Veil of Stillness (A Kessler Effect #4) An Adult Dystopian Novel) by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9798875965197
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My thoughts:  USA Today Bestselling Author, Vannetta Chapman, concludes her Kessler Effect Series with Veil of Stillness. This short book takes the reader through the barren destruction that exists across the southern Texas rivers, deserts, mountains. As people try to create a new existence in a devastated land, and with fear of individuals bent on destruction tempered by caution of those who have created and maintained a similitude of civility and life. Living is stark, indeed.

Although a small group of like-minded people from varied walks of life has settled with some semblance of normality, they realize that their health is struggling (human and animal) because of a lack of certain nutritious elements and other items. Particularly, their supply of salt has been depleted. So they send a party out in search of salt-flat-deposits that can be harvested and taken back to their town.

Their struggle is interesting and filled with bewildering details of life after a major Earth-wide catastrophe. As the title implies, there is a state of "stillness" that exists. But in this stillness, there is a harsh screaming of need, fear, necessity, hostility, cooperation. Much of the goodness and evil of the human heart is examined in this series as well as a sobering and thoughtful consideration of what dystopian life would entail. 

About the book: What risks would you be willing to take to save your town?

Veil of Stillness is a gripping tale of one town’s fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Set in Alpine, Texas, nine months after all of the lower orbital satellites crashed to Earth, the story follows Logan Wright and Tanda Lopez on a perilous journey to the Rio Grande Valley in search of food.

In a world where communication is non-existent and resources are scarce, Logan and Tanda must rely on their instincts and ingenuity. As they traverse the dystopian landscape, they encounter dangers at every turn as well as possible allies. The trick will be in recognizing the difference.

Amidst the chaos, Logan and Tanda learn to rely on one another in ways they never thought possible. As they venture further into the unknown, they discover the true meaning of friendship, sacrifice, and hope.

With vivid descriptions of the rugged Texas terrain and heart-pumping action, Veil of Stillness is a thrilling page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Perfect for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and survival stories, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking adventure.

Kessler Effect Series

Prequel: Veil of Mystery

Book 1: Veil of Anarchy

Book 2: Veil of Confusion

Book 3: Veil of Destruction

Book 4: Veil of Stillness

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Veil of Stillness

Begins March 14

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided by the author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Secret word: scary  CLICK HERE TO READ VERA'S REVIEWS OF OTHER "VEIL OF..." BOOKS IN THE SERIES.

Veil of Destruction (Kessler Effect #3) by Vannetta Chapman [Giveaway & ReviewMy

My thoughts:  While reading Veil of Destruction, I found the possibilities of life and civilization post-massive world wide destruction fleshed out in stark reality that causes me to pause and pray that this does not befall mankind.

Often dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories involve horrific natural disasters - earthquakes, floods, fires, meteors colliding with Earth. In this series the disaster that has shut down the world as people know it was due to the Kessler Effect - a complete shutdown of the Earth's satellites and subsequent electric grid closing and technology use ending. This means no water, no electricity, no sanitation facilities, no heat, no food production. It means chaos and discord.

In VEIL OF DESTRUCTION a group of 3 from the small University town of Alpine strike out through the barrenness that is Texas to find family that was in the big city of Dallas. They cautiously skirt any area that might have marauding gangs and areas of violence.

The pace of the storyline is steady as is the group's progress through the barrenness. They do encounter goodwill and help but they also find meanness and greed. 

Their final encounter almost costs them dearly.

What I'm looking forward to in the next book in the series, Veil of Stillness..... The old man Joshua - who is he and his story ... The settling into life with daily hardships.... The possibility of overcoming the loss of societies' amenities lost in the June 6 event.

As usual, the author tells a good story that is clean, decent, and pleasant reading.

About the book: How far would you go to save your brother?

It’s been six months since all of the lower orbital satellites crashed to Earth. Akule Lopez has waited through every one of those days...waited to see her brother arrive home in Alpine.

Now she’s done waiting. Winter has fallen across the desolate Texas landscape. Rumors of war and insurrection abound. Akule doesn’t know how she’ll get from Alpine to Dallas. She doesn’t even know that her brother is still there. But she does know that she’s going to find out.

Her father doesn’t want her to go, but Akule isn’t a child anymore. She doesn’t need her father’s permission. She also understands that if she goes, if she dies in the attempt, then her father will have lost both of his children. She won’t let that happen. If it’s the last thing she ever does, she will find Paco and bring him home.

What sacrifice is too big, when it seems your life has been draped in a Veil of Destruction?

From USA Today Bestselling author Vannetta Chapman comes a survival series unlike any other.

Veil of Destruction is book three in a new post-apocalyptic survival thriller series from USA Today Bestselling Author Vannetta Chapman. An exciting contribution to the genre of disaster fiction, this is a series that will keep you reading late into the night.

Kessler Effect Series

• Veil of Mystery
• Book 1: Veil of Anarchy my review
• Book 2: Veil of Confusion my review
• Book 3: Veil of Destruction
• Book 4: Veil of Stillness

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of book to facilitate a review. Opinions ae mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's gift card prize is provided by Ms. Chapman and is emailed or mailed directly to the winner per Ms. Chapman's affiliation. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Veil of Confusion (The Kessler Effect #2) by Vannetta Chapman

My thoughts:  Compared to some of today's dystopian and "end times" stories, the author writes a pretty mild story. Even though it isn't as gory and off-the-chart scary with aliens, etc., the story still causes one to pause and reflect on the status of civilization and man's continued ability to cope with circumstances as they exist without modern technology and conveniences. We know that even in our world man can quickly become violent and amass groups whose single minded behavior is that of controlling others and taking what they want from those who possess it.

In Veil of Anarchy we saw the beginning of a dystopian existence in Texas (and yes, world wide). In the second book, Veil of Confusion, we see that life in El Paso has become fraught with danger; and we follow Cade and Harper as they flee El Paso and begin their journey to seek a quieter, safer, more civil life.

Veil of Anarchy (Kessler Effect, #1) by Vannetta Chapman

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My thoughts:  I have been a fan of Vannetta Chapman's books for several years. Her cozy mysteries, Amish fiction, and earlier dystopian series were real winners as far as I'm concerned. This newest dystopian series, "The Kessler Effect," piqued my interest when I first heard of it.

Most of Chapman's books are Christian and faith based. Not "preachy" but just have characters strong in their Christian faith. They are always clean reads with no foul language or "R-rated" scenes. The Kessler Effect series is not a faith based series but is basically a clean read. No "R-rated" scenes but it does have a small scattering of off-color words. The prequel and book #1 are, in my opinion, very good reads and are not offensive. The "expletives" are very few and on a lighter vein.

Now about the story line...... Set in lower Texas where it's hot and dry, the folks in the small town of Alpine notice sporadic electrical failure. Then failure of the cell service. About the same time, there is a horrific train collision nearby. They expect the government officials to come running because of the train collision, but much to their surprise it doesn't happen. Then the realization sets in that life as they have know it has ceased - no electricity, no water, no incoming food, nothing to depend on.

The local police, firemen, and officials gather with the townspeople to set a plan in motion. Soon they realize that the problem of survival is real.

I totally enjoyed reading Veil of Anarchy and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

About the book: Can law and order survive in a world without rules?

As police chief, Tanda Lopez has vowed to protect the people of Alpine. But how do you protect a town against itself?

Perched on a high mesa in the Chihuahuan Desert, no one is coming to help the citizens of this remote Texas town. When the entire array of lower orbital satellites crash, they are instantly catapulted into a world without communication, power, or resources. Tanda is determined that law and order won’t be the next casualty of the apocalypse. But how can she fight a corrupt mayor? Can she stand between those who wish to uphold the law and those who are intent on annihilating it? And what will she do about the neighboring communities who are preparing to attack?

As a Veil of Anarchy blankets the world, will Alpine and its people be annihilated?

Veil of Anarchy is book one in a new post-apocalyptic survival thriller series from USA Today Bestselling Author Vannetta Chapman. An exciting contribution to the genre of disaster fiction, this is one book that will literally keep you up all night. 

About the author: With over 1 million copies sold, Vannetta Chapman is a USA Today and PW Bestselling author of over 40 books. She has written for Abingdon Press and Harvest House Publishers, and she currently writes for Kensington Books and Harlequin/Love Inspired. She's received numerous awards including the ACFW Carol Award for best mystery (Falling to Pieces), and she was a Christy Award finalist (Anna's Healing).

Chapman has a BA and MA in English literature from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has taught for numerous writing groups and colleges. She speaks around the country on writing, how to publish, and steps to finding an agent and landing a publishing contract. Chapman’s releases include Amish romance, cozy mystery, novellas, romantic suspense, and dystopian/disaster fiction. For more information, visit her at webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com 

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

AMERICAN OMENS (The Coming Fight For Faith) by Travis Trasher [Giveaway]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
ISBN: 9780735291782
WaterbrookMultnomah Pub.
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My thoughts:  I found the book surreal in the technological advances purported to be in place twenty years in the future. But then.... where were we with technology 20 years in the past. So much is possible and we shouldn't be surprised at what advances actually might happen.

Reading thoughts? Hearing other voices speak in our heads? Far fetched? Perhaps. I dread the possibility that these things could happen. Yes, chips can be implanted and activities traced. But some other technological advances are science fiction.

What is not science fiction is the very real possibility that Christianity will not be looked favorably upon. And in American Omens that is definitely the situation.

People are manipulated. Cars are automated. One can speak into thin air and receive a spoken answer, or an answer in one's head, or pictures appear to hang in the air in front of you. The future of technology? Perhaps. But the future is also one of control either using technology or sheer force.

In American Omens, the main, yet shadow, character is The Reckoner. I fully expected this to be some sort of avenging angel or representative of God in an end-times scenario. That doesn't seem to be the case. But that might be different if this story line plays out in more books along this line if Mr. Thrasher pursues it as a series. This story is, after all, about the downfall or decline of Christianity in America and we have the whole World  in which we can look for prophetic or end-times stories.

About the book: In this taut thriller that depicts a future where belief is dangerous, faith is deemed hatred, and a group of powerful elite keeps watch, the Reckoner has come to wake up America.

The year is 2038 and Cheyenne Burne is a brilliant young programmer working for Acatour, the world's top technology firm. Her father converts to Christianity, and he suddenly disappears without a trace. When a stranger hands Cheyenne a coded message that sends her on a collision course with a clandestine group of believers, she must put her life in the hands of those following a man known only as the Reckoner. He claims he wants to bring back true faith in Christ to America and also reveal the forces behind the disappearances of the many renowned people who publicly declared their Christian faith.

Operating in the shadows and living off the grid, this mysterious prophet assembles a ragtag team--including a former bookseller whose store was shut down for selling prohibited books--to help him take the battle for transparency to the top. With a ruthless FBI agent closing in, can Cheyenne and the others expose the truth and lead a return to God in America before it's too late?

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions shared are mine alone and are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided and shipped directly to winner by author or publisher.