thanks to trade with groups in Mexico and nations even farther south has drawn a stream of settlers from all the nearby states. But rumors abound that the prosperity has also drawn bandits and other unsavory sorts to the area, preying on the convoys traveling to and from the new trade outpost.
The journey to Texas will be difficult and dangerous enough even without the threat of attack, and it's on Tom's shoulders to lead them safely to their new lives. Then he can get back to his own peaceful, solitary life up in the mountains. Or at least that was the plan before he met Kristy.
Kristy Graham hasn't left her little farming community in Utah Valley since before the nukes flew. But now, mourning the death of her husband to radiation sickness, she must get herself and her young son Skyler to Texas and the new life they plan to start there. It's going to be a brutal journey pushing a handcart for hundreds of miles through some of the hottest, driest, most inhospitable terrain in the US. Thankfully she's not alone, sharing the burden of handling the large cart with her friends the Hendricksons, who've been a second family to her and her son since their tragic loss.
It's a long ways to Texas, where word of prosperity thanks to trade with groups in Mexico and nations even farther south has drawn a stream of settlers from all the nearby states. But rumors abound that the prosperity has also drawn bandits and other unsavory sorts to the area, preying on the convoys traveling to and from the new trade outpost.
The journey to Texas will be difficult and dangerous enough even without the threat of attack, and it's on Tom's shoulders to lead them safely to their new lives. Then he can get back to his own peaceful, solitary life up in the mountains. Or at least that was the plan before he met Kristy.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2018
About the author
Nathan Jones
31 books31 followersMy name is Nathan Jones. I write mainly in the post-apocalyptic and science fiction genres. My most recently completed project is The Challenge, first book of the post-apocalyptic No More Content series, a collaboration with my brother Seth Jones. My next project is Mythas, first book of the fantasy adventure series Band of Outcasts.
I've been a longtime reader of post-apocalyptic fiction, and like to explore various scenarios in which disasters could occur. One interest has been observing just how fragile our modern life is, and how little it would take to send us back to a low tech existence that people in general no longer possess the knowledge or skills to survive in. That interest inspired me to write and publish my completed post-apocalyptic series Best Laid Plans, comprising the five books Fuel, Shortage, Invasion, Reclamation, and Determination, and to build on that story with the completed Nuclear Winter series, which begins shortly after Best Laid Plans ends and includes the four books First Winter, First Spring, Chain Breakers, and Going Home, as well as the standalone novel Fallen City.
Outside the Best Laid Plans world I've written the completed post-apocalyptic Mountain Man series, with the novels Badlands, Homecoming, Homeland, Mountain War, Final Stand, and Lone Valley. I also have the completed post-apocalyptic Isolation series with Shut In, Going Out, Starting Anew, and Holding On. My current post-apocalyptic series is No More Content, with the recently released first book The Challenge.
I've also been a longtime reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy, with an equally deep love of those two genres. This has inspired multiple projects, the most recently completed being my science fiction novel Caretakers, Book Two of the Stag Privateers series, sequel to Last Stand. My other science fiction story is Boralene, Book One of the Stellar Merger series.
The stories I've written in the Young Adult Fantasy genre have now been moved over from another pen name to be available alongside my other books. These books include the completed The Watchers trilogy with Undying Heights, Ithel's Library, and Deep Dwelling, the completed The Protectorate series with Corsairs, Revenants, Invaders, and Shipwrights, and the standalone children's fairy tale Firefly Girl.
I've been a longtime reader of post-apocalyptic fiction, and like to explore various scenarios in which disasters could occur. One interest has been observing just how fragile our modern life is, and how little it would take to send us back to a low tech existence that people in general no longer possess the knowledge or skills to survive in. That interest inspired me to write and publish my completed post-apocalyptic series Best Laid Plans, comprising the five books Fuel, Shortage, Invasion, Reclamation, and Determination, and to build on that story with the completed Nuclear Winter series, which begins shortly after Best Laid Plans ends and includes the four books First Winter, First Spring, Chain Breakers, and Going Home, as well as the standalone novel Fallen City.
Outside the Best Laid Plans world I've written the completed post-apocalyptic Mountain Man series, with the novels Badlands, Homecoming, Homeland, Mountain War, Final Stand, and Lone Valley. I also have the completed post-apocalyptic Isolation series with Shut In, Going Out, Starting Anew, and Holding On. My current post-apocalyptic series is No More Content, with the recently released first book The Challenge.
I've also been a longtime reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy, with an equally deep love of those two genres. This has inspired multiple projects, the most recently completed being my science fiction novel Caretakers, Book Two of the Stag Privateers series, sequel to Last Stand. My other science fiction story is Boralene, Book One of the Stellar Merger series.
The stories I've written in the Young Adult Fantasy genre have now been moved over from another pen name to be available alongside my other books. These books include the completed The Watchers trilogy with Undying Heights, Ithel's Library, and Deep Dwelling, the completed The Protectorate series with Corsairs, Revenants, Invaders, and Shipwrights, and the standalone children's fairy tale Firefly Girl.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 27, 2020
What a great series, so glad I started it. It's a good story with endearing characters, a good plot. What I appreciate is that the story has an actual ending in the book—meaning you don't have to get the next book and read a few chapters before the story ends. Thank you, Mr. Jones! The story depends on character development and the plot for depth and entertainment rather than sex and violence like so many of this genre. It's refreshing in this day and age.
My only criticism is that books 3 and 4 could use some serious editing help. Sometimes when that aspect of a book has been neglected, I just can't read it. I'm submitting a few errors, but it's just so many that I don't have the time. Please get some good editors!
My only criticism is that books 3 and 4 could use some serious editing help. Sometimes when that aspect of a book has been neglected, I just can't read it. I'm submitting a few errors, but it's just so many that I don't have the time. Please get some good editors!
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January 24, 2021A story from the future. Tom and Kristy struggle to make it through the Badlands to make a new life. I enjoyed it and have moved on to book two. It's a good read.
August 9, 2022
I quite enjoyed the story and the charcters; a nice combination of post apocalyptic and Western fiction. But Jones could have used a good editor and fewer references to characters by hair color.
September 13, 2021
Okay, But ...
3 stars for adventure, few typos, decent pacing, very nice individual characterizations that let reader glimpse emotional depths, failings, and growths. Author fell short of a 4-5 star rating because all the characters were cooki-cutter standards blue-eyed, blond, pale-skinned, red-haired, and/or grey-eyed.
Unbelievable due to the areas inhabited and traversed are traditionally, though not exclusively, those of indigenous Native American, and Mexican peoples.
People of color, speaking Portuguese, from Brazil no less, are introduced as villains. That's it for racial diversity although America is culturally a "melting pot."
The author omitting, overlooking, or excluding that fact, is sad.
Especially as it isn't the old west, but the new-new west after a assumed global disaster, that is being portrayed.
That the author did not intentionally do this, I think, is even worse.
It was perhaps the axiom that one should write what one knows that is at fault, if even in imaginary settings there is no room for only a single point of view.
Written with more accurate diversity, and an eye of inclusion, this solid 3-star would have been much, much better.
3 stars for adventure, few typos, decent pacing, very nice individual characterizations that let reader glimpse emotional depths, failings, and growths. Author fell short of a 4-5 star rating because all the characters were cooki-cutter standards blue-eyed, blond, pale-skinned, red-haired, and/or grey-eyed.
Unbelievable due to the areas inhabited and traversed are traditionally, though not exclusively, those of indigenous Native American, and Mexican peoples.
People of color, speaking Portuguese, from Brazil no less, are introduced as villains. That's it for racial diversity although America is culturally a "melting pot."
The author omitting, overlooking, or excluding that fact, is sad.
Especially as it isn't the old west, but the new-new west after a assumed global disaster, that is being portrayed.
That the author did not intentionally do this, I think, is even worse.
It was perhaps the axiom that one should write what one knows that is at fault, if even in imaginary settings there is no room for only a single point of view.
Written with more accurate diversity, and an eye of inclusion, this solid 3-star would have been much, much better.
September 5, 2018
Story was interesting enough to keep me till the end, but I did have some issues. Editing needs work. The author's general description of what it would be like 11 yrs after seemed a bit inconsistent. With the scarcity of bullets, Tom would have developed bow or slingshot skills for something as small as rabbits and birds, I would think. The description of a city as large as Grand Junction seemed more like an old village rather than 11 year old buildings and neighborhoods. Really, in all the fall-out free zones, they couldn't find any good tires. And where did the fodder for the animals come from in such hot desolate areas? Last but not least, the balance between the emotional/romantic angst and action/interesting info was skewed. Not going to read the next one. Well... maybe. Who knows, the author may read his reviews and grow in his story telling skills. Good luck Nathan Jones.
May 26, 2019
The brutal truth that is the bulk of this book seems to revolve around not judging a man by his appearance.
Tom Mills initially was introduced sporting long unkempt hair, a long grey flecked beard and wearing offensive smelling homemade leather clothing.
This made everyone he met form an unfavorable opinion of him without even trying to get to know the actual man underneath his mountain man exterior.
Turns out Tom Mills was actually quite presentable looking once he shaved, cut the hair and changed into regular clothes.
These physical attributes however do not hold a candle to the mans drive, intensity and intelligence.
The book had its ups and downs, editing errors galore but was an overall interesting story to begin this series.
Tom Mills initially was introduced sporting long unkempt hair, a long grey flecked beard and wearing offensive smelling homemade leather clothing.
This made everyone he met form an unfavorable opinion of him without even trying to get to know the actual man underneath his mountain man exterior.
Turns out Tom Mills was actually quite presentable looking once he shaved, cut the hair and changed into regular clothes.
These physical attributes however do not hold a candle to the mans drive, intensity and intelligence.
The book had its ups and downs, editing errors galore but was an overall interesting story to begin this series.
August 31, 2018
Modern western
Set in post apocalyptic U.S. O mostly enjoyed this book. The only negative I found was that the female of the story was portrayed as a typical dumb blond without a lick of sense. How she was supposed to have managed 11years after the bombs fell was a mystery to me. I decided the author either had a very jaundiced view of women or he enjoyed making her look like an ass. Meanwhile the male was just the opposite. Enjoyed it anyway.
Set in post apocalyptic U.S. O mostly enjoyed this book. The only negative I found was that the female of the story was portrayed as a typical dumb blond without a lick of sense. How she was supposed to have managed 11years after the bombs fell was a mystery to me. I decided the author either had a very jaundiced view of women or he enjoyed making her look like an ass. Meanwhile the male was just the opposite. Enjoyed it anyway.
October 13, 2025
Full disclosure I did not finish this book. The start for me was atrocious. Commenting on the protagonist’s B.O. at a saloon/whore house and using words like Tummy ache 10 years after a nuclear apocalypse like it was 1880 instead of 2045 I lost total interest in this thing called a book. Your mileage may vary but I would steer clear partner.
July 22, 2023
This is a pretty decent read for the genre of dystopian, post-nuclear disaster, apocalypse, end-of-the-world-type fiction. My bone to pick with any story of this nature be it a book, a film, or what have you is that the people who populate these stories are all too often unchanged by their circumstances. They have no fear and speak loudly in unknown territory. the children are not raised to live in abject terror for their very lives. Women, especially, are portrayed as brash and bold and demanding where I'm fairly certain they'd be raped, rendered to oil and bone, eaten, etc. It's fluff. If you like fluff, it's well-written fluff. This story made me realize how weary I am of fluff. Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" is grim and stark and eminently believable. James Howard Keunstler's "World Made By Hand" series is even believable in its whimsical way. This is neither.
June 7, 2020
First in the mountain man series. Tom has always been a loner since the Ultimatum. He hunts, fishes, and survives and trades into town when he needs to. When he is in town in Utah a group ask him to guide them through the badlands to the promised land of Texas. Imagine a world after nuclear detonation with no technology available. Almost feels like a pioneer adventure, but with scarier things that await. He will grow to love someone, that may never be able to love him back. The adventure will continue in Homecoming, and I can't wait to read the next in this series. I love books about dystopia.
July 5, 2024
Great Book!
This book was even better than I expected. I’ve read a couple of post apocalyptic stories and while they have plenty of action they have been lacking in any meaningful depth of characters. That is not the case with this book! You actually felt like you were sucked into the story with them too. Seriously this is a great book. Although at times Kristy was annoying in regard to thinking what others should do even if she isn’t willing to do it herself. Over all I try to give her a pass since she is going through a lot.
I am definitely going to read the next one in this series.
This book was even better than I expected. I’ve read a couple of post apocalyptic stories and while they have plenty of action they have been lacking in any meaningful depth of characters. That is not the case with this book! You actually felt like you were sucked into the story with them too. Seriously this is a great book. Although at times Kristy was annoying in regard to thinking what others should do even if she isn’t willing to do it herself. Over all I try to give her a pass since she is going through a lot.
I am definitely going to read the next one in this series.
October 1, 2020
Wagon Train Updated
I'm old enough yo remrmber watching the at the ti.e enormously popular Wagon Train series on TV. This brought back fond memories. My favorite episodes were of the scout, Clint McCullough played by Robert Horton, and this story reminds me of that character. The main difference is that instead of Indians on horseback attacking settlers, in Badlands there are South American bandits in motorized vehicles. I think the girl was terribly naive, or very young, or both. Good story, lots of fun.
I'm old enough yo remrmber watching the at the ti.e enormously popular Wagon Train series on TV. This brought back fond memories. My favorite episodes were of the scout, Clint McCullough played by Robert Horton, and this story reminds me of that character. The main difference is that instead of Indians on horseback attacking settlers, in Badlands there are South American bandits in motorized vehicles. I think the girl was terribly naive, or very young, or both. Good story, lots of fun.
January 13, 2019
An NJ. SYF Y Novel (1) Mountain Man/After the Apocalypse One Became a Mountain Man
NJ. has. penned a SYFY novel about a man who, after the apocalypse, became a Mountain Man and like all Mountain mEn he became a wanderer avoiding it the hot zones to avoid radiation sickness. He come out of j s hermit life after he is asked to lead walking wagon train. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
NJ. has. penned a SYFY novel about a man who, after the apocalypse, became a Mountain Man and like all Mountain mEn he became a wanderer avoiding it the hot zones to avoid radiation sickness. He come out of j s hermit life after he is asked to lead walking wagon train. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
March 14, 2019
Entertaining
Kinda 3-1/2 to 4 stars. A little slow to get going but I found that after some point, I couldn't put it down. Very likable characters, I got totally invested. Currently reading book two. I would have liked more details of survival in the wild. It had some but not nearly enough for me. Still got hooked on the relationships and read it fairly quickly. Worth a read.
Kinda 3-1/2 to 4 stars. A little slow to get going but I found that after some point, I couldn't put it down. Very likable characters, I got totally invested. Currently reading book two. I would have liked more details of survival in the wild. It had some but not nearly enough for me. Still got hooked on the relationships and read it fairly quickly. Worth a read.
April 20, 2019
Good story
I really dig that story and the characters. Post apocalyptic westernish tale with a bad-ass main character that doesn't fall in the cliché of those stories. The main problem is the editing. Looks like there's none... a lot of comma missing, too, so sometimes it's kind of hard to read... Just because of that, I give 3.5 stars. But the story is really great, and the editing problems are fixed in #2, so give it a try, it's free! ;)
I really dig that story and the characters. Post apocalyptic westernish tale with a bad-ass main character that doesn't fall in the cliché of those stories. The main problem is the editing. Looks like there's none... a lot of comma missing, too, so sometimes it's kind of hard to read... Just because of that, I give 3.5 stars. But the story is really great, and the editing problems are fixed in #2, so give it a try, it's free! ;)
February 18, 2021
Winner winner chicken dinner!
The authors writing style was easy to stay with and did not seem to far from reality. I appreciate the lack of vulgarity and believe the story line did not suffer any excitement from not having any profanity! The story moved along and seldom if ever bogged down. I was well pleased with the ending and will continue he on with book2. Thank you for the gift of the adventures of the city girl and the mountain man.
The authors writing style was easy to stay with and did not seem to far from reality. I appreciate the lack of vulgarity and believe the story line did not suffer any excitement from not having any profanity! The story moved along and seldom if ever bogged down. I was well pleased with the ending and will continue he on with book2. Thank you for the gift of the adventures of the city girl and the mountain man.
February 22, 2022
High school level, maybe.
The book was apparently targeted to the young reader. It read like the narrative for a teenager thriller. Lots of semi articulate attempts at some lusty courting bungles; lots of blood and guts, but in a fairly juvenile level. The authors vocabulary is seriously limited. For example, he used the term "flaxen haired" to describe the leading lady at least 25 times.
The book was apparently targeted to the young reader. It read like the narrative for a teenager thriller. Lots of semi articulate attempts at some lusty courting bungles; lots of blood and guts, but in a fairly juvenile level. The authors vocabulary is seriously limited. For example, he used the term "flaxen haired" to describe the leading lady at least 25 times.
August 19, 2018
Very interesting book
I enjoyed this book. It goes much further than the apocalypse. The things people do after the catastrophe of the disastrous things that occurred are shown in all the grief and how to survive and "live" again. It shows the indomitable faith and determination of the American people. Some persevere, some show their true natures. Thanks for all the enjoyment!
I enjoyed this book. It goes much further than the apocalypse. The things people do after the catastrophe of the disastrous things that occurred are shown in all the grief and how to survive and "live" again. It shows the indomitable faith and determination of the American people. Some persevere, some show their true natures. Thanks for all the enjoyment!
January 26, 2020
This book was awful. It was over-written and poorly edited. The story could have been much more of an adventure, but it was more of a post-apocalyptic romance novel. I questioned several times whether I should keep reading it, and ultimately I did if only for the satisfaction of saying I did while I wrote this review.
November 16, 2020
It was ok. The story line had promise and I did like that it was well researched. The characters were rather bland and uninspiring and the gender roles clearly defined. Also, the constant use of calling someone by their hair color rather than their name was annoying. I won't be reading the next one.
June 4, 2021
Stay with it, it's worth the time!
I have to admit I struggled with the first half of the storyline. The word "bandit" surely has capable synonyms but Mr. Jones puts together a pretty potent backside to his first book in the Mountain Man series. The character build becomes convincing and I'm looking forward to book 2.
I have to admit I struggled with the first half of the storyline. The word "bandit" surely has capable synonyms but Mr. Jones puts together a pretty potent backside to his first book in the Mountain Man series. The character build becomes convincing and I'm looking forward to book 2.
November 26, 2018
One of the best
Post apocalyptic books out there. If you only read one , this should be it. Great story and characters with lots of excitement and twists along the way. Garlands is an amazingly good read.
Post apocalyptic books out there. If you only read one , this should be it. Great story and characters with lots of excitement and twists along the way. Garlands is an amazingly good read.
December 10, 2018
Perfect
I love this story. Most stories of the apocalypse take place immediately after disaster strikes. This one is set 10 years in the future. You will love the characters. I just can’t wait for the next book.
I love this story. Most stories of the apocalypse take place immediately after disaster strikes. This one is set 10 years in the future. You will love the characters. I just can’t wait for the next book.
January 22, 2019
Decent
Has an old west vibe, was decent, most of the characters were just filler, but the main ones were fleshed out enough to get a feel for them. Neither the best nor the worst of the genre I'll read the sequel
Has an old west vibe, was decent, most of the characters were just filler, but the main ones were fleshed out enough to get a feel for them. Neither the best nor the worst of the genre I'll read the sequel
February 1, 2019
Pretty decent read
Great storyline with plenty of action. The characters were well developed only some of their actions seemed stiff at times. All in all though it was a good read and I plan to read the next book in the series.
Great storyline with plenty of action. The characters were well developed only some of their actions seemed stiff at times. All in all though it was a good read and I plan to read the next book in the series.
March 24, 2019
Very good story
A well written story with interesting characters whom I grew to like though initially I did not. Very different from most post-apocalyptic novels due to the nature of the characters who were ordinary people caught up in horrific events.
A well written story with interesting characters whom I grew to like though initially I did not. Very different from most post-apocalyptic novels due to the nature of the characters who were ordinary people caught up in horrific events.
January 23, 2020
Wonderful book !
A great plot, characters was all very believable and I can't wait to read the 2nd book. I love that this book focused on what happened AFTER the apocalypse, a decade afterward. One of my favourite books I've read in awhile ! Highly recommended !
A great plot, characters was all very believable and I can't wait to read the 2nd book. I love that this book focused on what happened AFTER the apocalypse, a decade afterward. One of my favourite books I've read in awhile ! Highly recommended !
March 17, 2021
Very different
Wow that is definitely a original story I simply don’t know what to say this really is a very good your descriptions are incredible as though your going thru this story
Wow that is definitely a original story I simply don’t know what to say this really is a very good your descriptions are incredible as though your going thru this story
Read
October 25, 2021Not a bad book. I enjoyed it enough to finish. Any book I finish should get 4 or 5 stars. 3 or less, I don't finish it.
My only issue was the love triangle and the jilted lover they foreshadowed in future books. Bleh. There's enough conflict without that.
My only issue was the love triangle and the jilted lover they foreshadowed in future books. Bleh. There's enough conflict without that.
March 10, 2023
Good story
This one started off slow (for me) and I almost gave up on it. Then it picked up the action and I started to enjoy it. Looking forward to reading the next book (s) in the series.
This one started off slow (for me) and I almost gave up on it. Then it picked up the action and I started to enjoy it. Looking forward to reading the next book (s) in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews