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Mayhem and Madness #1
Burning Rains
After a spell in jail for the manslaughter of her abusive husband, all Brooklyn Lewis was wanting was an escape. She heads off to the Sierra Mountains to stay in her parents’ idyllic cabin in the Sierra Mountains where she’s just planning on having some quality R & R.
Cole Denvers – he’s on his annual camping and fishing trip, he’s set up camp on the shores of the Old Ridge Lake and is counting on catching some quality fish
But when the skies suddenly darken and the wolves begin to howl, Brook and Cole realise that the blissful break they were looking forward to is fast turning into an ordeal from hell.
As the nightmarish horrors clash around them, Brook and Cole find themselves thrown together. Now their only goal is to make it home alive. But with acid falling from the sky and wolves haunting their shadows, will the two be able to make it out of the mountains alive?
Cole Denvers – he’s on his annual camping and fishing trip, he’s set up camp on the shores of the Old Ridge Lake and is counting on catching some quality fish
But when the skies suddenly darken and the wolves begin to howl, Brook and Cole realise that the blissful break they were looking forward to is fast turning into an ordeal from hell.
As the nightmarish horrors clash around them, Brook and Cole find themselves thrown together. Now their only goal is to make it home alive. But with acid falling from the sky and wolves haunting their shadows, will the two be able to make it out of the mountains alive?
- GenresGreen
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2020
154 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 6, 2020
We are dependent on the atmosphere.
We survive because the mixture of sun, wind, and water from the ancient four elements are essential to life. But the fourth element, fire, is the element that can take life away. The blend changes with time as weather refines the the mix for good or bad, but at times it can overwhelm and fire takes over. This time the fire comes mixed with water and makes shelter most important. The beauty of nature is destroyed and the burning rain brings pain and death.
Yet it is the virus that takes over the living to go inside the mind and change everything. How can you deal with yourself when you are no longer yourself? How can you deal with a new world that is overpowered by the ancient? Where does it end and a new beginning start to invade this hell? Is it too late?
We survive because the mixture of sun, wind, and water from the ancient four elements are essential to life. But the fourth element, fire, is the element that can take life away. The blend changes with time as weather refines the the mix for good or bad, but at times it can overwhelm and fire takes over. This time the fire comes mixed with water and makes shelter most important. The beauty of nature is destroyed and the burning rain brings pain and death.
Yet it is the virus that takes over the living to go inside the mind and change everything. How can you deal with yourself when you are no longer yourself? How can you deal with a new world that is overpowered by the ancient? Where does it end and a new beginning start to invade this hell? Is it too late?
November 12, 2020
Brooklyn wants to get away from her parents. Cole wants to get away from his past. As tragedy strikes the world, these two must join forces to survive the wolves and the rain. This is a good introduction to a dystopian series.
November 10, 2020
Shorter than I like but I know there is lots more to come. This book is just the set up and introduction to characters and plot. Very good quick read.
November 13, 2020
This is a good fast paced exciting end of the world story! I did really enjoy this! Looking forward to more in this series!
August 15, 2022
I don’t know where I picked up this little gem. I’m guessing it came from a newsletter. It was, and still is free. Broken Boys Make Bad Men is a prequel to a series. At only forty eight pages it’s a great quick read.
I hadn’t expected to find what I did inside. An unusual beginning had me wondering what I’d started. It didn’t take long to understand, and fall right into the story.
It was a lot of telling, but then it had to be with it being so short. The strange thing was, it absolutely worked. It did not feel like telling in the traditional sense, the one that writers are warned against.
The story itself told the readers about Cole Denvers. A tough guy enforcer who struggled with the death of his younger brother. In true mafia style it was gritty, violent, and in places downright nasty. I couldn’t put it down.
This book will appeal to those who like quick and gutsy reads.
It made me want more. So, I went to look at the first in the series. I can’t remember the last time I got so excited over a book. It is not what I expected at all, and covers my favourite subject, but I’ll save that for the next review.
I hadn’t expected to find what I did inside. An unusual beginning had me wondering what I’d started. It didn’t take long to understand, and fall right into the story.
It was a lot of telling, but then it had to be with it being so short. The strange thing was, it absolutely worked. It did not feel like telling in the traditional sense, the one that writers are warned against.
The story itself told the readers about Cole Denvers. A tough guy enforcer who struggled with the death of his younger brother. In true mafia style it was gritty, violent, and in places downright nasty. I couldn’t put it down.
This book will appeal to those who like quick and gutsy reads.
It made me want more. So, I went to look at the first in the series. I can’t remember the last time I got so excited over a book. It is not what I expected at all, and covers my favourite subject, but I’ll save that for the next review.
May 29, 2024
Voyeurs In On Atrocity: “Burning Rains” - short, sensational, topical
I don’t want to grouse about a popular read like “Burning Rains” which must attract guys and gals because of its sensational content, its brevity and its genre, the latter being a mix of sci-fi, futuristic “folk-lore” and dystopia to which so many readers can associate, given Covid-19 and the daily news, but I will grouse a little. The writing is sometimes clichéd and sloppy. For instance, at 90 percent of the ebook, “a gnarled hand” devours a pigeon “hungrily”. Clichés there, and no, it’s the owner of the hand who devours the pigeon. “Like a broken doll” or “like broken dolls” gets overused as well. The wolves are also overdone but I know the power of descriptions like “Their tongues were flopped out over the sides of their bloody snouts…” and sensationalism gives thousands of readers gratuitous thrills. Devoid of sex, too, it seems, Cole’s and Brook’s relationship may attract a young, somehow puritan readership turned on by graphic blood not sex.
All in all, a short novel that will appeal though its resemblance to pulp fiction may put off a few.
I don’t want to grouse about a popular read like “Burning Rains” which must attract guys and gals because of its sensational content, its brevity and its genre, the latter being a mix of sci-fi, futuristic “folk-lore” and dystopia to which so many readers can associate, given Covid-19 and the daily news, but I will grouse a little. The writing is sometimes clichéd and sloppy. For instance, at 90 percent of the ebook, “a gnarled hand” devours a pigeon “hungrily”. Clichés there, and no, it’s the owner of the hand who devours the pigeon. “Like a broken doll” or “like broken dolls” gets overused as well. The wolves are also overdone but I know the power of descriptions like “Their tongues were flopped out over the sides of their bloody snouts…” and sensationalism gives thousands of readers gratuitous thrills. Devoid of sex, too, it seems, Cole’s and Brook’s relationship may attract a young, somehow puritan readership turned on by graphic blood not sex.
All in all, a short novel that will appeal though its resemblance to pulp fiction may put off a few.
February 19, 2024
Burning Rain
Mayhem and Madness #1
Sci-Fi
Sam J. Fires
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴄʜᴇᴍɪᴄᴀʟ ᴇxᴘʟᴏꜱɪᴏɴꜱ • ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴠꜱ • ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ
I enjoyed this short read. I like Sam J. Fires' writing style, so I was looking forward to reading another series by her.
I liked the characters. Brook and Cole both had troubled pasts, but they still chose to help each other. Brook's visions/hallucinations were a little odd, though.
Brook's ability was interesting. It raised so many questions for me, and I'm hoping that as the series continues, she'll get stronger and more powerful.
The pacing was good, but I wish the book was longer. I did like the idea of multiple chemical explosions happening around the world, causing a post-apocalyptic environment.
The epilogue was a nice touch. It added a kind of manic vibe that made me think "oh s**t what's going to happen next"
Mayhem and Madness #1
Sci-Fi
Sam J. Fires
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴄʜᴇᴍɪᴄᴀʟ ᴇxᴘʟᴏꜱɪᴏɴꜱ • ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴠꜱ • ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ
I enjoyed this short read. I like Sam J. Fires' writing style, so I was looking forward to reading another series by her.
I liked the characters. Brook and Cole both had troubled pasts, but they still chose to help each other. Brook's visions/hallucinations were a little odd, though.
Brook's ability was interesting. It raised so many questions for me, and I'm hoping that as the series continues, she'll get stronger and more powerful.
The pacing was good, but I wish the book was longer. I did like the idea of multiple chemical explosions happening around the world, causing a post-apocalyptic environment.
The epilogue was a nice touch. It added a kind of manic vibe that made me think "oh s**t what's going to happen next"
November 22, 2020
I absolutely loved reading this and couldn't put it down, even though I was in bed and sleepy. I don't usually read this genre, but it was only 99c, and I kept seeing it in different promotions. Sam's writing style is streamlines with a quick pace. I like reading books like this. Although I was relaxed in bed, my heartrate was up, and I was biting my nails. Now, that is a good sign I'm enjoying the book. I've gone ahead to buy the box set, which I was pleased to see is only 99c. It'll be interesting to see where the story goes next.
I'm totally digging the male and female protagonists. Sam lets us know early on about their pasts and faults. Usually, I can't stand information dumps, but they were written so concisely, that time didn't slow down, and I was absolutely intrigued. I hope this writer does some thriller or space opera. I love the action-packed suspense and mystery.
I'm totally digging the male and female protagonists. Sam lets us know early on about their pasts and faults. Usually, I can't stand information dumps, but they were written so concisely, that time didn't slow down, and I was absolutely intrigued. I hope this writer does some thriller or space opera. I love the action-packed suspense and mystery.
December 19, 2024
Burning Rains: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Story: Book 1 (Mayhem and Madness), my thirty-second read from author Sam J. Fires and the first book in his Mayhem and Madness series. Another enjoyable, well-written, entertaining 39-page action & adventure read. “I was a given Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." Next up Holy Hell: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Story (Mayhem and Madness Book 2). The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
June 27, 2021
I read this first short story in Sam Fires’ Mayhem and Madness series to see how Cole Denvers fit into this apocalyptic tale. It appears he will figure into the series as one of the two main characters. Sadly, Burning Rains didn’t really hook me quite like Bad Boys make Broken Men. That being said, I’m still interested in seeing how the series progresses in the next short story – Holy Hell.
February 16, 2023
A great wee read.
Burning Rains is a short story but there's a lot going on from cover to cover and it's the first of a series, Mayhem and Madness which is quite an apt title which you'll see when you read it. I didn't actually realize that it was a short story till I turned the last page lol.
Burning Rains is a short story but there's a lot going on from cover to cover and it's the first of a series, Mayhem and Madness which is quite an apt title which you'll see when you read it. I didn't actually realize that it was a short story till I turned the last page lol.
January 18, 2021
Short and yet exciting!
I didn’t notice length when I got it and started without checking as well so it was a shock when I reached the end. The pace was fast, action making pages turn even faster. The story holds real promise.
I didn’t notice length when I got it and started without checking as well so it was a shock when I reached the end. The pace was fast, action making pages turn even faster. The story holds real promise.
November 24, 2020
I liked this short story, hopefully a good introduction to this new series! A little dark!
November 25, 2020
4 stars
Short read. Interesting plot and characters. Very fast read. Will look at book twofold n this series and find out more.
Short read. Interesting plot and characters. Very fast read. Will look at book twofold n this series and find out more.
January 5, 2021
Interesting but......
I really wanted to like this book...the storyline has real possibilities but it is ridiculously short...not even 30 minutes. I had hoped for more.
I really wanted to like this book...the storyline has real possibilities but it is ridiculously short...not even 30 minutes. I had hoped for more.
March 18, 2021
Do not bother
Worst book??? More like short story with no cohesive plot and wretched characters! Give this a giant miss👎. Probably written as a joke!
Worst book??? More like short story with no cohesive plot and wretched characters! Give this a giant miss👎. Probably written as a joke!
April 5, 2021
Terribly written, no character development.
July 1, 2021
Another author to watch for.
Very enjoyable. Just too short. Need to read the whole storey.
Characrars have a great start to begin their stoty.
have a great
Very enjoyable. Just too short. Need to read the whole storey.
Characrars have a great start to begin their stoty.
have a great
August 5, 2024
First book
This is the first of this set ,it is a bit gory at the start ,but I am interested to see what happens next
This is the first of this set ,it is a bit gory at the start ,but I am interested to see what happens next
November 16, 2020
Short story. Hope the next installment gives me more to the characters. While I like Brooklyn and Cole so far I am a little confused as to why she still has such involved dreams about dead husband and how is Cole able to be such a badass? I am also confused by the last bit in the epilogue. I am excited to read Holy Hell though. I received a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
November 14, 2020
Great characters and storyline. Brook did what she to do to protect herself. And she continued it. Great reading
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews