The Virus

“Pessimistic? We’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. What’s there to be optimistic about?”

“Pessimistic? We’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. What’s there to be optimistic about?”
The Virus by Damien Lee

The end of the world usually signals the end of life. But for convicted murderer Frank Lee, it was only the beginning. With his newfound freedom, Frank suddenly has the world at his feet. The only downside; all the damn cannibals!

Amy was working in Sunnymoor Hospital when the virus struck. Now, with her patients craving flesh, the only person she can save is herself. But as more of the townsfolk fall victim to the wave of infection, Amy’s chances of survival quickly begin to diminish.

With reluctant alliances, betrayal and an unrelenting fight for survival, The Virus is an action-packed journey into the depths of human depravity.

Book 1 of 1

The end of the world usually signals the end of life. But for convicted murderer Frank Lee, it was only the beginning. With his newfound freedom, Frank suddenly has the world at his feet. The only downside; all the damn cannibals!

Amy was working in Sunnymoor Hospital when the virus struck. Now, with her patients craving flesh, the only person she can save is herself. But as more of the townsfolk fall victim to the wave of infection, Amy’s chances of survival quickly begin to diminish.

With reluctant alliances, betrayal and an unrelenting fight for survival, The Virus is an action-packed journey into the depths of human depravity.


Another wonderful list of characters I’d like to introduce:
HMP Harrodale Maximum Prison
  • Frank Lee, prisoner
  • Gus Razor, gangland boss prisoner
  • Tony Swales, bodyguard to Gus
  • Barry Henderson, prisoner guard
  • McAllister, prisoner guard
  • Zielinski, prisoner
  • Craddock, prisoner
  • Lisa, survivor picked up along the way
Sunnymoor Hospital
  • Amy, nurse
  • Joyce Khaliq, nurse
  • Ben, security guard
  • Terry, maintenance worker
  • Glen Reeves, survivor picked up along the way
Cobton Farm
  • Ronald Carter, owner
  • Louise, survivor
  • Simon, survivor
  • Elaine, survivor
  • Tina, survivor
Army Military Base
  • Lurch, henchman
  • Murdock, Army soldier

My Review:

This story is about an apocalyptic event and its aftermath which turns out to be a zombie making virus. The whole book is just the first couple days of the event with the characters learning how to survive in this new dystopian world.

That being said it was a thoroughly entertaining read explaining the beginnings of the zombie apocalypse and introducing the characters. It was easy to read, and fast paced after you got into it. The plot was well thought out and had an interesting take on the aftermath. The characters were quite different but totally relatable in how they deal with everything. I really enjoyed reading this book and hope it becomes a long series. Damien Lee has become one of my go to favorite authors that I will buy anything he writes. Highly addictive and would recommend.


My Favorite Words:

My favorite words: lorry, screws, shopping trolley: (I’m from the US so they were funny. No offense meant)


My Favorite Lines from the Story:

Undead con and undead corpse. He couldn’t decide which was worse; an undead corpse wandering the corridors, or a twisted body snatcher looking for an escape route. It didn’t take long to find out which it was.

The mortician’s van has seen more miles than a London cabbie these past few days.

“It’ll take about five minutes to get out,” he told them. “Keep an eye out for any of those freaks. If anyone attacks, kill them without thinking twice.” “We’re murderers,” Zielinski said. “It’s what we do.”

“Well, he’s tickety-boo now, isn’t he?”

Frank looked over at the woman. “Are you sure? No one you need to look for? No family or friends you want to get killed over?” “No, why do you ask?” Frank shrugged. “It’s what ordinary people do during a crisis, isn’t it? Emotions get in the way of logic, and they get killed looking for their gran.”

“Serial killer?” Frank scoffed. “Serial killer implies I’ve killed loads of people. I only killed one.” He looked around at the horrified faces. “Disregarding the zombies I’ve killed today, of course.”

“First communication goes. Then you say goodbye to electricity, running water, and before you know it, you’re living like a Neanderthal rubbing sticks together to make fire.”

“I still don’t know how useful you’re gonna be. Tina says you know how to fly?” “I do.”

“Okay, that’s one point. Do you own a plane?” The man shook his head. “And you’re back to zero.”

“What can you do?” “I can put my legs behind my head.” “Not something I was looking for.” “Really? Most men love that.”

“Pessimistic? We’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. What’s there to be optimistic about?”

“Lay off, Cheech.”

“Oh, and make sure you get sensible things. Tinned food, bottled water, jars. Basically, anything that doesn’t expire soon.” “We know,” Amy replied.

“And for god’s sake, don’t forget a tin opener. Not everything is a ring-pull!”

“Remember, we need to get sensible things. Don’t go getting bread and milk. Check the dates on everything. If it expires within six months, we don’t want it.” “Alcohol’s hardly sensible,” Elaine Look for tins, jars, cereals, vitamins, biscuits, and sweets.”

“Yes. They’re a valuable source of sugar and have a long shelf life. They’ll give you energy.”

And make sure we raid the medicine supply. Bandages, Paracetamol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, anything.

“Oh, well, f@&$ a moose on a winter’s night!”


Smart things to remember during a zombie apocalypse:

Instead of looking at the big picture, take each step at a time, survive that, look to the next step.

If whatever “it” is can spread to animals that is another danger to look out for.

If you go looking for someone you probably will be killed instead stay and fortify your location.

Don’t start off a zombie apocalypse naked and without shoes.

When ransacking a store see above for ideas.


Conclusion

The prequel to this series:

The Virus: Origins is available now

The next book: A sequel and is coming soon in early 2022

#Apocalyptic #Post-Apocalyptic #Horror #ScienceFiction #Dystopian #Thriller #Fantasy

10 Reasons to Leave That Book Review

10 Reasons to Leave That Book Review

Book Reviews, why should we…

10 Reasons to Leave That Book Review

I find myself as an active book blogger wondering what do all the other people think. “I bought the book, why review it?” Are there any feelings of obligation to review, do they think “Oh that was awesome I should review it somewhere?”

I know before I started blogging I left quite a few reviews but wondered did they help anyone. So let me help you decide when and how to leave a review.

What is a book review? 

A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and merit, in other words did you like what it’s about, did you like or dislike the style or was it even written in a way that was understandable?  A review is an extended version of the back of the book. It usually has a brief summary of the book, an opinion, and a recommendation. With all this it becomes the coveted book review.


What does the review do? 

The review helps potential readers:
  • Become familiar with what the book is about.
  • How much other readers enjoyed the book.
  • The “algorithm” will make suggestions like “If you liked that, you might like this”.
  • It gives worthiness to the book in potential readers eyes.
  • Amazon Kindle readers rely heavily on book reviews before making an online order of the book.

The review helps the author:

  • It creates a discussion about the book early in its release.
  • A review helps the book show up more often on some websites and web searches.
  • It helps the author be seen, especially if they’re new.
  • The critique can give the author insight to improve their writing.
  • More reviews get authors to be added to other book review sites, blogging communities, and book clubs.
  •  In the end, more reviews equal more sales.

Where to put your review:

  • If you’re an avid reader or even a casual reader you’ve seen and probably read a review or two or gotten an email to review a purchase.
  • Amazon is the big one, leaving reviews changes Amazon’s algorithm and increases sales.
  • Goodreads is an active book community that has reviews for tens of thousands of books.
  • BookBub is another that makes it easy to leave a review.
  • Many others like these exist, but these are the popular that I use almost daily.

What you shouldn’t do in a review:

  • Leave a review just because you were compensated for it, yes many authors buy them, and it shows in the review.
  • Leave a negative review just because you didn’t like the book as a matter of taste. If you just don’t like it, mark it as “Did Not Finish” and explain it. A negative review is important if there are blatant story line mistakes.
  • Don’t be a troll.

I’ll share a little bit of how I give star ratings, but everyone is different. How I give star ratings:

5

Is a book I would read multiple times, something that made me feel like I was there with the characters, has a unique plot/characters and something that made me feel emotions I wasn’t feeling before reading it. It would be a book I would highly recommend and that I had a hard time putting down or lost sleep over. The author becomes an automatic buy for me.

4

is a book I might possibly read again maybe even buy. If it was good and enjoyable and I liked the plot and characters it would get 4 stars. If it meshed well and it kept my attention throughout the story. I would more than likely recommend it.

3

I wouldn’t read / buy again. Characters or mistakes or both and if the characters were great but the plot wasn’t or the the plot is great, but the characters weren’t I would give it 3 stars. Some books get a 3 if I liked the story, but the writing style wasn’t great, or the writing was good, but the story was just meh, but with something slightly off. Maybe shoddy editing, a shallow character, an error which could have been easily checked on Google…

I never go below 3 stars. I just won’t leave a review.

Conclusion

I love writing reviews and I hope the authors love them just as much. I hope this helps you understand the importance of leaving a review. Reviews help everyone in the long run, so go leave a review, many people will appreciate it.

She will stop at nothing to find the rogue vampire.

Fire Witch

(A Zvi Jayden Novel)

by Sasha Marshall

Fire Witch
by Sasha S Marshall
(A Zvi Jayden Novel)

A horrible murder by a rogue vampire makes him Black Star’s number one fugitive. Deputy Hendri Connor calls on Zvi Jayden species unknown into the investigation. Her sister Moe who is a peacefully talented witch and Killian Kavanaugh who is centuries old King of the vampires, and a true gentleman are there to help her catch the killer of the horrendous murders before it’s too late.

Add in a “safe” hangout called The Bar, a bunch of varied supernaturals and you got a story so complex and witty that you cannot, and I mean cannot stop reading.

Sigh…as I fan myself. What can I say other than a fun and humorous must read.


Supernatural
Romance
Vampire
Magic
Witch



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