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Fallout #1
Survival
Welcome to Shadow Ridge, where Longmire meets Jericho.
A dead body. A missing suspect. A town fighting for survival.
In today’s world, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on forensic tools, DNA testing, and crime labs. But what if that technology was suddenly no longer available? No one in the small, west Texas town of Shadow Ridge knows what took down the power grid, or when it’s going to be back up, but everyone knows exactly where they were the moment it went down. And now, with no electricity, no internet, and no modern technology, the men and women responsible for keeping the town safe are going to have to learn how to fight crime all over again.
When one of the men in charge of storing food for the town of Shadow Ridge is found murdered execution style, it’s up to Jace McQuaid to find the killer. What he discovers is a group of organized raiders who are stealing supplies and selling them on the black market—and the survival of the town depends on stopping them.
Morgan Addison’s estranged brother, Ricky, shows up at her house demanding weapons and confirming her fears that he’s a part of the outlaws. Tensions are raised further when Ricky kidnaps her son to ensure his safe passage out of town. Jace must find a way to save Noah and ensure the survival of Shadow Ridge.
~Survival is book one in the new Fallout series. Each novel contains a standalone mystery, but there are overarching stories that tie together the entire series.
A dead body. A missing suspect. A town fighting for survival.
In today’s world, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on forensic tools, DNA testing, and crime labs. But what if that technology was suddenly no longer available? No one in the small, west Texas town of Shadow Ridge knows what took down the power grid, or when it’s going to be back up, but everyone knows exactly where they were the moment it went down. And now, with no electricity, no internet, and no modern technology, the men and women responsible for keeping the town safe are going to have to learn how to fight crime all over again.
When one of the men in charge of storing food for the town of Shadow Ridge is found murdered execution style, it’s up to Jace McQuaid to find the killer. What he discovers is a group of organized raiders who are stealing supplies and selling them on the black market—and the survival of the town depends on stopping them.
Morgan Addison’s estranged brother, Ricky, shows up at her house demanding weapons and confirming her fears that he’s a part of the outlaws. Tensions are raised further when Ricky kidnaps her son to ensure his safe passage out of town. Jace must find a way to save Noah and ensure the survival of Shadow Ridge.
~Survival is book one in the new Fallout series. Each novel contains a standalone mystery, but there are overarching stories that tie together the entire series.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
399 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Harris
128 books1,282 followersLISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Vendetta, and Port of Origin, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times.
She has fifty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.
She has fifty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 23, 2022
Characters: Jace was an average romantic suspense guy (former military and traumatized). Most of the book centered on him. This threw me off a little because I've read lots of romantic suspense novels, and they normally alternate pretty well between two main characters. Morgan, Jace's soon-to-be girlfriend, rarely got a scene from her perspective, so I didn't know all that much about her.
Language: Clean.
Moral: This book contained themes of community, family, and God's sovereignty.
Plot: I read the prequel to this series just before I read this book. The prequel was full of action, and I went into Survival expecting it to be the same. Yes, there was action, but I just didn't find it as suspenseful/exciting as the prequel. Maybe this was because there was more of a focus on solving the murders? Or maybe my expectations were just too high? I do appreciate the setting though. Seeing how the small town reacted to the EMP was interesting.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing.
Writing: Lisa Harris's style worked great for this book. Things flowed smoothly, and I was able to picture what was going on.
Overall: Survival was a quick, entertaining read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense with a dystopian twist.
Language: Clean.
Moral: This book contained themes of community, family, and God's sovereignty.
Plot: I read the prequel to this series just before I read this book. The prequel was full of action, and I went into Survival expecting it to be the same. Yes, there was action, but I just didn't find it as suspenseful/exciting as the prequel. Maybe this was because there was more of a focus on solving the murders? Or maybe my expectations were just too high? I do appreciate the setting though. Seeing how the small town reacted to the EMP was interesting.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing.
Writing: Lisa Harris's style worked great for this book. Things flowed smoothly, and I was able to picture what was going on.
Overall: Survival was a quick, entertaining read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense with a dystopian twist.
January 29, 2022
This series reminds me of Terri Blackstock's Restoration Series. In Survival, modern conveniences are gone as is the value of currency. Residents of Shadow Ridge are nine months into their new reality and have adapted. So many adjustments required...growing own food, traveling by bicycle or horse, etc.
A murder rocks the police force of two...
Great cast of characters and the ending sets up book two. Can't wait!
A murder rocks the police force of two...
Great cast of characters and the ending sets up book two. Can't wait!
July 25, 2022
3.5 stars
This is the first in a continuous story (you won’t get all the answers in this story) series. Jace is stranded in a tiny West Texas town when the grid goes down just after he arrived to visit his parents. In this tiny town of under 1000, there’s not much to insulate the people from the harshness of marauders outside town nor to give people any break from their expertise...Jace and his brother are the police force, once his father is unable to serve any longer. So when trouble comes to town, it’s not going to be easy to solve the crimes and stop them.
It’s intense and Jace is a strong character. I also liked Morgan, the woman he takes an interest in, and Jace’s family. I’ll definitely continue the series to see what happens next.
This is the first in a continuous story (you won’t get all the answers in this story) series. Jace is stranded in a tiny West Texas town when the grid goes down just after he arrived to visit his parents. In this tiny town of under 1000, there’s not much to insulate the people from the harshness of marauders outside town nor to give people any break from their expertise...Jace and his brother are the police force, once his father is unable to serve any longer. So when trouble comes to town, it’s not going to be easy to solve the crimes and stop them.
It’s intense and Jace is a strong character. I also liked Morgan, the woman he takes an interest in, and Jace’s family. I’ll definitely continue the series to see what happens next.
October 24, 2021
"Sometimes what you've been looking for your whole life turns out to be what you've been frantically running away from."
Survival by Lisa Harris is the first in a new series. This book is about the power grid going down in a Texas town and all the upheaval it causes. It features the oldest sibling of five, Jace McQuaid. He takes over as the law in this lawless town. He is overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and strives to keep the town safe. Especially, a young widow and her six year old son. It really is reminiscent of the old wild west. There is no electricity and folks are learning to barter and survive. Along with that, there are bad guys who murder, steal and sell in the black market.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to each of the upcoming books in the series.
*I was given a copy of the book by the author and this is my honest opinion.
Survival by Lisa Harris is the first in a new series. This book is about the power grid going down in a Texas town and all the upheaval it causes. It features the oldest sibling of five, Jace McQuaid. He takes over as the law in this lawless town. He is overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and strives to keep the town safe. Especially, a young widow and her six year old son. It really is reminiscent of the old wild west. There is no electricity and folks are learning to barter and survive. Along with that, there are bad guys who murder, steal and sell in the black market.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to each of the upcoming books in the series.
*I was given a copy of the book by the author and this is my honest opinion.
March 15, 2023
What a great suspense. This is one of those stories where you think you will only read a few chapters, but find yourself not being able to put the book down.
God can use bad events for His glory, but that doesn't mean He's behind them.
The challenges the characters faced with the electronic break felt real and the balance between the suspense, danger and the characters dealing with their new normal was great.
You reminded me that I can't spend my life waiting for this to be over. I have to find out how to live in the middle of it.
The book ended on a high note and I’m eager to continue the story in book 2.
Fans of Terri Blackstock’s restoration series will enjoy this series.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.*
God can use bad events for His glory, but that doesn't mean He's behind them.
The challenges the characters faced with the electronic break felt real and the balance between the suspense, danger and the characters dealing with their new normal was great.
You reminded me that I can't spend my life waiting for this to be over. I have to find out how to live in the middle of it.
The book ended on a high note and I’m eager to continue the story in book 2.
Fans of Terri Blackstock’s restoration series will enjoy this series.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.*
February 20, 2023
This was a fantastic story, and there are still four more books to continue the story! I saw a line that read, "Welcome to Shadow Ridge, where Longmire meets Jericho," which is spot on. Set in West Texas, this sleepy town is dealing with the aftermath of an EMP. We take a lot for granted in this world, especially electricity and the internet, but imagine a life without those things. I don't know about anyone else, but it would drastically adjust how I live. I would also have to learn new skills, such as growing vegetables, to survive. I had to admire how this little town came together. They shared information on how to do different things, bartered for their skills, and watched out for one another. Not everyone was honest, but the majority were.
Besides learning how to live in this new world, there is also learning how to cope with what life has thrown at you. Jace feels lost and isn't sure that God is there for him. I thought the conversation between him and the pastor, Matthew, was perfect and reminded us that we need to look for blessings in unusual places. It won't always be obvious; we just have to have faith. This is a Christian Suspense novel, but the religious parts are subtle. I think many could relate to how Jace and others feel in this new world and that this isn't what they had planned for their lives. We all must change and adapt when it is a situation beyond our control.
This novel is fast-paced, and I wondered what could happen next. There are explosions, deaths, surprise defections, and even a little romance. There is even humor from Morgan's six-year-old son, Noah. He is delightful and adds some levity to the situation. Plus, he heartily approves of Jace as a love interest for his mom. That is good because Jace and Morgan have an attraction to one another, but will they give in to their feelings?
We aren't given all of the answers, and there are four more books that will explain the story even further. I can't wait to read these books to discover the rest of the story and perhaps the explanation for what caused the power grid failure. Was it an EMP or something else?
A fantastic start to this series, and we give it 5 paws up.
Besides learning how to live in this new world, there is also learning how to cope with what life has thrown at you. Jace feels lost and isn't sure that God is there for him. I thought the conversation between him and the pastor, Matthew, was perfect and reminded us that we need to look for blessings in unusual places. It won't always be obvious; we just have to have faith. This is a Christian Suspense novel, but the religious parts are subtle. I think many could relate to how Jace and others feel in this new world and that this isn't what they had planned for their lives. We all must change and adapt when it is a situation beyond our control.
This novel is fast-paced, and I wondered what could happen next. There are explosions, deaths, surprise defections, and even a little romance. There is even humor from Morgan's six-year-old son, Noah. He is delightful and adds some levity to the situation. Plus, he heartily approves of Jace as a love interest for his mom. That is good because Jace and Morgan have an attraction to one another, but will they give in to their feelings?
We aren't given all of the answers, and there are four more books that will explain the story even further. I can't wait to read these books to discover the rest of the story and perhaps the explanation for what caused the power grid failure. Was it an EMP or something else?
A fantastic start to this series, and we give it 5 paws up.
February 15, 2022
In Survival, the power grid had gone down and everyone is just surviving! Jace McQuaid isn't back in Shadow Ridge because he really wants to be, in fact, he doesn't know what it is he wants anymore but he is forced back into a career that he thought he had left. I liked the concept, the characters but there were details that I felt were lacking... more depth in the plot would've added to what I felt was missing.
Read
February 24, 2023SURVIVAL by Lisa Harris, starts off with a tragic, emotional, and action-packed first chapter after “The Quake” hits and its chaos in the small town of Shadow Ridge. I thought our main character was going to be Garrett McQuaid, the top lawman of Shadow Ridge and patriarch of the McQuaid family, but we jump to day 264 post-Quake, and it’s Garrett’s sons, Jace and Levi, who have been deputized and are trying their best to keep the town safe. (Garrett pops up briefly later in the book, but I was left wanting more and really hope he comes back into the spotlight in one of the other books in the series.)
Speaking of wanting more – readers be warned: there are a lot of unanswered questions in Survival, but isn’t that just how it should be? I can’t imagine the frustration of lack of information nearly a year later – no idea of what really happened, and very little communication from the outside world.
All of the unknowns are what add tension to the book, and given the quality of the story, I have no doubt that author Harris will give readers what we need as we continue with the series. I am okay with this because Survival doesn’t end with an annoying cliffhanger. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
“I know the right answers, but I don’t know if I believe them anymore.”
As we settle into the second half of the story, the faith element comes in heavier with Jace trying to find answers. I like that the message of believing in God and going to church aren’t all one needs to do to get back in the spiritual saddle again. Harris organically incorporates Jace’s wavering faith into the story via a powerful conversation with the town pastor, Matthew. The exchanges between Jace and Matthew seemed authentic. Maintaining one’s faith is often a challenge when life is particularly challenging, so it makes sense Jace would seek guidance. There is a Moses analogy that we all should remember.
Initially, I found myself wanting the details of what must have been absolute chaos right after “the Quake,” and for that matter: what was it?! But then I realized that is not what the author wanted to write. She focused on the relationships and adaptations of what is likely to be the new normal; hence the name of the series being called the Fallout series. We are seeing the fallout as it settles over the people.
Back to that resolution… while not a cliffhanger, the epilogue takes a bit of dark turn, providing a delicious different direction for the story after we’re feeling all warm and fuzzy about everything. Nice, Lisa Harris. I’m IN.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: WOWSA! There could not be a better narration than Kyle Tait. His southern drawl, and how he perfectly and consistently drops his Gs (goin’ comin’ lyin’)? It’s like buttah! Smooth and a delightful pairing to Harris’s amazing story. Pacing was perfect, not a glitch in the diction, and I listened at regular pace which is almost unheard of. Tait’s delivery elevated my reading experience, and I’ll seek out other books he’s narrated.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
Speaking of wanting more – readers be warned: there are a lot of unanswered questions in Survival, but isn’t that just how it should be? I can’t imagine the frustration of lack of information nearly a year later – no idea of what really happened, and very little communication from the outside world.
All of the unknowns are what add tension to the book, and given the quality of the story, I have no doubt that author Harris will give readers what we need as we continue with the series. I am okay with this because Survival doesn’t end with an annoying cliffhanger. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
“I know the right answers, but I don’t know if I believe them anymore.”
As we settle into the second half of the story, the faith element comes in heavier with Jace trying to find answers. I like that the message of believing in God and going to church aren’t all one needs to do to get back in the spiritual saddle again. Harris organically incorporates Jace’s wavering faith into the story via a powerful conversation with the town pastor, Matthew. The exchanges between Jace and Matthew seemed authentic. Maintaining one’s faith is often a challenge when life is particularly challenging, so it makes sense Jace would seek guidance. There is a Moses analogy that we all should remember.
Initially, I found myself wanting the details of what must have been absolute chaos right after “the Quake,” and for that matter: what was it?! But then I realized that is not what the author wanted to write. She focused on the relationships and adaptations of what is likely to be the new normal; hence the name of the series being called the Fallout series. We are seeing the fallout as it settles over the people.
Back to that resolution… while not a cliffhanger, the epilogue takes a bit of dark turn, providing a delicious different direction for the story after we’re feeling all warm and fuzzy about everything. Nice, Lisa Harris. I’m IN.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: WOWSA! There could not be a better narration than Kyle Tait. His southern drawl, and how he perfectly and consistently drops his Gs (goin’ comin’ lyin’)? It’s like buttah! Smooth and a delightful pairing to Harris’s amazing story. Pacing was perfect, not a glitch in the diction, and I listened at regular pace which is almost unheard of. Tait’s delivery elevated my reading experience, and I’ll seek out other books he’s narrated.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
November 9, 2021
4.5 stars for this first novel in the Fallout series. There is a prequel novella in the Dangerous Pursuits collection, but it's not necessary to read that one before this one. This book follows Jace McQuaid, who has taken over the role of law enforcement after the grid goes down and his father (the sheriff) is wounded. As he finds himself stranded in Shadow Ridge, his experience makes him the logical choice to stand in and so he does what he has to do in order to help the town survive. When a dead body is found in the supply warehouse, he has to learn how to catch a killer without any of the modern DNA aids. To complicate matters, he finds himself falling for his sister's best friend, even though he had no intention of staying in Shadow Ridge when the grid came back up. This was a great story line with wonderful characters and good character development. The romance took a bit of a back burner until the end, which is the way I like my romantic suspense novels. I probably didn't read this at the best time in my personal journey as reading about the grid going down only fueled my current anxieties, but it made for a unique twist on the plot-line and added a depth. I look forward to the rest of this series!
February 18, 2023
In the list of my own personal irrational (or maybe rational?) fears is an EMP pulse. As someone who works by an airport (planes crashing!), lives 40 minutes by car from my office (that is a LONG WALK HOME), and has allergies, I don’t know how well I’d do without modern technology and connivences. Unfortunately, that’s what Jace and the town of Shadow Ridge has been dealing with in SURVIVAL by Lisa Harris.
Jace was home for the weekend, visiting his family, when all heck breaks loose. As former military, he has zero interest in following his father’s footsteps into law enforcement. But that’s not in the cards for Jace. Two hundred plus days after ‘the quake’, Jace is the de facto town sheriff and leader, dealing with both a crisis of purpose and crisis of faith. I appreciated Jace’s concern for his family, the other citizens of the town, and his growing feelings towards Morgan. There is even a cute conversation between Jace and Morgan about protecting all the other widows as much as he is protecting her!
To be candid, though, my favorite character of the novel is Noah, Morgan’s son. Noah is fun and full of life. Imagine trying to explain to a 6-year-old that there are no more YouTube videos, no more video games, and no more candy! I’m surprised at how well Noah is dealing with all he’s had to deal with in the past year.
The romance between Jace and Morgan is more of a secondary plot, with the primary story being Jace protecting the townspeople and solving crimes. And I am ok with that choice. I didn’t need the romance to overshadow all the other aspects of the novel. I did appreciate how Jace stands up for Morgan when a sheriff from a nearby town interrogates her. That scene exemplified Jace’s feelings without all the sappy love scenes.
The story was engaging from the start (see above note on my EMP fear!). I’d label this more speculative fiction rather than dystopia. But it certainly has those elements, in addition to romance, suspense, and mystery. The setting of small-town West Texas provides a small group of characters who interact and try to survive together. The story has a modern Western vibe, with horse-riding characters using solar chargers on their phones.
While the novel is told from Jace’s point of view, I would have appreciated more insight into Morgan’s point of view in the novel. Understanding more of how Morgan is dealing with her own grief, parenting Noah, and developing feelings for Jace would have added more depth to the story. I also found the ending of the novel to be rushed. This might have been a result of the shorter nature of the story. I would have liked more details as to how the different plot lines were wrapped up.
Kyle Tait’s audio narration was well done. The narration was conversational, while also giving life to Jace’s thoughts and words. It’s been a while since I’ve heard that Texas drawl and I certainly found myself missing it after listening to this novel. The dialog between characters was distinct, making it easier to identify different characters while listening. The audio production was clear with no issues while listening at 1.25X speed. As I’ve been struggling with sitting still to ‘read’, listening to this novel was a win for me. My attention was engaged while going about my daily tasks.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. There are enough open-ended questions after the epilogue and plenty of other characters to explore that I’m interested in reading more of this series. Probably while gripping my life straw and solar charger for my device!
Jace was home for the weekend, visiting his family, when all heck breaks loose. As former military, he has zero interest in following his father’s footsteps into law enforcement. But that’s not in the cards for Jace. Two hundred plus days after ‘the quake’, Jace is the de facto town sheriff and leader, dealing with both a crisis of purpose and crisis of faith. I appreciated Jace’s concern for his family, the other citizens of the town, and his growing feelings towards Morgan. There is even a cute conversation between Jace and Morgan about protecting all the other widows as much as he is protecting her!
To be candid, though, my favorite character of the novel is Noah, Morgan’s son. Noah is fun and full of life. Imagine trying to explain to a 6-year-old that there are no more YouTube videos, no more video games, and no more candy! I’m surprised at how well Noah is dealing with all he’s had to deal with in the past year.
The romance between Jace and Morgan is more of a secondary plot, with the primary story being Jace protecting the townspeople and solving crimes. And I am ok with that choice. I didn’t need the romance to overshadow all the other aspects of the novel. I did appreciate how Jace stands up for Morgan when a sheriff from a nearby town interrogates her. That scene exemplified Jace’s feelings without all the sappy love scenes.
The story was engaging from the start (see above note on my EMP fear!). I’d label this more speculative fiction rather than dystopia. But it certainly has those elements, in addition to romance, suspense, and mystery. The setting of small-town West Texas provides a small group of characters who interact and try to survive together. The story has a modern Western vibe, with horse-riding characters using solar chargers on their phones.
While the novel is told from Jace’s point of view, I would have appreciated more insight into Morgan’s point of view in the novel. Understanding more of how Morgan is dealing with her own grief, parenting Noah, and developing feelings for Jace would have added more depth to the story. I also found the ending of the novel to be rushed. This might have been a result of the shorter nature of the story. I would have liked more details as to how the different plot lines were wrapped up.
Kyle Tait’s audio narration was well done. The narration was conversational, while also giving life to Jace’s thoughts and words. It’s been a while since I’ve heard that Texas drawl and I certainly found myself missing it after listening to this novel. The dialog between characters was distinct, making it easier to identify different characters while listening. The audio production was clear with no issues while listening at 1.25X speed. As I’ve been struggling with sitting still to ‘read’, listening to this novel was a win for me. My attention was engaged while going about my daily tasks.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. There are enough open-ended questions after the epilogue and plenty of other characters to explore that I’m interested in reading more of this series. Probably while gripping my life straw and solar charger for my device!
February 21, 2023
Survival takes our concept of “normal” and turns it upside down in a way that keeps a reader glued to the story and wondering what’s going to happen next!
The small Texas town of Shadow Ridge is hit by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP)—or something—that takes down the power grid, making most electronics unusable. They discover the same thing in the surrounding towns, and have no way to receive or share information with anyone. This story covers the first nine months (or so) of this dystopian nightmare. It places characters in predicaments they never planned on being in. Further, it highlights the good and evil of people when left to fend for themselves.
This is the first book in The Fallout Series by author Lisa Harris. I must say, she set up this series amazingly well! There are so many different ways things can go, and once the reader begins to care about the characters, there is simply no choice but to read the remainder of the series. I certainly will!
One of the things I love (and hate) is how the author doesn’t really tell the reader what happened. Is it an EMP? They don’t know for certain. Are they at war? They don’t know. As I was reading, I halfway expected an army of Russian or Chinese tactical vehicles to appear on the horizon.
As with any really good story, it’s the characters that draw the reader in. The main protagonist, Jace McQuaid, had only come back to the town to celebrate a wedding anniversary of his parents. Then the Quake hit! (It’s not an earthquake, but that’s what the townspeople decided to call the event.) With his military background, the people turn to Jace to lead them through this catastrophe. Now he feels stuck!
I also love the way the author handles backstory and emotions. With so much action going on, it’s pretty tricky to get in backstory and emotions without interrupting the momentum of the story. Lisa Harris handled this wonderfully. For example, at one point in the story Jace is concerned about the safety of two women and a young child in a house. He decides to spend the night in an abandoned car near the front of the house. As Jace begins to relax from the day, “depression fell on him like a blanket trying to smother him.” The author uses this downtime to get in some backstory and an update on Jace’s current emotional state.
Even with the story’s somewhat quick pace, the author still managed to include very good description. For example, this is how the author described what Jace saw from his family ranch one afternoon: “From here, he could see everything from scrub, grassland, and juniper savannas to the open hilltops and distant mountain slopes that were covered with piñon pine and oak.”
Since I’ve mentioned it a few times, I consider the pacing of this story to be perfect! At 236 pages, it’s not a long read at all. However, I’ll admit that once I got into the story, I wanted it to be longer, but I consoled myself with the fact that this saga continues in the next book in the series. Actually, at the end of this story, the author includes the synopsis of the following book—Hunted—as well as the first few pages. Is that good marketing or what?
There are so many things to gush about with this book! The other characters, the character arcs, the believability factor; they are all quite impressive.
After one book, I’m a serious series fan! I consider Survival one of the best dystopian novels I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it!
The small Texas town of Shadow Ridge is hit by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP)—or something—that takes down the power grid, making most electronics unusable. They discover the same thing in the surrounding towns, and have no way to receive or share information with anyone. This story covers the first nine months (or so) of this dystopian nightmare. It places characters in predicaments they never planned on being in. Further, it highlights the good and evil of people when left to fend for themselves.
This is the first book in The Fallout Series by author Lisa Harris. I must say, she set up this series amazingly well! There are so many different ways things can go, and once the reader begins to care about the characters, there is simply no choice but to read the remainder of the series. I certainly will!
One of the things I love (and hate) is how the author doesn’t really tell the reader what happened. Is it an EMP? They don’t know for certain. Are they at war? They don’t know. As I was reading, I halfway expected an army of Russian or Chinese tactical vehicles to appear on the horizon.
As with any really good story, it’s the characters that draw the reader in. The main protagonist, Jace McQuaid, had only come back to the town to celebrate a wedding anniversary of his parents. Then the Quake hit! (It’s not an earthquake, but that’s what the townspeople decided to call the event.) With his military background, the people turn to Jace to lead them through this catastrophe. Now he feels stuck!
I also love the way the author handles backstory and emotions. With so much action going on, it’s pretty tricky to get in backstory and emotions without interrupting the momentum of the story. Lisa Harris handled this wonderfully. For example, at one point in the story Jace is concerned about the safety of two women and a young child in a house. He decides to spend the night in an abandoned car near the front of the house. As Jace begins to relax from the day, “depression fell on him like a blanket trying to smother him.” The author uses this downtime to get in some backstory and an update on Jace’s current emotional state.
Even with the story’s somewhat quick pace, the author still managed to include very good description. For example, this is how the author described what Jace saw from his family ranch one afternoon: “From here, he could see everything from scrub, grassland, and juniper savannas to the open hilltops and distant mountain slopes that were covered with piñon pine and oak.”
Since I’ve mentioned it a few times, I consider the pacing of this story to be perfect! At 236 pages, it’s not a long read at all. However, I’ll admit that once I got into the story, I wanted it to be longer, but I consoled myself with the fact that this saga continues in the next book in the series. Actually, at the end of this story, the author includes the synopsis of the following book—Hunted—as well as the first few pages. Is that good marketing or what?
There are so many things to gush about with this book! The other characters, the character arcs, the believability factor; they are all quite impressive.
After one book, I’m a serious series fan! I consider Survival one of the best dystopian novels I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it!
February 20, 2023
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This is an adrenaline rush of a read” and a great start to a new series by Lisa Harris, and I wholeheartedly agree. I don’t read much dystopian fiction. Not because it isn’t good fiction, as this book proves, but so many other genres normally interest me more. That said, I will be reading the rest of this series. I’m eager to see what caused the power to go off and caused the Quake, as residents of Shadow Ridge call it. And I really want to see how normal is restored again, or will it be?
As a huge fan of westerns, I really liked the Wild West feeling of the story and Jace reminded me of the heroes of the wonderful stories from Zane Grey and Louis L’Aamour. As the new sheriff after his father, the former sheriff, is wounded, Jace is challenged to keep the peace without all the technological tools we’ve become so reliant upon. That makes is hard to keep up with bad guys, and just when he thinks he has a handle on things, something else happens.
But he does what he can because, as he says, “Sometimes a man has to stand up for what is right, even when he doesn’t think he has the strength to do it. “
Much like what happens in real life after a disaster, there are good people in Shadow Ridge who learn to work together for the greater good of the community. They establish a bartering system, since money is useless right now. They volunteer to help patrol streets and guard warehouses that store communal supplies. And they take care each other, especially those who have lost loved ones.
Jace has taken it upon himself to look after the widows, and that effort brings him closer and closer to Morgan and her son Noah. Morgan is a strong character in her own right, and doesn’t need a man to always protect her, but it would be nice to have this man in her life, especially for Noah who has grown quite fond of this ‘cowboy.’
The book is primarily focused on the suspense, and the community’s reaction to the sudden disruption of normal life, for most of the story. The romantic element was a thin thread that was only woven into something more significant toward the end, and that added to my enjoyment of the story. As an occasional reader of romantic suspense, I find it unbelievable that sometimes characters who’ve just had a significant loss suddenly meet someone and sparks start to fly. With Jace and Morgan there’s only a hint of the attraction long enough that it just feels right.
The pacing, the story elements, and the characters were all working great for me for the majority of the read, but there was one stumble toward the end. I can’t say what, as that would be a spoiler, but characters did something that felt rushed and the scene didn’t have a believable feel to it.
Still, that is only one little problem in a book that otherwise is a satisfactory and enjoyable read. It’s filled with wonderful characters. The mystery and suspense kept me guessing. The blend of the old west feel in a modern-day setting was superb. The Christian element was slipped easily into the story without even the slightest blip in the suspense. And like I said, the romance was perfect.
As a huge fan of westerns, I really liked the Wild West feeling of the story and Jace reminded me of the heroes of the wonderful stories from Zane Grey and Louis L’Aamour. As the new sheriff after his father, the former sheriff, is wounded, Jace is challenged to keep the peace without all the technological tools we’ve become so reliant upon. That makes is hard to keep up with bad guys, and just when he thinks he has a handle on things, something else happens.
But he does what he can because, as he says, “Sometimes a man has to stand up for what is right, even when he doesn’t think he has the strength to do it. “
Much like what happens in real life after a disaster, there are good people in Shadow Ridge who learn to work together for the greater good of the community. They establish a bartering system, since money is useless right now. They volunteer to help patrol streets and guard warehouses that store communal supplies. And they take care each other, especially those who have lost loved ones.
Jace has taken it upon himself to look after the widows, and that effort brings him closer and closer to Morgan and her son Noah. Morgan is a strong character in her own right, and doesn’t need a man to always protect her, but it would be nice to have this man in her life, especially for Noah who has grown quite fond of this ‘cowboy.’
The book is primarily focused on the suspense, and the community’s reaction to the sudden disruption of normal life, for most of the story. The romantic element was a thin thread that was only woven into something more significant toward the end, and that added to my enjoyment of the story. As an occasional reader of romantic suspense, I find it unbelievable that sometimes characters who’ve just had a significant loss suddenly meet someone and sparks start to fly. With Jace and Morgan there’s only a hint of the attraction long enough that it just feels right.
The pacing, the story elements, and the characters were all working great for me for the majority of the read, but there was one stumble toward the end. I can’t say what, as that would be a spoiler, but characters did something that felt rushed and the scene didn’t have a believable feel to it.
Still, that is only one little problem in a book that otherwise is a satisfactory and enjoyable read. It’s filled with wonderful characters. The mystery and suspense kept me guessing. The blend of the old west feel in a modern-day setting was superb. The Christian element was slipped easily into the story without even the slightest blip in the suspense. And like I said, the romance was perfect.
February 20, 2023
Lisa Harris explores the changes a small town makes when an unexpected and unexplained event takes it off the grid—No Internet, airplanes, gasoline, phone services, or electricity. Shadow Ridge, located in west Texas, was isolated before the world changed. A year later, they find ways to pull together to grow food, deliver medical care, educate their youngsters, and shift priorities on what is essential.
Jace left his military career and returned to Shadow Ridge to celebrate his parents’ anniversary. He lost his mother to an accident on the day connectivity stopped. His father, the town sheriff, got severely injured by thieves he pursued into the surrounding hills the day before the planned celebration. Jace takes on the role of the police chief, sharing the work with his brother, Levi.
Morgan Addison, a recent widow due to a power outage, is raising her six-year-old son, Noah. Noah finds a man in the community warehouse dead. It takes Jace and his sister Hope, the town doctor, to work with him to get the details. With his family’s help, Jace finds new ways to discover a killer and prove the case.
Jace’s sense of honor, humility, a strong sense of duty, and a love of family makes him try to be everything to everyone. He shows his concern by helping those in need. The events that caused his resignation from his military career haunt his dreams because he believes he let his team down. Jace is the type of man one wants in their community.
The unique premise delivers a perspective on our world and reactions following a catastrophe—the good, bad, and greedy sides. The descriptions of the people, buildings, activities, and countryside come alive in Survival. Rather than get beaten by the uncontrollable, community members learn to pull together. They also discover that their deep-seated faith can bring comfort to their lives.
The narration by Kyle Tait is flawless. His voice adds dimension to Jace and pulls out the emotion in each scene with perfect pauses and ideal intonation. His velvety voice delivered individual tones to identify each character, like distinctive colors of the rainbow. The talent of this voice actor made listening to a nearly non-stop activity—a sensational story narrated unforgettably. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy exciting characters in unusual situations that rise to the occasion. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Jace left his military career and returned to Shadow Ridge to celebrate his parents’ anniversary. He lost his mother to an accident on the day connectivity stopped. His father, the town sheriff, got severely injured by thieves he pursued into the surrounding hills the day before the planned celebration. Jace takes on the role of the police chief, sharing the work with his brother, Levi.
Morgan Addison, a recent widow due to a power outage, is raising her six-year-old son, Noah. Noah finds a man in the community warehouse dead. It takes Jace and his sister Hope, the town doctor, to work with him to get the details. With his family’s help, Jace finds new ways to discover a killer and prove the case.
Jace’s sense of honor, humility, a strong sense of duty, and a love of family makes him try to be everything to everyone. He shows his concern by helping those in need. The events that caused his resignation from his military career haunt his dreams because he believes he let his team down. Jace is the type of man one wants in their community.
The unique premise delivers a perspective on our world and reactions following a catastrophe—the good, bad, and greedy sides. The descriptions of the people, buildings, activities, and countryside come alive in Survival. Rather than get beaten by the uncontrollable, community members learn to pull together. They also discover that their deep-seated faith can bring comfort to their lives.
The narration by Kyle Tait is flawless. His voice adds dimension to Jace and pulls out the emotion in each scene with perfect pauses and ideal intonation. His velvety voice delivered individual tones to identify each character, like distinctive colors of the rainbow. The talent of this voice actor made listening to a nearly non-stop activity—a sensational story narrated unforgettably. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy exciting characters in unusual situations that rise to the occasion. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
February 21, 2023
The exciting and believable debut of Lisa Harris’s Christian dystopian series, FALLOUT.
Survival is the first book in Lisa Harris’s Christian dystopian series, Fallout, and it’s been most appropriately described as “Longmire meets Jericho.” As an enthusiast of the dystopian/post-apocalyptic sub-genre, I can confidently say this book will go down as one of my favorites, and now I can’t wait to dive into the subsequent novels!
Jace McQuaid is an earnest and engaging protagonist, though I was initially surprised he took the lead, not his father. (I think the comparison to Longmire set up that expectation.) But it is through Jace’s point of view that the story unfolds, and we also get an additional subplot regarding his father to follow.The plot felt more realistic than many other books I’ve read in this subgenre. There are a lot of unknowns as people struggle to survive, which I think would be the case. With their lines of communication gone, I don’t think anyone would really know (by this point in the story) what had caused technology’s collapse. As a radio operator, I would like to believe that some communication system would have regenerated pretty quickly, though. There are still quite a few Elmers and MacGyvers out there working with minimal tech. However, not having that up and running created limitations that made for a great story.
I liked that Jace and others always considered the impact “The Quake” had upon their neighbors, whether when trying to lend support or figure out what the bad guy would do next, given the circumstances. As adversity brings out the best and the worst in people, I hope most would tend to the good. I really enjoyed the mentions of how the town’s older residents had been sought out for their knowledge and memories of how things were done before technological conveniences became the norm.Besides the dystopian storyline, there is romance. Starting as a warm and tentative attraction, Jace and Morgan have internal conflicts over letting their relationship grow into something more. Despite some differences, they are good together, and I was all for them becoming a couple. Little Noah was a sweet handful, and he made me smile.
With an exciting and realistic plot, engaging characters, and a desolate, dystopian west Texas setting, I recommend SURVIVAL to readers who enjoy dystopian stories with a romantic subplot and, so far, no viruses or zombies.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
February 20, 2023
4.5 Stars
This puts surviving on a whole other level!
Imagine for a moment that the world went dark. No internet. No cell phones. No electricity. No radio. No planes. No vehicles, unless you had gasoline. Supplies were now the commodity. Cash meant nothing. Everything you knew changed in a moment. Unfortunately, “the quake” left more in its wake than just the loss of electricity. Lives were lost. People were unable to get back home if they were away.
Former military Jace McQuaid came to town to celebrate the anniversary of his parents but quickly found his role dramatically different. After crime and loss leaves Jace’s father medically and emotionally unable to fulfill his duty, Jace finds himself taking over for his father in law enforcement. His father is lost. His town is lost.
After her husband is killed on the day of the quake, Morgan Addison went from wife to widow and single mother, running some of the town’s greenhouses. Her husband was killed on the day of the quake. Jace looks after her, as he does all of the other widows in town…or does he pay special attention to her?
Feelings collide amidst the Buffalo Raider attack on Shadow Ridge as Jace struggles to find God in all of this while trying to keep control of the situation. With two already dead, he doesn’t want to lose anyone else and needs to make some decisions. Can Jace figure it all out in time?
Lisa Harris does it again! This Christian fiction, apocalyptic story allows you to put yourself in the character’s shoes, while also providing some inspirational and spiritual applications we can utilize even in today’s world. Harris takes you on an emotional and spiritual journey through her characters.
“Sometimes what you’ve been looking for your whole life turns out to be what you’ve been frantically running away from.”
“I guess it’s because even though I can’t change the past, I can at least try to change the present.”
There are five books in this series already out, and I cannot wait to dive into all of them
This puts surviving on a whole other level!
Imagine for a moment that the world went dark. No internet. No cell phones. No electricity. No radio. No planes. No vehicles, unless you had gasoline. Supplies were now the commodity. Cash meant nothing. Everything you knew changed in a moment. Unfortunately, “the quake” left more in its wake than just the loss of electricity. Lives were lost. People were unable to get back home if they were away.
Former military Jace McQuaid came to town to celebrate the anniversary of his parents but quickly found his role dramatically different. After crime and loss leaves Jace’s father medically and emotionally unable to fulfill his duty, Jace finds himself taking over for his father in law enforcement. His father is lost. His town is lost.
After her husband is killed on the day of the quake, Morgan Addison went from wife to widow and single mother, running some of the town’s greenhouses. Her husband was killed on the day of the quake. Jace looks after her, as he does all of the other widows in town…or does he pay special attention to her?
Feelings collide amidst the Buffalo Raider attack on Shadow Ridge as Jace struggles to find God in all of this while trying to keep control of the situation. With two already dead, he doesn’t want to lose anyone else and needs to make some decisions. Can Jace figure it all out in time?
Lisa Harris does it again! This Christian fiction, apocalyptic story allows you to put yourself in the character’s shoes, while also providing some inspirational and spiritual applications we can utilize even in today’s world. Harris takes you on an emotional and spiritual journey through her characters.
“Sometimes what you’ve been looking for your whole life turns out to be what you’ve been frantically running away from.”
“I guess it’s because even though I can’t change the past, I can at least try to change the present.”
There are five books in this series already out, and I cannot wait to dive into all of them
February 20, 2023
Survival is a quick-paced dystopian story set in far West Texas. It starts with a shooting and ends with a shooting, but in the mix, you have a small town finding ways to survive a new normal after what they call a quake hits and the entire grid goes down.
The beauty of author Lisa Harris’s writing is in the believability of the story, the authentic character dialogue, and the fascinating exploration into how crime and criminals evolve, post-apocalypse. Jace and Morgan are the central characters, and as their relationship deepens, it is surrounded by murders creating romantic suspense. Solving those murders becomes central to protecting the small town. Religious aspects are mixed in this story, but not in a heavy-handed way and not a turn-off for me.
Naturally, my biologist background kicked in while reading Survival, so I noted a few things that most other readers likely wouldn’t. For example, the story mentions blue “gamma” grass (it is blue grama grass), and in my encounters with Barbary sheep in the wild, those sheep are not typically vocal and have always been soundless except for their hooves scrambling over rocks.
Survival takes readers along for a fictitious ride that we all hope never comes to fruition — and makes you realize that everyone in a community has the ability to contribute when desperate times are upon them. (Oh, and it also makes you realize that you should have print copies of all your books.)
If you are looking for a fast weekend read, Survival is a good bet and a great escape.
The beauty of author Lisa Harris’s writing is in the believability of the story, the authentic character dialogue, and the fascinating exploration into how crime and criminals evolve, post-apocalypse. Jace and Morgan are the central characters, and as their relationship deepens, it is surrounded by murders creating romantic suspense. Solving those murders becomes central to protecting the small town. Religious aspects are mixed in this story, but not in a heavy-handed way and not a turn-off for me.
Naturally, my biologist background kicked in while reading Survival, so I noted a few things that most other readers likely wouldn’t. For example, the story mentions blue “gamma” grass (it is blue grama grass), and in my encounters with Barbary sheep in the wild, those sheep are not typically vocal and have always been soundless except for their hooves scrambling over rocks.
Survival takes readers along for a fictitious ride that we all hope never comes to fruition — and makes you realize that everyone in a community has the ability to contribute when desperate times are upon them. (Oh, and it also makes you realize that you should have print copies of all your books.)
If you are looking for a fast weekend read, Survival is a good bet and a great escape.
February 13, 2023
A town has been knocked off the grid, and for the characters in this book, there is no end in sight. The author, while giving us some background, then drops us into the story after almost a year of the town learning to adapt to their new normal.
Jace, the main character, has been volun-told (not really volunteered but more like forced) into the position of leading the police department for this small town. While most of the town is just trying to survive, there are glimpses of life still managing to be somewhat normal.
While the book’s focus is on Jace, we do get a little insight into recently widowed Morgan and her son Noah. Most of the other characters are not nearly as well developed, however they do add some accessories to the story and hopefully are potentially better expanded during the series.
The town’s lack of resources and the ways they have learned to cope is lightly explored. Also little is told about the world outside of this small town.
Being the first book in this series, there are a number of items left unknown. There is a lot of stories that could be explored here. Being a curious person, reading this book, where I couldn’t know everything, was a bit of a challenge for me.
This is definitely a sweet romance; as such there are more thoughts than actions. The story does have instances of religious foundation and experiences, but that is done with a light hand and works well in the weave of the plot.
I see a lot of potential here for a variety of books and look forward to discovering how the author has developed this series.
Jace, the main character, has been volun-told (not really volunteered but more like forced) into the position of leading the police department for this small town. While most of the town is just trying to survive, there are glimpses of life still managing to be somewhat normal.
While the book’s focus is on Jace, we do get a little insight into recently widowed Morgan and her son Noah. Most of the other characters are not nearly as well developed, however they do add some accessories to the story and hopefully are potentially better expanded during the series.
The town’s lack of resources and the ways they have learned to cope is lightly explored. Also little is told about the world outside of this small town.
Being the first book in this series, there are a number of items left unknown. There is a lot of stories that could be explored here. Being a curious person, reading this book, where I couldn’t know everything, was a bit of a challenge for me.
This is definitely a sweet romance; as such there are more thoughts than actions. The story does have instances of religious foundation and experiences, but that is done with a light hand and works well in the weave of the plot.
I see a lot of potential here for a variety of books and look forward to discovering how the author has developed this series.
February 6, 2023
Jace McQuaid found himself thrown into a situation he never wanted. He had to protect the residents of a small Texas town after a catastrophic event took down the grid, leaving them isolated and vulnerable. He'd only come for a family celebration. Now, he's trapped.
This story portrays an all-too-real scenario that I wonder if we all don't worry about on some level. It could happen, and that's what drew me into the story. I found myself asking what I'd do if or when this occurs.
Jace was a character I immediately connected with. He comes home to Shadow Ridge to escape his past, but he has secrets that torment him. But most of all, he is burdened with a sense of duty. Because of his intensive military training, he is the only logical choice to step into his father's shoes and protect the town.
But as will inevitably happen, there is a group of people with evil intent who want the life-saving supplies Shadow Ridge has. When dead bodies start to turn up, Jace's job is suddenly more pressing. With no modern technology that is normally used to gather crime evidence, he's left to primitive ways of solving the murders.
Morgan Addison is a widow raising a young son. She is a strong woman, and I relate to her character. Neither she nor Jace can deny the feelings that begin to develop between them. Events unfold that bring them closer together. But each has their reasons for not wanting to admit to their attraction.
The author did a good job of unfolding the story in layers. I rooted for the people of this tiny community. I wanted them to survive and for the evildoers to be caught. And while there was a bit too much preachy religion included in the story for my taste, I still enjoyed the plot and storyline. I would give this story 3 1/2 stars and round up to 4 for the purpose of rating. If you love stories with strong characters, strong faith, and lots of conflicts, this would be a book you would enjoy.
This story portrays an all-too-real scenario that I wonder if we all don't worry about on some level. It could happen, and that's what drew me into the story. I found myself asking what I'd do if or when this occurs.
Jace was a character I immediately connected with. He comes home to Shadow Ridge to escape his past, but he has secrets that torment him. But most of all, he is burdened with a sense of duty. Because of his intensive military training, he is the only logical choice to step into his father's shoes and protect the town.
But as will inevitably happen, there is a group of people with evil intent who want the life-saving supplies Shadow Ridge has. When dead bodies start to turn up, Jace's job is suddenly more pressing. With no modern technology that is normally used to gather crime evidence, he's left to primitive ways of solving the murders.
Morgan Addison is a widow raising a young son. She is a strong woman, and I relate to her character. Neither she nor Jace can deny the feelings that begin to develop between them. Events unfold that bring them closer together. But each has their reasons for not wanting to admit to their attraction.
The author did a good job of unfolding the story in layers. I rooted for the people of this tiny community. I wanted them to survive and for the evildoers to be caught. And while there was a bit too much preachy religion included in the story for my taste, I still enjoyed the plot and storyline. I would give this story 3 1/2 stars and round up to 4 for the purpose of rating. If you love stories with strong characters, strong faith, and lots of conflicts, this would be a book you would enjoy.
October 29, 2021
Have you ever wondered what happens if the Grid goes down? In Survival Lisa Harris paints a vivid picture of what the world might look like if everything we know stops working. The story opens with a bang and continues with a few murders, a bank explosion, and a kidnapping. The hero Jace McQuaid is the acting sheriff and must go old school to solve the crime since none of the modern crime solving tools are available. The heroine Morgan Addison is a resourceful gal who knows how to take care of herself and her son. Morgan’s slimy brother-in-law appears to be behind the mayhem in the city and his connection brings Jace and Morgan together. In the end, the book has some great suspenseful moments, a nice faith message, and a sweet romance. However, the overarching problem – who brought the grid down and why – is still unknown. Future installments of the Fallout series will bring us closer to an answer no doubt.
October 29, 2021
With the first pages I thought of Terri Blackstock's series I read long ago.
I did live at a time without services of running water, flushing toilets, no phones and electricity till the age of 10. Working with primary school age kids and telling this is unbelievable to them. I don't play games or watch tv so I'm considered strange/boring. (I live in Australia sw)
the covid time has either made neighbours independent and growing food and the isolating ourselves not a great hardship but to others socialising is everything. (Mental Health cry) If going off grid did happen there are going to be people who will not comply to rules to keep a community working together.
Even though this is work of fiction, I do wonder? Dependency on technology communication. (would it be seen as backwards of progress if what we have now seized with no end in sight of why the grid collapsed. conspiracy would thrive more so) Faith will be necessary.
I did live at a time without services of running water, flushing toilets, no phones and electricity till the age of 10. Working with primary school age kids and telling this is unbelievable to them. I don't play games or watch tv so I'm considered strange/boring. (I live in Australia sw)
the covid time has either made neighbours independent and growing food and the isolating ourselves not a great hardship but to others socialising is everything. (Mental Health cry) If going off grid did happen there are going to be people who will not comply to rules to keep a community working together.
Even though this is work of fiction, I do wonder? Dependency on technology communication. (would it be seen as backwards of progress if what we have now seized with no end in sight of why the grid collapsed. conspiracy would thrive more so) Faith will be necessary.
October 26, 2021
A very different kind of story. Have you ever thought about what the world would be like without power of any kind. Reminded me of how I grew up. I was 16 years old before we had electricity. When the electric grid goes down Jace has to take over as lawman when his sheriff father is injured. There are gangs roaming the towns and highways and he doesn’t have much help to keep things under control. Suspense aplenty to keep you turning pages. And a bit of Romance as well.
November 27, 2021
Thought Provoking
Lisa Harris addresses what a small western town might face as a result of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) taking out all electric power. The things that are normally taken for granted are no longer available. In the midst of it all murder and theft take place. Jace came to town for his parent’s anniversary celebration. Now he is the law. Morgan lost her husband and is raising her son alone. Read to find out what happens next.
Lisa Harris addresses what a small western town might face as a result of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) taking out all electric power. The things that are normally taken for granted are no longer available. In the midst of it all murder and theft take place. Jace came to town for his parent’s anniversary celebration. Now he is the law. Morgan lost her husband and is raising her son alone. Read to find out what happens next.
October 28, 2021
What would life be like if the grid went down and you had no phone, no internet, no electricity, no gasoline? Yikes! Are you prepared to live off the land? Are crime fighters ready to solve crimes the old-fashioned way with no technology? Join author Lisa Harris for Book 1 "Survival' from her new Fallout series to find out! Lisa Harris has lived in Africa for many years and at times learned firsthand what it's like to live off the grid.
Jace McQuaid had not intended to stay in his hometown of Shadow Ridge, Texas. He only came for a visit for his parents anniversary when all hell broke loose. Now he is stepping up to the plate to protect this town. He needs to learn a valuable lesson that all does not depend on him. "You didn't have to take the job." "No, but sometimes a man has to stand up for what's right, even when he doesn't think he has the strength to do it. Good men like your father, and Jeremiah."
Hope says to Morgan; "As a doctor, my first instinct is to want to fix all of this, but this past year has shown me I can't. All I can do is keep my eyes fixed on God and remember that all of this is temporary. And remind you of the same thing." Morgan Addison lost her husband in an accident when this all began. She has learned to depend only on herself to keep her young son safe. Join these two and a lovely cast of secondary characters to get a feel for what life would be like without all the modern conveniences that we are used to having.
I love Lisa Harris' romantic suspense stories! This series definitely has a different angle, but I found it very intriguing and I could not stop turning pages. It is not one I will soon forget. I can't wait for the rest of the series. You do not want to miss this!
I highly recommend Survival and thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Jace McQuaid had not intended to stay in his hometown of Shadow Ridge, Texas. He only came for a visit for his parents anniversary when all hell broke loose. Now he is stepping up to the plate to protect this town. He needs to learn a valuable lesson that all does not depend on him. "You didn't have to take the job." "No, but sometimes a man has to stand up for what's right, even when he doesn't think he has the strength to do it. Good men like your father, and Jeremiah."
Hope says to Morgan; "As a doctor, my first instinct is to want to fix all of this, but this past year has shown me I can't. All I can do is keep my eyes fixed on God and remember that all of this is temporary. And remind you of the same thing." Morgan Addison lost her husband in an accident when this all began. She has learned to depend only on herself to keep her young son safe. Join these two and a lovely cast of secondary characters to get a feel for what life would be like without all the modern conveniences that we are used to having.
I love Lisa Harris' romantic suspense stories! This series definitely has a different angle, but I found it very intriguing and I could not stop turning pages. It is not one I will soon forget. I can't wait for the rest of the series. You do not want to miss this!
I highly recommend Survival and thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2021
Survival is a most thought-provoking novel. Shadow Ridge is a town located in a part of the country which was suddenly affected by an electromagnetic pulse which literally shut the power grid down leaving people stranded with no telecommunications, having to ration food and what fuel is currently available, and relying on each other for basic needs. Jace McQuaid is forced by circumstances to remain and try to keep some semblance of law and order while trying to keep those he holds dear safe from intruders with evil intent. And what of those who were on other missions and are now considered missing? Survival certainly depicts what horrifying events could occur in such circumstances. The book does leave some questions unanswered which I hope will be dealt with in the remaining books of this series.
I received an ARC to read and review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I received an ARC to read and review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
February 28, 2023
The unthinkable meets the unimaginable in this creative new book that has the entire grid go down and the little town of Shadow Ridge, Texas, left to survive on its own. The townspeople have to find ways to get water, grow food, and cook meals without any electricity. Reading this book was like reading a book about a disaster that could actually happen one day. No one knows why the grid went down in the event called the Quake, but everyone knows their lives have changed. Jace and Levi are visiting their parents for their anniversary and now they can’t leave town because there is no transportation or even a way to call others to find out what is happening outside of their little world.. Since Jace’s father Garrett was injured badly and can’t return to law enforcement, Jace fills the gap and is determined to do his best to keep the town safe from roving bandits and crime. The book was fast-paced and horrifyingly believable. There are multiple layers to the story, with family relationships, the innocence of childhood and the criminals who want to destroy the town and everyone in it. I really enjoyed how the layers were revealed, with each chapter bringing more excitement and some high drama. I also enjoyed the underlying love story when Jace decides that he really would like to get to know single mother Morgan better. There is so much tragedy in this book, but there is more hope, a desire to forge a better future and to trust that goodness and love are still possible. I was delighted to know that this is the first book in a new series and look forward to the second Fallout book. Excitement and some good practical means to survive if you are off the grid are only part of what is included in this amazing book!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her review team. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her review team. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
June 22, 2022
An adrenaline rush of a read! And a riveting start to Lisa Harris' new Dystopian-ish suspense series and I'm ready to dive into the third book (have already read the second...yes, this is me, reading a series out of order...again!)
Love the modern day Wild West vibe to this series. Law enforcement trying to keep the peace without all the technological tools we've become so reliant upon. It's a huge learning curve that makes it a struggle to keep up with bad guys... shudder, so many bad guys. But there are also plenty of stalwart Shadow Ridge citizens who have learned to work together for the greater good of the community.
So, this book starts out with an eye-popping opening scene and then fast forwards eight months, revealing a Dystopian world that's operating with a little bit of 21st century ingenuity and a whole lot of 19th century pioneer know-how. Completely fascinating!
And then there's a second chance romance for widowed Morgan and the town's reluctant sheriff, Jace McQuaid. Perfect set up for so much angst, and Harris does an amazing job of capturing the desperation and fear as the reality of their situation nearly overwhelms them. Phew -- I was living each moment with them from beginning to end!
Thankfully, the author relieves the tension with some incredible inspirational scenes that bring hope and comfort...once Jace is through wrestling with God over all the 'what ifs' and 'whys' that have been plaguing him.
Summed up in one word: Unputdownable!
Love the modern day Wild West vibe to this series. Law enforcement trying to keep the peace without all the technological tools we've become so reliant upon. It's a huge learning curve that makes it a struggle to keep up with bad guys... shudder, so many bad guys. But there are also plenty of stalwart Shadow Ridge citizens who have learned to work together for the greater good of the community.
So, this book starts out with an eye-popping opening scene and then fast forwards eight months, revealing a Dystopian world that's operating with a little bit of 21st century ingenuity and a whole lot of 19th century pioneer know-how. Completely fascinating!
And then there's a second chance romance for widowed Morgan and the town's reluctant sheriff, Jace McQuaid. Perfect set up for so much angst, and Harris does an amazing job of capturing the desperation and fear as the reality of their situation nearly overwhelms them. Phew -- I was living each moment with them from beginning to end!
Thankfully, the author relieves the tension with some incredible inspirational scenes that bring hope and comfort...once Jace is through wrestling with God over all the 'what ifs' and 'whys' that have been plaguing him.
Summed up in one word: Unputdownable!
February 24, 2023
I live in southeastern Louisiana. Hurricane country. We often consider and plan for situations where we might find ourselves without power for a day or two, maybe as much as a week. We have a good supply of bottled water and a stash of emergency food. We have a gas stove, so we’d be able to cook without electricity. We make sure we have batteries and flashlights and battery packs to keep cell phones charged. For a handful of days, we’d be okay. A little inconvenienced, sure, but okay.But what if the grid as we know it was just…gone? And it didn’t come back. Days, weeks, what would people do? No cars. (I live about eleven miles from work. Without a car, I wouldn’t be working.) No cell phone. No computers. No refrigeration. No running water without electricity to power the pumps. This is what the folks in Shadow Ridge, Texas are dealing with in Survival.
The book opens roughly nine months after what people are calling “the Quake.” Basically cut off from the world, they have no idea what caused the grid failure. Was it an EMP? A terrorist attack? Did it affect just their town? Their county? All of Texas? The entire country? Imagine how unsettling that would be, simply not knowing.
Jace McQuaid is our reluctant hero. He came back for a family celebration, and now he finds himself pressed into service as the town’s sheriff. He had no intentions of following in his father’s law enforcement footsteps, but here he is. Morgan Addison lost her husband at a young age, and now she’s a single mom raising her 6-year-old son Noah. She’s grieving her husband’s death while trying to help her son adjust to this new, vastly changed world.
By and large, people are working together to help each other and their community. The library is a gathering place and information hub, and people are digging up all the information they can get on how to do things without the technology they used to have. But when one of their own goes rogue and holds one man hostage, and another man is found murdered, Jace has to figure out how to solve a crime the old-fashioned way.
Jace and Morgan are the most fully developed characters, and they’re both easy to love. I was a single mom for a handful of years, so I can relate a little to Morgan. It’s hard work, even without the added stress of finding yourself basically in pioneer times. Imagine telling your 6-year-old that there’s no more TV, no more internet. Mine wouldn’t have taken it well! Morgan is doing the best she can with what she has, and trying desperately not to let herself fall for Jace. Likewise, Jace is trying to resist the growing feelings he has for Morgan. The romance isn’t center stage in the story, but it’s enough of a thread to be engaging, and I hope to see their relationship grow in future books.
The story has a little something for everyone. It’s got romance, action, family drama, suspense, and dystopia. And faith is an important aspect of the story. Harris doesn’t just pay lip service to the idea that people might rely more heavily on God in a very challenging time. Jace and Morgan, in particular, clearly demonstrate how central their faith is, even when it’s hard to trust that God is still at work.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but that isn’t enough for me not to love this book. It was a quick read and left me wanting to know what happens next, and that’s what good stories do. I’m glad there are more to come in the series. What would you miss the most if you were in a situation like Survival? Leave a comment and let me know!
Five construction paper stars for Survival (because with no power, I can’t have ones that light up!).
The book opens roughly nine months after what people are calling “the Quake.” Basically cut off from the world, they have no idea what caused the grid failure. Was it an EMP? A terrorist attack? Did it affect just their town? Their county? All of Texas? The entire country? Imagine how unsettling that would be, simply not knowing.
Jace McQuaid is our reluctant hero. He came back for a family celebration, and now he finds himself pressed into service as the town’s sheriff. He had no intentions of following in his father’s law enforcement footsteps, but here he is. Morgan Addison lost her husband at a young age, and now she’s a single mom raising her 6-year-old son Noah. She’s grieving her husband’s death while trying to help her son adjust to this new, vastly changed world.
By and large, people are working together to help each other and their community. The library is a gathering place and information hub, and people are digging up all the information they can get on how to do things without the technology they used to have. But when one of their own goes rogue and holds one man hostage, and another man is found murdered, Jace has to figure out how to solve a crime the old-fashioned way.
Jace and Morgan are the most fully developed characters, and they’re both easy to love. I was a single mom for a handful of years, so I can relate a little to Morgan. It’s hard work, even without the added stress of finding yourself basically in pioneer times. Imagine telling your 6-year-old that there’s no more TV, no more internet. Mine wouldn’t have taken it well! Morgan is doing the best she can with what she has, and trying desperately not to let herself fall for Jace. Likewise, Jace is trying to resist the growing feelings he has for Morgan. The romance isn’t center stage in the story, but it’s enough of a thread to be engaging, and I hope to see their relationship grow in future books.
The story has a little something for everyone. It’s got romance, action, family drama, suspense, and dystopia. And faith is an important aspect of the story. Harris doesn’t just pay lip service to the idea that people might rely more heavily on God in a very challenging time. Jace and Morgan, in particular, clearly demonstrate how central their faith is, even when it’s hard to trust that God is still at work.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but that isn’t enough for me not to love this book. It was a quick read and left me wanting to know what happens next, and that’s what good stories do. I’m glad there are more to come in the series. What would you miss the most if you were in a situation like Survival? Leave a comment and let me know!
Five construction paper stars for Survival (because with no power, I can’t have ones that light up!).
February 21, 2023
The first book in Lisa Harris’s Fallout Series, about life in a small Texas town after an EMP event knocks out the power grid is a fascinating combination of mystery, science fiction, and good old hometown drama. Her take on the common post-apocalyptic trope is a fresh one – the blending of police work and a touch of romance really add depth to the concept. More importantly, this novel is as much character-based as plot-based.
The lead characters of Jace McQuaid, the reluctant lawman, and Morgan Addison, the sister of one of the villains of the piece, are both well drawn and interesting. I liked that Jace questioned his unintended role in the town’s law enforcement, and I also liked that the relationship between Morgan and Jace was formed from a strong friendship, and that romance was secondary to the main plot, adding color, but never overshadowing the mystery. The supporting characters were also well-drawn, but I think my favorite was Hope, the town doctor, who reminded me very much of Doc Baker from the Little House on the Prairie series, but female. Her description of her newly acquire4d extra goat and chickens as payment for her services was both amusing and poignant. I confess to an audible “awww’ during a crucial scene between Jace and Morgan’s young son.
I want to applaud the author’s choice NOT to make solving the EMP problem or reestablishing electricity a core plot point. As this is the first book in a series, and there are several titles listed as coming in the future, doing so would have ruined her setup, first of all, but would also have taken us out of the bubble that a single, small town can be. Having a finite area and a limited number of characters makes for tighter storytelling, and Harris is an amazing storyteller. Details like the fact that the library had become a local meeting place and an information exchange really made this version of Texas feel real, and I loved that she had townspeople researching and growing medicinal herbs.
While this book is very entertaining as a piece of fiction, I also found it extremely thought-provoking. Our world where HOAs dictate what we can grow in our own yards has moved far away from the practice of kitchen gardens, but such gardens can be literal lifesavers in the event of a real emergency. (This is not an endorsement of people becoming urban or suburban chicken farmers because of a temporary spike in the price of eggs.) I’m not the type to become a prepper, but I feel like I should plant the zucchini and tomatoes I’ve been contemplating sooner rather than later. After all, we cannot survive on basil alone.
Overall, this novel is a very promising opening to what I hope will be a successful series. It was well-paced and perfectly crafted, and I will happily read more in this world.
Goes well with: hot tea and homemade blueberry pie.
The lead characters of Jace McQuaid, the reluctant lawman, and Morgan Addison, the sister of one of the villains of the piece, are both well drawn and interesting. I liked that Jace questioned his unintended role in the town’s law enforcement, and I also liked that the relationship between Morgan and Jace was formed from a strong friendship, and that romance was secondary to the main plot, adding color, but never overshadowing the mystery. The supporting characters were also well-drawn, but I think my favorite was Hope, the town doctor, who reminded me very much of Doc Baker from the Little House on the Prairie series, but female. Her description of her newly acquire4d extra goat and chickens as payment for her services was both amusing and poignant. I confess to an audible “awww’ during a crucial scene between Jace and Morgan’s young son.
I want to applaud the author’s choice NOT to make solving the EMP problem or reestablishing electricity a core plot point. As this is the first book in a series, and there are several titles listed as coming in the future, doing so would have ruined her setup, first of all, but would also have taken us out of the bubble that a single, small town can be. Having a finite area and a limited number of characters makes for tighter storytelling, and Harris is an amazing storyteller. Details like the fact that the library had become a local meeting place and an information exchange really made this version of Texas feel real, and I loved that she had townspeople researching and growing medicinal herbs.
While this book is very entertaining as a piece of fiction, I also found it extremely thought-provoking. Our world where HOAs dictate what we can grow in our own yards has moved far away from the practice of kitchen gardens, but such gardens can be literal lifesavers in the event of a real emergency. (This is not an endorsement of people becoming urban or suburban chicken farmers because of a temporary spike in the price of eggs.) I’m not the type to become a prepper, but I feel like I should plant the zucchini and tomatoes I’ve been contemplating sooner rather than later. After all, we cannot survive on basil alone.
Overall, this novel is a very promising opening to what I hope will be a successful series. It was well-paced and perfectly crafted, and I will happily read more in this world.
Goes well with: hot tea and homemade blueberry pie.
February 20, 2023
"It's not the first thing I've had to do outside my comfort zone, and I'm sure it won't be the last."
Survival by Lisa Harris is the first in the Fallout series and hits the dystopian bullseye, delivering an entertaining tale of survival when the grid goes down for who knows why and for how long and when some people become greedy, feral, and deadly.
Most of the people in the small Texas town of Shadow Ridge rallied when everything electronic failed, when life as everyone knew it reverted back to the old ways of living. Jace McQuaid wasn’t planning on staying in Shadow Ridge and certainly wasn’t planning on becoming the law in a now lawless town. But when his law enforcement father is seriously injured, Jace and his younger brother, Levi, step in to keep the peace. Was it an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or maybe an act of terrorism? How many regions were affected? Cut off from the world, the people of Shadow Ridge, Texas, are simply calling it a ‘quake’ and now relying on a few basic skills and even fewer resources to push through and exist. Like many others, Morgan Addison and her young son, Noah, are alone after the quake, working hard to keep themselves and the remaining townspeople fed and safe. Unfortunately, danger is always lurking and ready to strike.
Survival is naturally quick paced as everyone tries to adapt, but the overall story is steady, flowing with the movement of living off the land, pooling knowledge and resources, and taking one day at a time in a world no one recognizes anymore. When little Noah witnesses a murder, the simple yet complex world of providing food, shelter, and safety becomes even more unrecognizable.
Lisa Harris provides a unique Christian-based view of what happens when the grid goes down. Not everyone splits off and becomes rogue, but it only takes a few to keep a town on edge and afraid. The questions are clear. How will you respond? How will you help? How will you survive? What is also clear is the importance of having even rudimentary knowledge of basic skills when electricity and other modern conveniences and technologies are no longer options. Growing food, administering first aid, and even showing compassion can make all the difference. Survival highlights all this and more, providing readers with plenty to ponder and enough action to keep the story moving right along. Add in a bit of romance, and Survival becomes a a complete package of danger, endurance, purpose, and love. The next in this series cannot come soon enough!
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Survival by Lisa Harris is the first in the Fallout series and hits the dystopian bullseye, delivering an entertaining tale of survival when the grid goes down for who knows why and for how long and when some people become greedy, feral, and deadly.
Most of the people in the small Texas town of Shadow Ridge rallied when everything electronic failed, when life as everyone knew it reverted back to the old ways of living. Jace McQuaid wasn’t planning on staying in Shadow Ridge and certainly wasn’t planning on becoming the law in a now lawless town. But when his law enforcement father is seriously injured, Jace and his younger brother, Levi, step in to keep the peace. Was it an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or maybe an act of terrorism? How many regions were affected? Cut off from the world, the people of Shadow Ridge, Texas, are simply calling it a ‘quake’ and now relying on a few basic skills and even fewer resources to push through and exist. Like many others, Morgan Addison and her young son, Noah, are alone after the quake, working hard to keep themselves and the remaining townspeople fed and safe. Unfortunately, danger is always lurking and ready to strike.
Survival is naturally quick paced as everyone tries to adapt, but the overall story is steady, flowing with the movement of living off the land, pooling knowledge and resources, and taking one day at a time in a world no one recognizes anymore. When little Noah witnesses a murder, the simple yet complex world of providing food, shelter, and safety becomes even more unrecognizable.
Lisa Harris provides a unique Christian-based view of what happens when the grid goes down. Not everyone splits off and becomes rogue, but it only takes a few to keep a town on edge and afraid. The questions are clear. How will you respond? How will you help? How will you survive? What is also clear is the importance of having even rudimentary knowledge of basic skills when electricity and other modern conveniences and technologies are no longer options. Growing food, administering first aid, and even showing compassion can make all the difference. Survival highlights all this and more, providing readers with plenty to ponder and enough action to keep the story moving right along. Add in a bit of romance, and Survival becomes a a complete package of danger, endurance, purpose, and love. The next in this series cannot come soon enough!
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
January 28, 2022
What happens when the grid comes down? Indefinitely? No power, no internet, no anything we've come to take for granted in the first world. Lisa Harris tackles this fascinating plot line in her new series: Fallout.
Harris has great pace in all her romantic suspense stories and this one is no exception. It doesn't take long for us to meet Jace McQuaid who has been volunteered to run the police force in this small Texan town of Shadow Ridge. Jace happened to be visiting his parents who were celebrating an anniversary only for his and everyone's else's worlds to be turned upside down by the lights going off.
We get a good sense of how people react to such a disaster and there are some lovely examples of community spirit being played out with new bartering systems being established for ... well, everything. But evil is never far away and some people are just gotta take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. Over the course of a few days, a series of robberies, murders and kidnappings make McQuaid's life chaotic. Something sinister has entered his adopted town and he's the lawman who has to tackle it and protect his community.
It's good action and we're kept guessing as to who the bad guys are for much of the story. There are hints and suggestions but nothing concrete which keeps us on our toes as well as McQuaid and his volunteer police force.
Romance is important and it simmers along in parallel. Having lost her husband when the grid went down, Morgan Addison is desperate to protect her son, Noah, and isn't ready for a new romance. I liked how Harris wove this romance through the story.
The pace heats up towards the end and perhaps as a result of its shorter length, Harris elects to emphasise the romance at the end rather than perhaps a bit more suspense as the latter gets wrapped up a little too quickly.
Will the grid come back up and when? Who is responsible? All these questions are still unanswered meaning we'll have to look forward to the next in the series. Fortunately, it's only a couple of weeks away from being released.
Harris has great pace in all her romantic suspense stories and this one is no exception. It doesn't take long for us to meet Jace McQuaid who has been volunteered to run the police force in this small Texan town of Shadow Ridge. Jace happened to be visiting his parents who were celebrating an anniversary only for his and everyone's else's worlds to be turned upside down by the lights going off.
We get a good sense of how people react to such a disaster and there are some lovely examples of community spirit being played out with new bartering systems being established for ... well, everything. But evil is never far away and some people are just gotta take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. Over the course of a few days, a series of robberies, murders and kidnappings make McQuaid's life chaotic. Something sinister has entered his adopted town and he's the lawman who has to tackle it and protect his community.
It's good action and we're kept guessing as to who the bad guys are for much of the story. There are hints and suggestions but nothing concrete which keeps us on our toes as well as McQuaid and his volunteer police force.
Romance is important and it simmers along in parallel. Having lost her husband when the grid went down, Morgan Addison is desperate to protect her son, Noah, and isn't ready for a new romance. I liked how Harris wove this romance through the story.
The pace heats up towards the end and perhaps as a result of its shorter length, Harris elects to emphasise the romance at the end rather than perhaps a bit more suspense as the latter gets wrapped up a little too quickly.
Will the grid come back up and when? Who is responsible? All these questions are still unanswered meaning we'll have to look forward to the next in the series. Fortunately, it's only a couple of weeks away from being released.
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