Something to Fight For (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Book 5) by W.J. Lundy

Synopsis

Brad and his team have returned to the United States only to find that the nation is as devastated as the rest of the world. The Primals are not the only threat to those who survived the outbreak. Hunger, disease, and other survivors are bigger problems to contend with. 

There seems to be a glimmer of hope, however, as Brad's team is enlisted to recover the key to developing a cure to the Primal virus. Time is not on their side as others seek the same objective. This is where loyalty and trust part ways, leaving the team questioning everything they have been fighting for.

Meanwhile, one soldier finds himself in the position of keeping the key to the cure protected at all costs.   

This is a Zombie War Story.

Publisher: PHALANX PRESS; 1 edition (December 10, 2014)
Print Length: 333 pages

Review
Five out of Five Stars (I would give it more, if it made sense to do so)
Purchase Something to Fight For on Amazon

When I read the very first book in this series by W.J. Lundy, I never expected it to gradually become my favorite zombie apocalypse series— there was some tough competition for that spot. Up until Something to Fight For, I considered the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series one of my favorites. By the time I got half-way through this most recent installment, I knew that had changed.

Enough of my fangirling. I will tell you why I like Something to Fight For so much. First, of all the books in this series, this has the most depth; the characters continue to develop, the plot is becoming more intense, and there are some new, interesting characters added to the mix. 

Another reason I like this book so much has to do with the side story that is woven through the plot. The story of Brad and his crew eventually connects with this side story, and I can't help but hope Lundy follows up on this twist as he continues the series. 

What is the "side story" I'm referring to? Well, I don't want to give too much away, but it has to do with a former soldier who finds himself in the position of being the sole protector of a little girl. The story that follows the man and the little girl is both terrifying and endearing. Their story sucked me in and kept me thoroughly engaged to the point where I felt emotionally invested in the book.

W.J. Lundy's storytelling has gotten better with each new book and this one is no exception. I recommend this series highly to fans of zombie fiction, military fiction, horror, suspense, and anyone looking for a fun, excellent read.

About the Author 

W. J. Lundy is a still-serving Veteran of the U.S. Military with service in Afghanistan. He has over 14 years of combined service with the Army and Navy in Europe, the Balkans, and Southwest Asia. W.J. is an avid athlete, writer, backpacker, and shooting enthusiast. He currently resides with his wife and daughter in Central Michigan.

I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack. Escaping the Dead was written in a small spiral notebook and later clicked one key at a time into a word document once I arrived back home. At the success of the short story, the series was born.

All along, I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, the people I serve with, their characteristics, and something that shows our true, actual capabilities. These are my thoughts. I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.

Follow W.J. Lundy on Facebook and Twitter.

Whispers by Heath Stallcup

Synopsis
Some loves transcend time. Some loves were never meant to be. Some loves are cut short by the evil of others. When Sheriff James Tolbert and his fiancé were killed by a malicious rancher and his cutthroat minions, nobody could expect that the very passion that fueled their love would be the same passion that fueled ghostly revenge. When grave robbers unearth Sheriff Tolbert's tomb searching for Old West relics, a vengeful spirit is unleashed on a small Texas town hellbent on revenge. If those responsible couldn't be made to pay, then their progeny would, and they would pay in the most bloody and horrific manner the spirit could dream of. Can modern day law enforcement stop a spirit destined to fulfill an oath made in death? Even when aided by a Texas Ranger and UCLA Paranormal Investigators, how can they stop something that is already dead and buried?

Publisher: May December Publications (October 2013)
Print Length: 475 pages

Review
5 Stars out of 5
Amazon Kindle Version

Heath Stallcup is a great storyteller and this book is just another example of that truth. Whispers is a ghost story in the purist sense of the word. That is what I like most about it. It is reminiscent of the kinds of ghost stories told around a campfire where every snap of a tree branch or falling acorn makes you jump. Who doesn't like that? That's a rhetorical question; don't answer it.

Stallcup's characters are well-developed and rich in personality. The storyline has a western vibe to it, but that doesn't mean it will only appeal to readers who like westerns. There isn't anything about this story I didn't like. It provides just the right amount of everything that I love in a story: action, revenge, good versus evil, interesting character interactions, and a great scare factor.

I recommend Whispers highly!

Purchase Whispers on Amazon. 

About the Author
Heath Stallcup was born in Salinas, California and relocated to Tupelo, Oklahoma in his tween years. He joined the US Navy and was stationed in Charleston, SC and Bangor, WA shortly after junior college. After his second tour he attended East Central University where he obtained BS degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He then served ten years with the State of Oklahoma as a Compliance and Enforcement Officer while moonlighting nights and weekends with his local Sheriff's Office. He still lives in the small township of Tupelo, Oklahoma with his wife and three of his seven children. He steals time to write between household duties, going to ballgames, being a grandfather to five and being the pet of numerous animals that have taken over his home. Visit him on Facebook or heathstallcup.com for news of his upcoming releases.

Rock and Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson

Synopsis

Book Cover taken from Amazon

Written as a children's book, this is the story of Robbie Robertson as told by his son, Sebastian. The story shares Robbie Robertson's experiences growing up in Canada with his Native American mom and how they helped shape him into the musician and songwriter he ultimately became. It is a story about working hard, taking risks, and being brave enough to make dreams come true. Rock and Roll Highway is beautifully illustrated and includes an interview with Robbie Robertson at the end.   

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 21, 2014)
Print Length: 40 pages
Ages: 6-9

Review
Five out of Five Stars
This review can also be found on Amazon

My most cherished memories of my dad include sitting around on Friday nights, listening to his extensive record collection. He introduced me to the "oldies" like Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, and The Band. I've been fan of Robbie Robertson ever since, so I had to have this book.

I purchased this in the Kindle format, which works very well. If I were still a classroom teacher, however, I would definitely want the hardcover and it would be in my library. The story is well told, the illustrations are beautiful (even on the Kindle), and the content is suitable—even beneficial—for children of all ages.

There are many valuable lessons that can be taken from Rock and Roll Highway. Probably the most prominent lesson is that dreams can come true with hard work and taking risks. The value of family and heritage is woven throughout the story. The interview at the end of the book is an especially nice feature. Sebastian Robertson encourages children to interview their own parents and write down their story.

My favorite line of the book comes from Robbie Robertson himself. In the interview, Sebastian asks his dad what some of his favorite books are. Robbie names his favorite authors and then goes on to say that reading helped to expand his vocabulary as well as influenced some of his songs. He finished the interview by saying, "Gotta read to write." As a reader and an author, I absolutely love this!

I recommend this book to parents, grandparents, teachers, and fans of Robbie Robertson.

About the Author (Source: Amazon.com)
Sebastian Robertson lives in Los Angeles with his family. In addition to his writing, he is a songwriter and composer whose work has been featured in numerous films and television shows. Visit Sebastian's author page on Amazon for more information.

The China Pandemic (Graham's Resolution, Book 1) by A.R. Shaw

Synopsis

What the world dreads most has happened—because of a mutated avian bird flu (H5N1) pandemic. It has ravaged the globe. Only 2% of the population has survived. A dying mother knows that her young child is among the few immune to the virus. What will she do to ensure his survival before her own coming tragic death? 

Meanwhile, Graham has buried his last remaining family member. Following his father's advice to make it to the family cabin, he meets with triumph and tragedy, learning new rules along the way. Just when he thinks he's finally got a handle on this new world, he's taken by surprise as he learns he's not alone. A hidden, yet vulnerable, community of Preppers are nearby. Will he find the strength to escape these dangers and go on living? And more importantly, will he have the ability to protect those he's come to trust? 

Publisher: Self Published

Print Length: 280 pages

Review

Five out of Five Stars

This is the first book in A.R. Shaw's Graham's Resolution series. I heard of this series months before reading The China Pandemic, but it wasn't on my "short list" of books to read. I had the honor of meeting the author at the Long Beach ComicCon in September and decided to bump it up the list. As a person, A.R. Shaw is a class-act; her intelligence, respect for her readers, and dedication to her craft shine through in her writing. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from The China Pandemic since it doesn't have zombies as part of its dystopian scenario. Once I started reading it, however, I wasn't able to put it down. I grew attached to the unforgettable main character from the start, as well as every other protagonist as they were introduced. The characters have depth, realistic emotions, and are very likable. The characters—both male and female—are strong, but not unbelievably so. 

The story itself is an interesting one, and scary in the sense that it seems plausible. Shaw created a world where survival is a day-to-day struggle. The plot is filled with action, making it seem like a quick read, in spite of its length. 

I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dsytopian fiction, those who like "shit hits the fan" scenarios, people interested in the prepper lifestyle, and anyone who likes an intriguing, well-told story.

Purchase The China Pandemic from Amazon. 

About the Author
A. R. Shaw, born in south Texas, served in the United States Air Force Reserves from 1987 through 1991 as a Communications Radio Operator, where she served at the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS Station) at Kelly AFB, Texas.

Her first novel, The China Pandemic, (2013) hit #1 in Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic genres in May of 2014. Hailed as "eerily plausible" and her characters "amazingly detailed," Shaw continues the engaging series in post-apocalyptic (SHTF) fiction.

She lives with her family in eastern Washington State, where after the deep snow of winter finally subsides to glorious rays of summer; she treks northeast to spend her days writing alongside the beautiful Skagit River.
You can contact A. R. Shaw directly at (AR@AuthorARShaw.com) or through her website at (AuthorARShaw.com)

Splinter (Banished from Hell) by H.J. Harry

Synopsis

For close to a thousand years they waited, waited for the old knowledge to fade away into the mists of myth. Imprisoned, banished, and separated, they waited as the population grew to numbers that could sustain their appetites. Humanity developed habits that made them fat; slow and ripe, memories of the old ways forgotten. They waited for a re-birth of the time of legend, for the time when demons ruled and man was naught but the fodder upon which they fed. They waited for the time when the old gods die and the new were anxious to take their place. They waited for today.
 
A young man resisted the sweet words of compulsion, forsaking money and unlimited power to be with the woman he loves. It was a condemning of his self to the focus of a demon who had once been banished to a minuscule grain of sand. A demon worthy enough to turn that grain of sand into the vehicle that starts the destruction of the sum of humanities freedom, enslaving an entire species to his will he knows that he can do what no other has. A thousand years ago he was accused of having a god complex when already he has done what god would never do.  God complex hell, he was god and the earth should rue the day, every day. 

Publisher: Self
Print Length: 229 pages


Review
5 out of 5 Stars
Kindle Version, Kindle Unlimited

I've read a few short stories and another book written by H.J. Harry, so I was looking forward to reading Splinter (Banished from Hell) when I found out it was available. 

The story begins with a creepy vibe that drew me in right away. The creepiness only intensifies as the story progresses, creating a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down book that reminded me of some of Dean Koontz's earlier novels. 

The author doesn't just tell a good story, though; he tells a good story well. I love the little details he includes when it comes to the scenes and his characters. The details are not the tedious kind... he includes just enough to make the characters memorable and the scenes vivid. This tale of classic "good vs. evil" has enough layers to appeal to all types of horror fans. 

I am guessing there will be a Splinter Two, and I can't wait to see how the story continues!

Purchase on Amazon: Splinter (Banished from Hell) 

About the Author
H.J. Harry was born Joseph Hansen In the early sixties. Raised in the northern mid west by parents of faith and good will he went on to do many things as he focused on writing in his spare time. Thirty some years later he self publishes for the first time. 

A natural storyteller, who sees things with a different skew than most, he has focused on keeping things fresh and fast paced. If you came here to see a list of jobs you can just pick something and H.J. has probably done it especially in the blue collar non-agriculture fields. 

Mostly a YA author, you will see multiple fiction genres coming available in future months from true-to-life fiction, to prehistoric fantasy, to post apocalyptic, including zombies. When H.J. Harry is not writing, drawing his covers or fishing, then he is working in his private wood shop, working on his house, helping a friend on their projects, driving a semi or trying to finagle time to go fishing.

Winter of Zombie Blog Tour Featuring Jay Wilburn

Sometimes the Story Picks You

by Jay Wilburn

My greatest breakout success to date has been a weird little zombie story titled “Dead Song.” I never intended it to be great even as I was writing it. Maybe it is really not. There have been some less than stellar reviews. Maybe it is just some strange, mass delusional halo effect that has some people thinking it is good. I’ve tried more than once to leave it behind along with zombie stories, but time and again opportunity pulls me back into the genre and this story keeps shambling onward. I working on a novelized version of “Dead Song” now.

I used to only write zombie stories. My first story ever published was a zombie story. I got a check with the note line reading “Payment for Zombies.” I slowly ventured out into other stories. I would eventually be writing full-time on the back of several genre and ghostwriting.

I write zombies whenever the opportunity arises. The genre, fellow writers, and publishers have pulled me back again and again even as I worked to expand in other areas. I have theory that my zombie stories actually got better and sold better because I was writing other things which expanded my tool box and improved me as a writer.

“Dead Song” was a strange idea. It hatched from a thought of creating a screenplay as a short story. It would evolve into a narrative format, but just barely. The concept is that a documentary is being made about the evolution of music during the zombie apocalypse. In reality, the story is a guy in a sound booth doing a voice over. If I have ever been accused of telling and not showing, this is my masterpiece of that.

This story was going to be published nowhere and I knew it.

Elektrik Milk Bath Press put out a call for strange zombie stories for a charity anthology. This one was strange, so I submitted “Dead Song” and forgot about it. The anthology came out and was full of zombie weirdness as advertised.

    Some time later, I started getting messages from Ellen Datlow. I thought I was being scammed. I was offered forty dollars to have the story reprinted in Best Horror of the Year volume 5. It turned out to not be a scam.

After the book came out, a few reviewers mentioned my story positively. I actually went back a read the story to try to see what was in it that I had missed. It was better than I remembered. The horror sort of snuck up on you in it.

Some time after that, Prime Books approached me and asked to pay me forty dollars to reprint it again in their Zombies: More Recent Dead featuring the best zombie stories of the last few years. The book features work by  Neil Gaiman, Joe McKinney, Jonathan Mayberry, Joe Lansdale, and more. I read the story again.

I began outlining a novelized version of the events and characters described in the story. As I went into the actual world detailed in “Dead Song,” I realized how dark, campy, twisted, and gritty that world was going to be. This place is full of zombies, drag queens, epic landscapes, Southern gothic, mystery, and magic. As I have churned out short stories while neglecting novels, I realized this story was choosing me again.

I have already been surprised myself by what has been revealed in the first few thousands words. I’m just more convinced that this story has more to offer still. I hope you get a chance to check out “Dead Song,” the weird little zombie short story that won’t quit and eventually the novel, Dead Song: The Legend of Tiny “Mud Music” Jones.

*   *   *   *   *

The stench of frozen rotted meat is in the air! Welcome to the Winter of Zombie Blog Tour 2014, with 10 of the best zombie authors spreading the disease in the month of November.

Stop by the event page on Facebook so you don't miss an interview, guest post or teaser… and pick up some great swag as well! Giveaways galore from most of the authors as well as interaction with them! #WinterZombie2014

https://www.facebook.com/events/1524813084430035/?ref_notif_type=plan_user_joined&source=1

AND so you don't miss any of the posts in November, here's the complete list, updated daily:

http://armandrosamilia.com/2014/11/01/winter-of-zombie-post-list-winterzombie2014/

All Things Zombie: The Gathering Horde by ATZ Publications

Synopsis

This collection of zombie stories features some of the top zombie authors in the genre; T.W. Piperbrook, A.J. Brown, Chris Philbrook and Eric A. Shelman. There are many newcomers here too, having had their dream of being published realized for the first time. You will find that telling them apart may be difficult - we had hundreds of submissions, and this is the cream of the crop. We hope you enjoy this romp through the apocalypse.

Publisher: ATZ Publications, November 7, 2014


Review
I give The Gathering Horde Five out of Five Stars

*Disclaimer one of the stories in this book was written by me, but my story is just one of the awesome stories in this book.*

I'm going to keep this review short. I've been super busy with my novel and need to get back to it. I just had to take the time to share this gem of a book. There are stories here by some well-known names in the zombie/horror genre as well as some new authors. 

The publishers and editors did a fantastic job selecting the best stories out of over one hundred that were submitted. I am truly impressed with the talent of the authors who wrote for this book as well as in the editing that was done. This is ATZ's debut publication, but the quality and professionalism put into this work are first-class.

If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, horror, zombies, or just being entertained, this is the book for you!  

It's only $2.99 or free if you have Kindle Unlimited. Get it by using the link below: