What do you think?
Rate this book
Fracture #1
Fracture
An unprecedented disaster. A world on the brink. One man will stop at nothing until his family is safe.
Fault lines begin splitting apart without warning.
Entire nations are wiped out in the blink of an eye.
As the US Government pursues the man with the only theory behind what’s happening, he will do anything to reach his family… or die trying.
***
On the last day of his contract working for the Department of Defense, geologist Ben Willard is called in to investigate a string of anomalies fracturing the West Coast - and beyond.
As the chaos spreads, tens of millions are left dead or homeless. Pitted against time and the unstoppable forces of nature, Ben must risk everything to save his family. Meanwhile, the Willards fight to hold their world together as tides of destruction threaten to rip them apart.
Fault lines begin splitting apart without warning.
Entire nations are wiped out in the blink of an eye.
As the US Government pursues the man with the only theory behind what’s happening, he will do anything to reach his family… or die trying.
***
On the last day of his contract working for the Department of Defense, geologist Ben Willard is called in to investigate a string of anomalies fracturing the West Coast - and beyond.
As the chaos spreads, tens of millions are left dead or homeless. Pitted against time and the unstoppable forces of nature, Ben must risk everything to save his family. Meanwhile, the Willards fight to hold their world together as tides of destruction threaten to rip them apart.
- GenresScience Fiction
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
273 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Kenny Soward
84 books161 followersWelcome to my little space out on the web. I'm Kenny Soward, and I'm an author, musician, and once IT guy. I write books in many sub-genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy, including post-apocalyptic, military science fiction, epic fantasy, and horror. I'm influenced by authors such as Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Mark Lawrence, Dan Simmons, Robin Hobb, Robert McCammon, Larry Correia, and Mike Kraus.
I love all kinds of movies and shows from Battle Star Galactica (reboot) to the Walking Dead. There's nothing I won't try.
I grew up in Kentucky in a small suburb just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, listening to hard rock and playing outdoors. In those quiet 1970's streets, I jumped bikes, played Nerf football, and came away with many scars.
My grandfather and many of my uncles and cousins served in the United States Military, and my father was a Kentucky State Trooper. Their efforts taught me the meaning of sacrifice and gratitude. I've always had an avid curiosity about the world around me, and I hope my enthusiasm for life carries over into my stories, even the dark ones.
I love all kinds of movies and shows from Battle Star Galactica (reboot) to the Walking Dead. There's nothing I won't try.
I grew up in Kentucky in a small suburb just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, listening to hard rock and playing outdoors. In those quiet 1970's streets, I jumped bikes, played Nerf football, and came away with many scars.
My grandfather and many of my uncles and cousins served in the United States Military, and my father was a Kentucky State Trooper. Their efforts taught me the meaning of sacrifice and gratitude. I've always had an avid curiosity about the world around me, and I hope my enthusiasm for life carries over into my stories, even the dark ones.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 15, 2025
Pretty good book, I look forward to part 2.
Well written.
Well written.
August 25, 2021
Fracture - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus team up for Fracture, with an exciting new post-Apocalyptic series opener of the same name.
Ben Willard leads a team of seaborne ecologists, reporting directly to the President,via Lieutenant Colonel Mays, having assured wife Pam he'd soon be home for good.
Then a CME solar strike triggers a huge volcanic eruption off the coast of New Zealand and a mega-tsunami, quickly followed by another in Alaska, that threatens Hawaii and the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and third in Mexico. Ben's rightly worried about his parents and daughter Angel, but is
manipulated into staying with the team on an oil rig, by promises from Mays, that soon become threats. Hie makes a break for freedom, but for how long can he evade her?
Can Ben get to his parents' and rescue them, before going home to wife Pam and their other two children? Who is Kay? Why is she with Ben?
What's happening back home?
A riveting series opener, that will grab you by your emotional core and drag you right to the adrenaline-pumping heart of this all-too-believable ecological disaster survival saga, by Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus.
Get your copy of Fracture while you've got time to...then run for the hills as fast as you can!
Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus team up for Fracture, with an exciting new post-Apocalyptic series opener of the same name.
Ben Willard leads a team of seaborne ecologists, reporting directly to the President,via Lieutenant Colonel Mays, having assured wife Pam he'd soon be home for good.
Then a CME solar strike triggers a huge volcanic eruption off the coast of New Zealand and a mega-tsunami, quickly followed by another in Alaska, that threatens Hawaii and the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and third in Mexico. Ben's rightly worried about his parents and daughter Angel, but is
manipulated into staying with the team on an oil rig, by promises from Mays, that soon become threats. Hie makes a break for freedom, but for how long can he evade her?
Can Ben get to his parents' and rescue them, before going home to wife Pam and their other two children? Who is Kay? Why is she with Ben?
What's happening back home?
A riveting series opener, that will grab you by your emotional core and drag you right to the adrenaline-pumping heart of this all-too-believable ecological disaster survival saga, by Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus.
Get your copy of Fracture while you've got time to...then run for the hills as fast as you can!
January 19, 2022
I found the premise interesting, though there is no current science to substantiate any CME effect on the earth's crust. Still, accepting it in the story makes for something different than the usual CME tale. The writing was generally good and clean without many errors. The troubled marriage and work-obsessed family man has been done before. I was a bit put off by the portrayal of the military figures. At first May was fine as an officer that had a job to do with the civilian contractors working under her. No nonsense and get the job type...fine. But she morphs to an unhinge get-Ben-back-at-all-costs maniac that seems unreasonable and seems to be an attempt to let us know the military is bad, I guess. Ben's "escape" seems poorly thought out, but OK. Most of the time, he is not sure where he is, so how is the military on the spot and tracking him? How are they not already at his parents' home, waiting for him? A firefighter is in the midst of absolute devastation and takes the time to check his list of fugitives? I was ready to give this a solid 4 stars, but this bizarre Ben-tracking stuff put me off quite a lot. I am interested in continuing but hope some of these less credible issues don't persist.
June 22, 2023
The german at the beginning wasnt really german. "Sprinst" isnt a word. It's "Spring". No one the age of the daughter (18) would ever say "Ja, wolle". I dont even think my grandparents would use that anymore. Maybe sarcastic, but then it would be "Jawoll". Wolle means wool by the way.
At least let someone who actually speaks the language proofread it.
I cant decide if I like this book or not. The reasoning on
Bens and Pams three children are... idk annoying at best? I guess it might not be unreasonable but its kind of aggravating how dense they are at times. I hope they get better.
So far I dont really like any of the characters that much... Kay is nice I guess, she has some spark and her own head. So I guess I am rooting for her.
At least let someone who actually speaks the language proofread it.
I cant decide if I like this book or not. The reasoning on
Bens and Pams three children are... idk annoying at best? I guess it might not be unreasonable but its kind of aggravating how dense they are at times. I hope they get better.
So far I dont really like any of the characters that much... Kay is nice I guess, she has some spark and her own head. So I guess I am rooting for her.
July 24, 2022
This book is stupid. Yet another classic case of an author writing about something they don't have a clue about. Massive 9.0+ earthquakes ravage the world and there is not a single mention of aftershocks. Really? Whenever Ben needs internet or electricity, presto! He gets it! I guess this author has no idea that a 9.0+ earthquake would absolutely destroy all electrical lines and level any server buildings, but hey, it must be nice that Ben has everything he needs. Tsunamis supposedly wipe out the western coast of North America, yet there is never any damage Ben can't overcome. And water doesn't bury a place, it floods it. On and on I could go. This book rates as the worst I have read in 2022 (and maybe ever.) A total waste of time and you'll never get the time back in your life you spent reading this sheer garbage.
March 28, 2022
As always, frightenedly possible and believable.....
As always, all too possible and believable. Does the world end from ineptitude, true evil, indifference, or with the world scrambling for redemption? Doe we ask for help from the Divinities or as the Good Book says....shall we help those who help themselves? Shall we even contemplate that in even destroying that which gives us life ( planet, resouces, living plants and animals, the very cosmos surrounding us) we lose not only our own mankind but all those millennia yet to come and those gone before.A sobering thought worthy of reflection worthy of these turbulent thoughts.... Someone please tell Mr. Putin
As always, all too possible and believable. Does the world end from ineptitude, true evil, indifference, or with the world scrambling for redemption? Doe we ask for help from the Divinities or as the Good Book says....shall we help those who help themselves? Shall we even contemplate that in even destroying that which gives us life ( planet, resouces, living plants and animals, the very cosmos surrounding us) we lose not only our own mankind but all those millennia yet to come and those gone before.A sobering thought worthy of reflection worthy of these turbulent thoughts.... Someone please tell Mr. Putin
January 26, 2022
Exciting
I'm liking this first book in the series of fracture. The characters are endearing and realistic to the several generations represented in the family groupings and general reactions that bring out the best and worst in humanity when faced with survival. Looking forward to reading the whole series. I'm hooked!
I'm liking this first book in the series of fracture. The characters are endearing and realistic to the several generations represented in the family groupings and general reactions that bring out the best and worst in humanity when faced with survival. Looking forward to reading the whole series. I'm hooked!
February 23, 2022
I couldn't stop reading until the end!
The characters came alive in this fictional survival thriller. It's different from any of the many post-apocalyptic books that I've read. The combination of Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus is superb. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this thriller!
The characters came alive in this fictional survival thriller. It's different from any of the many post-apocalyptic books that I've read. The combination of Kenny Soward and Mike Kraus is superb. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this thriller!
February 26, 2022
A tale with a new twist on the apocalypse
Most stories on the apocalypse deal with deadly mutant viruses, EMPs or coronal mass ejections taking down the electrical grid, zombies, or nuclear Armageddon taking mankind back to the stone age. This story, however, weaves a more believable tale centered on global earthquake activity.
Most stories on the apocalypse deal with deadly mutant viruses, EMPs or coronal mass ejections taking down the electrical grid, zombies, or nuclear Armageddon taking mankind back to the stone age. This story, however, weaves a more believable tale centered on global earthquake activity.
March 16, 2022
Boring
Not gonna get the second book. This one was so slow, I found my self just skimming to get to the end. I liked the idea but too much description to just fill space. And those kids. Too disrespectful of their elders. I guess I read all the good post-apocalyptic survival books, because the last 5 I read are just not up to par. There needs to be a story.
Not gonna get the second book. This one was so slow, I found my self just skimming to get to the end. I liked the idea but too much description to just fill space. And those kids. Too disrespectful of their elders. I guess I read all the good post-apocalyptic survival books, because the last 5 I read are just not up to par. There needs to be a story.
October 27, 2021
Parts of Tennessee flood -
Parts of Tennessee flood -
Nashville
Waverly
Shouldn’t have answered the radio. She would have no proof.
He forgot his water & jerky.
How are they tracking him ?
Parts of Tennessee flood -
Nashville
Waverly
Shouldn’t have answered the radio. She would have no proof.
He forgot his water & jerky.
How are they tracking him ?
May 30, 2022
Good read
I read this in 2 days. Got my attention right away. I need to read the next book to find out what happens. Humans can decide to pull together or make things worse during natural or man made disasters...
I read this in 2 days. Got my attention right away. I need to read the next book to find out what happens. Humans can decide to pull together or make things worse during natural or man made disasters...
July 29, 2022
fracture book 1
Earthquakes, Tsunamis, the length of the west coast of America. And many more to come. A family split three ways in distance. Try to care for themselves first. Roll on book 2
Earthquakes, Tsunamis, the length of the west coast of America. And many more to come. A family split three ways in distance. Try to care for themselves first. Roll on book 2
April 19, 2023
The big one hits the west coast.
How will the Willard family survive this catastrophe? Ben is hiding from the Army, Pam is trying to get home to their kids and Grandpa is seriously wounded while trying to save a neighbor. Can things get worse?
How will the Willard family survive this catastrophe? Ben is hiding from the Army, Pam is trying to get home to their kids and Grandpa is seriously wounded while trying to save a neighbor. Can things get worse?
August 26, 2021
Another great series by two outstanding authors. A world in trouble, a man looking for his family. How will this all end. There’s a time in the book I held my breath. A book worth reading.
September 3, 2021
No respect
Ben doesn't get respect for his skills and the government doesn't value its people. The author did a great job getting us involved with the story.
Ben doesn't get respect for his skills and the government doesn't value its people. The author did a great job getting us involved with the story.
September 9, 2021
Earthquakes
Love the start of this new series. Mike Kraus books have great characters and plenty of action. Cannot wait for the next onr.
Love the start of this new series. Mike Kraus books have great characters and plenty of action. Cannot wait for the next onr.
September 23, 2021
excellent
Excellent read. Very intriguing plot that flowed very fast. Once I started reading this I could not but it down.
Excellent read. Very intriguing plot that flowed very fast. Once I started reading this I could not but it down.
October 5, 2021
Yeah, I liked this story
I think that you will too. The characters are certainly believable and once you get into the story you want to know what happens to them.
I think that you will too. The characters are certainly believable and once you get into the story you want to know what happens to them.
November 13, 2021
Great premise
I did not want to put this down. This was a different take on Apocalyptic Survival thrillers. Can't wait for next book.
I did not want to put this down. This was a different take on Apocalyptic Survival thrillers. Can't wait for next book.
January 6, 2022
FRACTURE BOOK 1
Trying to get into this story, don’t know if I am enjoying it or not. It just seems to drag on but I don’t let a book beat me.
Trying to get into this story, don’t know if I am enjoying it or not. It just seems to drag on but I don’t let a book beat me.
January 7, 2022
Great read!
Good story with fast action. Dies not drag when you read it.can't wait to start the next one.you won't regret reading
Good story with fast action. Dies not drag when you read it.can't wait to start the next one.you won't regret reading
June 4, 2022
Thrilling
What an adventure! Earthquakes,tsunamis, and people on the run. Another thrill ride…can’t wait to see where this story goes! Great read!
What an adventure! Earthquakes,tsunamis, and people on the run. Another thrill ride…can’t wait to see where this story goes! Great read!
July 23, 2022
Ring of Fire
Earthquakes start in New Zealand and run north to Alaska then south to California and Mexico. Along with the earthquakes are tsunamis.
Earthquakes start in New Zealand and run north to Alaska then south to California and Mexico. Along with the earthquakes are tsunamis.
August 8, 2022
FRACTURE BOOK 1
I've been with Ben and Kay every step of the way to his mama and dads place. I just knowed they were caught.
I've been with Ben and Kay every step of the way to his mama and dads place. I just knowed they were caught.
January 27, 2023
Surviving
The story sounds like something is missing. There is no action or catches your attention. It started with a good idea, then it sizzles out.
The story sounds like something is missing. There is no action or catches your attention. It started with a good idea, then it sizzles out.
October 22, 2025
Great!
A remarkably great first book. Often the first one in a series just sets up the others. But this one started rapidly. I can't wait for the second.
A remarkably great first book. Often the first one in a series just sets up the others. But this one started rapidly. I can't wait for the second.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews