To celebrate the release of ESCAPING HOME, the latest installment in A. American’s The Survivalist Series, I was asked by TLCBookTours.com if I was interested in reviewing the latest in the series. I asked a few questions, and was given answers that seemed to almost be custom-made for me.

• The story is based in Florida. I live in Florida!
• It is written about a grid down scenario resulting from an EMP.  I try to prepare myself for disaster, because bad things happen!
• The situation has the main character working on the road away from home. I work on the road away from home!
• The main character carries an emergency kit in his vehicle at all times. I carry emergency supplies in my vehicles.
• And best of all, I was given the books to read for free. I like free stuff. (If you do too, check the giveaway at the bottom)
  

And Prepper Fiction, to me, is like an addictive drug. I cannot get enough of it, and cannot help myself while I’m under it’s influence. I get to that bit later under the “The Ugly” section. First about the stories.

So far, there are three in the series. The first book, Going Home:  A Novel of Survival by A. American. Going Home has the main character, Morgan Carter, several hundred miles from home when an EMP hits, stranding him. The story follows as he takes action and heads towards his home…on foot. It covers much of his tactics without being too technical, as well as how he deals with the people he meets along the way.

The second book, Surviving Home, has Morgan finally making it back to his family, and covers the interactions with his neighbors and how they deal with the catastrophe. As the veneer of civilization peels away, and society breaks down, so does the neighborhood.

The third book of the series, Escaping Home, finds Morgan and his family facing martial law, a complete breakdown of society, and only two options, struggle to stay in your prepared home with enemies knowing your location, or move to an unknown, more secluded location.

=======================================================

The Good

I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Not 5 minutes into the read, I found myself in the story. Morgan’s actions are believable, and the explanation of the equipment and methods used were not too technical to lose me. The plot development was also believable, as were the actions of most of the characters.

I am self employed, so reading is a luxury for me. I found time enough to run through all three of the book in less than two weeks, where any other reading of this length would have taken at LEAST twice that. I read while I was eating, in between jobs, when I woke up, and as I was going to sleep. I was absolutely hooked.

The Bad

Some of the grammar was off (and this coming from a West Virginia Hillbilly!) Also there were a few editing issues. And finally, my copies were read on a Kindle, delivered electronically from NetGalley.com, a new resource to me. The formatting on the Kindle had a few wonky bits, with some of the page formatting being off. However, none of these were a significant issue. My only REAL problem (and a selfish one at that)  was that I was rather unhappy as I neared the end of the third book, I realized it was NOT the last, and I now have to wait for any continuation. (The fourth book is due out in spring, 2014. Looking forward to it!)

The Ugly

Now here is the ugly part of the series. These books hit me at a personal level. I could picture many of the places in the story, having actually been to some of them. As I followed along, I KNEW where the author was talking about.

It spooked me.

So much that after getting into the second book, where supplies were starting to run short, and neighbors were starting to do ANYTHING to get food, while coming home after work, I would stop buy the local big-box store and buy a 25 pound bag of rice, take it home vacuum seal it, and put it away.

I did this twice. And I already HAD plenty of rice.

I also put up several other long term storables, partly because timing was right (sales and such) and partly motivated by these books.

So the “ugly” part about this book is that it made me think….

…and that is just what the author wanted the story to do 🙂

Conclusion:

Of all of the Prepper Fiction I’ve read, and that is a LOT, this is some of the best overall for content, readability, and entertainment.  If you like action/adventure, or are into prepping, or simply like to read and support a local Florida author, give these a try.

In fact, if you would like to test it out, goto this link:

Going Home

and click on the picture. You should be able to read the first 6 pages, along with several others throughout the book to get a feel for it.

And if you like it, enter your name in the comments below, along with an email address in the proper box to enter for a drawing for a copy of all three in either paperback or Kindle format, thanks to the great folks over at TLCBookTours.com. The drawing will be held this Sunday, December 15th, 2013.

Just so you are aware, I was in no way given any compensation for doing this review, other than being given personal electronic copies in order to read the books listed. These really are good reads. If you don’t win, go get yourself a copy.

It is well worth it.

Peace,
db

As always, please “like” FloridaHillbilly on Facebook, subscribe to my feed,  follow me on Twitter, add it to Google+, Pinterest, Linkdn, Digg, and/or tell your friends! The more folks that start behaving like ants, the fewer grasshoppers there will be left needing help.

Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here. You still get great Amazon service and your price is the same, no matter what. And for the record, all of my Amazon links provide me with this referral fee.