School's getting out for the summer, and Zach has finally worked up the courage to ask Katelyn to walk home with him—only to find the Feds parked in his driveway again. His unemployed accountant father is an outspoken critic of the recent default on the crushing national debt, which brings on most of their problems with the law. But his mother is the real complication when it comes to bringing potential girlfriends over to the house. She’s a fanatical prepper. Though Zach can’t see the imminent danger, his parents whisk his family away to the Great Smoky Mountains in case the entire country crumbles into martial law. When the drones circle like buzzards and the bombs start falling, someone has to be the resistance....
Young Adult fiction author of action/adventure novels for the young, and the young at heart -- and now branching out into adult themed works including two new psychological thriller series and a couple of moonshine books too.
Prior to my newest series, my standalone novel, Creeper Falls was published. It's another classic teen action/adventure that's even more heavy on suspense: http://www.amazon.com/Creeper-Falls-C...
Before Creeper, I released Complex Three, the third in a YA, SciFi, dystopian thriller series. It all started with Savage Hills, an edge-of-your-seat story about teens trapped behind enemy lines. Even if they could, they're not sure really want to make it back to so-called friendly territory. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Hills-Ho...
Prior to that series, my latest book was Murder Cove. While not a huge departure from my usual outdoorsy wilderness survival adventures, this one has a bit of an indoors Die Hard feel too--and a nice dose of humor. On Kindle and paperback. http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Cove-Chr...
One of my more recent releases, Game Changer, is a float trip gone wrong. It's perhaps a bit like Deliverance...for teens. http://www.amazon.com/Game-Changer-Ch...
Then there's the trilogy, which was finished in 2015. Hard to believe it's come to an end, starting with... Fugitives from Northwoods -- a dystopian, action/adventure novel: http://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-North...
I was interested in this book, because in the current ocean of EMP based literature in this genre, this was about the break down of democracy and society. I might have missed that this was young adult fiction, but the raging hormones of Zach, the first person character was overwhelming. It was constant when he missed his girlfriend and then went nuclear when they met again. It nearly submerged the plot about threat of the breakdown of society and potential loss of freedom and life. I liked that the Mom was the primary engine for prepping and acting, but then it was clear she was not all that good at it. The plan to bug out was hastily thrown together and executed poorly (the image I had of their overly stuffed vehicle was the truck from the Beverly Hillbillies). The parents did nothing to educate or prepare their kids so that they could pack and behave appropriately. This kids argued and complained constantly. Absolutely none of these people had a quiet voice when trying to evade the bad guys. I guess prepping a long time does not mean prepping well (please watch some Creek Stewart or something, lady). The bad government guys, trying to be mean and scary, were content to just ransack the house unannounced and take the Dad's computer and then park a black vehicle to watch them...ominously. Maybe they just need time to learn how to be properly oppressive. I felt like the author's writing style was pretty good and there were not a lot of editing errors, but the characters really let the story down. I'm kind of interested in what follows, but I don't think I can take more of Zach.
Very well written with no noticeable editing problems. In any emergency, communication is the key to a successful conclusion. I could almost taste the frustration Zach would have . As far as the term "Prepper" I try to avoid that in my own affairs. It seems to evoke a picture of a wild-eyed, gun waving paranoid character. I prefer the phrase " taking prudent precautions". In all honesty I hope events never reach the point where we tell others "I told you so" This is just a Story right? RIGHT? Great story by the way Bill Hodges
If one can get past the book's take on a teenager's outlook on the end of society as we know it. (And get through the adolescent love 'umm' affair. ) Then you get to the meaty part of the story that just really starts as this book ends. I am looking forward to finding out what comes next in Zach's new way of life as a gorilla fighter. So this book is entertaining and worth the time it took to read. Enjoy.
Sort of took me by surprise that the story is told from the point of view of a 16 year old boy. He’s kept in the dark about the plans and so is the reader. Somehow I was able to finish it. Most of the story involves traveling from town to camp then through the woods then another camp then back to town then back to camp. Every detail of every minute is described in detail. Ho hum.
How sure are we ever that our lives won't suddenly throw us a curve ball? How prepared are we for any sort of change that will make us forgo all we have just to survive? As a family, lives became more important to these characters in their struggle to find the best place to defend their morals, their beliefs and principles! A new war has begun and now they become united in resistance.
Great story! This is great with good jokes, real personality and enjoyable from start to finish, throughout! Not just a reader but a really good story and the author does a great job letting the reader get to know the characters. It is fast paced but also difficult to put down! I just bought the 2nd book! So, enjoy while I start reading the second book!
This book is an invigorating twist on the child hero books. I'm especially intrigued with the story told as a coming of age tale, with events happening to the hero. Watching him begin to mature and accept the role history has called him to is poignant and moving. All told in the no frills, simplistic style of the prepper\dystopian ganre
This book rocked! I’m not the fastest of readers and generally take my time with a book, but this book was so action packed and entertaining that I finished it in a single weekend. I rarely review anything either but this book really deserves attention. Excellent story, great characters, very well written, thanks!
To from the point of view of a whiny highschooler. Parents are in love, but don’t really get along. Each of the kids has a different dysfunction. I only made it 30% through before I gave up on what was pretty boring book. Do not recommend . On a positive note spelling, punctuation and formatting are good.
I’m not currently having a lot of luck with my purchases from Amazon. The books sound good, but once I start reading it quickly becomes apparent that the stories are really average, hence the few stars. This story was no exception.
I would recommend this one to others to read. I like that its a family trying to survive, that's lots more ideal than a lot of other survivor books. I enjoyed this first one and look forward to going forward with this group. Caves are a great idea!
A thoroughly enjoyable read. It makes the readers realize that sometimes parents do know best. Looking forward to reading the next installment. I have the feeling that it may be even better than this one.
Actually, this book is quite good. It rolls along at a rather fast pace and it's one exciting scene after another from start to finish. I hope the sequel comes out soon. I enjoyed this story and characters immensely and I think most anyone would.
I liked the plot line. However the kid is always in charge. It’s totally unrealistic and therefore became boring. Basically you’ve got a high school sophomore living with his dream girl (of one week) making the rules that his parents are happy to follow.
This book is a great read. While it starts of a bit slowly, it picks up the pace quickly. You can follow the characters as the realize what is happening with the world, while they grow up quickly, and you can empathize with their plight (especially if you have siblings). On to book 2 now!