Category Archives: Apocalyptic

#Review #Zombies Love and Decay, Volume One by Rachel Higginson


Zombies- as if that wasn’t enough to ruin any girl’s dream of a happily ever after.

A vaccination gone oh so wrong and a huge portion of the world’s population was turned into Zombies. Reagan Willow is forced out of her home when her parents become casualties of the horrid Zombie Apocalypse. With the help of her best friend Haley, they’ve become somewhat of experts on surviving the dangers of a world thrust into chaos and decay. Reagan and Haley are on a vague mission to find somewhere safe to live out the remainders of their terrifying life when they stumble upon the Parkers, a pack of brothers that seem to have the survival thing down in a much more efficient and successful way than Reagan could ever have imagined.

Soon the Parkers become more to Reagan than just traveling companions and more than friendship starts to develop between her and Hendrix, the second oldest brother. But at the end of the world, nothing can be as simple as life and death. Now, Reagan is going to have to schedule falling in love between hunting and surviving. Hopefully she can last long enough to find out if true love can still exist when everything else has started to fall apart.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Love me some Zombies!!!  Love and Decay sort of reminded me of The Walking Dead and Zombieland mixed together. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical of reading this because some of the reviews were pretty harsh because of the character’s likeability. You have two young adult females that were best friends from before the zombie apocalypse that started with a vaccine (the vaccine piece is being played out). The girls have been going good for a couple years relying solely on each other. One fateful night, they find MASCARA! I know that this doesn’t seem like a big deal but sometimes, you miss those little things. Well, things don’t go as planned and while running from a zombie horde they get help from the Parker brothers. Some things are a bit predictable as the two groups join and work together. But while on their journey, we learn a ton about each character which gives all of them some depth. The author lets the characters still be “normal” people who haven’t lost their sense of humor or their passion for protecting the ones they love. Each episode is wrapped up nicely and kept me entertained. I would recommend this for teens and young adults.

Author Logo

Rachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Opposite of You, The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.

She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.

You can visit Rachel:

Instagram @mywritesdntbite

www.authorrachelhigginson.com

facebook.com/rachelhigginsonauthor

Twitter @mywritesdntbite

#Review – Tin Toy (Silver Cyborg Book 2) by Ava Cuvay

Tin Toy (Silver Cyborg Book 2) by [Ava Cuvay]

Betty Hayworth is hiding from her life. She endured cybernetic enhancements to serve her country as an international spy, but infiltrated top-secret information from her own government as a high-end escort instead. So, she ran away to a small Indiana neighborhood where she works as a librarian and fears her handler will track her down or her cyborg status will be exposed to a society that abhors them. None of which helps her find the kind of love and happiness she reads about in her romance novels.

Everett Dean is running for his life. As founder and CEO of the premier cybernetic design company, someone is trying to destroy him. His life, his company, his legacy. He needs to discover the truth and expose whoever is behind the recent attempts on his life, before they try again. This search leads him to an unassuming library where he meets an enigmatic woman who looks like a pin-up model, fights like a trained assassin, and kisses like an angel. All of which inspire him to reassess his life’s priorities.

Their mutual attraction is a risk neither can afford. But as complications from their secrets arise, they must learn to trust each other if they hope to survive.

Book Two of the Silver Cyborg Series trilogy. This story has a romantic happy ending and a storyline continuing to book three.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

What do you do when you realize God is just a man and that man is your maker? Betty is a librarian but she is so much more than just a librarian. This woman is a beautiful bad@ss. She was used and abused but is trying to just live and come out on top. This woman has an insanely crazy past. She sold her soul to the devil himself and became a cyborg. She left that life trying to just live and be normal when one day, the man that was behind giving humans a second chance as cyborgs, quite literally lands in her lap. Everett is on the run and he has no clue why! He is a millionaire with crazy intelligence and a great government contract, aaaaand then he was no longer. He becomes a vagabond and ends up in Betty’s library trying to look for answers. Their worlds collide and Pandora’s Box explodes open. These two are both trying to distinguish between the good guys and bad guys all while having something vital in common: secrets. What would the neighbors think? This book is seriously intense but has all of my favorite things like snark, angst, secrets, sarcasm, fighting, serious sexy time, and an ending that will keep you wanting more!

Ava Cuvay

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

#WOTR22 #Review – The Red Assassin (The Genesis Trilogy Book 1) by Taki Kasai

The Red Assassin (The Genesis Trilogy Book 1) by [Taki Kasai]

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

An elaborate game with a formidable opponent.

The Red Assassin has left me wanting, no, needing more! I am finding that I love me some sci-fi and cyborgs!!! This story has the best of everything. There is a great back story for both main characters with intriguing world-building, but one of the best parts is the relationships between all of the characters. There is the right amount of sarcasm, strife, cynicism, and game playing. You will feel like you are right in the middle of this crazy cataclysm. There is a love story (actually, I think there could be a few with some of the back characters and I am super excited to see this progress!!) with the perfect amount of angst and sweetness, but nothing is way over the top.

Sorina was minding her own business then wakes up a year later with no memory and metal body parts. Talk about feeling “out of sorts”. Ultimately, she becomes an assassin for the government, but her morals come to the forefront when she realizes she enjoys killing and is good at it.

Gravvill is the soldier that saves her but also dooms her. He is made to train Sorina but also must keep his space. You’ll have to read it to see why. 😊

On top of all this craziness, there is an elaborate game being played between the “Director” and the “Deathly Hacker”. The back and forth between these two really add to the story. They literally have me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who the Deathly Hacker is. When I thought I had it figured out, I was second guessing myself. I have no clue and still have no clue!

What I am trying to get at here is that this is a fantastic story by a wonderful author who has a new fan! I’m that fan! I highly recommend this one!

An image posted by the author.

#Review – Nuclear Dawn: The Post Apocalyptic Box Set by Kyla Stone (Kindle and Audible)

Nuclear Dawn: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set: The Complete Apocalyptic Survival Thriller Series by [Kyla Stone]

A nuclear terrorist attack. American cities devastated. Chaos erupts as the fallout descends…
Dakota Sloane, a tough-as-nails former foster kid, has spent her life running from the past. A man haunted by secrets, Logan Garcia has only one goal: to drink himself into oblivion.

They’re two strangers in a bar, until the news reports nuclear detonations in New York City and D.C. Before they can escape Miami, everything explodes.

As buildings collapse, anarchy erupts. Dakota knows of a place to ride out the storm: a safe house deep in the Everglades.

But her little sister is still trapped in the radioactive ruins of the city. Dakota needs Logan’s help, but can she trust him? And how far is she willing to go to save the only family she has left?

The radiation isn’t the only threat. At every turn, deadly foes are determined to stop them. And in the background, a formidable enemy rears its head…

Featuring high-octane action and compelling characters, the acclaimed Nuclear Dawn apocalyptic survival series follows the struggle of ordinary people desperate to survive after a coordinated nuclear attack on the United States.

Perfect for fans of Bobby Akart, Harley Tate, Jack Hunt, and Boyd Craven. Grab all five full-length thrillers at 70% off and start binge reading the series reviewers are calling “Masterful,” “Thrilling,” and the “Best apocalyptic series I’ve ever read!”

The complete series is also available on audiobook! Get started with the three-book bundle here: amazon.com/dp/B081S78LTX

*Rated PG-13 for mild language and moderate violence.*

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am so happy I had the entire box set! Kyla Stone is a first-time author for me and now has a fan for life! I had this series on Audible and Kindle which worked out perfectly because I never missed a beat with the story. The narrator was awesome and kept you engaged, but at the same time, while reading the story you were still right in the middle of it all. This series had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time. I was completely engrossed. This story has everything. It has action, craziness, insanity, and anarchy. BUT, it has an intense show of loyalty and love. It even has crazies in a cult! The most exciting part of this story is that it could actually happen. The entire story keeps you engaged from start to finish. You won’t be able to help yourself and will have to continue to turn the pages. It is so real that you can actually picture yourself in the middle of the chaos and it will have you thinking about how you would react in the same situation. On top of it, the action never stops. The story is told in a very vivid way that puts you right in the middle. And as the story escalates, it never falls flat. Very well done and I look forward to reading more by Kyla Stone.

Kyla Stone

#WOTR22 #Review – Creepy: A Post-apocalyptic Reverse Harem Romance (The Zombiepidemic Book 1)  by Morgan Jane Mitchell

Creepy: A Post-apocalyptic Reverse Harem Romance (The Zombiepidemic Book 1)

Welcome to Creepy, Louisiana, Population 1.
Sissy outlasted the Zombiepidemic, but when other survivors arrive, she finds herself with another dilemma, too many men to choose from. Sounds like a good problem to have if it weren’t that a parish over, her ex has become the king of a gang of savages called the Stayers. Dillon is hell bent on making her his. Can her new suitors save her from an old one or can she really have them all?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

There were many different aspects of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Sissy lives in Creepy and is the only resident. She has a routine for scavenging, stock piling, and keeping safe. Her ex has assured her that no one will mess with her but he has to give him some ‘Miss Mary’ in return. They have quite a past and the way he changed really has her messed up inside because she doesn’t understand it. She keeps him sated so he will keep his thugs away from her. Then one day, a new neighbor comes to town. But this neighbor is hawt! Then another! All of a sudden, it’s a party, LOL! There is a lot of tension and angst that is built up throughout the book with a good storyline. It really makes you think about what you would do if you were in the same situation and how you would handle it. I imagine that I would be a lot like Sissy. She is a great female lead for this story. The push and pull between her and her men is delicate but just blooming too. There is a lot more to develop on this level and I imagine it will explode. Now, I generally use books as my escape so I must say that the only thing I didn’t care for is that the handling of the Zombie pandemic was very similar to the handling of the Covid pandemic, and I am sort of over it. Other than that point (and it was not dwelled on long) the story was great and has me looking forward to the next in the series.

 

Morgan Jane Mitchell

www.morganjanemitchell.com

www.facebook.com/themorganjane

www.twitter.com/morgijane



#Review The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

An instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from “the patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction” (New York Times). Now an award-winning Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss.

In this multi-award-winning, bestselling novel, Margaret Atwood has created a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate “Handmaids” under the new social order who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from holding jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred’ s persistent memories of life in the “time before” and her will to survive are acts of rebellion. Provocative, startling, prophetic, and with Margaret Atwood’s devastating irony, wit, and acute perceptive powers in full force, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once a mordant satire and a dire warning.

So I’m taking part in a personal reading challenge. It’ll motivate me to get some books read that I wouldn’t normally read. I don’t think any of them are romance but I’ll review them anyway of course. This challenge is 40 books every woman should read before she turns 40. I have a year and a bit, so I have some time at least.

This book. Oy.

Now, if you’ve watched the show, you obviously know what this book is about. I’m sad to say that I never even heard of this author or this book until I was told about the show. So I watched the show first.

While a few things are different from the book to the show, you get the idea of what’s going on.

This book is about June or Ofred, who’s the main character and tells the story through her point of view. It’s a dystopian type world now, as a government has taken over. Women’s choices are stripped from them. If you’re fertile, you’re used for babies. If you’re not, you’re sent off to do who knows what. Some are Marthas, which means they cook and clean and take care of the house.

What sets this book/story apart from the rest is how different it is but at the same time, especially with things happening in the world now, it’s almost like a prediction in a way.

I won’t get all preachy or bring up worldy politics and stuff – not that I know much about that anyway – but I will say that this book, the story within this book, is one of the scariest things I have ever read. Why you ask? It’s not a thriller or a horror, Jo! I know right? What makes it scary is that it could actually happen. Maybe not exactly like what happens in the book of course but something similar could definitely take place.

I haven’t read book 2 yet but I most certainly will! But first, on to book 2 of this challenge!

Happy reading, friends!

Available on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjw5dsjb

#Review – Angels in the End (The End Saga Book 4) by C.L. Zelle

Angels in the End (The End Saga Book 4) by [C.L.  Zelle, Christina L.  Rozelle, LC Ellez]

When a “divine culling” of the human population doesn’t go as planned, two heroes—one royal, and one unsung—brave the deadly new world to save a woman they both love for different reasons. Only, she doesn’t know they exist.

Desperate for answers and reeling from their part in the eradication of mankind, when their world collides with hers in the ensuing chaos and upheaval of the End of Days, all bets are off.
Will their prophesied fates shift in the rubble of the aftermath?
Will their love for her be enough to make things right, though her entire life has been a lie, and they have always known the truth?

King Daemon won’t go down without a fight. He’s been in love with Grace since he knew what the word meant, and he will do everything in his power to save her, even if it means sacrificing her to the man she loves.

****************************************

DEAR READER,

“Angels in the End,” though written for adults, and in a separate series altogether, is also an *unofficial* Treemakers Trilogy prequel. Unofficial, because the author has plans for a future YA prequel more closely related to that series, but readers 18+ who have enjoyed The Treemakers Trilogy will find the value in “Angels in the End,” (and the rest of the series) as certain events contained herein are directly linked to The Treemakers Trilogy.Please read below.

**Content Advisory/Trigger Warning for The End SagaDue to the inclusion of realistic world-ending scenarios, such as death/gore/torture/violence/steamy scenes/sexual violence/drug/alcohol use/abuse, and because of explicit language, this series is recommended for readers age 18+, and those who aren’t sensitive to these topics.Reader discretion is advised.
**It is recommended that this book be read 
after having read The Treemakers Trilogy, as “Angels in the End” may contain some spoilers for that story.
**Please note: 
the content in this 4th installment of The End Saga is considerably “cleaner” than the first three books in the series, due to it being from the POV of (mostly) different characters, as well as for its connection to the author’s YA series, The Treemakers Trilogy.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Holy what?!?! I am speechless.…This is a very hard review for me to write because the story is so intricate and intense with all the feels. I felt this one deep down. When you know you are the scary thing that lies awake in the dark and you don’t feel good about it…that’s when you know these are the games gods play. This journey gives us a new main character that has been in the background that we were completely clueless about. There are so many details that we were completely unaware of. The story is incredibly intense. Mind bending and maddening doesn’t even begin to touch it! The characters are all gracefully flawed and have their own, very different, demons to fight. What is truly right and truly wrong, and when have you crossed the line? Daemon, the main character, has been told about his destiny his entire life and just knows that things are going to go the right way. BUT… when the journey actually begins, he finds out that things are definitely not what they seem. He begins to question exactly who knows what and exactly how much of life is orchestrated. The story makes you turn the pages trying to piece everything together. The author does an amazing job making you feel everything that Daemon feels. I mean, the only way out of the madness is through. Daemon, along with the rest of the characters are all very deep and complex. Oh, and guess what?! Murray is back!! I absolutely love that Angels in the End can be read 1st or 4th in the series. I can’t wait to get to the next level!

C.L. Zelle

About C.L. Zelle

Zelle’s writing roots sprouted with poetry and prose in countless journals in her early years, continuing through her tumultuous teenage years, and well into her turbulent young adult life. Though her younger self dreamed of scribing non-fiction and poetry someday, when she discovered the magic in creating fiction she never looked back. Overcoming countless obstacles of her own, the wisdom gained along her personal path through healing breathes life into her beautifully dark, yet hopeful tales of triumph. Filled with an array of emotional triggers, not many topics are off limits in her works. Zelle’s exceptional storytelling dives deep into the survival and growth journeys of diverse, broken characters and unlikely heroes. Authentic, gritty, intricate, and wildly imaginative, her stories also offer hope—a light in the dark—as her characters discover their own inner strengths and worth in the midst of debilitating adversity.

Though her wanderlust calls her to a nomadic life of traveling the world in planes, trains, ships, and RVs, Zelle currently resides in a small town in Texas, USA with her four wonderful children.

If you’d like to stay in touch, and get up-to-date info on new releases, as well as giveaways and promotions, sign up for her mailing list: C.L. Zelle’s Dark Army: https://www.subscribepage.com/CLZellesDarkArmy

If you’ve enjoyed any of her books, you can thank CL by leaving an honest review of any length on Amazon.

For up-to-date info on new releases and promotions, you can also find CL at the links below:

C.L. Zelle’s Reader Lounge: http://bit.ly/CLZellesReaderLounge

C.L. Zelle’s Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/CLZellesFBpage

Recommended reading order of the books in these two series’:
The Treemakers Trilogy
The Treemakers
The Soultakers
The Seeker’s Keys
The End Saga
Willows in the End
Ravens in the End
Beacons in the End
Angels in the End

#WOTR21 – #Review #Zombies- Lost Undead (Stay Dead Book 2) by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

Book cover for Lost Undead (Stay Dead, #2) by L.C. Mortimer

Zombies never stay dead.

They made it to the island. They managed to find a way to escape the burning cruise ship where they’d been trapped, and now they’re facing a new problem.

The zombies didn’t go down with the ship.

They’re here.

They’re everywhere.

Winter and her friends need to find a new way to escape, a new way to keep fighting.

If only the dead would stay that way.

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I LOVE GRETA!! She is the perfect grandma and so many people underestimate her. The trio have finally decided that they need to get off this island, but they did not expect what happened next. Another lifeboat with survivors lands on their tiny island, which puts a kink in their plan. Something just isn’t right. Greta, Winter, and Isaiah all have a bad feeling. Next thing you know chaos erupts and they are scrambling to survive once again. Nothing can stay chaotic forever…everything will look better in the morning. Riiiight. Oh I want talk about what happened and about the really bad things and the badassery that Greta is….ooooohhhhhh how I want to tell you all about it, but I can’t! I refuse to give it all away. What I am saying is that there is so much going on in this story, I literally read it in one sitting, I was consumed by it! I am on pins and needles waiting to read the 3rd installment. I need to know what happens next!

L. C. Mortimer

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

#WOTR21 – #Review – Outbreak: A Zombie Novel by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

Outbreak: A Zombie Novel

Emily thought she could survive the apocalypse and save her sister from hordes of undead. She was wrong. By the time she found her sister, it was too late. All hope was shattered. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Emily returns home. There’s just one problem: her haven is no longer empty. Someone has moved in.

Neil was a leader long enough to know when to cut his losses. Surviving in the city was one major loss. He gathered his friends and hoofed it to the forest. He knew there would be abandoned farmhouses and plenty of land. The fewer inhabitants before the apocalypse struck, the fewer zombies to deal with after.

The house they find is incredible. It’s isolated, well stocked with food, and Neil even finds a few loaded guns. Soon it becomes obvious that the home isn’t as empty as they originally thought, however. When the owner returns, she demands that Neil and his friends move out. She seems to have no problem with the idea of tossing them out on their asses, but there’s a major problem.

A storm is coming, and it carries with it a greater threat than just zombies.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I received this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Zombies! Need I say more? This is a standalone novel that gives you a bit of everything. There are so many emotions that are part of this journey, and everyone has their own story with their own demons to fight. This story brought a rag tag group of travelers together and they almost made it work. You know that saying “When it rains, it pours”? Well, just when this group seems to catch a break, the sh!! hits the fan. The characters are very relatable. They are regular people like you and me who were trying to figure life out. Then, BAM! They are forced to survive. Each character’s back story will humble you. It’ll really make you wonder what would really happen and how would you handle it. Each had their vices and crazy as it may seem, they even had some happy times during the Z apocalypse. This story will make you laugh, will give you the warm and fuzzies, and some of it can be a bit gory. Best of all, you will NOT see what is coming and are definitely not ready for the end. I swear that when I finished this book, I had one of these moments that just made me sit there, like wow, that happened. I had a book hangover! I am still going over this in my head going, how could that have happened? Seriously, you need to read this!

L. C. Mortimer

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

#Review – CAPTURED (Ruins of Playa Azul #1) by H.R. Savage

CAPTURED (Ruins of Playa Azul #1)

I was raised in a world full of more death than life, surrounded by the blood-curdling violence and nauseating stench of zombies.

And twenty years after the Outbreak, it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

After a devastating loss rocks my little group of survivors, I’m forced to venture out of my comfort zone in an attempt to find help—straight into the impenetrable walls of El Castillo.

But The Knights don’t take kindly to my mission, and when their leader, Gunner, captures me, everything spirals out of control. My captor suddenly becomes my ally as we’re thrust into a war of Gunner’s own making.

A war that threatens not only his people, but my own.

NOTE: True to an apocalyptic world, CAPTURED has dark scenes that may trigger some readers. However, it is not a Stockholm Syndrome Romance.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

If you are an apocalyptic fan, then this is a must read! This is a “zombie” book but it is much more than that. What I really enjoyed is that the story is 20 years after the outbreak and it is so much more about the overall survival than fighting the zombies at outbreak. The zombies are a threat but humans are much more cruel. Humans are calculating and cunning where the zombies react purely on instinct. Survival is all the nuances of what you will do to actually live. Thea is the MC and she is the one person you definitely want to have on your side. She is fierce and will do the craziest things to be sure you are safe and healthy. She struggles greatly with trying to keep her group safe. As if the apocalypse isn’t tragic enough on its own, she experiences great loss. While coping with this madness, she may have met her match when she is captured by Gunner while breaking into his compound. People do crazy things to keep their family safe and Gunner is no exception. When he decides to help Thea, they run into many more problems from another group that is the lowest of low of humanity. 

“Because in a world where fleeing is survival, you don’t run away. You run headfirst into danger if it means saving someone’s life. And you learned that from him. Why?”…”Because, Gunner, someone has to.”

“Just days ago I wanted to destroy you,” …. “Yet here I am now, determined to make sure you don’t destroy yourself.”

This book has all the feels that will twist you up over and over again. H.R. Savage is a new author for me and now I am completely hooked. I can’t wait for more, I need to know what happens next!

H.R. Savage

Author H.R. Savage (Heather) started reading romance at an age that made her father cringe as she tried to hide the cover behind her hands. She technically finished writing her first book in Junior High, where it mysteriously disappeared in a reformatting incident. Due to the encouragement of her English teachers at her small town school in La Verne, California, she never lost her love for the art. Now a woman who swears by the power of coffee, Chinese food, and wine (not necessarily in that order), she decided it was time to create stories from the characters in her head.

When Heather isn’t writing, outlining, or pinning pictures of hot ‘character inspirations’ on Pinterest™, she is spending time with her three beautiful children and handsome husband.