Book Review: Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley

This is an easy and fun read.

Just Say Yes

by Phillipa Ashley

• File Size: 953 KB
• Print Length: 324 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0755343328
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (June 5, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007VEQ9GW

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Praise for Carrie Goes Off the Map:

"Engaging...Ashley's charming prose makes the journey enjoyable."—Publishers Weekly

"This tale has its own Bridget Jones–style appeal."—Booklist
"Quirky and fun!"—RT Book Reviews

"Fulfills all the best fantasies, including a gorgeous humanitarian hero and a camper van!"—Katie Fforder, UK bestselling author of Love Letters
There's one question a girl should always say yes to...
But Lucy Gibson said no. On national TV. Now she's hated by nearly everyone.
Fleeing the spotlight's glare, Lucy holes up in a cottage in the country, where she just might find the right reasons to say yes after all...
From beloved novelist Philipa Ashley, Just Say Yes is a sharp and exuberant tale of the rocky road to love that'll leave you saying "Yes!"

Review:

Lucy Gibson, a marketing assistant, falls hard for Nick, a sexy young man she meets at the bagel shop where she is sent to pick up lunches for her boss. Lucy has a good reputation at her office as a reliable, grounded worker.  She is surprised when the sexy “bagel guy” shows interest in her.

Nick stands her up on the first two dates but they finally connect in a strong, if not fully committed way. Nick isn’t always reliable and he can be quite moody at times but he is a real charmer. But Nick has greater plans than being a “bagel guy.” He is a participant in a TV reality program to pick a top entrepreneur who will get a large donation toward their dream business. Nick plans to be have his own event management business. He is very serious about the program and if it means missing a date with Lucy, surely she understands it is the best for the future. They can have time together later to get to know each other ...outside of bed.

After months of great times in bed, but rocky times otherwise, it is time for the show finale. The winner is announced and then Nick proposes to Lucy on stage in front of millions. Lucy is shocked and unprepared. When she says “no” she becomes a villain in the eyes of the public.  As far as the press is concerned, she is fair game for all of their questions and pictures. They harass not only her mother but her employer’s office as well. Her superiors like her work and suggest that she take a month’s leave to let the excitement die down.

Hurt and angry, Lucy agrees to go with her best friend, Fiona who owns a cottage at the shore. Fiona builds a ‘cover story’ ID for Lucy to help her maintain her anonymity.  This works fine until a local ‘bad boy’ turned cottage and business owner, Josh, decides that Lucy may be the right woman for his life.

All is promising until Josh’s ex-girlfriend shows up with the press before Lucy can reveal the truth of her situation.  Can Josh accept that Lucy has lied about who she is or will she now lose him too as a result of the Nick fiasco?

Ms. Ashley does her usual yummy descriptions and characters with flaws and quirks. The relationships have their challenges.  I didn’t like Nick too much but enjoyed Lucy, Fiona and Josh. If you like a quick, light and fun read you should enjoy this one.

I enjoyed reading this for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 15, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

I think this is still open so I am still asking for your vote on my Audio love post at Audiobook Community. Here is the link if you get a chance and would be so kind :-):
Thanks Faith Hope Cherrytea for telling me the link was general.
Here is the specific link:  (Scroll down below mid page)
http://www.facebook.com/audiobookcommunity?v=app_308816365872891&app_data=entry_id%3D6058046

Friday the 15th represents a big day for me. It is our son's Birthday (Happy BD M!) He was born on Father's Day 26 years ago. The weekend is also poignant as I have come to South Florida to visit my 88 year old Dad who is in the hospital and struggling to hold his own. Payers are appreciated.

Thank you to all who entered June 8 Pick.  There was One Automatic winner this week + one I am awarding :-) (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
There were two blocked picks but one was won through Random.org

Anita chose Fresh Disasters
Elizabeth chose Ladies Start Your Engines (this is a preview book so I am mailing it out with another book that Elizabeth won.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from June 8 Pick:

Spav gets a GC
and

Carol L wins Gabriel's Lady

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

This is an image of a father reading
with a child.
Dad, I love you.
Image found at The Centre Blog

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Gabriel's Lady by Ana Seymor

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

Nightshade by John Saul

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

When Dreams Come True by Cathy Maxwell (slight spine wear)

A Week in Winter by Marcia Willett

Slow Heat by Erica Spindler

The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly
*Not Looking for a Texas Man by Lass Small
*Ladies Start Your Engines

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
Dick Francis
     Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown  

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

Death Angel by Linda Howard

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 368 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---

List #14

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12

The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)

Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

MBS Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop June 15 - 20, 2012

This is a great way to clear out more books!
Thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting! 

I have updated my Review and ARC pictures into these three pictures. The books are in alphabetical order by title and the books are listed below under either Review or ARC.

PRIZES FOR THIS GIVEAWAY:

**First Place - Pick of any Three books from the Review/ARC List

Second Place - Pick of any Two books from the Review/ARC List

Third Place - Pick of One book from the Review/ARC List

**This is OPEN WORLDWIDE with the limitation that postage for an international winner not exceed $15.00.
Please Enter by using the Rafflecopter form below the lists.

Review Books:
Barely a Lady (The Drake's Rakes series) by Eileen Dryer

Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye     Chosen by Maria

Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin)
The Fear of God: Jaguar Series by B.A. Chepaitis
The Fear Principle: Jaguar Series by B.A. Chepaitis
Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis     Chosen by Maria
How to Marry a Duke by Vicki Dreiling

Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
Lonestar Secrets (Lonestar Series Book 2) by Coleen Coble
Midnight Reckoning by Kendra Leigh Castle     Chosen by Maria
Miss Hildreath Wore Brown by Olivia deBelle Byrd SSB June win

Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes Series) by Eileen Dryer (3 copies - one ARC, two review)
New Tricks by David Rosenfelt
Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeffery W Turner (not in picture)

Still the One by Robin Wells

Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry 

ARC Books:
A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (2 copies - one ARC, one review)
Confessions of an Improper Bride (A Donovan Novel) by Jennifer Haymore
Deliciously Sinful by Lilli Feisty
Everyone Loves a Hero: ...and that's the problem by Marie Force   Chosen by Yto
Firelight by Kristen Callihan
The Goblin King by Shona Husk
The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) by Margaret Mallory
Highland Hero by Hannah Howell
Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee
Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen      Chosen by Yto
My Immortal Assassin by Carolyn Jewel  Chosen for SSB May 2012 Q Win
Montana Glory by R. C. Ryan
No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper Chosen by Diane
Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5) by Larissa Ione (2 ARCs)
The Sinner by by Margaret Mallory
Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger
The Storm that is Stirling by Lisa Renee Jones
Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon  (2 ARCs) - 1 Chosen for SBB June win
Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt
Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsey
Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

Giveaway will close 12:01am on June 21.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are lots of awesome giveaways to check out:. Happy Hopping!

Guest Post and Interview With Ray Gorham, Author of 77 Days In September

Living With Your Editor

As I came to the conclusion of the second draft of my book, I decided I had probably better have someone with better English skills than myself do a little bit of editing.  In school I had always been a good reader and decent speller, and strong in math and science, but for some reason the rules of English, beyond the basics, never made sense to me.  Fortunately, I have a very talented wife.

Feeling pretty good about my book, I approached her with a 2” stack of paper (I had managed to talk her into editing).   “Prepare to be amazed,” I said (or something equally witty, I’m sure).  She stuck her hand out for the manuscript.  “I’m pretty busy, but I’ll get to it as soon as I can,” she replied.  From the expression on her face, I could tell she wasn’t expecting to be amazed.

Being in need of affirmation after such a long project, I was very anxious to get her feedback.  It was probably only a week, but it seemed like a month before she announced she had the first chapter done.  I eagerly snatched the papers from her hand, expecting to see smiley faces on each page, an occasional missing comma fixed, and a mushy love note at the end of the chapter telling me how wonderful my writing was and how glad she was she married me.

She turned to go make dinner and missed seeing my legs buckle as I glanced down at the first page.  Red ink everywhere!  I stumbled to the bedroom and fell into my writing chair.  With shaking hands I fanned through the 20 or so pages in my hand, more red than black.  My head spun.  I had thought my wife was pretty smart, now I wasn’t so sure. 

Commas, apostrophes, possessives, verbiage, wording—you name it, she nailed me on it.  I opened the document on my computer and started making corrections.  Okay, maybe I need a comma there.  I guess that word fits better.  I’ll trust you on this one.  By the end of the night the first chapter was done, and it was looking and sounding quite a bit better than it had hours earlier.

We did make it through the book, and the final product is much, much better than my original version.  We liked the process so much that we went through it two more times for the book (just kidding about the like part).  In my defense, I can proudly report that there were some pages towards the end of the book that didn’t need any editing, but they were few and far between.

I learned a few things from the process.  A second set of eyes on your work is essential, because no matter how thorough you think you’ve been, you’ll miss a ton.  Editing isn’t personal.  Rules are rules, and no matter how good I think something is, it needs to be said the right way.  Also, English can be learned—she’s been through part of my second book and has commented that I’ve improved greatly on the technical side of writing (hooray for me!).

Finally, I’ve realized why we never hear about people falling in love with their editor.  Agent?  Yes.  Bodyguard?  Yes.  Backup dancer?  Yes.  Director?  Yes.  Fans?  Yes.  Editor?  Not on your life.  I don’t think it is humanly possible to fall madly in love with someone who points out everything you do wrong.  Fortunately for me, I had fallen in love with her years before, so we didn’t have that hurdle to cross.  So my life, and my writing, is much better for it.

INTERVIEW WITH RAY GORHAM:

Welcome today to Ray Gorham visiting with me at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Hello Ray -

I thought your guest post was figurative until I read it and realized it was literal. That is great to have such support and assistance.

I have to tell you that I remember reading Alas Babylon back in the 1970s and I listened to it on Audible last year.  I enjoyed reading 77 Days in September as an updated perspective on an EMP attack against America through a very engaging story.

Q1.  What inspired you to write this particular story? 

RG: I had wanted to write a book for some time, but was tired of so many books with characters who were not moral people.  I don’t want saints, just people who try to do the right thing, even when it is really difficult.  In this story, I wanted to have people who, in the most difficult situation I could imagine, hold on to their decency, and try and do what’s right.

I very much appreciated the real characters you created and the morality aspects of your story.  

Q2.  What is the biggest obstacle you have to overcome when you want to write?

RG:  Finding the time to do it.  I have several ideas for books that I think could be quite enjoyable, but between work and family I don’t have the time I need to write.  I need to learn to do with less sleep I think, or things will never get done.

I can so relate to that problem. 

Q3.  Can you please share one thing you found surprising or unusual when researching or writing 77 Days in September?

RG:  The trigger in the story is an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP).  I found a report online that was prepared for congress a few years back, and reading their assessment of what would happen in with a low level EMP was way scary.  Most experts predict a mortality rate of over 50% for the entire population after the first year, and yet it is something we never hear about.  I ended up wanting to warn people as much as I wanted to entertain them.  Hopefully the book will inspire some people to become more prepared.

I agree that this is a threat that we tend to overlook or downplay.

Q4.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

RG:  It’s not really a hobby, but I like to think about life, and God, and people, and some of my reflections come out in the characters and their conversations.  I thought I kept it pretty light, but there have been a few negative reviews referencing those sections.  Oh well, could be worse, I guess.

I was actually a little disappointed you did not include more faith in the ending of the story. Overall though I thought the tone was balanced.

Q5. What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing and what one tip would you pass on to new authors?

RG:  It’s not really a tip, but I have Steven King’s book, On Writing, on audio book.  I’ve listened to it about three times and it helped give me the confidence I could do it.  In it, he compared writing a story to unearthing a dinosaur, said the writer does the digging and simply uncovers what is there.  It sounds kind of weird, but it worked for me.  For advice, I’d just say sit down and do it, but don’t expect a payback.  I’ve been pretty lucky, but most writers make next to nothing from their efforts. 

I am glad you are pleased with your efforts as I do think you are right that writing is a lot of work often with little monetary return.

Q6.  What do you normally read and what are you reading now? 

RG:  I like history and non-fiction.  I’m currently reading “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” by Thomas Cahill.  I also like Colleen McCulloch’s Masters of Rome series.  I really wish I had more time to read (and write, as well).

Thank you for sharing with my blog readers and me.

RG:  Greatly appreciate your time and interest. 

Find Ray and his book at these links:

http://www.facebook.com/ray.gorham

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/77-Days-In-September/192933520729507

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67990

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/77-Days-in-September-ebook/dp/B0052T1O6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312412424&sr=8-1

Book Review: 77 Days In September by Ray Gorham

This is an engaging post-apocalyptic story that gives you survival and moral issues to think about.

77 Days in September
by Ray Gorham

• File Size: 460 KB
• Print Length: 283 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0052T1O6S

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Post Apocalyptic

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2011

On a Friday afternoon before Labor Day, Americans are getting ready for the holiday weekend, completely unaware of a long-planned terrorist plot about to be launched against the country. Kyle Tait is settling in for his flight home to Montana when a single nuclear bomb is detonated 300 miles above the heart of America. The blast, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), destroys every electrical device in the country, and results in the crippling of the power grid, the shutting down of modern communications, and bringing to a halt most forms of transportation.

Kyle narrowly escapes when his airplane crashes on take-off, only to find himself stranded 2,000 miles from home in a country that has been forced, from a technological standpoint, back to the 19th Century. Confused, hurt, scared, and alone, Kyle must make his way across a hostile continent to a family he’s not even sure has survived the effects of the attack. As Kyle forges his way home, his frightened family faces their own struggles for survival in a community trying to halt its slow spiral into chaos and anarchy.

77 Days in September follows Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, as they are stretched past their breaking point, but find in their devotion to each other the strength to persevere. 

Review:

I have been enjoying reading post-apocalyptic books and was anxious to read this story when it was offered.
I wasn’t far into it when it made me think of the reality-like quality of The War of the Worlds. The story is set up so realistically I was quickly engaged and pretty much read the book in one day.

A group of terrorists have waited and planned for many years to make a strike that will disable America. The bombs explode miles in space but the resulting EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) impacts all electrical devices causing devastating plane crashes, car crashes and stopping all communication and crippling any business dependent on electricity.

The story shifts between the characters. The reader experiences Kyle’s struggles traveling on foot through hostile cities to get home to his family in Montana.  Kyle shares thoughts and emotional feelings through journaling letters to his family. Alternating chapters show his wife, Jennifer, and their children as they fight for basic survival and to keep hope alive. There are some good, caring people willing to help but that is contrasted with the societal breakdowns shown through the greed and malicious actions of evil people. Kyle faces danger and has to decide how far he will go to defend his meager supplies or himself against evil attackers.

Jennifer faces different problems trying to find food sources for her children and keeping them busy and optimistic in times that bring despair. I felt this part of the story was a little weak. Although different survival, medical and social issues are touched on there is not much depth on these issues.

Additionally both husband and wife face relationship temptation. How does Jennifer fend off unwanted attention from a local leader in the community, a man of power and control? Will Kyle resist the seduction of an attractive woman in circumstances where there are no witnesses and no others to know his actions? The story demonstrates that the EMP damage creates a world where anyone could walk away from their responsibilities, leave who they were and become someone else.

I liked the realistic sense of the story and the easy flow of the writing.  I liked Kyle’s determination and Jennifer’s positive attitude. I also enjoyed how Mr. Gorham shared probable societal issues and he provided a view of faith through good people who were willing to do the “right” things even when it wasn’t necessarily expedient.

I was interested to compare this to the 1950s classic Alas Babylon. 77 Days story deals with more modern losses like cell phones and computers. But primarily this story is distinct in that it focuses on two partners of a marriage and how they cope with moral issues rather than telling the story of a surviving village. I found 77 Days in September to be engaging and entertaining and recommend it to those who enjoy Post-Apocalyptic stories and a book that presents moral issues to consider.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of Kyle’s thoughts on his way:

I’ve realized in the past few days that we don’t need much to be happy, just good people to be with. Location 2774.

An important lesson to note:

“...We’ve been so conditioned to think that the government is always going to be there to fix things that we expect everything to work out. But now that the government can’t take care of us, we’re helpless to do anything for ourselves.” Location 4677

Thank you to the author and Bewitching Book Tour for providing this book for review. Please enjoy the author Guest Post and Interview that follow.

Part of this book takes place in Montana for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also include this on my ARC, New Author and Post-Apocalyptic Challenge lists.