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Touch: Book One

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One touch is all it takes.

Then a rash. Sickness. And death.

But death is not the end.

Adam has an extraordinary talent. He has the power to heal. But when a deadly virus sweeps the world, turning its victims into violent zombies, his gift is pushed to its very limits.

As the undead fill the streets with disease, Adam must face the horde, venturing across the country to find his daughter, Erin - a young girl already tortured by the death of her mother.

Through the bedlam, will Adam conquer his own grief for his late wife, and become the father he once was?

Or will the dead take the remnants of humanity and end his turmoil once and for all?


TOUCH is the first book in a brand-new two-part zombie series.

244 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2021

227 people are currently reading
140 people want to read

About the author

Steven Jenkins

34 books197 followers
Born in the small Welsh town of Llanelli, Steven began writing stories at the age of eight. His inspiration came from his love for ‘80s horror movies, and novels by Stephen King and the late Richard Matheson.

During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.

Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven's passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.

Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.

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5 stars
101 (41%)
4 stars
81 (33%)
3 stars
41 (16%)
2 stars
15 (6%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,076 reviews128 followers
April 19, 2021
A deadly virus has swept the country leaving a horde of zombies in its wake. One man Adam’s daughter is hours away at her grandparent's home when the virus breaks out. Adam’s only concern now is getting to his daughter, Erin.

Touch: Book One takes us into Adam’s world as he pushes his way to his daughter through a zombie-infested world. Touch is just the beginning of the zombie apocalypse as the characters are learning what a zombie is exactly and how to deal with them.

Touch is a very intense read. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. Reading Touch was like reading a Stephen King novel. It draws you in scene by scene, building up the excitement higher and higher until you think you can’t take it anymore, and then you are swept away to another scene leaving you hanging wondering what is going to happen but not to worry you are not left hanging for long as you are brought back quickly to see how it plays out.

Touch is one of those slow burn books that likes to take its time letting its secrets out ever so slowly leaving you wanting more and more until you think you are about to burst. It draws you into its zombie-infested world until you feel as if you are running right alongside Adam and Erin trying to reach safety before the zombies catch you.

If you like intense, slow burn, ominous, and gory-filled books with lots of zombie action then trust me you are going to love Touch as it has all of this and more. But I do give you fair warning when you pick up your copy of Touch you are going to need to set aside a couple of hours for reading as once you open it you're going to become lost in its world as it is not going to let you come up for air until the last page is read. I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in this zombie-infested world.

Now go and one-click your copy of Touch to begin this epic gory read for yourself today!
298 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2023
Touch (Book One) A Zombie Sci-Fi Thriller by Steven Jenkins

Zombie SF is a crowded field, and it's hard for an author to stand out. Steven Jenkins has picked an interesting way of doing that with this two-book series, with generally good results.

The first book is a nice blend of action and horror and a kind of desperate, intermittent introspection as anti-hero Adam tries to redeem himself and his nearly-defunct relationship with his daughter. The trick is that layered among Adam’s numerous faults as a human being, father and healer is the seed of a greater talent. It’s apparently unfortunate that Adam lacks the bollocks to make better use of this talent until it’s a bit too late and the zombies are overrunning the land.

Decently written, with surprising nuances, this is a solid story. Jenkins doesn’t over-engineer his writing, but provides solid descriptive prose and lets the story and lead character show the way. The only fault with this approach is that the “super power” seems like it was bolted on to the story -- but read on...maybe that isn’t the only fault there?

7.5/10 (3.75 stars)
Profile Image for Judy Johnson.
839 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2021
Typically, I don't read zombie-type books because I've never enjoyed them, but because I've enjoyed this author's other books, I thought, why not? I wasn't disappointed, and I might revisit some other of the same type of books because of this one. This one is completely different from others! This one is full of action and suspense and actually has believable characters. Regular, everyday people dealing with the hand that's dealt them...nothing super far out...characters that are relatable. Once I got into it, I had trouble putting it down, but I had to do other things! So, take a chance on this book, and I think, like me, you'll be glad you did and look forward to the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Tina.
1,298 reviews9 followers
May 19, 2021
When you find out you have the ability to heal by touch but don't know why you have this ability. And aren't always sure of what the outcome could be when you attempt heal. The outcome could mean renewed health but it could also mean an excelleration of impending death.
A wife and mother who died and a daughter who blames you for not saving her is your only saving grace.
Something strange begins to happen, people are dying and reanimating. Your of concern is getting to your daughter and getting her safe. What do you do. Will your touch ability save these people who are dead but not dead?

Another great read by Steven Jenkins 😊.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carrie O’Leary.
Author 8 books87 followers
April 20, 2021
Another fantastic book from an author who has a knack for making you feel that the things that are happening in the book are real. The tension is palpable throughout. The characters are believable, sometimes not very likeable in the beginning, but I think this always gives more opportunity for character development as the story progresses and you discover there is more to them than meets the eye. Really looking forward to the next book in the series.
81 reviews
May 21, 2021
Starting out

I don't usually read zombie books. It started out great, and kept me interested. I liked the characters and could relate to them. Then took a turn into zombie reading. Excellent read for my first time, just wished it would have stayed on the track it started on without any zombies. I'll read book 2, because I started and am excited about what will happen in the continuing book.
Profile Image for Venus.
1,030 reviews27 followers
October 11, 2022
holy wow

This is one of the best zombie books I’ve ever read. And I’ve read a lot of them. First of all, the scene with the little girl in the coffin? Holy crap that was terrifying. Second of all, the fact that the main character has this magical healing ability ? What the heck is that? I’m super excited to see where this story is going. I think I have found a new favorite horror author.
Profile Image for BookLoversLife.
1,838 reviews9 followers
April 25, 2021
Awesome!!

Good, enjoyable post apocalyptic read!
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take on this genre. There's so many books out there that it's often hard to stand out but this book managed to. Loved most of the characters and the plot was relatively fast paced and held my attention throughout.
This author is one to watch!!
574 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2021
Adam can heal people but is not sure how that can help hm when the zombie apocalypse comes about. He must get to his daughter before it is too late. Would you give it a chance to try to save someone know ing it could risk you becoming infected? How much is too much? I recieved a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Janis.
567 reviews12 followers
May 7, 2021
You never know what you’re capable of

Excellent book!! What if Zambian spread by touch not by bite and it mimicked a flu. With the contagiousness of measles it spreads like wildfire- then people become strange, violent unlike themselves. If you could heal by touch would you risk it or hunker down and protect your family. Read Touch and find out!
Profile Image for Dennis.
495 reviews5 followers
August 24, 2021
Great story and characters. Interesting concept having transmission by touch. That definitely makes for some scary moments. Really enjoyed this book although it was quite a bit shorter than I expected. The actual story stops at 85% on my kindle and the rest is all ads for the author's other books. All in all a great read and I'd definitely read more by the author.
451 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2022
Touch

Really great read . Adam has a secret gift . He couldn't cure his wife and has been grief stricken since her death . Neglecting his daughter and turning to drink . His world turns upside down when the dead start walking . Now he must find his daughter and get to safety before it's to late .
Profile Image for Sam.
2,559 reviews42 followers
April 19, 2021
This is an excellent first book in this new & exciting zombie adventure! A truly fun & enjoyable read! Something a little different! I will look for more in this series & by this writer! I do recommend to all that love zombies!
Profile Image for Linda.
215 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2021
Touch book 1 was a rather quick read and I like it. The twist on how the zombie virus was transmitted was interesting. I felt like Adam's gift did detract from the story and is entirely unnecessary. But for $0.99 it was well worth the price and I intend to read the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,401 reviews140 followers
April 25, 2021
Touch by Steven Jenkins.
Zombie ski-fi book one.
I really really enjoyed this book. Adam and Erin was my favourite characters. I do love my zombie books. I love Steven books. The way he writes. He is my favourite zombie king. 5*. Looking forward to more.
Profile Image for Eirlys.
1,763 reviews16 followers
April 26, 2021
Blood Curdling Book

Enthralling story that gripped me from beginning to end. The characters were very believable and intriguing. I look forward to reading the next book and following their story.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,784 reviews71 followers
April 30, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.


Profile Image for Artist_carrie .
708 reviews11 followers
May 3, 2021
Omg! I really don't read virus/zombie books that much, but I really like this Author and it was really good so I'm gonna keep going with this series. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily choose to reveiw.
Profile Image for Debra Schwitzer.
132 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2021
Scary story!

An ordinary man with a spectacular gift that he is reluctant to share and an angry daughter who can't wait to leave him find themselves separated and desperate to be back together. An insidious flu turns deadly and then so do the dead in this story.
81 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2021
Touch

First book was a little short, but pretty good. People are infected with a disease that turns them violent, like zombies. To pass it on, all they need to do is touch you. Looking forward to book 2.
563 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2021
Wow!

One one the best story I read in 2021! What a good way to end that disastrous year! Too bad the two books contains like 400 pages, I would have loved to read a way longer series, as it is so good and well written!
83 reviews
April 6, 2022
I’ve read a number of apocalyptic books. This one was rather short and that didn’t really have an ending. The main character wasn’t very likable but did kind of grow on me toward the end. It was a pretty typical zombie story. Not sure I will read the following books.
195 reviews
April 6, 2022
is ok

It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. The main character is not very likable so it’s hard to get into his mindset, and the healing thing has no reason as he really doesn’t use it… so…. Whatever.
Profile Image for Jessica.
378 reviews
November 6, 2022
Nah.. I couldn't really get into this book and did not like the main character. Also, calling your daughter a bitch and your mother in law a fat cow is a big no. Made me dislike him immediately. This is just not a book for me.
293 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2024
Good Book.

Good zombie book. But doesn't really have the blood and gore you'd normally get in a zombie story. But good, none the less !!! A lot of excitement and heart pounding terror, just no blood and guts !!!! Going for book two now.
209 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2021
Fantastic short zombie story. Well paced, edge of seat and likeable characters that you will root for.
Profile Image for Anna.
157 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2021
Touch
DON’T touch!
An entertaining read.
Profile Image for Sandra Burns.
1,801 reviews41 followers
August 31, 2021
Good read, but incomplete.

Great story, about infection turning people into zombies. However, this is only part of the story. Have to get book two, to finish.
Profile Image for Josie.
61 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2021
I lived the characters and the plot. The concept is chilling to imagine and I was hooked.
Profile Image for Werner.
46 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2022
Steve Jenkins wrote a good horror thriller that hooks you and draws you in and makes it very hard to put down. I enjoy the characters and his interestingly different take on this genre.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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