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The Prodigals #1
The Prodigals: A Journey Home in the Dark
Carl Raydon knew it was coming. Disaster was only a matter of time.
The A Journey Home in the Dark, a post apocalyptic EMP survival thriller told through the members of the Raydon family. A close-knit group of adult children whose father foresaw the inevitable and prepared them for it.
Nuclear missiles have exploded over the West Coast, East Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting EMP has knocked out power to 80% of the US. Was it North Korea, Iran, or maybe China? The enemy is uncertain. American military is still intact. The civilian infrastructure that it depends on vanished in an instant. The government is scrambling to secure the nation and prevent the next attack, but society is disintegrating.
The Raydon’s are living and raising their own families in different parts of Washington State, but once they realize what has happened, and their father’s fears have become reality, each family heads for the ranch in the remote Republic, Washington. It’s a struggle to get there against those that would take advantage of the chaos and, once there, a struggle to keep it.
The Prodigals Series is the epic tale of family loyalty, struggle, survival, and hope. In the end, their faith in each other and in God sustains them as they come to understand that the only safe place is in their father’s house.
The A Journey Home in the Dark, a post apocalyptic EMP survival thriller told through the members of the Raydon family. A close-knit group of adult children whose father foresaw the inevitable and prepared them for it.
Nuclear missiles have exploded over the West Coast, East Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting EMP has knocked out power to 80% of the US. Was it North Korea, Iran, or maybe China? The enemy is uncertain. American military is still intact. The civilian infrastructure that it depends on vanished in an instant. The government is scrambling to secure the nation and prevent the next attack, but society is disintegrating.
The Raydon’s are living and raising their own families in different parts of Washington State, but once they realize what has happened, and their father’s fears have become reality, each family heads for the ranch in the remote Republic, Washington. It’s a struggle to get there against those that would take advantage of the chaos and, once there, a struggle to keep it.
The Prodigals Series is the epic tale of family loyalty, struggle, survival, and hope. In the end, their faith in each other and in God sustains them as they come to understand that the only safe place is in their father’s house.
- GenresFiction
ebook
Published February 25, 2021
81 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Milton Cantellay
13 books17 followersMilt grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, in the 50’s & 60’s. He spent long days playing outside. Always the storyteller, he lived in a world of imagination, constantly surrounded by characters of his own making. Whether outside with friends or drifting off to sleep, his mind spun tales.
With a Marine Corps dad, and 4 uncles that served in WWII, playing army was a favorite pastime. From a young age, he knew that someday he would be a Marine and follow in his father's and his brother’s footsteps. When his mother and step-father, also a Marine, moved to Indiana, Milt started high school. This was during the height of the Viet Nam war. He was conflicted over his feelings about the war and his long-time ambition to be a Marine, but after graduating high school, he joined the Corps in ‘72. In boot camp, he excelled and earned the Series Honor Man Award. During those years, Viet Nam was winding down and while every Marine is a rifleman, Milt served his time stationed at the Officer Candidate School in Quantico in Virginia. It turns out he has a talent for drawing pictures, so the Marines made him an illustrator.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Marcine, they left the Corps and pursue a career in art. In 1976, Milt enrolled in the Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle, Wa. and for the next 11 years worked as a commercial artist. At the same time, he and Marcine started their family of 3 sons and a daughter.
Eventually, Milt transitioned from illustrator to web designer to web developer to software developer and eventually to software solutions architect. Thrown into that time was also a high school teacher and business owner. However, no matter where the career journey led, the desire to tell a story was always there. Now retired, he has decided to tell these stories to you.
With a Marine Corps dad, and 4 uncles that served in WWII, playing army was a favorite pastime. From a young age, he knew that someday he would be a Marine and follow in his father's and his brother’s footsteps. When his mother and step-father, also a Marine, moved to Indiana, Milt started high school. This was during the height of the Viet Nam war. He was conflicted over his feelings about the war and his long-time ambition to be a Marine, but after graduating high school, he joined the Corps in ‘72. In boot camp, he excelled and earned the Series Honor Man Award. During those years, Viet Nam was winding down and while every Marine is a rifleman, Milt served his time stationed at the Officer Candidate School in Quantico in Virginia. It turns out he has a talent for drawing pictures, so the Marines made him an illustrator.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Marcine, they left the Corps and pursue a career in art. In 1976, Milt enrolled in the Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle, Wa. and for the next 11 years worked as a commercial artist. At the same time, he and Marcine started their family of 3 sons and a daughter.
Eventually, Milt transitioned from illustrator to web designer to web developer to software developer and eventually to software solutions architect. Thrown into that time was also a high school teacher and business owner. However, no matter where the career journey led, the desire to tell a story was always there. Now retired, he has decided to tell these stories to you.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 9, 2021
Rather boring
Needs proofreading. Use contractions in conversations. It's more natural. I like the way the main characters had faith in God. The kids were not really prodigals at all...Maybe I've read too many books like this but I didnt find this one very interesting. .
Needs proofreading. Use contractions in conversations. It's more natural. I like the way the main characters had faith in God. The kids were not really prodigals at all...Maybe I've read too many books like this but I didnt find this one very interesting. .
August 31, 2021
Washington
This KU library selection is the opener for a post-apocalyptic series set in Washington state. Carl and Ella Raydon live on 1200 acres that they purchased when Carl left the Marines after serving in Nam. They raised three boys and a girl who have grown up and are now living in other parts of the state. But Carl has thought a lot about who would attack the US and how. And he has prepared for that eventuality, even giving each of his children 'bug out' trunks filled with items to help them get home, where he has been preparing for his family's survival for years. But as with most things, "nothing simple is ever easy".
This is one of the better post-apocalyptic books I've read for maintaining my interest. Since the focus of the book is getting home while the world around them devolves, there is much more to come. But I appreciate that the author made this a potential stand-alone, no cliffie with this one. Thank you.
This KU library selection is the opener for a post-apocalyptic series set in Washington state. Carl and Ella Raydon live on 1200 acres that they purchased when Carl left the Marines after serving in Nam. They raised three boys and a girl who have grown up and are now living in other parts of the state. But Carl has thought a lot about who would attack the US and how. And he has prepared for that eventuality, even giving each of his children 'bug out' trunks filled with items to help them get home, where he has been preparing for his family's survival for years. But as with most things, "nothing simple is ever easy".
This is one of the better post-apocalyptic books I've read for maintaining my interest. Since the focus of the book is getting home while the world around them devolves, there is much more to come. But I appreciate that the author made this a potential stand-alone, no cliffie with this one. Thank you.
August 1, 2022
I thought THE PRODICALS - A JOURNEY HOME IN THE DARK by Milton Cantellay had a good storyline about the Raydon family after an EMP attack on America. However, it was plagued with typos, both missing and added words, and other errors, so much so that they were a big distraction. I did eventually finish the story because I wanted to see how the four siblings fared in their individual treks across Washington State to get home and be a complete family.
No sense in repeating what the story entails. That's what the blurb is for. Of course, this story is open-ended because there are two more books in the series. A good editor could do wonders with this work and make it flow better. There is also excessive use of religious quotes and praying throughout that has turned off many readers. You might want to scale that back some. Sorry, but I can't recommend this book as it is written and I will not pursue the rest of this series.
No sense in repeating what the story entails. That's what the blurb is for. Of course, this story is open-ended because there are two more books in the series. A good editor could do wonders with this work and make it flow better. There is also excessive use of religious quotes and praying throughout that has turned off many readers. You might want to scale that back some. Sorry, but I can't recommend this book as it is written and I will not pursue the rest of this series.
September 3, 2021
If this is your genre - do yourself a favour and listen to it you will not regret it.
This was so different an EMP strike and aftermath but with a Christian, not overtly angle. I really enjoyed listening to it. It was totally different but entertaining.
I really got engrossed in this story, I just had to keep going as I was so invested.
This also added to my ever increasingly knowledge of American geography whilst I listen to the various journeys and I have to look at google to track the journey.
I was given a free copy by the author but in this way no way influenced my review.
This was so different an EMP strike and aftermath but with a Christian, not overtly angle. I really enjoyed listening to it. It was totally different but entertaining.
I really got engrossed in this story, I just had to keep going as I was so invested.
This also added to my ever increasingly knowledge of American geography whilst I listen to the various journeys and I have to look at google to track the journey.
I was given a free copy by the author but in this way no way influenced my review.
September 17, 2021
I enjoyed listening to James Lawrence
It’s not my usual genre, but once I started listening I was found this my self being pulled in . You can feel the love of God and Military background . The Christian side ,is done very gently.
The story of journey in a post nuclear world, and round a family trying to reach their old home as a point of safety. This book is about getting home while the world around them devolves, there is much more to come
It’s not my usual genre, but once I started listening I was found this my self being pulled in . You can feel the love of God and Military background . The Christian side ,is done very gently.
The story of journey in a post nuclear world, and round a family trying to reach their old home as a point of safety. This book is about getting home while the world around them devolves, there is much more to come
February 20, 2025
Meh
The plot was good, the details were decent and the characters were interesting. I was grateful it ended without cliffhanger. Those qualities combined to rate it 2 stars. The editing was atrocious, the profanity unnecessary and, from start to finish, the changes from present- to past-tense (often in the same sentence) were jarring. In retrospect, the prologue should've been my first clue.
-ncv
The plot was good, the details were decent and the characters were interesting. I was grateful it ended without cliffhanger. Those qualities combined to rate it 2 stars. The editing was atrocious, the profanity unnecessary and, from start to finish, the changes from present- to past-tense (often in the same sentence) were jarring. In retrospect, the prologue should've been my first clue.
-ncv
September 4, 2021
Not bad but needs editing
This was a good post apocalyptic story line. I appreciated the emphasis on family. There were good action scenes. However, many times I found details that did of match in the time line or in background. A good editor could smooth out these mistakes for a better read.
This was a good post apocalyptic story line. I appreciated the emphasis on family. There were good action scenes. However, many times I found details that did of match in the time line or in background. A good editor could smooth out these mistakes for a better read.
December 13, 2021
Loved this entire series. Kept me glued to it with such anticipation for what was next. Truly could picture many of the locations since I lived in Spokane, WA for many years.
I hope the world doesn’t come to this, but it certainly could. Revelation talks of similar things.
I highly recommend this book!!!
I hope the world doesn’t come to this, but it certainly could. Revelation talks of similar things.
I highly recommend this book!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
Alcornfamily@yahoo.com
This was a well written story of what you have to do when circumstances arise. I loved the home base where each member of the family was able to make the journey home. A prodigal a journey home in the dark was a story you didn't want to stop reading.
This was a well written story of what you have to do when circumstances arise. I loved the home base where each member of the family was able to make the journey home. A prodigal a journey home in the dark was a story you didn't want to stop reading.
May 10, 2022
Great EMP survival series
Slow start I don't usually get far with multiple star characters but I was pleasantly surprised with this story strong family with strong values always wins my vote . Great start can't wait to read the next one
Slow start I don't usually get far with multiple star characters but I was pleasantly surprised with this story strong family with strong values always wins my vote . Great start can't wait to read the next one
March 5, 2021
Excellent reading!
A well thought out story with interesting characters and plenty of action. Well worth the time reading. Can't wait for the next one!
A well thought out story with interesting characters and plenty of action. Well worth the time reading. Can't wait for the next one!
March 23, 2021
This story draws you in to where you wonder what’s really happening in the world.
A realistic future from the point of view of the family patriarch.
A realistic future from the point of view of the family patriarch.
December 6, 2021
Excellent, well crafted story
This story has just the right amount of detail without dragging the action or interest down. On to book two!
This story has just the right amount of detail without dragging the action or interest down. On to book two!
December 15, 2021
Gripping
This is exactly how I have always imagined that things would turn out and this is a fine piece of writing.
This is exactly how I have always imagined that things would turn out and this is a fine piece of writing.
January 7, 2025
Good Christian read
Good story and easy read. Enjoyed having no sex or swearing. Not many good Christian stories to read any more
Good story and easy read. Enjoyed having no sex or swearing. Not many good Christian stories to read any more
October 7, 2022
It had some good scripture and applications...but it was also odd because of the other aspect of the novel.
The characters were well rounded.
The devolving of society seemed right on.
However, I won't be reading the rest of the series.
I guess in a bid for total realism,
the author felt the need, to use lots of swearing, cussing, etc. from the bad guys
(and even the good guys on occasion).
I read Christian fiction to not have to listen to gutter talk that is the world today.
I already understand that really bad ( and unsaved, sinful) people talk like that.
As Christian fiction author, he could have just said, the 'bad guy' swore a blue streak,
or talking trash,
or was rude,
insulting,
cussing,
spewing profanity,
railing, ranting,
etc etc.
The characters were well rounded.
The devolving of society seemed right on.
However, I won't be reading the rest of the series.
I guess in a bid for total realism,
the author felt the need, to use lots of swearing, cussing, etc. from the bad guys
(and even the good guys on occasion).
I read Christian fiction to not have to listen to gutter talk that is the world today.
I already understand that really bad ( and unsaved, sinful) people talk like that.
As Christian fiction author, he could have just said, the 'bad guy' swore a blue streak,
or talking trash,
or was rude,
insulting,
cussing,
spewing profanity,
railing, ranting,
etc etc.
January 21, 2022
This is my book, so I am obviously biased. If you enjoy Post-apocalyptic fiction, I've written a good one. It is realistic and well researched. It is a story about family desiring to be together when times become a challenge.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews