USA Today BestsellerDanger brings together two guarded hearts in a battle for survival in this irresistible story from New York Times bestselling authors Linda Howard and Linda Jones.Sela Gordon, the shy owner of a Tennessee general store, finds safety in solitude. But if anyone can pierce her protective shell it’s the handsome, mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove … mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain. For two years, he’s kept his distance—until the day he appears to warn her that a catastrophic solar storm capable of taking down the power grid is coming. Now, Sela must find the courage to become the leader Wears Valley needs.
Bitter experience has taught Ben Jernigan it’s best to look out for number one. For two years the former soldier has lived in a self-imposed exile, using a top-notch security system to keep people away. But he had to let Sela know about the impending threat—and now the quiet and undeniably sexy woman is making it too easy for him to lower his guard.
As panic spreads, Sela and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, there’s no more playing it safe—in life or in love.
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Fascinating Natural Disaster Survival Story
The sense of awe and adventure was strong in this book. I kept wondering what I would do in the same situation. I could empathize with the characters, especially Sela, who was compelled to step up and see what she was made of. At one point, I thought she behaved out of character, even though she was trying to be gutsy. Fortunately, Ben helped Sela recover, and it all worked out in the end.
Ben and Sela were two hearts that found each other after the disaster. I learned some new survival information. It was very well done. I enjoyed it!
I enjoyed this book as I do most of Linda Howard’s stories. I love her slow burn romances mixed with action, adventure and usually a twist or three. The battle for survival with unlikely people working together for the common good of a fairly isolated community seemed real, although the circumstance was something that has occurred on our planet in the past. I like how these authors ramped up the intimacy with the main characters. I highly recommend this book as an informative, entertaining read.
I loved this new book by Linda Howard and Linda Jones, a slow-burn romantic suspense. Although not the same subject matter as what is going on in the world right now, it did feel rather timely. It also reminded me of Cover of Night which was one of my Linda Howard favorites.
This book was released March 31 2020 in the mist of the world wide pandemic. This gave us more time to read but this book is also about an unexpected world wide crisis. In the book a CME ( NASA and other agencies have real concerns about CME.) Is going to hit earth. Given a short notification time, grocery stores
Look like snow was forcast for the south. But like the reality of our real world crisis, we see the worst and best of humanity in this fiction. This is a good read and thought provoking book.
Very realistic. 6 stars. Awesome ladies.
This is a well-written, fast paced, entertaining novel of suspense, survival, and romance. The characters are likable and engaging. It has a hot hero, a strong and capable female protagonist and wonderful chemistry. Ms. Jones and Ms. Howard never disappoint their readers!
After reading this book, I am ready to start stocking up my pantry and to run out to buy a generator! In this story two very reserved people must step up to prepare and protect their isolated community. Sela Gordon is the shy owner of the local general store and gas station and Ben Jernigan is a retired Marine who has lived high on the mountain for the past two years. When a friend warns him of a catastrophic solar event, he warns Sela and she makes preparations for her family. As the whole community of Wears Valley comes together to survive, they look to Sela and then to Ben as well to keep them safe and help make decisions to improve their chances together. As they face the dangers and challenges together, they find themselves on the path to love.
What an amazing pre and post-apocalyptic story with great characters and a thought-provoking premise!
After Sundown by Linda Howard and Linda Jones
There is nothing more timely than reading this book, After Sundown, about a catastrophic solar storm (Coronal Mass Ejections – CME) that would destroy the power grid around the world – and the effects would be felt for months or even years. I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this for its suspenseful romantic thrill, that after reading I thought that our current situation could actually be so much worse, and that this could really happen too.
The story is set in a small Tennessee mountain town of Wears Valley, and centered on two characters – the recluse and always ready military veteran Ben Jernigan, and Sela Gordon, a single mom who owns the local gas station and general store.
Ben is a survivalist and though he prefers to keep to himself, he decides to warn Sela of this catastrophic event when he went in to town for supplies. The series of events that happen pull them both closer together as they navigate through the dark and panic sets as they are cut off from the world. But the importance of supporting and protecting each other as a community is the key to everyone’s survival.
This was my first time reading their books and I was very impressed with the writing, the setting up of the catastrophic world, the development of these main characters, as well as the supporting casts which add to the thrilling and suspenseful story line. I thought that the writing was creative and I really enjoyed it for its entertainment value. Had I read this prior to COVID, I would have never thought this could even happen or thought to take anything quite so seriously.
I recommend this book for a quick read and amazing storyline.
This might not have been the best choice of reading while under a shelter-in-place order, but it did underline the fact that we are currently inconvenienced and not in world-ending crisis. That said, fiction and reality are both things to shudder about. This is a thriller, not a romance. There is a romance in it, but don’t read it looking for the harlequin-style romances of Howard’s or Jones’ earlier careers. It’s a page-turner but not fluffy, escapist reading.
“And so it began, not with thunderous noise, or drama, or a cataclysmic collapse, but with . . . silence.”
I have enjoyed many of Linda Howard’s books in the past. MR. PERFECT is a favorite from many years ago. I also enjoy most books of the post-apocalyptic genre so getting the Advanced Reading Copy of this book was a no-brainer for me.
Ben Jernigan had settled on top of a mountain outside of the small community of Wears Valley, Tennessee after he got out of the Marines two years ago. All he wanted was solitude and to by himself. When he hears from a military friend that a series of CMEs (coronal mass ejections), or solar storms, are going to hit Earth in a matter of hours, he knows that a SHTF time is coming and not everyone will survive. Satellites, communications, and power will be down for an indefinite period of time.
Going against his solitary nature, he finds himself forewarning Sela Gordon, the owner of a small grocery store and gas station he uses occasionally. Both he and Sela have noticed each other in the past but have never followed up on their mutual attraction.
This is a wonderful story of the perseverance and ingenuity of people in the midst of a disaster. It is a story of family, friends and neighbors trying to survive.
And it is a hot romance tale. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from William Morrow Books through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
I can’t tell you how excited I was to be able to read a new book by Linda Howard. I love her older books and feel her books are well written with characters I like to read. I’ve also read books by Linda Jones so I also know her writing style. Both are enjoyable authors.
I came into reading After Sundown without knowing what it was about than getting a slight chuckle when I did because a TV show just did this. So do we have a new worry?
I will admit that it’s not really my type of book. I was a little shocked that it was billed as a romance because I didn’t think there was that much romance in it. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t need a to much sex or in your face “I love you” to be a romance I just want to feel like they care about each other and I didn’t get that from this.
One other thing I was shocked about is that it reminded me of another book by Howard that I really loved. The saving grace of the book is how well written it is. I could see the picture in my head of what was going on. It was interesting enough to keep you reading but in the end, were you satisfied? I’m not sure.
I think those who like this type of romance “world ending” will really enjoy it. Others that are looking for romantic suspense with heavy romance might not. Even with staying this when Howard comes out with a new book and if it’s not in this theme I will definitely try it. I might even go back and read some of my favorites of hers. She has many.
After Sundown by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
Apocalypse coming and Ben Jernigan is the only one in the area that seems to be prepared. Soon after he becomes aware there is one person he feels compelled to tell – Sela Gordon. His alerting her as soon as he finds out gives her a bit of time to stockpile a few things.
Sela and Ben have seen and appreciated one another from time to time but were both dealing with issues and not ready to embrace more than nods of the head…then…that changed.
In a time where working together is essential for survival there will always be a few that are only out for themselves and their greed and amoral behavior can and does create a problem. Whether or not the town will be strong enough to survive and also protect themselves from not only the CME but the predators is what this book is about…plus a wee bit of romance.
What I liked:
* Ben: a quiet, knowledgeable man anybody would want in their corner…and perhaps also in their bed.
* Sela: shy and unwilling to risk her heart again but also smart, organized and caring…someone to have on your side.
* Dog: what a sweet mutt
* The way the community, for the most part, came together
* That the situation was “dire” for awhile but with an expected eventual improvement
* Ben & Sela as a couple
* The supporting characters – too many to name
* That though this wasn’t the typical Linda Howard romantic suspense it had the same quality writing and character development.
What I did not like:
* The people I was meant not to like
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by these authors? Yes
Thank you to Edelweiss-Above the Treeline and Harper Collins Publishers for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars