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Community Chronicles #1
The Crash
Edinburgh University student, Martin Moffatt, plans for a successful life backed by his father's wealth. But any hope of normal is destroyed when black market entrepreneur, Derrick Lloyd, kidnaps him off the street for ransom. Bad timing-for the world is descending into chaos after a massive stock market crash. Shona McGrath, a waitress form a rough part of Edinburgh, is a woman with a cause-any cause. While attending a protest, Shona is abducted and thrown into Martin's new life. With his wealth disappearing overnight, Martin's father is slow to pay the ransom. Will Martin become a slave to Lloyd for life? The world they know will never be the same, but some things never change. Like the desire to be free, the strength of the human spirit-and love. The Crash , a novella, is the first book in the Community Chronicles Series. If you like fearless heroes, dedicated love, and time travel in a Scottish setting, then you'll love this gripping series by Jenn Lees. Get The Crash and start the journey today.
77 pages, ebook
Published January 12, 2019
43 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Lees
16 books155 followers Award winning author Jenn Lees latest release, Of Warriors and Sages: Arlan's Pledge Book Two achieved Semi-Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2023 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in The BookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy.
The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1, (Re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) achieved Finalist in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.
An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge:
‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)
Retired nurse, Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents.
Scotland remains her source of inspiration.
Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view.
Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.
Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in The BookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy.
The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1, (Re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) achieved Finalist in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.
An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge:
‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)
Retired nurse, Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents.
Scotland remains her source of inspiration.
Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view.
Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 23, 2020
This novella is a real page-turner!
With the world thrown into chaos by a massive stock market crash, life will never be the same. Rich-kid student, Martin, is kidnapped for ransom and held in a remote location in Scotland. Shona, an impoverished young waitress, is also being held. They and others are put to work and treated like slaves. The tension is ramped up by the increasing brutality of their kidnappers. Will Martin's father pay up? Will they manage to escape?
There's no time travel yet, but this is just the beginning of The Community Chronicles Series. Now you just have to read on and find out what happens next.
With the world thrown into chaos by a massive stock market crash, life will never be the same. Rich-kid student, Martin, is kidnapped for ransom and held in a remote location in Scotland. Shona, an impoverished young waitress, is also being held. They and others are put to work and treated like slaves. The tension is ramped up by the increasing brutality of their kidnappers. Will Martin's father pay up? Will they manage to escape?
There's no time travel yet, but this is just the beginning of The Community Chronicles Series. Now you just have to read on and find out what happens next.
August 16, 2021
What if…
There is a worldwide stock-market crash from which there is no recovery? The world totters and reels from the suddenness with which it overtakes society. People panic, banks close their doors, mobs loot shops, queues line service stations, there are fuel shortages, panic buying, doom’s day preppers heading for the hills, power outages and local government services all coming to a grinding halt as unpaid staff strike.
Can it get any worse?
The impact of The Crash by author Jenn Lees certainly screams dystopian as ordinary peoples’ lives come crumbling down around their feet seemingly overnight. One such character is Martin Moffit, the rich kid whose foundation is in his family’s wealth, which is torn from under him in a single moment when he is abducted by ruthless criminals bent on securing their own position amid the staggering world. Along with Shona and Davy, fellow-abductees, they discover the depths of depravity and violence their kidnappers will stoop to as they gather people for their slaves.
This novella was difficult to put down and I read it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from the realistic and frightening situation of being kidnapped and its terrible aftermath. Each chapter took a dive in hope as more and more horrors befell the hapless characters until they could take no more and things began to change.
Lees paints an authentic picture in her world-building with the scant images her characters are permitted to see in their imprisoned state and whilst they are free. The emotional strain and the impact of stress brings this tale to a brilliant, yet chilling climax. Lees’ masterful writing elevates this tale to the heights. It soars with the best. It mounts the thermals of storytelling. A gripping and memorable tale.
There is a worldwide stock-market crash from which there is no recovery? The world totters and reels from the suddenness with which it overtakes society. People panic, banks close their doors, mobs loot shops, queues line service stations, there are fuel shortages, panic buying, doom’s day preppers heading for the hills, power outages and local government services all coming to a grinding halt as unpaid staff strike.
Can it get any worse?
The impact of The Crash by author Jenn Lees certainly screams dystopian as ordinary peoples’ lives come crumbling down around their feet seemingly overnight. One such character is Martin Moffit, the rich kid whose foundation is in his family’s wealth, which is torn from under him in a single moment when he is abducted by ruthless criminals bent on securing their own position amid the staggering world. Along with Shona and Davy, fellow-abductees, they discover the depths of depravity and violence their kidnappers will stoop to as they gather people for their slaves.
This novella was difficult to put down and I read it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from the realistic and frightening situation of being kidnapped and its terrible aftermath. Each chapter took a dive in hope as more and more horrors befell the hapless characters until they could take no more and things began to change.
Lees paints an authentic picture in her world-building with the scant images her characters are permitted to see in their imprisoned state and whilst they are free. The emotional strain and the impact of stress brings this tale to a brilliant, yet chilling climax. Lees’ masterful writing elevates this tale to the heights. It soars with the best. It mounts the thermals of storytelling. A gripping and memorable tale.
September 7, 2020
in this time of viruses it is easy to imagine a collapse
the setting is Scotland, but it could be anywhere and these characters , tuffs, wealthy , workers , are universal. their actions during an economic disaster work the same way as if there was an EMP. society breaks down and the police are stretched too thin to control those out to hurt and dominate others take what they can. this ok s a good start to a long term epic. I want to see what happens so I can endure if fiction does become reality.
the setting is Scotland, but it could be anywhere and these characters , tuffs, wealthy , workers , are universal. their actions during an economic disaster work the same way as if there was an EMP. society breaks down and the police are stretched too thin to control those out to hurt and dominate others take what they can. this ok s a good start to a long term epic. I want to see what happens so I can endure if fiction does become reality.
September 27, 2021
A Good Story
I enjoyed this book one prequel to the Community Chronicles very much, and look forward to reading the next book in series.
I enjoyed this book one prequel to the Community Chronicles very much, and look forward to reading the next book in series.
October 6, 2025
This is the first book in the Community Chronicles by Jenn Lees. Martin Moffatt is a srudent at Edinburgh University and is kidnapped by Derrick Lloyd a black-market criminal just as the world spirals into chaos following a massive stock market crash. At the same time, Shona McGrath is a waitress from a rough neighborhood and protester who is also abducted and thrown into Martin’s new reality. Martin’s father’s wealth vanishes overnight, the ransom goes unpaid, and Martin faces the terrifying possibility of lifelong servitude. Amid the collapse of society, Martin and Shona must navigate captivity, survival, and their growing connection. The story explores themes of freedom, resilience, and love in a world that’s rapidly unraveling. I really enjoyed this amazing short-story dystopian romantic suspense novella.
October 13, 2025
This is the first book in the Community Chronicles by Jenn Lees. Martin Moffatt is a srudent at Edinburgh University and is kidnapped by Derrick Lloyd a black-market criminal just as the world spirals into chaos following a massive stock market crash. At the same time, Shona McGrath is a waitress from a rough neighborhood and protester who is also abducted and thrown into Martin’s new reality. Martin’s father’s wealth vanishes overnight, the ransom goes unpaid, and Martin faces the terrifying possibility of lifelong servitude. Amid the collapse of society, Martin and Shona must navigate captivity, survival, and their growing connection. The story explores themes of freedom, resilience, and love in a world that’s rapidly unraveling. I really enjoyed this amazing short-story dystopian romantic suspense novella.
May 28, 2023
As a novella, this is a quick read with a lot of action. I was disappointed that, though it is listed as a Clean Scottish Romance, the romance elements in the story were minimal. There is a fair amount of violence and so many unanswered questions. I enjoyed the Scottish feel and the setting. Perhaps if the story didn’t end so abruptly, the characters could have been developed more and the newly formed romance could have been given more attention.
February 28, 2021
I was considering reading this series, and picked this up as it was a freebie -- but after reading it and wondering about the time travel element, I discovered this was really just a prequel. So probably fine if you read book 2 (which was published first) and wondering about backstory, but not particularly thrilling on its own.
It's not a bad story, but it would benefit greatly from a strong editor.
It's not a bad story, but it would benefit greatly from a strong editor.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews