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Zournal #2
Cruising the 'Poc
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Steve continues on the journey to check on his parents and keep his adopted family safe as they slog through the Florida heat towards the much hyped Tennessee cabin. There's more dangers in this 'new normal' than just the Zombies! He documents the journey in his Zournal. Join in the adventure, sometimes dark, sometimes funny, always interesting!
Steve continues on the journey to check on his parents and keep his adopted family safe as they slog through the Florida heat towards the much hyped Tennessee cabin. There's more dangers in this 'new normal' than just the Zombies! He documents the journey in his Zournal. Join in the adventure, sometimes dark, sometimes funny, always interesting!
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2017
69 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Merritt
37 books468 followersLiving in a lighthouse as a child led me early to a love of reading. Despite what you may have been told the life of a lighthouse keeper's son is not all Glamour and Parties. There's a lot of time when there really isn't much to do besides wonder if the fog horn has finally made you deaf or watch your dad pull fishing lures out of different parts of people's bodies. (You'd be amazed!)
Two of my favorite houses growing up!
I read. I read a lot. We had a 'reading caterpillar' around the room at my school where every time you read a book you put your name on your color paper and hung it up. The teacher had to give me two colors because it was looking more like a worm than a caterpillar. I devoured CS Lewis before moving on to Tolkien. Reading has continued to be a big part of my life. I've moved into Alternative Realities by guys like Stirling and my guilty pleasure is Zombie novels. I can't seem to get enough of them!
I like reading about the extremes people will go to to survive. The ones who can rise above the rest and keep their sense of right and wrong. When humanity crumbles around them these flawed heroes stand tall and try to make their way. They go from struggling to pay the phone bill to struggling to keep themselves and others alive. I like to see how this either hardens or breaks them. I think these stories speak at a very primal level. I enjoy the journey greatly as I get to tag along seeing how the survivors manage and how the experience forges them into something more than they were.
I look forward to sharing the journey with you all!
Sincerely,
R S Merritt
Two of my favorite houses growing up!
I read. I read a lot. We had a 'reading caterpillar' around the room at my school where every time you read a book you put your name on your color paper and hung it up. The teacher had to give me two colors because it was looking more like a worm than a caterpillar. I devoured CS Lewis before moving on to Tolkien. Reading has continued to be a big part of my life. I've moved into Alternative Realities by guys like Stirling and my guilty pleasure is Zombie novels. I can't seem to get enough of them!
I like reading about the extremes people will go to to survive. The ones who can rise above the rest and keep their sense of right and wrong. When humanity crumbles around them these flawed heroes stand tall and try to make their way. They go from struggling to pay the phone bill to struggling to keep themselves and others alive. I like to see how this either hardens or breaks them. I think these stories speak at a very primal level. I enjoy the journey greatly as I get to tag along seeing how the survivors manage and how the experience forges them into something more than they were.
I look forward to sharing the journey with you all!
Sincerely,
R S Merritt
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 13, 2019
Awesome!
This is the second book in the series. You do not have to read them in order. However, it is helpful. If you are the type that is easily offended then stop now.
This is a zombie apocalypse. However, it is different for it tells how it really would be. Without the police, there is chaos. It can be triggers for people about suicide and rape. Despite the grammar flaws, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for it does not make a zombie apocalypse like a glorified event and shows the ugly naked truth of it. Again, this book is raw. It also requires an open mind. If you can handle that, read it.
The first book in the series I gave 3 out of 5 stars. However, I was wrong. I will be updating that rating for the first book as 4 stars out of 5. Book one tells the ugly naked truth as well.
I will be continuing this series.
🇺🇸🐾
This is the second book in the series. You do not have to read them in order. However, it is helpful. If you are the type that is easily offended then stop now.
This is a zombie apocalypse. However, it is different for it tells how it really would be. Without the police, there is chaos. It can be triggers for people about suicide and rape. Despite the grammar flaws, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for it does not make a zombie apocalypse like a glorified event and shows the ugly naked truth of it. Again, this book is raw. It also requires an open mind. If you can handle that, read it.
The first book in the series I gave 3 out of 5 stars. However, I was wrong. I will be updating that rating for the first book as 4 stars out of 5. Book one tells the ugly naked truth as well.
I will be continuing this series.
🇺🇸🐾
January 5, 2019
Jut noticed I never left a review so circling back and putting one in here! This is a series I wrote and am thinking of adding to in the future as I kind of miss Steve and crew and am wondering what they've been up to!
It's been a bit surreal, I started this series when I was living in FL and moving to TN. I spent a good deal of time on the road in between the two states for work. I used the drive time to try and envision what it would be like for Steve and gang to be traveling up the interstate with dead cars everywhere and the possibility of a Zombie ambush around every corner. I can still remember seeing the billboards on the road and thinking what a great way to look around and see what's going on if you could get up there. But what if you couldn't get back down?
I was on that stretch of highway again recently and saw that billboard and it was just as real to me then. The same with the inter coastal around Jacksonville and all those other locations I zoomed in on with MapQuest and drove by to check out. The locations of military bases and the possibilities of what could happen around sharp bends in rivers. That's what I loved about writing this series and writing in general. It's so much fun to write when you're living the story as you write it. When you picture yourself in those situations and you know what your characters would probably do. Although, I think the story really comes alive when you're picturing these scenarios and the characters do something unexpected! That's when they've really taken on a life of their own!
These are intended to be fun Post Apocalyptic novels with tons of adventure and a liberal dash of humor. I hope you enjoy them and get to know the characters as well as I did. I think they're a fun group and definitely worth knowing!
It's been a bit surreal, I started this series when I was living in FL and moving to TN. I spent a good deal of time on the road in between the two states for work. I used the drive time to try and envision what it would be like for Steve and gang to be traveling up the interstate with dead cars everywhere and the possibility of a Zombie ambush around every corner. I can still remember seeing the billboards on the road and thinking what a great way to look around and see what's going on if you could get up there. But what if you couldn't get back down?
I was on that stretch of highway again recently and saw that billboard and it was just as real to me then. The same with the inter coastal around Jacksonville and all those other locations I zoomed in on with MapQuest and drove by to check out. The locations of military bases and the possibilities of what could happen around sharp bends in rivers. That's what I loved about writing this series and writing in general. It's so much fun to write when you're living the story as you write it. When you picture yourself in those situations and you know what your characters would probably do. Although, I think the story really comes alive when you're picturing these scenarios and the characters do something unexpected! That's when they've really taken on a life of their own!
These are intended to be fun Post Apocalyptic novels with tons of adventure and a liberal dash of humor. I hope you enjoy them and get to know the characters as well as I did. I think they're a fun group and definitely worth knowing!
January 14, 2021
I'm so happy to see that Merritt is not a homophobe. I'd love it even more if he wrote about an Alpha Ninja lesbian that kicks arse and gets the hot girl too. Heheheh.
Also... fcuken North Korea.
Also... fcuken North Korea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2019
Wow
This is one of the books you can't put down there's on!y a hand full of zombie books I can say that I liked the whole thing & this is one of them can't wait for #3
This is one of the books you can't put down there's on!y a hand full of zombie books I can say that I liked the whole thing & this is one of them can't wait for #3
July 23, 2019
Early in book 2, I was thinking of whining about grammar and spelling issues. Then the light came on... This is a journal done on an iPhone in the middle of a damn zombie apocalypse. Of course, there's going to a few errors or auto-corrects gone wrong.
Once I looked at it like that, I was impressed there were not more errors. I bet all the errors were on purpose! :/ :P
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking with it :)
Once I looked at it like that, I was impressed there were not more errors. I bet all the errors were on purpose! :/ :P
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking with it :)
June 21, 2019
Its ok read
Read 2 and 3 at work today. Not sure which said " no more gps" whoch seems odd. Sure it might not work on cell 0hone but it works on garmin devices without cell service. It is satellite based triangulation. Unless the satellites were shot down or maybe USA military shht off civilian side.
Still beter than most
Read 2 and 3 at work today. Not sure which said " no more gps" whoch seems odd. Sure it might not work on cell 0hone but it works on garmin devices without cell service. It is satellite based triangulation. Unless the satellites were shot down or maybe USA military shht off civilian side.
Still beter than most
April 11, 2020
Almost one sitting
I’m really enjoying this story and the characters. It’s fun and engaging to see what they keep getting into.
There are some small grammar and spelling errors, but since Steve is “typing” the story on his phone, I’m just contributing it to “autocorrect” and a part of the storyline.
It could use some editing though.
I’m really enjoying this story and the characters. It’s fun and engaging to see what they keep getting into.
There are some small grammar and spelling errors, but since Steve is “typing” the story on his phone, I’m just contributing it to “autocorrect” and a part of the storyline.
It could use some editing though.
April 13, 2020
Decent continuation
Four stars are because overall the book and story and good, a lot of action which is my favorite part of a ZPoc story. Took off a star because of the editing and low key sexist nonsense.
Four stars are because overall the book and story and good, a lot of action which is my favorite part of a ZPoc story. Took off a star because of the editing and low key sexist nonsense.
April 6, 2020
Fire the proofreader! Love the Author!
Excellent series! If it weren't for the terrible editing and covers this would be a solid five plus stars. Thank you for the great read!
Excellent series! If it weren't for the terrible editing and covers this would be a solid five plus stars. Thank you for the great read!
January 8, 2018
Book 2 of this series finds Steve and friends still trying to get out of Florida, but they run into obstacles everywhere they turn. I felt exhausted for the characters because they can never stop running, plus they are all beat up in some way (and they keep losing all their stuff). They have tried regular cars, hearses, boats, and walking to evade the zombies and try to get to Steve's isolated cabin in Tennessee (his parents). I want them to get out of Florida because Florida sounds like a hot, humid mess of a place, especially in the apocalypse when covered in gore.
Steve still has a great sense of humor, and you may find yourself laughing out loud just seconds after the intensity of an attempted escape from the zombies. His sarcasm may be helped along by the many concussions he seems to have suffered, in addition to just getting beat up (and does he still have two eyes?). I think Steve is someone people like to be around and that is why they are looking to him for leadership. It's funny when they are all looking at him for a decision at the same time he is looking at them for one, but he always comes through.
They learn some new things about the zombies and the virus in this book. Steve and Ann are in love, and their "courtship" is probably the strangest in history, but it's good to know people can still be human after the apocalypse.
I have to note that the title of the book and the chapter titles are also humorous. "Hey, we're just cruising through the apocalypse, bashing some zombie heads, and running for our lives." I think Steve is probably the alternative ego of the author, so I'm going to guess he is a pretty funny guy.
This book is as good as the last one, and I can report, most of the problems with the commas and other grammar stuff has been fixed. THERE still is the problem of "their/there" being backwards every time the words are used and minor other word usage problems, but for the most part, this book was a pleasure to read. It went by very quickly and ended on one heck of a cliffhanger.
Definitely recommended.
Steve still has a great sense of humor, and you may find yourself laughing out loud just seconds after the intensity of an attempted escape from the zombies. His sarcasm may be helped along by the many concussions he seems to have suffered, in addition to just getting beat up (and does he still have two eyes?). I think Steve is someone people like to be around and that is why they are looking to him for leadership. It's funny when they are all looking at him for a decision at the same time he is looking at them for one, but he always comes through.
They learn some new things about the zombies and the virus in this book. Steve and Ann are in love, and their "courtship" is probably the strangest in history, but it's good to know people can still be human after the apocalypse.
I have to note that the title of the book and the chapter titles are also humorous. "Hey, we're just cruising through the apocalypse, bashing some zombie heads, and running for our lives." I think Steve is probably the alternative ego of the author, so I'm going to guess he is a pretty funny guy.
This book is as good as the last one, and I can report, most of the problems with the commas and other grammar stuff has been fixed. THERE still is the problem of "their/there" being backwards every time the words are used and minor other word usage problems, but for the most part, this book was a pleasure to read. It went by very quickly and ended on one heck of a cliffhanger.
Definitely recommended.
December 7, 2023
Good
Good but less funny, though. The first one had more humour, which was suiting me better, as I read an awful lot of zombies novels in the past 10 years (easily more than 300 or 400 hundreds). It was a “vent de fraîcheur”.
Need a better editing, too. Even if I am not an english speaking native, I saw enough errors that it was disturbing, sometimes. And PLEASE! Use more commas!!!
And there is a massive glitch in this book. If, like me, your sight isn't that good, and you have to read in larger font, you'll get only one paragraph by page, which is really annoying! It breaks the rhythm. If you read it like a “normal” person with good sight, you won't notice it, though, as the problem present itself only when you enlarge the font.
Good but less funny, though. The first one had more humour, which was suiting me better, as I read an awful lot of zombies novels in the past 10 years (easily more than 300 or 400 hundreds). It was a “vent de fraîcheur”.
Need a better editing, too. Even if I am not an english speaking native, I saw enough errors that it was disturbing, sometimes. And PLEASE! Use more commas!!!
And there is a massive glitch in this book. If, like me, your sight isn't that good, and you have to read in larger font, you'll get only one paragraph by page, which is really annoying! It breaks the rhythm. If you read it like a “normal” person with good sight, you won't notice it, though, as the problem present itself only when you enlarge the font.
January 24, 2023
I am now done with the second book in this series and it's still fairly engaging. I am starting to like Steve less and less though. And Ann. At this point I'm on team Ginny and team gay motorcycle dude.
I was however depressed by the lack of proofreading at times. Pages 220, 230 and 243 on my kindle edition. Idk if it'll end up being a deal breaker for me if this continues to progress with the third book and beyond.
I was however depressed by the lack of proofreading at times. Pages 220, 230 and 243 on my kindle edition. Idk if it'll end up being a deal breaker for me if this continues to progress with the third book and beyond.
June 27, 2023
great
Loved this book
The grit and fortitude of the group is astonishing and makes the losers that much more unbearable
The humor in the midst of a zompoc is dark but still funny
Excellent reading
Loved this book
The grit and fortitude of the group is astonishing and makes the losers that much more unbearable
The humor in the midst of a zompoc is dark but still funny
Excellent reading
March 2, 2018
Still going with "keep reading"
Ok, so, not exactly a "can't wait to turn the page" read but I'd still recommend that you keep reading. I myself am headed for book 3 now.
Ok, so, not exactly a "can't wait to turn the page" read but I'd still recommend that you keep reading. I myself am headed for book 3 now.
June 28, 2020
Very good
This novel is interesting and entertaining but if you overlook a few grammar and spelling errors, it is good storytelling in the first person.
This novel is interesting and entertaining but if you overlook a few grammar and spelling errors, it is good storytelling in the first person.
November 4, 2021
Great storyline....
The only problem is the mid-spelling and errors throughout the whole book. You can look them upon Goodreads as I have highlighted them as I found them.
The only problem is the mid-spelling and errors throughout the whole book. You can look them upon Goodreads as I have highlighted them as I found them.
February 12, 2022
Good story
I really enjoyed the story but the editing was very bad. That's why the 4 stars instead of 5. The characters are interesting and it was fun to read.
I really enjoyed the story but the editing was very bad. That's why the 4 stars instead of 5. The characters are interesting and it was fun to read.
Read
August 23, 2023Love his writing. Can't put the series down!
Read
June 9, 2023I’m not going to rate this because I stopped at 40% I liked the first book, I like the story line but tbh I don’t like the main character, it’s been a few days and I thought I may come back to it but either I really wasn’t invested or I’m losing my marbles (hoping I’m too young for that!) anyway I can’t even remember what was happening in this so that tells me all I need to know
January 21, 2019
Another entertaining book that shifts between, suspense, gross horror and hilarious. I am not sure if it is funny because Steve's sense of humour continues to grow or if he has taken one too many head shots, but I can go from an OMG moment while reading to laughing in a heartbeat.
I really like that no one seems to be invincible in the book and there are no supermen ( or superwomen) This does seem like the journal of the average Joe.
I will be glad when they get out of Florida!!!
Just bought book 3
I really like that no one seems to be invincible in the book and there are no supermen ( or superwomen) This does seem like the journal of the average Joe.
I will be glad when they get out of Florida!!!
Just bought book 3
August 6, 2020
Wow. Excellent next book in the series. I was hooked from the beginning. Just enough high octane fight situations to keep me cringing, but not too many that gives me adrenal fatigue from excessive zombie stress. There were a couple parts of the book that I literally yelled "OH NO!" And scared my poor wife. I have not been this enthralled in a series in many years. Im already half way done the next book in the series. The books keep getting better and better!! High 5 Mr. Merritt!!
April 6, 2018
Great Zombie Apocalypse romp
An interesting take on the old zombie apocalypse standard. With many twists, turns and things to make you go hmmm.
An interesting take on the old zombie apocalypse standard. With many twists, turns and things to make you go hmmm.
October 8, 2019
A good follow up and a good ending, the journey was a good read too! Onto book 3, I am enjoying this series. Loses a star for the spelling errors, I spot them all, lol.
September 15, 2022
The humor in this series is so great!! Steve is awesome!!
March 10, 2018
Decent
This author REALLY needs an editor for grammar. Otherwise, it’s a decent zombie storyline with a bit of humor. The grammar really gets to me, though. My tweens have better grammar.
This author REALLY needs an editor for grammar. Otherwise, it’s a decent zombie storyline with a bit of humor. The grammar really gets to me, though. My tweens have better grammar.
November 13, 2025
I read/watch and listen to a lot of post apocalyptic stories. Not all zombie related but a fair share are. I didn’t know what to expect as I’m not a fan on humor for honors sake but Steve won me over instantly.
At first the AI generated narration didn’t bother me. Then it irked me when it would say words correctly and then screw them up. Turn it dawned on me I’ve fallen for narrators so much so I’ve bought books from authors I’ve never read simply because I love the narrator and that my support/tolerance/mere acceptance of this book would be in the long term jeopardizing their professions.
With all that said. Books are amazing. AI narration does well but wish it had been a human. I enjoyed enough to be willing to give author a look at other book but not if read by AI. One of the best apocalyptic zombie could be true yet not since Feed!
At first the AI generated narration didn’t bother me. Then it irked me when it would say words correctly and then screw them up. Turn it dawned on me I’ve fallen for narrators so much so I’ve bought books from authors I’ve never read simply because I love the narrator and that my support/tolerance/mere acceptance of this book would be in the long term jeopardizing their professions.
With all that said. Books are amazing. AI narration does well but wish it had been a human. I enjoyed enough to be willing to give author a look at other book but not if read by AI. One of the best apocalyptic zombie could be true yet not since Feed!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews