Light of Dawn (The Remnant Series #3) by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  As the group of survivors live out the horrific life that exists in Chapman's conclusion to The Remnant Series, the reader vicariously experiences their deprivation, fear, and ultimate joys.

This is not science fiction where aliens attack and man is fighting for the survival of mankind. No, this dystopian story revolves around the very realistic life that exists once modern achievements are destroyed. There is no electricity, no manufacturing, no technology, no hospitals, no mass transit, no government - state or federal. And there is rampant anarchy, terror, crime with a sprinkling of kindness and good.

Man is seen at his worse and man is seen at his best.

Old ways of healing emerge as do management of society by either caring individuals or criminal, gang elements. And the question of survival of the United States Government is woven into the series ending.

As with other books by Vannetta Chapman (she writes contemporary, Amish, and dystopian series), her writing is tops. Her character development realistic and compelling. Her plot line engaging and drawing to the reader. I have completely enjoyed this series just as I have other books by Ms. Chapman.

I highly recommend this book and encourage you to read the entire series in order.

About the book: Before Dawn, What Dangers Lurk in the Darkness?

For nine months, since a devastating solar flare caused a complete failure of the electrical grid, Shelby Sparks and her diabetic son, Carter, have been living at the ranch of Shelby's high school sweetheart, Max Berkman.

Mostly insulated from the chaos surrounding them, Shelby and Max discover that the Texas government has fled the capitol and is barely maintaining control of the state. The governor needs volunteers to search for the new federal government, but no one knows exactly where it might be located—if it even still exists—or what perils await those brave enough to take on the mission.

Compelled by Carter's desperate need for insulin and their God-given sense of duty, Shelby and Max answer the governor's call and set out on a treacherous 600-mile journey, where they will experience the terrifying effects of unrestrained anarchy. If they have the faith and fortitude necessary to reach their destination, what will they find when they get there?

In this thrilling conclusion to the Remnant trilogy, America is left teetering between total collapse and the dawn of a new and vastly different reality.

The Series (click to see my reviews): #1 Deep Shadows #2 Raging Storm

GIVEAWAY
Begins August 16
Ends September 6 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of many novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given. Winner's copy provided graciously by the author and shipped directly to winner from author or publisher.

Raging Storm (The Remnant Series #2) by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780736966559
Harvest House Publishers
$14.99 Paperback
Dystopian fiction

My thoughts: I always highly anticipate reading Vannetta Chapman's new releases. Raging Storm is certainly no exception and reading it has further cemented my opinion of her as an author with varied talents who can and does write fiction that is clean, exciting, interesting, and thought provoking.

As book two in The Remnant Series opens, Raging Storm has the featured individuals from book one (Deep Shadows) now venturing forth to find medical supplies for the inhabitants of their small town. They must try to avoid raging gangs of evil, unscrupulous people caught up in the devastation that resulted from the solar flare that left civilization totally uncivilized with no electricity or other utilities, no food, no medical supplies or hospitals, no protection. Conditions are bad. In fact, they are now so much worse than bad.

As they pierce the evil that is enveloping the large capital city, they do find a small group of people who call themselves "the Remnant." But they also find a different group ensconced in an old church that promises refuge but proves otherwise. Just who can they trust?

Will they be able to find the much needed medical supplies? How will they survive?

The questions this story opens up to niggle in our heads is, "What would we do if our world should today suddenly cease to exist? How would we react? How would we manage? Would we still hold to our faith in God?"

I highly recommended. Get a copy of Deep Shadows (The Remnant Series #1) and read it. Then read Raging Story (The Remnant Series #2.

About the book: In the Darkness, Anarchy Awakens

When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows she can't simply remain hidden forever. Carter is a type 1 diabetic in need of insulin—and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it.

Shelby's best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won't even consider letting her make the perilous journey alone. Together, they manage to get to the capital—only to discover that while things are desperate in Abney, Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy.

Shelby and Max's search for medical supplies will lead them into terrifying territory, where the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive.

In this second book in an eerily plausible, action-packed dystopian series, survival will be threatened and faith will be put to the ultimate test as a raging storm engulfs America.

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 4

ENDS March 25 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by the author to facilitate this review. I was not compensated. Opinions are my own.

DEEP SHADOWS (The Remnant Series - book One) by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780736966535
Harvest House Publishers
$14.95 Paperback
A dystopian novel

My thoughts: Vannetta Chapman has again honed her skill as an author and brought forth another engaging read for her avid followers. She has deviated from her tried and true Amish novels into an altogether different contemporary story embracing the frightening possibility of a world gone amok amidst the aftermath and continued horrors of a massive solar flare that wreaks havoc on all things electric.

In Deep Shadows you meet an array of interesting people of all ages and temperaments. And each of them is impacted by this perilous situation. Seniors in the senior home are dying. Banks and gas pumps don't work. Cars don't work. Medicine is in short supply and the possibility of acquiring more virtually non-existent. Food? Can you imagine.

The small town has an emergency plan and immediately begins to implement it. Long term? They must plant "victory gardens" just as was done during WWII. Water? They have at hand a wonderful spring bubbling up from the ground. Many towns don't have that.

Faith is stretched and tested as are folks' nerves and tolerance. And as I read I began to think about "what if" this really should occur. Or what if something akin to this should occur. Are we, am I prepared? 

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed and the storyline flowed well. The plausibility of the town's survival plans implementation and how to exist in a world without technology was well worked out and believable. 

About the book: All It Takes Is One Night to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe—until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology. 

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn't changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority—to keep Shelby and her son safe—could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby's faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 19

Ends August 9 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review on behalf of the author and publisher. Opinions are my own & I was not compensated.